TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
Robot Wars, BBC2, 8pm Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon present the new series dedicated to those obsessed with monstrous metal mayhem. Tonight, perhaps the series’ first satirical robot, Donald Thump, makes its grand entrance. The other teams battling it out are Behemoth, Sabretooth, Apollo and Apocalypse. The ferocious ’bots must dodge arena hazards and vicious house robots if they are to maim their way to victory. An Audience with Diana Ross, be3, 8pm It’s a real aural and visual treat tonight as The Queen of Motown brings her extraordinary talents to the small screen. The soul diva performs some of her greatest hits including I’m Coming Out, Upside Down and Endless Love to a star-studded audience. Not to be missed. Junior Eurovision, TG4, 8pm The hunt is on for a young person to represent the Emerald Isle in the esteemed competition. Following auditions up and down the country, the top 32 singers, aged between 9-14, have been chosen to go forward to the televised heats. Over five weeks, the performers will battle it out as they sing in the spotlight — and before millions of viewers. Eoghan McDermott presents, while Fiachna O Braonain and Blathnaid Treacy judge.
MONDAY
Autumnwatch 2017, BBC2, 8pm The nature-loving series returns to its year-round residence in the English Cotswolds. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games are live in the countryside, giving updates on some of the furry characters that starred in Springwatch. Elsewhere, Gillian Burke is on the south coast, testing the brain power of a family of urban foxes. Life at 100, BBC1, 8.30pm Statistics show that there are almost 15,000 centenarians in the UK, a number that is likely to double in the next 10 years. Joan Bakewell presents this Panorama special which follows seven people who have reached the golden age. Diana Gould, 105, continues to exercise and is as bright as a button, while actor Earl Cameron is waiting for his next big acting part. However, George Emmerson is acutely lonely, following his wife’s death. Made in Chelsea, E4, 9pm It’s time to check in with the darlings of Chelsea. Francis and Proudlock do their best to get permatanned Jamie back into the dating game. Is he over Frankie though? There’s all-out war when minx Mimi has a date with Charlie, who has also been courting the attention of a newly single Tiff, so predict lots of meowing. There’s trouble in paradise for Louise and Ryan — is the diminutive brunette tiring of the man mountain? Plus, cheeky chappy Sam returns to the borough, and his jaw drops when he hears about what his ex has been up to with Harry.
TUESDAY
Our Girl, BBC1, 9pm Michelle Keegan stars in this look at what it’s like to live and work in a disaster zone. Tonight, Georgie finds herself distracted when Elvis (Luke Pasqualino) moves back into her life. She’s also concerned for the safety of Tara. Things become even more stressful when a mission goes wrong in Kabul and 2-Section take in casualties. Georgie is relieved when Elvis isn’t one of them, but does she feel more for him than she’s letting on? Celebrity Hunted, Channel 4, 9.15pm The famous fugitives are dodging the limelight for once, but some are starting to crack from the pressure of being on the run. Notorious lothario Spencer Matthews can’t bear to be away from his sweetheart Vogue Williams and sneaks off for a rendezvous. Teammate Jamie Laing is tiring of running, but will he keep his counsel to remain in the game? Bold Anneka Rice tries to throw her hunters off the scent by doing her radio show in London, and The Wanted lads Jay and Siva find living under the radar difficult, especially when they’re blessed with boy band looks. Bridget & Eamon, RTE2, 9.30pm The third series of Jennifer Zamparelli and Bernard O’Shea’s comedy comes to an end, but luckily they intend to leave us in stitches. Bridget hears that there are two free seats on the bus to Lourdes — a trip that she always seems to miss, through one reason or another. She has no intention of missing it again this time, and won’t let a small bother like Eamon get in her way.
