PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Billie: In Search of Billie Holiday (BBC2, 9.45pm)

You could say that there’s recently been a wave of interest in jazz singer Billie Holiday – she’s the subject of a new biopic, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, which won a Golden Globe for leading lady Andra Day. However, it’s probably also fair to say that interest in her never waned in the first place. The singer, who was born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia in 1915, is generally considered to be one of the greatest voices of all time and remains hugely influential, continually winning over new fans. Yet despite her fame and legacy, Holiday is something of an enigma, which is why in the late 1960s journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl set out to write the definitive biography of her. The author died before she could complete the book, but this documentary draws on the remarkable interviews she conducted with some of the key figures in Holiday’s life.

Six Nations Live (STV, 1.30pm)

A fortnight ago, Wales clinched the Triple Crown with a stunning 40-24 victory over England in Cardiff. Today, Wayne Pivac’s side continue their quest for a Grand Slam when they take on Italy in the fourth round of fixtures at Stadio Olimpico. Then, Eddie Jones’s England, no doubt still smarting from that comprehensive defeat at the hands of the Welsh, take on France in the latest instalment of ‘Le Crunch’ at Twickenham. Head coach Fabien Galthie’s French players will be confident of their first win at HQ since 2007, after already securing away victories in Ireland and Italy this campaign.

Gordon Ramsay’s Bank Balance for Red Nose Day (BBC1, 6pm)

It may have debuted to mixed reviews and disappointing ratings, but the Beeb clearly has faith in Gordon Ramsay’s Bank Balance – they even commissioned a Comic Relief celebrity special. It finds Gordon’s old mate and fellow chef Gino D’Acampo (who has himself diversified into gameshow hosting with Family Fortunes) teaming up with his son Luci in the hope of winning up to £100,000 for charity. Can they keep their cool under pressure? And can Gordon temper his language for a teatime slot?

Blitzed: The 80s Blitz Kids’ Story (Sky Arts, 9pm)

The so-called ‘Blitz Kids’ were a group of people who frequented the Tuesday club-night at Blitz in Covent Garden in 1979-80, and are credited with launching the New Romantic subcultural movement. Steve Strange and Rusty Egan co-hosted these exclusive nights without giving them a name, publicised them solely by word of mouth, and placed an emphasis on style by enforcing a strict dress code at the door. This documentary charts the history of the London venue, which became the Soho equivalent of Studio 54 and was frequented by Boy George, who worked as

cloakroom attendant there before fronting Culture Club, as well as Spandau Ballet, Visage, Ultravox and Sade.

When the Spencers Met the Monarchy (C5, 9pm)

She may have been the ‘people’s princess’, but Diana Spencer came from a very aristocratic background. So, when she married into the Windsors, it set the scene for what became an acrimonious fallout between two strong and noble families, who found themselves on either side of a conflicted royal couple. This documentary explores how the Spencers and the Windsors were thrust together and then torn apart, and looks at how the dynamics between the two household changed throughout the marriage. It also draws on archive footage, including recently unearthed clips of Diana and Prince Charles in the moments after he infamously replied “Whatever ‘in love’ means” to a question during their engagement.

SUNDAY

Live Six Nations Rugby Union (BBC1, 2.20pm)

A 19-12 defeat in last year’s meeting with Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament left Scotland with just four wins from their 21 meetings between the two sides in the Six Nations era. Then a 31-16 reverse in the Autumn Nations Cup clash between the sides last December ensured Scotland’s 2021

fixture list was bookended by defeats at the hands of Ireland. However, with a victory against England to their name in this tournament already, can Gregor Townsend’s side end their losing run against the men in green at Murrayfield today? Gabby Logan is joined in the studio by Martin Johnson and Andy Nicol, while commentary comes from Eddie Butler, Chris Paterson and Jamie Heaslip.

