Tag: Call the Midwife

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 30/01/2016

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The Secret Life of the Zoo - 02-02-2016 - YouView appCall the Midwife (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 31st January 2016)

A outbreak of typhoid erupts, and suspicion over who the carrier could be threatens to break apart a closely knit family. Sister Winfred faces a personal dilemma when a local teacher is revealed to be pregnant by a married man. When the woman takes matters into her own hands, Sister Winifred is forced to consider the role her own prejudices may have played. Meanwhile, Barbara inadvertently agrees to go to dinner with Tom, but is wracked with worry about how Trixie will react.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael begins his American odyssey in New York City. Starting at Grand Central Terminal, the ‘gateway to the nation’, he boards the Manhattan subway system, the busiest rail transit system in the US. His first stop is the Rockefeller Centre, where he gets a bird’s eye view of Manhattan Island and learns how about the technology which enabled the city to build up. Portillo heads to the Financial District, where, over a Lobster Newberg, he finds out how the dodgy political dealings of the era’s famous industrialists earned them the nickname ‘Robber Barons’. He observes their better side at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as he learns that philanthropy helped the city’s burgeoning art scene, before finishing his journey midtown, among the bright lights of Broadway.

Griff’s Great Britain (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

Griff Rhys Jones sets out to explore some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes. In this episode, Griff looks at the British passion for being beside the sea, visiting a unique stretch of the British coastline. Beginning at the historic North Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, he then travels up to the picturesque port of Whitby for some ghostly adventures.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

The Lyell team investigate the shooting of a family who were picnicking by the river. DCI Butcher, leading the investigation, soon focuses on the female victim’s estranged husband. However, DS Guillam, a local detective working on the case, is haunted by the death of a young woman near the river ten years ago and sees an opportunity to redeem himself. A medical registrar is reminded of the same death a decade ago – the victim was her friend – and she is forced to confront the high-powered people she has been trying desperately to forget.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael continues his American journey in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where he narrowly avoids a scrap with an historic gang of New York and visits the grim tenement buildings where thousands of the city’s immigrants lived and worked. In the West Side, Michael discovers how a once lethal run of track has been transformed into a public park, raised above the city streets. Forsaking the rails for a ferry, Michael heads for Ellis Island, where some 12 million immigrants entered America. Michael is given a privileged tour of the gleaming new transport hub under construction close to the site of Ground Zero.

The Secret Life of the Zoo (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

This new series reveals the secret life of the animals of Chester Zoo, Britain’s most popular zoo, using new micro-rig technology to capture in incredible detail the remarkable behaviour of the animals and their close relationships with their keepers. In the first episode, the zoo’s Asian elephant family welcome a new arrival. Grumpy matriarch Thi has been pregnant for almost two years and is reaching the end of her tether. She’s given birth to a stillborn baby in the past, so the keepers have a close eye on her. Not everyone in the family is looking forward to the birth. Playful Hari, the youngest member of the herd, is feeling left out. No longer the golden child, he starts acting up, taking his frustrations out on grandmother Sithami.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

As DCI Butcher moves closer to charging the estranged husband of the family killed at the picnic, Jack and Nikki join DS Guillam in search of the truth. The team begin to realise they may have been looking down the wrong end of the telescope, and their lives are thrown into mortal danger. Soon enough, they are thrust into an unexpected and depraved world, and further murders are discovered. Jack and Nikki must fight to escape and bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, Amy’s dark past begins to catch up with her and she must decide whether to keep it buried or confront it head-on, risking her medical career and everything else in order to escape her demons. Amy’s nightmare and the Lyell’s investigation begin to converge. And when the crimes are linked to people in very high places, the team experience the difficulty of bringing the rich and powerful to justice.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 3rd February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. From Manhattan, Michael follows his Appleton’s Guide east, travelling on the Long Island Railroad. He begins in Brooklyn, where he learns the incredible story behind the world’s first steel suspension bridge. Divided by a common language, Michael struggles to order a pizza before continuing to Queens and the site of an ambitious engineering project that will transform New York City’s rail network. Moving east through Long Island, he visits one of the country’s most decadent mansions, owned by an oil tycoon known as Mr Monopoly, where he gets into a flap dancing the Charleston, before ending his journey on Long Island’s eastern most tip at New York’s first lighthouse.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael follows America’s mighty Hudson River north, riding on the United States’ national rail carrier service, Amtrak. He learns from Amtrak’s police chief about some of the nation’s most infamous train robbers, then upriver at Tarrytown, he is spooked by the stories of one of America’s greatest writers, Washington Irving, author of Sleepy Hollow. On the east bank of the Hudson, he stops at Garrison, site of many guerrilla battles during the Wars of Independence, where he hears about the greatest turncoat in American history and learns about the many famous military leaders who trained at West Point.

Cats v Dogs: Which is Best? (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out to find the definitive answer to the burning question – which are best, cats or dogs? Based at one of Britain’s largest cat and dog veterinary centres, Chris and Liz test different aspects of each animal. Round one tests whether either species can understand numbers. In Vienna, Chris discovers that dogs can discriminate between higher and lower numbers of dots and Liz tries out the test on cats with surprising results. Round two tests which animal has the better vision, sense of smell and hearing. Chris challenges sniffer dog Boris to find him in a busy city. The final round looks at whether cats or dogs are the most physically agile by testing which can jump the highest, which is the fastest sprinter and which the best endurance runner. Chris also comes face to face with a pack of wolves whilst Liz confronts an Arabian wild cat. Together, they put our favourite pets under the microscope to see how they compare.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm 1o 10:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

DI Goodman’s aunt Mary comes to visit him, but things take an unexpected turn when she becomes the only witness to the murder of a tourist. Some unorthodox advice on love from Dwayne leaves JP in a spin.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael Portillo continues his railroad journey through New York State following his Appleton’s Guide. Beginning in the city of Poughkeepsie, he visits a famous all-female university, alma mater of Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep. He discovers the tumultuous history of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge and follows the train line up to the Catskill Mountains, admiring its picturesque scenery from an altogether different type of line – a zip wire. Back on safe ground, he discovers that the dramatic landscape inspired artists of the Hudson River School. Arriving in New York’s state capital, Albany, he samples a drop of Albany Ale before rubbing shoulders with the State Senator.

