In the interests of research I went back to the current start of this thread back in February 2007. (We know it started before that but some of the very early posts have been deleted). I did not go page by page but took a shortcut. It is currently 53 pages long. To get there use:
[link]
I was so amused and surprised to find this entry for 3rd March 2007:
"Sat 3 Mar 2007, 6.48PM
Wrinkled of Wandsworth
Grumpy Uncle's so so right. More specifically, I don't think "A Merry Heatwave" from series 4 has been shown for yonks if at all, and many of the Christmas and other specials never get an airing.
Also, it would be helpful if we fans - who give you a guaranteed audience - could have some notice of what is coming."
If someone has the time to trawl back through this thread they might get a definitive answer but I do not think "A Merry Heatwave" ever got shown on G.O.L.D. or its predecessers, UKTV Gold and Drama. I ceased worrying about it when Series 3 & 4 DVD came out and it was on there.
"A Merry Heatwave" was, of course, the first Christmas Special but it was a bit confusing because some of the references treated it as an episode of Series #4. And, to be fair, it was shown during Series #4 run.
I am far from sure, in fact, that more of the early Specials were ever shown. I know how frustrated I used to get when "The Loxley Lozenge" was shown so often as if it was a regular epoisode from Series #8. But I do not recall "Small Tune on a Penny Wassail", "And A Dewhurst Up A Fir Tree", "Whoops", "All Mod Conned" or "Merry Christmas Father Christmas" being shown. I ceased worrying when they came out on DVD. Before then it was very exciting one Christmas when three/four Specials were shown: "Big Day At Dream Acres", "Crums", "What's Santa Brought for Nora Then?" and possibly "Barry's Christmas".
Eventually, the two feature length episodes "Getting Sam Home" and "Uncle of the Bride" did get shown and, of course recently we had a feast of the later Specials.
So, I am unsure of the early seven I listed, particularly "A Merry Heatwave" but, as I said, I lost interest when they came out od DVD.