Christmas and New Year TV and Puzzle Guide 2019

The Great Christmas Bake Off (Channel 4, 7.10pm) Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig are joined by Tom and Yan from 2017 and Briony and Terry from last year. Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special (BBC1, 8.30pm) The Shipmans travel to Wales for Christmas, where a tense Bryn is cooking dinner for 13 people. For Gavin and Stacey, parenthood continues to present them with several challenges, their ‘baby’ now being 10. Smithy is also fully committed to his fatherly role, making the journey to Barry at weekends and every second Wednesday to see 12-year-old Neil. Nessa adopts her own brand of

her. A spoof of classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life . Thursday, December 26 Worzel Gummidge (BBC1, 6.20pm) Mackenzie Crook who plays Worzel, has also written and directed two hour-long episodes. WIth Michael Palin, Zoe Wanamaker and Steve Pemberton. Susan Hill’s Ghost Story (Channel 5, 9pm) Douglas Henshall plays Adam Snow, an antique bookseller who, after an encounter with the ghost of a boy, investigates what may have happened to the youngster and uncovers links to his own childhood. Neve McIntosh, Louise Lombard and Paul Barber co-star. Paddington: The Man Behind the Bear (BBC2, 9pm) This documentary learns more Bond. The film also looks at some of his other classic characters, including The Herbs, Olga da Polga and Monsieur Pamplemousse. Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2019 (Channel 4, 9pm) Jimmy Carr welcomes Dara O Briain, Maya Jama, Asim Chaudhry, Roisin Conaty, Richard Ayoade and Noel Fielding to the end-of-year celebrity panel game. about the man who created Paddington, author Michael

mothering, while Pam, Mick and Gwen have become the epitome of doting grandparents. Dolly Parton – Here I Am (BBC2, 8.30pm) Feature-length documentary taking the audience on a musical journey through some of her greatest songs. Cameras also capture Dolly celebrating the 50th anniversary of her very first performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special (BBC1, 10.30pm) When it seems that Mrs Brown (Brendan O’Carroll) cannot please anyone, she wonders if it would have been better had she never been born. Clyde, a mysterious figure says he can show her what life would have been like without Susan Hill’s Ghost Story (December 26, Channel 5, 9pm)

Worzel Gummidge (December 26, BBC 1, 6.20pm)

Would I Lie to You? at Christmas (BBC1, 9.30pm)

Rob Brydon hosts. Joining team captains DavidMitchell and Lee Mack are Liz Bonnin, Stephen Merchant, Sharon Osbourne and Ranj Singh. Friday, December 27 The World’s Most Expensive Christmas Cruise Ship (Channel 5, 8pm) Yuletide life on the Seven Seas Explorer. The vessel’s 88 cooks frantically prepare the most luxurious food at sea, as the guests enjoy excursions to meet Stingrays in the Caribbean sea and explore the jungles of Mexico on quad bikes.

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special (December 25, BBC1, 8.30pm)

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