Landward Special – The Great Scottish Flood (BBC 1 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

A special edition of Scotland’s countryside magazine. Dougie Vipond and the team meet the homeowners, landowners and farmers who bore the brunt of this winter’s extreme flooding. They ask what can be done to protect people from such dramatic damage ever again.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

The murder investigation takes Perez and Tosh to Glasgow as they try to uncover the reasons behind Maguire’s brutal death and his connection to Robbie Morton. But old ghosts return to haunt Perez as his enemies try to prevent him from getting to the truth.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Series featuring inspirational walks from around Britain. Andrew White walks above and alongside 2 large bodies of water – Ladybower Reservoir and Windermere.

The Last Leg Goes Down Under (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:10pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker – hosts of the award-winning The Last Leg – head to the Australian wilderness for the ultimate outback road trip. Adam plots his revenge after four years of verbal abuse from English co-hosts Josh and Alex about his home country, Australia with the help of blind adventure travel guide Amar Latif. In the concluding show, having driven the length of the Northern Territory, the lads have one week to get from the opal mining town of Coober Pedy to Sydney in time to meet Adam’s 97-year-old grandfather. En route they try mining for opals, survive dressing in drag in an edgy town, hunt wild boars and go the full ‘Mad Max’. Josh and Alex are struggling with Adam’s transformation from mildly Aussie suburbanite to the most Australian thing since Mick Dundee and his attempts to Aussie-up the pair of them. Will their matey rapport survive the arduous journey or is this the last straw for The Last Leg?

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 23/01/2016

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The Restoration Man - 28-01-2016 - YouView appHorse (BBC 2/HD | 7:20pm to 9:35pm | Saturday 23rd January 2016)

Wartime drama. It is 1914, and struggling Devon farmer Ted Narracott buys a remarkable but unsuitable horse at auction. His son Albert names him Joey and, under pressure from their unscrupulous landlord, somehow trains Joey to work the farm. But when war breaks out, Joey is requisitioned by the army to serve at the front and begins a remarkable adventure that takes him far from Albert and the fields of Devon.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 24th January 2016)

Barbara experiences the biggest test of her career when a struggling dockworker’s wife is forced into a difficult decision about her impending delivery. Nurse Crane meets a new friend who promises great adventure but conceals a secret. Sister Evangelina is forced to take action when a mistake comes to light.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

Michael begins a new journey through the home counties in Ashford, Kent, lending a hand at a state-of-the-art train maintenance plant, home to the High Speed 1 rolling stock – a modern railway hub in a Victorian railway town. A visit to a historic make-up brand reveals the foundations of the Victorian cosmetics industry. Taking the tracks east to Marden, Michael is moved by music played on Queen Victoria’s personal piano before ending his journey in Sevenoaks at Knole House, seat of the Sackville-West family, where he learns of its colourful history.

Griff’s Great Britain (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

Griff explores Dartmoor National Park, the largest and wildest area of open country in the south of England. The park is home to ancient woodlands, high granite tors, vast tracts of rolling moorland as well as churches, cream teas, llamas and legends.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

The accidental fatal shooting of a Polish teenager in an armed police operation puts the firearms division responsible under immense public scrutiny. After the inquest delivers a lawful killing verdict, the mutilated body of a Turkish man is found in close proximity to the original incident, leading IPCC investigator Vicky Sharpe to question whether there is a link. Sharpe approaches the Lyell to seek their help in reviewing the armed police shooting evidence. As revelations about the shooting threaten to emerge, further bodies are discovered and the team are drawn into the world of Turkish gangsters, a grieving Polish family hell bent on justice and a fractured firearms unit attempting to put a year of accusations and interrogations behind them.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

At East Grinstead, Michael dons a boiler suit and takes to the footplate of a loco on the Bluebell Railway, Britain’s first passenger carrying heritage line. Travelling north to Merstham, Surrey, Michael experiences an explosive encounter as he witnesses the power of dynamite first-hand. Moving east through Surrey countryside, he visits the stunningly situated Leith Hill Place to explore the compositions of the great British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The journey ends near Guildford with the story of a giant of Victorian art – GF Watts.

Tricks of the Restaurant Trade (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

In the fourth episode of the series that lifts the lid on the restaurant industry, Kate Quilton and Simon Rimmer chow down on fried chicken, focusing on the two big players: KFC and Nando’s. KFC has over 890 outlets in the UK, but Simon’s never eaten there. As well as sampling his first ever KFC, he attempts to recreate Colonel Sanders’ famous secret recipe; can a KFC superfan tell the difference? Peri-peri chicken chain Nando’s inspires cult-like devotion among its customers. Celebrities like Ed Sheeran, JLS and Dizzee Rascal have all raved about it, which may have something to do with their celebrity High Five card. Apparently you’ll never get one if you ask; nonetheless Simon tries to procure one of these mysterious cards.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

When the body of an armed police officer is found, the team join the manhunt for supposed cop killer Bruno, hoping to apprehend him before more officers can be killed. Jack hopes to reach the suspect first and talk him into handing himself in before more damage is done. In doing so, he uncovers links to London’s small but devastating gun trade. Meanwhile, the murder of their colleague forces the other armed police officers to question their safety, and soon their paranoia leads them to scrutinise each other’s behaviour. As further victims fall prey to the killer, the pathology and forensics begin to point to a highly trained individual. The team rally round Jack as he searches for the truth. He must put himself in jeopardy in order to discover who is responsible for the murders, and what really happened during the armed police operation.

The Mad World of Donald Trump (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

Matt Frei enters the colourful and mad world of presidential hopeful Donald Trump, whose meteoric political rise comes amid one of the most controversial political campaigns America has ever seen. Trump’s plans to ban all Muslims from entering the States and to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out have outraged many in the States and beyond. Discover the man behind the brand, from the multiple divorces, the bankruptcies and the public insults aimed at women who crossed him to claims of bullying Scottish residents who stood in the way of his golf resort. It’s the all-consuming story of a privileged multi-billionaire tycoon who has now decided to use his considerable resource to become the most powerful person on the planet. Frei is also on the campaign trail, meeting those who oppose Trump as well as his fervent supporters who believe he is the epitome of American success and will deliver on his promise to ‘Make America great again’.
(High Definition, Subtitles)

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 27th January 2016)

Michael’s journey through the home counties continues at Woking, Surrey, where Michael uncovers the story of Britain’s first purpose-built crematorium, a response to overcrowded cemeteries and London’s ever-expanding population. A trip to world-famous Wisley Gardens sheds light on the work of the Royal Horticultural Society, as Michael gets green fingered. Swapping trees and tranquillity for the roar of a motor car, at Weybridge Michael visits Brooklands the birthplace of motor racing and gets behind the wheel of a vintage Bentley racing car. As this journey leg draws to a close, Portillo goes camping at Walton-on-Thames and learns about the unlikely origins of a leisure pursuit that is going strong today.

