Channelling Christmas

A look at the highs and lows of TV over the festive period

- SARA WALLIS

TV Columnist BAD tidings of discomfort and despair are rife on telly this Christmas but, let's be honest, that's just how we like it.

Nothing makes us more merry than murderous aliens and soap tragedy.

A glance at the festive offerings did make me think, "Oh holy hell, not this lot again", as the schedules churned out all the greatest hits.

But crowd-pleasers such as Strictly, Call the Midwife, and The Great Christmas Bake Off are as comforting as the new Santa socks your auntie bought you.

And there were a handful of gems to keep the Christmas spirit alive.

On the big day, the first treat was BBC1's Tabby McTat, the latest animation of a children's book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.