TV Guide 2024-12-21
Saturday brings us a Strictly nostalgia trip, plus specials of The Wheel and The Weakest Link. Channel 5 begins World's Strongest Man with the domestic heats; it's on through to New Year. Sunday has The Chase and Bullseye and You Bet! on the ITV network, and the BBC Brain final (Radio 4).
Monday has a sneak preview of Pictionary (ITV), and Sally Lindsay takes over The Big Quiz (2). Channel 4's got the Junior Taskmaster final. BBC2 has a quizzy quad-play: House of Games (3), Celebrity Mastermind, Only Connect (2), University Challenge every night this week (except Christmas Day).
Christmas Eve gives us Celebrity Bake Off (C4) and a celebrity edition of Dubhlain DIY, BBC Alba's entertaining show about assembling flat-packed furniture.
Christmas Day has the traditional Strictly Come Dancing special, celebrities tackle The Weakest Link (both BBC1), and Channel 4 gives us The Piano at Christmas. Following an inexplicable booking, Alexander Armstrong is on The Chase (ITV).
Boxing Day brings us Blankety Blank (BBC1), Pottery Throw Down (C4), and The 1% Club (ITV) - and that's just at 9pm. We've also another episode of Pictionary (ITV), quizzes on RTÉ Radio 1 and 2, and The Masked Singer (VM1 and ITV) to uncrack.
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (C4) gets a clear run on Friday night. The Challenge channel has bought some episodes of Bob's Full House and Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game, which we haven't seen in donkey's years.
Last week | TV Guide This Week | Next week
Schedules are accurate at the time of publication; check against EPG for late changes.
Contents |
Saturday 21 December
- Four in a Bed (C4, 11am) Repeats.
- Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 11am).
- Bargain Hunt (BBC1, 1.15).
- Tipping Point Best Ever Finals (ITV, 4pm).
Primetime
- The Hit List (BBC1, 5.30) Strictly special, repeated.
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 5.30) Repeat, with Lesley Joseph, Judge Jules, Jenni Falconer, Patrick Kielty.
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 6.15) Strictly special. James Bye, Zara McDermott, Kelvin Fletcher, Carlos Gu, Michelle Tsiakkas, Lauren Oakley, Kai Widdrington, Joanne Clifton.
- World's Strongest Man 2024 (C5, 6.30) Action from the Sheffield Arena, hosted by James Richardson and Radzi Chinyanganya.
- Strictly Come Dancing Twenty Fabulous Years (BBC1, 7pm) Tess and Claudia head down memory lane. Signed on the Red Button.
- The 1% Club (ITV, 8pm) A classic episode from earlier this year.
- The Wheel (BBC1, 8.25) Rob Beckett, Katherine Ryan, Chris McCausland, Alex Jones, Nihal Arthanayake, Steve Backshall, Torvill and Dean.
- Wing It! (Radio 4, 11pm) Monica Gaga, Steen Raskopoulos, Amy Cooke-Hodgson, Luke Manning.
Sunday 22 December
- Deal or No Deal (ITV, 1.45) Motsi and Oti Mabuse, from last weekend.
- Wales' Home of the Year (BBC1 Wales, 4.05) Repeat from last week.
- BBC Brain (Radio 4, 4.30) The grand final.
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 4.55) New ep with Harry Judd, Angela Griffin, Kai Widdrington, and Shane Richie.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 5.20) From Leeds, the European final.
Primetime
- Bullseye (ITV, 6pm) Freddie Flintoff is the latest host, and Luke Littler is the special celebrity guest.
- You Bet! (ITV, 7pm) Holly and Stephen try to predict the future.
- Lego Masters Down Under (E4, 7.10) The grand final.
- Am Dro! (S4C, 8pm) New walks at Capel Garmon, Hawarden, Rhymney, Ogmore.
- QI (BBC2, 10.30, not NI) Variety, revised repeat from last week.
Monday 23 December
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 1.25; not NI) A classic episode.
- Sewing Bee (BBC1, 1.45) Repeat from last week.
- Just a Minute (Radio 4 Extra, 2pm and 8pm) Classic episodes from 2010.
- The Radio Wales Christmas Quiz (Radio Wales, 3pm) Robin Morgan, Eleri Siön, Owen Money.
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 4.30) Classic episode.
Primetime
- Pictionary (ITV, 5.30) Mel Giedroyc invites Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen and Denise Van Outen to draw things.
- I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 6.30) From the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke, with Marchs Brigstocke, Henning Wehn, Miles Jupp, and Rachel Parris.
- Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 6.30) Repeat with Julian Clary, Jamie Laing, Stephanie Beacham.
- Would I Lie to You? (BBC1, 7pm; NI 11.10) New series starts with this Christmas episode, Laura Smyth, Jimmy Carr, Rustie Lee, Lenny Rush.
