Bake Off specials, Doctor Who tribute to Stephen Sondheim and Death In Paradise new Death In Paradise!
Boxing Day
The World in 80 Days
David Tennant is the perfect choice to don Phileas Fogg’s top hat in this spirited reworking of Jules Verne’s 1872 tale.
This double-bill begins the eight episodes with the English manservant setting out to circumvent the world with the help of a female reporter and a trusted companion. BBC1, 5.50pm and 6.40pm
David Tennant (above, centre) is the perfect choice to don Phileas Fogg’s top hat in this spirited reworking of Jules Verne’s 1872 tale, co-starring Ibrahim Koma (left) and Leonie Benesch (right)
Death In Paradise
Ralf Little gets another nice Caribbean break on the Beeb’s budget as DI Neville Parker in a new mystery.
He’s not the only Brit actor getting a trip to the island of Saint Marie, though: look out for Juliet Stevenson and Mathew Baynton too in the case of a shipping magnate who is murdered at a Christmas party. BBC1, 7.30pm
An extremely British Scandal
Paul Bettany and Claire Foy star as the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in this account of the real-life 1963 divorce case that rocked Britain’s aristocracy and raised eyebrows everywhere.
Shot through with accusations of forgery, theft, drugs, bribery and violence, it’s a dark tale that unfolds over three nights. BBC1, 9:00pm to Tuesday
Paul Bettany and Claire Foy (above) star as the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in this account of the real-life 1963 divorce case that rocked Britain’s aristocracy
Mortimer And Whitehouse: Christmas Fishing
Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer are a couple that make Christmas specials. They unpack their fishing rods to enjoy an hour of special.
The pair (along with guest star Paul Gascoigne) set off to the North of England for a stay in a stately home while they try to fulfil Paul’s lifelong dream of catching a salmon. BBC2, 9pm
Billy Connolly: My Ultimate Pleasure
Scotland’s finest comedy export looks back on his life and career from the comfort of his Florida home.
It’s a bittersweet show (Connolly now suffers from Parkinson’s disease), but The Big Yin’s trademark sense of mischief is still strong and the archive clips of him in his stand-up prime are glorious. ITV, 9.30pm
Monday, 27/12
Stephen Sondheim Night
After Sondheim’s death last month aged 91, the Beeb is paying a timely tribute to the emperor of American musical theatre (Sweeney Todd, Follies) with an evening of programmes.
Sondheim Prom is a 2-hour performance (7pmThe highest spot (from 2010) is the, but keep an eye out for Sondheim, At The BBC9.05pm), Omnibus: Sunday In The Park With Stephen (10.05pm) and Face To Face With Stephen Sondheim (10.55pm). BBC4
The Voice Kids
The Spice Girls’ Mel C joins the cast of judges as the talent show returns for three junior editions on consecutive nights.
The contestants may be little (they range in age from seven to 14), but their vocal talents certainly aren’t, with convincing renditions of songs by everyone from Elton John to Frankie Valli stunning the judges. ITV 7.30pm – Wednesday
Travel Man: 96 Hours In Iceland
Joe Lycett is the Travel Man Wheelie Cases host. This marks his debut with the show.
They tick off familiar tourist moments (geysers, fjords, Northern Lights…) but also a few odder treats. Reykjavik’s only punk museum, anyone? Channel 4, 8pm
Tuesday, 28/12
Worzel Gummidge: Twitchers
Mackenzie Crook is back as the scarecrow, the cumudgeonly in this first episode of two new sweet adventures.
He has the chance tonight to scare off rare birds. But will he manage it without all of his fellow birdwatchers following him around and watching him move? BBC1, 7.15pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Sandi Toksvig: Extraordinary Christmas Escapes
Toksvig and three other famous women travel to Norway. Cue a hunt for killer whales with scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, encounters with wolves alongside Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden and a trip up a mountain with actress Fay Ripley. Channel 4, 8pm
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures is one of the most beloved traditions on television. They have become a popular symbol for science and are cherished by generations.
This year the UK’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, presents the trio of talks focusing on a topic that we’re all now fascinated with: viruses. BBC4, 8pm
A Play in A Day
Is it possible for three performers to create a unique 15-minute theatre production? This could be a piece of dance, a musical or a drama, and they have only 24 hours to cast, write and perform them.
It’s a tricky challenge for the bands of newcomers and old hands, but watching them do it is great fun. Sky Arts, 9.30pm
West Side Story
It’s rare that remaking a classic film works (Hitchcock’s Psycho. Really?). But if anyone can, it’s Steven Spielberg, and indeed his new version of the movie of West Side Story has had critics gushing.
