ALL THIS AND THE WORLD CUP FINAL TOO! MARY BERRY’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS
From Morecambe and Wise (well, almost) to Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones as a modern-day Scrooge, our highlights of the festive fortnight. Start planning now…
SUNDAY 18
LIVE WORLD CUP FINAL
After a strange winter tournament of huge controversy and a few shock results in the group stages, the 64th and final game of the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar’s Lusail Stadium. BBC1/ ITV1, 2pm
HIS DARK MATERIALS
We return to worlds of personal daemons, knives that can cut through dimensions and dark menace in the third and final season of the Beeb’s fantastic adaptations of Philip Pullman’s fantasy novels. BBC1, 7pm
THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE
Channelling the spirit of Morecambe and Wise (and written by their co-writer Eddie Braben), this film of the brilliantly funny stage production (right) follows two comics as they try to put on a historical drama. With the reluctant help of co-star Tom Hiddleston… BBC4, 8pm
SNOW DOGS
Wildlife film-maker Gordon Buchanan heads off to cross the Yukon wilderness in
Canada on a dog sled. His huskies may know what they’re doing but novice sledder Buchanan has only one day to practise with them before setting out on the epic journey. BBC2, 9pm
MONDAY 19
The queen of cooking rustles up her favourite festive recipes in this special, and also visits Monica Galetti, Rylan and Angela Hartnett to learn about the meals that make Christmas special for them. BBC1, 8pm
PAUL O’GRADY: FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS – A ROYAL SPECIAL
As Battersea Cats and Dogs Home celebrates its 160th anniversary, host Paul O’Grady presents an extraspecial edition co-hosted by Camilla, the Queen Consort. ITV1, 9pm
THE UNOFFICIAL SCIENCE OF HOME ALONE
Just how dangerous are the mantraps set by young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) in the 1990 Christmas comedy classic Home Alone? Comedians James Acaster and Guz Khan set out to discover the painful truth for themselves, while Alex Brooker jets off to the US to meet the cast and crew of the festive favourite. Sky Showcase & Sky Max, 9pm
THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE: Sunday
18, BBC4, 8pm