Children Saved from the Nazis: The Story of Sir Nicholas Winton (BBC 1/HD | 10:45pm to 11:45pm | Wednesday 27th January 2016)

Documentary telling the extraordinary story of how Nicholas Winton rescued 669 children from the clutches of the Nazis, bringing them by train to Britain. In 1939 Europe was on the brink of war, and with Hitler invading Czechoslovakia, the lives of the Jewish population was threatened. Winton, a young British stockbroker, decided to do everything possible to save the lives of as many Jewish children as he could. In order to provide a degree of credibility with both the British and Nazi governments of the day, Winton single-handedly established the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia – Children’s Section, using it to obtain passports and visas for the children. He then organised for each child to be adopted by families throughout the country and their safe passage across Europe and into Britain. For nearly fifty years, Nicholas told no-one of his heroic deeds.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

A royal residence beckons for Michael as he is treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s longest vine at Hampton Court Palace. Maintaining a royal theme, Michael is drawn to Esher to visit stately Claremont House, where tragic circumstances led directly to the birth of the Victorian era. Moving up the line to Wimbledon, Michael is challenged to a duel on the common, the site of a historic and memorable duelling event. This journey ends in Teddington, where the story of a Victorian reformer whose work revolutionised the care for those living with learning disabilities is uncovered.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

The team must solve a deeply personal case when Dwayne’s old mentor is found dead and a text message indicates it was murder. DI Goodman tries to unleash his inner gourmand.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

Restoration novices Mark Hinchcliffe and Laura Rushton have hatched a risky plan to convert two beautiful but crumbling church buildings into family homes in Harrogate. The project hangs on them successfully transforming the listed Sunday school building – as all the profits from its sale are needed to turn the cavernous Victorian church into Mark and Laura’s own home. The stunning Sunday school conversion shows they are born restorers, but can they keep up their high standards as the hidden costs of modernising these neglected structures start to spiral?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Michael begins the final leg of this journey through the home counties at Egham, where a perfectly preserved, historic steam fair offers the original white-knuckle ride. Across town lies the palatial Royal Holloway College, now part of the University of London, where Michael discovers the institution’s philanthropic roots. Moving on to Berkshire, Michael drops in at a factory that manufactures a famously sleep-inducing beverage with historic roots. This journey ends riverside at Henley-on-Thames, where Michael takes to the water and learns that rowing in an eight is a challenging business.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Come and take a stroll with the Walks Around Britain team as they take us on fun and easily accessible walks from across the British Isles.

The Last Leg Goes Down Under (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker – hosts of the award-winning The Last Leg – head to the Australian wilderness for the ultimate outback road trip. Adam plots his revenge after four years of verbal abuse from English co-hosts Josh and Alex about his home country, Australia. He wants to show the lads that Australia isn’t the silly place they thought it was, but in fact a searing hot, unforgiving hell hole, stuffed full of people who are hard as nails. In the first episode, they head from Darwin to Uluru where their fantasies of beaches and sunshine are replaced by camping out with deadly snakes and spiders, confronting hard-faced biker gangs and generally embracing a real-life Crocodile Dundee experience. Adam seems transformed, but Josh and Alex wonder if a nervous breakdown looms. The guys find out a few new things about each other along the journey while turning each encounter into an exciting and richly comedic journey.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 16/01/2016

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Call the Midwife - 17-01-2016 - YouView appCall the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 17th January 2016)

Easter approaches, and midwives are shaken by the birth of a baby with severe, unexplained deformities. Meanwhile, Trixie begins teaching her brand new keep-fit classes, but a medical emergency for one of her group makes her question the relationship between women and their bodies.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 18th January 2016)

Every train ride begins with a whistle and Michael Portillo’s new railway journey is no exception, blasting off from Birmingham’s jewellery quarter to the sound of the Acme whistle, manufactured there since 1884. A visit to the city’s town hall reveals a magnificent organ and the location for a celebrated music festival. Travelling south to Kidderminster, Michael reports for duty at the Post Office, where he sorts the letters and discovers more about the great postal innovator Sir Rowland Hill, before heading out to deliver the Royal Mail. 19th-century quack doctors and their bogus remedies are exposed in Worcester, where Michael discovers the origins of the British Medical Association.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 18th January 2016)

When an ex-convict is found brutally murdered in his home, the Lyell team is introduced to Sasha Blackburn, a forensic psychologist who works closely with those released from prison on life licence. The victim was a client of Sasha’s, and so is one of the suspects: Paul Raynott, a vulnerable young man trying to turn his life around with Sasha’s help. Several other members of the life licence community are drawn into the investigation, each at varying stages of rehabilitation having served time for murder. Whilst the team learn how fragile their freedom really is, Sasha’s close relationship with these damaged men is called into question, as is whether she really knows what’s best for them. There are concerns over Paul’s safety in particular, whose fragile state of mind and desperate need for rehabilitation mean he may be just as much a danger to himself as others.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

He heads for the sharp end of the Victorian industrial revolution at a needle manufactory in Redditch. The Freemasons of Cheltenham invite Michael into their lodge to share the secrets of their society. In Gloucester, he learns how to make Gloucester cheese. Continuing on to Highnam, Michael is glad to discover the beautiful Victorian Gothic church of Thomas Parry and to join the Gloucester Choral Society in a rendition of Jerusalem composed by Thomas’s son Hubert.

Tricks of the Restaurant Trade (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

There are more than a quarter of a million places to eat out in the UK. Most families eat out a couple of times a week, so how can they ensure that they receive good food, a fair price and a great experience? Consumers may not know much about what goes on behind the scenes in restaurants, but that changes in this episode, which reveals that many restaurants serve pre-prepared meals, desserts and cocktails, ordered in from outside catering suppliers, with some restaurants serving meals that might have been made many miles away. Now that chains make up over 40% of all restaurants, the way they prepare food has changed radically. Would you care if your cocktail came ready-made in a carton?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

After the team discovers that suspect Paul may not be who he says he is, and was involved in an infamous murder in the past, the investigation revisits the fifteen-year-old case. Wounds are re-opened for the family of the victim as Paul’s psychopathic accomplice in the historical murder is visited in the hope that he can shed light on the current investigation. Further victims are killed and a distinctive, sadistic modus operandi begins to become clear. The team turns to forensic psychologist Sasha for advice on the killer, but her proximity to the suspects puts her viewpoint in doubt. As the team move closer to discovering who the killer is, they question whether a murderer can truly be rehabilitated and what that rehabilitation really means.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 20th January 2016)

