EACH year there is criticism of the various TV channels for putting on repeats rather than offering viewers new shows at Christmas time.

But the interesting thing about this Christmas trend is that TV bosses insist that we viewers actually love repeats.

This year, half of all the shows on BBC1 over the festive fortnight will be re-runs of programmes like A Christmas Carol and Wallace and Grommit, and around 70 per cent of programmes on Channel 4 and ITV will be standards like Dad’s Army, The Simpsons and Catchphrase.

And that’s not to mention decades-old movies like Back to the Future III, Jurassic Park and the Indian Jones’ series.

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t mind viewing old favourites at this time of the year. After all, Christmas is about traditions and it’s hard to beat established oldies but goldies.

Give me The Two Ronnies or Morecambe and Wise any day. In fact, you can screen them back to back all Christmas Day if you like!