Weekend | December 20 2014

DECEMBER 20 2014

what’s inside BUMPER 21-PAGE CHRISTMAS TV GUIDE LAST-MINUTE GIFTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

win!

STEP AWAY FROM THE TRIFLE...HOW TO STAY TRIM OVER THE HOLIDAYS

£200 of holiday reading from Waterstones

AVERY MERRY

Christmas THE FABULOUS BAKER BROTHERS COOK UP A FANTASTIC FESTIVE FEAST

follow us @WeekendGlos

FASHION & BEAUTY

HEALTH

FOOD

GARDENING

INTERIORS

TRAVEL

THE

hot LIST

Strictly finals It’s a weekend of grand finals – clear your diary for tonight’s double dose of Strictly Come Dancing when we find out who will be crowned champion. And tomorrow, who’s hired . . . yes it’s the final of The Apprentice.

Christmas TV Sit back and enjoy all your festive favourites from Doctor Who to Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife. Don’t miss our Christmas TV Guide P31-51

Rugby special

Rugby fans are in for a treat with two great matches at Kingsholm . . . Gloucester take on Bath this afternoon and on December 28 face the mighty Wasps. Details on gloucesterrugby.co.uk

FASHION & BEAUTY

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HOMES & GARDENS

FOOD & DRINK

THE BUZZ

After all the partying and festivities, Boxing Day is usually a chance to relax with a film or a leisurely walk. So chill out with our easy-wear fashion, from onesies to a comfy knitted dress.

P13-15

If you’re on a diet or trying to eat healthily, Christmas can be a challenge. You’d have to be a saint to say no to a mince pie and brandy cream. So we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you out.

P18-19

Making the house look beautifully festive is second nature to garden designer Caroline Tatham.

Copy her style with holly, ivy, larch and evergreens from the garden. P27-29

Looking for foodie gifts?

The Cotswolds is full of fantastic produce so take your pick from local gin to chocolate.

And we escape traditional fare and try seasonal pizzas with a difference. P21-25

Life stories don’t come much more extraordinary than that of Olympic athlete and prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. We chat to leading man Jack O’Connell about working alongside director Angelina Jolie ahead of its Boxing Day release. . . P55-58

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welcome

I Who are we?

Weekend magazine is published every Saturday by the Gloucester Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo newspapers, part of the Local World stable.

Editor Tanya Gledhill Deputy Editor Lucy Parford lucy.parford@glosmedia.co.uk 01242 278065

Advertising Debbie French debbie.french@glosmedia.co.uk 07824 416553

T’S very nearly upon us. By

the time you read this, we’ll be just five sleeps away from Christmas Day. In the wonderful world of glossy magazines, presents will be ribbonwrapped, piled artfully underneath a huge Norwegian Spruce hung with twinkling lights and homemade gingerbread.

A crackling fire will be roaring in the inglenook, festooned with handmade fir garlands and flickering candles.

Wine will be mulling, Champagne chilling and the goose plumped and preened, all ready to be based for the perfect Christmas lunch.

Reality isn’t quite like that – certainly not in our house. Is it in yours? If so, jolly good on you.

But I suspect that, like us, the majority of you are about to charge headlong into the festive season on a wing and a prayer, hoping Uncle John doesn’t drink too much

@WeekendGlos sherry, Granny doesn’t eat too many sprouts and you don’t run out of bread before the shops open again.

I love Christmas, and all that comes with it. This year’s nativities, ballet shows and carol concerts have been the best ever – full of gorgeous, rosy-cheeked children high on wonder and anticipation.

Earlier in the week, I had the pleasure of the King’s School carol service at Gloucester Cathedral.

There’s something about those angelic choristers and their exquisite harmonies, in a building which has seen almost 1,000 years of prayer, which lets me step off this mad world for a minute and reflect on what Christmas is really about.

So to that end, whether you have a faith or not, I and the Weekend team wish you a wonderful Christmas filled wtih peace, joy and family.

Tanya Gledhill weekend@glosmedia.co.uk 01242 278066

This issue’s contributors were asked: What’s on the menu for Christmas?

Tom Herbert

Joyce Matthews

Jonny Whiley

Lucy Parford

Tanya Gledhill

The foodie feast starts with breakfast in the Herbert household.

Marefield Pie is the first meal of the day.

“It contains oatmeal and is quite filling, which is good because we don’t eat Christmas dinner until much later in the day,” saysTom. “It’s amazing to have the smell of bacon wafting through the house. We serve Marefield Pie on a slice of toasted Sherston bread and top it with a poached egg.”

Weekend designer Joyce starts the day with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

“Then I leave himself to make the traditional prawn cocktail while I cook the roast beef – no one likes turkey,” she says.

“I’ll make Delia’s red cabbage along with Jamie’s carrots and all the trimmings but the one thing we can’t do without is a dish of crispy pigs in blankets.”

“This year we’re hosting so it tends to be pretty classic (as opposed to the onion bhajis I was served as a starter at my aunty’s house one year),” says feature writer Jonny.

“There will be prawn cocktail to start followed by a roast rib of beef and then a whole host of desserts. My grandma usually makes a trifle and we’ll buy a couple of chocolate-laden puds too. I can’t wait.”

Deputy editor Lucy is with her in-laws this year.

“We’ll have Bucks Fizz while opening presents, followed by an eclectic Christmas dinner for meat-eaters and vegetarians. Starters are usually prawn cocktail or vegetable soup followed by chicken breast or that classic veggie favourite – nut roast – with all the trimmings. The finale is always a traditional pudding doused in brandy and cream and a box of After Eights.”

“It’s a joint effort with my sister this year – though she was trained by the Roux brothers, so no pressure on me then...

“My bit is a game terrine (other half has shot the rabbit, pheasant and pigeon) with cherry jus, and a spiced squash soup. While I’m flapping, she’ll effortlessly whip up Thai monkfish kebabs, a green tea and lime sorbet, turkey with interesting trimmings, mum’s famous Christmas pud and petit fours.”

Picture: Rosemary Watts

Fabulous FOOD,FAMILYANDFUN

Christmas is a high point in the year for Fabulous Baker brother Tom Herbert, his wife Anna and their family. SUE BRADLEY discovers why

F

AMILY, food and fun are among the key ingredients in Tom Herbert’s recipe for the perfect Christmas.

The ‘Fabulous Baker Brother’ and father-of-four makes the most of the festive period to catch up with loved ones and take time to reflect on the year that’s almost over and look forward to the one to come.

“It’s always a really busy time at work but there’s a great camaraderie and a real feelgood factor about it; you can hardly move for Santa’s hats, Christmas music playing and the smell of mince pies,” he laughs.

“For me, Christmas is a time that punctuates the year: it’s like a full stop that gives you a chance to celebrate that you have survived another 12 months and remember the good stuff, the sad stuff and anything else that’s really important.

“It helps us to be thankful and being thankful makes us happy.

It’s also the time to gear up for fresh challenges ahead.”

For Tom, who combines his filming work with his role of operations director at his family’s Hobbs House Bakery, Christmas starts at around 4pm on December 24 with the Christingle service at Horsley Church.

“Our children take part and Tom usually arrives from the bakery just in time to see it,” laughs wife Anna.

Afterwards the couple and their children Milo, 13, Beatrix 11, eightyear-old Josephine and Prudence, five-and-three-quarters, make their way to the home of Tom’s mum and dad, Polly and Trevor.

“Their annual drinks party is a real tradition, a chance to catch up with old family friends,” says Tom. “It’s at this point that we have our first challenge of the Christmas season: who is going to drive.”

Christmas morning generally gets off to a very early start for the Herberts, as it does for many families with young children.

“Unfortunately my kids have inherited my gene that makes me incredibly excited about Christmas,” says Anna.

“Last year we opened our Christmas stocking presents at 5am.”

Breakfast is always Marefield Pie, a family favourite for special occasions.

“It contains oatmeal and is quite filling, which is good because we don’t eat Christmas dinner until much later in the day,” says Tom. “It’s amazing to have the smell of bacon wafting through the house. We serve Marefield Pie on

a slice of toasted Sherston bread and top it with a poached egg.”

Tom, Anna and their children subsequently make their way to the Christmas Day service at Minchinhampton Baptist Church, at which they join fellow Fabulous Baker Brother Henry and several other members of the Herbert family.

“It’s good to stay close to the meaning of Christmas,” says Tom. “It’s easy when there are lots of kids around to get swept up with the whole consumer side of it, but it’s important to take time to remember what it’s all about and in our small way to celebrate the gift of what God gave us in his son.

“As Christians, being able to celebrate the birth of Christ with family and loved ones with great food and presents is a bonus.”

Once the service has finished it’s time for a family walk, often with around 30 people sharing a stand-up picnic of ‘Warm Old Fashioned’ whisky toddies, hot nuts, mustard sausages and Anna’s chocolate brownies.

Back home in Horsley there’s usually time for some fruit cake and blue cheese before darkness falls and Christmas dinner is served.

This year no fewer than 17 people and a new baby are due to gather around the family’s large dining table but Anna, who has already helped to cook a festive lunch for the children and staff at

“

Christmas is a time that punctuates the year: it’s like a full stop that gives you a chance to celebrate that you have survived another 12 months and remember the good stuff, the sad stuff and anything else that’s really important Tom Herbert

ed

se nt

ert

Horsley Primary School, is unfazed by numbers.

“We just love having people for dinner anyway and Christmas is just an extension of that,” she says.

“My nephew Rollo was born earlier this month and it will be lovely to have him with us.”

Boxing Day is marked by the arrival of more people, including several members of Anna’s family, who share soup made from the turkey bones, cheese and bread before setting off for another walk.

Come the evening everybody tucks into pizzas created from turkey, stuffing, sausagemeat and cheese.

“They’re like big cheese and meat melties,” laughs Tom. “Making them uses up pretty much all our scraps and it often gets a bit competitive as to who has the best flavour combinations.”

Music is always a key element during these family get-togethers and Tom has already been busy compiling his ‘Hobbs House Bakery Christmas 2014’ playlist on Spotify with

songs such as Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan’s It Must be Santa.

“Last year we got out our old record player and people brought along their old vinyl,” he says.

“We get the fire going using logs we get from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust – they always smell great. Eventually the kids crash out on the sofa.”

For Tom and Anna, getting together with family and friends is what life is all about.

“We feel really blessed to live here and to have a great community and family around,” says Tom. “We live for the moments of having people around and sharing food.

“The word companion means ‘with bread’ and it’s the people we break and share bread with that are literally our companions.”

Come December 27 Tom is back to work, although there is still time for more festive traditions such as entertaining the local wassailers and gathering together with others from their lane for a ceremonial burning of Christmas trees once Twelfth Night has passed.

“We put them all in a big brazier,” Tom explains. “We drink mulled cider, eat mince pies and catch up with our neighbours. It’s quite a community thing.”

Fans of the Fabulous

Baker Brothers can look forward a new series on The Discovery Network in 2015, with Tom and Henry visiting Monmouth, Bakewell, Rye, Winchester, Cartmel and Wells to sample local delicacies.

“The series is called Bite of Britain and it’s a celebration of really amazing food and people,” says Tom. “In Monmouth we found an amazing vineyard, Ancre Hill, which produces a sparkling wine that was judged the best in the world two years ago.

“We met the people behind Trealy Farm Charcuterie and we went fishing for salmon with lave nets on the River Severn, joining half a dozen guys who keep up this 600-year tradition.

“As much as we love the food, for us it’s about meeting the characters behind it too.”

With his work at the bakery, teaching sessions at the Hobbs House Cookery School and filming schedules to juggle, there are times when Tom’s time with his family is in short supply.

“I think this is one of the reasons why Christmas is such an important time for us,” he says.

■ Hobbs House Bakery is donating any bread that’s unsold this Christmas to the No Child Hungry Gloucestershire campaign run by the Wiggly Worm Charity. Visit thewigglyworm.org.uk/ no_child_hungry_gloucestershire.html ■ Turn to next page for Tom’s Christmas recipes.

Pictures: Rosemary Wa tts

Tom and Anna get ready for a family Christmas with, from left, Milo, Anna, Prudence, Josephine, Beatrix and Toast the dog

The Marefield Breakfast Ingredients 12 rashers smoked streaky bacon 6 slices overnight bread, toasted and thickly buttered 6 eggs 150g pinhead or coarse oatmeal Tin of tomatoes 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 5 tbsp flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped 2 tbsp olive oil Method Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over a medium heat, then add the bacon and cook until just crispy and it’s released all the fat.

Add the tinned tomatoes, mix well and bring to a simmer. Add the oatmeal and cook for one minute.

Add the parsley, mix well then cover, turn the heat off and leave for 10-15 minutes.

The oatmeal will swell and cook in the heat of the mixture – it should be like a thick risotto.

Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the

boil, add the vinegar and crack the eggs into the pan a couple at a time and poach for 2-3 minutes until done to your liking. Remove and dunk into iced water until ready to serve.

Drop back into the simmering water for 30 seconds to heat through, then drain on to kitchen paper.

Serve the tomato mixture on the toasted bread with a poached egg on top.

Warm Old Fashioned Ingredients 400ml of your favourite whisky 30ml angostura bitters 1 orange, studded with 12 cloves and 1 piece lemon peel 400ml water 8 sugar cubes

Method Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved – don’t boil as you’ll drive off all the alcohol.

Turn the heat off and leave the mix to infuse for about 30 minutes, then gently warm through to serve.

Mince Pies Ingredients 300g plain flour, plus more for dusting 200g butter 100g icing sugar 3 tbsp cold water 2 egg yolks 1 jar mincemeat Method Preheat the oven to 220C. Weigh all the ingredients, except the mincemeat, into a bowl.

Rub the ingredients together until you have a smooth pastry dough.

Shape into a ball and wrap in clingfilm. Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.

Take the pastry from the fridge and on a well-floured work surface roll

out to 3mm thick. Then cut the pastry into disks a little larger than the pie holes in your baking tray.

Fill each pie with mincemeat by spooning it in (not too much or it'll boil out and over the sides).

You can leave your mince pies open or roll out some more pastry and place a round lid on top, or cut out

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small stars to decorate the top.

Then bake in the preheated oven until the edges turn golden (12-14 minutes). Allow to cool a little before eating.

Any leftover pastry can be rewrapped in clingfilm and frozen.

■ For more recipes visit hobbshousebakery.co.uk gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

win! £100 giftcards from Waterstones

I

F you’re still hunting for that ideal Christmas present for someone special, look no further than Waterstones in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester, which has come up with a Top 10 list of gifts for all the family.

WEEKEND has teamed up with the bookseller to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a £100 giftcard to spend in store or online at www.waterstones.com WATERSTONES’ TOP 10 GIFTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY 1.

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz, Orion, £19.99

2.

Lists of Note by Shaun Usher, Canongate, £30

3.

The Second Half by Roy Keane and Roddy Doyle, Weidenfeld &

4.

Nicolson, £20 Paul Hollywood’s British Baking, Bloomsbury, £25

5.

Ayoade on Ayoade by Richard Ayoade, Faber & Faber, £14.99

6.

Not That Kind of Girl

by Lena Dunham, Fourth Estate, £16.99

7.

Awful Auntie by David Walliams, Harpercollins, £12.99

8.

Disney Frozen: The Essential Collection, Dorling Kindersley, £14.99

9.

The Sunrise by Victoria Hislop, Headline Review, £19.99

10. Us by David Nicholls, Hodder & Stoughton, £20

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

Paul Hollywood co-hosts The Great British Bake-Off with which fellow celebrity chef?

a. Lorraine Pascale b. Mary Berry c. Lesley Waters

Send your answer on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to Waterstones Competition, Features Department,Third Floor, St James’ House, St James’ Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR. The closing date is Saturday, December 27.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Usual Local World terms and conditions apply. Visit www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/houserules or www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/ houserules for full details. By entering this competition you are agreeing to Local World informing you of promotions, offers and services unless stated otherwise. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. @WeekendGlos

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FASHION & Your guide to fashion in Gloucestershire – direct from the designers themselves

highlights

BOXING DAY CHIC

You’ve got your outfit sorted for Christmas Day, but what about Boxing Day? Whether you’re planning a day in front of the telly or visiting the relatives, we’ve got it sorted.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

All those mince pies and sausage rolls, not to mention the sherry and fizz play havoc with your waistline. So stay fit and healthy over Christmas – former international athlete, Cheltenham’s Kerry Eddie, tells us how.

Follow the snail trail Is snail slime the next beauty must-have? Researchers have discovered it contains high levels of collagen, elastin and anti-bacterial substances all good for our skin, and best of all, harvested without causing any harm.

Try Dr Organic Snail Gel, £12.99, which is moisturising and soothing, available from Holland & Barrett.

BEAUTY Spell it out

Looking for the perfect party bag to accompany your endof-year ensemble?

Well Dorothy Perkins has got, quite literally, just the thing.

Let the Party Bag clutch bag, £20, which comes in red or gold, spell out your festive intentions.

fashion PICK OF THE WEEK

Spent all your Christmas budget on goodies for other people but still dying for a new festive frock?

Fear not, George at Asda has a whole host of party-perfect dresses to suit all sizes, like this red Bardot Dress, just £10 at direct.asda.com

Skinted &minted A warm gilet is perfect for visiting the relatives. Splash out with this plush LK Bennett sheepskin gilet, £650 at lkbennett.com Or try White Stuff for its faux fur reversible gilet, £69.95, right, worn here with knit dress, £59.95 and patchwork beret, £19.95. He wears wax jacket, £250, roll neck, £65 and straight cut jeans, £49.95. Visit the stores in Cheltenham and Cirencester or see whitestuff.com

For a quirky twist on the Christmas jumper, try Joules. This foxy number, £69.95, is perfect for Boxing Day jollity, teamed with the tweed skirt, £59.95, from the Cheltenham and Cirencester stores or visit joules.com

Walking off the Christmas pud? Keep feet dry and warm in these snug boots. The EMU Albina Lo waterresistant sheepskin boots are £162 at qvcuk.com

chill If Christmas Day means putting on your best frock, Boxing Day is definitely a day for relaxing with a country walk or your favourite film on the telly.

Unless of course, you’re braving the sales . . .

WEEKEND has the pick of stylish ways to chill

Yes, it’s expensive but maybe with a little help from Santa you’ll be relaxing in front of the telly in this super-soft M&S leopard print cashmere onesie. It’s £225 from marksandspencer.com This comfy knitted Phase Eight dress with an on-trend check design skims the figure for a flattering fit. Better still, it’s reduced to £49 from £79 at phase-eight.com

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CAROL CONCERT

WEEK END people

Law firm Willans LLP staged its first ever carol concert at Christ Church in Cheltenham, in partnership with charity National Star

Photographer: James Beck

Simon Cook, Bridget Redmond, Matthew Clayton and Nathan Mattick

Dr Dawn Harper opened the event

Mandy and Matt Holmes and Kathryn Rudd

Kate Hickey with Nick Upton

ElspethThomson, John and TaniaTooth

Paul Symes-Thompson

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LAST

MINUTE

gifts

Perfect for rugby lovers, Gloucester-based England RugbyTravel has launched rugby breaks for next year’s big tournaments including the Rugby World Cup and RBS 6 Nations. Prices start from £139 per person. Visitenglandrugbytravel.com or call 0844 788 5000

Only a few more shopping days to go, so if you’re struggling to find that perfect gift, snap up our last minute ideas

Soap & Glory has collaborated with Queen of Doodle, Hattie Stewart, to create The Next Big Thing Christmas gift set. The bumper hat box contains products worth £76, available in Boots for £29 while stocks last

Discover your inner farmer with courses at Kate Humble’s working farm in the Wye Valley. From Caring for Rescue Hens and A Day in the Lambing Shed, to Cider Making and Foraging: A WildTaste of Spring, there is something for everyone. Vouchers, from £5 to £100, can be redeemed against any of the courses.

Visit humblebynature.com

Get him to man up with this handy book, full of know-how for the modern guy.

It’s £9.99 from White Stuff, Cheltenham and Cirencester

They’ll have hours of fun with this classic toy.

Slinky is £8 at Marks & Spencer Make sure you’ve got plenty of chocolates to go round.

Belgian chocolate specialists Guylian has just launched its crunchy biscuit, caramel and milk truffle sea horses. At £4 a box you can buy several, available from high street stores

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Triumph’s new Magic Wire bra is designed to feel like a second skin and create a perfect cleavage while giving you support.

The Contouring Sensation bra is £36, with matching briefs, £35, from Cavendish House, Cheltenham

FREE weekend

WITH FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION

TRIMNASIUM invites you and a friend to have a free weekend with a free personal training session to fully enjoy the gym. Come and see why everyone speaks so highly of the professional friendly service we give to our members.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A

healthy CHRISTMAS

Mince pies, brandy cream, chocolates . . . how in the name of Santa Claus can we stay healthy over Christmas?

HELEN BLOW asks personal trainer Kerry Eddie

Trimnasium is also known as “our playground”. We believe fitness can be fun and aim to make our workouts different and lots of fun. Here is what we have to offer atTrimnasium: ■ Strength and conditioning gym ■ Functional fitness programmes and circuits ■ Discount to forces/emergency services/ students ■ Over-55s mobility functional fitness circuit ■ Olympic weight lifting club

GREAT VALUE PT OFFER Five sessions £100 (saving £50),T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 12/01/15 Email info@trimnasium.co.uk to book limited places. www.trimnasium.co.uk for more information

I

F anyone knows about how to stay fit and healthy during the excesses of the festive season, it is an international athlete.

Although Kerry Eddie’s competition days are behind her, she has coached other athletes and runs her own personal training company.

But as a former British heptathlete, Kerry is well practiced on eating healthily and keeping at the peak of physical fitness. She offers training and dietary tips to clients at her Cheltenham company Combined Fitness.

And as Christmas and New Year approach, she has some sensible advice about how to enjoy the holiday while not undoing all your hard work during the previous year.

“Staying fit during Christmas can feel like an uphill struggle with all the parties, family get-togethers and all the chocolates and sweets there to tempt you,” said Kerry, 46.

“But it doesn’t have to be the end of your diet or the finishing pole in your exercise routine.

“There are some tips and tricks available so you can have a good time and still stay on top of your fitness.”

Kerry recommends forgetting your diet from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day and just concentrating on having a good time.

But in the lead-up to the festivities and after they have ended, she urges people to start eating healthily again and getting some regular exercise.

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“Even if it’s just going out for a walk in the fresh air with your family or doing some quick, intensive workouts, it all helps to work off those Christmas excesses and get back on track,” she said.

“It’s really an exercise in damage limitation,” she said.

“It’s important to come up with realistic goals over Christmas because everyone is going to slip from their normal routine and eat things they know they shouldn’t.”

Kerry recommends planning meals at the start of the week so you know you’re getting all the proper nutrients.

“A lot of people get carried away over Christmas and forget all their good intentions and then, come the new year, they find they have to start all over again.

“It’s much better to just allow two days to forget the healthy eating plan and then get back on it again as much as you can.”

She recommends reducing carbohydrates in the run-up to Christmas to give you a good starting block for the festive menu.

“Eat what you want over Christmas and Boxing Day but then get back to good habits and make sure you drink lots of water. If you can’t manage your usual exercise routine, do lots of little workouts instead.”

The mum-of-two competed in the the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and was a Great Britain international from 1989-2002. gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

PLAN YOUR FESTIVE ROUTINE . . .

y

s?

s

o

Kerry advises enjoying the Christmas holiday, making sure you get back on track afterwards

“I was the number two heptathlete to Denise Lewis for most of my international career,” said Kerry, who also trained on the same track as a young Jessica Ennis.

After retiring from competition, Kerry became a PE teacher and athletics coach and moved to Cheltenham in 2007 with her family.

She taught part-time at Chosen Hill School in Churchdown before deciding she wanted to start her own personal training business.

“The school wanted me to become full-time but I needed something I @WeekendGlos

could do around looking after my daughters,” she said.

As well as Combined Fitness, Kerry also runs outdoor fitness camps in Cheltenham, that mix traditional circuit and strength training exercises with interval training and team games.

“I mostly work with busy mums who want to keep fit or lose weight around looking after their families,” she said.

“It seems a shame that all the hard work should be ruined over Christmas, so I offer a realistic way to avoid that.”

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■ Focus on your goals and plan your festive routine.

■ Plan when you will work out and the nutrition rules that you want to follow.

■ For example, try regular 10-minute intense workouts before breakfast and only allow yourself to eat extra food and drink between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. ■ Plan your meals and ensure you are still getting all of the correct nutrients from green vegetables, protein, good fats and plenty of water.

■ If you do cheat, do it properly. You will probably cheat on healthy alternatives at some point over Christmas so when you do, make sure it’s worth it with only the best food available.

■ Walking the dog or just going for a walk together is a great way for everyone to burn calories, cleanse the lungs, reduce stress levels and enjoy the winter scenery.

■ Keep to everything in moderation just because there are sweets and chocolate in the house doesn’t mean you have to eat them all at once.

■ Be prepared for the saboteurs who will try to sway your choices and try to feed you. Be prepared and know what you will say to them and you will stay on track.

■ Find out more about Kerry’s training classes by visiting combinedfitness.co.uk or call 077601 75534.

■ For more advice, download Kerry’s Happy and Healthy Christmas Guide at http://combinedfitness.co.uk/ xmas-guide/ Pictures: Daniel Day

uk .gov. e r fi s lo one.g skillz

age l l i v af ety ver dull s e z i e -s s life y safe is n ’ e r i h sters ing to sta e c u Glo e learn wher

Become a safety hero at our education centre and help kids stay safe

Volunteers are needed to take 2 hour tours of our fun and interactive village where visitors identify danger.

You will receive training and will be a valued member of our team.

We just ask that you give a minimum of 2 days per month.

To find out more visit: Skillzone.glosfire.gov.uk/volunteer or phone 01452 834 150

©LW

Food Inspirational Christmas gifts for foodies

Cracking Italian festive fare at Pizza Express Simple recipes for stress-free family entertaining

@WeekendGlos

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Gifts

celebrates...

CHRISTMAS can be a stressful time, with the risk of the turkey drying out in the oven and the challenge of getting the timings right for all the trimmings.

We hope that with this recipe and a little forward thinking, you can reduce the stress levels this Christmas.

sinews, then cut the breast into strips about the thickness of your thumb. Mix the rested pork mix and the turkey strips together, then split evenly into three bowls, making sure the ratio of pork to turkey is equal in each.

