Al Murray to film Christmas special for ITV
- ITV has ordered TV special Al Murray's Make Christmas Great Again
- The one-off episode will see Al Murray presenting a festive special as The Pub Landlord
- The show will feature "festive cheer, seasonal games and fun-loving celebrity guests"
ITV has ordered Al Murray's Make Christmas Great Again, a one-off TV special starring Al Murray as his pub landlord character.
The channel says: "The Pub Landlord is back this Christmas to host a one-off festive special called Al Murray's Make Christmas Great Again made for ITV by Avalon.
"Christmas is coming and the nation's favourite publican will be hosting the ultimate public house party. Serving up a Crimbo cocktail... no, make that a pint, (rules are rules) of festive cheer, seasonal games and fun-loving celebrity guests.
"You won't be properly warmed up for any Yuletide celebrations until you've experienced this Christmas cracker of a lock-in with The Pub Landlord."
This news marks a return to ITV for Murray, who previously hosted three series of his chat show Al Murray's Happy Hour on the channel between 2007 and 2008, and fronted a sketch show - Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder - in 2009. He also fronted two of his own specials in the long-running An Audience With... series, in 2005 and 2007, the last of which was also the last comedian-fronted edition to date.
In recent years he has performed as The Pub Landlord on TV in Tonight At The London Palladium (pictured) and on Stand Up Central, and his continued to tour with great success.
ITV's Comedy Commissioner Saskia Schuster says: "We're delighted Al Murray is back on ITV bringing his own brand of Christmas cheer."
The Pub Landlord himself says: "Christmas is back and so am I. Christmas - everyone's favourite time of year - needs a boost in these turbulent times. That's why I have stepped into the breach and offered to Make Christmas Great Again. With songs, guests, and a sack full of Christmas cheer to turbo boost the season."
Al Murray's Make Christmas Great Again will be recorded in London next month (tickets), for broadcast on ITV this December.