Sports Personality of the Year 2020
8pm, BBC One
The annual sporting popularity contest continues after a year of exceedingly unusual and eerily quiet sports events. Among the contenders hoping to lift the coveted trophy are cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Hollie Doyle, Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton, footballer Jordan Henderson, snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan and boxer Tyson Fury –although he has already declared himself “people’s champion”. Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are also on hand to host. Ammar Kalia
Monkey Life
7pm, Sky Nature
Back to Dr Alison Cronin at her Dorset Monkey World where young adult orang-utan Jin, who was born at the park, is now begrudgingly moving to a new home and elderly Chloe is struggling with a dental problem. Meanwhile, Alison is in the Netherlands to collect a lonely female wooly monkey. AK
His Dark Materials
7.10pm, BBC One
This is such a fine fantasy series, grand in its sweep but not dropping a stitch when it comes to smaller, personal moments with the characters. All that is in evidence as the season two finale centres everyone on Cittàgazze, with yet further life-changing events for Will (Amir Wilson) and Lyra (Dafne Keen). Jack Seale
Michael Palin’s Himalaya: Journey of a Lifetime
8pm, BBC Two
Following the success of his recent retrospective series, Travels of a Lifetime, travelogue veteran Michael Palin fronts this new special recounting a remarkable and gruelling trip he took through the Himalayas in 2004 at the age of 60. AK
Royal Antiques Revived
8pm, Channel 4
In a one-off programme, Victoria Coren Mitchell follows three royal repairers as they dismantle, transport and restore some priceless items, including King George IV’s beautiful Broadwood piano, a King Louis XV roll-top desk, and a Humber Super Snipe Mark III car. Ali Catterall
Devon and Cornwall at Christmas
9pm, Channel 4
The hit doc strand spotlighting local characters in the UK’s favourite summer holiday spots gets a winter special. The festive trips include a visit to a Christmas tree farm and while you might expect a break from surfing, chilly seas do not dissuade pro boarder Katy Beddoe. Graeme Virtue
Film choice
The Death of Stalin, 9.30pm, BBC Two
The Kremlin, 1953, and the unthinkable occurs: Stalin dies, and his praesidium of the corrupt and clueless is thrown into panic. Director Armando Iannucci turns all of his icepick-sharp satirical skills on the consequences, as a cast including Simon Russell Beale and Jason Isaacs vie for power. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Premier League Football: Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield United, 11.30am, Sky Sports Main Event. Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City at 2pm and Manchester United v Leeds United at 4.15pm.
Rugby Union: Connacht v Bristol Bears 5.15pm, BT Sport 2. Heineken Champions Cup match.
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa 6.45pm, BT Sport 1. Premier League clash.
