TV Guide 2018-12-22
Eyes down for Christmas week. Saturday has all the festive specials - Pointless Celebrities (BBC1), Blind Date and Win Your Wish List (both Channel 5). Sunday gives us family entertainment What Would Your Kid Do?, bloopers from The Chase (both ITV), and comedy from 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4) and Have I Got 2018 For You (BBC1).
Christmas Eve includes All Together Now Celebrities (BBC1), and more highbrow entertainment from Christmas University Challenge (BBC2).
All the favourites are present on Christmas Day, including Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1), The Great Christmas Bake Off (Channel 4). It's pantomime season, as heard on Oh Yes It Is, Oh No It Isn't (Radio Scotland).
Richard Ayoade fans will circle Boxing Day night, as it's The Crystal Maze and he's on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (both Channel 4).
World's Strongest Man starts on Thursday (Channel 5), and there's a Masterchef The Professionals rematch involving past finalists (BBC2). Friday has A Question of Sport Quizmas (BBC1), and the year's events reviewed in The News Quiz (Radio 4) and Re-Play 2018 With Richard Osman (ITV).
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Schedules are accurate at the time of publication; check against EPG for late changes.
Contents |
Saturday 22 December
- Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 11am).
- Catchphrase (ITV, 1.15), Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 2pm), Tenable (ITV, 3pm), The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 4pm).
Primetime
- Big Star's Bigger Star (ITV, 5pm) Kym Marsh, Harry Judd, Simon Webbe are embarrassed by their parents.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 5.20) Joe Pasquale (werewolf films), Ricky Boleto (1990s number one singles), Toyah Willcox (Boudica), Jeanette Kwakye (Disney animations).
- Pointless Celebrities Christmas Special (BBC1, 6.10) Dave Hill and Rob Davis, Sally Lindsay and Roger McGough, Sonia and Jamelia, Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin.
- Blind Date (C5, 7pm) A festive special starts the new series.
- Gino's Win Your Christmas Wish List (C5, 8pm).
- India's Got Talent (Colors, 10pm).
Weekend repeats
Shows seen earlier in the week
Saturday
- WIQ (Radio 4, 11pm) From Monday.
Sunday
- I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 12.04) From Monday.
- The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, 1.30) From Friday.
- Insert Name Here (BBC2, 11.55) From Wednesday.
Sunday 23 December
- Supermarket Sweep (Challenge, 7am); The Cube (Challenge, 11am) Two marathons in one day.
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 9.25am).
- Got What it Takes? (CBBC, 9.35) The recent series repeated.
- Desert Island Discs (Radio 4, 11.15am) Alan Carr is cast away with eight records.
- Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV, 2.30), Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 3.30), Tenable (ITV, 4.30).
Primetime
- The Chase Christmas Special (ITV, 6pm) A classic episode.
- What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV, 7pm) Parents of twins in this Christmas special.
- Dragons' Den (BBC2, 8pm) Christmas innovations.
- The Chase Bloopers (ITV, 8pm).
- Have I Got 2018 News for You (BBC1, 9pm) Clips from the year.
- 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 9pm) Sean Lock and Kathy Burke play Jon Richardson and celebrity husband David Mitchell. Christmas special.
Monday 24 December - Christmas Eve
- Football Genius (ITV, 12.55am) Stockport County play West Ham.
- Bruce's Price is Right (Challenge, 7am); The Chase (Challenge, 12 noon) Marathons to 10pm.
- Just a Minute (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm).
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 9.25am).
- Got What it Takes? (CBBC, 9.40) Next episode's on Thursday.
- Dinner Date Day (ITVBe, 1pm) With Christmas episodes from 4.
Primetime
- The Unbelievable Truth (Radio 4, 6.30) More fact-smuggling.
- All Together Now Celebrities (BBC1, 7.15) Who will get The 100 singing along?
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Motorheads play Cartoonists in the first-and-a-halfth round. Yes, it's a normal show for the penultimate Monday in December. What of it?
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) Paxman is in festive mood, as Brasenose Oxford (Kate Bliss, Tim Harford) plays Bristol (Iain Stewart, Misha Glenny).
- Would I Lie to You (BBC1, 10pm) A classic episode with Noddy Holder.
- Made in Chelsea's Big Christmas Quiz (E4, 10pm) Matt Edmondson and Mollie King host an unusual edition of the observational documentary.
Tuesday 25 December - Christmas Day
- Tenable (ITV, 12.45am; not STV) They can't show gambling on Christmas morning, so this instead.
- Catchphrase (Challenge, 7am); The Chase (Challenge, 12 noon) Marathons to 10pm.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 10.20am) Snow Joke.
- Copycats (CBBC, 10.40) Christmas special, as are The Dog Ate My Homework (11.35),
- Sam and Mark's Big Christmas Windup (12.30 and 7pm).
- Oh Yes It Is, Oh No It Isn't (Radio Scotland, 12 noon) A festive panto quiz. Billy Differ hosts, with Michelle McManus and Tom Urie. Concludes New Year's Day.
- Celebrity Dinner Date (ITVBe, 12.55) Through to 9pm.
- A Christmas Chase (ITV, 3.10) Repeated from 16 December.
- All the Way from Memphis (Radio 4 Extra, 4pm) From 2004.
Primetime
- Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 5.30) Fairy tale dances from Caroline Flack, Anita Rani, Jake Wood, Aston Merrygold, Ann Widdecombe, Michael Vaughan.
- Y Gemau Gwyllt (S4C, 5.30) Highlights of the outdoors series.
