BEST OF THE REST
SILENT WITNESS BBC1, 9pm
AT a phone box on London’s Regent Street, someone has called a helpline to say they are going to cut someone’s throat. How thoughtful to give everyone the heads up. Meanwhile, a girl is alone on the way back from a night out and we have the usual sense of foreboding while watching this well-trodden format.
Something terrible always happens at the very beginning, then our forensic pathologist with a heart, Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox), turns up to figure out what’s happened.
We’re not sure why a pathologist is so heavily involved in police cases, but Nikki always proves useful in the end.
Kicking off five stories, each a two-parter, this one sees Nikki and the Lyell unit called in to investigate attacks on the trans community.
With the Lyell under increasing financial scrutiny and frustration growing in the team, can they pull it together to find the killer before another attack?
Continues tomorrow.
ICONS BBC2, 9pm
AN epic historical series, this is the search for the greatest person of the 20th century.
From leaders, explorers and scientists, to entertainers, activists, sports stars and artists and writers, the series will guide us through an expertly chosen shortlist of the most influential people in recent times.
It’s a twist on the standard historical documentary, in that we all get to vote for our favourite. It’s like Britain’s Got Talent, the 20th century edition.
In each episode, one passionate celebrity will advocate for the icons in each category. Expect to see Dermot O’Leary, Chris Packham, Kathleen Turner, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Clare Balding and Lily Cole guide us through future episodes.
However tonight, Sir Trevor McDonald makes the case for four of the century’s greatest leaders – Winston Churchill, Franklin D Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela.
With interviews and archive footage, it’s a stirring insight. Hands on buzzers people, let the competition commence.