MUST-SEE SHOWS
STRICTLY COME DANCING: THE FINAL Tonight, BBC1, 6.30pm
ONLY four of the 15 couples remain and they will battle it out tonight for the coveted glitter ball. Favourites Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton; alongside Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev; Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell and Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice will face three challenges – a routine of their own choosing, one set by the judges and finally, a show dance. But it is up to the viewers to decide who is their Strictly winner. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host the proceedings.
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2018 Tomorrow, BBC1, 7pm
THIS year, for the first time in its history, the 12 individuals in contention for the SPOTY award will be revealed on the night. But although we don’t know who has been nominated, we can still take a punt on the main contenders in what has been a memorable year for sport. With England making it all the way to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, captain Harry Kane is bound to be in the mix, as is cyclist Geraint Thomas, who became the first Welshman to triumph at the Tour de France. Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan host live from Birmingham’s Genting Arena.
LONG LOST FAMILY CHRISTMAS REUNION Monday, ITV, 9pm
DAVINA McCALL and Nicky Campbell invite 120 people who were reunited by the programme to come together under one roof to celebrate Christmas, with participants travelling to London from as far afield as Barbados and Australia. They reveal what it means to spend a first festive season with long-lost loved ones and reflect on how lives have changed for them since finding their relatives.
GOGGLESPROGS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Tuesday, Channel 4, 8pm
THE UK’s youngest TV critics are back, including eight-year-old Molly and her 11-yearold brother William, who are taking a break from helping out on the family farm to settle down in front of the box, and the charming friends Stephanie and Christina. They’ll be joined by a few new recruits as they cast their expert eyes over some of the TV highlights of 2018. The youngsters will also be taking a look at some nostalgic Christmas classics.
JAMIE’S QUICK AND EASY CHRISTMAS Wednesday, Channel 4, 8pm
IS IT possible to rustle up a sumptuous Christmas Day feast in just minutes rather than spending hours slaving over a hot stove? According to Jamie Oliver it is – and as he’s the king of quick and easy cooking, we’d better believe him. He demonstrates some shortcuts, promising that flavours will not be sacrificed for speed, despite the fact that each recipe will be either quick to cook or easy to remember, with combinations of just five key ingredients.
MARK KERMODE’S CHRISTMAS CINEMA SECRETS Thursday, BBC4, 9pm
MANY people will be sitting down to watch a festive movie this week, but what makes a true Christmas classic? Mark Kermode finds out as he looks at films ranging from heartwarming family favourites to darker winter’s tales and reveals what makes them so successful. He also argues that while the Yuletide may lend itself to a surprisingly wide variety of genres, a true Christmas movie needs more than a December setting and a bit of snow.
NOT GOING OUT LIVE Friday, BBC1, 9pm
THE Inside No 9 Halloween special has set the bar very high for live episodes, so what can Lee Mack do to top it as his sitcom Not Going Out goes out live? Well, there is talk of egg juggling and knife throwing... The plot sees Lee and Lucy (Sally Bretton) fretting in their seasonally decorated living room, as they’ve been strongarmed into organising a festive variety show to raise money for the children’s school. However, so far, they’ve only managed to book an animal impersonator, so it doesn’t look like there’s going to be much variety. Can Toby (Hugh Dennis) and uptight wife Anna (Abigail Cruttenden) be persuaded to help?