Tag: Silent Witness

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 20/01/2018

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday 20th January 2018)

Five villages from this week’s heats go head-to-head for a spot in the grand final and the chance to win Village of the Year and the £10,000 prize money. Penelope Keith and her three judges have been searching for the very best of British village life, and in this episode they find out even more from the five contenders in the Western Zone. Will the buildings, the scenery or good old British eccentricity win the day?

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 21st January 2018)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1960s London. The winter continues, and the team at Nonnatus House welcome their newest midwife, Lucille Anderson. Nurse Crane and Dr Turner care for an elderly cancer patient facing eviction.

The Biggest Little Railway in the World (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 21st January 2018)

Dick Strawbridge and a team of model railway enthusiasts attempt to build the longest model railway in the world, 71 miles across Scotland, from Fort William to Inverness. On its first gentle hill, the tiny train grinds to a halt. Bearing in mind the monster hills that it must still face, this is alarming. But one of the train team has a brainwave… Further ahead near Fort Augustus, Claire has come across an impassable rocky stream. After a conference with her team, they decide to build an ambitious curving trestle bridge. But the train doesn’t look like it will make it that far. It keeps falling off the track, so Dick drives into the nearest town to see if he can manufacture a bespoke tool that will stabilise the track. After six days of non-stop building everyone’s getting tired so they reward themselves with an exuberant birthday party for one of the team members, led by Lawrence the DJ.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Monday 22nd January 2018)

Penelope Keith and her fellow Village of the Year judges are searching the British Isles to find the very best in village life. From the South East, four more shortlisted villages have their chance to impress the judges. Penelope discovers eccentric events in Elstead, Surrey. Alex retraces ancient footsteps on the Norfolk coast in Happisburgh. In the heart of Berkshire in Hampstead Norreys Patrick explores a tropical rainforest. And Juliet rounds up a flock of rare sheep in Ashwell in Hertfordshire.

The Forest (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 22nd January 2018)

Mark Bonnar narrates a series revealing the hidden world of Galloway Forest, the country’s largest afforested area. In this episode, Planning and Environment forester Bill Fisher surveys the vast forest and checks the health of the cash crop in a helicopter, where the bird’s-eye view allows him to better spot any pockets of larch disease. Forestry Commission recreation boss Archie McNeillie attempts to balance the needs of the public with the needs of the timber industry by spray-painting some trees as a marker to the harvesters to save them so the public can still enjoy the scenic views. And Environment forester Gareth Ventress hires some traditional horse loggers to carry out a method called horse rolling in an area of dense bracken. Crushing the bracken using a horse is less damaging to the soil and allows light and space for oak saplings and native herbs and flowers to flourish.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 22nd January 2018)

A US diplomat is shot dead in a central London square, forcing the team to work closely with the embassy and the FBI and to overcome jurisdictional hurdles.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Tuesday 23rd January 2018)

From the north of Scotland to the west of Cornwall, Penelope Keith and her team of judges are on the hunt for the Village of the Year. Craft expert Patrick Grant helps to update the 3000-year-old white chalk horse of Uffington. In Kent, Penelope takes in the magnificent views of peg-tiled roof tops in Goudhurst. Archaeologist Alex Langlands travels to Suffolk and finds the Bardwell bells appealing. And in Blunham in Bedfordshire, garden designer Juliet Sargeant comes up smelling of roses at their yearly floral festival. Which village will have a chance of being a Village of the Year finalist?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 23rd January 2018)

Nikki is still in shock as the team arrive at Matt’s residence but insists on working at the Lyell, determined to help. When analysing crime scene photos and the positions of the victims’ bodies, Nikki realises there is a pattern. Together, the team uncover a secret that has been held by those at the very top of the US government.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Wednesday 24th January 2018)

Penelope Keith explores a medieval masterpiece in the Kent village of Penshurst. On the Norfolk coast, Alex Langlands meets the volunteers keeping Mundesley’s beaches ship-shape. Juliet Sargeant has a go at building a traditional wall in Haddenham. And in the New Forest, Patrick Grant falls under the spell of the ancient village of Burley. 

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Thursday 25th January 2018)

Archaeologist Alex Langlands meets the residents of Rowhedge, Essex, who are making a splash in the river Colne. Craft expert Patrick Grant visits Findon; a village that’s breeding winning riders and horses. In Redbourn in Hertfordshire, Juliet breaks bread with the local miller. Penelope Keith attends the world custard pie championships in Coxheath in Kent.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 25th January 2018)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. Jack and the team find themselves embroiled in the mysterious world of faith healing when a woman is poisoned during a ceremony and all evidence points to the arrogant healer himself.

