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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide Channels has a bulging stocking full of telly treats just waiting to be unwrapped this festive season across all four channels; ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Entertainment, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Lifestyle, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Knowledge and CBeebies.

Starting on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Entertainment on Wednesday 22nd December at 20.00 and playing out at the same time across Thursday and Friday that week, Sherlock is a brand new three-part ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ drama premiere. The drama is co-created by the amazing partnership of Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss (The League Of Gentlemen, Doctor Who, Crooked House) and played out to widespread critical acclaim when the series premiered in the UK in July 2010. Starring award-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement, The Other Boleyn Girl) in the title role and Martin Freeman (recently cast as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit) as Dr. John Watson, Sherlock is a thrilling, fast-paced update of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective. Across these three thrilling, scary, action-packed and highly entertaining television movies, Sherlock and John navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers to get at the truth. With sparkling scripts and unforgettable performances from the two leads, this is Sherlock for a new generation.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Entertainment welcomes back magician and super sleuth Jonathan Creek (Alan Davies, QI) for two new mysteries; Jonathan Creek: The Grinning Man (20 December, 20.00) and Jonathan Creek: The Judas Tree (21 December, 20.00). This time the master of illusion teams up with Joey Ross (Sheridan Smith¸ Two Pints of Lager...) to explain a series of mysterious and spooky events.

Two truly Christmassy productions play out on 24th December to get viewers in the festive spirit. At 19.00, Raymond Briggs' magical story The Snowman is brought to life and is sure to hit the right note with all the family. Then at 21.45, a celebration of Christmas comes from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge in Carols from Kings.

Christmas Day (20.00) sees the premiere of Return to Cranford, one of the most celebrated UK period dramas in recent years. The Sunday Express in the UK called it "The most outstanding period drama produced in the last 10 years." Return to Cranford boasts some of Britain's top film, TV and stage talent including Oscar-winning Dame Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis and Julia McKenzie in three hour long episodes playing out back to back. In Cranford, where all changes and all remains the same, Miss Matty's house is full of life and bustle. But nothing can stay the same forever and all too soon life in Cranford will change in some very unexpected ways.

Other treats to look forward to on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Entertainment include: comedy with the Outnumbered Christmas Special (26th December at 19.15); a new premiere from master illusionist Derren Brown in Derren Brown: Evening of Wonders (15th December at 20.30); a brand new crime drama starring Martin Shaw in George Gently: Gently Through the Mill (26th December at 20.00); a new series following three royals from all over the world as they go undercover to try to find love in the UK in The Undercover Princesses (29th December at 20.30). Finally, EastEnders fans are in for a doubly special treat this December with two daily premiere episodes of the soapie on weekdays for a fortnight from Monday 20th December at 16.30 and 17.00.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Lifestyle serves up a banquet of seasonal food heaven throughout December. Wondering how to ring the changes for this year's Christmas feasting? Rick Stein returns with a Christmas themed episode from his tour of East Asia in Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey Christmas Special (9th December at 19.30). Rick's suggestions range from braised duck in spiced orange juice to beef rendang or an aromatic biryani and some new ways of livening up traditional turkey leftovers.

There's a double helping of Jamie Oliver with two new series exclusive to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Lifestyle. Jamie's Family Christmas starts on 1st December at 20.25 and 20.55 every Wednesday for five weeks. Christmas can be a daunting challenge in the kitchen but Jamie has some cooking tips and techniques for a stress-free day. Filmed at the chef's Essex home, and featuring his family and friends this series provides a must-see solution to all your Christmas concerns.

In Jamie Cooks Christmas (13th December at 20.30), the chef create some of his favourite festive dishes as well as some ingenious ideas for making the most of key ingredients for those looking to have a delicious yet inexpensive Christmas dinner.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Lifestyle favourite Gordon Ramsay is back with his guide to how to cook up his perfect Christmas. Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Christmas plays out over two nights on Thursday 16th December and Friday 17th December at 19.30. Follow Gordon at home with his family, teaching viewers how to prepare his favourite festive recipes; wonderful dishes that handsomely reward the time and effort put into them. The chef prepares a spectacular set of Christmas dishes that include his recipe for the ultimate turkey, superb stuffing, perfectly cooked vegetables and a stunning Christmas dessert.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Knowledge pays tribute to the Fab Four this December with the evening of Sunday 5th devoted to the Beatles. Starting at 18.00 How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin takes a look at how the music of the Beatles helped to wash away the foundations of soviet communism. At 18.55, Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) stars in the critically acclaimed drama Lennon: Naked. Thirty years after John Lennon's death, the programme covers a period of wildly fluctuating fortunes in the musician's life from 1967 to 1971, a time of worldwide adulation at one extreme, a combination of frustration and despair at the other. Then at 20.25, join Sir Paul McCartney for a performance filmed at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Electric Proms. A master of melodies, the former Beatle was joined on stage by a special string section for a truly spectacular and memorable performance including tracks from his album Memory Almost Full as well as some crowd-pleasing classics.

Other highlights during December include: Tsunami: The Aftermath (Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th at 21.30), a two-part drama focusing on the aftermath of the tsunami in Thailand, as seen through the eyes of a fictional group of characters whose lives are irrevocably transformed by the disaster. Filmed on location in Thailand, Tsunami stars Tim Roth, Toni Collette, Hugh Bonneville and Chiwetel Ejiofor and was written by award-winning Abi Morgan (Bafta winner for Sex Traffic and Murder); Decoding Christianity (Monday 20th at 21.30), a six part series which takes a look at the meaning and development of Christianity's symbols and rituals; and Food Superhighway (Wednesday 29th at 21.30) an investigation into the world's most important network – that of the pathway our food takes around the world to get to our local supermarkets.

CBeebies offers some magical programming this December. Little learners will also have the chance to catch the Christmas classic The Snowman on the channel on 24th December at 18.00. The charming animation is sure to capture imaginations with its critically acclaimed soundtrack and animation.

Series two of Grandpa In My Pocket starts on 6th December and is shown weekdays at 09.30 and 17.30. Grandpa lives with his family in a beautiful seaside town. Everyone thinks he spends all his time in his armchair, but he has a magic shrinking cap which only his grandson Jason knows about. When Grandpa puts his cap on, he becomes small enough to fit into Jason's pocket, not to mention his toy plane and car. Grandpa is playful and mischievous, but always a force for good.

In a riot of colour, music, sights, sounds and tastes, Let's Celebrate (weekdays from 16th December at 09.45 and 17.45) explores the stories behind the festivals celebrated by different faiths. From Chinese New Year to Christmas, the series looks at religious and cultural festivals as celebrated by young children.

With so many sparkling TV gems there's no better company this Christmas than ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide Channels.

Lucy Groom