Seven Days guide:
SUNDAY
Countryfile 5.20PM, BBC1 HHHH John Craven is in a wood of ash trees ravaged by a chronic fungal disease, while Anita Rani takes a trip to a wildlife hospital that has seen a huge influx of young hedgehogs too weak to hibernate because of the warm late summer.
Ireland’s Fittest Family
6.30PM, RTÉ ONE HHH
The teams head to Dublin’s Docks for the second of the semi-finals, where families go head to head in extreme weather conditions in their bid to make it to Croke Park. As ever, one clan will leave the competition, but which? The Pacific War In Colour 8PM, RTÉ2 HHHH
The acclaimed documentary series focuses on the period in 1944. When an attack on Japan from inland Asia stalled, the US strategy of taking Japan island by island gathered momentum and commanders believed the end of the conflict was in sight.
Pat Shortt’s Music From D’Telly 8.30PM, RTÉ ONE HHHH
The comic delves into the RTÉ archives to discover some real gems. If you think of this as a musical version of Reeling In The Years, you’ll get a flavour of the calibre of artists on show... and of the kinds of curiousities also uncovered.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Final 9PM, VIRGIN ONE/UTV HHHH
After three weeks, the King or Queen of the Jungle will finally be crowned and head off for a well-deserved bath. And on Thursday, in I’m A Celebrity… Coming Out (9pm), you can find out how the celebrities adjusted to their old lives after leaving the camp.
MONDAY
Animal Park Christmas Special 9.15AM, BBC1 HHH
For the first time, in a special week of programmes, Animal Park is heading to Longleat Safari Park for Christmas. Kate Humble and Ben Fogle will be there to catch every magical moment as the keepers ensure all their creatures are prepared for what promises to be a busy festive season.
The X Factor: The Band
8.30PM, VIRGIN ONE/UTV HHH Groups discovered on The X Factor – such as One Direction and Little Mix – have sold 400 million records and now, over four nights, Simon Cowell is looking for new talent to form his next chart-topping pop group.
The Case Of Sally Challen
9PM, BBC2 HHHH
In 2011, Sally Challen was jailed for life for the murder of her husband, Richard, but after an appeal, was released in 2019 for time served on the lesser charge of manslaughter. In this riveting new film, Sally explains in emotional detail what drove her to bludgeon her husband of 31 years to death with a hammer.
The Foster & Allen Show 9PM, TG4 HHHH
Those evergreen songsmiths Mick Foster and Tony Allen are back with another helping of music and entertainment. This edition features songs recorded in Westmeath, Antrim and Dublin. Your radiant presenter is Gloria Hunniford.
Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys 9PM, CH5 HHH
Chris begins his tour of Turkey’s historic railway system by marvelling at the achievement of Istanbul’s Marmaray tunnel, which takes him deep under the waters of the Bosphorus from Europe into Asia.
TUESDAY
The Royal Variety Performance 2019 7.30PM, VIRGIN ONE/UTV HHHH
Sadly, Rod Stewart was forced to pull out at the last minute, but there is still some wonderful talent on show at the London Palladium, with Robbie Williams, Harry Connick Jr and Jamie Cullum among the acts taking to the stage.
MasterChef: The Professionals 8PM, BBC2 HHHH
It’s the semi-finals, and over three heats this week, eight chefs will become four. So, who will prove they can handle the heat and book their place in next week’s finals? Continues on Wednesday and Thursday.
How They Built The Titanic 8PM, CH5 HHH
Rob Bell heads to the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built to tell the story of the doomed liner. He reveals why the ship’s safety systems failed, costing more than 1,500 lives.
The Apprentice: The Final Five 11.45PM, BBC1 HHHH
Lottie, Scarlett, Pamela, Carina and Lewis are the five remaining candidates. Ahead of tomorrow night’s interview round, we find out more from their nearest and dearest about their lives outside business.
WEDNESDAY
DIY SOS: The Big Build
8PM, BBC1 HHHH
Two-year-old Arlo suffers from an incredibly rare lung condition, and from birth has been confined to a small cubicle at King’s College Hospital. Now, his parents are determined to bring him home – but not before the family home gets a complete makeover from Nick Knowles and an army of volunteers in Kent.