- Only Connect (BBC2, 5.35) In a special match, the QI Elves play the Inquisitors.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 6.05) Westminster University (Danny Wallace, Sophie Scott) play East Anglia (Arthur Smith, Darren Bett).
- The Grate Christmas Burn-Down (C4, 8pm) The return of Andrew and Jane, plus some other folks. CAUTION: contains a "song" from The Darkness.
- Have I Got a Bit More 2018 News for You (BBC1 11.50) Extended repeat from Friday.
Wednesday 26 December - Boxing Day
- Charity Bake Off Day (Home, 7am) And all day.
- Family Fortunes (Challenge, 7am); The Chase (Challenge, 12 noon) Marathons to 10pm.
- Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas (C4, 7.20am) Repeated from the 11th.
- Celebrity Dinner Date (ITVBe, 12.55) Through to 9pm.
- The Great Model Railway Challenge (5Select, 1pm) All six episodes, to 7pm.
- The Graet Christmas Burn-Down (C4, 3.15) Repeat from yesterday.
- Tenable (ITV, 3.30).
- What's It All About (Radio 2, 4pm) A documentary on Cilla Black, concentrating on her music career.
- Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 4.35) Matt le Tissier.
Primetime
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5.35) Jamie Theakston.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 5.55) Pembroke Cambridge (Rick Edwards, Kath Bishop) play King's London (Anita Anand, Zoe Laughlin).
- The Price is Right (E4, 6.55) Repeated from last year.
- Celwydd Noeth (S4C, 7pm) A new celebrity edition: Tudur Owen and Elin Fflur, Nathan Brew and Nicky Robinson, Victoria Pugh and Meilyr Rhys Williams.
- The Crystal Maze Celebrity Christmas Special (C4, 8pm) Christopher Biggins, Deborah Meaden, Jamie Laing, Frankie Bridge, Chris Kamara.
- Your Face or Mine (Comedy Central, 8pm) Two celebrity editions.
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2018 (C4, 9pm) Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, Mo Gilligan, celebrity husband David Mitchell, Claudia Winkleman, Michelle Wolf, and a cast of thousands.
- Dragons' Den (BBC2, 11.15; not NI) Repeat from Sunday.
Thursday 27 December
- Play Your Cards Right (Challenge, 7am); The Chase (Challenge, 12 noon) Marathons to 10pm.
- Lego Masters (C4, 7.30) The recent series repeated.
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 9.25am).
- Great Local Menu (BBC2, 9.30) Finals week repeated.
- Got What it Takes? (CBBC, 9.35); Match of the Day Can You Kick It (CBBC, 10.15).
- Big Star's Little Star (ITV, 10.20) Repeat from Saturday.
- World's Strongest Man Giants Live (Spike, 2pm) All five episodes.
- Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV, 1.55), Tenable (ITV, 3pm), Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 4pm), The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5pm). Where would we be..?
- Bargain Hunt Evening (Home, 5pm) To 2am.
Primetime
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.45) Children's television, a repeat.
- Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule (ITV, 6pm) Repeat from 2017.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 7pm) Shaun Ryder (Manchester), Arabella Weir (Motown girl groups), Stef Reid (parables of Jesus), Sean Fletcher (Sesame Street).
- World's Strongest Man 2018 (C5, 7pm) The finals begin here.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 7.30; Scotland 8pm Fri) St Catherine's Oxford (Michael Billington, Susie Boyt) play Peterhouse Cambridge (Michael Howard, Mark Horton).
- Masterchef The Professionals Rematch (BBC2, 8pm) Five former finalists return.
- Beat the Internet with John Robins (Dave, 8pm) Two episodes.
- Takeshi's Castle (Comedy Central, 8.30).
- When Game Shows Go Horribly Wrong (5select, 10pm).
- Bob Monkhouse The Last Stand (BBC4, 10pm) Fifteen years since he's gone.
Friday 28 December
- Lily Savage's Blankety Blank (Challenge, 7am); The Chase (Challenge, 12 noon) Marathons to 10pm.
- Lego Masters (C4, 7.50).
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 9.25am).
- Got What it Takes? (CBBC, 9.35); Match of the Day Can You Kick It (CBBC, 10.15).
- Great Local Menu (BBC2, 10.30) Finals week repeated.
- What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV, 12.35) From Sunday.
- The Best of Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 1.30).
- Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV, 1.55), Tenable (ITV, 3pm), Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 4pm), The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5pm). Where would we be..?
- Masterchef The Professionals Rematch (BBC2, 5.30) Repeat from last night.
Primetime
- Pointless (BBC1, 5.45) The first new episode since late October.
- The News Quiz (Radio 4, 6.30) The new series starts with a look back at 2018.
- Mastermind (BBC2, 7.30) REM, Edward Lear, Gustav Klimt, FA Cup.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8pm; Scotland 5.30 Sun) Exeter (Paul Jackson, Jon Kay) play Birmingham (Chris Addison, Nigel Lindsay).
- World's Strongest Man 2018 (C5, 8pm).
- A Question of Sport Merry Quizmas (BBC1 8.30; Wales 10.30) Sue Barker with the best festive moments.
- Re-Play 2018 with Richard Osman (ITV, 9pm) How much attention have celebrity guests been paying to the news over the last year?
- The Imitation Game (ITV, 10pm) A new episode.
- Would I Lie to You (BBC1, 10.30; not Wales, NI) Repeat, with Lily Allen.
- Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2018 (C4, 11pm) Repeat from Boxing Day night.
Sign language interpretation
- Family Cooking Showdown (BBC2, 6.15am Mo).
- Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 6.15am We, 6am Th).
