Eerie jilted bride who remains in her wedding dress living amongst the decaying remnants of the bridal feast. She trains her beautiful adopted daughter Estella in cold-heartedness as revenge on men.

Dickens’ gothic depiction of Miss Havisham points to the limited life options for unmarried women (often described in the press of the period as “redundant”) in his society. In Dickensian,we are introduced to Amelia Havisham – although Dickens doesn’t tell us her first name - before this catastrophe. As an heir to her father’s brewing company and with good business nous of her own, she has responsibilities and opportunities, as well as the support of best friend Honoria Barbary. A beautiful young woman, with a cute dog, and the world ahead of her - what could go wrong?

Why you’ll love her: A tough outer shell covers a vulnerable heart and you’ll be desperate to not see it broken.

Inspector Bucket (Bleak House)

Amiable, shrewd, determined and caring: Inspector Bucket embodies a type of policing new to mid-Victorian London. Dickens partly modelled the character on the real-life Inspector Field, who he admired and accompanied one night on an East-end beat.

Bucket is central to Dickensian’s who-dunnit and can make himself comfortable in any society. Or he would if only his dodgy back would stop bothering him.

Why you’ll love him: Moral, honest, kind – a genuine humanitarian in a murky criminal world.

Jack Dawkins/ The Artful Dodger (Oliver Twist)

Dickens’ most loveable child criminal and star pickpocket of Fagin’s gang, The Artful Dodger feeds the starving Oliver when he arrives in London and introduces him to the group.
Dickens uses Dodger’s charisma and hospitality to make a political point about the inhumane treatment of the poor. Very much Fagin’s right hand man in Dickensian, will his boss repay his unerring loyalty?

Why you’ll love him: Cheeky, quick and loyal to Fagin to the last.

Mrs Gamp (Martin Chuzzlewit)

Gin-swilling, ethically suspect, hired nurse. A quick-witted comic character with great imaginative resources, but not someone you’d want to find at your bedside.

Victorian medical reformers used Sairey Gamp as a model of reprehensible old-style nursing in contrast to the clean, morally upright, sober new Nightingale-style nurse.

Why you’ll love her: She’d do anything for a gin but she won’t take a penny from the impoverished Cratchits.

Meriwether Compeyson (Great Expectations)

An arch schemer and smooth criminal. He has his associate Magwitch do the dirtiest work in his forgery swindles, and when on trial uses his gentlemanly appearance, public school accent, fine clothes and manners to get a lighter sentence.

Dickens has Magwitch voice his critique of the biases of the legal system against the poor. In Dickensian,we meet Compeyson as a younger man who seems to have all his principles intact, and rushes to the aid of Miss Havisham. Gallant hero or villain in waiting? Time will tell and in Dickensian anything is possible...

Why you’ll love him: Handsome, fearless, intelligent and one step ahead of the rest.

I love Dickens. And I'd like to know from you which Dickensian character will you come to admire – or loathe? 

Holly Furneaux is a professor of English literature at Cardiff University and literary advisor on Dickensian. 

Dickensian starts on Boxing Day at 7pm and 8.30pm on BBC One. For full details of when all 20 episodes will be broadcast, please see the episode guide. Each episode will be available to watch in BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast on TV.

Read writer Tony Jordan's post about creating Dickensian.

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.

The series kicked off with James cooking for Sir Michael Parkinson, who provides the Christmassy quote of the episode "I hate turkey, full stop."

So James whips him up a pork fest instead: barbecue ribs and pork belly, garnished with a pork pie on top (really) and to Michael, it’s "Paradise" - just watch this: 

For lovers of traditional scoff like gingerbread, gammon, figgy pudding, roast meat – even sprouts – James is catering for you. And if you’re with Michael Parkinson and you object to traditional Christmas food, James is championing comfort food alternatives like his ultimate macaroni cheese.

