Our Christmas viewing kicks off with the BBC’s Call the Midwife and a cracking festive special

Given I spent a lot of my time watching the box (there’s not much else to do when trapped under a cute, but pretty much constantly breastfeeding baby), even I’m sometimes taken aback by the number of shows I haven’t seen. Anything with Keith Lemon in it makes the list by default, but I’m slightly ashamed to say one of the BBC’s most recent success stories, Call the Midwife, is on it too.

Happily, thanks to the magic of Christmas, that black mark has now been erased and my CTM cherry has been well and truly popped. The question is, of course, was I satisfied?

Well, the show certainly gets 10 out of 10 for looking good, and this Yuletide special isn’t short on stuffing. As Jenny and the girls bite their nails over the future of Nonnatus House, events take a turn for the dramatic, thanks to an emergency (I won’t spoil your enjoyment by revealing any more).

At the same time, poor Shelagh (formerly Sister Bernadette) is looking forward to tying the knot with Dr Turner. Well, after a fashion. There’s only so much joy a grey wedding dress and an insistence on a small but dignified ceremony that doesn’t include her former Sisters among the guest list can bring. No spoilers, but you can bet your bottom dollar things don’t stay that way…

It wouldn’t be Call the Midwife without a tricky pregnancy or two scattered among proceedings and this edition is no different (though I was surprised there wasn’t more mention of the words uterus, perineum, womb, and blood), as a young couple’s future is threatened by the spectre of mental illness.

Chuck in a goodly dose of Miranda Hart’s adorable Chummy, some sweet carol singing, a glass or two of Babycham and guest appearance by the great Sandi Toksvig and voila! – it’s the perfect slice of early evening entertainment for Christmas Day.

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF IT

WHAT’S IT CALLED?

Call the Midwife

WHEN IS IT ON?

6.15pm, Wednesday, December 25th

WHAT CHANNEL?

BBC1

WHO IS IN IT?

Sandi Toksvig, Jessica Raine, Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris and Laura Main.

WHO SHOULD WATCH IT?

Anyone who needs something uplifting to help them after having eaten their body weight in sprouts.

WHO SHOULDN’T WATCH IT?

People who haven’t eaten their body weight in sprouts.