Michael takes pot luck on the snooker table as he investigates the Victorian origins of the game and finds out what it takes to produce the fine green cloth which smoothes the path of the balls. In Cirencester, he ploughs a crooked furrow at the Royal Agricultural College before taking tea with the ladies in Bath, where he also discovers a scandalous novel written by an eccentric recluse, once the wealthiest man in England.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

Armed with his Bradshaw’s guidebook, Michael enters the foul-smelling world of a Victorian tannery. In Nailsea, he discovers how mountains of bird droppings made one of the greatest fortunes of the era for a 19th-century entrepreneur, who spent his wealth building churches and chapels and one of the most luxurious country houses in Britain. Reaching Glastonbury, Michael heads for the mystical abbey, where Victorian tourists flocked to hear stories of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

DI Goodman finds himself embroiled in the highly strung world of modelling when a young star is strangled in the middle of a fashion show. JP bumps into an old flame.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

Thirty years after starting to restore a Georgian gazebo tower built on top of Pembroke’s medieval city walls, retired businessman Bruce Woodall finally takes on the challenge of finishing it. But Bruce discovers that since his architect drew up the plans, conservation laws have changed and the ‘scheduled ancient monument’ beneath the tower threatens to shut down the build for good. As George unravels this local landmark’s 500-hundred year-old secrets, its place in key chapters in English and Welsh history becomes clear. But has the gazebo tower’s story finally come to an end?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

Following his Bradshaw’s Guidebook, Michael stands trial at the Bloody Assizes in Taunton and feels the full force of the law. He gets to grips with a miracle of Victorian engineering on the Somerset Levels at Westonzoyland and on Dartmoor he embarks on a mid-19th-century treasure hunt still popular today.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

DI Jimmy Perez is convinced that Michael Maguire is somehow implicated in the death of Robbie Morton. But with the investigation seemingly under threat before it’s even started, he faces an uphill battle to uncover the truth behind Maguire’s silence.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

Come and take a stroll with the Walks Around Britain team as they take us on fun and easily accessible walks from across the British Isles.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 19/12/2015

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Doctor Who - 25-12-2015 - YouView appThe Muppets (BBC 1/HD | 1:55pm to 3:30pm | Saturday 19th December 2015)

When an oil magnate discovers that there is a reservoir of oil just below the Muppet theatre, the puppets must combine forces with two of their biggest fans and put on an unforgettable display to raise the ten million dollars they need to keep the building in one piece. In the last few years, the gang has gone in separate directions and tracking all of them down proves quite a challenge.

Sports Personality of the Year 2015 (BBC 1/HD | 6:50pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 20th December 2015)

Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan host BBC Sports Personality of the Year, live from the SSE Arena, Belfast. It’s been another incredible 12 months of sporting excellence and this world famous show – now in its 62nd year – again recognises some of the standout achievers. Stars from the sporting world are among the 7,500 crowd in Northern Ireland’s capital city and, as ever, there is a full review of the sporting year.

Reggie Yates’ Extreme UK (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 21st December 2015)

Being a British guy in 2015 is not easy, and in this series Reggie Yates travels to the extreme edge of modern British masculinity, to discover that 21st-century pressures are changing the way we live, the way we love, and even the way we look. Reggie investigates the extreme ways in which male body culture is impacting on young British guys – from extreme exercise to invasive plastic surgery and even steroid abuse. As Reggie embarks on his own challenge to get into shape he asks what it’s all for and follows the story from a private hospital in Istanbul to a lock-up in the Midlands and beyond.

Christmas Shopping Fever: John Lewis and the Retail Race (BBC 2/HD | 9:30pm to 10:30pm | Wednesday 23rd December 2015)

Cherry Healey goes behind the scenes of one of the nation’s biggest stores to find out how it survives the pressure cooker of Christmas. Since more than 50 per cent of many retailers’ annual profits are made in the last quarter of the year, for John Lewis and its competitors, Christmas has become a year-long, full-scale military campaign. Charting the relentless countdown to Christmas 2015 – from the midsummer Christmas press launch, to the honing of the ad, to the discounting frenzy of Black Friday – Cherry sees the John Lewis team tackling the multitude of challenges presented by our changing shopping habits. In the run-in to this Christmas, they have to contend with customer complaints, website woes and unpredictable buying behaviour. Cherry discovers how John Lewis is now catering for a new breed of savvy online shoppers. The competition used to be rivals on the high street, like Debenhams and M&S, but now the retailer has to contend with a host of online rivals too.

The Snowman and the Snowdog (Channel 4/HD | 5:25pm 6:00pm | Thursday 24th December 2015)

A charming animated sequel to Raymond Briggs’s classic The Snowman. When a young boy, Billy, and his mother move house, he discovers a box hidden under the floorboards of his bedroom. In the box, he finds a hat, scarf, some lumps of coal and a shrivelled tangerine – it’s a snowman-making kit! When it begins to snow the child builds a Snowman and, with some spare snow, a Snowdog. That night, at the stroke of midnight, the Snowman and the Snowdog magically come to life! Billy awakes and joins them on an amazing adventure, flying over London and onwards to the North Pole, where they join Snowmen and Snowwomen from around the world.

Brave (BBC 1/HD | 3:10pm to 4:35pm | Friday 25th December 2015)

Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.

Doctor Who (BBC 1/HD | 5:15pm to 6:15pm | Friday 25th December 2015)

It is Christmas Day on a remote human colony, and the Doctor is hiding from Christmas carols and comedy antlers. But when a crashed spaceship calls upon the Doctor for help, he finds himself recruited into River Song’s squad and hurled into a fast and frantic chase across the galaxy. King Hydroflax is furious, and his giant robot bodyguard is out of control and coming for them all. Will Nardole survive? And when will River Song work out who the Doctor is? All will be revealed on a starliner full of galactic supervillains and a destination the Doctor has been avoiding for a very long time.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 7:30pm to 8:45pm | Friday 25th December 2015)

Festive cheer is in plentiful supply as Poplar readies itself for Christmas. An unexpected surprise for a grieving mother helps bring the Christmas magic home, while Nonnatus is rocked to the core when one of its own goes missing.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 07/03/2015

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Cucumber - 12-03-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th March 2015)

