The Cannon and Ball Show on This Christmas channel
December 18, 2025
Cannon and Ball, one of the most successful TV double acts of all time, are back on national TV this Christmas four decades after the last airing of their legendary comedy show.
Classic TV channel That’s TV will be showing a special Christmas edition of The Cannon and Ball Show, not screened since it was first shown in 1985, together with a whole season of classic episodes.
It comes following pleas from viewers for The Cannon and Ball Show to be shown once again. Tommy Cannon himself and a legion of fans successfully campaigned for the show to be recognised in ITV’s recent 70th birthday celebrations online.
However, The Cannon and Ball Show has remained unavailable on free-to-air TV for the past four decades until now. That changes this December 20th, when the Cannon and Ball Christmas Special from 1985 will be broadcast on That’s TV.
Tommy Cannon commented: “It’s wonderful news to hear That’s TV will be showing our shows again. I’m absolutely thrilled that the shows will be back where they belong on national TV. Seeing mine and Bobby’s work back on national television… well, it means more than I can put into words. We made the show with love, mischief and a bond that never broke. To know people can sit down again – families, old fans and new generations – and laugh with us, touches my heart. I’m looking forward to sitting down and watching the shows again along with the That’s TV viewers this Christmas. It means the world.”
That’s TV Head of Programming, Kris Vaiksalu, said: “The secret is out. Every year we try to have a surprise Christmas gift for our viewers, but this year’s is stratospheric. Throughout the 1980s Cannon and Ball was must watch viewing for millions on a Saturday night, leaving the whole nation crying with laughter. Cannon and Ball is one of the biggest shows in British TV history and really nothing compares to it in TV today.”
Kris Vaiksalu added: “It’s become an annual tradition for That’s TV to bring back iconic shows during the Christmas holidays. We can’t wait to bring the laughter back this Christmas with comic royalty Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball at the very heart of our festive schedule.”
Cannon’s son, Luke Derbyshire, who now manages the comedian said: “Cannon & Ball weren’t just a double act. They were a phenomenon. They brought working-class warmth to prime-time TV, and made millions laugh without ever losing their heart. They were mates, mischief-makers, and masters of timing. And they did it all with love – for each other, and for the audience. I’m excited that That’s TV will be sharing the love and laughter with viewers again this Christmas.”
Other classic favourites on That’s TV this festive season include Christmas specials from Rising Damp, Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather and French and Saunders.
That’s TV broadcasts across the UK on Freeview channel 56, Sky channel 171, Freesat channel 164 and Virgin Media channel 150.