Pick of the day: The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special
9pm, BBC One
There are fewer celebrities handy with a needle and thread than are able to cook and bake – to judge by the paucity of famous faces in this first-ever Sewing Bee celebrity special. Even those who’ve turned up aren’t exactly brilliant, but never mind – because this is all good, festive fun overseen by new host Kiell Smith-Bynoe (the Ghosts actor is taking over from Sara Pascoe). Singer Toyah Willcox, comedians Kerry Godliman and Jessica Knappett and actor Hammed Animashaun are behind the sewing machines, tasked with making a Christmas stocking and turning puffer jackets into food-themed fancy dress.
Nigella’s Amsterdam Christmas
8pm, BBC One
A rare foray back on to our television screens for Nigella Lawson as she explains her love for the Dutch capital at Christmas time, conveying the beauty of the lights glittering over the canals and the enchanting atmosphere of the “Venice of the North” (I always thought that was Bruges, but never mind). With visits to Christmas fairs and food shops, Nigella picks up ingredients inspired by Dutch and Indonesian cultures.
Homeless Families: Our Christmas Crisis – Tonight
8.30pm, ITV1
Across Britain, there are thousands of families who, through no fault of their own, have been forced into temporary accommodation – from bedsits and hotel rooms, to shared units and even caravans. In fact, at least 130,000 children will go to bed in temporary accommodation tonight. Reporter Daniel Hewitt meets families whose lives have been thrust into chaos by no-fault evictions, substandard housing and a system that is on its knees.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special
9pm, Channel 4
“I want nothing to do with it,” says guest Danny Dyer when confronted by the Countdown Numbers Game, and marvelling at team captain Jon Richardson’s nimble mental arithmetic. Also guesting are Joe Lycett and Roisin Conaty. There’s more from Lycett straight after this with a festive edition of anarchic chat show Late Night Lycett. This finds him in his home town of Birmingham with a feisty line-up of guests including Mel B, Aisling Bea, Self Esteem, Guz Khan and Shaun Ryder.
All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 2023
9pm, Channel 5
It’s another wartime Christmas in Darrowby, where Helen (Rachel Shenton) is due to give birth at any moment while James (Nicholas Ralph) is at an RAF base on the other side of the Dales. An emotional phone call from Helen sets him on a course of action that could have potentially dire consequences. Meanwhile, Siegfried and Carmody provide light relief as they vie to be this year’s Father Christmas.
A Very Brassic Christmas
10pm, Sky Max
Royalty comes to Hawley – or rather Dominic West is joined by his The Crown co-star Imelda Staunton for this seasonal special. Vinnie (Joe Gilgun) receives a phone call from a holidaying Dr Chris (West) asking him to look after his injured aunt (Staunton). Also guesting is Taskmaster’s taciturn but always entertaining Greg Davies as a man called Dick Dolphin as Vinnie, Erin, Tommo and the rest fight to save Tyler’s school nativity performance after it’s threatened by a robbery.