BEST OF THE REST

THE ONE SHOW’S RICKSHAW CHALLENGE FOR BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

BBC1, 7pm

WITH Children In Need’s bumper telethon only a week away, this kicks off several of the Pudsey-themed shows that are supporting the charity.

Going live from Calais tonight, cameras from The One Show are with an adventurous team ahead of an eight-day rickshaw challenge.

Six young people, all of whom have been supported by BBC Children in Need-funded projects, will ride the rickshaw, joined by The One Show’s Matt Baker, who will pedal alongside them.

The team will cycle 31 miles through the Channel tunnel to Folkestone and then make their way across England and Wales before finally finishing in Salford next Friday, just in time for the main event.

As Team Rickshaw go on their epic journey to make a difference to young lives, there will be special surprises for the riders along the way.

You can tune in to The One Show all week to follow their progress.

MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS

BBC2, 8pm

RIGHT, we’ve had plenty of laughs with the MasterChef celebs and there were larks in the Bake Off tent, but this is the serious stuff now.

No one has any time for soggy bottoms or exploding jars. A deflated souffle is simply not acceptable.

These are the professionals and we expect a lot more.

Chef Monica Galetti and Michelinstarred Marcus Wareing do plenty to set the tone here, with raised eyebrows and icy stares.

Fortunately Gregg Wallace adds the odd yummy noise which helps to lighten the mood, but there’s plenty of tension.

Tonight sees the first quarter final of the series, with the six strongest chefs from this first week attempting to impress the judges.

First they must invent a dish based on Monica’s favourite ingredient, coconut.

Then the four best chefs will cook for the restaurant critics, with only three going through to Knockout Week.

Is anyone else feeling a bit hot under the collar?

Social services speak to Mariam