Tag: Top Gear

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

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.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 24/01/2015

Top Gear - 25-01-2015 (YouView app) Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 25th January 2015)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Barbara faces her most challenging case to date when she treats first-time mother Abigail Bissette and the birth does not go according to plan. As Sister Julienne struggles with the increasing financial pressure on Nonnatus House, a mystery benefactor comes to the rescue. Elsewhere Sister Evangelina is unimpressed by newly arrived nurse Phyllis Crane.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 25th January 2015)

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are in Russia for an incredible race across the vast and beautiful urban landscape of St Petersburg. With their chosen methods of transportation – a tiny Renault, a bicycle and a hovercraft – they race each other and The Stig, who is silently making his way towards the finish line on public transport, across town. Hammond also heads to the test track to find out if the dramatic new Lamborghini Huracan is as flamboyant and fun as an Italian supercar should be. Plus, another top celebrity guest tests their steely eyed driving skills as the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 26th January 2015)

Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey from west Wales to East Anglia. Beginning at Pembroke Dock, Michael visits the dockyard where Queen Victoria’s royal yachts were built. He investigates what caused riotous rebels to dress up as women in Narberth and spends the night at an inn in Carmarthen, where Admiral Lord Nelson once met Lady Emma Hamilton. After flagging down the steam train to ride on the Carmarthen-to-Aberystwyth railway, Michael pitches in with the volunteers who look after the Gwili heritage line. In Swansea, on the estate of one of the pioneers of British photography, Michael learns how to pose for a photograph in Victorian style.

The Mountain (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 26th January 2015)

Series charting life around Cairngorm, at the heart of Scotland’s greatest winter wilderness. In this edition the new year starts with some of the biggest snowstorms for years and the team on the mountain face a major struggle to keep it open. Burns Night means a busy time for Spud the piper and Fraser the butcher. And the mountain men take part in a 24-hour endurance race.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 26th January 2015)

Forensic crime drama series. A shootout at a City hotel leaves young Ukrainian nanny Sofia Teplov dead, along with an unknown hitman. The Russian oligarch target Maksim Bazhanov narrowly escapes. Nikki and Jack work with young City DI Sarah Parks to ascertain the identity of the dead hitman and find out who is trying to kill Bazhanov and why. Jack is drawn to Sarah, impressed by her ability to juggle work and family when he finds out her daughter has a rare childhood cancer. The discovery of the hitmen’s identities as ex-army frustrates the team when they realise they could have been hired by any number of paymasters.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 27th January 2015)

Michael Portillo continues his journey from Pembroke Dock to Cambridge. On this leg, he begins in the ruinous gardens at Aberglasney in Llandeilo before riding shotgun in the driver’s cab on the Heart of Wales Line on one of the most scenic routes in Britain. En route, Michael learns about the Victorian signalling system still in place today and struggles with his Welsh pronunciation. Over the border in Leominster, Michael steps out on to the dance floor at the Lion Hotel Ballroom, where a grand ball was held to celebrate the opening of the Ludlow to Hereford railway. He finishes this leg of his journey at a traditional cider house in Hereford, where he is invited to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 27th January 2015)

Alex Polizzi, champion of small businesses, finds fixes for the critical issues that kill so many companies. In this episode, Alex helps a seaside business struggling with change. In 2012, Marlene and Ray Messer followed their seaside dream and bought the Singing Kettle tearooms in Torquay. But seaside business has changed enormously over the years and their cafe has taken a turn for the worse. Alex visits luxury bakery Konditor and Cook to investigate what today’s cake-buying customer desires. Can she get the Singing Kettle to brush off the cobwebs of a bygone coastal era and learn to identify a new target market?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 27th January 2015)

Forensic crime drama series. A young woman working for the Doshi property moguls, Amy Greenwood, is found dead in Maksim Bazhanov’s apartment. Maksim is discovered to have been in a relationship with Yasmin Doshi. Nikki, Jack and Thomas ingeniously prove that foul play was involved in Amy’s death and help the police find the missing Bazhanov. Amy’s mother Justine is a powerful player in the City Assembly and, fuelled by the death of her daughter, she puts pressure on DI Sarah Parks’s investigation. Suspicion soon falls on Adam Lansley of FreeLondon, a violent activist known to target the super-rich. But Maksim is a powerful man with many enemies, and the team find one of them where they least expect it.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 28th January 2015)

Armed with his Bradshaw’s guidebook, Michael Portillo makes his way from west Wales across Britain to Cambridge. On this leg, he begins underground at Big Pit coal mine in Blaenavon, where he learns how Victorians toiled night and day to power the industrial revolution. On the River Usk, Michael casts a line and learns about nineteenth-century developments in angling. On rebellious turf in Ascott-under-Wychwood, Michael discovers the Ascott Martyrs and lends a hand ploughing on the farm where they struck their early blow for labourers’ rights. Michael’s last stop today is Hanborough and Blenheim Palace, where he investigates a fire described in his Bradshaw’s which is said to have claimed some risque art.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 28th January 2015)

After living in a bungalow for 25 years, Yorkshire couple Carol and Majid Nadry embark on an ambitious mid-life adventure: buying an empty brick water tower to turn into a five-storey home. As they battle with the huge rusting water tank on top of the building, they encounter devastating legal problems. Unexpected costs hit their budget, but the couple refuse to give up on turning the faceless brick monolith into a one-off design. George encourages and advises Carol and Majid to see their daunting challenge through, and details the seismic changes in architectural history that this building’s humble appearance conceals.

