52 FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
ST STEPHEN’S DAY AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS
David Tennant is the perfect choice to don Phileas Fogg’s top hat in this spirited reworking of Jules Verne’s 1872 tale. The eight episodes kick off with a double bill here that sees the indomitable English gentleman setting off to loop the globe with only his trusty manservant and an intrepid female reporter for company. BBC1, 5.50pm & 6.40pm
DEATH IN PARADISE
Ralf Little gets another nice Caribbean break on the Beeb’s dime as DI Neville Parker in a new mystery. Parker is looking forward to spending Christmas with his family when a suspicious death on Saint Marie upsets his plans. BBC1, 7.30pm
A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL
Paul Bettany and Claire Foy star as the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in this account of the real-life 1963 divorce case that rocked Britain’s aristocracy and raised eyebrows around the world. Shot through with accusations of forgery, theft, drugs, bribery and violence, it’s a dark tale that unfolds over three nights. BBC1, 9pm, until Tuesday
MORTIMER AND WHITEHOUSE: GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING
One of the most welcome Christmas catches sees Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer unpacking their fishing rods for an hour-long special. The pair (along with guest star Paul Gascoigne) set off to the north of England for a stay in a stately home while they try to fulfil Paul’s lifelong dream of catching a salmon. BBC2, 9pm
BILLY CONNOLLY: MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE
Scotland’s finest comedy export looks back on his life and career from the comfort of his Florida home. It’s a bittersweet show (Connolly now suffers from Parkinson’s Disease) but The Big Yin’s trademark sense of mischief is still strong and the archive clips of him in his stand-up prime are glorious. UTV, 9.30pm
SEÁN Ó RIADA – MO SHEANATHAIR
Fifty years after the death of her grandad, composer Seán Ó Riada, fiddle player and TV presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin sets out to learn more about his life and work. TG4, 9.20pm
THE TOMMY TIERNAN SHOW SPECIAL
A one-off edition of Tommy Tiernan’s improvised chat show. Most of us are familiar with the format by now – Tiernan doesn’t know who his guests are until they sit down in front of him… and then the questions start. RTÉ ONE, 9.25pm
MONDAY 27 STEPHEN SONDHEIM NIGHT
A tribute to the emperor of musical theatre, who died last month, with an evening of programmes. The two-hour Sondheim Prom (7pm) from 2010 is the high spot, but look out, too, for Sondheim At The BBC (9.05pm), Omnibus: Sunday In The Park With Stephen (10.05pm) and Face To Face With Stephen Sondheim (10.55pm). BBC4
THE VOICE KIDS
The Spice Girls’ Mel C joins the cast of judges as the talent show returns for three junior editions on consecutive nights. The contestants may be little (they range in age from seven to 14), but their vocal talents aren’t. ITV, 7.30pm, until Wednesday
TRAVEL MAN: 96 HOURS IN ICELAND
Joe Lycett marks his debut as host with a flying visit to Iceland in the company of comedian and Strictly star Bill Bailey. They tick off familiar tourist moments (geysers, fjords, Northern Lights…) but also a few odder treats. Channel 4, 8pm
BOWIE: STARMAN – WITH THE RTÉ CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Stars including Suzanne Vega, Sharon Corr, Rufus Wainright and Imelda May celebrate David Bowie’s legacy as they perform some of his songs. RTÉ ONE, 10.30pm
TUESDAY 28 WORZEL GUMMIDGE: TWITCHERS
Mackenzie Crook makes a very welcome return as the curmudgeonly scarecrow in the first of two sweet new adventures. Tonight he has a chance to scare away some rare birds, but will he be able to do it without the crowds of birdwatchers (led by Steve Pemberton’s Mr Braithwaite) pursuing him and spotting him in motion? BBC1, 7.15pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPES AT CHRISTMAS WITH SANDI TOKSVIG
The Danish-born presenter heads to the frozen north with a trio of famous women to enjoy all that Norway has to offer. Cue a hunt for killer whales with scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, encounters with wolves alongside Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden and a trip up a mountain with actress Fay Ripley. Brace yourself for Cold Feet gags during the last one… Channel 4, 8pm
A PLAY IN A DAY
