Have your say! Was Christmas TV better in the old days?

There's a unique thrill in leafing through your festive TV guides, marking out the shows and films you're eager to watch over the Christmas period. But do you feel that Christmas television isn't quite what it used to be? Those of us with a few more Christmases under our belts might recall the iconic holiday specials from comedy legends like Morecombe and Wise, Only Fools and Horses, The Office, The Royle Family, and Vicar of Dibley. Not to mention more recent festive favourites like Gavin and Stacey, and the annual drama in our beloved soaps.

However, some viewers were left feeling a bit let down by BBC One's Christmas Day lineup, as reported by the Mirror. The afternoon schedule is filled with holiday editions of The Weakest Link, Strictly Come Dancing, and Doctor Who, while a new Wallace and Gromit film and the much-anticipated Gavin And Stacey finale round off the evening. In years gone by, it seemed like everyone had a Christmas special, with Only Fools and Horses boasting 16 throughout its run - many of which topped the festive ratings.



One notable absence from recent TV schedules is the Top of the Pops Christmas Special, where we got to see the victors of the fierce Christmas No. 1 competition. Granted, there isn't much of a chart battle these days - but it was still a cherished part of the festive season.

Who could possibly forget the inaugural Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special in 2008? That was when Gavin and Stacey dropped a bombshell, and Pete unexpectedly punched Dave Coaches. Fast forward to the most recent festive episode in 2019, which left viewers on tenterhooks with a cliffhanger that seems set to be resolved in the upcoming final episode. Some of the most memorable soap episodes aired on Christmas Day, such as the 1986 instalment where Dirty Den served Angie divorce papers as her Christmas gift.

Another Yuletide classic hails from The Office, with two specials broadcasted in 2003. These episodes marked the return of Ricky Gervais' character David Brent, now a travelling salesman, and his appearance at the Wernham Hogg Christmas party. Serving as the show's finale, these specials are widely regarded as the perfect conclusion to the series.

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