Nothing will get you more in the mood for Christmas than this briliant episode of Ghosts, starring the Absolutely Fabulous star as Lady Fanny’s overbearing mother. Hallelujah!
Everyone has a favourite ghost in Ghosts. Mine, in direct opposition to my feelings in the bloodless world of the living, is Julian. Simon Farnaby’s Teflon-coated sleazy Tory (distinguishing feature: no trousers) died mid-shag with an MP called Lindsay during a 90s fundraiser. He is such a blowhard that he is the only ghost in Britain’s friendliest haunted house who can move things – if he concentrates really hard and makes a ridiculous amount of noise. With his pants down.
Anyway, Julian is on top form in the Christmas special (BBC One), which is as much of a hot-water bottle for the heart as you would expect it to be. He rails against the rough sleeper who has pitched his tent on Button Hall’s land: “I don’t want to sound all not-in-my-back-yard, but you really don’t want one in your own back yard.” Then he does a U-turn. Which, of course, is really a lie: “I’m no liberal, but ejecting a vagrant at Christmas? I would never, ever stoop so low!”
