Phillip and Holly host Christmas Day special with Alison and Dermot

Phillip and Holly host Christmas Day special with Alison and Dermot alongside ‘festive royalty’ Sir Cliff Richard, Wizzard, The Muppets - plus 9-year-old Betsey Griffin delivers an inspirational Christmas message for the nation 

For the past three years hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby have delivered a special two hour This Morning Christmas show packed with treats and this year's show is no exception featuring festive favourites such as Sir Cliff Richard and The Muppets. 

Viewers get treated straight away to an outdoor performance from Wizzard singing their smash hit ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’, and Phillip and Holly are quick to raise a glass together with fellow hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary to wish everyone watching a ‘Merry Christmas’ with Holly saying, “It’s the big day! It’s here… it’s so exciting! Whether you’re with friends or family or you're on your own this year, we’ll be keeping you entertained with lots of festive fun and games!”

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With Phillip adding, “Absolutely delighted that we are going to be spending the next two hours with you”, before other members of the This Morning family join them including Rochelle Humes, Gyles Brandreth, Steve Wilson and Carol Vorderman - who also serenades the team with a Christmas carol after getting confused about The Muppets Christmas Carol item!

Viewers also get treated to an interview with Father Christmas at the North Pole, a link to Australia for British expats to send their seasons greetings, Rochelle serves up the perfect winter warmer tipple: Hot Spiced Apple Juice, and Gyles is on hand to demonstrate what party games are fun to play with guests this festive period - including one that leaves all four hosts on all fours!

The This Morning favourites later get to play a quiz and swap Christmas gifts that leave them squealing, laughing and feeling touched by the fun and thoughtful items… and there isn’t a dry eye in the studio when inspirational 9-year-old Betsy Griffin spreads her renowned positivity and joy in a Christmas message to the nation. 

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Additional star guests bringing joy include Bradley Walsh who leaves the hosts crying with laughter following his fun antics, Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy share their thoughts on the 30th anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Sir Cliff Richard serves up his famous gravy in the This Morning kitchen!

Of the strong flavours - including soy and teriyaki - Sir Cliff smiled, “It's just my own personal taste, and slowly I added one of these [ingredients] once and then two…” Before admitting he doesn’t really cook much at all. “I can cook scrambled eggs, fried egg, and a grilled cheese sandwich, but I can’t really cook - it’s just gravy! My sister said once that her children wouldn’t have her gravy so I said I’d freeze it for her so she could cook it for them.”

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The two hour spectacular comes to a close with a performance from Sir Cliff Richard singing his festive classic ‘Mistletoe and Wine’, and Holly saying “We hope we’ve brightened up your Christmas morning!” whilst Phillip adds, “We’ll be back on Wednesday for more festive fun and there’s just one thing left to say, from everyone here at This Morning, have a lovely day - happy Christmas!” 

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PLEASE CREDIT: Watch This Morning on Christmas Day from 10am on ITV1 & ITVX