WEDNESDAY
Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge, RTE1, 9.35pm The host is joined by Father Brian D’Arcy, Mairead Ronan and Alison O’Connor to dissect the week that was. The panel also put a magnifying glass on the smaller, no-less interesting stories flying under the radar. It’s a guaranteed provocative and entertaining watch. First Dates Abroad, E4, 10pm The dating show, in which singletons hungry for love are paired up for a meal in the First Dates restaurant, returns. Tonight, country music fan Rachael impresses carpenter Conor, but will she leave him singing the blues? Romantic Antonio uses his best lines on medical scientist Sinead, while media student Lauren tries to laugh her way to a second date with Paddy. Good Karma Hospital, RTE1, 10.40pm Exotic drama, starring Amanda Redman, Amrita Acharia and Neil Morrissey. Junior doctor Ruby Walker arrives in India, looking for a job and a distraction from her failed love life. She arrives at the Good Karma Hospital, where nothing is as it seems, and where eccentric boss Lydia Fonseca rules the roost. There are surprises waiting around every corner for Ruby, who soon suspects that she may be in a little over her head.
THURSDAY
Feral Families, Channel 4, 9.00pm This special takes a look at a new trend in educating children at home. The buzz words being used to describe it are ‘extreme unschooling’ and ‘off-grid parenting’. The parents who swear by it claim that their offspring are happier and healthier operating in an environment free of boundaries. Archie, 13, can juggle fire and play with knives, but he still can’t read and write. Elsewhere, Jessica, seven, has purple hair and makes her own meals. The Three Day Nanny, More4, 9pm There’s no better antithesis to the show above than this. Super strict nanny Kathryn Mewes plays fairy godmother to struggling families. In Luton, Sebastian, two, vents his anger by banging his head against a wall. He also bites and kicks to get his parents’ attention. Long-suffering mum and dad Livia and Paul feel completely overwhelmed. They confide in Kathryn that they mollycoddle their son too much. Can the nanny introduce boundaries to help both parents and child? Fighting Cancer: My Online Diary, Channel 4, 10.50pm This poignant documentary follows three young cancer patients who have recorded every aspect of their fight with the devastating disease for the online community. Filmed over a year, each patient deals with the euphoric highs and crippling lows of scan results, as well as the dramatic bodily changes they go through. All, of course, share the mutual desire that one day, they will be cancer-free, but know that it will be a struggle.
FRIDAY
The Good Doctor, Sky Living, 9pm Freddie Highmore — who was last seen chilling audiences in Bates Motel — leads the cast of this new drama, which sees him star as Shaun Murphy, an upand-coming surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. He takes up a position at St Bonaventure Hospital, where he finds it hard connecting to those around him, and they look down on him with scepticism. However, he gets to know Dr Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff ), who begins to guide him through the pitfalls of his profession. The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 11.05pm It’s another starry night as the bubbly and ever-so-naughty host welcomes Oscar-winner Emma Thompson and actor Adam Sandler, who are starring in The Meyerowitz Stories. He also has a chat with Claire Foy, star of The Crown, and model Cara Delevingne. There will be a musical treat from indie king Morrissey, who’ll perform Spent the Day in Bed from his new album, Low in High School.
SATURDAY
Harry Potter: A History of Magic, BBC2, 9.15pm JK Rowling goes behind the scenes at the British Library, 20 years after the publication of her first Harry Potter book sparked fame and fortune. In the run-up to a new exhibition around the novels and movies, Rowling is intent on discovering the real-life counterparts that inspired her magical world. Her quest takes viewers to some of the most hidden places in Britain to find wizarding wandmakers in the English forest, to the beguiling witchcraft of Boscastle, Cornwall. Along the way, a few familiar faces will join her, and there will be illustrations from Jim Kay. Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, 6.35pm All of the judges and contestants are ready for the spooky festivities as they truly get in the mood for Halloween. With traditional dance routines incorporating a trick or treat twist, seasonal songs casting a shadow over the dance floor, and the 11 remaining couples wearing their best haunted costumes, it is sure to be a treat for the studio audience and the eager viewers watching at home.