Remove one sheet of streaky bacon from the fridge and remove the top layer of cling wrap. Lay it out so the bacon Christmas Turkey Ballotine is vertical and take one of your turkey-pork mixes, laying Serves 30 the strips across the bacon Ingredients horizontally so there is an even 1x turkey butterfly, 4-5kg quantity of pork and turkey 1kg unsmoked streaky bacon throughout.This will help to bind 500g pork sausage meat the strips together and will make 75g natural breadcrumbs it easier to carve and serve.

100ml milk 500g quartered vacuum-packed With the bottom layer of cling wrap, roll into a sausage shape, chestnuts without rolling the edge of the 300g chopped onion cling roll into the sausage.

3g chopped sage Lay out an 18in layer of cling 30g butter wrap, with the roll horizontally, 3g salt without tearing the cling wrap from the roll. Place the sausage Method on to the cling wrap and roll, Place the onions, sage, butter keeping the roll as tight as and salt into a pan and sweat possible. Roll this over around without colour until the onions 10 times so that it will not split are completely soft. Remove from the stove and allow to cool. or bend out of shape as it cooks.

Twist both ends of the sausage Place the pork sausage meat, and tie them tightly, doing your breadcrumbs, milk and onions best to expel any air that might into a mixer and mix until be trapped inside the sausage. bound together. Remove, add Repeat this process with the two the chestnuts and mix by hand other mixes and bacon sheets. before placing into the fridge.

Poach the sausages in a water Allow to rest for 24 hours. bath at around 85C for oneLay out a double layer of cling wrap, and place slices of streaky and-a-half hours. Once cooked, bacon vertically on to it. Overlap remove from the water bath and allow to rest for 10 minutes. the bacon slightly so it spans a When removing the cling width of around 12in or 30cm. wrap, try to capture the meat Cover with another double layer juices from inside in a dish or of cling wrap and roll out with jug to add to your gravy later a rolling pin, making the bacon on. Gently pat the roll dry and thinner and binding it together.

Repeat this process again twice caramelise the bacon in a frying pan before slicing the roll and until you have three sheets of serving with seasonal trimmings. rolled bacon and store in the fridge until needed.

Take one 2-2.5kg breast of turkey www.creedfoodservice.co.uk and remove the skin and any

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FOR FOODIES

With just five days to go, there’s no need to look any further than the Cotswolds for last-minute Christmas gifts for foodies, as SUE BRADLEY discovers . . .

Your Perfect Night In Treat a special couple to a gift package of premium quality award-winning Aberdeen Angus steaks reared in Gloucestershire and artisan wines.

The ‘Paul & Kirsty’s Perfect Night In’ range is the brainchild of a pair of enterprising farmers from Dymock.

Paul and Kirsty Westaway took on the tenancy at the council-owned Gamage Hall Farm in Dymock with “just a wheelbarrow, an overdraft and eight cows” in 2006.

Since then the couple have gradually been building up their herd, which now numbers some 180 beef cattle.

The couple’s range of gourmet gift boxes are designed to cater for a variety of budgets. Each contains two grass-fed Aberdeen Angus steaks and cooking instructions along with red or white wine. A steak-only box is also available. Gift sets at the premium end include added extras such as Cotswold Gold extra virgin rapeseed oil, sea salt, steak knife sets and wine accessories. Orders for delivery in the new year can still be placed in the lead up to Christmas.

■ www.yourperfectnightin.co.uk

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

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Homemade Curing Kit Do-it-yourself culinary processes have been steadily growing in popularity.

Now Cotswolds-based pate and terrines specialists Ross & Ross have combined this trend with the British love of bacon to come up with a homemade curing kit.

The package contains everything that’s needed to produce great-tasting bacon at home, including original, sweet and smoky curing mixes, muslin, curing bags, gloves, a butcher’s hook and full instructions. In fact the only other thing that recipients need to add is pork.

■ Kits cost £20. Order before December 21 by logging on to www. rossandrossfood.co.uk

Seed and Bean Chocolate For the perfect stocking filler, look no further than Seed and Bean’s 4 Bar Gift Boxes, £9.99, in dark, white and milk.

They also have a variety of hampers includingThe Ultimate Collection, £65, The Complete Collection, £45,The Dark Collection (suitable for vegans) £35, andThe Favourites, £24.50, including a selection of its bestsellers including Sea Salt, Coconut and Raspberry and Espresso-flavoured organic chocolate.

■ Available from Waitrose, Daylesford and www.seedandbean.co.uk. For 20 per cent off, enter code Organic14.

Stroud Brewery Organic Porter

Sibling Distillery Gin

Ale doesn’t get much more festive than Stroud Brewery’s organic porter Ding Dong.

Keep it in the family by opting for a locallydistilled gin to raise a loved one’s spirits over Christmas.

Christmas is an especially popular time to crack open bottles of this 4.5 per cent brew, just one of the beers produced by this community-orientated and environmentally-friendly company.

Cicely, Clarice, Felix and Digby Elliott-Berry launched SiblingsTriple Distilled Gin earlier this year and the drink has already notched up some notable successes, the latest of which is its inclusion in the window displays at top London store Harvey Nichols.

And for those looking for a bit of variety for their loved ones, the brewery sells gift boxes containing several of its bottle-conditioned ales.

Siblings gin is made using water from Noverton Farm in Prestbury and has notes of blueberry, vanilla, orange and lemon with juniper and coriander.

The company will be holding a Christmas market tomorrow at itsThrupp-based pub, at which customers will be able to buy beer, peruse stalls selling local crafts and foods and sing carols.

Siblings’ crystal distillery is located at the Battledown Brewery, owned by the brothers and sisters’ father Roland.

Trading takes place between 11am and 5pm with candlelit carols carrying on until 8pm. Stall fees will go to Wiggly Worm’s ‘No Child Hungry’ 2014 appeal.

SiblingTriple Distilled Gin is available from Whole Foods Market in Cheltenham, John Gordons in Montpellier and at the distillery at Keynsham Works.

■ Stroud Brewery beers are available at several shops throughout Gloucestershire, full details of which can be found at www.stroudbrewery.co.uk

■ siblingdistillery.com

Hobbs House Bakery Cake Club

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Show your sweet side by giving a half year’s subscription to Hobbs House Bakery’s Cake Club.

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And if givers are really lucky, they may even be invited to share a piece or two.

Every month a different tray of mouth-watering cake from the Gloucestershirebased company’s ‘letterbox range’ will be waiting on the recipient’s doormat.

Old fashioned lardy, various flavoured brownies and a hiker’s fruit bar are among the delicious sweet treats available, with each pack containing enough for six ample portions.

Hobbs House has branches in Nailsworth,Tetbury, Cirencester and Chipping Sodbury.

■ To buy a cake club subscription, priced £65 for six months, log on to https:// hobbshousebakery.co.uk/shop/cakes/cake-club-subscription/ @WeekendGlos

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Create a Christmas Tree Meringue This looks spectacular and is perfect for entertaining.

Ingredients

4 egg whites 240g caster sugar Selection of winter fruits, i.e. 4 ripe plums or a small pear, 50g cranberries 4 tbsp Bottlegreen Spiced Berry Cordial 50g green grapes 6 physalis 1 clementine 2 tbsp Cointreau 300ml double cream Icing sugar

Method

Pre-heat oven to 140C, gas mark 1.

Line two large baking trays with nonstick baking parchment. Draw 5 circles: 5cm, 8cm, 11cm, 14cm and 17cm.

Place the egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until stiff, gradually add the caster sugar continuing to whisk until very thick and holding its shape.

Spoon or pipe the mixture into the circles. Bake in the oven for approximately one to one-and-a-half hours until crisp and dry.

Meanwhile pour the South Woodchester-produced Bottlegreen Spiced Berry Cordial into a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half and syrupy. Cut the plums and pear into bite-sized wedges and add to the syrup, they should still hold their shape, cool and then chill.

Grate the rind from the clementine, remove the pith and cut into segments, halve the grapes and open out the physalis.

Whisk the cream until standing in soft peaks, stir in the grated clementine rind and Cointreau.

Place the largest meringue circle on a serving plate, top with a layer of cream and then arrange some of the fruit on top. Continue to layer until you have a tree shape, top with a physalis as your Christmas star. Dust with icing sugar.

Pizza PERFECTION

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F the endless rounds of mince pies, sprouts and stuffing are taking their toll, there is somewhere to escape the traditional Christmas offering this month.

Pizza Express, in Cheltenham, is offering a special menu with light, Italian-inspired festive morsels which give a nod to the season without drowning in cliches.

Starters on its Have a Cracking Christmas menu include Pork and Pancetta Croquettes filled with pulled pork, pancetta and basil and mains include an Anatra Romana pizza – a combination of pulled duck and a light plum hoisin sauce. There is also a Festiva Romana pizza topped with Brie, rosemary, sage and pine kernels, served with a ramekin of cranberry sauce.

Of course, if you really can’t face anything resembling a Christmas dinner, there are all the Pizza Express classics too.

We called in one evening in the runup to the big day and decided to mix and match between the special and regular menus.

To begin, we ordered the Olives Marinate (£2.80) a dish of juicy pitted green olives marinated with pink peppercorns and the Arancini Provola from the set Christmas menu.

These tasty risotto balls were filled with spinach and melted Provola cheese and came with a spicy arrabbiata sauce.

It was a delicious starter, which would be great served up at any dinner party.

For main courses we ordered a Pianta Classic pizza (£9.20) topped with spinach, chestnut mushrooms, pine kernels and artichoke. It was finished with rocket and extra virgin olive oil and

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rather bizarrely no cheese. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a pizza without cheese, but I surprisingly didn’t miss it with the other generous toppings. The spicy arrabbiata base gave it plenty of punch too.

My husband went for the Veneziana in a large Romana size (£9.95), which was generously laden with red onions, olives, sultanas and pine kernels, but he declined the capers – not a fan.

There is a Piccolo Menu for little people (£6.50) which includes every kid’s favourite, baked dough balls, and a choice of pizza or pasta and dessert.

Our daughter had a margherita topped with mushrooms and loved wearing her little chef’s hat.

The Regency restaurant’s recent re-design, inspired by composer Gustav Holst, is a stylish backdrop, although we were seated in the basement, near the wine store, which wasn’t so cosy. ‘Do mice live in there?’ our daughter chirped rather loudly.

The atmosphere improved when the basement started to fill up, by which time we were on to dessert.

The Christmas menu features a sweet version of the dough balls – Snowball Dough Balls – sprinkled with cinnamon and served with a vanilla cream dip.

We couldn’t face any more bread, so went for the Mince Pie Cheesecake which was rich and creamy with plump raisins on a sweet biscuit base, along with a Chocolate Tartufo which was a dainty frozen dessert, filled with a praline mousse centre and robed in Belgian dark chocolate.

For a festive family dinner, without the spouts, it really is a cracker.

Lucy Parford gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Pictures: Rosemary Watts

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PIZZA EXPRESS Location: Belgrave House, Imperial Square, Cheltenham Food: Italian Atmosphere: Bustling Price: Two-course lunch menu, £14.95 per person; Three courses and Prosecco, £19.95 per person Contact: 01242 253896

h Roxana Costea, chef Fabian Barat and manager Caroline Odame at Pizza Express in Cheltenham.

Right: Snowball Dough Balls.Top: A Festiva Romana pizza

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foodie PICK OFTHEWEEK

Deck your halls with a colourful collection of kitchenware, handpicked by former Great British Bake Off star, Ruth Clemens, for Joss & Main.

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Squirrel Nutcracker in Red £15.95, from Joss & Main at www. jossandmain.co.uk

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@WeekendGlos

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homes & gardens source . . .

A CENTREPIECE

Short of a table centrepiece for Christmas Day? Try this Minimalist Wood Tree from Paperchase, which has a concession in Cheltenham’s House of Fraser. It’s £30 and a box of 100 Multi Mini Glass Baubles is a snip at £10. @WeekendGlos

Deck the halls Caroline Tatham, who runs the Cotswold School of Gardening, decks the halls of her home, Gossington Hall, with gorgeous wreaths and exquisite decorations

Pictures: Gavin Crilly

Decking the hall with boughs of holly has special significance for garden school owner Caroline Tatham, as SUE BRADLEY discovers

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Clockwise from left: beautiful felt and fruit decorations in Christmas red adorn the tree; Caroline Tatham with one of her stunning wreaths; every inch of space is filled with Christmas cheer; handmade stockings hang above the fireplace; Caroline’s inspired decorations fill the hall with a cosy glow

AROLINE Tatham has seen so much holly and ivy in recent weeks that it’s a wonder she can bear to look at it, let alone use it to give her home a festive feel.

Yet despite helping hundreds of people to learn how to make Christmas wreaths, garlands and table decorations throughout December she still finds time to create her own.

“It’s a special time of the year,” says Caroline, principal of the Cotswold Gardening School in Gossington. “It’s a time to focus on family and reflect on the year that’s gone and I love that.”

Caroline uses foliage foraged from the nine acres of grounds around her home, Gossington Hall, to make her festive decorations, with mistletoe, holly, ivy, larch and various evergreens all going into the mix.

Meanwhile her Christmas tree, which was grown in nearby Slimbridge, will be decorated with a selection of baubles and other trimmings from ranges that she developed during her days as a buyer for Marks & Spencer.

This year Christmas will be doubly special for Caroline, her husband Mark and children Adam, 11, and nine-yearold Emma, as it is the first time they’ll be able to celebrate it in their newly renovated sitting room. gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

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GATHERING FOR CHRISTMAS

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The Tathams moved to the Queen Anne hall five years ago but have only been able to inhabit a handful of rooms because the building was so dilapidated.

Their plan is to gradually repair and restore the property, which was built in 1695 on the site of an old monastery, but they accept this will take some time.

“When we moved in the room that’s now our sitting room was a damp utility room,” recalls Caroline.

“There was a hole in the roof, under which we placed two buckets. Every time it rained we had an internal water feature. Last year we built a new chimney and installed a wood burner. It was wonderful to be able to open our Christmas presents without having to have coats on.

“We’re slowly doing the house up, as funds allow, but we knew when we bought this place that both the house and garden would be a massive renovation undertaking. We had already done up another house in Minchinhampton and knew exactly what we would be taking on.”

The Cotswold Gardening School is now in its fifth year of offering a range of design, floristry and plant-orientated courses and is going from strength to strength.

Meanwhile Caroline’s skills as a garden designer continue to be in demand:

@WeekendGlos

earlier this year her ‘A Brave New World of Beauty’ garden designed for the Malvern Autumn Show was recreated at the 2014 Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Malvern also marked the beginning of the season’s busy schedule of festive decoration workshops, with celebrity gardeners Joe Swift and Mark Diacono trying their hands at making Christmas wreaths and table decorations.

Since then Caroline has repeated the process for hundreds of people at her gardening school and for guests at two special events at Highgrove.

“It’s been a busy time but despite helping people to make decorations all through December I can’t wait to make my own,” she laughs.

“I never get sick of it.”

Caroline’s career in garden design followed a 15-year period when she was at the vanguard of fashion, designing new clothing ranges for Marks & Spencer and Disney. She also sourced Christmas cards, wrap, tags and decorations for M&S. “I’ve always had a keen professional interest in Christmas and really loved it,” she says.

“I love the traditions and having an excuse to overindulge in everything.

“I love the sense of anticipation that builds up in advance and the way that normal life stops.”

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As for the Christmas break as a whole, Caroline is looking forward to being with her family, but knows she will also have to use some of the time to catch up with paperwork for the gardening school. She is also writing a garden design drawing course book, along similar lines to one she published on fashion design that went on to be translated into several languages, including French.

“I won’t be putting my feet up; it’s just not me, but it will be a lovely time for our family and we’re all enjoying seeing the house looking so lovely and festive,” she says. www.cotswoldgardeningschool.co.uk

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Christmas TV

DOWNTON ABBEY

DOCTOR WHO

VICTORIA WOOD

Hugh Bonneville has achieved global fame as Downton’s Lord Grantham.

Susan Griffin dons her Santa hat and finds out all about the forthcoming Christmas special

Doctor Who fan Nick Frost couldn’t contain his excitement when he landed a role in the show’s Christmas special. Although he did doze off on set, as Jeananne Craig discovers

Victoria Wood at the helm, Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball in the cast and song and dance numbers aplenty – sounds like unmissable ChristmasTV

@WeekendGlos

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Doctor T

Some actors might be offended to be offered the part of roly-poly, whitebearded Santa Claus at the age of just 42, but Nick Frost isn’t one of them

WHO

HE Hot Fuzz actor and Doctor Who fan was “chuffed to bits” to play Father Christmas in the show’s upcoming festive special, despite needing constant repainting of his bushy beard – “because my own ginger gene is so strong”.

“I think being an English stocky actor, you’re eventually going to be cast as Santa and Henry VIII and Winston Churchill, so it’s just one of the three I’ve ticked off,” he admits, on his last day on set in Cardiff. “It’s just ageing, isn’t it? It happens.”

Besides, his Santa isn’t the cuddly, traditional, mince pie-muncher we know and love. He’s a bit meaner and moodier than that.

“We [usually] only see one side of Father Christmas, which is the nice man giving out toys to good children.

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If you’re going to play him as a human being, he has to have every emotion, like we do. So you see him cross and you see him joyously happy and miffed,” Frost explains.

“There is a lot of ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and some sleigh work, but we wanted to make him slightly edgy at points, a bit like a gangster, I guess. I wanted people to be kept in the dark as to what this man’s intentions are. Is he good, is he bad? Is he there to help the Doctor and [his companion] Clara?“ In fact, this Santa has some issues with the Doctor – which gave Frost the chance to spar with Peter Capaldi, who was announced as the successor to Matt Smith in the titular role last year.

“I think me and Peter found a thing early on where, for whatever reason, they know each other,” says Frost. “They have history and beef, and it comes over gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

in every scene we do.”

The actor, who admits he had to “silence my internal fan-boy squeals” every day on set, approves of Capaldi’s depiction of the Doctor.

“My age will tell you I’m a Tom Baker Doctor, but my passion for Doctor Who was reignited in the latter half of David Tennant’s reign. Then I loved Matt Smith, I thought he was amazing,” he gushes.

“I like Peter very much as an actor, and then finding out he was becoming the Doctor and seeing him as Doctor Who, I think he’s fantastic.”

Frost, who lives in London with his Swedish wife Christina and their three-year-old son, was delighted by his costume for the shoot.

“The little glasses are Richard Attenborough’s, that he wore on Miracle On 34th Street [the 1994 version, in which the late star played Kris Kringle], which is kind of amazing,” he says, smiling.

“I dropped them the other day. I was 15ft up on a hydraulic lift on my sleigh and we’d been there so long I nodded off, and when I woke up, the glasses were not there.

“But they were fine. I think the spirit of Richard Attenborough held them together...”

Frost was working as a waiter in a Mexican restaurant when a colleague introduced him to her boyfriend, Brockworth-born actor Simon Pegg, then a rising stand-up comedian.

The pair struck up a friendship, and Frost later made his acting debut in Pegg’s Channel 4 sitcom, Spaced. More roles followed, including the films Shaun Of The Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007) and Cuban Fury (2014).

He and Pegg are still “best mates” and every Christmas Eve, Pegg sends Frost a photo of a bauble they bought together hanging on his Christmas tree (“the Peggs are massive Christmas people...”).

One thing Frost won’t be doing on December 25 is sitting down to watch Doctor Who with his son, whose name he likes to keep private.

“I’m not going to let him watch it because I think it will blow his three-year-old mind. I don’t think he’ll understand or be able to separate that I’m not Father Christmas at this point,” Frost says.

“During filming I do FaceTime with him, and a couple of times I haven’t been able to wash the beard out in time, so I have to do it with the white beard and I can see him looking around to say, ‘What’s this all about?’”

Frost junior is starting to work out what his dad does for a living, however.

“If I’m on The One Show I’ll say hello to him, and he recognises me if I’m in a magazine,” Frost adds.

“Or if we’re in Tesco and there’s a £3.99 Hot Fuzz in the bargain bin, he’ll say, ‘Daddy!’”

Birds of a

feather

As Sharon, Tracey and Dorien return for a festive special and a new series, Jeananne Craig looks at the magic components of the Essex sitcom Before the permatanned, hair-extensioned stars of Towie, a different gang of Essex girls lit up our screens, on the muchloved sitcom Birds Of A Feather.

When the trio returned for a new series last year, around eight million viewers tuned in each week to see Sharon in her new job at World of Quid,Tracey keeping her house in order and Dorien enjoying success as a racy novelist.

From cuppas in the kitchen and the occasional sisterly spat to Dorien’s outrageous flirting, why has this sitcom, written

by Cheltenham-based Maurice Gran and Sherborne’s Laurence Marks, been such a success?

TRACEY STUBBS

When we first met home birdTracey (Linda Robson), her husband Darryl was in jail for armed robbery, and most of the sitcom’s action took place inside her plush Chigwell home. Whether she was fretting over son Garth getting in trouble at boarding school or gently nagging sister Sharon, her heart was always in the right place.

SHARON THEODOPOLOPODOUS

Despite her tongue-twister of a name, Sharon (Pauline Quirke) is as straightforward as they come. She says exactly what she wants – even when she shouldn’t. During the show’s original run, Sharon moved from her London council flat to live withTracey, while her Greek-Cypriot husband Chris was in prison with Darryl. Fashion wasn’t much of a forte then (remember those shell-suits?)

DORIEN GREEN

Pat Butcher wasn’t the onlyTV character in the Nineties with a penchant for leopard print; man-eater Dorien (Lesley Joseph) was just as eye-catching in her outfit choices. With hair like a skyscraper and skirts shorter than a relationship in Made In Chelsea, Dorien ruled with a diamond-clad fist.

THEME TUNE

The Irving Berlin song What’ll I Do was – and still is – the theme tune, and from series three Quirke and Robson (who recently sang again in Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir for BBC Children In Need) performed their own version.

THE CHEMISTRY

Their characters may bicker at times – well, a lot of the time – but the trio have an unbreakable bond, which they also share in real life. Quirke and Robson have been pals since childhood, and attended theatre school together.

Doctor Who is on BBC 1 at 6.15pm on Christmas Day

THE SCRIPTS

Much of Birds Of A Feather’s success was down to the brilliant writing by Marks and Gran.Tracey’s new money versus Sharon’s gritty background, Dorien’s sexual appetite, and the genuine affection between the trio all made for riveting viewing – and still do in the revived version.

Birds Of A Feather returns to ITV at 9pm on Boxing Day @WeekendGlos

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Lord of the

MANOR

Christmas Day isn’t complete these days without Downton Abbey on the box, and viewers will no doubt be warmed to hear that, unlike last year, the upcoming special will be set during the Christmas period

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UDIENCES will really enjoy this one. It has a lovely festive element to it,” says Hugh Bonneville, who plays the show’s patriarch Lord Grantham.

He’s keen not to divulge too much, but will reveal that “a chunk of” scenes have been shot at Alnwick Castle.

“Highclere [Castle, where Downton is usually shot] is stunning to film in but frankly, Alnwick Castle is huge. That was the highlight of the year,” says the London-born 51-year-old. “Harry Potter filmed exteriors there, but I believe it’s the first time cameras have been allowed inside. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland are huge fans, which is why they let us in.”

And they’re not the only ones.

Downton’s become something of a phenomenon since it first aired in 2010. “We knew something odd was going on when, after the launch of the show, when there’s usually a bit of a dip, the viewing figures went up.

I’d never known that to happen and it just grew and grew because the word of mouth was so strong.”

But it was a playground encounter that really brought the breadth of its popularity home to Bonneville.

“A kid in my son’s school came up to me,” he recalls. “He was about nine and said, ‘I don’t like what that Thomas [Downton’s conniving footman] is doing’. I’d never, in a million years, thought it would appeal to those that young, but kids and grandparents are watching

34

it together.” The actor has been working for more than 20 years now, popping up as lovable buffoons in the romcom Notting Hill and period adaptation Mansfield Park, but it’s Downton that’s really made him a household name.

“I feel like a very lucky actor to be in a show that people love and continues to grow around the world,” he says. “It’s something I love doing, and the people involved are a fantastic team. I said to our producer not so long ago, that it’s extraordinary to think that five years on, we’re not punching each other!“ Series six has already been commissioned, but Bonneville is aware that it can’t run indefinitely.

“It’s a unique show, in that it feels so big in scale, but it comes down gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

to one person’s imagination; [writer and producer] Julian Fellowes.

“It’s really him, and he’ll know when it’s time to tie-up all the loose ends and put it to bed,” adds Bonneville, who says he will be sunning himself “on a beach a long way away” this Christmas.

“Shows like Downton are once in a career, and I know it will come to an end eventually – and I can just retire and do some knitting.”

One person who isn’t so fussed about the series, however, is Bonneville’s 12-year-old son, Felix.

“I’ve been filming Downton for six months of the year for five years now – that’s half of my son’s conscious life,” says the small screen star. “He comes to set and we stay over in a pub down the road and have a boys’ night out.

But I have to say, he’s pretty bored of it now.

But anything I do is the annoying thing that takes dad away from playing football.”

And it has been a busy year for Bonneville.

As well as reprising his role as the bumbling Ian Fletcher in W1A, Hollywood called with a role alongside George Clooney in war movie The Monuments Men – not that he’s complaining about the shortage of time off (“I love the fact there’s that variety“).

And of course, he also filmed Paddington, which was released in November.

And it won’t be long before shooting begins on the sixth series of Downton. Interestingly, it’s not the show people reference when the meet him, though. “More people come and talk to me about W1A than Downton,” Bonneville reveals.

“Maybe they don’t want to talk to the earl, but they want to talk to Ian Fletcher.”

Downton Abbey is on ITV at 9pm on Christmas Day

Call the

MIDWIFE

Now in its third year, Call The Midwife’s Christmas Special feels as traditional as mince pies and Santa. The cast of the nostalgic series tell KEELEY BOLGER why the show’s success means so much It’s been an emotional morning for the cast of CallThe Midwife.

Firstly, they were greeted with the happy news that Ben Caplan, who plays PC Noakes in the nostalgic nursing drama, spent the previous day in hospital, while his wife gave birth to their second child.

“The midwives were amazing,” says Caplan who works closely with Miranda Hart in the wellloved series, who plays his frightfully posh but all round good egg of a wife, Chummy.

handyman Fred, and whose wife is also expecting a baby in the NewYear.

