There’s a bonanza of festive treats on Channel 4 this Christmas. Below is a sneaky peak at some of what is to come!
Seasonal specials from the Great British Bake Off tent and the Taskmaster house will return with some surprise new faces. And festive episodes of telly favourites will include The Last Leg, Gogglebox, and as it’s Christmas, a Big Fat Quiz. Plus, Matt Baker opens up his festive farm in the Dales, Jamie Oliver has the perfect menus to create special Christmas memories with friends and family, and Kirstie Allsopp will be on hand for all your yuletide crafting needs. You could spend Christmas in The Dog House, The Lake District Farm Shop and at Castle Howard or plan a Luxury Christmas for Less, watch some First Dates or tune in for much more!
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without an animated film for all the family to enjoy. This year, the frostiest of hearts will be warmed by the beautiful adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s The Abominable Snow Baby.
If you prefer to unwrap a surprise this Christmas from Wednesday 1 December to Christmas Eve, All 4 will be bringing you a different show from behind the numbered windows of the All 4 Advent Calendar. From blockbusters to box sets, family favourites to comedy classics, who knows what you’ll open up and discover between now and Christmas? Check what’s on here www.channel4.com
Here’s to a wonderful Christmas!
FIRST DATES CHRISTMAS
1x60’
22nd December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Twenty Twenty
Contact: Niamh at Multitude Media
Fred and the team return once again for another festive edition of First Dates - and after last year’s Christmas was cut short for so many of us, they are going all out to give this new crop of festive singletons a Christmas to remember. Now more than ever, First Dates at Christmas is about bringing people together in the name of love. At the heart of First Dates has always been people’s stories, and this merry edition is no exception - even more so after the year we have all had.
ONE NIGHT IN…
5 x 60’
23rd December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Zeppotron, a Banijay UK company
Contact: Alison Peters
This December, the Last Leg pals Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe lead a new five-part series where, in each show, they spend the night along with their friends from the world of comedy at some of the UK’s most exciting tourist attractions with no other visitors around. Alex and Josh will be joined by different comedic companions each episode and will be let loose for a night unsupervised at theme parks, a zoo, a museum and, in a Christmas-themed edition, a top-end department store to roam free and muck about into the wee small hours.
MATT BAKER: OUR CHRISTMAS IN THE DALES
1x60
24th December, 7.55pm, More 4
Production company: Big Circus Media
Contact: Lesley Land
The Baker family farm is decked with boughs of holly and Matt, Nicola, their children Luke & Molly and Matt’s parents Mike and Janice get ready to celebrate Christmas. But before presents can be opened and turkey can be eaten, there’s plenty of work to be done down on the farm. Expect cameo appearances from the miniature donkeys, sheep, dogs, and chickens all against the glorious backdrop of the Durham Dales as we also look back at the last year on the farm.
THE GREATEST SNOWMAN
1x90
24th December, 8pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Southshore
Contact: Kate Conway
Hosted by Sue Perkins The Greatest Snowman follows the Alpine adventure of a band of celebrities who will compete in an epic snow building competition.
With thousands of tonnes of snow and giant blocks of crystal-clear ice at their disposal, Johnny Vegas, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Dani Dyer, Liam Charles, and Cherry Healey will go head to head across three tough rounds challenging them to build incredible structures made from snow and ice. Supported by a cast of seasoned sculptors, engineers, and snow builders these stars will have to design and create some of the most extraordinary snow creations ever seen on TV. The competition will culminate in the ultimate snowy challenge where the famous faces will use all they have learned in each round to attempt to construct The Greatest Snowman.
8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
1x60’
24th December, 9.30pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Zeppotron, a Banijay company, ITV Studios
Contact: Nick Walker
Jimmy Carr hosts a special Christmas edition of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, packed with festive surprises. Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican take on Lee Mack and Jason Manford in the classic words and numbers quiz. They're joined by guests Nick Mohammed and Joe Wilkinson, and Countdown regulars Susie Dent and Rachel Riley.
THE LAST LEG: CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL
1x60
24th December, 10:30pm, Channel 4
Production company: Open Mike
Contact: Alison Peters
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker host a festive special of the quadruple BAFTA-nominated and multi-award-winning The Last Leg. Offering their unmatched satirical insight into current world events, Adam, Josh, and Alex will be joined by guests from the worlds of comedy, entertainment, and politics for a merriment-packed Christmas edition. As ever, the hashtag #isitok will pave the way for the gang to round up the week’s leading the most entertainment news via their acerbic wit, enlightening discussions, unique sketches, and a sprinkle of festive cheer.
THE ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
1x5’
25th December, 5pm, Channel 4
The alternative message is a tradition that started in 1993, and has since featured illustrious and varied speakers such as Danny Dyer, John Bercow and whistle-blower Edward Snowden.
