BBC brings back The Gruffalo for magical new Christmas animations

EMBARGOED TO 0001 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout image of a BBC ident featuring The Gruffalo and his daughter, The Gruffalo's Child, as they decorate their magical Christmas tree. PA Photo. Issue date: Saturday November 28, 2020. The BBC One animation is being unveiled on Sunday after Strictly Come Dancing: The Results, along with another ident featuring Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, who are characters in this year's BBC Christmas animation, Zog and the Flying Doctors. See PA story SHOWBIZ Idents. Photo credit should read: Magic Light Pictures/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
A very Gruffalo Christmas is coming to a screen near you (Credits: PA)

Christmas just got a bit more magical after BBC announced The Gruffalo will star in its new holiday animations.

A new series of ‘idents’, those short clips you see promoting the channel, will feature Julia Donaldson’s beloved forest creature and a host of other cartoon characters.

The Beeb said it hopes the festive features will ‘capture the warmth and glow of Christmas time.’

In one ident, The Gruffalo and his daughter, named The Gruffalo’s Child, will decorate their lovely Christmas tree.

Another will feature Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, characters in this year’s BBC Christmas animation Zog and the Flying Doctors.

The animations will debut on Sunday after Strictly Come Dancing: The Results.

Zog and the Flying Doctors BBC Christmas
Zog and the Flying Doctors will also feature in between programmes (Picture: PA)
John Barrowman Dr Who special
jOHJohn Barrowman is returning for the Dr Who special (Credits: BBC Studios/James Pardon)
Joe Lycett Sewing Bee
Joe Lycett will host a festive sewing bee (Credits: BBC/Love Productions)

The BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore said she hoped they ‘will make everyone smile and bring a big dose of festive cheer and togetherness at the end of a tough year’.

Martin Pope, co-founder of Oscar-nominated production company Magic Light Pictures, said: ‘It’s particularly wonderful to have created these extra animations this Christmas and we’re delighted to share them with BBC audiences.’

The announcement comes days after the network announced its Christmas TV line-up, which has something to please the whole family.

John Barrowman will return as Captain Jack Harness for the eagerly-anticipated Dr Who special Revolution of the Daleks, also starring Jodie Whittaker as the imprisoned Doctor, who must rely on her three best friends (Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill) to battle the Daleks on her behalf.

Viewers looking for a laugh will love the return of the Vicar of Dibley, which will come back for three 10-minute specials.

And if you’re feeling crafty, comedian Joe Lycett has just the thing for you. He’ll be hosting The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas special, where eight sewers try to impress judged Esme Young and Patrick Grant.

It’s sure to be an entertaining holiday season.

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