STAYING in this Saturday night and avoiding Barrow's Christmas Light switch on?

Here are our top TV picks to keep you entertained.

Saturday November 18

*Michael McIntyre's Big Show (BBC One, 8.10pm)

Saturday nights. They're all about good, old-fashioned family entertainment, right?

After all this is the time when the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor thrive, when people across the country sit down together to watch something that won't test their little grey cells too much, but will fill them with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

It's been that way almost since TV began, as if this time slot is when the entire clan have done with the working week and are ready to let their hair down and relax.

The Generation Game was one such programme, and when it returns sometime in the near future with Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc at the helm, you'd put money on it nestling nicely before Casualty once again.

In fact, most of these memorable Saturday evening entertainments seem to have had Bruce Forsyth at the helm, with Play Your Cards Right, You Bet! and The Price is Right all popping up at that time. But we've also had the likes of Stars In Your Eyes, Britain's Got Talent, Big Break, The Voice UK, The National Lottery draws and now Michael McIntyre's Big Show to keep us occupied and entertained.

The latter is back this week for a new run, and those who watched the final instalment of this year's epic Children in Need will already have seen a fun-filled taster.

One person who can't wait for it is McIntyre himself.

"Making the Big Show has been the most fun I've had on TV," says the seasoned entertainer. "There are so many wonderful surprises and performances; I couldn't be more thrilled and excited to be making a third series."

Alan Tyler, the BBC's commissioning editor, adds: "Michael is a true star and in the Big Show he has brought something really special to Saturday nights on BBC One. We are delighted that the series will be returning in 2017 and cannot wait to bring our audience more big laughs, big stars and big surprises."

Well, the wait is over because the show starts this evening.

Alongside the usual banter and stand-up from the man himself, the opening episode features knock-out live performances from Emeli Sande and Stereophonics. Both have been doing the TV rounds lately, including the Strictly Come Dancing results show. The former is on tour and promoting the release of Kingdom Come, a collection of songs available via digital download, while the latter have a new album to plug - Scream Above the Sounds.


Sunday November 19

*I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! (ITV, 9pm)

It may only feel like yesterday that Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt beat fellow finalists Joel Dommett and Adam Thomas to be crowned Queen of the Jungle 2016.

However, tonight another batch of 'famous faces' (we use the term loosely) will be heading into the jungle via speedboat, helicopter or another means, as a new series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! gets under way.

Despite the fact you may not of heard of most of the campmates when they arrive, the beauty of I'm a Celeb is that you'll soon become very familiar with them thanks to their sleeping routines, bad habits, phobias and cooking skills.

I'm a Celeb can make or break a career, and despite the lack of food and the gruesome tasks on the set in Australia, celebs from Britain and beyond queue up to compete to become King or Queen of the jungle.

The rumour mill has been in full swing over the past few weeks, with the tabloids and gossip mags aiming to predict who will be taking on the bugs and Bushtucker Trials for the next fortnight or so. And now we know who has made the final cut.

Boris Johnson's dad Stanley Johnson is a 77-year-old is an author and former politician, and said he was "excited" to be taking part in the reality show.

Ex-Chelsea and England footballer Dennis Wise is joining him and ITV chiefs are hoping the 5ft 5in star, famed for his no-nonsense tackling, will add a fiery spark to this year's series.

Rebekah Vardy, the 35-year-old wife of England and Leicester City ace Jamie Vardy, is also going into the jungle, but apparently almost pulled out completely through fear of leaving her four children behind.

YouTuber and brother of singer Conor Maynard, Jack Maynard, is famous for his self-titled channel where he posts vlogs, challenges, and occasional comedy skit videos for his 1.2 million subscribers. He is also heading into the outback.

Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas is another star who has flown to Australia after leaving the soap for a third time.

He will be joined by Coronation Street legend Jennie McAlpine who became one of the nation's most loved TV stars after joining the cast in 2001 as tearaway teen Fiz Brown.

Next on the list is Made In Chelsea's Georgia Toffolo. The sexy star is expected to become the show's latest jungle shower babe, following in the footsteps of Helen Flanagan and Myleene Klass.

Bolton-born former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan is also among the campmates, as is Saturdays star Vanessa White who has reportedly recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend.

The cast is completed by Iranian-born comic and Live at the Apollo regular Shappi Khorsandi, who was the final celebrity to arrive in Oz for this year's series.

But regardless of who is heading into the jungle looking glam and fresh tonight, the news everyone has been waiting for is confirmation that the hosting line-up will thankfully be the same as it always has been.

The show has been presented by national treasures Ant and Dec since 2002, and with the former half of the duo now suitably recovered from the painkiller addiction which put him out of action for a while, everyone's favourite TV double act are "ready to jungle" once again.

If nothing else, at least that means there will be two people in this evening's opening show that we all recognise.

Monday 20/11/17

Would I Lie To You? (BBC One, 8.30pm)

Tuesday 21/11/17

The A Word (BBC One, 9pm)

Wednesday 22/11/12

Mary Berry's Country House Secrets (BBC1, 8pm)

Thursday 23/11/17

The Search for a Miracle Cure (Channel 4, 10pm)

Friday 24/11/17

Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast (Channel 4, 8pm)