FIVE THINGS FOR YOUR WEEK...
FAMILY FUN
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, 6.45pm: They’ve survived the horrors of Halloween week (and hopefully avoided the spate of injuries and Covid-infections that have hit the cast this year), and now the remaining dancers must take to the floor once more to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse and the voting public. The leaderboard has been in flux this series, and with professional Oti Mabuse no longer in line for a hattrick of wins after being eliminated with her partner Ugo Monye, it could be anyone’s game.
MUSIC
Later – with Jools Holland, Saturday, BBC2, 10.10pm: Kylie Minogue, pictured, brings a sprinkle of sparkle to this edition, chatting about her forthcoming album, Disco: Guest List Edition which features Gloria Gaynor and Dua Lipa. Plus, post-punk Leeds band, Yard Act make their Later… debut, performing the title track from their debut album, The Overload, and fellow newcomer, rising SwissSri Lankan star Priya
Ragu, who will be singing Lockdown, from her latest mixtape damnshestamil. Plus, Ed Sheeran offers the first-ever performance of Leave Your Life, written for his daughter.
NOSTALGIA
The 80s – Music’s Greatest Decade?With Dylan Jones, Saturday, BBC2, 8.10pm: The series comes to an end with a double bill, as Dylan Jones looks back on the decade’s alternative music, starting with the Cure on Top of the Pops and ending with the Stone Roses’ TV debut in 1989. He also looks at the new genres that emerged and are still going strong today, including hip hop and house. He charts their evolution drawing on classic clips from Run-DMC, Salt ‘n’ Pepa, S’Express, Neneh Cherry and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
DRAMA
sci-fi series’ history, several villains have raised their ugly heads. The most famous of these are undoubtedly the Daleks and the Cybermen, but there are others who have proved memorable – including the Sontarans. They’re back again this week, and seeing as the alien race loves nothing better than a conflict, they should feel right at home during the Crimean War. While they attack British forces, the Doctor and her companions hope renowned nurse Mary Seattle can lend them a hand to defeat their common enemy. Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and John Bishop star, while Sam Spruell, Sara Powell, Sue Jenkins, Steve Oram and Rochenda Sandall are among the impressive guest cast.
STREAMING
Lioness – The Nicola Adams Story, Amazon, from Friday: Forget your social media influencers. If you’re looking for someone to admire, boxer and Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams has to be among the top 10 inspirational figures. This documentary, directed by Helena Coan, chronicles her achievements and could give someone the boost they need. “I knew that my story would inspire someone,” she says. “When I was younger, I decided to keep the footage from my first fight away from the media as I knew I was going to put it into a film one day… Filming felt like therapy, I was reliving my childhood. I hope that when people watch this, they feel inspired and encouraged.”