Trixie and Sister Mary Cynthia team up to support a deaf mother-to-be, while a case of morning sickness proves more serious than initially suspected. Elsewhere, Fred’s daughter is less than delighted about his forthcoming wedding.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th March 2015)

James May is taken far outside his comfort zone as he straps into an insanely fast, highly tuned, 600-horsepower hatchback and is thrown into the lion’s den of World Rallycross racing. As well as trying to fend off a pack of top-flight professional drivers, May’s life is made harder by his support crew, the distinctly unsupportive Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. Also in this show, Clarkson is at the track in the latest Jaguar F-type R and a sensational, modernised E-type called the Eagle Low Drag GT, while Hammond is in Spain to test the brand new version of the legendary Mazda MX-5. Finally, Brit Pack acting star Nicholas Hoult tries his hand in the Reasonably Priced Car.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 9th March 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, Robson is on the trail of some of Northumberland’s greatest historical treasures. In the Farne Islands he goes diving, discovering some mysterious cannons and the wreck of a ship sunk by the German Luftwaffe in 1941. He learns about the fascinating Roman relics that have been unearthed here over the years. The Corbridge Hoard was discovered by students in the 1960s, and the Vindolanda Tablets are the oldest handwritten commentaries in Britain. Finally, on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne he hears about the Viking invasion and the legacy of the Norsemen.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 9th March 2015)

It is the day of the consultation – Waterloo Road’s final chance to stop the school merging with Havelock High. But with no headmaster to be seen and a mystery surrounding the council’s real plans for the school, it is up to the kids to take charge of saving Waterloo Road.

The Adventure Show (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 10th March 2015)

The team are at Strathpuffer 24, one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The event takes place in the middle of winter, with 17 hours of darkness and testing conditions that push both competitors and their bikes to the limit. Also in the programme, Cameron McNeish leaves the Scottish winter behind for a weekend in the little-known Alentejo region of western Portugal.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 10th March 2015)

Series in which hard-up young Brits, desperate to sort out their finances and get their lives back on track, sign up for one of the world’s toughest jobs. This time it is high-rise window cleaning in Canada. Perched on a wooden plank and suspended from some of Toronto’s tallest skyscrapers, it is terrifying and dangerous work. Can Stephen, Dom and Darcie conquer their fears and make it to pay day, or will the dizzying heights send them reeling back to the UK?

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th March 2015)

Everyone gets caught up in Henry’s grand scheme, and life appears to be perfect. But only Freddie realises the truth. As events of the past catch up with them all, Henry reaches out to family, friends and lovers in order to survive, and yet he still has to face the greatest challenge of all.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:35pm | Thursday 12th March 2015)

As the door closes for the last time on the Calico flats, Vanessa finds her world collapsing when Zara makes a shocking confession.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 13th March 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. Today, John barges through the potteries, and manages to smash his fair share of ceramics. He gets frightened in a very ghostly tunnel, and ends up getting challenged to a blind beer tasting.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/02/2015

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World's Toughest Jobs - 03-03-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st March 2015)

The maternity home sees two school friends reunited and their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected way. Elsewhere, Barbara and Sister Mary Cynthia team up to implement a revolutionary technique on their bedsore patient before it is discovered that it is his steadfast wife who is the one most in need of care.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st March 2015)

Motoring magazine. Richard Hammond is dropped into the remote, frozen wastes of Canada to test a watch with a built-in emergency beacon. Normally, activating the device would summon a vast international rescue crew. Hammond’s safety, however, is dependent on the actions of Jeremy Clarkson and James May – disorganised, disinterested and very many miles away. Eventually, the pair get their hands on two machines they believe are suitable for the job and set off on an epic adventure to find their colleague. Also in this show, Clarkson is on the track in the new 471-horsepower Lexus RC F coupe whilst star of The Fall and The X-Files Gillian Anderson tries her hand in the Reasonably Priced Car.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 2nd March 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more of the hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, Robson travels by canoe along the county’s longest river, the Coquet, to uncover its rare wildlife and hidden history. He visits the Warkworth Hermitage, an ancient chapel accessible only by boat. Stopping off at Warkworth Castle, he heads on to Amble to find out about the incredible surfing seal, which surprised two surfers last summer by taking a ride on their boards. Finally, Robson heads across the bay by kayak to Coquet Island, an RSPB nature reserve that is home to Britain’s rarest nesting seabird, the roseate tern.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 2nd March 2015)

Vaughan is torn between campaigning to stop the merger and Justin’s exclusion. Things take an unexpected turn when Kenzie gets involved, while Lorna reveals a buried secret when someone from her past turns up. Sonya discovers something about Guy that sets her own lie onto a different course.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 3rd March 2015)

Series in which hard-up young Brits, desperate to sort out their finances and get their lives back on track, sign up for one of the world’s toughest jobs. Trawler fishing in the Arctic Circle is gruelling, back-breaking, smelly work, but the job comes with one major bonus – paydays. One fisherman on board earned £75,000 in just six months. But can Jess, Carl and Jamie make it to payday, or will gutting fish round the clock, in freezing conditions, for weeks on end send them screaming back to the UK?

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 5th March 2015)

When a manhunt goes wrong, Henry, Freddie and Dean are trapped together and some long-buried truths rise to the surface. With Marie arriving in town to take charge, and events at the flatshare reaching a climax, Henry’s running out of options – but he’s dangerous when cornered!

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 5th March 2015)

After a hot, wild night, Aiden and Frank find themselves walking across Manchester. Can a one night stand become something more?

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 6th March 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. Today, John barges across Scotland on the Caledonian Canal that stretches from coast to coast through stunning scenery, spectacular lochs and, much to his delight, the occasional whisky distillery!

The Graham Norton Show (BBC 1/HD | 10:35pm to 11:25pm | Friday 6th March 2015)

The award-winning host continues his anarchic talk show with a special edition – a week before Comic Relief night, a host of celebrities join Graham to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic fundraiser.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 21/02/2015

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In the Commons - 24-02-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 22nd February 2015)

A young diabetic girl faces heartbreak when she falls pregnant as a result of a clandestine romance. Elsewhere, the midwives become involved with a settlement of Irish Travellers and Sister Mary Cynthia delivers her first baby since becoming a nun.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (ITV/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 23rd February 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland uncovering more of the hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In the second episode, Robson heads to the Northumberland National Park where he tries his hand at one of Britain’s oldest and toughest sports, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling. He visits one of Britain’s most remote glens, College Valley, spending a night wild camping in the Cheviot Hills. Robson is also given rare access to the Otterburn Ranges, a vast military training camp in the National Park, where he uncovers the story behind its World War One training trenches.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 23rd February 2015)

Dale’s erratic behaviour reaches new heights and it’s up to Lenny and Maggie to pick up the pieces. Abdul meets his mum, but it’s not as he expected. The school gets a heads-up about a surprise inspection, but will the preparation be enough to save it?