- House of Games (3) (BBC2, 7pm) New festive week, with Jim Howick from Ghosts, Legend from Gladiators, Rebecca Lucy Taylor from Self Esteem, and Susan Wokoma.
- Junior Taskmaster (C4, 7pm) The grand final.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) The Strongman Classic, from the Albert Hall.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC2, 7.30) With Jennie Bond (Peppa Pig), Des Clarke (Stephen Hendry), Nabil Abdulrashid (Bruce Lee), Abby Cook (Sherlock).
- Only Connect (2) (BBC2, 8pm) Special 1: Vikings vs Antiquarians.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) Warwick vs Durham - and they can both lose!
- The Big Quiz (2) (VM1 and ITV, 9pm) Super-sub Sally Lindsay fills in while Stephen Mulhern sees a man about a box. Coronation Street is David Platt, Maria Connor, Ronnie Bailey; Emmerdale Farm send Beth Cordingly, Rebecca Sarker, and Mark Charnock.
Tuesday 24 December - Christmas Eve
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2 Wales 12.05, elsewhere 12.45) A classic episode.
- In for a Penny Christmas Crackers (ITV, 1.15) More silly with Stephen.
- Booked (Radio 4 Extra, 2pm, 8pm) Lit crit from 1997.
- You Bet! (ITV, 5.05) Another chance to see last weekend's edition.
Primetime
- House of Games (BBC2, 7.15) Day two..
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7.15) World Open from Solihull.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC2, 7.45) With Rustie Lee (South Pacific), Ashley Storrie (Star Trek Voyager), Ignacio Lopez (Nine Inch Nails), Paul From The Traitors (After Life).
- Celeb Bake Off (C4, 8pm) Chris Bisson, Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney, Shobna Gulati, Sheree Murphy.
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8.15) Special 2: Mothers Ruined vs Godyn Family.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.45) Worcester Oxford vs Bristol, with Danny Robins and Alice Jolly.
- Dubhlain DIY (Instructions Not Included) (BBC Alba, 9pm) Pairs from the traditional music world go head-to-head in the flatpack challenge.
Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
- Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 12.30) Rick Edwards' pick of the year. Continues at 3.30.
- Bake Off (C4, 1.30) Repeat from last night.
- Foul Play (Radio 4 Extra, 2pm and 8pm) Whodunnit.
- Newshour Christmas Quiz (World Service, 2.06 and 9.06) The oh-so-sober contributors let their hair down with a set of questions about the year's news.
- The Weakest Link (BBC1, 3.10) A festive edition, with Shaun Ryder, Kerry Katona, Phil Tufnell, Sally Lindsay, Big Has, Heather Peace, and Indiyah Polack.
- Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC1, 3.55) With Josh Widicombe, Tamzin Outhwaite, Billy Monger, Vogue Williams, Tayce from Drag Race, and Nitro from Gladiators. Signed on the Red Button, or BBC2 at 1.45am.
- Bullseye (ITV, 5.25) Repeat from Sunday.
Primetime
- One Person Found This Helpful (Radio 4, 6.30) A festive special of the online review show.
- The Piano at Christmas (C4, 7.05) A dip-in concert.
- The Chase Celebrity Special (ITV, 8pm) Tony Maudsley, Bryony Page, Kerry Godliman, Alexander Armstrong.
Thursday 26 December - St. Stephen's Day
- 2fm Christmas Quiz (RTÉ 2fm, 12 noon) The regulars from Ireland's radio for young people explore the year's cultural highlights. Who is brat and who is Billie?
- Who Goes There? (Radio 4 Extra, 2pm and 8pm) Biography quiz from 1998.
- The All-Ireland Quiz (RTÉ Radio 1, 5pm) Stars from Ireland's radio for the young-at-heart explore the year's highlights. Who's in coalition and who's lost their expenses?
- Tipping Point Best Ever Finals (ITV, 5.10) New episode.
Primetime
- Pictionary (ITV, 5.40) Jeff Brazier and Scarlett Moffatt assist the players.
- House of Games (BBC2, 7pm) Single points Wednesday.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) Last of the qualifying events, from Glasgow.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC2, 7.30) With Kriss Akabusi (Friedrich Nietzsche - happy holidays!), Nikita Kanta (Whitney Houston), Mike Bubbins (James Garner), Lindsey Santoro (Gimme Gimme Gimme)
- The Masked Singer (VM1 and ITV, 7.30) Christmas special, with Cracker, Star, Turkey, and Nutcracker.
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Special 3: Orwellians vs Jillies.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) Manchester Metropolitan vs Brighton, with Debra Stephenson and Adam Pearson.
- Blankety Blank (BBC1, 9pm) The Christmas special, with Jane McDonald, Joel Dommett, Jonathan Ross, Oti Mabuse, Sara Pascoe, and The Vivienne.
