Festive mission

POPULAR Geordie pair Ant and Dec join the charity-raising set with a Yule Tucker Trial subtitled the 12 Critters of Christmas, based on the I’m A Celebrity’s most stomach-churning contests... and one unsuspecting celeb is going to find more than turkey on their plate, while being serenaded by a choir of former jungle contestants

The evening of festivities and fundraising relies on Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley using their infectious personalities to keep the momentum going as they encourage people to donate to great causes. Meanwhile, Paddy McGuinness and Alesha Dixon will also be doing their bit and presenting a section of the show.

The fundraising initiative first came about in 2011 offering a chance for various famous faces to promote the work of six different charities every year. This year, the programme will be focusing on Teenage Cancer Trust, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Alzheimer's Society, WellChild and Together for Short Lives.

And when you consider that a total of £15m has been raised since Text Santa started, it's a mission well worth undertaking.

Among those getting involved this year are Carey Mulligan, Brenda Blethyn and Simon Cowell, while one of the main highlights will be superstar George Clooney visiting Downton Abbey in a mini-episode filmed exclusively for Text Santa.

Meanwhile, the residents of Coronation Street appear in a comedy sketch with a Text Santa twist, as Mel B makes a cameo appearance, having previously manned a checkout in pre-Spice days.

Schofield says: "What I love about Text Santa is we are all mates. We all spend the evening together. For us, it's the sign-off for Christmas! Last year when I did it with Holly, we swapped hairstyles. Afterwards I jumped in the car and legged it back to Holly's place. It was only when I arrived, I realised I still had brown hair, but it didn't matter and we were all sat up until the wee hours! It was such a great night.

"Holly is, obviously, a busy girl right now and so this year I am hosting my slot with Christine, which will be lovely."

He and the rest of the presenters will be keeping their fingers crossed that the show is another huge success. "We are very conscious it is a difficult time of the year, but it would be so lovely if people could put aside a fiver or even ten pounds. You will have a warm feeling that you have done something nice."

The Joy of the Bee Gees (BBC4, 9pm)

THE Bee Gees singer/songwriters with the Midas touch when it came to penning and performing hits for themselves, or giving the likes of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers some of their biggest hits.

Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb formed the act in 1958; enjoyed some success in their adopted home Australia before returning to the UK in 1967. They went on to sell more than 200 million records, but were beset by tragedy with the untimely loss of sibling Andy, and, more recently, band members Maurice and Robin.

This profile of the legendary pop group ticks all the usual rags-to-riches boxes, and features interviews with Barry, John Lydon, Guy Chambers, Mykaell Riley, Alexis Petridis and Ana Matronic.

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live! (BBC1, 11.55pm, 9pm)

TONY Bennett has been performing and recording for nearly eight decades. The son of an Italian immigrant and a New York seamstress, Tony - aka Anthony Bennedetto - and his two siblings grew up impoverished circumstances.

Bob Hope saw Tony singing in a club in the Big Apple in 1949, and he later received an invitation to sing on stage with the comedian. Sixty-five years later and following his recent album with Lady Gaga, Cheek To Cheek, 88-year-old Bennett is more relevant than ever.

The multiple Grammy winner has won over a new wave of fans thanks to his collaboration of old school classics with the eponymous diva and a 39-piece orchestra.

This glitzy New York gig features tracks including It Don't Mean a Thing, Sophisticated Lady, Let's Face the Music and Dance, Anything Goes, and Cheek to Cheek.