What not to miss in the week ahead
COMEDY
Hang Ups
This brand new comedy series has an all-star cast with Stephen Mangan starring as Richard Pitt, an unconventional therapist with a chequered professional career.
In this first episode, Richard finds himself at a crossroads in life. After the disastrous collapse of his group therapy practice he is trying to relaunch his career online in the form of weekly quick-fire sessions with his patients through a webcam. The few patients on his list present a catalogue of neuroses, phobias, issues, anxieties and psychopathies, but these short sessions are not his greatest challenge as it becomes obvious that working from home, with constant interruptions from his demanding family, is destined to be chaotic.
Wednesday, Channel 4, 10pm
REALITY
Saving Poundstretcher
Can retail guru Chris Edwards save Poundstretcher from the high street retail crisis?
In this first episode, Chris tries to convince Poundstretcher’s owner, Aziz, to stop stocking unusual and niche products. And he meets inspirational members of staff at a store in Bolton that’s earmarked for closure.
Monday, Channel 4, 9pm
SPECIAL INTEREST Britain by Bike with Larry & George Lamb
In the first episode of the second series, father and son presenters Larry and George Lamb explore Northumberland, where Larry is able to indulge his passion for Roman history as they cycle along a section of Hadrian’s Wall, built 5,000 years ago.
The area’s coast is famous for its kippers, so Larry and George head to the town of Craster for breakfast where they find a fourth generation family-run smokehouse and see how the kippers are prepared.
Despite his scepticism, Larry agrees to check into Britain’s supposedly most haunted castle, where the pair wait for the ghostly blue boy to appear.
Friday, Channel 5, 8pm
REALITY Paul O’grady’s Little Heroes
In the first episode of the series, Paul meets eight-year-old Emmanuel who was born unable to use his legs and has spent his life in and out of hospital getting treatment.
Eight-year-old Emily and her fiveyear-old brother Luke tell Paul about their ongoing treatment for Cystic Fibrosis. And, Paul gets a glimpse of a pioneering surgery after he meets 13-year-old Mackenzie who is at the hospital to have his ear reconstructed after being born with Microtia. Mackenzie talks to Paul about being bullied because of his ear and Paul is on hand to give his mum a cuddle as he gets wheeled off to surgery.
Wednesday, STV, 8pm
DOCUMENTARY
Hidden Britain by Drone
In the second series of this documentary, Tony Robinson’s flying cameras reveal more places we’ve never been able to see before.
The first episode sees Sir Tony’s drones capture the secrets of an immense stately home, an abandoned theme park, billionaires’ wine vaults, Argos’s back room and a stunning flower farm in full bloom.
Sunday , Channel 4, 8pm
NATURE Animal Park Summer Special 2018
The first of a season of daily reports over 15 episodes, Kate Humble and Ben Fogle return to Longleat Safari Park and attempt to capture the exact moment one of Africa’s most endangered cats, a cheetah, is born.
Jean Johansson helps to settle in a gaggle of new penguins, and one of Africa’s largest antelopes arrives, but at just a quarter of the size of his predecessor bull, keepers are anxious as he meets his new, much larger lady friends for the first time.
Monday , BBC 1, 9.15am