PICK OF THE WEEK TV CHOICE

SATURDAY

Doctor Who (BBC1, 6.20pm)

He’s already featured in one of the 60th anniversary episodes and the Christmas special, but now Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the Tardis full time for the new series. If the anticipation has all been too much, the good news is that the first two episodes became available on iPlayer from 12am, but for those who prefer to watch it the more traditional way, you can wait 18 hours and catch it on TV. In the first instalment, the pair encounter a baby farm. Then in the second episode, they are heading back to the 1960s, where they discover that the allpowerful Maestro (played by Jinkx Monsoon) has a dastardly plan to change history. As Abbey Road becomes a battleground for humanity, our fab two find themselves coming face to face with the Beatles.

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

Bettany’s latest adventure finds her hopping around the eastern

Mediterranean. She begins in Turkey, where she explores the world’s first palace, which is also home to the oldest known sword and the earliest evidence of human government. From there, it’s on to Aigai in Greece, and the birthplace of Alexander the Great as the historian learns more how he expanded the Macedonian Empire. Her next stop is Albania, where she uncovers what is left of ancient Illyria, the setting for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Inside Windsor Castle (C5, 7pm)

The history of the castle has reached the Victorian era, revealing how the loved-up Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert decide to make Windsor their family home after spending their honeymoon there. For Albert, who was always obsessed with the newest technology, it meant dragging the castle into the 19th century with the addition of a modern sewer system and 139 flushable toilets. However, their domestic bliss was cut tragically short when Albert died at the age of 42, and Raksha Dave looks at how his grieving widow eventually emerged from her mourning.

Eurovision Song Contest 2024 (BBC1, 8pm)

Winning the Eurovision Song Contest is always a cause for celebration, but Sweden must have been especially thrilled when Loreen finished first in 2023 with Tattoo. Not only did it bring their winning total to seven, meaning they now tie with Ireland as the most successful country in the contest’s history, it also allowed them to host this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of Abba giving them their iconic first win with Waterloo. The show comes from Malmö Arena, and is hosted by singer and two-time Eurovision presenter Petra Mede alongside Swedishborn Hollywood star Malin Akerman. Graham Norton provides the commentary, and the United Kingdom’s hopes rest on Olly Alexander and his song Dizzy.

Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker (C4, 8pm)

There are only four applicants remaining in the competition to become the tenant of the 340-acre farm, so the challenges are getting tougher. This week, they are asked to create a rotational grazing system to manage livestock in a sustainable way that benefits nature restoration. For some of them, that means investigating the wildlife in the farm’s rougher pastures as they consider whether a more radical approach is called for. Meanwhile, lambing season is still in full swing and Matt joins one hopeful as they monitor a ewe expecting twins.

Spy/Master (BBC4, 9pm)

The Romanian thriller continues, with

Victor holed up in a safe house and nervously waiting for Frank as news of a missing diplomat quickly spreads. Frank, meanwhile, has his hands full trying to force the CIA’s hand – but will his strategy backfire? Then, in tonight’s second episode, President Nicolae Ceausescu fumes over reports of a defection, and his wife Elena is bent on making Victor and his family suffer. After Frank moves Victor to the supposed safety of the US embassy, Mircea and Carmen attempt to cast doubts on Victor’s true motivations.

SUNDAY

The Remains of the Day: The Read with Steve Pemberton (BBC4, 9pm)

Bafta-winning actor Steve Pemberton takes time out from the final series of Inside No 9, as well as competing on Channel 4’s Taskmaster, to perform Kazuo Ishiguro’s Booker Prize-winning 1989 novel. The story is told through the lens of stoic head butler Stevens, who has a long record of service at Darlington Hall, a fictitious stately home near Oxford. He reflects on his time there in the years leading up to Second World War. The 1993 film adaptation, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, was nominated for eight Academy Awards.

Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour (BBC2, 9pm)

In another of these celeb-mates-on-holiday travel shows, Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark set off on the original package holiday – the “Grand Tour”, which once upon a time referred to a cultural odyssey which was designed to turn young upper-class Brits into civilised, educated gentlemen (Jeremy Clarkson et al presumably never got that memo). Their first stop is Venice, where Rob conducts Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the church where it was first performed. Rylan meanwhile discovers the hidden side of Venice’s famous Carnival, and both of them view one of the largest paintings

on canvas in the world: Tintoretto’s Il Paradiso. The format may be a well-worn one, but the two make for an engaging and likeable odd-couple pairing.

The Lost Scrolls of Pompeii: New Revelation (C5, 9pm)

Professor Alice Roberts uncovers the ground-breaking science being used by Prof Brent Seales as he attempts to become the first person in nearly 2,000 years to read hundreds of ancient scrolls found at the archaeological site of Herculaneum in Italy. Carbonised in the eruption of Vesuvius in the year AD 79, many experts believe that the scrolls contain works of ancient literature, philosophy and history. Alice travels to Naples to follow Brent as he combines cutting-edge scanning techniques with AI software to read the fragile scrolls without ever having to open them.

