PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Top Gear: Ambitious but Rubbish (Dave, 4pm & 5pm)

Although the latest Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff incarnation is enjoyable enough, it’s still not a patch on the Top Gear of old. Here, former host Richard Hammond looks back through the archives at some memorable moments of ineptitude from himself, Jeremy Clarkson and James May. In the first episode, the trio attempts to create a convertible people carrier from a Renault Espace, before James tries to drive up an Icelandic volcano. Then, Richard relives their efforts to cross the English Channel in home-made amphibious cars.

Britain’s Got Talent (STV, 8pm)

Last year’s competition was won by Colin Thackery, an 89-year-old Korean War veteran and Chelsea Pensioner. Now 90 he is, unsurprisingly, the oldest winner of the competition to date. At this stage in the auditions it seems unlikely that his record is going to be beaten this year – in fact, it could be a youngest-ever winner instead. There have been some incredible performances from teens and even younger so far, with 12-year-old Fayth Ifil nabbing the Golden Buzzer in week three; the first week saw a competitor aged four perform as part of Sign Along with Us.

Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy (BBC2, 9pm)

On July 24, it will be 40 years since the comedian and actor passed away following a massive heart attack at the Dorchester Hotel; he was just 54 years of age. Sellers left behind an extraordinary body of work, from the anarchic early success of the groundbreaking Goon Show to his Oscar-nominated performance in Being There. However, despite hitting the heights of fame, he was not always a happy man, in fact he could be difficult and had troubled relationships with his three children and four wives. Here, his daughters Sarah and Victoria offer revealing insights into their father, while his second wife, Britt Ekland, talks about their turbulent marriage. Famous fans and some of the women he tried to woo are also on hand to discuss Sellers’ life and career.

State of Happiness (BBC4, 9pm & 9.45pm)

The eight-part drama following the story of a small Norwegian town and how it changed after an International drilling company struck oil, continues. Nyman’s factory has financial problems and Fredrik has to come up with a plan to save it. Meanwhile, Anna Hellevik sees an opportunity to help her father-in-law and starts scheming behind Fredrik’s back. Then, in the second part of tonight’s double bill, Christian and the other divers on the Ocean Viking take risks every day at work – and those risks are becoming increasingly dangerous.

The Queen’s Speeches: In Triumph & Tragedy (C5, 9.20pm)

Documentary taking a look at a selection of the

Queen’s most famous speeches and the events that inspired them, including the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Queen Mother, Britain entering the first Gulf War, and the coronavirus pandemic. Royal experts and insiders provide the context of what has led to these addresses to the nation, revealing what prompted the monarch to take to the airwaves to reassure her subjects, how she managed it, and whether she captured the mood of the public.

SUNDAY

Candy Wars: Britain’s Favourite Sweets 2020 (C5, 6.15pm)

Last year, the public voted Haribo Starmix as

the UK’s No 1 sweet. The bag full of cola bottles, fried eggs, bears and rings was followed by Chocolate Eclairs – the chewy toffee sweet with a chocolate centre. But which goodies have hit the sweet spot this year? Confectionery-loving celebrities crunch and chew their way through the top 20, while reminiscing about TV adverts from times gone by. Meanwhile, one lucky competition winner heads to a factory to invent her own sweet, there’s a visit to the world’s oldest sweet shop and one of the UK’s top competitive eaters tries to break a marshmallow-eating world record.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (STV, 7pm) New series. Jeremy Clarkson returns with another series of the big-prize quiz, broadcast over six consecutive evenings this week. Six contestants are ready and waiting for the fastest finger first question, hoping to win a place opposite Jeremy and the chance to answer the 15 questions that could change their lives. If they get stuck, they always have the lifelines Ask the Audience, 50-50, Ask the Host and Phone a Friend available to them, and if they’re lucky, like Charlotte Church in last month’s celebrity show, one of their friends might just happen to be one of the Chasers.

The Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft (C4, 8pm)

New series. Keith Lemon and Anna Richardson

host this crafting series in which innovative creatives from across the UK use their artistic talent to produce spectacular makes. In this first episode, former actress and artist Jayne, shop manager Samuel, 3D design graduate Annie and tattoo artist Ann create crafts of epic proportions. In the first task, they make mythical creature puppets in a bid to impress Keith and be picked to go through to create a one-off craft for presenter Eamonn Holmes.

Walking with Elephants (C4, 9pm)

Crossing continents on foot is nothing new for Levison Wood. In the past, the 37-year-old explorer famously completed the first expedition to walk the 6,650km length of the river Nile from Rwanda to Egypt. Now he is embarking on a totally new kind of adventure. Led by elephants, rather than a compass or a map, this three-part series promises to be Lev’s wildest journey yet as he treks alongside these magnificent animals on their annual migration across Botswana. In tonight’s opening edition, Lev enlists the help of San bushman Kane Motswana, before meeting three orphaned elephants. Then, as they embark on their journey, Lev and Kane are charged by a lone male buffalo, and encounter a pride of lions at very close quarters.

