TOTP4 Christmas 2017
BBC4, 7.30pm

THIS year, the traditional festive TOTP2 has moved from BBC2 to BBC4 – hence the slight title change – but it’s still seasonal business as usual. Mark Radcliffe will take on the voice of Christmas Past as he offers a sardonic commentary on festive Top of the Pops performances from everyone from Ed Sheeran to the Flying Pickets, along with other classics from Kylie and Jason, The Darkness, Abba, the Spice Girls and the Pogues.

Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Christmas Special
C4, 8pm

THIS festive-themed edition sees Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty welcome Liv Tyler to their cafe on Southend Pier for the cooking lesson of a lifetime as Jamie directs the Hollywood star through the stages of making delicate pork dim sum dumplings – her family’s favourite takeaway. Jamie also whips up a kedgeree, while Jimmy helps a community allotment group with a wood-fired oven.

Celebrity 5 Go in Search of Santa Claus
C5, 8.30pm

YOU can run but you can’t hide from celebrity travelogues these days. But while some have featured stars you might not expect to pop up on docusoaps – such as Julie Walters and Timothy West – there are others you expect to take part. Some feature in this 90-minute documentary. Actors Christopher Biggins and Sue Holderness, comedian Joe Pasquale and musician-turned-presenter Reverend Richard Coles take an epic trip into the Arctic Circle to explore Lapland, the home of Santa Claus.

Les Dawson: In His Own Words
C5, 10pm

REMEMBERING the stand-up comedian, TV host, and celebrated piano player who died in June 1993 aged 62, Les Dawson’s life story is revealed by delving into the archives and piecing together memorable film footage, as well as digging out great performances, chat show appearances, and rare archive and home movie footage. There are also contributions from family, friends and colleagues, all combining to unpick the stories behind this legend of British entertainment.