The BBC has unveiled its Christmas comedy schedule offering a mixture of old favourites and new faces.
There is a bumper selection of comedy to spread the joy. In Mammoth, it’s Tony Mammoth’s first Christmas since coming back from the dead and he’s determined to make it a special one with his family. In The Mandy Who Knew Too Much we join Mandy as she has what can only be described as one of the worst Christmases ever.
In the Two Doors Down Christmas Special Eric and Beth put their tree up earlier than usual, unwittingly kicking off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent. In Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza, it’s a typically chaotic Jessop family holiday, featuring a road trip, a missing dummy, and a large crate of unlicensed fireworks! Other highlights include brand new comedy Shedites, by Paddy Houlihan and two specials from Mrs Brown’s Boys.
Stuffed is a modern-day Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy which see’s Arslan Farooqi (Guz Khan) and his multi-faith family set off on the trip of a lifetime as they swap Coventry for the magic of Lapland.
The most talked about show of 2025 - The Traitors is back! Claudia Winkleman returns for the ultimate game of trust and treachery from the Scottish Highlands with an all new civilian series that is set to grip the nation. And if that leaves you wanting more, you can stay faithful as Claudia will also present The Traitors at the Proms, a concert featuring melodramatic versions of pop tunes heard on The Traitors from Britney Spears’ Toxic to Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy.
Everyone’s favourite Traitor Alan Carr is also back as best friends Amanda Holden and Alan return to the sun-drenched village of Moclín in southern Spain in Amanda and Alan’s Spanish Christmas.
More details below...
The Celebrity Apprentice comes all the way from snowy Lapland where twelve famous faces step into Lord Sugar’s boardroom for two specials in aid of BBC Children in Need. Taking part are AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner.
Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon stop by The Repair Shop this Christmas hoping for some very special repairs from the barns wonderful team of experts. Hollywood legend Dame Helen Mirren arrives, along with a beloved but badly broken cello. Julia tasks furniture restorer Will Kirk and ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay with the repair of a toy farmhouse that once belonged to her granny.
For those who want to be eased into Christmas join Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and terrier Ted as they head to Devon and Cornwall for Gone Christmas Fishing. They fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon and head out to sea in Cornwall joined by local star Dawn French, their favourite doctor Anand Patel and visit top chef Paul Ainsworth in his Padstow restaurant.
Amandaland Christmas Special
(Image: BBC/Merman)
Amanda and the 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…
Amandaland Christmas special is a Merman Television production (1x 30) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Tanya Qureshi who is Executive Producer for the BBC. The Executive Producers for Merman are Sharon Horgan and Faye Dorn, alongside Holly Walsh and Helen Serafinowicz.
Two Doors Down Christmas Special
When Eric and Beth put their tree up earlier than usual, they unwittingly kick off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent. What starts as a labour-saving convenience quickly turns into a flurry of festive activity, as neighbours start to gear up for the holidays in their own unique ways.
Colin and Cathy find themselves pondering the perfect gift for each other, while Ian and Gordon plan for a quieter, scaled-back Christmas. Meanwhile, Alan and Michelle wrestle with transport issues that threaten to derail their festive plans, and Christine is busy arranging a very special trip, ensuring that the season is full of surprises, laughter, and the kind of neighbourly chaos that only Latimer Crescent can provide.
Two Doors Down (1x30’) is a BBC Studios Comedy production for BBC One, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer. It is written by Gregor Sharp. The director is Ben Gosling Fuller and the producer is Mark Bignell. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland. The executive producers are Steven Canny and Josh Cole for BBC Studios. Commissioning editors for the BBC are Seb Barwell and Gavin Smith. BBC Studios are handling global sales.
Here We Go - Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza
(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Gary Moyes)
New Year’s Eve is fast approaching and this year Rachel is very keen to throw a massive party. Paul, less so: he’d much prefer a nice quiet holiday cottage with a sauna so he can sweat out the massive boil that’s recently appeared on his cheek; two quite different visions for seeing in the new year. So begins a typically chaotic Jessop Family holiday, featuring a road trip, a missing dummy, and a large crate of unlicensed fireworks Paul picked up from a police auction.
