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Christmas wouldn’t be the same without its line-up of festive television shows making everyone feel a little merrier.
With just a week to go until Christmas Day arrives, Express.co.uk takes a look at what’s going to be on TV as families gather together to celebrate.
What to watch in build up to Christmas Day 2023
Monday, December 18
Vigil
For the past few weeks, the second season of Vigil has been playing out with the penultimate episode and finale airing this week.
In episode five, Amy Silva (played by Suranne Jones) is convinced that what she has believed up until now is a lie but needs evidence to prove her gut is right.
Vigil season two continues at 9pm on BBC One.
Vanishing Act
This true crime drama delves into the devilish deeds of Australian financial adviser Melissa Caddick who ran a Ponzi scheme, ripping off her clients, as well as her friends and parents.
Vanishing Act starts at 9pm on ITV.
Aldi’s Christmas Secrets
Aldi, the fourth largest supermarket in the UK, is searching for a new item to entice crowds into their shops but what ideas will they come up with?
Aldi’s Christmas Secrets starts at 9pm on Channel 4.
Live at the Apollo Christmas Special
In this special Christmas edition of the stand-up comedy series, Tom Allen hosts as Lloyd Griffith and Thanyia Moore take to the stage.
Live at the Apollo Christmas Special starts at 9.45pm on BBC Two.
Tuesday, December 19
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023
Once again, this year’s key sporting moments are going to be reviewed and Beth Mead’s successor announced following a public vote.
This time around, those in the running are cricketer Stuart Broad, veteran jockey Frankie Dettori, goalkeeper Mary Earps, heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 starts at 7pm on BBC One.
Richard Osmond’s Festive House of Games
Host Richard Osmond is joined by the likes of Debbie McGee, Jessica Knappett, Richie Anderson and Simon Gregson who will be testing their general knowledge in this festive special.
Richard Osmond’s Festive House of Games starts at 7.30pm on BBC Two.
The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home for Christmas
The unforgettable Hairy Bikers are exploring what’s great about Northern cuisine, making a foodie trip from Lancashire to Cumbria.
The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home for Christmas starts at 9pm on BBC Two.
Inside McVities at Christmas
Take a sneak-peek into the world of the best-known biscuit brand in the UK with those at the top giving their take on staying ahead in the competitive Christmas market.
Inside McVities at Christmas starts at 9pm on BBC Two.
Tower of London at Christmas
One of the most iconic buildings in London will be getting a festive makeover as historical royal palaces interpretation officer Emma Bell has plans to transform the fortress into a winter wonderland.
Tower of London at Christmas starts at 8pm on Channel 5.
Read more: Kate thanks all who make children ‘feel safe, valued and loved’
Wednesday, December 20
Harrods at Christmas
Take a look inside the beautiful department store at Christmas time, looking at the work that goes into its Christmas window display and the annual rush on Christmas Eve.
Harrods at Christmas starts at 8pm on Channel 5.
Celebrity Masterchef: Christmas Cook-off 2023
Comedian Richard Blackwood, singer Duncan James, reality star Faye Winter and musician Mel Blatt all return to cook up a festive storm in a bid to win the Golden Whisk trophy.
Celebrity Masterchef: Christmas Cook-Off 2023 starts at 9pm on BBC One.
The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan: Christmas
Comic Mo Gilligan is joined by First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, comedian Joel Dommett, singer Leona Lewis and actor Allan Mustafa for some festive fun.
The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan: Christmas at 10pm at Channel 4.
First Dates at Christmas
From a portrait artist on the look-out for a wife, to a self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, a new bunch of singletons are on the hunt for someone special during the festivities.
First Dates at Christmas at 11.05pm on Channel 4.
Inside M&S at Christmas
For the first time ever, viewers can take a look into every corner of M&S with cameras following what’s been going on behind the scenes for the past year.
Inside M&S at Christmas starts at 10.45pm on ITV.
Thursday, December 21
All Creatures Great and Small’s Christmas Special
Set in 1940, James and Helen Herriot are dreaming of their future together as they await the birth of their child, a ferret presents a challenge and there are issues at Mrs Pumphrey’s community tea party.
All Creatures Great and Small’s Christmas Special starts at 9pm on Channel 5.
The Winter King
An adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles series, The Winter King follows Arthur turns his life from a banished person to a legendary warrior and leader.
The Winter King drops exclusively on ITVX.
A Very Brassic Christmas
Fans have been patiently waiting for the return of Brassic after that season five cliffhanger.
When it returns, there will be a winter wonderland heist as well as guest appearances from The Crown’s Imelda Staunton and Greg Davies.
A Very Brassic Christmas airs at 10pm on Sky Max.
The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special
This festive edition will see Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe step in for hosting duties with comedian Sara Pascoe taking time away following the birth of her second child.
