7 must see TV programmes this Christmas

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE)

The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (BBC One, 8.30pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Professor Branestawm is an absent-minded professor, whose creations have a habit of going disastrously wrong.

Luckily, his long-suffering housekeeper Mrs Flittersnoop and his dim, but loyal, best friend Colonel Dedshott are usually on hand to stop him blowing himself up, but not everyone is convinced that’s enough of a safeguard.

Can plucky school kid Connie stop evil businessman Mr Bullimore and local councillor Harold Haggerstone from kicking Branestawm out of the village on health and safety grounds?

LOOK OUT FOR: The superb cast, headed by an almost unrecognisable Harry Hill as the professor.

He’s joined by Vicky Pepperdine, Simon Day, Sophie Thompson and Miranda Richardson, and comedians David Mitchell and Ben Miller.

Charlie Higson, who adapted the screenplay from Norman Hunter’s books, also has a role.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 (CHRISTMAS DAY)

Doctor Who (BBC One, 6.15pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? As usual when it comes to the long-running sci-fi classic, we have scant details to offer you.

That’s because showrunner Steven Moffat is slightly obsessed with keeping his plots a secret in case spoilers leak out.

Now, we applaud that idea, but a few morsels to whet the appetite would be nice.

So, what do we know? As well as Capaldi playing the gallivanting Gallifreyan, Jenna Coleman is back as Clara and Nick Frost makes a guest appearance as the one and only Santa Claus.

The action takes place on an Arctic base which is under attack from terrifying creatures - and only the Doctor and his pal Santa can save the day.

LOOK OUT FOR: Michael Troughton, brother of David who has appeared in Doctor Who on numerous occasions, most notably in The Curse of Peladon alongside Jon Pertwee, and in Midnight, with David Tennant.

They are, of course, the sons of Patrick Troughton, who played the Doctor’s second incarnation. Sharp-eyed fans may also have spotted a photo of Patrick as Robin Hood in the recent Robots of Sherwood episode.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 (BOXING DAY)

That Day We Sang (BBC2, 9pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? When Victoria Wood was 22 (and as she recently told BBC Breakfast, living in a bedsit and existing on a diet of tinned mince), she saw a documentary about the reunion of members of a children’s choir.

It was still on Wood’s mind in 2011, when it inspired her to the write the musical That Day We Sang, which was originally staged as part of the Manchester International Festival. And now, she’s bringing it to the small screen.

Set in 1969, it stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton as Tubby and Enid, who were once members of Manchester’s Children’s Choir. They reunite for a documentary marking the 40th anniversary of their iconic recording of Nymphs and Shepherd.

But could it also mark a new beginning for lonely Tubby and Enid?

LOOK OUT FOR: The story of Jimmy, another member of the choir for whom singing provides an escape from a difficult home life.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27

Bruce’s Hall of Fame (BBC One, 8.30pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? It’ s 56 years since Bruce Forsyth first took to a certain London stage to entertain the masses.

Sunday Night at the London Palladium turned him into a household name, and marke d the beginning of a beautiful association with one of Blighty’ s premier theatres .

Now he’s back for another spectacular, and he’ s brought a handful of famous faces. They will be paying tribute to the entertainers who inspired them.

DJ and jazz musician Jamie Cullum sings the praises of Tony Bennett, and Jon Culshaw makes a good impression with his Mike Yarwood tribute .

Ben Miller, the former Death in Paradise star, was so inspired by the work of Norman Wisdom, he decided to recreate his comedy decorator’s sketch (with a little help from Brucie).

And stand-up Jason Manford will be reflecting on the career of the gurning, belove d pianist Les Dawson. [Who knew JM was a great singer?]

LOOK OUT FOR: EastEnders veteran Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon). As she proved with TV drama The Road to Coronation Street four years ago, there’ s far more to her than just shouting at her fellow Walford co-stars .

Here she doffs her hypothetical cap to real East Enders Marie Lloyd and Georgia Brown, and gets a chance to sho woff that amazing voice.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28

The Last Tango in Halifax (BBC One, 9pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Writer Sally Wainwright would have to disagree with whoever it was that declared ‘it’ s grim up north’ – after all, there’ s a reason she’s taken to setting some of her best work in the rolling countryside and quaint little villages of Calderdale .

One of which, The Last Tango in Halifax – about childhood sweethearts who find love again after being apart for 60 years – is returning foR a third series.

And of course casting Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi in those lead roles has worked a dream.

The two return as septuagenarian newlyweds Celia and Alan, with Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker playing their troubled daughters.

We check in on Valentine's Day, and Gillian is enjoying a date with the handsome Gary from Halifax, bu t as they get further into their evening, it becomes apparent that things may not be as they seem with her dinner companion .

Meanwhile, Alan and Celia plan their honeymoo n and decide on killing tw o birds with one stone, and visiting his brother Ted in New Zealand. But there's a spanner thrown in the works when someone from Alan's past makes an unexpected appearance.

Plus, Caroline proposes to a heavily pregnant Kate, while her ex-husband John delivers some bad news.

LOOK OUT FOR: The storyline! It’s better than ever this time around, with a few surprises.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29

Mapp and Lucia (BBC One, 9.05pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? In 2014, we’ve seen Steve Pemberton in the dark comedy Inside Number 9 and the downright bleak Happy Valley, but now he’s getting in touch with his lighter side.

He's adapted EF Benson's much-loved novels for this new three-part period comedy, in which he also takes a starring role.

It’s set in the fictional town of Tilling, where resident schemer Miss Elizabeth Mapp (Miranda Richardson) thinks she’s just pulled off a social coup – she’s letting her house to Mrs Emmeline ‘Lucia’ Lucas (Anna Chancellor), for the summer months.

Unfortunately, it turns out imperious, snobbish Lucia has no intention of letting Mapp guide her through the town's social circles, and instead plans to charm, or if necessary bully, her own way into the residents’ lives.

As the two women find themselves locked in an escalating war for supremacy, will the realm of Tilling really be big enough for the both of them?

LOOK OUT FOR: An impressive supporting cast that includes Felicity ‘Lynn from Alan Partridge’ Montagu, Friday Night Dinner’s Paul Ritter and Pemberton’s old League of Gentlemen mate Mark Gatiss.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30

Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (Channel 4, 8pm)

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? After years of partnering up with the lovely Kirstie Allsopp for umpteen series of Location, Location, Location, Phil Spencer began to go it alone over two years ago now, and he’s had quite an effect on the sale of properties up and down the country.

That’s not to say we don’t love the Allsopp-Spencer pairing, and, of course, we do a small cheer every time we notice Location creep back in the schedules, so fingers crossed that will be happening sometime soon.

However, with Kirstie off doing all things Christmassy, or crafty, or whatever she's turning her hand to these days, we have to mak e the most of the two of them in whichever way we can.

So for now, our Secret Agent is back for another run, and helping folk struggling to sell their homes. He begins in the cathedral cities of Hereford and Gloucester .

He meets Nick and Carolyn, who have recently separated and ar e desperate to get rid of their house – after all, it’s been on the market for seven months now. Wondering where they’ve been going wrong, and in far from the ideal situation, they eagerly follow the Secret Agent’s advice .

Meanwhile, Lorna and Stuart are on the hunt for a bigger place to accommodate their growing family.

LOOK OUT FOR: Phil’ s advice of course – it’s, well, safe as houses .

To those struggling to sell their house, Phil says: “Tidy away any clutter. Designate space clearly. You’ve got to have the right price, so consider that very carefully.”