All the Yuletide favourites from Mrs Brown to Downton Abbey

TV CHOICE: BERNICE HARRISONreviews the Christmas offerings on the box

Christmas Eve

CHILDREN

The Snowman and the Snowdog, Channel 4, 8pm

Raymond Briggs’s classic The Snowman was first adapted for the screen in 1982 – this gorgeous film, made to mark the 30th anniversary, sees a snowman and a snowdog magically come to life and fly to the North Pole to meet Santa.

DRAMA

Mrs Brown’s Boys, RTÉ One, 9.45pm; BBC One 10.15pm

The O’Carroll clan, who famously make up the cast of Brendan O’Carroll’s award winning comedy, are back for a Christmas two-parter – part two is tomorrow night on RTÉ, St Stephen’s Day on the Beeb). Fr Damien announces that the Finglas Nativity play has been cancelled and Agnes vows to stage a Nativity play of her own in the local community centre. Expect chaos.

Merlin, BBC1, 8.15pm

A dramatic ending is promised for this hugely popular drama – shown in this grown-up time slot – featuring a young King Arthur and his wizard servant, Merlin (played by Northern Irish actor Colin Morgan).

Trollied Christmas Special, Sky1, 9pm

It’s a busy time of the year for the supermarket – if you’re already a fan of this Jane Horrocks’s vehicle, you’ll love this festive episode; if you’re a first-timer, maybe leave it on the shelf.

MUSIC

Carols from the Castle, RTÉ One, 6.15pm

Presented by Mary Kennedy and recorded in Dublin Castle, hear Sinead O’Connor, Danny O’Reilly, De Dannan and others belt out seasonal favourites. Put it on in the background for seasonal atmosphere.

Tommy Fleming Music Special, TG4, 5.20pm

Atmospherics provided by Belleek Castle, Ballina, and sing-along favourites from likeable crooner Tommy Fleming – more background mood music.

Christmas Day

Downton Abbey, UTV, 8.45pm

The toffs are off to Scotland to visit gadabout Rose who appeared in the final episode of the last series – now her appearance and that plot diversion makes sense – while the servants stay behind at Downtown. There’s a country fair coming up which makes them all a bit frisky, maybe even including Mrs Padmore. A feature length episode set to hoover up TV viewers.

Call the Midwife, BBC One, 7.30pm

Set in a post-war poverty-stricken East End of London, the phenomenally successful drama centres around the working days of a group of midwives. In this Christmas special, a baby is found abandoned on the doorstep and the hunt for its mother begins. Not entirely cheery sounding – but expect a heartwarming end.