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New year’s eve
Alan Carr’s New Year Spectacular 2017, Channel 4, 9pm The bespectacled chat show host welcomes in a shiny new year with his unique brand of unpredictable and side-splitting humour. His star-studded guest list includes Jonnie Peacock, Keith Lemon, Caroline Flack, Alex Brooker, Binky Felstead and Charlotte Dawson, to name but a few. Music is by Stefflon Don and Pete Tong with Becky Hill and The Heritage Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley. Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special, RTE1, 9.45pm It’s over to the barmy Brown household for the usual amount of high jinks. Father Damien starts a Neighbourhood Watch patrol after the church is vandalised, and in the hope of deterring rising levels of crime. However, Agnes and Winnie are not really up to the job of tackling hardened criminals. Elsewhere, Mark and Betty clash over Bono’s attendance at the school disco and Agnes takes unusual steps to help lovelorn Cathy get a man. The Imelda May New Year’s Eve Special, RTE1, 10.20pm There’s no shortage of fabulous entertainment tonight as the singer prepares to usher in a new year in style. The Dublin singer is joined by the RTE Concert Orchestra and a host of special guests including The Corrs, Finbar Furey, The Strypes, Gavin James and the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow.
New year’s Day
Grandpa’s Great Escape, BBC1, 6.55pm This heartwarming and sentimental story is based on an original book by comedian David Walliams. In his younger years, Grandpa (Tom Courtenay) was a dashing Second World War pilot but now, he languishes in an old people’s home called Twilight Towers, suffering from Alzheimer’s. When it transpires that the home’s owner, Miss Dandy (Jennifer Saunders) is running it for her own ends, Grandpa and his son Jack (Kit Connor) devise a daring escape plan so the pensioner can realise his dream of taking to the skies in his beloved Spitfire. Pat Shortt’s Music from d’Telly, RTE1, 7pm In this honky-tonk special, the comedian keeps it country and lassoes some legendary names from the RTE archives. Tonight, country fans are treated to footage of Big Tom McBride, Jimmy Buckley and Roly Daniels. Plus, the recently crowned Americana Artist of the Year John Prine features in a 2000 edition of The Late Late Show. The Great Festive Bake Off, Channel 4, 7.40pm Get a fresh fix of iced Madeira and Christmas cake with the second of two Yuletide specials. Eight bakers from Bake Offs past join Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding as they take on fun, festive challenges. The theme is Winter Wonderland and it’s up to judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to decide who will receive the coveted Star Baker award.
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Frank Sinatra a Timeless Legend, TG4, 9.30pm It’s likely the velvet-voiced crooner’s recordings have been played in every restaurant or shop over the festive period, and this special is a nod to his supreme talent. Though his career spanned more than five decades, it was in the 1950s and 1960s that he enjoyed his golden age. The film recounts Sinatra’s blooming career set against an America that was also flourishing. It also explores the darker side of the man and the country at the time. Celebrity Home of the Year, RTE1, 9.35pm Five familiar faces open their doors to the nation in a bid to win big money for their chosen charities. The celebrities featured include retired rugby player Mike Ross, TV and radio presenter Eoghan McDermott, writer Melissa Hill, broadcaster Lorraine Keane and Senator David Norris. Inside No 9, BBC2, 10pm For fans of festive TV on the slightly macabre side, this is perfect. Guests from far and wide have travelled to London’s Hotel Zanibar to spend the night in luxury. However, what follows is a comedy of errors, with a good dose of dark humour thrown in for good measure. The starry cast includes Rory Kinnear, Hattie Morahan, Bill Paterson, Kevin Eldon, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Will all the guests be checking out?