- The 1% Club (ITV, 9pm) Christmas special.
- The Great Pottery Throw Down (C4, 9pm) This year's potters are Babatunde Aleshe, Martin Kemp, Rachel Riley, and Tom Rosenthal.
Friday 27 December
- The Masked Singer (ITV Breakfast Broadcasting, 7am) Another chance to see last night's Christmas special.
- Bargain Hunt (BBC2, 11.10am).
- Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 1.30) Breaking the Year.
Primetime
- The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, 6.30; VM1 10pm) Repeat from Monday.
- House of Games (BBC2, 7pm) Single points Thursday.
- World's Strongest Man (C5, 7pm) The finals, heat 1, from Myrtle Beach.
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC2, 7.30) With Liz Kershaw (Milton Keynes - happy holidays!), Jon Lee (Nighty Night), Charley Marlowe (Jane McDonald), Emmanuel Sonubi (Twilight books)
- Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Special 4: Bankers vs Science Writers.
- Christmas University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30) Leeds Trinity vs Nottingham, the normal Lauren Layfield and the innocent Yasmin Ali.
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2024 (C4, 9pm) A night later than usual, this year's panel is Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Judi Love, Chris McCausland, Maisie Adam.
- Beat the Chasers (ITV, 9pm) A classic episode.
- Have I Got News for You (BBC1, 10pm) Highlights from the year.
Sign language interpretation
- Deal or No Deal (ITV, 5.10am Sat; celebrity 5.05am Thu).
- Bake Off (E4, 5.15pm Sat) A classic episode.
- Strictly Come Dancing at 20 (BBC Red Button, 6.55pm Sat; BBC2, 3.40am Sun.
- Junior Taskmaster (C4, 4.55am Mon) Last week's show.
- Scotland's Home of the Year (BBC Scotland, 3.30pm Mon) Christmas special.
- You Bet! (ITV, 3am Tue).
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (BBC2, 7.15am) Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan.
- Bake Off (C4, 4.15am Wed) This week's edition.
- Strictly Cone Dancing Christmas Special (BBC Red Button, 3.55pm Wed; BBC2, 1.45am Thu).
- The Piano at Christmas (C4, 3.30am Thu).
- Bullseye (ITV, 5.05am Fri).
Challenge
The game show channel has bought some episodes of Bob's Full House and Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game, which we haven't seen in donkey's years.
Saturday
7am The Chase 9am Bruce's Price is Right 10am Supermarket Sweep 11am Famous Family Fortunes 1pm Cash Trapped 3pm The Chase 5pm Millionaire 7pm The Chase 11pm Bullseye 4am The Chase
Sunday
7am Scrapheap Challenge 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Play Your Cards Right 12 noon Dickinson's Real Deal 1pm Blankety Blank 3pm Through the Keyhole 4pm The Chase 5pm Cash Trapped 7pm Bullseye 10pm The Chase
Monday
7am The Chase 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Catchphrase 1pm Family Fortunes 2pm The Chase 4pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 6pm Bob's Full House 6.40 Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 8pm Pointless Celebrities 9pm The Chase 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 11pm Bullseye 12 midnight Who Wants to be a Millionaire 1am The Crystal Maze 2am The Chase 4am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 5am Bullseye
Tuesday
7am The Chase 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Bob's Full House 11.40am Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 1pm Family Fortunes 2pm The Chase 5pm Dale's Supermarket Sweep 5.30 Bullseye 6pm Bob's Full House 6.40 Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 8pm Strike it Lucky 8.30 Blockbusters 9pm The Chase 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 11pm Bullseye 12 midnight Who Wants to be a Millionaire 1am The Crystal Maze 2am The Chase 4am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 5am Bullseye
Wednesday
7am The Chase 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Bob's Full House 11.40am Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 1pm Family Fortunes 2pm The Chase 5pm Bullseye 6pm Bob's Full House 6.40 Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 8pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 9pm The Chase 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 11pm Bullseye 12 midnight Who Wants to be a Millionaire 1am The Crystal Maze 2am The Chase 4am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 5am Bullseye
Thursday
7am The Chase 9am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Bob's Full House 11.40am Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 1pm Family Fortunes 2pm The Chase 5pm Famous Family Fortunes 6pm Bob's Full House 6.40 Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 8pm Family Fortunes 9pm The Chase 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 11pm Bullseye 12 midnight Who Wants to be a Millionaire 1am The Crystal Maze 2am The Chase 4am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 5am Bullseye
Friday
7am The Chase 10am The Crystal Maze 11am Bob's Full House 11.40am Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 1pm Family Fortunes 2pm The Chase 6pm Bob's Full House 6.40 Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game 8pm The Chase 10pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire 11pm Bullseye 12 midnight Who Wants to be a Millionaire 1am The Crystal Maze 2am The Chase 4am Who Wants to be a Millionaire 5am Bullseye
