Steve Backshall

Taskmaster's New Year Treat review

A magical, miraculous hour guaranteed to lighten your mood.

If you think there's only room for one Mrs Merton-style chatshow in your world, look away now. The nation's favourite Irish mammy continues her "hilarious" assault on celebrities, and what better way to do that than test Ross Kemp's survival skills in her lounge? Comedian Kevin Bridges brings his mum along for the ride and Steve Backshall is also in the house. With music from Pixie Lott, it's a Saturday night staple whether you like it or not.

Often the best bit of The Rob Brydon Show is his banter with the audience. Here he has fun with a mother and daughter who "show miniature horses". "Show them what?" wonders Brydon. "A good time?" There's a similar laidback feel to the sofa chat. Sir Tom Jones roars into the studio to tell us of his blues and gospel influences and how he was held at gunpoint on his first trip to the States. Deadly 60's Steve Backshall shows us a nasty bite on his leg and Emilia Fox, from Silent Witness, joins a read through of Brydon's new crime drama idea, CSI: Cardiff.

Rob Brydon needs no excuse to break into song, which he engineers tonight by inviting fellow Welshman Tom Jones onto his chat show. Thrusting a guitar into Sir Tom's hands, Brydon joins him in a rousing version of Elvis's A Mess of Blues. Interviews with actress Emilia Fox and wildlife expert Steve Backshall make up the rest of the half hour.