The Great Pottery Throw Down: The Final (C4, 8pm)

The battle of the clay concludes, as host Siobhan McSweeney invites the final three home potters to compete one last time and

become champion. The pressure is on as they face two of their toughest challenges, as we turn back the clock 100 years to the 1920s for an art deco-inspired final. Then, it’s party time, as the finalists make a punch bowl and decanters, before they face the tiniest throwing challenge ever set by the show. Only one potter can be crowned the champion by judges Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones.

Grace (STV, 8pm)

If ever a TV drama had ‘surefire hit’ written all over it, it’s Grace. The two-part series is based on bestselling novels by Peter James and star John Simm as DSI Roy Grace, a police officer based in Brighton. What’s more, the tales have been adapted by Russell Lewis, creator of Endeavour. The first film, Dead Simple, sees Grace occupied with cold cases but haunted by thoughts of his wife Sandy, who has disappeared. His unorthodox methods have raised eyebrows among the powers-that-be, but his colleague, DS Branson, thinks Grace’s sharp mind might prove useful in finding out what has happened to a groom-to-be who vanished while on his stag night. The victim was a successful property developer with everything to live for, and our new hero realises someone close to home may know more than they’re letting on.

Top Gear (BBC1, 8pm)

The boys are back – and the new run should be a good one because there’s something to celebrate this year, and it’s not just because we should be able to get out and about a bit more soon. It’s also due to the fact that this is Top Gear’s 30th series, and not many shows have reached that milestone. So, what can we expect from Paddy McGuinness, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Chris Harris across the run? The usual mix of mayhem and road tests, of course. Among the highlights are a James Bond-themed adventure, a trip down memory lane involving drives in their fathers’ cars, and a race between an Extreme E motor and a man with a jetpack. Plus, the trio will be putting such models as the Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch, V8-powered Ferrari Roma and the hybrid V12engined Lamborghini Sian under the microscope.

Bloodlands (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s the final episode of the gripping mystery thriller’s run, so hopefully a few loose ends are about to be tied up – and let’s face it, there are plenty of them lying around. Susan Lynch, who can also currently be seen in ITV’s Unforgotten, pops up as Heather Pentland, who may have valuable information about Jack Twomey – Tom Brannick (James Nesbitt) remains convinced his superior officer knows more about Goliath than he’s letting on. Tom is also under pressure from his daughter Izzy (Lola Petticrew) and Tori Matthews (Lisa Dwan) to reveal the truth – and with more lives on the line, he knows time is running out too.

MONDAY

The Truth About Long Covid: Dispatches (C4, 8pm)

How long it takes to recover from coronavirus is different for everybody. While many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within three months, for some people, the symptoms can last longer. It’s predicted that up to half a million people in the UK are now living with so-called ‘long Covid’, and with those numbers in mind, Dispatches reports from Bradford, one of the UK’s worst hit communities during the pandemic. The programme hears from sufferers and asks if the NHS will be able to cope with the lasting legacy of the virus.

Jamie: Keep Cooking Family Favourites (C4, 8.30pm)

For tonight’s regular ‘twist’ dish, Jamie takes inspiration from France for a fresh way to cook the always popular roast chicken, adorning it with beautifully crisp smoked bacon and fresh tarragon, and serving it on a bed of garlicky spinach lentils rippled with creme fraiche. The chef also shares some easy ways to use up leftover stale bread, and make it the hero of any dish. Finally, anyone who has followed Jamie’s career over the years will know that his first job was a pastry chef at Antonio Carluccio’s Neal Street restaurant. It was there that he first gained experience at preparing Italian cuisine, as well as developing a close relationship with his mentor Gennaro Contaldo. Jamie is joined by Gennaro tonight, as they cook up a surprising take on a classic prawn linguine, which the host says is “the perfect way to show someone special some love”.

