TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
REEL STORIES: STING
Tonight, BBC2, 9.25pm
Music legend Sting celebrated his 70th birthday in October and if reaching that milestone left him in a reflective mood, he’s in luck.
Dermot O’Leary is giving the award-winning artist an opportunity to look back on his remarkable life and career by inviting him to the cinema to watch a series of clips and interviews from over the decades.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the show is preceded by a TOTP2 Police Special and followed by Sting: When the Last Ship Sails, recorded in 2013, and Old Grey Whistle Test: Police in the East from 1980.
I’M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE! FINAL Tomorrow, ITV, 9pm
When the latest series began three weeks ago, some people took to social media to ask if the reality show’s bosses had been influenced by Netflix’s international hit Squid Game – the first episode saw the celebs being split into pairs, there was a high walk and even a literal green and red light.
Luckily in I’m a Celebrity, the famous faces aren’t competing for their lives, just the viewers’ votes.
However, like Squid Game, there can only be one winner, and tonight Ant and Dec will be revealing who the public have chosen as King or Queen of the Castle.
STRICTLY THE REAL FULL MONTY Monday, ITV, 9pm
Most of us are wrapping up warm as the nights grow longer and the days colder, but not a select group of celebrities – they’re letting it all hang out for charity. This year, in an effort to persuade the public to part with their hard-earned cash, Laila Morse, Duncan James, Colin Jackson, Christine McGuinness, Brenda Edwards, Martin Roberts, Teddy Soares, Demi Jones and husbandand-wife duo James and Ola Jordan will all disrobe in front of a
live audience in Blackpool.
AMAZING HOTELS: LIFE BEYOND THE LOBBY Tuesday, BBC2, 8pm
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren are mucking in with the staff at one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, this time the Grand Park Hotel, whose stunning glass exterior gives visitors amazing views of the historic Croatian town of Rovinj.
Giles seems to have it easy – he gets to explore an art gallery hidden deep within the structure – while poor old Monica has to clean Europe’s biggest single window.
Thankfully she gets some time off to go truffle hunting with dogs in the picturesque Istrian landscape.
CHRISTMAS AT CASTLE HOWARD Wednesday, Channel 4, 9pm
A new series looking at how some of England’s grandest stately homes
celebrate the festive season begins at one of Yorkshire’s most visited attractions and now an iconic Bridgerton location.
This year, Castle Howard has been transformed by creative director Charlotte Lloyd-Webber and her team who are going large with an extravagant Christmas in Narnia theme.
It’s a race against time to install the ambitious decorations throughout the grand interior.
MARY BERRY – LOVE TO COOK Thursday, BBC2, 8pm
Christmas is almost upon us, which means a lot of people are watching their budgets. So, it’s fitting that Mary Berry is ending the series with recipes that don’t skimp on flavour but won’t break the bank.
They include a crab courgetti spaghetti, and a sausage spinach filo swirl. Mary also meets up with School Chef of the Year Holly Charnock, who has conjured up award-winning recipes on a budget of just £1.30 a head.
WALKING WITH JIM MOIR Friday, BBC2, regions vary
The comedian, famous for his persona Vic Reeves, explores the shingle peninsula of Dungeness in the county he calls home, Kent.
Filming himself with a 360-degree camera, Jim walks along the shingle and sand from Littlestone down to Dungeness.
He visits the ruins of the Sound Mirrors and takes a trip on a steam train before arriving at the twin lighthouses of the headland.