What is more important to a comedic performance than a ludicrously expressive face? Not much, as proven by the brilliant Kris Marshall (above) in his greatest role as eldest son Nick in My Family. Though Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker are great as the two leads of the show, most viewers will know if an episode of this show will be good if their son Nick is present, as his departure certainly marked a decline in quality. This episode rides on his strength as a comedic performer, placing his ridiculous escapades at centre stage, making one of the show’s most iconic episodes.

And yes, I know what you’re thinking and no, not all of the entries on this list will be from late 90s/early 00s British comedies, it’s just a coincidence, I SWEAR. And I’m also aware that this is the exact kind of comedy that I praised The Royle Family for NOT being. This is your typical multi-camera, over the top, laugh track-laced sitcom and it takes a much sillier tone than that show. But, sometimes that’s exactly what you want, and this is one of the show’s funniest episodes. Robert Lindsay as Ben is always a joy to watch with his sardonic attitude and dry line delivery, but his frustration with his eldest son is never funnier than here. His best ever “I’m so fed up” acting comes at the sight of a living room full of Christmas trees Nick has acquired for his “Tree Amigos” business for the NEXT Christmas. Hijinks ensue.

While it does sport a chirpier tone than the first entry on this list, there is still the classic family dysfunction keeping it fairly accurate to a British Christmas, while we might not all have a daughter coming back from university pregnant and not knowing who the father is or a son filling the living room with Christmas trees, the family dynamics are all pretty relatable – “Dad, you’re much easier to talk to than mum; you don’t listen AND you forget!” and “A blazing row after lunch, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?” being a couple of the highlight lines. Even with this, there is an ever so small emotional moment where Ben refuses to betray his daughter Janey’s trust. It’s a nice touch, without being a drastic change in tone.

I’m not going to act like this is some masterpiece of television but it’s become a bit of a staple in my Christmas viewing, and I think it’s a thoroughly enjoyable half hour of goofy comedy. The biggest laugh for me comes with the moment near the end where Nick’s elderly invitee Mr Bradley is left alone in the house while the family go to the pub, and they notice the furniture is all gone and Nick shouts out “they’ve taken Mr Bradley!” – I know, a very simple gag but one that gets me every time. We’ll definitely have some darker and more poignant entries on this list, but for pure comedy, there isn’t much I’d take over this one.