TV Guide 2022-12-24
Christmas Eve: it's the festive editions of In for a Penny and Catchphrase (ITV). BBC1 has Blankety Blank, and Channel 4 offers Lego Masters and Bake Off. ITV tries again with Britain Get Singing. Comedy Central gives us new Guessable.
Christmas Day, and Ant and Dec's Limitless Win (ITV) is the equivalent of those too-complex board games. We might be more in the mood for Strictly Come Dancing and The Wheel (BBC1), or Child's Play on ITV. The Chase (ITV) has celebrities, and it's the final of Canada's Drag Race vs The World (BBC3).
Boxing Day: will Radzi do a happy dance on The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special (ITV)? Who wins The Voice Kids (VM1 and ITV)? Can Sue Perkins host both The Greatest Snowman (C4) and Just a Minute (Radio 4)? Anyone want to take a walk on Am Dro! Selebs!, or play Pen/Campwyr (both S4C)? So many questions: maybe Steve Wright has the answers as Steve Wright's Quiz of the Year (Radio 2) gets in before The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (C4).
Holiday Tuesday: World's Strongest Man begins its finals (C5).
Wednesday: It's the Only Connect (2) Championship of Champions (BBC2, not NI)
Thursday: Breaking the News (BBC Scotland) looks back on all the news of 2022, at least five years' worth.
Friday: It's a Eurovision special of The Weakest Link (BBC1), and the grand final of Christmas University Challenge (BBC2). Hope they don't mix up the piles of questions. The News Quiz looks back (R4), Would I Lie to You? is back, and Celebrity Masterchef resumes (both BBC1).
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Schedules are accurate at the time of publication; check against EPG for late changes.
Contents |
Saturday 24 December - Christmas Eve
- Un Cwestiwn (S4C, 9.35am) Stars of Stwnsh fail to get anything right. Repeat.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 10.40am) A windy day on the Scarlet Squid, and Captain Captain is devastated when her pirate hat blows away.
- Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 11am).
- Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 11.30am) Best of 2022, repeated from Friday.
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.55).
- Christmas In for a Penny (ITV, 5.15) Stephen Mulhern plays Christmassy games in Peterborough.
Primetime
- Stephen Mulhern's Celebrity Christmas Catchphrase with Stephen Mulhern (ITV, 6pm) Joining Stephen Mulhern are Shirley Ballas, Oti Mabuse, Jonathan Ross.
- Lego Masters (C4, 7.25) Celebrities: Alex Horne and Sophie Duker, Sophie Ellis Bextor and her sons, Scarlett Moffatt with her dad and sister. Repeated 3.20 on New Year's Eve.
- Blankety Blank (BBC1, 8pm) Joining Bradley around the chestnuts are Jonathan Ross from Catchphrase, Alison Hammond, Joanna Lumley, Joanne Page, Alex Horne, and Guz Khan.
- Britain Get Singing (ITV, 8.05) A sing-off with stars from some of ITV's biggest shows - including Anne Hegerty. Apparently there's some sort of judging and a winner emerges, but we'll all be too drunk to care.
- Bake Off Christmas Special (C4, 8.25) With some Channel 4 stars: Gaby Roslin, Tony Robinson, Miquita Oliver, Terry Christian, and Claire Sweeney. Repeated 12.30 tomorrow.
- I Can See Your Voice (BBC1, 8.35) Layton Williams joins the crew. Last in the "present" series. Repeated BBC3 at 9pm Tuesday.
- Guessable Christmas Special (Comedy Central, 9pm) With James Acaster, Roisin Conaty, Kemah Bob, and Gyles Brandreth.
- That's My Jam (BBC1, 9.40) This week's raspberries are Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans; the gooseberries are Joey Fatone From Nsync and Aloe Blacc.
- I Literally Just Told You (C4, 9.40) Dermot O'Leary, Judi Love, Kerry Katona, and David Walliams. Repeated 11.05 Wednesday.
Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day
- Celebrity Come Dine with Me (E4, 8.25am) Five celebrity episodes from last year. The 2013 festive specials are on More4 from 1.35.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 10.40am) Captain Sinker makes a surprise return.
- Elis and John's Made Up Games Christmas Special (Radio 5, 11am) Elis James and John Robins invent some silly things to do, with help from an audience. If it's anything like their weekly show, consider this an entertainment feature and not a proper game show.
- I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 12.04) Repeat from last Monday.
- Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow (sic) (ITV, 3.10) In a change to the billed show, it's Child's Play postponed from last Sunday by the football. If you absolutely must see The Price is Right, it's probably on the ITV Hub. But you'd be better watching the next show, Ant and Dec's Polter-Guys, the unsatisfactory serial from this year's Takeaway.
