DRAMA

ITV, 9pm There’s a well-worn formula to this drama, but it works. Doctor Ellingham (Martin Clunes) must insult a few people (goes without saying), make a brilliant diagnosis and have some kind of marital argument.

Fortunately the village of Portwenn provides plenty of opportunity for all of the above. Tonight’s list of people with mysterious illnesses includes a little girl at Louisa’s school who says everything is too noisy, a recovering alcoholic – who swears blind he hasn’t touched booze for months – with liver problems and coughing John (Art Malik). It’s unlikely to just be a cough – it never is.

As always, the doc effortlessly wanders Portwenn casually saving lives with no hint of a smile. And the insults? Just as forthcoming. This time, he upsets the nursery manager at Portwenn Tots with an inquisition about the fungal infection in her armpit.

And there’s intrigue when we discover that John has more of a connection to Portwenn than he thought.

GRUMPY