TV Guide 2020-12-19

So, this is Christmas week. It begins with the Strictly Come Dancing final, and an outlier episode of Celebrity Mastermind (both BBC1). On Sunday, two members of McFly take on The Cube, and Bradley Walsh tells us How to Win a Game Show (both ITV). Celebrity University Challenge begins (BBC2, Mon 21st), it's The Big Quiz (2) on ITV with Stephen Mulhern, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4). There are Celebrity Masterchef special episodes (BBC1, Mon and Wed).

Rejoice! A QI special is on BBC2 (Wed 23rd), and Pointless Celebrities is on BBC1 at teatime. Christmas Eve gives us The Wall Versus Celebrities (BBC1), Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV), Would I Lie to You at Christmas (BBC1), The Price is Right (ITV), and 30 Years of Have I Got News for You (BBC1). Foodies have Great Local Christmas Menu The Banquet (BBC2) and The Christmas Bake Off (C4).

Christmas Day includes Tenable and The Chase (ITV), Strictly Come Dancing clip show (BBC1). Michael McIntyre spins The Wheel, and Bradley Walsh hosts Blankety Blank (both BBC1). There's a Got Talent Christmas spectacular (VM1 and ITV). Regionalia gives us the final of Irish talent show Réalta Agus Gaolta (TG4) and celebrity quizzing with Mastermind Selebs Cymru (S4C).

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Schedules are accurate at the time of publication; check against EPG for late changes.

Contents

Saturday 19 December

  • Runaround (Talking Pictures, 9am) Unusual puppets and rare zoo animals.
  • Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 11am).
  • Bargain Hunt (BBC1, 1.15).
  • House of Games (3) (BBC2, 4.55) Double Points Friday is on a Saturday this week. Dropped for Westminister blether and will be shown at 5.20 on Sunday.

The Masked Singer

Primetime

  • The Masked Singer The Story So Far (ITV, 5pm) You've had one series! How can you have a best-ever compilation from one series?!?!!?
  • Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 5.25, Scot postponed to Mon 8.20) New series, with Omid Djalili (Harry Potter films), Charlotte Crosby (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Zoe Williams (Nelson Mandela), and James Haskell (Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises). Next episode's on 28 December.
  • Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 6pm) The grand final.
  • Celebrity Supermarket Sweep (ITV, 6.20) Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, Martin and Roman Kemp, Joanna Page and Melanie Walters.
  • The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 7.20) A classic episode with Lucy Porter and Kate Thornton.
  • Eurovision Again (youtube.com/eurovision, 8pm) A compilation of some of the best songs never to make it past the semi-finals. Which will the viewers say is best: "This is my life", "Et cetera", "Verona", "Ireland douze points"..?
  • The Wheel (BBC1, 8.20).

Weekend repeats

Saturday

  • Gigglequiz (Cbeebies, 10.25). From Wednesday.
  • Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 11.30) From Friday.
  • Celebrity Juice (ITV2, 10pm) From Thursday.
  • Counterpoint (R4, 11pm) From Monday.

Sunday

  • I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 12.04) From last Monday.
  • Mastermind Cymru (S4C, 1.30) From Wednesday.
  • Celebrity The Crystal Maze (E4, 5.35) From Thursday.
  • Taskmaster (E4, 6.35) A family viewing edition.

Sunday 20 December

  • Fferm Ffactor (S4C, 9am) From 2017.
  • Runaround (Talking Pictures, 9am) Tiny glass animals.
  • Be' Ti'n Gwylio? (S4C, 11.30) Another chance to see the Gogglebox-style quiz about tv.
  • Bargain Hunt (BBC1, 12.30; not Scot).

Primetime

The Cube

  • House of Games (3) (BBC2, 5.20) Double Points Friday is on a Sunday this week.
  • New Year Bake Off (E4, 7.35) Repeated from 2019.
  • The Million Pound Cube Celebrity Special (ITV, 8pm; VM1, 9pm) Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter from McFly, then Emily Atack and Kate Robbins.
  • Réalta Agua Gaolta (TG4, 8.30) The wildcard round.
  • 8 Out of 10 Cats (E4, 9pm) Paisley Billings, Josh Jones, Tom Read Wilson, Kiri Pritchard-McLean.

Bonus feature

  • Who Wants to be a Millionaire The Millionaires (ITV, 7pm) 5: Ingram Wilcox, the forgotten winner.
  • Bradley Walsh's How to Win a Game Show (ITV, 9.15) Classic clips, the thoughts of Ant and Dec, the Chasers, and Stephen Mulhern gets into the mind of a Catchphrase contestant. Roomy, is it?

