{"id":69020,"date":"2023-12-18T10:44:54","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T10:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talkcelnews.com\/?p=69020"},"modified":"2023-12-18T10:44:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T10:44:54","slug":"countdown-to-christmas-what-to-watch-in-build-up-to-christmas-day-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talkcelnews.com\/tv-movies\/countdown-to-christmas-what-to-watch-in-build-up-to-christmas-day-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to Christmas – What to watch in build up to Christmas Day 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inside Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa’s new sonic screwdriver<\/h3>\n

Christmas wouldn\u2019t be the same without its line-up of festive television shows making everyone feel a little merrier.<\/p>\n

With just a week to go until Christmas Day arrives, Express.co.uk takes a look at what\u2019s going to be on TV as families gather together to celebrate.<\/p>\n

What to watch in build up to Christmas Day 2023\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Monday, December 18\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Vigil\u00a0<\/h3>\n

For the past few weeks, the second season of Vigil has been playing out with the penultimate episode and finale airing this week.<\/p>\n

In episode five, Amy Silva (played by Suranne Jones) is convinced that what she has believed up until now is a lie but needs evidence to prove her gut is right.<\/p>\n

Vigil season two continues at 9pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Vanishing Act<\/h3>\n

This true crime drama delves into the devilish deeds of Australian financial adviser Melissa Caddick who ran a Ponzi scheme, ripping off her clients, as well as her friends and parents.<\/p>\n

Vanishing Act starts at 9pm on ITV.<\/p>\n

Aldi\u2019s Christmas Secrets<\/h3>\n

Aldi, the fourth largest supermarket in the UK, is searching for a new item to entice crowds into their shops but what ideas will they come up with?<\/p>\n

Aldi\u2019s Christmas Secrets starts at 9pm on Channel 4.<\/p>\n

Live at the Apollo Christmas Special\u00a0<\/h3>\n

In this special Christmas edition of the stand-up comedy series, Tom Allen hosts as Lloyd Griffith and Thanyia Moore take to the stage.<\/p>\n

Live at the Apollo Christmas Special starts at 9.45pm on BBC Two.<\/p>\n

Tuesday, December 19\u00a0<\/h2>\n

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023<\/h3>\n

Once again, this year\u2019s key sporting moments are going to be reviewed and Beth Mead\u2019s successor announced following a public vote.<\/p>\n

This time around, those in the running are cricketer Stuart Broad, veteran jockey Frankie Dettori, goalkeeper Mary Earps, heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.<\/p>\n

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 starts at 7pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Richard Osmond\u2019s Festive House of Games\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Host Richard Osmond is joined by the likes of Debbie McGee, Jessica Knappett, Richie Anderson and Simon Gregson who will be testing their general knowledge in this festive special.<\/p>\n

Richard Osmond\u2019s Festive House of Games starts at 7.30pm on BBC Two.<\/p>\n

The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home for Christmas<\/h3>\n

The unforgettable Hairy Bikers are exploring what\u2019s great about Northern cuisine, making a foodie trip from Lancashire to Cumbria.<\/p>\n

The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home for Christmas starts at 9pm on BBC Two.<\/p>\n

Inside McVities at Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Take a sneak-peek into the world of the best-known biscuit brand in the UK with those at the top giving their take on staying ahead in the competitive Christmas market.<\/p>\n

Inside McVities at Christmas starts at 9pm on BBC Two.<\/p>\n

Tower of London at Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

One of the most iconic buildings in London will be getting a festive makeover as historical royal palaces interpretation officer Emma Bell has plans to transform the fortress into a winter wonderland.<\/p>\n

Tower of London at Christmas starts at 8pm on Channel 5.<\/p>\n

Read more: Kate thanks all who make children \u2018feel safe, valued and loved\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wednesday, December 20\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Harrods at Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Take a look inside the beautiful department store at Christmas time, looking at the work that goes into its Christmas window display and the annual rush on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n

Harrods at Christmas starts at 8pm on Channel 5.<\/p>\n

Celebrity Masterchef: Christmas Cook-off 2023\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Comedian Richard Blackwood, singer Duncan James, reality star Faye Winter and musician Mel Blatt all return to cook up a festive storm in a bid to win the Golden Whisk trophy.<\/p>\n

Celebrity Masterchef: Christmas Cook-Off 2023 starts at 9pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan: Christmas<\/h3>\n

Comic Mo Gilligan is joined by First Dates\u2019 Fred Sirieix, comedian Joel Dommett, singer Leona Lewis and actor Allan Mustafa for some festive fun.<\/p>\n

The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan: Christmas at 10pm at Channel 4.<\/p>\n

First Dates at Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

From a portrait artist on the look-out for a wife, to a self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, a new bunch of singletons are on the hunt for someone special during the festivities.<\/p>\n

