TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
ALEX SCOTT: THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Tonight, BBC1, 10.20pm
The Euros begin on Wednesday, but that’s not the only reason it’s an exciting time for women’s football. It’s the fastest-growing female sport in the world – attendances and viewing figures are up, along with multi-million-pound broadcasting deals and players’ wages.
Former England international Alex Scott is finding out just how far the women’s game has come, asking whether this level of growth is sustainable and what the future will look like with the help of some of the biggest names in the sport.
TOP GEAR Tomorrow, BBC1, 8pm
What better way to mark the Beeb’s 100th birthday than by donning a flat cap and bouncing up some very steep country tracks in a very old, very expensive car?
Yes, Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris try their hands at hill trials. Paddy helps celebrate another milestone, 50 years of BMW’s M division,
showcasing the legendary 3.0 CSL Batmobile and V10-engined M5, to the nostril-tastic M3.
Plus, Chris gets to grips with Ford’s wicked WRC racer, and the team investigates the future of fuel.
AIDS: THE UNHEARD TAPES Monday, BBC2, regions vary
The series exploring the Aids crisis, drawing on interviews recorded during the 1980s and 1990s with those directly affected, reaches 1986, when diagnoses were rising.
However, levels of care were hugely variable and many within the gay community felt the government was failing to implement a Public Health strategy.
When predictions suggested there would be a big rise in cases outside the gay community, the government created the hard-hitting Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign, targeting every household in the country.
FREDDIE FLINTOFF’S FIELD OF DREAMS Tuesday, BBC1, 8pm
This new series sees Freddie return to his first love – cricket.
The former England captain, a brilliant all-rounder for Lancashire and the national team, is worried that working-class players like him are dying out, with youngsters unable to hone their skills due to a lack of opportunity and pitches.
As a result, he’s heading back to his roots to set up a club for teenagers who have never played before. Across three episodes we’ll watch their progress.
THE SAVOY Wednesday, ITV, 9pm
With lockdown well and truly over, the hotel’s patrons are starting to come back. Some have reasons to
celebrate – and what better place to do so than The Savoy?
Unfortunately, such activity puts an extra strain on the staff, particularly the newer members of the team. Luckily veterans such as butler Sean are on hand to lend a hand. Meanwhile, in the Thames Foyer, Enzo sets about preparing the perfect afternoon tea.
OUR GREAT YORKSHIRE LIFE Thursday, Channel 5, 7pm
Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews is a Yorkshire native – he was born in Rotherham. Now, he’s kicking off this new series by showing Lancastrian co-star Liam Fox what the county has to offer beyond the confines of TV’s most disasterprone village, beginning with a trip to Malham in the Dales.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire Vet star Peter Wright and his wife Lin are also going exploring as they pay
their first visit to Harrogate’s famous Turkish baths, before going behind the scenes at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
LIVE: THE LATEST SHOW WITH MO GILLIGAN Friday, Channel 4, 10pm
There’s going out in style, and then there’s the series finale of this double Bafta award-winning show.
Presenter Mo oversees a live special, with guests including TV hosts AJ Odudu and Jonathan Ross, as well as boy band Blue. With an eclectic mix of music and comedy there’s no better way to slide into the weekend.