Former character set to return in Vera Christmas special
The special episode will air on Boxing Day
Last updated 6th Dec 2023
As fans patiently await the 13th series of TV crime drama Vera to land, ITV/STV have announced this year's Christmas special, which will land on Boxing Day with Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope.
Titled The Rising Tide, the episode will be the final time actor Kenny Doughty appears as DS Aiden Healy, after he made the decision to quit the show earlier this year. But don't panic, because the festive special is bringing back a much-loved character!
The Christmas special will see the return of actor Jake Ashton-Nelson, who plays the role of PC Billy Billington.
Although PC Billington appeared in earlier series as an officer at the front desk of the police station, this time round he joins Brenda's CID team.
Speaking to the Mirror about Jake's return, actress Brenda said: "PC Billy Billington, played by Jake Ashton-Nelson. Jake is terrific in this. He played an officer on the police station front desk in a previous episode. Somebody had come in to report something but he thought they were time wasting and sent them away. Vera really tore him off a strip for that. She told him to listen to what people had to say as it threw a spanner in the works for solving that particular case.
"So we come to this episode and Billy has put in for secondment to CID. Vera is going to give him a chance but he exasperates her. He’s very funny. Vera is his boss but there’s also an element of mothering in her relationship with Billy. She tries to guide him in the right direction but gives him a hard time. Mind you, Vera gives all of her team a hard time!"
When is the Vera Christmas special?
This year's Christmas special will air on Boxing Day (26th December 2023).
What time is it on?
It will air at 8pm.
What channel is it on?
Just like the usual series, the Vera Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX, and STV and STV Player for viewers in Scotland.
What is the Christmas special about?
Titled The Rising Tide, the festive episode will follow Vera investigate the apparent suicide of Rick Kelasall on Holy Island.
Bosses describe the episode as: 'As his death related to the scandal that has knocked his career sideways, could the motivation be greed, is someone out for revenge, or is it something much more obscure, how far will the killer or killers go to cover their tracks, could Vera and her team also be in danger, and will they all see Christmas?'
Who features in the Christmas special?
As well as the usual suspects such as Brenda Blethyn, Kenny Doughty, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones, Ibinabo Jack, and Sarah Kameela Impey, the Christmas special will also see the return of Jake Ashton-Nelson.
There's also plenty of guest stars for the festive special, including Clare Holman, Jake Ashton-Nelson, Adrian Mills, Suzette Llewellyn, Brian Bovell, Orlessa Altass, Phil Cornwell, Adrian Rawlins, Kate Isitt, Felicity Dean, Natasha Patel, Sara Powell, Cora Kirk, Martin Turner, Eric Richard, Phillippa Wilson, Liz Crowther, Sam Halpenny and Peter Peverley.
The Christmas special will be the last time fans see Kenny Doughty as DS Aiden Healy, after he revealed he'd quit the show in March this year.
Check out all of the other Christmas specials happening this year:
Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas
Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.
Air date: 14th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC
Deal or No Deal Christmas Special
Former footballer Michael Owen joins Stephen Mulhern for a festive edition of Deal or No Deal. Michael will be hoping to win money for his chosen charity!
Air date: Sunday 17th December (7pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.
Air date: 18th-22nd December
Channel: BBC Two
The Hairy Bikers Coming Home for Christmas
To thank all of those who've helped Dave through his recent illness, The Hairy Bikers are back on the road, searching for wonderful seasonal ingredients to create a festive banquet.
Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are back as Mel Blatt, Richard Blackwood, Duncan James and Faye Winter compete to be crowned 2023 MasterChef Christmas Champion.
Air date: 20th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
Nigella’s Amsterdam Christmas Special
The lovely Nigella Lawson is back with a Christmas special this year as she visits Christmas fairs, artisan food shops and some of her favourite spots in Amsterdam.
Air date: 21st December (8pm)
Channel: BBC
The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2023
Toyah Willcox, Kerry Godliman, Jessica Knappett and Hammed Animashaun will take part in the 2023 Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee.
Air date: 21st December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Hit List Christmas Special
Rochelle and Marvin Humes are back for a Christmas special of their popular show The Hit List. George Shelley, Kimberly Wyatt, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Marvin Humes, Kitty Scott-Claus, Kate Thornton and Gregg Wallace will take part.
