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A feast of comedy, drama and music on festive menu for ±«Óãtv audiences in Scotland
Audiences in Scotland can tune into a bumper line-up of programming that will suit a wide variety of tastes this yuletide.
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Among the treats are the ritual ribbing of the great and not-so-good of Scottish football, a starry Hogmanay celebration, a bitter-sweet look at the hectic life of a Santa and the return of an infamous raconteur.
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A quirky tale of a department store Father Christmas, I'm A Santa Get Me Out of Here sets the festive tone on the television schedule.
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This irreverent documentary goes behind-the-scenes to a Glasgow Christmas grotto as serial Santa Chris Diamond once again climbs into the red suit, sticks on a white beard and walks into his very own winter wonderland.
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One of the best loved characters in Scottish comedy returns with a Christmas Special, as Gregor Fisher brings the Govan sage Rab C Nesbitt back to life once more.
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But Rab appears to have changed – he's ditched the drink, found religion and even discovered the cooker.
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Meanwhile, in River City, Raymond's ex-wife Roisin appears in spectacular fashion at Christmas to lighten his spirits and save him from the depths of despair.
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But at Hogmanay a hit and run darkens the festive mood in Shieldinch.
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Hogmanay's offering includes Only An Excuse?, Jonathan Watson's ever-popular lampooning of the heroes and villains of the beautiful game during 2008.
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The cast of characters includes Diego Maradona and Kris Boyd as well as old favourites Sir Alex Ferguson and Gordon Strachan.
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There's also a trip down memory lane for golden moments of Scottish humour in Comedy Resolutions, a feast of festive fun and laughter from a host of stars including Rikki Fulton, Robbie Coltrane, Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill.
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Jackie Bird will extend a warm invitation to Hogmanay Live 2008 from Edinburgh Castle's Great Hall.
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Sharleen Spiteri and Leon Jackson join legendary ambassadors of Scottish traditional music, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, as ±«Óãtv Scotland first foots the nation and promises to bring in the new year with a bang. Jam-packed with surprises it promises to be a night to remember.
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Lovers of classic spy dramas are in for a treat with a new version of John Buchan's The 39 Steps.
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Rupert Penry Jones stars as Richard Hannay and Lydia Leonard as Victoria Sinclair in a 90-minute one-off drama, filmed entirely on location in Scotland.
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The range of documentaries on offer includes An Adventure Show Special: Sutherland – The Empty Land, which will trek through some of Scotland's remotest and most dramatic scenery, and a sports special on the footballing links between Japan and Scotland including Alex Miller's stewardship of J-League side JEF United and the Nakamura effect for Celtic in the Asian market.
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On ±«Óãtv Radio Scotland, the festive treats include Still Shouting – Lulu At 60, in which one of Scotland's best known entertainers gives a unique insight into her remarkable life.
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In Joy To The World, Barbara Dickson performs a personal selection of numbers from the seasonal songbook, accompanied by her long-time musical collaborator, Troy Donockley.
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There's also Christmas Classics With The ±«Óãtv Scottish Symphony Orchestra And Jamie MacDougall featuring a range of masterpieces including Irving Berlin's White Christmas and Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.
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Bryan Burnett, Vic Galloway and Robbie Shepherd come together to host one of the hottest Hogmanay parties in town, live from ±«Óãtv Scotland's headquarters at Pacific Quay, Glasgow.
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As well as enjoying the party spirit, listeners to Radio Scotland's The Hogmanay Show can interact with the show via text, email and the ±«Óãtv website where they will be able to send their Hogmanay greetings around the globe.
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±«Óãtv Scotland's network radio drama department has produced a varied line-up for the festivities including a 90-minute special from Alexander McCall Smith's The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency on Christmas Day.
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Donalda MacKinnon, Head of Programmes, ±«Óãtv Scotland, said: "There's something for everyone in the packed schedules throughout the festivities.
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"From quality drama, memorable comedy and the best of contemporary and traditional music – they will all be on offer this Christmas and New Year.
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"Hogmanay has always been a highlight for our audiences and we are looking forward to welcoming them back this year for another helping of outstanding entertainment."
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Notes to Editors
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Further programme details are available in the PDF on the right-hand side of this page.
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±«Óãtv Scotland Press Office
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