David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema (BBC4, 9pm)

In the second of three programmes, the movie critic examines how Australian film celebrates the endurance of outsiders. He looks at newcomers to a strange land in 1966 comedy They’re a Weird Mob (1966), which was based on the novel of the same name by John O’Grady, and Wake in Fright, the 1971 psychological thriller starring Gary Bond and Donald Pleasence. David also analyses films which put locals at odds with the mainstream, including 1988 legal drama Evil Angels (aka A Cry in the Dark), and two romantic comedies from 1994, Muriel’s Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

MONDAY

A Place in the Sun (C4, 3pm)

New series. The return of the programme property expert offers advice to householders aiming to buy a home abroad, beginning with Cath and her daughter Kate looking for a tranquil holiday home along the Costa Almeria in southern Spain. Cath wants enough space for her family to be able to visit, but she also wants somewhere to escape the rat race and find inspiration for her writing. Danni Menzies has five great properties lined up for her £170,000 budget, but will any be the oasis of calm that she has her heart set on?

Great British Menu: The Finals (BBC2, 8pm)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen chefs from across Britain creating dishes inspired by some much-loved children’s books – Beatrix Potter has been a firm favourite (mainly Peter Rabbit, but Jeremy Fisher has been a big influence on the fish courses), with Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and CS Lewis not far behind.

We’ve also seen the judges debating whether a desert can really be considered a tribute to Paddington if they can’t taste the marmalade. But now eight chefs have made it through the heats and into the finals, where in the first episode they will be battling it out to get their starter served at a banquet celebrating children’s literature. The rivals are cooking to impress the regular panel of Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton, and Andi Oliver, as well as guest judge, Children’s Laureate and author of the hugely successful How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell.

Hospital Special: Fighting Covid-19 (BBC2, 9pm)

The award-winning series returns to give us a remarkable insight into how staff and patients alike at the Royal Free London Hospital, a world leader in the treatment of infectious diseases, have been dealing with the challenges of the Covid-19 outbreak. Filmed from the first day of the lockdown, the opening episode sees doctors being redeployed and the ICU doubling its capacity. Among the patients arriving at A&E is 88-year-old Peter, who is struggling for breath. He’s quickly put on oxygen, but Consultant Tim Lockie remains worried about his condition. Meanwhile, in the maternity ward, the staff prepare to perform their first C-section on a covid-positive mumto-be, whose oxygen-saturation levels are dangerously low.

Normal People (BBC1, 9pm)

Connell starts socialising with Marianne in

Dublin and is introduced to her group of friends, one of whom is interested in him, while Marianne is still dating Gareth, but her interest in the relationship is starting to fade. Things take a negative turn for the pair when Marianne goes home and argues with her brother Alan and Connell loses the part-time restaurant job that funds his life in the Irish capital. Adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel, starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Nazi Megastructures (More4, 10pm)

The return of the series charting how the Axis powers built some of the deadliest pieces of military hardware in history. This edition, Japan’s Warrior Code, examines the Battle of Saipan in 1944, when US Marines stormed the beaches of the Japanese island, with a goal of gaining a crucial air base from which they could launch long-range B-29 bombers. However, as they poured from their landing crafts to establish a beachhead, they faced fierce resistance and fighting became especially brutal. This programme looks at the Japanese mindset, a metaphysical megastructure that made its infantry so formidable.

TUESDAY

Life Drawing Live (BBC4, 8pm)

The human form is a challenging subject, but as life drawing isn’t taught that often in art schools these days, there aren’t that many opportunities for artists to hone their skills. Thankfully, Josie d’Arby is back with another opportunity to get a lesson in the art of drawing a real person, as she hosts a live broadcast of a class. Viewers can draw along with the students in a socially distanced studio, with the models presenting a variety of poses inspired by classical works of art. Experts Lachlan Goudie, Diana Ali and Nicky Philipps are on hand to share their passion and knowledge.

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

Charlie and Sammy Khalil are bidding farewell to their terraced house in Bracknell for a detached home, full of character, in gorgeous Aberdeenshire. The move means they gain loads of land and property, all for £115,000 less than their previous home. But it’s not simply a case of nabbing a bargain: last year Sammy had open heart surgery, bringing the mantra of ‘working-to-live rather than living-towork’ into sharp focus. With the house sale completed and bunnies and cats packed, it’s time for the 600-mile journey to what they hope will be a better life. Kate does have questions however: with no local support network and Charlie having only ever visited Scotland twice before, have they thought things through?