Walks with My Dog (more4 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 25th January 2018)

The Reverend Richard Coles is with his dachshund Audrey exploring the rugged Galloway coast of southern Scotland – walking in the footsteps of a 5th-century missionary who brought Christianity to the Scots and visiting the place where one of the best British horror movies was filmed: The Wicker Man. TV presenter Selina Scott takes a walk through history in the North York Moors National Park. With her dogs Dougie and Kendie, she strolls from the majestic medieval splendour of Helmsley Castle to the breathtaking ruins of Rievaulx Abbey – taking in an amazing bird of prey display along the way. Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton and her dobermans Stella and Mr Jonty climb into the green serenity of the Chiltern Hills – a place she now calls home. They visit one of England’s oldest windmills and see an unusual artist at work before finishing high on Ivinghoe Beacon, where model aircraft soar through the sky and the views are spectacular.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Friday 26th January 2018)

In West Sussex Penelope Keith meets the harbour master of Lindfield’s village pond. Alex travels to the heart of Constable country in East Bergholt in Suffolk. Juliet gets green-fingered in Woburn in Bedfordshire. And Patrick is swanning around in Cookham in Berkshire. Which village will make it through to tomorrow’s semi-final?

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 13/01/2018

The Coronation (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 14th January 2018)

Marking the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation, the Queen shares her memories of the ceremony, as well as that of her father, King George VI, in 1937. Viewing rarely seen film footage and looking at some of the priceless Crown Jewels themselves, Her Majesty the Queen recalls the day when the weight of both the St Edward’s Crown, and the hopes of a nation recovering from war, were placed on her shoulders, as the nation looked to their 27-year-old Queen to lead them into a new era. Exploring the role and symbolic meaning of the Crown Jewels in the centuries-old coronation ceremony, this programme shows these objects of astonishing beauty as they’ve never been seen before. Using the Crown Jewels and the Queen’s recollections as its touchstones, The Coronation tells the inside story of this glittering ceremony.

The Biggest Little Railway in the World (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 14th January 2018)

Dick Strawbridge and a team of model railway enthusiasts attempt to build the longest model railway in the world, 71 miles across Scotland, from Fort William to Inverness. As the little train starts the first part of its epic journey, it becomes clear exactly how difficult the challenge will be. The team’s attempt to use the miniature train ferry that they’ve built doesn’t go well, with the train drifting towards a wall of water… Meanwhile, the track teams are battling in rainy and midge-infested conditions to lay more track. And the build team have to work out how to span a 60-metre viaduct by Aberchalder Bridge. It could flood at any point, so they decide to build another viaduct, but the sheer length of it makes it very challenging. And the train is making slow progress, with much more rugged terrain still to come.

Village of the Year (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Monday 15th January 2018)

In the first of a brand new series, Penelope Keith along with village judges – archaeologist Alex Langlands, garden designer Juliet Sargeant and craft expert Patrick Grant – weighs up four contenders vying for the title of ‘Village of the Year’. This week we are in the western zone made up of some stunning seaside and rural idylls. Penelope is by the seaside in Charmouth, Dorset. In Redbrook, in the Wye Valley Patrick bridges the divide between Wales and England. Juliet uncovers her inner Viking in Lydford, Devon, and Alex learns to thatch on the coast in Aberdaron, Wales.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 15th January 2018)

Michael Portillo embarks on a journey through Britain steered by his Edwardian railway handbook. He begins in the East Yorkshire port of Hull, where he heads for the docks through which millions of migrants passed at the turn of the 20th century and which are today getting a second wind.

The Forest (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 15th January 2018)

Mark Bonnar narrates a series revealing the hidden world of Galloway Forest, the country’s largest afforested area. In this episode, James Jones sawmill in Lockerbie powers through 20,000 logs a day. But when a six-tonne machine called a crosscut stacker breaks down, a dedicated engineering team must save the day. A decline in salmon numbers in the River Cree near Newton Stewart has led to a tireless effort to restock the river by the Cree Hatchery and Habitat Trust. Archie McNeillie and John Coughtrie from the Forestry Commission’s Recreation Department deal with a rat infestation in a public area caused by an overzealous bird feeder. And at Balloch O’Dee campsite, owner James gets ready to stage a comedy night.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 15th January 2018)

Forensic crime drama series. Nikki and Jack continue to deal with their feelings post-Mexico in their own very different ways. Jack is boxing with his sparring partner Naomi Silva when he is called to a crime scene. Nikki examines the body of a young woman, while Jack is surprised to find the SIO on the case turns out to be DCI Naomi Silva. The forensic evidence takes them to a cosmetic clinic where a pregnant Karen had been receiving various treatments seemingly for free. Nikki and Silva are frustrated by the CEO of Hamilton Ashe hospital when he blocks access to Karen’s medical records. However, when a second body is found, he is forced to help the team.

