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10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 Five of the best things to watch on TV this Christmas 2025
Emily Sergeant
Christmas, it’s a hectic time, right? We all know that.
For some of us, if the run-up to Christmas wasn’t already busy enough as it is, there’s often not a moment to breathe on the big day itself between presents being opened, travelling to see people, entertaining guests, slaving over a hot stove for hours, and eating plenty of food.
Sometimes though, you may find yourself twiddling your thumbs with some time to spare, and that’s why the distraction of festive television is so brilliant.
For others, sitting around to watch the TV is an important part of Christmas itself.
No matter what your situation is, there’s some cracking things to watch on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year – with classic seasonal films, to festive specials of our favourite shows, and a few family-friendly additions all on the agenda.
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So, just like we have done for the past couple of years, we’ve once again rounded-up the best of the bunch to create our TV guide.
Here’s just five of our picks.
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Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing 2025
BBC Two
Christmas Eve – 9pm
Bob and Paul (and terrier Ted too, of course) are back for another Gone Fishing Christmas Special, and this year, they’re heading down to Devon and Cornwall for their festive treat.
The duo fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon, and even head out to sea in Cornwall on a traditional fishing boat.
There’s also appearances by other famous faces Dawn French and Dr Anand Patel, and they’re even welcomed into No6, Paul Ainsworth’s celebrated restaurant in the heart of Padstow, for some Michelin-starred fine festive dining.
You can watch Gone Christmas Fishing 2025 on BBC Two at 9pm on Christmas Eve.
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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2025
BBC One
Christmas Day – 5:30pm
We’ve all come to expect a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special at this point, haven’t we? After the iconic ballroom dance competition programme has been bringing us smaller, festive editions of the show we all know and love since 2004, it’s back once again this Christmas Day.
Six celebrity contestants will be taking to the floor to impress the judges and battle it out for the Christmas glitter ball trophy.
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, singer and cook Melanie Blatt, and Irish singer-songwriter Brian McFaddan are just some of the big names competing this year.
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You can catch Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One at 3:55pm on Christmas Day.
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The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off
Channel 4
Christmas Day – 8pm
For the first time since Peep Show wrapped in 2015, fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King, and Sophie Winkleman are reuniting on screen.
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And this time, they’re donning festive jumpers and rolling up their sleeves to tackle a series of seasonal baking challenges.
Under the watchful eyes of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, and with plenty of mischief and charm from Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, you can expect laughter and chaos in this Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off special.
Watch The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off on Channel 4 at 8pm on Christmas Day.
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Amandaland Christmas Special
BBC One
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Christmas Day – 9:15pm
Massively-popular BBC sitcom Amandaland is back for a festive special on Christmas Day.
You’ll get to see title character Amanda and her family head to Aunt Joan’s country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child.
Anne’s in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits. Meanwhile, Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret.
You can catch the Amandaland Christmas Special on BBC One at 9:15pm on Christmas Day.
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Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025
Channel 4
Boxing Day – 9pm
What’s Christmas without a quiz? It’s time to remember everything you’ve already forgotten from this past year, as the Jimmy Carr is back with the annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year for 2025, and a handful of famous faces will be put to the test.
This year, Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty, and Lou Sanders all answer questions about Katy Perry, Lily Allen, and THAT Coldplay concert.
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You can watch Big Fat Quiz of the Year on Channel 4 at 9pm on Boxing Day.
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Fancy a festive film?
As an added bonus, we thought we’d just round up all the Christmas films that are being shown on telly in the coming days, as there’s nothing like sitting down to watch a festive flick to get you into the spirit of the season.
- Nativity! – Monday 22 December at 2:20pm on BBC One
- Bridget Jones’s Diary – Monday 22 December at 10:10pm on BBC Three
- Home Alone – Christmas Eve at 5:35pm on Channel 4
- Love Actually – Christmas Eve at 9:10pm on ITV
- When Harry Met Sally – Christmas Day at 11:35pm on BBC One
There’s also just plenty of great films on in general, ones that aren’t strictly Christmas films or set during the festive season like the ones mentioned in that list.
Here they are:
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- Mrs Doubtfire – Monday 22 December at 6:35pm on ITV2
- Oppenheimer – Tuesday 23 December at 11pm on BBC Three
- E.T – Christmas Eve at 1:35pm on ITV
- Sister Act – Christmas Eve at 1:35pm on Channel 4
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Christmas Eve at 2:55pm on BBC One
- Paddington – Christmas Eve at 5:30pm on BBC One
- The Devil Wears Prada – Christmas Day at 6:50pm on Film4
- Jaws – Christmas Day at 9:15pm on BBC Two
- Edward Scissorhands – Boxing Day at 6:55pm on ITV2
- Four Weddings and a Funeral – Boxing Day at 10:15pm on BBC One
- Elvis – Saturday 27 December at 7:45pm on BBC One
- 2001: A Space Odyssey – Sunday 28 December at 6:15pm on ITV4
- The Godfather – Sunday 28 December at 10pm on BBC Two
- Challengers – Sunday 28 December at 10pm on BBC Three
- School of Rock – Monday 29 December at 6:45pm on ITV2
- Pretty Woman – New Year’s Eve at 9pm on ITV1
- The Sound of Music – New Year’s Day at 3:15pm on BBC One
- Back To The Future (the whole trilogy) – New Year’s Day from 7:10pm on BBC Three
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Featured Image – BBC | Disney+ / 20th Century Studios (Press Images)
RFL give the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team
Danny Jones
The Rugby Football League (RFL) have given the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team in the New Year.
Rejoice, Salfordians – the Red Devils as you know them might be done, but it looks like a Phoenix is rising very soon.
This news comes after Salford Red Devils were sadly liquidated at the start of December, winding up the club after 152 years.
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Speaking in an official press release, Caton-Brown stated, “This is for the fans. They are the heartbeat of this club. Today’s announcement is the result of countless hours of hard work, honesty, and unity. We’re incredibly proud to bring rugby league back home to Salford. But now the hard work really begins.”
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
— The 1873 (@The1873_) December 22, 2025
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
The 32-year-old went on to add: “The next month will be crucial. We’re asking supporters to stand together with us, to get behind the rebuild, to volunteer, to spread the word, and to help us make sure Salford rises again stronger than ever.” Happy, Salfordians?
Elsewhere, the national rugby community are similarly uniting to give a Super League legend some long overdue recognition…
Read more:
- Wigan Warriors finally reveal next season’s kits following update on delayed release
- Nathan Aspinall urges PDPA to improve mental health support within the sport
- Sale Sharks sign experienced Welsh international on a three-year deal
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)
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