PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY Wisting (BBC4, 9pm)

This new 10-part drama, set in the stunning landscape of Norway, is based on the bestselling books The Caveman and The Hunting Dogs by J0rn Lier Horst. It follows homicide detective William Wisting (Sven Nordin) as he wrestles with the most shocking case of his career. Hollywood actress Carrie-Anne Moss stars as FBI Agent Maggie Griffin, who along with Special Agent John Bantham (Richie Campbell), helps Wisting and his team capture an infamous serial killer. Meanwhile, Line Wisting’s intrepid journalist daughter - is chasing headlines, leading her straight into the path of the murderer.

Mystify: Michael Hutchence (BBC2, 9.20pm)

A decade in the making, Richard Lowenstein’s poignant profile of his close friend looks back at the life of the highly talented and complex INXS frontman. The film charts Hutchence’s great heights and dreadful lows and goes some way towards peeling back the sensationalised tabloid headlines that dominated the rock god’s final years. There is a look back at his altercation with a taxi driver on the streets of Copenhagen in 1992 that left him permanently brain damaged. Robbed of his sense of smell and taste, Hutchence became a volatile Jekyll-and-Hyde character prone to acts of aggression. However, it’s the home footage, clips of the singer performing in his prime and a range of interviews with people close to Hutchence, including one-time girlfriends Kylie Minogue and Helena Christensen, that make Mystify a must-see, particularly for lovers of INXS.

The Hit List Celebrity Special (BBC1, 7.45pm)

Saturday night is celebrity night on BBC One. And if starry versions of Mastermind and Pointless aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite, then this offering should do the trick. Marvin and Rochelle Humes present a celebrity edition of the music-based quiz show, with comedian Susan Calman, former footballers John Barnes and Chris Kamara, and DJs Vick Hope, Melvin Odoom and Scott Mills. The pressure’s on to name as many hit songs and artists as possible to win £10,000 for their chosen charities.

Casualty (BBC1, 9.20pm)

The festive period is often a difficult time for Emergency Departments and Holby’s is no exception, especially as the staff have their own problems to deal with. When Anthony turns up with his dad, who he’s convinced is about to suffer the same fate as his late mother, Rash struggles to keep his cool and ends up snapping. But Antony isn’t the only one to get on the wrong side of Rash, who later accuses Ethan of being selfish. The tension between various different team members is also taking its toll on Dylan, who is realising that while he may be talented doctor, he’s not a natural

leader. And just to add to his woes, a member of the management team turns up for an inspection.

INXS: Live Baby Live (BBC2 Two, 11pm)

To tie in with Richard Lowenstein’s documentary Mystify: Michael Hutchence, here is the premiere of the newly remastered version of the Australian band’s 1991 performance in front of 74,000 fans at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. The concert has been given an “astonishing visual upgrade” and audio makeover, and captures the band - led by charismatic singer Hutchence - at the peak of their powers. Among the classic tracks on the setlist are New Sensation, Mystify and Need

You Tonight, Never Tear Us Apart and What You Need.

SUNDAY

Quizmaster (STV, 6pm)

Jeremy Vine pits 15 high-profile contestants on major TV quiz shows against each other to find out who is king or queen of TV game shows. The familiar faces competing include actor Shaun Williamson, who won Celebrity Mastermind, Isabelle Heward who won Mastermind in 2017, Egghead Pat Gibson who won £1million on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, and his Eggheads teammate Kevin Ashman, a former Mastermind champion who holds the record for the highest score ever,

Ailsa Watson who was Fifteen-to-One grand final winner in 2015, as well as Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull, who achieved fame on University Challenge.

