SATURDAY DECEMBER 21
******THE GRAND FINAL Strictly Come Dancing, 6.30pm, BBC1
We’ve had it all in this series – great dancing, a bit of flirting, injuries, tears, laughter and of course some fab dancing. Now it's time for the finalists to bosh out three dances – yes, that includes our fave, the freestyle – in order to take the trophy.
After Dave and Mark’s comedy routines, we’ve settled down into some serious move-making, with the likes of Natalie, Abbey and Suzanne getting high scores. As we went to press we have no idea who’s going to be in the final, so stand by your eggnogs and get ready to be wowed. The results show is on later in the evening.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22
******NEW DRAMA The Whale 9pm, BBC1
This meaty one-off tells the (true) story of a crew of 18th century whale hunters coming a cropper out in the Pacific. Told from the point of view young cabin boy Thomas (and narrated by his older self, played by Martin Sheen), the story features an obsessed Captain and first mate at loggerheads (look out for Jonas Armstrong). After they bag one whale all is hunky dory until another, bigger beast comes floating into view… and attacks their boat! Now shipwrecked, they have to fight against the elements to survive.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22
The Muppets And Lady Gaga At Christmas, 5.25pm, Channel 5
This has to be a match made in Christmas heaven – bonkers pop princess Lady Gaga teaming up with those loveable Muppets? We’ll have a bit of that!
The Gaga performs songs from her latest album, while the Muppets join. Look out for duets with Kermit, some Christmas songs and special guests like Elton John.
MONDAY DECEMBER 23
******Gary Barlow: Journey To Afghanistan, 9pm, ITV
Oh how we love Gary Barlow. When he’s not expressing his opinions on X Factor, he’s herding celebrities up mountains for charity.
Now, he’s doing his bit for our troops and is spending two days at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan to have a good old nose around and mingle with soldiers, sailors and airmen.
He’ll be joining the team in the air traffic control tower and even step into the driving seat of a heavy equipment transporter, which sounds like a load of fun. Then, he’ll perform a special pop-up concert with The Royal Artillery Band in front of 1,000 troops. What a guy!
*CHRISTMAS EVE *
BRAND NEW Midsomer Murders, 8pm, ITV
****A new boy on the block, a haunted manor house, and Les Dennis as a historian who thinks a ghost is to blame when a serial philanderer is stabbed to death with an antique sword – what’s not to like about this Christmas Midsomer?
DCI Barnaby’s new right-hand man (who, might we say, is quite a cutie) is thrown right into a juicy murder investigation at Morton Shallows.
*CHRISTMAS DAY *
BRAND NEW Call The Midwife: Christmas Special, 6.15pm, BBC1
****Oh how we’ve missed those lovely nurses and nuns from Nonnatus House but tonight’s Christmas Special is bursting full of high drama and emotional turmoil.
Sheila, formerly known as Sister Bernadette, is due to marry Dr Turner on Christmas Eve but everything’s put on hold when an unexploded bomb is found in the street. Eek!
All local residents are evacuated to a nearby rescue centre and Chummy does her best to entertain the kids who are most upset that their Christmas party might not be happening. But disaster strikes when there’s a sudden outbreak of polio and a much-loved member of the cast ends up in an Iron Lung!
CHRISTMAS DAY
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, 5pm, BBC1
There’s a great line-up for this year’s Strictly Christmas Day Special and we’re told they’re all huge fans of the show and will no doubt be doing their best to impress. The six celebs taking part are The Saturdays’ Rochelle Humes, Bros star Matt Goss, DJ Sara Cox, EastEnders’ Ricky Norwood, West End star Elaine Paige and comedian Rufus Hound. Bring it on.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs At Christmas, 5.15pm, ITV
****Apparently Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has been overwhelmed by abandoned puppies this year (what is wrong with people?) but that means dog lover Paul O’Grady has plenty of cute little pals to cuddle up with in this Christmas special. Prepare to go all weepy over 12 German Shepherd pups, a toothless Yorkshire Terrier called Phyllis and a three-legged Staffie called Buddy.
CHRISTMAS DAY
BRAND NEW Downton Abbey, 8.30pm, ITV
****There’s plenty of glitz and glamour in this year’s Christmas special as the whole family – including the American rellies Grandmama (Shirley MacLaine) and Uncle Harold (Paul Giamatti) - are in London for Lady Rose’s Coming Out Ball.
