What looks to be a marvelous documentary about the great Noël Coward, Racing from Leopardstown and Death in Paradise Christmas Special - here's our top telly for today
RTÉ Racing: Leopardstown Christmas Festival, 1.00pm, RTÉ2
For many, Christmas wouldn't be the same without the annual horseracing event at Dublin’s Leopardstown stadium. The highlight of the opening day is the Racing Post Trophy, due to start at 2.20pm. There’s also racing from Limerick to keep tipsters and punters occupied.
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story, BBC Two, 9.00pm
Noel Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only nine years old. He was queer in a very straight world. And yet, by the age of 30, he was the highest-paid writer in the world and a star on the Broadway stage, writing, directing and acting in some of the finest plays and movies of all time. Actor Alan Cummings narrates Coward's inspirational story, told in his own words and music, and unique home movies. Archive contributions come from Laurence Olivier, Frank Sinatra, Maggie Smith and Michael Caine.
Death in Paradise Christmas Special, 9.00pm, BBC One
It’s Christmas in the Caribbean and Neville’s larger-than-life mum, Melanie, is in town.
She quickly assimilates herself in with the rest of the team, but she’s disheartened to see how down on romance Neville is, given everything he’s been through the past two years.
Can she instil some festive cheer in her unlucky-in-love son?
Elsewhere, a wealthy business owner called Gerry is found dead at the bottom of a ravine. It could just be an accident, but Gerry’s ominous last words - 'It’s behind you’ - suggest something more is going on.
And things take an even stranger turn when the team discover that the family’s house guest has mysteriously vanished, prompting her fiancé to fly out on a rescue mission.
Gael-Linn ag 70, TG4, 8.00pm
This programme of music and song celebrates the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Gael-Linn, one of the most innovative organisations in late 20th century Ireland. A transforming organisation that ensured that the Irish language, its people and its culture would have a home in modern Ireland. Performers include Moya Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Rossa Ó Snodaigh, Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Mary Bergin and Macdara Ó Faoláin, IMLÉ le Ríona Sally Hartman, Sarah Ghriallais, Muintir Uí Bheaglaoich, Gráinne Holland, Niamh Farrell, and Binneas.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2023, Channel 4, 0.00pm
Jimmy Carr hosts the Big Fat comedy panel shows that challenge an array of celebrity panellists about what they know. And there are a lot of questions that need answering...
Full TV listings here