Village of the Year (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Tuesday 16th January 2018)

Penelope Keith and the Village of the Year team of judges travel the British Isles to report on four villages hoping to be crowned Village of the Year. In Devon, the Lympstone Brass Band puts on a performance for Penelope; Alex Langlands investigates an alien invasion in Llwyngwril, North Wales; Patrick Grant learns about the peculiar art of swede racing in Colwinston, South Wales; and Juliet Sargeant helps spruce up the idyllic village of Porlock.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 16th January 2018)

Armed with his Edwardian Bradshaw’s guide, Michael Portillo conducts important research in an historic tea room, built by an Edwardian immigrant to the city of York.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 16th January 2018)

Forensic crime drama series. The team wonder if the hack is the only danger as they come under threat. Jack has to decide how to get closure from his experience in Mexico.

Village of the Year (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Wednesday 17th January 2018)

Penelope Keith and the Village of the Year panel of judges visit four villages going head-to-head in their bid to be crowned Village of the Year. Penelope meets an army of volunteers on the Dorset coast in Burton Bradstock; surf’s up for historian Alex Langlands at the world’s first surfing lake in Dolgarrog; anything goes for Patrick Grant in Llangwm’s museum of everything; and Juliet Sargeant has a real taste of the sea in Mousehole, Cornwall.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 17th January 2018)

With his Edwardian railway guidebook tucked under his arm, Michael Portillo is in the steel city of Sheffield, where he discovers an enormous and beautifully preserved early 20th-century steam engine. At 400 tonnes and packing 12,000 horsepower, it produced armour plate for the most feared warship of the Royal Navy.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Thursday 18th January 2018)

Travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles, Penelope Keith and her team of judges are looking for the UK’s Village of the Year. In Betws-y-Coed in the heart of Snowdonia, Alex Langlands gets adventurous; Penelope is horsing around in Charlton Horethorne; Juliet Sargeant reels in the catch of the day in Polperro, Cornwall; and on the Gower Peninsula, Patrick Grant is digging for cockles in Penclawdd. Which village woos the judges to become a semi-finalist?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 18th January 2018)

Michael Portillo’s Edwardian railway guide takes him to the city of Liverpool, where King Edward VII had recently laid the foundation stone for a grand Anglican cathedral at the top of St James’s Mount. The young winner of a competition to design the building was a Roman Catholic from a family of architects. His name was Giles Gilbert Scott. Michael takes a trip down his own memory lane in Maghull on the outskirts of Liverpool, where he discovers a childhood favourite – a miniature tank engine with three carriages in dark red – made by Frank Hornby.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 18th January 2018)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. When famous thriller author Frank O’Toole is found stabbed through the heart in the middle of the ocean, Jack and his team are baffled. But as the spotlight turns on Frank’s closest friends and family and secrets are exposed, Jack uncovers a murder plot worthy of one of his novels…

Walks with My Dog (more4 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 18th January 2018)

In the second programme of the new series, actor Angela Griffin is in the Cotswolds, TV presenter and explorer Ben Fogle wanders across Morecambe Bay and chef James Martin explores The New Forest. Angela and her Cavapoo Smith walk from the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds – taking in the romantic folly of Broadway Tower and playing cricket in the village where JM Barrie and a team of legendary literary luminaries once came to face the locals. Ben Fogle and his black Labrador Storm visit a very different landscape – the wide open expanse of Morecambe Bay. Here they dabble in art and meet a man who guides people to safety across the treacherous sands, by Royal Appointment. James Martin is with Cooper, his working cocker spaniel, on a jaunt through the New Forest. They discover the area’s shipbuilding history, learn about its status as an ancient woodland and go for a spin in a vintage car.