- Carol yr Wyl 2022 (S4C, 4.10) Television coverage of the Cymraeg carol of the year contest. We promise better singing than on ITV last night.
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5pm) Danny O'Carroll from Mrs Brown's Boys, Zoe Williams, Saira Khan, Charlotte Church.
- Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 5.10) Nicola Roberts, Rickie Haywood-Williams, Rosie Ramsey, Larry Lamb, George Webster, and Alexandra Mardell.
Primetime
- The Wheel (BBC1, 6.25) Competing: Gino D'Acampo, Alesha Dixon, Bear Grylls. Experts: Michael Ball, Rosie Jones, William Hanson, Fleur East, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, AJ Odudu, and Bill Bailey.
- Y Talwrn (Radio Cymru, 7pm) A festive special to launch the new series. Repeated 6pm tomorrow.
- The Great Pottery Throw Down (C4, 7.50) James Fleet, Sunetra Sarker, Jenny Eclair, Jamie Laing. Repeated 4.25 tomorrow.
- Ant and Dec's Limitless Win (ITV, 8pm) Celebrity players: Rylan and David Walliams, Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan.
- Scotland's Home of the Year (BBC Scotland, 8pm) Another chance to see last year's Christmas special.
- Canada's Drag Race vs The World (BBC3, 9pm) The grand final.
Monday 26 December - Boxing Day
- Runaround (Talking Pictures, 6.30am) Christmas special from 1979, featuring Barbara Dickson.
- The Food Quiz (Radio 4 Extra, 9am, 2pm, 7pm) A Christmas special from 2004, with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clarissa Dickson-Wright, Pat Chapman, Jancis Robinson.
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 11.10am) Celebrity compilation.
- Steve Wright's Quiz of the Year (Radio 2, 12 noon) Steve Wright hosts a quiz about the year 2022, with Romesh Ranganathan, Kate Robbins, Tom Allen, and various Radio 2 voices.
- In for a Penny (ITV, 3.10) Lowlights from this year's series.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.10) Captain Sinker has left for a ship that floats, and left the Scarlet Squid to Captain Captain.
Primetime
- The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special 2 (ITV, 6pm) Vicki Michelle, Radzi Chinyanganya, Kadeena Cox, Bradley Wiggins.
- Just a Minute (Radio 4, 6.30) A panel game controlled (!) by Sue Perkins.
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.45) Food and drink, with John Whaite, Rustie Lee, Chris Bavin, Peter Sawkins, Jane Dunn, Nick Nairn, Poppy O'Toole, and Romy Gill.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) The touring heats conclude. The main tournament begins tomorrow.
- Pen/Campwyr (S4C, 7.20) Jason Mohammad hosts a sports quiz where brain meets brawn. With Scott Quinnell (rugby), Jack Quick (Pobl y Cwm), Heledd Anna (S4C celeb), and Tash Harding (football). Repeated tomorrow at 1.30.
- Christmas House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7.30) Brian Conley, Scarlett Moffatt, Anneka Rice, and Phil Wang.
- The Greatest Snowman 2022 (C4, 7.30) More ice sculpture. Repeated 12.35 on Wednesday.
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Mystery special: Endeavours vs Whodunnits.
- Am Dro! Selebs (S4C, 8pm) Donna Edwards, Catrin Heledd, Gwilym Ifan Pritchard, Dewi Pws. Repeated 6.45 Wednesday and 2.05 Friday.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 6: UCL vs Aberdeen.
- The Voice Kids (VM1 and ITV, 8.30) A new series.
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2022 (C4, 9pm) With tephen Merchant, Katherine Ryan, Richard Ayoade, Maisie Adam, Jonathan Ross, Rose Matafeo, and a cast of guests.
- The Traitors (BBC3, 9pm) Missed an episode last week? All three are repeated here.
- Love at First Lie (MTV, 9pm) The American version of True Love or True Lies. Last in the series.
Tuesday 27 December - Christmas Day for Bankers and Pirates
- Who Goes There? (Radio 4 Extra, 9am, 2pm and 7pm) Biographical quiz from 1998.
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.15) Food compilation.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.10) Christmas Rules! Cook and Line want Christmas to be fun, but Captain Captain ruins everything with all her rules.
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.15) Football, repeat.
Primetime
- Tipping Point Best Ever Finals (ITV, 6.30).
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.45).
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Heat one.
- Christmas House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7.30).
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Love special: Part-Time Poets vs Romantics.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 7: Bristol vs Wales in Cardiff.