And like raising a glass of mulled wine or putting out a carrot for Rudolph, settling down for the CallThe Midwife Christmas special has become part of many people’s festive traditions.

Last year, the show beat Downton Abbey in the

“It adds to my respect for the show, for celebrating midwives, because they do an amazing job,” Then, after a round of congratulations and well wishes, the show’s stars huddle together to watch the “heart-rending” first episode of the fourth series, which starts in January, preceded by their annual Christmas Day special.

“Did you not hear us sobbing?” teases Helen George, who has played funlovingTrixie since the show began in 2012.

“I’m trying to keep the tears from coming out so I don’t spoil my make up,” adds Pam Ferris, who depicts the blunt but caring Sister Evangelina.

Chummy’s choreographing the festive concert,Trixie’s designing a Father Christmas outfit for Fred and Cynthia’s embroiled in a case concerning two former residents of a Victorian mental hospital.

Even though the stars know the ins and outs of the Christmas Day special, which was filmed during a heatwave in the summer, they all admit they’ll be tuning in on December 25.

“I’ll definitely watch it, but I will record it as well,” says Cliff Parisi, 54, who plays

35

C Christmas Day ratings war, with a sizeable 7.1m viewers tuning in, and managed to pull in a hefty 10m viewers in 2012.

Despite this, the cast are still surprised at how quickly the show has become a classic.

And with a fifth series commissioned before the fourth has even been on air, the BBC seems to have plenty of confidence in its future.

The actors have their own theories on why CallThe Midwife has been such a hit.

For Ferris, who says she and Parfitt – who were alive during the Fifties and Sixties – sometimes “supply memories” for their colleagues, the series serves as a reminder to appreciate all we have.

Call The Midwife’s Christmas special airs on BBC 1 at 7.50pm on Christmas Day

Agatha Raisin

After years playing the best friend, Ashley Jensen is stepping into new leading lady boots – and she likes it. The Ugly Betty star tells WEEKEND about wanting a simpler way of life and why she doesn’t miss the ‘veneer’ of LA

B

ARING all is par for the course for many actors, but Ashley Jensen’s latest on-set striptease was a fairly unusual one.

“I’m the only person in the world who has stripped off in front of Colin Farrell and been laughed at,” reveals the Annan-born actress, who worked with the Irish actor on dystopian film The Lobster, which comes out next year.

“Then he said I’m probably the only person who has watched him strip off and laughed.”

Full of self-deprecating wit and cheerful chat, it’s no wonder the Scottish actress has been the goto woman for screen best friends, famously in Ugly Betty as Betty’s office ally Christina, and in Extras, as socially inept but big-hearted struggling actress Maggie.

But after years of dazzling on the sidelines, the 45-year-old is stepping out as the leading lady in Sky1 Christmas crime caper Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death, which will air on Boxing Day. In the one-off drama, based on the bestseller by MC Beaton, who

lives near Chipping Campden, she plays high-powered publicist Agatha, who swaps life in the city for the tranquillity of the Cotswolds.

Peace is short-lived though, and she finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery triggered by the quiche she makes to win over the villagers.

“Everyone points the finger at Agatha, because it’s her spinach quiche that’s the weapon,” explains Jensen, who stars alongside Robert Bathurst and Hermione Norris. “And so in order to clear her name, she decides to work out who the killer is.”

The opportunity to front a show, especially one with a “slightly ridiculous” sounding title, was too good to pass over, she admits.

“It’s the first time I’ve done something like that, where it’s me at the helm of it, and I enjoyed it,” says the mother-of-one; she has a five-year-old son, Francis, with her husband, Human Traffic actor Terence Beesley.

“I think most actors quite like something they can be in where they have a beginning, middle and an end.

I’ve played a lot of characters who

36

have been the best friend, so it was nice to be a person, a woman in her 40s, leading a series.

“There’s not that many of them, really. There are a lot of really male influenced things out there.”

Another selling point of the script was the idea of playing a fish out of water. Jensen, who spent a couple of years in Hollywood, is well versed on this.

To begin with, there were the bursts of applause when she announced her name at the Ugly Betty read-throughs to adjust to.

“I’d say, ‘I’m Ashley Jensen, I’m playing Christina‘, and everyone would go, ‘Yay!’ and clap, and I’d be like, ‘Brilliant, I’ve just said my name and got a round of applause’.”

Then, as ‘the voice’ of Channel 4’s warts and all factual series Embarrassing Bodies, many more things were lost in translation, as she recorded her narration in an American studio.

“I used to go, ‘Is it vag-eye-nal or vag-in-al, I can’t remember? Which one is British again? Oestrogen or estrogen?‘” she recalls, laughing.

“And the producers were going, gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

‘Don’t go all American on us!’”

Far from “going American”, the move to the US sharpened her sense of cultural identity.

“You’re aware of your own culture as a British-Scottish person, and you’re aware of the differences between American and British,” says the actress, who thinks it’d be brilliant if there was an Ugly Betty film, meaning a chance for a “wee jolly out in LA”.

“You take the good things from there, and the good things from here, and learn from it all a bit.”

Now firmly rooted in the Bath countryside with a base of new pals, largely thanks to her son (“It’s a wee bit easier when you have a child because you can make friends that way“), she is pleased to be away from some of the less enjoyable aspects of Los Angeles life.

“I don’t miss the veneer of it,” she says, though she does particularly miss her Ugly Betty co-star Ana Ortiz, who played Betty’s big sister and was expecting her first child around the same time as Jensen.

“I found all that quite wearing, knowing everyone was aspiring to be something rather than being present, do you know what I mean?

“Rather than saying, ‘That’s a nice cup of coffee, I like your necklace‘, everything was a little, ‘I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be, and I want to be, I want to be’.”

And much like her latest character Agatha, she found herself craving more of the good life.

“When I went to America, I came back [to the UK] and I felt like I wanted to personally simplify my life a bit,” she says. “I think people get to a point in their lives, where they want to do that a little bit. I don’t want stylists and publicists and somebody who blows leaves in the garden for me.

“I felt awfully uncomfortable with that sort of life.”

So although she met a lot of “lovely people” out there, she is pleased to be home.

“I played at Hollywood, and I’m really glad I did it,” says Jensen.

“I enjoyed it, and I absolutely went for it and had everything I could – the manicures and the publicists...

But there came a point where I just wanted to hide up a hill and pretend Twitter wasn’t happening.

“I’m very happy where I am now.”

Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death is on Sky1 at 8.30pm on Boxing Day @WeekendGlos

Victoria Wood Ask Imelda Staunton what appealed about her latest project That Day We Sang, and she doesn’t miss a beat.

“Victoria Wood sends you a script.

The end,” says the actress, who was Oscar-nominated for her role in 2004’s Vera Drake.

As for her co-star Michael Ball: “I got sick of them begging, simple as that,” he says, laughing.

“No, I’d do anything with Imelda.

The time we did Sweeney [Todd, on stage] was an extraordinary time for me. I learnt more from her than I think anyone else,” he adds.

“And you seem to have forgotten it,” quips Staunton, 58, and the two start chuckling.

But like the Paddington star (Staunton voices Aunty Lucy in the film), Ball has a lot of admiration for Wood.

“As for Vic, I verge on being a stalkery fan of everything she’s done,” continues the West End star.

“I think she’s brilliant. And this was something so different and exciting and challenging. It’s such a brave thing, because it’s unlike anything done before, so to be allowed to be part of it was a big thrill.”

Written and directed by Wood,That Day We Sang is a musical set in Manchester in 1969 with flashbacks to 1929, and an adaptation of her stage play of the same name.

“Imelda’s very particular and I didn’t think she’d want to do it. I don’t know why. I self-deprecated myself out of the equation. I always knew Imelda was great and took a punt in Michael,” reveals Wood.

It’s a warm and witty tale of Tubby (Ball) and Enid (Staunton), two lonely middle-aged people

37

who grab a second chance at life after meeting at a reunion of the Manchester Children’s Choir, who made the iconic Columbia recording of Nymphs and Shepherds in 1929.

The Bafta-winning writer recalls how she was 22 and living in a bedsit in Birmingham when she saw a documentary about the choir’s reunion.

“Something stayed with me.The idea that maybe you have this special day and your subsequent life may not be quite match up to that memory,” says the 61-year-old.

“I thought, I do want to write about the choir and the record, but most of all, I want to write about these two middle-aged people and how it could be their second chance”.

Some of the song and dance routines happen as people go about their daily business, while others take on a more fantastical element, like the moment Enid walks through her kitchen door and she’s suddenly on a roof with a group of backing dancers.

A big plus for both actors was the opportunity to sing live on set, rather than pre-record the songs.

“It felt really natural, and if it’s [demonstrating] a thought process or dialogue, it’s essential to have that,” says Ball.

Wood confesses that she had no interest in giving herself a cameo.

“My big delight in editing this was that I wasn’t in it and didn’t have to look at my big stupid face,” she says, laughing.

That Day We Sang airs on BBC 2 at 9pm on Boxing Day

TV PICKS

Saturday’s Television Guide

RIK MAYALL: LORD OF MISRULE 10.05pm, BBC2

STRICTLY COME DANCING 6.30pm, BBC1

Comedian and actor Rik Mayall died suddenly in June, but left a body of work that spanned four decades and was a blend of rocket-fuelled physical comedy, surrealism, subversive satire and pompous punk wit. Narrated by Simon Callow, this documentary celebrates Mayall’s part in British comedy history.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host the live grand final, which sees the four remaining couples performing two routines each.

BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 10.00 Saturday Kitchen (S,HD). 11.30 Nigel Slater’s Christmas Suppers (R,S,HD). 12.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD). 12.10 Football Focus (S,HD). 12.50 Saturday Sportsday (S,HD). 1.00 Bargain Hunt (S,HD). 2.00 Escape to the Country (S,HD). 3.00 Film: Kung Fu Panda (S,HD) (2008). ●●● 4.25 Final Score (S,HD). 5.20 Regional News (S,HD). 5.40 Pointless Celebrities: Christmas Special (S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BBC2

6.00 CBBC. 11.00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (R,S,HD). 12.00 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (R,S,HD).

12.50 Film: The World’s Fastest Indian (S) (2005). Fact-based drama, starring Anthony Hopkins. ●●●● 2.45 Flog It! (S,HD). From Todmorden, West Yorkshire.

3.45 Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom (R,S,HD). 4.45 Film: Nativity! (S,HD) (2009). Comedy, starring Martin Freeman. ●●●

REWIND THE CHRISTMAS HITS 8pm, Channel 4

CELEBRITY SQUARES 6pm, ITV

With new performances, surprise reunions and candid interviews, this 90-minute special uncovers the stories behind the UK’s favourite festive hits through the decades.

ITV

6.00 CITV. 9.25 Film: Columbo: Etude in Black (S,HD) (1972). ●●● 11.20 ITV News and Weather (S). 11.30 Surprise Surprise (R,S,HD).

12.30 Film: Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (S,HD) (1995). Family adventure, starring Jason James Richter. ●● 2.25 The Nation’s Favourite Christmas Song (R,S). 3.50 Film: Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (S,HD) (2007). Fantasy comedy, starring Dustin Hoffman. ●● 5.35 Regional News (S). 5.45 ITV News and Weather (S).

Former I’m a Celebrity contestants Ashley Roberts and David Haye, actor Reece Shearsmith, TV presenters Andi Peters and Sandi Toksvig, and comedians Stewart Francis and Bridget Christie join regulars Tim Vine and Joe Wilkinson in the grid, helping contestants win cash prizes. Warwick Davis hosts.

Channel 4

6.10 Trans World Sport (S,HD). 7.05 The Grid (S,HD). 7.30 Everybody Loves Raymond (R,S). 7.55 The Morning Line (S,HD). 9.00 Weekend Kitchen (S,HD).

10.00 Frasier (R,S). 10.55 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11.50 The Simpsons (R,S). 12.45 Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (R,S,HD). 1.40 Channel 4 Racing (S,HD).

Live coverage from Ascot and Haydock Park.

4.00 Channel 4 News (S). 4.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.45 The Gadget Show (R,S,HD). 11.45 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (S,HD). New series. The opening round of the Giants Live qualifiers. 12.45 Film: Deck the Halls (S,HD) (2006). Christmas comedy, starring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick. ●● 2.35 Film: Mr Miracle (S,HD) (2014). Premiere. Fantasy comedy, starring Rob Morrow. ●●● 4.25 Film: Naughty or Nice (S) (2012). Premiere.

Festive fantasy, starring Hilarie Burton. ●●●

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(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

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8.40 The National Lottery Live (S,HD). The results of the Lotto and Thunderball draws.

8.50 Strictly Come Dancing: The Results (S,HD). 14/14. Tess and Claudia announce the viewers’ favourite, who will be following in the dance steps of last year’s winner Abbey Clancy.

Plus, a musical performance.

Last in the series.

▼

▼

6.05 The Wish List (S,HD) (2010).

Romantic comedy, with Jennifer Esposito and David Sutcliffe. ●●●

▼

The Best of The Joan ... 11.05pm

6.00 Mission: Impossible (S,HD) (1996). A secret agent is accused of betraying his fellow spies, and sets out on a mission to clear his name. Action thriller based on the 1960s TV series, with Tom Cruise and Jon Voight. Edited for language and violence. ●●●●

8.35 Christmas University Challenge (S,HD). 1/10. New series. Distinguished graduates of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and the University of Warwick compete.

7.00 Harry Potter and the HalfBlood Prince (S,HD) (2009).

The wizard must uncover the secrets of Lord Voldemort’s past to try to end the evil sorcerer’s reign of terror. Fantasy adventure sequel, with Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon. ●●●●

7.50 5 News (S).

7.55 Scrooge (S,HD) (1970). See Choices Above. ●●●●

8.00 Rewind the Christmas Hits (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.30 Four Christmases (S,HD) (2008). See Choices Above. ●●

9.05 QI XL (S,HD). 14/16. Festive edition from 2013, with Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus and Brendan O’Carroll.

9.35 Blackadder II (R,S). 1/6.

Edmund takes in a young lad as his manservant.

▼

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Channel 4 Racing, 1.40pm

6.00 Celebrity Squares (S,HD). 7/7.

See Choices Above.

10.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD).

10.20 Match of the Day (S,HD). Gary Lineker presents highlights of the latest Premier League clashes, including Manchester City v Crystal Palace and Aston Villa v Manchester United.

Followed by National Lottery Update.

10.05 Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule (S,HD). See Choices Above.

10.00 The Jonathan Ross Show Christmas Special (S,HD).

10/10. With BGT judge David Walliams, actress Barbara Windsor, F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, comedian Jimmy Carr, singer Ed Sheeran and Frozen star Idina Menzel. Last in the series.

▼

after

Bette Midler: One Night ... 11.45pm

6.30 The Good Life (R,S). Margo and Jerry spend Christmas with Tom and Barbara.

6.55 John Le Mesurier: It’s All Been Rather Lovely (R,S).

A portrait of the actor’s life.

7.55 Dad’s Army (R,S). 7/8. Frazer is unable to hide his delight when Captain Mainwaring’s disreputable brother gatecrashes a sherry party for local dignitaries.

7.55 Atlantis (S,HD). 6/13. See Choices Above.

11.45 The Football League Show (S). Highlights of the latest games in the Championship, League One and League Two.

11.05 The Young Ones (R,S). 5/6. The four students decide to throw a party.

11.40 Youth in Revolt (S,HD) (2009).

Comedy, starring Michael Cera. ●●●

11.30 ITV News and Weather (S); Weather.

11.45 Bette Midler: One Night Only (R,S,HD). The multiple Grammy winner’s first-ever UK TV special.

1.05 Weather for the Week Ahead (S).

1.10 BBC News (S,HD).

1.05 Sign Zone: Canterbury Cathedral (R,S). A year in the life of the home of the Anglican church. 2.05 Sign Zone: Wonders of the Monsoon (R,S). The winds turn dry and bring drought. 3.05 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.45 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming.

3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S).

The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.40 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Textbased information service.

10 11

Christmas University ... 8.35pm

6.30 Strictly Come Dancing (S,HD). 14/14. See Choices Above.

▼

6 7 8 9

Match of the Day, 10.20pm

10.10 Rob Brydon Live (R,S). See Choices Above.

1

11.15 Wanderlust (S,HD) (2012).

Premiere. Comedy, starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd. ●●●

11.05 The Best of The Joan Rivers Position (S). Highlights from the American comedienne’s show in which she acted as an agony aunt.

1

1.10 Film: Devil (S,HD) (2010). Horror, starring Chris Messina. ●●● 2.30 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). Omnibus. 4.40 Secret Eaters (R,S,HD). Two friends agree to have their eating habits scrutinised 24 hours a day. 5.30 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD).

John Barrowman observes sick pets being treated.

12.05 Jason Manford Live (S,HD). 1.25 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming.

3.10 Gotham (R,S,HD). 4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 Make It Big (R,S). 4.50 Make It Big (R,S). 5.15 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.20 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.30 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.40 Roary the Racing Car (R,S). 5.50 Roary the Racing Car (R,S).

1 ( P M M 3 4 4 W

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ROB BRYDON LIVE 10.10pm, Channel 5

Having established himself with performances as a taxi driver in spoof documentary Marion and Geoff and Uncle Bryn in hit sitcom Gavin & Stacey, comedian and actor Rob Brydon embarked on his first stand-up tour of the UK in 2009. This show was recorded at Norwich’s Theatre Royal.

Jason (Jack Donnelly) feels guilty about Ariadne and resolves to do all he can to save her, embarking on a dangerous quest that brings him face to face with Medea and Pasiphae once more.

ITV2

6.10 Christmas Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD). 6.35 Emmerdale (S,HD). 9.20 Coronation Street (S,HD). 11.20 The Cube: Celebrity Special (R,S,HD). 12.20 I’m a Celeb: Stars of Oz (R,S,HD).

1.25 Film: Secret Santa (S,HD) (2003). ●● 3.15 Film: Santa Baby (S,HD) (2006). ●● 5.10 Film: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (S,HD) (1993). ●●●●●

E4

6.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 7.40 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 11.00 Olive, the Other Reindeer (R,S). 12.00 Famous Fred (R,S). 12.35 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 1.00 Melissa & Joey (R,S,HD). 2.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

3.00 Made in Chelsea (R,S,HD).

4.00 Melissa & Joey (R,S,HD). 5.00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (R,S,HD).

Sky1

6.00 Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? (R,S,HD). 7.00 Glee (R,S,HD).

8.00 The Fantasy Football Club (HD).

9.00 Football’s Funniest Moments (R,S,HD). 10.00 Soccer AM. 12.00 WWE Superstars (HD). 1.00 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Special (R,S). 1.30 Exodus: Gods & Kings (S). 2.00 Last Man Standing (R,S,HD). 3.00 Harrow: A Very British School (R,S,HD). 5.00 Portrait Artist of the Year 2014 (R,S).

FILM PICKS

ATLANTIS 7.55pm, BBC1

FOUR CHRISTMASES 9.30pm, Channel 4

A couple struggle to make it through four family Christmases on the same day. Comedy, starring Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon and Robert Duvall.

GOLD

7.00 Harry Hill’s TV Burp (S). 7.30 Last of the Summer Wine. 8.10 The Two Ronnies. 9.00 Yes Minister (S).

10.25 Last of the Summer Wine.

11.15 Harry Hill’s TV Burp (S). 11.45 Keeping Up Appearances (S). 12.50 Last of the Summer Wine. 1.30 The Two Ronnies. 2.20 Yes Minister (S).

3.55 Last of the Summer Wine.

4.40 Only Fools and Horses (S). 5.20 My Family Christmas Special (S).

The Big Bang Theory, 6pm

Predator, 10pm

My Family ... 5.20pm

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 22/23.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1/24.

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

1/22. Homer recalls his musical heyday.

6.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

2/22.

6.40 Only Fools and Horses (S). 8/8. Feature-length episode. The Trotters dabble in the diamond import business.

7.00 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

Harry Hill presents.

7.30 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

Festive bloopers.

7.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 2/24.

7.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 20/24. Raj discovers a secret about Howard.

7.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD). 9/24. Granger is poisoned by the mole, prompting Hetty to order a lockdown.

8.00 Tomorrow Never Dies (S,HD) (1997). James Bond battles to stop a media mogul’s plan to start a war between Britain and China. Spy adventure, starring Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Teri Hatcher and Michelle Yeoh. Including FYI Daily. ●●●●

8.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 21/24. Raj prepares for a date with Emily.

8.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 22/24. The gang celebrates Star Wars Day.

8.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S).

9/22. Max is forced to work with a rival medical examiner after a cowboy is poisoned, while McGarrett pressures Danny into stealing a Christmas tree.

9.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 23/24. Penny gets fired from the movie.

9.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 24/24. Sheldon is upset about his career.

9.00 A League of Their Own (R,S,HD). 5/12. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, funnyman Jimmy Carr and Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher join in the fun on the sports quiz, hosted by James Corden.

Celebrity Juice ... 10.25pm

10.25 Celebrity Juice: Bestest Bits 2014 (R,S,HD). Keith Lemon and team captains Gino D’Acampo and Fearne Cotton look back at the comedy quiz show’s highlights from 2014.

10.00 Kick-Ass (S,HD) (2010).

A teenager tries to become a superhero, but finds real-life crimefighting much more dangerous than in comics. Action comedy, starring Aaron TaylorJohnson and Chloe Grace Moretz. ●●●●

6.00 Football League Gold (HD).

6.15 Football Gold (S). 6.30 Premier League 100 Club (S,HD). 7.00 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD). 7.30 Barclays Premier League Preview (S,HD). 8.00 The Fantasy Football Club (HD). 9.00 Game Changers (HD). 10.00 Soccer AM (HD). 12.00 FL72 Live (HD). 2.30 Live PRO12 Rugby Union (HD). . 5.00 FL72 Live (HD). Nottingham Forest v Leeds United (Kick-off 5.15pm).

FL72 Live, 12pm

7.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 13/16. A look at Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest side from the mid to late 1970s.

8.40 Only Fools and Horses (S). Rodney dates the daughter of the Duke of Maylebury, and Del sees the chance for the family to marry into the aristocracy. Christmas special from 1986.

(HD). Sarah-Jane Mee presents a full re-run of the day’s top Premier League match.

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 11.30 SNF – Match Choice 1/6. Alan tries to save his (HD). Extended career. highlights from the 11.40 Knowing Me, Premier League.

Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 1/6.

Spoof chat show.

12.20 Rude Tube (R,S,HD). 1.25 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 2.00 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 2.30 The Inbetweeners Top 10 Moments (R,S). 3.25 Rude Tube’s Christmas Cracker 2013 (R,S,HD). 4.15 The 100 (R,S,HD). Clarke and Finn end up in a dangerous situation.

12.05 Dumb and Dumber To Special. 12.35 Chickens (R,S,HD).

1.05 Chickens (R,S,HD). 1.30 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 2.20 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD). 3.10 Night Cops (R,S,HD). 4.00 UK Border Force (R,S,HD). 5.00 Mission Implausible (R,S,HD).

12.20 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 1.00 The Paul Calf Video Diary (S). 1.35 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.05 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 2.35 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 3.10 ’Allo ’Allo! (S).

3.35 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

be inspired instore at

A miserly man is taught the error of his ways by a host of spectral visitors.

Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with Albert Finney.

BBC3

7.00 Doctor Who (R,S,HD). Matt Smith’s Doctor faces his final battle in the 2013 Christmas special.

8.05 Top Gear Botswana Special (R,S). The presenters face a challenge in Botswana.

9.05 Sherlock (R,S,HD). The detective takes on a master blackmailer. Last in the series.

10.35 Live at the Apollo (R,S,HD).

Comedy sets by Jon Richardson, Sara Pascoe and Nathan Caton.

11.05 Family Guy (R,S,HD).

11.30 Family Guy (R,S).

11.50 Family Guy (R,S).

12.10 Family Guy (R,S).

12.35 American Dad! (R,S,HD). 1.00 Live at the Apollo (R,S,HD). 1.30 Some Girls (R,S,HD). 2.00 Siblings (R,S,HD). 2.30 Siblings (R,S,HD). 3.00 (R,S,HD). 3.30 8.00 SNF – Game of the Day Siblings Some Girls (R,S,HD).

10.00 Porridge (S). 7/8. Fletch 10.00 SNF – Match Choice 10.00 Predator (S) (1987). discovers fellow inmates A military team on a (HD). Sarah-Jane Mee at Slade Prison are mission in a Central presents extended planning an escape over American jungle highlights from the Christmas, and is encounters a merciless Premier League, convinced it is doomed. alien hunter in search of allowing viewers to Festive edition of the human prey. Sci-fi access the latest round of comedy from 1975, with thriller, with Arnold top-flight fixtures, Ronnie Barker.

Schwarzenegger and including Aston Villa v Carl Weathers. ●●●● Manchester United.

11.25 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 1/3. Reality programme following three businesses as they prepare for their Christmas parties.

12.25 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 1.25 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 2.20 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 2.40 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 3.00 Tricked (R,S,HD).

3.50 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

4.15 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

4.40 Christmas Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD).

Sky Sports 1

SCROOGE 7.55pm, Channel 5

BBC4

7.00 Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice (R,HD). Hidden cameras capture the intimate lives of polar bears.

8.00 Icebound: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told (R,HD). A remarkable dogsledding journey.

9.00 Inspector Montalbano (R).

The detective investigates the abduction of a racehorse and delves into the elegant world of horse racing, via illegal betting rackets organised by the Mafia.

10.40 The Old Grey Whistle Test: 70s Gold (R).

Archive performances from the BBC music series, featuring Elton John.

12.10 Kings of Rock ’n’ Roll (R). 1.10 Rock ’n’ Roll Britannia (R). 2.15 The Fight for Saturday Night (R,HD).

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1.00 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 1.30 Football Gold (S,HD).

1.45 Football Gold (S). 2.00 Football Gold (S). 2.15 Football Gold (S). 2.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 3.00 Football Gold (S). 3.15 Football Gold (S). 3.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD).

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©LW

Sunday’s Television Guide TV PICKS

THE APPRENTICE 9pm, BBC1

The two finalists launch their businesses in a task to determine the winner, after which Dara O Briain speaks to the main players in the You’re Hired studio. Last in the series.

BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 7.30 Match of the Day (R,S,HD). 9.00 The Andrew Marr Show (S,HD). 10.00 Fern Britton Meets the Rev Richard Coles (S,HD). 11.00 Escape to the Continent (S,HD). 11.30 Bargain Hunt (S,HD). 12.30 MOTD2 Extra (S,HD). 1.15 BBC News (S,HD). 1.30 Film: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (S,HD) (1993). ●●● 3.15 Film: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (S,HD) (2005). ●●●● 5.25 Songs of Praise (S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

JAMIE’S CRACKING CHRISTMAS 6pm, Channel 4

Jamie Oliver whips up a selection of festive, easily prepared dishes in his own kitchen, showing viewers how to impress friends and family with a menu full of delicious treats.

Recipes for some of the chef’s personal favourites, including beef Wellington and roast goose with all the trimmings.

BBC2

6.35 Natural World: Butterflies – A Very British Obsession (R,S,HD). 7.35 Film: African Cats (S,HD) (2011). ●●● 9.05 The Football League Show (R,S). 10.25 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.55 Mary Berry’s Absolute Christmas Favourites (R,S,HD). 12.55 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (R,S,HD). 1.45 Live Equestrian (S,HD). 4.30 Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em (R,S). 5.15 Flog It! (S,HD). 5.55 Film: The Terminal (S,HD) (2004). ●●●

YOU’VE GOT TO LOVE CHRISTMAS 7pm, ITV

SURPRISE SURPRISE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 8pm, ITV

A charitable 10-year-old girl is whisked off to Canada to visit the set of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and interview the film’s stars, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan and Dan Stevens.

Also on the show, a mother is reunited with her long-lost son.

Jane Horrocks narrates a comic trawl through the TV archives, guiding viewers through the pitfalls and perils of the festive season, with contributions from famous faces.

ITV

6.00 CITV. 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Storage Hoarders (R,S,HD). 10.30 ITV News and Weather (S). 10.35 Film: Death on the Nile (S,HD) (1978). ●●● 1.20 Film: Columbo: A Stitch in Crime (S,HD) (1973).

Detective drama, with Peter Falk and Leonard Nimoy. ●●● 2.50 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (R,S,HD). 3.50 The Chase (R,S,HD). 4.45 Film: Casper (S,HD) (1995).

Supernatural family comedy, starring Christina Ricci. ●●●●

Channel 4

6.00 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (R,S,HD). 6.10 NFL: The American Football Show (R,S,HD). 7.10 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond (R,S). 8.25 Frasier (R,S). 8.55 Jamie’s Comfort Food (R,S,HD). 9.30 Sunday Brunch (S,HD). 12.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 2.30 The Simpsons (R,S). 4.00 Channel 4 News (S). 4.10 Film: Bugsy Malone (S,HD) (1976). Musical gangster comedy, starring Scott Baio. ●●●●●

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 10.30 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (S,HD). 11.30 The Muppets and Lady Gaga at Christmas (R,S,HD). 12.40 Film: It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (S) (2002).

Festive comedy, with Joan Cusack and Whoopi Goldberg. ●● 2.25 Film: The Christmas Shepherd (S) (2014). Premiere.

Drama, starring Teri Polo. ●●● 4.10 Film: The Family Man (S) (2000). Drama, starring Nicolas Cage. ●●●

H 9

I o t a h t S

6 ( 8 1 ( o F F A A 5 (

(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

▼ ▼

7.00 Men in Black 3 (S,HD) (2012).

See Choices Above. ●●●

▼

7.00 You’ve Got to Love Christmas (S,HD). See Choices Above.

6.30 5 News Weekend (S,HD).

6.35 Space Cowboys (S,HD) (2000).

An ageing former test pilot is called on to stop a malfunctioning Soviet satellite from crashing to Earth.

Adventure, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. With Tommy Lee Jones. Part of Clint Eastwood Night. Edited for language and flashing images. ●●●●

8.00 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (S,HD) (2011). Premiere.

A British fisheries expert is hired to undertake an Arab sheik’s plan to introduce salmon fishing to his country.

Comedy drama, starring Ewan McGregor. ●●●

8.00 Surprise Surprise Christmas Special (S,HD). 8/8. See Choices Above.

9.00 The Apprentice (S,HD). 14/14.

See Choices Above.

9.40 QI XL (S,HD). 11/16. Extended edition. With David Mitchell, Ronni Ancona and Jimmy Carr.

9.00 Midsomer Murders (R,S,HD).

1/5. Christmas is coming and Barnaby is soon to be a father, but the festive mood changes when a man is stabbed to death with an antique sword during a ghost-hunting party.

10.25 Match of the Day 2 (S,HD).

Mark Chapman reviews the latest Premier League action, featuring Newcastle United v Sunderland at St James’ Park and Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield.

9.00 Homeland (S,HD). 11/12. See Choices Above.

9.00 Gran Torino (S,HD) (2008). See Choices Above. ●●●●

10.00 Rewind the Christmas Hits (R,S,HD). With new performances, surprise reunions and candid interviews, this 90-minute special uncovers the stories behind the UK’s favourite festive hits through the decades.

▼

12

The Muppets and Lady ... 11.30am

6.00 Jamie’s Cracking Christmas (R,S,HD). See Choices Above.

11.00 Regional News (S,HD).

11.25 Have I Got a Bit More 2014 News for You (S,HD). 11/11. A compilation of highlights from this year’s editions. Last in the series.

11.25 The Sarah Millican Slightly Longer Christmas Television Programme (R,S,HD).

Extended edition. With Phillip Schofield, Judy Parfitt and Helen George.

11.00 ITV News and Weather (S); Weather.

11.15 Vicious (R,S,HD).

11.45 Premiership Rugby Union (S,HD). Highlights of the latest matches in English rugby’s topflight competition.

11.35 The IT Crowd: The Internet Is Coming (R,S,HD). Roy and Jen’s reputations are put at risk in the final episode.

11.15 Unforgiven (S,HD) (1992).

Two gunslingers help a bounty hunter kill a pair of cowboys who attacked a prostitute.

Western, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. ●●●●●

1

▼

after

Jamie’s Cracking Christmas, 6pm

6.35 Regional News (S); Weather.

6.45 ITV News and Weather (S).

8.00 Antiques Roadshow (S,HD).

12/27. Fiona Bruce presents highlights and updates on items that have appeared over the past few months, including a piece of Banksy art and a Status Quo tapestry.

10 11

Midsomer Murders, 9pm

7.00 Countryfile (S,HD). Festive items including how to make Georgian-style mince pies and the history of cards and crackers. Including Weather for the Week Ahead.

▼

6 7 8 9

The Sarah Millican ... 11.25pm

6.05 Regional News (S,HD).

6.30 Celebrity Mastermind (S,HD).

1/10. New series. With Emma Barton, Zoe Lyons, Tony Marshall and Jamie Baulch.

▼

Antiques Roadshow, 8pm

12.10 Weather for the Week Ahead (S).

12.15 BBC News (S,HD).

12.05 Film: Serendipity (S,HD) (2001).

Romantic drama, starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. ●●● 1.30 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R,S). The team is in the Clwydian range in north Wales. 2.30 Sign Zone: Holby City (R,S). Zosia gets emotionally involved with a terminally ill patient. 3.30 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.45 The Store. Home shopping. 2.30 Motorsport UK (S,HD). Highlights from Brands Hatch. 3.20 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 4.05 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S).

Guests air their differences.

12.30 Peep Show (R,S,HD). Mark invites his parents over for Christmas lunch. 1.00 American Football Live (S,HD). Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks (Kick-off 1.30am). 4.45 NFL: Rush Zone (S,HD).

Animation about a young American football fan. 5.10 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD). With David Baddiel in Dictionary Corner.

1.45 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 The Gadget Show (R,S,HD).

4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 Make It Big (R,S). 4.50 Make It Big (R,S). 5.15 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.20 Angels of Jarm (R,S).

5.30 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.40 Roary the Racing Car (R,S). 5.50 Roary the Racing Car (R,S).

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HOMELAND 9pm, Channel 4

In the penultimate episode of the US thriller about a troubled and unorthodox CIA agent, Carrie is forced to put her life on the line to get her team out of Pakistan.

Starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin.

ITV2

6.00 McBusted: The Hot Desk (R,S,HD). 6.10 Emmerdale (R,S,HD).

8.50 Coronation Street (R,S,HD).

10.50 The X Factor: Your Top Ten (R,S,HD). 11.50 The X Factor Class of 2014 (R,S). 12.55 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S). 1.55 Film: Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (S,HD) (2011). ●●● 3.45 Ant & Dec’s Christmas Show (R,S).

5.00 Film: The Polar Express (S,HD) (2004). ●●●

e

A countdown of the 26 greatest festive films, featuring contributions from celebrity fans including Jim Carrey, Ashley Jensen, Jonathan Ross and Warwick Davis, and stories from cast members including Zach Galligan (Gremlins), Mara Wilson (Miracle on 34th Street) and Daniel Stern (Home Alone).

E4

6.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 8.30 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 10.00 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). 12.30 Made in Chelsea (R,S,HD). Sam puts his relationship with Tiff in jeopardy. 1.30 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.30 Film: The Spy Next Door (S,HD) (2010). Comedy, starring Jackie Chan. ●●● 4.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

Sky1

7.00 Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? (R,S,HD). 8.00 Glee (R,S,HD). 9.00 Futurama (R,S,HD). 9.30 Penguins of Madagascar Special (R,S). 10.00 WWE Superstars (R,HD). 11.00 WWE: Experience (HD). 12.00 Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?! Special (R). 12.30 The Simpsons (R,S). 1.30 The Bachelor King (R,S,HD). 3.00 Penguins of Madagascar Special (R). 3.30 Film: March of the Penguins (HD) (2005). ●●●● 5.00 We Love Penguins (HD).

GRAN TORINO 9pm, Channel 5

Premiere. A misanthropic Korean War veteran is drawn into protecting a teenager and his family.

Drama, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.

GOLD

7.00 Butterflies (S). 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Last of the Summer Wine (S). 9.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S). 10.00 Steptoe and Son (S). 11.00 My Family Christmas Special (S).

12.20 The Two Ronnies. 1.05 Only Fools and Horses (S). 4.30 Porridge (S). 5.25 The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff. Christmas special of the Dickensian comedy.

Rude Tube’s ... 10.05pm

Best Christmas ... 9pm

Only Fools and Horses, 6.45pm

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 4/17. Sheldon loses his job.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 5/17.

6.00 The Simpsons (S,HD).

8/22.

6.30 Futurama (S,HD). 8/13.

Bender is robbed of most of his body parts.

7.00 The Xtra Factor Winner’s Story 2014 (S). Sarah-Jane Crawford looks at the story of this year’s champion.

7.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1/24.

7.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 2/24. Penny considers breaking up with Leonard.

7.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 8/22.

The first of two crossover episodes between The Flash and Arrow.

6.45 Only Fools and Horses (S). Christmas special from 1987 in which Del sets out to find his dear departed mother’s treasure trove. Comedy, guest starring Joan Sims, with David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

8.00 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

Harry Hill serves up a crop of festive bloopers recorded by viewers on camcorders and mobile phones.

8.00 Edward Scissorhands (S,HD) (1990). A lonely man-made boy with scissor-like hands is befriended by suburban townspeople – but they later turn against him.

Tim Burton’s fantasy, starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.

Edited for language and violence. ●●●●●

8.00 Modern Family (R,S,HD). 7/24. Gloria announces she wants Manny to learn Spanish.

8.30 Trollied (R,S,HD). 5/8.

Rose and Margaret get a blast from the past.

The Xtra Factor ... 7pm

.

g

BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER 9pm, Sky1

FILM PICKS

L

9.00 The Holiday (S,HD) (2006). Two single women from opposite sides of the Atlantic find love after they swap houses over Christmas.

Romantic comedy, with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. ●●

8.10 Only Fools and Horses (S). Del-Boy embarks on a new romance with Raquel, an actress he meets through a computer dating agency.

Feature-length Christmas special from 1988, starring David Jason.

9.00 Best Christmas Movies Ever (R,S,HD). See Choices Above.

Sky Sports 1

6.00 SNF – Match Choice (HD).

7.30 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD). 8.00 Premier League 100 Club (S,HD). 8.30 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD). 9.00 The Sunday Supplement (HD). 10.30 Goals on Sunday (HD). 12.30 Live Ford Super Sunday (HD). 3.30 Live Ford Super Sunday (HD). Liverpool v Arsenal (Kick-off 4.00pm).

Live Super Sunday, 12.30pm

7.00 One More for Bobby (HD). Robbie Elliot cycles around Europe visiting all of the clubs that were managed by Bobby Robson.

8.30 Goals on Sunday (HD).

Ben Shephard and Chris Kamara present a review of Saturday’s football action, featuring goals from the Premier League.

11.45 Release the Hounds: Jingle Hell (R,S,HD).

Charity special, with Diversity dancers Ashley Banjo, Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo.

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S).

11.05 The Inbetweeners 11.00 Karl Pilkington: The 2/6.

(R,S). 3/6. Simon faces a Moaning of Life dilemma.

(R,S,HD). 1/5. Karl 11.40 Knowing Me, Pilkington travels the Knowing You – With 11.40 The Inbetweeners world to answer some of Alan Partridge (S). 3/6.

(R,S). 6/6. The gang goes life’s biggest questions.

Guests include Europe’s on a camping trip. sexiest dance act.

11.30 One More for Bobby (HD). Robbie Elliot cycles around Europe visiting clubs once managed by Bobby Robson.

12.50 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 1.15 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 1.40 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 2.30 Tricked (R,S,HD). 3.20 Tricked (R,S,HD).

4.10 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

4.35 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

4.55 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD).

12.10 The Inbetweeners Top 10 Moments (R,S). 1.20 Bad Robots (R,S,HD). 1.50 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 2.20 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 2.40 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

3.05 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 3.25 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD).

12.00 The Flash (R,S,HD).

Superhero adventure, starring Grant Gustin. 1.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD). 2.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.00 Last Man Standing (R,S,HD). 3.30 Last Man Standing (R,S,HD). 4.00 Mission Implausible (R,S,HD). 5.00 UK Border Force (R,S,HD).

1.00 The Sunday Supplement (HD). 2.30 Goals on Sunday (HD).

3.30 One2Eleven: Larsson and Baresi (HD). 3.45 One2Eleven: Gudjohnsen and Matthaus (HD).

4.00 Football League Gold (HD).

4.15 Football Gold (S). 4.30 Goals on Sunday (HD). 5.30 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD).

12.20 Saxondale (S). Comedy, starring Steve Coogan. 1.00 Three Fights, Two Weddings and a Funeral (S). 1.35 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.05 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 2.35 Saxondale (S).

3.10 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 3.35 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

Premiere. A secret agent goes back in time and teams up with a young version of his mentor. Sci-fi comedy sequel, with Will Smith and Josh Brolin.

BBC3

7.00 Cars (S,HD) (2006). Pixar animated adventure, with the voice of Paul Newman. ●●● 8.50 Top Gear Bolivia Special (R,S,HD).

The team uses second-hand 4x4s to negotiate the Amazon basin and reach Chile.

10.10 Bad Education (R,S,HD). The school holds a swimming gala.

10.40 Family Guy (R,S,HD). Angry baby Stewie finds himself reborn into a British household.

11.05 Family Guy (R,S).

11.25 American Dad! (R,S,HD).

11.45 American Dad! (R,S,HD).

12.10 Bad Education (R,S,HD). 12.40 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 1.10 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 1.35 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 2.05 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 2.35 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 3.00 Cuckoo (R,S,HD). 3.30 Bad Education (R,S,HD).

BBC4

7.00 The Fir Tree (R,HD).

7.30 Tales of Winter: The Art of Snow and Ice (R,HD).

How the season has been depicted

by Western painters.

9.00 Sammy Davis Jr: The Kid in the Middle (HD).

Documentary charting the rise and fall of the entertainer.

10.00 An Evening with Sammy Davis Jr (R,HD).

A compilation of the entertainer’s performances for the BBC. 11.00 Imagine – Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M (R,HD). Alan Yentob meets the singer and actress.

12.15 Sammy Davis Jr: The Kid in the Middle (R,HD). 1.15 An Evening with Sammy Davis Jr (R,HD). 2.15 Imagine – Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M (R,HD). 3.30 The Fir Tree (R,HD).

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9.30 Premier League 100 Club (S,HD). A chance to relive the best of Alan Shearer’s 260 goals in the Premier League.

10.00 The Vicar of Dibley (S). 10.00 Ford Football Special 8/8. The villagers (HD). Newcastle United v celebrate Christmas, and Sunderland and vicar Geraldine learns Liverpool v Arsenal. The there is a heavy price to key moments from the be paid for festive Premier League matches kindness when she at St James’ Park and agrees to attend three Anfield respectively. slap-up lunches.

10.05 Rude Tube’s Christmas Cracker 2013 (R,S,HD). Alex Zane presents a countdown of 50 memorable festive internet videos.

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With Your Requirements We are here all over Christmas

Christmas & New Year Opening Times

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Unit 4, Waterloo Business Park, Upper Lydbrook, Gloucestershire. GL17 9LR

or telephone 01594 860116 www.pineandoakcentre.co.uk or www.pinecentrelydbrook.co.uk

22/12/14 09.00 –& 17.00 Christmas New Year Opening Times 23/12/14 09.00 – 17.00

Xmas Eve 09.00 – 13.00 10.00 – 16.00 22/12/14 09.00 – 17.00 30/12/14 Xmas Day Closed 23/12/14 09.00 – 17.00 New Year Eve 10.00 – 16.00 Boxing Xmas Eve Day Closed 09.00 – 13.00 New Year Day 10.00 – 16.00 27/12/14 Closed 10.00 – 16.00 Xmas Day Closed 02/01/15 28/12/14 Closed Boxing Day 10.00 – 16.00 Closed 29/12/14 27/12/14 Closed 30/12/14 10.00 – 16.00 New Year Eve 10.00 Closed – 16.00 28/12/14 New Year Day 10.00 10.00 –– 16.00 16.00 29/12/14 02/01/15 10.00 – 16.00 wish you a Merry Christmas and a We We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Happy New Year ©LW

@WeekendGlos

41

TV PICKS

Monday’s Television Guide TSUNAMI: SURVIVORS’ STORIES 9pm, ITV

People caught up in the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami reveal how their lives have unfolded a decade on from the tragedy.

BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 9.00 Film: Race to Witch Mountain (S,HD) (2009). ●●● 10.35 Film: Old Dogs (S,HD) (2009). Comedy, starring John Travolta and Robin Williams. ●● 12.00 Bargain Hunt (S,HD). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD). 1.30 Regional News (S). 1.45 Film: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (S,HD) (2008). ●●● 4.00 Film: Cinderella (S,HD) (1950).

Premiere. Disney animated fairytale. ●●●● 5.15 Pointless Celebrities (R,S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

GADGET MAN’S GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS 8pm, Channel 4

Richard Ayoade presents a gadget-packed guide to the festive season, joined by techno-loving celebrity friends including Jonathan Ross, Stephen Merchant and Adam Hills to reveal new ways of doing the Christmas shopping, surviving the winter weather, cooking Christmas dinner and even wrapping gifts.

BBC2

6.25 Sign Zone: Mary Berry’s Absolute Christmas Favourites (R,S). 7.25 Canterbury Cathedral (R,S,HD). 8.25 Film: The Bishop’s Wife (S) (1947). ●●●● 10.10 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (R,S,HD).

11.10 Great Continental Railway Journeys (R,S,HD). 12.10 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (R,S,HD). 1.50 Coast Australia (R,S,HD). 2.40 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 4.10 Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em (R,S). 5.00 Flog It! (S,HD).

JOHN BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS SHOW 9pm, BBC1

MICHAEL BUBLE’S CHRISTMAS 2014 9pm, Channel 5

The Canadian crooner’s fourth Christmas special sees him take to the stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with guest appearances by Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande, Miss Piggy and the Rockettes. The music features festive classics such as It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

The funnyman presents an evening of entertainment from the Dominion Theatre in London, featuring Jack Whitehall, Jason Byrne, Katherine Ryan, George Ezra and Ella Henderson.

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Speakmans (R,S,HD). 10.20 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R,S,HD). 11.20 Tipping Point (R,S,HD).

12.20 Judge Rinder (R,S,HD). 1.20 ITV News and Weather (S). 1.50 Regional News (S). 1.55 Big Star’s Little Star (R,S,HD). 2.55 Film: The Railway Children (S,HD) (1970). Period family drama, starring Jenny Agutter. ●●●●● 5.00 The Cube: Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens (R,S). 7.10 Everybody Loves Raymond (R,S). 7.35 Frasier (R,S). 8.35 Film: The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (S) (1991). ●● 10.15 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11.15 The Simpsons (R,S). 11.50 Film: White Christmas (S,HD) (1954). ●●●●● 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (R,S,HD).

3.10 Countdown (S,HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal: Merry Christmas (S,HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.55 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (S,HD). 10.55 My Crazy Christmas Obsession (R,S,HD). 11.55 Film: The Flight Before Christmas (S) (2008). ●●● 1.25 Film: Harry and the Hendersons (S,HD) (1987). ●● 3.35 Film: Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties (S,HD) (2006). Family comedy, with the voice of Bill Murray. ●●● 5.05 Film: Christmas with the Kranks (S) (2004). Festive comedy, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen. ●●

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The Railway: First Great ... 8pm

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S). 4/23.

Homer is possessed.

6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Theresa grows suspicious about Dodger’s whereabouts.

6.55 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (S,HD). The second round of the Giants Live qualifiers. Followed by 5 News Update.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Charity pays the price for her Christmas party at Butler’s Farm.

7.30 Coronation Street (S,HD).

Tony and Tracy agree to keep quiet about what happened.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S).

8.00 Countrywise (S,HD). 7/8. The island of Lundy, a pea harvest and a unique mussel farm.

8.30 Coronation Street (S,HD).

Callum tells Kylie she will be seeing more of him.

8.00 Gadget Man’s Guide to Christmas (S). See Choices Above.

8.00 The Railway: First Great Western (S,HD). A 300-strong army of engineers work to keep to the timetable as the deadline approaches for the reopening of the mainline at Dawlish. Last in the series. Followed by 5 News at 9.

9.00 Tsunami: Survivors’ Stories (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.00 Food Unwrapped’s Christmas Dinner (S,HD).

Jimmy Doherty, Kate Quilton and Matt Tebbutt travel the globe visiting factories, farmers and producers who make the ingredients for popular Christmas food.

9.00 Michael Buble’s Christmas 2014 (S,HD). See Choices Above.

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Food Unwrapped’s Christmas ... 9pm

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather.

6.30 ITV News and Weather (S).

▼

Emmerdale, 7pm

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan.

6.30 The Great British Bake Off Christmas Masterclass (R,S,HD). 16/16. Recipes by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

7.30 TOTP2: Christmas 2014 (S,HD). Mark Radcliffe presents festive performances from the Top of the Pops archive, including classics by Slade, Wham!, Wizzard, East 17, Mud, the Jackson 5 and Johnny Mathis.

7.00 Celebrity Mastermind (S,HD).

2/10. With Ken Dodd.

7.30 A Question of Sport: Christmas Special (S,HD).

Festive edition of the lighthearted quiz, with Sue Barker.

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TOTP2: Christmas 2014, 7.30pm

6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather.

6.30 Regional News (S); Weather.

8.00 EastEnders (S,HD). Stacey pushes Linda about why she is so awkward around Dean.

8.30 Would I Lie to You? at Christmas (S,HD). With Ray Winstone, Josh Widdicombe, Rachel Riley and Ricky Tomlinson.

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6 7 8 9

Celebrity Mastermind, 7pm

9.00 John Bishop’s Christmas Show (S,HD). See Choices Above.

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after

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9.00 The Wrong Mans (S,HD).

1&2/4. See Choices Above.

10.00 BBC News (S,HD).

10.25 Regional News (S).

10.35 Mrs Brown’s Boys (R,S,HD).

Agnes agrees to stage a nativity play at the community centre.

10.00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks (S,HD). 12/13. With Louis Walsh, Glen Matlock, Lloyd Langford and Melissa Steel.

10.30 Brian Pern: A Life In Rock (S,HD). 3/3. The musician records a charity record in aid of bi-polar polar bears. Last in the series.

11.05 Citizen Khan (R,S,HD). 7/7. Mr Khan is chosen to place the star on the Sparkhill Christmas tree.

11.35 The Graham Norton Show (R,S,HD). 12/13. With Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Danny Dyer.

11.00 Andy Parsons: Slacktivist (S,HD). A 2013 stand-up performance by the comedian.

12.20 Weather for the Week Ahead (S).

12.25 BBC News (S,HD).

12.00 Film: Chances Are (S,HD) (1989).

Romantic comedy, with Cybill Shepherd and Robert Downey Jr. ●●● 1.45 Sign Zone: The Apprentice (R,S). The five remaining candidates face gruelling interviews. 2.45 This Is BBC Two (S).

Preview of upcoming programmes.

10.05 ITV News and Weather (S).

10.40 Regional News (S); Weather.

10.45 Notting Hill (S,HD) (1999). See Choices Above. ●●●●

1.00 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). Guests air their differences.

10.00 Derek – The Special (S,HD).

The last-ever episode sees the Broadhill regulars busy planning the wedding of the year. Kev’s behaviour proves too much for Hannah, while Vicky prepares to fill her boss’s shoes.

10.00 Dirty Dancing (S,HD) (1987).

See Choices Above. ●●●●

11.05 Gogglebox (R,S,HD). 12/12.

The households’ opinions on recent TV. Last in the series.

11.55 Abba: The Image (R,S,HD).

The group’s costumes, album artwork and videos.

12.00 NFL: The American Football Show (S,HD). Highlights from the 16th week of the NFL campaign. 1.00 World on a String (S,HD). 1.55 Film: The Tree of Life (S,HD) (2011). Drama, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. ●●●●● 4.15 Film: Fantastic Voyage (S,HD) (1966). Sci-fi adventure, starring Raquel Welch. ●●●● 5.55 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD).

12.55 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun (R,S,HD). Eric Shaw and his team deal with invading macaques. 4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.20 House Doctor (R,S).

