Comedian Jimmy Kimmel to give a 'personal' message on Christmas, confirms UK television network

Jimmy Kimmel’s 2025 Alternative Christmas message will air on Christmas Day at 5.45 pm.

US comedian Jimmy Kimmel is set to deliver a “deeply personal” 2025 Alternative Christmas message for viewers in the U.K., British television network Channel 4 announced on Sunday. The message is expected to reflect on the period following the temporary suspension of his US talk show earlier this year.

Jimmy Kimmel’s 2025 Alternative Christmas message will air on Christmas Day at 5.45 pm.

In an official statement, a Channel 4 spokesperson said, “Donald Trump’s return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the frontline of America’s battle over free speech.”

Kimmel’s late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was cancelled by ABC in September 2025 following controversy over his televised remarks related to the Charlie Kirk assassination, which drew backlash from conservative and right-wing groups.

Reports stated that US President Donald Trump exerted pressure on ABC’s parent company, Disney, to temporarily suspend the show, leading to it being pulled indefinitely.

The decision was widely criticised by free speech advocates, celebrities, and political figures, sparking a large-scale boycott of the network. After several days of mounting backlash, ABC eventually reinstated the show.

In the final episode of the year, which aired last week, Kimmel addressed viewers and thanked them for their unwavering support.

He said, “On behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching. This year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough."