ITV, which has traditionally lost out in the Christmas ratings battle with BBC One, has stepped up its programming this year with former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills starring in a 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' special.
The Chris Tarrant-fronted quiz show is also set to star Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and 'GMTV''s Eamonn Holmes as the celebrities raise money for their selected charity.
In the drama department, Stephen Fry is to star as Tom Arnold in a remake of 'Tom Brown's School Days' on New Year's Day.
Celebrities take centre stage on Christmas Day with a 'Parkinson' special on ITV1, with special guests yet to be revealed.
Stalwarts 'Emmerdale' and ' Coronation Street' also appears alongside crime drama 'Midsomer Murders: The Ghost of Christmas Past.'
In addition, there is a 'Stars in their Eyes Christmas Special' and an exclusive look at the British Comedy Awards.
ITV2 is screening a selection of Christmas pantomimes with Frank Skinner, Martin Clunes, Paul Merton, Griff Rhys Jones and Patsy Kensit to star. Confirmed adaptations include 'Cinderella', 'Dick Whittington', 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and 'Aladdin'.
There will be a host of film premieres on ITV1 including 'A Simple Wish' and 'Finding Forrester'.
Other films lined up are the Jim Carrey comedy 'The Grinch', the original 'Star Wars' trilogy and 'Apollo 13'. Children's classics 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Mary Poppins' are also set to appear.
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