TV & Radio
Highlights and listings
HISTORY The Ruth Ellis Files: A Very British Crime Story
In this investigative three-part series, filmmaker Gillian Pachter re-examines the Ruth Ellis case.
In July 1955, Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Her crime: the cold-blooded murder of her lover David Blakely.
The circumstances surrounding the seemingly open-and-shut case are well known, but Pachter delves behind the court reports to see how the case was really handled by the authorities.
In the first episode, Pachter takes a forensic look at the police investigation and she soon discovers worrying assumptions and problematic omissions. There is also a key witness who was never questioned by the police: Ruth’s 10 year-old son Andre, who took his own life in the 1980s. He left behind an audio cassette that Pachter uses to piece together what the boy knew, while experts shed new light on the involvement of an alleged accomplice.
Tuesday to Thursday, BBC4, 9pm
REALITY Pilgrimage: The Road To Santiago
In a new three-part travelogue series, seven famous faces are stripped of their everyday comforts to live as modern day pilgrims as they set out on the famous medieval pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago.
With just over a fortnight to tackle this ancient path, actor Neil Morrissey, entertainer Debbie Mcgee, comedian Ed Byrne, singer Heather Small, priest Kate Bottley, journalist Raphael Rowe and TV presenter JJ Chalmers hike through France and northern Spain to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the shrine of St James.
The group – made up of a variety of faiths and beliefs, including Christian, atheist and humanist – will live as simple pilgrims. But will this journey of a lifetime change the way they think about themselves and their faith?
Friday, BBC2, 9pm
TRIBUTE
Sir Bruce: A Celebration
Filmed at the London Palladium, where Sir Bruce Forsyth first made his name hosting Tonight At The
London Palladium in 1958, this special tribute hosted by Tess Daly sees a variety of famous faces and friends honour the popular entertainer, who died last August.
Dave Arch and his Strictly Come Dancing band as well as the BBC Concert Orchestra will be on stage to accompany the performances.
Tomorrow, BBC1, 9pm
FAMILY HISTORY
The Repair Shop
The show which helps restore treasured family heirlooms returns for a new season.
Items the team take on this week include an antique plate camera that survived the First World War but hasn’t taken a picture in over 100 years and a damaged violin which was owned by a Jewish concert violinist called Rosa in the 1930s. Rosa was arrested while playing with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and sent to Auschwitz, where she played the violin in the camp’s women’s orchestra throughout the war. The violin has now passed to Rosa’s niece Natalie, for whom the instrument is a reminder, not only of her aunt, but of her father who also played the violin professionally. Monday to Wednesday and Friday, BBC2, 6:30pm
SPORT
Racing On STV
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest event in the jumps calendar as all the best horses from the season line up over four days at the famous Gloucestershire course. Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani present live coverage of the action with analysis from former jockeys Sir AP Mccoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Luke Harvey. ■
Tuesday to Friday, STV, 1pm