Old favourites: Del Boy, played here by David Jason, returns in a younger guise in Rock & Chips, while Ronnie Corbett celebrates his 80th birthday with a new star-studded sketch show
It reads like a TV schedule from yesteryear - Ronnie Corbett, Upstairs Downstairs, Only Fools and Horses and Morecambe and Wise.
But the BBC appears to be going for a retro Christmas this year after it revealed its festive TV highlights, which appeared to be packed with the return of stars and shows from the 1970s and 1980s.
In The One Ronnie, the 79-year-old comedy performer, will take centre stage in an all-star comedy sketch show to mark his 80th birthday. On the show due to air on Christmas Day he will be joined by comedians Rob Brydon, Miranda Hart, James Corden and singer Charlotte Church.
Upstairs, Downstairs: A slick updating of the classic 70s drama series in on the BBC's Christmas schedule
The next instalment of the Only Fools and Horses prequel Rock & Chips, starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, will also make a return during the Christmas period.
Dame Eileen Atkins and Keeley Hawes will star in a revival of the 1970's classic drama Upstairs, Downstairs on BBC1, which is set to go out on Boxing Day.
On BBC2 Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves will star in a drama about the early years of Morecambe and Wise's career called Eric And Ernie.
Even 1980s film hero Indiana Jones will be putting in an appearance as the corporation will premiere the 2008 relaunch of the film franchise which is expected to be its big Christmas Day movie.
Looking fly: David Walliams and Matt Lucas return with a new show, while classical singer Katherine Jenkins will make her acting debut in the Dr Who Christmas special alongside Matt Smith
No doubt the sense of nostalgia in the corporation's Christmas line-up will be added to by the usual diet of repeats of shows like Porridge, Wallace & Gromit and Dad's Army.
As well as the remakes and spin-offs there will also be more modern looking shows such as Little Britain pair Matt Lucas and David Walliams new comedy Come Fly With Me on December 25th.
There will also be another Christmas special of The Royle Family this year called Joe's Crackers.
Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones will getting her own show for the first time with a combination of celebrity interviews and sketches.
There will also be a Christmas special of Doctor Who called A Christmas Carol which will star Michael Gambon and in her first acting role opera singer Katherine Jenkins.
The BBC will also air a retelling of the nativity story which has been adapted by former EastEnders lead writer Tony Jordan and will star Peter Capaldi, the man behind the abusive spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It. He will play one of Three Wise Men.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for a Christmas special with Vince Cable and June Brown among the contestants and there will be an extended Christmas special of Top Gear.
There will be a similarly nostalgic feel to Radio 2's Christmas schedule with material from the late Kenny Everett and French and Saunders at the heart of its festive output.
Kenny Everett's Christmas Box will broadcast a wealth of archive gems from the dead star's characters such as Captain Kremmen and Rock Salmon as well as his memorable jingles. French and Saunders have also been given their own show to present
Channel 4's Christmas line-up includes the Jonathan Ross fronted 100 Greatest Toys and Kirstie and Phil's Perfect Christmas. Jamie Oliver will also be hosting the ultimate festive party with Jamie's Christmas Lock-In and there will be a special edition of Celebrity Come Dine With Me.
Radio 2 will see the French and Saunders double-act reunited as they make their debut as radio presenters in the station's festive line-up.
The comedy duo whose TV partnership was ended earlier in the year after 24 years with the finish of Jam and Jerusalem are doing three two-hour shows.
They will be broadcast on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and January on Radio 2.
The same station will also be airing the highlights of dead comedian Kenny Everett's radio career.
Kenny Everett's Christmas Box will broadcast a wealth of archive gems from the dead star's characters such as Captain Kremmen and Rock Salmon as well as his memorable jingles.
source:dailymail
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