Christmas Day TV guide 2014: What to watch from Strictly Come Dancing to the story of Frozen

If it all gets too saccharine, there's always Channel 4's alternative Xmas message

Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daley will present the Strictly Christmas special (BBC)

The TV schedule for Christmas Day has finally been unveiled by the major broadcasters.

If you the company of your family is too much to bear, there are plenty of Christmas specials to keep you entertained.

It’s drama-central on BBC1, which will be showing Christmas specials of Doctor Who, Miranda, Call the Midwife, EastEnders and Mrs Brown’s Boys.

ITV can only compete with Downton Abbey, which goes head-to-head with EastEnders and Mrs Brown’s Boys for its two hour special.

In other key clashes, Call the Midwife has been pitted against the Coronation Street Christmas special, while families will be divided in their choice between EastEnders on BBC1 and Downton Abbey on ITV.

BBC1

5pm – Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

6.15pm – Doctor Who

7.15pm – Miranda

7.50pm – Call the Midwife

9pm – EastEnders

10pm – Mrs Brown’s Boys

ITV

5.50pm – Paul O’Grady – For The Love of Dogs

7pm – Emmerdale

8pm – Coronation Street

9pm – Downton Abbey

Channel 4

1.50pm - The Alternative Christmas Message

8pm – Frozen at Christmas

9pm – Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special

The Black Mirror Christmas special will air on Tuesday 16 December.

Read more: Best TV shows to watch this Christmas
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