British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Schedule Friday 25th December 2015

BBC Radio 5 Live 10am
60 min
Al Murray's Best Christmas Ever. Al Murray

Al Murray's Best Christmas Ever

Al Murray and Andy Zaltzman challenge two guests to battle it out to prove who has the best Christmas.

BBC Radio 5 Live 11am
60 min
Fighting Talk. Image shows from L to R: Josh Widdicombe, Georgie Ainslie. Copyright: World's End Productions

Fighting Talk

Series 13, Christmas Special

Josh Widdicombe hosts a special festive Fighting Talk looking back on the sporting year of 2015. With presenter Richard Osman, Olympic bronze medallist and sports commentator Kath Merry, Canadian sports broadcaster Greg Brady and comedian Bob Mills. With topics inspired by Brussels sprouts and Elsa from Frozen plus a burpee challenge.

BBC Radio Scotland 11:30am
30 min
The Big Yin. Billy Connolly. Copyright: BBC

The Big Yin

Episode 3

Janey Godley presents a special programme looking at her hero, Billy Connolly and the influence he still has today. Janey finds out why Glasgow was so important to The Big Yin and how he paved the way for other comedians and artists.

Radio 4 11:30am
30 min
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!. Count Arthur Strong (Steve Delaney). Copyright: Komedia Entertainment

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!

2015 Christmas Special - The Christmas 'Do'

Christmas creeps up on Arthur, leaving him little time to plan his festive arrangements. Could the lack of seasonal planning see Arthur miss out on his turkey?

BBC Local Radio 3pm
60 min
BBC Radio Solent Special: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Copyright: BBC

BBC Radio Solent Special: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

Richard Latto brings you the story of a comedy classic, with behind the scenes stories from the cast and crew.

Radio 4 4:27pm
30 min
The Infinite Monkey Cage. Image shows from L to R: Brian Cox, Robin Ince. Copyright: BBC

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Series 12, Christmas Special

With Ross Noble, Paul Franklin, Simon Guerrier, Victor Stock.

BFBS 4:30pm
30 min
Damn The Torpedoes. Copyright: Kirrin Productions

Damn The Torpedoes!

Christmas Special

The army weaponises Nicholas Cage, a sniper's mummy calls in to say he's sick, Jools Holland hosts a special Shootenanny and the England Manager gives a post-match interview after their disastrous performance at the Battle of Hastings.

Radio 2 logo 6pm
60 min
I Write The Gags - Barry Cryer. Barry Cryer. Copyright: BBC

I Write The Gags - Barry Cryer

Episode 1 - Six Times a Day

The doyen of British comedy writers, Barry Cryer, is in conversation with Steve Wright as he recalls the early part of his career.

Radio 4 6:15pm
15 min
Ayres On The Air. Pam Ayres. Copyright: BBC

Ayres On The Air

Pam Ayres At Christmas, Christmas Special - Operation Christmas

This Christmas for the first time ever, long-married Pam and Gordon are on their own. But how to spend the festive season? A posh hotel? A cruise? Extreme sports? Fortunately the crisis is resolved by a letter from the NHS.

Radio 4 6:30pm
30 min
Dead Ringers. Image shows from L to R: Lewis Macleod, Debra Stephenson, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey. Copyright: BBC

Dead Ringers

2015 Christmas Specials

The topical impressions gives politicians, media pundits and celebrities a Christmas roasting.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 7pm (repeat)
The Vicar Of Dibley. Image shows from L to R: Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French), Jim Trott (Trevor Peacock). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

The Vicar Of Dibley

1996 Specials, Christmas Special - The Christmas Lunch Incident

It's the Vicar's second Christmas in Dibley, and she has to make her sermon a good one "or you've lost them to Satan till next December". An arguably greater worry, however, is the three Christmas dinners Geraldine's agreed to eat. But she can pull it off - right?

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 7pm (repeat)
Blackadder. Image shows left to right: Ebenezer Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson), Baldrick (Tony Robinson). Credit: BBC

Blackadder

1988 Specials, Christmas Special - Blackadder's Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Blackadder is the kindest man in England, until a visit from the Spirit of Christmas helps him to see the error of his ways.

BBC Two 7:30pm (repeat)
Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender)

Dad's Army

Series 7, Episode 6 - Turkey Dinner

During a drunken evening, Jones and his men accidentally shoot a turkey. Having failed to establish the bird's rightful owner, they decide the best thing to do is to offer the older residents of Walmington a turkey dinner.

BBC Two 8pm (repeat)
The Two Ronnies. Image shows from L to R: Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker. Copyright: BBC

The Two Ronnies

Christmas Special

Hugely popular and long-running sketch show that established Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker as two of the biggest names in British comedy.

U&Dave channel logo 8pm (repeat)
Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton). Copyright: Avalon Television / Arlo Productions

Not Going Out

A selection of episodes from the seventh series of the Lee Mack sitcom.

