PICK OF THE WEEK

diagnosed with dementia, a term that covers many different conditions. This powerful twopart documentary follows four people, aged between 45 and 91, who are living with the condition. It begins in summer 2019 and features 43 year-old Chris, who has a rare form of dementia caused by a faulty gene that runs in families, Clover, 89, whose daughter Marcia faces some hard decisions about her mother’s care, 61-year-old Marion, who is recently diagnosed and discovers her mental capacities are already diminishing. Finally, cameras follow Gilly, a 77-year-old former professional footballer with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s, whose wife is finding it harder to cope.

French and Saunders Night (BBC4, from 9pm)

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders first met while studying teacher training at university in the 1970s. They eventually decided that a comedy career was preferable to one spent in a classroom, which is lucky for us. Now BBC Four is celebrating their partnership by broadcasting two programmes. The first, which originally aired in 2017 to mark the 30th anniversary of their eponymous sketch show, features both new and old material. It’s followed by a chance to see French’s one-woman stage show 30 Million Minutes.

WEDNESDAY Hollington Drive (STV, 9pm)

You may never have heard of motivational speaker Byron Pulsifer, but he once said: “A mother’s love for her children should never be underrated or questioned”. Chances are he hasn’t seen this compelling drama, but never was there a truer word spoken about Theresa. In this second episode, she and her sister Helen are still trying to make sense of the children’s conflicting stories when the tight-knit Hollington Drive neighborhood is rocked once again to its core: a body has been found. As the police investigation intensifies and speculation sweeps through the community, Theresa faces a terrible question: is she willing to lie to protect her son? Anna Maxwell Martin, Rachael Stirling and Jim Howick star.

28 Up: Millennium Generation (BBC1, 9pm)

Change is among the themes explored in this edition, as we catch up with Stacey, who is starting a new chapter after eight years teaching in China, while Ryan from Bolton, is finally moving out of his mum’s house and into his own home, and Talan from Cornwall is battling to overcome depression as he returns to university for a second attempt. Meanwhile, Orala from London has also moved out of home for a change of career, and pandemic has given Hannah from Kent the push she needed to make a big life change.

Catching a Predator (BBC2, 9pm)

Last year, Reynhard Sinaga was prosecuted for drugging, assaulting and raping 48 men, brutal attacks he recorded. The police investigation

revealed Sinaga could have had more than

200 victims, many of whom were oblivious about what happened. This documentary gains exclusive access to the Greater Manchester Police two-year investigation and tells the inside story of how they built a case against Singana. Plus, one of his victims waives his right to anonymity to shed light on the under-reported crime of male rape.

Iceland with Alexander Armstrong (C5, 9pm)

Believe it or not, this is Alexander Armstrong’s first major series for Channel 5 although fans of the multi-talented actor, comedian and singer (and people who like a good celeb travelogue)

talented amateurs during the latest run of The Great British Bake Off, but here’s a chance to see Prue Leith out of her comfort zone somewhat. She’s well known for her culinary skills, but she’s stepping out of her comfort zone for this new series, in which she and her husband John Playfair attempt to start a garden from scratch at their new home. The opening episode sees them move in before wrestling with their outside space’s layout before seeking advice about trees.

THURSDAY

Autumn Gardening With Carol Klein (C5, 7pm)

We return to Glebe Cottage and the company

of expert Carol Kline for this new series, which coincides with harvest time. She relishes the misty, mellow autumn, filling her trug with tasty treats. Not everything is ready for cropping, and there’s a moment to savour majestic

Jerusalem artichokes which will make a delicious soup in the coming weeks. Carol also takes the opportunity to sow a few seeds, plant out the perennials that were divided in the spring and enjoy putting together a project with an autumnal flavour.

Savile: Portrait of a Predator (STV, 9pm) For decades, presenter and DJ Jimmy Savile was a household name, famous for his fundraising for charities and hospitals. But in reality he was one of the country’s most prolific sex offenders, and was even caught on camera assaulting a young woman. This harrowing documentary lifts the lid on his criminal world, revealing how Savile planned his career and lifestyle to facilitate his abuse, escape detection and avoid being held to account. Told through the eyes of those who worked alongside him and who investigated him after his death 10 years ago this month.

All Creatures Great and Small (C5, 9pm)

It’s cake and candles time for Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) as he celebrates his birthday but it’s Siegfried (Samuel West) who gives him the best gift when he hands over several new veterinary responsibilities. Tristan embraces the challenge he’s been set before heading back to Skeldale for his birthday festivities. However, his best-laid plans are scuppered when Siegfriend learns he’s been somewhat economical with the facts about his big day. Meanwhile, James (Nicholas Ralph) is reminded he needs to tell Helen (Rachel Shenton) some home truths. Unfortunately, a miscommunication unexpectedly pushes the issue to the surface and turns Tristan’s happy evening into a turbulent one, with startling consequences.

Don’t Exclude Me (BBC2, 9pm)

Parents and teachers were glued to the first of this two-part documentary last week and the conclusion looks just as compelling – and educational. Behavioural expert Marie Gentles continues her work at Milton Hall Primary School, helping six-year-old Oscar and nineyear-old Olivia deal with behavioural issues. Olivia’s anger and subsequent outbursts mean her relationships with staff have deteriorated, while Marie’s work with Oscar reaches a crucial moment with a playground outburst that leads to a breakthrough.

Hunting the Football Trolls - Jermaine Jenas (C4, 10pm)

In a powerful documentary, former England footballer-turned-pundit Jermaine Jenas examines the phenomenon of football trolls, spending a year monitoring online abuse. He talks to representatives from the Premier League and Professional Footballers Association to find out what they are doing to stamp out the hate that players, Jenas included, face on social media. He speaks to players, embeds with the UK’s only dedicated football policing unit and even confronts a troll in a bid to understand what motivates them.

FRIDAY

Have I Got News for You (BBC1, 9pm)

Say what you like about the Tories, you have to hand it to Baroness Warsi, who was the most recent politician to brave this often-scathing quiz show back in May. It was her second appearance, having popped up the previous year, following Liberal Democrat Layla Moran and Labour’s Jess Phillips, who both graced the show in 2019. As the curtain goes up on the 62nd series, it will be interesting to see if more MPs have the courage to go where Roy Hattersley famously feared to tread (he was replaced by a tub of lard in a 1993 edition). In the meantime, we can be sure that the sharp wits and even sharper tongues of regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton will be ready and eager to be deployed.

Grantchester (STV, 9pm)

A daring CND protest on a college building ends in tragedy after student leader Rachel Bromilow falls to her death. However, as Geordie and Will investigate, they quickly find it may not have been an accident. Questioning Rachel’s boyfriend, friends and fellow activists, a web of ambition and jealousy emerges among the students, but which of them stood to gain from her death? At the same time, tensions rise as Will and Geordie bicker about the nuclear issue, and there’s an unexpected new arrival at the vicarage.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out on the Norfolk Broads (C5, 9pm)

Who among us wasn’t charmed at the start of 2021 with the first series of this travelogue? As we barrel toward winter, the Scottish presenter is back – with vintage campervan Helen Mirren – for another gentle voyage of discovery around the UK. It begins on the Norfolk Broads where Susan is invited on board a beautifully restored boat known as a wherry. Moving onto Cromer, may have come for the famous crab but stays for the local jig dolls: part puppet, part percussion instrument, it leads to a very happy time in a pub.

The North Water (BBC2, 9.30pm)

It’s been a gruelling journey but anyone who has gone the distance with this superb period drama has more than been rewarded with outstanding performances pretty much across the board. Events build to a conclusion here, as Sumner (Jack O’Connell) wakes up in a Mission cabin, where a missionary priest has nursed him back to health. With the support of the cleric and the example of his Inuit saviours, Sumner begins to slowly piece himself together. As spring arrives, he makes his way back to Hull to seek out Baxter (Sir Tom Courtenay), claim his wages, and start the next chapter of his life. But important questions remain: is he walking into a trap, and has he really seen the last of Drax (Colin Farrell)?

Valley of Tears (More4, 9pm)

Israel might not be regarded as a major global TV force, but it has provided the source material for several hit American remakes in recent years. Homeland, In Treatment and Your Honor are just a few, and there apparently more on the way. Before they arrive, here’s a chance to see Valley of Tears, which hails from the country – perhaps it, too, will eventually undergo a revamp, but for now, we’re being treated to the original. It focuses on the experiences of soldiers during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

The Cleaner (BBC1, 9.30pm)

Wicky’s professionalism gets him into hot water in this edition when he cleans up at social media influencer Home Alone Hosea’s (Layton Williams) abode, after a vintage and malfunctioning arcade machine has fatally electrocuted a repairman. Our hero gets on with the job at hand, but the spotless aftermath leaves Hosea livid: the gory remains were perfect viral content and a planned live stream has been scuppered.