TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
BRITAIN BY BEACH Tonight, Channel 4, 8pm
Anita Rani finishes her trip around Britain’s beaches by exploring Yorkshire and Northumberland. She begins in Whitby, which brings back childhood memories for the presenter, but she also learns more about the real shipwreck that inspired a key scene in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
From there, Anita goes on to Scarborough to find out why it has a claim to be the oldest seaside resort in the world, before heading to Lindisfarne to hear about the Viking raid that began a new age in Britain. Finally, she shares a tale of smugglers in Robin Hood’s Bay.
DOCTOR WHO: FLUX Tomorrow, BBC1, 6.25pm
It’s the penultimate episode of the all-too-short run, and the forces of evil are gathering, so no wonder it seems as if the odds are stacked against the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop).
It’s not just the villains who are assembling, as this episode has a pretty impressive cast, with Kevin Mcnally, Robert Bathurst and Barbara Flynn joining the regulars, along with Rochenda Sandall and Craig Parkinson, who were both previously seen in a very different Sunday night BBC drama, Line of Duty.
ALONG FOR THE RIDE WITH DAVID O’DOHERTY
Monday, Channel 4, 10pm For the second episode in his freewheeling series, comedian David O’doherty is getting on his bike with Grayson Perry.
As well as being an artist and TV presenter, Grayson is also a former mountain-bike racer, so he should be in his element as they head to the wilds of the Brecon Beacons, where there are stunning views – and challenging hills.
During the trip, they bond by chatting about the artist’s career and childhood. But is there a chance they’ve bonded a little too much when they have to tackle a gruelling five mile climb while nursing hangovers?
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Tuesday, BBC1, 9pm Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls grew up in a family that wanted to make the world a better place, and sets out to find out what kind of people his ancestors were. First up, he looks into rumours of a link to Nelson’s ship HMS Victory. Initially, it looks like Ed will uncover a heroic tale, but the grim reality isn’t quite what he was hoping for.
PAUL O’GRADY: FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS
Wednesday, ITV, 8pm The presenter comes face to face with the long and the short and the tall this
week. His first canine companion is a Great Dane, a gentle giant who simply wants to be loved.
That’s more than can be said for a pair of Lakeland terriers who can’t live with or without each other – they spend their whole lives bickering, and it’s up to Paul to
teach them some manners.
LUXURY CHRISTMAS FOR LESS Thursday, Channel 4, 8pm
Christmas was cancelled for many last year, so you may be crying out for a luxurious yuletide blowout. But with money tighter than ever and shortages predicted on the high street, it won’t be easy.
Thankfully, Sabrina Grant and Sophie Morgan are on hand with tricks to get top quality goods for bargain prices. The first of two episodes includes a guide to buying real diamonds at half the price and where to get this year’s finest tasting smoked salmon and
Christmas pudding. And finally, there’s a look at what you get with cheaper gin.
THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW Friday, BBC1, regions vary
The headliners are undoubtedly Tom Holland and Zendaya, who are keen to whip up interest in their new film, Spider-man: No Way Home.
Then it’s Henry Cavill’s turn to wax lyrical – he’s in town to promote the second run of Netflix’s fantasy series The Witcher – while Gugu Mbutha-raw describes her role in the forthcoming BBC drama The Girl Before.
Music comes from Little Mix.