FOUR OF THE BEST
Vicky Mcclure’s Dementia Choir at Christmas BBC1, 7.30pm
The 37-year-old actress, whose grandmother “nona” Iris passed away in 2015 after suffering from dementia, previously brought together singers with the condition for documentary series Our Dementia Choir. A followup, Vicky Mcclure’s Dementia Revolution, in which the Wollatonborn star will explore some of the ways dementia is being treated, is due to be broadcast on the BBC soon. But before that, this heartwarming festive special sees Vicky meet new recruits for the choir, discuss how they were diagnosed with the disease and how they have coped during lockdown.
Paul O’grady’s Great British Escape STV, 8pm
During the 18th century, smuggling was rife around the Kent coast. And in the final episode of his staycation series, Paul heads down to Botany Bay to discover more about the gangs and the notorious battle of spring 1769. He meets locals Pete and George, who explain to him how the soft, chalky white cliffs around Dover were perfect for smugglers to drill tunnels where they could hide their treasures. Later, Paul scales the great tower at the iconic Dover Castle, before making his way to Port Lympne Reserve, one of the UK’S leading wildlife conservation centres.
Christmas at Highclere Castle Channel 4, 9pm
Highclere Castle, the ancestral seat of the Carnarvon family, has hosted kings, queens and world leaders.
And thanks to smash-hit TV series and film Downtown Abbey, the Victorian-era house has become a full-blown star in its own right. As guests of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, viewers will discover what life is like at the real Downton during Christmas and meet the small dedicated team tasked with creating seasonal cheer in the castle. It’s a race against time to get everything prepared in time to welcome small groups of guests for guided tours.
The Vanishing of Suzy Lamplugh Channel 5, 9pm
In July 1986, estate agent Suzy Lamplugh vanished after arranging an appointment for a house viewing in Fulham. In her diary, she had written the name of the person who had booked the viewing: “Mr Kipper”. Suzy has never been found and the identity of Mr Kipper remains a mystery. The programme explores the dramatic twists of the case across more than three decades and what went wrong with the original investigation. It also draws upon the police’s reinvestigation of the case, and follows the emergence of a prime suspect in Suzy’s murder.