.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
From Morcambe & Wise’s silly sketches to the traditional gloom on Eastenders, television has become as much a part of our Christmas as presents under the tree and family arguments.
Every year the various terrestrial television station chiefs get their thinking caps on to come up with the programmes with the potential to attract millions of viewers and top the ratings.
The golden age of festive telly may be behind us - as the number of repeats in the schedules attests to - but there’s still plenty of choice treats to enjoy while getting tucked into the Chrimbo chocolates.
Here are 14 that caught our eye - and when you can catch them.
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
5. Bullseye Christmas Special
You can't beat a bit of Bully, and the darts-themed gameshow is getting a reboot courtesy of new host Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff. Will somebody go home with a speedboat? You can find out on STV on Sunday, December 22, at 6pm. It will then be repeated on Christmas Day at 5.25pm. | ITV
6. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The most highly-anticipated programme of the festive season arrives on Christmas Day onn BBC One at 6.10pm on Christmas Day. The new feature-length Wallace & Gromit film has already been nominated for a Golden Globe. It sees Gromit’s growing concern as Wallace becomes over-dependent on his inventions - which proves justified when Wallace creates a ‘smart gnome’ that seems to develop an evil mind of its own. As events begin to spiral out of control, it’s up to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces, or Wallace may never be able to invent again. | BBC/Aardman
7. All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special
James Heriot will be returning to our screens for the The All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special on Channel 5 on Monday, December 23, at 9pm. The beloved vet is balancing the excitement of their son Jimmy’s first birthday with the festive season alongside Helen, while the capricious Siegfried Farnon is guiding Tristan in the right direction as he embarks on an important wartime mission. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall is busy preparing for Christmas when she is shaken by unexpected news. | Channel Five
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
8. The Great Christmas Bake Off
It's a soap special for the Great British Bake Off Christmas Special on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve at 8pm (and repeated on Christmas Day at 1.30pm. Appearing will be EastEnders' Dean Gaffney and Natalie Cassidy, Sheree Murphy (of Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Neighbours), Coronation Street's Shobna Gulati and Chris Bisson (both Corrie and Emmerdale). Then Prue and Paul will be back on Friday, January 3, at 7.40pm for The Great New Year Bake Off featuring former contentants Kevin Flynn, Norman Calder, James Patrick Morton, Lea Harris, Nicky Laceby and Peter Sawkins. | Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions//Channel 4