Tag: Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 25/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 26th September 2021)

Amy is trapped and running out of time. On land, Kirsten chases down the traitor’s accomplice. When the traitor on Vigil puts their plans into action, the crew are forced to fight for their lives. Conclusion of the crime drama, starring Suranne Jones.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

Tim Dunn uncovers the secrets above, below and inside London’s Charing Cross Station. He also looks at the modern wonder of the Ordsall Chord in Manchester.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

Part one of two. A tricky murder case leads Jack and Nikki into the world of underground boxing, while a talented forensic ecologist proves to be just what the team needs. Jack’s brother Ryan is released from prison and comes to live with him and Conor, creating a struggle to maintain peace and keep his secrets.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 27th September 2021)

The impact of the appointment of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager in 1996, when he introduced modern coaching techniques and lifestyle and dietary improvements. It is not long before Alex Ferguson felt the imminent threat of a new rival intent on destroying the legacy he was building at Manchester United.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 28th September 2021)

In St Agnes, the crew is involved in a race against time to rescue two young men. They are reported to be struggling in the water near a notorious headland known as Tubby’s Head. In Whitby, North Yorkshire, Leah is training to be the station’s first female helm, and her skills are put to the test when she is called out to rescue a walker who’s

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 28th September 2021)

Part two of two. Simone continues to prove her worth to the team as they investigate a second death that brings them back to the same underground boxing ring. Meanwhile, Jack is torn between loyalty to his brother and protecting his family, and as his feelings bubble towards the surface, he finds himself drawn emotional closer to Nikki.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 29th September 2021)

This final part of Michael’s adventure begins on Hope’s Nose, a unique headland outside Torquay on the English Rivera, where Michael embraces as many experiences as he can along a coastline formed 280 million years ago, where limestone cliffs give way to eroding sandstone slopes. From exploring prehistoric caves by paddle board to digging for red clay on the Teign estuary, and racing a historic Cornish rowing boat, Michael is determined to capture as many coastal memories as he can, before returning to his urban life in London.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 29th September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets architectural designer Dan and interior designer Nina, who want to build a sleek, unique family house. But the plot they have bought, near a beautiful estuary in West Sussex, is dominated by a swampy pond that they are unable to fill in. Instead, they plan to make it central to their design, turning the pond into a diodiverse waterscape, and then floating their house above it. It’s a challenge for anyone – but to save money, Dan is doing it largely himself, despite his limited experience with new builds.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 30th September 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The fate of a struggling young widow causes difficulties for James and Helen’s burgeoning romance. Meanwhile, Siegfried has another scheme to whip Tristan into shape, and a visit from Tricki Woo causes chaos in Skeldale House. Drama, starring Nicholas Ralph.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

The poet heads to north Gloucestershire and the village of Toddington. She’s there to hop aboard one of the locomotives of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. After a chat with fireman Clive on the footplate, Pam heads to her own carriage to enjoy the 28-mile journey and discover how the railway line was restored and revived by some seriously dedicated steam-buffs.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

Exploring a dystopian powerhouse in Pennsylvania, USA, a fairy-tale castle in Poland and AngloSaxon religious ruins across vast plains of Scotland.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 1st October 2021)

Rob Bell explores the wild and beautiful south coast of Ireland to reveal why Fastnet is regarded as one of the most stunning rock lighthouses ever built. He also finds out how this lonely tower became the crowning glory in a 1,500-year legacy of saving lives.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 18/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 19th September 2021)

The submarine is forced into lockdown as disaster strikes. With hostile boats tracking and communications down, Vigil’s crew have to navigate this crisis alone. Kirsten desperately hunts for clues to reveal the source of the threat to Vigil, but with no word from the boat, she fears for the safety of Amy, whose quest to uncover the truth places her in grave danger.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Tim Dunn explores Brunel’s first and last railway projects and looks at a Scottish station with a royal connection.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Nikki, Jack and Adam are brought in to investigate the murder of a surgeon in a hospital. DNA evidence suggests the impossible when it implicates a patient who was under the anaesthetic at the time of the killing. Meanwhile, Adam’s friendship with the hospital director brings his impartiality into question.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

A look at the rise of the celebrity footballer, symbolised by Manchester United’s David Beckham and the breed of player who were starting to resemble rock stars more than sportsmen. In contrast, the programme examines the fate of Beckham’s team-mate Keith Gillespie, whose sense of isolation after a transfer to Newcastle United led him to seek solace in the local bookmakers.