NHS: £2 Billion a Week and Counting (CHannel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 23rd February 2015)

A perfect storm is forming that is testing the NHS like never before. A growing population, increased life expectancy, expensive drugs and poor lifestyle choices are all contributing to a predicted £30 billion-plus funding gap in just over 10 years’ time. Against this backdrop, this interactive series challengers viewers to put themselves in the position of doctors, managers and other NHS professionals as they try to determine where to allocate scarce resources. The series follows people seeking treatments across the NHS, including a liver transplant, breast reduction and new cancer drugs. Some will receive the life-changing or life-saving treatments they desperately want, while others will not.

Inside the Commons (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 24th February 2015)

In the final episode, battles break out over the future of the House. Speaker John Bercow runs into trouble with his own plans for reforming it. Backbencher Zac Goldsmith tries to give voters the power to sack their MPs – and the establishment tries to stop him. Plus the ongoing struggle to conserve the Victorian mock gothic palace and anticipate the challenges of carrying out a multi-billion pound programme of restoration work whilst the House is sitting. At the end of a remarkable year, conflict continues between those who celebrate the Commons’ historic traditions and those who believe it needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, as MPs gear up for the general election.

Planet Oil (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 24th February 2015)

Conclusion of a three-part documentary series in which Professor Iain Stewart explores the importance of oil and how the world has become so reliant on it in little over the span of a human lifetime. In the final programme, Professor Stewart examines the situation in the 21st century, at which point the global consumption of oil, coal and gas is at an all-time high. He discovers that although advances in technology are prolonging the life of existing oilfields, new unconventional oil and gas supplies like shale gas and tar sands are extending the hydrocarbon age well into the 21st century. It presents the dilemma of whether the planet’s oil resources continue to be drained, at the risk of climate change or should alternative energy sources, such as nuclear, be prioritised in the pursuit of a low-carbon future.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 26th February 2015)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. When a prisoner is killed in their custody, DI Goodman and the team are under pressure to solve the case quickly. Humphrey’s father visits Saint Marie intent on meddling in his son’s life.

Reinventing the Royals (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 26th February 2015)

Two-part series about the battle between the monarchy and the media over personal privacy and public image. Steve Hewlett examines how the experience of growing up in the media spotlight has affected Princes William and Harry, and their attitudes to the press and media. Seismic events like the phone-hacking scandal – which started with the royal princes – and the impact of the Leveson Inquiry that followed have tipped the balance of power in their favour. The programme also looks at the question of succession. For Prince Charles it is now not so much his private life as his personal views that are under the microscope, and their potential impact on his upcoming kingship is explored.

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 26th February 2015)

Lance tries to work out the truth about Daniel, so Henry takes a final, desperate chance to win his old boyfriend back. But with their past history falling away, the lure of Canal Street calling, and Lance spellbound by his new man, is it too late for any of them to change paths?

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 26th February 2015)

Amy’s got a date with Kay, but in order to find happiness, she must defeat her greatest enemy – her own imagination!

Britain’s Supermarket Revolution: What’s in it for Us? (BBC 2/HD | 8:30pm to 9:00pm | Friday 27th February 2015)

There’s a revolution going on in supermarkets. After years of relentless expansion, these huge businesses – names as big as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – face closing stores and desperately slashing prices. Cherry Healey gains behind-the-scenes access to see how these companies are adapting to a seismic shift in shopping habits. She discovers how Aldi and Lidl won over the hard-up shopper tired of too much choice, and how the big supermarkets lose as much as £15 for every shop done online. A visit to Britain’s only ‘virtual supermarket’ reveals how these giants of retail make up to a third of their profits not from customers, but from the companies supplying the goods. Plus, how supermarkets are reshaping their stores to lure us in. Cherry also spends time with the people driving this transformation – the shoppers themselves -and tests out whether we really are seeing a once-in-a-generation change in the way we buy our groceries.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 27th February 2015)

Sarah Millican joins Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker for the last show of the current series. Adam and the team review the main talking points of the week with irreverence and satire. The show features the all-encompassing question ‘Is It Ok?’ as viewers at home, as well as the studio audience, ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/02/2015

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In the Commons - 17-02-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th February 2015)

Sister Julienne’s faith is challenged when a mother refuses medicine for her newborn baby. Dr Turner’s involvement in the case forces him to face his own demons. Meanwhile, Barbara must work out a way to communicate with a pregnant Sylheti woman.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th February 2015)

Jeremy Clarkson tests the new BMW M4 at the track before switching to another BMW, the space-age, hybrid-powered i8, for a revealing trip up the A1 to Whitby. When he gets there, and fuelled by a portion of fish and chips, Clarkson must decide which of the two he would rather take for the drive home. Also in this programme, Richard Hammond marks the imminent demise of the legendary Land Rover Defender with a heart-stopping attempt to drive one straight up the side of a dam. Meanwhile, James May makes a rare trip to the Top Gear track to test the brand new, 500-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT. The Stars in the Reasonably Priced Car are actress Margot Robbie and Hollywood superstar Will Smith.

The Mountain (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 7:30pm | Monday 16th February 2015)

Series charting life around Cairngorm, at the heart of Scotland’s greatest winter wilderness. A tough winter season comes to a close for both the ski resort and Aviemore. Brian and Carol make a decision about the future of their business, Adam carves out a tricks park for snowboarders, and Colin reflects on one of the harshest winters he has experienced in years.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 16th February 2015)

Dale struggles to come to terms with his failure to make the cycling team and looks to find his adrenalin rush elsewhere. Hassan ties himself in knots when Ronnie comes asking questions, leading to a drastic decision. Kenzie finds herself caught between Scott and Justin, but who will win?

Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Alex Polizzi, champion of small businesses, finds fixes for the critical issues that kill so many companies. For Sebastien Latour, owning his own pet shop in the heart of Wimbledon was a dream come true – but the reality is a daily strain on his finances and his relationship with his co-worker boyfriend, Carl. And all of this against a backdrop of the much-heralded ‘death of the high street’. How to survive this nationwide trend? A visit to one of London’s premier grooming parlours, the Pet Spa, opens Seb’s eyes to the financial rewards of a dog parlour. Can Alex help this small high-street shop compete with the out-of-town superstores?

