YES, I know we’ve not even reached the end of November yet.
But the BBC release their Christmas and New Year programme information today.
So I thought you’d like to see a selection of new 2008 festive images.
Almost all the programmes have been trailed before.
And over the last few months I’ve been interviewing some of those who star in them.
As you can see, it’s slipper time for the much anticipated return of The Royle Family.
Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) has the After Eights poised by his armchair, while Barbara (Sue Johnston) has a hole in her leggings.

THERE probably wasn’t much doubt.
But Simon Cowell has all but confirmed that he’ll be giving Diana Vickers a recording contract.
And that’s whether she wins The X Factor or not.
Take That stars Gary Barlow and Mark Owen paid Diana several compliments during a master class last week.
With Gary telling the Lancashire student: “If Simon Cowell ever doesn’t sign you, I would sign you tomorrow.”
To which Simon responded last night: “We will not be accepting Gary Barlow’s kind offer for a recording contract.
“Leona has done fine with me, thank you Gary.”

IT was the most explosive edition ever of It Takes Two.
Many of those reporting on the John Sergeant affair seem to have missed last night’s hour long special.
And yet it contained some of the most revealing, controversial and outspoken interviews of them all.
As well as the tears of John’s professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.
She appears to have been almost forgotten by some commentators.
The Siberian-born viewers’ favourite broke down while being interviewed alongside John live on the BBC2 show.
His decision to quit ended Kristina’s main involvement in what was her very first series of Strictly.

LOOK at the stars…look how they shine for you.
X Factor favourite Diana Vickers hit back at her critics last night.
And then burst into tears when she was saved in the public vote.
Almost certainly helped by a canny comment from Simon Cowell.
After her slightly wobbly performance of Coldplay’s Yellow, Simon commented on her comeback from severe laryngitis:
“I don’t think you’re well enough still, because your vocal was really off in parts.
“You know it, I can see it all over your face.”
And then he added: “For the first time ever, I’m nervous for you.”

THERE were a few surprises when the I’m A Celebrity “reveal” release arrived in my in-box yesterday afternoon.
Embargoed until one minute after midnight today, it confirmed the names of the ten celebs in the starting line-up.
You can read the online version of this morning’s MEN story here.
Short audio interviews with eight of the celebs are also available at the bottom of this blog.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Martina Navratilova.
There had been speculation that the tennis legend might be going in to the jungle.
But I couldn’t quite believe it.
I’d guess that she’s receiving one of the bigger pay cheques for taking part.
Not that she needs the money.

THE ashtrays were full when I walked into The Jockey on a recent set visit.
Shameless returns for a sixth series in January.
And it promises to be another dramatic – and at times darker – rollercoaster ride through the wonderful world of the Chatsworth estate.
Stopping off along the way for many of those joyful Shameless comedy moments.
As you can read in today’s MEN, Frank Gallagher and the rest of the locals are set to re-ignite the smoking ban debate.
Regulars at The Jockey protest by lighting up outside the pub, drinking cheaper booze from the local shop.
So with the bar empty and facing financial disaster, Jamie (Aaron McCusker) and Karen (Rebecca Atkinson) decide to flout the law.

LAURA White was interviewed live on ITV1’s This Morning today.
Her comments echoed those at her press conference yesterday.
While news has arrived about her “secret” No 1 hit.
Laura was asked today about her thoughts in the moments after she was voted off The X Factor.
“I was just heartbroken because I’m just so, so passionate about my music,” she replied.
“I really felt like I could have gone a lot further in the competition and the judges really, really believed in me for a long time.
“They gave me such fantastic comments. It was really strange to hear that I was going home. It was tough.”
She repeated what she told us yesterday about mentor Cheryl Cole’s anger after the show.

LAURA White was already looking to the future when I spoke to her at a London press conference this morning.
Less than 12 hours after one of the biggest shocks in X Factor history, she arrived on her own.
Walking into the building to sit and wait in reception with the assembled media.
Before we began the Q&A, Laura insisted on shaking everyone’s hand.
And then went on to give possibly the most accomplished and level-headed press conferences I’ve ever seen given by a 21-year-old.
Especially one left stunned and in tears the night before by her unexpected exit from the series.
It is, of course, only a TV show…not a matter of life and death.
But there’s so much I could write about the events of Saturday night.
Instead – aside from the story here in tomorrow’s (Mon) MEN – I thought fans might simply want to read Laura’s account in full.
And perhaps listen to several audio files of her talking – they’re at the bottom of this blog.

THERE should be red faces at the BBC today after a blunder on last night’s Have I Got News For You.
I almost dropped my tea when the comedy quiz turned its attention to last Sunday’s Michael Ball Show on Radio Two.
And in particular an email question sent in for his guest, Ashes To Ashes star Philip Glenister, about his new ITV1 drama Demons.
Michael said: “Someone has written in. This is from Helvetica Bold. What a great name.”
Phil joked: “I think she’s in Demons, isn’t she? Sounds like it.”
But the clue was in Helvetica’s question:
“Phil, there’s a bunch of us sitting in The Railway Arms, waving at our radios to say hi.”
Mr G then realised the context.

ALBERT Nugent lies buried in a foreign field.
He was just 23 when he died – the same age as new Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Matthew Kelly tells the story of his great uncle Albert in My Family At War on BBC1 at 10.35pm tonight.
The First World War was supposed to be the war to end all wars.
You can read about Matthew’s emotional journey in the MEN TV feature here.
“He was 23. That’s terrible,” reflects the Manchester-born actor.