Village of the Year with Penelope Keith (Channel 4/HD | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | Friday 19th January 2018)

Penelope Keith and her panel of expert judges investigate four more villages competing to win the title of ‘Village of the Year’. On the Jurassic coast Penelope’s all at sea with Beer’s historic fishing fleet, and Patrick Grant is ‘boule-d’ over in Sherston, Wiltshire. In Devon, Juliet Sargeant meets the Clovelly donkeys, and Alex Langlands goes native in the Welsh village of Llanllyfni.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 19th January 2018)

With his Edwardian Bradshaw’s railway guide tucked under his arm, Michael Portillo begins the last leg of his journey from Hull to Caernarfon. In picturesque Snowdonia, he braves the fastest zip line in the world – stretching 1,500 feet across a vast slate quarry. He uncovers a bitter industrial dispute between quarrymen and the owner of the pit, Lord Penrhyn, which divided the community at the beginning of the 20th century.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 06/01/2018

Attenborough and the Sea Dragon (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 7th January 2018)

Documentary following David Attenborough as he attempts to animate the life of the ichthyosaur whose 200-million-year-old fossil remains were found on Britain’s Jurassic coast. Using state-of-the-art imaging technology and CGI, the team reconstruct the skeleton and create the most detailed animation of an ichthyosaur ever made. Along the way, they stumble into a 200-million-year-old murder mystery – and only painstaking forensic investigation can unravel the story of this extraordinary creature’s fate.

The Biggest Little Railway in the World (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 7th January 2018)

Engineer Dick Strawbridge leads a team of model railway enthusiasts as they attempt to build the longest model railway in the world, 71 miles across Scotland, from Fort William on the west coast to Inverness on the east coast. It’s a route the Victorians never managed, so building this miniature railway will be an epic challenge. Dick briefs the nervous but excited volunteers and selects four team leaders – debt collector Lawrence Robbins, science fiction writer Jenny Kirk, school caretaker Charlie Fox-Wilson and apprentice project manager Paul Burkitt-Gray. He also selects two teams who will build especially challenging constructions such as bridges and viaducts. The volunteers get stuck in straight away.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 8th January 2018)

Michael Portillo embarks on an adventure from the coalfields of south Wales to the southernmost tip of Cornwall. His first stop is Whitland in Carmarthenshire, where in the early 20th century, thrill-seekers gathered on Pendine Sands to indulge their need for speed. In Llanelli, Michael retraces the fateful events of a national rail strike in 1911 and is stirred by the sound of a male voice choir as they sing the town’s unofficial anthem. At Loughor, he discovers a passionate preacher, who led a religious revival which gripped Edwardian Wales and had profound implications for the nation’s established church. In a suburban semi-detached house in the ‘sprawling, crawling town of Swansea’, Michael discovers the restored home of the poet Dylan Thomas, and the tiny bedroom in which he wrote two thirds of his published work.

The Forest (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | Monday 8th January 2018)

Mark Bonnar narrates a new series revealing the hidden world of Galloway Forest, the country’s largest afforested area. In this episode, the Forestry Commission’s recreation team is tasked with rebuilding steps on a well-worn pathway at Fairy Knowe, but the steps are up a 330-foot hill. Getting hunks of granite rock to the remote hill is one problem and digging them in by hand is another. A team of specialist contractors from Wales arrive in Galloway Forest to harvest timber from the most inaccessible areas using a massive system of cables and winches called the skyline. Deep in the forest, conservationists Bill and Christine breed and hand rear hyacinth macaws, the world’s largest flying parrot. And on a remote peatbog the size of 32 football pitches, Graeme Little operates his own customised mulching machine.

Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 8th January 2018)

Julia Bradbury chooses some of her favourite and most accessible family treks from across the UK. In this episode, she sets off on her favourite coastal walk to one of the most famous landmarks on the Jurassic Coast: Old Harry Rocks. Taking in miles of golden sandy beaches and the dramatic history of the bay, Julia’s walk offers a fantastic example of the British coastline at its best.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 8th January 2018)

Forensic crime drama series. As the team investigate the death of a man found in a remote reservoir, Nikki and Jack must deal with the aftermath of their Mexico ordeal.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 9th January 2018)

Armed with his Edwardian Bradshaw’s guide, Michael strikes gold at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, where after much frisking, he gains access to the inner vaults. At Cardiff Arms Park, Michael revisits the scene of a triumphant Welsh victory over the fearsome All Blacks and hears from Welsh international Gerald Davies. In Cardiff Bay, Michael discovers the departure point for one of the Edwardian era’s most famous expeditions – Scott’s ill-fated voyage to the Antarctic. Aboard the racing yacht Challenge Wales, Michael meets young sailors training for a Tall Ships Race.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 9th January 2018)

Forensic crime drama series. Nikki’s suspicions about David Cannon are aroused further when she discovers blood in the boot of his car. With Thomas’s support, she takes samples to process – does it belong to Sally Vaughn? The uncovering of a family murder from the past shines the spotlight on three people who went to the same school.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 10th January 2018)

Michael Portillo discovers the birthplace of British aviation in Bristol and prepares an Airbus 380 for a smooth landing at Filton. In Newport, he uncovers the heroism of a young boy who rescued a workman from a dock disaster, in which many died. Michael discovers the home of a forward-thinking Edwardian family at Eagle House in Batheaston. Frieda Roberts remembers the suffragettes who campaigned for votes for women in the early 20th century and found refuge at the house after their release from prison. And in Clevedon, Michael goes to the movies in a perfectly preserved cinema dating from 1912 and hears about the first film to be shown there.

