PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

The Virtual Grand National 2020 (STV, 5pm)

One of the knock-on effects of the global coronavirus pandemic has been the postponement of many major sporting events. Although the Cheltenham Festival went ahead at the beginning of March, it had become clear that subsequent horse-racing fixtures would have to be cancelled. One of the meetings put on ice was that of the Grand National. The loss of this year’s race was especially damaging to the sport, as Tiger Roll had been due to attempt the unprecedented feat of a third consecutive success after wins in 2018 and 2019. However, with the race postponed, this year’s virtual running, hosted by Nick Luck, could be the definitive opinion of what would have happened if the 173rd staging of the event had gone ahead. In addition, there is also a chance to see what happened when sophisticated algorithms pitted the legendary three-time winner Red Rum against modern-day great Tiger Roll.

Twin (BBC Four, 9pm & 9.45pm)

Created by Kristoffer Metcalfe and Game of Thrones and Beck actor Kristofer Hivju (who also stars) this Norwegian thriller tells the story of a twin who switches lives with his brother after his sibling is killed. Erik and Adam look identical, but are living completely different lives. Erik is a ne’er-dowell surfer bum, Adam a successful family and businessman. When Erik seeks out his brother for the first time in 15 years, a quarrel ends with Erik and Adam’s wife, Ingrid, accidentally killing Adam. To avoid being arrested for murder and save his brother’s family, Erik agrees to take over Adam’s identity.

Kemper on Kemper: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer (Pick, 9pm)

Ed Kemper, also known as the Co-Ed Killer, murdered and dismembered 10 people, including his own mother. In this fascinating true crime documentary, previously shown on Sky Crime, former FBI agent John Douglas takes viewers through his extensive interviews with the highly intelligent Californian, which formed the backbone of modern criminal psychology. Kemper reveals how he obsessed over death from a young age, initially killing his family pet and soon leading to the murder of his own grandparents by the age of 15. But was he a product of a troubled upbringing, or was he born to kill?

The Queen Mother’s Blitz (C5, 9pm)

Documentary examining the future Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother’s efforts to improve morale during the Second World War. With air raids a constant threat, her insistence that the royal family remain in London was a reassuring move for the public. Drawing on archive footage and

interviews, the programme also looks at how her personality and determination made a remarkable difference to the war effort and also contributed to the affection in which she continued to be held until her death at the age of 101.

All Round to Mrs Brown’s (BBC1, 9.15pm)

Mrs Brown’s Boys creator, writer and star Brendan O’Carroll dons Agnes’s famous cardigan and curly wig once again as he throws open the doors of the larger-than-life Irish matriarch’s home to host the Saturday night chat show. In the third episode of the series, Agnes and the family are joined on the show by Spice Girl and girl power icon Mel B, comedy actor and Little Britain star Matt Lucas, with his mother Diana Lobatto. Plus, a special musical performance from Jax Jones and Raye.

SUNDAY

Blue Planet Revisited (BBC1, 5.35pm)

The Great Barrier Reef is home to an astonishing array of life and is vital to the health of our seas. But this extraordinary place is under threat like never before. In the second programme of the series, Liz Bonnin is joined by a team of scientists and marine experts to explore the particular challenges facing the eco systems and wildlife in the

region off Australia. As the breeding season gets underway, we follow whales and their calves, green turtles and their hatchlings, as well as the underwater dawn chorus of the Great Barrier Reef, home to 600 different kinds of coral and more than 1500 species of fish. Drawing on some of the best footage from 2019’s week-long Blue Planet Live, evidence is gathered to help form a real-time snapshot of the health of our oceans.

Secrets of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings (Channel 4, 8pm)

The latest episode of the immersive, actionpacked series follows archaeologists hunting for Queen Cleopatra’s lost tomb.

Then, in the Mediterranean, another team of underwater scientists dives to explore the sunken ruins of ancient Alexandria. In addition, a batch of 4,000-year-old mummies are taken to hospital to be scanned for hidden treasure, and a lawyer-turned-archaeologist discovers a secret network of tunnels at a forgotten temple that could lead her to the jackpot: the tomb of the last Pharaoh of Egypt.

Race Across the World (BBC2, 8pm)

The four teams still left in the contest have reached the halfway mark in the 25,000km race from Mexico City to Ushuaia in the far south of Argentina. And with just over eight hours separating them, the race for the £20,000 prize is now well and truly on. The teams have already had to cope with danger, particularly in the remote Colombian desert two weeks ago, and now, in order to reach the next checkpoint, the teams must travel through either Bolivia or Chile. With an unstable political climate in both countries, and everyone now travelling on a shoestring, the journeys become even riskier. Sam and Jo break up their travel with regular breaks, while Jen and Rob have an argument, Emon and Jamiul find work in a salt mine, and Dom suffers a health scare.

