PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Henry VIII’s Lost Palace: Digging Up Britain (C5, 7pm)

Helen Skelton and Alex Langland’s latest journey takes them to Enfield, the site of Elsyng Palace, which is believed to have been one of Henry VIII’s favourite homes during the last decade of his life. For centuries its exact location was a mystery until, in the 1960s, evidence unearthed at Forty Hall revealed the area’s Tudor heritage. Now a new archaeological dig is taking place, offering clues to the palace’s architecture and splendour, as well as the way in which Henry lived. The presenters also discover why Elsyng was so popular despite being a long ride from London – and it seems it was all down to a case of parental love. It’s enough to warm the cockles of your heart.

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC1, 7.10pm)

In the final show of the series, Chatty Man Alan Carr hands over his phone to take part in Send to All. Plus, a man gets a shock when Michael wakes him to play the Midnight Gameshow and he finds Strictly star and The Greatest Dancer judge Oti Mabuse, as well as TV presenter Anthea Turner, in his flat. In another surprise, Rachel from Bolton thinks she’s going to the Museum of Humanity but ends up being the Unexpected Star of the Show. Plus, there is music from Snow Patrol and stand-up comedy from Kerry Godliman.

Black Lake (BBC4, 9pm)

In tonight’s double bill of the Swedish thriller, Minnie becomes even more convinced that there is a darkness dwelling over the island of Kallskar and that something terrible has taken place there. Whatever it is, she links it with the name Maja. Then, when Uno takes the group to visit a deserted cholera hospital on the other side of the island, Minnie is certain that she is getting close to the truth. However, it becomes apparent that there are powers working to prevent the secrets of the island from being exposed. Is it possible that the current disturbing events are related to what happened 160 years ago?

Through the Keyhole (STV, 9.30pm)

Let’s face it, many of us love to see how the other half lives, especially if that other half is a celebrity. For more than 30 years Through the Keyhole has offered us an opportunity to play the nosy neighbour without ever moving from the safety of our own sofas. Over the decades the show has undergone various revamps, with the latest hosted by Keith Lemon, who is a far cry from original presenter David Frost. The sixth series began in December with a Christmas special; the rest of the run gets under way tonight, with Danny Dyer, Sally Phillips and Chris Kamara attempting to identify who are the owners of three mystery homes by their furniture, decor and personal items.

SUNDAY World’s Weirdest Homes (Channel 4, 7pm)

From a kaleidoscopic house fit for a Canadian Batman to a Mexican house floating on 160,000 plastic bottles and a tiny cottage in Scotland that’s like something from The Hobbit, Charlie Luxton reveals more fabulously bizarre homes. He meets the eccentric owners too, including a Middlesbrough

carpenter who keeps building houses that get washed away by hurricanes, a Russian clown who likes to row his bed down a river and a Cuban artist who started a revolution in his own neighbourhood. At turns hilarious, heart-warming and insightful, this programme explores what it takes to live in a jaw-dropping home.

Vera (STV, 8pm)

It’s January, Christmas already seems like a distant memory and the nights are still cold and gloomy. That all adds up to one thing: ITV is bringing back Vera for its latest run. The character, created by novelist Ann Cleeves, has been a mainstay in the early year schedules for the past few years and this is her ninth run on our screens. Once again Brenda Blethyn will

play her, and the first of her four cases, entitled Blind Spot, sees her investigate the murder of Joanne Caswell, a trainee forensic psychologist, whose body was found on a landfill site. Could Joanne’s death be linked to a crime committed by a former prisoner? Peter Davison and Adrian Lukis are among the guest stars.

Call the Midwife (BBC1, 8pm)

It’s only a couple of weeks since we saw the midwives in the Christmas special but time has moved on in Poplar. As spring arrives, Nonnatus House welcomes two new nuns, the experienced Sister Hilda and newly qualified Sister Frances, who must acclimatise to the changing East End. A complicated multiple birth tests the skills of some of the midwives to the limit, but Trixie

has to face her fears and Valerie deals with a shocking case that arrives unexpectedly. Meanwhile there’s also excitement about the Queen’s imminent new arrival.

