Tom Percival
Published December 1, 2025 5:00pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
What an absolutely fabulous double act (Picture: BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery)
Key Points
summary__ai-icon
- Stranger Things Season 5 concludes on Netflix with a Boxing Day release of three episodes and the finale on New Year’s Day
- The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special marks Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final appearance as hosts
- Peep Show cast reunites for The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off on Channel 4 this December
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you know what that means? Time to indulge in delicious food, raise a glass or two, and watch some great Christmas telly.
Last year, we were spoiled rotten with the record-breaking Gavin and Stacey finale, the triumphant return of Wallace and Gromit, and there was trouble – as always – in Weatherfield, Walford, and Emmerdale village.
So what’s Santa (Or should that be Father Chris-TV-mas?) got in his bulging sack for us this year?
Well, we’ve clearly all been good as gold, as there’s not a lump of TV coal in sight.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
In fact, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and our favourite streaming services have outdone themselves this year with a feast of small-screen offerings.
There’s Call the Midwife, The 1% Club Christmas Special, All Creatures Great & Small special, The Wheel Christmas Special and Mrs Brown’s Boys… in fact, forget that last one.
The Call the Midwife Christmas special will be a two-part treat for fans (Picture: BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney)
In all seriousness, though, you’re going to have so many goodies to pick from that deciding what to watch is going to be more difficult than saying no to another mince pie (go on, it’s Christmas!).
So to make the holidays a little easier for you, we’ve done the hard graft for you. Here are our ten picks from this year’s Christmas TV schedule and what time to watch them.
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2
He’s red… like Santa… or Satan (Picture: Courtesy of Netflix)
What’s scarier than spending an extended period of time with your relatives? How about a trip to the Upside Down!
Yes, Stranger Things, arguably the biggest show of the year (if not all time), returned to our screens in late November, but the adventure isn’t over yet.
Our plucky party still have to stop the vile villain Vecna and his legion of Demogorgons. Can Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, and Will save the day?
Well, if you want to know, you’ll have to tune in on Boxing Day when Netflix is dropping the next three episodes ahead of the grand (and feature-length) finale on New Year’s Day.
And what better way to get over your Christmas hangover than sitting in the dark watching kids save the world?
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will be available to stream on Netflix from December 26.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Keep dancing! (Picture: BBC)
From tangoing with toothy terrors beyond our imagining to just plain tangoing next, we’re all very excited for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Jodie Ounsley aka Fury, and Nicholas Bailey are just some of the celebs set to light up the ballroom like a Christmas star and help us get over that post-lunch lull.
Still as thrilled as we are to watch the celebs bust a move while we bust open the After Eights, it’s going to be bittersweet.
The Christmas special will be Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final show, so expect plenty of sobbing inbetween the salsa and samba.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air later this year on BBC One and iPlayer.
Gladiators Celebrity Special
Gladiators star Nitro competed on the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC/Graeme Hunter/Hungry Bear Media Ltd)
Bradley and Barney Walsh are making sure four celebs earn their turkey dinner this year by pitting them against the might of the Gladiators.
Joe Wicks will take on Sam Thompson whilst Nicola Adams battles Vogue Williams in the ultimate test of speed, strength and skill… before they’re all destroyed by the Eliminator.
Joe, known as The Body Coach and lauded for helping people across the nation build their fitness, remarked: ‘Gladiators is one of the most iconic shows of all time, and I’m absolutely buzzing to be taking part.
‘I grew up watching it, so to now step into the arena myself is going to be an incredible experience. I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.’
Sam also shared that he grew up watching the programme, while Nicola added: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of the Gladiators Celebrity Special! It’s such an iconic show and growing up, I loved watching the epic battles and strong personalities.
‘Now, getting the chance to step into that arena myself, it’s a whole new kind of challenge. I may be a champion in the boxing ring, but this is different. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got!’
Vogue will be coming into the arena off the back of I’m A Celebrity, sharing that she’s ‘delighted’ to be a contender.
The Gladiators Celebrity Special will air later this year on BBC One and iPlayer.
The Celebrity Apprentice: Christmas Specials
Bah humbug! (Credits BBC/Naked)
If you thought Ebeneezer Scrooge was a ruthless businessman, then you’ve clearly never seen Lord Alan Sugar at work.
Luckily, you can remedy that this festive season by tuning in to The Celebrity Apprentice.
This two-part special will see two teams of celebs set off to Lapland, where they’re tasked with making delicious Christmas biscuits to sell to punters.
These celebs aren’t trying to line their own pockets, though. Every penny they earn will be going to charity, so let’s hope they earn loads of dough!
The Celebrity Apprentice: Christmas Specials will air later this year on BBC One and iPlayer.
Amandaland
Amandaland is back for a brand new – absolutely fabulous – Christmas special (Picture: BBC/Merman)
Amandaland blew audiences away when it landed on the BBC earlier this year and was quickly commissioned for a second season.
Sadly, Amanda, Felicity, Anne and the gang won’t be back on our box for a full series until 2026, but there is some good news.
We’re getting a Christmas special to tide us over while we wait! And the bow on top of this already amazing Christmas gift?
What's happening in the soaps this Christmas?
Metro’s Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay shares what’s happening on the must-watch soaps this Christmas…
Coronation Street
There’s a mix of joy and tragedy in Weatherfield this festive season, as while Debbie Webster looks forward to a wedding with style, the Driscoll family are rocked by a number of huge secrets.