TERRY PRATCHETT’S THE ABOMINABLE SNOW BABY
1x30’
25th December, 7.30pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Eagle Eye Drama
Contact: Alex Dyche
The magic of Terry Pratchett, the legendary national treasure and maverick British author who sold over 100 million books worldwide, comes to life in this half-hour animation. The Abominable Snow Baby, starring Julie Walters, Hugh Dancy, and David Harewood, tells the story of a quintessentially English town which is thrown into disarray by a huge snowfall and the dramatic appearance of a 14-foot tall Abominable Snow Baby. Shunned and feared by the local townsfolk, Snow Baby is rescued by the indomitable Granny (Julie Waters) who along with grandson Albert (Hugh Dancy) and narration by David Harewood, welcomes him into her home, showering her new pet with love and affection, changing the town’s perception and helping the community overcome their initial prejudices.
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF FESTIVE SPECIAL
1 x75’
25th December, 8pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Love Productions
Contact: Amanda Console
The cast of Channel 4’s award-winning hit show It’s A Sin will be reuniting this Christmas for a seasonal special of The Great British Bake Off. Swapping the Pink Palace for an equally iconic erection, Olly Alexander; Lydia West; Nathaniel Curtis; and Shaun Dooley will enter the Bake Off tent to try their hand at some festive themed bakes. Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood and hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will preside over the hotly contested competition to see who on the cast knows their sieves from their spatulas in the first of two festive episodes airing on Channel 4 over the holiday period.
GOGGLEBOX: BEST OF 2021
1x120’
25th December, 9.15pm, Channel 4
Production company: Studio Lambert
Contact: Lesley Land
Britain's favourite opinionated TV viewers share their sharp, insightful, passionate, and sometimes emotional critiques of 2021's biggest and best shows so far. This is a chance to see some of the best moments from some of the country's best loved households, including the Siddiquis, Giles and Mary, Jenny and Lee, Ellie and Izzi, Marcus and Mica, and Amira & Iqra. The shows on the 'Box in 2021 included: I Can See Your Voice, Mastermind, Nadiya (mac 'n' cheese), Ready to Mingle, Line of Duty, The Mating Game, Petrol News, Sex Actually with Alice Levine, Strictly Come Dancing (Rose's dance), Squid Game, An Audience with Adele, Headspace Guide to Sleep, Vigil, Life Drawing Live, Sex, Love & Goop, and Coronation Street (sinkhole shootout).
BRITAIN’S SCENIC RAILWAYS AT CHRISTMAS
1x60’
26th December, 6pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Flint TV
Contact: Sian Thompson
Climb onboard for a magical journey through a winter wonderland along Britain's most scenic railways and join the teams protecting the tracks and the volunteers preserving our steam heritage as they celebrate Christmas. As the festive season approaches, we enjoy the sparkling illuminations of Steam in Lights at the Severn Valley Railway, we ride with Santa on a steam train through the Yorkshire Moors, we take a stunning helicopter flight checking for snow drifts in the wild Scottish Highlands and we join the Cairngorms reindeer herd on a day trip to the Strathspey steam railway.
ALL I WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS
1x60’
26th December, 8pm Channel 4
Production Company:
Contact: Lesley Land
As kids, Christmas meant one thing: toys! But no matter how many mountains of presents we tore through, there was always that one longed-for toy that Santa never delivered. Even now, we still secretly hope that there might be a Mr Frosty, an Easy-Bake Oven or a Scalextric waiting for us underneath the Christmas tree. This joyous holiday special turns those once-distant dreams into reality, as some of the nation's best-loved celebrities reminisce about Christmases gone by, and finally get the chance to unbox the present they always pined for. Was that one present really worth the fuss, or was Santa right all along? Narrated by Stephen Fry and starring Jonathan Ross, Asim Chaudhry, Robert Webb, Big Narstie, Keith Lemon, Rosie Jones, Martine McCutcheon, London Hughes, Aled Jones, Kerry Godliman, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Grace Dent, Lucy Porter and Justin Edwards.
BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR 2021
1 x 120’
26th December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production company: BFQ Ltd for Channel 4
Contact: Lesley Land
To celebrate the welcome dawn of another year, Jimmy Carr puts a panel of top celebrity teams to test as he presents his big, fat and fiendishly difficult quiz. As always, Jimmy will be ably assisted by a whole host of superstar question setters including Mitchell Brook Primary School, Charles Dance and Jon Snow as the teams battle it out to see who can remember most about the last twelve months.
TRAVEL MAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: 96 HOURS IN ICELAND
1x60
27th December, 8pm, Channel 4
Production company: North One Television
Contact: Lesley Land
After nine series gallivanting around the globe, Richard Ayoade has handed the Travel Man baton over to fellow comedian Joe Lycett and first up for Joe and his companion is a festive getaway to Iceland. Jetting off on his first seasonal minibreak, Joe is joined by actor, comic and Strictly Come Dancing champion, Bill Bailey as the pair jet off to the country of glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and black sand beaches. The pair will embark on their own unique whistle-stop tour of the Land of Fire and Ice, sampling the culinary delights and local tipples before relaxing with a plunge in the famous Blue Lagoon.
