Christmas on Channel 4 and E4

4 November 2019

Christmas on Channel 4 and E4

‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year…’ sang Andy Williams at a time when Brexit wasn’t even a twinkle in the eyes of the nation. What a long time ago that was.

But, rest assured, the comfort of Christmas is rapidly approaching – a time where it’s totally acceptable to wear pyjamas all day and binge watch your favourite telly shows. This year on Channel 4 there really is something for everyone – and whether you’re partial to Kirstie being Crafty, Jamie revealing his go-to Christmas tips, a double portion of festive themed Great British Bake Off, or some heart-warming romance courtesy of The Undateables, we’ve got Christmas well and truly wrapped up with a merry schedule of programmes to keep you warm and entertained this winter. And there’s more to come too, so do come back often and check this list twice.

So eat, drink, be merry and keep your TV tuned to Channel 4. Here’s what you can expect…

 

Buy It Now for Christmas

Studio Lambert production for Channel 4

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Buy It Now for Christmas, hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal sees the show supersized and in a new peak-time slot for Christmas.  In this series, people from across the UK who have invented products are invited to the Buy It Now studio to pitch to an audience of real shoppers and, in the ultimate focus group, get live feedback on their products and the chance to get a big order from a well-known retailer; Amazon Launchpad, Lakeland, and JML. The inventors all have one goal, to get their products on to high street shelves or with huge online retailers in time for Christmas and the busiest shopping time of the year.  The products featured could all make potential Christmas presents and include genius kitchenware, an invention to give you the perfect night’s sleep and eco-friendly toys but will the audience rate them and will the retailers buy big? Buy It Now for Christmas is the perfect appointment to view to see some life-changing orders and fulfil your Christmas shopping list.

 

Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 2019

Raise the Roof production for Channel 4

15x60 for C4 (daytime), 1x60 (peak)

Over the past decade Kirstie has featured over 500 festive makes. In this, the show’s tenth year, she has over a 120 more, including many even she’s never seen before, and of course, some fresh takes on old favourites. 

Kirstie’s going to show you that with a little handmade magic, you can craft this Christmas into something truly spectacular. She’s collated a cornucopia of crafts into one glorious peak episode; from makes that will transform your home into a winter wonderland to food and drink that are totally indulgent. But there is more, much more. Across three fabulous festive weeks on daytime, a host of crafty contestants are going all out to be crowned winner of one of 15 craft competitions packed with inspiration, tips and fresh techniques. To complete the carnival of Christmas cheer we’ll take a sneak peek into the workshops of some of the nation’s most creative makers and crafters. There’s enough clever crafty tricks and tips, decorations, gifts, food and drink to satisfy even Father Christmas himself.

 

 

C4 - Jamie’s Easy Christmas Countdown

A Fresh One production for Channel 4

 

Child Genius Vs Celebrities Christmas Special

Wall to Wall production for Channel 4

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In this special festive edition of Child Genius, four famous faces are pitched against four of the most formidable competitors in the history of Child Genius, in a battle to see who is the brightest.  

Last year, comedian and Team Captain Jimmy Carr led the celebrities to victory against the children for the very first time.  This year he’s back, leading the celebrity team in a bid to defend the title.  Joining him are comedian Jo Brand, TV presenter Richard Bacon and radio host Vick Hope.   

The celebrities have the daunting task of taking on 10 year old memory and spelling whizz, Dan, 12 year old Fabio, a Latin scholar and chess champion, and Rahul and Nishi, two teenagers with IQs higher than Einstein.

It’s set to be an epic battle, but there can only be one winner. 

 

Made in Chelsea: Buenos Aires
Week 50
9 December 2019, 21:00

NBCUniversal International Studios' Monkey production for E4

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As the festive lights turn on in London, the Chelsea residents jet off to Buenos Aires. But whilst new romances sizzle in the Latin heat, others don’t look set to make it to Christmas. Expect tempestuous tangos, festive fallouts and holiday hookups as the gang live la vida Latina before returning home to New Year celebrations in Chelsea. 

