What’s on TV on Christmas Eve 2022? A guide on what to watch

Virgin Radio

20 Dec 2022, 15:51

There are plenty of telly bits to enjoy this Christmas Eve!

Whether you fancy curling up on the sofa with a touching animation or some festive carols, there’s lots to enjoy across the box, and luckily for you, the elves at virginradio.co.uk have put together a handy guide on what to enjoy on the day before the Big Day.

BBC One

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, 4:55pm

One of the most highly-anticipated shows across the festive period is the animated adaptation of Charlie Macksey’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.

First released in 2019 as a bestselling book, the story touched a lot of people’s hearts and was awarded the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year and the Waterstones Book of the Year in 2019.

Charlie’s original story of an unlikely friendship between his four much-loved characters will be coming to our screens in the form of a short film on Christmas Eve.

Blankety Blank Christmas Special, 8.00pm  

If you’re keep your brain in gear during those slow Christmas days at home, there will be a number of quiz shows to keep us all engaged, including Bradley Walsh’s Blankety Blank. 

Joining the panel for some festive fun are TV presenters Alison Hammond and Jonathan Ross, comedians Alex Horne and Guz Khan, and actresses Dame Joanna Lumley and Joanna Page.

BBC Two

Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse, and Me, 3.55pm  

Just before watching Charlie Macksey’s sweet tale of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse on BBC One, you can learn all about how it came to be, and the man behind it. 

At the age of 56, he published the heartfelt story, and this documentary will lets us into Charlie’s world, exploring how he came to write the book and following him as he embarks on turning The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse into an animated film.

With insights from friends including filmmaker Richard Curtis and explorer Bear Grylls, an unexpected story unfolds of how grief and vulnerability can be turned into a message of strength and compassion that has helped thousands of readers.

Top of the Pops Review of the Year 2022, 10.40pm  

Get ready to reminisce about 2022 in music with the annual Top of the Pops Review of the Year. 

Clara Amfo and Jack Saunders will present the biggest songs of 2022, with a chance to relive performances from Harry Styles, Stormzy, Sam Fender, Raye and Sam Smith, as well as this year’s official Christmas number one.

Not only is he performing, but Sam will also stop by for a chat to discuss his stellar year, from almost winning Eurovision to releasing his debut album. 

ITV1 

Royal Carols : Together at Christmas, 7.00pm

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, will return to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service in Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. 

Attended by HM The King, this year’s service will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, and the traditional carols will sit alongside musical performances by Craig David, Alexis Ffrench and Samantha Barks, and a special duet from Alfie Boe and Melanie C.

Poignant readings will be delivered by speakers including The Prince of Wales, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Bonneville and Kadeena Cox.

Britain Get Singing, 8.05pm

A star-studded line-up will go head-to-head to put their vocal abilities to the test in Britain Get Singing. 

The celebs like Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, Brenda Edwards, Denise Welch, Judi Love, Linda Robson and Kelle Bryan will be taking to the stage along with The Chase’s Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis.

They will attempt to impress the studio audience and Super Panel made up of Adam Lambert, Will.i.am, Alesha Dixon and Jason Manford.

Christmas Comedy Club with Lost Voice Guy, 10.40pm  

The Lost Voice Guy will be bringing the laughs this Christmas Eve with his Christmas Comedy Club. 

Lee Ridley will host a special night of stand-up silliness and interviews with Bill Bailey, Rosie Jones, Omid Djalili and Joel Dommett.

2022 marks Lee’s second time hosting Christmas Comedy Club, and he recently said in a statement: “I really enjoyed the one last year and I know for sure that this year’s will be even better. I’ve already got my Christmas outfit cleaned and pressed in anticipation.”

Channel 4 

Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas, 7:25pm

Merry Brickmas from the stars of Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas!

Nish Kumar hosts as three teams battle it out to be crowned the Celeb Lego Masters. Those taking part include Taskmaster's Alex Horne and Sophie Duker versus Kitchen Disco stars Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her sons Sonny and Kit, with Gogglebox royalty Scarlett Moffatt with her dad Mark and sister Ava.

Brickmaster Amy from the US series and UK judge Matthew Ashton will be the ones deciding which team will be walking away with the coveted Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas trophy.

The Great Christmas Bake Off, 8:25pm

Stars from across telly and radio will battle it out in the famous tent for The Great Christmas Bake Off. 

Those feeling the heat of the kitchen this year are broadcaster Terry Christian, Virgin Radio’s Gaby Roslin, actor Sir Tony Robinson, Popworld’s Miquita Oliver and Brookside actress Claire Sweeney. 

The stars will have to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their baking skills, and will do their best to wow with their Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges. 

Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You Celebrity Special, 9:40pm 

Jimmy Carr hosts another star-studded run of quiz show I Literally Just told You, with the likes of Dermot O’Leary, Judi Love, David Walliams and Kerry Katona taking part. 

The celebs must answer questions that have been written live while the show is being filmed, all in the hopes of bagging £25,000 for their charities. 

The stars will have to sharpen up their general knowledge skills as they try and bank cash before having to remember those answers that have already been said.

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Virgin Radio!