- The Voice Kids (VM1 and ITV, 8.30) More auditions.
- QI XL (BBC2, 10.45; not NI) Season's Greetings, from 2021.
Wednesday 28 December
- The Write Stuff (Radio 4 Extra, 9am, 2pm and 7pm).
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.15) Pottery and porcelain compilation.
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 1.45) Repeat from the recent series.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.10) Sharks!
- Tipping Point (ITV, 4.30).
Primetime
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.30) Blue Peter special, repeated.
- The Chase (ITV, 5.30).
- BBC New Comedy Awards 2022 (Radio 4, 6.30) Radio coverage of the contest televised last month.
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (BBC2, 6.30) Richard Osman and Ingrid Oliver.
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.45) Gareth Malone, Brian McFadden, Sam Thompson, Sindhu Vee, Desiree Burch, Lee Mead, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Lauren Steadman.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Heat two.
- Christmas House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7.30).
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm; NI 8pm Friday) Championship of Champions: Dicers vs Data Wizards.
- The Voice Kids (VM1 and ITV, 8pm) The final.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 8: Semi-final 1.
- 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 10pm) Repeat from last week.
- The Challenge (MTV, 11pm) Half-way there.
Thursday 29 December
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.10) Rock and pop special.
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 1.45) Repeat from the recent series.
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.10) Seaweed Super Soup. Cook creates the most delicious soup, and Captain Captain wants to sell it and become rich.
- Tipping Point (ITV, 4.30).
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.25; not Wales) Presenters, repeated.
Primetime
- The Chase (ITV, 5.30).
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.45).
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Heat three.
- Christmas House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7.30).
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm; not NI) Cold: Nørdiphiles vs Après Skiers. Repeated from 2021.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 9: Semi-final 2.
- Breaking the News (BBC Scotland tv, 10pm) Karen Dunbar, Chris Forbes, Susie McCabe, and Neil Delamere look back at the year's events.
Friday 30 December
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 12.15) Glassware.
- Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 1.30).
- Ninja Warrior (ITV, 1.55) Repeat.
- The Big RTÉ Radio Quiz (RTÉ Radio 1, 3pm).
- Swashbuckle (Cbeebies, 3.10) Mini Cook & Line. Fed up with doing all of the work, Cook and Line audition for miniature versions of themselves. "That's a good idea", said two Geordie lads.
- Tipping Point (ITV, 4.35).
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.20; not Wales) An episode with Dick and Dom.
Primetime
- The Chase (ITV, 5.35; not Border).
- The News Quiz (Radio 4, 6.15) Best of the year.
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.45) Eurovision Song Contest special.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Heat four.
- Christmas House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7.30) Double presents Friday.
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm; NI has Wednesday's new episode) North and South: Scunthorpe Scholars vs Oxonions. Repeated from 2020.
- Would I Lie to You? (BBC1, 8.30) A new episode, with Christoper Eccleston, Sophie Willan, Guz Khan, Gloria Hunniford.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) 10: The grand final.
- Celebrity Masterchef (BBC1, 9pm) Another special: AJ Pritchard, Chizzy Akudolu, Kitty Scott-Claus, Megan McKenna.
Sign language interpretation
- Am Dro! (S4C, 11.30am Sat).
- Yn y Ffram (S4C, 1pm Sat).
- Couples Come Dine with Me (C4, 2.45am Sun).
- Sewing Bee (BBC2, 3.30am Mon).
- Scotland's Home of the Year (BBC Scotland, 2pm Mon).
- Strictly Come Dancing (BBC2, 3.15am Tue).
- Cooking with the Stars (ITV, 3am Tue).
- The Cube (ITV, 5.05am Tue, 3am Wed).
- Celebrity Masterchef (BBC2, 6.20am Thu).
- Game of Talents (ITV, 3am Fri).
- Bake Off (C4, 4.40am Fri).
Challenge
Saturday
7am The Chase; 2pm Bullseye; 6pm The Chase Celebrity Special; 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire; 11pm Bullseye; 4am The Chase.
Sunday
7am The Chase; 2pm Bullseye; 6pm The Chase Celebrity Special; 11pm The Chase.
Monday
7am The Chase; 9am The Cube; 12 noon The Chase; 3pm Family Fortunes; 4pm Bullseye; 6pm Cash Trapped; 7pm The Chase; 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire; 11pm Bullseye; 1am The Chase; 4am All-Star Family Fortunes.
Changes in the 9am-12 noon slot later in the week: Tuesday Catchphrase, Wednesday Strike it Lucky, Thursday 5 Gold Rings, Friday Tenable.