Britain’s Most Historic Towns (Channel 4/HD | 8:20pm to 9:20pm | Saturday 19th December 2020)

Alice Roberts visits Manchester to explore the spirit of protest and revolution that grew out of the experience of Britain’s working class during the Industrial Revolution. At the John Ryland Library, Alice is granted access to rarely-seen period documents that highlight the true human cost of the Peterloo massacre. At the Free Trade Hall, she explores how Manchester found itself at the heart of the battle against the hated Corn Laws, and at Chetham’s Library, Roberts sits at the very desk where Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, inspired by the living conditions of Manchester’s working poor, began the discussions and research that would lead to the publication of the Communist Manifesto.

The Home Alone Story (Channel 5/HD | 8:20pm to 9:50pm | Saturday 19th December 2020)

Documentary celebrating the 1990 festive classic written by John Hughes. It’s a movie that turned its then-nine-year-old star, Macaulay Culkin, into the biggest child actor since Shirley Temple. Featuring interviews with film critics, fans, stuntmen and even a reformed burglar, who assesses the home security at the Home Alone house.

Off the Tracks: Inside Central Station (BBC Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 20th December 2020)

A special festive peek behind the scenes at Glasgow Central. The tree is up, the Christmas shoppers are out and there is a very special visitor to the station concourse.

The Vicar of Dibley (BBC 1/HD | 8:50pm to 9:00pm | Monday 21st December 2020)

Geraldine anounces the winner of the Dibley mask competition, Hugo sets a new record as he delivers a sermon and the vicar reflects on a challenging year as Christmas draws near. The last of three mini-episodes of Richard Curtis’s comedy, starring Dawn French and James Fleet.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (BBC 1/HD | 7:55pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 22nd December 2020)

Peter Parker balances life as an ordinary high-school student with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, while waiting in vain to join his mentor Iron Man on a world-saving mission. Determined to prove he is ready for bigger challenges, he investigates a spree of crimes committed with advanced weapons – leading him into a battle with a ruthless winged enemy on the hunt for priceless technology. Superhero

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD| 9:00pm to 10:25pm | Tuesday 22nd December 2020) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

It’s Christmas Eve and the day before Helen’s much-anticipated wedding to Hugh, and everyone is gathering to celebrate at the Skeldale Christmas party. However, James is called away to help with a dog in labour, so Helen asks to go with him to get away from all the wedding talk, only for a descending fog to trap the pair in the Dales overnight. The vet promises he will get her back in time for her wedding in the morning, all the while wondering if he will be able to suppress his true feelings for her. Festive special of the drama, starring Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton.

The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 23rd December 2020)

It’s Christmas at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and cameras follow staff as they prepare for the festive season. In an effort to generate more winter revenue, a brand-new train, the Northern Lights Express, has been brought in, which features 25,000 lights fixed to a moving steam train. However, the staff are faced with a multitude of problems as generators break down, computers fail, and the engine that is pulling the new service develops a last-minute fault that threatens to stop the whole show in its tracks.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 7:40pm to 9:10pm | Friday 25th December 2020)

It’s December 1965, and everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to the festive celebrations, but nothing seems to go quite to plan. Sister Monica Joan is rushed to hospital, and Trixie is incensed that her dress allowance has been replaced with a marriage bureau consultation. Elsewhere, the circus arrives in Poplar, leading to an exciting adventure for Nurse Phyllis Crane. Seasonal instalment of the hit drama, starring Jenny Agutter, Linda Bassett, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Peter Davison and featuring the voice of Vanessa Redgrave.

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