The Storm That Saved a City (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 10th January 2018)

Documentary about the consequences of the devastating 1968 storm that tore through the central belt, which caused a rethink in the redesigning of Glasgow. In the wake of the storm on January 15, which killed 20 people, a group of young architects and some strong-willed residents came together to save their city, bringing forward the transformation of Glasgow – from Britain’s biggest slum to the cultural capital of Europe.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 11th January 2018)

With purple, green and yellow ribbons flying, and sporting ankle bells, Michael Portillo is led a merry dance in Stogumber – all in the name of fertility. He visits a celebrated Edwardian garden at Hestercombe to discover the fruits of an unusual partnership and learns how to deadhead the roses. There is a trip aboard the longest heritage line in England and the chance to ring in the new era at Exeter Cathedral before dining out in style on King Edward VII’s coronation gala dinner at Bovey Castle.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 11th January 2018)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. DI Mooney and the team enter the high-stakes world of poker when a finalist is poisoned during the Caribbean Poker Masters tournament. The only suspects are sat round the table. When even a twitch of an eye can reveal a player’s hand, just how did the killer commit murder?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 12th January 2018)

Steered by his early 20th-century Bradshaw’s railway guide, Michael Portillo boldly goes to the moon by way of the Cornish Riviera Express. On the trail of an historic achievement made at the dawn of the Edwardian era, he investigates the first radio signal to be sent across the Atlantic. In Plymouth, Michael uncovers what happened to surviving crew members of the most famous ocean liner in history, the Titanic. And at Fowey, he rediscovers a lost literary figure known as Q, who immortalised the town in his novels.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/01/2017

Casualty (BBC 1/HD | 8:25pm to 9:15pm | Saturday 28th January 2017)

Cal’s trust in Alicia is tested by a horrifying discovery, and Charlie and Duffy’s wedding is in jeopardy after Charlie takes things a step too far.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 29th January 2017)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1960s London. Sister Ursula continues to reign with an iron fist and the midwives at Nonnatus House struggle to toe the line, especially when she insists they must not be emotionally involved with their patients. This unpopular new edict is immediately put to the test when new father George Marsh is badly burnt in an explosion at the docks and is unable to support his new family, and when expectant mother Penny Reed and her anxious husband Derek are brought to the attention of Nonnatus House. Penny and Derek both have achondroplasia (colloquially known as dwarfism) and problems with the pregnancy are anticipated, including their baby being stillborn or only living for a short time. As the midwives prepare the Reeds for an infant that may not live, their unconditional devotion to one another and to their unborn child makes a deep impact, especially on Patsy, who is facing one of her toughest decisions yet.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 30th January 2017)

Nikki travels to Mexico when her friend is killed in a carjacking, but she soon makes a discovery that sets her on a collision course with some dangerous and unpredictable forces. Thomas sends Jack to bring Nikki back, but soon he is knee-deep in the unfolding situation.

Tales From the Coast with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 31st January 2017)

Robson Green travels along some of the nation’s most fascinating stretches of coastline. In this episode, he visits the shores of North Devon – the location of some of his most precious childhood holidays – where he traces the origins of the British love affair with the coast. At Ilfracombe, Robson finds out how miners dug a network of tunnels through the cliffs to enable Victorian holidaymakers to access the beach and its tidal pool. His next stop is Clovelly, one of Britain’s best-preserved fishing villages, where he unwittingly finds himself involved in a dramatic clifftop rescue mission. Finally, Robson visits the tiny island of Lundy, where he has a scary encounter with an Atlantic grey seal and attempts to climb a 400-foot high sea cliff nicknamed the Devil’s Slide.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 31st January 2017)

With Nikki locked in a struggle for survival, Jack must use all of his abilities to track her down. When a mysterious person calls to make demands in return for Nikki’s release, Jack’s moral principles are put to the test. And with life and death in the balance, every decision counts.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 2nd February 2017)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. A murder investigation propels the team to London in pursuit of their suspects.

Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 3rd February 2017)

Julia Bradbury chooses some of her favourite and most accessible family treks from across the UK. This edition sees Julia reveal her favourite river walk that follows the tree-green canopy of water-rapids along the East Lyn River and the Hoar Oak River, where they merge at stunning Watersmeet.

