Mrs Brown is dreaming of a quiet Christmas, there's an animated Peter and the Wolf, a look at the life of Caroline Ahern, and Christmas editions of Strictly Come Dancing and Call the Midwife . . .
Mrs Brown’s Boys: Mammy’s Mare, 9.00pm, RTÉ One & 10.45pm, BBC One
For many folk, this is the best part of Christmas Day: a Yuletide visit to the Brown household.
This year, all Mrs Brown wants is a nice, peaceful Christmas - but the family have other ideas!
Cathy’s decided to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and there's a surprise dinner guest, all of which have the potential to ruin Agnes’ quiet Christmas.
Then in Mrs Brown’s Boys: New Year, New Mammy, (New Year’s Eve, RTÉ One & BBC One), the gang are on a mission – to get in shape!
Peter and the Wolf, 12.55pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Sergei Prokofev’s much-loved symphony is transformed into a visual treat - based on original illustrations by Bono and with music from Gavin Friday - that explores ideas around growing up, grief, and man’s relationship with nature.
Combining hand-drawn 2D animation with 3D sets, this re-imagined classic tale follows a grieving 12-year-old Peter, living with his grandfather following the loss of a parent.
After hearing stories about a wolf on the loose, Peter decides to explore the nearby meadow and forests. Along the way, he contends with wolf-hunters and meets creatures who help him on his quest.
As he journeys through nature, Peter is transformed from an angsty adolescent into a light-hearted and resourceful man-in-the making.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, 4.40pm, BBC One
The much-loved show returns to the ballroom for a Christmas special bringing festive fun, frolics and fab-u-lous dancing for all the family to enjoy on Christmas Day.
Join Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as six stars take to the floor in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2023. Will the judges be naughty or nice this year?
Sam Ryder performs in the ballroom and there are two spectacular group routines guaranteed to bring Christmas cheer.
Caroline Ahern, Comedy Queen, 10.25pm, BBC Two
A celebration of the unique life and talent of Caroline Aherne, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends, including Steve Coogan, Jon Thompson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries.
Aherne's pioneering representation of working class and family life in The Royle Family won her two Baftas and changed comedy writing. It was also a great show.
And her alter ego Mrs Merton’s question to stage performer Debbie McGee - 'So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?' - has been voted the greatest comedy put-down in British TV history.
Call the Midwife Christmas Special, 8.15pm, BBC One
The period drama that oozes empathy is back for another Yuletide special.
It’s December 1968. The countdown to Christmas is on, as is the launch of Apollo 8’s moon mission. Sister Monica Joan is convinced this could be her last yuletide and that she will not live to see man walk on the moon.
Meanwhile, as Shelagh and Dr Turner navigate family life, they are unsettled when a parcel arrives from May’s mother in Hong Kong.
Sister Julienne makes a very generous offer to allow Colette to move into Nonnatus House for the foreseeable future. Nancy is thrilled to be able to spend every day with Colette and be more present in her upbringing.
Movie of the Day
Toy Story 4, 3.10pm, BBC One
Although I went to see this under protest (as I considered the first three Toy Story movies a perfect trilogy), it’s a very enjoyable return for Woody, Buzz and the gang.
You just have to hope that they don't do a Star Wars on it and ruin the legacy of the originals.
This time around the gang are under new ownership (Andy gave his toy collection to a girl called Bonnie) and embark on a road trip with a toy she created called Forky. Along the way, Woody reacquaints himself with Bo Peep.
The voice cast includes Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, as well as Annie Potts as Bo Peep and Tony Hale as Forky.
