The best of the week's comedy on TV and radio

Here’s our pick of the best comedy programmes on TV, radio and on-demand this week:   

Sunday December 26

MORTIMER AND WHITEHOUSE: GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING: Bob and Paul head to the north of England to try to catch English salmon in the Eden and Tyne rivers, where they are joined by Paul Gascoigne and Dr Anand Patel, with some musical accompaniment from Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. BBC Two, 9pm  

BILLY CONNOLLY: MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE: The comedian invites viewers to his adopted home of the Florida Keys for an intimate look at the life he has been leading since deciding to step back from stand-up. A follow-up to last year’s  It’s Been A Pleasure, this show revolves around the Big Yin launching his autobiography and sharing some of his favourite stand-up clips. ITV, 6pm  

BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR:  Jimmy Carr poses the questions to Sarah Millican, James Acaster, Jonathan Ross, Judi Love, Guz Khan and Sara Pascoe. Channel 4, 9pm  

Monday December 27

TRAVEL MAN: 96 HOURS IN ICELAND: Joe Lycett takes over from Richard Ayoade, starting with this seasonal special in which he is joined by Bill Bailey. In a packed four-day itinerary they embrace local cuisine, alfresco bathing, festive folklore and visit the Reykjavík punk museum, housed in a disused public toilet. They try to boil an egg in a hot spring, experience an earthquake simulator and see the Northern Lights from the comfort of a heated plastic bubble. Channel 4, 8pm

JON & LUCY'S CHRISTMAS SLEEPOVER: The married comics are joined by Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett, plus a few surprise guests to eat, drink and get very merry during a night looking back at the year gone by. Channel 4, 8pm    

DEATH TO 2021: Netflix looks back at the past 12 months (as if you want reminding). Although Charlie Brooker did not write this one, it is made by his production company Broke And Bones. Its stars include Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, ​​Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo,  Stockard Channing, Diane Morgan and Nick Mohammed.

Tuesday December 28

AN AUDIENCE WITH Jimmy Tarbuck: The Scouse comic kicks off a run of classic solo shows filmed in front of a star-studded audiences. At the same time tomorrow it’s Ronnie Corbett, with   Bob Monkhouse on Thursday and   Victoria Wood on Friday. ITV2, 10pm

Wednesday December 29

  CELEBRITY QUIZNESS: Tom Allen hosts as  actor Siobhán McSweeney, comedian Jo Brand, TV judge Robert Rinder and presenter AJ Odudu take on the serious quiz with the silliest answers. Channel 4, 10pm  

Thursday December 30

ONE NIGHT IN LONDON ZOO: Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe are joined by Desiree Burch and Guz Khan to hang out with the giraffes, feed the Camels and endure the company of spiders, as they stay at the zoo overnight. Channel 4, 9pm

CELEBRITY I LITERALLY JUST TOLD YOU:Jimmy Carr tries his best to catch out Lorraine Kelly, Alex Horne, Aisling Bea and Asim Chaudhry in this special edition of his new game show. Channel 4, 10pm    

Friday December 31

THE LAST LEG OF THE YEAR: Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe host a two-hour extravaganza to say goodbye - and good riddance - to 2021. Guests include Aisling Bea, Joe Wilkinson, Ivo Graham, Nish Kumar, Vick Hope and Maisie Adam, while Alex Horne and The Horne Section provide the musical entertainment. Channel 4, 9pm

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW: Guests include Joe Lycett promoting his new UK tour More, More, More! How Do You Lycett? How Do You Lycett?. BBC One,  10.20pm. Joe Lycett tour dates

Saturday January 1

TASKMASTER'S NEW YEAR TREAT: Greg Davies and his little elf Alex Horne welcome Adrian Chiles, Claudia Winkleman, Jonnie Peacock, Lady Leshurr and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi to take on tasks involving eggs, vinegar and an inordinately long pole. Channel 4, 9pm

Published: 26 Dec 2021