Strictly Come Dancing
A personal favourite of mine, when Strictly starts, it’s officially winter! For as long as I can remember, the glitz and glammer on the TV every Saturday makes the gloomy, rainy nights just a little more glamorous. From a young age, when I was prancing to dance classes myself, to the present, when the prancing has become (more than) less frequent, this show is a Smillie family favourite! So every Saturday night, stick me the kettle on, settle in with a cuppa, and begin the “highly professional” judgement of some dancing celebrities!
Dash and Lily (Netflix)
For the lovers of cheesy television, Dash and Lily is a heartwarming, Christmas special. Set in New York (how cliché), the show follows the aforementioned, Dash and Lily, chasing each other through the city. As stalker-ish as that sounds, they use their love for books to write each other notes. Having never met in person, they slowly fall in love, despite their highly contrasting personalities, through that one little red book. So if you’re wanting a binge on a snow-day, this is a must watch!
Julia Donaldson Specials
When I was younger, Christmas Day was made special when the Julia Donaldson book adaptations graced the screen. Having had the book as a child, seeing The Gruffalo come to life boosted the magic of Christmas. Even now, I love getting comfy on the sofa with my family, after stuffing my face with pigs-in-blankets, to see the latest from the literary legend.
I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here
From terrifying heights, to the eating of animal genitalia, this show has become one of the most iconic shows on telly. Whether its the sunny Australian jungle, or watching celebrities I’ve never heard of being (practically) tortured, this show is the perfect way to countdown to the festive period. Starting in November, why not plan your day around that 9pm start time every night for 3 weeks straight? And as a lover of television, it doesn’t get much better than voting in Nigel Farage for every Bushtucker trial while I’m cosy in bed!