The Secret Life Of The Zoo At Christmas 8PM, CH4 HHHH
It’s been three long years since there have
been red panda cubs to adore at Chester Zoo, and the keepers are hoping for a Christmas birth this year. But can young female Nima deliver in this cute festive special?
Secrets Of Your Christmas Food
8PM, CH5 HHH
In this investigative consumer Christmas special, presenters Sian Williams and
Stefan Gates lift the lid on the secrets of our festive food – the ones that the supermarkets don’t want you to know. Whether you want to know is another matter entirely…
The Apprentice HHHH 9PM, BBC1
We’ve reached the most entertaining episode of The Apprentice as the five remaining candidates subject their business plans to the close scrutiny of some of Alan Sugar’s most trusted and fiercest associates. My Yellow Brick Road
9.35PM, RTÉ2 HHH
Michael is a 45-year-old sales rep who lives in Westmeath. Separated with two children, he would like to widen his circle of friends, and maybe start dating. That’s where guides Claire, Greg, Jordan and Noel step in.
THURSDAY
Inside The Supermarket
8PM, BBC1 HHH
It may be Christmas everywhere else, but as this fly-on-the-aisle series comes to a close, Sainsbury’s is preparing for Halloween and hoping to sell a shedload of pumpkins.
Christmas At Chatsworth House 9PM, CH4 HHHH
The cameras go behind the doors of one of Britain’s most impressive stately homes as the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire – and their 800 staff – brace themselves for an influx of 200,000 visitors over Christmas.
Hector USA Ó Chósta Go Cósta 9.30PM, TG4 HHH
This week Hector Ó hEochagáin reaches Arizona, where he explores the Grand Canyon, investigates a pawn shop, and does a spot of dairy farming.
Ireland’s Rich List: 21st Century Hotshots 9.30PM, RTÉ2 HHH What’s it like to be filthy rich? Well, while many of us wait for that lottery win, Richard Curran presents the first of a two-part programme assessing the top 30 billionaires and millionaires in a new broadsheet rich list.
FRIDAY
Lurgan 2K19 5.25PM, TG4 HHH
In the latest double bill, Sophie performs her own song Tá tú ag imeacht, while the summer anthem Never Really Over is given the famous Lurgan treatment. That’s followed by an episode featuring Dermot Kennedy’s Power Over Me.
Inside The World’s Greatest Hotels 8PM, CH5 HHH
This new, six-part series gives you a rare chance to take a tour of some of the world’s most iconic hotels. First stop, Caesar’s Palace, which has been at the heart and soul of Las Vegas for more than 50 years.
Cruising With Jane McDonald
9PM, CH5 HHH
There’s nothing blue about Jane’s mood as she heads down the Danube. She begins in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, and finishes in Romania on the trail of Dracula.
Have I Got News For You
9.30PM, BBC1 HHHH
Team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by guest host Alexander Armstrong, while comedian Jon Richardson is on the panel. Expect the election to loom large.
The Graham Norton Show
11.10PM, BBC1 HHHH
The sofa is groaning with great talent this week as Graham is joined by Judi Dench, Oscar-winners Jennifer Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, plus Hugh Grant and Michael Buble, with music from Coldplay.
SATURDAY
Surprise Surprise Christmas Special 7PM, VIRGIN THREE HHH The aptly named Holly Willoughby is playing Santa in this festive edition as she springs extra-special surprises on some very deserving people, and hears moving stories from a few unsung heroes.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final 7.05PM, BBC1 HHHH
Fifteen celebrities started, but now only three remain to battle it out for the glitterball trophy. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman introduce the finalists, who will be each be performing three routines.
Rod Stewart: Reel Stories 9.10PM, BBC2 HHHH
The singer returns to his local childhood cinema to watch clips from across his long career. He also chats to Dermot O’Leary about his journey from ‘Rod the Mod’ to elder rock statesman Sir Roderick.
The RTÉ Sport Awards 2019 9.20PM, RTÉ ONE HHHH
Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell are on presenting duties in RTÉ’s Studio 4 in Donnybrook, Dublin, where Ireland’s top sportsmen and women are being honoured. Last year, rugby star Jonathan Sexton won the prestigious Sports
Person of the Year Award after winning the Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland. We’re about to find out who is going to follow in his footsteps. Boxer Katie Taylor, jockey Davy Russell and Open winner Shane Lowry are among the favourites, but who will claim the big prize?