Old Stagers

As we await the outcome of Miriam O'Reilly's ageism case against the BBC, outgoing Controller BBC 1 Jay Hunt and her counterparts on 2, 3 and 4 have clearly left room for the odd oldie in their Christmas schedules.  Michael Gambon,70, gets a run-out in the festive Dr Who, playing the role of Kazran Sardick (hopefully not some unpleasant anagram).  Martin Jarvis, 69, will enjoy the role of narrator in a new version of Just William; and Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins (both 74) re-appear in the new three-part stab at Upstairs Downstairs.  Jack Shepherd, 70, is Melchior in Tony Jordan's Nativity. John Hurt, 69, leads in a new version of Whistle and I'll Come to You.

76-year-old Peter Martin takes a pivotal role as Joe Carroll in the Royle Family Christmas Special.  Bruce Forsyth, at 81, is there for a Strictly special. Sir Michael Parkinson, 74, gets to front "Swingin' Christmas" featuring the John Wilson Orchestra. And Ronnie Corbett, at 79, stars in The One Ronnie on Christmas Day.