 

Amazing Spaces Northern Lights Adventure

Plum Pictures production for Channel 4

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In this snowy special of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, George and master-craftsman Will Hardie explore the fantastic hidden architectural gems that Finland has to offer. Starting in the heart of the country they explore an iconic Finnish lodge on the edge of a frozen lake complete with a traditional smoke sauna. From there they cross the country of over 187,000 frozen lakes and into the arctic circle in pursuit of the famous northern lights. On their intrepid adventure they visit a collection of 60 tree houses, a mini city of igloos and a cabin built in 2 weeks on the edge of the city’s capital.  

George takes a husky ride to their most northern stop at Lake Inari where he visits a caravan on skis stationed on a frozen lake whilst Will sees the city built underneath Helsinki. Before he travels back home will George fulfil a lifelong dream and finally see the elusive Northern Lights?  

 

The Undateables at Christmas

betty production for Channel 4

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The Undateables returns with more yuletide festivities featuring much loved familiar faces as they share their extra special plans for the most magical time of the year. In this Christmas special, we’ll be catching up with loved-up couples whose relationships are going from strength to strength since they met on The Undateables as they prepare for the festive season.


Celebrity Christmas Come Dine With Me 
Week 51
16 December 2019, 19:30

A MultiStory Media production for E4

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E4’s brand new series of Celebrity Come Dine With Me is kicking off with a Christmas Special featuring Debbie McGee, Charlotte Dawson, Dick & Dom, Courtney Act and Stevo The Madman. Each night, one celebrity contestant will host a festive dinner party in the hopes of wowing their guests and bagging the £1000 cash prize for a charity of their choosing.
 

Don’t Tell the Bride: Christmas in the Snow
Week 51
19 December 2019, 21:00

A Renegade production for E4

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In this Christmas special, laid back Liam is planning to wow his bride with a wintry white wedding, but nearly 2000 miles away in Portugal, bride-to-be Georgia is dreaming of sun, sand and sangrias for her big day. Will Liam get everyone in the Christmas spirit or will feisty Georgia put him on the top of the naughty list? 

 

Inside the Toy Factory at Christmas

A Boomerang production for Channel 4

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Every year, on the 25th of December, children around the world excitedly open up their presents hoping to find much anticipated toys.  But who decides what kids want and how do they ensure their toys get into shops in time for Christmas?

This 1 x 60' special programme will lift the lid on three iconic toy, crafts and games manufacturers and go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous toy stores. Visiting the colourful creations of Crayola in Pennsylvania, the charming home of Steiff teddy bears in Germany, and the fun-filled world of Top Trumps right here in the UK the film will also allow viewers to gain access to FAO Schwarz, New York’s biggest and most famous toy store; before an exclusive access reveal of their first UK store, a proud new addition to Selfridges, Oxford Street. 

At each location we will meet the brilliant creatives behind these globally-renowned products, take a look at the upcoming innovations that these brands hope will keep them ahead of their rivals, and meet the staff working on the sprawling factory floors on which these products are created.

The result is a packed hour that takes us into the world of four iconic brands, looking at toy makers around the world and how they work hard year-round to ensure their product is on Christmas lists around the world.  

 

Food Unwrapped: Christmas Survival Guide (w/t)

Ricochet for Channel 4

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Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without all the scrumptious food and drink but whipping up a festive feast can be daunting!  Fear not, the Food Unwrapped Cracking Christmas Guide will reveal all you need to know to feed your family and friends better, cheaper and faster this year…. But first our quirky quartet - Jimmy, Kate, Matt and Helen - hang up three new stockings above the fire as they welcome a terrific trio of new team members, ready to help solve these Christmas conundrums.

To free up more time on Christmas morning for present opening, we put three novel turkey-cooking methods against the clock – even deep-frying a bird whole so you don’t have to – and give some time-saving tips for prepping your parsnips.  To save money, we explore whether champagne is worth its hefty price tag, and if a home hack could make more affordable fizz.  Finally to help those of us who can’t help but eat until we’re sick, we investigate whether digestifs can help our bellies after a big meal, and the psychology behind why we just can’t stop dipping into the chocolate variety box.

