BEST OF THE REST
BAKE OFF: THE PROFESSIONALS
Channel 4, 8pm
HOST Tom Allen sums up the vibe in this professional patisserie contest. “It’s the kitchen where dreams are dashed and nightmares really do come true,” he says.
Yes, the pressure is already at boiling point as the five remaining teams aim to impress scary experts Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden.
Faced with the first challenge to make identical cakes, all exactly the same size, Cherish snaps: “Be warned chefs, I brought my ruler.” Gulp...
They must make 24 illusion cakes in the shape of an egg and 24 millefeuille layer cakes, cue lots of panicking over puff pastry.
Then they have five hours to create a bird-themed showstopper, adorned with enough extra choux pastry praline desserts to serve 24 people.
There are peacocks and swans and it’s all stunning, but with sugar-work cracking, some of the birds are teetering on the edge – and so are the chefs.
“Whose is going to fall first?” sighs one. Place your bets.
THE A WORD
BBC1, 9pm
MORE gorgeous comedy drama from this understated family series that packs an emotional punch.
It’s the day before the wedding of Ralph (Leon Harrop) and Katie (Sarah Gordy), but everyone is shaken when an unwelcome visitor turns up.
It’s Ralph’s dad Doug (Ian PulestonDavies), who hasn’t seen Ralph for a decade, but when he received Louise’s letter informing him of the wedding, decided to invite himself along.
Emotions run high as Louise (Pooky Quesnel) is furious, but Ralph is left to make his own mind up about whether his dad stays or goes.
Thankfully Maurice (Christopher Eccleston) is always on hand for comic relief. “He’s not exactly what I expected,” he declares. “In my head he was always an ageing sociology teacher with a pot belly and erectile dysfunction.”
Everything builds towards the wedding, which is as emotional you’d expect. Watch out for a rousing rendition of Glory Glory Man United and a concerning moment involving the Hokey Cokey.