BBC One has unveiled its programming highlights for the Christmas period.

The return of Sherlock, Matt Smith’s farewell to Doctor Who and the arrival of Danny Dyer in EastEnders are among the most notable pieces of festive scheduling.

BBC’s director of television Danny Cohen said: “Brilliant Christmas telly across drama, factual, comedy, entertainment and religion is something licence-fee payers rightly expect from the BBC, and this year’s holiday schedule delivers that.

“We have massive events such as the Doctor Who regeneration and the incredible return of Sherlock, as well as festive specials from hit shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Call the Midwife, Bad Education, and The Great British Bake Off.

“And of course there are brand new treats such as David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and we’ll be showing a wide range of religious programming, including a live broadcast of The First Eucharist of Christmas from Westminster Abbey.”

Drama coming to BBC One over the festive period includes the latest instalment of record breaking ratings hit Call The Midwife, Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi comedy drama Last Tango In Halifax and the PD James adaptation Death Comes To Pemberley, which stars Jenna Coleman, Anna Maxwell Martin, Matthew Rhys and Matthew Goode.

Martin Sheen, Jonas Armstrong and Paul Kaye star in The Whale, a one off drama about the events that inspired Moby Dick.

The comedy highlights include new Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas and New Year specials, festive editions of Citizen Khan, The Matt Lucas Awards and Not Going Out.

Sir David Jason will return to play his much loved character Granville in Still Open All Hours, while Catherine Tate will also make a full headline return to BBC One in comedy Nan, based around her popular sketch show character.

The entertainment highlights include a special edition of Celebrity Mastermind, the annual Christmas and New Year editions of Top of the Pops and the festive Strictly Come Dancing special on Christmas Day.

The factual lineup is headlined by Dolphins – Spy In The Pod, the sequel to the popular penguin doc Spy In The Huddle earlier this year. David Tennant will narrate the show.

Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom, Gnomeo and Juliet, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Little Fockers and Megamind will air across the BBC’s main channels.

Exact air dates are yet to be announced.