Created by, written by and starring Tom Basden (After Life), Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza stars Jim Howick (Ghosts), Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) alongside Freya Parks (The School for Good and Evil), Jude Morgan-Collie (Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Tori Allen-Martin (London Kills) and Ivy Wear and Sky Wear as baby Atlas. It also stars Ed Kear (The Batman), Marelyn Pielago, Christina Ngoyi, Ninette Finch and Yasmin Al-Khudhairi.
Here We Go is a BBC Studios Comedy Production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning. Here We Go is created by Tom Basden and the Executive Producers are Tom Basden, Steven Canny, Josh Cole and Will Sinclair. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp.
Stuffed
(Image: BBC/Baby Cow/Gary Moyes)
After he receives an unexpected £8,000 Christmas bonus at work, Arslan Farooqi (Guz Khan) and his multi-faith family set off on the trip of a lifetime when they swap Coventry for the magic of Lapland.
His wife Hannah (Morgana Robinson), his two daughters and brother-in-law Jamie (Theo Barklem-Biggs) are all set for the ultimate festive adventure. However, when office worker Arslan discovers the bonus was a mistake and must be repaid immediately, Christmas chaos ensues - and disaster follows the family at every turn. Together with new holiday friend Lily (Sue Johnston), they must find a way out of this predicament and hope for a Christmas miracle that can save Arslan’s job and the family’s livelihood. Stuffed is a modern-day Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy this yuletide season.
Stuffed is a Baby Cow and Dice Roll co-production (1x60) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie. The Executive Producers are Rupert Majendie and Sarah Monteith for Baby Cow, Guz Khan and Gill Isles for Dice Roll and Andy Milligan and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Tanya Qureshi.
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year Specials
(Image: BBC Studios / BOC / Graeme Hunter)
Mrs Brown returns for more Christmas capers and festive frolics! Join everyone's favourite Mammy and the rest of the clan for fun and games in a Christmas and a New Year special.
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas - Mammy's Bottles
Mrs Brown rediscovers the meaning of family as she gathers those closest to her together for a Christmas photo. Buster unveils another of his signature Christmas trees with maximum impact and Cathy frets about what presents to buy everyone.
Mrs Brown's Boys New Year - Stormin' Mammy
Tensions are high as Agnes and the gang prepare for an incoming storm. Buster’s flying high as he nervously awaits his birthday parachute jump. Winnie receives a shock to the system and a lost Nun looks for help.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys festive specials are made by BBC Studios Comedy (2 X 30) in partnership with BOC-PIX and RTE for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. They were commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The Executive Producers for BBC Studios Comedy are Steven Canny and Josh Cole, Brendan O’Carroll and Fiona Gibney for BOC-PIX and Justin Healy for RTE. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp.
Shedites
Shedites is a new half-hour comedy for BBC One and iPlayer by Paddy Houlihan, set in and around the men’s shed in a village in Ireland.
It’s a place where men make themselves useful building and repairing things, and along the way find company through unlikely friendships, a sense of purpose, and a mug of strong tea. For many, the men’s sheds offer a new lease of life, and the Rathbowen shed is no exception.
Jimmy (Brendan O’Carroll), Harry (Phil Davis), Gavin (Simon Delaney), Cheesy (Danny O’Carroll), Paul (Shane Casey) and Paddy the Liar (Paddy Houlihan) set out to build a new bike from recycled parts to try and win the local “Santa Spin” race. What follows is plenty of shenanigans, bruised pride and a fair dose of stubbornness. If they succeed, it’ll be a rare triumph for the lads. And if they don’t, Councillor Orla (Deirde O’Kane) will make sure they hear about it.
Shedites is made by BBC Studios Comedy (1 x 30) in partnership with BOC-PIX for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Comedy is Steven Canny and for BOC-PIX is Brendan O’Carroll. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Seb Barwell.
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel
BAFTA award-winning Michael McIntyre returns to our TV screens on Christmas Day for a tinsel-covered edition of his Saturday-night gameshow, jam-packed with famous faces, even more laughs, and a colossal spinning wheel!
Richard Osman, Mel Giedroyc and Paddy McGuinness are the special celebrity contestants, hoping to answer their way to a festive fortune for their chosen charities.
Eight celebrity experts are on hand to use their knowledge of all things Christmas, to help the three famous faces bank as much cash as possible. Gyles Brandreth, Josie Gibson, Big Narstie, Tim Vine, Zara McDermott, Gladiator’s very own Nitro and Gavin and Stacey legends Matthew Horne and Joanna Page will each have their time in the spotlight, answering questions on everything from reindeer to festive food.
