Must Watch: Christmas TV 2019

Wondering what to watch this Christmas?

Must Watch reviewers Scott Bryan and Hayley Campbell share their thoughts on three festive TV offerings, including Gavin and Stacey, The Tiger Who Came To Tea and Worzel Gummidge.

If you watch any of these programmes, let us know what you think, leave your comments below.

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Gavin and Stacey returns for a one-off Christmas special, after a nine-year break from our screens.

Scott says: "It was a hoot, I loved it"

"If you've never liked Gavin and Stacey, this is not the episode to turn you around, but if you have been a fan of Gavin and Stacey and you've been so excited about the show and you're fearful, I can honestly say it matches and exceeds your expectations.

"It literally feels as if they just pressed pause... it feels as though it's been perfectly thought through and that's why I liked it."

Hayley says: "It's everything I hate about Christmas specials"

"It's got sentimentally, dinner drama and group singing. Not even Rob Brydon and Julia Davies could have saved this for me.

"Give it a miss. Irredeemable."

The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special will be broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day at 8:30pm

The Tiger Who Came To Tea is an animated adaptation of the late Judith Kerr's bestselling picture book.

Scott says: "It's an instant classic"

"As a kid this was one of my favourite books, I remember being read this by my dad... I've got a niece and a nephew and they are reading this book - so that's why I was really anxious when this was being adapted for TV because part of the book's appeal it's so abstract - it's never explained where the tiger came from, why he's eating all of the food... and what I love about this version is that it's exactly the same as the book.

"It's distinctively a Judith Kerr book and distinctively British, and that is part of it's strength.

"I welled up - it's only been the second time this year I've cried watching a show. It's an instant classic.

Hayley says: "It was utterly charming"

"Judith Kerr was part of the film making and she didn't let them do anything strange - she had a say in the tiny little details... She sadly didn't live to see it on TV.

"It's really lovely and it's really soft and it feel likes the Snowman - this is the same film company that did The Snowman and the Snowdog, it has that soft gorgeous animation that's true to the book... I really liked it, it was utterly charming."

The Tiger who came to Tea is on Christmas Eve, 7:30pm on Channel 4

Worzel Gummidge is Mackenzie Crook's re-imagining of Barbara Euphan Todd’s books.

Hayley says: "It's really well written"

"I thought this was a charming adaptation. I thought the cast was amazing. 

"It was really well written - especially the kids. Sometimes you find in kids shows that the kids are written badly and it sticks out, so that is notable in this.

"It teaches kids that the countryside is in crisis but in a funny way.

"I really liked it."

Scott says: "It's twee in a good way"

"What I love about this is that it's so twee, but twee in a good way, it leans into the twee-ness. It's shot in the English countryside and comes across really beautifully, but it doesn't feel outdated.

"It's got a subtle environmental message but it's not too heavily laid on.

"It's very much a kids show, and if you watch it as a family you will enjoy it."

The two one-hour specials will air on BBC One on Boxing Day at 6:20pm and Friday 27 December at 7pm

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