Churchill: The Nation’s Farewell (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 28th January 2015)

On the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death, Jeremy Paxman tells the story of his state funeral and examines whether Churchill’s immense legacy still has resonance today. He meets a wide range of people who were involved in the events of that day, from soldiers who bore the coffin, to members of Churchill’s close family. He hears from Boris Johnson, author of a new book on Churchill, and from a London docker who remembers that some of the dock workers had misgivings about saluting the passing coffin with their cranes as it passed down the Thames on a launch after the ceremony at St Paul’s. The funeral ended at the village churchyard of Bladon where Churchill was laid to rest alongside his father, Randolph. At the close of the film, Paxman reflects that no statesman has come close to rivalling Winston Churchill in the half a century since the nation mourned his passing.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 29th January 2015)

When a bride-to-be is killed on the last night of her hen party, DI Goodman tries to unravel a seemingly impossible murder. Meanwhile Camille has a big decision to make.

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 29th January 2015)

Sixteen years after Queer as Folk exploded on to the screen, award-winning writer Russell T Davies returns with Cucumber, Banana and Tofu; three new interlinked shows for Channel 4, E4 and online. Cucumber and Banana are two original drama series exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life, while Tofu is an online documentary series that explores all facets of contemporary sex culture. In the second episode, Henry begins his new life, but Freddie marks out the battle lines – can they ever be friends, let alone anything more? Lance tries to work out where Henry’s gone, and enlists Cleo’s help, but only Cliff is devious enough to work out the truth – and when Henry’s workplace becomes a battleground, the stakes are raised higher than ever.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:35pm | Thursday 29th January 2015)

Sixteen years after Queer as Folk exploded on to the screen, award-winning writer Russell T Davies returns with Cucumber, Banana and Tofu; three new interlinked shows for Channel 4, E4 and online. Cucumber and Banana are two original drama series exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life, while Tofu is an online documentary series that explores all facets of contemporary sex culture. On E4, Banana is a series of eight witty, heartfelt and unique stand-alone stories covering different aspects of LGBT life. This series, which features exciting and emerging talent from the fields of acting, writing and directing, offers an intriguing and often unexpected peek into the individual lives, loves and losses of a range of diverse characters. In the second episode, when Scotty sees Yvonne, it’s love at first sight. But as love turns to obsession, Scotty’s life spirals out of control…

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 30th January 2015)

On the final leg of his journey from west Wales to East Anglia, Michael Portillo begins in Oakham, where he learns of a noble tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Following in the footsteps of peers over the centuries, he determines to take part. Heading east to Stamford, Michael discovers why the town is such an attractive location for period dramas and takes part in a Victorian melodrama. A ghoulish scene awaits in Peterborough as Michael visits a Victorian operating theatre where railwaymen were treated. Michael’s last stop on this final journey is Christ’s College at Cambridge University, where he learns about the student days of the father of evolution, Charles Darwin.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 30th January 2015)

After promising to appear on the show during a previous episode, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is a special guest, along with Miranda Hart, who 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 sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It Ok? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask questions about anything from the week, without fear of judgement. Once again, our 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.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 15/03/2014

Undercover Doctor: Cure Me, I’m Gay (YouView app screenshot)Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 16th March 2014)

Special edition of the motoring magazine show. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are battling across Burma in three ancient and barely functioning lorries. Having forded rivers, climbed mountains and endured a Burmese trucker stop, they must now venture into the Shan state, an area rife with civil war and normally closed to western TV crews, as they head towards Thailand and their final challenge – to build a bridge over the River Kwai.

Harry’s South Pole Heroes (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 16th March 2014)

Two-part documentary following the Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge 2013. In the first part, four wounded British soldiers led by Prince Harry prepare to take on teams from the USA and the Commonwealth in a 200 km race to the South Pole. All sustained life-changing injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brothers and sisters in arms on the battlefield, they now prepare to race each other through some of the harshest conditions on the planet. The UK team are the underdogs as they train in Iceland and struggle to get race fit. Then time in a giant deep freeze more usually used to test cars gives the five Brits some inkling of what to expect in the Antarctic. Not even last-minute words of advice from Prince Harry’s grandparents, as they are joined by their American, Canadian and Australian comrades at Buckingham Palace, can fully prepare the teams for the stark reality of what lies ahead.

The Adventure Show (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Monday 17th March 2014)

In this month’s programme, the team head north of Inverness for the Strathpuffer 24, one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races, which takes place in the middle of winter and 17 hours of darkness. This year’s race has attracted over 500 competitors, who are pushing themselves and their bikes to the limit. The team also join the man they call the ‘moonwalker’, who likes to explore the hills of Scotland in the dark. In contrast, Cameron McNeish enjoys the hills during the short daylight winter hours, and there is a visit to one of the coldest and most extreme places in the world, where some intrepid Scots are blazing a trail.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 18th March 2014)

Crime drama set on the remote Scottish islands. Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez believes he and his team are finally closing in on the killer as they discover what 17-year-old Catherine Ross was hiding from everyone in the hours before her death.

