TV tonight: how will you celebrate the end of 2020?

The celebs are out in force to see in the new year, from Tom Hanks on Graham Norton to Tom Jones on Jools’ Hootenanny. Here’s what to watch this evening

The Big New Year’s In

9pm, BBC One

Although most people’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will be confined to their households, the TV schedulers will be keeping up the celebratory spirit. BBC One kicks things off with The Big New Year’s In at 9pm, with Paddy McGuinness overseeing celebrity fun and games, followed by a Graham Norton festive special featuring Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan and Tom Hanks chatting on his sofa. At 11.30pm, Alicia Keys takes us through her hits before cutting to Big Ben at midnight for the countdown. Ammar Kalia

The Wall Versus Celebrities

6.40pm, BBC One

“The Wall doesn’t give a monkey’s who you are,” says Danny Dyer as brave duo Sally Lindsay and Alex Brooker face the mighty construction. While Dyer swaggers around the stage testing the celebrities’ trivia skills and luck, he encourages them to rack up the “readies” for their charities. Hannah Verdier

Britain’s Best Selling Toys

7pm, Channel 4

Keith Lemon counts down the biggest Christmas-list staples of the past 50 years, armed with facts about how crazes such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers and Tamagotchi progressed from drawing board to shop window. Social historians, advertising executives, toy designers and, of course, celebs have their say. Jack Seale

The Last Leg of the Year 2020

9pm, Channel 4

Asim Chaudhry, James Acaster, Lorraine Kelly and Tom Allen on The Last Leg of the Year
Festive fun ... Asim Chaudhry, James Acaster, Lorraine Kelly and Tom Allen on The Last Leg of the Year. Photograph: Channel 4

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker present a bumper two-hour edition of their satirical current affairs show. The guest stars helping them to get a handle on the chaos of 2020 are Tom Allen, Lorraine Kelly, Clara Amfo and People Just Do Nothing’s Asim Chaudhry. AK

Before They Were Famous: Best Bits

10pm, BBC Two

Everyone starts somewhere and no one is too grand to feature in this star-humbling clip show. Footage of pre-fame celebs is served up with snark from Angus Deayton, but who could feel anything but awed admiration for Geri Halliwell, grafting on a Turkish gameshow? Ellen E Jones

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny

11.15pm, BBC Two

Jools Holland brings us his annual Hootenanny, this year featuring studio performances from Tom Jones, Celeste and Mercury prize winner Michael Kiwanuka, as well as a look at choice turns from the archive. For the countdown, he will be joined by his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. AK

Film choice

Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby
Problem child ... Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby. Photograph: Allstar/Paramount

Rosemary’s Baby (Roman Polanski, 1968), 11.40pm, TCM Movies
Mia Farrow’s elfin features are perfect for Rosemary, the mum-to-be who becomes convinced that she is carrying the devil’s child. Roman Polanski brilliantly sustains the cruel tension: is she the victim of satanists or social alienation? The sinister faces of John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon and all could suggest either. Paul Howlett

Live sport

Big Bash cricket: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers 8am, BT Sport 1. A T20 match from Adelaide Oval.

A-League football: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets 8am, BT Sport 2. The Australian top-flight clash from Central Coast Stadium.

Ski jumping: The Four Hills 12.45pm, Eurosport 1. Live from Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany.

Contributors

Ammar Kalia, Hannah Verdier, Jack Seale, Ellen E Jones and Paul Howlett

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
TV tonight: it's all go in espionage drama Deutschland 89
Martin is approached by a raft of initialed organisations. Plus: a special edition of Gardenders’ World. Here’s what to watch this evening

Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall, Hannah J Davies and Paul Howlett

12, Mar, 2021 @6:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: celebrate a decade of Robert Popper’s sitcom Friday Night Dinner
Come for the insight, stay for the behind-the-scenes footage of the late Paul Ritter. Plus: Mary Beard goes inside culture. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Ellen E Jones, Hannah Verdier, Jack Seale and Damon Wise

28, May, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Ted Danson swaps purgatory for city hall in Mr Mayor
Neil Bremner’s not a million miles from his demon in The Good Place, which is no bad thing. Plus: Mary Beard explores laughter. Here’s what to watch this evening

Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall, Graeme Virtue, Hannah J Davies and Paul Howlett

24, Sep, 2021 @5:01 AM

Article image
TV tonight: a radical surf documentary from the man behind Fyre and Tiger King
The opening episode of a six-part series about Garrett McNamara. Plus: Young Rock features a flashforward to a 2032 presidential run. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Phil Harrison, Hannah J Davies and Simon Wardell

12, Nov, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Graham Norton pens an unusually jolly and thoughtful crime story
The Cork police procedural boasts Kathy Burke in the director’s chair and stars of Father Ted and Derry Girls. Plus: new gameshows based on genealogy and, erm, not stepping on facts. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ali Catterall, Hollie Richardson, Jack Seale, Henry Wong

14, Mar, 2022 @6:00 AM

Article image
Friday’s best TV: The Last Leg: Re-united Kingdom; Hospital People
Celebrity and political foes come together in memory of Jo Cox, and more gags from the wards

David Stubbs, Mark Gibbings-Jones, Sophie Harris, Sharon O'Connell, Jonathan Wright, Paul Howlett

16, Jun, 2017 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Mo Gilligan and others celebrate the best of Black British standup
The comedian is joined by other comics in an hour-long special, plus the finale of Am I Being Unreasonable?. Here’s what to watch this evening

Sammy Gecsoyler, Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Jack Seale and Simon Wardell

28, Oct, 2022 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: take a break from Euro 2020 and visit idyllic south-west England
The slow-paced documentary series returns. Plus: Harry Redknapp on Big Zuu’s Big Eats. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Jack Seale, Ellen E Jones, Graeme Virtue and Paul Howlett

21, Jun, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Succession’s devastating finale
Prepare for a revelatory ending to the masterful third series. Plus: David Baddiel takes on the world of toxic social media. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hannah J Davies, Phil Harrison and Hannah Verdier

13, Dec, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Joe Lycett, comic and consumer champ, is back on the case
Find out why the comedian changed his name and follow his consumer crusade. Plus Graham Norton’s chat show is back in a fun lockdown format

Ammar Kalia, Hannah Verdier , Ali Catterall and Paul Howlett

10, Apr, 2020 @5:20 AM