Below are my picks of the most notable new shows, returning or premiering on UK screens over the next 7 days...
MONDAY 15th
Dogs: Their Secret Lives (Channel 4, 8pm) Factual special where Mark Evans revisits pets and owners from the previous series.★ Bette Midler: One Night Only (ITV, 9pm) Music special featuring a selection of her greatest hits.
Russell Brand: End the Drugs War (BBC3, 9pm) Factual special where the comedian challenges the UK's drugs policy.
Steph & Dom Meet Nigel Farage (Channel 4, 10pm) Gogglebox couple Steph and Dom spend time with UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
TUESDAY 16th
The Great British Bake Of: Christmas Masterclass (BBC2, 8pm) Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demonstrate various baking techniques and tricks, with a festive European theme.The Supervet: Christmas in the Clinic (Channel 4, 8pm) Festive edition of the veterinary fly-on-the-wall documentary.
The Choir: New Military Wives (BBC2, 9pm) Series 2 of the show where choirmaster Gareth Malone puts together a choir consisting of military wives. (1/2)
★ Black Mirror: White Christmas (Channel 4, 9pm) Feature-length special of the dark anthology series, splicing together three creepy tales. Starring Jon Jamm, Rafe Spall, Oona Chapln, Natalie Tena, Jane Montgomery, Dan Li & Rasmus Hardiker.
WEDNESDAY 17th
Hit & Run (ITV, 9pm) Documentary looking at the 16,000 hit-and-run incidents that happen across the UK. Narrated by Paul McGann.★ The British Comedy Awards 2014 (Channel 4, 9pm) 25th annual awards ceremony. Hosted by Jonathan Ross.
The Fight for Saturday Night (BBC4, 9pm) Documentary about the rivalry over Saturday night ratings in the UK.
THURSDAY 18th
★ A Night of Heroes: The Military Awards (ITV, 8.30pm) Annual awards ceremony rewarding military heroes. Hosted by Phillip Schofield & Amanda Holden.Release the Hounds: Jingle Hell (ITV2, 9pm) Christmas special of the horror gameshow, with dance group Diversity participating. Hosted by Reggie Yates.
FRIDAY 19th
★ Text Santa (ITV, 8pm) Annual telethon. Hosted by Ant n' Dec, Phillip Schofield, Christine Bleakley, Paddy McGuinness & Alesha Dixon. Featuring Coronation Street's cast, a Yule Tucker trial, Birds of a Feather, The Cube, Mr Selfridge's cast, and more.My Phone Sex Secrets (More4, 11pm) Documentary following women who work in the phone-sex industry because of the economic downturn.
SATURDAY 20th
John Le Mesurier: It's All Been Rather Lovely (BBC2, 6.55pm) Profile of the late actor's life and career. Featuring Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, Jimmy Perry, Joan Le Mesurier, and more.★ Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule (BBC2, 10.05pm) Celebration of the late comedian's career. Narrated by Simon Callow. Featuring Alexei Sayle, Greg Davies, Ruby Wax, Andy de la Tour, Rowland Rivron, Lloyd Peters, Lise Meyer, Ben Elton, Lenny Henry, Tim McInnerny, Jools Holland, Michael Palin, Simon Pegg, Jon Plowman, John Lloyd, and more.
SUNDAY 21st
Nothing. Have you bought all your Christmas present yet?For a look at what the rest of the year's going to bring,
why not read and bookmark my TV Calendar?