An Hour to Save Your Life (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 18th March 2014)

Medical science series exploring the life or death decisions facing doctors in the first critical hour of emergency care. Including 360-degree access to specialist clinicians both at the scene and in the hospital, plus candid testimony from the medics themselves. In this episode, medics fight to save the lives of motorcyclist Vincent, who has been critically injured on a country road; 77-year-old Gudrun, who is rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke; and Ben, a young tree surgeon who has fallen 20 feet onto the pavement.

Undercover Doctor: Cure Me, I’m Gay (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:00pm | Tuesday 18th March 2014)

In this one-off documentary Dr Christian Jessen goes undercover to both investigate and undertake controversial gay ‘cures’ in both the UK and the USA. Christian is shocked to find that there are people who believe that homosexuality is a disorder which should be cured; as well as a growing number of therapists and self-styled healers who believe that homosexuality is a curable illness. He sets out to prove or disprove their claims by offering himself up as a suitable case for treatment. As a doctor who also happens to be gay, Christian is keen to find out what’s on offer for people who are uncomfortable with their sexual orientation and desperate for change. He wants to discover whether or not these ‘cures’ are effective by trying them on himself.

Keeping Britain Safe 24/7 (BBC 1/HD | 10:35pm to 11:35pm | Tuesday 18th March 2014)

Series meeting the everyday heroes who keep Britain safe, battling the unexpected challenges that unfold with each passing season. Julia Bradbury and Matt Allwright meet the engineers in Scotland restoring power after the worst spring storms in years, and go behind the scenes at the largest trauma centre in the Midlands as the team field the rise of sporting injuries in spring. Plus a report on the team at the largest blood processing facility in the world.

Who Needs Ibiza? The Great British Holiday (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 19th March 2014)

Series following the efforts of the owners, the Toms family, and their dedicated team of young staff as they try to overcome a string of wet, recession-hit summers and make 2013 a roaring success at their 18-30s campsite in Woolacombe, Devon. After being hit by one of the worst storms in decades, the Europa campsite is suffering a worrying mid-season slump. To make matters worse, key managers Joey and Vicki have fallen out. With the all-important bumper bank holiday weekend approaching, it’s critical that the team pull together and bring in the cash. They need a record-breaking theme night that’s literally out of this world.

W1A (BBC 2/HD | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Wednesday 19th March 2014)

Comedy sequel to Twenty Twelve. With the London games successfully delivered, Ian Fletcher starts a new chapter in his life as head of values at the BBC. Ian’s first challenge is to find somewhere to sit in a building aggressively over-designed around the principle of not having a desk. Ian finds himself holding the hottest of hot potatoes when Mebyan Kernow activist Nigel Trescott complains that Cornwall and the Cornish are shamefully under-represented on the BBC. Things get worse when BBC Spotlight South West presenter Sally Wingate goes public with her feeling that her failure to progress to a national presenting role might be part of the BBC’s institutionally anti-Cornish bias. PR company Perfect Curve’s Siobhan Sharpe comes up with some interesting ideas of how best to limit the damage. Meanwhile, producer Lucy Freeman is having meetings with head of output Anna Rampton and entertainment format creative David Wilkes about a forthcoming new flagship show.

Storyville (BBC 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:00pm | Wednesday 19th March 2014)

Documentary exploring one of Japan’s biggest train crashes in modern history, caused when a driver tried to catch up with a delay of just 80 seconds. It’s a cautionary tale of what happens when punctuality, protocol and efficiency are taken to the extreme. On Monday April 25th 2005, a West Japan Railway commuter train crashed into an apartment building and killed 107 people. Just what pressures made the driver risk so much for such a minimal delay? Piecing together personal accounts of those affected by the train crash, with insights from experts and former train drivers, the film poses a question for a society that equates speed with progress. It offers a fascinating insight into the railway’s role in Japan’s post-war economic boom and the dangers of corner-cutting in the prolonged economic stagnation that followed. Through the lens of this catastrophic train crash, Brakeless considers the ultimate cost efficiency.

Davina – Beyond Breaking Point for Sport Relief (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 20th March 2014)

Documentary telling the inside story of Davina McCall’s challenge to raise money for Sport Relief, with exclusive behind the scenes access. The film follows Davina through highs and lows as she swims, cycles and runs from Edinburgh to London – 500 miles in 7 days. Davina’s husband, her parents and best friend provide a unique insight into Davina’s battle to overcome the toughest Sport Relief challenge yet. Spending 17 hours on the bike on the first day alone, Davina fights extreme fatigue and fearsome weather conditions.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 21st March 2014)

The final edition in the current series from the award-winning gang show live on Friday night with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by Frank Skinner to take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The show also includes the regular feature: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 08/03/2014

