THIS WEEK’S TOP TV PICKS
DRAMA The A Word Tuesday, BBC1, 9pm
It’s all change for Joe (Max Vento), the boy with autism at the centre of the acclaimed drama as it t returns for a third series after r more than two years ears away from m our screens. s. Not only are parents s Paul (Lee Ingleby, right) and Alison (Morven Christie) no longer together and living 100 miles apart – Paul in the Lake District and Alison in Manchester – but Joe also faces the potentially traumatic prospect of having to travel between the two homes. Meanwhile, the boy’s grandfather, Maurice (Christopher Eccleston), may have bitten off more than he can chew as he deals with a rapid succession of family crises in Peter Bowker’s drama, which mixes humour with emotion in equal measure.
DOCUMENTARY Captain Tom’s War Friday, ITV, 8pm
Just a month ago, few people outside his family and friends had heard of Captain Tom Moore (below). low). Now he’s he s a national treasure easure – and rightly tly so – for raising about £30 million (and counting) for NHS charities by y walking laps ps of his garden. If that’s the only thing you know about the centenarian, promoted on his birthday to the rank of Colonel, get set to have your eyes opened by this fascinating documentary. He looks back on his experiences during the Second World War, which he spent battling the forces of Imperial Japan during the gruelling Burma campaign. It’s a conflict now overshadowed by events in Europe but which, for Captain Tom, is still a vivid and often terrifying memory.
ENTERTAINMENT Rob & Romesh vs Ballet Tuesday, Sky One, 9pm
Best pals Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan anganathan (below) are back, pushing ushing each other out of their r comfort zones in a new run of their bonkers series. Future episodes will ill see them journey to tL Los Angeles A l to learn more about the world of basketball and visit South Africa for a game of cricket with the England team. The opener lacks an international flavour – but is still hilariously funny. The far from fleet-footed comedians go behind the scenes at Birmingham Royal Ballet, where they discover the hard way just how tough dance can be. They meet the group’s creative director, Carlos Acosta, and even take part in a real performance of Swan Lake.
CELEBRATION VE Day 75: The Announcement Of Victory Friday, BBC1, 2.45pm
It was the day Winston Churchill (right) right) announced to a relieved Britain after six years of war: ‘We may allow ourselves a brief period d of rejoicing.’ Now the 75th anniversary i of f the th announcement of victory against the Nazis in Europe is commemorated with a programme presented by Sophie Raworth looking back to the Prime Minister’s epochal radio broadcast and also remembering those who were lost in the conflict. Then in the evening (8pm) a celebratory concert mounted by the Royal British Legion features a glorious array of showbiz talent, including Katherine Jenkins and Beverley Knight.
COMEDY Brassic Thursday, Sky One, 10pm
Steeped in lowlife characters and petty crime, it’s the show that makes Shameless look like Downton Abbey. bbey. Now the gang of Brassic – the comedy drama ama created by Baftawinning writer Danny Brocklehurst st and This Is England star ar Joe Gilgun – are back for a second d series i of farcically misguided adventures. Unhinged antihero Vinnie (Gilgun) returns from the dead after the funeral he faked at the end of series one in an attempt to shake off his enemies. Now he attempts to buy the lease on a poledancing club with the help of a clown, Mr Popov (played by Cold Feet’s John Thomson). A fine cast including Dominic West and Michelle Keegan (above) is joined by veteran screen actor Bill Paterson.