The Snowmen confirmed for 5:15pm on Christmas Day

The BBC have now confirmed the line-up for Christmas Day on BBC One, with the hour long Doctor Who Christmas Special The Snowmen to broadcast from 5:15pm - the earliest the show has been scheduled since its return in 2005 (and also the time when original series premiere An Unearthly Child was scheduled back in 1963).

The afternoon will see the film Shrek Forever After following The Queen's Speech at 3:10pm; the animated film Room on the Broom then follows at 4:35pm, with the News and Weather at 5:00pm. After Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing kicks off at 6:15pm, with a festive Call The Midwife at 7:30pm, an hour long Eastenders at 8:45pm, and evening prime-time finishing with The Royle Family at 9:45pm.

ITV1's schedule sees Doctor Who pitted against You've Been Framed (5:00pm), Emmerdale (5:30pm), and Paul O'Grady's For The Love Of Dogs (6:00pm). Meanwhile, Downton Abbey will go head-to-head with Eastenders at 8:45pm.

Publicity Images:

The BBC have released a variety of publicity images to promote The Snowmen, featuring characters and scenes from the episode. Portrait images are also available, depicting several of the main cast: as well as Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman they include Tom Ward as Captain Latimer, Joseph Darcey-Alden as Digby, Ellie Darcey-Alden as Francesca, Liz White as Alice, and Richard E Grant as Dr Simeon.