Judi Dench, Jane McDonald and Jools’ Annual Hootenanny among TV highlights this week

Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family and Me (Saturday 27/12/25, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

Judi Dench and William Shakespeare are pretty much synonymous with each other. He has played a momentous part in her career, while she is regarded as one of the – if not THE – finest modern exponent of his work.

The Bard helped her become a star; straight from drama school in 1957 she auditioned at the Old Vic and was astonished to land the role as Ophelia in a forthcoming production of Hamlet opposite John Neville. It was met with mixed reviews, including one from the Evening Standard, which read: “Ophelia is played by a girl called Judi Dench, whose first professional performance this so obviously is. But she goes mad quite nicely and has talent which will be shown to better advantage when she acquires the technique to go with it.”

Thankfully she did, and quickly too, with roles in Measure for Measure, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and Henry V all coming in the following 12 months. Since then she’s played pretty much every major female Shakespearean character. Her most recent stage appearance came as Paulina in Kenneth Branagh’s take on The Winter’s Tale in 2015; she even won her Oscar while playing Elizabeth I in the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love.

Even now, at the grand old age of 91, she can recall her lines as if she only learned them this morning, as Harvey Lilley, CEO of Proper Job, the company behind her latest project, can attest: “To be able to ask Judi if she remembers anything from a Shakespeare play she last performed in nearly 40 years ago and for her then, completely unrehearsed, to perfectly deliver a complete soliloquy illustrates for me what it was like to get to make this film. Unforgettable.”

With that long history with Britain’s foremost playwright behind her, you would imagine that she knows everything there is to know about him, but even she was shocked to learn that she may be even closer to the Bard than she originally thought.

Dench recently discovered that a relative of hers – her eight times great-grandfather in fact – may have met Shakespeare way back in 1606, which was a key year in his life; it was the period in which he wrote King Lear, Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra, the plague returned to England, and news of the Gunpowder Plot rocked the nation.

As a result, she’s setting out on a journey of discovery in the hope of unearthing the truth. It takes her to Denmark’s Elsinore Castle, the inspiration for the setting of Hamlet, as well as various stately homes across England.

“It has been such an adventure to explore the possibility that an ancestor of mine might just have got within touching distance of my hero William Shakespeare,” says Dench. “All the years I’ve spent playing Shakespeare and feeling a genuine, genuine passion for him and his work, to be on a journey where you might be stepping closer to him… it’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

Death in Paradise (Sunday 28/12/2025, BBC One, 8.30pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

A year ago, we knew very little about DI Mervin Wilson. Now he’s a stalwart of Saint Marie, and despite the fact we’re used to the central character in Death in Paradise changing on a semi-regular basis, we’re hoping he’ll stick around because he’s so compelling, the place wouldn’t be the same without him.

For Don Gilet, making his debut in last year’s festive edition was “both exciting and terrifying in equal measure. I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park. I’m going on it, and I know it’s going to be scary, but I’m going to do it. You’re daring yourself.

“Then you sit in the seat going, ‘What have I just let myself in for?!’ But it was exciting because I knew I was embarking on this new journey.”

Mervin was only supposed to be on the island temporarily while standing in for Neville Parker, who had just left. However, he’s stayed and, despite his reservations about the place, has now made it his home. But what neither he nor the man who plays him can get used to is the unseasonal warm climate.

“It’s obviously a weird juxtaposition because I am used to a British Christmas which has inclement weather,” says Gilet. “It may be bright, but it will be cold and that’s what I associate Christmas with, wrapping up, wearing gloves, boots and thermal gear, snowball fights, sledding and snowmen. You don’t get that in a hot country!

“That’s what I find weird about anywhere that celebrates Christmas in the heat. You’re meant to be cold and cosy and the only time you’re hot is when you’re in front of the fire, but you must embrace it. It was just another fun day in Paradise the way I saw it, Christmas or not.”

Since that debut, Gilet has appeared in a full series of cases alongside regular cast members, who include Élizabeth Bourgine, Don Warrington and Shantol Jackson. We’re due another run shortly, but before that, there’s another feature-length festive edition to enjoy, which once again brings a little sunshine into our lives this winter.

Joining the regulars are guest stars Josie Lawrence, Kate Ashfield, Pearl Mackie and James Baxter, whose characters become embroiled in a case that starts during what should have been the office Christmas bash of a lifetime – after all, it’s not often you get the chance to party in the Caribbean at your company’s expense.