Submarine: Life Under the Waves (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th September 2021)

Part two of two. Captain Stephen Brian takes command of HMS Trenchant and his arrival coincides with a growing threat from Russia, as their warships and submarines make forays into British waters. As everyone preparess for the tough realities of life back at sea on board a submarine, orders are received for Trenchant to stop the next Russian vessel making its way towards British waters.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 21st September 2021)

In Trearddur Bay, the RNLI crew battle through gale force winds and huge waves as they try to save a surfer, as their worried families watch on from the shore. On the same stretch of Welsh coast, the Llandudno and Rhyl lifeboats are involved in a desperate search for a fishing vessel that’s reported missing.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 21st September 2021)

Part two of two. With the suspect in a coma and an attacker seemingly at large in the hospital, Nikki calls on Adam’s expertise to help solve the case. The team makes a breakthrough that hints at a medical conspiracy and exposes the lengths some are willing to go to protect their personal and professional reputations. Drama, starring Emilia Fox and Jason Wong.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Anna Richardson and the team are in Bury St Edmunds, where insurance broker Leanna and mechanic Jamie have reached decorative deadlock in their living room. They are handing over their keys to neighbour Donna, a nightclub owner who wants a wow factor in her bedroom. Donna’s keen to push Leanna and Jamie out of their comfort zone and has enlisted her sister Sarah to help. However, with flamboyant designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe in charge, anything could happen.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Michael begins this leg of his journey at South Devon’s most southerly point, Start Point, and embarks on a walk which takes in a broad sweep of eroding shingle coastline and some of the most picturesque beaches he has encountered. Along the way, he discovers historic fishing villages, and the largest freshwater lake in South West England. His South Devon trek ends near the mouth of the River Dart, but not before he leaves his own mark on this beautiful stretch of coast, a new wooden signpost for walks inscribed with his initials.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 22nd September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets widowed teacher Gretta, who is making a fresh start in rural Cambridgeshire with a Malaysian-inspired burnt wood and glass home being designed by her nephew Carlos and project managed by her brother-in-law Fernando – despite his lack of building experience. However, as site clearance begins, so does the Covid-19 pandemic – and family harmony is tested when an apple tree much loved by Fernando is condemned for removal by Gretta.

Ambulance (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd September 2021)

A 13-year-old stuck on a bus after dislocating their knee kicks off another busy night shift for Emily and Lois. Across the city, Adam and Charlotte respond to a call for a patient who is struggling to breathe. With concerns of Covid in the family the crew has no choice but to take the patient into hospital. A discussion between Adam and the patient reveals their anxiety about what lies ahead for them – a feeling shared right across the service whether on the road or in dispatch. Narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd September 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

With Tristan’s encouragement, James asks Helen if she’d like to go to the local spring dance. But village resident Gerald’s arrival with his injured dog, Rock, puts a spanner in the works. Meanwhile, Tristan worries that Siegfried is in danger of losing his edge.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

The poet’s latest journey starts in Wiltshire in the town of Bradford-on-Avon, where she takes to the water on a narrowboat. Pam enjoys a leisurely trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal – a waterway that helps link Bristol in the west with London in the east. Pam also meets the beekeeper producing Cotswold comb honey, before heading to the ancient wool town of Tetbury.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

Exploring a luxury resort that conceals a top-secret facility, a mysterious complex in Bali struck by disaster, and a relic of hope near Jerusalem.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 24th September 2021)

Rob Bell uncovers the incredible stories behind Scotland’s mighty Bell Rock lighthouse, an engineering marvel built on a deadly submerged reef in the treacherous North Sea. Eleven miles offshore, this light has stood strong for over 200 years, but at the start of the 19th century, the reef was a menace causing innumerable wrecks and drowning countless mariners. As the show reveals, Robert Stevenson, a young, ambitious engineer, was determined to prove that something could be done to stop Bell Rock claiming so many lives.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 11/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 12th September 2021)

Amy confronts one of the crew with her discoveries about their deception, but with her mental health suffering, questions are asked about her fitness to investigate. On land, Kirsten refuses to bow to pressure from the authorities and has concerns that they are orchestrating a cover up. As she closes in on the killer, their capture reveals the grave threat that the vessel faces.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Tim Dunn takes to the tracks in Newcastle to explore a city rich in railway architecture. He also looks at two recording breaking structures in Scotland.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

Part one of two. A swimming instructor is found murdered in her flat, and trace evidence found at the scene implicates her ex-boyfriend – who is a former police officer. The investigation is the first case for a new recruit to the team, whose eagerness to impress causes friction with his new colleagues, while Jack finds himself forced to reckon with secrets from his own hidden past.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

A look at the title race between big-spending Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United in the 1994-95 season, assessing the impact of Eric Cantona’s ban for attacking a Crystal Palace supporter who had verbally abused him. The Frenchman claimed he was provoked by a racist slur, but his actions caused national outrage and the threat of a prison term loomed.

