PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Britain’s Got Talent (STV, 8pm)

The auditions seem to take an age, don’t they? But then again, why shouldn’t ITV broadcast heaps of episodes of wannabe superstars in action? After all, they’re often the most entertaining part of the series – some of the sheen is taken off when we get down to the nitty gritty of the competition proper. So sit back and watch as another batch of performers try to impress judges Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon after receiving words of encouragement from hosts Ant and Dec.

TOTP: The Story of 1997 (BBC2, 8.30pm)

An evening of programmes dedicated to the year 1997 in music begins with another of the BBC’s excellent documentaries in which those who lived through it, had a remarkable time and lived to tell the tale come up with various musings and anecdotes. Girl Power continued to dominate the singles charts – apart from in the case of Elton John’s Candle in the Wind, reworked in tribute to his friend Diana, Princess of Wales – but rock took precedence in album sales, with Oasis and Radiohead both releasing their blockbusting third albums. The show is followed at 9.30pm by TOTP: Biggest Hits 1997 and, at 10.30pm, another chance to see Texas (who returned to form in 1997) with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as well as shows featuring All Saints and Eternal.

Queen: A Rock History (C5, 9.20pm)

The concluding part begins with Queen taking risks and achieving some of the highest highs of their career and some of the lowest lows.

Just as the band seemed to have taken a wrong turn with controversial gigs in apartheid South Africa, they got back on track by performing at Live Aid. As Freddie’s outrageous solo career took off, Queen recorded their final albums – featuring hits such as A Kinda Magic and I Want it All. Then, despite the loss of their frontman, the band managed to keep the memory of Freddie alive and go on to become even more successful.

SUNDAY,

Eden: Untamed Planet (BBC2, 7.10pm)

There can surely be few places on the planet completely untouched by the human race in some way. But there are areas where it’s very difficult to get to, and will never appear on a tourist trail – thank goodness. These unspoilt wildernesses are the main focus of this six-part series, which features breath-taking footage captured in unique ecosystems packed with incredible species. The first episode takes us to the rich rainforest of Borneo, where experts are still discovering new plant varieties.

Commando: Britain’s Ocean Warriors (BBC2, 8pm)

In an eye-opening new four-part series, cameras follow the activities of one of the UK’s most revered military units – the Royal Marines Commandos. It takes viewers on a journey

from a recruit’s earliest days as they embark on the longest infantry training in the world, revealing what it takes to make the grade, to their eventual deployment, which could be anywhere in the world, from the Gulf’s smuggling routes to the frozen Arctic wastes. Among those featured is one of only two women wearing the famous green beret today and there’s also a chance to hear from D-Day veterans, who tell their modern-day counterparts what it was like to land on those Normandy beaches during the Second World War.

Grace (STV, 8pm)

The crime drama based on Peter James’s

hugely successful series of novels about Brighton-based police detective Roy Grace continues to gain fans. The fourth book, Dead Man’s Footsteps, is the latest to be adapted. A woman’s skeletal remains are found in a local storm drain, leading Grace on a globe-trotting investigation. He also faces a desperate race against time to save someone in grave danger while seemingly chasing ghosts on a professional and personal front. John Simm, Richie Campbell, Rakie Ayola and Craig Parkinson star.

Gentleman Jack (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s the election of January 1835, and revolution is in the air in Halifax. After returning to Shibden

Hall, Anne Lister throws herself into furthering the Tory cause, but with rumblings of discontent from Radicals looking to dismantle the traditional seats of power, it’s clear this won’t be an easy win. Meanwhile, after a wall of silence from her sister, Ann Walker is stunned to learn that, at such a volatile time, the Sutherlands have ordered evictions on their shared property. With this, and Anne Lister’s refusal to keep a low profile, the couple are drawing dangerous attention to themselves.

MONDAY

Britain’s Top Takeaways (BBC2, 8pm)

From curry to pizzas, Britain loves a takeaway, yet the people who cook up the food rarely get

the acclaim given to the nation’s top restaurant chefs. Luckily, Sara Cox and Darren Harriot are putting that right with this new series which runs across the week. A disused factory in the heart of Manchester has been turned into an epic kitchen where the teams behind some highly rated takeaways will compete, cooking up their own cuisine to show they are the finest in the country. Future episodes will include a battle of the burgers and a noodle showdown, but it begins with perhaps the best-loved fast food of all – fish and chips. Judging their efforts will be a selection of ordinary families who will score them from the comfort of their own homes, as well as guest panellists, the Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club.

The Motorway (C5, 8pm)

It’s Friday rush hour and the North East Control Team are dealing with a serious accident on the M18 near Doncaster. The driver is trapped in the wreckage, and with reports just in that the crashed van is carrying explosives, the situation quickly escalates into a major incident. Meanwhile, a driver is found dazed and confused on a motorway near Manchester, and dispatchers Liam and Chris in the North West control room must try to find his missing car, which has mysteriously vanished from the carriageway.

