Last Tango in Halifax (BBC One, 9pm)

IT'S almost two years since we last caught up with this spiky family drama, and this two-part episode picks up where the previous series left off, with Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) still coming to terms with the death of her wife, Kate.

Perhaps it's this struggle to cope that inspires Caroline to consider a fresh start away from the Harrogate home she shares with Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid). Caroline opts to take up the post of head teacher of a tough Huddersfield school, with the intention of putting something back into society.

Celia, of course, wails "It's a state school", but goes along with her daughter's decision to move into a damp and draughty farmhouse, which is infested with mice. Not a great start for super-snob Celia, who helped Caroline buy her ex-husband out of the North Yorkshire property with financial help from her mother and stepfather.

Caroline's children kick off about the new accommodation and Caroline ends up having a revealing heart-to-heart with Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker). Gillian seems to be sailing close to the edge as mysterious goings-on in her farm's barn lead her to believe that her evil ex-husband has come back to haunt her.

The concluding part airs on Tuesday, but there is some good news – a fourth series is on its way.

Writer Sally Wainwright is behind two of the BBC's biggest drama hits of the past five years – Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax.

The former won't be back on our screens for a couple of years, apparently, because Wainwright is so busy working on other projects, but it's provided Lancashire, 52, with arguably the best role of her career, that of gritty policewoman Catherine Cawood. She has been Bafta-nominated for both roles (winning for Happy Valley in 2014).

"When you read Sally's scripts, they're not like scripts, they're like transcripts of people's lives and they breathe immediately," says Lancashire of Wainwright's work. "Her words do it for you, you don't have to think about it too much; in fact it's often best to let her writing do it for you. She's just top of her game really."

Anne Reid (81) and Derek Jacobi (78) are also benefitting from a script inspirted by Wainwright's own mother, who reconnected with an old flame she hadn't seen since she was 15.

Jamie's Ultimate Christmas (Channel 4, 8pm)

JAMIE Oliver begins with what he calls the three foundations of Christmas, saying guests will forgive any mistakes as long as the turkey is succulent, the gravy is tasty, and the roast potatoes are crispy and perfect. He serves his main course with Brussels sprouts done with chorizo and chestnuts, and glazed carrots, before sharing other dishes, including gravadlax steeped in a beetroot, horseradish and vodka marinade. There are also gooey chocolate pots, turkey risotto, cocktails, and a classic beef Wellington.

Would I Lie to You? At Christmas (BBC1, 8.30pm)

ROB Brydon hosts a festive edition of the comedy panel show, in which team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack are joined by Pointless co-host Richard Osman, veteran actor Tom Courtenay, comedian Sara Pascoe and football pundit Chris Kamara. Osman claims he has never seen Breaking Bad because of his Homes Under the Hammer addiction, Sir Tom says he enjoys whisky on his cornflakes, and Chris reckons his full name is actually Christmas Kamara.

Sir Lenny Henry – A Life on Screen (BBC2, 9pm)

DURING his 41 years in the public eye, Sir Lenworth George Henry, to give him his full name, has used his talents in a wide variety of genres, from comedy to drama, to writing and stand-up, not to mention TV presenting, music and, of course, Shakespeare. As a result, Henry fully deserves this tribute to his career, which features clips from various projects, as well as interviews with friends and colleagues, and with the man himself.

Viv Hardwick