Submarine: Life Under the Waves (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 13th September 2021)

Part one of two. Life on board nuclear submarine HMS Trenchant on its four-month tour of duty to the mid-Atlantic, uncovering the reality of life at sea. Her crew prepare the submarine to leave port for the first time in six months, with enough food coming on board to last for up to 120 days underwater. Their mission is to travel to the mid-Atlantic to protect a British submarine that’s carrying Trident nuclear missiles.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 14th September 2021)

The crew at Tower, on the River Thames in London, is the busiest of all the lifeboat stations, averaging more than 500 shouts a year and aiming to launch to any emergency in under 90 seconds. When a call comes in about a man in the water near the Thames Barrier, they reach him with just moments to spare. In Fleetwood, on the Lancashire coast, a desperate 999 call alerts the crew to a bait digger – out looking for worms on the sand flats – who has been caught out by the incoming spring tide and is in danger of being submerged and swept out to sea.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 14th September 2021)

Part two of two. Having traced Laura’s last movements to a suburban house, the team struggles to identify the bodies buried in the garden. With a prowler seemingly on the loose, DI Meredith continues to suspect her former colleague. Meanwhile, Cara is furious when she finds out why Ryan is in prison, forcing Jack to choose between his brother and the truth.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Anna Richardson and the interior designers are in Fareham on the south coast to help another couple of neighbours transform each other’s houses. Project manager Keith and operations manager Kath have not touched their lifeless living room since moving in five years ago, while intensive care nurse Kerry and firefighter Sophie have a passion for superheroes, and want their bland loft bedroom to become a space that oozes personality and colour.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets architect Iain and his wife Jenny, who intend to build an enormous black minimalist house right in the middle of a 19th-century Scottish country estate. Their grand vision also involves connecting the new rectangular block to a dilapidated gardener’s bothy – and the neighbours are watching.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 15th September 2021)

Michael heads for his final stretch in Cornwall, and takes in a coastline of hidden coves, a stunning sub-tropical garden and smugglers’ creeks, immortalised by Daphne du Maurier in her novel Frenchman’s Creek. Beginning at the working fishing village of Coverack, he detours inland to visit a family-run dairy farm that produces clotted cream and more than 40 flavours of ice cream from milk produced by their Jersey cows.

All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 16th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

A trip back home to Glasgow presents James Herriot with a dilemma that will mean choosing between the people he loves when he is offered a position at his old mentor’s forward-thinking practice. Return of the drama about a veterinary practice in the Yorkshire Dales. Starring Nicholas Ralph and Samuel West.

The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

The poet sets off on a journey around the region that takes in parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, beginning in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Pam soaks up the scenery that attracts thousands of tourists every year – along with a Cotswold cream tea – before visiting Andy Wallington’s antique shop, followed by a world-famous perfumery that’s made scents for the Queen. Pam also visits Blur bassist Alex James at his farm to discover why he swapped London for country life.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021)

Featuring Italian ruins immortalised by Hollywood, a crumbling Chilean city with two lives and a brutalist Scottish relic whose prayers went unanswered.

Lighthouses: Building the Impossible (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 17th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Rob Bell heads nine miles out into the English Channel to see why building the world’s first rock lighthouse was such a monumental achievement. At Eddystone Reef, Rob witnesses the awesome power of rough seas and jagged rocks for himself, before a vivid demonstration of why building a tower on a wave-lashed rock was regarded as an impossible dream.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 04/09/2021

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 5th September 2021)

Kirsten uncovers evidence suggesting the murders were part of a coordinated attack. Her investigation takes her into the heart of Scottish politics, and the Naval cover up of a near catastrophe in the US. Amy starts to question who she can trust on Vigil, when a message from Kirsten makes Amy realise she is being deliberately undermined.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 6th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Nikki deals with disturbing memories when she and Jack visit a high-security prison to investigate the suspicious death of an inmate. The victim’s cellmate turns out to be the student responsible for a mass shooting she witnessed 10 years earlier. Nikki becomes increasingly convinced that Scott is their prime suspect, but Jack worries she is not following the evidence.

