FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY 19 1. BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Tom Daley, Tyson Fury and Adam Peaty are on the list, but it would be a brave punter who bet against odds-on favourite Emma Raducanu. The young tennis star’s US Open triumph was one of the year’s sporting highlights. BBC1, 6.45pm
2. THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
Alan Carr hosts and the stars include Bill Bailey, Judi Love, James Blunt, Rod Stewart, Ed Sheeran and Elvis Costello, watched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. ITV, 7.20pm
3. THE GIRL BEFORE
In a salutary four-part psychological thriller for our property-obsessed era, Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) believes she’s found her dream home. But will she be able to abide by the strange rules demanded by its architect, Edward (David Oyelowo)? BBC1, 9pm (nightly until Wednesday)
4. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A PANTOMIME FOR COMIC RELIEF
Lily James stars as Rose, the Beauty, in a comic tale about a cursed beast, played by Oliver Chris. With cameos from Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry and David
Tennant.
5. MARY BERRY’S FESTIVE FEASTS
Mary teaches three novice cooks how to rustle up a surprise seasonal spread for their mums. BBC1, 7.05pm
6. WOULD I LIE TO YOU? AT CHRISTMAS
One of the funniest shows on
TV, with Rose Matafeo, Ardal O’Hanlon, Angela Rippon and
Jim Broadbent joining host Rob Brydon and regulars Lee Mack and David Mitchell. BBC1, 8.30pm
7. TWO DOORS DOWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Festive edition of the sitcom about bonkers neighbours in suburban Glasgow sees Michelle and Alan hosting Christmas drinks for everyone. As ever, things get a bit tense. Stars Arabella Weir, Alex Norton and
Doon Mackichan.
BBC2, 9.30pm
TUESDAY 21 8. CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF CHRISTMAS COOK-OFF
Oti Mabuse, Joey Essex, Judi Love, Neil Ruddock and Su Pollard show off their culinary prowess. They have to cook a Christmas dish using surprise ingredients found in an advent calendar. BBC1, 8pm and Thursday 23, 9pm
9. PHILIP: PRINCE, HUSBAND, FATHER
One of the most powerful images of the year was of the Queen, forced to sit alone in St George’s Chapel at Windsor at the funeral in April of her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh. This tribute features rare footage of his astonishing life. ITV, 9pm
WEDNESDAY 22 10. THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE: CELEBRITY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Sara Pascoe hosts two editions over the festive season. Wielding the needles are the Rev. Kate Bottley, Antony Cotton, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Anneka Rice. They have to make a Christmas jumper and a fancy dress outfit before the judges unpick their stitches. BBC1, 8pm and Thursday 30, 9pm
11. THE HAIRY BIKERS GO NORTH FOR CHRISTMAS
It’s all right there in the title. Dave Myers and Si King are making Christmas dinner using ‘the very best that the North of England has to offer’, which apparently includes that most Yorkshire of beverages... rum. BBC2, 8pm
THURSDAY 23 12. BLACKBURN SINGS CHRISTMAS WITH GARETH MALONE
Amateurs from Blackburn and staff from the Royal Blackburn Hospital work with choirmaster Gareth. BBC2, 8pm
13. HANSEL & GRETEL:
AFTER EVER AFTER
Hansel & Gretel get the David Walliams After Ever After treatment, showing what happened after the fairy story we all already know ended. Sky Showcase, 8pm
14. GHOSTS
Jennifer Saunders guests in a special episode of the hit supernatural sitcom as the overbearing mother of Lady Fanny Button, the house’s resident Edwardian ghost. BBC1, 8.30pm
15. NOT GOING OUT
Jason Donovan joins the regular cast for a pantomime-themed special of the sitcom. Lee Mack is on stage as Buttons in Cinderella, and he hates panto, especially when he finds out who Prince Charming is.
BBC1, 10pm
CHRISTMAS EVE 16. SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
It’s Christmas Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm and Shaun and all the sheep are very excited, until Shaun’s cousin, young Timmy, accidentally gets taken off to a market. BBC1, 6pm
17. CAROLS FROM KING’S & ROYAL CAROLS TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS
The carol service from the candlelit chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, signals the beginning of Christmas for many. There is also a carol service hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey.
BBC2, 6.15pm and
ITV, 7.30pm
18. THE AMAZING MR BLUNDEN
Tamsin Greig, Mark Gatiss and Simon Callow star in a new adaptation of the spooky 1972 movie. Two teenagers move to an old country mansion: are they alone? Sky Showcase, 7pm
19. THE GREATEST SNOWMAN
Sue Perkins hosts the challenge show in which Johnny Vegas, Dani Dyer, Liam Charles, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen and Cherry Healey have to create works of art from frozen water. Channel 4, 8pm
TOP GEAR: DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
The team play ‘car secret Santa’ in which they choose vehicles for each other to drive. Then they take a road trip... like in every other episode. BBC1, 8.30pm
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL SPECIAL
Yorkshire vets drama Xmas special, centring on pampered Pekingese, Tricki Woo, played as ever by canine actor Derek. Channel 5, 9pm
22. SPITTING IMAGE: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Satirical sketches include a skit of the John Lewis Christmas advert. ITV, 10pm
23. A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS: THE MEZZOTINT
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a creepy adaptation of an M. R. James ghost story. Rory Kinnear is a museum caretaker who spots a sinister figure... BBC2, 10.30pm
CHRISTMAS DAY
The latest animated adaptation of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, Superworm is the charming story of a ‘superlong’ and ‘super-strong’ earthworm and his battle with the Wizard Lizard. BBC1, 2.30pm
25. FILM: MARY POPPINS RETURNS
As great as the 1964 original? Maybe not but this sequel is still delightful. Emily Blunt is the imperious, slightly scary supernatural nanny. The apparently immortal Dick Van Dyke also stars. BBC1, 3.10pm
26. QUENTIN BLAKE: THE DRAWING OF MY LIFE
The veteran artist (he turned 89 this year) tells the story of his life in words and pictures. And what a life – Blake has contributed to more than 500 books, not least many of the works of Roald Dahl. BBC2, 4.10pm
27. STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
A tinsel-strewn spin around the dance floor, with Moira Stewart, Mel Giedroyc, Adrian Chiles and Jay Blades from The Repair Shop. BBC1, 5.10pm