PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

ITV Racing: Grand National Live (STV, 3.15pm)

It’s that time of the year when people who don’t normally know their odds from their elbow feel compelled to have a flutter – yes, the Grand National is upon us. The support races at Aintree take place at 1.20, 1.55, 2.30 and 3.05, but the main event is at 4pm. Ed Chamberlin is on presenting duties with analysis from AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald, as we discover who will succeed Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox, as winner. Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin are the commentators.

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (STV, 7pm)

Saturday nights will never be quite the same again as after 20 series, Ant and Dec are delivering their last Takeaway.

And when you consider that they even managed to make a couple of episodes during lockdown, that’s quite a momentous decision. So, naturally, they are going out in a style with a special twohour finale that sees them taking over the whole of Television Centre. A host of famous faces are joining in the fun, including Star Guest Announcers Girls Aloud and a selection of celebrity ‘revengers’, including Simon Cowell,

Alison Hammond, Rylan and Craig David, who are getting their own back on the duo. Plus, Stephen Mulhern returns for the ultimate decider of Ant v Dec, and Tony Hadley, S Club and Kaiser Chiefs take part in the singalong.

Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World (C4, 7pm)

The presenter’s latest adventure takes her to Estonia, where she encounters an eclectic blend of modern and ancient traditions. Her journey begins on Saaremaa, known as the country’s ‘Viking Island’, where she explores a sacred burial site which contains evidence of human sacrifice. From there, she heads to the capital Tallinn, where Bettany uncovers the story of a giant medieval shipwreck dating to around 1372, while a trip to Niguliste Church Museum reveals an intriguing painting of the Danse Macabre.

How ABBA Won Eurovision (C5, 9pm)

Last week, BBC2 dedicated a whole evening to the 50th anniversary of Abba’s Eurovision victory, and now it’s Channel 5’s turn to get in on the act. The programme looks at how the group had hoped to compete the year before but their song, Ring Ring, finished third in the Swedish talent show that decided who would represent the country. Waterloo fared better, but their historic win was still far from a foregone conclusion, especially after the technical rehearsal reduced Agnetha and Frida to a bundle of nerves.

Kurt Cobain: Moments That Shook Music (BBC2, 9.25pm)

This month, it will be 30 years since the death of Kurt Cobain. At the time of his suicide, the Nirvana frontman was hailed as the voice of a generation but his music has gone on to find new fans – it’s not uncommon to see Nirvana t-shirts on teens whose parents are probably a bit too young to have bought the band’s breakout album Nevermind on its release. To mark the anniversary, this documentary explores the events surrounding his final days, including a recording of an emotional Courtney Love reading her late husband’s final letter to a crowd of thousands at a vigil. Also another chance to see When Nirvana Came to Britain, and two programmes dedicated to drummer Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters.

SUNDAY

Katie Piper’s Breakfast Show (STV, 8.25am)

Yesterday morning, the model and Loose Women panellist was joined by comedic legend Jo Brand, TV presenter Anita Rani, entertainment guru Elle Osili-Wood and aerial dancer Molly Whitehouse as she returned with her weekend show. Today, Dr Idrees Mughal, aka Dr Idz, will be medical myth-busting. Plus, and fashion ‘redesigner’ Rosette Ale will be showing viewers how to revamp their old denim. Plus, there are thought-provoking expert interviews, Q and A sessions and a crafting section.

Big Zuu Goes to Mecca (BBC2, 9pm)

TV chef and rapper Big Zuu’s mum hails from Sierra Leone and his dad is originally from Lebanon, and he’s got Islam in his heritage on both sides of his family. However, while his faith may be big part of Zuu’s identity, when he was growing up in London, he didn’t always find it easy to stick to the strict interpretation of the rules and instead found himself blending traditions from multiple cultures. Now though, he’d like to connect more deeply with his faith by visiting Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, where he performs the pilgrimage of Umrah for the first time. It’s a quest that’s very dear to his heart, but as this documentary reveals, there’s a lot for him to learn before he leaves.

This Town (BBC1, 9pm)

The first few episodes of Steven Knight’s drama got a mixed reception from critics, with one of the most common complaints being that it’s trying to do a bit too much (although at a time when many dramas seem to blend into each other, it feels churlish to moan about a writer being overambitious). However, anyone who would like fewer subplots and more about the band may be pleased with this episode, as Jeannie finds a warehouse where the group start to forge an identity, while Gregory is trying to keep his brother safe.

The Olivier Awards 2024 (STV, 10.10pm)

She’s a West End superstar and last year’s Eurovision Song Contest proved she’s a natural at presenting live events, so who better to host this year’s Olivier Awards than Hannah Waddingham? The awards celebrate the best in British theatre, and the big names in the running include Sheridan Smith, David Tennant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joseph Fiennes, James Norton, Sarah Snook, Sophie Okonedo, Sam Mendes and Nicole Scherzinger. There’s also a spectacular performance from Guys & Dolls, and a tribute to the National Theatre, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

MONDAY

Jamie’s Air Fryer Meals (C4, 8pm)

Anything Channel 5 can do, Channel 4 can do… well, differently but just as well. The former has become obsessed with air fryers recently, launching numerous documentaries about them every week. Now the latter is jumping on the bandwagon by getting Jamie Oliver to teach us how to make the most of them. Each episode features numerous tips as well as a batch of tempting recipes, all of which can be cooked in the popular device, from grilled vegetables and a whole roast chicken to a baked Alaska.

