Harry Hill in Professor Branestawm Returns

BBC One

5.20pm

The bonkers Professor Branestawm is back, but this time he has a rival, the self-proclaimed ‘greatest inventor in the world’ Professor Algebrain (Steve Pemberton). After Lady Pagwell (Dame Diana Rigg) dies and leaves a substantial amount of money to fund local inventing, Branestawm sees it as the perfect opportunity to settle his spiralling tax bill. Things aren’t that simple, however, and the professor must beat off the pesky Professor Algebrain and scheming local councillor Harold Haggerstone (David Mitchell) if he’s to win the prize.

My Crazy Christmas Lights

Channel 4

8pm

If you’ve ever wondered what motivates your neighbours to deck their house in hundreds of energy-guzzling novelty lights, this observational documentary might hold the answer.

It follows families from across the country as they scour the internet for new additions to their collections, and highlights the fierce rivalry between glowing collectors. It also sheds light on why some families feel the need to go beyond the single string of fairy lights, as we meet Mick and Sharon, whose incredible illuminations brings the magic of Christmas to their son Callum who has cystic fibrosis.

All Aboard! The Sleigh Ride

BBC Four

8pm

After a frantic few weeks of Christmas parties and preparations for the big day, BBC Four offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and relax as it broadcasts a two-hour sleigh ride through the stunning Arctic wilderness. There’s no commentary, music or presenter, just the occasional graphic popping up with facts about reindeer, natural history and Sami culture as reindeer are led through Karasjok in Norway, 200 miles north of the Arctic circle.

Weirdly compelling, it also provides the perfect backdrop for last-minute present wrapping, or for sending Grandad to sleep in his chair.