Inside the Commons (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Four-part documentary series about the inner workings of the House of Commons. Presented by Michael Cockerell, this series takes an unprecedented look at the heart of British democracy in the run up to the 2015 general election. In the third episode, Michael sees how the traditional three-party system appears to be falling apart at the seams. Back-bench MPs are becoming increasingly rebellious as they confront the dark arts of the whips – the shadowy figures who seek to impose party discipline. Michael follows Lib Dem MP Jenny Willott as she seeks to balance new parenthood with politics. Plus the clockmakers whose job it is to ensure that all the Commons’ 2000 clocks, from Big Ben downwards, tell exactly the same time.

Planet Oil (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th February 2015)

Second of a three-part documentary series in which Professor Iain Stewart explores the importance of oil and how the world has become so reliant on it in little over the span of a human lifetime. In this programme, he looks back to the early 1950s, by which time oil, plastics and fertilisers had transformed the planet. However, once those countries producing oil demanded a greater share in profits from the Western energy companies, the oil and gas fields of the Middle East became a focus for coup d’états and military conflict. In the North Sea as well as in America’s Gulf coast, it became a race against time to find alternative supplies, with the offshore discoveries in the 1970 proving crucial to both Western Europe and the US.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 18th February 2015)

Ian and Jayne Hall Edwards bought a large derelict Victorian school in the valleys of west Wales, with the hope of combining a family home and a new eco-building training business under one roof. Already badly hit by the recession, the finance they had counted on fell through, and they were forced to battle through harsh winters in a caravan, struggling to get the school – and their family business – back on its feet, earning as they went. George returns, one year on, to see how they have not only virtually rebuilt the building from scratch, but have transformed it into a modern family home with energy efficiency to beat even the latest new-builds. Their eco training centre is also fitted out for their new business venture launch – ready to be a source of inspiration to eco friendly builders for years to come.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. DI Goodman is embroiled in the cut-throat world of corporate team building when an entrepreneur is killed, but a surprise revelation from one of the suspects threatens to derail the investigation.

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Henry’s secrets and lies catch up with him, while Lance’s wildest dreams are in danger of coming true, as Daniel makes an extraordinary move. But when Adam and Tomasz’s secret online empire starts running out of control, Henry is set on a collision course with everyone he loves.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 19th February 2015)

Josh leaves Freddie’s bed to return home for Sophie’s wedding. Now Josh is out, gay and happy, has he outgrown his best friend?

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:10pm | Friday 20th February 2015)

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by a celebrity guest to review the main talking points of the week with irreverence and satire. The show features the all-encompassing question ‘Is It Ok?’ as viewers at home, as well as the studio audience, ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 07/02/2015

TV this week 1 Comment

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th February 2015)

The midwives face one of their busiest nights to date, whilst Sister Winifred concentrates her efforts on the prostitutes of Poplar. Elsewhere, cracks start to appear in Trixie and Tom’s relationship.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th February 2015)

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May conduct a valuable piece of consumer research with their attempts to improve and enhance the ambulance. Starting with a belief that current ambulances, which are usually very big and based on a diesel van, are in need of a rethink, the presenters go their separate ways to focus on the one area they think could be improved. May focuses on passenger comfort, Hammond tries to improve response times by getting other drivers out of the way more effectively, while Clarkson confronts the same issue with the invention of what he calls ‘the sports ambulance’. Their three very different creations are then put to the test with a series of severe and often messy challenges, culminating in a fast reaction to a spectacular emergency. Also in this episode, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

Our Guy in India (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:05pm | Sunday 8th February 2015)

Guy Martin makes a two-week, 1000-mile trip across India, heading to one of the world’s maddest bike races: Rider Mania, the largest gathering of Royal Enfield motorbikes on the planet. Along the way, Guy, with his love of tea, lorry repair, motorbikes and daredevil risk taking, introduces viewers to a rarely-seen side of modern India. In the second episode, Guy visits the boom city of Mumbai, where more skyscrapers are being built than anywhere else in the world. Guy clambers 833 feet solo to the top of India’s tallest building, only to be disappointed by the state of the welding. Back on ground level, Guy visits a slum where a million people are packed into one square mile. What he discovers changes his preconceptions about what a slum is.

The Mountain (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 9th February 2015)

Series charting life around Cairngorm, at the heart of Scotland’s greatest winter wilderness. In this edition, a hard season begins to take its toll on the lifts and P-man struggles to keep it all working. Spud decides to learn how to ski. And Sandra has a tough decision to make.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 9th February 2015)

It’s mock exam week and the pressure is on for everyone, but for Dale it’s all about a bike trial which could change his life. Kenzie has had it with her mother and makes a drastic life change, while Abdul gets more than he bargained for during a science project.

Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 10th February 2015)

Alex looks at businesses which are at the mercy of trends. Events company Balloonin Marvellous is run by husband-and-wife team Jo and Giuseppe. Jo’s lack of business acumen means they are struggling to pay the rent and have been forced to move their showroom into their own family lounge. Meanwhile, their capricious customers are always one step ahead with their desires – and smaller firms can find it harder than most to react quickly. Jo’s flower arranging skills are put to the test at luxury florist Wild At Heart. Can Alex get this small business to stand out from the crowd by tapping into the very crowd they are trying to attract?

Inside the Commons (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 10th February 2015)

Four-part documentary series about the inner workings of the House of Commons. Presented by Michael Cockerell, this series takes an unprecedented look at the heart of British democracy in the run up to the 2015 general election. In the second episode, Cockerell explores the upstairs-downstairs world of the House of Commons. He examines what goes on backstage at the state opening, when the Queen comes to open the parliamentary year. Behind the pomp and pageantry, he meets the army of skilled workers who struggle to keep the Commons show on the road and MPs who want to introduce their own bills in the Commons – and have to play a bizarre form of parliamentary bingo to get the chance. And he looks at how Labour and Conservative MPs conspire together to thwart their party whips. In this episode he meets two very different MPs: Robert Halfon, a campaigning Conservative and thorn in the side of the government, and Thomas Docherty, Labour’s deputy-shadow leader of the house.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 11th February 2015)

When Nik Huddy and Vanessa Ford Robbins stumbled upon an overgrown 19th century gatehouse, they saw an opportunity to express their love of arts and crafts in restoring this tiny cottage to its former glory. They lived onsite in a caravan through two freezing winters. And even when they moved in, the house was too small to install a proper bathroom. George catches up with them one year on now that they have added a sympathetic extension to the house.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th February 2015)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. As Saint Marie celebrates getting through to the finals of the Inter-Island Volleyball Championships, DI Goodman and the team are under pressure to solve the murder of a player, while Commissioner Selwyn squares up to an old nemesis.