The A Word (BBC1, 9pm)

Joe’s teacher provides much-needed support as his anxieties over Rebecca’s pregnancy grow – but this leads to him becoming fixated on her as his source of security instead of his constantly changing family. Paul is shocked when Mark announces he has applied to join the Army, but is not sure which is more worrying – the hurt he will suffer from being rejected or the danger he will face if accepted.

Maurice receives an expensive gift from a member of his hiking group, and fears how Louise will react when she finds out.

Paul Hollywood Eats Japan (C4, 9pm)

Paul goes in search of some of Japan’s strangest food stories on the final leg of his journey. He competes in a noodle eating challenge against two internet celebrities, who have acquired a cult following for their ability to consume vast amounts of food. He also pays a visit to a sumo wrestling stable, where he bakes flatbreads for the fighters and sits down to dinner with the largest fighter in the history of the sport. He then takes a trip into the countryside to visit a farm for very expensive strawberries, and concludes the trip with Osaka’s eat-till-you-drop food tour.

I’ll Get This (BBC2, 10pm)

If you’ve been watching this show, envious that groups of pampered celebrities are able to sit down for dinner together, it’s worth remembering these shows were filmed before the lockdown kicked in and even famous faces have had to isolate. Secondly, one of the stars will end up picking up the entire bill for the whole group, making it a not-so enjoyable experience for someone. In the last extended episode of the series, another quintet go out for dinner and play a series of games. Tonight’s diners are comedian Johnny Vegas, presenter Sue Perkins, former rugby player Mike Tindall, ex-footballer John Barnes and singer Fleur East.

Life and Birth (BBC1, 10.45pm)

A woman who did not have children until her 40s prepares for the birth of her second son, who was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome early in the early stages of her pregnancy. A couple whose previous child was stillborn at 40 weeks are now preparing for the birth of another baby, but have been tormented with anxiety that the same thing will happen again. A first-time mother fears she will not be a natural parent, a concern that is exacerbated when there is a long delay before she can hold her baby.

WEDNESDAY

Born to Riverdance - Our Lives (BBC1, 7.30pm)

Earlier this year the hit show Riverdance celebrated its 25th anniversary. Many of the show’s stars weren’t even born when Riverdance was created, but as this documentary discovers, being a part of what is being billed as one of the biggest nights in Irish dance in living memory is a dream come true for them. And for the two dancers who will step into the male and female lead roles, it could be life changing. Amy-Mae Dolan from County Tyrone is one of three female leads in contention for the coveted starring role on the gala night and cameras follows her intense mental and physical preparations.

GPs: Behind Closed Doors (C5, 8pm)

The GPs focus on infant health. Young children

are often unable to explain their symptoms when they come to see the doctor, so clinicians must turn detective in order to get to the bottom of things. First into the consulting rooms is toddler Leia, who is allergic to a wide range of foods, from meat and vegetables, to grains and pulses. The only thing Leia will actually stomach is breast milk – and, bizarrely, wood. Mum Lauren turns to Dr Singal, who advises her that the next step is to take Leia to a paediatric doctors panel, and to think about possibly feeding her through a tube.

The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1, 9pm)

The amateur sewer competition hosted by Joe Lycett continues. This time, the nine remaining

contestants take part in a series of challenges for sportswear week. To test the sewers’ ability to create practical and stylish sportswear, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young kick off the pattern challenge with a rugby shirt. In the transformation challenge, the contestants turn cagoules into miniature waterproof onesies for toddles, before taking on the difficult task of making tennis outfits in the made-to-measure challenge.

The Country that Beat the Virus: What Can Britain Learn? (C4, 9pm)

Documentary examining the way South Korea has dealt with the coronavirus outbreak, revealing a story of careful planning, mass

testing and contact tracing on an astonishing scale which allowed South Korea to avoid a UK-style lockdown and economic devastation. With countries across the world failing to control the spread, the programme questions if South Korea will be able to hold off a second wave of infection, and what the UK can learn from the strategy South Korea adopted.

How to Leave an Abusive Partner Safely in Lockdown (C5, 10pm)

Experts offer advice on how to walk away safely from an abusive relationship, and discuss ways to access the help and support available for victims of domestic abuse. The programme hears from an independent

domestic violence advisor, a therapist, a refuge manager, a GP, a specialist police officer and a victim support manager, who talk through the different means of support available, and offers an insight, reassurance and practical help to victims of domestic abuse.

THURSDAY

Lockdown Culture with Mary Beard (BBC2, 7pm)

The classical scholar continues to offer insights into the world of culture during the lockdown. Each episode sees her speak to experts on a variety of subjects from the safety of their own homes. This time she turns her attention to music. She wants to know why, at times of great stress, people have a tendency to find comfort in song. She cites the number of A-list celebrities willing to take part in fundraising concerts (such as Lady Gaga’s recent Together at Home event), singalongs across balconies and quarantine choirs as examples. Beard also ponders whether we’re seeing the start of a change in the way we care and share with others, or if we will return to being rather more insular once the lockdown ends.

