Doctor Who: Ranking The Christmas Specials

How could it not be. A Christmas Carol is the most retold story in history (with over 100 adaptations across various media forms, don't you know). You might think that this meant the show was wading into an oversaturated market, but the Who-style retelling of this classic tale puts its own fresh twist on A Christmas Carol in a way that few shows can.

With Amy and Rory trapped by an volatile storm within a cloud belt on what was meant to be their honeymoon, The Doctor is tasked with saving the day alone. Finding that the only way he can help his friends is by warming the cold heart of the miserable Kazran Sardick, the Doctor is inspired by Dickens' classic to rewrite Sardick's personal history by travelling into the past. That's right, a Doctor Who story where the Doctor actually utilises the time machine he has at his disposal as something other than a means of getting from A to B.

Michael Gambon plays this Scrooge-like character perfectly, as he slowly becomes a better man through the Doctor's meddling. The episode is so cleverly written, especially as The Doctor reveals the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come by bringing a young Kazran forward in time to meet his bitter older self. Katherine Jenkins plays the Tiny Tim of this story, and the way in which the Doctor incorporates her into his plan to give her some joy in the final days of her life is heart-warming (and her singing voice is not wasted in this episode, by any stretch).

This episode, more than any other on this list, nails the spirit of Christmas - it's deeply emotional, wholesome, funny and packed with excitement and twists. The full festive package. So yes, this adaptation of a classic has itself become a classic, which just goes to prove - you can't beat Dickens when it comes to Christmas.