Figures show the top-rated UK Christmas TV special is Only Fools and Horses, followed by beloved shows such as The Office and Downton Abbey.
The study, conducted by JeffBet, analysed over 250 British specials on IMDb, using a Bayesian ranking system that combined IMDb scores with the number of reviews. This method was used to determine the final rankings and identify the top 10 episodes.
Only Fools and Horses has been crowned the nation’s favourite Christmas comfort, with the 1996 special “Time on Our Hands” taking the top spot, followed by the 1989 special “The Jolly Boys’ Outing”. The beloved sitcom, which chronicles the lives of two brothers from London’s Peckham estate, has become a national treasure. The 1996 special drew a record-breaking television audience of 24.4 million, the highest for any British sitcom, while the 1989 special attracted 20.1 million viewers.
Highest Rated UK TV Christmas Specials:
|
Rank |
Series |
Episode |
IMDb Score |
Review Count |
Total Ranking |
|
1 |
Only Fools and Horses |
“Time on Our Hands” (1996) |
9.6 |
1,203 |
9.5 |
|
2 |
Only Fools and Horses |
“The Jolly Boys’ Outing” (1989) |
9.5 |
1,535 |
9.4 |
|
3 |
The Office |
“Christmas Special: Part 2” (2003) |
9.3 |
3,091 |
9.2 |
|
4 |
Downton Abbey |
“The Finale” (2015) |
9.2 |
2,578 |
9.1 |
|
Only Fools and Horses |
“Heroes and Villains” (1996) |
9.3 |
920 |
9.1 |
|
|
5 |
Black Mirror |
“White Christmas” (2014) |
9.1 |
70,040 |
9.0 |
|
Downton Abbey |
“Christmas at Downton Abbey” (2011) |
9.0 |
2,975 |
9.0 |
|
|
6 |
Doctor Who |
“The End of Time Parts 1 and 2” (2009) |
8.9 |
7,672 |
8.9 |
|
7 |
Mr. Bean |
“Merry Christmas Mr. Bean” (1992) |
8.9 |
2,850 |
8.9 |
|
Extras |
“Christmas Special” (2007) |
8.9 |
2,721 |
8.9 |
The Office’s 2003 “Christmas Special: Part 2”, holds an IMDb score of 9.3 based on 3,091 reviews, placing third in the rankings. Set in the offices of a Slough paper merchant, this episode features Tim’s heartfelt Secret Santa gift for Dawn, while David Brent struggles to secure a date for the Christmas party. The Ricky Gervais-led sitcom also stars Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook.
Downton Abbey appears twice in the top rankings, with the 2015 episode “The Finale” securing a joint-fourth spot with a rating of 9.2 from over 2,500 IMDb reviews. Set against the backdrop of a wealthy British family in late 1925, 11.2 million viewers tuned in to see Edith and Bertie’s wedding, Anna’s birth, and the illnesses of Carson and Lord Merton.
Once again, Only Fools and Horses claims joint fourth place with an IMDb score of 9.3 from 920 reviews, resulting in a total rating of 9.1. The thirteenth Christmas special “Heroes and Villains” features the iconic moment when Del Boy and Rodney, dressed as Batman and Robin, emerge from the darkness to unintentionally stop a crime. The episode attracted 21.3 million viewers.
The remaining five spots in the rankings are claimed by Black Mirror’s “White Christmas” (2014), Downton Abbey’s “Christmas at Downton Abbey” (2011), Doctor Who’s “The End of Time: Parts 1 and 2” (2009), Mr. Bean’s “Merry Christmas Mr. Bean” (1992), and Extras’ “Christmas Special” (2007).
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for JeffBet said, “As we revisit the highest-rated Christmas specials, we reflect on the classics that continue to warm our hearts year after year. It’s fascinating to see which specials have become timeless favourites, and with new Christmas content gracing our screens every year, there’s always the chance for fresh contenders to enter the rankings.
“With so many beloved specials to choose from, Christmas is the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch and indulge in some festive television, not just the familiar old movie favourites.”