First Dates at Christmas at 11.05pm on Channel 4.<\/p>\n

Inside M&S at Christmas<\/h3>\n

For the first time ever, viewers can take a look into every corner of M&S with cameras following what\u2019s been going on behind the scenes for the past year.<\/p>\n

Inside M&S at Christmas starts at 10.45pm on ITV.<\/p>\n

Thursday, December 21<\/h2>\n

All Creatures Great and Small\u2019s Christmas Special\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Set in 1940, James and Helen Herriot are dreaming of their future together as they await the birth of their child, a ferret presents a challenge and there are issues at Mrs Pumphrey\u2019s community tea party.<\/p>\n

All Creatures Great and Small\u2019s Christmas Special starts at 9pm on Channel 5.<\/p>\n

The Winter King\u00a0<\/h3>\n

An adaptation of Bernard Cornwell\u2019s Warlord Chronicles series, The Winter King follows Arthur turns his life from a banished person to a legendary warrior and leader.<\/p>\n

The Winter King drops exclusively on ITVX.<\/p>\n

A Very Brassic Christmas<\/h3>\n

Fans have been patiently waiting for the return of Brassic after that season five cliffhanger.<\/p>\n

When it returns, there will be a winter wonderland heist as well as guest appearances from The Crown\u2019s Imelda Staunton and Greg Davies.<\/p>\n

A Very Brassic Christmas airs at 10pm on Sky Max.<\/p>\n

The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special<\/h3>\n

This festive edition will see Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe step in for hosting duties with comedian Sara Pascoe taking time away following the birth of her second child.<\/p>\n

While there is a change of hosts, the format remains the same with contestants welcomed to take on Christmas-themed challenges.<\/p>\n

The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special airs at 9pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
World’s ‘humblest’ Christmas tree bought for 6p sells for over \u00a33,000 at auction[EXPLAINER] <\/strong>
The Masked Singer Christmas characters unveiled as host teases ‘best series'[REVEALED] <\/strong>
BBC’s Sally Nugent ‘escapes real world’ joining Strictly after ‘marriage split'[CAST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Friday, December 22\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The Last Leg of Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe welcome the likes of Tom Davis and Alison Hammond for some Christmas fun.<\/p>\n

The Last Leg of Christmas starts at 9pm on Channel 4.<\/p>\n

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special<\/h3>\n

A murder mystery night at a hotel is organised by Judith and Jeremy for their friends but it takes a spooky turn when a real dead body shows up.<\/p>\n

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special starts at 9pm on Channel 5.<\/p>\n

Saturday, December 23\u00a0<\/h3>\n

The Weakest Link: The Christmas Special<\/p>\n

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan hosts the iconic game show and is joined by Cliff Parisi, Coleen Nolan, Dane Baptiste, Danny Beard, Paul Zerdin, Alex Jones, Meryl Williams and Mel Schilling for the Christmas quiz.<\/p>\n

The Weakest Link: The Christmas Special starts at 8.10pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Blankety Blank Christmas Special<\/h3>\n

Bradley Walsh is at the heart of this yuletide edition of the comedy game show and is joined by the likes of Gemma Collins, AJ Odudu, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Ainsley Harriott and Brian Blessed.<\/p>\n

Blankety Blank Christmas Special starts at 9pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Christmas Eve\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Mog\u2019s Christmas\u00a0<\/h3>\n

This Christmas episode is being released this year to mark the 100th anniversary of author Judith Kerr\u2019s birth.<\/p>\n

There is an all-star cast in this animated special including Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch.<\/p>\n

Mog\u2019s Christmas starts at 7.45pm on Channel 4.<\/p>\n

Lot No.249\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Mark Gatiss has adapted this story from Arthur Conan Doyle, with Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington as Abercrombie Smith.<\/p>\n

The special will see a group of Oxford students look into the secrets of Ancient Egypt and consequently breathe new life into a mysterious bag of bones in Lot No. 249.<\/p>\n

Lot No. 249 starts at 10pm on BBC Two.<\/p>\n

Beyond Paradise’s Christmas Special<\/h3>\n

Following the success of Death in Paradise, spin-off Beyond Paradise came to be earlier this year and already has been renewed for a second season.<\/p>\n

The Christmas episode will see what Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd get up to during the festivities when there is bound to be some dodgy goings-on in Shipton Abbott.<\/p>\n

Beyond Paradise\u2019s Christmas Special starts at 9pm on BBC One.<\/p>\n

Not Going Out\u2019s Christmas Special\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Beyond Paradise isn\u2019t the only show actress Sally Bretton will be in either as she returns to the world of Not Going Out alongside Lee Mack for its 100th episode.<\/p>\n

Not Going Out starts at 10pm on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n