The Last Leg (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 3rd February 2017)

The award-winning satirical comedy returns for its tenth series. Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe examine the biggest, most entertaining news stories via the #isitok twitter handle, where viewers tweet in edgy current affairs questions that other shows might duck. In this show, comedian, actor and campaigner Russell Brand helps the team dissect the week’s events.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 21/01/2017

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 22nd January 2017)

Drama about a group of midwives in 1960s London.The midwives receive a rapturous and warm welcome home from their South African adventure but all is not well at Nonnatus House. In their absence, Sister Ursula has been running a very tight ship and it is quickly announced that she will remain in charge at Nonnatus House, above Sisiter Julienne. The midwives are drawn into helping Trudy, a heavily pregnant mother whose husband has just been released from prison for extortion. Gradually, the problems below the surface of their marriage become clear. Trapped and with no clear way out, Trudy’s suffering sends shock waves through Nonnatus House, most noticeably affecting Sister Mary Cynthia who is experiencing increased anxiety following her recent attack. Elsewhere, Shelagh harbours a secret and struggles to tell Dr Turner, and Patsy receives some distressing news about her father in Hong Kong.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 23rd January 2017)

When an East End father and son are killed in a shocking road accident, Nikki and Jack find themselves working alongside a police officer with a vendetta. Clarissa summons her husband Max, a digital forensics expert, to help crack the case – and uncovers disturbing video evidence.

Martin Clunes: Islands of Australia (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 24th January 2017)

Three-part documentary series in which Martin Clunes explores Australia’s many islands. Martin begins the final part of his journey on Mundoo Island. Located in the mouth of Australia’s longest river, the Murray, it is an island farm. Its unique combination of succulent saltmarsh plants and life-giving fresh water make it ideal for beef cattle. Mundoo Island has provided shelter and a way of life for five generations of one farming family. From the coastline of the state of Victoria, Martin crosses a 2,000 foot-long bridge to Phillip Island, one of Australia’s favourite playgrounds. Then he heads south to King Island, situated in the blustery Bass Strait between Tasmania and the mainland. It bears the brunt of the fearsome trade winds from South America, and its shores are littered with one of the highest concentrations of shipwrecks in the continent. Martin completes his odyssey with a visit to see one of Australia’s most iconic creatures – the Tasmanian devil.

Italy’s Invisible Cities (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 25th January 2017)

Documentary series. Using the latest 3D scanning technology, Alexander Armstrong and Dr Michael Scott explore the romantic city of Florence. They reveal how its wonderful facades and artworks mask a hidden story of intrigue and secrecy, and one powerful dynasty was behind it all – the Medicis, godfathers of the Renaissance. Finally, the scanning team build a virtual reality 3D model to reveal how the city’s secret corridors of power were the foundation of the city’s Renaissance glory.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 26th January 2017)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. The president of the Saint Marie cricket club is found shot dead in the middle of the team’s ground. As the sun rises over the island, suspicion falls on his teammates.

Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 27th January 2017)

Julia Bradbury chooses some of her favourite and most accessible family treks from across the UK. This edition sees Julia travel through the rolling plains of Cheshire on one of her favourite countryside walks. With eight counties on show, two castles to explore and spectacular views across to Wales and Liverpool, this is a popular route for dog-walkers and sports folk. Julia’s trek is full of surprises and she certainly packs plenty in.

The Last Leg (CHannel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 27th January 2017)

The award-winning live, satirical comedy show returns for its 10th series. Hosted by Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe they examine the biggest most entertaining news stories via the #isitok twitter handle, where viewers tweet in edgy current affairs questions that other shows might duck. A special celebrity guest join the trio in front of a live audience each week. In the first show much-loved actor David Tennant helps dissect the week’s events.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/01/2017

Sherlock (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:30pm | Sunday 15th January 2017)

Contemporary crime drama, based on the stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. In the final episode of this series, long-buried secrets finally catch up with the Baker Street duo. Someone has been playing a very long game indeed and, alone and defenceless, Sherlock and Dr Watson face their greatest ever challenge. Is the game finally over?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 16th January 2017)

Armed with his Bradshaw’s Handbook, Michael Portillo begins a journey across Ireland. In the port of Wexford, he takes to the seas in a 100-year-old lifeboat and discovers a hero of the American navy. He tunes in to the Meeting of the Waters at the Vale of Avoca, then heads for Wicklow, where he learns of a Victorian project to combat sickness and disease in the capital, Dublin. Embracing the gentler pace of life of a traditional Irish traveller in Victorian times, he ends this leg in a beautiful horse-drawn, barrel-top caravan.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 16th January 2017)

A woman’s body found floating in the Thames leads Nikki and Jack to a riverside community scarred by grief after the disappearance of a teenage girl three years ago.