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th February 2015)

Henry goes on a date with a complete stranger, while Lance’s long, dark night leads him to an unexpected bed. Across town, everyone’s searching for love, or sex, or both, as Cleo meets an old flame, Freddie hooks up with Anna, and Dean embarks on a mysterious journey into danger.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 12th February 2015)

Helen has to get tough with her ex, Eddie, but her birthday turns into a disaster when Eddie takes revenge.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 13th February 2015)

David Mitchell joins Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker to review the main talking points of the week with irreverence and satire. The show features the all-encompassing question ‘Is It Ok?’ as viewers at home, as well as the studio audience, ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 31/01/2015

TV this week No Comments

Call the Midwife - 01-02-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st February 2015)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London. The Nonnatus team rallies to support first-time parents Marie and Tony Amos when Tony is arrested for gross indecency with another male. Elsewhere, as Poplar is gripped by an outbreak of dysentery, Trixie undertakes her first official church duty since her engagement to Tom.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st February 2015)

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May embark on a grand road trip across Australia’s Northern Territory. Tasked with picking a fast, luxurious GT for the trip, Clarkson chooses a BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Hammond a Bentley Continental GT V8 and May a Nissan GT-R, as the trio set out on an adventure that takes in crocodile-infested rivers, a race around a vast open-cast mine, an encounter with the world’s longest lorries and the majestic scenery of one of the world’s least-inhabited landscapes. Their dusty endeavour concludes with an unusual challenge involving a farm, their cars and 4,000 cows. Also in this episode, Hollywood legend Kiefer Sutherland is the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

Our Guy in India (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:05pm | Sunday 1st February 2015)

Guy Martin has a love for adventure and they don’t come much bigger than an epic 1000-mile trip across India, culminating in one of the world’s maddest bike races. Rider Mania is the largest gathering of Royal Enfield motorbikes on the planet. Guy wants to ride there and win it at the end of his two-week trip. Along the way, Guy, with his love of tea, lorry repair, motorbikes and daredevil risk taking, introduces viewers to a rarely-seen side of modern India. Only Guy would want to visit the largest lorry repair yard in Asia.

The Mountain (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only| 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 2nd February 2015)

Series charting life around Cairngorm, at the heart of Scotland’s greatest winter wilderness. In this edition, the villagers help to dig the mountain out of trouble. Simon decides that, despite it being winter, Aviemore needs a beach party. And following recuperation from an accident that broke both his ankles, barmen Brett gets back to boarding.

Waterloo Road (BBC Three/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 2nd February 2015)

With the PTA visiting Havelock High, Vaughan thinks his only worry is Steph Norton. When Havelock are invited back to Waterloo Road, there are erotic novels, exploding science labs and cyber bullying to try and keep from their sight.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 2nd February 2015)

Rising star of the police, Sergeant Sam Honeywell, is found beaten and shot in his burnt-out car in Essex. The police are up in arms in what is a hugely emotive and political case for them, and DCI Jim Sullivan is determined to nail Honeywell’s killer. But when local drug dealer and son of known crime boss Dean Fallon seems to have his alibi sewn up, suspicion shifts closer to home. Honeywell is discovered to have been in an affair with Kate Parry, wife of his best friend, Sergeant Carl Parry. It looks bad for Parry, and Jack reveals details of Honeywell’s final moments, which hits Sullivan hard – he had been like a father to the murdered cop.

Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 3rd February 2015)

Alex Polizzi, champion of small businesses, finds fixes for the critical issues that kill so many companies. In this episode, Alex looks at getting your product right. Big Space is a children’s soft-play centre run by Lester and Sue Adams. Setting the business up from scratch, the couple remortgaged their house and ploughed all their savings into the business. But their product is woeful and, to compound the challenge, they must serve two distinct customers: both parent and child. Privileged access to Pret A Manger’s training academy unearths some groundbreaking philosophies, and a visit to Londons largest family restaurant, the Rainforest Café, reveals the importance of themed fun. Can Alex get this small company to realise the importance of customer satisfaction?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 3rd February 2015)

Forensic crime drama series. Known Essex criminal Jason Simons is found murdered in too similar a way to Honeywell to be a coincidence – beaten, shot and dumped. But as anomalies in his post mortem start to stack up, it is discovered that Simons was not what he seems. The team find traces of drugs on Simons’s penknife that point to a major importation, but his bereaved girlfriend Tess does not seem to know anything about it. Suspicion turns back to Dean Fallon, but a discovery in his medical records and the death of the Fallon family lawyer Ben Osrin takes the investigation in an unexpected new direction.

Inside the Commons (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 3rd February 2015)

Four-part documentary series about the inner workings of the House of Commons. Presented by Michael Cockerell, this series takes an unprecedented look at the heart of British democracy in the run up to the 2015 general election. Cockerell talks to two relatively new female MPs, Charlotte Leslie and Sarah Champion, learning the ways of the House; he takes a look behind the scenes on budget day; he meets a maintenance team abseiling down the face of Big Ben and the gospel-singing tea lady Gladys who works in the members’ tea room; he learns what life is like for the Commons’ most powerful official, the clerk of the house Sir Robert Rogers, whose job is to keep the whole show on the road; and David Cameron and Ed Miliband reveal what happens at prime minister’s questions.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pn to 10:00pm | Thursday 5th February 2015)

The team is introduced to the crazy world of rock and roll when the lead singer of a band is murdered on Saint Marie. Can DI Goodman keep control of the unruly suspects for long enough to solve the crime?

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 5th February 2015)

In the third episode, Henry stumbles into a dangerous trap when Freddie meets his old school teacher, Gregory, and sets out for revenge. Lance takes action and cuts Henry off completely, while at work, Daniel’s attempts to help seem to hint at something more. Is Lance imagining things, or is Daniel not as straight as he seems?

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:35pm | Thursday 5th February 2015)

In the third episode, two lives collide when uptight Sian meets wild-at-heart Violet. Opposites might attract for a while, but how long can this couple last?

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 6th February 2015)

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by Stephen Mangan to review the main talking points of the week with irreverence and satire. The show features the all-encompassing question ‘Is It Ok?’ as viewers at home, as well as the studio audience, ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement. Once again, the three hosts step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas to answer the questions with their own inimitable insight.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

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