What were the best TV moments of 2015?

With 2015 almost at an end, it’s time to look back at the brilliant – and bonkers – TV witnessed over the past year.

From murderous soap plots to serious sporting achievements, here’s what Team BBC iPlayer picked.

Surprise whale alert on Big Blue Live

When you become a TV presenter, you probably don’t expect to be upstaged by a blue whale. But that was the position Steve Backshall found himself in this August. And he was thoroughly delighted about it.

This extraordinary moment - when he interrupted an interview to cut to live pictures of the biggest animal on earth – became an instant viral hit.

England do us proud in the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Women’s football was in the spotlight this year, with the Lionesses reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time. As ever, hopes were high that this time England’s luck would change. But sadly the team was denied victory by an agonising own goal in the 92nd minute of the game.

Doctor Who – just all of it, really

What other show could have its lead character rocking out on top of a tank one week, and delivering a powerful speech about the evils of war just a few episodes later? With all of time and space to play with, and a complex character at its heart, Doctor Who can do anything – and we sure saw that in these two glorious moments.

British triumph in the Davis Cup

The last time the UK won in tennis' Davis Cup, the Golden Gate Bridge had recently opened, the Spanish Civil War was raging, and King George VI was just getting comfy on the throne. So when Andy Murray won with the most majestic cross-court lob, a collective fist-pump rippled throughout the UK.

Jay’s jaw-dropping Strictly jive

We can forgive Bruno for getting characteristically over-excited at Jay McGuiness’ spectacular Pulp Fiction-inspired jive. Up until that moment, Jay had been mostly notable for how nervous he was, spending most of the show hiding behind his hair. But then something changed. Was it Aliona’s choreography? The cool costume? Whatever it was, Jay channelled the spirit of John Travolta and danced his way to the top of the leaderboard, and eventually claimed the glitterball trophy.

Serious sun-gazing

Stargazing Live returned again this March with hosts Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain, to observe the Solar Eclipse. And after a few tension-filled minutes when her plane was blown off-course, Liz Bonnin and a camera crew managed to capture the moment when the moon passed fully in front of the sun above the Faroe Islands, filming a rare astronomical occurrence for all to see. 

Saga is back in The Bridge – hug at your own peril

Back and equally as brilliant as the previous series, The Bridge returned with a somewhat different Saga. Troubled, on edge, vulnerable - the ending of series two has clearly had a profound effect on her.

And if you needed further proof of the change in her, she even let Hans hug her in this emotional scene. It’s as heartfelt as it is awkward.

Nadiya Hussain winning the Great British Bake Off

Her quirky facial expressions (you always knew how she really felt) entertained us for weeks. And remember that cheesecake, with the can suspended mid-air? Or the giant chocolate peacock she made, feathers and all?

But it wasn’t just her mouth-watering bakes that won us over. It was the way she grew in confidence over the series and her speech at the end that touched us the most: “I’m never going to say I don’t think I can. I can and I will.”

Rowena Kincaid vs cancer

Speaking openly about having terminal cancer in her documentary Before I Kick the Bucket, Rowena bravely bared all.

You don’t often hear of someone picking out a superwoman costume to be buried in or trying out different coffins to find the comfiest one. But Rowena did all that on her quest to find out whether you really need a bucket list.

Nobody messes with Doctor Foster

Possibly the most complex character on our screens in 2015, Doctor Foster – played phenomenally by Suranne Jones - toyed with our emotions, kept us guessing and she left us wanting more.

Considering Suranne received the script just before going on her honeymoon, you would have forgiven her for passing it up. But luckily for us she didn’t. 

Maisie Williams joins Doctor Who

Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams burst onto our screens this year as the fiery Ashildr in Doctor Who. Whether it was launching a war against the Mire or carrying out highway robbery under the disguise of Knightmare (and let’s be honest, we haven’t quite forgiven her for Clara’s death yet), she has been responsible for some of the most gripping scenes of the series. And Maisie is equally watchable in real life, from her super-funny Vines to her very contagious laugh.

Who killed Lucy?

EastEnders’ most hotly-debated storyline this year has to be the Lucy Beale murder mystery. With lots of characters in the frame - the majority red herrings, as it turned out – no-one had their bets hedged on angel-faced Bobby Beale.

But the real plot twist came as protective stepmother Jane Beale misguidedly covered up the crime and was even prepared to take the wrap for baby Beale’s murderous misdemeanour. And luckily for Bobby, the Beales have kept his terrible secret well and truly hidden…

The Radio 1 Ibiza Prom

Who’d have thought that combining Jules Buckley’s Heritage Orchestra and Radio 1’s Pete Tong would create such a dance masterpiece and a social media storm? Ibiza Prom was different to anything heard at the BBC Proms before. With every Ibiza classic from Fatboy Slim to Faithless being performed at the Royal Albert Hall, it was like being transported back to San Antonio.

Adele pranked her biggest fans

You’re a global superstar, you’ve been on a break for a couple of years – what better way to make a comeback than to surprise some of your biggest fans? When Adele disguised herself as one of the tribute acts auditioning for a fictional pilot TV show, no-one seems to catch on. But the look of sheer joy on her fans’ faces when she begins to sing (and the penny drops!) makes for some of the best TV of the year.

What were your greatest TV moments of 2015?