Christmas TV Guide 2017: Our fabulous festive wrap-up of the best shows on the box

This year’s festive schedule is packed with treats.

There’s stuff for the kids, plenty of comedy and a sackload of drama.

Peter Capaldi will make his final outing as Doctor Who, while Alan Carr will bring back a classic game show.

There’s something for everyone, but here’s the best of the best.

DOCTOR WHO

CHRISTMAS DAY, 5.30PM BBC One

The Doctor will see you now…for the final time. This year’s festive special will be Peter Capaldi’s last outing as the Timelord.

BBC chiefs have given his send-off a plum spot and it is expected to pull in around 9million viewers.

Fans are hoping they will finally get to see Jodie Whittaker in her first scenes as the first-ever female Doctor.

And this year’s special will also be the last episode for Scottish screenwriter Steven Moffat.

Broadchurch boss Chris Chibnall is taking the helm of the sci-fi show for the next series.

MRS BROWN’S BOYS

CHRISTMAS DAY, 10PM & NEW YEAR’S DAY, 10PM BBC One

Fans will get a double helping of their favourite Irish family this year with Christmas and New Year specials.

Brendan O’Carroll is back as gobby Agnes and the storylines are as daft as ever.

Cathy looks at internet dating while Father Damien sets up a Neighbourhood Watch… with hilarious results.

MAIGRET

CHRISTMAS EVE, 8.30PM ITV

Rowan Atkinson’s detective is back to tackle a new case.

His fourth outing will see him heading to Montmartre in Paris where he is tasked with solving the murder of a stripper.

He soon finds himself combing the city’s streets in the search for clues.

The cast also includes Mark Heap, Douglas Hodge and Lucy Cohu.

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BAKE OFF

CHRISTMAS DAY, 7.40PM Channel 4

When TV’s biggest show moved to Channel 4, fans were nervous it might lose its charm.

But it proved a huge hit and pulled in record ratings for the network. Now, four former contestants get a second bid for glory.

Val Stones, Selasi Gbormittah, Benjamina Ebuehi and Rav Bansal are all back.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will pick a winner.

MIRANDA DOES CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 27th, 9PM Channel 4

Miranda Hart has made just a handful of TV appearances in recent years.

But this month she’ll be fronting the Royal Variety as well as her own festive special.

Channel 4 have signed her up for a “raucous Christmas party with some very special guests”.

Exact details are being kept under wraps but you can bet it will be “such fun”.

STRICTLY COME DANCING

CHRISTMAS DAY, 6.30PM BBC One

You can look forward to plenty of sparkle as six former contestants return.

The line-up includes Judy Murray, Katie Derham, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine.

Bosses are pulling out all the stops to make it even more magical – so expect judges in fancy dress and some fantastic footwork.

MOST SHOCKING CELEBRITY MOMENTS

DECEMBER 27th, 9PM Channel 5

There have been plenty of jaw-dropping moments in the world of showbiz over the past 12 months.

Kim Woodburn caused chaos on Celebrity Big Brother, Gemma Collins fell through the stage at a Radio 1 awards and a flasher brought blushes at Eurovision.

Channel 5’s annual countdown charts the best…and worst…moments.

A host of reality stars and experts, including Hot TV’s own Ed Gleave, will be on hand to give their opinions.

VICTORIA

CHRISTMAS DAY, 9PM ITV

Jenna Coleman is back as the monarch for a two-hour special this Christmas Day.

There will be proposals and some unexpected guests, while screenwriter Daisy Goodwin warns there will be lots of shocks.

She promised: “It’s full of stuff which is true, but people won’t believe it’s true because they’ve not seen it before or heard about it before. I think viewers will be astonished.”

CALL THE MIDWIFE

CHRISTMAS DAY, 7.40PM BBC One

Poplar is in chaos as we return for Christmas 1962.

The nuns and midwives are left battling the elements on Boxing Day as Britain suffers one of its coldest winters on record.

This festive special is packed with the hard-hitting and heartwarming storylines that have made it TV’s biggest drama.

Ex-EastEnder Anita Dobson guest stars.

THE HIGHWAY RAT

CHRISTMAS DAY, 4.45PM BBC One

Family viewing doesn’t get much more charming than this animated special.

David Tennant voices a greedy rat who craves sweet treats… everything from buns to biscuits.

The show, based on a kids’ book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, will be at the heart of the BBC’s Christmas schedule.

Tom Hollander and Rob Brydon also voice characters.

STILL OPEN ALL HOURS

DECEMBER 28th, 7.30PM BBC One

Sir David Jason is back for another outing as shopkeeper Granville.

This Christmas special marks the start of the fourth series, running into 2018.

The show has now had as many series as Open All Hours, the classic comedy that inspired it.

David ruled the roost when it came to festive TV when he starred in Only Fools and Horses.

And these days it’s no different as Still Open All Hours is expected to pull in bumper ratings.

AL MURRAY’S MAKE CHRISTMAS GREAT AGAIN

DECEMBER 22nd, 9PM ITV

The Pub Landlord is making a TV comeback with a one-off special.

There will be seasonal games and plenty of celebrity guests.

Host Al said: “Christmas needs a boost in these turbulent times. That’s why I have stepped into the breach and offered to Make Christmas Great Again with songs, guests and a sack full of Christmas cheer to turbo boost the season.”

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

DECEMBER 30th, 8PM ITV

Channel 4 is reviving the world’s longest-running game show in which contestants guess how much things cost to win big prizes.

Millions remember watching Bruce Forsyth hosting, but this time round Alan Carr will be at the helm.

If this pilot is a hit you can expect a full series to follow.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

DECEMBER 18th, 9PM ITV

Since Tracey, Sharon and Dorien returned in 2014, viewers have flocked to watch. And now the trio are back for more laughs with a Christmas special.

Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph all agreed to reprise their roles to give fans another dose of Essex humour.

This year they decide to stay at home for the festive season… but as you’d expect, nothing quite goes to plan.

BLIND DATE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

DECEMBER 23rd, 8PM Channel 5

Paul O’Grady had viewers in stitches when he revived television’s best-loved dating show, replacing his late pal Cilla Black as host.

The show’s comeback on Saturday nights was such a smash it is returning with a festive special.

You can expect plenty of witty one-liners from Paul plus some corny chat-up lines from the contestants.

THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN

DECEMBER 18, 19 & 20th, 10PM BBC Two

Are you local? The residents of Royston Vasey are back after 15 years.

Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith have revived their creepy comedy for three specials, being shown on consecutive nights.

Watch out for oddball couple Tubbs and Edward among the returning characters.

MICHAEL McINTYRE’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

CHRISTMAS EVE, 8.30PM BBC One

Guests including Seal and Bill Bailey are set to add some festive cheer as producers promise “big laughs, big stars and big surprises”.

Expect another hilarious Celebrity Send To All where a star hands over their phone to Michael.