Gareth Thomas v Homophobia: Hate in the Beautiful Game (BBC 2/HD | 10:30pm to 11:30pm | Sunday 6th August 2017)
Documentary in which former Wales and Lions rugby union captain Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas takes a hard-hitting look at the open homophobia in professional football. A Commons report on homophobia in sport earlier this year praised many changes for the good but was notably scathing and damning of football. There are no openly gay footballers in a sport that has around 5,000 professional players in the UK, and Justin Fashanu, the only player to have ever come out while still playing, killed himself in 1998. Alfie looks at the issues keeping gay players from coming out, meeting fans, players and managers, as well as pressure groups, lawyers and police. He encounters open homophobia in the stands and suffers personal abuse by football fans online. He also attempts to meet the heads of the FA and the Premier League, with little success.
Tornado – the 100mph Steam Engine (BBC 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 7th August 2017)
The new A1 class steam engine Tornado tries to achieve 100mph on the main line. The secret speed attempt will be made in the dead of night. If it tops the ton it will be the first time in 50 years steam has gone this fast. Tornado was built over two decades and financed by enthusiasts who want to show steam has a viable future on Britain’s railways.
Man in an Orange Shirt (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 7th August 2017)
A love story in two films charts the very different challenges to happiness for Michael and Thomas in the aftermath of WW2 and to Adam and Steve in the present day. In 2017, young vet Adam Berryman tentatively forms a relationship with his client Steve but can he find happiness under his grandmother Flora’s unforgiving eye?
The Yorkshire Dales and the Lakes (more4 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 8th August 2017)
In the Lake District, farmer Pip comes up with a unique solution to put an end to losing his sheep – something to do with Day-Glo. In the Yorkshire Dales, have the owners of the Tan Hill Inn finally found landlords to manage their pub? Also, the Dent Brewery boys from the Dales are busy brewing, marketing and delivering their own craft ales. And in the Lakes, Jon Bennett makes his daily ascent to the summit of Helvellyn for a noble reason.
The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 11th August 2017)
The final episode of the current series of award-winning irreverent satire and sharp topical comedy hosted by Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe. In this last show they are joined by environmentalist and former Vice President of the United States Al Gore who helps dissect the week’s events.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.