The Repair Shop at Christmas (BBC1, 7pm)

The Repair Shop is one of BBC daytime’s best shows. In fact, it’s just one of the BBC’s best shows full stop. In an age of cynicism and backbiting, it’s a genuinely heartwarming gift, in which experts in their field push their skills to their limits to breathe new life into damaged or broken items which have sentimental value to their owners. It’s also gentle and slow-moving a refreshing change to the usual hurly burly of

the modern digital age. In this festive edition, foreman Jay Blades organises renovations of a Chopper bicycle, a threadbare teddy bear who is much need of a few key stitches, a clockwork train set that hasn’t moved in years and a harmonium which requires help to get it tuneful again.

Snow Cats and Me (BBC2, 8pm)

The first of two programmes in which wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan documents returning lynx liberated from the fur trade to the wild in Russia’s Ural mountains. The programme follows two lynx who have spent years living in steel cages and being bred for their kittens’ fur. They regain the strength to survive, and even have their first kittens born in the wild - but may have lost the skills needed to raise them. They are joined by two more lynx kept as pets that have never been outside.

The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s one of the most infamous British scandals of the 20th-century. It involved the UK government and a Russian naval attache and came to be known as the Profumo Affair. But at the centre of the storm was a teenage model, Christine Keeler, who ultimately refused to play by the male-dominated establishment’s rules. This new series from Bafta award-winning screenwriter and novelist Amanda Coe takes a fresh look at the story and Keeler’s role in it, going behind the headlines to explore the sexual and cultural politics of the time. It also boasts an impressive cast, including rising star Sophie Cookson in the title role with James Norton as Stephen Ward.

Top Gear Nepal Special (BBC2, 9pm)

The team sets off on a high-altitude trek from Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, to the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang, a secretive kingdom perched high on the Tibetan plateau, on the far side of the Himalayas. On a five-day expedition through the highest mountains, deepest gorges and harshest terrain on the planet, Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris battle huge river crossings, vast mudslides and dizzying mountain passes on a trip that would test even the hardiest new 4x4s to the limit. But Paddy, Freddie and Chris aren’t crossing the Himalayas in new 4x4s. They’re crossing the Himalayas in a small old Peugeot, a very compact old Renault, and Nepal’s first (and only) home-built car.

MONDAY

Snow Animals (BBC1, 7pm)

In this spectacular season, our world is transformed into a wonderland of sparkling frost, snow and ice. But for animals, this is the toughest time of year, and as Liz Bonnin shows, preparations start early. In autumn, Siberian chipmunks collect food in their cheek pouches to stockpile in their burrows, while Caribou make an epic journey to new feeding areas. With the arrival of winter, the American Bobcat has to find its prey beneath deep snow, while an arctic fox relies on its wits to find a meal in human settlements. A sea otter keeps her cub warm by blowing air into its coat, while some animals turn white to blend in with the snow around them. As winter begins to loosen its grip, an Arctic ground squirrel stirs from an eight-month hibernation and has just 12 hours to find and woo a mate.

Only Connect Travel Special (BBC2, 8pm)

Victoria Coren Mitchell presents the latest special edition of the fiendishly difficult quiz show in which contestants are challenged to make connections between things, which, at first glance, seem totally random. In a travelthemed edition, seasoned travellers Michael Reeve, Suda Perera and their captain Chris Clough, aka the Globetrotters, take on the Eurovisionaries, a trio of Eurovision Song Contest aficionados. As usual, patience and lateral thinking could be just as important as knowledge.

Christmas Sales: Supershoppers Special (C4, 8pm)

For many shoppers, festive sales are the most wonderful time of the year. However, with retailers desperate to get us splashing the cash, how can we tell if we are getting a bargain - or being sold a turkey? In this edition, Sabrina Grant and Helen Skelton investigate the tricks that retailers use to get us to spend, and reveal the best sales tips, including how to read secret codes on price tags and how to tell when a sale is about to happen.

