TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
strictly come dancing Saturday, BBC1, 6.45pm
It’s Movie Week on Strictly, which, along with Halloween Week, is often an excuse for the make-up, hair and wardrobe departments to let their imagination run wild.
Hopefully, the stars will also throw themselves into their new roles as they pay homage to some classic film characters. Let’s just hope that judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke don’t find themselves cast as the villains, although the public will also get a chance to decide who is a box-office bonanza, and who is going flop into Sunday night’s dance-off.
Tom Parker: Inside my Head Sunday, Channel 4, 9pm
In October 2020, 32-year-old Tom Parker of The Wanted was diagnosed with grade four incurable glioblastoma. This film follows Tom and his wife Kelsey as they manage his diagnosis, explore possible treatments and meet fellow brain cancer patients.
At the same time, Tom attempts to pull together an ambitious
fundraising concert at the Royal Albert Hall, calling on famous friends to help pull together the event, whose proceeds will be split equally between Stand Up to Cancer and The National Brain Appeal.
Paul merson: Football, Gambling & me Monday, BBC1, 9pm
You don’t have to be a football fan to be riveted by this film, in which the former Arsenal star tries to understand why his life has been blighted by gambling and
explores the relationship between betting and football. Paul meets fellow professionals Keith Gillespie, John Hartson and Scott Davies who lost over £15m between them, and Dr David Erritzoe of Imperial College London, who aims to pinpoint the neurobiological basis of the addiction.
He also talks to pressure group Clean Up Gambling, and meets the families of three men who took their own lives due to gambling, before asking whether an entire generation is at risk of following the same, dangerous path he trod.
dementia & us Tuesday, BBC2, 9pm
Lockdowns were hard on many people, but they posed a particular challenge for those with dementia and their carers. This two-part documentary following four people who have been diagnosed with the condition was filmed over two years, which meant the cameras were there to chart the impact of the pandemic as well as offering a new insight into living with dementia.
Hollington drive Wednesday, ITV, 9pm
The pressure is starting to tell on Theresa (Anna Maxwell Martin) after
the police make their first arrest.
Meanwhile, as the vigil for young Alex looms, Helen (Rachael Stirling) puts the brakes on things with Gareth (Jonas Armstrong).
Back at Theresa’s house, while she tries to maintain a ‘normal’ life, Ben pulls the rug out from under her by asking to go to the police.
The Great British Bake Off: an extra slice Thursday, Channel 4, 8pm
Presenter Jo Brand is joined by celebrity Bake Off devotees Stephen Mangan and Vick Hope to digest the latest events in the contest. There’s a look at some
unseen footage from Dessert Week, as well as an interview with the latest baker to be given the boot from the tent.
Meanwhile, Tom Allen casts another cheeky eye over the bakes brought along to the studio.
stand Up TO cancer 2021 Friday, Channel 4, 7.30pm
Davina Mccall, Alan Carr, Adam Hills and Maya Jama are our hosts as celebrities from the worlds of sport, film, music and comedy grace an evening of fun and frivolity, all aiming to raise money for cancer research.
Among the famous faces appearing are Olivia Colman, the Jonas Brothers, the Derry Girls, Jack Black, David Oyelowo and Martin Freeman.
There’s a celebrity-packed episode of Gogglebox, and Joe Lycett will be keeping an eye on the totaliser throughout the night.