Christmas special for Diane Morgan's character

 Philomena Cunk is returning to BBC Two for a Christmas special.

The dim-witted alter-ego of  Diane Morgan is to investigate the ‘real’ meaning of yuletide traditions, in Cunk On Christmas. 

It follows the success of Cunk On Shakespeare earlier in the year, which satirised earnest academics discussing the Bard to mark 400 years since his death.

Cunk first appeared on  Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe – which is also returning for its traditional end-of-year special.

The BBC says: ‘Charlie Brooker attempts to cram his views on the events of the past 12 months into 2016 Wipe - no doubt easier said than done.’

The Cunk special was revealed as the BBC confirmed its Christmas output including:

• Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton return with a new Inside No. 9, telling the tale of the demonic Krampus

• Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, featuring Catherine Tate and Harry Enfield as guests.

• Peter Pan Goes Wrong, a TV version of Mischief Theatre’s West End comedy of errors, narrated by David Suchet.

• Professor Brian Cox tries to explain The Entire Universe amid an elaborate amateur dramatics musical theatre production from Eric Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television.

• An Outnumbered Christmas special, as Chortle reported yesterday.

• A Citizen Khan special It’s a Khanderful Life.

• A Mrs Brown’s Boys special in which Brendan O’Carroll’s alter-ego ‘turns into Scrooge and refuses to put up her Christmas tree’.

• Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville appearing in a festive edition of Walliams & Friend 

• The first in a new series of Still Open All Hours, starring Sir David Jason.

• Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes come to life in six animations voiced by Dominic West, Rob Brydon, Tamsin Greig and many more, plus there’s more original animation with Ethel And Ernest, voiced by Brenda Blethyn and Jim Broadbent.

• Sir Lenny Henry honoured with a Bafta tribute

Published: 22 Nov 2016