Here’s a chance to see the original film of the Romeo And Juliet story transported to the streets of New York, as written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
Starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer, it was the highest-grossing film of 1961 and won ten Oscars, thanks to Robert Wise’s direction and vibrant choreography from Jerome Robbins. It is a classic. BBC4, 9pm
Wednesday, December 29
A Star Is Born
The plot is a bit hackneyed – it’s the fourth time Hollywood has had a stab at this tale – but the performances make this version sing.
Lady Gaga is great as the aspiring singer discovered working as a waitress by Bradley Cooper’s fading country rock star, and the chemistry between the pair is positively exhilarating. BBC1, 9pm
The Great British Dig: History in Your Back Garden
Hugh Dennis grabs his shovel, and heads off to Falkirk for the second series of this Time Team knockoff returns.
Now the Mock The Week man and his team of archaeologists are in search of the remains of a Roman fort, which might just be buried under the local bowling green… More4, 9pm
Thursday, 30 December
Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard
When amateur fossil-hunters Sally and Neville Hollingworth discovered a mammoth bone in the mud of a quarry near Swindon, they triggered a search for answers that dug deep into Britain’s prehistoric past.
David Attenborough meets the couple and joins the quest tonight, wondering just what the giant pachyderms were doing there, and whether it’s possible that early humans killed them. BBC1, 8pm
Celebrity New Year Special: The Great British Sewing Bee
Comedian Rose Matafeo, former Steps singer Claire Richards, Drag Race UK winner Lawrence Chaney and Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark reveal their sewing skills (or indeed their lack of them).
Comedian Rose Matafeo, former Steps singer Claire Richards, Drag Race UK winner Lawrence Chaney and Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark (above) reveal their sewing skills
They can transform old clothing into fun party dresses, create a waistcoat that is festive and make an outfit with food themed fancy-dresses. BBC1, 9.35pm Scotland
Judy
Renée Zellweger goes all the way over the rainbow with an Oscar-winning role as the tragic Wizard Of Oz star and singer Judy Garland in her later days.
As she tries to get her London career on track, she struggles with her poor health and substance abuse. BBC2, 9pm
Renée Zellweger (above) goes all the way over the rainbow with an Oscar-winning role as the tragic Wizard Of Oz star and singer Judy Garland
New Year’s Eve
MasterChef Champion Of Champions
An assortment of MasterChef winners reassemble their winnings for another return to the MasterChef kitchen.
Most of them have used their victory to go on to higher culinary heights, so perhaps it’s only fitting that for one task John Torode and Gregg Wallace ask them to turn out a dish that shows what they’ve learnt since winning. BBC1, 8.30pm
John Torode and Gregg Wallace (above) ask contestants to turn out a dish that shows what they’ve learnt since winning in MasterChef Champion Of Champions
Jools annual hootenanny
Ed Sheeran, Gregory Porter and Lulu are among the guests singing in the New Year as Jools Holland’s musical extravaganza marks its 28th year.
Vic Reeves has predictions for 2022 and Jools is expected to play unprompted boogie woogie piano. BBC2, 11.25pm
New Year’s Day
Doctor Who
Daleks and the Doctor Who New Year’s Day Special are a bit of a tradition.
Will the Doctor, her companions (plus Aisling Bea), escape the deadly Groundhog Day-esque loop that traps them in time and prevent their extermination? BBC1, 7pm
The Mask Singer
Rockhopper, Robobunny and Bagpipes conceal household names. A new series of Secretive Singing Challenge begins. Episode 2 will be released on January 2. ITV, 7pm
Great New Year Baking Contest
Following Christmas Day’s celebrity offerings, expect some more polished performances in the tent in this second special as actual former contestants return. Kim-Joy, Jon and Jon are both back from the 2018 series. Channel 4, 7.40pm
Downton Abbey
After six series of upstairs-and-downstairs up and downs, the folk of the Yorkshire country estate returned in movie form.
Can Lord Grantham, Queen Mary, and his family, and their staff, keep their sang froid despite a possible visit by George V and Queen Mary? ITV, 8.30pm
After six series of upstairs-and-downstairs up and downs, the folk of the Yorkshire country estate returned in movie form. Michelle Dockery, above) plays Lady Mary Talbot.
The Tourist
Jamie Dornan wakes up in hospital with no memory of who he is or what he’s doing in Australia. He’d better find answers fast as shady figures begin chasing him in this opener for a six-part series. BBC1, 9pm
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
The usual comedians step to the side as famous faces from the world of celebrity get to pander to Taskmaster Greg Davies’s outlandish whims.
Do Adrian Chiles, Claudia Winkleman, Jonnie Peacock, Lady Leshurr and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi realise what they’re in for? Channel 4, 9pm