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Christmas TV guide 2015: The best festive specials from Downton Abbey to EastEnders

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It simply wouldn't be Christmas if you didn't spend evenings cosily bundled up on the sofa with your friends and family. Who doesn't feel lazy after tucking into all that festive fare?

Luckily, there's a bumper crop of Christmas specials on TV this season which are sure to keep everyone entertained through those long winter nights.

From Sherlock's time-travelling mystery to Downton Abbey's final hurrah, there's something for all the family over the holiday period.

Click through the gallery for our guide to the best shows the telly has to offer this Christmas.

downton © Photo: Facebook

Downton Abbey

The feature-length Christmas special will serve as the drama's swan song and viewers have been warned to have "two hankies at the ready" for the emotional finish.

After her absence in season six, Lady Rose will be returning to the Crawley manor, but it could be at the worst time possible as Violet Crawley is set to be involved in a shocking final storyline.

Hopefully her spirits will be lifted by a wedding, with rumours that Lady Edith will accept Bertie Pelham's proposal.

BBC One, Christmas Day, 8.45pm

cilla © Photo: Getty Images

Cilla Black special

A tribute will take place in honour of Cilla Black this Christmas, after the much-loved star tragically passed away in August.

A source told The Sun: "Cilla had ITV in her blood and bosses want her to be properly recognised. The shows she fronted for them are a huge part of her legacy. They see her as true ITV royalty and want to reflect that in a huge telly extravaganza."

ITV Christmas Day, 10.45pm

jonathon ross © Photo: Getty Images

The Jonathan Ross Show

With nine successful series under his belt, Jonathan Ross will be rounding off the year with another one of his beloved Christmas specials.

The guests have not been announced as of yet, but with David Walliams, Barbara Windsor, Lewis Hamilton, Jimmy Carr, Ed Sheeran and Idina Menzel all on the sofa last year, you can expect it will be quite a party.

ITV, Boxing Day, 10.05pm

corrie © Photo: Facebook

Coronation Street

It wouldn't be Christmas without a shock return from one of the characters, and this time it's Jenny Bradley, who left the cobbles earlier this year.

She finds a place to stay with Rita Tanner, but as Jenny's behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable, Rita may soon find herself regretting the decision.

Jenny isn't the only character acting strangely, as Ken Barlow appears to have forgotten all about his late wife Deidre. After burying her just a few months ago it seems he already has his eye on another woman, Audrey Roberts.

Meanwhile, Fiz and Tyrone are determined to give Hope the best Christmas ever, as she battles neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

ITV, Christmas Day

sherlock © Photo: BBC

Sherlock

The 90-minute episode titled The Abominable Bride follows Holmes and Watson as they are transported back in time to Victorian London where they deal with a ghostly mystery.

Just don't expect any festive cheer. While the episode has been dubbed a Christmas special, writer Stephen Moffat has admitted the show would work equally well in the middle of summer.

BBC One, 1 January

strictly © Photo: BBC

Strictly Come Dancing

The Blackpool Tower will light up once more as the stars of this year's Strictly take to the dancefloor to show off their best cha-cha-chas and quicksteps.

After stepping down as host in 2013 Bruce Forsyth will be making a welcome return to co-host alongside Tess Daley, whilst Take That have been confirmed as the episode's musical guests.

BBC, Christmas Day

call the midwife © Photo: Facebook

Call The Midwife

It may have been filmed during the heatwave in June, but Call The Midwife promises to provide plenty of festive cheer.

The latest storyline is being kept firmly under wraps for now, but Cliff Parisi, who plays Fred, was seen on set in a Santa suit. And although he was supposed to be spreading good cheer, he seemed to be getting a lecture from Nurse Patsy.

BBC One, Christmas Day

boomers© Photo: Facebook

Boomers

After more than a year's hiatus, Boomers is back and will kick off its hotly anticipated season two with a Christmas special.

Following the lives of three retired couples living in Thurnemouth, "Norfolk's only west-facing resort", the special will pick up where they left off in the season one finale.

Joyce is growing tired of husband Alan and wants to spice up their mundane routine. Meawhile, their friends, John and Maureen and Trevor and Carol, are facing similar issues.

BBC One, date TBC

doctor who © Photo: Getty Images

Doctor Who

With Jenna Coleman announcing that she's leaving the series, this will be The Doctor's last Christmas with Clara. But whilst he may have lost one companion, he has gained another in the form of River Song, who will be returning to the show for the Christmas special.

River, who plays The Doctor's wife, has not yet met this incarnation of her husband, so it should make for great viewing.

BBC One, date TBC

eastenders © Photo: Facebook

EastEnders

The focus for this year's explosive storyline is be the Carter family, as it looks like Linda will tell the square that she was raped by her brother-in-law Dean Wicks.

Dean may not be the only character facing the law this Christmas. After struggling to deal with Bobby's erratic behaviour, the Beale family are seriously considering handing him over to the police for Lucy's murder.

Meanwhile, in a heartwrenching situation that will strike a chord with a few viewers, elderly Cora Cross spends Christmas lonely and isolated whilst others on The Square are with their families.

BBC One, Christmas Day

emmerdale © Photo: ITV

Emmerdale

After an explosive summer, Emmerdale will be stripping back and focusing on delivering an emotional Christmas special.

Viewers will finally get closure as it's revealed who shot Robert Sugden. But just as that mystery is solved another one begins, with Chas Dingle terrified after discovering she's being stalked.

The soap is also paying homage to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in a storyline that sees Eric get three visits from 'ghosts' of the past, present and future.

ITV, Christmas Day

gogglebox kids © Photo: Getty Images

Gogglebox Kids

Gogglebox is back... with a twist, as children under the age of 13 are set to give honest opions on the year's hottest telly, talking about The Great British Bake Off and the fate of Cecil the Lion.

Since kids make the funniest comments without even trying, a regular series may be commissioned if the special proves a success.

Channel 4, date TBC

gypsy © Photo: Getty Images

Gypsy

Imelda Staunton has been charming audiences with her performance as Momma Rose in the critically-aclaimed Gypsy, and now you can watch the show from the comfort of your living room.

The revival has been filmed in the Savoy Theatre and is set to air around the Christmas period.

BBC Four, date TBC

QI © Photo: BBC

QI

You can expect to learn all about a host of Christmas traditions and customs that you've never even heard of in the festive edition of QI.

Christmassy facts include: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was actually a girl, and a traditional Czech Christmas dinner consists of fried and breaded carp with potato salad or plum sauce.

Host Stephen Fry and his right hand man Alan Davies will be joined by Bill Bailey, Johnny Vegas and Jenny Eclair.

BBC Two, date TBC

detectorists © Photo: Twitter

The Detectorists

Last year's sleeper hit about metal-detecting enthusiasts has been comissioned for a second series, which will kick off with a Christmas special.

In the new season Lance is struggling to cope with the departure of his wife, while Andy adjusts to fatherhood.

BBC Four, date TBC

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