..as well as other Christmas TV highlights

BBC Two is to pay poignant tribute to Rik Mayall in a programme to air this Christmas. The retrospective, Lord Of Misrule, will be narrated by Simon Callow and features contributions from Michael Palin, Simon Pegg, Lenny Henry, Ruby Wax and Ben Elton.

It will cover his career from investigative nerd Kevin Turvey until his sudden death on June 9 this year.

Also taking part are Alexei Sayle, Christopher Ryan, Tim McInnerny, Jools Holland, Ruby Wax and Greg Davies

The exact broadcast date has not yet been announced, but the tribute was unveiled alongside other highlights of the BBC’s Christmas schedule.

Most of the programmes have previously been reported on Chortle, but among the new ones are:

• Al Murray's Great British Spy Movies – a follow-up to his previous BBC Four programme about war films that will cover the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Powell & Pressburger.

• A new series of Celebrity Mastermind, which will feature Ken Dodd, Inside No 9’s Steve Pemberton and The Simpsons’ Harry Shearer among the contenders.

• A Bafta tribute to Julie Walters, as well as a TV version of her regular on-screen partner Victoria Wood’s stage musical That Day We Sang, whose cast includes Daniel Rigby, Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton.

Also this Christmas, Harry Hill makes his acting debut playing the title role in The Incredible Adventures Of Professor Branestawm, adapted by Charlie Higson and co-starring David Mitchell.

The Wrong Mans also returns, while there will be Christmas episodes of Vic & Bob’s House Of Fools, Mrs Brown's Boys, Not Going Out, Cuckoo, Still Open All Hours – and the last two episodes ever of Miranda.

And on the panel show front, there are festive specials for Would I Lie To You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI, and Mock The Week; while Charlie Brooker returns for his 2014 Wipe.

Also as previously reported on Chortle, there will be two BBC One variety shows presented by Michael McIntyre and John Bishop – the latter of which includes Jack Whitehall and Jason Byrne on the bill.

An adaptation of David Walliam’s children’s novel The Boy In The Dress will also air, featuring Jennifer Saunders Meera Syal, Felicity Montagu and Kate Moss.

Published: 25 Nov 2014