With less than a month to go until the big day, we could not be more ready to plonk ourselves down on the sofa with a glass of mulled wine (or three) and dive into this year’s Christmas telly.
Ahead of the full listings being revealed, the BBC have become the first of the main terrestrial broadcasters to unveil what they have in store for us over the festive period.
There are treats galore, with the long-awaited returns of some all-time favourites, some gripping new dramas, the climax of EastEnders’ biggest storyline and some very special one-offs.
Check out the pick of the bunch below…
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special
It’s been nearly 10 years since we said goodbye to the Shipmans and the Wests, but the cast is back for this long-awaited Christmas special.
As we catch up with Gavin, Stacey and the gang, they’re all off to Barry for the festivities, where Uncle Bryn’s cooking dinner – much to Pam’s annoyance, who would much rather be spending Christmas in Essex.
For Gavin and Stacey, parenthood continues to present them with several challenges 10 years on from the birth of their baby. Smithy continues to commit to his fatherly role, making the journey to Barry at weekends and every second Wednesday to see 12-year-old Neil “The Baby”, while Nessa has her own unique brand of mothering.
Meanwhile, Christmas Eve sees Dawn makes a shocking discovery about Pete that jeopardises their marriage (again).
Doctor Who
While Doctor Who is not getting a Christmas special this year, the brand new series is set to kick off very early in 2020 with more adventures packed full of scares and surprises.
Jodie Whittaker is back as The Doctor, while Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry will be among those featured as guest stars, alongside returning companions Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole.
A Christmas Carol
Guy Pearce takes on the role of Scrooge in this brand new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.
The three-part special stays true to the original story, following the miserly cold-hearted boss, as he is visited by ghosts from the past, present and future, on a freezing Christmas Eve.
Andy Serkis, Stephen Graham, Charlotte Riley, Joe Alwyn and Vinette Ro also star.
Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration
This year sees marks 10 years since Miranda Hart’s eponymous sitcom first galloped on to our screens and to celebrate, the cast are all coming together for a what-I-call reunion.
This special show, filmed at The London Palladium, will feature a host of treats and surprises as Miranda and friends look back over a decade of “such fun”.
The Trial Of Christine Keeler
This new six-part drama takes us behind the headlines of one of the most infamous British stories of the 20th century: the chain of events in the 1960s that came to be known as the Profumo Affair.
At the centre of the storm was 19-year-old Christine Keeler – a young woman whom the powerful, male-dominated establishment sought to silence and exploit, but who refused to play by their rules.
Sophie Cookson, James Norton, Ellie Bamber, Ben Miles and Emilia Fox lead a stellar cast in this tale of sexual and cultural politics.
Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show
After becoming the most watched show on Christmas Day last year, Michael McIntyre is back with another festive version of his Big Show.
Sharon Osbourne hands over her phone as she plays Send To All, while Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood might not be feeling quite so fab-u-lous as Michael wakes him up in the middle of the night for a special edition of the Midnight Gameshow.
Dracula
Penned by the co-creators Sherlock, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, this three-part mini series re-introduces the world of Dracula.
In Transylvania in 1897, the blood-drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London. And be warned: the dead travel fast.
Award-winning Danish actor Claes Bang takes on the role of Dracula in this BBC and Netflix co-production.
Take Off With Bradley And Holly
Holly Willoughby ditches her usual co-presenter Phillip Schofield to team up with The Chase’s Bradley Walsh for this one-off festive extravaganza.
The hosts will be spreading some Christmas cheer as they give lucky audience members the chance to win the trip of a lifetime to Lapland, alongside plenty of surprises, games and celebrity appearances.
Strictly Come Dancing
Just days after this year’s Strictly winner will lift the Glitterball trophy, the doors to the ballroom will be flung open once again as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcome back a host of former contestants who will be vying to be crowned Christmas 2019 champion.
Those returning are Debbie McGee, Chizzy Akudolu, Mark Wright and Richard Arnold, plus Gemma Atkinson and Joe Sugg who will be dancing with their respective real-life partners Gorka Marquez and Dianne Buswell.
The Snail And The Whale
From the creators of The Gruffalo comes the empowering tale of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale.
This half-hour adaptation is voiced by Gavin & Stacey’s Rob Brydon as the whale, Sally Hawkins as the snail and Dame Diana Rigg as the narrator.
Call The Midwife
As Christmas approaches, a bout of influenza sweeps through Nonnatus House prompting the nurses to decamp Outer Hebrides where there is a nursing and doctor shortage.
As the team set about establishing an antenatal clinic and treating the local population, they must battle not only the weather and bleak terrain, but the suspicions of some of the islanders.
Meanwhile, back in Poplar, Reggie has come home for Christmas and finds a hidden present, The Guinness Book of World Records, and soon decides to try and break one himself.
Winter Animals
Liz Bonnin meets some of the world’s most iconic winter animals to uncover the secrets behind their remarkable stories and the strategies they use to survive freezing temperatures.
Siberian chipmunks, the American Bobcat, Caribou, an Arctic ground squirrel and a sea otter are just some of the characters you can expect to be introduced to.
EastEnders
The secret of Sharon Mitchell and Keanu Taylor’s affair has been a ticking timebomb – one that is set to go off in spectacular fashion this Christmas.
As their lies begin to unravel, it’s only a matter of time until Phil finds out that his wife is carrying another man’s child, and when he does, revenge will be the only thing on his mind.