BBC Four 8:45pm (repeat)
The Titfield Thunderbolt. Image shows from L to R: Joan (Gabrielle Brune), Valentine (Stanley Holloway). Copyright: Ealing Studios

The Titfield Thunderbolt

Comedy starring Stanley Holloway. The villagers of Titfield take matters into their own hands when their local railway line closes down.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 9pm (repeat)
The Royle Family. Image shows from L to R: Denise Royle / Best (Caroline Aherne), Dave Best (Craig Cash), Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson), Antony Royle (Ralf Little)

The Royle Family

Series 2, Christmas Special

It's Christmas, and Denise is just about ready to pop. As the family begin to disperse from the Royles' after the customary meal, their world looks set to change forever.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 9pm
120 min
Alan Carr: Chatty Man. Alan Carr. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Series 15, Christmas Special

With Catherine Tate's Nan; the unpredictable Keith Lemon; The Voice hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes; Lorraine Kelly; Gogglebox's Steph & Dom; star of the forthcoming film The Hateful Eight, Samuel L. Jackson (via a live link up to the US); and comedian John Bishop. Music is in full Christmas swing with performances from Little Mix and One Direction.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 9pm (repeat)
Stella. Copyright: Tidy Productions

Stella

2014 Christmas Special - Christmas In Pontyberry

Enjoy a festive fix of Ruth Jones's hit comedy drama. When Michael has to head home for the holidays, Stella throws herself into work on the hospital's children's ward.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 9:45pm
40 min
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll). Copyright: BBC / BocPix

Mrs. Brown's Boys

Christmas 2015, Christmas Special - Mammy's Christmas Punch

Agnes Brown is determined to have a safe and peaceful Christmas at home this year. But with Mark and Betty rowing over the reappearance of his first love, Bubbles, with carol singers haunting Agnes's every waking hour, and with Buster installing a new Christmas tree with a very unusual safety feature, how will Agnes survive?!

BBC Two 9:50pm (repeat)
QI. Image shows from L to R: Bill Bailey, Alan Davies, Stephen Fry, Jenny Eclair, Johnny Vegas. Copyright: TalkbackThames

QI

Series M, Christmas Special - Merriment

With Bill Bailey, Jenny Eclair and Johnny Vegas.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 10pm (repeat)
Men Behaving Badly. Image shows from L to R: Gary Strang (Martin Clunes), Dorothy (Caroline Quentin), Tony Smart (Neil Morrissey), Deborah (Leslie Ash). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd

Men Behaving Badly

Series 6, Christmas Special - Jingle B***s!

Flat share sitcom following security salesman Gary and his lodger, as they attempt to navigate the opposite sex.

U&Dave channel logo 10pm
60 min version (repeat)
QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Jo Brand, Stephen Fry, Liza Tarbuck, Sue Perkins. Copyright: TalkbackThames

QI

Series J, Christmas Special - Jingle Bells

With Sarah Millican, Danny Baker and Phill Jupitus.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:05pm
10 min
Trygve Wakenshaw's Christmas. Cliftracts Penktinkerton (Trygve Wakenshaw). Copyright: King Bert Productions

Trygve Wakenshaw's Christmas

Festive comedy short starring Trygve Wakenshaw.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:05pm
10 min
Lolly Adefope's Christmas. Lolly (Lolly Adefope). Copyright: Merman

Lolly Adefope's Christmas

Comedy short starring Lolly as a character working as an elf in a grotto.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:05pm
10 min
Pappy's Christmas. Dara O Briain. Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Pappy's Christmas

Christmas special from comedy trio Pappy's.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:10pm
10 min
Gein's Family Giftshop's Christmas. Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

Gein's Family Giftshop's Christmas

A Christmas special starring the sketch group Gein's Family Giftshop.

BBC Three 10:15pm
45 min version (repeat)
Live At The Apollo. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Dara O Briain, Stewart Francis. Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Live At The Apollo

Series 6, Episode 3 - Dara O Briain, Greg Davies, Stewart Francis

Mock The Week host Dara O Briain brings the house down, before introducing sets from Inbetweeners star Greg Davies and Canadian one-liner specialist Stewart Francis.

BBC Two 10:20pm (repeat)
We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story. Image shows from L to R: Jimmy Perry (Paul Ritter), David Croft (Richard Dormer). Copyright: DSP

We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story

One-off drama about how writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft got Dad's Army made despite scepticism from BBC management.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 10:25pm
60 min
Michael McIntyre's Big Show. Michael McIntyre. Copyright: Hungry McBear

Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Christmas Special - Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show

Award-winning stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre is back with his Big Christmas show, a night of entertainment recorded in front of a live audience at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Russia Today 10:30pm
30 min
Sam Delaney's News Thing. Sam Delaney

Sam Delaney's News Thing

Highlights Special - Christmas

Sam's Christmas gift to you is a bunch of the best bits from previous shows with some of the country's best comics and special guest John Prescott.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 10:30pm (repeat)
A League Of Their Own. James Corden. Copyright: CPL Productions

A League Of Their Own

Series 8, Christmas Special - Christmas Party

James Corden is treating the A League Of Their Own boys to an extra-special Yuletide treat: a good ol' fashioned knees-up in the countryside.

