PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

The Masked Singer: The Story So Far (STV, 5pm)

It all seems so long ago now, but back in January and February, The Masked Singer became one of the year’s most talked-about shows. If you missed out or just need your memory jogging ahead of the second series, which starts on Boxing Day, Joel Dommett goes behind the scenes of the first run to remind us of the extravagant costumes, the hidden celebrities and the panel of Ken Jeong, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross. He’ll round up some of the highlights and also bring us previously unseen interviews.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final (BBC1, 6pm)

The fact that Strictly happened at all this year has been a bit of a miracle – the show has gone on despite some Covid-related bumps along the way. So, it’s even more impressive that the standard this year has generally been so high and the leaderboard so unpredictable. Many couples who the bookies (and some viewers) had written off following the launch show have topped the table during the run. So, it really will be hard to call as we reach the final and the remaining couples prepare to perform three routines. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will score their efforts, but it will be up to the viewers at home to crown the winner. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are hosting, and there’s also music from Robbie Williams. Could he be prevailed upon to sign up for Strictly 2021?

My Generation (BBC2, 9pm)

It’s no secret that the 1960s were a time of great cultural and social change. These shifts allowed a new generation of, largely, working class people to come to the fore, and among them was Michael Caine. He’d been acting for some time before Zulu shot him to stardom; he was also a little older than some others who made their name during the decade; that maturity perhaps means he can look back at the period with more clarity and perspective than most. Caine is the central figure in this fascinating documentary written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, who found fame around the same time via their sitcom The Likely Lads. It features a wealth of wonderful archive footage as well as interviews with the likes of David Bailey, Roger Daltrey, Marianne Faithfull, Paul McCartney, Mary Quant and Twiggy.

Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney (BBC1, 9.20pm)

He’s one of the most successful and influential songwriters in the history of pop music, but at the age of 78, Paul McCartney isn’t resting on his laurels just yet. He’s just released McCartney III, the third in a trilogy of albums which find him playing every instrument as well as writing every song. (The first was his debut solo album, released in 1970, and the second came out in 1980, which saw him embracing synthesisers and electronic music.) Now, he’s talking to actor

programme charts her rise from her upbringing in Lancashire, via her partnership with Julie Walters on Wood and Walters, the brilliant As Seen On TV and her one-woman shows that sold out London’s Royal Albert Hall. There are clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and interview footage filmed over the years with Victoria herself.

MONDAY

Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children (BBC1, 7pm)

Cameras follow the Manchester United and England striker as he tries to better understand the effects of food poverty and how Covid-19 has contributed to the issue. The film comes after Rashford forced the UK Government into not one, but two U-turns in his ongoing efforts to ensure no child goes hungry. His campaign last month resulted in the government backtracking to announce free meals would be provided to disadvantaged English children over the Christmas holidays, as happens in Scotland. This was a repeat of the summer when the footballer successfully got the UK Government provide free school meals during the summer holidays. The hour-long documentary offers ‘insight into the decisionmaking and motivations’ of the footballer, who was awarded an MBE in the summer, and honoured with a special award at the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony last night.

Inside John Lewis: Trouble at the Tills (C4, 8pm)

It’s one of the most famous and best-loved names in British retailing, but even John Lewis hasn’t been immune to the pressures of 2020. The chain has posted record losses, with profits down 65%, and announced a slew of redundancies alongside the closures of some flagship stores – and that was before it was forced to temporarily close its stores across much of Britain during the crucial run-up to Christmas. Steph McGovern looks at the challenges John Lewis faces and what they tell us about the difficulties the rest of the high street has to contend with as more consumers turn to online shopping.

Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off (BBC1, 9pm)

For the festive specials, John Torode and

Gregg Wallace are inviting memorable celebrities from previous series to come back to the MasterChef kitchen and have another go. First up are broadcaster and journalist Janet Street-Porter, actor Christopher Biggins, DJ Dev Griffin and TV personality Vicky Pattison, who will be competing to become Christmas champion. To take the title, they must tackle some festive challenges, beginning with an Invention Test where they select their ingredients from an advent calendar. They then undertake a seasonal Pairs Test before they create their Ultimate Christmas Dinner. The second helping will feature Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, presenter Amar Latif, actress Crissy Rock and reality star Spencer Matthews.

The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale (STV, 9pm)

It’s been a big year for the soaps, both on and off camera, as Coronation Street celebrated its 60th anniversary and all the serial dramas had to adjust to some new filming methods. So, we’d forgive the stars if they hadn’t been paying much attention this year, but Jack P Shepherd and Mark Charnock are returning as team captains for Coronation Street and Emmerdale respectively, ready to prove they are on the ball. Jack is joined by his co-stars Simon Gregson and Sair Khan, while Mark is accompanied by the farm’s finest Karen Blick and Jay Kontzle.

National Theatre: Twelfth Night (Sky Arts, 9pm)

Tamsin Greig stars as Malvolia in Simon Godwin’s joyous production of Shakespeare’s classic comedy at the National Theatre. After a ship is wrecked on the rocks, Viola (Tamara Lawrance) is washed ashore, but her twin brother Sebastian (Daniel Ezra) is lost. Determined to survive on her own, she steps out to explore a new land, and so begins a whirlwind of mistaken identity and unrequited love. The nearby households of Olivia (Phoebe Fox) and Orsino (Oliver Chris) are overrun with passion, and even Olivia’s upright housekeeper Malvolia is swept up in the madness. Where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem, anything is possible.

TUESDAY

The Goes Wrong Show: The Nativity (BBC1, 7pm)

It’s going to be some time before we get to see Mischief Theatre, the team behind the Goes Wrong shows, in their natural habitat. They began on stage, and it’s in front of a live audience, with a crowd’s immediate reaction, that their gags work best. Having said that, it’s pretty impressive on TV too. This time they (under the guise of the Cornley Dramatic Society) are taking on the Nativity, having been given a generous grant by a corporate sponsor. As is always the case, their best laid plans soon end in disaster. An ingenious pop-up book set turns into a lethal weapon, the Angel Gabriel becomes more interested in pyromania than miracles, there’s an unexpected flash of nudity when the actors inside the donkey fall out, and the baby Jesus is eaten by a sheep. And that’s just for starters...

For the Love of Britain (STV, 7.30pm)

Julie Walters and other presenters explore the place locals call ‘God’s own county’, Yorkshire. Julia Bradbury follows in the footsteps of one of our most famous literary families, the Brontes, exploring the windswept moors near the village of Haworth. Meanwhile, Robson Green sings shanties in the seaside resort of Whitby, and Ore Oduba hits the challenging Coast to Coast walking trail near the market town of Richmond. Plus, deep in the Dales, Ade Edmondson is our guide on the Malham Circuit, one Yorkshire’s best-loved hikes.

Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat Christmas Special (BBC2, 8pm)

Christmas is traditionally time to eat, drink and be merry, and if any TV cook is going to encourage us to indulge a little, it’s Nigella Lawson. She begins by tucking into a Linzer cookie in the garden, before heading out to

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