More celebrated actors are set to grace brand new BBC drama this Christmas with the likes of Kim Cattrall, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones and David Haig joining forces in Agatha Christie’s tale, The Witness For The Prosecution. Bafta-winning writer Sally Wainwright pens new drama To Walk Invisible, which tells the story of the extraordinary Brontë women and the obstacles they faced to come from obscurity and produce some of the greatest novels of all time.

The much anticipated return of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in Sherlock sees the nation’s favourite detective return to British soil. In New York, the Doctor is back on screen for the first time in a year, as Peter Capaldi joins forces with an investigative journalist and a superhero in a bid to save the city in brand new Doctor Who - The Return Of Mysterio.

And it’s a time for family in West Yorkshire as Anne Reid, Derek Jacobi and Sarah Lancashire return for a two part special of Last Tango in Halifax.

Christmas isn’t complete without some showbiz sparkle. There’s nothing like a Dame and this year the BBC has exclusive insight into not one, but two of Britain’s finest talents, Dame Shirley Bassey and Dame Judi Dench. In David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey the iconic singer performs in a glittering night of glamour and entertainment, and documentary, Dame Judi Dench - All The World’s Her Stage, looks at the phenomenal career of one of the world’s most loved and decorated actresses. Sir Lenny Henry is also honoured with this year’s Bafta tribute, Sir Lenny Henry: A Life On Screen.

The baubles are out for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, after the nation has chosen its champion for 2016 in the Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final, and more winners will be crowned on Sports Personality Of The Year and The Apprentice Final. It is also time to say farewell to Head Judge Len Goodman who hangs up his ‘seven’ paddle for the last time, with a look back on his Strictly career in Strictly Len Goodman (w/t).

Among a raft of comedy and entertainment specials, Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show gets a merry makeover full of Christmas cheer, as celebrity guests - along with comedians Catherine Tate and Harry Enfield - join in the fun at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Whereas theatre of an altogether different kind is in store, as Peter Pan Goes Wrong delights audiences with Mischief Theatre’s comedy of errors, narrated by David Suchet.

Jonathan Creek is back with a macabre mystery to solve, and there will be more laughs on BBC One as Mr Khan experiences his own festive It’s a Khanderful Life. Over on BBC Two Professor Brian Cox tries to explain The Entire Universe amid an elaborate amateur dramatics musical theatre production from Eric Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television. And the house robots deck the halls in two Robot Wars Christmas specials, alongside some celebrity guests.

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton return with a brand new Inside No.9, telling the tale of the demonic Krampus, whilst Philomena Cunk brings viewers her own unique investigation into the real meaning of yuletide’s traditions, in Cunk On Christmas. Charlie Brooker attempts to cram his views on the events of the past 12 months into 2016 Wipe - no doubt easier said than done…!