Springtime on the Farm (C5, 8pm)

Helen Skelton, Jules Hudson, JB Gill and host farmers Rob and Dave Nicholson are back with another week-long run of the evergreen programme. Once again, Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire is at the centre of the action as more baby animals than ever before are set to be born, and not just agricultural ones too – the region’s zoos also have some new arrivals, including tigers and rhinos. But of course, it’s lambs that really grab the attention at this time of year, with Helen and Jules getting hands-on.

Blue Lights (BBC1, 9pm)

The first run of the Belfast-set crime drama about probationary police officers went down so well with viewers when it aired last year that the BBC immediately commissioned two further series. The first is here at last and sees Siân Brooke, Katherine Devlin and Nathan Braniff reprise their roles as Grace Ellis, Annie Condon and Tommy Foster respectively. A year on, they’re more experienced, but still feeling the aftershocks of their involvement in the McIntyre family’s downfall. Look out too for a very familiar face who is joining the cast – ex-Casualty stalwart Derek Thompson appears as a retired cop whose dubious past may catch up with him after a rookie solicitor investigates one of his old cases.

Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific (STV, 9pm)

The actor’s latest travelogue sees him off on another island-hopping adventure following his escapades in America and Australia. It’s the second part of a series that was called to a halt due to the pandemic. All three episodes have been inspired by one of Clunes’s favourite childhood books, an account of the KonTiki expedition in which recalled Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his team set out to travel across the Pacific on a raft. Clunes’s journey is rather more comfortable than that and begins in Papua New Guinea, whose nearest neighbour is Australia. Among the highlights is a trip to one of its most isolated areas, the

Trobiand Islands, where he receives a warm welcome – the locals even build him his own house.

Pompeii: The New Dig (BBC2, 9pm)

If you think the site has already been exhausted by archaeologists, think again. A new three-part documentary focuses on the latest dig, revealing a fresh set of finds along the way. But, perhaps most intriguing of all, is a chance to hear from experts who use the items unearthed to offer fresh insights into those who once lived in the city. “The audience will have a ring-side seat as the archaeologists open a window into a world frozen in time two thousand years ago,” claims Richard Bradley, from production company Lion TV.

Murder Case: The Digital Detectives (C4, 9pm)

Our lives are surrounded with technology – from smart tech to social media, to door and dashboard cams, and widespread CCTV. This programme reveals the ground-breaking digital techniques that are helping police to solve murders on Britain’s streets. Tonight, a 17-year-old Nottingham boy is chased down and stabbed in a vicious assault, and the only evidence is his dying declaration, caught on body camera, that there were four assailants. Nottinghamshire Police turn to their Digital Forensics Unit to sift online and phone footprints and track down the culprits.

TUESDAY

For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond (STV, 8pm)

For 11 years, the much-loved and muchmissed Paul O’Grady was the face of this series. During that period, he helped rehome hundreds of dogs, populising the idea of ‘adopt not shop’ along the way. Some thought the show would end with his death last year, but new host Alison Hammond is determined to continue his legacy. She takes over for the 12th run, and takes to the job like a duck to water, rolling up her sleeves at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home by bottle-feeding an abandoned three-day-old pup.

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr (BBC1, 8pm)

With just two shows left after tonight, the pressure is on the four remaining designers as they pair up and head to

East Grinstead in West Sussex. Their challenge is to transform the look of two shops – one is a women’s fashion store and the other an old curiosity shop. Both are situated in Grade-II listed buildings, which throws up a whole set of challenges and limitations. When the makeovers are complete, Michelle Ogundehin is joined by retail guru Mary Portas to cast a critical eye over them before deciding who will be sent home.

Changing Ends (STV, 8.30pm)

Alan Carr’s semi-autobiographical sitcom is finally making its way onto traditional TV following its successful debut on streaming service ITVX last summer; a second series is expected to appear on the platform in the coming months. Carr plays himself in present-day scenes, with Oliver Savell as a younger version of Alan; the story is inspired by his experiences of growing up in Northampton during the 1980s as the son of a fourth division football manager. Although there are laughs by the bucketload as he navigates puberty, the show also tackles serious issues with a smile, such as the alarming lack of inclusivity. Shaun Dooley and Nancy Sullivan play Alan’s parents, while Rourke Mooney and Harry Peacock co-star.

Michael Palin in Nigeria (C5, 9pm)

He’s now 80 years of age, but the former Monty Python member hasn’t lost any of his passion for exploration. As a result, he’s back on our screens in a three-part documentary which sees him visit a country he’s never been to before – and as he’s been making TV travelogues for the best part of 40 years, there can’t be many of those left. Nigeria has Africa’s biggest economy and population, with 70 per cent of its residents under the age of 25. Sadly, many of them are living in poverty. The first episode sees Palin take to the streets of Makoko, which is often described as the continent’s biggest slum. However, as you many expect from a man who always seems to view life with the