PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY Great British Car Journeys (C4, 8pm)

Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison hit the road again, this time travelling the length of the A30, which was originally a coach road and runs for almost 300 miles through the English countryside from London to Land’s End. As Michael Portillo has done in his Great Railway Journeys series on BBC2, they are taking inspiration from period travel guides while motoring along in a vintage Morgan 4/4 –what a way to make a living! During this week’s journey the All Creatures Great and Small co-stars also recreate Britain’s first recorded car journey in a 1900 Georges Richard vehicle and enjoy a jaunt in an early haulage truck, while Davison takes a trip down memory lane by reliving the roadside picnics of his youth.

Digging up Britain’s Past (C5, 8pm)

Helen Skelton and Alex Langlands investigate the Pendle witch trials of 1612. The presenters visit Lancaster Castle, where the suspects were held, read James I’s infamous book on demons and talk to archaeologists who claim to have found the site of the supposed coven’s meeting place. Plus, a look at the role a nine-year-old girl played in sealing the fates of the accused women and how the trial influenced legal history.

David Bowie: Finding Fame (BBC2, 9pm)

It’s three years since Bowie passed away, but the public’s fascination with him lives on, which is why programmes such as this continue to crop up. In 2013 documentary-maker Francis Whateley produced Five Years, which looked at five key periods in Bowie’s career. It was followed in 2017 by The Last Five Years, which explored his creative surge in the lead-up to his death. Whateley concludes the trilogy by turning the clock back to the 1960s, starting from the time he changed his name from Jones to Bowie. The film also examines his early hits, including Space Oddity, and features interviews with those who knew Bowie at the time, including his ex-girlfriends, mime artist Lindsay Kemp and Woody Woodmansey, the last remaining Spider from Mars.

Safe Harbour (BBC4, 9pm)

The Brisbane-based psychological thriller set around a group of friends whose sailing holiday to Indonesia alters their lives forever concludes with a double bill. The Australians are found to have no case to answer but have no sense of relief as they continue to struggle with the aftermath. Ismail seeks revenge but will it backfire when the truth comes out? This then leads to another life being put in danger and a final confrontation, but also the possibility of new beginnings. Meanwhile the crisis brings Olivia and Damien back into the fold of the family.

SUNDAY Endeavour (STV, 8pm)

Oxford, 1969. Something disturbing has happened – DS Endeavour Morse has grown the monster of all moustaches. Life may never be the same again. In fact, change is happening all over the place, not least because of the merger of Oxford City Police with Thames Valley Constabulary. Morse, Thursday and co are still finding their feet in this heady new world, with the former back in uniform having been forced to take up a post in an isolated countryside spot and the latter at the forbidding Castle Gate station, where he’s set to lock horns with his former adversary DCI Ronnie Box. But Morse is about to be reunited with his mentor after discovering the body of a missing schoolgirl on his patch.

Discovering the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra – Benjamin Britten (BBC4, 8pm)

Katie Derham introduces a performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Moritz Gnann. The 1945 musical composition was commissioned for the British educational documentary film Instruments of the Orchestra and was based on the second movement, Rondeau, of the Abdelazer suite. The concert is followed by an examination of the piece in which musicians discuss how the composer took classical techniques and reinvented them to create an optimistic vision for post-war Britain.

Call the Midwife (BBC1, 8pm)

Dr Turner opens a screening clinic for cervical cancer and one of the first patients is a woman who is about to be married and has never had a period. Trixie supports her as she discovers she has a rare condition but the diagnosis could have devastating repercussions. Sister Frances confronts her fear of public speaking, Lucille has a new romance in her life and a father-to-be experiences

strange pains similar to his wife’s pregnancy symptoms.

The British Academy Film Awards 2019 (BBC1, 9pm)

The 2019 film awards season has thrown up a few surprises here and there. Nobody expected the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody to do so well, or for Black Panther to snatch the coveted Best Ensemble Cast trophy at the recent SAG Awards. While Black Panther isn’t in the running in any of the Bafta categories, Bohemian Rhapsody is up for best British film and Rami Malek has been nominated as best actor. He stands a good chance of winning, although the field is wide open. Best actress looks like a two-horse race between Glenn

Close for The Wife and Olivia Colman for The Favourite; perhaps being on home soil will stand the latter in good stead. Other famous faces in the running for awards include Richard E Grant, Adam Driver, Mahershala Ali and Rachel Weisz.

MONDAY The Secret Lives of Slim People (C4, 8.30pm)

Sabrina Grant examines the lives of people who do not stick to a fitness regime or seem to worry about what they eat, but do not have a problem with their weight and stay trim without trying. With the help of private detectives and secret cameras the programme examines their every move and meal.

The first edition features teaching assistant and mother-of-three Hayley from Eastbourne, an unashamed chocoholic with a busy lifestyle, and Rinia from Surrey, who wonders why she manages to stay in shape in spite of her diet of takeaways.

A very British History: Romany Gypsies (BBC4, 9pm)

This four-part documentary series explores key moments in the 20th century for minority communities across the UK. In the first edition, Damian Le Bas looks at how, in the 1960s, many gypsies were forced to abandon their nomadic way of life for a more settled existence. Focusing on the Home Counties, the writer draws on his own Romany family background to show how gypsies faced becoming outlaws, with regular stopping places for their caravans drying up and tighter planning laws putting further pressure on finding somewhere to live. Breakthrough legislation in 1968 finally compelled councils to provide permanent sites for gypsies. This gave hope to many, but at the cost of losing their freedom.

MasterChef (BBC1, 9pm)

John Torode and Gregg Wallace host the cookery competition, as a new batch of contestants are put through culinary challenges to test not just their skills but also their knowledge of food and ability to cope in a professional kitchen. The first seven hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to prove to John and Gregg that they have the potential to rise above the rest and become MasterChef 2019 champion as they get to work using ingredients including brown shrimp, mussels, mackerel, beef mince and pork tenderloin.

Cold Feet (STV, 9pm)

Adam is enjoying his new relationship but he is unable to help feeling jealous when Karen’s head is turned by Dan the benevolent vicar. Jenny starts chemotherapy and gets a new lease of life when her cancer buddy Charlie encourages her to join the hospital choir, while Pete finds himself in a dilemma when Chloe – terrified that her mother is going to die – asks him to formally adopt her. Homeless David takes refuge at the airport but a chance encounter with former wife Robyn forces him to admit his plight.

TUESDAY Impossible Railways (Yesterday, 8pm)

Since their meteoric rise in the 19th century, railways have been at the cutting edge of engineering and transport. Some of the most mind-blowing achievements have been accomplished by the exploits of workers and pioneers who, through design breakthroughs, embraced nature and the challenges of physics to create a remarkable global network. Here, six more extraordinary stories of engineering feats of the railways are brought to life, and this first episode showcases wilderness lines that have pushed the frontiers of human endeavour into previously unknown territories. There are examples from around the world, along with high-tech graphics and stunning on-location footage.

The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC2, 9pm)

After sister show The Great British Bake Off moved to Channel 4, some viewers may have feared that this sewing contest was done for at the BBC, especially as the last series aired way back in 2016. But it turns out that we needn’t have worried. The Great British Sewing Bee is returning for a new series and although there’s no Claudia Winkleman

this time around, the producers have found a great replacement presenter in comedian Joe Lycett. In the opening episode he meets 10 of Britain’s best amateur stitchers, who are vying to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esmee Young in the first challenges.

Shetland (BBC1, 9pm)

The latest run of Vera may have recently come to an end but the good news for fans of acclaimed detective dramas based on the novels of Ann Cleeves is that Shetland is back with a new six-part tale. The latest mystery begins when a jogger discovers a severed hand on the beach during her morning run. When Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) and his team investigate, they make an even grislier find: a holdall containing more body parts. Forensics reveal that the parts all came from the same victim, who is later identified as a young Nigerian man spotted in Lerwick a few days before.

Inside the Real Saudi Arabia: Why I had to Leave (BBC1, 11.45pm)

Saudi Arabia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman. Despite this, Saudi-born, British fashion stylist Basma Khalifa has been persuaded to travel back to the country she hasn’t been to since her parents moved to Northern Ireland when she was three. She’s never felt at home in the UK so maybe she can start a new chapter of her life in Saudi Arabia, which has become more open under the new crown prince. However, days after arriving in the country, news breaks of the murder of the Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

WEDNESDAY The Real Marigold on Tour (BBC1, 9pm)

The success of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films may have led some pensioners, who had never previously thought about moving abroad, to consider retiring to India. But will this new series, which takes veteran celebrities and sends them off on global adventures, leave viewers wondering if they should spend their golden years in Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico or, as in this first episode, Russia? Marigold veterans Miriam Margolyes, Bobby George and Sheila Ferguson are heading to St Petersburg with new recruit Stanley Johnson, whose pro-Russian stance doesn’t endear him to the ladies – although he does bond with Bobby over some vodka.

The 15 Billion Pound Railway (BBC2, 9pm)

Following the final stages of the construction work on the new Elizabeth Line underground railway beneath the streets of London. Cameras focus on the engineers, technicians and train staff who are under pressure to complete their section of the project, including building and fitting out 10 brand new stations, learning to drive the new fleet of trains and testing the 21km twin tunnels beneath London, in a bid to make it safe for the public.

Skint Britain: Friends Without Benefits (C4, 9pm)

Following the residents of the County Durham town of Hartlepool as they became guinea pigs for the introduction of universal credit and the shocking events that followed. Far away from the Westminster bubble, the stark realities of the tougher new system’s impact on people’s lives come sharply into focus. The programme follows unemployed Nathan and Abbey, as they take their dog out to hunt for rabbits and squirrels to cook, and partially blind Dave, who has had his benefit payments reduced, meaning he has just £5 to live off for the entire month.