Kitchens and dining rooms. 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). Hall and living-room makeovers. 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

2 days from £125.00 per person

Call us on 0330 160 7791 Quote GLO Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/glo19084 Calls are charged at a standard local rate. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

42

Elvis at The O2 - The Exhibition of His Life

Departing May & Jun 2015 Our price includes • Entrance to Elvis at The O2: The Exhibition of His Life on Day Two • Time to shop and sightsee in London on Days One and Two • One night’s bed and continental breakfast accommodation in a good quality hotel in the Docklands area of London • Coach travel throughout • The services of a friendly tour manager gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

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Sam and Phil come out of hiding and embark on an international quest to get home for Christmas. Twopart special of the comedy thriller, with James Corden and Mathew Baynton. Concludes tomorrow.

ITV2

7.00 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 7.30 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 8.00 The Corrie Years (R,S). 8.30 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S). 8.55 All Star Family Fortunes (R,S,HD). 10.00 Catchphrase Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 11.00 Film: The 12 Days of Christmas Eve (S,HD) (2004). ●●● 12.55 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 1.25 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 1.55 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). 5.10 The X Factor Class of 2014 (R,S).

TROLLIED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 10.30pm, Sky1

It’s Christmas Eve, the busiest day of the year at Valco – and panic sets in when the turkey delivery fails to arrive. Gavin and Julie suspect their rivals at the Wigan branch of foul play and take extreme measures to salvage their stock. However, the staff have a big party to look forward to.

E4

7.35 Happy Endings (R,S,HD). 8.00 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). 8.30 Suburgatory (R,S,HD). 9.00 Charmed (R,S). 10.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 11.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 12.00 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 12.30 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 1.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 3.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 4.00 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 4.30 Suburgatory (R,S,HD).

5.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

Sky1

6.00 That Hidden Camera Family (R,S). 7.00 Moone Boy (R,S,HD). 7.30 Yonderland (R,S,HD). 8.00 Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew (R,S,HD).

9.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD).

11.00 Futurama (R,S). 12.00 Best Christmas Movies Ever (R,S,HD).

2.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.00 Futurama (R,S). 4.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Simpsons (R). 5.30 Katy Brand’s Little Cracker (R,S,HD).

FILM PICKS

THE WRONG MANS 9pm, BBC2

DIRTY DANCING 10pm, Channel 5

A dance instructor at a 1960s resort teaches a naive teenager about self-expression.

Romantic drama, with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

GOLD

7.00 Butterflies (S). 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Last of the Summer Wine (S). 9.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S). 10.00 Steptoe and Son. 10.55 The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff. 12.15 The Two Ronnies (S). 1.05 Only Fools and Horses (S). 4.10 Keeping Up Appearances (S).

Hyacinth goes on a cruise on the QE2. 5.30 The Vicar of Dibley (S).

Sky Sports 1

6.00 Football Freestyler. 7.00 WWE: Bottom Line (HD). 8.00 Football Freestyler. 9.00 The Sunday Supplement (HD). 10.30 Football Gold (HD). 11.00 Goals on Sunday (HD). 12.00 Football Freestyler. 1.00 FL72 Review (HD).

2.00 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 3.00 Goals on Sunday (HD).

4.00 Game Changers (HD). 5.00 Soccer AM: The Best Bits (HD).

You’ve Been ... 6.15pm

Taking New York ... 10pm

Stella, 9pm

I’m Alan Partridge, 11pm

Live Football, 7pm

6.15 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

6.45 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

14/20.

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 18/24.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 19/24.

6.00 Alison Steadman’s Little Cracker (R,S,HD).

5/12.

6.30 The Simpsons (R).

19/22.

6.30 Only Fools and Horses (S). Christmas special from 1989. The Trotters go on a day trip to Margate.

6.00 FL72 Review (HD).

A round-up of recent matches.

7.15 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

Festive selection of camcorder calamities.

7.45 Take Me Out Celebrity Christmas Special (R,S). 10/10. Keith Lemon, Joe Swash and Matt Johnson try to impress a line-up of 30 single women from series past and present and win a date to the Isle of Fernandos.

7.00 Hollyoaks (S,HD). John Paul and Ste’s joint stag do gets under way.

7.30 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S).

12/20. Amusing internet videos.

7.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

20/22. Bart uses voodoo to get his teacher pregnant.

7.30 The Simpsons (R). 5/22.

Homer sells his soul.

8.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 17/17. Penny agrees to a date with Leonard.

8.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1/23. Sheldon is placed in a difficult position.

8.00 Modern Family (S,HD).

8/24. Phil steps up to the plate to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

8.30 Trollied (S,HD). 8/8.

Charity day arrives at the supermarket. Last in the series.

9.00 Through the Christmas Keyhole (R,S). Keith Lemon hosts a festive rummage through the homes of three celebrities, challenging panellist Dave Berry, Julian Clary and Barbara Windsor to guess their identities.

8.20 Only Fools and Horses (S). Christmas special from 1990. Rodney leaves home after a fight with Cassandra and arranges a date with receptionist Tanya to make his wife jealous.

7.00 Live Ford Monday Night Football (HD).

Stoke City v Chelsea (Kick-off 8.00pm).

Coverage of the Premier League encounter at the Britannia Stadium, as the sides play their final match before Christmas.

A London bookshop owner falls for a glamorous Hollywood film star. Romantic comedy, with Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts and Rhys Ifans.

BBC3

7.00 Great Movie Mistakes IV: May the Fourth Be with You (R,S).

7.30 Shrek (S,HD) (2001). Animated comedy, with the voice of Mike Myers. ●●●● 8.50 The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (S,HD) (2011). ●●● 9.00 Don’t Tell the Bride: Let It Snow! (S,HD).

10.00 Some Girls (S,HD).

10.30 EastEnders (R,S,HD).

11.00 Family Guy (R,S).

11.25 Family Guy (R,S).

11.45 American Dad! (S,HD).

12.05 Some Girls (R,S,HD).

12.35 Don’t Tell the Bride: Let It Snow!

(R,S,HD). 1.30 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 2.00 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 2.30 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 3.00 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 3.30 Some Girls (R,S).

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9.00 Made in Chelsea 9.00 Stella (S,HD). The single (S,HD). 11/12. Spencer mum’s plans to spend her and Lauren’s relationship first Christmas with is put in the spotlight Michael are scuppered thanks to fresh when he is called away to allegations of Birmingham to deal with misbehaviour. a family emergency. Ruth Jones stars.

Meanwhile, Sam tries to salvage some form of friendship with Tiff.

10.30 Trollied Christmas 10.00 Fast & Furious (S,HD) 10.00 Taking New York: Special (R,S,HD). See (2009). A fugitive and an Sneak Peek (S,HD).

Choices Above.

FBI agent are forced to A look ahead to E4’s work together once upcoming structured again to bring a killer to reality show Taking New justice. Thriller sequel, York. with Vin Diesel, Paul 10.35 The Big Bang Theory Walker and Michelle (R,S,HD). 6/17. Penny Rodriguez. Including FYI hosts a Halloween party.

Daily. ●●●

12.10 Celebrity Juice: Bestest Bits 2014 (R,S,HD). 1.10 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 2.50 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 3.40 Educating Joey Essex: Reem Halloween (R,S,HD).

4.25 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

4.50 Life’s Funniest Moments (R).

5.10 Christmas Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD).

NOTTING HILL 10.45pm, ITV

11.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 7/17. Howard seduces one of Penny’s friends.

11.30 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 1/6. First-ever episode of the comedy.

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S).

11.30 Arrow (R,S,HD). 8/23.

3/6. Alan insults Barry and Oliver unite in Norfolk’s farmers. the search for Digger Harkness.

11.40 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 4/6.

Special French edition.

11.00 One More for Bobby (HD). Robbie Elliot cycles around Europe visiting clubs once managed by Bobby Robson.

12.00 The IT Crowd (R,S). 12.35 Rude Tube (R,S,HD). 1.40 Bad Robots (R,S,HD). 2.10 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.30 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.55 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 3.20 The IT Crowd (R,S). 3.45 One Tree Hill (R,S,HD). 4.25 Charmed (R,S).

12.30 The Flash (R,S,HD). Barry mysteriously passes out while chasing a gang of gunmen. 1.30 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). A computer hacker looks to sell secrets. 2.30 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.30 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD). 4.30 Road Wars (R,S,HD).

5.00 Stargate Atlantis (R,S,HD).

12.30 FL72 Review (HD). A roundup of recent matches. 1.30 SPFL Round-Up (HD). 2.00 Soccer AM: The Best Bits (HD). Highlights of Saturday’s show. 3.00 Ford Monday Night Football (HD).

Stoke City v Chelsea. 5.30 Football Gold (HD). 5.45 Football Gold (HD).

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12.35 Castles – Britain’s Fortified History (R,HD).

1.35 Puppy Love (R,HD).

2.05 Sounds of the Eighties (R). 2.35 Storyville: Panto!

Mayhem, Make Up and Magic (R).

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7.00 Guys and Dolls (HD) (1955). A gambler tries to win the heart of a Salvation Army member, while his friend searches for somewhere to hold an illegal dice game.

Musical, with Frank Sinatra. ●●●●● 9.25 Storyville: Panto!

Mayhem, Make Up and Magic (HD). A small community theatre’s staging of Puss in Boots.

10.35 The Joy of the Bee Gees (R,HD).

A profile of the legendary pop group.

11.35 Bee Gees at the BBC and Beyond (R,HD). Classic performances.

Our Family Law Department Offers Fixed fees for divorce and discounted hourly rates for other family law work.

10.00 The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook (S). 7/7. Another chance to see Ronnie Barker’s final screen appearance, in which he and Ronnie Corbett choose their favourite sketches, songs and monologues from their festive shows.

12.20 Saxondale (S). Tommy wages war on censorship. 1.00 Coogan’s Run (S). Paul Calf falls foul of Ottle’s underworld. 1.30 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.00 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 2.30 Saxondale (S).

3.00 Coogan’s Run (S). 3.30 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

BBC4

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TV PICKS

Tuesday’s Television Guide MAN DOWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 10pm, Channel 4

Dan is convinced he is turning his life around, only to find a Christmas thorn in his side in the shape of Aunt Nesta.

A new neighbour’s cleavage is one of the many topics of conversation as the clan gathers for another fun-filled Christmas Day. This year Barbara has gone overboard with the presents after spending an entire two hours in the pound shop and Dave has had a flash of entrepreneurial inspiration that he intends to pitch to Dragons’.

MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS 8pm, BBC2

Christine Bleakley views Roman remains on a helicopter journey, while historian Michael Scott is on the ground to explore what each sky-high vantage point reveals.

Channel 5

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Speakmans (R,S,HD). 10.20 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R,S,HD). 11.20 Tipping Point (R,S,HD).

12.25 Big Star’s Little Star (R,S,HD). 1.25 ITV News and Weather (S). 1.50 Regional News (S). 2.00 Judge Rinder (R,S,HD). 3.00 Midsomer Murders (R,S). Barnaby investigates a fatal explosion at a haulage yard. 5.00 The Chase (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Bradley Walsh.

Holby City, 8pm

Mock the Week Christmas ...10pm

Wilderness Walks with Ray ... 7.30pm

Celebrity Fifteen to One ... 8pm

Michael Buble’s Christmas ... 7.50pm

▼

Channel 4

6.05 Sign Zone (R,S). 7.35 Canterbury Cathedral (R,S,HD). 8.35 Film: Anything But Christmas (S,HD) (2012). ●●● 10.05 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (R,S,HD).

11.05 Great Continental Railway Journeys (R,S,HD). 12.05 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (R,S,HD). 1.45 Equestrian (S,HD). 2.45 Coast Australia (R,S,HD). 3.35 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 4.20 Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em (R,S). 5.05 Flog It! (R,S).

6.00 BBC News (S,HD).

6.30 Regional News (S); Weather.

6.00 The Great British Bake Off Christmas Masterclass (R,S,HD). Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demonstrate festive recipes.

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather.

6.30 ITV News and Weather (S).

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S). 5/23.

Homer befriends a group of holidaying celebrities.

6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). John Paul and Ste’s stag do gets under way.

6.55 My Crazy Christmas Obsession (R,S,HD). See Choices Above. Followed by 5 News Update.

▼

ITV

After seven weeks of competition, only three chefs remain and their last challenge is to prepare a three-course menu for Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace.

The judges then assess their efforts before deciding who will be crowned champion, succeeding last year’s winner Steven Edwards.

7.00 Celebrity Mastermind (S,HD).

3/10. With Tim Key, Andy McConnell and Richard Stilgoe.

7.30 EastEnders (S,HD). Stacey urges Linda to tell Mick the truth about her ordeal.

7.00 Dad’s Army (R,S). 6/6.

Mainwaring organises a Christmas treat.

7.30 Christmas University Challenge (S,HD). 2/10. Hull takes on Newcastle.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Moira incurs Cain’s wrath.

7.30 Wilderness Walks with Ray Mears (S,HD). 5/6. The bushcraft expert explores Borrowdale in the Lake District.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S).

7.30 The Snowman (R,S). Animated adventure, based on Raymond Briggs’ festive tale.

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BBC2

ROMAN BRITAIN FROM THE AIR 8pm, ITV

8.00 Holby City (S,HD). 11/52. A familiar face returns in need of help from Elliot. Ric is also back working in AAU – and manages to tread on a few people’s toes – while Arthur comes to Guy and Zosia’s aid.

8.00 MasterChef: The Professionals (S,HD). 21/21.

See Choices Above.

8.00 Roman Britain from the Air (S,HD). See Choices Above.

8.00 Celebrity Fifteen To One Christmas Special (S,HD).

Adam Hills hosts a festive edition of the notoriously tough general knowledge quiz, featuring 15 celebrities competing to win a big cash prize for charity.

7.50 Michael Buble’s Christmas Songbook (S,HD). The Canadian crooner sings Christmas classics and appears in a variety of comedy sketches, and is joined by Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton, Carly Rae Jepsen, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch.

Followed by 5 News at 9.

▼

BBC1

THE ROYLE FAMILY 9pm, BBC1

9.00 The Royle Family (R,S,HD).

See Choices Above.

9.00 The Wrong Mans (S,HD).

3&4/4. Part two of two.

Another case of mistaken identity finds Sam and Phil in danger again and their only hope is to play their parts in a heist with a gang of mercenaries.

9.00 Lottery Stories: Be Careful What You Wish For (S,HD).

The stories of some of the millionaires who have been created since the National Lottery started 20 years ago, finding out how they have been affected by sudden wealth.

9.00 8 Out of 10 Cats Christmas Special (S,HD). Jimmy Carr hosts a festive edition of the comedy panel show, with guests Andrew Flintoff, Ricky Wilson and Roisin Conaty joining team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson.

10

10.00 BBC News (S,HD).

10.25 Regional News (S).

10.30 National Lottery Update (S).

10.35 Mrs Brown’s Boys (R,S,HD).

Agnes vows to make her nativity play unforgettable.

10.00 Mock the Week Christmas Special (S,HD). 13/14. A festive edition featuring out-takes and yuletide reminiscences.

10.30 Russell Howard’s Good News (S,HD). 9/9. Highlights and out-takes from the show.

Last in the series.

10.00 ITV News at Ten (S).

10.35 Regional News (S); Weather.

10.40 Kylie: Kiss Me Once (S). See Choices Above.

10.00 Man Down Christmas Special (S). See Choices Above.

10.30 Da Best of Ali G (R,S).

A chance to see some of the comedy character’s most memorable interviews from The 11 O’Clock Show, plus a special guided tour of his home town.

11

11.10 Cuckoo (S,HD). 6/6. Ken questions his masculinity.

Last in the series.

11.40 The Apprentice (S,HD). 14/14.

The two finalists launch their businesses. Last in the series.

11.00 Backchat with Jack Whitehall and His Dad (S,HD).

5/6. With Nigel Havers, Lee Mack and Christine Bleakley.

11.45 Surviving Christmas (S,HD) (2004). See Choices Above. ●

11.50 The Jonathan Ross Show Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

10/10. With David Walliams, Barbara Windsor, Lewis Hamilton, Jimmy Carr, Ed Sheeran and Idina Menzel.

Last in the series.

11.30 Da Ali G Show (S,HD).

Celebrity interviews and hoaxes.

12.40 Film: Final Analysis (S) (1992).

Thriller, starring Richard Gere. ●● 2.40 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 2.45 BBC News (S,HD).

1.10 TOTP2: Christmas 2014 (R,S,HD).

Festive performances from the Top of the Pops archive. 2.40 Sign Zone: Film 2014 (R,S). The team previews Christmas and New Year releases. Last in the series. 3.10 Sign Zone: The Mekong River with Sue Perkins (R,S). The comedienne travels through Laos. 4.10 This Is BBC Two (S).

Preview of upcoming programmes.

1.10 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside.

3.45 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). Guests air their differences.

12.00 Da Ali G Show (S,HD). 12.30 Da Ali G Show (S,HD). 12.55 Poker (S,HD). 1.50 Film: Saw IV (S) (2007). Horror sequel, starring Costas Mandylor. ●●● 3.25 Secret Eaters (R,S,HD). 4.20 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD). 5.15 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (R,S,HD). 5.35 Film: The Nativity Story (S,HD) (2006). Biblical drama, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes. ●●

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 9.00 Film: Mars Needs Moms (S,HD) (2011). Premiere. ●● 10.30 Film: Bridge to Terabithia (S) (2007). ●●●● 12.00 Bargain Hunt (S,HD).

1.00 BBC News (S,HD). 1.30 Regional News (S). 1.45 Film: Chicken Run (S,HD) (2000). Animated comedy, with the voices of Mel Gibson. ●●●● 3.05 The Gruffalo (R,S,HD). 3.30 Film: Cars 2 (S,HD) (2011).

Animated adventure sequel. ●●● 5.10 Pointless Celebrities (R,S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

6.20 The King of Queens (R,S). 7.10 Everybody Loves Raymond (R,S). 7.35 Frasier (R,S). 8.25 Film: The Rugrats Movie (S,HD) (1999). ●●● 10.00 Film: Andre (S) (1994). ●● 11.55 Film: Ladyhawke (S,HD) (1985). Medieval fantasy adventure, starring Rutger Hauer. ●●●● 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (S,HD). 3.10 Countdown (S,HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal: Merry Christmas (S,HD). 5.00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me (R,S,HD).

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.30 Access. 9.40 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (R,S,HD).

10.40 Film: Jack and the Beanstalk (S,HD) (2010). ●●● 12.25 Film: The Elf That Rescued Christmas (S,HD) (2011). ●●● 2.00 Film: This Christmas (S) (2007).

Comedy drama, starring Delroy Lindo. ●●● 4.10 Film: Call Me Claus (S) (2001).

Christmas family drama, starring Whoopi Goldberg. ●●● 5.55 World’s Strongest Man 2014 (S,HD).

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Call us on 0330 160 7791 Quote GLO Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/glo11410

per person

9.00 Kids’ Hospital at Christmas (S,HD). 3/3. A 14-year-old is rushed into Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital’s A&E department on Christmas Eve with a serious leg injury after she is hit by a van. Last in the series.

10.00 Saving Private Ryan (S,HD) (1998). See Choices Above.

Includes 5 News Update. ●●●●●

1

1.15 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 My Crazy Christmas Obsession (R,S,HD). Part one of two. Four American households who take festive decorating to the extreme. 4.00 Wildlife SOS (R,S). 4.20 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

Wimbledon Departing Jul 2015

This is your chance to soak up the unique atmosphere of Wimbledon over the final weekend, savouring those famous strawberries and cream – celebrity spotting, before taking your seat on No.1 Court, to watch the stars of tomorrow and yesteryear compete in the finals of the Junior and Veterans’ events.

Our price includes

• Return coach travel • One night’s bed and continental breakfast accommodation at a three-star hotel in the London area • A full day at Wimbledon with a reserved seat on No.1 Court • A visit to Windsor • The services of a tour manager

Calls are charged at a standard local rate. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission. ©AELTC/ Neil Tingle

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Highlights from the Australian pop princess’s current tour, recorded at Glasgow’s Hydro arena on November 12. The concert features some of her greatest hits, including Can’t Get You Out of My Head.

ITV2

6.10 Britain’s Got More Talent: Hairiest Moments (R,S,HD). 7.00 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 7.25 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 8.20 The Cube: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 9.20 Catchphrase Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 10.20 Film: Arthur and the Great Adventure (S,HD) (2009). ●● 12.25 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 12.55 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 1.55 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S,HD). 5.10 The Xtra Factor Winner’s Story 2014 (R,S).

MY CRAZY CHRISTMAS OBSESSION 6.55pm, Channel 5

First of a two-part documentary about people obsessed with the festive period, beginning by following four American households who take decorations to the extreme, spending huge amounts of money, time and energy on their properties to bring Christmas cheer to their neighbourhoods.

E4

7.35 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 8.00 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). 8.35 Suburgatory (R,S,HD). 9.00 Charmed (R,S). 10.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 11.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 12.00 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 12.30 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 1.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.00 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 4.30 Famous Fred (R,S). 5.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

Bridget Jones’s Diary, 9pm

The Big Bang Theory, 8pm

6.15 Scooby-Doo (S,HD) (2002). The dog and his chums reunite to solve a baffling mystery on the tourist resort of Spooky Island. Live-action comedy adventure, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Matthew Lillard.

Including FYI Daily. ●●

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 20/24.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 21/24.

s,

n, 8.00 You’ve Been Framed!

Calendar Special (R,S).

Harry Hill delves into the archive and comes up with a whole year of merry mishaps.

Sky1

6.00 The Real A&E (R,S). 7.00 Moone Boy (R,S,HD). 7.30 Yonderland (R,S,HD). 8.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 9.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R,S,HD). 11.00 Futurama (R,S). 12.00 Greggs: More Than Meats the Pie (R,S,HD). 2.00 Harrow: A Very British School (R,S,HD). 3.00 Futurama (R,S,HD).

4.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 5.00 Treasure Island (R,S,HD).

The Flash, 8pm

7.00 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Hourlong episode. Ste and John Paul’s big day arrives, while Tony hosts Christmas dinner for his loved ones.

7.00 The Simpsons (R).

21/22. Homer upsets a new neighbour.

7.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

22/22.

8.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 2/23. Leonard gets back together with Leslie Winkle.

8.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 3/23. Penny becomes addicted to an online game.

8.00 The Flash (S,HD). 9/22.

Years of pent-up grief bubble to the surface when Barry encounters Reverse Flash, aka Professor Zoom, the man who killed his mother.

Grant Gustin stars.

FILM PICKS

e

KYLIE: KISS ME ONCE 10.40pm, ITV

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 10pm, Channel 5

American soldiers scour France in search of a missing infantryman.

Steven Spielberg’s Second World War drama, with Tom Hanks.

GOLD

7.00 Waiting for God (S). 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Last of the Summer Wine (S). 9.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S). 10.00 Steptoe and Son (S). 10.40 Goodnight Sweetheart. 11.50 Only Fools and Horses (S). 3.20 Keeping Up Appearances (S). 4.00 Blackadder Back and Forth (S). 4.45 The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook (S). 5.45 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S).

Sky Sports 1

6.00 Football Freestyler. 7.00 WWE: Afterburn (HD). 8.00 Football Freestyler. 9.00 SPFL Round-Up (HD). 9.30 Ford Monday Night Football (HD).

Stoke City v Chelsea. 12.00 Football Freestyler. 1.00 Sporting Rivalries (HD). 2.00 Live Greyhound Racing (HD). The Bags Track Championship. 5.30 Football Gold (HD).

Porridge, 10pm

Live Greyhound Racing, 2pm

6.45 Only Fools and Horses (S). Toothache forces Del to visit the dentist, but the prospect of receiving a filling is the last thing on his mind when the receptionist falls for him. Christmas special from 1993.

6.00 Football Gold (HD).

6.15 Football Gold (HD).

6.30 Football Gold (HD).

6.45 Football Gold (HD).

8.10 Only Fools and Horses (S). Toothache forces Del to visit the dentist, but the prospect of receiving a filling is the last thing on his mind when the receptionist falls for him.

8.00 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

8.30 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

7.00 Barclays Premier League Review (HD).

A look back at recent fixtures in the English Premier League.

9.00 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

9.30 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

9.00 Arrow (R,S,HD). 9/23.

9.00 Bridget Jones’s Diary 9.00 Rude Tube (S,HD). 7/8.

Oliver receives an (S,HD) (2001). A woman Alex Zane presents a ultimatum from Ra’s al begins a new year by countdown of the 50 Ghul – he has 48 hours to resolving to find love greatest sporting clips on find Sara’s killer or else the internet, featuring and give up her bad the League of Assassins habits. Romantic videos involving flying will start killing the comedy, with Renee press ups and a bikini residents of Starling City.

Zellweger, Hugh Grant wax race. and Colin Firth. Including FYI Daily. ●●●● 10.00 Rude Tube: Christmas 10.00 Britcam: Emergency on Our Streets (R,S).

Cracker (R,S,HD). Alex 7/10. CCTV cameras Zane presents a capture an attack on a countdown of 50 festive Hastings cab driver, and internet clips, featuring late-night revellers the world’s worst and board the SOS Bus in sexiest Santas, some Southend-on-Sea. alternative carols and a memorable Christmas surprise.

10.00 Porridge (S). 8/8.

10.00 Football Freestyler.

Mackay and Barraclough Football tricks from the discover Fletch is making world’s leading booze in his cell and the exponents. crafty con seems certain 10.30 Football Freestyler. to spend Christmas in Football tricks from the solitary. Festive special world’s leading from 1976, with Ronnie exponents.

Barker.

11.00 Celebrity Juice: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 11/11. With guests Susanna Reid, Paddy McGuinness, Professor Green and Joey Essex.

11.05 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 8/17. Raj’s parents set him up on a blind date.

11.35 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 9/17.

11.00 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy (R,S,HD). 1/6.

Presenter Baz Ashmawy and his mother Nancy travel to Las Vegas and LA.

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 11.00 Football Freestyler.

4/6.

Football tricks from the 11.40 Knowing Me, world’s leading Knowing You – With exponents.

Alan Partridge (S). 5/6. 11.30 Football Freestyler.

The Miss Norwich beauty contest.

12.00 Release the Hounds: Jingle Hell (R,S,HD). 1.00 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 2.40 The Office Xmas Party (R,S,HD). 3.30 Tricked (R,S,HD).

4.15 Educating Joey Essex: Space Cadet (R,S,HD). 5.05 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records: Bonkingly Big Hits (R,S,HD). 5.55 ITV2 Nightscreen (HD).