Alan Carr’s Celebrity Re-Play 2019 (STV, 9pm)

The comedian and chat show host is joined by six celebrity guests for a special games night as they look back at some of the most memorable moments of the past 12 months, from Stormzy’s spectacular Glastonbury set to England almost winning the Rugby World Cup and Boris Johnson’s failed attempt to shut down Parliament. Angellica Bell joins Alan in overseeing proceedings, which features a mixture of comedy moments, surprise guests, and one famous couple having the chance to win £25,000 for charity.

Frankie Boyle’s 2019 New World Order (BBC2, 10pm)

The comedian returns with his end of year special, with guests Sara Pascoe and Miles Jupp helping him dissect the bewildering year that was 2019. The show features a mix of Frankie’s stand-up, reviews and discussion - all in an attempt to make sense of the last 12 months, which has seen Boris Johnson succeed Theresa May as prime minister, the further delay of the UK’s exit from the European Union, the announcement of a general election and impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump getting under way.

HOGMANAY

Jane & Friends: New Year’s Eve Special (C5, 8pm)

If you had any doubts that Jane McDonald is the queen of Channel 5, just look at the festive schedule – she’s all over it. Following on from her Christmas special, she’s now back to throw a New Year’s Eve party, and her fans are all invited. We’re promised singalong classics, heart-warming stories, audience surprises and prize giveaways. There also some musical guests, including classic crooner Tony Christie, M People frontwoman Heather Small, Lighthouse Family and Chesney Hawkes. But the star of the show is undoubtedly Jane herself, as she invites viewers to push back the furniture to make a dancefloor and join her in starting 2020 off in style.

Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 9pm)

Host John Humphrys welcomes Derry Girls actor Dylan Llewellyn, Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist Claire McCollum, British-South African vlogger, actor and entrepreneur Caspar Lee, and Radio 1 DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, who is known for his work with Melvin Odoom, to take their place in the infamous black chair. Tonight’s specialist subjects are films directed by Quentin Tarantino, 1980s television shows, videosharing platform YouTube and fantasy literary and TV series Game of Thrones.

The Last Leg of the Year (C4, 9pm)

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker present a two-hour New Year’s special, taking a look back at the highs and lows of 2019 in the company of a selection of

celebrity guests, including Sue Perkins, Sara Pascoe, Tom Davis and Rosie Jones. Johnny Vegas is on hand to man the studio’s bar and keep the drinks flowing, while house band The Horne Section provide the music. Alex takes on his most daring challenge to date when he trains to become a racing driver, aiming to become the first disabled person in history to complete a high-speed lap in a racing car at Donington Park.

Selling Scotland, (BBC1, 10pm)

Jack Docherty takes an entertaining look at Scotland’s most memorable adverts. Joining him on this archive journey through the world of iconic advertising will be some of Scotland’s funniest and best known faces. From McEwan’s chin heads to Tennent’s Caledonia and Hamlet’s famous Baldy Man, Scotland’s favourite ads have firmly fixed themselves into our collective memory. In this fun yet revealing documentary, Jack will lift the Scott’s Porridge man’s kilt and explore the stories of the commercials which many remember fondly. Selling Scotland is an IWC Media production for BBC Scotland.

Only An Excuse?, (BBC1, 11pm)

As 2019 rapidly approaches the final whistle, Scotland’s premier comedy team line up for their annual kick of the ball. New signings join Jonathan Watson in sketches, spoofs and comic characters that target not just the highs and lows of Scottish football but Scottish life too over the past 12 months. This year’s cast includes Alex Norton and Joy McAvoy – two of Jonathan’s co-stars from Two Doors Down – Mark Cox from Still Game and Louise

McCarthy from Scot Squad.

NE’ER DAY

Doctor Who (BBC1, 6.55pm)

Fans used to look forward to a Christmas Day special, but times have changed – as have those behind the series – and so Doctor Who is now must-see TV on New Year’s day. It marks the first episode of the 12th series since the sci-fi classic returned to our screens in 2005; Robert Glenister and Goran Visnijc have been named as guest stars for later in the season, but Lenny Henry and Stephen Fry feature in the opening adventure, which is something we haven’t seen for a long time – a two-part episode. Entitled Spyfall, it’s been written by showrunner Chris Chibnall and sees Jodie Whittaker’s Time Lord receive an SOS call from MI6, who need her help to save the planet from a mysterious alien force.

