Christmas TV choice
Published:
Christmas Eve
VICTORIA WOOD’S MIDLIFE CHRISTMAS
BBC1, 9pm
If you only watch one TV special during the festive period, you should make it Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas.
The main reason to tune in is the chance to see one of Britain’s best-loved performers in her first seasonal special since All the Trimmings aired nine years ago.
However, just in case that is not enough to convince you, Victoria is offering viewers another incentive.
Apparently, if you make the time to see her show, you will not need to bother watching anything else until all the festivities have finished, the sprouts have been digested, and it is time to start on the leftover turkey sandwiches.
She explains: “The show is a whole night’s telly crammed into one hour.
“Christmas is a stressful time and, by compressing an evening’s viewing into 60 minutes, we hope families will have more time for other festive traditions such as arguing with relatives and defrosting turkeys under the hot tap.”
While the prospect of Victoria taking on the seasonal schedules may have viewers rejoicing, it could leave the brains behind some of the rival yuletide offerings feeling a little nervous. After all, few people looked at Crossroads the same way again after seeing her famous soap opera spoof Acorn Antiques.
So who should be feeling worried this Christmas?
Well, top of the list are probably the stars and writers behind a couple of popular period dramas.
Victoria says: “Christmas can be a difficult time for those struggling with that bonnet-free wasteland between the last Lark Rise and the next Cranford.”
So, she’s helping to fill the gap with Lark Pies to Cranchesterford, the touching story of young Araminty who leaves her rural hamlet to take a job at the Potato and Post Office.
We’ll also be treated to commercials, unusual sporting events and a big song-and-dance number.
It’s a lot of material to tackle, but luckily Victoria won’t be doing it entirely alone. She’s drafted in the help of her old mate Julie Walters, who will be taking on the role of soap star Bo Beaumont.
The two performers go way back – after working together on stage, they made their first TV appearance together 30 years ago when they starred in a small-screen adaptation of Victoria’s play Talent.
Since then, they have gone on to collaborate on the sketch shows Wood and Walters, and Victoria Wood as Seen on TV, the drama Pat and Margaret, and the sitcom Dinnerladies.
It seems there is a reason they keep teaming up. Victoria recently said: “It’s rare that you meet someone you just feel really bonded to.
“There’s something with Julie I don’t have with anyone else and it’s an understanding of how we both work. I really love her and love working with her.”
The comedian has also roped in a few newer friends to help out with her latest TV offering, including Delia Smith, Reece Shearsmith, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
And just in case Midlife Christmas does leave you feeling like you would still like to see some more seasonal TV – particularly if it involves Victoria Wood – there’s an extra treat in store.
On Wednesday, December 30, the BBC is showing What Larks!, which aims to reveal the shocking truth behind the show.
Christmas Day
STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
BBC1, 7pm
It may not involve roughing it in the jungle or being showered in bugs like a certain other reality show, but that does not mean that taking part in Strictly is an easy option.
The celebrities spend hours a day in the training room in the hope that they won’t make fools of themselves when they take to the floor on a Saturday night.
Sometimes all that salsa and tangoing can take its toll, and this year’s series has been particularly unlucky.
In fact, some viewers may be surprised that there are enough stars left standing to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
The 2009 run of the pro-celebrity ballroom challenge ran into trouble before it even hit the airwaves when it was announced that previous winner Alesha Dixon was to replace Arlene Phillips on the judging panel.
Then once the show actually started, there were the injuries to contend with.
Alesha told BBC Newsbeat: “It’s interesting that I started out as the most controversial part of the show and that’s actually in the background now. Injuries and all sorts have taken over, so it has been eventful but that’s life.”
Former cricketer Phil Tufnell managed to keep waltzing despite undergoing surgery on his knee, but sadly Jade Johnson wasn’t so lucky.
She sustained an injury during a dress rehearsal, and was forced to withdraw from the competition.
Ali Bastian had to compete in a dance-off wearing ballet pumps because her feet hurt too much to wear heels, and at one point it was touch and go as to whether she would even be able to compete at all after she bruised a bone.
Laila Rouass had to stop mid-rumba because an ankle sprain made it too painful for her to keep dancing, and even Bruce Forsyth missed a show after coming down with flu.
After all that, some fans may be wondering if the contestants didn’t feel like celebrating the end of the series by sending their legwarmers to the charity shop, forgetting everything they ever knew about the Paso Doble, and concentrating on spending the entire festive season doing nothing more strenuous than reaching for TV remote or another mince pie.
Instead, the top three of the class of 2009 bravely agreed to one last dance - and they’ll be competing against some favourites from past series.
Among the celebrities returning to the ballroom is ex-Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.
Although he narrowly missed out on a place in the 2007 final, his fancy footwork won him many admirers.
Also taking up the challenge is rugby player Austin Healey, who many people tipped to win last year’s contest before he made a shock exit during the latter stages of the competition.
Completing the line-up is the 2008 runner-up, singer Rachel Stevens, who made it all the way to the final only to be pipped at the post by actor Tom Chambers.
As ever, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will be introducing the action, and Craig Revel Horwood, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman will be offering us their opinion - but how will the old boys and girl fare against the class of 2009?
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