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 6th September 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

The formation and success of the top-flight division after breaking away from the rest of the English Football League in 1992 and the selling of the live TV rights to Sky. In 1991 a secret plot was hatched by a group of five tightly knit club chairmen to form an elite breakaway league, while media tycoon Rupert Murdoch spotted an opportunity. Featuring interviews with Paul Merson, Martin Edwards, Dave Hill, Vinnie Jones and Les Ferdinand.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 7th September 2021)

The lifeboat volunteers pluck a fallen climber out of the sea in Wales and is within seconds of falling unconscious. Meanwhile in Scotland, a team rescue a 170-ton fishing boat that is perilously close to the rocks in gale force winds, and in Minehead, three kayakers are swept out to sea as darkness falls.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 7th September 2021)

After a surprising breakthrough in Jay’s case, Nikki struggles to accept that Scott may not be responsible. Meanwhile, DI Mason asks Jack and Nikki to investigate the death of someone close to the case. What at first appears to be a house fire, Jack confirms was an arson attack, and Nikki discovers that the victim was murdered before the fire was set. The team struggles to find a connection to Jay’s case, but when crucial evidence is retrieved from the scene, attention returns to the prison.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 8th September 2021)

Two sets of neighbours make over each other’s rooms in Barnstable, North Devon. Dog groomer Sarah, who’s enlisted retired mum Lynne to help out, has a cramped cluttered bedroom lacking in storage. She dreams of a light and breezy beach style, but will her neighbours Tom and Richard deliver the relaxing room Sarah dreams of? And in return, will Sarah transform Tom and Richard’s unloved dining room from dumping ground to a space they want to spend time in? Or will Sarah’s love of sparkly unicorns destroy a long-standing friendship?

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 8th September 2021)

Michael explores the South West Coast Path, following the western shore of Cornwall’s biggest natural harbour, Mount’s Bay – a sweeping, horseshoe-shaped shoreline that includes some of Cornwall’s most historic fishing ports. His trek begins at Cribba Head, just outside the tiny fishing community of Penberth Cove, before visiting the historic fishing harbour of Mousehole.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 8th September 2021)

Kevin McCloud meets master carpenter Olaf, who is facing the biggest challenge of his career – creating an oasis for himself and partner Fritha on a small slice of land in West Sussex, which happens to be surrounded by a mainline railway and a busy A-road. Not only that, but half of the plot can’t even be built on due an underground mains sewer. All they’re left with is a very small triangle on which to build their future life together. With £190,000 in the bank, Olaf and Fritha must use all the ingenuity they can muster to make their triangular three-bedroom house come to life.

Ambulance (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 9th September 2021)

North West Ambulance Service calls up military personnel to help care for the public effectively as the pandemic takes its toll. The new recruits are put through three days of intensive training before they can join the paramedics working on the frontline. Once training is complete they should be able to respond to lower category calls, which account for 20 per cent of the workload. Meanwhile, in control call handers are currently answering a new 999 call every 20 seconds. With staff sickness taking its toll on the workforce, agency staff are drafted in to help. Narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

Motorhoming with Merton & Webster (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 10th September 2021)

Paul and Suki visit Norfolk for the final leg of their UK tour. Their first stop-off is Great Yarmouth’s quieter neighbour, Gorleston-on-Sea. With its three miles of award-winning golden sandy beach, it retains its traditional Victorian seaside holiday vibe – including a Punch and Judy show. The duo discover puppetry’s satirical roots before doing their own show.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 10th September 2021)

Exploring a desert island with an infected past adrift from the US mainland, the brutalist palace of a mad Bulgarian dictator, and a doomed top-secret Nazi project.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/08/2021

Parkinson at 50 (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Saturday 28th August 2021)

The host looks back on his career with his son and producer Mike, and examines how his talk show went from being a temporary 10-week filler programme to an iconic Saturday night staple. He discusses his first celebrity interview, with Mick Jagger, how the management of movie stars’ public images shifted over the years, and reflects on the loss of the show’s entire first series – including an appearance by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The programme also looks back on some of the most memorable moments from the show, including his multiple encounters with Billy Connolly and Muhammad Ali.

