Ghosts Christmas special 2023: release date, plot, cast and everything we know

Great news Ghosts fans, we're getting a Ghosts Christmas special 2023 to enjoy on Christmas Day at 7.45 pm on BBC One. Yes, we now have a time for the very last episode.

Everyone thought Ghosts was ending this autumn, but the BBC has revealed there will be a Christmas special and they've now teased some plot details with Mike's mum Betty set to outstay her welcome!

Plus we have the first picture of Mike and Alison's daughter (above), bless! A new trailer (below) has also arrived, with the baby entering Button House for the first time.

Ghosts season 5 was previously believed to see the final episode of the beloved comedy.

But the BBC has announced there’s "one last present under the Christmas tree" for Ghosts fans to enjoy.

Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who plays Mike, has given What to Watch an exclusive glimpse of what to expect, telling us: "It’s Christmassy, it’s in keeping with Ghosts and you’ll laugh and cry at the ending especially. It’s so difficult to write an ending but they’ve done it exceptionally well. Even at the readthrough, it felt fitting and emotional, realising this was the end of that journey we’ve been on for a long time.”

Speaking to us previously about her excitement at getting a festive special last year, Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie told us: "It's exciting being on at Christmas, it's huge! This is a time when people get together, so it’s a testament to it being a family show. You need good TV at Christmas because it can be stressful with family, so it's great to be part of that relief!”

Here's everything we know...

Ghosts Christmas special 2023 release date

It's been confirmed the Ghosts Christmas special 2023 will air on Christmas Day on BBC One at 7.45 pm. See our Christmas TV section for all things festive TV.

Ghosts Christmas special 2023 plot

The BBC has revealed some plot details at last. The makers tease: "Christmas is just around the corner and Mike’s mum, Betty is staying. Although she is just trying to be helpful, Mike and Alison soon lose patience with her interfering ways. There’s no easy way to ask her to go home so the couple (and the Ghosts) struggle on, with Button House feeling fuller than ever.

"Now a Christmas convert, Robin is missing that all important 'Christmassy' feeling, so the gang share their secrets to getting into the festive spirit. But when even more decorations and merry music don’t do the trick, the Ghosts wonder if Robin will be able to capture that Christmas magic again?

"Just as Betty announces she’s heading home to (silent) sighs of relief, she suspects there is something terribly wrong at Button House. This triggers a U-turn – Betty resolves that she cannot leave until the house is safe – going to extreme measures to protect her family. Desperate, Mike and Alison must recruit the Ghosts to start Operation Bye Bye Betty! The Ghosts soon realise however that they may have more in common with Betty than they first thought. The whole experience inspires the Ghosts to reflect, and a big decision awaits them all."

Plus Laurence Rickard, who plays Tudor nobleman Humphrey and caveman Robin, spoke to us about how the baby changes the dynamic: "The ghosts are a family and also have that dynamic with Mike and Alison but when this baby arrives they realise 'Actually, that’s the family'. Some of them handle that worse than others! Kitty has always felt kinship with Alison and is the baby of the gang, so jealously comes in!"

Cast

All the main cast are back. Charlotte Ritchie plays Alison, who sees ghosts, much to the bewilderment of her partner, Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). The pesky ghosts are Pat (Jim Howick), The Captain (Ben Willbond), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Laurence (Robin/Humphrey), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas) and Julian (Simon Farnaby). Sutara Gayle plays Mike’s mum Betty.

Is Ghosts ending? Really?

Yes, sadly this really is the last episode of Ghosts although in theory there's nothing to stop the gang from doing more episodes. Speaking about the show's end, Charlotte Ritchie told us: "It’s the right choice but it's painful. I'm in denial. I was sad leading up to the last day of filming and then I felt numb. I think I ‘pre-grieved’ because I spent the last three weeks giving lingering looks to everyone and welling up at the tea table, so I got it out of the way."

Is there a trailer?

Yes, see above!