Christmas TV Guide 2014
We've picked out 25 shows worth watching out for between now and the new year...
Adam Buxton's Shed Of Christmas
Tuesday 16th December, Sky Arts 1, 9:30pm.
Adam Buxton pays his own unique tribute to Christmas in this special programme for Sky Arts. Presented from his shed, Adam introduces a variety of clips, interviews, animation, poems and songs that encapsulate the festive season. Guide
Citizen Khan
Friday 19th December, BBC One, 8:30pm.
Mr Khan is feeling extremely festive - he's even got a new Christmas suit! What's more, this year, he's been given the honour of placing the star on top of the Sparkhill inter-faith Christmas Tree. But when the whole family gathers at the Khan house to head out to the ceremony, it turns out that Shazia has other plans, and a frantic chain of events is set in motion, in what can only be described as The Greatest Pakistani Christmas Story Ever Told. Guide
Rik Mayall: Lord Of Misrule
Saturday 20th December, BBC Two, 10:05pm.
A new documentary narrated by Simon Callow. This show salutes the late Rik Mayall and celebrates his part in the UK's comedy history, using rare and unseen archive footage, and talking to the people who knew or admired him: including Ben Elton, Alexei Sayle, Christopher Ryan, Tim McInnerny and Greg Davies. Guide
Would I Lie To You?
Monday 22nd December, BBC One, 8:30pm.
Does Ray Winstone apologise to his boiled egg before he bashes its head in with a spoon? Did Ricky Tomlinson stop his bandmate joining The Beatles? Does Lee Mack write his Christmas cards with his feet? And does David Mitchell have a special hat he wears to check on his frogs? Tune in to find out: Guide
John Bishop's Christmas Show
Monday 22nd December, BBC One, 9pm.
John Bishop hosts this Christmas entertainment special for a second year. Expect music, cabaret and, of course, some stand-up comedy. Jack Whitehall and Jason Byrne will be just two of the comedians supplying the festive laughs. Guide
The Wrong Mans
Monday 22nd December, BBC Two, 9pm.
The first of two new feature-length specials starring Mathew Baynton and James Corden (the second follows the next day). The new episodes see our two hapless heroes Sam and Phil in deeper, darker danger than ever before as they embark on a dangerous international quest to prove once again they are The Wrong Mans. More info in our guide. Guide
Stella
Monday 22nd December, Sky1, 9pm.
The comedy drama starring Ruth Jones returns for a special. Assigned to the children's ward, Stella strikes up a bond with Billy, an 11-year-old patient with terminal cancer - he isn't that interested in getting to know the mum of three but she soon wins him over. Pontyberry does panto, too, when a dictatorial Aunty Brenda puts her unique spin on the classic tale of Cinderella. Guide
Derek
Monday 22nd December, Channel 4, 10pm.
A final episode of the comedy drama to wrap up the show for good. Ricky Gervais says "There are a couple of big surprises". As Broadhill prepares for the wedding of the year, Kev's behaviour proves too much for Hannah. Vicky prepares to fill her shoes, while Derek tries to hold the home together. Guide
Good Omens
Monday 22nd December, Radio 4, 11pm.
A much anticipated Radio 4 adaptation of the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman about an angel and demon trying to stop the Apocalypse. Mark Heap and Peter Serafinowicz lead the cast. There's 6 episodes broadcasting at various times across the festive period. Guide
Cabin Pressure
Tuesday 23rd December, Radio 4, 6:30pm.
Radio 4's biggest sitcom hit for years concludes with a two-part special. Fans around the world are awaiting to hear how the show will end - hundreds of thousands applied for tickets to the recordings. Benedict Cumberbatch, Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole, John Finnemore and Anthony Head star. Guide
Man Down
Tuesday 23rd December, Channel 4, 10pm.
A festive special of Greg Davies's sitcom. After a difficult year Dan is convinced he has turned his life around only to meet a Christmas thorn in his side in the shape of his aunt Nesta (Stephanie Cole). He and his two faithful friends quickly discover that a farm is not their natural habitat. Guide
Professor Branestawm
Christmas Eve, BBC One, 8:30pm.
Harry Hill leads an all-star cast in an adaptation of Norman Hunter's classic children's books. The comedy focuses on the original mad professor, an absent-minded inventor who is oblivious to the chaos his ridiculous creations cause when they go wrong (which they always do). Guide
Not Going Out
Christmas Eve, BBC One, 9:30pm.
A festive special of Lee Mack's sitcom. The premise (which we won't spoil here, but click through to our guide if you want a hint about what it's about) suggests that this will indeed be the last ever episode of the sitcom. Guide
Cuckoo
Christmas Eve, BBC Three, 10:25pm.