The Nest (BBC1, 9pm)

It has been weeks since Dan learnt the truth about Kaya’s past and he is tormented by the dilemma of whether to tell Emily, who has built a firm friendship with the teenager and is finally allowing herself to believe that there will be a baby at the end of all this. Kaya and Jack start to dream about what their lives will be like after the baby is born, but on the night of their school prom Hilary makes a decision that has devastating repercussions for everyone. Scotland-set thriller, starring

Martin Compston, Sophie Rundle and Mirren Mack.

Belgravia (STV, 9pm)

John appeals to members of the Trenchards’ staff in his bid to uncover the truth about Charles, while Turton and Ellis are quick to betray their employers and prove surprisingly adept at deceit and spying. Susan makes a seemingly miraculous discovery, and begrudgingly agrees to accompany Anne and James to their country estate in the hope of extracting further information about Oliver. Stephen makes a last-ditch attempt to secure the funds he needs to pay off his debt – a deal that puts his life in danger.

MONDAY

Jamie: Keep Cooking and Carry On (C4, 8.30pm)

This programme should not exist, but there will be many people out there who are pleased it does. Jamie Oliver and Channel 4’s executives turned the format around in record time in response to the coronavirus.

Its aim is to showcase how to turn kitchen cupboard staples into appetising meals if you’re running out of ideas and, in some cases, ingredients while in lockdown. The series first aired each weekday at 5.30pm from Monday, March 23. It was clearly popular because it’s now being repeated in a primetime slot. Tonight’s episode sees Oliver demonstrate how to make a beef and oxtail stew as well as a mouthwatering pizza. After all, sometimes the simple pleasures in life can be the best.

Terror in Paradise (BBC2, 9pm)

On Easter Sunday 2019, three churches and a trio of luxury hotels in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo were targeted by suicide bombers from an Islamic terror group. Further attacks took place later in the day in Dematagoda and Dehiwala. Almost 300 people were killed, including 45 foreign nationals; around 500 were injured in a total of eight bombings. In this special edition of the This World strand, Jane Corbin meets some of those who faced the attackers and lived to tell the tale. They have harrowing stories and memories of that day a year ago, and their accounts are illustrated here by clips from hours of CCTV footage that show the bombers on the move, revealing in graphic detail how they carried out the atrocities.

MasterChef (BBC1, 9pm)

The semi-finals begin with a spectacular challenge as the nine remaining contestants head to the Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, where they have to cook for HMS Diamond’s Trafalgar Night celebration dinner. Split into three teams, they face the enormous challenge of mass catering at fine-dining level from the ship’s galley. They then return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they must create a dish to hold onto their hard-fought place in the competition, with two being sent home at the end by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Liar (STV, 9pm)

Now reunited with Katy, Laura takes drastic measures to hold the person framing her to account in a last-ditch bid for her freedom. But first, she must discover his identity and where he’s hiding. To achieve what she needs to prove her innocence, she is forced to collude with the most surprising of people and the shocking truth of what happened on the morning Andrew died is finally revealed. Conclusion of Harry and Jack Williams’ thriller, starring Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd. Last in the series.

Putin: A Russian Spy Story (C4, 10pm)

The final instalment of the documentary opens in Salisbury with the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, before tracking back to see how Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012 after a four-year absence was greeted by furious protests and accusations of corruption, as well as American sanctions. The programme also looks at Putin’s decision to annex Crimea and launch a war in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s interference in politics on both sides of the Atlantic and in the Middle East. Last in the series.

TUESDAY

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer (C4, 8pm)

Carol Vorderman, Kelly Brook, Rob Rinder and Mo Gilligan take part in the final charity culinary challenge, overseen by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and presenters Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, making her final appearance in the tent before being replaced by Matt Lucas for the next series. The contestants must take on three tricky challenges – a sandwich biscuit for the signature round, a sweet bread-based technical, and a cake showstopper which reveals their favourite guilty pleasure. Last in the series.

Your Home Made Perfect (BBC2, 8pm)

New series. A couple living in a bungalow near Brighton are treated to two virtual reality visions for what their home could become by architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison. Silvia and Julian bought the property because they loved the garden, and thought they could make something of the house – but their renovations have not been a success. Robert proposes a way to make the planning rules that have restricted them work for the project, while Laura finds a way to bring the beloved garden inside the house. Presented by Angela Scanlon.