Raven Black (Part 1 of 2). Series 2, episode 1 (YouView app screenshot)Milk (BBC 2/HD | 11:30pm to 1:30am | Saturday 8th March 2014)

Dramatic biopic about the rise and tragic fall of Harvey Milk, who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official. In a turbulent, 1970s San Francisco, Harvey struggles as an American gay activist against fellow San Francisco supervisor Dan White and the rest of conservative America.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 9th March 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. As preparations are made for Chummy to nurse her dying mother at home, Jenny finds herself drawn to help. Whilst Shelagh and Dr Turner await news from the Adoption Society, Shelagh pulls out all the stops when she enters her choir into a competition.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 9th March 2014)

Special edition of the motoring magazine show. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are told to build a bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. However, in order to do that they must first drive across Burma, a country that has been largely closed to westerners for over 40 years. Futhermore, they must make this trip in three lorries, each bought ‘sight unseen’ from the internet. What follows is an epic journey of beautiful scenery, regular adversity, ongoing malfunction and the constant bickering of three badly dressed buffoons.

Mind the Gap: London v The Rest (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 10th March 2014)

Britain is becoming one country with two economies – London and the rest. In the second of two programmes, Evan Davis asks what the rest of Britain can learn from London’s success and whether we can create a city with the pull of the capital, outside the capital – a megacity of the north.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 11th March 2014)

Crime drama set on the remote Scottish islands. Old wounds are painfully reopened for the residents of Ravenswick, as Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez and his team look to a past crime to solve the present day murder of a young teenage girl.

An Hour to Save Your Life (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 11th March 2014)

Medical science series exploring the life or death decisions facing doctors in the first critical hour of emergency care. Including 360 degree access to specialist clinicians both at the scene and in the hospital, plus candid testimony from the medics themselves. In this episode, medics fight to save the lives of Mick who collapses after a cardiac arrest, motorcyclist Michael, critically injured in a high speed road accident, and a young man who who has been stabbed.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 12th March 2014)

School-based drama. Kacey’s boxing career is jeopardised when a challenge by Gabriella goes horribly wrong. Simon turns to Christine when he finds himself unable to cope with the challenges of Acting Head.

Who Needs Ibiza? The Great British Holiday (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 12th March 2014)

Series following the efforts of the owners, the Toms family, and their dedicated team of young staff as they try to overcome a string of wet, recession-hit summers and make 2013 a roaring success at their 18-30s campsite in Woolacombe, Devon. It’s the start of high season at Europa and the team are coming up with some novel ideas to make some much needed cash and entertain the campers. A Disney tribute band has been booked and a Hawaiian theme night planned, but big storms are brewing on the horizon – both amongst the staff and in the skies above the campsite.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 14th March 2014)

The award-winning gang show continues live on Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. In the penultimate episode of this series Jennifer Sauders joins the trio to look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The show also includes the regular feature: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 01/03/2014

The Floods That Foiled New Year (YouView app screenshot)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 2nd March 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. As Jenny returns to Nonnatus House, her encounter with nervous first-time mum, Faye, forces her to break the rules. Chummy throws herself into preparations for her mother’s visit, whilst Sister Julienne and Cynthia deal with acute mental illness in a newly-delivered mother.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 2nd March 2014)

Motoring magazine. Richard Hammond is in Abu Dhabi to drive a new hybrid sports car from Porsche. It is called the 918 and it combines a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine with a pair of electric motors to create an 886 horsepower, four-wheel drive supercar sensation. Plus, Clarkson and James May are tasked with shooting a public information film to promote safer cycling. And Clarkson is also the judge for a hot hatchback showdown between the latest iteration of the legendary Volkswagen Golf GTI and a powerful, rear-wheel-drive pretender from BMW called the M135i. Finally, there is an American in the Reasonably Priced Car as Aaron Paul, star of Breaking Bad and Need For Speed, tries his hand in the Astra out on the test track.

Mind the Gap: London v The Rest (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 3rd March 2014)

While much of the UK still struggles after the financial crash, London is thriving like never before. In the first of two programmes, Evan Davis explores the economic forces that are polarising Britain and asks what the rest of the country can learn from London’s success.

The Street (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 10:35pm to 11:35pm | Monday 3rd March 2014)

Documentary charting a year in the lives of the people who work, live and play on Sauchiehall Street, one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic shopping and party destinations. In this edition, a street artist takes his chances in broad daylight. Chef Nick attempts to turn his dream into a reality but risks his whole business, and the Street Pastors deal with a running battle between two groups.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 4th March 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. When an elderly resident at a retirement home appears to have committed suicide, the team are on a mission to prove it was murder. Humphrey is surprised when his wife pays an unexpected visit to the island and suggests they give their marriage a second chance.

An Hour to Save Your Life (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 4th March 2014)

Medical science series exploring the life or death decisions facing doctors in the first critical hour of emergency care. Including 360 degree access to specialist clinicians both at the scene and in the hospital, plus candid testimony from the medics themselves. In this episode, medics fight to save the lives of a young woman, Zoe, who collapses on Oxford Street, Rumen, who has been hit by a car and elderly farmer Bill who has been crushed by a cow.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 5th March 2014)

School-based drama. Christine falls spectacularly off the wagon, sending shockwaves through the school. Kacey returns to a hero’s welcome, full of tales from the US, prompting a jealous Gabriella to get even with her.