Weekday Daytimes

Covers Monday to Wednesday only

  • The Chase Marathon (Challenge, 7am to 11pm). By the end of the year, the Challenge channel will shown every single episode an average of twice this year. That's including the episodes they don't yet have rights to.
  • Celebrity Supermarket Sweep (ITV, 10am); In for a Penny (ITV, 11am) Recent repeats.
  • Junior Bake Off (C4, 11.25).
  • Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.15) Note: BBC2. The other channel.
  • Dickinson's Real Deal (ITV, 2pm).
  • Countdown (C4, 2.10) Three special editions, with Rory Bremner giving the anecdote.
  • Tenable All Stars (ITV, 3pm) Repeats. We recommend against Monday's episode.
  • Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 4pm).
  • The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5pm).
  • Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.15; Scot not Tu).
  • Classic Taskmaster (E4, 7.30).

Bonus feature

  • Quiz (ITV3, 10pm) Another chance to see the drama based on the Ingrams' Who Wants to be a Millionaire trial.

Masterchef Goes Large

Monday 21 December

"Dunwrappin, Humbug-on-the-Levels, Suffolk." Pointless was cancelled for the prime minister's Christmas address.

  • A Question of Sport (BBC1, 2.10am; not Scot) Repeat from last Friday.
  • Hidden Treasures (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm) Antiques quiz from 1998.
  • Counterpoint (Radio 4, 3pm) Heat 2.
  • I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 6.30) Remote recording 2: Marcus Brigstocke, Rachel Parris, Miles Jupp, Rory Bremner, Jo Brand, Andy Hamilton.
  • Europe's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) A European event taking place in Harrogate. Good luck with that.
  • Mastermind (BBC2, 7.30) A civilian edition: specialist subjects are Lyndon B Johnson, A Song of Ice and Fire, seabirds, children's tv.
  • Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Qualifying round, match 2: Sliders v Puzzle Hunters.
  • Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1 Scot, 8.20): Postponed from Saturday.
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 1: Chris's Cambridge v St John's Oxford.
  • Celebrity Masterchef Christmas Cook Off (BBC1, 9pm) Janet Street-Porter, Christopher Bigging, Dev Griffin, Vicky Pattison.
  • 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 9pm) Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican play Sean Lock and David Mitchell. David O'Doherty has the anecdote.
  • The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, 9pm; VM1 9pm Mon 28th) Coronation Street (Jack P Shepherd, Simon Gregson, Sair Khan) play Emmerdale Farm (Mark Charnock, Karen Blick, Jay Kontzle).
  • Mock the Week (BBC2, 10pm; NI 10.45 Sun 27th) Seasonal material, fond favourites, and previously unseen bits.
  • The Crystal Maze (C4, 10pm) Faye Tozer, Nick Helm, Richard Blackwood, Anne Hegerty, Jordan Stephens.

Tuesday 22 December

  • Have I Got a Bit More News for You (BBC1, 12.30am; Scot 12.45am, Wales 1.05am) Extended repeat from Friday.
  • Un Cwestiwn (S4C, 5.10) A classic episode.
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 7.30) 2: Manchester v Queen's Belfast.
  • I'll Get This Christmas Special (BBC2, 10pm; not NI) A historical documentary, about the strange pastimes our ancestors got up to in "rez-tee-ronts".

QI

Wednesday 23 December

  • All the Way from Memphis (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm).
  • Crackerjack! (BBC1, 9.15am) Another chance to see the Christmas special.
  • Pointless Celebrities Christmas Special (BBC1, 5.10) Dianne Buswell, Max George, Sally Phillips, Milton Jones, John Barnes, Dave Beasant, Jodie Kidd, Lisa Snowdon, with a performance by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott.
  • Bake Off The Winners (C4, 7pm) The winners, from Nadiya to (er) whoever won last month.
  • Europe's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Further action from exotic Harrogate.
  • Snackmasters (C4, 8pm) Can Fred's team make decent Quality Street? Can Cadbury's make decent Quality Street?
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 3: Courtauld v Goldsmiths.
  • Celebrity Masterchef Christmas Cook Off (BBC1, 9pm) Craig Revel Horwood, Amar Latif, Crissy Rock, Spencer Matthews.
  • Mastermind Cymru (S4C, 9pm) Norwich City FC, Paul Cézanne, Otto von Bismarck, Catholic martyrs.
  • QI (BBC2, 9.30) Rejoice! A Christmas special, with Chris McCausland, Justin Moorhouse, and Holly Walsh.

Tipping Point

Thursday 24 December - Christmas Eve

  • The Chase Marathon (Challenge, 7am to 11pm) More episodes than Shaun Wallace has seen football matches.
  • Antiques Road Trip Day (Really, 8am to 6pm).
  • Genius (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm).
  • Junior Bake Off (C4, 10.20) Repeated from last year.
  • Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.10) A festive edition from Newark.
  • The Masked Singer The Story So Far (ITV, 1.15) Repeat from Saturday.
  • Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.15); Gigglequiz (Cbeebies, 4pm).
  • The BBC Radio Ulster Christmas Quiz (Radio Ulster, 4pm) Vinny Hurrell, Barra Best, Linda McAuley, Cecilia Daly, Nicola Weir, and others.
  • Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 4.40) New ep: Clare Balding, Joe Swash, Sherrie Hewson.