Return to Belsen (STV, 9pm)

On April 15, 1945, British troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen,

and the first person to broadcast from the site was Richard Dimbleby. Now, in this documentary marking the 75th anniversary, his son Jonathan is following in his footsteps and paying his own visit to the site. An estimated 70,000 Jews, gay men, gypsies and foreign prisoners died at the camp in Germany, mainly from neglect, starvation and disease. The camp was eventually burned down by the British to stop the spread of infection, so when Jonathan visits it for this film, he finds it principally consists of memorials and mass graves, along with a remembrance museum. However, he speaks to survivors and liberators who have vivid memories of the horrors it once held, and learns why many of them are feeling a new urgency to speak about their experiences.

Our Girl (BBC1, 9pm)

Georgie unearths vital intelligence that sends 2 Section on a mission to rescue Dr Bahil, and concern is further bolstered by a video from Omar. As the Special Forces arrive to help, Georgie remembers leaving her smartwatch in the stolen vehicle, which the Section track and follow in the hope of finding Dr Bahil. Out on the mission, Georgie learns more from Blue about the circumstances around Elvis’ death, leaving her devastated and more determined than ever that Omar be brought to justice. Elsewhere, Throbber’s capers land him in hot water, Mimi’s lies are noticed by a concerned Prof, and Kingy helps Sandy to prove himself to the Brigadier.

A Country Life for Half the Price with Kate Humble (C5, 9pm)

Kate Humble knows what it’s like to swap the rat race for a simpler rural existence and in this new series she’s meeting people who have started their own self-sufficient new lives in the country. The first episode features the Cook family from Exeter, who plan to move to the other end of the country and make a fresh start on the Shetland Islands. They plan to fund their new lifestyle through AirBnB and an isolated space for authors, but their move is complicated by a serious illness in the family.

WEDNESDAY

Kate & Koji (STV, 8pm)

The seaside town at the heart of this sitcom may not have been affected by lockdown, but it doesn’t mean the residents aren’t dealing with their own problems. This week, it’s claimed that a storm is heading their way, and Councillor Bone (Barbara Flynn) is annoyed that her archenemy Kate (Brenda Blethyn) is refusing to step in line. Given our current situation, will audiences be feeling more sympathetic towards Councillor Bone than the woman who won’t do as she’s told? Well, if anyone can keep us on side, it’s Blethyn. Elsewhere, Koji (Jimmy Akingbola) acquires a new jacket, only to discover it comes complete with an unfortunate history, and Medium (Blake Harrison) may have lost Kate a lot of money on the horses.

The Repair Shop (BBC1, 8pm)

Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms back to life. The first arrival at

the barn is Eloise McKenna from Kent, who hopes a large alabaster light shade that belongs to her sister can be repaired by art conservator Lucia Scalisi. Leather expert Suzie Fletcher takes a look at an old piano stool, which has been handed down through four generations of a family. Elsewhere, experts Richard Biggs and Dominic Chinea turn their attention to restoring a toy bus and a pair of binoculars.

The Countess and the Russian Billionaire (BBC2, 9pm)

Sergei Pugachev, who was once known as Putin’s banker, has amassed a $15billion fortune, owning one of Russia’s largest private

banks, as well as shipyards, a coal mine and designer brands. His relationship with his British partner, Countess Alexandra Tolstoy, had seemed like a fairy tale romance, complete with power and money. However, as this documentary going inside their secret world finds out, Sergei has fallen from favour with the president. His empire is under risk and threats have been made to his life. As he begins his fight back from a chateau in France, Alexandra holds the fort with their three children in London, and the documentary explores the pressure this puts on the couple.

The Good Doctor (Pick, 9pm)

Previous shown on Sky Witness, this US

medical drama stars Freddie Highmore as a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who is trying to make his way in a prestigious big city hospital. In tonight’s opening episode, Dr Shaun Murphy is on the way to begin his surgical residency at San Jose St Bonaventure Hospital, when he witnesses an airport sign fall and shatter glass onto a young boy. With his unique ability to visualise the internal body and using improvised methods and tools, Shaun is able to stabilise the boy. Then, in a hospital board meeting, Dr Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) tries to convince them to hire Shaun.

The Trouble with Maggie Cole (STV, 9pm)

As the drama concludes, Roxanna is terrified by Alex’s behaviour the previous night, and tries desperately to get to Alex before he confronts the money lenders. Meanwhile, Jill is still feeling shaken after witnessing Peter and Karen kissing and wonders if she should tell Maggie what has happened. As everyone gathers for the village celebrations, a sudden shocking series of events are put in motion that could potentially cost the life of one beloved villager. Starring Dawn French, Mark Heap and

Gwyneth Keyworth. Last in the series.

THURSDAY

Coronavirus: How Clean Is Your House? (C4, 8pm)

Since the coronavirus outbreak began, we’ve been inundated with messages about washing our hands and not going outside. But should some of us also be changing our behaviour at home, especially when it comes to keeping our houses clean? Hopefully, this one-off special should provide some answers as two families have their houses forensically swept for fingerprints to find evidence of what they may be unwittingly spreading around their homes. As well as asking whether we should also be using this time indoors to do some serious deep cleaning, the programme explores how the coronavirus works and which household products may be the best for the stopping it in its tracks – and which aren’t worth a trip to the shops.

