WHO’S IN THE MOOD FOR SOME ANIMAL MAGIC?

43 MATT BAKER: OUR CHRISTMAS IN THE DALES MORE4 41 ATTENBOROUGH’S WONDER OF SONG BBC1

Sir David not only chooses his favourite seven recordings from the natural world – among them the songs of lemurs (left), humpback whales and lyrebirds – but also explains their personal significance in this fascinating documentary. ‘All the recordings broke new ground,’ he says. ‘Some are lovely sounds, some are surprising – and one almost broke my heart.’ The documentary also examines new scientific evidence about the use of animal song to help species survive, and about the previously neglected subject of the female bird voice.

42 THE DOG HOUSE CHRISTMAS CHANNEL4

Prepare to have your heart melted by the guests of Wood Green animal shelter (above). They include Clarence the one-eyed dachshund, who’s looking for a home but needs to overcome his shyness if he’s to win over nurse Holly and her boyfriend Dom. The three get off to a rocky start, but that first cuddle could prove crucial. Meanwhile, Michael the lurcher is hoping to hit it off with Nhung and her two excited children, and Bentley the portly pug and widower Ramesh bond over a mutual love of festive treats.

Sheep, dogs, chickens, miniature donkeys and perhaps even the odd turkey can be expected to make an appearance for the cameras in one of TV’S most heartwarming documentaries. Matt quit his role as host of The

One Show to help run the family farm in County Durham, and there are still plenty of chores to be completed before he, wife Nicola, their children Luke and Molly and Matt’s parents Mike and Janice can enjoy their Christmas dinner. This one-off show also looks back at a challenging past 12 months on the farm.

44 WELCOME TO EARTH DISNEY+

Hollywood’s Will Smith (above left) may be a high-flyer, but he says at the start of this stunning six-part series that having never climbed a mountain or swum in a lake, ‘I’m beginning to think I might be missing something.’ So he sets off to see the world in style, from deserts to ice caps, volcanoes to the depths of the sea, discovering jaw-dropping wildlife – including bioluminescent sea creatures and migrating wildebeest – along the way.

46 WINTER JOURNEY BBC4

Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey) is a musical study of isolation, so where better to perform excerpts than 7,500ft off the ground in a remote tower in the Swiss Alps? Although Schubert wrote it with a tenor voice in mind, it’s the German/british baritone Benjamin Appl trekking to the top of the tower to sing, accompanied by pianist James Baillieu. John Bridcut’s powerful documentary also features clips of other greats from the opera world performing Winter Journey, one of the last works composed by the brilliant Austrian before his death in 1828.

47 QUENTIN BLAKE, THE DRAWING OF MY LIFE BBC2

The well-loved illustrator and author (right) shows little sign of slowing down at the age of 89. In this film he tells the story of his creative life in words and pictures – by creating a 30ft canvas with classic characters and key moments from his career. One of his defining collaborations was with Roald Dahl, whose widow Felicity gives insights into their close relationship. Other friends and admirers taking part include David Walliams, Joanna Lumley, Peter Capaldi, Ore Oduba, Josie Long and Lauren Child.

48 GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING BBC2

They’ve become one of our most cherished double-acts, a pair of comedians in their early 60s who’ve battled back from serious ill health to enjoy a new lease of life as celebrity fishermen. Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer (right) have pulled on the waders for another memorable episode, heading north to the rivers Tyne and Eden in search of English salmon. Ted, the Patterdale terrier owned by the show’s executive producer Lisa Clark, is along for the ride

– and for any leftover fishy morsels.

49 EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPES WITH SANDI TOKSVIG: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL CHANNEL 4

Sandi’s quirky Extraordinary Escapes shows have seen her travel to somewhere beautiful with companions including Alison Steadman and Prue Leith. Part travelogue, part deep and meaningful interview, the show has developed its own little niche. For this episode there will be an as-yet-unnamed female celebrity with Sandi as they head to a Christmas paradise with sumptuous seasonal Scandinavian-style food, a warm fireside and reflections on the important things in life.

50 KIRSTIE’S HANDMADE CHRISTMAS CHANNEL4

In this 11-part series, Location, Location, Location’s Kirstie Allsopp will explain everything you need for a DIY Christmas, from how to make the perfect gingerbread house to beautiful gifts for friends and family, stunning decorations and the perfect accessories for a showstopping Christmas table. Each 60-minute episode – one at primetime and ten airing at daytime – will see Kirstie chatting to experts, doing floristry with her sister Sofie (above, left, with Kirstie) and meeting fans, who will compete to win a prize and hopefully inspire viewers at home.

51 THE REPAIR SHOP AT CHRISTMAS BBC1

A much-loved wooden Nativity scene, a train set that once sat in a grocer’s window in Kenya, a mechanical doll and a harmonium pump organ used by carol-singing farm workers – they all star in this heartwarming special. The story behind the walking ‘Susie’ doll is especially moving. It was a present to Maureen Donnachie when she was a child suffering from polio, and aided her recovery. Now, 70 years later, Maureen is afflicted by postpolio syndrome, where the symptoms of the infection have returned and she’s losing the use of her legs. She hopes the team, led by Jay Blades (above), can make her doll walk and talk again.

52 TOP GEAR – DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BBC1

Stand by for some familiar seasonal staples – but with a Top Gear spin. Presenters Chris Harris, Paddy Mcguinness (right) and Freddie Flintoff are invited to take part in a Secret Santa competition, choosing a highly unsuitable car for each other to take to the roads of England and Wales. After unwrapping their gifts in Bethlehem (that’s Bethlehem, Wales), the three journey east, enjoying a game of High Speed Visual Charades en-route to Bath, where they plan to deliver an enormous Christmas tree to the people of the city.

53 A LAKE DISTRICT FARM SHOP AT CHRISTMAS CHANNEL 4

Travel restrictions meant last year was quiet, but now the team at Tebay Services are hoping it will be busier than ever as the staff and its army of local producers put everything into making it a magical Christmas for their customers. It’s hectic from the off, so much so that head butcher Dave Morland is forced to go front of house at the shop as customers queue up for their glorious Christmas centrepieces, hampers and artisan goods.