 

Star Trek: Discovery - series 1
The Vulcan Hello (Ep1/15)
Week 51
15 December 2019, 20:00

Production: CBS

Brand new series: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY follows the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms, and one Starfleet officer who must learn that to truly understand all things alien, you must first understand yourself.

 

8 Out of Ten Cats Christmas
Week 51
15 December 2019, 21:00

Zeppotron production for E4

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Jimmy Carr hosts the Christmas Special, with team captains Rob Beckett and Sara Pascoe and guests Emily Atack, Ola the Comedian, Natasia Demetriou and Jamie Laing.

 

Rob Beckett’s Savage Socials @ Christmas
Week 51
15 December 2019, 22:00 

A Thames production for E4

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We bring you all of the biggest celebrity news and OMG moments of the week, all viewed and reviewed through the eyes of funny man, Rob Beckett who’ll be offering his trademark savage commentary on the most topical, hilarious and outrageous clips, content and news from the last seven days.

Celebrities who think their embarrassing Snapchats and Instagram stories are a thing of the past, or that cringe worthy news stories have slipped by unnoticed, think again. Each episode will be a fast-paced joyride through Rob’s ‘savage feed’, a catalogue of the latest clips, memes, digital blunders and celebrity news from the previous week.

 

Kylie’s Secret Night

BBC Studios production for Channel 4

1 x 90’

Fresh from her Glastonbury legends slot triumph and a raft of sold our tour dates throughout the world, the quintessential pop princess Kylie Minogue will cap off a Golden 2019 as the subject of a very special secret night this December on Channel 4.

A must see spectacular, Kylie’s Secret Night, will allow viewers to celebrate with Kylie like never before. The 90-minute programme, filmed in front of an audience of passionate – and unsuspecting – fans will see a specially invited audience arrive for what they believe is a Kylie themed fan extravaganza hosted by Alan Carr. Little do they know they’re going to be spending a secret evening with the lady herself…Over the course of the show Kylie will treat her guests to the ultimate thank you through heartfelt and hilarious conversation with Alan, memorable performances, surprise money can’t buy gifts, hidden camera VTs and laugh out loud stunts. The UK television premiere of Kylie’s smash hit Golden tour will follow – packed full of incredible hits, spectacular visuals and fabulous choreography, we’ll see just why she’s the original pop princess

What a F***in' Year on TV with Mel B and Mel B
Week 51
Tuesday 17 December 2019, 21:00

A Hungry Bear Media production for E4

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For the first time in more than 10 years, Leigh Francis' most memorable Bo' Selecta impersonation comes face to face with his intended parody - Spice Girl Mel B. What a F***in' Year on TV with Mel B & Mel B celebrates an entire year packed full of 'reet good' telly as the two Mels hang out together in a high-rise apartment in Leeds. Donning the classic leopard print dress, surrounded by party food and a fridge full of bevvies, the Mels give their honest and brutal opinion on the TV moments that have made us laugh out loud and shed a tear over the past year. It's full of famous catchphrases, outrageous TV clips, satirical sketches, celebrity cameos and a few other familiar latex-masked faces dropping by for a gossip. Exec Prod: Dan Baldwin; Dirs: Dan Johnston, Jamie Deeks; Series Prod: David Maguire; Prod Co: Hungry Bear Media

 

Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast

Alternative Christmas Message

Production company TBA for Channel 4

The alternative to the Queen’s annual televised message to the nation, Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message has featured an illustrious and varied selection of speakers since its inaugural broadcast by Quentin Crisp in 1993.

The presenter of this year’s message is still to be announced. They will follow in the footsteps of history-makers and influential figures from across the decades, who have included Doreen and Neville Lawrence; 9/11 survivor Genelle Guzman; President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; child survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire; whistleblower Edward Snowden; Ali G; and Marge Simpson. Last year’s message was delivered by the actor Danny Dyer.

 

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Lupus Films

1 x 60

Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen.  Suddenly there was a ring at the door.  Sophie’s mummy said, “I wonder who that can be…?”

