Christmas Day TV lineup confirmed by BBC One and ITV
THIS year's Christmas TV line-up is packed full of festive treats, as BBC One and ITV promise to spread some family cheer with highlights including Doctor Who and Downton Abbey.
BBC One and ITV have confirmed a magical primetime lineup for Christmas Day this year with a feast of entertainment that will keep the whole family happy.
Christmas morning may start with a hint of sadness for Merlin fans, as the final ever episode of the fantasy drama is set to air on BBC One this Christmas Eve (December 24) at 8.15pm.
Children will be left delighted by an array of options on ITV, with Disney's Aladdin kicking off Christmas day at 9.35am, the much-loved Toy Story starting at 1.15pm – just before the Queen's Speech – and Tangled airing at 3.10pm.
For soap-lovers, the festive edition of EastEnders will transmit at 8.45pm on BBC One, while ITV's Emmerdale and Corrie, air at 5.30pm and 7.30pm respectively.
An hour-long Doctor Who special, ominously entitled "The Snowmen", is also among the highlights for BBC One in the evening – airing at 5.15pm – with Strictly Come Dancing following at 6.15pm.
Those switching over to ITV will be able to see Downton Abbey kick start the evening's entertainment at 8.45pm, followed by Vince Vaughn's comedy, Couples Retreat, at 10.45pm.
Families may face a battle for the remote however, with The Royle Family's Christmas special - which will see Dave (Craig Cash) plot to pitch an idea on Dragons' Den - airing on BBC One at 9.45pm.
Both Miranda and Mrs Brown's Boys will air their own Christmas episodes on Boxing Day (December 26) - at 9pm and 9.30pm respectively.
TV GUIDE
BBC One
Christmas Eve:
The Lady and the Tramp - 5.05pm
A Christmas Carol - 6.45pm
Merlin - 8.15pm
EastEnders - 9pm
Outnumbered - 9.35pm
Mrs Brown's Boys - 10.15pm
Christmas Day:
Shrek Forever After - 3.10pm
Doctor Who - 5.15pm
Strictly Come Dancing - 6.15pm
Call the Midwife - 7.30pm
EastEnders - 8.45pm
The Royle Family - 9.45pm
Boxing Day:
How to Train Your Dragon - 5pm
Alice in Wonderland - 6.50pm
EastEnders - 8.30pm
Miranda - 9pm
Mrs Brown's Boys - 9.30pm
ITV
Christmas Eve:
Rod Stewart's Christmas - 3.30pm
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 4.45pm
Emmerdale - 7pm
Coronation Street - 7.30pm
Spice Girls Story Viva Forever - 8.30pm
Jonathan Ross Show Christmas Special 11.15pm
Christmas Day:
Toy Story - 1.25pm
Tangled - 3.10pm
You've Been Framed Christmas - 5pm
Emmerdale - 5.30pm and 7pm
Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas - 6pm
Coronation Street - 7.30pm
Downton Abbey - 8.45pm
Couple's Retreat - 10.45pm
Boxing Day:
Toy Story 2 - 5.10pm
Emmerdale - 7pm
Coronation Street - 7.30pm
That Dog Can Dance - 8pm
Doors Open - 9pm
Atonement - 11.15pm