TV tonight: Who will reach the Strictly Come Dancing final? | TV and radio

Strictly Come Dancing

6.35pm, BBC One

Strictly semi-final! After Katja and Louis’ surprise exit, the shiny ball is up for grabs. But that’s not all: next Saturday’s final will be a bittersweet moment as Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly ditch the fake tan and sequins and say goodbye to the show they have presented for so many years – but they will return to host the special at 5.30pm on Christmas Day. Holly Richardson

Jingle Bell Ball in DC 2025

4.50pm on ITV1

Ray, Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Anne-Marie and Leigh-Anne headline the O2’s annual pop extravaganza. And that’s not all: Cat Burns, Mimi Webb, Rizzle Kicks, Louis Tomlinson and Tiny Tempah are also on the bill, performing the biggest hits of the year. Human resources

Grand Riviera Rail Journey Sandy Toksvig

8.05pm Channel 4

Queen Victoria used to explore the alleys of Nice in a donkey cart – and that’s just one of the QI-style trivia that delights Sandi Toksvig as she explores France’s fifth-largest city. Other highlights include our guide assisting a local sculptor and a gentle funicular ride. Graeme Virtue

The Wheel by Michael McIntyre

8.05pm, BBC One

A typical joyful episode of the revolutionary game show, with Chris Eubank as the winning ticket and Tony Blackburn setting records for the most wrong answers. A lot ultimately depends on how much Alma’s seedy star Sophie Whelan knows about boxing… Jack Seale

Christmas Visits: Sleigh Videos

8.05pm, BBC2

Starting with the snowy Christmas holiday of Wham! And even to the Pogues’ dark festive fantasies, some music videos have become as essential to the season as the songs themselves. This documentary explores the stories behind the films: Paul McCartney, the Spice Girls, Mariah Carey and East 17 are also expected to appear. Phil Harrison

Wild cherry

9.05pm, BBC One

Nicole Leckey’s high society drama comes to a head when schoolgirls Grace and Allegra are arrested on suspicion of murdering their classmate Iris. Mothers Lorna and Juliette discover the shocking truth behind the girls’ season of scandal, while Gigi’s secrets unravel. Nicole Vasil

Choose a movie

Dead Man Wake: A Knives Out Mystery is now available on Netflix

Once again, Daniel Craig’s crooked detective, Benoit Blanc, is the thread that ties together this twisty Knives Out case, but writer-director Rian Johnson boldly keeps him – and the murder – off-screen for a half-hour. Instead, at the center of the film is Judd (the wonderful Josh O’Connor), a young Catholic priest who quarrels with his new monsignor, the fire-and-brimstone Jefferson played by Josh Brolin. Their flock—Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, and Kerry Washington—provide terrific support in an unexpectedly poignant exploration of truth and faith. Simon Wardle

F1, available now, Apple TV

This drama, directed by Joseph Kosinski, was made in collaboration with Formula 1’s governing body, and it’s very similar to the real thing. Filmed at an actual Grand Prix race alongside real drivers, it is a high-octane redemption tale in which rule-breaking racer Brad Pitt is asked to save a failing Formula 1 team in danger of being taken over – but he only has nine races to do it. Damson Idris (definitely based on producer Lewis Hamilton) is the newbie who has learned lessons from the older man. It’s a lot of fun to watch Pete do his charming, succinct routine, and the action is suitably stunning. Southwest

Elf, 8.05pm, Sky Show

Elf is a festive comedy that could have easily fallen into the schmaltz bowl in less adroit hands. Fortunately, Jon Favreau’s hardy perennials have a very high gag rate, and in the star Will Ferrell is a performer with great timing. Ferrell plays Buddy, who was adopted as a child by Papa Elf, and as an adult is sent to New York to finally meet his father, Walter (James Caan). The spirit of Christmas incarnate, Buddy’s ever-present joy of the season, and his endearing, unfiltered honesty should make even the stingiest of viewers melt a little. Southwest

Paris, District 13, 12.45am, BBC Two

Jacques Audiard’s tangled drama may be shot in black and white, but there is nothing monochromatic about the young people it focuses on. Call center employee Emily (Lucy Chang) rents a room to teacher Camille (Makita Samba), but their instant attraction quickly turns into hostility. Meanwhile, mature student Noemi Merlant is mistaken for online sex worker Amber (Jenny Beth) by Nora’s classmates, but then the two begin a video chat… Romantic yet realistic, it’s a film about wanting the same thing — but not necessarily at the same time. Southwest

Live sports

FA Women’s Cup: Wolves v Nottingham Forest, 11.45am, Channel 4 From SEAH Stadium in Telford.

Horse Racing: Cheltenham and Doncaster, 1pm, ITV1 Day two of the Cheltenham Christmas encounter, themed on the December Gold Cup.

International Netball: England v Jamaica, 2pm, BBC2 From the Copper Box Arena in London.

Rugby Union Champions Cup: Sharks v Saracens, 2.45pm, Premier Sports 1 Maro Itoje will captain Saracens in their Round 2 clash in Durban.