What’s worth watching on Christmas Day?

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Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas from TopMob! We hope you enjoy a wonderful day, however you choose to spend it.

For a lot of people, holiday TV is a big part of the season, and there’s a good lineup this year, though it might not have a moment as memorable as the finale of ‘Gavin & Stacey’ last year.

The BBC promises to keep viewers entertained with plenty of comedy this holiday season. Expect laughs from the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, and a popular sitcom is making a comeback later that night, bringing together two beloved comedic stars.

Let’s be real, if you’re tuning into Albert Square this Christmas, don’t expect a whole lot of jolly moments. It’s usually a pretty somber time there, but honestly, that’s part of the appeal! While it might not be brimming with cheer, the soap operas are absolutely delivering on the drama – expect the unexpected, and plenty of it. It’s a classic trade-off, really: less laughter, way more gripping storylines.

Here’s our recommendations for what’s worth watching on Christmas Day 2025.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special – BBC One, 5:30pm

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is usually a cheerful event, but this year it will be a bit sadder than usual. Fans were surprised in October when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would be leaving the show, and today’s Christmas episode will be their final appearance as hosts.

Six celebrities are bravely competing on the dance floor, and we’re hoping they finish strong! Scarlett Moffatt, Jodie Ounsley (known as Fury from Gladiators), EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, comedian Babatunde Aléshé, and 90s pop stars Melanie Blatt and Brian McFadden are all vying for the coveted star trophy. – Frances Taylor

The Soaps

Emmerdale (ITV1, 6:15pm), Coronation Street (ITV1, 7:15pm) & EastEnders (BBC One, 7:45pm/9:45pm)

The usual holiday drama is coming to our favorite soaps, with plenty of heartbreak and shocking secrets. In EastEnders, everyone’s trying to figure out who’s been stalking Zoe – could it be someone from the past returning to cause trouble? Over in Emmerdale, Charity is incredibly stressed, and it’s not just about the Christmas dinner – will her secret relationship with Ross come to light?

Corrie recently included a quick video appearance from Gail, a year after her character left the show. But if you’re really craving some classic Corrie, tune into Talking Pictures TV at 10am to see ‘Christmas in the Street,’ a rare festive episode from 1968 featuring Jack and Annie Walker reminiscing about the past. – Johnathon Hughes

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The Great Christmas Bake Off – Channel 4, 8pm

Compared to the chaotic Christmas special of Peep Show – which featured disastrous cooking like raw turkey and a ham destroyed in a paper shredder – the creations in this episode are a definite improvement. Fans of the show will find it delightfully enjoyable.

It’s a shame Webb couldn’t be there, but Mitchell is joined by Olivia Colman (as Sophie), Isy Suttie (as Dobby), Sophie Winkleman (as Big Suze), and Matt King (as Super Hans). Even with some baking mishaps and questionable sauces, there are still a few moments of genuine praise – it is Christmas, after all. – Frances Taylor

Call the Midwife – BBC One, 8:15pm

This Christmas, the midwives of Nonnatus House are swapping their bikes for rickshaws! Sisters Julienne and Veronica are urgently traveling to Hong Kong after a crisis at the Branch House in Kowloon.

The recent building collapse has created unexpected problems, specifically an increase in criminal activity in the area. Dr. Turner, who previously treated injuries caused by the Kray twins, now faces a new challenge with the presence of the Triad gang.

Writer Heidi Thomas deserves praise for consistently challenging her characters and pushing them into new situations. The episode also delivers the familiar comfort of Poplar, beautifully depicted with a touch of snow, thanks to a storyline involving Cyril and a well-dressed visitor, Mr. Fischer (played by Henry Goodman).

There’s more Midwife drama tomorrow at 8:30pm. – David Brown

Amandaland – BBC One, 9:15pm

Fans of Absolutely Fabulous are in for a treat this Christmas! Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are reuniting on screen. Saunders will appear as Aunt Joan, Felicity’s (Lumley’s) lively and somewhat eccentric sister, in a special Christmas episode. Aunt Joan has a habit of cheerfully using old-fashioned terms like “drinky-poos” and “luncheon,” and it’s safe to say she and Felicity don’t always see eye-to-eye.

Amanda (played by Lucy Punch) isn’t letting her mother’s hesitation about celebrating with her sister stop her. She’s determined to create the ideal Christmas, complete with a special childhood tradition and a fiercely guarded pavlova dessert.

Amanda might learn that things don’t always go your way when she finds some old photos from the 1970s that Felicity has been trying to keep secret. – Frances Taylor

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV dramas and comedies for TopMob, focusing on the newest and most popular shows. Before that, he wrote for Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2025-12-25 10:10