Cheddar's not enough, mind. James has leftover gorgonzola dolce, Caerphilly and parmesan going into his sauce, although Adrian has a point here:

We've learned some interesting things. Firstly the words "pan bagnat". Translation: it’s the best and biggest roast dinner sandwich you’ve ever seen. Watch episode six to find out how to make it. Your friends will love you. If you do share it, that is.

And then we can't be the only ones who've wondered why mince pies are called mince pies when they don't have actual minced meat in them. It's because they used to. Seventeenth Century mince pies were filled with minced tongue, cooked Islamic style with dried fruit and sweet spices. 

Not everyone wants to be part of that particular ancient tradition though:

Lovely Mary Berry is in episode six. And because she is lovely, her ideal Christmas foodie gifts are homemade mulberry jam, marmalade and "nicely presented" biscuits.

Watch for the laugh out loud moment when Mary tells James off for separating eggs with his bare hands – now that’s just "typically cheffy" behaviour.

For us, the most imaginative tip so far is this one – who wants to try it with a fry up?

And finally…

Fiona Wickham is the editor of the BBC TV blog.

Home Comforts at Christmas continues daily on BBC One at 3.40pm until Friday, 18 December. All episodes are available to watch in BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast on TV.

All James Martin’s recipes from Home Comforts at Christmas are on the BBC Food website. 

Pantomime

The youngest members of the family can enjoy the magic of pantomime with children’s favourites including Justin Fletcher – AKA Mr Tumble - in the CBeebies Christmas Panto. But be warned, you’ll risk days of the entire family shouting out “He’s behind you” at any given opportunity. Ohh yes you will…

Top of the Pops

For decades, teenage viewers have let their Christmas dinner go cold while they catch a glimpse of Take That/Busted/One Direction on Top of the Pops. It’s still going strong, with your chance to see the stars behind all the big hits of the year – but you may need to help your relatives tell their Charlie XCXs from their OMIs.

EastEnders

We’ve been paying a Yuletide visit to Albert Square for 30 years now, and while it’s not always full of Christmas cheer, we can’t stop tuning in. We’re no doubt delighted our Christmases are never quite as chaotic as they are in Walford. From the death of Jamie Mitchell and reveal of Max and Stacey’s affair, through to the Carters’ wedding this year, there’s always trauma among the tinsel – and that’s how we like it.

Animated favourites

The adventures of Wallace and Gromit, The Gruffalo and Shrek have long been festive favourites. Their combination of slapstick, silliness and sublime animation, voiced by some of our finest actors, make them real family viewing. Probably best to save Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death for when you’re tucking into the cheese board though. And don’t forget to stock up on the Wensleydale.

Festive football

While football is no longer played on Christmas Day, there’s still a feast of football throughout the holidays – the fortnight’s big games like Arsenal vs Manchester City, Manchester United vs Chelsea and Hearts vs Celtic could prove crucial. Watch out for supporters wearing their new Christmas jumpers for the first and only time on Match of the Day and Sportscene.

Christmas cookery

OK, so maybe after Christmas lunch last year you said it’d be your turn to play host this time – and are now faintly panicking about quite how you’re going to manage it. James Martin’s your man. He’s showcasing his Home Comforts at Christmas on BBC One – and he’s cooking for our other queen, Mary Berry. Mary’s homemade mulberry jam and marmalade and biscuits will doubtless be the top foodie present under the tree – and Mary’s idea of Christmas “heaven on a plate”? Lobster thermidor, people!

Movie magic

Christmas is a time for families to come together – and perhaps to remind you why you only do so once a year. At least a cracking Christmas movie can ensure everyone’s entertained – whether that’s a classic from Hollywood’s golden age like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, or a big screen blockbuster like Brave and Behind the Candelabra.

The Queen

When Her Majesty delivered her first Christmas message in 1952, it was broadcast in sound only. Now in full colour and high definition, it’s still a fixture in homes across the UK at three o’clock. Could a word from the boss bring some much-needed calm and decorum to the most hysterical households this Christmas?

