PICKS OF THE DAY
Travel: Orkney: Britain’s Green Islands With Julia Bradbury And Alex Beresford, ITV, 8.30pm
Julia and Alex (left) visit the Orkney Islands, immersing themselves in island life and learning about the progress being made here towards a much greener future. In this one-off documentary, Julia goes kayaking in the beguiling waters of Scapa Flow, and takes a trip on what may be the world’s first hydrogen-hybrid ferry. Meanwhile, Alex takes a speedboat out to sea to learn more about revolutionary tidal turbine technology, which powers around 2,000 homes. In Westray, Alex heads to the island’s puffin colony and finds out how climate change is affecting the endangered birds.
Comedy: British Sitcom: 60 Years Of Laughing At Ourselves, BBC4, 9.30pm
A journey through the history of the British TV sitcom, from Hancock’s Half Hour featuring Tony Hancock (left) in the 1950s to present-day programmes, revealing the inspiration behind the most enduring characters and how comedy has reflected changing attitudes. Narrated by comedian Rebecca Front and featuring writers and actors such as Steve Coogan, Richard Curtis, James Corden, Graham Linehan, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Film: The Day After Tomorrow, Film4, 9pm
Disaster film from Independence Day director Roland Emmerich, starring Arjay Smith, Emmy Rossum and Jake Gyllenhaal (all above). When climatologist Jack Hall tries to warn Washington that the planet is facing an imminent, catastrophic climate threat, government officials fail to take him seriously. But, when the Earth abruptly plunges into a new ice age, it soon becomes clear that the entire human race is facing extinction.
Documentary: It Takes A Flood, ITV, 9pm
Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald and co-directors Daniel Dewsbury and David Charap take viewers inside the homes of people seriously affected by the ferocious floods hitting the country. Residents, including the man whose house was flooded up to the gutter after Storm Ciara in 2020, reveal the impact the natural disasters have had on their communities and the toll its taken on their finances and wellbeing.
Auction: Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, BBC2, 7pm
The first episode of this new series sees more famous faces embark on the treasure-hunting challenge. This week, supermodel Jerry Hall (right) and TV host and psychotherapist Philippa Perryhead head to Oxfordshire with antiques dealer Tim Medhurst and auctioneer Charles Hanson. With budgets of £400, the four search for valuable antiques and collectables that could bring in a healthy profit, as well as looking into the history of Jerry’s favourite beverage, coffee.