Millions of festive hearts all over the UK broke last week with the news that Elf will not be broadcast on TV this Christmas. For many, watching Elf is an important fixture in their Christmas calendar. But fear not! There’s still plenty to watch this festive period. Freeview and free on demand channels have a huge selection of films and Christmas TV specials. So, snuggle down with these favourites to fill the Buddy shaped hole in your Christmas plans.
With the soaps dishing up their usual feast of festive drama, and staple favourites like Doctor Who and Birds of a Feather serving up seasonal specials, how do you decide what to watch? Here are our top picks for the Christmas season:
Frozen
Are you ready to Let It Go? The TV premiere of Frozen is airing on Christmas Day at 3.10pm. It’s the highest grossing animated film for a reason. The infectiously catchy music and uplifting Disney-ness of it will hook even the biggest Scrooge into a sing-a-long. What a perfect way to burn off that Christmas Dinner!
The Great British Bake Off Christmas special
For the last time on the BBC, Mary Berry will grace our screens for the Bake Off Christmas special, accompanied by a few favourites from the series so far. For maximum Bake Off indulgence, the Christmas special has been split into two parts. The first part airs on Christmas Day at 4.45pm (after Frozen!) and then part two follows on Boxing Day at 7pm, both on BBC 1.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special
There’s no rest for the dancing wicked this Christmas! Just a week after the show crowned its 2016 winner and bid an emotional farewell to wonderful head judge Len Goodman, the Strictly crew are surprising us with a Christmas special featuring some of your favourite contestants from years gone by. The returning contestants include Denise Lewis, Frankie Bridge, Pamela Stephenson, Ainsley Harriott, Gethin Jones, and Melvin Odoom. Look out for the gang dancing onto our screens on Christmas Day at 6.45pm on BBC 1.
Sherlock
If you’re a Sherlock fan, then 2017 is off to a very good start for you! The long anticipated hour and a half special airs on BBC1 on New Year’s Day at 8:30pm. Hailing the start of the fourth series, this is sure to be a family favourite. Will Moriarty make an appearance? Is it all a figment of our imaginations?
Soaps
As the year draws to a close, so does all the salacious gossip from the nation’s most beloved soaps. On Christmas Day, EastEnders fans will be intrigued to see Max Branning make a dramatic return to Walford (9.30pm, BBC). Corrie fans will be glued to the return of Toyah Battersby, who has been absent from the cobbles for a whopping 13 years (8pm, ITV)! Elsewhere, Hollyoaks will finally reveal the truth about the Osborne family (6.30pm, Channel 4) and Emmerdale will go out with an hour-slot bang (5.45pm, ITV).
Remember, if you are going to be out when anything you want to watch airs, plan ahead! Press the record button or remember to use free catch up services to binge later on the Christmas TV you might miss… and some well-deserved mince pies!
What will you be watching this Christmas? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
