Well, ok, this episode wasn’t the best ever but nonetheless, it was still pretty funny. It’s had a pretty bad slating all in all which I personally think is harsh; there were some very good moments in it such as David Snr describing how Jocelyn gagged when removing the excrement from his exhaust pipe and Dave using a variety of power tools on the turkey.

I suspect part of the problem with this episode is that they took it out of the Royle’s living room. It seems to be the kiss of death to move characters from their familiar environs and Dave and Denise’s house just didn’t have the hideous décor and comfy feel that we’ve come to know and love about Jim and Barbara’s house.

I did notice however that Jim and Barbara have a new flat screen TV and they’ve been laminated throughout, but they’ve still got the dreadful blue wallpaper in their dining room so that’s ok.

I liked the character of Jocelyn a lot but David Snr wasn’t as funny; convincing as a boring old in-law for sure but not very funny.

I missed our Ant’nee a lot too and baby David. It would’ve been nice to see baby Norma as well but still, I can’t bring myself to slate the show because I love it so much. And as I said earlier, there were still some very funny moments such as Dave dribbling the turkey along the floor, the turkey under the sun bed then Dave bringing the turkey out of the airing cupboard in a t-shirt all made me titter.

And David Snr calling Barbara Barbera was funny, as was the fruit in the punch being a whole banana.

Was it as good as the last Christmas episode? No, it wasn’t, but it was the Royle’s and it was new, so I’ll be watching it a good few times more yet!