A guide to Christmas TV

YOUR GUIDE TO Settle down with our top picks for CHRISTMAS TV this festive period’s mustwatch TV

When it comes to Christmas day, once the dinner is finished, attention usually turns to gathering round the telly and discovering what festive specials are on offer. So here are our top picks for Christmas day viewing.

DOCTOR WHO The Doctor Who Christmas special has been an institution of the Christmas day schedule ever since its revival in 2005. And it will be back once again, with Jodie Whittaker to star alongside regulars Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, and Tosin Cole. And if fans of the show weren’t excited enough already, this festive instalment will feature the Doctor’s most feared enemy, the Daleks. It has not been confirmed when this sci-fi hit will air, during the day, but it is rumoured that viewers will be able to see their favourite timelord in an early evening time slot.

GHOSTS The hit comedy, which has aired two seasons, will provide us with a Christmas special, ahead of its confirmed third series. The show, which has proved popular since its first broadcast, follows a cashstrapped couple, who inherit a country home, only to have to deal with its numerous ghosts. It is unclear when, during the Christmas period, the special will be released, but we can expect all of the usual shenanigans from its core cast, which includes Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe. CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF Another show which will be on our TVs at Christmas, is BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef. Again, we are not sure as to when this will be aired over the period, but reports suggest that this episode will be a special all-star cast of previous contestants. Rumours hint that Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood will be in the kitchen, alongside TV personalities Rylan Clark-Neal and Janet Street-Porter, all battling it out to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. CALL THE MIDWIFE Back in March, filming for Call the Midwife was halted, but thankfully, the Christmas special will go ahead this year! This episode, set in 1965, will include all of our favourite nurses, including those portrayed by Jenny Agutter and Linda Bassett, to name a couple. It has also

The Doctor Who Christmas special has been an institution of the Christmas day schedule ever since its revival in 2005

been announced that Doctor Who legend Peter Davidson will guest star as a circus ringmaster, who proves to be a big hit in Poplar. The air time has not been confirmed by BBC1, but we expect this widelyanticipated drama to be one of the highlights of the day.