What’s occurring on TV at Christmas? Not much!
AS Nessa, the surly motormouth anti-heroine of Gavin And Stacey might say, news of the muchloved sitcom being revived for Christmas was ‘well tidy’.
But – judging from the lacklustre BBC television listings we’ve seen so far – it’s just about all that’s ‘occurring’ this festive season.
Fans of the hit comedy series set in Wales and Essex are eagerly anticipating a Christmas Day special after the last episode aired ten years ago.
However, it seems that may be all they have to look forward to as the BBC’s seasonal schedule looks fairly familiar.
Gavin and Stacey is written by and costars Ruth Jones and James Corden, with Mathew Horne and Joanna Page in the title roles. The festive special sees Uncle Bryn, played by Rob Brydon, cooking a very big Christmas dinner in Barry for the extended family.
In a newly released photograph, the cast are pictured reprising their old roles over a pub drink.
While it has not been confirmed on which days other shows will air, a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, Mrs Brown’s Boys and Call The Midwife all feature. All three have been on Christmas Day in the same slots since 2013.
Mrs Brown’s Boys will air two festive specials – A Wonderful Mammy and Orange Is The New Mammy. And it wouldn’t be
Christmas without an ‘explosive’ EastEnders episode.
Comics Michael McIntyre and Miranda Hart have featured heavily in the past and are included again. Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration is filmed at the London Palladium with the cast looking back at the sitcom’s highlights, ten years after it first aired. Meanwhile Sharon Osbourne and Craig Revel Horwood will feature on McIntyre’s
Big Christmas Show. Dramas previously announced include A Christmas Carol, starring Guy Pearce as Scrooge, and an adaptation of Dracula by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.
The Trial Of Christine Keeler, a drama about the Profumo affair, stars James Norton, Ellie Bamber and Emilia Fox, while animations include Snail And The Whale, adapted from Julia Donaldson’s children’s book, and Sir Michael Morpurgo’s Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.
Worzel Gummidge, starring Mackenzie Crook, will also air alongside Doctor Who, with Jodie Whittaker returning as the Time Lord.
Annual fixtures include The Queen’s Christmas Message and Carols From King’s. Music programming includes an exclusive documentary on Dolly Parton.
Holly Willoughby and Bradley Walsh also front the one-off Take Off With Bradley and Holly, while Christmas specials for Still Open All Hours, Not Going Out and Top Gear will be broadcast.
BBC content director Charlotte Moore said: ‘We are bringing back some classic favourites with the likes of Gavin And Stacey, Miranda, Scrooge and Dracula as well as introducing original new shows.’