12.00 The Inbetweeners (R,S).

12.35 The IT Crowd (R,S). 1.10 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD).

1.35 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 2.05 2 Broke Girls (R,S,HD). 2.30 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 2.55 The IT Crowd (R,S). 3.20 Rude Tube: Christmas Cracker (R,S,HD). 4.15 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S).

12.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 1.00 Chickens (R,S,HD). 1.30 Chickens (R,S,HD). 2.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 4.00 Airline USA (R,S,HD). 4.30 Airline USA (R,S,HD). 5.00 Stargate Atlantis (R,S).

12.20 Saxondale (S). Tommy is reunited with an old friend. 1.00 Coogan’s Run (S). 1.30 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.00 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 2.30 Saxondale (S).

3.00 Coogan’s Run (S). 3.30 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

@WeekendGlos

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12.00 Football Gold (HD). 1.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S).

1.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 2.00 Football Gold (HD).

2.15 Sporting Rivalries (S,HD). 2.45 Football Gold (HD). 3.45 Football Gold (HD). 4.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S). 4.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD).

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS 11.45pm, BBC2

A lonely millionaire hires a family to help him enjoy Christmas. Comedy, with Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate and James Gandolfini.

BBC3

7.00 The Borrowers (R,S,HD). Fantasy adventure, starring Stephen Fry. 8.30 Hammy’s Boomerang Adventure (S,HD).

8.35 Madly Madagascar (S,HD).

9.00 Shrek 2 (S,HD) (2004). Animated adventure sequel, with the voice of Mike Myers. ●●●● 10.25 EastEnders (R,S,HD).

11.00 Family Guy (R,S).

11.25 Family Guy (R,S).

11.45 American Dad! (S,HD).

12.05 Bluestone 42 Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 12.35 Him & Her: The Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 1.05 Some Girls (R,S,HD). 1.35 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 2.05 The Revolution Will Be Televised (R,S,HD). 2.30 Bluestone 42 Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.00 Don’t Tell the Bride: Let It Snow! (R,S).

BBC4

7.00 Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964). A gangster becomes a local legend.

Comedy, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. ●●●● 9.00 Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza (HD).

Big band and swing music since the Second World War. 10.00 Proms on Four: Battle of the Big Bands (R,HD).

Clare Teal recreates the great swing bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

11.25 Only Yesterday: The Carpenters’ Story (R). The lives of Richard and Karen Carpenter.

12.20 Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend (R,HD). 1.20 Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza (R,HD). 2.20 Proms on Four: Battle of the Big Bands (R,HD).

Sunday 21st December 6pm – 7pm Carols by Candlelight for the whole family

followed by refreshments

Christmas Day 10am – 10.45am Christmas Morning Celebration St Luke’s, Corner of Stroud Road & Robinson Road, Gloucester GL1 5JR www.gcchurch.co.uk 01452 525240

TV PICKS

Christmas Eve Television Guide THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF PROFESSOR BRANESTAWM 8.30pm, BBC1

CHRISTMAS CAROLS ON ITV 11pm, ITV

Comedy drama, starring Harry Hill as the absent-minded inventor who has a battle on his hands.

BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 9.00 Snow Babies (R,S,HD).

10.00 Nigel Slater’s 12 Tastes of Christmas (R,S,HD). 11.00 Film: WALL.E (S,HD) (2008). ●●●●● 12.30 Christmas of My Lifetime with Len Goodman (S,HD). 1.30 BBC News (S,HD). 1.40 BBC Regional News (S). 1.45 Film: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (S,HD) (2005). ●●●● 3.05 Merry Madagascar (R,S,HD).

3.25 Shrek the Halls (R,S,HD). 3.50 The Gruffalo’s Child (R,S,HD). 4.15 On Angel Wings (S,HD). 4.45 Film: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (S,HD) (1961). Disney animated adventure. ●●●●●

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

Aled Jones is joined by Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro, soprano Lucy Kay, soul singer Mica Paris and Shaun Escoffery, star of the Lion King musical, for a traditional candlelit Christmas Eve service from St Mary’s Church in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. The programme includes prayers and readings by the Rev Chris Wedge.

BBC2

6.10 Film: The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (S,HD) (2008). ●●● 7.20 Canterbury Cathedral (R,S,HD). 8.20 Film: One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (S) (1975). ●●● 9.55 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (R,S,HD). 10.55 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (R,S,HD). 12.35 Torvill & Dean: The Perfect Day (R,S,HD). 1.35 The Choir: New Military Wives (R,S,HD). 2.35 Film: Little Women (S,HD) (1994). ●●●● 4.25 To the Manor Born (R,S). 5.25 Carols from King’s (S,HD).

JULIE WALTERS: A LIFE ON SCREEN 9.30pm, BBC2

The actress chats about her career, from her beginnings in theatre through to her successes in TV and film. With contributions by Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie and Hugh Bonneville.

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 Film: All Stars (S,HD) (2013). ●● 11.35 Film: Horrid Henry: The Movie (S,HD) (2011). Children’s comedy, starring Theo Stevenson. ●● 1.20 ITV News and Weather (S). 1.35 Doc Martin Christmas Special: On the Edge (R,S). 3.35 Off Their Rockers (R,S,HD). 4.05 Film: Santa Claus: The Movie (S,HD) (1985). Family fantasy adventure, starring Dudley Moore. ●●

GOGGLEBOX 2014 9.30pm, Channel 4

A chance to see some of the best moments from the past year of the reality show, featuring the nation’s favourite armchair critics. Leon and June, Steph and Dom, Christopher and Stephen, and Sandy and Sandra provide a sharp, insightful and sometimes emotional running commentary.

Channel 4

7.15 Olive, the Other Reindeer (R,S). 8.10 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 9.05 The Simpsons (R,S). 10.10 Film: The Iron Giant (S,HD) (1999). ●●●●● 11.50 Father Christmas (R,S). 12.30 Film: Big Miracle (S,HD) (2012). Premiere. ●●● 2.35 Channel 4 News (S). 2.45 Film: The Grinch (S,HD) (2000). Fantasy comedy, starring Jim Carrey. ●●●● 4.50 Film: The Muppet Christmas Carol (S,HD) (1992). Puppet comedy, starring Michael Caine. ●●●●

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.30 Film: Gone with the Wind (S,HD) (1939). Epic romantic drama, starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. ●●●●● 1.50 Film: The Adventures of Robin Hood (S) (1938).

Swashbuckling adventure, starring Errol Flynn. ●●●●● 3.50 Film: Scrooge – A Christmas Carol (S) (1951). Charles Dickens’ fantasy, starring Alastair Sim. ●●●●● 5.35 Michael Buble’s Christmas 2014 (R,S).

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Christmas Carols on ITV, 11pm

The Snowman and the ... 7.55pm

Britain’s Craziest Christmas ... 7.20pm

6.40 The Good Life (R,S). Tom fears he and Barbara have no money set aside for their old age.

George Cole guest stars in the final episode of the sitcom.

6.15 You’ve Been Framed! At Christmas (R,S). 14/20. Comical festive clips, narrated by Harry Hill.

6.45 ITV News and Weather (S).

6.25 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Hour-long episode. Ste and John Paul’s big day arrives.

6.30 My Big Xmas Benefits BlowOut (R,S,HD). 4/4. Christmas for people living on state welfare.

7.10 Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings (R,S). The comedienne sends up Christmas TV in a festive special from 2000, with guest stars Julie Walters and Alan Rickman.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Bernice struggles with her emotions the day before Andy’s wedding.

7.30 Coronation Street (S,HD).

Lloyd discovers Jenna has been arrested in Spain.

7.25 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (R,S,HD). Festive spin-off of the animated films.

7.55 The Snowman and the Snowdog (R,S,HD). Animated sequel to The Snowman.

7.20 Britain’s Craziest Christmas Lights (R,S). Noddy Holder narrates a documentary following four households as they transform their homes.

Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 EastEnders (S,HD). Linda states that Dean is not welcome for Christmas dinner – so he confronts her with a blackmail threat.

8.30 The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (S,HD). See Choices Above.

8.00 Christmas University Challenge (S,HD). 3/10. King’s College, Cambridge, takes on Royal Holloway, University of London.

8.30 The Choir: New Military Wives (S,HD). 2/2. Part two of two. With Gareth Malone.

8.00 Skyfall (S,HD) (2012). See Choices Above. ●●●●●

8.30 My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas: Tinsel and Tiaras (R,S,HD).

The festive season, travellerstyle, featuring a spectacular Christmas-themed wedding and an entrepreneur planning a gypsies-only party.

8.25 The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies: Christmas Special (S,HD). The comedian throws a party for some of the stars of the last series, and RSPCA officer Derek Hampson hands out presents to rescue dogs.

Followed by 5 News Update.

9.30 Not Going Out Christmas Special (S,HD). 10/10. See Choices Above.

9.30 Julie Walters: A Life on Screen (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.30 Gogglebox 2014 (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.30 Greatest Ever Christmas Movies (R,S). See Choices Above.

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10.15 The Vicar of Dibley (R,S). 2/4.

Alice suggests an unconventional nativity play starring herself and Hugo as Mary and Joseph, and adds a touch of authenticity by going into labour mid-performance.

10.55 Mrs Brown’s Boys (R,S,HD).

The family falls out over a board game.

10.30 Calendar Girls (S,HD) (2003).

Members of a Yorkshire branch of the Women’s Institute cause controversy when they pose nude for a charity calendar.

Fact-based comedy drama, with Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. ●●●●

11.30 BBC News (S,HD).

11.40 National Lottery Update (S).

11.45 Midnight Mass from Arundel Cathedral (S,HD).

Live Roman Catholic Mass from Arundel in West Sussex.

1.05 Film: Sliding Doors (S,HD) (1998).

Comedy drama, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. ●●● 2.40 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 2.45 BBC News (S,HD).

Spares / Track Packs Second Hand

12.15 Film: Buster (S) (1988). Fact-based crime drama, starring Phil Collins and Julie Walters. ●●● 1.45 This Is BBC Two (S).

Preview of upcoming programmes.

10.45 ITV News and Weather (S).

11.00 Christmas Carols on ITV (S,HD). See Choices Above.

11.00 Rude Tube Christmas Cracker 2014 (S). Alex Zane presents a selection of festive internet clips.

12.00 Film: Elizabeth: The Golden Age (S,HD) (2007). Historical drama sequel, starring Cate Blanchett. ●●●● 2.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside.

2.50 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). Guests air their differences.

12.05 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 12.35 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 1.05 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 1.30 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 1.55 Film: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (HD) (2010). ●●●● 3.20 Film: Toys (S,HD) (1992).

Comedy, starring Robin Williams. ●● 5.20 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (R,S,HD). 5.35 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD).

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12.30 Film: Scrooge – A Christmas Carol (S) (1951). Charles Dickens’ fantasy, starring Alastair Sim. ●●●●● 2.20 SuperCasino.

Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Crazy Christmas Compulsives (R,S,HD). 4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

Spares Extra Track Extra Cars

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gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

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The Choir: New Military Wives, 8.30pm

6.05 BBC News (S,HD).

6.15 Regional News (S); Weather.

6.25 Toy Story 3 (S,HD) (2010). See Choices Above. ●●●●●

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The will-they-won’t-they tension between Lee and Lucy reaches unseen new highs in this epic finale for Christmas. Lee Mack, Sally Bretton and Bobby Ball star. Last in the series.

ITV2

8.15 I’m a Celeb: Junglicious Moments (R,S,HD). 9.05 All Star Family Fortunes Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 10.10 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S). 11.15 Film: The 12 Days of Christmas Eve (S,HD) (2004). ��� 1.10 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 1.40 Film: Casper (S,HD) (1995). ���� 3.40 You’ve Been Framed at Christmas!

(R,S). 5.05 All Star Family Fortunes Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

Countdown of the best festive films, from White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life to Bad Santa and Elf. Gremlins star Zach Galligan and Miracle on 34th Street’s Mara Wilson talk about their experiences making their movies. Featuring contributions by Ollie Locke, Stacey Solomon and Eamonn Holmes.

E4

6.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD).

6.50 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 7.55 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). 8.30 Ivor the Invisible (R,S). 9.00 Charmed (R,S).

10.00 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 11.00 Film: Marmaduke (S,HD) (2010). �� 12.45 Rude(ish) Tube Shorts (R,S). 1.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.00 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

4.30 The Bear (R,S). 5.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

Sky1

6.00 Futurama (R,S,HD). 7.00 Moone Boy (R,S,HD). 7.30 Yonderland (R,S,HD). 8.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 9.00 Modern Family (R,S,HD). 1.00 Best Christmas Movies Ever (R,S,HD).

A countdown of the 26 greatest festive films. 3.00 Futurama (R,S).

4.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 5.00 Treasure Island (R,S,HD). Jim and Silver face a tough decision.

FILM PICKS

NOT GOING OUT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 9.30pm, BBC1

SKYFALL 8pm, ITV

James Bond hunts the mastermind behind a terrorist attack on MI6, and discovers a former agent with revenge in mind. Action thriller, with Daniel Craig.

GOLD

Sky Sports 1

7.00 Waiting for God (S). 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Last of the Summer Wine (S). 9.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S).

10.00 Steptoe and Son (S). 10.40 Only Fools and Horses (S). 4.00 Steptoe and Son. Christmas special from 1974. 5.00 Porridge (S). Christmas special from 1976.

Fletch is caught making booze in his cell.

6.00 Football Freestyler. 7.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S).

8.00 Football Freestyler. 9.00 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD).

10.00 Premier League Years (S).

Memorable moments from the 2012/13 season. 12.00 Football Freestyler. 1.00 Football Gold (HD). 5.00 Ryan Giggs: A United Life (S,HD). The remarkable career of the Manchester United legend.

Blackadder’s Christmas ... 10pm

Football: Race for ... 11.30pm

6.00 Only Fools and Horses (S). 1/3. The Trotters become caped crusaders.

6.00 One2Eleven Special (HD). Guests select their all-time line-ups.

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6.10 Catchphrase Christmas Special (R,S,HD). Carol Vorderman, Michael Ball and Michelle Collins see it and say it.

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 22/24.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 23/24.

7.20 Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (S,HD) (1993). The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town tires of being scary and decides to take over Christmas.

Stop-motion animated fantasy, with the voices of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O’Hara.

Including FYI Daily. â—?â—?â—?â—?â—?

7.00 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S).

19/20. Featuring extreme unicycling.

7.25 Hollyoaks (S,HD).

Sinead’s life hangs in the balance.

7.00 The Simpsons (R). 6/22.

Lisa becomes a Buddhist.

7.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

11/25. Bart is caught shoplifting.

7.20 Only Fools and Horses (S). 2/3. Del buys a new manual to show him how to make positive decisions.

7.00 Best of Gillette Soccer Saturday (HD). A look back at 20 years of the show, as a host of guests presided over live football action.

8.00 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (S,HD) (2009). The shape-changing robots fight for control of a machine hidden somewhere on Earth with the power to destroy planets. Sci-fi adventure sequel, starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. â—?â—?

8.00 The Simpsons. 8/22.

Springfield is inundated with Christmas tourists.

8.30 The Simpsons (S,HD).

9/22. Homer gets too drunk on Christmas Eve.

8.40 Only Fools and Horses (S). 3/3. Raquel’s father finds an old watch among the Trotters’ junk, which he claims could net them a fortune at auction. However, nothing can quite prepare them for the shock that awaits.

8.00 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

8.30 Football Freestyler.

Football tricks from the world’s leading exponents.

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9.00 The Holiday (S,HD) (2006). Two single women from opposite sides of the Atlantic find love after they swap houses over Christmas.

Romantic comedy, with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. â—?â—?

A League of Their ... 9pm

9.00 A League of Their Own Christmas Party (R,S,HD). James Corden offers Jamie Redknapp, Andrew Flintoff and Jack Whitehall the chance to prepare a traditional Christmas dinner and partake in a festive sporting challenge.

9.00 One2Eleven Special (HD). Guests select their all-time line-ups.

10.00 Blackadder’s 10.00 Stella (R,S,HD). The 10.00 Best of Gillette Soccer Christmas Carol (S). single mum’s plans to Saturday (HD). A look Kindly Victorian spend her first Christmas back at 20 years of the pushover Ebenezer with Michael are show, as a host of guests Blackadder is visited by scuppered when he is presided over live the Spirit of Christmas called away to football action in their and gains an insight into Birmingham to deal with own inimitable styles. the dastardly deeds of a family emergency. his ancestors. Starring Ruth Jones stars.

Rowan Atkinson.

11.45 Celebrity Juice: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 13/13. Festive edition of the comedy quiz.

11.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 10/17. Penny appears in a musical.

11.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11/17. Penny volunteers to nurse Sheldon.

11.30 Trollied Christmas Special (R,S,HD). The turkey delivery fails to arrive on Christmas Eve.

12.50 Through the Christmas Keyhole (R,S). 1.50 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 3.30 Release the Hounds: Jingle Hell (R,S,HD). 4.20 Educating Joey Essex: Winter Essex-Pedition (R,S,HD). 5.05 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD). 5.30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD).

12.00 New Girl (R,S,HD). 12.30 New Girl (R,S,HD). 1.00 Made in Chelsea (R,S,HD). 2.05 Taking New York: Sneak Peek (R,S,HD).

2.35 Virtually Famous (R,S,HD).

3.20 New Girl (R,S,HD). 3.40 New Girl (R,S,HD). 4.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 4.25 Charmed (R,S).

12.30 A League of Their Own (R,S,HD). With Joe Hart, Kevin Pietersen and Josh Widdicombe.

1.30 The Flash (R,S,HD). 2.20 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.10 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 4.00 Airline USA (R,S,HD). 4.30 Airline USA (R,S,HD). 5.00 Stargate Atlantis (R,S,HD).

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S).

5/6. Alan meets his biggest fan.

11.40 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 6/6.

11.00 Barclays Premier League World. A roundup of the latest news.

11.30 Football: Race for the Title (HD). A look back at the 2013/14 Premier League title race.

12.20 Saxondale (S). Tommy’s daughter turns up. 1.00 Coogan’s Run (S). A village handyman meets his destiny. 1.30 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.00 Knowing Me, Knowing You – With Alan Partridge (S). 2.30 Saxondale (S).

3.00 Coogan’s Run (S). 3.30 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

12.30 One2Eleven Special (HD).

1.30 Barclays Premier League World. 2.00 Best of Gillette Soccer Saturday (HD). 3.00 Football Gold (HD). 3.15 Football Gold (HD). 4.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S). 4.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD).

5.00 Football Gold (HD).

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Woody, Buzz and the toys end up in a daycare centre, but plan their escape. Animated adventure, with the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

BBC3

7.00 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Tell the Bride: Let It Snow! (R,S,HD).

Steve from Rotherham takes sole charge of organising his wedding.

8.00 Gavin & Stacey â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

The couple make a surprise announcement.

9.00 Shrek the Third (S,HD) (2007).

Animated sequel, with the voice of Mike Myers. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

10.25 Cuckoo Christmas Special (S,HD).

Lorna is full of yuletide spirit.

11.00 EastEnders (R,S,HD).

11.30 Family Guy (R,S).

11.55 Family Guy (R,S).

12.15 Family Guy (R,S).

12.35 Family Guy (R,S).

1.00 Family Guy (R,S). 1.20 Family Guy (R,S). 1.45 Cuckoo Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 2.15 Some Girls (R,S,HD). 2.45 In Deep (R,S,HD). 3.00 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Tell the Bride: Christmas in Wonderland (R,S).

BBC4

7.00 Carols from Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1954: A Festival of Lessons and Carols (HD).

7.45 Wild Scotland (R).

8.00 Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank (HD).

8.30 Arena: Oooh Er, Missus! The Frankie Howerd Story (R). Profile of the comedian.

9.30 Top of the Pops Christmas: 1979 (R). Christmas special.

10.30 Some Santas with Jokes (HD).

Father Christmasses tell their favourite gags to the camera.

11.00 Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Arena Special (R).

Profile of the legendary performer.

12.35 Swinginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas (R,HD). 1.45 Top of the Pops Christmas: 1979 (R).

2.45 Sammy Davis Jr: The Kid in the Middle (R,HD).

Church Services

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Christmas Day Television Guide TV PICKS

DOCTOR WHO 6.15pm, BBC1

Clara and the Doctor end up trapped on an Arctic base under attack from terrifying creatures - and it seems their only hope of rescue is Santa Claus (Nick Frost).

Louis Smith, actress Lisa Riley, TV presenter Chris Hollins, astrologer Russell Grant and singers Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Rachel Stevens compete.

ITV

The comedian hosts an extended show filled with festive fun and frolics, plus the odd song or two by the evening’s house band.

Chatting to Alan on the sofa are Terry Wogan, Sarah Millican, Phillip Schofield, Dan Stevens and Emma Willis.

Channel 4

Channel 5

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 9.00 The Gruffalo (R,S,HD).

9.30 On Angel Wings (R,S,HD). 10.00 Come and Join the Celebration (S,HD). 11.00 Only Fools and Horses (R,S). 12.00 Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out (R,S,HD). 12.25 Film: Gnomeo & Juliet (S,HD) (2011). ●●● 1.40 Shaun the Sheep (R,S,HD).

1.50 BBC News (S,HD). 2.00 Top of the Pops Christmas (S,HD). 3.00 The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast 2014 (S,HD). 3.10 Film: Puss in Boots (S,HD) (2011). See Choices Above. ●●●● 4.40 BBC News (S,HD). 5.00 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (S,HD). See Choices Above.

6.00 Film: Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (S,HD) (2003). ●●●● 7.15 Film: Short Circuit (S,HD) (1986). ●●● 8.50 Film: Pollyanna (S,HD) (1960). ●●●● 11.00 Carols from King’s (R,S,HD). 12.15 To the Manor Born (R,S). 12.45 The Choir: New Military Wives (R,S,HD). 1.45 60 Years of Carols from King’s (S,HD). 2.45 Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (S,HD). 5.00 Sign Zone: The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast 2014 (R,S). 5.10 James May’s Toy Stories: Action Man at the Speed of Sound (S,HD).

Michael McIntyre’s Very ... 10.40pm

James May’s Toy Stories ... 5.10pm

Coronation Street, 8pm

Alan Carr: Chatty Man ... 9pm

Britain’s Favourite Christmas ... 8pm

6.15 Doctor Who (S,HD). See Choices Above.

6.15 Morecambe and Wise in Pieces: The Sketches (S). 5/5.

Bite-sized routines from the comedy duo’s shows.

6.50 ITV News and Weather (S).

6.00 Arthur Christmas (S,HD) (2011). Premiere. Animated comedy, with the voice of James McAvoy. ●●●●

6.10 Michael Buble’s Christmas Songbook (R,S). Festive classics, with Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton and Carly Rae Jepsen.

7.15 Miranda (S,HD). 1/2. The hit sitcom returns for the final two episodes. Miranda has two proposals to decide between.

7.50 Call the Midwife (S,HD). See Choices Above.

7.15 Christmas University Challenge (S,HD). 4/10.

Edinburgh takes on Leeds.

7.45 Dad’s Army (R,S). 8/8. The vicar holds a fundraising bazaar. Last in the series.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Hour-long episode. Bernice and Robert threaten Andy and Katie’s wedding day, Lachlan leads Belle astray and Jai proposes to Megan.

8.30 Blackadder’s Christmas Carol (R,S). Comic version of the classic tale, starring Rowan Atkinson.

8.00 Coronation Street (S,HD).

Hour-long episode. Kylie is horrified when Callum turns up at her doorstep, Amy and Tony are taken aback by how much Steve has spent and Tracy grabs Tony under the mistletoe.

8.00 Frozen at Christmas (S,HD).

The makers of Disney’s Frozen, the most successful animated film of all time, talk about its creation and production, and the writing and performance of its most popular songs.

9.00 Tim Rice – A Life in Song (S,HD). A concert from London’s Royal Festival Hall celebrating the work of the Oscar-winning lyricist, who also reminisces about his career, in the company of Michael Grade.

9.00 Downton Abbey (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special (S,HD).

15/15. See Choices Above.

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

6.00 CITV. 8.25 Weekend at Christmas (S,HD). 9.25 Film: Valiant (S,HD) (2005). ●●● 10.55 Film: Back to the Future (S,HD) (1985). ●●●●● 1.10 Film: Nanny McPhee (S,HD) (2005). ●●● 3.00 The Queen (S,HD). 3.10 The Queen’s Garden (S,HD). 4.10 ITV News and Weather (S).

4.20 Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas (S).

5.20 New You’ve Been Framed! At Christmas (S,HD). 5.50 Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas (S,HD).

ALAN CARR: CHATTY MAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 9pm, Channel 4

▼

BBC2

STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 5pm, BBC1

▼

BBC1

DOWNTON ABBEY 9pm, ITV

It’s the early autumn of 1924 and Rose’s fatherin-law Lord Sinderby has rented Brancaster Castle in Northumberland and invited the Crawleys to a grouse-shooting party. However, the Sinderbys’ butler Stowell (guest star Alun Armstrong) has an axe to grind and a scandalous secret threatens to derail the holiday.

6.00 Film: The Ugly Duckling and Me (S,HD) (2006). ●●● 7.30 Prep & Landing (R,S,HD).

7.55 Prep & Landing: Naughty v Nice (R,S,HD).

8.20 Father Christmas (R,S). 8.55 Film: Animals United (S,HD) (2010). ●● 10.45 The Simpsons (R,S). 12.15 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (R,S,HD). 12.45 The Snowman (R,S).

1.20 The Snowman and the Snowdog (R,S,HD). 1.50 The Alternative Christmas Message (S). 1.55 Channel 4 News Summary (S). 2.05 Film: Scrooged (S,HD) (1988). ●●● 4.00 Film: Big (S,HD) (1988). ●●●●

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.10 Access. Showbiz news and gossip. 9.20 Andre Rieu: Christmas Around the World (S,HD). The violinist performs a festive concert. 10.20 Film: Scrooge (S,HD) (1970). Musical fantasy, starring Albert Finney. ●●●● 12.35 The Sound of Music – Live! (R). Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, starring Carrie Underwood. 3.25 Film: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (S,HD) (1968). See Choices Above. ●●●●

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9.00 EastEnders (S,HD). Hour-long episode. Christmas Day gets off to a good start for the Carters but soon goes downhill when Sylvie arrives – and then Dean turns up. Cindy is alarmed by a suspicious gift.

