Doctor Who (BBC1, 6.45pm)

IT’S been nine months since we last saw Jodie Whittaker as everybody’s favourite Time Lord. The sci-fi classic was a Christmas Day fixture for several years, but has now found a home at New Year instead, and this festive edition certainly kicks off 2021 in style by reintroducing the heroine’s most feared foe – the Daleks.

Unfortunately for Yaz, Ryan and Graham, they can’t call on the Doctor’s help when they uncover the alien threat in their midst because she’s currently locked up in a high-security prison in some far-flung corner of the galaxy. Instead, the trio must find a way to battle the legion of evil themselves – which is far from easy. And to spice things up a bit, John Barrowman is back as Captain Jack.

Chitty Flies Again with David Walliams (C4, 7.30pm)

DAVID Walliams is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (although pedants might point out that the movie was actually released in 1968) by trying to fulfil his childhood dream of building a flying car.

He’s recruited his own Caractacus Potts, in the form of aeronautical engineer Tony Hoskins, but can they really pull off this madcap plan? Along the way, David learns more about Chitty’s origins, from the car that inspired the original children’s book, written by Bond creator Ian Fleming, to the big-screen adaption, which was penned by one Roald Dahl.

The Serpent (BBC1, 9pm)

LAST night we were letting our hair down (in a socially distanced, own bubble kind of a way), so now it’s time to get serious with the Beeb’s new eight-part drama, which has been inspired by a true story.

It takes place during the 1970s and focuses on the authorities’ efforts to bring Charles Sobhraj to justice. He was the chief suspect in the murders of several young Western travellers on the so-called hippie trail across India, Thailand and Nepal. Despite being Interpol’s most-wanted man, he evaded capture.

Tahar Rahim portrays him, while Billy Howle co-stars as Herman Knippenberg, a junior diplomat at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok who was on the killer’s trail; Jenna Coleman also appears as Marie-Andree Leclerc, who’s been described as Sobhraj’s most devoted follower.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny Best Bits Ever (BBC2, 10.45pm)

JOOLS Holland returns for a look back at some of the many artists who have joined him and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to see in a new year.

The show features performances by global stars such as Adele and Michael Buble soul, reggae and jazz legends such as Desmond Dekker, Betty Wright and Gregory Porter, plus classic duets from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller, as well as Ronnie Wood and Slash.