And when someone is attacked, has the Grim Reaper struck again?
EastEnders
As well as the long-awaited returns of Pat and Barry Evans for a special Nigel episode, Zoe’s stalker will finally be revealed – with huge consequences.
And following a conflict-ridden comeback from Max, we fast forward a whole year to find out where the character ends up before 2027.
Emmerdale
Families continue to be destroyed by cruel Celia and Ray but is their campaign of evil about to finally be exposed?
With both characters set to depart the show in the near future, perhaps Christmas could be the time for them to finally get their comeuppance. And look out for a celebrity cameo..
The absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders will be guest-starring as Aunt Joan, Felicity’s (Joanna Lumley) sister.
You read that right, everyone. We’re getting the Ab Fab band back together just in time for the holidays!
The Amandaland Christmas Special will air later this year on BBC One and iPlayer.
A Ghost Story For Christmas: The Room in the Tower
This picture looks haunted (Picture: Adorable Media / BBC / Joe Duggan)
For the last few years, Mark Gatiss has delighted in telling ghastly tales around the yuletide, and 2025 is no exception.
For our viewing pleasure this year, the master of the macabre has adapted the classic E.F. Benson story, The Room in the Tower.
This terrifying tale will star Tobias Menzies alongside Joanna Lumley and is sure to be scarier than a trip to the supermarket on Christmas Eve.
‘I’ve always wanted to adapt the great E.F. Benson’s ghost stories, and this is one of his chilling best,’ said Mark ahead of the show’s release.
‘I’m also very grateful to have been able to continue the most Christmassy of Christmas traditions. The Room in the Tower has been prepared for you – and with Tobias Menzies and the legendary Dame Joanna Lumley to boot!’
A Ghost Story For Christmas: The Room in the Tower will air later this year on BBC Two and iPlayer.
The Masked Singer
Who’ll be dancing next? (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock)
Everyone loves a boogie at Christmas, so it’s no surprise ITV has brought back its Bafta-winning masquerade ball, The Masked Singer, for another festive outing.
Once again, host Joel Dommett will be putting a group of anonymous celebs through their paces while Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Maya Jama try to work out who’s under the mask.
Can they crack the case, and which stars will shine on the show? Well, we can’t tell you because that would ruin the entire format of the Masked Singer, wouldn’t it?
The Masked Singer Christmas Special airs this December on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off
Chance would be a fine thing… (Picture: Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon via PA Wire
Christmas and cakes go together like Santa and reindeer, like snowmen and carrots, or Mitchell and Webb.
And would you believe it, Channel 4 have only gone and got David Mitchell for Bake Off. Sadly, Robert Webb was unavailable, but they’ve got the next best thing – the cast of Peep Show.
That’s right, David Mitchell, Isy Suttie, Matt King, Sophie Winkleman and Olivia Colman (Mark, Dobby, Superhans, Big Suze and Siophie to the Peep Show aficionados reading) are all set to reunite for the first time since the legendary sitcom went off the air ten years ago.
This quintet of bakers will be attempting to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, while hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond faff about in the background.
Sounds like a recipe for fun! Let’s just hope no one forgets the turkey…
The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off will air this December on Channel 4.
Dear Father Christmas
Dear Father Christmas boast an all-star cast (Picture: Channel 4)
A must-watch for those who love a good drama over Christmas, Dear Father Christmas has been described as ‘heart-warming and hilarious’.
Written by Bafta-nominee Mark Chappell, the show follows 16-year-old Chris (Lenny Rush), who still believes in Father Christmas.
When his dad (James Buckley) decides to finally reveal the truth to his son, Chris decides to prove his dad wrong.
‘At its heart, Dear Father Christmas is a joyful celebration of belief, family and the enduring magic of Christmas,’ explained executive producer Kenton Allen.
‘Mark Chappell’s brilliant script brings together an extraordinary cast – from comedy icons to national treasures – who all share in telling a story that is both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving.’
More Trending
-
Strictly star makes history by surviving most dance-offs after ‘devastating’ elimination
Channel: TV TV 18 hours ago By Emily Bashforth - More than 24,000 left without water after Kent town runs dry
- Millie Bobby Brown makes surprising change to name after marrying Jake Bongiovi
- Cancel your weekend plans to binge 'adrenaline-fuelled' BBC crime drama on Netflix
Dear Father Christmas will air on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025 on Channel 4.
Taskmaster Champion of Champions
It’s lllleeeeettle Alex Horne! (Picture: Simon Webb / Channel 4)
The latest Taskmaster Champions – Andy Zaltzman, John Robins, Maisie Adam, Mathew Baynton, and Sam Campbell – will reunite this Christmas. Why? Well, to see which of them is the best of the best when it comes to following the bizarre demands of the angry giant known only as Greg Davies.
Leading them through this merry dance will be the diminutive Alex Horne. Who will triumph and who will fall? I honestly have no idea, but if past Champion of Champions are anything to go by, we can expect at least one career-ending breakdown.
Taskmaster Champion of Champions will air this December on Channel 4.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Deals of the Day
Score massive Cyber Monday deals at Hughes Electrical on tech and home appliances
Arrow MORE: Inside this year’s White House Christmas decorations, from Lego to gingerbread
Arrow MORE: Doctor Who legend hints beloved character could die 12 years after debut
Arrow MORE: Netflix’s chart-storming Christmas crime hit stuns fans with ‘twists and turns’
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source TV NewsletterSign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.
Show Expand Options ? Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
