Christmas TV Comedy 2016

Here is British Comedy Guide's look ahead to the new comedy on TV this Christmas. The final schedules haven't yet been officially confirmed yet, so be aware a couple of the broadcast dates might change.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC One)

Broadcast: New Year's Eve, 6:20pm

Mischief Theatre's smash hit stage show (pictured, above) comes to television for a one-off special, with David Suchet guest starring as the Narrator. The story goes that, as part of its commitment to community theatre, the BBC has commissioned amateur dramatics group The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society to recreate the J. M. Barrie classic as part of their festive programming. But can they pull it off? Filmed in front of a live audience, Peter Pan flies through the air; Captain Hook and his pirates set adrift in the lagoon; and with Tinkerbell due to light up the stage in a stunning electrical costume... what can possibly go wrong?! Guide

Inside No. 9 (BBC Two)

Broadcast: Tuesday 27th December, 10pm

Although not strictly a special, the new series of Inside No. 9 launches with an episode titled The Devil Of Christmas. It is Austria, Krampusnacht, December 1977. Julian Devonshire (Steve Pemberton), his pregnant wife Kathy (Jessica Raine), their son Toby and mother in law Celia (Rula Lenska) arrive at the alpine chalet for a family holiday. They are shown around by Klaus (Reece Shearsmith) who tells the family about the local legend of The Devil of Christmas. All the good children are given gifts by St. Nicholas, and all the bad ones are punished by the demonic Krampus. But who has been good, and who has been bad? Full Guide

The Entire Universe [Rutland Weekend Television] (BBC Two)

Broadcast: Boxing Day, 9:30pm

The Entire Universe is a unique collaboration between Eric Idle and Professor Brian Cox, alongside the creators of the Spamalot musical. It tells the story of the birth of the universe - in just one hour. The premise is that Prof Brian Cox agrees to present a scientific lecture for Rutland Weekend Television but when he arrives at the studio he soon realises that Eric has produced a glittering musical, choreographed by Arlene Phillips. Alongside Brian and Eric, Warwick Davis plays the part of The Big Bang, Noel Fielding takes on Einstein and Hannah Waddingham tackles Time, while Robin Ince attempts to keep order. Full Guide

Mrs Brown's Boys (BBC One)

Broadcast: Christmas Day, 10:30pm; New Year's Day, 10pm

Brendan O'Carroll and his family are back for another two episodes of their sitcom, in what has become somewhat of a Christmas TV tradition in recent years. In the first - Mammy's Forest - something isn't quite right in the Brown household this Christmas. Agnes Brown has had enough hassle with Christmas trees to last a lifetime, so this year she refuses to have one. But with Grandad's health a worry for everyone, is there something else missing this Christmas apart from just the tree? In the second episode, Chez Mamma, Agnes Brown's grandson Bono is being bullied by a boy at school. And when Agnes makes matters worse, a mediation session is called. Full guide

Outnumbered (BBC One)

Broadcast: Boxing Day, 10pm

After several years off air, the hit family sitcom returns for a new one-off festive special. Set on Boxing Day, it observes as the Brockman family stuck in a car attempting to carry out a special mission for Grandad. Along the way they encounter "car problems, child problems, parent problems, emotional problems and World War Two. If the adults can't sort things out the children will have to. Like all families, everything has changed and everything remains the same." Guest stars include Miles Jupp and Mark Benton. Full Guide

Still Open All Hours (BBC One)

Broadcast: Boxing Day, 8:30pm

Roy Clarke's hit sitcom returns for a third series, again with a Christmas episode kicking things off. Granville (Sir David Jason) and Gastric (Tim Healy) find themselves playing marriage counsellors, whilst Leroy (James Baxter) adopts a festive disguise to avoid relationship trouble of a different kind. Meanwhile, Mrs Featherstone (Stephanie Cole) struggles to get into the Christmas spirit and Kath (Sally Lindsay) attempts to bring the street together as one harmonious choir of carollers to beat Finkle Street once and for all - but does Granville have a trick up his sleeve to help them out? Full Guide

We Have Been Watching (Gold)

Broadcast: Wednesday 30th November, 8pm

The full series of this Gogglebox-style show in which we watch comedians watching classic comedy shows starts on Gold in 2017 but first there's a festive special (on 30th November!) to enjoy. Father Ted, Are You Being Served?, The Fast Show, Miranda, and Only Fools And Horses will be amongst the classics they'll comment on. Full Guide

Revolting Rhymes (BBC One)

Broadcast: Boxing Day, 6:30pm

David Walliams, Rob Brydon and Tamsin Greig are amongst the comic talent providing their voices to this new series of animated tales based on the much-loved children's book written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. The show takes on the classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, mixes them together and serves them with a mischievous twist.

