The period between Christmas and New Year, known as Twixmas, offers a relaxing chance to catch up on television. A new lineup of specials and documentaries returns favorites like The Celebrity Apprentice while introducing festive twists to popular series. Highlights include skating legends' farewell and Caribbean mysteries.
Twixmas provides an ideal time for unwinding with quality programming after the holiday bustle. Several notable shows air on major UK channels from December 28 to 31, 2025, blending nostalgia, competition, and entertainment.
Torvill and Dean mark the conclusion of their 50-year partnership with 'Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance,' an ITV documentary. It offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of their final tour in the UK and Australia, including their last performance and archival clips of iconic routines. The program airs on ITV1 and ITVX on December 28 at 9 p.m.
The Celebrity Apprentice returns after a six-year break with two charity specials for Children in Need, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Participants include Rob Rinder, AJ Odudu, Jake Wood, Sarah Hadland, Angela Scanlon, and Thomas Skinner, among soap stars and former contestants. These episodes broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 29 and 30 at 9 p.m. each.
A Christmas special of Death in Paradise unfolds with a puzzling murder at an office party in a Caribbean villa. Four colleagues discover a body in the pool, marked with a Santa's reindeer name, and the weapon traced to England. The cast features Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose, and Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey. It premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 28 at 8:30 p.m.
MasterChef's Festive Extravaganza pits past winners against each other: Natalie Coleman from 2013, Thomas Frake from 2020, Chariya Khattiyot from 2023, and Brin Pirathapan from 2024. Hosted by John Torode and Grace Dent, the competition promises intense challenges and creative dishes. Viewers can watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 29 at 8 p.m.
The year ends with The Graham Norton New Year's Eve Show, featuring guests Tom Hiddleston discussing the second season of The Night Manager, Laura Dern and Will Arnett on their film Is This Thing On? directed by Bradley Cooper, Owen Cooper from Adolescene, and Carey Mulligan with Tim Key from The Ballad of Wallis Island. Alison Limerick provides a musical performance. It airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 31 at 10:30 p.m.
These selections cater to varied tastes, from sports retrospectives to culinary rivalries and light-hearted chats, helping recharge over the holiday lull.
