Christmas TV and Puzzle Book 2018

The London Studios: Home of the Stars (ITV, 8pm) The South Bank Television Centre began transmitting programmes for ITV in 1972. Now known as The London Studios, it closed its doors for the final time earthis year. This programme looks back at some of the memorable moments and programmes filmed there. Bradley Walsh: When Dummies Took Over the World (ITV, 9pm) Bradley Walsh looks back at a time when Saturday night TV was dominated by celebrity puppets, sharing the stories of such superstars as Orville, Sooty, Lord Charles, Dicky Mint, Spit the Dog, and Nookie Bear. Celebrity Game Night (C5, 10pm) Game show hosted by Liza Tarbuck, in which Danny Baker and Susan Calman lead two teams of celebrity guests in a series of parlour games with a twist. Sunday, December 30 Spy in the Snow (BBC1, 7pm) In New Zealand, Spy Parrot socialises with a gang of keas. In Tasmania, Spy Wallaby finds love, in the North Pole, BlizzardCam, SnowballCam and SnowCam get within a paw’s swipe of a polar bear play-fight and PenguinCams slide into action. David Tennant narrates.

Happy New Year, Colin Burstead (BBC2, 10.30pm) A man plans to prove his worth to his extended family by throwing them a lavish New Year party, and rents a stately home in the country for the occasion. Monday, December 31 Raymond Briggs: Snowmen, Bogeymen & Milkmen (BBC2, 9pm) In 1978, Raymond Briggs published a Christmas classic – The Snowman . To mark the 40th anniversary, this documentary takes a look back at Briggs’ career. Jane McDonald & Friends NYE Special (C5, 9pm) Jane McDonald cracks open the champagne while Billy Ocean, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Alexandra Burke, Odyssey and Collabro perform live. The Graham Norton New Olivia Colman and co-star Nicholas Hoult discuss their new film The Favourite , Keira Knightley chats about biographical movie Colette , and Australian actor Guy Pearce talks about new historical drama Mary Queen of Scots . With music from Rita Ora. Jools’ Annual Hootenanny (BBC2, 11.15pm) Jools Holland presents his annual New Year’s Eve party, with Michael Bublé, Jess Glynne, Nile Rodgers and Chic, George Ezra, Marc Almond, Rudimental, Yola, the Record Company, Junior Giscombe, Hot 8 Brass Band and Ruby Turner. Madness Rocks Big Ben Live (BBC1, 11.35pm) The band counts down to 2019 at Central Hall in Westminster, performing some of their best- loved hits from a 40-year career. Tuesday, January 1 Doctor Who (BBC1, 7pm) The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan are back on Earth and are about to confront a terrifying evil that has been lying in wait for centuries. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (ITV, 9pm) Over the next six nights, Jeremy Clarkson welcomes more contestants to the studio, all keen to answer 15 questions in the hope DCI John Luther (Idris Elba) works alongside new recruit DS Catherine Halliday (Wunmi Mosaku) on a case involving a series of indiscriminate killings. Amazon: Earth’s Great Rivers (BBC2, 9pm) This documentary follows three of the world’s largest rivers, beginning with the Amazon, uncovering some of the latest of winning £1,000,000 . Luther (BBC1, 9pm) Year’s Eve Show (BBC1, 10.40pm)

While Bradley likes to relax, adrenaline-junkie Barney enjoys living life on the edge. Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start (BBC2, 8pm) Tom Kerridge challenges eight families to ditch convenience food and cook from scratch at home, as he believes it will make them fitter, happier and healthier. Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken put health theories to the test with the help of pairs of identical twins, revealing ways we can live a healthier life. In the first episode, the doctors pit diet against exercise, and analyse the results as they challenge twins to go head-to-head with contrasting regimes to see who loses the most weight. The Big Fat Lies About Diet & Exercise (C5, 9pm) What’s the best way to go about getting fit and losing weight and are all exercise and diet plans good for you? The Truth About Vegans: Channel 4 Dispatches (C4, 10pm) Dispatches investigates the rising popularity of veganism. It’s better for your health, the environment and animals but why do some activists resort to such extreme tactics to promote it? The Twinstitute (BBC2, 8.30pm)

discoveries, including the Blue Lagoon, home to a newly- discovered species of cichlid. Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special (BBC1, 10pm) The doting mother offers Winnie and Sharon a place to stay when the pipes in their house burst, but Agnes and Cathy soon discover that living with best friends isn’t as much fun as they thought it would be. Wednesday, January 2 Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad (ITV, 8pm) Bradley Walsh and his son Barney embark on a US road trip that will take them over 2,000 miles from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Doctor Who (NewYears Day, BBC1, 7pm)

Michael Bublé (New Years Eve, BBC2, 11.15pm)

Les Misérables (BBC1, 9pm) Six-part adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 19th-century novel set against a backdrop of civil unrest in France. Former convict Jean Valjean (Dominic West) is struggling to leave his past behind him – especially as police officer Javert (David Oyelowo) refuses to believe he is a reformed character. Co-stars Lily Collins as Fantine and Olivia Colman as Madame Thénardier. Big Ben: Countdown to New Year (C4, 9pm) Director of the Landmark Trust Anna Keay presents the second in an occasional series going behind the scenes of the clock tower’s ongoing restoration.

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