Jonathan Creek (BBC One)

Broadcast: Wednesday 28th December, 9pm

Alan Davies and Sarah Alexander are back for a brand new episode of the mystery-based comedy drama. In this special, Jonathan must try to uncover what happened to a young woman's family in her eerie childhood home, Daemons' Roost. After assisting the woman's husband in the past, Jonathan is called upon again to try and solve the mystery with reluctant help from his wife Polly and the over-enthusiastic Reverend Wendell Wilkie (Warwick Davis), who is also required to perform an exorcism. As the story unfolds, with many more sinister twists and turns, the gruesome rituals that were once enacted in the dungeon of Daemons' Roost are revived with horrifying consequences. Full Guide

The Windsors (Channel 4)

Broadcast: Friday 23rd December, 10pm

The Windsors will return for two special Christmas-themed episodes on Christmas Eve, as Paul Whitehouse and Vicki Pepperdine join the original cast to play King George III and Princess Anne. The episodes will see the family descend upon Sandringham for their seasonal celebrations. Full Guide

Vicious (ITV)

Broadcast: Friday 16th December, 9pm

This sitcom starring Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen comes to an end with a finale special. The extended hour-long episode is set across a year and focuses on the adventures of Freddie and Stuart as a newly-wed couple. Friends Violet, Ash, Penelope and Mason will also be along for the ride. Full Guide

Would I Lie To You? (BBC One)

Broadcast: Monday 19th December, 8:30pm

Sara Pascoe, Richard Osman, Chris Kamara and Tom Courtenay join the regulars for a special episode of the truth and lie parlour game based around the topic of, you guessed it, Christmas. Does Courtenay truly enjoy Baileys on his cornflakes on Christmas morning? And is Chris Kamara's full name actually Christmas Kamara? Full Guide

Birds Of A Feather (ITV)

Broadcast: Christmas Eve, 8pm

When Travis goes missing, the birds - Sharon, Tracey and Dorien - head to Malta in search of him. ITV tease: "Expect guest stars, stunts and lots of surprises....will the ladies get back to Chigwell in time for Christmas?!" Full Guide

Charlie Brooker's 2016 Wipe (BBC Two)

Broadcast: Thursday 29th December, 9pm

Charlie Brooker returns for his annual review of the year - and "this year he's picked 2016". Charlie says: "If you told me at the start of the year that by October half our cultural icons would be dead, we'd have voted to leave the EU, and Donald Trump would be hovering near the White House... oh and the Bake Off wouldn't even be on BBC One anymore? I'd have been digging a bunker." Full Guide

Cunk On Christmas (BBC Two)

Broadcast: Thursday 29th December, 10pm

Fresh from her in-depth investigation into the life of Shakespeare, Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) is now on a festive mission to track down the true meaning of Christmas, and "find out exactly what it is he wants". It's an insightful documentary that takes her on a journey from pagan winter festivals and the nativity story, via "Sir Charles Dickings" all the way up to today's obsession with Santa. Along the way Philomena will be grilling a variety of experts, trying to expose the tough truth about Christmas, such as why people still put up with brussels sprouts. Full Guide

Yonderland (Sky 1)

Broadcast: Christmas Eve, 6pm

Following swiftly on from the end of the current third series of the fantasy comedy will be an exciting hour-long Christmas special. Plot details are currently under wraps, but stay tuned to BCG for updates a little nearer Christmas. Full Guide

Michael McIntyre's Christmas Special (BBC One)

Broadcast: Christmas Eve, 7:25pm

Michael McIntyre has a treat for all this Christmas when his Big Show gets festive. There is a merry performance from Michael Ball and Alfie Boe; Aled Jones is joined by a very special guest as he plays celebrity Send to All; Unexpected Star reaches epic proportions when Michael surprises an entire choir and there are lots of yuletide games and celebrity guest appearances from Nan (Catherine Tate), Kevin the Teenager (Harry Enfield) and more. Full Guide

Citizen Khan (BBC One)

Broadcast: Friday 23rd December, 8:30pm

In a very special festive episode, Mr. Khan tips his hat to Frank Capra's Christmas classic It's A Wonderful Life, with Sparkhill taking the place of Bedford Falls and Mr. Khan, like George Bailey, facing up to the fact that his life hasn't turned out the way he planned it. But an encounter with a mysterious heavenly passer-by (Lynda Baron) shows him how things might have been different and convinces him that, despite all its frustrations, his is a "Khanderful Life" after all. Mr Khan narrates as we go back in time to the The Khan's early years. Full Guide

2016: A Year In The Life Of A Year (BBC Four)

Broadcast: 30th December, 10pm

A one-off spoof review of the year show for BBC Four from Rhys Thomas, the writer and director of Life Of Rock With Brian Pern. The show will seamlessly re-edit real film and TV footage from 2016 in order to create a daft take on the year's cultural and national events, counting down from January to December. No one is safe! Full Guide