7.05 Chas & Dave’s Xmas Knees Up! (R,S). Festive entertainment from 1982, featuring Eric Clapton and Jim Davidson.

8.00 Britain’s Favourite Christmas Songs (R,S). See Choices Above.

10.05 Mrs Brown’s Boys (S,HD). The first of two festive editions. Mrs Brown is curious about a parcel addressed to Cathy.

10.40 Michael McIntyre’s Very Christmassy Christmas Show (S,HD). The comedian presents an hour of festive entertainment, with Jamie Oliver and Rob Brydon.

10.30 QI Christmas (S,HD). 12/18.

Festive edition, with Carrie Fisher, Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr.

11.40 BBC News (S,HD); Weather.

11.55 On Christmas Night (S,HD).

Adjoa Andoh reflects on the implications of Jesus’s birth for Mary.

11.00 Marvellous (R,S,HD). Factbased feature-length comedy drama, starring Toby Jones.

11.00 ITV News and Weather (S).

11.15 You’ve Got to Love Christmas (R,S,HD). A comic trawl through the TV archives, narrated by Jane Horrocks.

11.00 8 Out of 10 Cats Christmas Special (R,S,HD). With guests Andrew Flintoff, Ricky Wilson and Roisin Conaty.

11.05 Muriel’s Wedding (S) (1994).

A downtrodden Abba-obsessed woman heads for the bright lights of Sydney to fulfil her dreams of the perfect wedding.

Comedy, with Toni Collette and Bill Hunter. ●●●●

1

12.00 Not Going Out Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 12.45 Would I Lie to You? at Christmas (R,S,HD). 1.15 George Michael at the Palais Garnier, Paris (R,S,HD). 2.15 Film: The Heartbreak Kid (S) (2007).

Romantic comedy, starring Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan. ●●● 4.05 Skiing Weatherview (S). 4.10 BBC News (S,HD).

12.30 Film: The Producers (S,HD) (2005).

Musical comedy, starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. ●●● 2.35 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.15 Christmas Carols on ITV (R,S). A service with Collabro, Lucy Kay and Mica Paris, presented by Aled Jones. 1.15 Film: Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (S,HD) (2003). Mystery, starring Angela Lansbury. ●● 2.45 ITV Nightscreen (HD).

Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). Guests air their differences.

12.00 Father Ted Christmas Special (R,S). 1.05 Father Ted (R,S). 1.35 Father Ted (R,S). 2.00 Father Ted (R,S). 2.30 Film: Crazy Heart (S,HD) (2009). Drama, starring an Oscar-winning Jeff Bridges. ●●●● 4.25 Secret Eaters (R,S,HD). 5.20 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD). 5.50 Film: Flicka (S,HD) (2006). Family drama, starring Alison Lohman. ●●●

1.20 SuperCasino. 3.10 The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). The comedian throws a party for some of the stars of the last series.

4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.50 Wildlife SOS (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

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CALL THE MIDWIFE 7.50pm, BBC1

Chummy (Miranda Hart) is asked to help out at a mother-and-baby home whose residents have little in the way of Christmas cheer, while Cynthia assists two former patients of a psychiatric hospital.

ITV2

6.25 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 6.50 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 7.20 Film: Horrid Henry: The Movie (S,HD) (2011). â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 9.10 Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S). 10.40 Film: Scooby-Doo (S,HD) (2002). â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 12.25 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 12.55 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 1.25 All Star Family Fortunes Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 2.30 Catchphrase Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.35 Film: Jurassic Park (S,HD) (1993). â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

BRITAINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONGS 8pm, Channel 5

A countdown of popular songs that are guaranteed to make any Christmas party go with a swing. Highlights include the Jackson 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Greg Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s I Believe in Father Christmas and Slade and their classic anthem Merry Xmas Everybody.

E4

7.15 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (R,S,HD). 7.35 Happy Endings (R,S,HD).

8.30 Glee (R,S,HD). 9.30 Suburgatory (R,S,HD). 10.30 Rules of Engagement (R,S,HD). 11.00 Melissa & Joey (R,S,HD). 11.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (R,S,HD). 12.00 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 2.00 E4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 4.30 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (R,S,HD).

5.00 The Snowman (R,S). 5.25 The Snowman and the Snowdog (R,S,HD).

Sky1

6.00 The Real A&E (R,S,HD). 7.00 Moone Boy (R,S,HD). 7.30 Yonderland (R,S,HD). 8.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 9.00 Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funniest Moments (R,S,HD).

10.00 Soccer AM (S). 12.00 Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funniest Moments (R,S,HD). 2.00 Modern Family (R,S,HD). 3.00 The Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Message (HD). 3.10 Modern Family (R,S,HD).

FILM PICKS

S

PUSS IN BOOTS 3.10pm, BBC1

Premiere. The swashbuckling feline goes on a quest for a magical golden goose.

Animated comedy spinoff, with the voice of Antonio Banderas.

GOLD

7.00 Waiting for God (S). Tom sets out to prove himself by learning to drive. 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Steptoe and Son (S). 10.00 Porridge (S). Christmas special from 1975. The inmates plan a Christmas escape. 11.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S).

Celebrating the duoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas specials. 12.00 Only Fools and Horses (S).

Sky Sports 1

6.00 Football Freestyler. 7.00 Premier League 100 Club (HD). 7.30 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD). 8.00 Football Freestyler. 9.00 One2Eleven Special (HD). 10.00 Soccer AM Xmas Special (HD). 12.00 Greatest Goals of 2014 (HD). 1.00 Football Freestyler. 2.00 Premier League 100 Club. 2.30 My Special Day (HD). 3.00 Greatest Goals of 2014 (HD). 4.00 Premier League 100 Club.

5.00 Soccer AM Xmas Special (HD).

pm

The Mummy Returns, 6.30pm

The Inbetweeners, 10pm

Best Christmas ... 8pm

The Royle Family ... 9pm

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 24/24.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1/24.

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

8/22. Homer and Bart go rafting.

6.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

9/22.

6.00 The Vicar of Dibley (S).

8/8. Geraldine attends three Christmas lunches.

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6.00 Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Been Framed at Christmas! (R,S).

Festive camcorder calamities.

6.30 The Mummy Returns (S,HD) (2001). Married explorers Rick and Evelyn battle to rescue their son from the newly resurrected Egyptian mummy Imhotep.

Fantasy adventure sequel, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

Including FYI Daily. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

7.00 The Big Bang Theory: Access All Areas (R,S,HD).

7.30 The Big Bang Theory: It All Started with a Big Bang (R,S,HD).

7.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

8/21.

7.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

8/22. A department store Santa grants Lisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas wish.

7.00 Blackadderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Carol (S).

Kindly Victorian pushover Ebenezer Blackadder is visited by the Spirit of Christmas.

7.00 Greatest Goals of 2014 (HD). Highlights of outstanding strikes from a variety of leagues.

8.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11/23. Sheldon becomes obsessed with gift-giving etiquette.

8.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11/23.

Leonardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother visits.

8.00 Best Christmas Movies Ever (R,S,HD).

A countdown of the 26 greatest festive films, featuring contributions from celebrity fans including Jim Carrey, Ashley Jensen, Jonathan Ross and Warwick Davis.

8.05 Porridge (S). 7/8.

Christmas special from 1975. The inmates plan a Christmas escape.

8.00 Premier League 100 Club. Profiles of Premier League legends.

8.30 Premier League 100 Club. Profiles of Premier League legends.

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9.00 The Big Bang Theory 9.00 GoldenEye (S,HD) (R,S,HD). 11/24. Leonard (1995). James Bond goes fails to get Sheldon into in pursuit of a satellite the Christmas mood. weapon that has fallen into the hands of a 9.30 The Big Bang Theory mysterious criminal (R,S,HD). 11/24. The gang mastermind. Spy reflects on how Sheldon adventure, with Pierce has changed their lives.

Brosnan, Sean Bean and Famke Janssen. Including FYI Daily. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

10.00 Predator (S) (1987).

10.00 The Inbetweeners A military team on a (R,S). 5/6. Will is left mission in a Central home alone.

American jungle 10.35 The Inbetweeners encounters a merciless (R,S). 6/6. The gang goes alien hunter in search of on a camping trip. human prey. Sci-fi thriller, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

12.15 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1.15 Brooklyn NineNine (R,S,HD). 1.45 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (R,S,HD). 2.15 Virtually Famous (R,S,HD). 3.00 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 4.20 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD).

4.45 Olive, the Other Reindeer (R,S).

Premier League ... 9pm

An inventor finds an old car has magical powers. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musical adventure, with Dick Van Dyke and Lionel Jeffries.

BBC3

7.00 Bolt (S,HD) (2008). Animated adventure, with the voice of John Travolta. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

8.30 The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (S,HD) (2011). â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

8.35 Shrek the Halls (R,S,HD). Festive animated short.

9.00 Shrek Forever After (S,HD) (2010). Animated comedy. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

10.25 Donkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carolling Christmastacular (S,HD) (2010). â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

10.30 Bad Education Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

11.00 EastEnders (R,S,HD).

12.00 Family Guy (R,S,HD). 12.25 Family Guy (R,S). 12.45 Family Guy (R,S). 1.05 Family Guy (R,S). 1.25 Family Guy (R,S). 1.50 Cuckoo Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 2.25 Some Girls (R,S,HD). 2.55 Cuckoo Christmas Special (R,S).

3.25 Bad Education Christmas Special (R,S).

9.00 Premier League 100 9.00 The Royle Family: Club. Profiles of Premier Christmas Special 1999 League legends.

(S). The family settles down to watch TV after a 9.30 Premier League 100 hearty Christmas dinner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Club. Profiles of Premier but Denise interrupts the League legends. usual banter by going into labour.

10.00 Bring Me Morecambe 10.00 Greatest Goals of 2014 & Wise (S). 5/5. The (HD). Highlights of series concludes with a outstanding strikes from look back at the comedy a variety of leagues. duoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas specials, and how they became an annual tradition.

Narrated by Victoria Wood.

BBC4

7.00 The Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale from the Royal Ballet.

Christopher Wheeldonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production of William Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s romance telling the destruction of marriage through jealousy, a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abandonment and a seemingly hopeless love.

9.00 The Lady Vanishes (HD) (1938). Alfred Hitchcockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mystery, with Michael Redgrave. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

10.30 Top of the Pops Christmas 1978 (R). Festive edition of the music show, with Darts, Abba and Boney M. 11.30 Top of the Pops Christmas: 1979 (R).

12.35 Only Yesterday: The Carpentersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Story (R).

1.30 The Fir Tree (R,HD).

1.55 The Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale from the Royal Ballet (R).

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to wish all our readers and clients a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

11.00 Knowing Me, 11.00 Barclays Premier Knowing Yule â&#x20AC;&#x201C; With League Preview (HD).

Alan Partridge (S).

11.30 Premier League 100 11.55 The Tony Ferrino Club (HD). A look at Phenomenon. Musical Matt Le Tissierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topextravaganza with Steve flight goals for Coogan.

Southampton.

11.10 The Inbetweeners 11.35 Celebrity Juice: (R,S). 2/6. Simon tries to Christmas Special impress a girl.

(R,S,HD). With Davina McCall, Louis Smith, 11.45 The Inbetweeners Aston Merrygold, Stacey (R,S). 2/6. The four lads Solomon and Simon play truant.

Gregson.

12.20 Celebrity Juice: The Special Special (R,S,HD). 1.20 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD). 2.55 Celebrity Juice: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.30 Tricked (R,S,HD). 4.15 Educating Joey Essex (R,S,HD). 5.05 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD). 5.30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD).

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG 3.25pm, Channel 5

12.05 Trollied Christmas Special (R,S,HD). The turkey delivery fails to arrive on Christmas Eve. 1.05 The Flash (R,S,HD). 2.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 3.00 A League of Their Own (R,S,HD). 4.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 5.00 Stargate Atlantis (R,S,HD).

1.00 Cooganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run (S). 1.30 Knowing Me, Knowing Yule â&#x20AC;&#x201C; With Alan Partridge (S). 2.15 The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon.

Musical extravaganza with Steve Cooganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comic character. 3.05 Cooganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run (S). 3.35 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Allo â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

12.00 Premier League 100 Club (HD). 12.30 Barclays Premier League Legends (S,HD). 1.00 Premier League 100 Club (HD).

1.30 Soccer AM Xmas Special (HD). 3.30 Football Gold (HD). 4.00 Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greatest Players (S).

4.30 Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 5.00 Football Gold (HD).

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Boxing Day Television Guide TV PICKS

THAT DAY WE SANG 9pm, BBC2

A children’s choir reunites in 1969 after a 40-year interval, prompting two members to reflect on their lives. With Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball.

BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD). 9.00 Film: Pinocchio (S,HD) (1940). ●●●●● 10.25 CBeebies Peter Pan (S,HD). 11.05 Room on the Broom (R,S,HD).

11.30 Film: Cool Runnings (S,HD) (1993). ●●●● 1.05 BBC News; Weather (S,HD). 1.15 Regional News (S). 1.25 The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (R,S,HD). 2.20 My Family Christmas Special (R,S). 3.15 Film: Monsters, Inc (S,HD) (2001). ●●●● 4.40 Film: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

(S,HD) (2012). ●●●●

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BIRDS OF A FEATHER 9pm, ITV

Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran’s hit sitcom begins its second series on ITV with a festive special. Back in January, Dorien didn’t have two pennies to rub together, but things are a little different now, and the novelist is splashing out on a Christmas trip to the Canary Islands. Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph star.

BBC2

6.10 Film: The Road to El Dorado (S) (2000). ●●● 7.30 Film: College Road Trip (S,HD) (2008). ● 8.50 Queen of Tigers: Natural World Special (R,S). 9.50 Ten Pieces (S,HD). 10.40 60 Years of Carols from King’s (R,S,HD). 11.40 Film: On the Town (S) (1949). ●●●●● 1.15 Gene Kelly: Talking Pictures (R,S). 1.50 Film: Singin’ in the Rain (S) (1952). See Choices Above. ●●●●● 3.30 Victoria Wood: That Musical We Made (S,HD). 4.30 Final Score (S,HD). 5.25 War Horse at the Proms (S,HD).

STILL OPEN ALL HOURS 6.25pm, BBC1

David Jason returns as shopkeeper Granville, who is forced to take extra security precautions – causing him no end of discomfort. The next episode is on Sunday at 7.30pm.

ITV

6.00 CITV. 8.25 Weekend at Christmas (S,HD). 9.25 Dinner Date: Australia (R,S).

10.25 Celebrity Squares (R,S,HD). 11.25 Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas (R,S,HD). 12.30 ITV News and Weather (S). 12.45 The Chase: Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 1.45 Film: Back to the Future Part II (S,HD) (1989). Sci-fi comedy sequel, starring Michael J Fox. ●●● 3.45 Off Their Rockers (R,S,HD). 4.15 Downton Abbey (R,S,HD).

TOMMY COOPER’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 9.25pm, Channel 5

Festive edition of the comedy show from 1974 as Allan Cuthbertson, Tommy Godfrey and Annette Potts join Tommy Cooper in a selection of skits and sketches. Providing the music are Irish singer Dana and American crooner Vic Damone and there is a guest appearance by French puppeteer Andre Tahon.

Channel 4

7.25 The Bear (R,S). 7.55 The Morning Line (S,HD). 9.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 9.55 Film: Inspector Gadget (S,HD) (1999). ●● 11.30 Film: Horton Hears a Who! (S,HD) (2008). Animated comedy, featuring the voice of Jim Carrey. ●●●● 1.15 Channel 4 Racing (S,HD).

Including the King George VI Chase at 3.10.

3.50 Film: Turner & Hooch (S,HD) (1989).

Family canine comedy, starring Tom Hanks. ●●● 5.50 Channel 4 News (S).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.55 Access. 10.05 Film: Carry On Constable (S) (1960). Comedy, starring Sid James. ●●● 11.45 Film: Carry On Teacher (S) (1959). Comedy, starring Ted Ray. ●●● 1.30 Film: Carry On Nurse (S) (1959). Comedy, starring Hattie Jacques. ●●● 3.15 Film: The Ladykillers (S,HD) (1955). Ealing black comedy, starring Alec Guinness. ●●●●● 5.00 Film: A Shot in the Dark (S) (1964). Inspector Clouseau comedy, starring Peter Sellers. ●●●●

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Victoria Wood’s Midlife ... 8pm

A Christmas Cracker, 8pm

Bear’s Wild Weekend with ... 8pm

6.05 BBC News (S,HD); Weather.

6.20 Regional Programme; Weather.

6.25 Still Open All Hours (S,HD).

1/6. See Choices Above.

6.55 The Boy in the Dress (S,HD).

See Choices Above.

6.45 Christmas University Challenge (S,HD). 5/10. Trinity Hall, Cambridge, takes on Balliol College, Oxford.

6.15 ITV News and Weather (S).

6.30 Emmerdale (S,HD). Jai spots the man who sold him Archie.

6.00 The Simpsons (S,HD). 8/22.

Four tales celebrating the festive season.

6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Sinead’s life hangs in the balance.

7.15 The Two Ronnies: Christmas Show (R,S). Compilation of sketches from festive specials between 1979 and 1982.

7.00 Coronation Street (S,HD).

Hour-long episode. Gary has an unexpected encounter after trying to steal from the cafe till, and a drunk David makes a shock announcement in the Rovers.

7.00 Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (S,HD). 10/22. Coulson and Whitehall’s forces meet in an explosive confrontation that dramatically alters the fate of everyone involved.

7.05 Rob Brydon Live (R,S). A stand-up show recorded at Norwich’s Theatre Royal during the comedian and actor’s first UK tour in 2009. Part of Best of British Comedy Day.

8.00 Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas (R,S,HD). A festive special from 2009 that attempts to cram a night’s Christmas viewing into an hour.

Highlights include the Midlife Olympics, and costume drama Lark Pies to Cranchesterford.

8.00 A Christmas Cracker (S,HD).

Bradley Walsh hosts a festive spectacular from the Hammersmith Apollo with a variety of guests, including Al Murray, Katherine Jenkins, the Muppets, the Vamps and Flawless.

8.00 Bear’s Wild Weekend with Ben Stiller (R,S,HD). Survivalist Bear Grylls is partnered with actor and director Ben Stiller for a 48-hour, action-filled trek into the wilds of Scotland that pushes them to the limit.

8.00 Morecambe & Wise Live!

1973 (R,S). The duo’s performance at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon’s Fairfield Halls in October 1973, which was the only one of their stage shows captured on film. Part of Best of British Comedy Day.

9.00 That Day We Sang (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.00 Birds of a Feather (S,HD). 1/8.

See Choices Above.

9.30 Through the Christmas Keyhole (S,HD). Keith Lemon noses around the homes of celebrities and challenges the panel – Jonathan Ross, Louis Walsh and Kym Marsh – to work out their identities.

9.00 The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2014 (S,HD). Richard Ayoade, David Mitchell, Mel B, Micky Flanagan, Sarah Millican and Kevin Bridges battle it out to see who knows the most about the past 12 months. Jimmy Carr hosts.

9.25 Tommy Cooper’s Christmas Special (R,S). See Choices Above.

10.30 Hunky Dory (S) (2011).

Premiere. A teacher at a 1970s Welsh school persuades her students to stage a rock musical based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Comedy drama, with Minnie Driver and Aneurin Barnard. ●●●

10.30 ITV News and Weather (S).

10.45 Out of Sight (S,HD) (1998).

A US Marshal pursues an escaped convict, but as the chase intensifies, so do their feelings for each other.

Romantic crime drama, starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. ●●●●

▼

▼

EastEnders, 8pm

8.00 EastEnders (S,HD). The fallout continues for the Carters as more lies are exposed.

8.30 Avengers Assemble (S,HD) (2012). See Choices Above. ●●●●●

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10.40 BBC News (S,HD).

10.50 Regional News (S). Followed

by National Lottery Update.

11.00 Match of the Day (S,HD). Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the Boxing Day Premier League fixtures, which included Chelsea v West Ham United and Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers.

12.35 EastEnders (R,S,HD). Omnibus.

Stacey pushes Linda about why she is so awkward around Dean. 3.30 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 3.35 BBC News (S,HD).

12.15 Film: The Winslow Boy (S,HD) (1999). Edwardian drama, starring Nigel Hawthorne. ●●●● 1.55 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.50 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming.

3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S).

The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.45 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Textbased information service.

10.25 Carry On Christmas (R,S). The gang’s first TV special, originally broadcast in 1969, which consists of sketches based on A Christmas Carol. With Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Frankie Howerd. Part of Best of British Comedy Day.

1

11.00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special (R,S,HD).

15/15. With guests including Terry Wogan, Sarah Millican and Dan Stevens. Last in the series.

11.30 Greatest Ever Carry On Films (R,S). A rundown of memorable moments from the comedy film series.

1

1.05 Film: Legend (S,HD) (1985). Fantasy adventure, with Tom Cruise. ●● 2.45 Film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (S,HD) (1969). Western, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. ●●●●● 4.35 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD). 5.00 Small Animal Hospital (R,S,HD). 5.25 Film: Flicka 2 (S,HD) (2010). Premiere.

Family drama, starring Tammin Sursok. ●●●

12.35 Film: Carry On Spying (S) (1964).

Comedy, starring Kenneth Williams. ●●● 2.20 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Britain’s Craziest Christmas Lights (R,S,HD). 4.00 Great Scientists (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S).

4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

1 2 (R F F C R B (R

3 days from £189.00 per person

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50

Tommy Cooper’s Christmas ... 9.25pm

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THE BOY IN THE DRESS 6.55pm, BBC1

Family comedy based on David Walliams’ children’s book about a 12-year-old boy who shocks his family and friends when he starts crossdressing. Billy Kennedy stars, with Jennifer Saunders and Tim McInnerny.

ITV2

6.10 Film: Arthur and the Great Adventure (S,HD) (2009). ●● 8.05 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 9.05 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 10.05 The Xtra Factor Winner’s Story 2014 (R,S,HD). 11.10 Film: Casper (S,HD) (1995). ●●●● 1.05 Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas (R,S).

2.05 Emmerdale (R,S,HD). 3.05 Coronation Street (R,S,HD). 4.10 Film: Nanny McPhee (S,HD) (2005). ●●●

AGATHA RAISIN AND THE QUICHE OF DEATH 8.30pm, Sky1

Ashley Jensen plays the title role in this quirky crime drama, based on the novels of MC Beaton. Bored with her new life in the Cotswolds, former London-based PR whizz Agatha Raisin re-doubles efforts to ingratiate herself with the local community.

E4

9.00 Melissa & Joey (R,S,HD). 9.30 Prep & Landing (R,S,HD). 9.55 Prep & Landing: Naughty v Nice (R,S,HD).

10.25 Father Christmas (R,S). 11.00 The Snowman (R,S). 11.30 The Snowman and the Snowdog (R,S,HD). 12.00 Film: Aliens in the Attic (S,HD) (2009). ●●● 1.45 Rude(ish) Tube Shorts (R,S). 2.00 Film: Tooth Fairy (S,HD) (2010). ●●● 4.05 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (R,S,HD). 4.30 Father Christmas (R,S).

5.05 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S).

Sky1

6.00 The Real A&E (R,S,HD). 7.00 Moone Boy (R,S,HD). 7.30 Yonderland (R,S,HD). 8.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 9.00 Football’s Funniest Moments (R,S,HD).

10.00 Modern Family (R,S,HD).

2.00 Harrow: A Very British School (R,S,HD). 3.00 The Flash (R,S,HD). 4.00 The Simpsons (R,S). 4.30 Treasure Island (R,S,HD).

Nanny McPhee, 4.10pm

The Big Bang Theory, 6pm

Agatha Raisin and ... 8.30pm

6.10 Despicable Me (S,HD) (2010). An evil genius adopts three orphans to aid his latest plot, but fatherhood brings out his long-buried caring side. Animated comedy, with the voices of Steve Carell and Jason Segel.

Including FYI Daily. ●●●●

6.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 2/24.

6.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 3/24.

6.30 The Simpsons (R,S).

13/22. Homer is rushed to hospital.

7.00 Hollyoaks (S,HD). P 7.30 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

3/24. The friends compete in a scavenger hunt.

7.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

14/22. Featuring the guest voice of Kathleen Turner.

7.30 The Simpsons (R,S,HD).

9/22.

8.00 Tomorrow Never Dies (S,HD) (1997). James Bond battles to stop a media mogul’s plan to start a war between Britain and China. Spy adventure, starring Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Teri Hatcher and Michelle Yeoh. Including FYI Daily. ●●●●

8.00 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

21/24.

8.30 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

7/23. Sheldon bans Penny from the apartment.

8.00 The Simpsons (R,S).

11/22. A cat burglar puts Springfield in a panic.

8.30 Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (S,HD). See Choices Above.

9.00 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

9/24. The group spends the Thanksgiving holiday at Mrs Wolowitz’s house.

9.30 E4’s Top 20 – The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

3/23. Penny becomes addicted to a game.

FILM PICKS

AL

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE 8.30pm, BBC1

12.35 Two and a Half Men (R,S,HD).

2.15 Tricked (R,S,HD). 3.05 Viral Tap (R,S,HD). 3.40 Educating Joey Essex: Football Fever (R,S,HD). 4.30 Life’s Funniest Moments (R). 4.50 Christmas Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD). 5.15 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (R,S,HD). 5.40 ITV2 Nightscreen (HD).

12.20 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

12.50 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD).

1.20 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 1.50 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 2.25 Rude Tube (R,S,HD). 3.20 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 3.45 The Inbetweeners (R,S). 4.10 Rude(ish) Tube (R,S). 4.35 One Tree Hill (R,S,HD).

GOLD

7.00 Waiting for God (S). Diana looks to broaden her horizons. 7.40 Ripping Yarns (S). 8.20 Steptoe and Son (S). 9.00 Bring Me Morecambe & Wise (S). 10.00 The Vicar of Dibley (S). 11.00 Blackadder: The Whole Rotten Saga (S). 1.10 Blackadder Goes Forth (S). 5.15 Blackadder Back and Forth (S). 5.55 Only Fools and Horses (S).

Fawlty Towers, 9.40pm

Sky Sports 1

7.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S).

8.00 One2Eleven (HD). 8.15 One2Eleven (S,HD). 8.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 9.00 One2Eleven (HD). 9.15 One2Eleven (HD). 9.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 10.00 Greatest Goals of 2014 (HD). 11.00 Premier League 100 Club (S,HD). 12.00 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 12.30 Live Football Special (HD). 3.15 Greatest Goals of 2014 (HD). 5.15 FL72 Live (HD).

