BBC Christmas Special Round-up

One very time honored Christmas tradition in the UK is the multitude of Christmas specials that air on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

In America, most TV shows go on hiatus during December and January and all we can expect is re-runs during the holidays.

Well, in the UK, Christmas specials are generally a pretty big deal and throughout the year, the UK’s favorite TV shows are filmed with Christmas specials in mind.

For example, the BBC used a Christmas special several years ago to relaunch the classic show Doctor Who. They also use Christmas specials to bring back shows that have long been off the air for a one-off for fans (like To the Manor Born last year). They also use it as an opportunity to premiere new shows.

The BBC goes Christmas crazy, with awesome Christmas idents between shows. Like this one:

So, what can Anglophiles expect to air on Aunty Beeb this Christmas? What shows should they keep a lookout for on the UK TV bittorrent sites or on their SlingBox Streaming services like UKTV2C?

Shows with Christmas Specials:

Doctor Who – David Tennant returns as the venerable Doctor in an exciting adventure. Here’s the first 2 minutes.

Can’t wait! There will also be a presentation of “Doctor Who at the Proms,” a special Doctor Who themed concert that was held late last summer.

Top Gear – The boys from Top Gear led by car God Jeremy Clarkson have their series finale in a special taking place in Vietnam.

Blackadder – The classic Britcom Blackadder returns to screens with a special documentary about the history of the groundbreaking show.

Wallace and Gromit – The fun claymation duo return for a one-off Christmas Special called “A Matter of Loaf and Death.” Read more about it here - Wallace and Gromit Christmas Special.

Antiques Roadshow – Prince Charles himself will appear on the classic Antiques valuation show.

Lead Balloon – The hilarious Jack Dee sitcom will have a 40 minute special to end it’s already cracking series.

There is so much more as well. Here’s an excerpt from today’s BBC press release about their Christmas Specials:

Christmas specials for Gavin And Stacey, The Royle Family, Strictly Come Dancing, Shooting Stars, My Family, Rab C Nesbitt, Peter Serafinowicz and Lead Balloon all feature in a talent-packed Christmas schedule, which also includes Top Of The Pops one-offs on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, and a Top Gear special from Vietnam.

Blackadder also returns for a one-off documentary – Blackadder Rides Again.

Mesmerising music and performance feature on BBC Two and BBC Four with sumptuous fairytale opera Hansel And Gretel; the New Year’s Day Concert, live from Vienna; composer Howard Goodall exploring The Truth About Carols and acclaimed actor Simon Russell Beale telling the story of one of the most popular pieces of sacred music ever written in Sacred Music: The Story Of Allegri’s Misere.

Thrilling drama comes courtesy of The 39 Steps starring Rupert Penry Jones; a very special edition of Doctor Who; spine-tingling ghost story Crooked House; as well as an explosive Christmas cracker for the Mitchells in EastEnders.

Wallace And Gromit return to the small screen with a special new adventure for BBC One, A Matter Of Loaf and Death.

Lark Rise To Candleford is also back with a captivating seasonal tale and Alan Davies reprises his role as Jonathan Creek with an exciting new mystery to solve.

I know I’ll be glued to by Slingbox on Christmas Day. It’s going to be a cracking Christmas! I can’t wait!