Frodsham's Gary Barlow, Chester actor Tom Hughes and former Queen's Park High School student and actor Josh Whitehouse are all set to be back on our screens this year.

The chill factor means the central heating is still on full and the Christmas trees will all be gone by the weekend, but there is plenty to look forward to on television starting tonight, January 4.

Some old favourites will make a welcome return this year and there are some new dramas and talent shows to get your teeth into in 2017.

Gary Barlow is on the look out for a new boy band in Let it Shine on BBC One on Saturday but fans of Tom and Josh will have to wait a little longer for their return to the small screen as Prince Albert in Victoria and Hugh Armitage in Poldark respectively.

So start booking a seat on the sofa or setting the planner with out guide to What's On TV in 2017.

No Offence

Joanna Scanlan as Viv

Shameless creator Paul Abbott's police comedy drama returns for a second series - the first was a hit with viewers and critics alike.

The show tells the story of the Manchester Metropolitan Police, a fictionalised version of the Manchester Police Force.

The Thick Of It actress Joanna Scanlan will reprise her role as Viv, a straight talking, no-nonsense copper.

Channel 4, Tonight, January 4 at 9pm

Taboo

Tom Hardy in Taboo

Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hardy stars in this story about adventurer James Keziah Delaney who builds a shipping empire in the early 1800s. After being presumed dead in Africa he reappears in London in 1814 and seeks vengeance for his father's death. Tom's character was created by his father Edward 'Chips' Hardy whilst Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight, is the head of the show. Director Ridley Scott serves as producer.

BBC One, Saturday, January 7 at 9.15pm

Let it Shine

Amber Riley, Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp

Gary Barlow is on the hunt to find new singing talent for a stage performance. He wants younger versions of the original Take That five for a new musical featuring the band’s hits.

Over eight weeks wannabe boyband members will try to impress Gary alongside Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp and Glee's Amber Riley.

The Bake Off's Mel Giedroyc and comedian Graham Norton will be presenting.

BBC One, Saturday, January 7 at 7pm

The Voice

Going head to head with Gary Barlow's new show is the return of The Voice. Since the last series it has moved from BBC One to rival channel ITV but the format is expected to remain relatively the same.

Sir Tom Jones will return as a judge - the 76-year-old was in the first four series but was not involved in last year's run and was disappointed when BBC executives axed him.

The pop legend will reunite with fellow judge will.i.am as well as Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale.

ITV, Saturday, January 7 at 8pm

Homeland

Claire Danes is back as troubled CIA officer Carrie Mathison for the sixth series of the popular show.

The latest installment is set between a US presidential election day and the inauguration day, with the writers said to have added a flavour of what’s been happening stateside in recent months.

Fans will be keen to learn what happened to Peter Quinn, played by Rupert Friend, who was seen lying in hospital with brain damage at the end of series five.

The show is running for at least another two series after this, so expect plenty more twists, turns and cliffhangers.

Expected January 2017 on Channel 4

Tina and Bobby

A delve into the life of Britain’s first WAG Tina Moore (played by Michelle Keegan). She met her husband, the future Sir Bobby Moore, while bunking off school. Only 17 himself, Bobby (Lorne MacFadyen) had yet to make his first team appearance.

The three-hour mini-series chronicles their personal life, from humble beginnings to international fame.

ITV, Friday, January 13 at 9pm

A Series of Unfortunate Events

This long awaited show is based on author Lemony Snicket's (real name Daniel Handler) series of children's books. It is about the tumultuous lives of the orphaned Baudelaire siblings who are sent to live with their evil uncle - Count Olaf. How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris will play the Count in the eight-part series.

Netflix, Friday, January 13

Call the Midwife

Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne in Call the Midwife

The sisters are back for their sixth series and there has been a lot of changes at Nonnatus House.

Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) returns from South Africa to discover Sister Ursula (Dame Harriet Walker) has taken her place. As she’s taken a vow of obedience, she can’t even make a fuss.

Comedian Miranda Hart was a hit on the show as Chummy but it has been confirmed she will not be returning in series six due to other work commitments.