Carols from King’s

As dusk falls on Christmas Eve, the season of goodwill is well underway, and it’s time to celebrate in the most poignant fashion at the beautiful King’s College, Cambridge. Dim the lights, snuggle up with a loved one and relish the undiluted spirit of the season. 

...and a happy New Year!

The spectacular fireworks over the Thames have become a world attraction – and you’ll have the best view on BBC One. But nowhere is the New Year seen in with more enthusiasm than in Scotland, where Hogmanay is the cue for a sparkling celebration of frenetic folk music and first footing that gets the nation singing and dancing their way into 2016. Watch it live on BBC One Scotland or anywhere in the UK via BBC iPlayer.

Merry Christmas!

Steve Williams is an editorial curator for BBC iPlayer.

For a full list of what's on BBC TV over the Christmas period, please see the TV Guide. 

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.

How did you imagine Sprout Boy’s personality – and how do you get that across in an animation? (We love his little quiff.)

Alan: We always saw him as a wide-eyed innocent, so excited that Christmas has finally arrived. He sees festive joy in everything, even if he’s not exactly welcomed with open arms. But despite his rejection, his spirit shines through and he never gives up hope. Finally, his persistence is rewarded.

It was important to capture these different emotions - initially his hope, excitement and wonder at the world around him, before doubt and confusion appear. Then, finally, the joy and celebration.

Adam: Sprout Boy is like a little naïve schoolboy, an eternal optimist. He can’t help but skip everywhere. For some reason it felt right that he would wear little hobnail boots.

How did you begin to animate him?

Alan: The scenes are storyboarded and put into an animatic which shows us how the story is evolving. There are then further steps involving cameras filming the action, while concept artists work up designs for each location, bringing together the perfect mood and atmosphere for each shot.

How well do Brussels sprouts lend themselves to animation, compared perhaps to other vegetables?

Alan: A sprout is a great vegetable to bring to life but we had to be careful with scale when he stands next to humans. Obviously we had to be able to see him but if we made him too big there was a danger of cabbage confusion. And nobody wants that.

Adam: This is the first vegetable character we’ve animated but once you put arms, legs and eyes on a sprout it becomes a very versatile character with a full range of emotions. I imagine Broccoli Boy would have been a lot harder.

Sprout Boy meets a big group of BBC One celebrities in the woods – how difficult were they to draw?

Alan: It was fun to design all the BBC One stars in the style of the film rather than just as crazy caricatures. Some were easier than others, but most have their ‘thing’ that makes them recognisable no matter how simplified the design.

Adam: Will.i.am has his glasses, Dot her hairdo and Mary Berry her signature pink jacket. It didn’t help that Claudia and Tess seemed to change their hairstyles on Strictly every week and we’re not sure if Graham Norton still has a beard!

Do you feel under more pressure to create a compelling animation given the focus on big Christmas adverts and moments?

Adam: Christmas is a very hard thing to reinvent as the cultural images are ingrained on our consciences since childhood. That’s why it is useful to play upon a commonly-held belief, such as ‘everyone hating sprouts except at Christmas’. There is only so much Christmas imagery to go around, so inevitably the concern is that there will be some crossover of similar ideas with commercial campaigns. But making this film allowed us to tell much more of a story than we could in a commercial. It’s a story about the spirit of Christmas itself, so hopefully it will stand out for that.

Would we find sprouts on your plate at Christmas?

Alan: I love a sprout at Christmas. But I might avoid the ones with eyes, arms and legs.

Adam: I just couldn’t.

Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes of Nexus Productions directed the short animated film Sprout Boy, and the 2015 Christmas look for BBC One.

When I was approached by the Manchester International Festival about writing a stage piece for them, the story of that choir came into my head as a possible basis for a play.