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Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It, Channel 4, 8pm The bricks-and-mortar-loving duo of Kirstie and Phil are back for a third series. Here, they’ll be convincing homeowners to either refurbish their home or sell it. Kirstie tries to convince them to transform their home while Phil thinks it’s a better option to sell up. The pair meet the Olliers from Stenhousemuir in Scotland’s central belt. Steven lives with wife Mhairi in a house they only bought a year previous. Mhairi is unhappy with the layout of the house and wants to cut ties while Steven isn’t prepared to give up. Kirstie comes up with a plan while Phil tries to find a home that’s a stone’s throw away. Miriam’s Big American Adventure, BBC1, 9pm Actress Miriam Margolyes embarks on an epic road trip through the heartlands of Middle America. Heading almost 1,000 miles from Chicago to New Orleans, the charming and curious host will be meeting people who are reshaping the nation. In this opener, Miriam is in Chicago where she stays with super hosts Larry and Jai, she meets ex Playboy bunny Candace Jordan, who persuades her to have a makeover, then encounters an ex-gang member and former drug dealer, before spending time with rapper brothers J-Mac and Tray Tray in ‘Murder Park’. The Greatest TV Moments of All Time, TV3, 9pm This is definitely one to record if other things are planned for tonight. Comedian and presenter Paddy McGuinness hosts the twohour programme which will be a celebratory meander through the most amazing moments on TV in the last six decades.
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Getaways, RTE1, 7pm It’s that time of year when thoughts are drifting to sunnier climes, sinking toes into warm sand and sipping on an ice cold pina colada. Tonight allows imaginations to run wild as viewers join model-turnedpresenter Vogue Williams and rugby superstar Tommy Bowe as they travel to the luxurious Cote d’Azure. The duo take in Cannes and Antibes and also make a flying visit to Monaco. We’re not jealous at all... DIY SOS: The Big Build, BBC1, 8pm The series in which the construction volunteers come to the rescue of a family whose home is no longer suitable for them, usually due to healthrelated issues returns. Tonight focuses on a remarkable woman called Amanda. The mother of four crashed her bike on a hill when her brakes failed and smashed into a signpost which threw her into bushes. The accident left her with a broken collar bone, back and a punctured lung. Despite her trauma and future in a wheelchair, the brave mum vowed to compete as a paraathlete. Can the team revamp her house so she can feel at home? Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Great Christmas Roast, be3, 8.30pm There’s no let-up with the culinary programming, and here, chefs Gordon and Gino lay on a mouth-watering banquet for the heroes of 2017. Working against the clock, the chefs will be assisted by famous faces as they work to create the most impressive menu. Maitre d’ Fred will run the service, and doubtless play referee between the fiery Ramsay and feisty D’Acampo.
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Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, Channel 4, 8pm Comedian and actor Greg Davies joins the food-loving duo at their busy Southend cafe. Jamie prepares a Welsh lamb kebab, while Greg learns how to make a Thai green curry. Plus, Jimmy tries to make food for camping more exciting and the boys look at the growing problem of highcaffeine energy drinks. Rome Unpacked, BBC2, 9pm Returning to the travel theme, Giorgio Locatelli and Andrew Graham-Dixon whisk themselves to the Eternal City to explore Italy’s history-drenched capital. Travelling by moped (but of course), they start their journey at the Trevi fountain, with Giorgio leading Andrew to some of his favourite districts including Garbatella, Italy’s first ‘garden suburb’. He also introduces him to how Spaghetti Carbonara should be made — and it’s without cream.
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Hugh’s Wild West, BBC2, 7.45pm Nature enthusiast Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is in the West Country, teaming up with the region’s other wildlife lovers. Filmed over the course of a year, Hugh learns as much as he can while sharing the rewards of getting closer to nature. He encounters dolphins, wild boar and gets hands-on with a hibernating dormouse. He also learns about the dipper, the UK’s only aquatic songbird. The Voice UK, TV3, 8pm The singing competition is back with a bang as the blind auditions begin. Olly Murs — himself a past reality show finalist — has been named a brand-new addition to the show, replacing Gavin Rossdale. Tom Jones will be taking his place on the famous swivel chair, having returned in 2017. Jennifer Hudson and will.i.am complete the talented line-up. Emma Willis will also return for her hosting duties.