Let’s set the scene: it’s Christmas Day. You’re sat in the living room with your whole family, stuffed but somehow still making your way through an entire tin of Quality Street. You feel physically sick, and the 8 pints of Baileys you’ve already sunk probably aren’t helping. 

The telly’s on, but the TV Guide your Gran got free in The Sun isn’t giving up the goods, and you’re all bickering about whether to watch The Great Escape or Kirsty’s Handmade Christmas. Don’t worry, we got you.

We’ve picked out the best festive specials that telly has to offer (well, in our humble opinion, anyway), to help ease that Christmas Day confusion of what to watch on telly.

Only Fools and Horses – Heroes and Villains



Top of our list is hands down the best Christmas special, and arguably the best ever episode of Only Fool and Horses to have hit the small screen. Released as the first part of ’96 Christmas trilogy, this particular episode features Del Boy and Rodney dressed and crime fighting heroes Batman and Robin. If you know, you know – and if you don’t know, then now’s the perfect time to familiarise yourself.

Mr. Bean – Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean



Our favourite fictional fool, Mr. Bean’s Christmas special earns a well-deserved place on our list of festive TV specials. Featuring a stolen tree, a super cracker, and a turkey stuck on our beloved Bean’s head – this seasonal throwback should be on everyone’s Christmas list this year.

Have a reminisce, here.

Peep Show - Seasonal Beatings



If Mark Corrigan frothing at the mouth while screaming about a forgotten turkey isn’t enough to put you off your dinner, then we don’t know what is. Season seven’s Christmas cracker, entitled ‘Seasonal Beatings’ is the highlight of the entire Peep Show boxset - with fans being treated to ham in a paper shredder, kitchen tongues for Christmas, and the birth of Christmark. 

Take a peak Jeremy’s Christmas joke, here. Side note: cauliflower ISN'T traditional.

The Royle Family – The New Sofa



Royle Family fans rejoice, it’s that time of year again - where you can binge endlessly on some of the best Christmas specials on TV. Jim, Barb and co are a must this time of year, and even though it’s difficult to pick out the best special, this one has earned a place in our hearts as a favourite. With Dave’s parents, David senior and Jocelyn, appearing alongside the Royles, this isn’t one to be missed off your Christmas Day list.  

Gavin and Stacey - Christmas Special



Nearly a decade on from the its first airing, we’re revisiting Barry Island for the Christmas Special of Gavin and Stacey. A shining star atop an already hilarious tree, the festive special features a proposal, a baby West Ham kit, and a mass brawl between families. 

You can watch all of the above, here.

The Office UK Christmas Special: Part 2



One of the world’s most asked questions: which series of The Office is better, the UK or the US? Well, we’re sticking our neck out to say that when it comes to Christmas specials, the UK takes the trophy. Part two of the Christmas Specials, to be precise. 

Check it out, here.

Friends - The One With The Holiday Armadillo



With ten series of Friends, come the inevitable ten Christmas specials. It was difficult to pick which was our favourite, but props have to be awarded to Ross dressed in an armadillo costume telling the story of Hanukkah. A Christmas classic, if you will.

Relive the festive fun, here.

Father Ted - A Christmassy Ted



Is there a better way to finish off this list than with one of the greatest religious based comedies of all time? We won’t go into too much detail as to why this episode makes the cut, but we’ll leave you to watch this clip to make your mind up.