PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 6.45pm)

We can barely suppress a squeal at the thought of this week’s episode, which will see all 15 contestants once again take to the dance floor. If you haven’t rooted out a favourite couple yet, now’s your chance, because not only do the pro-celebrity couples have to impress the judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Aton Du Beke, but it’s also the first week of the public vote. The results will be revealed in Sunday’s results show and one duo will be forced to hand up their dancing shoes.

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2021 (BBC2, 8pm)

Kirsty Wark and Brenda Emmanus go behind the scenes of the 2021 edition which is the vision of celebrated British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, whose ambition to reclaim magic permeates every choice in the show. Kirsty also meets Cathie Pilkington, the new Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools, to learn about plans for a prestigious art college, and Brenda looks into an intriguing act of censorship from the 1770s. Plus, there’s a look at the Summer Exhibition Preview Party, with an exclusive musical performance from Joy Crookes.

Blankety Blank (BBC1, 9pm)

Who would have thought multi-hyphenate Bradley Walsh would be the secret ingredient that made the 2020 Christmas special of this vintage game show really sparkle? Anyone who ever watched The Chase or Wheel of Fortune we suppose, but after storming the Yuletide ratings, Aunty Beeb was quick to commission a full series, and has placed actorpresenter Bradders firmly at the helm. Devotees of the show will be pleased to hear the unforgettable theme tune and that so-cheesy-its-awesome cheque book and pen are all present and correct (though we’ve yet to hear about Wogan’s long, skinny microphone), while six famous faces will settle into their seats and try to help some ordinary folk win some glittering prizes.

Michael Caine: The Man & The Movies (C5, 9pm)

His name is Michael Caine and he’s a living legend. Not at a lot of people know that. The actor, born Maurice Micklewhite to working class parents in Rotherhithe, London, has been one of the biggest screen stars since the mid-1960s when films such as Zulu, The Ipcress File, Alfie and The Italian Job catapulted him to fame and fortune. In the years since he’s won two Academy Awards and – as he would probably admit himself – made his fair share of stinkers alongside plenty of classics. This programme looks back at his life and career, while various examples from his CV can be seen both before and after it.

Later - with Jools Holland (BBC2, 10pm)

We’re back at Helicon Mountain in South

London for a new run of this evergreen show. Jools is joined by Damon Albarn, who first found fame as one quarter of Britpop heroes Blur. He’s since enjoyed international success as the brains behind Gorillaz and has also proved to be quite the musical renaissance man. His latest project is the solo album The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows, and he’ll be talking about it with Jools. Emeli Sande also swings by to discuss what she’s been up to recently and swoon over The Fugees, ahead of their eagerly anticipated return. Plus, making her Later... debut is Manchester’s Julie Campbell, aka LoneLady, with a track from her third studio album Former Things, performed at Brunswick Mill.

SUNDAY,

The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet (BBC1, 6.05pm)

Inspired by US President John F Kennedy’s ‘moonshot’ programme, the Earthshot Prize, backed by Prince William, looks to find inspiring and innovative solutions to global problems. A shortlist of 15 will be whittled down to just five winners unveiled here and chosen from different categories: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-free World; and Fix our Climate. The judges include Prince William, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sir David Attenborough, Cate Blanchett and former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.

Midsomer Murders (STV, 8pm)

One of the most enjoyable things about this long-running series – if enjoyable is the right word, given the title – is guessing which of the guest stars will be the victim or villain. We’ve got plenty to get our teeth into in this episode, which features Adrian Edmondson, Caroline Quentin and, currently co-starring in the gripping Hollington Drive, Rachael Stirling. She plays Eleanor Karras, whose family owns a board games company. As the clan gathers for a murder mystery weekend, the immersive experience takes a puzzling twist when a killer strikes for real, poisoning Victor Karras. The case tests DCI Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter’s detective skills to the limit, as they race to solve

staff, she can’t help but feel that her husband is also still pining for her glamorous predecessor – and Mrs Danvers is quick to exploit her new mistress’s insecurities. But was Rebecca really as perfect as everyone seems to believe?

King of Thieves (2018) (C5, 11pm) Career criminal Brian Reader (Michael Caine) is devastated by the death of his wife, and