Can you guess who these celebrities played in their school nativity?

However, while you’d think actors and TV presenters would be bound to have been the stars of their school show at Christmas, some celebrities had some unlikely roles back in the day.

From angels to innkeepers – and even the baby Jesus – we asked celebs to recall their nativity experiences this festive season…

Sue Perkins

“This is a very sore point for me. I was a sheep in the nativity and it doesn’t really feature hugely… I wasn’t a shepherd, I wasn’t an angel – I was a sheep! This was a source of terrible upset to me and that’s why I’ve spent the rest of my life just showing off. It’s all to compensate for the fact that my first role was SO poor. And non-speaking.”

Warwick Davis

“I was always keen to get into the nativity play at school, it was hot competition for parts in that. I always wanted to play one of the wise men, I think they were one of the most sought-after roles. But I ended up playing baby Jesus for obvious reasons – I was the smallest. But it got a bit much when I got to about 10 years old and I was still doing it.”

Jim Broadbent

“I didn’t get the good part – I think I was just the innkeeper, but I made it my own, because I remember opening the inn door and did ‘Eeeak’ and I got praise for doing the creaking door myself.”

Michael Palin

“You know I can’t remember if I was in a nativity play… I remember my debut was in Wind In The Willows when I was Chief Weasel. I can’t remember being in a nativity play but I suppose I was.

“I remember my son was a snowflake, poor boy, and he was so terrified just being a snowflake. He just wandered on really, and had to hold the teacher’s hand.”

Jenni Falconer

“I was in the school nativity – I used to really irritate my friends because I was Angel Gabriel three years in a row. I had song, I had to do the line, ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas.’

“But one of my best friends from when I was four is still bitter about it to this day.”

Jo Whiley

“I once read the part of Mary and I was beside myself with excitement. I’m sure that’s why I’ve gone into the business I’ve gone into because I got a taste for it an early age. And then I think I ended up being a donkey in the end!”

Steve Jones

“I played an angel, a little angel in a glitter throw thing. And I didn’t have wings but I remember I had to sing a song in front of the whole school and it was terrifying. I was a bit of an Aled Jones when I was a kid, until nature took its course… until your balls drop.”