Life and Death on the A9 (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 6th March 2014)

Documentary about the notorious A9, following the people who keep the road moving and looking at what happens when accidents close off the route. Plus, what does the future have in store for this iconic road?

The Floods That Foiled New Year (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 6th March 2014)

It’s likely to be the wettest winter since records began, and Britain is in chaos. In the second of two documentaries re-living the devastation, The Floods That Foiled New Year: Caught on Camera explains why it happened with the aid of striking observer footage, eyewitness testimony and expert commentary. Since January, the relentless stream of heavy storms has continued unabated and England appears to be slowly drowning. While the blame game carries on, this programme examines the hard science: what caused the floods, what we can do to help ourselves, and is this the ‘new normal’?

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:45pm | Friday 7th March 2014)

The award-winning gang show continues live on Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio are joined by a celebrity guest in each show to take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The show also includes the regular feature: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 22/02/2014

A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones | 24-02-2014 (YouView app screenshot)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 23rd February 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Patsy’s brusque manner lands her in trouble with the nuns and she is removed from midwifery duties. Soon after, she finds herself taking care of a male patient who is on bed rest after an accident at work. Trixie agrees to go on a date with a curate, Tom Hereward. Dr Turner and Shelagh discuss how they might expand their family.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 23rd February 2014)

Motoring magazine. Jeremy Clarkson celebrates the return of the hand-crafted, coachbuilt car with a trip to Italy to drive the achingly beautiful and incredibly rare Alfa Romeo-based Touring Disco Volante. Richard Hammond attacks the dunes of Abu Dhabi in a remarkable new six-wheeled Mercedes called the G63 6×6, while James May makes a rare trip to the test track to try out the intriguingly minimalist Caterham 160 and its insanely fast sister, the 620R. Also in the show, comedian Jack Whitehall tries his hand as the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:300pm | Monday 24th February 2014)

Series in which Griff Rhys Jones explores some of the most beautiful and enchanting parts of his native land. In the last of the series, Griff is in Hay-on-Wye where he discovers his challenge is to swim wild in a mountain lake. He heads up Hay Bluff on a scooter to the beautiful Llangorse Lake, only to discover swimming is prohibited there. He decides to take to the air in a glider to view the Beacons, then comes back down to earth to explore the area’s famous pot holes. There he discovers the source of the famous Brecon Carreg mineral water. Finally, he finds his perfect mountain lake just beneath Pen Y Fan, the highest point on the Beacons – but will he brave the icy waters?

The Street (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 10:35pm to 11:35pm | Monday 24th February 2014)

Documentary charting a year in the lives of the people who work, live and play on Sauchiehall Street, one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic shopping and party destinations. In this edition, psychic Chris gets more than he bargained for at a house party, manager Jim’s plans for the Savoy Centre start to fall apart, and chef Nick’s right-hand man disappears at a crucial time. Meanwhile, the Street Pastors mop up another weekend’s-worth of revelry.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 25th February 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. A murder on a privately-owned island means DI Goodman and the team are cut off from the mainland when a storm comes in. As night descends and the team find themselves locked in a house with a killer, can they solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again?

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 26th February 2014)

School-based drama. When indecent images are found on Darren Hughes’ phone, Christine decides it is time for a home visit and goes to see his mother. Dynasty is faced with a terrible dilemma when she uncovers the truth about Barry’s new job.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 26th February 2014)

George Clarke returns to Thrum Mill to meet Dave and Margaret Heldey who have battled through flooding and serious illness to restore one of Northumberland’s most stunning but abandoned water mills. Dave, an experienced amateur builder has poured his heart and soul into every aspect of the restoration, and has had to deal with no less than 18 planning restrictions. But have they fulfilled their dream of completing this hugely challenging restoration and bringing back to life the 300-year-old water wheel that will eventually power their new home?

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 28th February 2014)

The award-winning gang show continues live on Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each week, Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by a live studio audience and a weekly special celebrity guest. The show also includes the regular feature: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 15/02/2014

The Last Leg | 21-02-2014 (YouView app screenshot)Walking Through History (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 15th February 2014)

Tony Robinson sets off on his most curious walk yet, across the ancient and turbulent kingdom of Northumbria. In the seventh century, at the height of the Dark Ages, the rule of Northumbria stretched from Edinburgh to York: a mighty power in post-Roman Britain. But this was a land where a battle was raging for the souls of the people. Over five days, from Melrose in the Scottish Borders to Holy Island off the coast of Northumberland, Tony is on the trail of one of Northumbria’s greatest sons: Saint Cuthbert. Through the Tweed Valley and across the Cheviot Hills, it’s a journey through a murky history laden with myth. But by investigating the communities, power bases and landscape of seventh-century Northumbria, Tony aims to understand the pagan land in which Cuthbert spread his simple brand of Celtic Christianity.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 16th February 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. When a young woman with Down’s syndrome is discovered pregnant, sinister circumstances are assumed. Meanwhile, as the nuns organise celebrations for Sister Evangelina’s jubilee, Nonnatus House greets new midwife Patsy. Elsewhere, Timothy Turner takes his first steps without his callipers.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 16th February 2014)