Les Miserables (BBC1, 9pm)

Jean Valjean is tormented by his conscience and, under relentless pressure from Javert, is forced to confess his true identity. However, his life looks like it has changed entirely once again due to a promise he makes to Fantine. The Thenardiers see a bright future ahead when a wealthy stranger seeks lodgings at their inn, but their joy is doomed to be short-lived. Javert rises to become a police officer in Paris and pursues a new lead involving a report of a missing girl that could finally allow him to bring Valjean down.

MONDAY Great Canadian Railway Journeys (BBC2, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo begins a new journey along the tracks of the Ocean line as he explores Canada’s maritime provinces en route to Quebec City using an 1899 Appleton’s guide. He begins in the Atlantic port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he visits an 18th-century British hilltop citadel and finds out what it takes to build a state-of-the-art Arctic patrol vessel. He also learns of a catastrophic explosion in the harbour in 1917, which wiped out the north of the city, killing 2,000 people and leaving 25,000 homeless.

Prison (C4, 9pm)

The first series of this documentary offered an

eye-opening look at life behind bars. Some viewers were shocked by the extent of gang activity and drug use, but Prison also highlighted other issues, including the difficulties faced by staff as they deal with inmates who suffer from mental health problems. The second run is set to be just as fascinating, as cameras return to HMP Durham for a seven-month stretch, examining life for both the prisoners and the officers. The relationship between them takes centre stage in the opening episode, as the documentary explores the violence among prisoners and against staff. Is this just the grim reality of life inside or can more be done to break the cycle?

Silent Witness (BBC1, 9pm)

After a teenage boy is killed in a meth lab explosion, his inspirational headteacher Noah Taylor resolves to confront the drug dealers preying on locals. Dangerous batches of new drugs are hitting the streets and the effects are evident to Nikki, Jack, Clarissa and Thomas as they deal with the rise in both violent and accidental deaths linked to the narcotics, while tragedy strikes at the heart of the Taylor family. Crime drama, with guest stars Colin Salmon and Samantha Womack.

Icons (BBC2, 11.15pm)

Chris Packham assesses the legacies and achievements of Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Alan Turing and Tu Youyou – four of the 20th century’s greatest scientists. Curie discovered new elements, pioneered radiotherapy and was one of the first to examine the subatomic world, while Einstein was a physicist who rewrote the rules of the universe. Turing’s mathematical models were the forerunners of modern computers, while Tu Youyou worked on a secret project in Mao’s China to search for a cure for malaria.

TUESDAY The Humpback Whale: Birth of a Giant (Channel 5, 7pm)

In crystal clear waters off the Pacific coast of Colombia, a newborn humpback whale draws its first breath. The mammal is already an impressive 16 feet long but the challenges ahead are even greater. Proving the BBC doesn’t have the monopoly on impressive nature documentaries, this unique standalone film follows the first few months as the young whale prepares for one of longest animal migrations on Earth, a 5,000-mile journey south to the freezing waters of Antarctica, where food is plentiful.

Love Your Home and Garden (STV, 8pm)

Alan Titchmarsh is back with his team of architects, builders and gardeners ready to take on what promises to be one of the most ambitious projects they have ever attempted. The gang are in Swindon, which is home to wheelchair users Nina and Steve Parry, and Nina’s two children, Oscar, 10, and six-year-old Lexi. The family are currently struggling with the layout of their house – their neglected back garden can’t be seen from inside, which means the children are unable to play there. So the homes and garden team come up with a radical plan to make the two spaces work in harmony. Along the way, they’ll also be offering advice on creating the ultimate low maintenance garden and introducing splashes of colour all year round.

My Million Pound Menu (BBC2, 8pm)

Fred Sirieix oversees a battle for investment between