The BBC have now released a few more details about The Royle Family Christmas special, oh joy!

Two years after The Queen Of Sheba, the last Royle Family Christmas special, Jim, Barbara, Denise and Dave return to our screens for their latest festive episode.

The last time we saw Jim, Barbara, Denise and Dave, viewers – and primarily me – were moved to tears – and me, a near nervous breakdown made worse by the effects of Advocaat – as they witnessed the moving and compassionate passing of Nana. The Bafta-winning writers promise that nobody dies in this episode, but the family is on form in a programme packed with laughs as they treat the festive holiday with their usual irreverence.

Jim and Barbara still bait one another in their cosy (but over-decorated) room. Denise and Dave still aspire to better things as they prepare for Christmas morning and Twiggy barges in on Christmas Eve with his unique take on life. Only poor, down-trodden Anthony is missing who, viewers are told, is babysitting for Denise and Dave at his own home this year. As Denise remarks, “Well, it’s not a day for kids, is it – Christmas?”

I’m devastated Anthony’s not going to be in it but I’m very glad nobody dies this year and I’m guessing they get a new sofa too!