What not to miss in the week ahead
DOCUMENTARY The Island That Saved My Life
At the age of 23 and suffering from depression and shyness Sarah Moore moved from her family home near Edinburgh to North Ronaldsay, with a population of fewer than 50 people.
Part of BBC1’S Our Lives series, this documentary follows Sarah’s life on the island and the stories of the people she meets there.
From day one, Sarah has to hold down multiple jobs to make ends meet and adapt to an entirely new way of living and thinking to survive on the island. But she is much happier and says that she has more opportunities to work and broaden her horizons. Ironically, she also has a far better social life than when she lived in Edinburgh and has become an integral part of the community.
Monday, BBC1, 7:30pm
FOOD Nadiya’s Family Favourites
Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain returns with a new eight-part cooking series, creating recipes for families and friends to fit in with modern life. Whether it’s a treat day, a family trip or a lazy weekend, Nadiya makes tasty recipes that keep the whole family happy.
In the first episode, Nadiya caters for family days out with warming chai spiced vermicelli, picnic-perfect cheese biscuits with tomato jam, a delicious samosa pie and a prawn saffron biryani.
Monday, BBC2, 8pm
MUSIC
Rip It Up
This three-part documentary complements the new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland which tells the story of Scottish pop. The first episode sees the biggest names in Scotland’s early pop story tell their own tales, sharing how they went from bedroom dreamers to international superstars. Celebrated solo performers like Lulu and Donovan are joined by members of pioneering groups including The Skids, Nazareth, The Incredible String Band, Josef K, The Average White Band, Middle of the Road, The Rezillos, The Beatstalkers and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.
Tuesday, BBC2, 9pm
REALITY Our Shirley Valentine Summer
Single female celebs Melinda Messenger, Sian Lloyd, Nancy Dell’olio, Aggie Mackenzie, Ninia Benjamin, Lizzie Cundy, Annabel Giles and Ingrid Tarrant escape to the Greek island of Naxos for the summer – rediscovering themselves and even looking for love in this four part show by the makers of The Real Marigold Hotel. All the women are at a crossroads and each has a personal goal, including overcoming a marriage breakdown, losing weight, building self-confidence and dating.
Thursday, STV, 9:30pm
FILM Mark Kermode’s Secrets Of Cinema
In a new five-part series, Mark Kermode offers a personal guide to cinema, told through some of the most popular film genres, including rom-coms, heist movies, science fiction and more.
Kermode explores the film-making techniques and storytelling secrets of an eclectic selection of movies – from Hollywood classics to the best of global cinema and from big budget blockbusters to art-house gems.
In the first episode the critic looks at rom-coms, with clips from Bringing
Up Baby and The Lady Eve ,bywayof Annie Hall, When Harry Met Sally, Love, Actually and La La Land.
Tuesday, BBC4, 9pm
DRAMA
Red Rock
The Irish soap based around a Dublin Garda station returns, though off-screen drama surrounding its funding may mean this is the final season. ■
Monday-friday, BBC1, 1:45pm