Fan favourite Sherlock will return on New Year's Day, but before then how about a seven-minute short movie titled Many Happy Returns made available a day earlier.

BBC have confirmed that the mini episode will be available a day earlier than previously expected.

Many Happy Returns will be available via BBC iPlayer from around 2pm on Christmas Eve, report Radio Times.

"A series of seemingly unconnected crimes stretching from Tibet to India to Germany," reads the synopsis. "Sherlock Holmes has been gone for two years. But someone isn't quite convinced that he's dead."

It hasn't yet been confirmed whether Benedict Cumberbatch or Martin Freeman will appear in the episode, which will be available to watch on the BBC's interactive Red Button service.

Many Happy Returns will air at regular intervals between Christmas Day until New Year's Day when the third series of Sherlock will debut with An Empty Hearse.

And here are the exact times it will be available via the BBC red button service.

Wednesday 25 December, 8:25pm-5:30am
Thursday 26 December, 8:00pm-5:30am
Friday 27 December, 8:00pm-5:30am
Saturday 28 December, 8:00pm-5:30am
Sunday 29 December, 8:00pm-1:05am
Monday 30 December, 8:00pm-5:30am
Tuesday 31 December, 8:00pm-5:30am
Wednesday 1 January, 10:20pm-5:30am
Thursday 2 January, 8:00pm-5:30am
* Sherlock series 3 airs on Wednesday 1 January 2014 on BBC One