Celebrity Juice (ITV2)

Broadcast: Thursday 8th December, 10pm

Joining Keith, Holly, Fearne and Gino for a special panto-themed episode of the riotous panel show this Christmas are Piers Morgan, Danny Dyer, and Susanna Reid. This is an early special - catch it on Thursday 8th December. Full Guide

Through The Keyhole (ITV)

Broadcast: Christmas Eve, 10:30pm

Keith Lemon returns to screens in his slightly more family-friendly guise with a brand new series of Through The Keyhole in the new year. Ahead of that, there'll be a special Christmas edition of the panel game looking around the houses of the rich and famous. Full Guide

The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year (Channel 4)

Broadcast: Boxing Day, 9pm

It's been an annual tradition for twelve years now: Jimmy Carr looks back at the year just gone in one big panel quiz. As always, he'll be joined by three teams made up of top comedians, to question them on all the goings on from the past 12 months. The Big Fat Quiz Of Everything 2017 is also being made. Full Guide

Walliams & Friend (BBC One)

Broadcast: Tuesday 27th December, 10pm

In this extended episode of the new sketch show, Downton Abbey and W1A star Hugh Bonneville partners with David Walliams for a variety of comedy sketches. Hugh demonstrates his comic versatility as he plays roles as diverse as Lord Alan Sugar dishing out the hardest ever Apprentice tasks, and even the Countess of Grantham in her new commercial. Full Guide

Stella (Sky 1)

Broadcast: Friday 23rd, 9pm

A return to the Welsh valleys for a new Christmas special from Ruth Jones and Co. More details on the storyline will be revealed nearer the time. Full Guide

A League Of Their Own (Sky 1)

Broadcast: Christmas Eve, 9pm

James Corden, Jack Whitehall, Freddie Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp serve up some Yuletide high jinks in comedy sports quiz. Full Guide

Also coming up...

Scot Squad: A festive special of the Scottish police-based comedy drama. It's a crime-tinged Crimbo cracker shadowing the good guys banging-up the Bad Santas. Guide

Burnistoun: The popular Scottish sketch show returns for a new episode which has the title Burnistoun Goes To Work. Guide

Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle: Peter Kay returns with a very special Christmas Comedy Shuffle, featuring festive favourites from Car Share, Phoenix Nights and a seasonal sing-along with Sir Paul McCartney. Guide

Insert Name Here: The Sue Perkins-fronted panel show returns for a special festive edition. Sue is joined by captains Josh Widdicombe and Richard Osman ahead of a second series early next year. Completing the line-up are Danny Baker, Sara Pascoe, Deborah Meaden and historian Kate Williams. Guide

HIGNFY: The Christmas Compilation: The perennially popular satirical panel show Have I Got News For You returns for its annual Christmas compilation. The special episode will re-visit some of this year's best bits from the last two series. Guide

Live At The Apollo: Romesh Ranganathan is our host for a very special Christmas edition of Live at the Apollo. This festive trip to the legendary Hammersmith Apollo sees Romesh introduce Kerry Godliman, Seann Walsh and Spencer Jones all with their favourite christmassy material for a Noël to remember. Guide

QI: New host Sandi Toksvig treats Susan Calman, Matt Lucas, Josh Widdicombe and Alan Davies to a Danish Christmas with the letter N; complete with parlour games, songs, flatulent partridges... and a marzipan pig. Guide

Mock The Week: Dara O Briain presents the now traditional Mock the Week Christmas special, filled with all the usual festive irreverence and inappropriateness. Hugh Dennis and guests tackle a fiendish quiz, try some seasonal food, open presents and throw in much loved rounds such as Newsreel, Scenes We'd Like to See and If This is the Answer. There'll also be some out-takes and best bits from the year gone by. Guide

The Best Of Tracey Ullman's Show: Ahead of Series 2 next year, the award winning and multi-talented Tracey Ullman guides us through the best bits of Series 1 of her sketch show, plus a new sketch just for Christmas. Guide

Virtually Famous: The new line-up for the internet-obsessed panel show start of their tenure with a Christmas-themed episode. Guide

Trollied: A festive special to end Series 6. There's romance in the air at the Valco Christmas party! Guide

CBBC/CBeebies: For younger viewers, Millie Inbetween, Twirlywoos, Justin's House, Go Jetters, Scream Street and Hank Zipzer all get snow covered.

Stay tuned to British Comedy Guide. We'll have features on many of these shows soon, plus a guide to what's coming up in 2017... Uncle will be amongst the sitcoms helping the nation get over their hangovers in the new year.

Above are just some of the shows, for an even longer list see our list of start dates