On TV tonight, a fresh batch of stars heads into the tent for The Great Christmas Bake Off, Charlie Mackesy's bestseller is brought to life in The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, Roman Kemp leads a host of stars in a singing comp in Britain Get Singing, Suranne Jones fronts a bonkers take on the Dickens tale in Christmas Carole, Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas dishes out some tough tasks to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Alex Horne and Scarlett Moffat and Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have a festive edition of Gone Christmas Fishing to enjoy. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.
- Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
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- For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide
What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
The Great Christmas Bake Off, 8.25pm, Channel 4
C4’s rich history over the past 40 years is celebrated as celebs associated with the channel — Terry Christian, Miquita Oliver, Sir Tony Robinson, Gaby Roslin and Claire Sweeney — subject themselves to judgement by Paul and Dame Prue. With Tony claiming he’s never baked and Gaby confessing, ‘I don’t like sugary things!’ this could get interesting! First, they make cake baubles for the Signature. Prue has ‘high expectations’, while Paul just wants something ‘edible’! Then there’s a tricky Technical before a Showstopper involving a festive wreath made from meringue or choux pastry. Who will win a coveted Christmas cake stand?!
★★★★ CC
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, 4.55pm, BBC One
The UK’s best-selling book of 2020, about a lost boy trying to find his way home, is brought to life in this beautiful animation. Created by illustrator Charlie Mackesy, it’s a story of friendship, kindness and hope, with newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as the voice of the boy who befriends three animals — a cake-loving mole (Tom Hollander), a wise horse (Gabriel Byrne) and a wary fox (Idris Elba). Delicate, poignant and with light dabs of humour, it’s suitable for adults and children alike and is the on-screen equivalent of a gentle guiding hand and a warm hug. There is also a documentary about the book’s origins and the life of the author at 3.55 pm on BBC Two.
★★★★★ TL
Britain Get Singing, 8.05pm, ITV1
Roman Kemp hosts this Christmas extravaganza with stars taking part in a sing-off to impress a panel of judges which includes will.i.am, Alesha Dixon, Adam Lambert and Jason Manford. Taking part are Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, Denise Welch and Linda Robson; Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, Mark Charnock and Lawrence Robb; and Coronation Street stars Michael Le Vell, Sue Devaney and Jodie Prenger. Supporting the mental wellness campaign Britain Get Talking, the stars also discuss their own mental health.
★★★★ NC
Christmas Carole, 8pm, Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Now
Buckle up for a bonkers version of the Dickens classic with a TV nostalgia twist. Suranne Jones plays entrepreneur Carole, who has made a fortune selling Christmas tat online. But her Scrooge-like attitude has alienated her from everyone in her life – until one Christmas Eve when she’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, aka Morecambe and Wise (played by impersonators Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel), who kick off Carole’s bizarre ride to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
★★★ HD
Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas, 7.25pm, Channel 4
Lego fans Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Alex Horne and Scarlett Moffatt head up three teams for a seasonal version of the construction contest. To win a coveted trophy, they face challenges including constructing a snow globe and designing and making a model Christmas jumper that can withstand star jumps without falling apart.
★★★ HD
Gone Christmas Fishing, 8.40pm, BBC Two
For the first time in the show’s history, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse leave the waters of Britain behind to go abroad – to Norway – for their most spectacular fishing adventure yet. The pair travel to Vesterålen and the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic Circle, 1,000 miles north of Oslo, where the surrounding seas are teeming with fish. There, Bob is on a mission to find a traditional Norwegian jumper, while an old friend from his Shooting Stars days, Ulrika-ka-ka Jonsson, joins them. Paul and Bob also experience a Norwegian-style Christmas, without all the usual tinsel, turkey and excessive present-buying.
★★★★ JE
Best box set on TV tonight
Tiffany and Leon are flatmates, but there's nothing conventional about their living arrangements. Despite sharing the same place, they've never actually met with Tiffany having the flat from 8 pm - 8 am, and Leon having it from 8 am - 8 pm. Over time the pair learn more about each other through post-it notes and start to develop an attraction to one another, even though they've never had an in-person conversation.
Jessica Brown Findlay and Anthony Welsh are excellent in the leading roles and with all six episodes now available on Paramount Plus, it's the perfect show for binge-watching. But will Tiffany and Leon actually become an item? You'll have to watch and find out!
★★★★ LB
Best film on TV tonight
Home Alone, 5.25pm, Channel 4
Recently named the country’s favourite Christmas film — edging out Elf and Love Actually — Home Alone is a classic underdog story about a plucky kid called Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) getting the better of a couple of robbers intent on burgling his home. Quite why Kevin is home alone is probably a matter for social services, but the reality isn’t too pressing a concern in this fabulous bit of escapism that made a child star of Culkin, who seems to be having a lot of fun inflicting cartoon violence on bad guys Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. You can see the second film in the franchise tomorrow (5.30 pm, Channel 4).
★★★★ SM
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
There are plenty of festive treats on TV Tonight, but make sure you don't miss The Great Christmas Bake Off — just what you need to get in the mood for baking those Christmas treats at home!
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
