Strictly Len Goodman (BBC1, 7pm)

IT'S the end of a Strictly era – head judge Len Goodman is hanging up his 'seven' paddle and stepping down from the panel. We'll still get to see him offer his opinions on the Christmas special, but this programme serves as his goodbye as he looks back over his time on Strictly – and seeing as he's been there since the first episode, it also functions as a history of one of Britain's most popular shows.

Asked about the celebrities who made the most impact, Goodman tells Radio times: "I clearly remember Ann Widdecombe and John Sergeant, but I couldn't tell you who won in those years. In five years time I will remember Ed Balls. I was sad when he left – he was the cat with nine lives, who went out in week ten, which is funny. People remember the entertainers more than the dancers.

"I've been on the show for 12 years and it's been fantastic, but I'd prefer to leave with people saying, 'Oh what a shame Leon's going'. not, 'Thank heavens he's off'."

Goodman says at 72 he wants to go places that he's never been before and live his life a bit more. A two-month visit to New Zealand is already being planned.

"I've had so many people say, 'Len, it won't be the same without you', but it will be. Strictly is far bigger than any one person. I'm so flattered that people have enjoyed having me in their living rooms," he adds

Few people could have guessed when the pro-celebrity ballroom challenge began in 2004 ,as part of Sport Relief, that it would become such a ratings juggernaut, turning the judges and many of the professional dancers into celebrities in their own right.

Father Brown: The Star of Jacob (BBC1, 1.45pm)

CANON Fox announces that the Duke of Frome will be staying with Lady Felicia at Montague and attending a full Christmas Mass at St Mary's. Father Brown and Mrs McCarthy set about making the arrangements, but when the donkey goes missing, laryngitis hits the choir and a tramp is found sleeping in the confessional box, it looks like Fox's plans are set to be thwarted. Lady Felicia welcomes her cousin the Duke, his wife and baby to the house, but later a nursemaid discovers that the infant is missing from his cot beside a heavily sleeping Nanny Langton. Mark Williams stars.

Wild Tales from the Village (BBC2, 7.30pm)

THE Missing actor Tcheky Karyo, who played detective Julien Baptiste, narrates this documentary about a village in the French countryside, as seen from the perspective of the wild animals who live side-by-side with the inhabitants. It shows how creatures including red squirrels, wild boar, dormice and a cunning stone marten all embark on remarkable adventures – and take advantage of their human neighbours– while doing their best to remain unseen.

The Morecambe & Wise Story: Look Back in Laughter (Channel 5, 9pm)

ARCHIVE performances, chat show appearances and other interviews are used to shed light on the success of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise in this documentary. The programme explores their working-class roots in northern England, their early partnership and how they got back together by chance after the Second World War. There's also a look at their struggle to establish themselves as well as their eventual TV fame.

The Windsors Christmas Special (C4, 10pm)

THE ghost of Christmas past, King George III, tries to get Wills to rescind the crown back to his father by showing him what fate has in store if he fails to do so. Charles, meanwhile, has to deliver the Queen's Christmas speech when her pre-recorded version is accidentally taped over. Elsewhere, Edward works as a department store Santa to earn some cash, and Pippa's wedding to Harry is threatened by soup kitchen volunteer Ellie Goulding. Seasonal special of the comedy soap opera, guest starring Paul Whitehouse, with Harry Enfield, Hugh Skinner, Richard Goulding and Haydn Gwynne.

Viv Hardwick