E4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 10:30pm (repeat)
The Inbetweeners. Image shows from L to R: Simon Cooper (Joe Thomas), Will Mackenzie (Simon Bird), Neil Sutherland (Blake Harrison), Jay Cartwright (James Buckley). Copyright: Bwark Productions

The Inbetweeners

A selection of four episodes from the E4 sitcom.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:45pm
10 min
Limmy's Christmas. Brian Limond. Copyright: The Comedy Unit

Limmy's Christmas

Christmas sketch show feature starring Limmy.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:45pm
10 min
Tez Ilyas's Christmas. Tez Ilyas. Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

Tez Ilyas's Christmas

Festive comedy about two brothers who are debating Christmas.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:45pm
10 min
Spencer Jones's Christmas. Dad (Spencer Jones). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions / Cave Bear Productions

Spencer Jones's Christmas

Festive comedy about a Dad who has just a few minutes to buy his Christmas shopping.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 10:45pm
10 min
Sam Simmons's Christmas. Image shows from L to R: Sam Simmons, Kieran Hodgson, Bridget Christie. Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions / Cave Bear Productions

Sam Simmons's Christmas

Christmas special set in a Christmas cracker joke-writing room.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 11pm (repeat)
Bottom. Image shows from L to R: Richie Richard (Rik Mayall), Eddie Hitler (Adrian Edmondson). Copyright: BBC

Bottom

Series 2, Episode 5 - Holy

After Richie's chopped off his own finger and incinerated the Christmas dinner, a baby is left at the front door. Richie's convinced it's the Second Coming.

U&Dave channel logo 11pm (repeat)
Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled. Image shows from L to R: Joe Lycett, Jason Manford, Alan Davies, Richard Coles, Jo Joyner. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled

Series 3, Christmas Special - Xmas Untitled

In this suitably festive outing, guests Jason Manford, Jo Joyner, Joe Lycett and the Reverend Richard Coles chew the (goose) fat about Santa and all things Christmas. And it's funny, obviously.

Radio 4 11pm
30 min
Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme. Key (Tim Key). Copyright: BBC

Tim Key's Poetry Programme

Christmas Special - Tim Key's Christmas Poetry Programme

Comic poet Tim Key gets in the Christmas spirit, by reciting festive poetry. With musical support from Tom Basden.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation 11pm (repeat)
8 Out Of 10 Cats. Image shows from L to R: Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson. Copyright: Zeppotron

8 Out Of 10 Cats

Series 18, Christmas Special

In this festive edition, the teams discuss and dissect the seasonal topical events. With guests Freddie Flintoff, Ricky Wilson and Roisin Conaty. There's also an appearance from X Factor's Stevi Ritchie.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 11:25pm
10 min
Nish Kumar's Christmas. Nish (Nish Kumar). Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment / Rumpus Media

Nish Kumar's Christmas

Festive comedy short written by and starring Nish Kumar.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 11:25pm
10 min
Joseph Morpurgo's Christmas. Joseph Morpurgo. Copyright: King Bert Productions

Joseph Morpurgo's Christmas

A Christmas special created by character comedian Joseph Morpurgo.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 11:25pm
10 min
The Horne Section's Christmas. Copyright: Avalon Television

The Horne Section's Christmas

A Christmas special from Alex Horne and his band.

Sky Arts logo. Copyright: Sky 11:25pm
10 min
Twisted Loaf's Christmas. Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions / Cave Bear Productions

Twisted Loaf's Christmas

Festive TV offering from comedy group Twisted Loaf.

Sky One logo. Copyright: Sky 11:30pm (repeat)
Duck Quacks Don't Echo. Lee Mack. Copyright: Magnum Media

Duck Quacks Don't Echo

Series 1, Episode 5

With Sanjeev Bhaskar, John Hannah and Kathy Burke.

Gold channel logo. Copyright: UKTV 11:40pm (repeat)
Knowing Me, Knowing You... With Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: TalkbackThames

Knowing Me, Knowing You... With Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge is an insincere and skill-less chat show host. Partridge frequently demonstrated his insecurities and total lack of knowledge about his guests' lives during each broadcast.

BBC One. Copyright: BBC 11:45pm
30 min
Comedy Bloopers. Copyright: BBC

Comedy Bloopers

A selection of bloopers from comedy programmes, many of which have never been seen before.

U&Dave channel logo Midnight (repeat)
Room 101. Frank Skinner. Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

Room 101

A selection of episodes from the second series of the Orwellian comedy.

BBC Four Midnight (repeat)
Detectorists. Lance Stater (Toby Jones)

Detectorists

Series 2, Christmas Special

Lance seems to have lost his metal detecting mojo, and Russell's talk of a curse isn't helping.

Share this page

Subscribe to our newsletters