Christmas Day TV picks

There’s nothing better than settling down with family and friends to watch a feast of television delights on Christmas day.

Here at MarkMeets, we have some festive gems for you to enjoy, from fun-filled movies to gripping dramas.

From tiny tots with their eyes all aglow (thanks, Nat King Cole), to grandma, tipsy on the sherry, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

9.25am: Santa Claus – The Movie ITV1

Whether you’re up and opening your presents, or nursing a headache from a Christmas Eve party that got a little out of hand, what better way to kick start the day than with Santa Claus – The Movie.

The Christmas classic, starring Dudley Moore, tells of an elf that left the north pole to make a name for himself in New York.

When he begins to work for an evil businessman, Christmas is at risk of being ruined. Can Santa save the day? Find out at 9.25 on December 25.

11.00am: Chicken Run BBC1

A headstrong chicken and her fellow fowls ponder how to escape from a grim Yorkshire farm before the evil farmer’s wife can turn them into pies. Luckily, help arrives in the form of a heroic American rooster who promises to show them how to fly. Nick Park’s animated comedy

11.25am: The Chase – Celebrity Special ITV1

A host of famous faces get set to take part in The Chase: Celebrity Special.

12.30pm: The Big Christmas Reunion ITV1

It’s time to warm up your vocal chords and sing-along as The Big Christmas Reunion hits our screens.

Watch as Blue, Atomic Kitten, 5ive, Honeyz, BWitched, 911 and Liberty X get together to record *I Wish It Could Be Christmas for Text Santa, with some interesting results!

3pm: The Queen ITV1

At 3 o’clock, you should now be out of your pyjamas and into your festive finery as it’s time to settle down the Queen’s speech.

3.20pm: Toy Story 3 BBC1

Woody, Buzz and the other toys are donated to a daycare centre when their owner grows up. At first this seems like the perfect new home for them, but when they realise the dangers lurking under the surface, they begin to formulate an escape plan. Pixar animated adventure sequel, with the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack

3.20pm: Tangled ITV1

Kids (and big kids at heart) are sure to love Disney comedy movie Tangled – a modern take on Rapunzel.

5.00pm: Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special BBC1
Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly welcome six fresh faces to the dance floor to compete for the Christmas trophy – although not all of them are new to the TV dance experience

5.15pm: Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs at Christmas ITV1

You’ll be barking mad (sorry) if you miss Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs at Christmas.

Paul helps out at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home over the festive period – one of their busiest times of the year. Paul meets a grumpy Yorkshire terrier-cross with no teeth and a three-legged Staffie that raises concerns when the clinic team finds a lump on its chest. Heartwarming and sure to have you shedding a tear or two, this is one not to be missed.

6.15pm: Emmerdale

It’s time for a dramatic episode of Emmerdale. Christmas is never quiet in soap land and this is year is no different as David and Priya gear up for their wedding – but will it go smoothly? Hmmmm. Elsewhere, Charity finds Declan pouring petrol around the house, hell-bent on destroying everything, including himself. Will they survive?

7.30pm: Doctor Who BBC1

After three series, four Christmas episodes and last month’s anniversary special, Matt Smith is finally handing over the key to the Tardis – but before he can regenerate into Peter Capaldi

7.30pm: Coronation Street ITV1

Over on the cobbles of Coronation Street, the festive period is no less eventful.

Nick flies into an aggressive rage at Leanne, while Roy’s dream of a quiet Christmas with Hayley doesn’t go to plan. Don’t miss this hour long episode of the soap.

8.30pm: Eastenders ITV1

Christmas Day dawns in Walford, but there’s little festive cheer for the residents of Albert Square. Janine arrives at the Butchers’ under the pretence of spending time with the family, while actually searching for the recording that implicates her in Michael’s murder, and Bianca is put out when Nikki arrives and proceeds to wind her up about her relationship with ex-husband Terry

8.30pm: Downton Abbey ITV1

Open the chocolates and pour the mulled wine and settle down for the hotly anticipated Downton Abbey Christmas special, which sees the Crawley clan head to London.

As part of Rose’s ‘coming out’, she is to be presented at Buckingham Palace. Cora’s family fly in from New York for the special occasion but the Crawleys are implicated in a scandal that threatens to engulf the monarchy.

9.30pm: Alan Carr: Chatty man Christmas Special CH4

The comedian hosts a show filled with festive fun and frolics, plus the odd song or two by his Christmas house band. He’s joined by actor and comedian Russell Brand, presenters Davina McCall and David Dickinson, and girl group Little Mix, who perform their new single Little Me

10.45pm: Love Actually ITV1

After that, you’ve got time to pull on your Christmas onesie before the magic of Love Actually takes over the TV at 10.45.

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