The BBC's festive schedule has been gifted a genuinely heartwarming and hilarious one-off Christmas special, starring and co-created by Guz Khan. 'Stuffed' delivers a charming, joke-filled hour that perfectly captures the spirit of the season while telling a sweet story about family, loss, and unexpected bonuses.
A Festive Formula Executed to Perfection
True to the traditions of Christmas television, 'Stuffed' ticks all the essential boxes. It features a grumpy character in need of softening, plenty of picturesque snow, and a plot propelled by a gloriously unbelievable inciting incident that will have every household debating its logic. Lasting 58 minutes, it's the ideal length for a family treat before bedtime.
Guz Khan, famed for 'Man Like Mobeen', plays Arslan Farooqi, a loving but disgruntled husband and father fretting over the cost of Christmas. His wife, Hannah, played by the brilliant Morgana Robinson, is quietly grieving the recent loss of her mother. The family's mood transforms when Arslan receives a staggering £8,000 Christmas bonus from work—ten times the usual amount.
From Birmingham to the Northern Lights
Ignoring the obvious signs of an administrative error, the family—including their two daughters, Layla and Fern (Sophia Hussain and Eloide Bains), and Hannah's brother Jamie (Theo Barklem-Biggs)—decides to blow the cash on a dream holiday to Lapland. The alternative is a grim Christmas Day with GB News and Uncle Colin, so the choice is easy.
In the winter wonderland, they meet the lovely, lonely Lily (Sue Johnston), who is there to scatter her husband's ashes under the Aurora Borealis. Hannah bonds instantly with this kindly mother figure. Meanwhile, Arslan's dream turns into a nightmare when his employers realise their mistake and demand the £8,000 back immediately. The money, of course, is already spent.
A Race to Make Things Right
The resourceful daughters hatch a plan to win the hotel's dance competition and use the $1,000 prize to make back the lost funds through crypto investment. Their scheme succeeds, partly due to sabotaging the competition with some violently diarrhoeic rivals. However, in a moment of heartfelt generosity, Hannah gives their winnings to Lily, seeing her own late mother in the older woman.
The special navigates its conclusion with warmth and wit, ensuring no nasty surprises. It's filled with quality jokes that keep the energy high, balanced by a touch of melancholy that feels authentic to the season. Notably, it presents a genuinely sweet and unembarrassed portrayal of a Muslim-Christian family navigating the Christmas holiday together, which feels both refreshing and age-appropriate.
Ultimately, 'Stuffed' is a triumph. It leaves you with well and truly warmed cockles, a few laugh-out-loud moments, and a satisfying dose of festive spirit. 'Stuffed' aired on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