However, things take a decidedly nasty turn after four colleagues find a stranger dead in the pool of their villa. Mervin and the team quickly identify the murder weapon, only to realise it couldn’t have been used because at the time the crime took place, it was locked in a drawer in Swindon!

So what exactly is going on? You’ll have to tune in to find out; if you do, you’ll also discover how our favourite grumpy cop can resolve a tricky personal issue. Maybe that will even put a smile on his face – which would be a Christmas gift for all involved.

The Celebrity Apprentice: Christmas Special (Monday 29/12/2025, BBC One, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Lord Sugar appears to be in a charitable mood, as he invites a host of famous faces into the boardroom for a two-part special (concluding tomorrow) in aid of BBC Children in Need.

The brave souls taking up the challenge are TV presenters AJ Odudu and Angela Scanlon, Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, comedian and recent I’m a Celeb campmate Eddie Kadi, EastEnders star Jake Wood, singer and farmer JB Gill, Paralympic athlete Kadeena Cox, Gladiator Legend, aka Matt Morsia, barrister and TV personality Rob Rinder, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, comedian, actress and writer Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner, who was a candidate on the 15th series of The Apprentice.

They are split into two groups and sent to Lapland, the official home of Santa, to develop their own gingerbread biscuits.

Not only will they have to create their own product, but they will have to market it by creating an advert and a jingle.

To help the celebrities on their merry way, there is a surprise sprinkle of stardust, before both teams then face the dreaded task of pitching to retailers to help secure those all-important sales.

Will they earn enough dough or simply crumble under the pressure?

Team one, featuring AJ, Charlie, Eddie, Jake, Kadeena and Rob, create Jolly McTrouble, a gingerbread biscuit with butter toffee, vanilla and Christmas pudding flavoured festive icing.

With the tagline ‘Be Naughty, Get Nice’, the biscuit is a portrait of Santa’s naughty brother.

But will it leave the retailers, as well as Lord Sugar and his lieutenants Baroness Karren Brady and Mike Soutar, feeling jolly, or will they end up in McTrouble themselves?

Opposite them, Angela, JB, Matt, Sarah, Shazia and Tom create Gary the Penguin.

The biscuit combines gingerbread with a blend of lemon, bubble-gum and white pepper.

No that’s not a typo – the celebrities really did opt for that combination!

Coined with the tagline ‘A Cheeky Treat for Your Little Rebel’, the biscuit is in the shape of a festive penguin – Gary, with the flavour combination is ‘as rebellious as the celebrities who made it’.

Over the past few weeks, the public have been able to get their hands on these stocking filler must-haves, as the limited-edition biscuits created by the celebrities have been available to buy nationwide at various retailers.

Every purchase has gone towards BBC Children in Need in helping to support children and young people across the UK.

Lord Sugar says: “It’s the first ever time on The Celebrity Apprentice that the public can buy products that were created by the candidates. It’s added some real pressure to the process.

“I think the celebs thought they were in for an easy ride, but they were wrong! Raising money for BBC Children in Need is serious business, so the candidates really need to deliver if they want to avoid ending up on my naughty list.”

We had a funny feeling the notorious tycoon’s charitable mood would only stretch so far.

DIY SOS: Gladiators Special (Tuesday 30/12/2025, BBC One, 8pm)

Words by Richard Jones

The Cherry Tree Community Centre in Beverley, East Yorkshire, is a very special place.

Launched in 1993 by the local Children’s Society, its aim was to provide services for disadvantaged children in the area.

Over the past 32 years, the organisation has steadily evolved to become an integral part of the community, with its Youth Club giving local children a warm, safe place to play, make friends and find support.

However, when the Covid pandemic hit in 2020, everything changed.

The building was turned into a food pantry and it is now invaluable as it helps more than 150 families every week.

Nevertheless, nearly five years on, the Youth Club has nowhere permanent to go, and Beverley’s youngsters are left with no option but to meet in the local park where there is nothing but a small gazebo for shelter.

With another bitter winter on the way, the club is close to closing for good.

Thankfully, there is help on the way, as presenter Nick Knowles, designer Gabrielle Blackman and the rest of the DIY SOS team step in and take on the challenge of building a new, purpose-built Youth Centre on the edge of the park.

With only nine days to turn an empty patch of grass into a safe, welcoming home, the clock is ticking and pressure is huge.

Of course, a tough challenge like this is nothing new for DIY SOS.

For 26 years and over 240 episodes, the team has rallied tens of thousands of volunteers, tradespeople and local suppliers to take part in their ambitious projects.