Vigil (BBC 1/HD & UHD BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 29th August 2021) ** NEW SERIES & PICK OF THE WEEK **

A crew member is found dead under suspicious circumstances aboard a nuclear submarine. However, the vessel is unable to return to port due to its status as part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, so a police inspector is sent on board to investigate. Despite an initial diagnosis of accidental overdose, she suspects foul play, but finds the crew closing ranks against her. Starring Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie.

Vigil (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 30th August 2021)

The submarine is left exposed by a reactor shutdown, and the crew races to repair the fault. Kirsten uncovers a feud on board the Vigil, leading Amy to question whether her investigation has been deliberately obstructed. A hard-won breakthrough leads Amy to believe she finally has the killer in her sights, only for surprising new evidence to cast doubt on her theory. On land, Kirsten’s investigation leads to tragedy.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 31st August 2021)

On Cornwall’s Perranporth beach, a team of RNLI lifeguards battle to save a mother and her son who are caught in a rip current. Meanwhile in Swanage, the crew respond to multiple 999 calls from a man who has fallen over 100 feet from the top of a local landmark, and the Chiswick and Teddington crews face an unusual challenge on the Thames.

9/11: Inside the President’s War Room (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 31st August 2021)

Almost 20 years since September 11, this feature-length documentary follows President George W Bush and his staff as they dealt with the large-scale terrorist attack, in which four commercial aircraft were used as missiles on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. The events of that day led to two decades of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. As America and its allies now withdraw from Afghanistan and the Taliban resume control, this is the story of how it all began. The film features testimony from George W Bush himself, as well as staff members Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 1st September 2021)

Anna Richardson and the team are in Leeds, West Yorkshire, to help another pair of neighbours make over each other’s rooms. Former teacher Pauline, assisted by daughter Lilly, wants her purple floor-to-ceiling front room to be even more vibrant. Next door, self-proclaimed cat lady Amanda – with the help of daughter Rachel – is hoping her uninspiring grey living room will be transformed into a Scandinavian-style haven for her and her feline friends. All they need is a little trust in each other and the individual visions of Changing Rooms legend Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and design duo Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead.

Grand Designs (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 1st September 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

Kevin McCloud visits a couple planning to build a home that looks like a work of art overlooking a valley in south Devon. Joe and Claire’s new home will be a giant sculpture inspired by the local landscape, 70 metres long and featuring 34 enormous angled zinc shards jutting out in all directions. It will also be complicated to build and equally as expensive. And although Joe is wealthy, ambitious and fearless, his team quickly come up against problems and the budget virtually doubles the first walls go up. Is his dream home in danger of become a nightmare?

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 1st September 2021)

The presenter explores the rugged North Cornish coast, beginning in Widemouth Bay, a gigantic stretch of coastline with ancient links to the Celtic nations of Wales and Brittany. Battling a storm blowing in from the Atlantic, Michael heads south and takes shelter in a magical and ancient woodland, before spending the night at the vicarage where novelist Thomas Hardy stayed in 1870, and penned a poem named after a local landmark, Beeny Cliff.

Ambulance (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 2nd September 2021)

Paramedic Linda and mental health nurse Emma respond to patients in mental health crisis across Liverpool. Their work in the community aims to reduce the number of mental health hospital admissions, and the first call of the morning is a patient struggling with depression and bipolar. As the shift winds into the afternoon, a call from the police requesting a welfare check takes priority for Linda and Emma. There are concerns for the patient, who is an asylum seeker who appears to be struggling with his mental health, caused by isolation.

Motorhoming with Merton & Webster (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 3rd September 2021)

Paul and Suki are in the Peak District on their UK staycation adventure in their trusty motorhome. The first morning finds them in a campsite north of Bakewell, and they debate who should empty the on-board loo. Later, Suki reveals they are swapping four wheels for two after hiring bikes on the nearby Monsal Trail, a disused former railway line.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 3rd September 2021)

An ominous tower in the forests of Croatia, a New York City complex that broke the mould, and a grand facility guarding the London riverbanks.