As I started to write, the memory of that 1975 documentary grew a little stronger and the play became a musical about the reunion, and the memories of the middle-aged people whose lives had perhaps not matched up to that marvellous day.

The musical I created, That Day We Sang, had 10 performances as part of the 2011 festival at the Opera House in Manchester, but I wanted it to have a further life, and I was really lucky to be supported in that wish by Ben Stephenson at the BBC, who commissioned it as a 90-minute film.

Most people know musicals are not written, they are re-written, and it was great to have a second chance at exploring the story. I was able to write another number for my main female character Enid - which takes place in an exercise class, in her bedroom, on a bus and along a street - something which would have been hard to pull off on the stage.

And I was able to weave in extra elements of the story, for example, I expanded the character of Mr Kirkby. He is the gruff religious choir organiser, wounded in the First World War, and he develops a friendship with our boy hero Jimmy. It’s an undemonstrative relationship, but brought to life by Daniel Rigby it’s a very touching performance.

At first it’s very liberating to take something from stage to film - you can cut so easily between the two periods, the 20s and the 60s, and you can nip about from place to place without all the scene changing and prop setting of the theatre.

And then you are faced with the cold hard facts of the budget and the constraints of filming anything that is not contemporary. My story is set in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester - in the 60s this was an ornamental gardens with flowers and shrubs and benches for office workers to have their lunch.

Now it is unrecognisable and not somewhere you would rush to have your butties.

The children of the 1929 choir made their record in the Free Trade Hall. That hall was bombed in the Manchester Blitz and even the post-war rebuilt version has now gone, replaced by a hotel. Terraced streets tend to have replacement windows and satellite dishes now, and most streets are lined with parked cars.

But somehow, with the help of the producer Paul Frift and the imagination of the designer Tom Burton - you come up with solutions that will enhance the story without breaking the bank.

We found a lovely square in Liverpool that housed not only a perfect office for Enid to work in and a bit of pavement for Tubby to walk by on, but a cobbled area where they could meet for lunch and even sing and dance.

We wanted Michael and Imelda to sing live wherever possible, and so Liverpool office workers on their own lunch breaks were treated to the sight of Michael Ball up a ladder serenading someone they couldn’t see, to an orchestral accompaniment that only Michael could hear.

But it’s a great way to record vocals if you can manage it - it gives a spontaneity and freshness and reality you don’t get when actors are lip-syncing to something they recorded weeks before.

The whole thing was a great privilege to work on and I really hope people enjoy it!

Victoria Wood is the writer and director of That Day We Sang.

That Day We Sang is available to watch in BBC iPlayer until Saturday, 19 September 2015 at 10.30pm.

It was first broadcast on BBC Two on Friday, 26 December 2015.

More on That Day We Sang
Life of Wylie: Q&A with Victoria Wood, Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.

Jennifer Saunders is very maternal

I had seen Jennifer’s work before, as my mum is a fan of Absolutely Fabulous, and I had watched a couple of episodes with her. Jennifer was great to work with, and was very funny and kind. She was definitely the most motherly person in the cast, and even gave me some tips on how to keep serious when filming a funny scene.

Meera Syal likes to sing

Meera was really fun to work with, too and entertained us all singing Christmas songs off set.

Steve Speirs gives great hugs

I really got on well with Steve, who plays my dad in the show. The first day that I met him in the read-through he greeted me with a big hug. I found it easy to do the family scenes with him because I felt close to him already.

Felicity Montagu looks exactly the same as she does in Alan Partridge

I had seen Felicity - who plays school secretary Miss Price - in the 2013 Alan Partridge film. She even looked the same which was a bit strange! The real Felicity was very smiley on set even though she plays a very stern character.

Tim McInnery does serious very well

I hadn’t really seen Tim do much comedy acting before. I had only seen him in the film Johnny English Reborn, where he plays a goodie, but my mum and dad knew lots about him from things like Blackadder. So it wasn't weird for me seeing him play a serious character – I thought he was very convincing at playing Mr Hawthorn, the school’s headmaster.