As a result, they’ve delivered life-changing home and community transformations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ahead of the announcement of this and other special episodes back in September, Nick said: “I’m so excited to have DIY SOS back on our screens – I think it will remind people how many good, generous people there are across the country willing to help out others in their time of need.

“We also share much more of what it takes physically and emotionally to fulfil the promises we make to families and communities with our huge builds.

“Still emotional and fun as it always has been, there’s faces old and new on the team and the usual cast of thousands.”

Speaking of new cast members, purple-shirt regulars electrician Billy Byrne and plasterer Chris Frediani are joined by woodworker Radha Siyver and gardener Ashley Edwards, who have already brought new skills and ideas to the DIY SOS family over the past few months.

Nevertheless, the Cherry Tree project is a particularly big one, so Nick and co are going to need an extra push if they’re going to get the Youth Club finished on time.

That boost comes in the muscular form of the Gladiators.

Fresh from their exploits in the Christmas Day Celebrity Special, they will be doing all they can to help the team tonight.

Expect mud, chaos, community spirit, and cries of “Gladiators, ready!”, as some of the BBC’s best-loved stars join forces to give Beverley’s young people a place they can finally call their own.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny (Wednesday 31/12/2025, BBC Two, 11.30pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Forget the party with a pop star and fireworks display on the South Bank and over Edinburgh Castle, if you’re a music fan, there is only one place to be on New Year’s Eve.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, which originally spun off from the main Later… With Jools Holland programme in 1993, has grown from a fallback show for those who don’t have any other plans on the big night, into a bone fide seasonal institution.

Okay, we all know the programme isn’t live – even Jools would struggle to get some of the world’s biggest stars to spend New Year’s Eve in a studio.

However, that doesn’t take away from its magic, and three decades on, Jools’ Annual Hootenanny continues to provide countless Brits with the soundtrack to their New Year’s celebrations.

As is always the case, the Piano Man host is joined by a strong line-up of guests tonight.

Ronnie Wood will be performing tracks from his recent definitive career-spanning anthology Fearless.

The record features key tracks from his seven solo studio albums as well as other key career moments from his time in the Rolling Stones, the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group, and alongside Rod Stewart and Ronnie Lane.

If you want an example of just how eclectic Jools’ line-up is, then look now further than his next guest.

While 78-year-old Ronnie began his career way back in 1964, Olivia Dean is just starting out by comparison.

Since her breakthrough in 2021, the 26-year-old Londoner has gone on to become one of the most exciting artists around and she is joined tonight by her band to deliver hits from her latest album The Art Of Loving.

Plus, there’s a cover of Natalie Cole’s 1975 classic This Will Be (An Everlasting Love), with Jools on the keys.

Scottish icon Lulu also teams up with Jools and his band for renditions of David Bowie‘s The Man Who Sold The World and Relight My Fire.

And Jessie J joins the host to perform a Frank Sinatra classic as well as Living My Best Life.

R&B stalwart Craig David will make his grand return to the Hootenanny for the first time since 2000.

He will perform iconic tracks from his debut album Born To Do It, as well as his most recent album Commitment.

For her contribution to the New Year extravaganza, Heather Small will partner up with Jools to perform two M People anthems, Moving On Up and Search For The Hero,

The Kooks will revisit hits from their 2006 debut album Inside In/Inside Out, as well as songs from their most recent effort Never/Know.

Jools will perform a version of Billie Holiday’s Now Baby Or Now alongside Irish jazz standout Imelda May, and a duet with Joe Webb who recently made the Mercury Prize shortlist.

David Hermlin will perform a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s Jeepers Creepers, and the line-up is rounded up by British-Jamaican R&B and soul singer/songwriter Ruby Turner.

If all that doesn’t sound like a New Year’s Hoot, then what does?

The Night Manager (Thursday 01/01/2026, BBC One, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

For the past decade, fans of The Night Manager have been kicking their heels in the hope that the British crime drama, based on John le Carré’s 1993 novel, would be back on our screens.

And the wait is finally over tonight, as Tom Hiddleston returns as ex-soldier-turned-hotelier-turned-MI6 asset Jonathan Pine to tackle another dangerous criminal conspiracy.

The actor says: “Over the last decade people have often asked me if there will ever be more from The Night Manager, and I’ve never been able to confirm or deny.

“So, it’s very exciting to have arrived at this juncture where we have made something new, which has the familiar flavours, spices and strains of what we did the first time.”