Ian Hislop: The Trains That Changed The World (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 3rd September 2021)

Cameras explore the Great Western Railway to experience a journey of a bygone age. The magnificent Pullman service continues to offer passengers a Silver service restaurant menu as it whisks passengers to coastal resorts that were established in the Victorian era. Queen Victoria was a driving force behind the mass appeal of rail travel that developed in the 19th century. There’s a look around Victoria’s royal train, which has been preserved in all its finery.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 21/08/2021

Billy Monger: Changing Gear (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 21st August 2021) ** TOP PICK **

The racing driver and double amputee trains alongside Paralympic athletes in a variety of disciplines. He swims in open water with Alice Tai and canoes with Charlotte Henshaw, before being fitted with running blades, under the guidance of Paralympic legend Jonnie Peacock. After learning to run again, he revisits Donington, the site of the accident where he lost his legs, for a sprint along the track.

Secrets of the London Underground (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 23rd August 2021) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Tim Dunn and Siddy Holloway explore Clapham South deep level shelter, where thousands of Londoners slept during the Second World War.

Saving Lives at Sea (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 24th August 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

In Porthcawl, the volunteers of the RNLI race to save a surfer at the mercy of Storm Brendan. Meanwhile, in Selsey, a family’s day out for a spot of paddleboarding goes badly awry when the father becomes separated from his young children, leaving them stranded on a rapidly dwindling sandbank.

Changing Rooms (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 25th August 2021)

Cardiff couple Teresa and Andrew are desperate to turn their uninspiring front room into a cosy family space, while three doors down, their friends Maria and Nick hope their stark white living room can become a multifunctional family space. All they need is a little trust in each other and the assistance of designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead – not to mention carpenter Tibby Singh. Presented by Anna Richardson.

Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 25th August 2021) ** NEW SERIES **

The presenter travels across the two counties in south-west England. His journey begins in North Devon under the shadow of England’s highest sea cliff, the 1,000ft-tall Great Hangman, and finishes up on the stunning three-mile golden sands of Woolacombe. Along the way, Michael is joined by Raynor Winn, whose bestselling book The Salt Path is based on her experiences of walking the South West Coast Path with her terminally-ill husband, Moth. She tells of how it changed their lives, and offers tips and advice for Michael’s journey ahead, and how he should prepare for the challenges, both physical and emotional.

George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 25th August 2021)

The architect meets Bernie, who has bought a ramshackle stable on the banks of the Humber and plans to turn it into a luxury home for his retirement. Originally a large stable block serving a grand Victorian estate nearby, it comprises a saddle room, stalls and a tack room, but having only served as a home for horses, turning it into a luxury house is a brave move.

Ambulance (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 26th August 2021)

Advanced Paramedic Naomi rushes to a patient in cardiac arrest as the rest of the North West Ambulance Service battles the second wave of coronavirus. Crewmates Emily and Jo are dispatched to a patient 20 weeks pregnant with the virus, who has been waiting over two hours for an ambulance. On arrival, concern is heightened when it is revealed that the woman hasn’t felt her baby move since she first began to feel ill. Narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

Epic Wales: Valleys, Mountains & Coasts (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 27th August 2021)

Cameras catch up with Garry and his family on the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Lambing is in full swing, so it’s all hands on deck to keep a watch on this ever-expanding flock. Over on the Pembrokeshire coast, artist Charlotte Cortazzi heads for Broad Haven South Beach, where the sand provides a perfect canvas to create a spectacular work of art. Over on Anglesey, mother-and-daughter climbing team Libby Peter and Zoe Wood take on the intimidating `Mask of the Red Death” and there’s a buzz about the Brecon Beacons as bee farmers Gruffydd and Angharad move their hives up the mountain.

Motorhoming with Merton & Webster (Channel 5/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 27th August 2021)

Paul and Suki venture into Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park. After a breathtaking drive along Sarn Helen, a network of ancient Roman roads, they arrive at their first port of call, where they go `sheep trekking” with local farmer Paul and his daughter, Nicola. They also have a go at sheep shearing, and Suki especially enjoys bottle-feeding the lambs.

Abandoned Engineering (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 27th August 2021)

Exploring a bizarre block in Taiwan resembling a giant speaker, a pioneering venture in Alaska, and an alpine village that masks a military beast.

Ian Hislop: The Trains That Changed The World (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 27th August 2021)

The Industrial Revolution was the single most important event in the development of the modern railway and one train from that era came to symbolise the new age of steam, Stephenson’s Rocket. Cameras reveal the revolutionary design of the Rocket, and how it transformed Britain’s economy, from localised rural industries to the global networks we recognise today.

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