A Very Brassic Christmas (Sky, December 21st)

Brassic Christmas special

After five series, this scrappy, warm and very funny sitcom about a group of cash-strapped northerners doing what they need to get by is getting its first Christmas special, and it’s as chaotic and crime-filled as usual. The gang (including Joe Gilgun as Vinnie, Our Girl’s Michelle Keegan as Erin and Plebs’ Ryan Sampson as Tommo) have to save Tyler’s (Jude Riordan) school nativity after a robbery at the school (heist at Winter Wonderland, anyone?) and Dr Chris (Dominic West, The Crown) asks for help looking after his aunt, who will be played by impressive guest star Imelda Staunton (The Crown). Another guest appearance to look forward to is Taskmaster’s Greg Davies as the brilliantly named character Dick Dolphin. The special arrives on Sky Max on Thursday 21st December at 9pm.

Bad Education (BBC Three, 13th December)

Jack Whitehall in Bad Education's CHristmas special 2023

The guys behind school-based sitcom Bad Education used last Christmas to bring the show back after a seven-year hiatus, and after a successful fourth series aired in early 2023, they’re back again to launch series five with another festive special – and this one’s a musical episode. Featuring “a number of original songs and choreographed dances performed by the cast”, the special will also see a special cameo from the show’s creator Jack Whitehall, alongside the return of teachers Stephen Carmichael (Layton Williams) and Mitchell Harper (Charlie Wernham). Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) is also back as Mr Fraser, as is Vicki Pepperdine (We Are Not Alone) as headteacher Mrs Hoburn. The Christmas special will arrive on BBC Three on Wednesday 13th December at 9pm.

Here We Go (BBC One, 22nd December)

Here We Go Christmas special

After a successful first series last year, this sitcom about the chaotic Jessop family is back for a Christmas special ahead of the new series starting in 2024, and they’re trying (unsuccessfully, of course) to have a classic family Christmas. Starring Ghosts‘ Jim Howick, Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey), Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and the show’s creator Tom Basden, the festive special airs on Friday 22nd December on BBC One at 8.30pm.

Dawn French is a huge TW*T (BBC One, December)

Dawn French

As well as a chance to see a recording of Dawn French’s one-woman show – a mix of comedy and amusing life stories – filmed live at London’s Palladium Theatre, we’ll also see some classic clips from French’s career, from early performances on The Comic Strip, to unforgettable French & Saunders sketches.

CHILDREN & FAMILY

Christopher Eccleston in CBBC's Dodger

Dodger (BBC One, 29th December)

The Dodger Christmas special has a mightily impressive line-up this year – so much so, we’re fairly sure the parents will want to watch as much as the kids. The tricksy duo of Fagin (Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston) and Dodger (Billy Jenkins) are trying to steal Queen Victoria’s crown – with the monarch herself played by Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan (recently confirmed as part of the cast for the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special), and other guest stars including Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show), and national treasure Simon Callow. The special will air on BBC One over the Christmas period, on iPlayer from 29th December and on CBBC on 3rd January.

Tabby McTat (BBC One, Christmas Day)

Tabby McTat

Once again, Julia Donaldson is delivering a festive animated treat, and this year it’s a heartwarming tale about a musical cat and his busker friend called Fred. There’ll be lots of familiar names to keep the grownups invested too – Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) is the narrator, Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) is Fred the busker, and Gangs of London’s Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú plays Tabby himself, while other roles will be voiced by Susan Wokoma (Year of the Rabbit), Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) and Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show). As ever with Donaldson’s films, Tabby McTat will arrive on BBC One on Christmas Day itself.

Danofgeek