Festive highlights from BBC Two this December.
Spandau Ballet’s Gary and Martin Kemp are back with more television Gold with a follow-up to their 2020 mockumentary The Kemps: All True. This time, award-winning documentary filmmaker Rhys Thomas OBE follows the brothers over a whole year as they make a biopic, get divorced and form a supergroup. Naturally, not everything goes to plan. Michael Kitchen returns as the Kemps’ long-suffering manager, alongside a number of big-name cameos in The Kemps: All Gold.
Live At The Apollo is back with seven all new episodes welcoming an array of established and up-and-coming stand-ups to the world-famous Apollo stage. At the forefront of its genre, the roll call of stand-ups who have performed in front of the iconic Live At The Apollo lights plays out like a who’s who of comedic royalty and this series is no different. In a special festive edition, Tom Allen is your host as he introduces Thanyia Moore and Lloyd Griffith to the stage.
Sandi Toksvig and Alan Davies are joined by comedians Eshaan Akbar, Jo Brand and Jimmy Carr to unwrap their favourite festive facts from under the tree in QI. They’ll uncover Santa Claus’ whereabouts, why horses make excellent party guests, and why there always seems to be room for Christmas pudding – plus Sandi showcases her super-cool, cutting-edge hidden talent.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No. 249 is Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of the Arthur Conan Doyle short story starring Kit Harington and Freddie Fox. 1881. Old College, Oxford plays host to three very different young academics: Abercrombie Smith, a model of Victorian manhood, clean of limb and sound of mind; Monkhouse Lee, a delicate and unworldly student from Siam; and the strange and exotic Edward Bellingham, whose arcane research into Ancient Egypt is the talk of the campus. Could Bellingham’s unnatural experiments bring the breath of life to the horrifying bag of bones tagged Lot No.249?
Britain’s most gifted classical musical family, Nottingham’s Kanneh-Masons, visit Salzburg to walk in the footsteps of Austria’s most famous musical family, the Von Trapps – the inspiration behind Hollywood’s The Sound Of Music in a one-off hour long The Hills Are Alive With The Kanneh-Masons. While Top Of The Pops returns for a special hosted by Radio 1’s Clara Amfo. The show will take a look back over the last 12 months delving into music’s biggest stories and showcasing performances from some of the most talked-about artists of 2023.
Jools will be ringing in 2024 in fine style. He’ll be bringing viewers the very best music from a fabulous mix of the biggest stars, as well as the brightest new talent and will be joined by special guests in this years – into next year – Jools’ Annual Hootenanny. Making his Hootenanny debut this year is British rock and pop legend, Rod Stewart, who performs alongside Joss Stone, Olivia Dean, Paul Jones, PP Arnold, Raye, Sugababes and The Mary Wallopers.
There’ll be music from Boogie Woogie Queen and powerhouse vocalist Ruby Turner and as always, the Pipes & Drums of the 1st Battalion Scot Guards will feature, as the hour strikes midnight. Plus, Jools will hear from comedians, actors and more stars of 2023 from amongst the audience about their predictions and resolutions for the New Year.
In real life biography the unique life and talent of Caroline Aherne is celebrated in a new Arena film, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends, including Steve Coogan, Jon Thompson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries. Aherne’s pioneering representation of working class and family life in The Royle Family won her three Baftas and changed comedy writing forever, while her alter-ego Mrs Merton’s question to stage performer Debbie McGee – “So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?” – is considered one of the greatest comic one-liners in British TV history.
The film traces Aherne’s life from childhood in Wythenshawe, Manchester, through her early adventures as a (rare) woman on Manchester’s alternative stand-up scene and the breakthrough moment when the BBC commissioned The Mrs Merton Show, when she fast became a national icon and surreptitious satirist-in-chief of mid-90s’ celebrity culture. In another episode of Arena, the attention turns to Noel Coward a man who would become the most celebrated actor, playwright and songwriter of his generation. This is his remarkable journey, told in his own words, music and extraordinary home movies.
Wild Scandinavia is a new three-part series for BBC Two celebrating the stunning wildlife, dramatic landscapes and unique culture of the furthest northern reaches of Europe and Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has been enchanting audiences throughout the UK and across the globe in theatre’s since 2012. It is now shown on the small screen. Enter a wondrous world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good versus evil is turned upside down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Will Princess Aurora ever find her true love again?
The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home For Christmas sees the duo return after nearly two years. 12 months ago Dave received a cancer diagnosis that left him facing an uncertain future. But now, reunited with his best mate Si, the boys are back on the road, searching for wonderful seasonal ingredients to create a festive banquet to thank all those who’ve helped Dave throughout his recent struggles.
From the doctors and nurses who helped with his treatment, to the food producers who helped him fall back in love with food, and with the family and friends who have supported him through his darkest days, the preparation for this year’s Christmas will tell the story of an incredibly emotional year for Dave and Si. From wonderful local delicacies… to a traditional roast centrepiece… to a pudding that defies expectation… the bikers are making up for lost time and determined to create the greatest Hairy Bikers festive feast ever.
