Click on a day to see the unmissable TV shows this festive season...
17th - 23rd December
Strictly Come Dancing Final
BBC1, 8pm, Saturday, December 17
We've had Russell Grant rocketing across Wembley arena, Nancy Dell'Olio emerging from a coffin and more mesmerising waltzes, dazzling jives and sizzling tangos than you could shake a (glittery) stick at! But even the most exciting series must come to an end, and tonight's final, live and in 3D from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, is sure to provide the perfect finish. As always the highlight of the evening will be the finalists' no-holds-barred show dances. Prepare for some breathtaking lifts and creative choreography as the couples make their last bid for the glitterball trophy. Who will take Kara and Artem's title? The results show screens at 9.05pm.
Just Henry
ITV1, 7pm, Sunday, December 18
It might be his first primetime TV role, but rising star Josh Bolt shines in the title role of this first-class adaptation of Michelle Magorian's acclaimed novel. Set in post-Second World War Britain, it tells the story of troubled teenager Henry Dodge who's struggling to come to terms with his war-hero father's death and his mother's remarriage. But when Henry makes a shocking discovery, it changes his and his family's life forever... While the attention to period detail is wonderful and the script is cracking, it's the top-draw acting, particularly from Josh and Sheila Hancock as Henry's meddling grandmother, which will impress the most.
Young James Herriot
BBC1, 9pm, Sunday, December 18
Fans of All Creatures Great and Small will be itching to see this three-part prequel, showing over consecutive nights, which follows the young James Herriot as he begins his studies in Glasgow. Ian de Caestecker is perfectly cast as the passionate student James, who longs to become a vet, but whose bull in a china shop approach lands him in no end of trouble. Plus we meet chums Whirly and Macaloon and the enigmatic lecturers they'll be locking horns with. There's no Tristan or Siegfried, but the charm and gentle humour of the original is there in spades - although we must warn you, tonight's opening episode is a bit of a tearjerker!
Michael Buble: Home for Christmas
ITV1, 9pm, Sunday, December 18
Not feeling Christmassy yet? You soon will be as Michael invites us into his snow-topped log cabin for an evening of festive delights. Sitting in front of a roaring fire, surrounded by perfectly placed decorations and presents, he invites guests including Gary Barlow, Dawn French and Gino D'Acampo to swap seasonal stories and sing some sentimental songs from his Christmas album. Michael's silky smooth voice is perfect for It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and we love his special version of White Christmas with Kelly Rowland. And the smooth Canadian star has TWO duets with Gary - Christmas has come early!
The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff Christmas Special
BBC2, 8.30pm, Monday, December 19
The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff Christmas Special is the first of a new four part comedy adventure set in the Dickensian world of Jedrington Secret-Past, played by Robert Webb. Jedrington is a fine, upstanding family man and the owner of The Old Shop of Stuff, Victorian London's most successful purveyor of miscellaneous odd things. We encounter Jedrington and his wife Conceptiva (The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson) on Christmas Eve. The busy yuletide joy of Jedrington and his family is shattered when Malifax Skulkingworm (Stephen Fry), a lawyer with a flinty heart and an evil hat incarcerates Jedrington's shop, wife and children in London's most notorious debtors' prison. What is behind Skulkingworm's sinister plan? It's a tale of hidden wills, brave urchins, giant clocks, misery, joy and treacle, and co-stars David Mitchell, Celia Imrie, Pauline McLynn and Johnny.
Hairy Bikers' Christmas Party
BBC2, 8pm, Tuesday, December 20
This sumptuous special sees Si King and Dave Myers throw a cracking office party for some of the people they've met on their TV adventures. With the help of fairy lights and reindeer statues, the Hairies transform a tent into a magical winter wonderland and lay on a mouthwatering menu that includes classy canapes (we love the quirky Ploughman's lunch one) and delectable desserts (look out for the mini trifle in a shot glass and indulgent chocolate and hazelnut filo rolls). And the best thing? Everything is super-easy to make yet looks worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Cheers!
BBC Sports Personality of the Year
BBC1, 8pm, Thursday, December 22
There won't be a dry eye in the house if Darren Clarke is presented with the famous old trophy tonight. Five years after his wife Heather died of breast cancer, and after 20 years of trying, the Northern Irish golfer sensationally won The Open, golf's most prestigious title and his first Major. It would a fitting finale to 2011 if he were to lift tonight's top prize, but his compatriot Rory McIlory, who won the US Open, also has plenty of fans. We want David Walliams to win a rare Special Achievement Award, too. He picked one up in 2006 for swimming the Channel and this September he battled sickness to swim 140 miles along the Thames. What a hero! As usual, Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey share hosting duties.
The Jonathan Ross Show Christmas Special
ITV1, 9pm, Friday, December 23
Wossy's always been able to attract the big names - and for the festive edition of his chat show he will literally be cruising into Christmas when he welcomes one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Tom Cruise, onto his sofa to talk about his new film Mission Impossible 4. His other guests include the lads from E4's The Inbetweeners, who stormed the box office earlier this year with their movie. Actresses Jessica Brown Finlay, Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery - better known as Downton Abbey's Crawley sisters - will also be popping in with all the gossip on what viewers can expect from the Christmas Special. Music comes from comedian Tim Minchin, who will perform a specially written Christmas song, and Italian trio Il Volo.