Noughts Crosses (BBC1, 9pm)

Sephy decides she does not want to accept her place at university in Aprica and leaves home with Jasmine – but she is harbouring a huge secret. Meanwhile, Callum and Jude, both working with the Liberation Militia, stage an attack on the offices of the Ohene Standard newspaper, leaving the editor Temitope Kolawale brutally beaten. Planning the militia’s next move, Jude suggests they take advantage of the fact that Callum has access to the prime minister’s daughter. Is he willing to put Sephy’s life in danger? Stormzy guest stars in the drama. Last in the series.

The Mum Who Got Tourette’s (C4, 9pm)

Elizabeth is a typical suburban housewife and mother of three with one big difference – without warning, shortly after her 40th birthday, she developed Tourette’s syndrome – a neurological condition that causes involuntary tics, some of them offensive. This one-off documentary follows Elizabeth and her family over the course of a busy summer, including a holiday in Cornwall, GCSE results and meeting her son’s new girlfriend – experiences amplified by the unexpected impact of Elizabeth’s condition.

Gordon, Gino and Fred: American Road Trip (STV, 9pm)

Gordon Ramsay aims to show his companions that US food lives up to its reputation of being bigger and better as they travel from Nevada to Los Angeles. They begin in style with a helicopter ride about the Grand Canyon – although Gino is too nervous to appreciate the spectacle below him. Next up is a trout fishing trip contest in the Colorado River, followed by a burger in Las Vegas with a hefty price tag of $777 and a visit to a ranch where they have to round up herds of cattle on horseback.

Coronavirus: A Horizon Special (BBC2, 9pm)

The outbreak of coronavirus was first reported in China in December, 2019 and has now spread across the globe in just four months. In that short span of time, entire nations have gone into lockdown and thousands have died, while the media has bombarded us with data and information, not all of it accurate. This special Horizon documentary sorts through the stories and concentrates on the facts, figures and science. It asks what Covid-19 is, why it’s so dangerous and how it affects the body. The programme also compares it to previous pandemics, while asking how datamodelling can help during the worst public health crisis in living memory and exploring the latest medical research.

FRIDAY

Alexander Armstrong’s Heavenly Gardens (BBC1, 1.40pm)

This two-part special sees the Pointless host and garden designer Arit Anderson visit gardens of reflection and contemplation. At Pluscarden Abbey in Moray, Alexander helps harvest luscious apples and accompanies the monks singing midday psalms. He then returns to his student haunts in Cambridge to discover a place designed to inspire joy, even on the bleakest days, in the university’s Botanic Garden. Meanwhile, Arit walks in the footsteps of royalty in the glorious grounds of Sudeley Castle.

Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back (C4, 8pm)

The comedian hit the headlines a few weeks back when he announced he had officially changed his name to Hugo Boss. It was all part of a campaign we’ll see more of during this run of his consumer programme. The first series, which aired last year, went down a treat with viewers. Unlike Watchdog (which has now been consigned to a footnote on The

One Show), it avoided being preachy, instead using humour to highlight various serious issues, something you would probably expect from a stand-up comedian, while gaining impressive results. It’s a busy week for Lycett/ Boss because he’s also back with a new series of The Great British Sewing Bee. Thankfully he has his trusty deadpan sidekick Mark Silcox, and Katherine Ryan as their celebrity assistant.

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson (C5, 8pm)

The actor rides the El Chepe train from the west coast of Mexico through to the Copper Canyon, a system larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. From there, Tony jumps on Mexico’s only passenger line to head towards the USA. Along the way, he stops in the city of Chihuahua where he discovers Sotol, the region’s answer to Tequila. He then heads to Juarez, a city once strongly associated with drug cartels. After crossing the US border into El Paso, Tony meets a fellow train enthusiast trying to revive historic street cars. The final stop is Los Angeles’ Union Station.

The Graham Norton Show (BBC1, 9pm)

We know what you’re thinking: with the country in lockdown, how can a chat show possibly operate? Well, in its regular format, the simple answer is it can’t. But as the BBC announced recently that it was dedicating itself to not only keeping us as up to date as is humanly possible on all matter coronavirusrelated, it’s going to keep us entertained too. Norton’s show was among the programmes announced in a raft of new series, but few clues were given about how it would look, simply saying it would be “not quite as usual”. So we’ll have to trust its producers have something clever up their sleeves. What we do know is that the infamous red chair remains, albeit in viewers’ homes rather than in the studio.