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May demonstrate their love for compact, small-engined cars with a trip to the Ukraine. With Clarkson in a Volkswagen Up, Hammond in a Ford Fiesta and May in a Dacia Sandero the trio zoom around the Crimean Peninsula absorbing some local history, visiting an old Soviet submarine pen and enjoying their manoeuvrable, economical cars to the full. Unfortunately, their carefree time is curtailed when they are challenged to a vast drive, heading north across one of the largest countries in Europe, and they must take any steps necessary to fight the immense boredom of a long car journey. Eventually, the three arrive in Kiev only to receive one final and truly fearsome challenge.

A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 17th February 2014)

Series in which Griff Rhys Jones explores some of the most beautiful and enchanting parts of his native land. Inspecting the remains of the now forgotten Aust Ferry, once the gateway into Wales, Griff stumbles upon his challenge – to learn and perform the Welsh National Anthem. After a terrifying attempt to walk the suspension cable of the Severn Bridge and a less stressful saunter along the remains of Offa’s Dyke, Griff heads deep into the principality, determined to pick up some of the Welsh language. After perfecting his pronunciation of Llanelli, he paddles up the River Wye to Tintern, a prime destination for tourists 200 years ago. Having by now practised the tune and words of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Griff just needs somewhere to perform. Then an encounter with the leader of a local handbell ringing group leads to a surprising solution.

The Street (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 10:35pm to 11:35pm | Monday 17th February 2014)

Documentary charting a year in the lives of the people who work, live and play on Sauchiehall Street, one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic shopping and party destinations. In this first programme, Savoy Centre manager Jim faces a mutiny after he decides to implement a new plan, chef Nick puts a trainee through the mill, and the steet pastors mop up the aftermath of a busy weekend’s partying.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 18th February 201)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. When a birdwatcher is discovered murdered in the Saint-Marie jungle, the team have a particularly puzzling conundrum to solve. Is the traditionally quiet and calm world of birdwatching more cut-throat than it appears?

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 19th February 2014)

School-based drama. George is left in charge of the school while Christine is away – but can he handle the pressure when Maggie, Audrey and the pupils stage a spectacular protest in a bid to stop Lula being deported?

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 19th February 2014)

George Clarke revisits Keith and Sheena McIntyre to see if their struggles have paid off. They fought through terrible weather conditions, and a challenge to integrate with the local community, in order to restore a stunning but isolated Telford church. Using an inheritance from his late father, artist Keith McIntyre and his wife Sheena bought this listed, Thomas Telford designed church in the remote island of Berneray in the Outer Hebrides. Keith and Sheena’s dream of converting the church into a holiday home and artist’s studio faced extreme weather conditions and the challenge of keeping the neighbors onside, while trying to project manage the build from 400 miles way. A year later, George Clarke returns to find out if they’ve managed to transform the church into a working artist’s studio, what life is like in the new community, and to see if they’ve been successful in winning a prestigious Royal Institute of Architects award.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 21st February 2014)

The award-winning gang show continues live on Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio are joined by Claudia Winkleman in this show to take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.The show also includes the regular feature: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 08/02/2014

The Culture Show | 10-02-2014 (YouView app screenshot)Walking Through History (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 8th February 2014)

Tony Robinson visits Liverpool and Lancashire for a towpath exploration of grand industrial engineering along the majestic Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Setting off from Liverpool, Tony takes a three-day walk inland to Wigan, tracing the story of the canal’s chaotic construction and its dramatic impact on the development of Lancashire. Today the canal cuts a peaceful, winding route, linking rural farmlands with lost epicentres of the industrial northwest. From the mid-1750s, the population of Liverpool multiplied 20 times in barely a century, helped in no small part by its new canal: a vital link to the coal, factories and labour supply of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 9th February 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Jenny’s life is turned upside down when Alec has a terrible accident. Sister Winifred helps a holocaust survivor bury the past and Shelagh decides to join the local choir.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 9th February 2014)

Motoring magazine. The series continues with a jam-packed show featuring Italian sports cars, military manoeuvres and a trip to Belgium. Richard Hammond is on the shores of Lake Como testing the exciting new Alfa Romeo 4C, a mid-engined machine from one of the world’s most beloved sports car makers. Hammond’s enjoyment of the super-lightweight, 237 horsepower beauty is brought to a halt by the arrival of Jeremy Clarkson on a quad bike, demanding a race to the far end of the vast lake. Elsewhere in the programme, Clarkson is in the genteel surroundings of Bruge and at the rather less sedate Spa Grand Prix track in order to test a thrilling new breed of hybrid hypercar: the stunning, 904 horsepower McLaren P1. Meanwhile, James May is at the vast Camp Bastion in Afghanistan looking at the incredible efforts behind the army’s largest vehicle redeployment since the Second World War. Finally, actor Tom Hiddleston, tries his hand out on the track as the Star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones (ITV /HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 10th February 2014)

Series in which Griff Rhys Jones explores some of the most beautiful and enchanting parts of his native land. In a lighthouse on the northernmost tip of the Welsh mainland, Griff discovers that his Conwy challenge is to find a Welsh dresser. Catching the bus into the nearby seaside resort of Llandudno, he realises that it is probably the last place on earth to find antique Welsh furniture. Hitching a lift into farming country, he finds a village antique shop – but it hasn’t seen a dresser in years. Griff then turns his attention to the plight of thirsty oak trees, the extraordinary age of a dangerous yew tree and the abundance hereabouts of one of the tallest trees in the world – the Douglas fir. Back on the coast, while traipsing around the battlements of Conwy Castle, Griff spots something familiar in a shop window – is he in luck?

