Al Murray is returning to ITV for the first time in eight years with a Christmas special.

The Pub Landlord will host an hour-long collection of games, celebrity interviews and festive cheer in Al Murray's Make Christmas Great Again.

Murray said: 'Christmas is back and so am I. Christmas - everyone’s favourite time of year - needs a boost in these turbulent times. That’s why I have stepped into the breach and offered to Make Christmas Great Again. With songs, guests, and a sack full of Christmas cheer to turbo boost the season.'

Murray's last ITV series was the sketch show Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder, which ran for a single series in 2009 to mixed reviews, after three series of the chatshow Al Murray's Happy Hour and two Audience With ... specials.

However, the comic has regularly performed Christmas shows live in character as the Pub Landlord.

The one-off is produced for ITV by Avalon. It will be executive produced for Avalon by Richard Allen-Turner and Jon Thoday, directed by Peter Orton and produced by Mark Iddon.

ITV’s comedy commissioner Saskia Schuster said: 'We're delighted Al Murray is back on ITV bringing his own brand of Christmas cheer.'

- by Jay Richardson

Published: 23 Oct 2017