TEN SHOWS TO WATCH THIS CHRISTMAS
The Sound of Music, 7pm, Christmas Eve, Prime: Still a much-loved movie musical nearly 50 years on, this tale of a woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a naval officer widower is filled with memorable tunes and unbridled optimism.
Gangsta Granny, 7pm, Christmas Eve, UKTV: Featurelength dramedy based on the bestselling children’s book by David Walliams about an 11-year-old boy whose grandmother is hiding a dark secret. The all-star cast includes Joanna Lumley, Rob Brydon and Miranda Hart.
Love Actually, 9.05pm, Christmas Eve, TV3: Now a Christmas staple, Richard Curtis’ star-studded 2003 festive rom-com features everyone from Emma Thompson and Billy Bob Thornton to Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant.
The Goonies, 12.50pm, Christmas Day, TV2: Set the children down in front of this fantastic and thrilling 1985 adventure and show them what movies were really like before CGI. Steven Spielberg produced this tale about a group of children who discover a pirate treasure map.
Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball, 6.15pm, Christmas Day, Vibe: British documentary which records social historian Amanda Vickery leading a team of experts in meticulously recreating a ball in honour of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s popular novel Pride & Prejudice.
QI, 7pm, Christmas Day, Prime: Festive special of the popular BBC panel show. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, chat show host Graham Norton, comedian Lee Mack and regular Alan Davies tackle Stephen Fry’s questions on the theme of hocus pocus.
The Muppets, 7pm, Christmas Day, TV2: This 2011 Muppet reboot is part homage, part celebration, part eulogy and part rebirth of those felty, 1970s icons. Our own Bret McKenzie provided the toe-tapping, lyrically memorable tunes to Oscarwinning effect.
The Chelsea Flower Show 2014, 7pm, Christmas Day, Living: Offering a glimpse behind the scenes at the now more than century old annual celebration of horticultural excellence, this promises images of the best exhibits and in-depth interviews with renowned designers.
Les Miserables, 8.55pm, Christmas Day, TV3: A movie musical unlike anything you have heard before. That is largely because of director Tom Hooper’s decision to record the actors singing live. The all-star cast includes Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Doctor Who Christmas Special, 9am and 7.30pm, Boxing Day, Prime: Screening hours after its British premiere, this adventure has the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) trapped on an Arctic base and under attack from terrifying creatures. Their only hope is Santa Claus (Nick Frost).