David Walliams is very supportive

David, who wrote The Boy in the Dress, was always encouraging. I really enjoyed working with him. I know he does a lot of comedy acting and he plays a funny referee character in the film.

Kate Moss is very chatty

I was excited as well as a bit nervous about working with Kate Moss. But she was very nice and easy to talk to and I liked filming the scenes with her.

James Buckley is a real laugh

It was really hard to keep a straight face on set with James, who plays PE teacher Mr Norris. He was very funny delivering his lines!

Temi Orelaja was fun in the dress scene

I think Temi – AKA Lisa - and I got on great. My favourite filming moment with her was when we were walking into the school with me in the dress to the music.

Aaron Chawla and Oliver Barry-Brook are great real-life friends

I got on really well with Aaron, who plays Dennis’ best friend Darvesh. We became good mates off set as well. We often shared a trailer so we had plenty of time together. I also had loads of banter with Oliver, who plays Dennis’ brother John. I think that helped us bond well as brothers in the film.

Sonny Ashbourne Serkis has good footy skills

In my opinion the best football player in real life is Sonny, who plays football captain Gareth.

Billy Kennedy plays Dennis in The Boy in the Dress.

The Boy in the Dress is on Friday, 26 December at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.  For further programme times please see the upcoming broadcasts page.

More on The Boy in the Dress
Radio Times: The  Boy in the Dress was "A wish fulfilment fantasy for me"
The Express: Jennifer Saunders on her new role

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.

Traditional stories are the foundation of all storytelling. I love them because they have lasted through the centuries and love the idea that stories listened to 2000 years ago are as compelling now as they were then.

I think children in the company of adults, particularly a child alone often feels overwhelmed with busy lives and by conversations going on of which they don’t seem to be a part. So that fitted perfectly with my idea to create a shepherd boy who was simply left behind to guard the sheep while everyone else went off to have a good time.

The book was illustrated wonderfully by Quentin Blake, pictures and text simply complementing one another. The film is a different thing, as is a play. And adaptation to a new medium is essential to giving the story a new and a different life.

I’ve worked with Juliet Stevenson a lot in the past and have always found her characterisation of the parts she plays utterly compelling whether on stage or on film. She and Michael Gambon make a wonderful cast for this story and Julian Nott’s music is thrilling and wonderfully atmospheric.

In the film, there is a moment when the baby reaches out and grabs the shepherd boy’s finger and holds it. For me, that is a most wonderful moment to be able to witness.

Michael Morpurgo wrote On Angel Wings.

On Angel Wings is on Christmas Eve at 4.15pm on BBC One and BBC One HD. For further programme times, please see the upcoming broadcasts page.

More on On Angel Wings
Radio Times: Do kids know the true meaning of Christmas?

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC. 

When it comes to comedy, the spirit of Christmases past is at the heart of this year’s festive listings.

Miranda Hart has always worn her love of traditional comedy on her sleeve, with her Morecambe and Wise looks to the camera, and those ‘You have been watching’ credits. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Miranda brings her heart-warming, prat-falling, M-People-singing sitcom back to BBC One for two very special, very final episodes.

Back in 2010, the real Miranda told us that making the sitcom is “a dream come true” – we’ll have to wait and see whether her alter-ego gets a happy ever after of her own.

Of course, Sir David Jason has been central to some of comedy’s best-loved festive moments - glass of vin ordinaire, anyone?

After 2013’s one-off episode of Still Open All Hours, he’s back with a full series. Arkwright’s re-opens its doors for business on Boxing Day, where Granville is once again joined by his son Leroy (James Baxter) and the ever-pessimistic Eric (Johnny Vegas).