The Responder (BBC1, 9pm)

The second series of the gritty Liverpoolset crime drama continues and Chris (Martin Freeman) and Rachel (Adelayo Adedayo) find themselves on the hook to shady drug boss Franny (Adam Nagaitis). The only way to fix it is to pay him, but where to find that kind of money? Chris thinks he has a solution – Jodie Sweeney (Faye McKeever) is willing to pay someone for picking up a bag of drugs from the docks. Just like quicksand, trying to escape only drags you deeper… Kevin Eldon guest stars.

MONDAY

Jamie Cooks Spring (C4, 8pm)

Spuds are on the menu this week, as

Jamie Oliver plants some for summer. However, no need to worry that he’s abandoning cooking for gardening, as he then rustles up Jersey Royal potatoes dressed in a wild garlic pesto served with a stuffed salmon. There’s also a deceptively simple broad bean mezze and a Roquefort cheese and crouton salad, which showcases fresh spring lettuces and makes the perfect accompaniment to a spatchcocked roast chicken. For pudding, Jamie makes rhubarb and custard tart, with almond pastry and almond brittle on top.

The Jennings vs Alzheimer’s (BBC2, 9pm)

It was once believed that Alzheimer’s had no familial link, but Carol Jennings had a hunch that was not the case after her father and his four siblings were all diagnosed with the disease. She spent the 1980s lobbying doctors to investigate, and her fears were later confirmed when a mutant gene for early onset dementia was discovered within her family. It meant that meant that Carol had a 50:50 chance of inheriting the condition, and if she did, her two children, John and Emily, would face the same risk. She chose not to take the test, but her health began deteriorating in her fifties. Now this documentary follows Emily and John as they decide whether to take the test themselves, and also explores what the family’s experiences and the discovery of the gene means for a potential cure.

The Fortune Hotel (STV, 9pm)

What would you get if you crossed The Traitors and Deal or No Deal? Probably something that resembled ITV1’s new reality game show. Hosted by Stephen Mangan, it sees 10 pairs of contestants checking into a hotel in the Caribbean. On arrival, they are given a briefcase – eight are empty, but one contains a dreaded Early Checkout card, and one holds the jackpot of £250,000. In each episode, the pairs have a chance to work out who has which case through a series of challenges, which culminate in a swap in the Lady Luck bar. Whoever ends up with the Checkout card will be heading home, but can the contestants with the cash manage to throw the others of their scent and keep hold of it until the end of the game?

Blue Lights (BBC1, 9pm)

When Blue Lights first hit our screens last year, some cynics may have asked if we really needed yet another cop drama. Luckily, the gripping first run proved we definitely did, and as this second series reaches the penultimate episode, tension is building as Annie’s job is on the line. However, would-be drugs kingpin Lee appears to be going from strength to strength as he makes a move to consolidate his power. Meanwhile, Stevie and Grace are thrown back together on a response call, with terrible consequences.

Celebrity Popmaster TV (More4, 9pm)

Legendary radio DJ Ken Bruce returns with a new 16-part run of the hit music quiz. As before, five contestants go head-to-head over a series of six knockout rounds including Intros, Middles and Ends, Video Gaga, Pop Years and It’s Only Words, before two players progress to play Original PopMaster. The winner must then correctly tackle a Three in 10 if they’re to take home the gold disc. In the first of two celebrity specials, singer Toyah Willcox, actor and rapper Richard Blackwood, actor Sally Lindsay, radio DJ and presenter MistaJam and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt battle it out. Continues tomorrow.

Me And The Voice In My Head (C4, 10pm)

It’s now 10 years since former Hollyoaks actor (and son of comedian Joe Pasquale) Joe Tracini was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a condition that around 2 per cent of the country will live with at some point. For those who experience it, the condition affects the way they think about themselves and others, and can lead to intense, unstable emotions and intrusive thoughts. In this candid documentary, Joe introduces us to Mick, the voice in his head who wants to hurt him, and asks whether his childhood experiences hold the key to getting a handle on his BPD.

TUESDAY

Changing Ends (STV, 8.30pm)

Alan Carr’s autobiographical sitcom continues, its success resting on the slim but rather talented shoulders of Oliver Savell, who’s rather impressive as a youthful version of the comedian. This week, the moment all children dread arrives at Alan’s Northampton school – vaccination day. He pretends to be ill in an attempt to get out of it, but that looks set to fail. And with devoted mum Christine occupied elsewhere, it’s up to his rather more gruff dad Graham to deal with the situation. Nancy Sullivan and Shaun Dooley co-star.

Better Off Dead? (BBC1, 9pm)

This year, a House of Commons select committee has launched an enquiry into the possible legalisation of assisted suicide; its findings are expected to influence future government policy on the matter. A recent poll suggests the majority of people support the notion of doctorassisted suicide for the terminally ill, but Liz Carr and other disabled people fear their lives will be at risk if it is legalised; they believe any change in the law sends the message that disabled and marginalised people are less valued. With that in mind, the actress and activist is embarking on an investigation into the controversial issue which involves speaking to those on both sides of the debate, and finding out how it’s treated in other countries.

Holidaying in the 70s: Wish You Were Here (C5, 9pm)

The conclusion to the two-part documentary looking back at the boom in foreign travel focuses largely on Freddy Laker, the entrepreneur who launched Laker Airways in 1966, which helped pave the way for affordable package holidays abroad but, despite initial success, was grounded forever in 1982. There’s also a look at the rise in popularity of skiing