Boxing Day evening offers a festive feast of television, blending chaotic fun with heart-warming moments. From a pantomime-themed singing contest to a Hollywood legend seeking help for a precious heirloom, the schedule is packed with seasonal specials.
Prime Time Festive Fun
The evening's entertainment kicks off at 7.30pm with two major offerings. On ITV1, The Masked Singer: Christmas Special promises a wonderfully bizarre spectacle. The judging panel receives help from pantomime icons Su Pollard, Christopher Biggins, Lesley Joseph, and Basil Brush, who will provide clues about the celebrities behind the costumes. Expect the usual cries of "Take it off!" to be replaced with classic panto banter.
Meanwhile, BBC One presents a star-studded edition of The Repair Shop at Christmas. The barn of miracles welcomes none other than Dame Helen Mirren, who brings a cello with an incredible history. The instrument was among the few possessions carried by the late theatre director Martin Landau when he fled Nazi-held Berlin for Britain as a child.
Celebrity Challenges and Quiz Show Glory
Later, Channel 4 serves up The Festive Pottery Throw Down 2025 at 7.45pm. Celebrities Amber Gill, Colin Murray, Sarah Hadland, and Tim Vine attempt to craft reindeer water bowls and a north pole scene, likely resulting in more mess than mastery.
Quiz fans can tune into ITV1 at 9pm for the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Christmas Special. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, comedienne Katherine Ryan and Celebrity Traitor star Joe Marler will attempt to beat the record £250,000 win secured by Stephen Fry earlier in the year.
The annual comedic recap, Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025, also airs at 9pm on Channel 4. Host Jimmy Carr is joined by panellists including Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, and Katherine Ryan, with a memoir reading from Charles Dance.
Drama, Film, and Sport Highlights
For drama enthusiasts, Sky Atlantic broadcasts the finale of the claustrophobic kidnapping series All Her Fault at 9pm. Sarah Snook stars as Marissa, who is forced to confront hard truths about her nanny and her husband.
Film choices are plentiful. Sophie Turner stars in the survival thriller Trust on Paramount+, while Sky Cinema Premiere showcases Ryan Coogler's genre-bending Sinners, featuring Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku. Netflix offers the documentary Cover-Up, profiling investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. For family viewing, the critically adored Paddington 2 airs on BBC One.
Sports fans can watch Premier League football as Manchester United host Newcastle at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30pm.
