It’s official. December is here and with it comes a whole host of holiday telly and festive flicks, with delectable tale Wonka leading the charge as well as Elf, It’s A Wonderful Life, Love Actually, The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland and The Holiday on Sky Cinema.

Rounding off the Christmas TV crackers this week are world exclusive interview Mariah Meets Rylan, delicious culinary series Jamie Cooks Christmas, and crafty guides to Christmas with Kirstie Allsopp and Josie Gibson in Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas and Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide With Josie Gibson respectively. Plus, don’t miss a night of comedy with James Acaster’s brand new stand-up special. Happy viewing!

With all this plus our usual sport and movie picks of the week, there’s something for all tastes across the service. And don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your telly on the move with you.

There’s so much good stuff on this week that we’ve compiled a list of the best TV shows to watch. Bookmark this page to keep up to date with the latest changes.

Wednesday 4 December

Pick of the day: The Royle Family Christmas Special

9.50pm, U&GOLD (CH 124)

One of our favourite things about December telly is watching those classic Christmas comedies. Especially when they involve one of Manchester’s most famous families bickering over a half-defrosted turkey and cup-a-soups. The Royle Family’s 2008 festive special sees the Royles and friends get up to plenty of holiday mischief and you’ll be laughing through every minute of it.

What else to watch:

• Winter On The Farm – 8pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Shetland – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• After The Party – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Reuben Owen: Christmas In The Dales – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Never Mind The Buzzcocks – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Thursday 5 December

Pick of the day: Dalgliesh

9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)

Bertie Carvel (The Crown) steps back into the shoes of enigmatic detective Adam Dalgliesh for the return of this crime drama. Inspired by Death In Holy Orders from PD James’s novel collection, the third series features a forward-thinking Archdeacon ruffle a few feathers at the St Anselm’s Seminary by selling its valuable treasures. So when his body is found at the altar the next morning, Dalgliesh is called to help solve another complex criminal case. Alistair Brammer reprises his role as Dalgliesh’s sidekick DS Tarrant while Anton Lesser (Wolf Hall), Claire Goose (The Cuckoo) and Lloyd Own (The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power) join the cast.

What else to watch:

• How To Heat Your Home For Less This Winter – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Winter On The Farm – 8pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Smoggie Queens – 9pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)
• The Day Of The Jackal – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109)

Friday 6 December

Pick of the day: The Graham Norton Show

10.40pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Join Graham Norton for a star-studded evening of entertainment as he welcomes more celebrities to his red velvet sofa. And the chatty host catches up with national treasure Jamie Oliver ahead of his new Channel 4 series Jamie Cooks Christmas airing on Sunday 8 December. Plus, we catch up with other special guests including Sigourney Weaver, Nicholas Hoult, Lolly Adefope and Coldplay.

What else to watch:

• Return To Paradise – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• Junior Taskmaster – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Gogglebox – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Dalgliesh – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)

Saturday 7 December

Pick of the day: Mariah Meets Rylan

8.15pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

All we want for Christmas is a gossip session with global superstar Mariah Carey and the equally iconic Rylan Clark. Which is exactly what we’re getting in world exclusive interview Mariah Meets Rylan. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of classic holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, the two stars sit down to discuss Mariah’s life, music, incredible career and her love of the festive season. Plus, Mariah puts her English accent to the test as she “auditions” for EastEnders.

What else to watch:

• Strictly Come Dancing – 7.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• You Bet! – 8.15pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Legends Of Comedy With Lenny Henry – 8.15pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Game Of Throws: Inside Darts – 9pm, Sky Documentaries HD (CH 188)
• Emperor: Rise & Fall Of A Dynasty – 9.15pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Mariah Carey: Fantasy Live At Madison Square Garden 1995 – 10.25pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Sunday 8 December

Pick of the day: Jamie Cooks Christmas

8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Jamie Oliver proves that he’s the gift that keeps on giving with another Christmassy cooking series. Across two episodes the Naked Chef will be sharing his tried-and-tested twists on traditional festive fare, including cheesy filo parcels with a tangy cranberry dip and a mouthwatering sticky toffee coffee pudding packed with walnuts, Medjool dates and festive spices. Yum!

What else to watch:

• You Bet! – 6pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Strictly Come Dancing: The Results – 7.20pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• An Evening With Dua Lipa – 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! The Final – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• Alpine Hotel At Christmas – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Monday 9 December

Pick of the day: Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide With Josie Gibson

8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Are you the type to leave all your shopping until Christmas Eve? Then Josie Gibson and her gift guide are here to help. Gibson meets industry experts and gift-wrapping gurus to review the best buys and time-saving hacks for 2024 whatever your budget, while celebrity guests such as Ollie Locke and Jenny Eclair share their ideas for making this Christmas the most memorable one yet.

