Not Going Out

BBC1, 9pm Well, this is a bit of a surprise – a Christmas special that, rather than make concessions to the festive spirit, instead eschews formulaic predictability for something with altogether more bite.

Lee (Lee Mack) and Lucy (Sally Bretton) – both right – are gathered with relatives on New Year’s Eve to play games as the minutes tick down to the bongs of Big Ben. But it proves to be far from happy families as home truths emerge and conventions are shattered – not least the one that says: ‘Don’t touch the trifle before midnight.’

The wrong kind of fireworks look set to explode, particularly when Lee’s pent-up friend and neighbour Toby (Hugh Dennis) is struggling to keep his increasing rage bottled up. Look out for the late Bobby Ball – who died from coronavirus in October – still sparking mirth to the end as Lee’s hapless father Frank.