The Culture Show (BBC 2/HD | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Monday 10th February 2014)

An evaulation of the contribution on Lego to archicture, and its continuing influence. The Lego Movie (released 14 February) is the latest big-budget incarnation of one of the world’s most popular toys. Yet Lego is more than a global brand. Tom Dyckhoff explores its relationship with architecture, and argues that it has changed the way we think about buildings. Lego’s plastic yellow bricks were launched in the 50s, and resonated with new visions of rebuilding society – with ethical, imaginative children’s play at its heart.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 11th February 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. DI Goodman and his team are drawn into the world of politics when Saint-Marie’s commerce minister is discovered dead. Out of the blue, Camille’s father turns out to have a link to the victim and she is forced to confront the fact that her dad could be the murderer.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00p0m to 9:00pm | Wednesday 12th February 2014)

School-based drama. Gabriella wreaks havoc when she suspects Nikki and Hector of having an affair. Kevin is preparing for his university bursary interview, but when he collapses it sends shockwaves through the school.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 12th February 2014)

Furniture maker Jamie Brown has big ideas about turning a colossal and historic 15,000 square foot RAF bunker from World War II into his new home. However, with the Nottinghamshire bunker totally encased in earth, with no natural light, and the back section submerged in water, Jamie’s wife, who is about to have their first baby, isn’t so sure. With its fascinating history and jaw-dropping engineering, George helps Jamie tackle this huge undertaking and discovers the important role it played in the blitz.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 14th February 2014)

The award-winning gang show returns live to Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each week, Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by a live studio audience and a weekly special celebrity guest. The show also sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 01/02/2014

Top Gear - 02/02/2014 (YouView app screenshot)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 2nd February 2014)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1950s London, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Sister Julienne and Trixie brace themselves for prison life when they are rostered to work at Holloway Prison, and Sister Julienne puts her reputation on the line to help a young inmate who is expecting her first child. Meanwhile, Shelagh receives a devastating diagnosis, and Fred’s eye for a bargain threatens to derail Chummy’s birthday celebrations.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 2nd February 2014)

The motoring magazine returns. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May attempt to prove that the hot hatchbacks of their youth were better than their modern equivalents by buying a ‘classic’ example of the breed each and then undertaking a series of challenges. After tackling a tricky hillclimb course and an unusual visit to the supermarket, the three arrive at an old army training ground in Wales where their ageing cars must evade the heavily armed and heavily moustachioed Top Gear Police Department. Plus, Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville is the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones (ITV/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 3rd February 2014)

Series in which Griff Rhys Jones explores some of the most beautiful and enchanting parts of Wales. Griff wakes up in a tree house in the middle of an ancient wood and discovers that his challenge this time is to find the Holy Grail! In a land of myth, mystery and hidden treasures he tries his hand at panning for gold before meeting a modern myth maker who runs an old cinema. In Aberdyfi at the mouth of the River Dyfi, Griff begins to unravel the legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod – the Welsh Atlantis that reputedly lay in the Bay of Cardigan. The discovery of a petrified forest only stimulates his interest, but it is in Aberystwyth that Griff finally learns about the legend of the Holy Grail of Nanteos.

Dispatches (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 3rd February 2014)

The floods that recently hit Britain have caused misery for thousands, but do you know what’s actually in the flood water that has engulfed our towns and streets? Channel 4 Dispatches meets homeowners unlucky enough to have found raw sewage in their gardens, basements and even kitchens. And this is not a rare event. Twenty-five years after water privatisation, reporter Antony Barnett investigates the state of our sewers and asks why prices have risen so fast while investment in our old pipes hasn’t materialised. And it’s not just homes; Dispatches can exclusively reveal the huge number of major sewage leaks into our nation’s rivers and streams.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 4th February 2014)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. DI Goodman and his team are introduced to the jet-setting world of airline pilots and cabin crew when an air stewardess is discovered poisoned in her hotel bedroom. Will Humphrey and his team manage to unravel the mysteries at the heart of this seemingly impossible murder?

