How the Victorians Built Britain (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Saturday 18th January 2020)
Michael Buerk looks at the building of bridges around the nation during the era, visiting Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol to reveal the secret construction masterpiece that lay hidden in the structure’s core for more than a century. He also discovers how the Tay Bridge disaster led to huge leaps in technology and how a new metal emerged as the bridgemaker’s building block of choice.
Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 19th January 2020)
Lucille is seconded to St Cuthbert’s when a ward sister is off sick, but a lift malfunction sees her spend the evening with mother-to-be Connie instead of her planned rendezvous with Cyril. Nurse Crane tries to help a woman who is newly arrived from East Pakistan, while Shelagh enlists Violet, Trixie, Sister Frances and Valerie to put on a charity fashion show to raise money for the incubator fund.
Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 20th January 2020)
Michael Portillo explores the east of England in the inter-war period, with the first leg of his journey beginning in Canterbury and ending at Alexandra Palace in London.
Fish Town (BBC 1 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 20th January 2020)
The return of the documentary about life in the port of Peterhead, following the people working on land and at sea to put fish on the nation’s plates. Skipper James West heads out in search of prawns in his new £2 million trawler the Westro, while in nearby Fraserburgh, scientist Aisling joins the crew of the Zenith to collect data for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. James Cosmo narrates.
Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 20th January 2020)
The body of a woman is found on train tracks in London, badly damaged from electrical burns. On the mortuary slab, the woman’s recent and historic injuries suggest years of abuse, likely within the home. It is a difficult post-mortem for Nikki, as it stirs up troubling memories from her childhood. First of a two-part episode of the long-running crime drama following the work of the Lyell Centre’s team of forensic pathology experts, starring Emilia Fox, David Caves, Richard Lintern and Liz Carr.
Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 21st January 2020)
Michael Portillo explores the east of England en route to Lincolnshire, discovering how the Crossrail project is helping to conserve birds and taking a gelato cart to Southend.
Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 21st January 2020)
Part two of two. The investigation into Jenny’s murder grinds to a halt when it emerges that she was dead before her body was left on the tracks, but the women at the refuge demand answers. Thomas makes some friends in high places who offer to help him achieve his political ambitions – but there is a price to be paid for their support.
Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 22nd January 2020)
Michael Portillo’s railway journey through 1930s Britain from Canterbury to Skegness reaches Witham in Essex, where he visits the factory of the world’s oldest supplier of metal-framed windows, which became popular in the Thirties. Crossing into Suffolk, he alights at Ipswich and discovers the story of a group of child refugees whose history is intertwined with that of Michael’s family.
Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 23rd January 2020)
Michael Portillo’s journey through eastern England takes him to the Snape Maltings music and arts venue, the Norfolk seaside resort of Great Yarmouth and the city of Norwich.
Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 23rd January 2020)
There is great excitement in Saint Marie when the Tour des Antilles cycling race comes to the island but the event turns sinister when the favourite, Xavier Prince, is found dead halfway around. All evidence initially points to Xavier having crashed on one of the most dangerous sections of the course, but Jack suspects it has more to do with the discovery of a piece of fabric torn from a cycling shirt. However, one of the riders is keeping a sensitive secret. Whodunit, starring Ardal O’Hanlon, with Nina Wadia.
Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 24th January 2020)
Michael Portillo completes his rail journey through 1930s Britain, beginning in Norfolk at the headquarters of an international horse welfare organisation. In Peterborough, he visits a tidal defence barrier that helped save the city from flooding, while in Lincolnshire crosses the point at which the Mallard broke the speed record for a steam-powered locomotive in 1938. After a spell in the coastal town of Skegness, Michael’s journey ends at RAF Coningsby where he sees some iconic Second World War aircraft, before witnessing a dazzling display featuring the RAF’s latest combat aircraft.
Secret Scotland (Channel 5/HD 8:00pm to 9:00pm Friday 24th January 2020)
As her journey around her homeland continues, Susan visits the Isle of Skye, where she embarks on an exclusive tour of Dunvegan Castle, which has been home to the McLeods for over 800 years. There, she learns all about clan warfare and discovers a ceremonial horn that has been passed down through generations of clan chiefs since the 14th century. Next, the comedian takes to the seas to operate the world’s only turntable ferry, before trying her hand at the accordion. Finally, Susan gains an insight into the workings of a modern-day croft and finds out how to shear a sheep.
All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.