Presented by Bill Turnbull and Jules Botfield.
Topical discussion, hosted by David Frost. Including 9.00 News, plus weather later.
4/4. The story of Jesus's birth is told through bible readings and Nativity scenes in this final Advent service before Christmas, led by the Rev Stewart Reid from Christ Church in Southport,
Merseyside. Carols include 0 Little Town of Bethlehem and Away in a Manger.
Producer Pamela Hossick
Director David Taviner
Animation. Taunted for having a bright glowing nose, the son of one of Santa's reindeer runs away with an equally unhappy elf. With the voice of Burl lves. Festive favourites around the world: page 38
This listing contains language that some may find offensive.
Omnibus edition.
Cast on Monday 22 and Monday 29
December
From Sadler's Wells theatre in London, Dawn French introduces Matthew Bourne 's critically acclaimed production of Tchaikovsky's ballet. With sets and costumes from Olivier Award-winning designer Anthony Ward and dazzling choreography, this is a fresh, witty take on the classic children's fantasy.
With music from the Royal
Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Brett Morris.
TV director Ross MacGibbon ; Producer Simon Flind Matthew Boume - Profile at 7pm on BBC4 A Busby Berkeley ballet: page 9
Regional News; Weather
Carols and candlelight evoke the true spirit of the season in this Christmas celebration from Gloucester Cathedral. Actors Colin Buchanan and Phyllida Law narrate the story of Christ's birth, while Aled Jones sings 0 Holy Night.
Other carols include Once in Royal David's City and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.
www.bbc.co.uk/religion HARDBACK BOOK: Songs of Praise: a Christmas Companion, price £9.99
BBC SONGS OF PRAISE MAGAZINE: L2.50
A Short Blast of Fred Astaire. Will hypnosis calm the nerves of those taking part in the Christmas concert? A new series of the gentle comedy is planned for the new year.
Written by Roy Clarke ; Director/Producer Alan JW Bell
A second visit to Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland. Finds include a siiver tea set presented to mark the bravery of an officer at the Battle of Trafalgar and a teddy bear worth some f 20,000. Inside Antiques follows at 7.30pm on BBC4. Producer Michele Burgess ; Executive producer Christopher Lewis Antiques Roadshow - the Next Generation Sunday 28 December 6.45pm
Will Charlie Dimmock be pleasantly surprised when she returns to a former project in Putney, south-west London? Director John Thornicroft ; Executive producer Carol Haslam Ground Force Goes to Ethiopia is on Monday 29 December at 7pm
Stephanie Cole and Una Stubbs guest-star in this seasonal special of the cosy rural drama set in 1950s Lancashire.
Is Santa behind a spate of robberies?
(A new series will be shown in the new year.)
[Photo caption] It's Christmas in Born and Bred, in an episode with its hearth in the right place
Rural Drama: Born and Bred 8.00pm BBC1
Even when it isn't Christmas, Born and Bred has never been shy about ladling on the sentiment with a cement mixer and a JCB. But come the festive season, its determination to warm even the chilliest cockle of the hardest heart with the finesse of a blowtorch on an ice cube is even more apparent. Resistance is futile, you might as well submit.
So we have Christmas in the cute northern village of Ormston in the 1950s. It's a lovely place, where everyone knows everybody else, no one bears anyone any ill will - well, not for long - and endings are always happy. In this case, they are also covered in snow, because naturally it snows on Christmas Day in Ormston.
It's the kind of idealised, bucolic world we would all presumably like to live in, the place where the local doctors (played by James Bolam and Michael French) are always on call. In this episode they fear for the sanity of the postmistress (Una Stubbs) after a robbery. And the local bobby is hot on the trail of the alleged culprit, a nasty bit of work who does his evil deeds dressed in a Santa Claus costume and aided by an elf. Even crime is picturesque here.
Cue a broad comic plot that calls for the portly bobby and the local stationmaster to dress as Les Dawsonesque women in a bid to catch the short-sighted baddie.
It's all cheery nonsense that demands to be watched with the feet up and a mince pie in each hand. (Alison Graham)
Action thriller starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. An FBI team must track down a ruthless assassin, known as the Jackal, who has been hired by a Russian Mafia boss to avenge the death of his brother. Review page 50.
Director Michael Caton-Jones (1997.18) Videopluscodefor9.00-ll.15pm (non-PDC)
With Fiona Bruce. Weather with Alex Deakin.
Concluding tonight's action thriller.
L Romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck.
Soon-to-be-married Ben Holmes has second thoughts when he meets free-spirited Sarah Lewis. Review page 50.
Director Bronwen Hughes (1998.12)
Romantic drama with Jennifer Beals and Campbell Scott. A dancing lesson has unforeseen consequences for teacher and pupil. Review page 50.
Director Eleanor Bergstein (1995, 12)
Followed by Weatherview
Signed programmes. Ends 5.00.
The Life of Mammals 3/10. Plant Predators. Presented by David Attenborough. With enhanced commentary.
3.30 Trouble at Christmas How too much food and alcohol can end in festive disaster. Shown last Sunday
4.30 Celebrity Dog School 5/5. In the final week of training before
Children in Need, how will the pets and owners fare?