The Wrong Mans might be a thoroughly modern sitcom, but don’t think we haven’t noticed that classic straight man/funny man dynamic between Sam (Mat Baynton) and Phil (James Corden). Laurel and Hardy would be proud. Sam and Phil find themselves in another fine mess in two hour-long specials on Monday, 22 December and Tuesday, 23 December, which take them to the US as they attempt to prove once again that criminals and crime-busters alike have got the wrong mans.

If you’re after that quintessentially British comedy staple 'angry middle-aged man barely concealing his frustrations', look no further than the special Christmas edition of Cuckoo.

Because there’s nothing more festive than watching Ken (Greg Davies) go the full Basil Fawlty at Dale's infuriating New Age-ery is there? Catch Cuckoo on BBC Three on Christmas Eve.

It’ll probably be a more traditional Christmas round at the Browns – although when previous years have seen Mammy riding the tree like a rodeo bull, who knows?

The ultimate matriarch and her family are back with their particularly chaotic take on the festive season on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day on BBC One. In the meantime, you can read Brendan O’Carroll’s own thoughts on Agnes – whom he calls “a complete contradiction... [with] a fishwife’s tongue.”

2014 was the year we very sadly lost Rik Mayall – a performer who ripped up the traditional comedy rule book before smashing it over Adrian Edmondson’s head.

He inspired many tributes, including one of our own, and BBC Two will salute the People’s Poet with a new retrospective documentary on Saturday, 20 December. The programme will feature contributions from Simon Pegg, Lenny Henry, Alexei Sayle and Ruby Wax, and you’ll be able to see Mayall in action in Blackadder and The Young Ones the same evening on BBC Two.

And finally, if what you really want for Christmas is something guaranteed to unite the family (or friends, neighbours, and general hangers-on that you ended up cooking for) around the telly, The Muppets will surely do the trick. On BBC One on Monday 29th December, Kermit gets the old gang back together to try and save their old studio. We’re already feeling warm and fuzzy... or should that be Fozzie? Wocka wocka!

Anna Lowman is an assistant editorial manager for BBC iPlayer.

Miranda is on Christmas Day at 7.15pm and New Year's Day at 8pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Still Open All Hours is on Boxing Day at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

The Wrong Mans is on Monday, 22 December and Tuesday, 23 December at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC Two HD.

Cuckoo Christmas Special is on Christmas Eve at 10.25pm on BBC Three and BBC Three HD.

Mrs Brown's Boys is on Christmas Day at 10.05pm and New Year's Day at 9.35pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Rik Mayall Lord of Misrule is on Saturday, 20 December at 10.05pm on BBC Two and BBC Two HD.

Bells from Blackadder is on Saturday, 20 December at 9.35pm on BBC Two and BBC Two HD.

Interesting from The Young Ones is on Saturday, 20 December at 11.05pm on BBC Two and BBC Two HD.

The Muppets is on Monday, 29 December at 6.20pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.

I loved that Mary wasn't written as a perfect, saintly being, which had been my image of her as I grew up.

In the script, she was very real, very fallible - a girl with innocence, confusion and doubt, and also great courage and faith. She was complicated.

The role was a challenge, both daunting and exciting. It felt like a huge responsibility because Mary symbolises so much to so many people.

I did a lot of research about her and then I tried to forget that she becomes the mother of God.

Instead I explored the fact that she was an ordinary child, in wonder of the world around her, faced with an extraordinary journey.

Coky Giedroyc's intelligent, artful direction kept me grounded in that reality.

My first day on set, I was filming a scene with the lovely Frances Barber (Elizabeth) - we were both sitting in the sand and I could feel the heat of it on my bare feet and the desert sun beating down on my head and everything just sort of fell into place.

It was a visceral experience that connected me to the story, the character.

All of the cast were so talented, so skilled at their craft, and every day on set I soaked up as much as I could working with these veteran performers.

Andy Buchan (Joseph) kept me on my toes everyday - he's an incredible actor, a real explorer. And funny too. We often tried to one-up each other with our David Brent impressions.

Even though the material was mostly heavy, there were, of course, lighter moments while we were filming.

