christmas special

Father Brown: The Star of Jacob

BBC One, 1.45pm

An outbreak of laryngitis in the church choir, a missing donkey and a kidnapped baby are all threatening to spoil Kembleford's Christmas festivities this year.

Despite the digital era taking many viewers from traditional broadcasting to online platforms, there is no disputing that Christmas time is dominated by our television screens.

The classic Christmas Day family argument normally stems from a fight over the remote; but there are some TV specials that have the whole family laughing or crying together.

Whether it’s reruns of classic moments or the excitement at the return of an old favourite, there is a Christmas TV special for everyone. 

Here are six of the best Christmas TV specials to get you in the festive spirit.

The line-up for the 2016 Christmas University Challenge series has now been confirmed, with over 50 prominent alumni taking part.

Teams from 14 universities and university colleges, including Oxford, Bristol and Sussex, will compete for the Series Champion crown that will end the year's competition.

The series will include a host of famous faces such as Paul Ross, Rachael Stirling, Dom Joly and Dermot Murnaghan.

It's been three years since Outnumbered was on our screens, but this Christmas brings us a 40-minute special of the BBC One comedy.

It's Boxing Day and the Brockman family have to carry out a special mission for Grandad. They encounter many problems along the way and if the adults can't sort things out the children will have to. Starring Claire Skinner and Hugh Dennis this is sure to be a Christmas favourite. Hugh Dennis has said: "I can't wait to re-join our TV nucleus, and what better place to experience the full joy of family life than stuck in the family car."

Revered or feared by everyone at this time of year, the Christmas TV season is almost upon us. While we have a few weeks to wait before we're settling on the sofa with a selection box, the schedules are being announced and there is much to look forward to.