FIVE OF THE BEST

Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration

BBC1, 5.45pm

Marking a decade since the sitcom first appeared on screen, the cast of the award-winning comedy series reunite in a special show at the London Palladium. A whole host of treats and surprises are lined up as they look back over a decade of fun, friendship, romance and all that made millions of fans connect with this unique and very special sitcom. With Miranda at the helm, they also share some of their fondest memories of the show, along with a series of behind-the-scenes tales.

Doctor Who

BBC1, 6.55pm

Fans used to look forward to a Christmas Day special, but times have changed – as have those behind the series – and so Doctor Who is now must-see TV on New Year’s day. It marks the first episode of the 12th series since the sci-fi classic returned to our screens in 2005; Robert Glenister and Goran Visnijc have been named as guest stars for later in the season, but Lenny Henry and Stephen Fry feature in the opening adventure, which is something we haven’t seen for a long time – a two-part episode. Entitled Spyfall, it’s been written by showrunner Chris Chibnall and sees Jodie Whittaker’s Time Lord receive an SOS call from MI6, who need her help to save the planet from a mysterious alien force.

Earth’s Tropical Islands

BBC2, 9pm

New series. David Harewood narrates a documentary exploring three of the most exotic and remote islands on the planet, beginning with the unique and extraordinary wildlife of Madagascar. As the oldest island on Earth, life has had time to evolve and there are now more unique plants and animals on Madagascar than any other, with footage of ring-tailed lemurs and Decken’s sifakas.

Bancroft

STV, 9pm

Sarah Parish is back as crime buster Elizabeth Bancroft in the first of a three-part thriller. Promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent, she returns on a professional high. Alas, she’s now estranged from her son Joe (Adam Long) and under pressure thanks to her lethal pact with crime boss Daanish Kamara (Ryan Mcken). As a double murder brings a personal reunion, Elizabeth’s loyalties are questioned. Forced to one side by the new Detective Superintendent, Jake Harper (David Avery), Bancroft must turn to her old skills in order to get her way.

Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special

BBC1, 10.30pm

Agnes discovers that Peggy Piper, the Pernod poisoner, is being released from prison and could be coming back to town – which is bad news for Winnie as she was the one who saw her old friend poison her husband and gave the evidence that put her behind bars in the first place. Meanwhile, Dermot hires an expensive tank costume for his latest promotion – only for Buster to go and lose it. Starring Brendan O’carroll, Dermot O’neill, Jennifer Gibney, Gary Hollywood and guest starring Sue Vincent.