Unforgotten (STV, 9pm)

DS Boulting hears about an incident at the Ifield Pub where police probationers used to drink that took place three weeks before Walsh disappeared. Could this provide a link to the suspects that the detective have been looking for? Meanwhile, as Cassie and Sunny speak to the training officer and get his opinion on their different personalities, DS Lingley tracks down Walsh’s brother Clive who reveals that he was present on the night he died. And during an interview with Cassie and Sunny, they learn that he saw his brother being chased but was too scared to go and help. Meanwhile, at the mortuary, Balcombe identifies the cause of death as a skull fracture, and Geoff realises there’s a lot he doesn’t know about Fiona’s past.

22 Kids & Counting (C5, 9pm)

The final episode of the series following the Radfords, Britain’s biggest family. With 10 teenagers now living in the house, their collective laziness is driving mum Sue to take up DIY projects, leaving the house in utter chaos. Sue wants a third French bulldog and while dad Noel says that isn’t going to happen, Sue gets her own way and there is another addition to the family, albeit just a new puppy. To make matters worse, Noel and Sue take the younger ones away for a night, leaving the teens to have a party at home. What could possibly go wrong?

MasterChef (BBC1, 9pm)

Five more amateur chefs strive to be among the two who will proceed to this week’s quarterfinal. Their first task, as ever, is to sufficiently impress the judges with their signature dishes to avoid the second favourite ingredient challenge, after which the weakest link is eliminated. The four remaining hopefuls then cook for John Torode and Gregg Wallace and two returning stars from previous competitions. Tonight, they are the champion from 2009 Mat Follas, who went on to open his own restaurant, The Wild Garlic, in Beaminster, Dorset, and 2012 winner Shelina Permalloo, who released her first book, Sunshine On A Plate, a year after her victory.

TUESDAY

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

Matt Lucas welcomes award-winning X-Men actor James McAvoy, popstar and The Voice UK judge Anne-Marie, comedian and writer David Baddiel and double Olympic gold medal-winning athlete Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes into the nation’s favourite tent. As usual, judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood have three challenges in store for the celebrity competitors. First up, the bakers are asked to make Signature decorative tarts. They then have to create a savoury Technical, before rendering their spirit animals in cake form for the Showstopper. But which of the four celebs will pull out all the stops to claim the winner’s apron? And will any of their efforts be good enough to receive a special handshake from Paul?

Bear & Jonny Wilkinson’s Wild Adventure

He spent the noughties getting soaking wet and covered in mud on rugby pitches. Now former England legend Jonny Wilkinson has gone back to roughing it – after joining forces with Bear Grylls to face the gruelling and harsh terrain of Dartmoor. “I’m terrible with heights, and I’m actually really bad with claustrophobia,” Jonny admits, just before Bear tells him about a “super cool little place... cliff and crags and caves and rivers, forests... lots of ups and down”. Later, Jonny tackles a hideous looking damp ‘chimney climb’, before opening up about his obsessive nature, his childhood and his career. Then, over a lunch of frogs’ legs, Bear takes Jonny back to that pivotal moment when he scored the winning drop goal to help his country win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

2020: The Story of Us (STV, 9pm)

During 2020, Covid-19 turned our world upside down, with so many suffering loss and hardship, and our freedoms being curtailed. Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald’s feature-length documentary tells the story of coronavirus in Britain through the experience of people immersed in its impact, both personally and professionally. Using testimony from staff in hospitals – consultants, doctors and nurses – as well as weaving in the experience of patients, this documentary paints a vivid portrait of the working lives of ICU staff and those they treat.

Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency (BBC1, 9pm)

Roman Kemp seems to have led a blessed life. He’s handsome, has a blossoming media career and is the apple of the eye of his parents, Martin and Shirlie Kemp. But last year, his world was turned on its head by the sudden and unexpected death of his best friend, radio producer Joe Lyons. Kemp is dedicating this documentary to Lyons’ memory, and it will see him explore the urgent issue of mental health among young men. One of the questions he asks involves why so many of those struggling end up taking their own lives. He hopes that by shining a light on a difficult subject, it will help others of his generation to speak about their feelings rather than struggling in silence.

