Factual & Drama Christmas Highlights 2018

27 November 2018

World’s Most Extraordinary Christmas Dinners

For some people, Christmas dinner is more than just a meal. This brand new programme looks at some of the lengths people go to make their Christmas days special, from the astronaut who’ll be in space on the big day to feeding a submarine crew under the sea. They’ll also be an exclusive behind the scenes look at the clever network of suppliers who devise the most extraordinary experience, meals and decorations for their clients including mystical-inspired 15th century feasts, diamond-embellished decorations and rare-breed black chickens. A one off special that is quite literally out of this world.

Production Company – Boomerang

First Dates Christmas Special

‘Tis the season to be dating! The First Dates Restaurant has been decked with boughs of holly (and plenty of mistletoe) ready for a festive party to remember. Fred Claus and his team of matchmaking elves welcome some very special singletons who have love on the top of their Christmas wish list.

And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a selection box brimming with surprises... As well as some new daters hoping to find love this Christmas some of our successful couples will be returning to tell us how their lives have changed since their first date; there will be some rocking (and kissing) around the Christmas tree with a live musical performance; and even a visit from a slightly familiar looking Santa Claus.

Production Company – Twenty Twenty

The Secret Life of the Zoo at Christmas

It’s the festive season at Chester and keepers are giving gifts to everyone from meerkats to miniature monkeys.   

Christmas comes early with the birth of Kyra, the UK's first ever sun bear cub, but things take a dramatic turn when the rare bear gets stuck up a tree.

A life-long turf war between otters and babirusa yields a yuletide ceasefire.

And vets have crushing news about golden-headed tamarind Pru, who faces one last Christmas with sisters Piper and Paige.

Meanwhile, lovemaking is life or death, as plucky little spider Winston attempts to snag giant man-eater Ruby.

Birth, life and everything in between, all wrapped up in festive cheer.

Production Company - Blast! Films

The Secret Life of 5 Year-Olds on Holiday

The Secret Life of 5 Year-Olds on Holiday returns for a one-off special that will see the children travel to Turkey for a holiday with a difference. The popular series that lifts the lid on the fascinating behaviour of four and five year-olds will be taking some familiar faces and big characters from previous shows, along with their parents and siblings, to Thomas Cook’s Sunwing Side Beach family resort. Giving insights into child behaviour and psychology, are experts Dr Elizabeth Kilbey and Professor Paul Howard-Jones, who will observe how the children act and interact with each other and their families away from the routine of daily life. The children, some of whom have never been abroad, will be experiencing the new, challenging and unpredictable waters of foreign travel as they visit a Turkish mud bath, attempt to teach each other to snorkel and try some rather unusual foods on this holiday of a lifetime.

Production Company - RDF

Gogglesprogs Christmas Special

After two years break the UK’s youngest TV critics are back for this special festive edition, giving their uninhibited opinions and hilarious take on some of our favourite TV and films. These chatterboxes share their comical and insightful opinions on everything from the Royal Wedding to the classic movie blockbuster ET. Among the regular cast are Welsh siblings Molly and William, who are joined for the first time by younger sister Beth, who's only 5; friends Stephanie and Christina, and a host of brand new Gogglesprogs.​

Production Company – Studio Lambert

Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks’ very own royal family the McQueens are at the heart of this year’s festivities as Mercedes hosts her first Christmas Day as landlady of the Dog in the Pond. Tensions ae bristling after her cousin Goldie slept with Mercedes’ now deceased husband Russ and cracker pulling guests include serial killer Breda, who murdered him in her crusade to extinguish ‘bad dads’. But love is still in the air as Myra and Sally find the festive season brings them closer and sparks fly between Mercedes and Sylver and bad boy Liam. Darren and Mandy face a tough festive season with Buster’s trial in the New Year hanging over them and Ollie, amid fears for the health of their unborn baby. And it’s a winter wedding for Louis ‘every day’s a Loveday’ and Leela, with his ex-wife Simone and secret wife Martine circling. With an arrest, a proposal, a tragic ‘accident’ and an exit for one heartbroken reveller Christmas in Hollyoaks is stuffed with drama.

Production Company - Lime Pictures