Inside the Animal Mind (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 4th February 2014)

Chris Packham explores the minds of the cleverest animals on the planet, discovering the astonishing abilities of the best, and most unlikely, animal problem-solvers on the planet, crows. He witnesses a remarkable world first as they solve the most complicated animal-puzzle ever completed. And he uncovers the extraordinary range of animal intelligence: bees which navigate, cockatoos which pick locks and a brilliantly ingenious octopus.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 5th February 2014)

School-based drama. Hector spies an opportunity to get closer to Nikki at the school’s resilience camp, while Gabriella plans to cause chaos. Back at the school, Christine is forced to confront her feelings for George, who is becoming increasingly involved with Carol.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 5th February 2014)

Marco and Kath Walker bought a pair of Grade II listed 17th and 18th century cow barns from their local farmer in Wellington, Herefordshire. The barns are tumbling down, the couple have their two young children in tow, they’ve never done anything like this before and are complete restoration novices, and the project is beset with problems from the start. George offers much needed advice throughout the build and discovers how these buildings and the surrounding farm helped to revolutionise cattle farming in the UK.

Hunted (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:00pm | Wednesday 5th February 2014)

On the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia is officially welcoming gay athletes and spectators. But in a country where it’s thought only 1% of gay people dare to live completely openly, it appears to be a hollow gesture. This Dispatches film – directed by Ben Steele and presented Liz MacKean – has gained unique access to the vigilante gangs that target gay men and women. This extraordinary film depicts a country troubled by disturbing violence and distressing intimidation. Six months after the Russian parliament unanimously passed a law to protect children from ‘non-traditional’ relationships, this film explores the terror that gay people in Russia are calling ‘hunting season’.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Friday 7th February 2014)

The award-winning show returns live to Friday nights with a joyful, offbeat take on the week. Returning as host is 2013 British Comedy Award winner Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker. The trio take a look at the weird and wonderful talking points of the week including the stories and highlights from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each week, Adam, Josh and Alex are joined by a live studio audience and a weekly special celebrity guest. The show also sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement, and the three hosts attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 03/08/2013

Cycling: Ride London (BBC1/HD | 11:30am to 2:00pm | Sunday 4th August 2013)

Live coverage of the new cycling event which features a number of races across a busy weekend in the capital. The morning sees 20,000 cyclists head out on the Olympic road race route from London to Surrey and back, later followed by the world’s elite men. There are also highlights of the women’s grand prix, which features Olympic gold medallists Laura Trott, Dani King and Jo Rowsell competing on a special street circuit around Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Jonathan Edwards hosts the coverage while Simon Brotherton leads the commentary team.

Cycling: Ride London (BBC1/HD | 4:30pm to 6:30pm | Sunday 4th August 2013)

Jonathan Edwards presents live coverage of the climax of a weekend of cycling in the capital. The world’s best riders head back on the Olympic road race course as the London-Surrey Classic builds to a potentially thrilling sprint finish on The Mall. There is also news of the 20,000 riders who cycled the course at a more pedestrian pace earlier in the day, including celebrities such as Boris Becker, Matt Dawson, James Cracknell and Sally Gunnell. Simon Brotherton leads the commentary team.

Top Gear (BBC2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 4th August 2013)

Motoring magazine. Jeremy Clarkson drives the new Jaguar F-type sports car on some of Britain’s finest roads; James May takes the New Bus for London for a nice day out in the country; and Richard Hammond tests the new Range Rover Sport off-road, on track and in its most natural habitat, the lanes of Cheshire. Inspired by these machines, the presenters meet up for an epic celebration of all that is great about Britain’s motor industry, culminating in a grand finale in front of Buckingham Palace.

The Cycle Show (itv4 | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Monday 5th August 2013)

The cycling magazine show with regular presenter Graham Little including special guests and items and features on all aspects of bike riding. In this edition, he is joined by Rob Hayles and Tammy G Thorn.

Undercover Boss (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 6th August 2013)

Peter Harvey, boss of slot machine company Quicksilver, adopts a dramatic disguise and goes undercover in the hope of working undetected alongside his frontline staff. Hit hard by the smoking ban, the company has seen profits drop by a massive 30% and Peter is desperate to find new ways to attract more customers. Once undercover, the CEO is shocked at what he finds: a young female employee who feels vulnerable working at night; a talented engineer with ideas who has been told to ‘shut up’ by management; and venue staff who feel so ignored by head office that many want to leave the company. The boss has to confront the reality, that it might not just be the company’s dwindling profits he has to worry about but also his underappreciated staff.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 10:50pm | Wednesday 7th August 2013)

Initially launched alongside the Paralympic Games, the award-winning gang show returns for a new series live to Wednesday night. Host, Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker take a look at the weird and wonderful talking point stories of the week to enjoy and celebrate what makes this country so unique. Each week the guys are joined by a celebrity guest with a live studio audience. This week’s guest is Micky Flanagan. The show also sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It OK? Viewers at home and the studio audience are encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement. Once again, our three hosts will attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

The Hotel Inspector Returns (Channel 5 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 8th August 2013)

Documentary series in which Alex Polizzi returns to the scene of some of her biggest challenges. Three years ago, Alex visited the Artist Residence, Brighton, a nine-room B&B run by 21-year-old student Justin Salisbury. He had created a unique ‘art hotel’, decorated and staffed by young artists, but during the week left them to their own devices as he studied in London. The hotel was slammed by guests and occupancy levels were low. Has Justin’s management style improved?

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