Live Football Special, 12.30pm

7.00 Only Fools and Horses (S). 8/8. Part two of two.

The Trotters arrive in America and promptly suffer a setback when their camper van is burgled, and a Mafia gang targets Del. Feature-length episode of the comedy.

8.00 SNF – Game of the Day (HD). Sarah-Jane Mee presents a full re-run of the day’s top Premier League match.

10.00 SNF – Match Choice (HD). Sarah-Jane Mee presents extended highlights from the Premier League, allowing viewers to access the latest round of top-flight fixtures, including Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers.

11.30 Football’s Funniest Moments (R,S,HD). 3/3.

Comical incidents from the football world.

11.00 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 11.30 SNF – Match Choice 6/6. Alan’s career takes (HD). Extended an upturn. highlights from the 11.40 Saxondale (S). 5/7.

Premier League.

Tommy goes to the gym.

12.00 Britcam: Emergency on Our Streets (R,S). CCTV cameras capture an attack on a Hastings cab driver. 1.00 The Flash (R,HD). 2.00 Road Wars Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 4.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R,S,HD). 5.00 Stargate Atlantis (R,S,HD).

12.20 Saxondale (S). Tommy tries to expose corporate corruption.

1.00 Coogan’s Run (S). Two insane trivia buff brothers break out of prison. 1.30 I’m Alan Partridge (S). 2.00 Saxondale (S). 2.30 Saxondale (S). 3.00 Coogan’s Run (S). 3.30 ’Allo ’Allo! (S). 4.00 Close

per person

51

7.00 Great Movie Mistakes III: Not in 3D (R,S). The most memorable film mishaps of 2011.

8.00 Doctor Who (R,S,HD). Clara and the Doctor end up trapped on an Arctic base under attack.

9.00 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (S,HD) (2004). Newsroom comedy, starring Will Ferrell. ●●● 10.30 EastEnders (R,S,HD). The fallout continues for the Carters as more lies are exposed.

11.00 Family Guy (R,S).

11.25 Family Guy (R,S).

11.45 Family Guy (R,S).

12.10 Family Guy (R,S).

12.30 Cuckoo Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 1.05 Some Girls (R,S,HD). 1.35 Don’t Tell the Bride: Let It Snow! (R,S,HD). 2.30 Bluestone 42 Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.00 Cuckoo Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 3.35 Vodka Diaries (R,S,HD).

BBC4

7.00 Sacred Music: The Story of Allegri’s Miserere (R).

7.30 Carlos Acosta’s Cuban Night (HD). The varied styles of Cuban contemporary dance.

9.00 Wallander Faceless Killers.

New series. The Swedish detective investigates the murder of an elderly man.

9.55 Wallander Faceless Killers.

10.50 Britain’s Most Dangerous Songs: Listen to the Banned (R,HD). Ten songs that were banned by the BBC. 11.50 More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On (R,HD). Songs previously banned.

12.50 Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century – Arena Special (R). 2.25 Proms on Four: Battle of the Big Bands (R,HD).

Christmas Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day Mon 29 Dec Tue 30 Dec New Years Eve New Years Day Fri 2 Jan

9am – 2pm CLOSED CLOSED 9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm CLOSED 9am - 5pm

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

1.00 The Fantasy Football Club (HD). 2.00 Premier League 100 Club (HD). 3.00 Football Gold (HD). 3.15 Football Gold (HD). 4.00 Football’s Greatest Players (S). 4.30 Football’s Greatest Teams (S,HD). 5.00 Football Gold (HD). 5.15 Football Gold (HD). 5.30 Football Gold (HD).

5.45 Football Gold (HD).

2 days from £335.00

Calls are charged at a standard local rate. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

BBC3

Opening Times

9.00 Monty Python’s Best Bits (S). 1/5. The comedy troupe’s most popular sketches.

9.40 Fawlty Towers (S). 2/6.

Basil tries to save money on building costs.

Call us on 0330 160 7791 Quote GLO Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/glo11400

@WeekendGlos

A silent-movie star tries to win the heart of an aspiring actress as the dawn of sound changes the film business for ever. Musical comedy, starring Gene Kelly.

Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Hulk unite to defend Earth from an alien invasion.

Superhero adventure, with Chris Hemsworth.

10.25 Best of Not the Nine 10.30 Celebrity Juice: 10.00 Kick-Ass (S,HD) (2010). 10.30 A League of Their O’Clock News (S). 2/8.

Own Christmas Party Parallel Juicyverse A teenager tries to Highlights from the (R,S,HD). James Corden Part One (R,S,HD). Part become a superhero, comedy sketch show. offers Jamie Redknapp, one of two. Keith but finds real-life crimeAndrew Flintoff and Jack Lemon looks back at the fighting much more Whitehall the chance to show’s best moments dangerous than in prepare a traditional from 2013, and falls into comics. Action comedy, Christmas dinner and a different dimension in starring Aaron Taylorpartake in a festive which everything is Johnson and Chloe sporting challenge. reversed.

Grace Moretz. ●●●● 11.30 Celebrity Juice: Parallel Juicyverse Part Two (R,S,HD). Part two of two. Keith Lemon continues to look at highlights of the series.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 1.50pm, BBC2

Formula 1™ British Grand Prix 2015

Departs Jul 2015, kids from £209 Our price includes • Return coach travel • One night’s bed and continental breakfast accommodation at a three-star hotel within 90 minutes coach transfer of Silverstone • General admission to the 2015 Santander Formula 1™ Grand Prix at Silverstone on race day and Saturday Qualifying (upgrade tickets available at a supplement) • The services of a tour manager

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WALKING INA

winter WONDERLAND

Escaping to a Christmas wonderland at Center Parcs, at Longleat Forest, is the perfect family treat, discovers LUCY PARFORD

I

T’S all too easy to get a bit cynical at this time of year, especially when you get elbowed on the way to the checkout for the fifth time in a week.

If you want to avoid the Christmas crush, why not escape to the woods at Center Parcs Longleat Forest instead?

The self-catering holiday village, in Wiltshire, offers a Winter Wonderland experience from the beginning of November to just before Christmas every year where you can soak up some festive cheer before the madness descends.

There is plenty of fake snow, pathways decorated with twinkling blue lights and decorations in the trees. Not to mention carriage rides, real reindeer, a giant advent calender and mulled wine.

It’s enough to melt the most cynical of hearts and if you have young children in tow, like us, the whole thing will prove to be rather exciting.

We were on a mid-week break with the grandparents, who had never been to Center Parcs before, and loved the sociable and modern, open-plan accommodation.

All cars are left in the car park for the duration of your stay, so the roads stay car-free and safe for children cycling and scooting @WeekendGlos

about. You can hire bikes of all sizes, but there is also a land train to help you get around. During Winter Wonderland there are plenty of seasonal activities for kids of all ages, from meeting Father Christmas in his Woodland Workshop to festive pony rides and a jingle jolly party hour.

Our three-year-old loved painting decorations in the pottery studio, which are now proudly hanging on our tree, and hunting down clues in the elf hunt.

One of the highlights of the week is the fireworks display which takes place on Tuesday and Sunday nights. It’s a dazzling show in a pretty setting over the lake with ethereal stilt-walkers mingling with the crowds.

Other activities worth booking in advance include outdoor activities, such as an Outing with Owls where you can hold barn and eagle owls and learn all about their habitats.

It may have rained quite a lot during our stay, but being at one with nature and surrounded by 100-year-old giant redwood trees, takes the edge off any drizzle.

And there are plenty of indoor activities to keep you amused – the Subtropical Swimming Paradise has water shoots which whizz outside in the frosty air and Aqua Sana Spa offers a range of Elemis and Decleor treatments.

Plus there are all the indoor pursuits you could ever wish to try at the Jardin des Sports.

In the evening, cook up a feast in your comfy lodge and light the log burner, or eat out at one of the many restaurants on site including Strada and Cafe Rouge, followed by a torchlight walk back to your lodge listening out for owls.

The magic of Christmas only lasts a short time and a trip to Winter Wonderland is the perfect way to put you back in the festive spirit.

CENTER PARCS

Rates: Winter Wonderland breaks at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in 2015 currently start from £299 Seasonal activities: Decorating baubles in the Pottery Painting Studio, festive cupcake decorating and reindeer hobby horse making Contact: Call 03348 267 723 or visit www. centerparcs.co.uk

Advertising feature

A regal tradition Sleeping Beauty will be thrilling audiences at Cheltenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Everyman Theatre until January 11

I

Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S difficult to decide who enjoys a pantomime the most, the children who shout and scream at the baddie, or the parents who love the whole thing just as much.

Although the origins date back to the ancient Greeks, while many of the traditions we associate with the modern Christmas time extravaganza come from Italy, pantomime in the form we recognise it is a peculiarly British phenomenon with women dressed as men, men dressed as dames and everyone bursting into song at the slightest excuse.

Throw in the odd custard pie fight and a smattering of topical or local jokes and there you have it, the perfect mixture for a fantastic couple of hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entertainment.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s precisely what audiences have discovered with Sleeping Beauty at

Cheltenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Everyman Theatre.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well known to most of us, but like other fairy tales, the origin of the story is lost in the mists of time.

It was Charles Perrault, a French writer who lived in Paris, who first captured the tale in print in 1967 and versions can be found all over the world.

Gloucestershireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version will be entertaining audiences until January 11. For tickets, call 01242 572573.

A number of local amateur dramatic groups stage pantos at this time of year but few have such an established reputation as Promenade Productions.

Now in its 30th year, the respected company perform Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves at the Bacon Theatre from January 21 to 25. For tickets, call 01242 258002.

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gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

highlights OFTHEWEEK

UNBROKEN (15) Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie turns her attention to directing as she charts the extraordinary story of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini. It’s out Boxing Day. Read an interview with leading man Jack O’Connell on page 56.

CAROLS FOR ALL

Gloucester Choral Society perform classic Christmas songs at Gloucester Cathedral on Boxing Day from 3pm.

@WeekendGlos

what’s on FILMS OFTHEWEEK ANNIE (PG) Out today, Cineworld, Cheltenham and Gloucester Quays Times and prices vary

DUMB AND DUMBER TO (15) Out now, Cineworld, Cheltenham and Gloucester Quays, Times and prices vary

Angelina Jolie hand-picked Jack O’Connell for her new film Unbroken. THE BUZZ finds out why the English actor couldn’t let the ‘wonder woman’ down as they brought the extraordinary life of an Olympic athlete and Japanese prisoner of war to the screen

A

NGELINA Jolie is a woman of many talents – actress, director, humanitarian, mum-of-six, and, most recently, honorary Derby lass.

At the recent Hollywood Film Awards, the Oscar-winner introduced East Midlands actor Jack O’Connell to the stage with a spirited, if not note-perfect, “Ay up me duck”.

The gesture delighted Jack, who was accepting the New Hollywood gong for his role in the Jolie-directed Unbroken, about the extraordinary life of US Olympic athlete and Japanese prisoner of war Louis Zamperini.

“My whole city just hit the roof. I’m a big deal in Derby now, so is she,” the 24-year-old jokes.

“She’s sorted in Derby if she needs a roof over her head; she’s got her back covered. No one’s ever done that for the city on such a big podium. Saying ‘Ay up me duck’, it’s a big deal.”

The former Skins star has also introduced Jolie – or ‘Angie’, as he calls her – to the delights of his beloved local football team, Derby County.

“She loves Derby, I talked her into supporting the Rams. I don’t know how keenly she’s going to follow us.”

Jolie hand-picked Jack to play Zamperini, an Olympic runner and US

Actor Jack O’Connell and director Angelina Jolie

airman who survived in a raft for 47 days after a plane crash during World War Two, only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner of war camp.

“There was a huge pressure, I guess,” admits the actor, who debuted in teen drama Skins in 2009 as the destructive Cook.

“When I got the news, there was an array of emotions. I first felt very incapable, and I’ve since learned that Angie did too. This was an enormous task that we didn’t know we’d be able to achieve.” It took a lot out of us at the time, and so here we are now, feeling very validated.”

Z

amperini died in July this year, aged 97, but prior to filming in Australia, Jack got the chance to meet him in

Los Angeles.

“I remember two words of advice in particular [from Zamperini]: ‘Be hardy’, which I still haven’t worked out; I don’t know the distinction between hardy and obnoxious, perhaps,” he adds with a smile.

“But I guess as an individual, seeing the way his brain ticked, and how relaxed and popular he was around women – effortlessly – these were things I needed to discover before portraying him.”

Jack also took inspiration from author Laura Hillenbrand’s bestseller Unbroken, on which the film is based.

“There was one snippet which I found priceless when I was out in Australia, and that was the description of Louis that, like many of his generation, a common trait between them was that they’d approach everything, no matter what it was, with good cheer.

“So many pennies dropped then for me. I thought, ‘Well, what do we know in terms of adversities, really, in our generation, without having experienced anything to that scale?’ I thought that was priceless, and that gave me a little key, a little window into that era and what cheer might be.”

Jack’s respect for Jolie, who

56

coincidentally was a neighbour of Zamperini’s, “goes through the roof”.

“She really led by example throughout.

I think that’s a great metaphor actually, for how I felt under her leadership – she’s capable, so there’s no reason I can’t be. I was comparing myself there to a wonder woman!” he adds, grinning.

Jolie was also hands-on when it came to testing out stunts – including one in which Zamperini was ordered to hold a huge log over his head as punishment by a cruel camp guard.

“She got under the plank before I turned up,” Jack marvels.

Playing emaciated prisoners of war meant Jack and his co-stars, who include Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson and British star Luke Treadaway, had to drastically reduce their calorie intake – leaving them dreaming of some decent grub.

“A good fry-up – oh, I would have killed for a fry-up,” he says, sighing. “Pasties, oh, home sweet home, yeah. Beer, Guinness – I couldn’t go near Guinness for however long. I was hallucinating, and then, Sod’s Law, we finished the diet and my stomach had shrunk, so even when it was time to eat, I couldn’t.”

Jack briefly harboured ambitions of joining the forces himself, after his parents sent him to Army Cadets as a youngster.

He left school with just two GCSEs but discovered a talent for drama, and began successfully auditioning for roles.

His first professional job was in BBC soap Doctors in 2005, followed by roles in The Bill, Waterloo Road and Holby City. His film debut came in Shane Meadows’ This Is England (2006), and he recently appeared in the action film 300: Rise Of An Empire.

He now lives in London and is rumoured to be dating model Cara Delevingne, his co-star in upcoming film Tulip Fever.

“It is very humbling, recalling all of that, to be here now,” he says.

The Unbroken is out on Boxing Day. gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend

Jack O’Connell stars as Olympic athlete and prisoner of war Louis Zamperini in new film, Unbroken

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Force of nature 57

event

watch OUT FOR

CHRISTMAS SWIM FORGET the turkey and stuffing on Christmas Day – how about a refreshing dip?

Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham will play host to brave swimmers who will jump in the freezing cold water.

In fact, the pool will be so cold you’ll have to sign

a disclaimer form before jumping in and joining the fun.

The zany event has existed for more than 50 years, having started during the Second World War when American servicemen braved the cold to have a wash on Christmas day.

Around 100 people usually take part with many wearing fancy dress.

Gates open at 10.30am with the swim scheduled for 11am.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL & DICKENS’ GHOSTS, THE PLAYHOUSE, CHELTENHAM

film

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB (PG)

THE third chapter of the blockbusting Night At The Museum franchise has lost two of its greatest special effects – Mickey Rooney and Robin Williams – in the past 12 months.

So it’s fitting that Secret Of The Tomb should be an action-packed adventure punctuated with dewy-eyed farewells and warm-hearted reminiscence.

Shawn Levy’s picture is a fitting swansong, reuniting most of the protagonists from the original for a final transatlantic hurrah.

For the most part, familiarity with the series’ larger-than-life characters breeds contentment.

The third chapter opens in 1938 Egypt, where adventurer

Robert Fredericks (Brennan Elliott) and his 12-year-old son CJ (Percy Hynes-White) stumble upon a burial chamber.

“If anyone disturbs this tomb, the end will come!” proclaims one superstitious local.

Undaunted, Fredericks empties the site of its priceless artefacts, dividing the treasures between New York and London.

There’s nothing innovative in the third film but good humour and sweetness prevail with an all-star cast that includes Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais and Dan Stevens among others.

Catch it at Cineworld in Cheltenham and Gloucester from today.

festive season.Tickets cost from £9 to £15.

If that doesn’t float your boat then perhaps a chilling tale in the form of Dickens’ Ghosts will be more to your liking.

Sinister, strange, occasionally silly and sometimes downright terrifying, the selection of yarns are set to send shivers down your spine.

It runs from next Saturday until December 13.Tickets cost £12 are available by calling 01242 522852.

WHAT the Dickens!Two heartwarming Christmas tales will stave off the winter cold at Cheltenham’s PlayhouseTheatre this month.

A Christmas Carol continues to entertain audiences until December 31 with a journey of discovery for Ebenezer Scrooge.

Visited by three ghosts, Scrooge is taken through his past, present and future in search of the true meaning and spirit of the

stage THE RAT PACK, BACON THEATRE, CHELTENHAM THE razzmatazz of Las Vegas will transform the Bacon Theatre in Cheltenham tonight.

Tribute bandThe Rat Pack, celebrating 15 years in the business, will perform their Swinging Christmas Show.

The group will recreate the infamous Christmas at the Sands concert circa 1966.

“This show has successfully toured venues throughout

the UK and Europe for many years including appearances at The O2 Arena and even performing for former US president Bill Clinton,” Jess Waterman, spokeswoman for the BaconTheatre, said.

Tickets for the 7.20pm gig cost £20 each and are available by calling 01242 258002. Alternatively, you can visit www.bacon theatre.co.uk

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

58

2015 Holidays Brochure Out Now!!

Bath Eastbourne London Double Bill Feb 3rd & Mar 11th ~ 1 night from £249 Dutch Bulbfields & Keukenhof Gardens April 10th ~ 3 nights from £399 Jersey by Sea May 2nd ~ 7 nights from £549 Wonderful Weston May 10th, June 7th & Sep 20th 5 nights from £299 Sussex Coast in Eastbourne May 17th & Sep 13th 5 nights from £399 Pembrokeshire & West Wales in Tenby May 17th & Sep 6th ~ 5 nights from £399

Winter Wonderland London Flyer (for Winter Wonderland too) Sunday December 28th 2014 ~ £21 Shepton Antiques Fair or Clarks Village Saturday January 17th 2015 ~ £18 Mystery Tour Sunday January 18th 2015 ~ £20 London Eye – evening flight!* Wednesday January 21st 2015 ~ £40 Cabot Circus or Cribbs Causeway Wednesday January 28th 2015 ~ £17 Bath Saturday January 31st 2015 ~ £17 *Entry included.

Children (15 and under) receive a discount of £5 on all our Day Trips.

Gift Vouchers Still looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one? Why not treat them to one of our gift vouchers, available in denominations of £5, £10 and £20. Our gift vouchers can be used against any of our holidays, day trips and theatre trips and can be used at any time.

The perfect present!

Dick Whittington Bristol Hippodrome Sunday December 28th 2014 ~ £49 Johann Strauss Gala Concert Symphony Hall, Birmingham New Year’s Day 2015 ~ £39 Thriller – Live! London Saturday January 10th 2015 ~ £59 Memphis London Friday January 16th 2015 ~ £59 Strictly Come Dancing NIA, Birmingham Saturday January 17th 2015 ~ £69 The Phantom of the Opera London Thursday January 22nd 2015 ~ £65 Children (15 and under) receive a discount of £10 on all our Theatre Trips.

All of the above trips include coaching from pick-up points in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bishop’s Cleeve and Tewkesbury

TO BOOK, PLEASE CALL 01242 257714

61 CLARENCE STREET, CHELTENHAM, GLOS, GL50 3LB | WWW.MARCHANTS-COACHES.COM

©LW

MARCHANTS COACHES

We Are Open Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm

THE WEEKEND

library

WHAT BOOKS DOES A TOP AUTHOR WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? Bestselling thriller writer Sophie Hannah, author ofThe Monogram Murders: The New Hercule Poirot (HarperCollins, £18.99) “This Christmas, I’m hibernating in rural Gloucestershire, where I plan to do very little apart from swim, walk the dog, and read.

“The books I’d ideally like to find in my Christmas stocking are: some Ngaio Marsh Inspector Alleyn mysteries – I’ve never read Marsh’s Golden Age detective novels, and it’s about time I did, Adultery by Paulo Coelho [Hutchinson, £14.99], his new novel, about

Bubble Trouble

The Apple Book

Tom Percival

a woman’s search for fulfilment, and The Devotion Of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino [Abacus, £7.99], because I’ve heard that it’s my very favourite thing: a crime novel with a supremely clever plot.”

What are you reading?

Tweet us @WeekendGlos

Christmas in the Snow

Snow

Rosie Sanders

Karen Swan

Walter de la Mare

Bloomsbury, £6.99

Frances Lincoln Limited, £22.50

Pan, £7.99

Faber & Faber, £6.99

Squabbling and making up, playing fairly and learning the importance of team work and friendship are just some of the themes in award-winning illustratorTom Percival’s new picture book Bubble Trouble.

Tom is the father of two boys and often finds his stories are influenced by their everyday problems.

BubbleTrouble, with its fun, lift the flap bubbles, is set to resonate with many parents of small children.

Tom, who lives in Stroud, also produced covers and illustrations for the Skulduggery Peasant series.

A dessert apple raised in Gloucestershire by a Dr Ashmead has been included in a new version of a much-trusted tome devoted to the fruit.The Apple Book by botanical artist Rosie Sanders, with contributions by Harry Baker, contains sensuously detailed watercolours showing the form, colour and texture of some 144 different varieties. Each entry is accompanied by illustrations of blossom, twigs, leaves and fruit, together with a detailed description of their colour, aroma, flavour and season and notes on their history.

The book was first published in 1988 asThe English Apple but has now been revised and updated.

The bestselling author of Christmas AtTiffany’s and Christmas At Claridge’s returns.

Allegra Fisher works in the City, in the hustle and bustle of the hedge fund bankers.

Christmas is getting ever closer and the snow has started to fall, not that she has the time to stop and look – she’s all work and no play.

Just as the biggest contract of her career arrives, she meets a handsome stranger, Sam, on the plane to a meeting, but it turns out he’s pitching for the same deal.

A great festive tale, with twists and turns worthy of its own ski run.

Poet Walter de la Mare, who won the Carnegie Medal for his Collected Stories For Children, would be delighted by this reimagining of his classic poem, Snow.

We’re introduced, from the perspective of a robin perched in a tree, to an idyllic village covered in snow. Down below, a dog bounds into his house and takes us through Christmas Eve with his family – the three children hang decorations on a tree, leave sherry out for Santa, then dutifully brush their teeth and go to bed.

This wonderful book will bring a smile to the face of every child and adult this Christmas.

60

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

THE

final word COLUMNIST SALI GREEN

W

HETHER or not you like Russell Brand, noone could fairly say he doesn’t care about people, politics and the environment.

This week the BBC aired his documentary called ‘End the Drugs War’ and it was captivating. Having been an addict himself he understands what it feels like to be on that desolate journey.

Russell opted for abstinence-based recovery and believes that criminalising drug users and addicts is only pushing them further into the painful horrific cycle that has become their reality.

They should receive proper support that gives them a fair shot at a better life, rather than what is currently available to them.

I read in the Tewkesbury Echo an article about a local lady, Joanne Nightingale, who was homeless for six years and although she didn’t have an addiction herself, lost a lot of people to it to whom she had become close.

Joanne found the support from volunteers a great help to getting back on her feet. She is now happily married with children and lives in Bredon, but will never forget the hot meals, beds and medical support supplied by those kind volunteers.

This Christmas she has pledged to hand out donations of clothing, blankets, dog food, hot soup and sandwiches on Boots’ Corner in Cheltenham on December 28 from 5pm-7pm. To donate items, visit www.facebook.com/groups/1551424611740504/ and ask to join her group.

I asked my friend Jef Coker what made him decide to volunteer for Cheltenham Open Door helping the homeless this Christmas.

“I don’t know why, but the idea of helping those less fortunate than me around Christmas has always been appealing,” he said. “Perhaps it has something to do with Christmas movies or the simple action of giving something back. So earlier in the year I typed

‘soup kitchen’ into Google and Cheltenham Open Door was the second result yielded.

“It’s a local charity which supports vulnerable, disadvantaged and lonely people. The guests, both male and female, have been deprived of the comforts and security most of us take for granted.

“They may have lost their jobs or have difficulties reading and writing. Others are coping with mental health issues or are in a programme to get off alcohol and drugs. Some come from broken homes or relationships, but regardless of the reason we don’t judge anyone and everyone is offered hospitality, warmth, food and somewhere to relax.”

The shelter needs volunteers, as well as food, clothing and money which can be dropped off at 39 Grosvenor Street, Cheltenham GL52 2SQ from 10.30am-1.15pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or 9.45am-11.45am Sundays.

If you would like to learn more about the charity, visit www.cheltenhamopendoor.org.uk

Follow Sali on Twitter @iwork4uglos

www.iwork4uglos.co.uk

Sali’s friend Jef Coker vounteers for Cheltenham Open Door over Christmas @WeekendGlos

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62

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

my ideal

Quick-fire . . .

Book or Kindle? Book.

Christmas...

Newspaper orTV? Newspaper.

Early-bird or lie-in? Neither â&#x20AC;&#x201C; depends on night before.

Cup of tea or stiff drink? Cup of tea, but only before 6pm

Johnny Coppin

Drink of choice? Orange juice and lemonade.

Musician

How would you describe your ideal Christmas?

Spent with close family, eating fine food and lots of Christmas music.

Who would you spend it with?

My partner, the artist Katharine Neilson, our son Ross, and close family in Gloucestershire and in Cambridgeshire.

What would you read?

Books on Christmas folklore and traditions, plus poetry.

What would you watch on TV?

Music programmes, a classic film and Inspector Montalbano.

What would you listen to on iPod or radio?

Festival of Carols from Kings College, plus acoustic music, Elgar and some BBC Radio 4 comedies, quiz shows and programmes about Christmas, folklore and traditions.

What would you eat?

Roast turkey and all the trimmings.

What would you drink?

Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc .

If you could invite anyone for a dinner party, dead or alive, who would you invite?

Charles Dickens.

@WeekendGlos

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