Our top picks for this week’s TV & Radio
SUNDAY DOCUMENTARY BIG BEN RESTORED: THE GRAND UNVEILING
After six years under wraps while renovations took place, the iconic Elizabeth Tower was finally revealed in all its revamped glory a few months ago. Here, Anna Keay, director of The Landmark Trust, finds out what the epic task involved while giving viewers a close-up look at the work carried out by dedicated craftspeople. Channel 4, 7pm
DRAMA STRIKE: TROUBLED BLOOD
Private detective Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and his assistant Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) return in the latest adaptation from the J.K. Rowling thriller series. This time they’re delving back into the 1970s to find out if a woman who vanished then was the victim of a serial killer. BBC1, 9pm
PROFILE BRADLEY WALSH: THE LAUGH’S ON ME
Two-part profile of the presenter, comedian and actor. Walsh recounts moments from his career, while friends and colleagues – Jodie Whittaker, Rod Stewart, Ray Winstone and the Chasers – offer anecdotes. Channel 5, 9pm
ARTS SIMON SCHAMA MEETS…
All three episodes of the historian’s new series are being shown back-to-back. Each sees him interview influential figures, beginning with Ai Weiwei, the artist whose works have caused controversy in his native China. That’s followed by chats with Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova and author Margaret Atwood. BBC4, from 10pm
MONDAY SPORT LIVE EFL
Sunderland have made a decent start to life back in the Championship and will fancy their chances at the Stadium of Light when they face West Brom, who have been flirting with the relegation spots all season (kick-off 8pm). Sky Sports Main Event, 7.30 pm
DOCUMENTARY THE SAVOY AT CHRISTMAS
Many people prefer not to think about Christmas until it’s almost upon them, but for the staff of the luxury London hotel, preparations begin in mid-November. We’ll see them working through the night to turn the site into a winter wonderland, while guest-experience manager Sean looks forward to his first December 25 off in ten years – until disaster strikes. ITV1, 9pm
DOCUMENTARY THE DISAPPEARANCE OF APRIL JONES
When five-year-old April Jones (above) vanished one day a decade ago from the quiet Welsh market town that was her home, it prompted the biggest search in British policing history before her terrible fate was revealed in a sickening murder. Now the full, chilling story of April’s case is told in a compelling three-part series, nightly until Wednesday. Channel 4, 9pm
COMEDY A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2022
Romesh Ranganathan will have his hands full trying to keep order as Joel Dommett, Maisie Adam, Alex Brooker, Tony Bellew, Eve Muirhead, John Barnes, David Seaman and H. from Steps join regulars Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp (below) for what promises to be a fun, if rather raucous, episode of the banter-filled, sports-based comedy panel show. Sky Showcase & Sky Max, 9pm
DOCUMENTARY UNDERCOVER: SEXUAL HARASSMENT – THE TRUTH
This disturbing documentary brings home in no uncertain terms just how prevalent sexual harassment is in Britain today. Reporter Ellie Flynn learns first hand by speaking to victims about the horrors they’ve experienced while putting herself on the line by posing as a drunk party-goer who’s lost her friends during a night out. Channel 4, 10pm
TUESDAY
SPORT LIVE WORLD CUP
The first semi-final takes place at Lusail Stadium (kick-off 7pm). Lionel Messi continues his bid to add that elusive World Cup winners medal to his career haul as Argentina take on those mentality monsters Croatia. The dangerous Croats knocked out England at this stage in 2018. ITV1, 6.15pm/BBC1, 6.30pm
FOOD JAMIE’S EASY CHRISTMAS
If you’re stuck for ideas, fear not – Jamie Oliver (above) has delicious recipes to make Christmas dinner extra special, including a new twist on the humble Yorkshire pudding. Channel 4, 8pm
DOCUMENTARY CHRIS KAMARA: LOST FOR WORDS
Back in March, the football pundit revealed he was suffering from apraxia of speech, a condition that has affected his ability to pronounce words correctly and consistently. Here, he seeks advice from experts who may be able to help him. He also meets others with the same condition. ITV1, 9.15pm
ARTS LES MISERABLES AND VICTOR HUGO
The French author’s masterpiece continues to entertain new generations 160 years after its publication. This documentary looks at how Hugo’s classic novel turned the writer into a man of the people; there are also examinations of its various adaptations. Sky Arts, 9.45pm
DOCUMENTARY A BUNCH OF AMATEURS: STORYVILLE
The world’s oldest film club, in Bradford, could have despaired when they faced ruin with no money and a crumbling building. Instead they responded by making their own version of the Hollywood musical Oklahoma!, as revealed in a captivating documentary that’s both heartwarming and often hilarious. BBC4, 10pm
WEDNESDAY SPORT LIVE WORLD CUP
The finalists are decided as the second semi-final takes place at the Al Bayt Stadium (kick-off 7pm). Favourites France – fresh from beating England – take on Morocco following their shock victory over Portugal. ITV1, 6.15pm; BBC1, 6.30pm
DOCUMENTARY HITLER’S JAZZ BAND
This fascinating documentary tells the story of Karl Schwedler who created Germany’s premier swing band in defiance of the Third Reich. That’s followed by Charlie Watts Jazz Orchestra (Sky Arts, 10pm), a concert by the drummer’s jazz ensemble with Courtney Pine, Gail Ann Dorsey and Stan Tracey. Sky Arts, 9pm
DRAMA VIENNA BLOOD
We’re back in turn-of-the-century Vienna for a third season of the odd-couple crime-fighting duo of psychologically minded young doctor Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard) and bluff policeman Oskar Rheinhardt (Jürgen Maurer). The three-part series begins with the apparent murder of a seamstress and dark goings-on in the fashion world. BBC2, 9pm