The Circle (C4, 9.15pm)

Following the Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special which concluded last night, the regular show returns for a new run. Emma Willis is back to host with comedian Sophie Willan resuming her role as the inimitable voiceover. Tonight, the block of flats welcomes its latest set of residents and a £100,000 prize is at stake in an unpredictable game of popularity. The players will be metres apart, but they can’t see or hear each other. Instead they communicate via a voice-activated platform called the Circle. But on the Circle, not everyone is who they seem, and the players have no idea who is real and who is a ‘catfish’.

Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (BBC4, 10pm)

Filmmaker Julien Temple dives deep into the

life of Shane MacGowan, the tortured lead singer and songwriter of the Pogues, who famously combined traditional Irish music with the visceral energy of punk rock. The film covers MacGowan’s early years in Tipperary, his schooldays in Tunbridge Wells and the Barbican, his formative time in the late 1970s punk circuit, international fame in the 80s and 90s, controversies, and how he defied the odds after years of drug and alcohol abuse. It features unseen archival footage from the band and MacGowan’s family, as well as animation from legendary illustrator Ralph Steadman.

WEDNESDAY

Bill Bailey: Limboland (BBC1, 9pm)

Where else do you get a death metal version of Candle in the Wind and a dance version of the iPhone ringtone, as well as comparisons between Paul McCartney and One Direction, and a section on birdwatching? That’s right, at a Bill Bailey gig. This programme, recorded at Hammersmith Apollo, pre-lockdown, sees him perform his ‘best show for years’, and discuss Labour politics, defective toasters, an Arctic sleigh trip to the northern lights, and malfunctioning Skype calls, in between other trivial subjects and musical show-stoppers.

Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death (C4, 9pm)

For many of us, our enduring image of Caroline

Flack is of her lifting the glitterball trophy after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2014. Nobody who saw the sheer joy on her face could have imagined that, just six years later, she would take her own life. It’s almost 13 months since the announcement of her death, which left many who had followed her career shocked. This new documentary sees her family and friends, including her mother Christine and twin sister Jody, pay tribute to the Caroline they knew, while the programme’s makers goes behind the headlines to offer a truthful profile of the complex woman behind the public persona. It also pulls no punches in its exploration of the pressures that fame heaped on her fragile shoulders.

The Terror (BBC2, 9pm)

It’s now November 1847 and, just when it seemed as things couldn’t get any worse for the crews of Erebus and Terror, they do. The creature continues to pick them off, so caulker’s mate Hickey gathers together some colleagues to help him kidnap Lady Silence. He believes she controls the killer and can stop it cutting its bloodthirsty swathe through the ships, but he merely ends up landing himself in trouble. Later, the creature is seen at last, and its appearance is somewhat alarming. During its attack on Terror, Blanky suffers terrible injuries and Lady Silence makes her escape.

DNA Journey (STV, 9pm)

It’s not quite Who Do You Think You Are? but if last week’s opening episode featuring old mates Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp is anything to go by, ITV’s genealogy-themed series is entertaining, informative and well worth a look. This week, it’s the turn of Amanda Holden and Alan Carr to take centre stage. They travel across the country, learning about their ancestors as they go and meeting relatives they never knew existed. Among the highlights is Holden’s trip to a stately home in Cornwall and Carr’s visit to Erith in South East London, where he learns about his link to a pub with a colourful past.

THURSDAY

Billy Monger’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s Red Nose Day on Friday and at least one person is pushing themselves to the limit to raise money. Professional racing driver Billy Monger has set out to walk, kayak and cycle 140 miles across England. Four years ago,

Billy became a double amputee as a result of a horrendous racing accident, and the challenge will see him walking further than he’s ever had to before, while also kayaking for the first time in his life and re-learning how to cycle. Throw in the unpredictable weather, and this is a truly daunting challenge. Luckily, there are celebrity supporters on hand to cheer him on, starting with Jose Mourinho, who gives him some words of encouragement before he begins, and comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Ramsey, who greets him under the

Angel of the North.