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The Great Festive Bake Off (Channel 4, 7.40pm)

There’s something slightly odd about seeing Noel Fielding, Sandi Toksvig, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the famous tent at this time of year. After all, Bake Off is recorded in the summer, when the sun is shining and chocolate melts quicker than you can say soggy bottom. But here they are – and goodness only knows what Prue’s jewellery will

be like, after all, it can be rather loud at other times of the year, never mind the festive season when everything is bigger and brighter than ever before. Showing off their talents – or otherwise - are Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn and Siobhan McSweeney, aka Derry Girls’ Erin, Clare, Michelle, James and Sister Michael.

Dracula (BBC1, 9pm)

Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss have already breathed new life into Sherlock Holmes – can they do it all again with another Victorian character? Dracula has been adapted for the screen many times in the past, and selfconfessed

horror fan Gatiss will probably have seen most of the resulting films and TV shows, but whether he and Moffatt can come up with a new twist on the tale remains to be seen. Stepping into the shoes of Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee et al is Danish actor Claes Bang, who’ll be joined by John Heffernan, Joanna Scanlan, Sacha Dhawan and Gatiss himself. The three-part tale charts Dracula’s journey from his Transylvanian homeland to his bloodsucking adventures in London.

Bancroft (STV, 9pm)

Sarah Parish is back as crime buster Elizabeth Bancroft in the first of a three-part thriller. Promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent,

she returns on a professional high. Alas, she’s now estranged from her son Joe (Adam Long) and under pressure thanks to her lethal pact with crime boss Daanish Kamara (Ryan McKen). As a double murder brings a personal reunion, Elizabeth’s loyalties are questioned. Forced to one side by the new Detective Superintendent, Jake Harper (David Avery), Bancroft must turn to her old skills in order to get her way.

Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special (BBC1, 10.30pm)

Agnes discovers that Peggy Piper, the Pernod poisoner, is being released from prison and could be coming back to town - which is bad

news for Winnie as she was the one who saw her old friend poison her husband and gave the evidence that put her behind bars in the first place. Meanwhile, Dermot hires an expensive tank costume for his latest promotion – only for Buster to go and lose it. Starring Brendan O’Carroll, Dermot O’Neill, Jennifer Gibney, Gary Hollywood and guest starring Sue Vincent.

THURSDAY

Best Home Cook (BBC1, 8pm)

The glamorous Claudia Winkleman gets her hands dirty again, helping the amateur chefs as a new search begins for Britain’s best home cook. Mary Berry is also back as a judge, alongside Eat Well for Less? presenter Chris Bavin, and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, who is replacing Dan Doherty. The second series kicks-off tonight with more cooks showcasing recipes that have been passed down through generations. Mary challenges the contestants to produce their ultimate Italian pasta dinner, including making the pasta from scratch, before Chris tasks them with doing something special with a humble piece of fruit. After the budding chefs then compete to create the best version of one of Angela’s recipes, the judges decide who is facing the chop.

Last Minute Holiday Secrets Unpacked (C4, 8pm)

Scarlette Douglas discovers the secrets of successfully booking last-minute holidays. She goes head to head with a family who booked their trip in advance to see whether she can match their deal, and also teams up with travel experts to discover the latest insider tips designed to save viewers money and maximise spending potential abroad. Questions answered along the way include: Does the time of booking play an important part in the price of a holiday, and is booking at the last minute the key to grabbing a bargain?

Earth’s Tropical Islands (BBC2, 9pm)

Twice the size of the British Isles, Borneo in south-east Asia is the third largest island on Earth and home to possibly the greatest diversity of life of any island. Its huge variety of habitats, from bustling coral reefs and ancient jungles to towering mountains, have given rise to more than 60,000 species of plants and animals – many of which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. The second part of this fascinating nature series covers Borneo’s rich abundance of wildlife, from frogs to orang-utans.

