The Real Marigold on Tour (BBC2, 9pm)

THE Best Exotic Marigold Hotel book and film – in which British pensioners eke out their savings in India – inspired a bunch of celebrities to put the idea to the test.

The first series saw the celebrities spend three weeks sampling the sights and sounds of Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan in Northern India. They set up home in a haveli – a private mansion – where they had to work out whether they could take care of themselves or need staff to lend a hand.

They were also seen exploring the city as well as further afield, and taking advantage of the local healthcare system.

Although eight people were involved, four really stood out – actress Miriam Margolyes, chef Rosemary Shrager, darts star Bobby George and dancer Wayne Sleep. Now the quartet are reuniting for another journey of adventure.

Their mission involves road-testing retirement plans and homes in two places reputed to be the best in the world in which to grow old – Japan and Florida.

This two-part Christmas special begins with the latter, whose residents enjoy low taxes and warm weather throughout the year. Their first stop is Oak Run in Orlando, an affordable community for 7,000 residents who can enjoy its hundreds of clubs and weekly bingo, as well as daily exercise classes.

Wayne decides the best way to get to know people is by starting a dance group, while Rosemary thinks a party will introduce her to the locals. Meanwhile, Miriam and Bobby visit the local gun shop, and rather alarmingly discover that retirees are their best customers.

After that, they sample the delights of The Polo Club. Located north of Miami it is an exclusive development that charges $85,000 per year to be a member. None of the four are keen on a Palm Beach retirement village where nearly all the residents have had plastic surgery and there's a particularly explosive argument with one of the US counterparts of our quartet of ageing Brits.

The concluding episode airs on Friday and takes in the delights of a venue in Kyoto

Well, perhaps it's down to the fact that we are, according to statistics, an ageing nation, so the subject matter appeals to more of us – we're either around the same age as the participants or, if we're lucky, we will be one day and want to know want options lay ahead.

And a new run is heading our way shortly, with a fresh bunch of celebrities – Amanda Barrie, Paul Nicholas, Bill Oddie, Lionel Blair, Miriam Stoppard, Rustie Lee, Dennis Taylor and Sheila Ferguson.

Amazing Spaces Snow Special (Channel 4, 8pm)

IN a festive edition, Wearside-born architect George Clarke and Will Hardie embark on a snow-covered design odyssey across the mountain ranges of Western Canada. From a remote buffalo herder's lodge to the ultimate snowboarder ski chalet, and a monster snowmobile big enough to live inside, this journey showcases the most ingenious Canadian structures built to survive the snowy surroundings. Plus, George and Will put all that snow and ice to good use as they build their own igloo. Will they stick with the classic design or are we about to get an igloo with a twist?

Pompeii with Michael Buerk (ITV, 10.45pm)

ALMOST 2,000 years after the city of Pompeii was buried under volcanic ash, that Italian region continues to captivate the world. Whether in fantasy offerings like Doctor Who or larger-than-life movies such as Pompeii, the sign of preserved locals frozen in time never fails to capture the imagination. Now Michael Buerk gives us his take on one of the most devastating natural disasters of all time. With the aid of computer-generated imagery, he takes viewers through 24 hours in the area, from the commute to work in the morning, to brutal sports at noon and a plenitude of vices by night.

Viv Hardwick