The Big New Year’s In (BBC1, 9pm)
THERE won’t be any fireworks in central London or Edinburgh this New Year, but the BBC is still hoping to get the nation excited ahead of midnight. The festivities begin with this entertainment showcase hosted by the ever-charismatic comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness.
Although details are scarce ahead of the show, the Beeb has described the countdown party as a “one-hour, live extravaganza of fun, music, games and surprises”.
Quite what these surprises entail is yet to be revealed, but expect a good variety of interviews with special guests, music performances, and light-hearted silliness as we look back at 2020.
And to cap off a year when many of us have been taking part in online lockdown quizzes, the Big New Year’s In will fittingly feature a quiz about the past 12 months that the whole nation can join in.
The Last Leg of the Year 2020 (C4, 9pm)
ADAM Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker say goodbye – and good riddance – to 2020 with an extra-special two-hour extravaganza. The Bafta-Winning trio will be joined by a host of celebrity guests, including Tom Allen, Lorraine Kelly, James Acaster and Judi Love, in a satirical spectacular looking back and poking fun at the past year.
Alex will attempt to do as many Paralympic sports as he can in the studio, while house band Alex Horne and the Horne Section will provide the musical entertainment as the team gives 2021 a euphoric welcome.
The Graham Norton Show: New Year’s Eve Show (BBC1, 1.10 am)
GRAHAM Norton continues BBC One’s countdown to 2021 in the company of a gaggle of guests.
Tom Hanks talks about his new Western News of the World, while Jamie Dornan and Emily Blunt discuss their new romantic drama Wild Mountain. Plus, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall gives advice on healthy eating, and Nish Kumar looks back over 2020.
Finally, from New York, Jessica Chastain has the lowdown on her new psychological thriller Mothers’ Instinct in which she stars alongside Anne Hathaway. And Sophie Ellis-Bextor provides the music.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny (BBC2, 11.15pm)
IT wouldn’t be Hogmanay without Jools’ annual shindig. He strikes up his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for performances by Mercury Prize-winning Michael Kiwanuka, Celeste, Sir Tom Jones, Roisin Murphy, Rick Wakeman, Ruby Turner, Rag’n’Bone Man and the Pipes and Drums of the First Battalion Scots Guards.
There’s also archive footage of memorable moments from previous years, including performances by Ella Eyre, Madness and Aloe Blacc.
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