While there is a change of hosts, the format remains the same with contestants welcomed to take on Christmas-themed challenges.
The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special airs at 9pm on BBC One.
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Friday, December 22
The Last Leg of Christmas
Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe welcome the likes of Tom Davis and Alison Hammond for some Christmas fun.
The Last Leg of Christmas starts at 9pm on Channel 4.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special
A murder mystery night at a hotel is organised by Judith and Jeremy for their friends but it takes a spooky turn when a real dead body shows up.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special starts at 9pm on Channel 5.
Saturday, December 23
The Weakest Link: The Christmas Special
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan hosts the iconic game show and is joined by Cliff Parisi, Coleen Nolan, Dane Baptiste, Danny Beard, Paul Zerdin, Alex Jones, Meryl Williams and Mel Schilling for the Christmas quiz.
The Weakest Link: The Christmas Special starts at 8.10pm on BBC One.
Blankety Blank Christmas Special
Bradley Walsh is at the heart of this yuletide edition of the comedy game show and is joined by the likes of Gemma Collins, AJ Odudu, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Ainsley Harriott and Brian Blessed.
Blankety Blank Christmas Special starts at 9pm on BBC One.
Christmas Eve
Mog’s Christmas
This Christmas episode is being released this year to mark the 100th anniversary of author Judith Kerr’s birth.
There is an all-star cast in this animated special including Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Mog’s Christmas starts at 7.45pm on Channel 4.
Lot No.249
Mark Gatiss has adapted this story from Arthur Conan Doyle, with Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington as Abercrombie Smith.
The special will see a group of Oxford students look into the secrets of Ancient Egypt and consequently breathe new life into a mysterious bag of bones in Lot No. 249.
Lot No. 249 starts at 10pm on BBC Two.
Beyond Paradise’s Christmas Special
Following the success of Death in Paradise, spin-off Beyond Paradise came to be earlier this year and already has been renewed for a second season.
The Christmas episode will see what Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd get up to during the festivities when there is bound to be some dodgy goings-on in Shipton Abbott.
Beyond Paradise’s Christmas Special starts at 9pm on BBC One.
Not Going Out’s Christmas Special
Beyond Paradise isn’t the only show actress Sally Bretton will be in either as she returns to the world of Not Going Out alongside Lee Mack for its 100th episode.
Not Going Out starts at 10pm on Christmas Eve.
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Christmas Day
Doctor Who
Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa is stepping into the Time Lord’s shoes as the Fifteenth Doctor with Corrie actress Ruby Sunday as his new companion.
As of yet though, their first ever storyline together remains under wraps.
Doctor Who Holiday Special: The Church on Ruby Road starts at 5.55pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special
Strictly may be done and dusted for another year but there is still the festive episode to look forward to with a line-up including EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick and Sugababes’ Keisha Buchanan.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special starts at 4.40pm on BBC One.
Ghosts Christmas Special
As of yet, it remains unclear what this episode will be about but it has already been listed as Ghosts’ final ever instalment so how is the comedy going to end?
Ghosts Christmas Special starts at 7.45pm on BBC One.
Call the Midwife
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a special visit to Nonnatus House with upcoming scenes expected to be “powerful and moving”.
Call the Midwife starts at 8.15pm on BBC One.
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross are back for a one-off special of The Masked Singer, led by presenter Joel Dommett with everyone guessing who is behind the masks.
The Masked Singer Christmas Special starts at 7.30pm on ITV.
Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders
Soap fans will be in for a treat as everything will be kicking off in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Emmerdale for the eagerly anticipated Christmas episodes.
But what’s going to be in store for those in Emmerdale, Walford and Weatherfield?
Emmerdale starts at 6.30pm, Coronation Street at 7pm and EastEnders’ Christmas episode at the later time of 9.45pm.
Boxing Day
All Creatures Great and Small Meets The Yorkshire Vet
This special takes a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the festive episode of All Creatures Great and Small with James Herriot’s real-life apprentice Peter Wright making a cameo appearance.
All Creatures Great and Small Meets The Yorkshire Vet starts at 6pm on Channel 5.
Charles III: The Coronation Year
The fly-on-the-wall 90-minute documentary delves into King Charles III’s first year on the throne.
Charles III: The Coronation Year starts at 6.50pm on Boxing Day.
The Vera Christmas Special
DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) is back on our screens for a feature-length episode that will see her investigating a high-profile apparent suicide.
The Vera Christmas Special starts at 8pm on ITV.
Death in Paradise’s 2023 Christmas Special
The BBC will be returning to Saint Marie for the show’s second ever Christmas special and while DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) struggled following the events of last series, what better way to distract himself than with a murder case.
Death in Paradise’s 2023 Christmas Special starts at 9pm on BBC One.
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