Although 'Bond' films seem to fill the TV schedules copiously, and especially around 'Xmas'. It is strange that although there has been airings during most 'Xmas' periods. On the big day itself only 14 have actually been shown. The first 'Bond' film shown on British TV was 'Dr No' in October 1975 on 'ITV'. It was'nt until 1978 that a 'Bond' film was shown on 'Xmas day', with the early evening 'Premiere' of 'Diamonds Are Forever'. Although heavily cut for violence, it started an ongoing trend for 'ITV' to schedule 'Bond' films during following festive seasons. 1979 saw a repeat showing of 'Goldfinger' complete with cuts, at 3.10 just after the Queens speech. While 1980 saw the 'Premiere' of 'The Man With The Golden Gun'. 1981 saw an afternoon repeat outing of 'Dr No' complete with 10 mins of cuts. There were none shown again on 'Xmas' day itself until 1984, when 'The Man With The Golden Gun' re appeared. 1985 saw another showing of 'Moonraker, while 1986 saw the early evening 'premiere' of the unnofficial and overrated 'Never Say Never Again'. There then followed a trend for scheduling 'Bond' in a late morning slot just for the sake of it. 1987 with 'The Spy Who Loved Me', and 1989 with 'OHMSS'. The last few all went back to filling the traditional post Queens speech slot, so in it was 1990 'Moonraker'. 1991 'For Your Eyes Only'. 2000 'Octopussy'. 2001 'Thunderball'. 2003' Tomorrow never dies. Of course there is usually an outing or Two for '007' around 'Xmas', but the myth that you had a nap during a 'Bond' film on 'Xmas' afternoon is only correct in 14 occasions during the last Three decades.
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