They’re hobnobbing with everyone who’s anyone (including the dashing Prince of Wales)! Lady Mary still has two men fighting over her, Lady Edith is having second thoughts about having given her baby away (can’t say we’re surprised) and light-fingered Mr Sampson (Patrick Kennedy) is back threatening to cause a royal scandal.
CHRISTMAS DAY
BRAND NEW Doctor Who, 7.30pm, BBC1
After all the brouhaha of the 50th anniversary episode, it’s back down to Earth for the Doctor, or should we say the intergalactic cemetery that is Trenzalore.
All his foes gather – and that really does mean EVERYONE, Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels included – after they all receive a mysterious signal. It’s Matt Smith’s final ep as the Doctor, and Peter Capaldi’s first. Bring on the regeneration!
CHRISTMAS DAY
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special, 9.30pm, C4
The gifts have been opened, the sherry’s drunk and we’ve been to the buffet table more times than is agreeable - so who better to loosen our waistbands over than Alan Carr and his festive line-up of guests?
Sharing the Christmas cheer this year are Russell Brand, Davina McCall, Little Mix and, er, David Dickinson. Ho ho ho.
*BOXING DAY *
NEW COMEDY Gangsta Granny, 6.05pm, BBC1
****The team behind Mr Stink bring us this new adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling children’s book, Gangsta Granny, about schoolboy Ben (Reece Buttery) who goes to stay with his Scrabble-loving grandma (Julia McKenzie) and discovers that she was once an international jewel thief! How cool is that?
Anyway, Granny is determined to pull off one last heist before she hangs up her hoodie for good so the two embark on a dangerous adventure and up meeting The Queen (Joanna Lumley). David Walliams stars as Ben’s dad, Miranda Hart plays his mum, Linda, Rob Brydon plays a nosy neighbour and Robbie Williams plays a cheesy, fake-tanned entertainer (definitely not playing himself then).
BOXING DAY
NEW DRAMA Death Comes To Pemberley, 8.15pm, BBC1
****Calling all Jane Austen fans… this is one you’ll not want to miss. The brill Anna Maxwell Martin and Matthew Rhys climb into the bonnets and breeches of Lizzie Bennet (now Lizzie Darcy) and Mr Darcy respectively.
All is a picture of domestic bliss inside Pemberley, with Darcy a new man and children running about in happy fashion. The Darcys are preparing for a splendid posho ball, but when there’s a murder in their grounds this suddenly turns into a whodunit.
In steps magistrate Sir Selwyn Hardcastle (a fab Trevor Eve, with some of the most fantastical sideburns you’ve ever seen), to try and whittle down the suspects, who include Darcy’s even mardier bro Wickham and the dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam (Silent Witness hottie Tom Ward). A must watch!
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BOXING DAY
NEW DRAMA Still Open All Hours, 7.45pm, BBC1
****Stammering shop owner Arkwright is sadly no longer with us following the death of Ronnie Barker in 2005, but Granville (David Jason), Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron) and the Black Widow (Stephanie Cole) are all back for this one-off Christmas special.
Granville is now running his uncle’s store with his son Leroy (James Baxter) but there’s no sign of his mystery mother.
BOXING DAY
I Am Britney Jean: Britney Spears In Las Vegas, 10.05pm, ITV
****Saucepot pop superstar Britney Spears is facing her biggest challenge.
No, not deciding whether she’s going to ditch the Starbucks, but preparing for a two-week residency in Las Vegas. We’ll follow her as she finishes recording her new album and listen to her as she chats about her personal life. Juicy!
FRIDAY DECEMBER 27
******Celebrity Come Dine With Me, 8pm, C4
Just reading the list of the celebs offering up their (posh) kitchens in readiness to show the nation what culinary geniuses they are is making us want to tune in.
Louie Spence (we wondered where he’d got to), Sinitta, Daniella Westbrook and Made In Chelsea’s Hugo are all game for a larf as they showcase extraordinary egos, some ridiculous outfits - and some raw chicken - in this not to be missed celeb spesh.
While Louie and Sinitta vie for Hugo’s affections, Daniella throws a patio party and it’s questionable whether Sinitta’s fare is actually edible…
