Fungus the Bogeyman (Sunday, BBC1)

Elton John: An Ivor Novello Tribute (Sunday, BBC1)

YOU know Christmas is starting too early when the BBC premieres a new flagship children's show in November. Fungus the Bogeyman is a three-part adaptation of the children's classic book by Raymond Briggs.

The computer-animated Fungus is as delighted by all things slimy and disgusting as the original which is what makes him so appealing to kids.

Children who haven't read the books may thing Fungus is a pale imitation of Shrek but this original and most disgusting monster has been around since 1977.

The stories have been adapted for TV by Mark Haddon - author of best-selling book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

Just like that novel, the show manages to appeal to both adults - thanks to some big name actors - and kids with as many gross acts as you can stomach at tea time.

Fay Ripley plays the house-proud Jane White and Martin Clunes is her husband (who must have been cast because of his scary likeness to Fungus himself!)

They may be great names in the world of grown-up acting but younger viewers will have tuned in just to see Fungus, his wife Mildew and children Mould and Mucus.

This is a magical programme that disgusts and delights in equal measure.

Maybe if Fungus continues to misbehave he will be given an hour special dedicated to his antics like Elton John.

The Ivor Novello Tribute must have been planned months ago and so could not be altered to take into account his diva behaviour in recent weeks which has included screaming at photographers and swearing on live radio shows.

Despite his bad behaviour, it is hard to deny that Elton has written some classic songs.

But instead of letting us listen to the man perform we had to sit through a long line of celebrities telling us how great they think he is.

Why were Jamie Cullum, Mary J Blige and Daniel Bedingfield allowed to get their hands on Elton's songs when the man himself was sitting there waiting to perform?

One thing Elton John does not need is an ego boost but this whole sorry episode was less tribute and more fawning to a man who has surely has made enough money to buy a better wig.

At least the televised obit has already been put together so when Elton does go to the big shoe shop in the sky the programme makers won't have to worry about putting a tribute show together.