In pictures: studio rehearsals

We're back! All at Top Gear HQ have been hard at work putting the finishing touches to our festive double bill over the past weeks, and we're almost ready to go... 

Remember, this Tuesday 21 December at 8pm on BBC2 is the first new show, featuring the three boys on an American road trip in three of the finest cars known to man: the Mercedes SLS AMG, Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche GT3 RS. Danny Boyle's in the Kia, and the presenters share some special Christmas gifts.

Then on Boxing Day at 8pm on BBC2 it's our Christmas special, with Jeremy, Richard and James recreating the journey of the Three Wise Men from Iraq to Bethlehem and all points inbetween.

We'll have more from the Christmas double bill next week, but in the meantime whet your appetite with some behind-the-scenes snaps from this week's studio filming. You may spot haircuts.

"No, YOU'VE had a haircut"

"Quite right sir, this umbrella would make a most fetching shirt pattern"

"Don't. Mention. The. Umbrella."

"So then you have a chap called ‘Harry' and his friend ‘Ron', and they are wizards?"

"Let me guess, you got the Maggie Thatcher novelty nutcracker?"

"Heeeeeeere's James"

"No, I smell ‘beef and onions', not cheddar"

"Poweeeeeeeer"

"...and this 458 has 32 per cent more longitudinal acceleration out of corners than the F430 thanks to..."

"So which pedal makes the ‘fast' happen?"

28 days later...

"Look upon my majesty and praise me"

Three wise men, two supercars, one excellent show (this Tuesday, BBC2, 8pm)