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (STV, 9pm)

Coleen Nolan has grown up in the spotlight – she made her stage debut in Blackpool at the age of two, and went on to sell more than 25 million records with her sisters as part of The Nolans. Now, she’s opening up to Piers Morgan about her life away from the stage, including the cancer ‘curse’ that has devastated her family – three of her sisters battled the disease, including Bernie, who passed away in 2013. She also talks about her experiences of growing up with an alcoholic father, her two marriages and the time Jimmy Savile invited her to his hotel room when she was 14 years old.

The Good Fight (More4, 9pm)

The fourth season of the American legal series and The Good Wife spin-off begins. In an alternate reality, Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) is delighted that Hillary Clinton has beaten Donald Trump in the 2016 election and is now serving as the 45th President of the United States. But while Diane’s liberal self is overjoyed, she quickly discovers that this alternative world is not the paradise she hoped it would be. She realises that the #MeToo movement does not exist and Harvey Weinstein is still a respected movie producer.

10 Years Younger in 10 Days (C5, 9pm)

Now that the roadmap out of lockdown has been revealed, some people’s thoughts have turned to sprucing up their appearance, ready for when the pubs re-open. So, it’s the perfect time for Cherry Healey to return with the series in which an expert team transform people’s looks using only non-invasive cosmetic techniques. They begin by coming to the aid of community police officer Suzanne, who loses her confidence when she’s out of uniform, and Tracey, who has more time to herself since her children have left home – can the team help her make the most of it?

Rob Brydon’s Now That’s What I Call Comic Relief (BBC2, 10pm)

Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, a host of stars have signed up to take part in Red Nose Day this year. However, before that gets under way on Friday, Rob Brydon is here to take us through some of the highlights from previous Comic Relief shows. Naturally, he’ll be picking out a few of the funniest moments, but he’ll also be reminding us of some of the sweetest and silliest clips too. So, expect sketches, music and some reminders of what the whole charity extravaganza is really about.

FRIDAY

STV Racing: Cheltenham Festival Live (STV, 1pm)

Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani present coverage of the fourth and final day of Cheltenham 2021. Today’s feature race is the Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.05pm), which sees Al Boum Photo going for a remarkable third straight win in the race. Supporting races on the card include the Triumph Hurdle (1.20pm) and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.30pm). There is analysis from former jockeys Sir AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald, reporting from Alice Plunkett and Luke Harvey, betting news with Matt Chapman, and commentary from Richard Hoiles.

Comic Relief 2021 (BBC1, 7pm)

Like most things, Red Nose Day has been affected by Covid, and as we are still in the middle of a lockdown, the majority of Comic Relief’s fundraising activities will have to be done at home this year. With that in mind, the aim of this year’s show is to ‘get us laughing at home’. Hosted by Sir Lenny, as well as Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon and David Tennant, among the highlights are David and Michael Sheen teaming up once more for a special instalment of Staged. Plus, Anna Friel and Keira Knightley co-star in the greatest disaster movie never made, and Paddy and his fellow Top Gear hosts face interrogation by some savage critics. There are also appearances by Dawn French, the Rev Kate Bottley, Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Jack Whitehall, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Judi Dench, Karim Zeroual, Joe Lycett, Mo Gilligan, Roman Kemp and Shappi Khorsandi.

Kate Humble’s Coastal Britain (C5, 8pm)

Kate walks a 13-mile stretch of Yorkshire coastline. Starting at the highest point along this coast, she heads down into the fishing village of Staithes, which was once home to one of North Yorkshire’s largest fishing fleets and to explorer Captain Cook, who lived in a fisherman’s cottage on the harbour front. Kate does a little birdwatching on the front before heading along the coast to Port Mulgrave, once at the heart of the local iron ore mining industry. In Runswick Bay, she takes to the sea with the volunteers in the newest rescue boat, before arriving at Whitby, which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula after he stayed there in 1890.