Christmas Day TV guide 2018: What's on and best highlights to look out for

The festive TV shows you can't miss on December 25

The festive TV schedule is as integral a part of Christmas Day as turkey, mince pies and perfecting an Oscar-worthy expression of surprise when a long-lost relative presents you with a particularly sub-par gift.

Luckily, this year's line-up does not disappoint. Along with the usual festive fixtures (it goes without saying that the Queen's Speech will be airing in the usual mid-afternoon slot), you'll find one-off special episodes of much-loved dramas, the return of the Great British Bake-Off and, of course, the Strictly Christmas special - all of which are best enjoyed after consuming your own body weight in Christmas dinner, of course. There's even an extra Christmas helping of Britain's most divisive comedy, Mrs Brown's Boys, which, if it replicates the success of last year, could end up being the most watched show on December 25...

Reserve a spot on the sofa and settle down for our favourite festive picks...

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC One, 5.30pm)

If you’re already experiencing Strictly withdrawal symptoms after this year’s final, fear not: the BBC dance competition will be back for its annual Christmas Day spectacular. Past contestants Caroline Flack, Anita Rani, Ann Widdecombe, Aston Merrygold, Jake Wood and Michael Vaughan have teamed up with brand new pro dance partners, and will be waltzing back into the ballroom. Who will wow the judges and take home the Glitterball trophy?

Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show (BBC One, 6.45pm)

Extravaganza: Michael McIntyre has rounded up some of the UK's favourite entertainers for his show
BBC

Recorded earlier this month at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Michael McIntyre has gathered together some of the UK’s favourite comedians and musicians for a festive entertainment extravaganza. So far, singer Katherine Jenkins and sports pundit Chris Kamara, who will be handing his phone over to McIntyre for the comedian’s infamous Send to All game, are confirmed to appear. Plus, 22-year-old Paige from Nottingham is this year’s Unexpected Star of the Show.

Mrs Brown’s Boys (BBC One, 10.15pm)

Hit: Mrs Brown's Boys was the most-watched show on Christmas Day in 2017
BBC Pictures

Love it or loathe it, Mrs Brown’s Boys has become a staple of the festive TV schedule: last year, the Christmas special pulled in almost 7 million viewers to become the most-watched programme on December 25. Could star and creator Brendan O’Carroll pull off a similar feat in 2018? Stranger things have happened. This 30 minute special (the first of two to air over the holiday period) sees Agnes getting caught up in a Christmas decoration contest.

Call The Midwife (BBC One, 7.45pm)

Heart-warming: the period drama returns for a Christmas one-off
BBC

The eighth season of Call The Midwife arrives in January, but fans can get their fix before then with this 90 minute special episode. Harry Potter star Miriam Margoyles joins the cast as visiting nun Sister Mildred, who arrives at Nonnatus house with four orphans in tow, while Helen George returns as Trixie after a brief hiatus from the show. Expect plenty of heart-warming - and tear-jerking - moments.

The Great Christmas Bake Off (Channel 4, 8pm)

Comeback: former contestants will return to the GBBO tent
Channel Four

It’s now tradition that, come Christmas Day, four contestants from Bake Offs past head back to the tent to compete for the title of Star Baker once more. This time, it’s the turn of Liam Charles, Flo Atkins, Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth, who will be vying to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with their festive creations. Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be back on presenting duties, so expect Christmas puns galore.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - In Pictures

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