PICK OF THE WEEK

but at a price. And Hannah, after receiving heartbreaking news about Christie, finally confronts the past. Abi Morgan’s drama stars Nicola Walker. Last in the series.

Africa’s Great Civilisations (BBC4, 10pm)

US historian and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr presents a new series exploring the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the beginning of the 20th century. That’s a big undertaking, especially as he aims to take his personal journey through 200,000 years of art, writing and civilisation in just six episodes. In the process, he’ll look at how Africans shaped not only their own continent but also the wider world. He’ll also be exploring some extraordinary landmarks, including the pyramids of Meroe in Sudan and the spectacular rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia.

4 Men, 175 Babies: Britain’s Super Sperm Donors (C4, 10pm)

Documentary following four men who have collectively helped to conceive more than 175 babies by donating their sperm to women who contacted them on unregulated websites and social media groups. These men, who donate for free, will often drive hundreds of miles to meet women at their homes, hotels or even car parks. For those featured, donating sperm sits somewhere between an obsessive hobby and addiction. Filmed over a year, cameras reveal the lengths these men will go to, as well as the potential consequences of their actions.

WEDNESDAY The Big Crash Diet Experiment (BBC1, 8pm)

It used to be the case that people looking to shed the pounds were advised to avoid crash diets that promised quick results in favour of doing it sensibly by making smaller, long-term lifestyle changes. But now a series of scientific trials have led researchers to ask whether some seemingly extreme weight-loss methods might be the answer to the obesity crisis. To see if the results of these highly controlled studies translate to the real world, A&E doctor and presenter Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, who until now has been suspicious of crash dieting, and a team of experts are putting four volunteers on an extreme 10-week programme. In the process, they’ll be showing why dieting isn’t just about weight loss, but also about the health benefits that come with it.

Secrets of the Third Reich: The Search for Hitler’s Bomb (Yesterday, 8pm)

Although US scientists during the Second World War might have been racing to beat the Nazis in creating an atom bomb, it was later claimed that the Germans had abandoned their own atomic plans, in part because their physicists were needed elsewhere. However, newly uncovered documents, Allied military reports and construction plans suggest that Hitler had in fact tested a new kind of nuclear weapon in March 1945. This documentary assesses the evidence and asks how close the Third Reich came to having the bomb.

Pompeii’s Final Hours: New Evidence (C5, 9pm)

On one fateful autumn morning in AD79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the vibrant Roman city of Pompeii – and many of its citizens – beneath tons

of volcanic ash and debris. Since its rediscovery in the mid-18th century, the site of Pompeii has hosted a tireless succession of treasure hunters and archaeologists all seeking to learn more from this window into the past. Here, historian Bettany Hughes, archaeologist Raksha Dave and John Sergeant are teaming up over three consecutive nights to explore and challenge what we think we know about the fall of the Roman city. They begin tonight’s first episode on October 22 in AD79, piecing together the final days of the doomed city together hour by hour.

Carry on Brussels (C4, 10pm)

The second of three programmes following an eclectic group of British MEPs as they brace

themselves for Brexit. Ukip’s Hermann Kelly thinks Brexit is in danger of going soft, so sets off to find stories of EU excesses to feed to sympathetic journalists. Lone Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder has the ear of the Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, and determines to use her ally to frustrate Brexit. However, when she votes against the UK Government, her tactics risk backfiring as the lead negotiator David Davis calls for her to be sacked.

THURSDAY Nicholas and Alexandra (Yesterday, 8pm)

Dr Suzannah Lipscomb concludes her look at the relationship between Tsar Nicholas II and his wife the Empress Alexandra by examining how their

decisions led to widespread public anger and contributed to the revolution that would bring a brutal end to his reign. But even during their fall from grace, their love letters suggest their own relationship remained strong – and, as Suzannah discovers, history has been kinder to the couple than their reputations in their own lifetimes might suggest.

Britain’s Best Home Cook (BBC1, 8pm)

Week five of the home cooking contest sees the contestants starting out with dessert as they put their individual spin on a chocolate pudding. The sweet dishes served to the judges include an ambitious chocolate charlotte, a Black Forest gateau and one that integrates a root vegetable. Next they are given

just one hour to invent a sweet or savoury dish using aubergine or tofu as the key ingredient, before the elimination round sees the weakest cooks following a recipe for a classic oriental dish. Presented by Claudia Winkleman.

Million Pound Menu (BBC2, 9pm)

The show dubbed “Dragons’ Den for the hospitality industry” continues as Fred Sirieix welcomes two more aspiring restaurateurs to Manchester. First up, Hollings, the brainchild of former Hix employees Ronnie Murray and James Randall, is not a going concern as yet, but the duo are keen to raise £200,000 and launch their brand serving British chophouse classics in London’s commuter belt. The Cheese Wheel was established by 35-year-old Graham Bradbury in February 2017 after he approached Camden Market with the idea of serving fresh pasta from a cheese wheel. An ex-chef at L’Escargot in London, Graham wants the Cheese Wheel to become the next Italian-inspired restaurant chain. But can he persuade potential backer Jeremy Roberts to part with half a million pounds?

Humans (C4, 9pm)

Sci-fi drama set in a parallel world where synthetic humanoids try to live side by side with real people. As Leo struggles to come to terms with being human, Mattie takes him back to the Hawkins’ home, where a surprise night out allows them to confront their feelings for each other. Laura is determined to uncover the truth about the too-secret Operation Basswood and tries to enlist Dr Neil Sommer’s help, only for things to take an unexpected turn. Joe reluctantly decides to help Karen with Sam, and Niska receives a mysterious message.

FRIDAY The Bridge (BBC2, 9pm)

Still at large, Taariq spots the car used to kidnap Margrethe Thormod and tracks down its owner with the intention of extorting money from him. When another murder at the hospital in Malmo appears to be connected to the two previous ones, Saga finally realises how they are linked and that the killing is probably set to continue. Meanwhile the girls vacate Henrik’s house, and while trying to find them Henrik runs into Thomas, the drug dealer. Scandinavian crime drama, in Danish and Swedish, starring Sofia Helin and Thure Lindhardt.

Tracey Breaks the News (BBC1, 9.30pm)

New series. Award-winning actress, impressionist and comedian Tracey Ullman reacts to the events of the moment, alongside her incarnations of politicians including Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and, new for this second series, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Jeremy Corbyn has an awkward meeting with an old friend, beleaguered German chancellor Angela Merkel reassesses her image and media mogul Rupert Murdoch spends some quality time with one-time model and now his better half, Jerry Hall. With Ben Miller.

Africa: A Journey into Music (BBC4, 10pm)

A new series begins with DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray heading to the country that is home to some of the most influential African music of the last 60 years, Nigeria. She finds that its extraordinary poly-rhythms have been heard in funk and afrobeat for decades and continue to spread across Africa and beyond thanks to modern pop. Along the way, she learns more about the importance of rhythm in traditional Nigerian music and its impact on genres ranging from Yoruba juju music to acoustic singer-songwriters.

Friday Night Dinner (C4, 10pm)

Adam brings his old violin back home, and as a special family treat Mum makes him agree to play the instrument for Grandma, who has been invited round for dinner. However, Adam is not at all happy at the prospect as he hasn’t played seriously for some 12 years and has always hated playing the violin anyway. An amused Jonny relishes every moment of discomfort as he watches on from the sidelines. Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal, Tamsin Greig, Paul Ritter and Frances Cuka star in Robert Popper’s award-winning comedy.