Tikkabilla
Tamba's gone.

7.30 Fireman Sam

7.50 Pingu
Festive fun.

8.00 Balamory
Who will get to play Cinderella in the Christmas panto?

8.20 Oh Yes It Is!
4/5. It's party time in the Prince's palace.

8.40 Tweenies

King Death. Bubonic plague in the 14th century. producer Paul Tilzey Continues tomorrow at 9am

4/10. Meera Syal 's search for information about her grandfathers. Bill Oddie features tomorrow at 10.50am

i Animation. A rich man is unable \ to enjoy Christmas.

I Dazzling musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. When "Lucky" Gamett is late for his wedding, the bride's father forbids the marriage until the groom has made his fortune. Review page 53. Director George Stevens (1936. U)
(BW)

Jeremy Brett stars as Sherlock Holmes in this 1988 dramatisation of Conan Doyle 's tale. The heir to the Baskerville estate appears to be threatened by a family curse. With Edward Hardwicke. Director Brian Mills
First shown on ITV
Jeremy Brett stars in The Eligible
Bachelor Thu 30 Dec 1.55pm; see also Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking Boxing Day 9.25pm BBC1 Ideal Holmes: page 26

Sean gets a job so the Densons finally go house-hunting.

With panto stars Sylvester McCoy and Issy van Randwyck. Another edition Holiday Monday 4.30pm

Elimination quiz.

Who were the mysterious men believed to have followed a star to the birthplace of Christ? Seeking the reality behind the Christmas card image, this documentary reveals the ancient religious traditions that may have inspired the Magi's visit. Producers Giles Llewellyn-Thomas and Sarah Strupinski ; Executive producers Anthony Geffen and Carol Sennett

A starry line-up of thespians brings a selection of poems to life that reflects the gamut of Christmas experiences. Including Major Henry Livingston's The Night before Christmas, The Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot and Thomas Hardy's Christmas: 1924.
Among those taking part are Prunella Scales, Rhys Ifans, Jack Dee, Dougray Scott, Maggie Steed, Timothy West, Doon MacKichan, Michelle Collins, Saeed Jaffrey, Phill Jupitus and Michael Sheen.

New series 1/3. The first of two heats features a team of television stalwarts, including Andrew Neil , Monty Don and Clare Balding , against a squad from their radio counterparts that boasts the likes of Ned Sherrin , Jenni Murray and Roger Bolton.
Heat two is tomorrow at 8.30pm.

Having started a pig farm in 2003 without a scrap of experience under his belt, Jimmy Doherty has big problems - his free-range pigs are running a little too wild. The embattled farmer has brought in local stockman Steve who may be able to save his porkers from extinction. Meanwhila, familiarfacesfill new roles in shops, production? poultry and marketing. However, Jimmy's accountant says the farm is losing money - does the business have a future? Director Henry Wilks ; Executive prod cer Jill Fullerton-Smith

This time last year, a rogues'gallery of middle-aged moaners - including Jeremy Clarkson , Will Self and Rick Wakemen railed against pantos, nativity plays, false bonnomie and novelty socks. Director Alan Lewens

Complex and suspenseful Second World War drama starring Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune. An American pilot and a Japanese naval officer come face to face on an uninhabited island at the height of the battle for the Pacific. Their ensuing impersonal war becomes a conflict between two men struggling for survival. Review page 55.
Director John Boorman (1968, PG)