TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
The Last Night of the Proms from Around the UK, BBC4, 7pm The annual musical extravaganza ends various celebrations from across the UK. Gethin Jones and YolanDa Brown present an exciting mix of classical and contemporary performances including coverage of percussionist Evelyn Glennie and Belfast flute icon James Galway from Castle Coole, Jess Gillam and Mica Paris at Singleton Park in Swansea, and Clare Teal and Jason Manford in Glasgow Green. The throngs at Hyde Park in London will be treated to the incredible sound of tenor Bryn Terfel and Ray Davies.
An Ril Deal, TG4, 8.15pm The stakes are high tonight as the dancers compete for a coveted spot in the final. Who will be hot-footing it to Broadway, New York? To be in with a chance, they must impress the eagle-eyed judges Breandan de Gallai, Sibeal Davitt and Roy Galvin. As usual Maire Treasa Ni Dhubhghaill is the glamorous host keeping the judges in check.
Electric Dreams, Channel 4, 9pm This collection of science fiction parables adapted from some of Blade Runner writer Philip K Dick’s classic short stories, boasts a star-spangled cast including silver screen veterans Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi and Terrence Howard. The opener, The Hood Maker, is set in a strange, archaic city in the future. A Great Shower has fried communications and given rise to a race of telepathic mutants known as the Teeps. Now, the Normals face a war with the Teeps and it’s up to a Normal and a Teep to prevent it. However, they need to suppress their desire for one another first.
MONDAY
Rellik, BBC1, 9pm Gabriel has an encounter with the prime suspect in the serial killer case but his personal connection to it could put his career in jeopardy. Elsewhere, sidekick Elaine starts to unravel when she suffers a bereavement and cracks start to show within the team. Can the pair hold it together for long enough to handle the investigation?
First Dates, Channel 4, 10pm The famous restaurant swings open its doors and charismatic maitre d’ Fred Sirieix welcomes a host of lovelorn singletons, hoping to walk away from their dining experience with more than a sated appetite. Fred meets octogenarian Doreen, who hasn’t hung up her dating boots just yet and wants to meet a man who will keep her on her toes. He also welcomes political activist Lettie who is hoping to meet someone who can match her in the intellectual stakes. Will Cupid be on form and orchestrate perfect matches, or will it all end in a few cases of bad indigestion?
TUESDAY
Doctor Foster, BBC1, 9pm The sassy medic with a very dark side hasn’t forgiven her wandering husband, and who could blame her? The estranged pair lock horns over the welfare of their young son Tom. Gemma is adamant that he should come first but the pair’s fractured relationship is making communication very difficult. Can they set aside their feelings to avoid doing irreparable damage to their child?
Quacks, BBC2, 10pm The black comedy set in the Victorian era bows out tonight, but not before plenty more blood is splattered and difficult affairs of the heart are played out. William and Caroline are enjoying being bedfellows and Caroline asks him to abscond with her. However, Robert senses something is amiss and turns to William for advice on how to win her affections. Things are further complicated when Mina tries to persuade William to marry her. Who will he choose? Elsewhere, Robert is apoplectic when he has to play second fiddle to French surgeon Patrice DuPont during surgery on a very high profile patient — Dr Hendrick.
Mr Mercedes, RTE1, 10.15pm It’s certainly the season of Stephen King with one of his sinister imaginings — It — currently terrifying cinema goers. Here’s a mystery thriller about a retired detective who is haunted by the unsolved case of Mr Mercedes, responsible for the murders of 16 people at a job fair. Brendan Gleeson stars as tortured Detective Bill Hodges while Harry Treadaway plays the brilliant but demented young psychopath Brady Hartsfield. A game of cat-and-mouse emerges as the haggard detective tries to bring the killer in while Mr Mercedes tries to leave his heinous mark on the world.