The Weakest Link
Christmas Special
Romesh Ranganathan brings his festive cheer to a star-studded Christmas Special of The Weakest Link. Eight celebrities will initially have to work together to try to win up to £50,000 for their individual chosen charity, in one of the world’s most iconic quizzes. Each round, one player will be voted The Weakest Link by their fellow contestants and will leave with nothing. Who will be crowned The Strongest Link and will take the prize ho-ho-home!?
The festive line up is Lou Sanders, Martine McCutcheon, David O’Doherty, Ade Adepitan, Ross King, Jess Wright, Eddie Kadi and Blu Hydrangea.
New Year Party Special
Eight more celebrities hope to show off their general knowledge and bank as much money as possible for charity, before voting off The Weakest Link each round. After a final head-to-head, one player will be crowned The Strongest Link and will take the prize.
Celebrity contestants in this episode are Charlotte Crosby, Patsy Palmer, Keith Brymer-Jones, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Fatima El Ghorri, Merlin Griffiths, Bash The Entertainer and Luke Hamnett.
The Weakest Link is a BBC Studios Entertainment Production (12 x 45) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers for BBC Studios are Pete Ogden and Gareth Edwards and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Neil McCallum.
The Mandy Who Knew Too Much
A seasonal comedy special that sees Mandy have what can only be described as one of the worst Christmases ever. Apart from the one you’re having right now.
Mandy rarely dabbles in global diplomacy, especially over Christmas when it’s so cold out and there’s good telly on, but when she does, you can bet that she makes a real difference to the balance of power in the world.
Starring: Diane Morgan, Michelle Greenidge, Tom Basden, Roger Sloman, Hugh Quarshie.
The Mandy Christmas Special (1x20’) is a BBC Studios Comedy/Witchcraft Industries co-production written, directed by and starring Diane Morgan. The series is produced by Kenny Tanner. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. The Executive Producer is Ben Caudell. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Seb Barwell.
Mammoth Christmas Special
It’s Tony Mammoth’s first Christmas since coming back from the dead and he’s determined to make it a special one with his family. Through his own thoughtlessness and selfishness, he’s on the brink of ruining Christmas for himself and those around him. Meanwhile, Mel tries to contain her anger towards a perfectly nice woman at the homeless shelter and love is in the air for Theo.
Mike Bubbins plays Tony Mammoth, Sian Gibson plays Mel, Joseph Marcell plays Roger, Joel Davison plays Theo, John Weldon plays Mr Cowley.
Mammoth is a BBC Studios Comedy (1x30') for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy and Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning, BBC Cymru Wales. The Executive Producers for BBC Studios Comedy are Josh Cole and Steven Canny and the Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Seb Barwell and Paul Forde.
Gone Christmas Fishing
Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and terrier Ted head to Devon and Cornwall for their festive special this year.
Arriving by their traditional transport of a steam train, they fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon and head out to sea in Cornwall on a traditional fishing boat.
They are joined by local star Dawn French, their favourite doctor Anand Patel and visit top chef Paul Ainsworth in his Padstow restaurant to prepare a special Christmas feast of Turbot.
Their final destination is the tiny fishing port of Mousehole where they join local fisherman Neil on his boat out of the harbour, passing the Penlee lifeboat station where so many young men lost their lives at sea in December 1981, including Neil’s own father.
The show ends with a special performance from the local choir, under the Christmas lights of this quaint, traditional village which is steeped in so much history.
Gone Christmas Fishing is an Owl Power production (1x60’) for BBC Two and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producer is Lisa Clark, the Director is Rob Gill and the Commissioning Editor is Patrick McMahon.
The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special
Brand new host Sophie Willan takes the helm as judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young put four celebrities’ sewing skills to the test in The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special.
They’ll be welcoming into the Sewing Room professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, comedian Lucy Beaumont, actress Susan Wokoma and Gladiator Tom Wilson, AKA Hammer. They put their twist on a pattern for a festive present sack and turn second hand party wear into an outfit inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas in the transformation.
Finally, they create an outfit for real life models inspired by their favourite Christmas treat.
The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special is a Love Productions programme (1x60’) for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producers for Love Productions are Kieran Smith and Tom Davies and the Commissioning Editor is Cal Turner.
