MUST-SEE SHOWS
THE X FACTOR Tonight, ITV, 8.25pm
FOR those who thought Simon Cowell’s talent search juggernaut had run out of steam, they were proved wrong when Robbie Williams helped breathe new life into the format.
This has been one of the best series in years, not least because of judges Robbie, wife Ayda and One Direction veteran Louis Tomlinson. This week it’s the first of the live shows, but which of the remaining 16 acts will impress Simon, Louis, Robbie, Ayda and us at home?
BUTTERFLY Tomorrow, ITV, 9pm
MAXINE attempts to mutilate herself, convincing her parents that she must be allowed to live openly as a girl. However, her grandmother is appalled by the development, while the doctors at the gender clinic take the view that she is not yet ready to undergo medical intervention.
Lily feels neglected by her family, leading her into a situation she is not ready for, while Vicky steals money from the business to take Maxine to the US, in the hope that help can be found there. ONLY CONNECT Monday, BBC2, 8pm HOST Victoria Coren Mitchell returns with another run of the engaging quiz.
In the first match, a side from Lancashire takes on three pop music aficionados, with one set of clues consisting of Beethoven’s 7th, Centre of gravity, 3rd of November, and Very beginning.
As the Hotpots take on the Poptimists, prepare to be amazed as some often baffling connections are made.
INSIDE THE TOWER OF LONDON Tuesday, Channel 5, 9.15pm
IT’S more than a decade since the Tower of London last opened its doors to TV cameras, so this four-parter promises to be a fascinating glimpse at a landmark filled with 900 years of mysteries and secrets.
The first episode features a look at the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters, and their bosses who manage the running of the Tower. With up to 15,000 tourists every day, that’s no easy task.
TREVOR McDONALD AND THE KILLER NURSE
Wednesday, ITV, 9pm BEVERLY ALLITT was a 22-year-old nurse who murdered four children in her care in 1991, and attacked nine more at Grantham Hospital in Lincolnshire.
Here, Trevor McDonald re-examines the case 25 years after he reported on her conviction. He is given access to the original police interviews with Allitt, and tracks down several of her surviving victims.
The veteran newsman also meets former Detective Superintendent Stuart Clifton, the man who caught Allitt.
100 DAYS TO VICTORY Thursday, BBC2, 8pm
A CENTURY after the close of the First World War, this twopart documentary drama reconstructs the final months of conflict, revealing how the Allied forces eventually seized victory.
The Germans had launched an attack, advancing more than 60km in only three days.
Blocking their path were the British, French, Australian and Canadian forces, whose leaders – General Haig, Marshal Foch, General Monash and General Currie – decided the way to victory was via the effective co-ordination of artillery, tanks, aircraft and infantry. Modern warfare had begun.
Malcolm Taylor, Bruce Turner, Denis Lamonde and Ben Mortley play the Allied military leaders.
STAND UP TO CANCER 2018 Friday, Channel 4, 7pm
AROUND half of us will get cancer in our lifetime, and with research not coming cheap, it’s a good job the likes of Adam Hills, Alan Carr and Maya Jama are doing something about it.
They launch the latest star-studded night of fundraising, and there’s no shortage of celebs taking part.
Aside from Celebrity Gogglebox, Michael Bublé and James Corden will star in Carpool Karaoke for SU2C. Plus, there are sketches, appearances and performances from the likes of John Legend; Little Mix; Gareth Southgate; the Muppets; Stephen Merchant; Matthew McConaughey; Jon Hamm; Davina McCall, and many more.