UK TV programmes to watch this week : 17/12/2016

Chris Tarrant: On the Xmas Express (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 19th December 2016)

In this special Christmas edition of his train-based travelogue series, Chris Tarrant heads across Scandinavia on an epic journey from the beautiful southern fjords to Europe’s most northerly passenger station at Narvik, where British warships won a famous victory during the Second World War, while also squeezing in a chat with a certain white-bearded gentleman.

The Secret Life of the Zoo at Christmas (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 22nd December 2016)

With Christmas approaching, the keepers at Chester hope to include the animals in the festivities, but some of the animals aren’t getting into the Christmas spirit. Christmas stockings filled with treats have been hung up for the Sumatran orangutan family, but eight-year-old Indah decides to open everyone’s stocking for them. Sun bear couple Toni and Millie have been together for three years, but their relationship seems to have come off the rails. Can a trial separation make the heart grow fonder? While many of the animals are getting edible Christmas treats, reticulated python Bali has been off her food for over three months and there’s growing concern for her welfare. She needs a health check but she’s 23 feet long and weighs almost 80 kilos, so ten brave keepers are needed to catch her, in order to get to the bottom of her eating disorder.

The Last Leg Christmas Special (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 23rd December 2016)

The Last Leg’s final instalment of the year is a merriment-packed edition that takes in the whole of 2016. Hosts Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker embrace the Christmas spirit in a way only they can! The boys are joined for some festive leglessness by a variety of guests including Grayson Perry. As ever, viewers’ taboo-busting Is It OK guides the boys through the very best the season has to offer, as they work out who was naughty and who was nice in 2016.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.