Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire
10.45pm, BBC One
Bussell searches for “the most stylish dancer on the planet” and finds him, as Frederick Austerlitz, in Nebraska, where he wasn’t even regarded as the best dancer in his family. That accolade fell to his sister Adele, with whom Fred formed a double act. Sections on Astaire’s Hollywood career cover more familiar ground, but the angle that Fred’s mother, sister and wife, Phyllis, were more influential on him than Ginger, intrigues – and, natch, the hoofing is great. Jonathan Wright
Love, Lies & Records
9pm, BBC One
As the heart-on-sleeve drama set in a Leeds register office wraps up its first season, Kate’s personal and professional lives collide even more messily than usual. Her copper boyfriend Rob has detected her drunken liaison with workmate Rick just as the investigation into a local sham marriage scam is coming to a head. Will everything come crashing down? Distractingly, Freddie Flintoff guest stars as a celeb footballer tying the knot. Graeme Virtue
Joanna & Jennifer: Absolutely Champers
9pm, BBC Two
Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders get the plum job of the season as they visit Champagne to discover more about the drink that has become synonymous with Patsy and Edina. Along the way, there are musings on friendship, growing old and the luxury of it all. Saunders caresses a barrel before slipping her head inside, while Lumley delivers her trademark “Cheers, sweedie, darling.” Hearty giggles and haw-he-haws all round. Hannah Verdier
The Undateables at Christmas
9pm, Channel 4
The indefatigable Undateables return for a yuletide special and the festivities seem to be in full flow throughout. Rock rebel Daniel is hoping to attract a significant other with whom to enjoy Christmas Top of the Pops, sonnet-loving Shaine is seeking to use his poetic persuasion to share a first mistletoe kiss with girlfriend Gemma, while charity worker Ray is planning a seasonal carriage ride around Richmond Park with Christine. Mark Gibbings-Jones
The Galaxy Britain Built: Droids, Darth Vader and Lightsabers
10pm, BBC Four
Star Wars superfan David Whiteley presents this sweet film honouring the British production and technical contribution to A New Hope. Featuring interviews with the likes of costume designer John Mollo, whose Chewbacca originally resembled Bungle from Rainbow, the only thing it papers over is that this Anglo-American production did little per se to rescue the generally beleaguered British film industry. Ali Catterall
Murdoch Mysteries: Home for the Holidays
8pm, Alibi
Hardly a gritty cop thriller as it is (the Canadian national institution began its most recent series with Murdoch in a mild pickle), this festive episode ramps up the genial capering. A little bit TV, a little bit tourism advertisement for the rugged beauty of British Columbia and its native culture, tonight, Murdoch’s seasonal trip to his brother’s gets complicated. Fear not: his roster of constables are on hand for a bit of skiing-related light relief. John Robinson
A League of Their Own Christmas Special 2017
9pm, Sky1
This is destined to be as satisfyingly festive as a Christmas pudding drenched in gravy or a Christmas cracker bursting with brussels sprouts. It’s over to Jack Whitehall’s country manor for this edition, with Andrew “flat Earth” Flintoff, James Corden and Jamie Redknapp joined by guests David Seaman, Kriss Akabusi and Nigel Havers to look back on their favourite moments from the last 12 – yes, that’s right, 12 – series. Warning: may contain banter. David Stubbs
Film choice
Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Nick Park, Steve Box, 2005) 3.35pm, BBC One
Aardman Animations’ first full-length feature adventure of wacky inventor Wallace and his much smarter dog Gromit has the lovable duo running an anti-rabbit business (called Anti-Pesto) that gets very busy when a supersized bunny threatens Lady Tottington’s giant-vegetable fete. It’s a hilarious, heartwarming spoof of those antique Hammer horror films, brought to life with stop-motion technology and modelling clay.
Magic Mike (Steven Soderbergh, 2012) 1.20am, Film4
Channing Tatum is Tampa Bay stripper Magic Mike. He’s pushing 30 and, although club owner Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) wants him to share in a lucrative move to Miami, the arrival of young Adam (Alex Pettyfer) starts him thinking there must be more to life. It aims at risky and edgy, but is actually cheesy and earnest.
Live sport
Big Bash T20 Cricket: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades 8.30am, BT Sport 2. White ball action from Blundstone Arena in Australia’s T20 tournament.
Skiing: World Cup 12.30pm, Eurosport 1. The men’s and women’s skicross events from Innichen in Italy.
Darts: world championship 7pm, Sky Sports Main Event. More from the PDC tournament at Alexandra Palace.
