WHAT TO WATCH Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas...

This Christmas Eve, Lenny Rush and James Buckley lead Finding Father Christmas, Channel 4's heartwarming new festive drama, Two Doors Down returns with a brand new Christmas special, as does All Creatures Great And Small.

Elsewhere, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse return with another Gone Christmas Fishing and Sophie Willan takes the reins on The Great British Sewing Bee's Christmas special.

Here are 5 TV shows you can't miss this Christmas Eve...

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1

 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE

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Christmas Eve

7.25pm | BBC One

As The Great British Sewing Bee returns with a new Christmas special, host Sophie Willan takes the helm as judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young put four celebrities’ sewing skills to the test.

They welcome into the sewing room professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, comedian Lucy Beaumont, actress Susan Wakoma and Gladiator Tom Wilson aka Hammer.

They put their twist on a pattern for a festive present sack and turn second-hand party wear into an outfit inspired by the words of The Twelve Days of Christmas in the Transformation Challenge. Finally, they create an outfit for real-life models inspired by their favourite Christmas treat.

 STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER 

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2

 BRAND NEW DRAMA

FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS

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Christmas Eve

7.30pm | Channel 4

Channel 4's new heartwarming drama, Finding Father Christmas, delivers a magical Christmas message with Lenny Rush leading the cast as a 16-year-old who still believes in Father Christmas alongside James Buckley as his concerned father, who decides it's finally time to tell him 'the truth'.

Chris refuses to believe his dad and embarks on a quest with his conspiracy-theorist cousin Holly, played by Ele McKenzie, to prove him wrong. Knowing that his dad idolises Stephen Fry and would take his word for anything, Chris tracks down the great polymath to ask for his help.

At first, Stephen seems to pour cold water on Chris's quest. But a mysterious gift leads Chris and Holly to a group of scientists and experts, Professor Hannah Fry, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Jason Fox, who seem to have unlocked the science and secrets of Father Christmas.

Chris follows the clues and his own instincts to find the (Greg-Davies'-shaped) proof he desperately needs.

 STREAM ON CHANNEL 4 

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3

 GENRE

MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE:

GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING

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Christmas Eve

9pm | BBC Two

Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and terrier Ted head to Devon and Cornwall for their festive treat this year as Gone Christmas Fishing returns!

Arriving by their traditional transport of an old steam train, they fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon and head out to sea in Cornwall on a traditional fishing boat.

Later, they chat with local legend Dawn French about the meaning of Christmas and how she is celebrating it this year. They are also visited bankside by their old friend Dr Anand Patel and are welcomed into No6, Paul Ainsworth’s celebrated restaurant in the heart of Padstow.

 STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER 

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4

 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

ALL CREATURES

GREAT AND SMALL

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Christmas Eve

9pm | 5

For this year's All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special, it's 1945 and the first peacetime Christmas after the war. And with Helen feeling under the weather, it’s fallen on James to take on the Darrowby Nativity play.

Siegfried is back at Mrs Stokes’ Farm to see Hilda the goat, who’s been up to more mischief and, true to form, gives Siegfried the run-around. Will Siegfried’s drench solution do the trick?

Christmas dinner is in very short supply this year, so Mrs Hall is keen to enter the Drovers' darts competition and scoop the first prize; a fresh turkey. Maggie reminds Tristan he’s supposed to be supplying the Christmas tree and he covers himself, but of course, he’d forgotten. Charlotte resolves to help him.

James fears it’s the end of the road for Tricki’s hopes of fatherhood and dreads telling Mrs Pumphrey but he can’t dwell on anything for long when he’s got a house full of kids rehearsing the Nativity.

Mrs Hall is leading the Skeldale darts team and wants everyone to practise, but an old friend turns up surprising her and Siegfried and leaving Siegfried with an important decision to make.

Tristan and Charlotte visit the Christmas Tree Farm and Charlotte learns what’s been on Tristan’s mind. The pair open up to each other and admit their true feelings.

James breaks the bad news about Tricki to Mrs Pumphrey and asks if she might help with his festive challenge. Mrs Pumphrey knows the show must go on and together with James, Jimmy and Rosie, pulls off a rather special Christmas Nativity that lifts everyone’s spirits.

At The Drovers, the Skeldale darts team band together in a bid to win the prize turkey. Siegfried makes a big decision about his future.

 STREAM ON 5

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5

 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

TWO DOORS DOWN

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Christmas Eve

10pm | BBC One

In this year's Two Doors Down Christmas Special, Eric and Beth put their tree up earlier than usual, unwittingly kicking off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent.

What starts as a labour-saving convenience quickly turns into a flurry of festive activity, as neighbours begin to gear up for the holidays in their own unique ways. And Colin and Cathy find themselves pondering the perfect gift for each other, while Ian and Gordon plan for a quieter, scaled-back Christmas.

Meanwhile, Alan and Michelle wrestle with transport issues that threaten to derail their festive plans, and Christine is busy arranging a very special trip, ensuring that the season is full of surprises, laughter, and the kind of neighbourly chaos that only Latimer Crescent can provide.

 STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER