New Year’s Day TV guide – the BBC, ITV and Channel 4’s best films and shows
IT’S fair to say we’ll all be glad to see the back of 2020, and thankfully the first day of 2021 is going to get off to a good start thanks to what’s on TV.
So whether you’re nursing a hangover from the night before or keen to keep the kids occupied, here’s a selection of what’s on the box.
Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks
Channel: BBC One
Time: 6.45pm
A festive edition of Doctor Who has become something of a tradition and this year’s looks like a particularly good one as it features the Time Lord’s most famous foe.
Jodie Whittaker is back as the Doctor – who is locked away in an alien prison – along with her companions Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole, with the episode marking the two men’s final appearances.
John Barrowman also returns as Captain Jack Harkness, while guest stars include Harriet Walter and Chris Noth.
Chitty Flies Again with David Walliams
Channel: Channel 4
Time: 7.30pm
This one-off special sees BGT judge and successful children’s author David celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic musical.
David is a die-hard fan of the musical and wants to build a real life Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car that actually flies.
To help him in this world first, mad-cap experiment of a lifetime, he’ll be recruiting his very own Caractacus Potts (Aircraft Engineer Tony Hoskins) to build his car, while school children will help him look at each magical ingredient that made the film and musical such a hit.
Dancing on Thin Ice with Torvill and Dean
Channel: ITV
Time: 9pm
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are icons on the ice, but have never skated in the great outdoors.
In this 90-minute special, the Olympic legends head to Alaska in a bid to find some wild ice to skate on, but discover first-hand the effects of climate change.
As they journey further into the wilderness, will they be able to find the perfect patch of ice to skate their famous Bolero surrounded by nature?
The Serpent
Channel: BBC One
Time: 9pm
Jenna Coleman stars in this new serial killer drama alongside Tahar Rahim.
Based on a true story, it follows Charles Sobhraj, the chief suspect in the unsolved murders of at least 12 Western travellers across India, Thailand and Nepal in 1975 and 1976.
Taskmaster Festive Special
Channel: Channel 4
Time: 9pm
Taskmaster has only just aired its first series on Channel 4 after its move from Dave, but already they have bagged a festive special.
This time, the line-up isn’t made up of comedians, as it includes Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas, TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, Derry Girls actress Nicola Coughlan, journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy and actor John Hannah.
Greg Davies is back to preside over the humorous tasks while Alex Horne dishes out the instructions and keeps score.
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Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special
Channel: BBC One
Time: 10pm
The second of two festive specials from the hit BBC comedy airs on New Year’s Day, with Brendan O’Carroll returning as the titular Mrs Brown.
The second episode is called CSI: Mammy and sees the family trying to cope with life after lockdown.