JON & LUCY’S CHRISTMAS SLEEPOVER
1x60
27th December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Ranga Bee Productions
Contact: Gemma Bareham
Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont, are hosting a Christmas getaway for some of their closest friends in a one-off seasonal special. Jon and Lucy are joined by comedy pals to eat, drink and get very merry during a night away from the post-Christmas, pre-New Year lull as they look back at the year gone by. Joining Jon and Lucy for this rollicking knees-up are Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett. There’ll also be a few surprise guests along the way as the gang reflect on the highs and lows of 2021 and enjoy a boozy festive feast guaranteed to lead to misbehaving and chaos.
Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig: Christmas special
1x60
28th December, 8pm, Channel 4
Production company: Tuesday’s Child
Contact: Lesley Land
Broadcaster and national treasure Sandi Toksvig is whisking another of the nation’s most fascinating and funny women off on a festive Extraordinary Escape. Longing to spend quality time with her guest, the pair will explore a handful of wild, remote, and beautifully designed holiday digs, all offering glorious Christmassy sanctuary. Expect sumptuous seasonal food Scandi style and a yuletide cocktail or two as Sandi and her guest make the most of their time away whilst reflecting on the important things in life.
BILLIONAIRE BLOOMS
1x60’
29th December, 7pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Raise The Roof
Contact: Kate Conway
Exclusive behind the scenes access to some of the most internationally celebrated florists as they cater to the luxury end of the market, creating designs for the most discerning clients imaginable. Internationally renowned Jamie Aston is planning one of his enormous Christmas displays for one of London’s most exclusive venues. The design is so large the team have to bring in scaffolding, but as the build must be completed overnight the ticking clock adds to the pressures. Celebrity floral designer Paula Rooney’s client wants their entire mansion decorated for Christmas. With a grand hall and 2 eight-foot pillars to dress, Paula must hunt out hundreds of spectacular stems and install her designs before the best blooms start to wilt. Taking the floral world by storm newcomers Iona and Romy are Sage flowers and have a contemporary take on floristry, mixing flowers and subculture to create a cool Christmas installation at one of the world’s top 50 restaurants. Billionaire Blooms is a wonderful insight into this spectacular world of amazing design, decerning clients, meticulous planning, and engineering floral installations on an epic scale.
BRITAIN’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSES
4x60’
29th December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production Company: Waddell Media
Contact: Faber Bishop
This brand-new series explores one of the world's largest luxury estate agencies, UK Sotheby's International Realty, and gives a fascinating insight into the exclusive world of super-prime properties. In a summer which saw demand for houses double and the international super-rich gradually return to the UK, the brokers are having to use every trick and contact in their little black books to succeed in the super-prime competitive market. In this episode, brokers John and Mary head to Windsor to view a mega mansion on behalf of Mary's millionaire contact - a French Moroccan socialite who can't travel due to Covid-19 restrictions.
QUIZNESS (celebrity special)
1 x 60’
29th December, 10pm, Channel 4
Production Company: CPL
Contact: Nick Walker
Comedian Tom Allen hosts an all-celeb edition of the hilarious game in which contestants' general knowledge is put to the test by the serious quiz with the silliest answers. Siobhán McSweeney, Jo Brand, Rob Rinder and AJ Odudu go head to head in a contest to conquer the fiendish questions and win up to £25,000 for charity. But there's a twist... if they want to win the game, the celebrity quizzers will need to prove their brains by looking daft.
THE LAST LEG OF THE YEAR
1x120’
31st December, 9pm, Channel 4
Production company: Open Mike
Contact: Alison Peters
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by a host of celebrity guests to wave goodbye, and good riddance, to 2021 and look ahead to what 2022 might have in store. The bumper two-hour extravaganza will feature some of the nation’s best comedians, hilarious VTs and joyously raucous debate as the team bring in 2022 in their own inimitable style.
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF NEW YEAR SPECIAL
1 x75’
Production Company: Love Productions
Contact: Amanda Console
Celebrating the New Year with another special episode is The Great Festive Bake Off. Four former bakers will return to the tent. Series nine bakers Kim-Joy and Jon and series 11’s Hermine and Rowan will face three favourite festive challenges and find out who tops the tree as Star Baker.
TASKMASTER’S NEW YEAR TREAT
1x60’
Production Company: Avalon
Contact: Florrie Sheehan
Feeling in a particularly festive mood, the almighty Taskmaster Greg Davies has once again gathered five famous faces from radically different specialities for another standalone special on Channel 4 with ‘Taskmaster’s New Year Treat’. Set to air over the festive season, the formidable Taskmaster will put these celebrity guests through their paces in a series of ludicrous challenges supervised by his devoted sidekick, assistant, and stats keeper Little Alex Horne.
GOGGLEBOX: FESTIVE SPECIAL
1x90
Production company: Studio Lambert
Contact: Lesley Land
The nations favourite armchair critics cast their eyes over the year’s biggest Christmas TV shows. They’ll be passing review on the most talked about hits from the festive season including classic movies, exciting new dramas, and some of telly’s biggest traditional treats.
Ends