What else to watch:

• Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas – 5.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Nutcracker: Backstage With English National Ballet – 8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)
• Renaissance: The Blood And The Beauty – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)
• Holy Marvels With Dennis Quaid – 9pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)
  
• Myths & Monsters – 10pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

Tuesday 10 December

Pick of the day: James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome

9pm, Sky Comedy HD (CH 112)

After touring his critically acclaimed show throughout 2023 and 2024, award-winning comedian James Acaster is bringing Hecklers Welcome to the small screen. Join the funny man for a night of laughter as he explores his love-hate relationship with performing by accepting a healthy dose of heckling from the audience.

What else to watch:

• Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas – 5.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live – 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)
• The Listeners – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• Christmas With The Greens: A Yorkshire Vet Special – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Matlock – 9pm, Sky Witness HD (CH 110)
• The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries – 10.10pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

Wednesday 11 December

Pick of the day: Guy Martin: Arctic Warrior

9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Having already travelled across the great landscapes of Russia, Japan and China, Guy Martin’s latest adventure takes him to one of the most challenging environments in the world – 200 miles above the Arctic Circle. Martin is embedded with a group of Royal Marines at Camp Viking and, over two episodes, is pushed to breaking point by surviving a dunk in a frozen lake and spending a night in the wilderness with other new recruits. Brr!

What else to watch:

• Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas – 5.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• The Christmas Taste Test Restaurant – 8pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Shetland – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• The Pelicot Rape Case: A Town On Trial – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Never Mind The Buzzcocks – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Thursday 12 December

Pick of the day: Celebrity Escape To The Country

8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Get ready to scroll Rightmove listings in the countryside as Celebrity Escape To The Country returns for a second series. In the first episode the team meets decorated Olympian Linford Christie, who’s looking for a slower pace of life in the Chilterns. He’s joined by his daughter Briannah and property expert Alistair Appleton, and the trio tour the area while visiting one of the world’s most elegant country homes and cooking up a storm with an exclusive outdoor dining experience.

What else to watch:

• Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas – 5.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Dalgliesh – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Guy Martin: Arctic Warrior – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104
• Smoggie Queens – 9pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)
• The Day Of The Jackal – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109)

Friday 13 December

Pick of the day: Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas

5.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

After a weeklong competition involving four festive heats with 16 talented crafters from across the country, Kirstie Allsopp is ready to crown her Christmas Crafting Champion for 2024. In the grand finale the remaining competitors are tasked with creating a showstopping Christmas table while guest judge and designer Patrick Grant assists Allsopp with fashioning a stylish pinecone wreath.

What else to watch:

• Return To Paradise – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)
• Junior Taskmaster – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Alan Bennett: 90 Years On – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)
• Gogglebox – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)
• Dalgliesh – 9pm, Channel 5 HD (CH 105)
• Hotel Portofino – 9pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the week: Rugby Union – Bristol Bears v Leinster

Sunday 8 December, 5.15pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 551)

Bristol Bears have had a strong start to the Premiership season, with their away form particularly impressive, and sit second tied on 29 points with leaders Bath. But this weekend they get the chance to show their mettle on the international stage with the start of European club competition. Bristol’s opening Champions Cup game is a Pool 2 clash against Leinster, one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history; they’ve reached the last three finals – and they’ve also won seven out of seven in the United Rugby Championship this season.

There could hardly be a tougher test for Pat Lam and his Bears team, especially with England fullback Max Malins still missing through injury. But after scoring six tries in a 48-24 win over Harlequins last week, they’ll approach this fixture with confidence. Premier Sports is where you’ll find all the Champions Cup action this weekend, starting with Bath against La Rochelle on Friday evening.

What else to watch:

Looking for some more sport this week? We can help with that.

• Check out our day-by-day-guide to sport on TV 
  
  
• If you’re a TNT Sports subscriber, you can discover all the action on TNT Sports this month
   
• If you subscribe to Sky Sports, find all the live matches, races, tournaments and more right here

Pick of the week: Wonka

Available from Friday 6 December in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert PG

From the creative team behind Paddington and Paddington 2, this origin story for Roald Dahl’s eccentric chocolatier is a crowd-pleasing delight that made half a billion pounds at the box office. Young Willy (Timothée Chalamet, Dune) arrives in the big city with big dreams, only to be ripped off and generally abused. Left with only a positive attitude and belief in his own chocolate-making genius – plus a friend in plucky orphan Noodle (Calah Lane) – he’s determined to succeed. With wonderful songs, solid laughs and lots of fun supporting actors from Keegan-Michael Key to Olivia Colman to a hilarious Hugh Grant, Wonka is an effortlessly charming treat.

What else to watch:

Looking for more movies this week? We can help with that.

• Looking for something to watch on Sky Cinema? Our monthly round-up has the best on the service this month
  
  
• Looking for something on Netflix? Try our monthly guide to new releases here