DOCUMENTARY A LAKE DISTRICT FARMSHOP AT CHRISTMAS
As the festive season approaches, the staff at Tebay Services are hoping to make it bigger and better than ever. Head butcher Dave Morland discusses his key role, while customers arrive in their droves to buy holiday essentials. More4, 9pm
DRAMA JOE McFADDEN REMEMBERS THE CROW ROAD
The actor and former Strictly champ (below, with Simone Bendix) looks back at the BBC’s 1996 adaptation of Iain Banks’s blackly comic novel, in which he played student Prentice. Immediately afterwards you can catch the first two episodes of the acclaimed drama. BBC4, 10pm
THURSDAY SPORT LIVE WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
London’s Alexandra Palace hosts the opening day, where three first-round matches and one second-round match are due to take place. The reigning champion is Scotland’s Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright. Sky Sports Main Event, 6pm
ARTS & CRAFT STACEY SOLOMON’S CRAFTY CHRISTMAS
Stacey Solomon’s (below) guide to making yourself a merry little Christmas includes rustling up DIY garlands, crackers and gifts as she transforms a local barn into a winter wonderland for a community party. BBC1, 8pm
DOCUMENTARY JOE LYCETT v DAVID BECKHAM: A GOT YOUR BACK CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Comedian Joe Lycett recently hit the headlines when he apparently destroyed £10,000 to highlight David Beckham’s financial involvment in the World Cup. This follows the lead-up to the stunt and why Lycett’s nerves were shredded. Channel 4, 9pm
COMEDY BAD EDUCATION REUNION
Jack Whitehall returns after eight years for a special edition of the comedy – and so do a lot of his former pupils, who are back at school for a careers day and reunion party. BBC3, 9pm
TRAVEL MATT BAKER: CHRISTMAS TRAVELS WITH MUM AND DAD
The Baker clan take a break from their organic farm to visit County Durham’s spectacular Raby Castle. They learn more about the house’s history and how the festive season has been celebrated there since the 14th Century. More4, 9pm
DRAMA SOULS
Fans of Netflix series Dark will enjoy this fine German-made supernatural thriller. All passengers and crew died in a plane crash in 2006 – so how can a teenage boy now have memories only the dead pilot could know about? That’s the opening premise for an unsettling eight-part saga. Sky Atlantic, 10pm & 11pm
FRIDAY DRAMA SHAKESPEARE & HATHAWAY: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
The daytime detective duo get their own festive special. Frank and Lu (Mark Benton and Jo Joyner, above) try to uncover the identity of a mystery figure who’s been threatening a Christmas case. BBC1, 2.15pm
FAMILY GANGSTA GRANNY STRIKES AGAIN!
David Walliams’s comedy sequel debuts on CBBC before being shown on BBC1 next week. Walliams, Sheridan Smith and Kevin Bishop star alongside Archie Yates as young Ben, who has got used to life without his gran when a spate of burglaries makes him wonder whether she has somehow returned. CBBC, 5.30pm
TRAVEL NICK KNOWLES’ AMAZING RAILWAY ADVENTURE
In the first episode of a new series, Knowles is off on a South American adventure that may leave him breathless with excitement and the altitude – thousands of feet above sea level in Peru. En route he samples fine dishes and local cocktails before reaching his destination: the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Channel 5, 8pm
FILM THE AMAZING MAURICE
Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke and David Thewlis lend their voices to this animated adventure film, based on a story by Terry Pratchett. A streetwise cat sees a chance to make some money when he encounters a group of intelligent rats and a pipe-playing child. Sky Cinema Premiere, 8pm
DOCUMENTARY COMEDY CLASSICS: PORRIDGE
It’s one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time, which also contained one of the best characters – Ronnie Barker’s wily prison inmate Fletch. Now, this documentary looks back at its most memorable moments and finds out why subsequent spin-offs and reboots didn’t quite recapture the magic. Channel 5, 9pm
SATURDAY
SPORT LIVE TEST CRICKET
The National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi hosts the third and final match in the series between Pakistan and England. It’s been a good second half of the year for Ben Stokes’s Test side and they’ll be keen to end 2022 with a victory. Sky Sports Main Event, 4.30am
SPORT WORLD CUP LIVE
The third-place play-off – a match nobody wants to appear in because it means they’ve missed out on the final – takes place in Doha (kick-off 3pm). BBC1, 2.30pm
ARTS THE SNOWMAN: THE FILM THAT CHANGED CHRISTMAS
Based on Raymond Briggs’s children’s book, The Snowman cartoon (below) was an instant success when Channel 4 aired it 40 years ago, just after the station started, not least thanks to the Aled Jones song Walking In The Air. Now those who made it look back to the creation of a beloved classic. The cartoon itself follows. Channel 4, 5pm
ENTERTAINMENT STRICTLY COME DANCING: THE FINAL
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke give their opinions on three routines performed by the remaining competitors. Who follows Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice as champions will be decided by the voters at home. BBC1, 7.05pm
MUSIC THAT’S MY JAM
Mo Gilligan hosts this new series in which two teams of celebrities tackle musical challenges that will put their skills to the test. The opener features Alesha Dixon and Michelle Visage going head to head with Glee’s Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz. BBC1, 9.35pm
ENTERTAINMENT CLIFF AT CHRISTMAS
Cliff Richard has had more festive hits than many of us have had turkey dinners, and here’s a chance to see him perform them in a concert recorded at St John at Hackney Church in East London. It’s followed by archive clips in Sir Cliff Richard At The BBC (10.45pm) and concert footage in Cliff Richard: Live At The Albert Hall (11.45pm). BBC2, 9.35pm