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.