MUST-SEE SHOWS
Whitney Houston
WHITNEY
Tonight, Channel 4, 9pm
WHITNEY HOUSTON seemed like she was born to be a star. As well as her extraordinary voice and model looks, she also had the music industry connections to capitalise on them – her mother, Cissy, was a backing singer for Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, and her cousin was the superstar Dionne Warwick.
Despite her fame, Whitney’s life was far from charmed. She died tragically in a hotel bathtub in 2012, aged just 48.
Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald explores Whitney’s life in this documentary, and speaks to family and friends, including her mother, brothers, ex-husband Bobby Brown and record label boss Clive Davis.
ENDEAVOUR Tomorrow, ITV, 8pm
THE crime drama is back for a new series and it’s leaving the 1960s (and Morse’s moustache) behind. But will that be all the copper is losing as old friendships show signs of strain, and we grow ever closer to the John Thaw era?
What we do know is that
Endeavour (Shaun Evans) sees the old decade out in style, spending December 31, 1969, at the opera in Venice.
Meanwhile, back in Oxford, someone is murdered on a towpath and Thursday (Roger Allam) is convinced he knows who’s responsible.
When Endeavour returns to the city, he finds that an exciting new educational television programme has resulted in a fatal battle of the sexes.
RIO AND KATE: BECOMING A STEPFAMILY Monday, BBC1, 9pm
DOCUMENTARY following former footballer Rio Ferdinand and his fiancée Kate Wright in the months leading up to their wedding.
Rio tragically lost his wife Rebecca in 2015 so for 27-yearold Kate, marrying him also means becoming a stepmum to three grieving children in a home where Rebecca’s memory will always be present.
As well as talking about their own experiences, Kate and Rio also meet other stepparents and visit child bereavement charities to learn about the support available.
THE SPLIT
Tuesday, BBC1, regions vary NICOLA WALKER returns in a new run of Abi Morgan’s legal drama, and a death in the family brings everyone back together. While
Hannah’s marriage seems to be back on an even keel after Nathan’s past indiscretions, she has started a dangerous affair with a colleague.
The cast includes the everreliable Stephen Mangan and guest star Donna Air.
THE HAIRY BIKERS’ CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE Wednesday, Channel 5, 9pm
SEVEN budding chocolatiers battle it out for the honour of having their own chocolate bar manufactured and sold by one of the biggest confectionary companies in the world.
Contestants will face a series of challenges that will push their creativity and skills to the limit, under the scrutiny of expert Ruth Hinks. But who will impress her, Dave Myers and Si King?
TYSON FURY: THE GYPSY KING Thursday, ITV, 9pm
OPENING instalment of a three-part documentary following the boxer as he prepares for his rematch with Deontay Wilder for the WBC World Heavyweight title, after the first contest in December 2018 ended in a much-disputed draw. Filmed over several months, it provides an insight into the life of one of British sport’s most flamboyant and controversial characters and those who are closest to him.
GRANTCHESTER Friday, ITV, 9pm
WHEN a woman is found dead, laid out in the shape of a crucifix on Jesus Green, Will and Geordie are led to a nearby convent where they meet steely Sister Grace. Even more sinister is the picture that emerges as they match the nuns to a series of unsolved missing persons cases from the previous five years.
Meanwhile, Leonard’s father, Russell, arrives in Grantchester, and it’s clear there’s no love lost between parent and son.
Last in the series.