Where to watch the best TV shows tonight, Monday 18 December

We’ve had a look through the UK TV guide for today and found the best tv shows, plus where to watch them. Here’s the best tv on tonight, Monday 18 December, 2023…

Jamie’s Christmas Shortcuts

Where to watch: Channel 4, 8pm / on demand.

Jamie Oliver shows us how to enjoy the gorgeous escapism of Christmas without blowing the budget or burning ourselves out. Focusing on simple, quick and easy recipes that pack a festive punch, Jamie shares his delicious ideas and savvy shortcuts that save money and time, while still delivering a sensationally seasonal spread, and leaving us with time to connect with our loved ones at this magical time of year. In this episode, Jamie shares his best Betwixmas recipes for that cosy period between Christmas and New Year, celebrating leftovers and transforming them into delicious dishes. From a vegetable tarte Tatin and a Brussels sprout Caesar salad to winter veg gnocchi and a glorious way to turn that gifted panettone into a spectacular Black Forest gateau trifle, Jamie has the recipes to see us through from Christmas to the New Year, whether friends pop over or you stay wrapped up inside with the family.

Aldi’s Christmas Secrets

Where to watch: Channel 4, 9pm / on demand

Aldi grant cameras exclusive access to their run-up to Christmas 2023. Now that they’re the fourth largest supermarket in the UK, Aldi HQ are gearing up for the firm’s biggest UK Christmas yet. At first, things aren’t looking too merry due to a hiccup with a giant chocolate bauble. And is the smoked salmon well-dressed enough for a Christmas party? Julie Ashfield, the managing director of buying, is on the hunt for a new star product to dazzle customers. Is a pigs-in-blanket ice cream a step too far, even for Aldi? Meanwhile, the marketing agency think they have the perfect viral stunt to draw customers into stores. It might be their brightest idea yet, or it could be a very public festive flop.

Vanishing Act

Where to watch: ITV1 and ITVX

Vanishing Act tells the story of Melissa Caddick’s disappearance after being confronted by authorities for her alleged multi-million dollar swindling.

The three-part series portrays Australia in the grip of the mystery as theories abound about Melissa’s fate following the discovery of her disembodied foot inside her running shoe. 

Vanishing Act tells the story of this charismatic con-artist, as well as those who suddenly found themselves grieving for a lost friend and daughter, while coming to terms with a monumental betrayal. Her life was lost, but theirs would never be the same again.

Starring Kate Atkinson, Colin Friels, Jerome Velinsky and Maya Strange. 

Imagine… Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me

Where to Watch: 10.40pm, BBC One / iPlayer

imagine…Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me follows one of Britain’s most celebrated TV writers as he prepares to once again return as showrunner of Doctor Who.

Back in 2005 Davies was responsible for relaunching the action-adventure series after many years away from TV screens, few could have imagined the phenomenon it became. And now, in the programme’s 60th anniversary year, he’s back – with two Doctors and bigger ambitions.

imagine… goes behind the scenes at Cardiff’s Bad Wolf Studios to see the adventures of the time-travelling hero being filmed, touring the enormous sound stages and meeting Ncuti Gatwa, the Fifteenth Doctor, ahead of his eagerly anticipated tenure as the Time Lord, after the unexpected regeneration of David Tennant.

Doctor Who is just one of Russell T Davies’ many TV successes, and imagine… traces the evolution of his writing, from his beginnings at Granada, writing soaps such as Coronation Street, to finding his voice as a queer writer on Channel 4’s landmark gay series Queer As Folk and to more recent successes, including 2021’s critically acclaimed AIDS drama, It’s A Sin. The film will also feature interviews with David Tennant, Helena Bonham Carter, Olly Alexander, Sally Wainwright and Caitlin Moran.