House of Games 2025 Christmas special line-up confirmed with Gavin and Stacey star
Festive House of Games is coming back in time for Christmas...
Richard Osman’s House of Games is gearing up for its 2025 Christmas specials, and a Gavin and Stacey star has joined the line-up.
House of Games has become a quiet fan favourite among BBC viewers, with the former Pointless co-host quizzing celebrities with general knowledge questions since 2017. However, they all involve some sort of twist.
It’s not as hard as The 1% Club, but it won’t be long until you’re shouting and arguing over ‘Answer Smash’.
Festive House of Games will return in time for Christmas, and it’s one of the best line-ups ever.
When is the House of Games 2025 Christmas special?
This year’s House of Games Christmas specials will begin on December 22, 2025 and end on January 2, 2026.
There will be 10 episodes in total, split across two weeks of TV with two separate celebrity line-ups. You can check out the show’s festive release schedule below:
Week 1
- Episode 1: December 22, 2025
- Episode 2: December 23, 2025
- Episode 3: December 24, 2025
- Episode 4: December 26, 2025
- Episode 5: December 28, 2025
Week 2
- Episode 1: December 29, 2025
- Episode 2: December 30, 2025
- Episode 3: December 31, 2025
- Episode 4: January 1, 2026
- Episode 5: January 2, 2026
House of Games 2025 Christmas special lineups
Both line-ups have been confirmed for the 2025 Festive House of Games specials.
Week 1 will star Mathew Baynton, Mel Giedroyc, Harriet Kemsley and Charles Venn, while Week 2 will feature Alex Brooker, Rhys Darby, Joanna Page and Molly Rainford.
Osman confirmed one half of the cast earlier this year, with the festive specials being recorded in summer. “The magic of TV recording schedules. A very Merry Christmas today from us all on House of Games,” he wrote on Instagram.
we have our next idiot on house of games !!
Mat will be on a Christmas Special later this year 💪
(this is from richard osman’s instagram misterosman) pic.twitter.com/bGj1nOqpbN
— Taylor Kate 🤍🍉 (@hhsixidiotsxx) June 12, 2025
Page, best known for playing one half of Gavin and Stacey, has appeared on House of Games before. Sadly, Mathew Baynton (who played Deano) is part of Week 1’s lineup, so there won’t be a reunion.
However, last year’s Gavin and Stacey finale is being repeated on Christmas Eve, so it’s not all bad.
“We have our next idiot on House of Games!! Mat will be on a Christmas Special later this year,” one fan tweeted. “We need Joanna Page on our screens at Christmas,” another commented.
Read more: BBC Christmas TV 2025 preview: All the must-see festive shows coming up