Charlie Brooker’s Anti-Viral Wipe (BBC2, 9pm)

In 2016, Brooker won a Bafta for his Wipe programme, then seemingly put the format in a box and forgot about it. Either that or he was too busy working on other projects, including the international Netflix hit Black Mirror, to produce another edition. But, four years on and not a moment too soon, he’s back with an allnew one-off episode. As you’ve probably gathered from the title, Brooker will be taking a typically satirical and acerbic look at life in lockdown, as well as reviewing what we’ve been doing to keep ourselves occupied. He’s set to be joined by guest collaborators, including the gloriously dim Philomena Clunk (played perfectly by the divinely deadpan

Diane Morgan), who has some unique opinions of her own to share.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (E4, 9pm)

Things take a distinctly Agatha Christie turn in tonight’s episode of the US police comedy. When a prank involving red glitter goes disastrously wrong and destroys a crucial piece of murder evidence, the sleuthing officers are left trying to solve the mystery. Holt decides to contact his friend Frank Dillman (JK Simmons), who he claims is ‘the best detective he’s ever worked with’, to solve the whodunit. But Jake has other ideas and hopes that he can find the culprit before Dillman does, it will make Holt offer him the task force.

The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC1, 9pm)

The group begin their second week, having settled into their new home on the coast of Puducherry. Henry Blofeld is keen to find a cure for an old injury, so he and Paul Chuckle visit a local hospital where western medicine is combined with yoga. Paul also braves the chaotic roads as he throws himself headlong into his first Indian driving lesson, while Britt Ekland and Zandra Rhodes explore the more spiritual side of their temporary home. Later in the week, some of the group catch the sleeper train to Madurai, where they enjoy the wild celebrations of the famous Chithirai festival.

Paddington: A Year on the Tracks (C5, 9pm)

New series. Documentary following 12 months of Paddington train station and the Western network, following the staff, engineers, drivers and signalers who keep the railway running. Cheltenham races sees thousands of extra passengers arrive - many of whom fancy an early morning tipple - while chaos ensues when a passenger chases a fraudster round the station, accusing him of selling her out-ofdate football tickets. In Swindon, the control room staff hear that heavy rainfall might cause flooding and block the mainline to Cornwall – leaving them facing a big decision.

FRIDAY

The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys (C5, 8pm)

A 500-mile journey across South Africa in a luxury hotel train, which travels between Pretoria and Durban on the coast over the course of three days. The first stop along the way is Nambiti Private Game Reserve, home to rhinos and elephants, before moving on to the country’s most famous battlefields and the Drakensberg Mountains. Passengers have a chance to explore the ancient art of the San people and visit a vineyard that produces some of South Africa’s finest wines.

Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back (C4, 8pm)

The new series continues as the customer service hero – and the man responsible for making complaining funny – fights the good fight on behalf of the public, tackling viewers’ consumer problems, no matter how big or small. Jess Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley, helps Joe as he investigates budget flights and tracks down Airbnb scammers. Comedian Lucy Beaumont investigates how we can all reduce our carbon footprint, and Mark Silcox reveals some ingenious ways to save money on train travel.

Portillo’s Empire Journey (C5, 9pm)

Michael Portillo is heading out on another journey – although unlike his BBC2 shows, this new series doesn’t find him following an old railway guide. Instead, he’s finding out how Britain, a small island on the edge of Europe, was able to build the biggest empire the world has ever seen and leave behind a controversial legacy that is still being felt today. It’s a factfinding mission that begins in India, where the world’s first multinational corporation, the British East India Company, raised a private army to create the empire. Portillo visits the ruins of the grand residence of Clive of India, who became the undisputed ruler of Bengal, making millions for shareholders in Britain – and amassing a vast personal fortune into the bargain.

Gardeners’ World (BBC2, 9pm)

From her garden at Glebe Cottage in Devon, Carol Klein goes back to the basics of propagating plants by demonstrating how to take cuttings. There is also an interview with Advolly Richmond, whose love of garden history is reflected in her own garden, and she shares her passion for a flower with a surprising past. Joe Swift has a large plant in his London garden that is due for some timely remedial work, and the team travels to Brighton to visit a garden packed with exotic plants grown in raised beds and containers.

Later – with Jools Holland (BBC2, 10pm)

The long-running music show returns but it’s not quite as we know it. Obviously, Jools can’t gather musicians in the TV studio in front of an audience for a live jam session, so instead he’s opening up his own studio in South London to the cameras. There he’ll be joined by a special guest each week, starting with French musician Christine & the Queens, who’ll be chatting from her base in Paris. They’ll talk about her musical journey and influences, and dig out some classic clips from the extensive Later archives.