BBC One, January, date TBC

The Jump

After the casualties of the last three series it comes as a surprise that anyone would sign up for this ski jumping show.

Last year actress Tina Hobley dislocated her elbow and is still having difficulty fully recovering from the injury whilst fellow contestant Beth Tweddle broke her neck.

Among this year’s contestants are former footballer Robbie Fowler, Olympian Jade Jones, Olympic cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins, and reality TV stars Spencer Matthews and Lydia Bright.

Channel 4, February, date TBC

Doctor Who

After the Christmas special, it’s time for a new series of Doctor Who. Peter Capaldi returns as the Time Lord, with newcomer Pearl Mackie as his new sidekick Bill.

It is expected this will be Capaldi’s last time playing the iconic sci-fi character. Next year there is likely to be a new cast as show boss Steven Moffat is leaving and will be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.

BBC One, spring

Broadchurch

Video Loading

Series one was met with critical acclaim, winning three Baftas including Best Leading Actress for Olivia Colman. The second series was still popular but lacked some of the tension of the first series.

Olivia Colman and David Tennant will return as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy. There’s a host of new characters, played by the likes of Julie Hesmondhalgh, Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd.

If you haven't watched the first two offerings you might be in the minority and it's worth getting up to date before the third series kicks off.

ITV, February

The Walking Dead

The second half of series 7 will start in February and will see Rick Grimes reunite with all the leaders from the different communities as he prepares to defeat Negan.

Viewers will be relieved to watch Rick return to his confident form as he gets ready to fight back.

Fox UK, 13 February at 9pm

Game of Thrones

Typically viewers are treated to a new series in April but this time round it will be a little later and we won't get to see series 7 until the summer.

In a UFC Unfiltered podcast show bosses David Benioff and Dan Weiss said: "We're starting a bit later because at the end of this season, 'Winter is here' - and that means that sunny weather doesn't really serve our purposes any more.

"So we kind of pushed everything down the line, so we could get some grim grey weather even in the sunnier places that we shoot."

Sky Atlantic, summer

Stranger Things

This sci-fi drama set in the 80s was one of the most talked about shows of last year and it's back for another series in 2017.

Central character Eleven returns but will we finally found out what happened to Barb?

The main cast of the smash hit - who are between the ages of 12 to 14 - were catapulted into stardom after series one.

Netflix, summer

Victoria

Jenna Coleman and Chester actor Tom Hughes return for a second run as the monarch and there will be a Christmas special, too - a treat fans missed out on during this festive period.

Written by author Daisy Goodwin, the series continues following the trials and tribulations of Victoria and her devoted husband Albert, who had nine children together.

ITV, September

The Great British Bake Off: Stand Up to Cancer

It remains unclear whether Channel 4 can show their full series of Bake Off this year however it has been confirmed there will be a Stand Up to Cancer celebrity special. This may be the first time we see Paul Hollywood without fellow judge Mary Berry and presenters Mel and Sue. Plus, Bake Off fans will get to see what the new new tent looks like.

Poldark

Will we see Ross and Demelza back on course in the romance stakes after she walked out on him with their son at the end of the last series?

Elizabeth is still married to awful George Warleggan but will he discover he is not the father of her child?

BBC One, autumn

Peaky Blinders

Actor Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby, has suggested filming for series four will begin in March 2017 which means viewers should expect to tune in in the autumn or winter months.

In series three everyone's favourite 1920s bad boy was attempting to turn over a new leaf - but it was not meant to be.

Following a dramatic series of events his wife Grace was shot dead by an Italian gangster and to distract him from his grief Tommy got involved in a complicated diamond heist with Russian artistocracy.

BBC One, autumn

Channel 4, October

Doctor Foster

It was the breakout hit drama of 2015 so the sequel is much anticipated.

Series one felt like a one-off and some fans voiced concern about where a follow-up could go but actor Bertie Carvel – who plays cheating ex Simon – is positive it won’t retread old ground.

He says: “I don’t think any of us really want or need to do that, so it’ll be its own story.”

BBC1, winter