Christmas_TV_Guide

serves as his goodbye as he looks back over his time on Strictly . Few people could have guessed when the pro-celebrity ballroom challenge began in 2004 as part of Sport Relief that it would become such a ratings juggernaut. Here, some of the cast members past and present share their memories of the Strictly experience – and Len. Citizen Khan (BBC1, 8.30pm) Mr Khan revisits his early years, reflecting on the fact that his life hasn’t turned out the way he planned it. Adil Ray, Shobu Kapoor, Krupa Pattani and Bhavna Limbachia star in a festive episode of the comedy, tipping its hat to Frank Capra’s Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Miranda Richardson becomes David Walliams’ latest ‘friend’, joining forces to play a pair of obnoxious estate agents and a cou- ple on the world’s most awkward date. Other sketches see a new company claiming compensation for people who have had their feelings hurt in the workplace and the only person in the world who loves Ant but hates Dec. With Morgana Robinson, Mike Wozniak, Jason Lewis, Jocelyn Lee Esien, Kevin Cecil and Joy Richardson. Life . Last in the series. Walliams & Friend (BBC1, 9.30pm)

Saturday, December 24 Alan Bennett’s Diaries (BBC2, 8pm) Alan Bennett’s Diaries (December, 24, BBC2, 8pm)

serving in Afghanistan and found a new career path. Will Luke be able to achieve his dream and earn a place on Team GB? The Dog Rescuers at Christmas (Channel 5, 8pm) Alan Davies presents another seasonal special edition of the animal welfare series. Staff at Harmsworth Animal Hospital treat a three-year-old English bull terrier with a worrying lump, and a Yorkshire terrier with a displaced puppy Obi needs a new home before Christmas. RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes rescues a spaniel that has been abandoned in a freezing house, but things do not look so good for Pudding, an elderly shihtzu that needs some special attention in order to survive past Christmas. Citizen Khan (December 23, BBC1, 8.30pm) badly-broken leg. At South Godstone Animal Centre,

Thursday, December 22 The Secret Life of the Zoo at Christmas (Channel 4, 8pm) Stockings have been hung for the Sumatran orang-utan family, only for eight-year-old Indah to open everyone else’s. There is concern about the health of reticulated python Bali, who has been off her food for more than three months. She needs a check-up, but at 23ft it takes 10 brave keepers to catch her. Malayan tapirs Marjorie and Bitong welcome a baby, however the new dad is not happy when his daughter comes between him and his partner, and sun bear couple Tony and Millie’s relationship is growing stale – will a trial separa- tion help? The World’s Most Expensive Toys (Channel 4, 9pm) This documentary explores the world of the craftspeople and inventors attempting to realise the dreams of Britain’s wealthiest by creating luxurious gifts and entertainments, from crystal- encrusted rocking horses to £22,500 dolls houses. Friday, December 23 Strictly Len Goodman (BBC1, 7pm) Head judge Len Goodman is hanging up his ‘seven’ paddle and stepping down from the panel. We’ll still get to see him offer his

Bennett first came to fame in the early 1960s as part of the Beyond the Fringe team; these days he’s perhaps best known for his plays The History Boys and The Lady in the Van , and the TV series Talking Heads . Throughout his life, Bennett has been a dedicated diarist, and here, at the age of 82, he takes viewers through some of the events he has kept a record of, opens up about his private life and turns his still biting wit onto modern politics. Birds of a Feather (ITV, 8pm) Travis was last seen getting on a ferry to Morocco with his

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opinions on the Christmas special, but this programme

Insert Name Here: Christmas Special (BBC2, 10pm) Presenter Sue Perkins is joined by regular team captains Josh Widdicombe and Richard Osman for a festive special of the comedy panel game. Completing the line- up are comedy writer and DJ Danny Baker, stand-up comedian and actress Sara Pascoe, former Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden, and Professor of History at the University of Reading, Kate Williams. Expect fiendish facts about the Queen’s speech, Delia Smith’s cooking and the original Father Christmas, St Nicholas. The World’s Most Expensive Toys (December, 22, C4, 9pm)

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The Great Christmas Bake Off (Christmas Day, BBC1, 4.45pm)

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