'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the television's schedules, not a half-decent programme was stirring, not even a documentary about a mouse. Actually, there was a half-decent documentary about baby penguins, polar bears and other fledgling creatures of the Earth's colder climes. Snow Babies was about youngsters learning to hunt and generally toughen up before the onset of Arctic and Antarctic winters. The 18 years (and more) in which humankind takes to launch its young seem ludicrously indulgent in comparison, although admittedly juvenile caribou don't have to worry about finding a deposit on a flat.

If the first chords of a theme tune have you racing for the sofa, these guys have done their job properly. Gerard Gilbert meets the musical brains behind Downton Abbey and Sherlock.

TV pick of the week: The Making of a Lady

Hayley Atwell has been called a young Charlotte Rampling, the next Keira Knightley and Woody Allen's muse. She's conquered the costume drama, the romcom and the action flick. So, who is she really? Gerard Gilbert meets a restless talent who says, with stunning understatement...

Call the Midwife came out of nowhere to meet the challenge of Downtown Abbey and, like it, will air on Christmas Day. Gerard Gilbert joins its stars on set to find out what has made it such a huge, unexpected hit

Can former star of the Tracy Beaker shows use 'Strictly Come Dancing' to break out into a grown-up career?

TV pick of the week

TV pick of the week

Gerard Gilbert's six-year-old daughter may be ready for more grown-up television fare, but he's not sure that he is

TV pick of the week