24/12/2025
🎄 Christmas Day 2025 – A full afternoon and evening of British Sign Language provision, clearly explained from start to finish 🎄
I want to set out, in one clear and fully integrated post, what is available on Christmas Day 2025 for viewers who use, rely on, or prefer British Sign Language. This is not a promotional post and I am not speaking on behalf of any broadcaster. This is simply a detailed, practical explanation of what is on, when it is on, and how to watch it — because the level of BSL provision this year genuinely deserves to be properly understood.
This post is intentionally long. Christmas schedules are complicated at the best of times, and BSL provision is often poorly explained. Everything below is laid out step by step so nobody is left guessing.
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3:00pm – His Majesty The King’s Christmas Message (with BSL, live and simultaneous)
Christmas Day afternoon begins at 3:00pm with His Majesty the King’s annual Christmas Message to the nation and the Commonwealth.
This year, the signed version is broadcast at exactly the same time as the standard unsigned feeds, which is crucial.
If you want to watch the King’s Christmas Message with British Sign Language, you have two main options at 3:00pm:
BBC Two will show the signed version live at 3:00pm
The same signed feed is available on BBC iPlayer, when watching BBC Two
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If you prefer ITV’s coverage but still need BSL:
ITV3 also shows the signed version at 3:00pm
The signed ITV3 broadcast is also available via ITVX, when watching ITV3
For anyone unable to watch live, there is also:
A signed repeat on Boxing Day at 3:30am on ITV1
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From 3:10pm onwards – BBC One Christmas Day, fully signed via the Red Button
Immediately after the King’s Message, the focus shifts to the BBC Red Button signed simulcast, which runs continuously for the rest of Christmas Day.
This is how it works, clearly explained:
BBC One continues to show the normal, unsigned Christmas Day schedule
The BBC Red Button shows the same BBC One programmes at the same times, but with British Sign Language interpretation on screen
You can access the signed Red Button feed on:
Freeview: Channel 601
Sky Q: Channel 970
Virgin Media: Channel 991
Freesat: Channel 970
Once you switch to the Red Button after 3:00pm, you can stay there all afternoon and evening and watch the BBC One Christmas Day line-up fully signed.
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3:10pm – The Scarecrows’ Wedding (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
At 3:10pm, the first BBC One programme of the afternoon begins, and it is available fully signed on the Red Button.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding is a warm, enchanting story about Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, two devoted scarecrows planning a wedding to remember. Their quiet farm life is filled with love and anticipation, but everything changes when Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day.
During his absence, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake arrives, bringing chaos and danger with him. Betty soon finds herself in serious trouble, and everything the couple hold dear is put at risk. The story builds towards one central question: can Harry return in time to save the day?
It is full of heart, humour, adventure and emotional warmth, carrying a gentle message that the most important thing in life is not spectacle or grandeur, but simply being together.
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3:35pm – Gladiators: Celebrity Special (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
Straight after, at 3:35pm, the BBC One Christmas schedule continues — again fully signed via the Red Button — with the Gladiators Celebrity Special.
This festive edition sees:
Joe Wicks MBE going head-to-head with Sam Thompson
Nicola Adams OBE, Olympic boxing legend, taking on Vogue Williams
Expect classic Gladiators action mixed with Christmas fun:
Viper takes on Joe Wicks during Duel
Fury faces her childhood hero, Nicola Adams
Sam Thompson reveals his unexpected alter ego, the Cockroach
The programme runs for the next hour and brings high-energy competition, big personalities and festive spectacle — all accessible with British Sign Language interpretation.
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5:30pm – Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
Following Winter Celebrations and Winter Magic from Winterwatch, the BBC One schedule resumes at 5:30pm, and the signed simulcast continues on the Red Button.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special is hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, as six celebrities take to the dancefloor hoping to be crowned Christmas Champion 2025.
This is a particularly significant edition, as it marks Tess and Claudia’s final show as hosts, making it an emotional and celebratory moment in Strictly history.
The programme includes:
A special musical performance from Blue
Two large-scale festive group dances
Judges’ critiques and classic Christmas sparkle
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6:45pm – Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
At 6:45pm, the evening continues on BBC One, with Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel, again fully signed on the Red Button.
Celebrity contestants Richard Osman, Mel Giedroyc and Paddy McGuinness attempt to answer their way to a festive fortune for their chosen charities.
They are helped by eight celebrity experts, each stepping forward at different points to answer Christmas-themed questions on topics ranging from festive food to reindeer, traditions and trivia. Each expert has their moment in the spotlight, contributing knowledge, humour and surprise.
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8:15pm – Call the Midwife Christmas Special (Episode 1 of 2) (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
After Winter Celebrations from Winterwatch, the BBC One drama continues at 8:15pm, with Call the Midwife, Episode 1 of 2 of its Christmas special — fully signed on the Red Button.
This year’s storyline sees senior members of Nonnatus House travelling to Hong Kong to respond to a crisis at the order’s branch house. Meanwhile, back in Poplar, Dr Turner and Shelagh embark on a deeply emotional search for May’s birth mother.
As ever, the episode blends historical storytelling, compassion, and powerful character-led drama.
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10:15pm – Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special (BBC One via Red Button, signed)
The signed BBC One Christmas Day schedule concludes at 10:15pm with Mrs Brown’s Boys, the first of two festive specials, available with BSL on the Red Button.
In this episode:
Mrs Brown reflects on the true meaning of family while gathering everyone together for a Christmas photo
Buster reveals another of his famously over-the-top Christmas trees
Cathy anxiously debates what presents to buy for everyone
It is loud, familiar, chaotic and unapologetically festive — a traditional end to Christmas Day.
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Final thoughts
From 3:00pm onwards, Christmas Day 2025 offers:
Live, simultaneous BSL access to the King’s Christmas Message
A fully integrated, signed simulcast of BBC One’s Christmas Day programming via the Red Button
Drama, entertainment, comedy and family viewing — all accessible, all day
This is not a small or secondary offering. It is a complete Christmas afternoon and evening, and it deserves to be clearly explained so people know it exists and how to access it.
