BBC, ITV, Channel 4 Announce Christmas 2025 Schedules

The BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 have announced their festive television schedules for Christmas 2025, offering a mix of returning favorites, celebrity specials, and family-oriented programming to entertain viewers across the United Kingdom from December 25 through New Year's Day.

On Christmas Day, BBC One kicks off its lineup at 3:10 p.m. with a new animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book "The Scarecrows' Wedding." The 25-minute film features voices from Jessie Buckley as Betty O'Barley, Domhnall Gleeson as Harry O'Hay, and Rob Brydon as Reginald Rake, with narration by Sophie Okonedo. This is followed at 3:35 p.m. by a celebrity edition of "Gladiators," where fitness trainer Joe Wicks, reality star Sam Thompson, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, and podcaster Vogue Williams compete in physical challenges against professional athletes.

The evening highlights begin at 5:30 p.m. with the "Strictly Come Dancing" Christmas special, marking the final appearance for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after their announced departure earlier in the year. Celebrities including Scarlett Moffatt paired with Vito Coppola, Melanie Blatt with Kai Widdrington, Jodie...