Seven Days

MIKE MULVIHILL’S guide to the week’s TV

SUNDAY

The Story Of The FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia’s Journey

4.20PM, RTé2 ★★★

Hosting the World Cup is a major undertaking. This documentary looks at three-and-a-half years of planning that went into staging the tournament in Russia.

Seven Worlds, One Planet 6.30PM, RTé ONE ★★★

Asia is in the spotlight as David Attenborough explores the wildlife that has made its home in this most varied of continents, from the walruses in the frozen north to golden snub-nosed monkeys in China.

The Celebrity Chase

8PM, VIRGIN MEDIA ONE ★★★

In a Good Morning Britain special of the quiz show, Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid, Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway take on quiz genius the Chaser to secure a cash prize for charity.

Maigret Sets A Trap 8PM, UTV ★★★

Another chance to see the first of Rowan Atkinson’s four outings as Georges Simenon’s detective. It’s a slow affair, but its re-creation of backstreet 1950s Paris is atmospheric, and Atkinson is always very watchable. Here, the detective looks into the stabbings of several women.

The Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft

8PM, CH4 ★★★★

Keith Lemon and Anna Richardson welcome four more talented crafters to the madcap factory. The celebrity client this week is comedian Katherine Ryan, who wants them to create a new house for her beloved cat.

Walking With Elephants

9PM, CH4 ★★★★

On the second leg of his epic journey across Botswana, explorer Levison Wood narrowly escapes being surrounded by nervous bull elephants. He next meets a local farmer who explains how cattle herders and elephants come into conflict, and he takes part in a thrilling helicopter operation to sedate and tag a reluctant male elephant.

Killing Eve 9.15PM, BBC1 ★★★ Assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) returns to her Russian homeland to try to find her family. Will a new connection to her roots give her what’s been missing in her life?

MONDAY

Animal Park Heroes

6.30PM, BBC2 ★★★

Ben Fogle and Kate Humble return to Longleat Safari Park for a week of special episodes on the exotic animals who live there and the dedicated staff who look after them. There’s more every evening.

Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having A Laugh 9PM, UTV ★★★★

See TV feature, page 25.

Second Chance Dresses 8.30PM, RTé2 ★★★

Budget-conscious bride Wendy wants a dress that reflects her edgy style and shows off her tattoo. However, her sister thinks that the wedding day is the perfect time to try something more glam. Whose side will Olivia Buckland be on?

Bachelors Walk 10.10PM, RTé2 ★★★

Raymond and Allison are in the mood for a holiday – and they’re hoping a cheap day out in Dublin will be the next best thing. Meanwhile, the thought of being a father inspires Michael to start job hunting and Barry is pursuing his dreams.

TUESDAY

How To Keep Your Dog Happy At Home 8.30PM, UTV ★★★

We tend to think of our dogs as part of the family, so it’s easy to forget that many were originally bred to work; now, more than ever, some breeds need an outlet for their instincts. This last in the series looks at how they can find a sense of purpose – and help us, too.

Hatton Garden Heist

9PM, VIRGIN MEDIA ONE ★★★★ Another chance to see this fact-based drama telling the story of the burglary of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in April 2015, starring Timothy Spall, Kenneth Cranham and David Hayman.

The A Word 9PM, BBC1 ★★★★ Maurice and son Eddie lock horns once again on a camping trip with the children, while Paul tries to forge a connection with autistic son Joe. But after all the upheaval of recent times, it’s not going to be easy…

Coronavirus: A Horizon Special 9PM, BBC2 ★★★★

Dr Chris van Tulleken, Dr Hannah Fry and Michael Mosley are back to investigate the scientific facts and figures behind the biggest public health crisis in living memory, and to explore the latest new research from the front line of the fightback.

Blue Bloods 9PM, RTé2 ★★★

Jamie and Frank have a difference of opinion when it comes to a pair of rookies who were targeted by teenagers. Meanwhile, Erin is forced to own up to a mistake – although she still gets a big opportunity in the second episode.

Normal People 10.15PM, RTé ONE ★★★★

In tonight’s double bill, Connell bumps into Marianne back in Sligo. It’s the first time they have seen each other since they broke up. In the second episode, Connell and Niall arrive at Marianne’s family house in Italy where

tensions are high with Jamie.