For those who missed the first Bafta, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning run (it’s available to watch on the BBC iPlayer), it saw Pine, then the night manager of the Nefertiti Hotel in Cairo, recruited by heavily pregnant intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman).

He was tasked with investigating the inner workings of a powerful arms operation by infiltrating the criminal empire of billionaire Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

Season two picks up nearly a decade later, with Pine living a quiet and uneventful life under his new identity, Alex Goodwin.

However, his apparent peace is shattered when he spots a familiar mercenary from Roper’s old circle and is dragged back into the underworld.

His return to the field leads to a brutal confrontation with a new player – Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), a Colombian businessman with ties to arms trafficking and guerrilla warfare.

Pine then meets Roxana Bolaños (Camila Morrone), a mysterious Miamian shipping broker who reluctantly helps him infiltrate Teddy’s Colombian arms operation.

Once in Colombia, Pine is plunged deep into a deadly plot, and dons a new identity as a reckless Hong Kong playboy to win the trust of Teddy and his team.

But as Pine gets closer to Teddy, he discovers another figure is pulling the strings – Gilberto Hanson, a terrifying local arms dealer whose reach extends to the heart of London’s intelligence community.

As well as winning multiple awards, the first series of The Night Manager was one of 2016’s most-watched shows.

This new run is directed by Georgi Banks-Davies (who won a Bafta for Sky Atlantic’s I Hate Suzie) and expands the story beyond the source material of Le Carré’s novel for the first time.

Although Banks-Davies knows her creation will invite comparison to the first season, she doesn’t consider that daunting.

“I was already a huge fan, so I was very flattered to be sent the scripts,” she explains.

“As soon as it landed in my inbox, I only needed to see the title to know I would absolutely want to direct it!”

“You almost need to ignore what’s come before, because this isn’t a copycat show.

“It’s not about telling the same story again, in the same way, it’s a whole new world.”

The good news for Night Manager fans is that a third run has already been commissioned, presumably being broadcast in early 2027.

Good things do come to those who wait.

Jane McDonald: Pole to Pole (Friday 02/01/2025, 5, 8pm)

Words by Damon Smith

The Wakefield-born singer and presenter has performed Baby It’s Cold Outside on tour and that seasonal hit would be a fitting soundtrack to her latest epic adventure, which sees her travel from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle via breathtaking locations including the Falklands, Brazil, Greece and Norway.

For her long-running travel series Cruising With Jane McDonald, she occasionally had to wrap up warm to brave chilly conditions at sea and on land.

Memorably, Jane weathered freezing Arctic seas to take in views of Iceland’s rugged shorelines, witnessed the majesty of the 21-mile-long Margery glacier in Alaska and encountered a swimming Santa in Scandinavia’s biggest natural aquarium.

Those frozen escapades stand her in good stead for the physically demanding challenges in sub-zero conditions that she faces as she traverses the globe from south to north.

Every step of the way, she is at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Even though Jane playfully describes herself as “a woman of a certain age”, she throws herself into the fray and seizes every opportunity with two gloved hands.

In the opening episode, the first hurdle is reaching the Antarctic peninsula, which is the closest she can safely get to the South Pole to provide a dramatic backdrop to her expedition.

It takes three days and four planes to reach the starting point, where Jane surveys snow-capped mountains and jaw-dropping icebergs in a helicopter ride that is not for the faint of heart.

Aerial views of the unspoilt landscape bring home the enormity of the undertaking.

Thankfully, once the chopper has safely landed on her Discovery Yacht, Jane can settle her nerves with a relaxing glass of freshly poured champagne from the ship’s bar.

She joins fellow passengers for supper and, as usual, shares travel stories.

Friendly guide Simon joins her in a two-person kayak to explore the dangerous Antarctic waters but even he is forced to call for back up when weather conditions become decidedly unfavourable.

A session of aerial yoga back on the yacht eases away any stress before a zodiac inflatable boat ride to the volcanic Livingstone Island.

Exploring the mountainous glacial terrain on foot, Jane encounters the island’s colourful residents: larger-than-life elephant seals, which are the size of a family car and can move almost as fast as a nippy hatchback.

There is just enough time at the end of the first leg to raise the rafters with a song and join the ranks of people who have performed on the Antarctic Continent.

Once this six-part wintry expedition is complete, Jane has announced that she will be embarking on a once-in-a lifetime dream trip to Nashville to explore the country music capital of the world for a two-part travelogue, also on 5.

The series will dissect why it is such a popular travel destination for tourists.

It will certainly be a little livelier – and warmer – than the South Pole.