Danny Dyer's 'EastEnders' debut is set to go head-to-head with a festive special of 'Downton Abbey' on Christmas Day, it has been confirmed.
TV bosses have released this year's festive schedules, revealing that 'EastEnders' and 'Downton' will both air at 8.30pm on BBC One and ITV respectively.
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Danny Dyer as Mick Carter (centre) with the rest of the Carter clan
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The cast of 'Downton Abbey'
The ratings battle is a blow for the BBC, who cast Danny as the new landlord of The Queen Vic earlier this year as part of a revamp to boost ailing ratings.
Matt Smith's final outing as the Time Lord in 'Doctor Who' will also go up against 'Coronation Street' at 7.30pm.
Elsewhere on BBC One, 'Toy Story 3' will receive its terrestrial premiere at 3.20pm, Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas Special airs at 5pm, followed by a festive edition of 'Call The Midwife' at 6.15pm
Comedy is provided by 'Mrs Brown's Boys' at 9.30pm, with a Michael McIntyre special scheduled for 10.05pm.
Over on ITV, 'Paul O'Grady's Love Of Dogs' is at 5.15pm, followed by a 75-minute episode of 'Emmerdale', while 'Love Actually' will bring Christmas Day to a close.
TV bosses have released this year's festive schedules, revealing that 'EastEnders' and 'Downton' will both air at 8.30pm on BBC One and ITV respectively.
The ratings battle is a blow for the BBC, who cast Danny as the new landlord of The Queen Vic earlier this year as part of a revamp to boost ailing ratings.
Matt Smith's final outing as the Time Lord in 'Doctor Who' will also go up against 'Coronation Street' at 7.30pm.
Elsewhere on BBC One, 'Toy Story 3' will receive its terrestrial premiere at 3.20pm, Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas Special airs at 5pm, followed by a festive edition of 'Call The Midwife' at 6.15pm
Comedy is provided by 'Mrs Brown's Boys' at 9.30pm, with a Michael McIntyre special scheduled for 10.05pm.
Over on ITV, 'Paul O'Grady's Love Of Dogs' is at 5.15pm, followed by a 75-minute episode of 'Emmerdale', while 'Love Actually' will bring Christmas Day to a close.
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