WEDNESDAY
The Detectives: Murder on the Streets, BBC2, 9pm This four-part series follows Manchester’s murder detectives over the course of a year. Here, GMP’s Major Incident Team are called to the scene of a body found under railway arches close to the city centre. A murder investigation is launched but the detectives are hampered as they have no CCTV and no witnesses. Elsewhere, a woman is the victim of a horrific petrol bomb attack and the suspect is her brother.
The Pat Kenny Show, TV3, 10pm The veteran Irish broadcaster returns with a lively studio audience to debate the big stories that are making the headlines. Keeping the public at the heart of the discussion, Pat guides us through the issues affecting the nation including health, housing, the economy and much more.
Famalam, BBC2, 10pm Out-of-this-world comedy sketch show starring Vivienne Acheampong, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Roxanne Sternberg, Samson Kayo and John Macmillan. No area is off limits as Famalam shines a glaring light on everything from extraterrestrials to the mundane. Viewers will also get a glimpse into the world of Nollywood — the Nigerian film industry — and find out who might be responsible for internet spam.
ThUrSDAY
Victoria, be3, 9pm There is baby joy as the new Prince of Wales is welcomed into the world, but Victoria, broken after a difficult birth, finds it difficult to bond with her new son. Her situation is not helped by the fact that Albert is called away to his family home after a bereavement. It’s not long before Victoria is called upon to carry out royal duties, and she is forced to put on a brave face with no Albert by her side.
The Supervet, Channel 4, 8pm The heartwarming and heartbreaking series is back. Tonight, Noel Fitzpatrick tends to three pooches who are in a bad way. First, we meet Lulu, a Staffordshire bull terrior who has been hit by a car and has had her pelvis shattered into 25 pieces. Noel’s only option is to join the larger pieces back together. Next up, a giant schnauzer called Florence has a sore knee, and a pointy-eared Jack Russell called Muffin has a problem with her back legs.
Liar, TV3, 10pm Tense drama about the drastic consequences of a heated rendezvous between a single man and woman. Laura, a smart and dedicated teacher, agrees to go on a date with a handsome surgeon, Andrew, despite her trepidation about being back on the dating scene. However, neither is prepared for the repercussions their encounter brings on their friends and family... and themselves.
FrIDAY
Celebrity MasterChef, BBC1, 8.30pm It’s the season finale of the mouth-watering culinary contest. With just two tough challenges to go, the nervous finalists must deliver exceptional food to impress some of the most demanding chefs in Britain — Marcus Wareing, Alyn Willliams, Lisa Allen, Atul Kochhar and Nieve Barragan Mohacho. Who will follow in the footsteps of previous talented winners Matt Dawson, Nadia Sawalha and Liz McClaron?
P!nk and More: Live Lounge Special, BBC4, 8pm You’re in for an aural treat tonight as American singersongwriter P!nk (Alecia Beth Moore) along with other amazing artists gather at the legendary Maida Vale studios. Clara Amfo chats to the megastar about her glittering career in between playing her best tracks Just Like a Pill and Who Knew? There will also be live music from the Killers, London Grammar, Harry Styles and Stormzy.
SATUrDAY
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, 6.25pm The quest for Glitterball glory has begun and 15 sequin-clad couples perform their first routine for the fabulous judges... and the nation. Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and new head judge Shirley Ballas will be scrutinising the celebrities as they put their best foot forward. None of the celebrities will get the boot tonight, instead, their scores will be carried over to next weekend. Which of the famous faces will impress with their footwork?
Front Row, BBC2, 7.30pm The culturally-rich series brings viewers a mix of interviews, news, features and performances from the world of the arts. Giles Coren is joined by DJ Nihal Arthanayake, writer and comedian Vic Groskop to talk about the highlights of the week. Plus, alt-rockers Wolf Alice perform live in the studio.
The Ray D’Arcy Show, RTE1, 9.45pm It’s the third season of the Saturday night chat show and viewers can look forward to a livelier, more interactive series. As well as Irish and international guests from the world of comedy, sport, music and drama, viewers can expect live music and a few surprises too. For now, the guests are under wraps, but it’ll certainly be worth tuning in.