Britain’s Ancient Capital: Secrets of Orkney (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 16th January 2017)

Three-part series in which Neil Oliver, Chris Packham, Andy Torbet and Dr Shini Somara join hundreds of archaeologists from around the world who have gathered in Orkney to investigate at one of Europe’s biggest digs. Andy Torbet dives below the waves in search of the inspiration for the first stone circle, Chris Packham and Neil Oliver spend the night on an abandoned island as they hunt for clues as to why cultures change, Shini Somara tests the technology behind a Bronze-Age sauna and the archaeologists uncover a remarkable find. e

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 17th January 2017)

At Trinity College, Dublin, Michael Portillo discovers one of Ireland’s greatest treasures and learns how it became the symbol of the nation. There is a chance to sample the black stuff in a Dublin pub before Michael learns how Victorian royals were deployed to calm rocky relations between Britain and Ireland. He explores the magnificent house and gardens of Powerscourt in County Wicklow. Finding an angle on triangulation helps Michael to understand how Ireland was put on the map – and why.

The Paper Thistle: 200 Years of the Scotsman (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th January 2017)

Documentary telling the story of The Scotsman, one of Britain’s most famous newspapers. The Scotsman has been at the heart of Scotland, uncovering corruption, skewering politicians and celebrating the arts for over two centuries, while both reflecting and shaping the nation.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 18th January 2017)

Michael Portillo gets up to speed with modern archaeology in County Meath and uncovers a controversial Victorian dig at the sacred Hill of Tara. He investigates leaping salmon in Leixslip and discovers an electrifying breakthrough at an historic seminary. At Mullingar, Michael bangs the drum for the town’s marching band.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 18th January 2017)

After bereaved mother Ali attacks suspect Aaron, Nikki is under fire for leaking information. Jack and Thomas must bridge internal divisions to track down the killer.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 19th January 2017)

With his Victorian Bradshaw’s guidebook in hand, Michael Portillo crosses the Emerald Isle uncovering Irish identity, forged at a time of political strife. Travelling through the beautiful landscape, Michael learns how it inspired one of the 20th century’s greatest poets, WB Yeats. In Dromod, Michael learns how to make an Irish staple – a potato pancake, known as boxty. At the home of the father of Irish fiddling, Michael attempts to master a traditional Irish dance.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 19th January 2017)

Detective drama series set on a Caribbean island. Humphrey and Martha’s romantic weekend at the remote Hotel Cecile is disrupted by the murder of the hotel owner on the first night of their stay.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 20th January 2017)

On the last leg of Michael Portillo’s long journey from Wexford to Westport, a fashionable Victorian seaweed bath is followed by a steamy scene in Ballina. On tenterhooks in Foxford, Michael discovers the visionary charity of an entrepreneurial nun. He learns of a double tragedy at Clew Bay and begins a pilgrimage to the summit of Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick.

Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 20th January 2017)

Julia Bradbury chooses some of her favourite and most accessible family treks from across the UK. This episode sees Julia heading to Loch Lomond’s bonnie banks for her favourite lake walk – with two walks in one. Taking in the popular West Highland Way, it is just a quick boat ride to the idyllic island of Inchailloch, a jewel in Loch Lomond’s crown, for stunning views over the Loch.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 30/01/2016

The Secret Life of the Zoo - 02-02-2016 - YouView appCall the Midwife (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 31st January 2016)

A outbreak of typhoid erupts, and suspicion over who the carrier could be threatens to break apart a closely knit family. Sister Winfred faces a personal dilemma when a local teacher is revealed to be pregnant by a married man. When the woman takes matters into her own hands, Sister Winifred is forced to consider the role her own prejudices may have played. Meanwhile, Barbara inadvertently agrees to go to dinner with Tom, but is wracked with worry about how Trixie will react.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael begins his American odyssey in New York City. Starting at Grand Central Terminal, the ‘gateway to the nation’, he boards the Manhattan subway system, the busiest rail transit system in the US. His first stop is the Rockefeller Centre, where he gets a bird’s eye view of Manhattan Island and learns how about the technology which enabled the city to build up. Portillo heads to the Financial District, where, over a Lobster Newberg, he finds out how the dodgy political dealings of the era’s famous industrialists earned them the nickname ‘Robber Barons’. He observes their better side at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as he learns that philanthropy helped the city’s burgeoning art scene, before finishing his journey midtown, among the bright lights of Broadway.

