Seven Days

SATURDAY POINTLESS CELEBRITIES

7PM, BBC1 HHHH

Debra Stephenson and Luke Kempner, Rory Bremner and Jess Robinson, Steve Nallon and Josh Berry and Jan Ravens and Ronni Ancona are the teams taking part in an impressionists’ edition of the quiz show.

CASUALTY

7.50PM, BBC1 HHH

In a less frenetic visit to Holby City, the staff prepare to give Will a good send-off, while Fenisha prepares to finally come clean to Ethan about the baby. And there’s even time for a spot of romance…

SECRETS OF THE ROYAL PALACES

8.30PM, CH5 HHHH

Discover the royal secrets that lie behind the walls of Windsor Castle, a fortress built more than 900 years ago and rebuilt in the 14th century under the guidance of Edward III. He was inspired by tales of Camelot, and his creation has certainly been the stuff of legend down the centuries.

WALLIS SIMPSON: FEMME FATALE

9.30PM, CH5 HHH

On January 10, 1931, American socialite Wallis Simpson was introduced to the Prince of Wales at an event at Burrough Court – and the rest is history. This fascinating story traces the life of the woman born Bessie Warfield, and asks if she was a scheming seductress or the most maligned woman in modern history.

SUNDAY COUNTRYFILE

6PM, BBC1 HHHH

Ellie Harrison and Tom Heap are in the Mendips in Somerset, looking at how this stunning but fragile area is being protected from the invasion of visitors keen to enjoy this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

7PM, BBC1 HHHH

Fiona Bruce presents from Christchurch Park in Ipswich, where the treasures brought in to be valued include a Rolex watch, memorabilia related to Donald Campbell’s land speed record, a rare Roman relic and a necklace worth an astonishing amount of money.

THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN

7.45PM, CH4 HHH

The battle of the clay continues and the second episode is all about bricks and mortar. First, the 11 remaining potters slab-build a 3-D building before, in a show first, judge Rich Miller challenges them to hand-make bricks.

A PERFECT PLANET

8PM, BBC1 HHHHH

The third episode of this stunning nature series looks at how weather controls the distribution of fresh water on Earth, which in turn shapes the lives of multiple animals in diverse habitats around the world.

THE SERPENT

9PM, BBC1 HHHH

In the fourth part of this chilling true-crime drama, serial killer Charles Sobhraj embarks on a terrifying killing spree in Nepal, while Nadine helps Herman to gather the final evidence he needs for the police to act.

The whole series is available on BBC iplayer.

MONDAY JUNIOR BAKE OFF

5PM, CH4 HHHH Host Harry Hill and judges Liam Charles and Ravneet Gill give a warm welcome to a new set of budding bakers as the second heat gets under way. In their first-ever technical, the new group take on a tricky cake construction, while the showstopper is a very personal cupcake challenge.

DEVON AND CORNWALL

8PM, CH4 HHH Devon and Cornwall must be heaving with TV cameras, such is its popularity as the go-to destination for TV shows at the moment. Here, we’re back for a third run of the series that meets the people who live and work along the beautiful coastline.

TRACES

9PM, BBC1 HHHH

In the fifth episode of this gripping murder mystery, Mckinven urges Emma to stop delving into the past, as he becomes certain that the person who killed her mother is someone she knows all too well…

CORNWALL: THIS FISHING LIFE

9PM, BBC2 HHH

As we head back to Cornwall for a second series, there’s lost time to catch up on after lockdown, and with livelihoods on the line, the Newquay fleet are steaming into action.

TUESDAY SOUTH AFRICA WITH GREGG WALLACE

7.30PM, ITV HHH

On the third leg of his colourful tour, Gregg flies into Upington, the gateway to the Kalahari desert, and follows the Orange river to the spectacular Augrabies Falls. After paddling down river, Gregg stays at the Khamkirri Lodge, and enjoys a traditional braai (Afrikaans for barbecue).

WINTERWATCH

8PM, BBC2 HHHH See Showtime, page 12.

SILENCED: THE HIDDEN STORY OF DISABLED BRITAIN

9PM, BBC2 HHHH In this shocking, moving film, the former Cbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell (who was born with a right arm that ends just below the elbow) tells the story of the prejudice and fear faced by disabled people in Britain – and how they have fought back.

OUTBREAK: THE VIRUS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD

9PM, ITV HHHH

This 90-minute documentary about the global spread of the coronavirus is dramatic, fascinating and in-depth,

but not for those who are hoping to take their minds off Covid-19 during lockdown.

