Sitcom specials spice up Christmas

From the Simpsons to Auf Wiedersehen Pet, fans of sitcoms will have plenty to keep them entertained this Christmas.

11:19 20 December 2004

From the Simpsons to Auf Wiedersehen Pet, fans of sitcoms will have plenty to keep them entertained this Christmas.

In true festive fashion, Christmas specials of a number of family favourites will make an appearance on a bustling TV schedule over the next few weeks.

The Newcastle lads from Auf Wiedersehen Pet will be enjoying their last adventure before bringing the series to a close following the death of actor Pat Roach, who played the much-loved Bomber.

They will embark on a trip to Thailand as a fitting end to their shenanigans, which began with the first episode in 1983, in a two-part finale on BBC One.

Dawn French is also in action over the Yuletide period, donning her robes again for the first time in four years for a special outing of the Vicar of Dibley.

Her long-time co-star Jennifer Saunders is another who will appear on our screens, returning for a new episode of Absolutely Fabulous.

Perennially drunk Ab Fab star Joanna Lumley is also one of the luminaries of ITV's schedule, appearing alongside Geraldine McEwan in a series of episodes of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.

Christmas favourite Mary Poppins will get an airing on both BBC and ITV as the Beeb show the original film and ITV1's The Real Mary Poppins examines the troubled life of the character's creator, Pamela Travers.

Other films on show include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Shrek, Bend It Like Beckham, AI and Chocolat, while ITV will screen the battle between The Office and Little Britain at the British Comedy Awards.

Other festive highlights include a special episode of Strictly Come Dancing where previous winner Natasha Kaplinsky and this year's queen of the dance floor, Jill Halfpenny, will dance off, Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet providing the voices for family drama Pride, and an alternative Christmas message from the Simpsons.

Channel 4 will show the Springfield family giving their version of the Queen's speech for those who prefer their Christmas Day tidings delivered in animated form.

As ever, there will be much excitement in the soaps at a time of year notorious for shocks and drama, with Coronation Street taking the lead.

The Street's Karen McDonald will make a dramatic exit on Christmas Day when her catfight with Tracy Barlow comes to a rooftop climax.

Karen will go on the rampage after she loses her baby and snatches Tracy's daughter Amy in revenge - a decision that will lead to her untimely demise off the roof of Mike Baldwin's factory.