Greg Davies and Taylor Lautner star in this special. It's Christmas in Lichfield. Lorna is full of the Yuletide Spirit, in more ways than one. Ben and Dale both want to make Rachel's holiday special - and Ken gets stuck in the middle. Guide
Miranda
Christmas Day, BBC One, 7:15pm.
The first of two specials to conclude Miranda Hart's smash hit sitcom (the second is on New Year's Day). We find Miranda where we left her, with two proposals: one from Gary and one from Mike. Who will she choose? And if she does choose, could she cope with the pressures of being a wife? Guide
Mrs Brown's Boys
Christmas Day, BBC One, 10:05pm.
Huge ratings are expected as Brendon O'Carroll's character returns for some new specials. The arrival of a large box for Cathy has Agnes intrigued...and she's even more intrigued when she realises that she's the only family member who doesn't know what's inside it! The second special is on New Year's Day. Guide
Michael McIntyre's Very Christmassy Christmas Show
Christmas Day, BBC One, 10:40pm.
Britain's most popular stand-up comedian hosts a brand new variety show. Expect sketches, stand-up, music and chat. Rob Brydon and Mrs Brown's Boys star Brendan O'Carroll are amongst those involved. Guide
Still Open All Hours
Boxing Day, BBC One, 6:25pm.
Following the success of last year's special, David Jason returns for a full series of the revival of the classic sitcom. We watch Granville's antics as he comes up with new schemes to make money and continues his pursuit of old flame Mavis under the beady eye of her sister Madge. Guide
The Boy In The Dress
Boxing Day, BBC One, 6:55pm.
Following on from Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny, here's another adaptation of a book by David Walliams. This one focuses on a boy who enjoys cross-dressing, and the reactions of his family and friends. Jennifer Saunders and Tim McInnerny are amongst the stars. Guide
Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death
Boxing Day, Sky1, 8:30pm.
Ashley Jensen stars as Agatha Raisin, a PR whizz caught up in a murder mystery. This is a one-off special, but it's likely to lead to a series. Robert Bathurst, Katy Wix and Mathew Horne are amongst the other stars. Guide
Birds Of A Feather
Boxing Day, ITV1, 9pm.
Series 11 of the sitcom kicks off with this Christmas special. Dorien is treating Sharon and Tracey to a Christmas trip to the Canaries... but with Tracey's fear of flying, Sharon's hopes for adventure and Dorien's eagerness for anything in trousers ... will it be plane sailing? Guide
Last Tango In Halifax
Sunday 28th December, BBC One, 9pm.
Series 3 of the hit comedy drama starts with an episode set on Valentine's Day. It observes a date between Gillian and Gary, a handsome man from Halifax. But as the evening draws on, things aren't quite what they seem with charming, dazzling Gary. Guide
House Of Fools
Sunday 28th December, BBC Two, 10pm.
A festive themed edition of Vic & Bob's sitcom. It's Christmas Eve in Vic and Bob's House of Fools, and Vic and Beef can't wait to get the party started. But Bob's celebrations are cut short when the special present he organised for his sulky son Erik is unexpectedly engulfed in flames. Guide
Mapp And Lucia
Monday 29th December, BBC One, 9:05pm.
A new adaptation of EF Benson's classic stories overseen by Steve Pemberton. Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor lead a fabulous cast, playing the two friends who spend their time together in the lovely village of Tilling. There's three episodes - one each night for the rest of the year. Guide
Charlie Brooker's 2014 Wipe
Tuesday 30th December, BBC Two, 10pm.
Bringing the festive cheer to a crashing end, Charlie Brooker does what he does best: tear apart the year just gone. "Charlie will look back on a relentlessly grim year where the cheeriest stories were people throwing ice over themselves." Guide
Britain's Favourite Sitcoms
New Year's Eve, Channel 5, 9pm.
Both Chatty Man and The Graham Norton Show] will be warming people up in advance of Big Ben chiming, but for an alternative comedy dose, Channel 5 offer up this new countdown of the best sitcoms. It's a usual list show: expect Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army and Only Fools And Horses to be up there. Guide
Above is just some of the highlights. There's more festive specials from the likes of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Russell Howard's Good News, A League Of Their Own, QI, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, Funny Old Year, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Through The Keyhole.
Meanwhile the first week of 2015 sees the launch of new series from Room 101,
Benidorm, The Last Leg, Backchat, Blue Go Mad In Ibiza, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, Count Arthur Strong and Crims.