Mafia Only Kills In Summer 10.50PM, RTé2 ★★★

The Italian drama continues. Salvatore decides to report Mr Pellerito, while Lorenzo opts to go to the papers with anonymous information about the contracts. Massimo tries to find a way out of the drug-trafficking world.

WEDNESDAY

Absolutely India: Mancs In Mumbai

8PM, UTV ★★★

Episode four of six, and the Thomas brothers have escaped the chaos of Mumbai to meet another cousin, Natasha, in Goa – and she’s researched them on social media. Meanwhile, the brothers clear the air with their dad, Dougie, about a painful time in their lives.

Grey’s Anatomy

9PM, RTé2 ★★★

Not only has Meredith been missing her community service hours, she also skips her court hearing – but what will be the consequences? Jo is forced to face her past when a therapist from her former psychiatric institution is admitted.

Marty And Bernard –

On The Road Again

9.35PM, RTé ONE ★★★

Marty Morrissey and Bernard O’Shea head to Kilrush in Co Clare to meet the local RNLI. As well as learning about the role the volunteers play in the community, the presenters set a fundraising challenge.

Death In Paradise

11.50PM, BBC1 ★★★

Ardal O’Hanlon is still in this episode but he will be leaving during this series. He’s called into action as Saint Marie’s New Year celebrations go awry when a woman is stabbed.

THURSDAY

The Real Marigold Hotel

9PM, BBC1 ★★★★

Settled into seaside life in Puducherry, the celebrity OAPs help Susie Blake to celebrate her birthday. Later, on a visit to Chennai, Zandra Rhodes meets a very old friend, while Henry Blofeld visits the cricket ground.

First Dates Hotel

9PM, CH4 ★★★★

Online relationship guru Breeny spends her time advising others on their love lives, but has yet to find ‘The One’ herself. Could personal trainer Bavoray be a match?

The Works

11.10PM, RTé ONE ★★★

John Kelly meets fiddle player Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh who, beforefocusing fully on music, studied theoretical physics at Trinity College Dublin. He explains why his work explores ‘the region where traditional music begins to disintegrate’.

Other Voices: Courage

11.30PM, RTé2 ★★★

After Ye Vagabonds kicked off this series of performances in style, more musicians are visiting a number of popular (but for safety reasons, strictly controlled) cultural locations to lift viewers’ spirits.

FRIDAY

World Cup Gold

7.30PM, TG4 ★★★★

There may be a lack of live games at the minute, but TG4 is helping to fill the gap with some classic matches from the golden age of Irish soccer. Tonight, Jack Charlton’s men, including Packie Bonner, Ray Houghton and John Aldridge, take on the hosts Italy at he Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Young Sheldon

7.30PM, RTé ONE ★★★

The eccentric youngster’s brilliant mind is always working, even when he’s not in the classroom – he even manages to make a scientific breakthrough at the dentist’s office. Dale and Meemaw are heading for the casino.

Have I Got News For You

9PM, BBC1 ★★★★

Following last week’s Antiviral Wipe, Charlie Brooker is back as guest host of the quiz, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop doing their best to raise spirits with their caustic commentary.

Later… With Jools Holland 10PM, BBC2 ★★★

Jools’s special guest this week is grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal, who talks about his musical journey – including some of the artists who influenced him down the years, illustrated by classic clips from 30 years of Later cwhich are pure gold for music fans.

SATURDAY

The Mallorca Files

2PM, RTé ONE ★★★★

Elen Rhys stars in this new crime drama as a British police officer who arrives in Palma de Mallorca to escort a supergrass back to the UK.

But when the plan goes wrong, she finds herself paired up with German detective Max Winter.

Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti 7.30PM, RTé2 ★★★★

The actress completes her tour of Cuba with a visit to Guantanamo before heading to Haiti, which is currently the poorest country in the Western World.

Shoot The Messenger

9PM, VIRGIN THREE ★★★

The media is sent into a frenzy by the news of Hassan’s murder – and an incriminating video only adds to the story.