Meanwhile, over at The Vic, Linda Carter’s drinking spirals out of control, leaving her in a desperate situation.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as across the Square a guardian angel is watching over one family, as their fortunes change for the better.
Hugh Grant: A Life On Screen
Hugh Grant celebrates his long-standing film and TV career in this new documentary, which sees him tell the story behind his success in his own words.
The actor looks back over some of his biggest hits, including his breakthrough role as Charles in Four Weddings And A Funeral and other films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Love Actually, Notting Hill and About A Boy.
The programme also includes interviews from friends and former co-stars including Andie MacDowell, Richard Curtis, Sandra Bullock, Colin Firth and Nicholas Hoult.
Worzel Gummidge
This new adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd’s books is a modern take on the classic story, beloved by generations of children and adults alike.
Mackenzie Crook, who writes, directs and stars as Worzel Gummidge, has gathered an impressive cast including Sir Michael Palin as The Green Man, Zoë Wanamaker as Lady Bloomsbury Barton, Steve Pemberton as Mr Braithwaite and Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs Braithwaite.
Mimi And The Mountain Dragon
A special animated adaptation of Sir Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book tells the story about a village that quakes in feature of the mighty Mountain Dragon.
One winter, a shy little girl called Mimi finds a baby dragon asleep in her family woodshed and takes the perilous journey through the blizzard and darkness to return the baby dragon to her mother, who all the villagers fear.
Top Of The Pops
Hosts Clara Amfo and Fearne Cotton are back for the two annual specials – one at Christmas and one at New Year – which celebrate another year in pop with performances from some of the year’s hottest names in music.
Mrs Brown’s Boys
Love it or loathe it, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of Mrs Brown’s Boys.
In the festive special, a series of family rows lead to Agnes wishing she’d never been born – a wish that is inadvertently granted by a mysterious man named Clyde and leaves her coming to terms with a life she doesn’t know.
Meanwhile, at New Year there’s bad news for Winnie when Agnes discovers Peggy Piper the Pernod poisoner is out on appeal and could be coming back to Finglas…
The Christmas Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan: The Sahara
After last year saw Romesh visit the Arctic to film a Christmas special, he’s vowed never to go anywhere near cold again, so has ended up travelling to the Sahara desert for this year’s festive edition of his travel show.
However, he may soon start to regret that decision when temperatures start to rise to a sweltering 50 degrees Celsius.
Shining a light on one of the most overlit places on earth, Romesh will discover a place that is vast and inhospitable, as well as impossibly beautiful.
Animal Park
Animal Park returns to Longleat safari park for Christmas, with the cameras catching all the magical moments as the keepers ensure all the animals are cosy and prepared for the festive season.
Dame Edna Rules The Waves
Following her emotional farewell tour, Dame Edna has been enjoying some downtime onboard her luxury yacht, sailing the seas without a care in the world – but now she’s back.
The legendary Aussie star will host a very exclusive evening direct from her enormous boat, which is staffed by some familiar faces, while celebrity guests include Sharon Osbourne, Rob Rinder and Emily Atack, with music from Nile Rodgers and Chic.
Liam Gallagher: As It Was
This no-holds-barred documentary invites us backstage for a look at the life of Liam Gallagher and how he became one of the most talked-about artists of his generation.
Charting the dizzying heights of his champagne supernova years in Oasis to living on the edge, ostracised and lost in the musical wilderness of booze, notoriety and bitter legal battles, we’ll see Liam putting everything on the line as he prepares for his big comeback.
Would I Lie To You At Christmas?
Rob Brydon is back in the host’s chair for a festive edition of comedy panel show Would I Lie To You?.
Team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack welcome team mates Liz Bonnin, Stephen Merchant, Sharon Osbourne (yes, Sharon Osbourne again!) and Dr Ranj Singh as they reveal amazing stories about themselves. But are they telling the truth, or making it all up?
Not Going Out: Driving Home For Christmas
After last year’s live Christmas special, the Not Going Out gang are back for a more traditional episode that sees Lee and Lucy pop out on a last-minute Christmas Eve mission for the kids.
But as ever, things don’t quite go to plan with a theft and unexpected trip into deep countryside – not to mention an aggressive bull and a terrifying truck driver.
The Goes Wrong Show: The Spirit Of Christmas
The Cornley Drama Society present a festive edition of their anarchic comedy, as Santa and his elves trying to bring festive happiness to a sad little girl and her constantly-fighting parents.
But as a surly Santa indulges in one too much sherries, an elf gets trapped and the toy machine attempts to eat the snowman alive, will it end up being a happy Christmas?
The Hit List
Marvin and Rochelle Humes put the music knowledge of six celebrities to the test in a festive edition of their pop quiz.
Teaming up to play are comedian Susan Calman with Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom; former Footballer and rap star John Barnes with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills and football pundit and presenter Chris Kamara with Capital Radio DJ Vick Hope – but who will win £10,000 for their chosen charities?
Dolly Parton: Here I Am
This feature-length documentary is the latest film from Bafta winning producer/director, Francis Whately who had unprecedented access to the iconic country singer.
Known for being fiercely private, the show reveals the woman behind the rhinestones, showing a different Dolly that is no less extraordinary, but far more authentic and surprising.
Contributors to the film include Kylie Minogue and Jane Fonda.
