TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
BILLY MONGER: CHANGING GEAR Tonight, Channel 4, 8pm
Presenter, racing driver and double amputee Billy Monger sets out to learn to run again. He trains alongside some of Britain’s biggest Paralympians, swimming in open water with Alice Tai and canoeing with Charlotte Henshaw, learning what it takes to become an elite athlete. Billy is fitted with his first running blades and, supervised by Paralympic legend Jonnie Peacock, tries to sprint for the first time.
Brace yourself for the emotional climax with a run at Donington where, four years ago, Billy lost his legs in a driving accident.
PROFESSOR T Tomorrow, ITV, 9pm
It’s hard to believe this cracking series has reached the end of its six-part run.
There has been so much to enjoy – not least Ben Miller’s sparkling central performance – and here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long for series two.
In the meantime, let’s soak up the final episode: when an attempt is made on a billionaire businessman’s life, Professor T suspects the culprit may be much closer to home than the police suspect.
GHOSTS Monday, BBC1, 8.30pm
Upheaval reigns as Button House is being fumigated for woodworm. Eager to save a bit of cash, Alison and Mike decide to camp in the grounds.
While they’re enjoying sleeping under the stars, their spectral cohabitees grumble as their routines are thrown off kilter.
PARALYMPICS: OPENING CEREMONY LIVE Tuesday, Channel 4, 11.30am
The dust may have settled on the Olympic Games but Tokyo is now gearing up for the 2020 Paralympics, starting with what is sure to be an amazing opening ceremony. Sophie Morgan, JJ Chalmers and Ed Jackson will be joined Lee McKenzie and Vick Hope to present coverage from the events, Clare Balding will oversee the live sport finals, Arthur Williams and Steph
McGovern will serve up all the breakfast action, and in case you miss it all, Ade Adepitan is on hand with a daily highlights package.
Offering their own unique take on the Games will be The Last Leg’s Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe. They will present their show daily from London, with reports from Tokyo courtesy of Rosie Jones.
GOSSIP GIRL Wednesday, BBC1, 10.35pm
The original run of Gossip Girl ran from 2007 to 2012. Writer and executive producer Joshua Safran felt the premise was ripe for a revamp, and so has developed
this fresh take on the drama.
The new version – which stars the relatively unknown Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown and Thomas Doherty – takes us back to New York’s Upper East Side to meet another batch of teenagers attending a swanky private school.
The original blogger’s website may have gone dark, but someone is still keeping tabs on their social scene.
UNDERCOVER BIG BOSS Thursday, ITV, 9pm
Cameras follow Shelim Hussain, MD of major Indian food supplier Euro Foods, as he heads down to the factory floor to find out if his staff are ready for his expansion plans.
He tries his hand on the samosa line, and spends the day with a delivery driver. Finally, he sends daughter Anisah to learn why satisfaction rates are highest at the
Newcastle distribution centre, a move that prompts a major business re-think.
STRICTLY AMY: CROHN’S AND ME Friday, BBC1, 7pm
In this documentary, Welsh Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden opens up about her battle with Crohn’s disease, which involves parts of the digestive system become inflamed, resulting in abdominal pains.
As well as talking about the impact of the condition on her own life and career, Amy meets other people with Crohn’s to hear about their experiences.