BEN FOGLE: NEW LIVES IN THE WILD

9PM, CH5 HHHH

Ben ventures to the tiny island of Rathlin, off the wild coast of Northern Ireland, to stay with 41-year-old Rauri Morgan, a former executive who turned his back on corporate life to move into an ancient family heirloom.

FIRST DATES

10PM, CH4 HHHH

A new series kicks off with a new location – Manchester – and Fred Sirieix has some new Cupids to help the singletons to find love. This week, outspoken Jessie and Josh look for common ground, while Alan wants a man who doesn’t know about his dating past.

WEDNESDAY PRESIDENT BIDEN: THE INAUGURATION

4PM, BBC1/ITV HHHH

The 46th President of the US takes the oath of office today in Washington DC. It will be a subdued ceremony, with spectators urged to stay away. Donald Trump has said he won’t be in the audience, making him the first US President not to attend his successor’s swearing-in since Andrew Johnson in 1869.

THE TRUTH ABOUT IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

9PM, BBC1 HHHH

In normal times, one in four of us will have mental health problems, and the pandemic has put us under even greater pressure. Here, clinical psychologist Tanya Byron and former

footballer Alex Scott look at how science can help us to deal with isolation, anxiety and – as Alex has experienced – depression.

TARGETED: THE TRUTH ABOUT DISABILITY HATE CRIME

9PM, BBC2 HHHH

Made by disabled film-maker Richard Butchins, this eye-opening film reveals the abuse and aggression faced by disabled people in everyday life, from verbal name-calling to violent physical attacks.

GRAND DESIGNS

9PM, CH4 HHHH Nathan and Amye are building a vast home in Lincolnshire. But constant rain and a rising water table are causing excavations on their plot to collapse, and the pressure to finish grows thanks to a new baby on the way.

THURSDAY INSIDE CULTURE WITH MARY BEARD

7PM, BBC2 HHH

It’s the day after Joe Biden’s inauguration as US President and, to open a new series of her topical arts show, Mary Beard looks at the issue of succession, from emperors and Prime Ministers to Popes. Armando Iannucci, David Olusoga and others debate these often tricky transfers of power.

GEORGE CLARKE’S AMAZING SPACES

8PM, CH4 HHH

This week, George meets a couple turning a broken railway carriage into a rustic retreat, and, for their observatory, he and Will Hardie learn to take photographs with a beer can.

9PM, BBC1 HHHH A lottery winner is found dead at her luxury villa, but when her body vanishes, Neville and the team are stumped. Meanwhile,

J.P.’S wife is about to give birth – will he make it to hospital in time? Kelvin Fletcher and Jason Manford are among the guest stars.

THE CHASERS ROAD TRIP: TRAINS, BRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

9PM, ITV HHHH

Three of The Chase’s top quizzers – Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett, Shaun ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Wallace and Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty – head off around the world to pit their wits against intelligent animals, child geniuses and clever computers. First stop is America, where they take on apes and dolphins.

ROBSON GREEN: WALKING COAST TO COAST

9PM, CH5 HHH

As he continues along Hadrian’s Wall, Robson learns how Romans looked after themselves so far from home, taking in a fort’s latrines that were the envy of an empire. He also tests his fishing skills against a rival, gladiator-style.

FRIDAY SUSAN CALMAN’S GRAND DAY OUT IN YORKSHIRE

8PM, CH5 HHHH

For her third grand day out, Susan takes a 126-mile journey across the UK’S biggest county, from the stunning coast near Whitby and on to York before heading through the Yorkshire Dales and Bronte country.

WOULD I LIE TO YOU?

9PM, BBC1 HHHH Comedian Josh Widdicombe, presenter Gemma Cairney, auctioneer Raj Bisram and Made In Chelsea’s Sophie Hermann join host Rob Brydon and team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack on the comedy panel show.

IT’SASIN

9PM, CH4 HHHH

This new, five-part drama from Russell T. Davies explores the lives of young gay men who move to London in 1981, at the start of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Britain. Pop star Olly Alexander (Years & Years) takes the lead; Stephen Fry, Neil Patrick Harris and Keeley Hawes are among a strong ensemble cast.

NOT GOING OUT

9.30PM, BBC1 HHH Lee’s dad, Frank (the late, great Bobby Ball), announces his engagement, but Lee can’t believe that any woman would be foolish enough to marry the man – so he sets out to find out what’s wrong with her.

THE INVESTIGATION

9.45PM, BBC2 HHHH

If you liked Danish drama Borgen, then this new, six-part crime drama should appeal – it’s created by that show’s co-writer Tobias Lindholm, and stars Soren Malling as the Copenhagen detective on the hunt for the killer of Swedish journalist Kim Wall. It’s based on a true story, and was made with the co-operation of Kim’s parents.