Air date: Saturday 23rd December (6pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Weakest Link Christmas Special
Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.
Air date: Saturday 23rd December (8:10pm)
Channel: BBC One
Blankety Blank Christmas Special
Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.
Air date: Saturday 23rd December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
Britain Get Singing
Hosted by Roman Kemp, Britain Get Singing will see five groups made up of stars from TV's biggest shows including Good Morning Britain, Love Island, Coronation Street, The Masked Singer and EastEnders - take to the stage in a bid to deliver a show-stopping performance.
Air date: Christmas Eve (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Repair Shop Christmas 2023
Jay Blades and the team are back for a Christmas special this year
Air date: Christmas Eve (8pm)
Channel: BBC One
Beyond Paradise
Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton will be joined by a number of guest stars during the Beyond Paradise Christmas special, including James Fleet, Isaac Vincent-Norgate, Amalia Vitale Kulvinder Ghir, Sheila Reid and folk group Bellowhead.
Air date: Christmas Eve (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. George, Sophie, Dan, Amelia, Linda and Carole will all return.
Air date: Christmas Eve (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Gogglebox - Best of series 22
Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from series 22 of Gogglebox, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.
Air date: Christmas Eve (9.35pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Dan Snow, Sally Nugent, Jamie Borthwick, Tilly Amartey, Danny Cipriani, and Keisha Buchanan will take part in the 2023 Strictly Christmas special.
Air date: Christmas Day (4.40pm)
Channel: BBC
Doctor Who Christmas Special
For the first time since 2017, a Doctor Who Christmas special will air this year, introducing Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor! The special is titled The Church on Ruby Road.
Air date: Christmas Day (5.55pm)
Channel: BBC One
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel
A Christmas special for Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, featuring some very famous stars!
Air date: Christmas Day (6.50pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Leona Lewis will join usual judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora, and Jonathan Ross for a Christmas Day special of The Masked Singer, ahead of the brand new series.
Air date: Christmas Day (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Ghosts Christmas Special
Following its fifth and final series, it's been confirmed there will be a Christmas special of sitcom Ghosts.
Air date: Christmas Day (7.45pm)
Channel: BBC One
The 1% Club Christmas Special
Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.
Air date: Christmas Day (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Great Pottery Throw Down 2023
Hugh Dennis, Alice Levine, Joe Swash and Sophie Duker will take part in this year's festive special of The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Air date: Christmas Day (7.30pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Call the Midwife
As Poplar prepares for Christmas, Sister Monica Joan fears this could be her last. Dr Turner and the midwives deal with a complicated multiple birth, and Cyril helps a war veteran.
Air date: Christmas Day (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas - Mammy’s Mare
In this year's Christmas special, Cathy's decides to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and there's a surprise dinner guest!
Air date: Christmas Day (10.45pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Piano: Christmas Special
As well as being renewed for a second and third series, Channel 4's The Piano has a Christmas special this year!
Air date: Christmas Day (7.20pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Vera Christmas Special
Brenda Blethyn is back as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for this year's Christmas special. The episode will also be the final appearance for appearance for DS Aiden Healy, played by actor Kenny Doughty.
Air date: Boxing Day (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Top Of The Pops: Review Of 2023
Clara Amfo hosts the review of the biggest hits of 2023.
Air date: 28th December (6.30pm)
Channel: BBC
The Last Leg Of The Year
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by special guests as they present The Last Leg of the Year for 2023!
Air date: New Year's Eve (9pm)
Channel: Channel 4
The Great New Year Bake Off
As well as the annual Christmas special, Bake Off will also get a New Year's special for 2024! Mark, Maxy, Maggie and Jürge will all return.
Air date: New Year's Day (7.45pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Gogglebox: Festive Special
The Gogglebox gang are back for a festive special at the start of 2024, reviewing the biggest shows over the festive period.
Air date: New Year's Day (9pm)
Channel 4: Channel 4
When is the next series of Vera?
Series 13 of Vera started filming in May this year, so we imagine the new series will land sometime in 2024.
The Vera Christmas special airs at 8pm on Tuesday 26th December.
Now read:
First look at Vera series 13 as filming begins
Vera star quits show after eight years leaving fans devastated
The best TV crime dramas to binge watch right now