PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen (STV, 11.35am)

People are cooking more than ever and husband-and-wife duo professional chef John Torode and home cook Lisa Faulkner are back with a fourth series of the show which helps viewers easily answer the ‘What’s for tea?’ question. In the first episode, the food theme is ‘It’s All Greek to Me’, where John and Lisa will provide viewers at home with simple and sunny Greek-inspired flavours. Recipes include a rack of roast Greek lamb with orzo and olives, prawn saganaki pies, a veggie cheat’s moussaka and a deceptively easy baklava for dessert.

The Masked Singer US (STV, 4.40pm)

New series. A chance to catch the original US version of the show in which mystery celebrities battle it out in a singing contest while dressed head to toe in elaborate costumes, while a panel of more famous faces tries to guess their identities. Nick Cannon oversees the contest, as mystery singers dressed as Butterfly, Egg, Thingamajig and Skeleton take to the stage, while panellists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger try to work out who is behind the mask.

Great Paintings of the World with Andrew Marr (C5, 8.15pm)

Having made his name by grilling politicians during his long career with the BBC, Andrew Marr may seem like an odd choice to front a programme about art. However, he’s an accomplished artist in his own right and has written books on the subject – cunningly titled A Short Book About Painting and A Short Book About Drawing. In this three-part programme Marr examines the enduring popularity of several works, and discusses the often fascinating stories behind them. He begins at the Louvre in Paris, home of perhaps the world’s most recognisable painting – Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Queen Mary: How She Saved the Royals (C5, 9.15pm)

Documentary about the Queens’s grandmother, who as Queen Consort was George V’s most trusted adviser and became a symbol of national stability, particularly during the crisis that ensued when her eldest son Edward VIII abdicated. The programme examines her background prior to marriage and her continuing influence on the modernday House of Windsor, with royal experts and historians revealing how Queen Mary’s devotion to her duty and her country always came before her personal emotions.

Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer (BBC1, 9.15pm)

Saturday nights have long been the home of shiny-floor spectaculars such as The Generation Game, Strictly Come Dancing and any number of other comedies, game and talent shows. The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Leslie Crowther and many more TV legends have

series - but the good news is that a fourth has already been commissioned. But what loose ends will be left dangling in tonight’s finale and who will live to star in another edition? What we do know is that Konstantin makes a break for it, while Eve and Villanelle try to work out what the future may hold for them - together or apart. Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh and Kim Bodnia head the excellent cast.

Murder in the Outback: The Falconio and Lees Mystery (C4, 9.15pm)

New series. Documentary examining the killing of British tourist Peter Falconio in Australia’s Northern Territory in July 2001, exploring the details and questions that surround this infamous case. In this first episode, Andrew Fraser, formerly one of Australia’s foremost criminal defence lawyers, begins the reinvestigation into the Peter Falconio story, visits the Outback crime scene and speaks to a leading forensic scientist and witnesses from the time of the murder, who raise serious questions about evidence in the case. The whole series is available to stream or download, free, on All 4, straight after the transmission of this episode.

MONDAY

The Bidding Room (BBC1, 3.45pm)

This new series comes from the makers of The Repair Shop, although some viewers may also be reminded of Channel 4’s Four Rooms. Hosted by Nigel Havers, The Bidding Room is set in an emporium in the Yorkshire countryside where a group of expert dealers will be trying to outbid each other to buy extraordinary items brought in by the public. To make sure the sellers get the best deals, they will meet the room’s valuation expert who will talk to them about their item’s history – and what it’s potentially worth. First up in this opening episode is Paul from Devon, who has an unusual piece of hairdressing memorabilia – but to get a good price, the dealers will first have to work out what it is. Meanwhile, Belinda from Salford is hoping to clean up with something she salvaged from the rubbish.

Devon and Cornwall (C4, 8pm)

New series. The return of the documentary examining life in the two counties in south-west England, following Cornish fisherman Phil Trebilcock as he heads out to sea to find lobster and crab. In foothills of Exmoor, farmers Rob and Sarah Taylor ready their native ponies for the show season, while on Lundy Island, warden Dean Jones is hopeful that the seabird colonies are making a comeback. Over on the south coast of Cornwall, shipwreck hunters Mark Milburn and David Gibbins are going in search of a passenger ship that sank in the early 1800s.