The opening of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, written by Judith Kerr and published by  HarperCollins Children’s Books, will be known well by parents and children across the nation. The tea-guzzling tiger, who turns up unannounced and eats and drinks Sophie and mummy out of house, home and bathwater before disappearing into the night, has been delighting generations of children and parents in the much-loved picture book by Judith Kerr. 

Channel 4 has commissioned a new hand-drawn animated special, produced by Lupus Films and HarperCollins, of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The special animation will air as a festive treat in 2019.  Channel 4’s last festive children’s classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, also produced by Lupus Films, was the Channel’s most watched programme of 2016 with over 8million viewers over the festive period.

 

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Love Productions production for Channel 4

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Noel, Sandi, Prue and Paul are back in the tent for their traditional Christmas get-together.

Joining them for the celebrations are Tom and Yan from 2017, and Briony and Terry from 2018, competing in festive themed challenges for the title of Christmas Star Baker

They’ll round off Christmas with legendary British rock band Status Quo, as they perform their smash hit "Rockin All Over The World” 

 

First Dates at Christmas

Twenty Twenty production for Channel 4

1x60

For the first time ever, Fred and his team are escaping the bright lights of the city for the beating heart of the British countryside in what promises to be the most romantic festive First Dates yet. Inspired by the nation’s favourite festive rom-coms, singletons from across the UK are heading to one of the cosiest pubs in the country to receive the perfect Christmas gift of all . . . . Love.     

Some of First Dates’ success stories will also be back to update us on their news, and spread some festive cheer, and the night will come to an end in true First Dates spirit as Fred shuts the door for a very festive lock-in!

 

Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2019

BFQ Ltd production for Channel 4

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To celebrate the dawn of another year, Jimmy Carr puts a panel of top celebrity teams to test as he presents his big, fat and fiendishly difficult quiz. As always, Jimmy will be ably assisted by a panel of top celebrity teams and a series of superstar question setters including Mitchell Brook Primary School, Charles Dance and Jon Snow
 

The Great Festive Bake Off

Love Productions production for Channel 4

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The Great Festive Bake Off sees Noel, Sandi, Prue and Paul welcoming brand new bakers to the festive tent for the first time, in the form of the Derry Girls star cast.

Baking up some New Year’s inspired bakes, and competing for the coveted Star Baker title are Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn and Siobhan McSweeney. 

Together they’ll see in the New Year with London Community Gospel Choir.

 

Richard Osman’s World Cup of the Decade 

Zeppotron (part of Endemol Shine UK) production for Channel 4

1 x 90 

As we hurtle towards 2020 Richard Osman look back and celebrate the very best of the past ten years across various categories including: Film, TV show, Song, Celebrity, and New Thing. Viewers will take a nostalgic trip down memory lane as Richard and his celebrity guests discuss the potential winners in each category, before revealing the ultimate winner in each group.

In the lead up to the show, Richard will host a World Cup style tournament on Twitter giving the public the opportunity to have their say on each of the five categories with the winners being revealed on the show.  A fun and irreverent celebration of the best the decade has had to offer, we’ll see heated, funny discussion from our studio panel, mixed with a meaningful public vote to ensure the World Cup goes to its rightful home.

 

The Last Leg of the Year

Open Mike production for Channel 4

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Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by a host of celebrity guests in a two-hour satirical spectacular looking back at the highs and lows of 2019.  With Johnny Vegas manning the bar and house band The Horne Section providing the musical entertainment, the show is an uproarious romp poking fun at the year’s news and looking forward to what 2020 might hold in store. Featuring some of the nation’s best comedians, hilarious VTs, joyously raucous debate, brilliantly stupid songs and a ground-breaking challenge, The Last Leg of the Year will bring in 2020 in style.

 

The Big Fat Quiz of The Decade

BFQ Ltd production for Channel 4

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In The Big Fat Quiz of the Decade, quizmaster Jimmy Carr will be joined by a panel of celebrity teams primed and ready to answer questions on the goings on of the last 10 years. Covering subjects from history and music to film, TV and science, Jimmy will give offer his unique Big Fat Quiz spin on everything from the past decade.