The Spy Who Died Twice (C4, 9pm) In 1974, the high-profile British MP John

Stonehouse disappeared from a beach in Miami – it was assumed he had drowned. Press reports hinted at a corrupt business, an affair and rumours of spying for the Soviet bloc, before Stonehouse was subsequently found in Australia, living under the identity of a dead constituent. He was charged with fraud but not with being in the pay of an enemy power. Now this documentary reveals how Stonehouse colluded with the Czech security service at the height of the Cold War, and asks why Prime Ministers from Wilson to Thatcher seemingly never investigated the allegations that he was a spy.

The Split (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s the final ever episode of the drama, but will there be any reunions before we wave

Hannah and co off for good, or are we destined for more splits? What we do know is that Kate and Nathan’s relationship is looking rocky, and that Hannah is about to make a decision which will shape a lot of people’s lives. Meanwhile, Nina makes a confession to Melanie, Rose finds comfort in Glenn and his children, and Meera Syal reprises her role as Goldie from the first series, only this time she wants a pre-nuptial agreement.

Fergal Keane: Living with PTSD (BBC2, 9pm)

As a BBC Special Correspondent, Fergal Keane’s job has taken him from Kigali to Baghdad to Belfast – he’s effectively spent 30 years covering conflict and brutality. His reporting has been praised for its humanity and empathy, but away from the camera, Fergal was suffering from an acute form of post-traumatic stress disorder. He first went public with his diagnosis in 2020, and in this documentary, he talks openly about living with PTSD. He also speaks to other people who have lived with the disorder and learns more about the latest research into PTSD and its treatment.

TUESDAY,

DIY SOS: The Big Build (BBC1, 8pm)

Comedian Rhod Gilbert briefly took over for last year’s Children in Need special, but now Nick Knowles is back in charge as DIY SOS returns. He’s heading to Kettering to meet mum-of-four Lindsay, who married her ex-Royal Engineer husband Shaun in December 2019. Together, they planned to extend their home but just a few months into the project, Shaun was diagnosed with cancer, and he died in November 2021. Since then, Lindsay and her children not only had to deal with their grief, but they’ve also faced the challenges of living in an unfinished home.

So, the DIY SOS team are springing into action, with a little help from local tradespeople and some of Shaun’s old army buddies, to finish the job.

Eurovision Song Contest (BBC3, 8pm)

The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine, with their song Stefania, are the bookies’ overwhelming favourites to win the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy. Tonight sees Scott Mills and Rylan Clark present coverage of the first semifinal in which the Ukrainians and 16 other nations battle it out for 10 spots in Saturday’s

Grand Final. The other countries taking to the stage are Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Moldova, Portugal, Croatia, Denmark, Austria, Iceland, Greece, Norway and Armenia.

Jay Blades: No Place Like Home (C5, 9pm)

The second episode in the series in which the Repair Shop presenter learns more about the history of the places where he grew up takes Jay back to his teenage home in Stoke Newton. He learns that the street was totally transformed after being hit by a V-1 rocket (aka a doodlebug) during the Second Word War, and speaks to Doreen Lavelle, who can recall the night in question. Jay is also given a new appreciation for some of the objects he took for granted as a child when he visits a re-creation of a 1970s West Indian front room at the Museum of the Home.

Life After Life (BBC2, 9pm)

The fascinating drama based on Kate Atkinson’s acclaimed novel has followed Ursula (Thomasin McKenzie, showing just why she is a rising star), as she has been born, died and then been born again. But while that has given her a chance to avoid some of her previous fates, are there some parts of history that she can’t change? We may be about to find out in the final episode, which sees Ursula asking some big questions of her own about life and death during the Blitz. She also attempts to save Teddy, but as the future of England hangs in the balance, could she also rescue her country?

Derry Girls (C4, 9pm)

We all knew this sitcom couldn’t last forever – for a start, it would be increasingly difficult for the main cast, who currently range in age from 28 to 35, to keep playing teenagers. However, if writer Lisa McGee did want to carry on after this third and final series, perhaps she could give us a prequel – and this episode might well plant the seeds. It finds Ma Mary (Tara Lynne O’Neill) and Aunt Sarah (Kathy Kiera Clarke) getting ready for their Class of ‘77 School Reunion, but will some shocking truths emerge about what really happened at their leavers’ party 20 years ago?

Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert (C4, 10.05pm)

It’s now 20 years since Will Young won the first series of Pop Idol and became a household name. In this documentary though, he’s exploring the life of his twin brother Rupert, who sadly died in 2020 after living with alcoholism for two decades. The siblings were close – Will describes Rupert has his best friend – but the singer initially didn’t notice the extent of his twin’s drinking problem. As Will and his parents look back on happier times with Rupert, the film explores the impact of alcoholism on families and the stigma surrounding addiction. Will also learns more about the difficulties in getting long-term treatment on the NHS, the process of rehabilitation and the constant fears of relapse.