Sitting In Limbo (BBC1, 8.30pm)

After living in the UK for 50 years, Anthony Bryan is called in by his manager at the care home where he works and told she has received a letter from the Home Office claiming that he has no right to work in the UK and is suspending him. A few months later, immigration officers arrive at Anthony’s front door and he is put into a van and taken to a detention centre in Dorset. Drama based on a story from the Windrush scandal, starring Patrick Robinson, Nadine Marshall and Pippa Bennett-Warner.

Ocean Autopsy: The Secret Story of Our Seas (BBC4, 9pm)

The world’s waters are split into five distinct oceans, but in reality, they are part of one huge global system. This system has been instrumental in shaping our destiny for millions of years. But now, in the 21st century, it’s humankind that is shaping the destiny of our oceans. In this new film, viewers will embark on a journey to carry out an autopsy on the ocean itself, where leading oceanographer Dr Helen Czerski and zoologist Dr George McGavin will reveal the startling changes it’s undergoing. The duo will look at the water’s toxicity due to industrial chemicals and investigate a plague of microplastics saturating the water.

Inside Monaco: Playground of the Rich (BBC2, 9pm)

New series. Fred Sirieix narrates a documentary giving an insight into the principality on the French Riviera, with access to the royal palace as well as the super-rich and those who serve them. In the first edition, director Michael Waldman explores how this extraordinary country operates, meeting everyone from Prince Albert and his staff to wealthy widow Monika Bacardi, who takes him on a tour in her chauffeur-driven classic RollsRoyce. He also goes track side with Scottish ex-Formula One driver David Coulthard and team owner Eddie Jordan during the Monaco Grand Prix.

I May Destroy You (BBC1, 10.45pm)

Michaela Coel won a Bafta for her acclaimed sitcom Chewing Gum, which she starred in and wrote. Now the multi-talented actress is back as the lead, creator, executive producer and co-director of I May Destroy You, a 12-part drama exploring the question of sexual consent in modern Britain. Coel plays Arabella, who has been dubbed the voice of her generation after her writing gained acclaim online. However, she’s not dealing with the pressures of her newfound success particularly well as she returns to London from visiting her long-distance boyfriend in Italy to some frantic messages from her literary agents, keen to remind her she has just hours to deliver the draft of her new book. She plans to pull an allnighter, until she is tempted to go out with a friend - but the events that follow will leave her questioning her entire life.

TUESDAY

Springwatch 2020 (BBC2, 8pm)

This new format of the annual wildlife series in which the presenters are adhering to Covid-19 restrictions and broadcasting live from around the UK, seems to be working rather well. Tonight, Chris Packham, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke kick off the third week of reporting on the wildlife dramas unfolding before the cameras. Countryfile presenter and ecologist Ellie Harrison joins the team live from her home in the Cotswolds, while award-winning wildlife cameraman Raymond Besant reveals his encounter with otters near his home on the Orkney Islands. Finally, there’s a portrait of the natural beauty of the Lake District, known around the world for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations.

Bake Off: The Professionals (C4, 8pm)

Liam Charles and Tom Allen set two chocolatethemed challenges for the four remaining teams in the third episode – and one of the tasks they will face has never been seen before in the show. For the climactic showpiece round, the teams are required to make a firework-themed creation, which must incorporate moving parts as well as featuring

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the future Han Solo, Harrison Ford.

THURSDAY

Amy (2015) (C4, 10pm)

With her distinctive beehive hairdo, thick eyeliner and deep, soulful voice, Amy Winehouse became a defiantly outspoken icon for a generation. Born and raised in Southgate, north London, she drew inspiration from the music of Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Tony Bennett, and exorcised personal demons through her songwriting, encapsulating

The Railway 24/7 (C5, 9pm)

Public transport may be facing some unique challenges now, but as this new series reminds us, they are used to being under pressure. It goes behind the scenes at TransPennine Express, the company running some of Britain’s busiest trains. Prior to lockdown, seven million more people were using the services than 10 years ago and new trains are due to ease overcrowding, but the project is over schedule. To add to TransPennine’s woes, in this episode it’s early December, the busiest time of the year on the railways, but 60 per cent of TransPennine Express’s trains have been cancelled or delayed that month – leaving the staff facing angry commuters.