Top Gear's trio of presenters will follow in the tracks of the original three wise men in a Christmas special that sees them drive through Iraq.

They will drive open-top sports cars through southern Turkey and Syria on their way to Bethlehem in the festive challenge.

The show's stars regularly take part in epic long-distance journeys with previous episodes seeing them race each other across the Arctic, through Vietnam and Bolivia.

Other Christmas specials include veteran comic Ronnie Corbett joined by stars including Rob Brydon and James Corden to mark his 80th birthday with a sketch show called The One Ronnie.

James and Rob's Gavin And Stacey co-star Ruth Jones also gets her own show on BBC Two.

There are returns for two of television's best-loved families - the Trotters and the Royles - in Rock & Chips and The Royle Family and a Doctor Who special with appearances from Michael Gambon and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins.

EastEnders writer Tony Jordan retells the Nativity story and one of the soap's veteran stars, June Brown, will take to the dance floor for a Strictly Come Dancing special which also features Ronni Ancona and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, said: "BBC Television is committed to providing the greatest range of programmes of any broadcaster across the festive season, bringing friends and families together with big moments such as Doctor Who, The Royle Family and Top Gear and a great range of new comedy and drama."

Source: http://celebrity.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=155323126