The Wall

Primetime

  • Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV, 5.45) New ep: Jordan Banjo, Helen George, Harry Redknapp.
  • A Question of Sport The Podcast (Radio 5, 6pm).
  • The Wall Versus Celebrities (BBC1, 6.55) Craig Revel Horwood and Stacey Dooley.
  • The Great Christmas Bake Off (C4, 7.40). Noel Fielding has regenerated into Tom Allen for these episodes. Competing are Jamie and Rosie from 2019, Ruby from 2018, James from 2017.
  • Would I Lie to You? At Christmas (BBC1, 7.45) Jo Brand, Joe Lycett, Joe Swash, Ruth Madeley.
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 7.45) 4: Nottingham v Sheffield.
  • The Price is Right (ITV, 8.15) Alan Carr has more come on down fun, in his Epic Gameshow series.
  • Great Local Christmas Menu (BBC2, 9.15) The final banquet, where all the winners show off their work.
  • 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 10.55 10pm) Another chance to see the festive special.
  • Have I Got 30 Years For You (BBC1, 10.15 10.45) The authorised history of the topical quiz, with Paul Merton, Ian Hislop, Germaine Greer, Gary Lineker, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Ken Livingstone, and Alexander Armstrong. Pushed back by a news special featuring HIGNFY's second most famous alumnus.
  • The Crystal Maze Celebrity Edition (C4, 10pm 10.55) Spencer Matthews, Vogue Williams, Chris Hoy, Jessica Wright, Rev Richard Coles.

Bonus features

  • The Reunion (Radio 4, 9am) Reliving the early series of Strictly Come Dancing: Natasha Kaplinsky, Lesley Garrett, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, John Byrnes.
  • One Night in Hamleys (C4, 9pm) Comedians spend a night in a toy shop, with silly challenges along the way.
  • Miranda's Games With Showbiz Names (BBC1, 9.45) Miranda Hart gives celebrities silly things to do: Shirley Ballas and Danny Taylor, Robbie Williams and his drummer Karl Brazil, Jermaine Jenas and his wife Ellie.

Strictly Come Dancing

Friday 25 December - Christmas Day

  • The Chase Marathon (Challenge, 7am to 11pm) Almost as many episodes as Mark Labbett has eaten big Christmas dinners.
  • The Personality Test (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm) Lorraine Kelly, as they say at Ash the Bash's place.
  • The Dog Ate My Homework Christmas Special (CBBC, 9.35) Another chance to see it.
  • The Great Christmas Bake Off (C4, 2.05) Repeat from last night.
  • Tenable Christmas Cracker (ITV, 3.40) Five pantomime performers leave all the money behind. Oh no they don't!
  • Réalta Agus Gaolta (TG4, 4.35) The grand final in the talented family search.
  • Strictly Come Dancing The Christmas Countdown (BBC1, 4.45) 25 of the most memorable dances ever.
  • The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special (ITV, 5pm) Colin Jackson, Anne Diamond, Josie Long, Nicky Campbell, and "glam rags" for the furious five.

Britain's Got Talent

Primetime

  • The Wheel (BBC1, 6pm) Contestants: Holly Willoughby, Alan Carr, Oti Mabuse. "Experts": Alexander Armstrong, Christopher Biggins, Clare Balding, Howard Donald, Kate Bottley, Olly Smith, Ainsley Harriott.
  • Blankety Blank (BBC1, 7pm) With Bradley are Jimmy Carr, Danny Jones, Emilia Fox, Amir Khan, Sue Perkins, and Anita Rani.
  • Got Talent Christmas Spectacular (VM1 and ITV, 8pm) The most memorable and talented acts perform together.
  • Mastermind Selebs Cymru (S4C, 9pm) Catrin Heledd (Strictly Come Dancing), Cary Eleri ("Tiffany Aching" books), Anni Llyn (Welsh rugby), Ameer Davies-Rana (Star Wars).
  • The Price is Right (ITV, 11.50), The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, 12.40am) Repeats.

Sign language interpretation

  • Brightest Family (ITV, 3am Sun) Repeats from 2018.
  • Tipping Point (ITV, 5.05am Mon-Thu).
  • Great Local Christmas Menu (BBC2, 2.20am and 3.20am Mon, 2.35am Tue)
  • Back to Mine (ITV, 3am Tue).
  • Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 2.35am Tue, 3.25am Wed, 2.50am Thu).
  • Top Class The Celebs (CBBC, 2.15pm Thu, 1.50 Fri).
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