Big Fat Quiz of the Decade (C4, 9pm)

It’s the end of a decade – which is as good an excuse as any for our second Big Fast Quiz in the space of a week as Jimmy Carr finds out how much Britain’s celebrities can remember about the last 10 years. Claudia Winkleman, Nish Kumar, Joe Lycett, Alan Carr, Stacey Solomon and Jonathan Ross are the stars trying to recall why lasagne hit the headlines in 2013, or who squeezed through a hole in the wall back in 2015. Their knowledge of pop culture will also be put to the test as they try to name Pickachu friends and demonstrate whether or not they can Nae Nae. Meanwhile, Big Fat regulars Jon Snow and Charles Dance are also on hand to give Jimmy a break and deliver some of the posers.

More Big Fat Lies About Diet and Exercise (C5, 9pm)

Updated version of the January 2019 documentary exploring the potential pitfalls of trying to lead a more healthy lifestyle, from the dangers of crash dieting to the unexpected side effects of doing too much exercise. The programme features contributions from nutritionists, dieticians, GPs, cardiologists, fitness trainers and psychologists, who explain the health benefits of fat and carbohydrates, the addictive quality of sugar, the hazards of diet pills.

FRIDAY

A Question of Sport: 50 Not Out (BBC1, 7.30pm)

Sue Barker hosts a special edition celebrating 50 years of the quiz. She and regular team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson take a trip down memory lane as they are joined by three distinguished past guests in four-time Major-winning golfer Laura Davies, the most prolific try-scorer in English rugby league history Martin Offiah, and triple world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, as well as former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist, who was once a team captain on the show.

Secret Scotland with Susan Calman

(C5, 8pm)

Susan Calman returns to uncover more untold tales behind Scotland’s most historic locations. She begins by exploring the beautiful wilds of the Cairngorms and Balmoral Castle, the royal retreat of the Queen. After a tour of the grounds, she is given the unique opportunity to learn how to ceilidh in the Queen’s Ballroom. Next, Susan travels to the home of the Braemar Highland Games, where she is taught the techniques of hammer-throwing by a three-time champion. She also visits a special shortbread factory to do some taste-testing, drives the world’s oldest steam wagon, and visits a castle that is pretty in pink. Next, Susan designs her own street tag with a surprising group of street artists, and tries to learn to love Scotland’s most famous export – whisky. Her journey ends as she gets up close to Britain’s rarest mammal, the wildcat, which is now only found in the Highlands.

Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast (C4, 8pm)

New series. Food writer Mary Berry joins Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty in their cafe on Southend Pier, where she enjoys a nostalgic seafood feast inspired by her happy family holidays in the West Country. The wander down memory lane features a stuffed whole trout, potted shrimp and a retro crab cocktail, plus bread from Mary’s favourite bakery. Plus, Jimmy rustles up a gorgeously gooey mozzarella and pesto bread. Out and about, the hosts find themselves on the front line of cooking, taking part in a training exercise with the No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron at RAF Wittering.

In Search of Dracula with Mark Gatiss (BBC2, 10.35pm)

Mark Gatiss is crazy about horror movies. He grew up watching them and they’ve gone on to play a big part in his life - they have inspired his work, from The League of Gentlemen onwards. During the past decade he’s presented the three-part documentary A History of Horror and its follow-up, Horror Europa. This festive season, he’s behind Martin’s Close, a BBC4 MR James adaptation and has co-created a new take on Dracula with Steven Moffatt. Now he’s fronting this programme in which he explores the character’s creation via author Bram Stoker’s original notes and research material. Gatiss also looks back at the

Count’s many screen appearances, from

Bela Lugosi to Christopher Lee and beyond.