Boxing Day evening offers a glittering array of special programming across UK channels, blending festive fun with heart-warming moments. From a pantomime-inspired singing contest to a deeply personal restoration story involving a Hollywood Dame, there's something for every viewer to enjoy after the Christmas Day festivities.
A Festive Feast of Entertainment
The schedule is packed with returning favourites and one-off specials designed for family viewing. Leading the charge is ITV1's The Masked Singer: Christmas Special at 7.30pm, which promises to inject a heavy dose of pantomime spirit into the already chaotic format. The judging panel receives some seasonal help from panto legends Su Pollard, Christopher Biggins, Lesley Joseph, and even Basil Brush, who will provide clues about the celebrities concealed within the elaborate costumes. Expect the usual cries of "Take it off!" to be replaced with classic panto banter.
At the same time on BBC One, The Repair Shop at Christmas welcomes a very special guest. Dame Helen Mirren brings in a cello with an extraordinary history. The instrument was among the few possessions carried by the late theatre director Martin Landau when he fled Nazi-occupied Berlin for Britain as a child. The experts in the barn face the emotional task of restoring this poignant piece of personal history.
From Pottery to Quizzes: More Boxing Day Highlights
For those seeking creative chaos, Channel 4's The Festive Pottery Throw Down 2025 begins at 7.45pm. This celebrity edition sees Amber Gill, Colin Murray, Sarah Hadland, and Tim Vine attempt to master the wheel, tasked with creating reindeer water bowls and a north pole scene. Later, at 9pm on Channel 4, Jimmy Carr hosts the Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025. The panel testing their knowledge includes Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty, and Lou Sanders, with cameos from TV stars and a memoir reading by Charles Dance.
ITV1 offers a different kind of challenge at 9pm with the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Christmas Special. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, celebrities including comedian Katherine Ryan and rugby star Joe Marler will attempt to beat the record set by Stephen Fry, who won £250,000 for charity in an earlier special this year.
Drama, Music, and Film Choices
Drama fans can find resolution on Sky Atlantic at 9pm as the claustrophobic kidnapping series All Her Fault reaches its finale. Sarah Snook's character Marissa is forced to confront hard truths about both her nanny and her husband. For music lovers, BBC Four at 8pm presents Lesley Garrett at the BBC, a retrospective of the Yorkshire soprano's standout performances on the broadcaster, from her 2004 festive movie music special to the Perfect Day Comic Relief fundraiser.
The film selections are strong, with highlights on streaming services. On Paramount+, Sophie Turner stars in Trust, a tense survival thriller about an actress hiding in a cabin. Sky Cinema Premiere showcases Ryan Coogler's Oscar-tipped Sinners, a genre-blending film starring Michael B. Jordan as twins in 1930s Mississippi. Netflix offers the documentary Cover-Up, a compelling profile of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. For family viewing, the BBC One schedule includes the widely adored Paddington 2 at 8.30pm, considered by many to be a cinematic masterpiece of warmth and humour.
Sports viewers are catered for with live Premier League football: Manchester United vs Newcastle at 7.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event, broadcast from Old Trafford. This ensures a full evening of diverse entertainment options for every member of the household on Boxing Day.
