What’s occurrin’ over the holidays
CHRISTMAS EVE TAKE OFF WITH BRADLEY AND HOLLY BBC1, 8pm
FEEL the holiday cheer as Bradley Walsh and Holly Willoughby – in full-on Christmas mode dressed as Mrs Santa – team up to give audience members the chance to win a trip to Lapland.
Expect plenty of games and challenges as people play for seats on the plane, with Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard and Strictly’s Johannes Radebe on cabin crew duty.
Bradley plays for laughs, while Holly tries to keep some semblance of order. The result is a fun, feel-good family-friendly show that should take off as a series.
GARETH MALONE’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT BBC2, 9pm
IF Gareth Malone turns up at your workplace, you know he’s on the hunt for a choir.
In this hugely emotional edition, he’s at Watford General Hospital, invited to put on a concert for staff and patients who will spend Christmas Day there.
Determined to meet people properly and not do a “one size fits all carol concert”, Gareth does the rounds and deals with singers dashing off to save lives mid-rehearsal.
And when it all comes together at the end, you might just need a box of Kleenex.
CINDERELLA: AFTER EVER AFTER SKY ONE, 8pm
WHAT happened after Cinderella and Prince Charming lived happily ever after? They moved out to the suburbs and had kids? Went through a messy divorce?
David Walliams writes and co-stars in this fairytale sequel which has the answers. The Prince (Walliams) is a vain idiot showing zero interest in his bride, played by Sian Gibson, who worries she’s rushed into it.
Meanwhile, Cinders must save The King (Sir Tom Courtenay) from her evil stepmother Madame Blackheart (Celia Imrie).
Great cast, shaky plot, but families will love it.
CHRISTMAS DAY THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE BBC1, 2.30pm
THESE stunning animations, adapted from the books of Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, have become a firm fixture in the festive line-up. And this is one of the best yet. The story of an unlikely friendship, it follows the amazing journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world, so he hitches a ride on the tail of a humpback whale.
Starring the voice talents of Rob Brydon, Sally Hawkins, Cariad Lloyd and Diana Rigg.
STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
BBC1, 4.40pm
ENJOY this final fix of the nation’s favourite show, before it quick steps out of our lives for another year. Six former Strictly stars return to the dance floor to compete for the Silver Star Trophy.
This year’s leading ladies are Debbie McGee, Chizzy Akudolu and Gemma Atkinson, while the gentlemen returning to the ballroom are Joe Sugg, Mark Wright and Richard Arnold.
Hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, judges Shirley Ballas Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood complete the line-up.
And Liam Payne performs All I Want For Christmas.
CALL THE MIDWIFE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BBC1, 7pm
WE’RE quite used to it by now, but Christmas at Nonnatus House in East London is usually as dramatic as the one round the corner in Albert Square.
This time a bout of influenza sweeps through the place, so on the advice of Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) they all up sticks and head to the Outer Hebrides to convalesce.
The Scottish scenery makes for some snowy scenes and you might hear bagpipes.
But of course, it’s not all a holiday. Bleak weather, suspicious locals and an emergency soon puts a stop to that.
GAVIN & STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
BBC1, 8.30pm
THIS is the big reunion that we have all been waiting for as we find out what’s occurring for the Shipmans and the Wests after a decade away – and it doesn’t disappoint.
We’re off to Wales for the festivities. Pam (Alison Steadman) doesn’t want to use Gwen’s towels – “It’s like drying yourself with Ryvita”.
Meanwhile, Bryn (Rob Brydon) is measuring the oven in a panic over cooking dinner.
Smithy (James Corden) has a new girlfriend. Neil the Baby is now 11-years-old.
And Gavin (Mat Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page) are experiencing some er, silent nights.
This is set to be an instant festive classic.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BAKE OFF Channel 4, 7.10pm
PERFECT viewing after you’ve spent all afternoon stuffing yourself with Christmas dinner and pud, consider this the boozy cherry on top.
Four familiar faces compete in festive-themed challenges in an attempt to win Christmas Star Baker - Tom and Yan from 2017 and Briony and Terry from 2018.
Highlights from the tinseldraped tent include the judges in Christmas jumpers (Paul’s features a silver fox, naturally), some incredible gingerbread showstoppers and Status Quo, who are unsurprisingly, rockin’ all over the world.