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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.
9. Doctor Who Christmas Special
Derry Girl Nicola Coughlan is joining Ncuti Gatwa for the latest Doctor Who adventure on Christmas Day on BBC One at 5.10pm. Stephen Moffat has writted the festive episode that follows a hotel chain that gets hold of time travel and capitalises on it to sell stays throughout history. | BBC Studios/James Pardon
10. The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2024
Question master Jimmy Carr is back for another two hours of quizzing from 9pm on Friday, December 27, and will be joined by Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Judi Love, Chris McCausland and Maisie Adam. It's going to be repeated, regularly, if you miss it first time around. | Channel 4
11. The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Christmas Special
Sally Lindsay is back as the antiques expert with a talent for solving crimes for a one-off special at 9.15pm on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve. Taking place immediately after events in season 3, she teams up with the Police Chief Inspector to unravel a murderous mystery that took place at a Christmas market. | Channel 5
12. Gavin and Stacey: The Finale
Much-loved sitcom Gavin & Stacey will be back for one final finale starring all the original cast, including James Corden, Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones and Rob Bryden. Catch it on BBC One at 9pm on Christmas Day. It’s five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened in those five years. In Barry, Bryn’s packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex; Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their seventeen year marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely. Nessa’s started a new business venture and Neil the Baby’s about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad. Over in Billericay Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn’s relationship. | BBC/Toffee International Ltd./Tom Jackson