Can three teams of performers create an original 15-minute theatrical production (a dance piece, a musical and a drama) with only 24 hours in which to write, cast and rehearse them? It’s a tricky challenge for the mixed bands of newcomers and old hands, but watching them set about it is great fun. Sky Arts, 9.30pm
WEDNESDAY 29 A STAR IS BORN
The plot is a bit hackneyed – this is the fourth time Hollywood has had a stab at this tale – but the performances make this version sing. Lady Gaga is great as the aspiring singer discovered working as a waitress by Bradley Cooper’s fading country rock star, and the chemistry between the pair is positively loin-tingling. BBC1, 9pm
RACHAEL BLACKMORE: A GRAND YEAR
Earlier this year, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National. Last week she was crowned BBC’s World Sport Star of the Year – just 24 hours after winning the 2021 RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award. This film tracks her incredible rise. RTÉ ONE, 9.25pm
THURSDAY 30 ATTENBOROUGH AND THE MAMMOTH GRAVEYARD
When amateur fossil hunters Sally and Neville Hollingworth discovered a mammoth bone in the mud of a quarry near Wiltshire, they triggered a search for answers that dug deep into Britain’s prehistoric past. David Attenborough meets the couple and joins the quest tonight, wondering just what the giant pachyderms were doing there, and whether it’s possible that early humans killed them. BBC1, 8pm
THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE: CELEBRITY NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Comedian Rose Matafeo, Steps’ Claire Richards, Drag Race UK winner Lawrence Chaney and Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark (left, from left to right) reveal their sewing skills (or lack of them). Can they turn old clothes into party dresses for kids? BBC1, 9pm; 10.35pm Scotland
CALLAN KICKS THE YEAR
Oliver Callan sticks his boot into the last 12 months, getting plenty of satirical fodder from multiple scandals, lockdowns, US unrest and much more besides… nothing and no one is safe. RTÉ ONE, 9.25pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE MASTERCHEF CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS
A quintet of previous winners dusts off their aprons for a return to the MasterChef cauldron. Most of them have used their victory to go on to higher culinary heights, so perhaps it’s only fitting that for one task John Torode and Gregg Wallace (far left) ask them to turn out a dish that shows exactly what they’ve learned since winning the title. BBC1, 8.30pm
JOOLS’ ANNUAL HOOTENANNY
Ed Sheeran, Gregory Porter and Lulu are among the guests singing in the New Year as Jools Holland’s musical extravaganza marks its 28th year. Expect predictions for 2022 from Vic Reeves and lashings of unprompted boogie-woogie piano from Jools himself. BBC2, 11.25pm
NEW YEAR’S DAY DOCTOR WHO
Daleks and the Doctor Who New Year’s Day Special are a bit of a tradition. As the malevolent pepperpots make yet another reappearance, will the Doctor and her friends (plus guest star Aisling Bea) escape a deadly Groundhog Day-esque time loop and avoid extermination? BBC1, 7pm
THE MASKED SINGER
Rockhopper, Robobunny (above), Bagpipes, Traffic Cone, Lionfish and Doughnuts are some of the fantastical costumes concealing household names as a new series of the secretive singing challenge begins. Episode two follows on January 2. UTV and Virgin One, 7pm
THE GREAT NEW YEAR BAKE OFF
After Christmas Day’s shambolic celebrity offerings, expect some more polished performances in the tent in this second special as actual former contestants return. Kim-Joy and Jon from the 2018 series are back alongside Hermine and Rowan from 2020. Channel 4, 7.40pm
DOWNTON ABBEY
After six series of upstairs-downstairs up and downs, the folk of the Yorkshire country estate returned in movie form. With a visit from King George V and Queen Mary on the cards, can Lord Grantham and his family (and their inestimable serving staff, of course) maintain their sang-froid? UTV, 8.30pm
THE TOURIST
After being run off an outback road by a giant truck, a man (The Fall’s Jamie Dornan) wakes up in hospital with no memory of who he is or what he’s doing in Australia. He’d better find answers fast as shady figures begin chasing him in this opener for a six-part thriller series… BBC1, 9pm
MRS BROWN’S BOYS NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Grandad’s brother Mickey is fresh out of prison and decides to stop by for a visit but the family become suspicious when it turns out he’s looking for cash to invest in a South African goldmine. Meanwhile, Winnie tries to turn her life around. BBC1, 10pm