What’s on TV tonight? Shows to watch on Christmas Day – from Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special to Call the Midwife
Also on TV: Doctor Who, Strictly Come dancing Christmas Special, The Great Christmas Bake Off, Maigret's Dead Man and Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas
WHAT can't you miss on TV tonight? Our guide to the must-see shows...
NEW! Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special, 10.30pm, BBC1
It’s just not Christmas Day without a visit to the Brown house.
But Agnes (Brendan O’Carroll, centre) is lacking a bit of the old Christmas spirit. Grandad is taken ill, the hairdressing salon burns down so Dino and Rory have to set up shop in her living room and Father Damien shows up in some very short shorts.
The best bits are, as ever, when it all goes very wrong. But it all ends in a heart-melting singalong. Look out for the second festive episode on New Year’s Day.
NEW! Call the Midwife, 8pm, BBC1
It’s always a worry when our favourite shows do something different at Christmas (remember that Downton one set in summer?), but creator Heidi Thomas is far too savvy to ruin Call The Midwife.
The nuns and midwives may be in South Africa as they try to save the Hope Clinic mission, but this is filled with goodwill, tears and joy.
NEW! Doctor Who, 5.45pm, BBC1
It’s a welcome return for the Doctor and his alien sidekick Nardole (Matt Lucas, left) after a whole year without any Doctor Who on the telly.
There’s no time for Time Lord angst, though, as the Doc unwittingly bestows superpowers on a little lad called Grant – aka The Ghost – in this fun and fast-paced homage to Christopher Reeve-era Superman.
NEW! Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, 6.45pm, BBC1
Frankie Bridge, Gethin Jones, Melvin Odoom, Ainsley Harriott, Denise Lewis and Pamela Stephenson hope for glory in this festive treat where it really is the taking part that counts and winning would just be a bonus.
Expect tears too, as it’s Len Goodman’s (above) final ever show so he treats us to a dance!
NEW! The Great Christmas Bake Off, 4.45pm, BBC1
Back together for the first of two last hurrahs, Paul, Sue, Mary and Mel (l-r) challenge four former occupants of the tent to create Christmas-themed bakes.
It’s just for fun this time, though.
Make the most of this because the Channel 4 version will sorely miss every Berry beam, Perkins pun and Giedroyc gag.
NEW! Maigret’s Dead Man, 9pm, ITV
The stylish drama returns as Rowan Atkinson’s (left) French Chief Inspector investigates links between a man’s murder and killings at three farmhouses.
You can tell Atkinson is passionate about the role and a superb supporting cast help him shape a story of intrigue and emotion. We’re thrilled two more episodes of Maigret are already in the making.
NEW! Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs At Christmas, 6.45pm, ITV
This show always makes us laugh and cry as Paul (above) helps the pooches of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home find new owners.
Those melting his heart tonight include pregnant pug-cross Holly and bow-legged pointer Mickey, while there’s even a visit from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who’s opening a new building.
Want to plan your Christmas viewing? Get your guide to What's On TV from The Sun Online