Clara, our mostly faithful donkey, would get bored and run off during takes, Obi Abili (Gaspar) nearly fell off his rather unruly, yelling, projectile spitting camel and I can't even count how many sheep sneezed over our lines during the quiet, intimate scenes in the manger.

We filmed for a month in Ouarzazate, Morocco, an incredible place, and became very much a family. I had never been anywhere like North Africa before.

I loved the languages, the music, the food. I think I sweated off most of my body weight and I bet you can feel the intense heat watching the series.

I want to go back again, but this time without the responsibility (and enormous privilege) of carrying the son of God.

Tatiana Maslany plays Mary in The Nativity.

For further programme times please visit the upcoming episodes page.

For me, Christmas and the holiday season is all about spending time with friends and families, board games, presents, carols, food and outdoor rambles to try and walk off the food, and of course tuning in to lots of great television. Every year at the BBC we aim to put on a great range of programmes that unite friends and family as well as appealing to a whole range of tastes.

This year there are an enormous amount of original commissions - from comedy and entertainment to music and children's drama - more than any other broadcaster. In fact this year there are no repeats in prime time on BBC One between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and repeats on BBC Two have gone down again.

To see whether this year's schedule holds up against our ambition of appealing to all tastes I decided to do a quick (although not very scientific) survey of my own extended family to see what they are likely to be watching over the holidays.

My son is a keen Top Gear fan so he will be switching on to see Jeremy, Richard and James as they set out across the Middle East, following the route of the three wise men (although they'll be doing so in wholly unsuitable sports cars rather than on camels, of course) and asking the question 'what exactly is myrrh and where do you buy it?'

In the film here you will see the hair-raising moment when the boys first touch down and realise exactly what lies ahead for them.

My daughter, back from university, will be glued to the Strictly Christmas special (and Most Annoying People 2010 on BBC Three!).

Luckily for me my husband is a keen and talented chef, so he is sure to feast on Toast, the drama based on Nigel Slater's memoirs starring the wonderful Helena Bonham Carter. My sisters (one a literary expert, the other an artist) are both fans of BBC Four, so Dirk Gently, the Douglas Adams' adaptation with Stephen Mangan is a must, plus Jools' Annual Hootenany and the Live Aid drama, When Harvey Met Bob, because they were there!

My sisters-in law and brothers-in-law are all accomplished classical musicians and will definitely be tuning in to see Jonathan Kent's new production of Don Giovanni from Glyndebourne on BBC Two and on BBC Four, and Simon Russell Beale's joyous Sacred Music featuring composers including Bach, Mendelssohn and Handel.

Christmas every year means all of us watching Carols From Kings as well as wall-to-wall BBC One from EastEnders to the big films. Doctor Who is a huge event for us, and has opera diva Katherine Jenkins taking on her first acting role with the marvellous Sir Michael Gambon.

Ronnie Corbett has a new all-star sketch show, The One Ronnie, and then there's the welcome return of Matt Lucas and David Walliams to BBC One in their airport mockumentary Come Fly With Me. You'll get to see just a few of their comic characters here in the film including the check-in girl Melody and Taaj, one of the airport ground staff.

Across the whole festive season, I can't wait to watch the revival of Upstairs Downstairs with my mum in particular, as she loves period drama. I'll warn her, and all of you, to catch the monkey.

And I'm sure all the generations will be tuning in to see Tony Jordan's thoughtful retelling of The Nativity to enjoy the story of Christmas and to see Peter Capaldi transformed from being Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It to one of the three Magi.

I hope you enjoy this sneak preview film and that you find plenty to whet your appetite this Christmas on the BBC. Everyone who works for me - the channel teams and schedulers, the talented programme makers and the camera and studio crews, marketing and press teams - all spend months preparing for the Christmas season and I know all of us want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and great viewing!

Jana Bennett is director of BBC Vision.

Comments made by writers on the TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.