Cleaning Up (STV, 9pm)

Sam’s world falls apart when her landlady returns with some devastating news and she is forced to face the disastrous consequences of her actions. Coming clean to Dave could solve Sam’s problems but she risks losing her family. Meanwhile Jess is left heartbroken when her business plan falls through.

THURSDAY Australia with Julia Bradbury (STV, 8.30pm)

The world’s largest island and smallest continent, Australia is a land of epic contrasts, from its spectacular natural beauty of vast seared red deserts, lush rainforests, coral reefs, bursting with unique wildlife, to its iconic urban architecture. Travelling by propeller plane, helicopter, camel, golf buggy, bicycle, boats, 4x4 and on foot, Julia Bradbury is embarking on an epic eight-part journey to discover the modern Land of Oz and the people who live there. In the first episode she explores Sydney harbour before heading backstage to warm up with the cast at the city’s famous Opera House. Then, at Bondi Beach, she joins a patrol before

heading off to a tattoo parlour to the stars and meeting Sydney’s drag queens for a memorable night.

They Lend it, You Spend it: The Loan Shop (C5, 9pm)

Community First Credit Union is Yorkshire’s biggest loan shop and this two-part documentary follows the team as they make some difficult choices. From a new TV or a holiday to stopping an eviction, there are many reasons loan shop customers desperately want cash. Doncaster branch manager Cheryl meets bride-to-be Kerry, who has applied for a loan to help pay for her wedding, which she has moved forward after her mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Meanwhile in Barnsley, as branch manager

Dawn goes through Adele’s application for £500 for new carpets, she learns that the customer is more than £1,000 in debt with a doorstep lender. Over in Stainforth, manager Jan is trying to work out if she can award doting father Farran £700 to buy his daughter her dream birthday gift. But this is the second time he has applied, having been declined previously, so will his new job make a difference?

Death in Paradise (BBC1, 9pm)

The team are left stunned by another murder connected to the killing of festival queen Tiana. But there is a new lead – a phone call relating to their initial suspect – so DI Jack and his officers travel over to nearby Rosalie Island where the owner and employees of a lucrative investment company all fall under suspicion as they are questioned about the mysterious call.

The Death of Aimee Spencer (STV, 9pm)

On the morning of July 11, 2016, Brighton police received a call that a young woman had fallen out of the first-floor window of a flat and was unconscious. A week later she died. Katie Piper follows the investigation, from the moment police arrived at the flat and found Daniel Lewis – who was in such a drug-induced state he was unable to explain what had happened – to the conclusion of the case in January this year. They learned that the woman was Aimee Spencer – a webcam girl and Geordie Shore extra. But how did she come to die?

FRIDAY

Secret Scotland (C5, 8pm)

Susan Calman heads to Stirling, Scotland’s historical heartland. At the iconic Wallace Monument, she learns what is like to hold William Wallace’s sword, before climbing to the top to enjoy the view. In the Great Hall of Stirling Castle, the former Strictly star is taught how to Highland dance, all while uncovering a few secrets about Mary, Queen of Scots. Continuing with the theme of traditional entertainment, Susan has a go on the bagpipes and tries her hand at curling. At a medieval village, the comedian learns the secrets of being a shield maiden, before ending her journey at Loch Lomond.

Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens (BBC2, 9pm)

Traditional Japanese gardens combine aesthetics with ethics, and beauty with philosophy in a celebration of the natural world. In this two-part exploration of both traditional and modern, Monty Don looks at some of the most beautiful gardens from all over Japan. He begins his journey in spring, amid the cherry blossoms, where he visits one of “the three great gardens of Japan” and the earliest surviving boating garden of the Heian period. He also looks at the rolling green moss of a Buddhist garden and learns the secrets of creating a Zen landscape.

Posh Hotels with Sally and Nigel (C5, 9pm)

The swanky Langham, London, in the city’s West End offers one of the most expensive suites in Britain – a snip at £24,000 a night – which comes complete with a private butler and personal pianist. But while Nigel Havers lords it up in one of the world’s most luxury suites, Sally Lindsay is put straight to work downstairs. She dons a pink jacket and pink lipstick for her role as a service stylist, whose job is to welcome guests and answer any question thrown at them. But after one goof too many, she is quickly moved behind the scenes. Nigel is also in for a rude awakening when, after a day of luxury, the tables are turned and he gets a taste of serving the super-rich.

Grantchester (STV, 9pm)

Reeling from his family tragedy, Will seeks distraction in Geordie’s world where a curious case unfolds concerning the murder of a teddy boy at a dance hall. The dead boy’s pockets reveal a library card from Esme’s school and, even more disturbing, a picture of Esme herself. Geordie makes a beeline for the school and grills his frightened daughter. She pleads ignorance but Will knows something is up when he spots her hiding a love letter.