Griff’s Great Britain (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

Griff Rhys Jones sets out to explore some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes. In this episode, Griff looks at the British passion for being beside the sea, visiting a unique stretch of the British coastline. Beginning at the historic North Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, he then travels up to the picturesque port of Whitby for some ghostly adventures.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 1st February 2016)

The Lyell team investigate the shooting of a family who were picnicking by the river. DCI Butcher, leading the investigation, soon focuses on the female victim’s estranged husband. However, DS Guillam, a local detective working on the case, is haunted by the death of a young woman near the river ten years ago and sees an opportunity to redeem himself. A medical registrar is reminded of the same death a decade ago – the victim was her friend – and she is forced to confront the high-powered people she has been trying desperately to forget.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael continues his American journey in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where he narrowly avoids a scrap with an historic gang of New York and visits the grim tenement buildings where thousands of the city’s immigrants lived and worked. In the West Side, Michael discovers how a once lethal run of track has been transformed into a public park, raised above the city streets. Forsaking the rails for a ferry, Michael heads for Ellis Island, where some 12 million immigrants entered America. Michael is given a privileged tour of the gleaming new transport hub under construction close to the site of Ground Zero.

The Secret Life of the Zoo (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

This new series reveals the secret life of the animals of Chester Zoo, Britain’s most popular zoo, using new micro-rig technology to capture in incredible detail the remarkable behaviour of the animals and their close relationships with their keepers. In the first episode, the zoo’s Asian elephant family welcome a new arrival. Grumpy matriarch Thi has been pregnant for almost two years and is reaching the end of her tether. She’s given birth to a stillborn baby in the past, so the keepers have a close eye on her. Not everyone in the family is looking forward to the birth. Playful Hari, the youngest member of the herd, is feeling left out. No longer the golden child, he starts acting up, taking his frustrations out on grandmother Sithami.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 2nd February 2016)

As DCI Butcher moves closer to charging the estranged husband of the family killed at the picnic, Jack and Nikki join DS Guillam in search of the truth. The team begin to realise they may have been looking down the wrong end of the telescope, and their lives are thrown into mortal danger. Soon enough, they are thrust into an unexpected and depraved world, and further murders are discovered. Jack and Nikki must fight to escape and bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, Amy’s dark past begins to catch up with her and she must decide whether to keep it buried or confront it head-on, risking her medical career and everything else in order to escape her demons. Amy’s nightmare and the Lyell’s investigation begin to converge. And when the crimes are linked to people in very high places, the team experience the difficulty of bringing the rich and powerful to justice.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 3rd February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. From Manhattan, Michael follows his Appleton’s Guide east, travelling on the Long Island Railroad. He begins in Brooklyn, where he learns the incredible story behind the world’s first steel suspension bridge. Divided by a common language, Michael struggles to order a pizza before continuing to Queens and the site of an ambitious engineering project that will transform New York City’s rail network. Moving east through Long Island, he visits one of the country’s most decadent mansions, owned by an oil tycoon known as Mr Monopoly, where he gets into a flap dancing the Charleston, before ending his journey on Long Island’s eastern most tip at New York’s first lighthouse.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael follows America’s mighty Hudson River north, riding on the United States’ national rail carrier service, Amtrak. He learns from Amtrak’s police chief about some of the nation’s most infamous train robbers, then upriver at Tarrytown, he is spooked by the stories of one of America’s greatest writers, Washington Irving, author of Sleepy Hollow. On the east bank of the Hudson, he stops at Garrison, site of many guerrilla battles during the Wars of Independence, where he hears about the greatest turncoat in American history and learns about the many famous military leaders who trained at West Point.

Cats v Dogs: Which is Best? (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out to find the definitive answer to the burning question – which are best, cats or dogs? Based at one of Britain’s largest cat and dog veterinary centres, Chris and Liz test different aspects of each animal. Round one tests whether either species can understand numbers. In Vienna, Chris discovers that dogs can discriminate between higher and lower numbers of dots and Liz tries out the test on cats with surprising results. Round two tests which animal has the better vision, sense of smell and hearing. Chris challenges sniffer dog Boris to find him in a busy city. The final round looks at whether cats or dogs are the most physically agile by testing which can jump the highest, which is the fastest sprinter and which the best endurance runner. Chris also comes face to face with a pack of wolves whilst Liz confronts an Arabian wild cat. Together, they put our favourite pets under the microscope to see how they compare.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm 1o 10:00pm | Thursday 4th February 2016)

DI Goodman’s aunt Mary comes to visit him, but things take an unexpected turn when she becomes the only witness to the murder of a tourist. Some unorthodox advice on love from Dwayne leaves JP in a spin.

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America, armed with Appleton’s General Guide to the United States, published in 1879. Michael Portillo continues his railroad journey through New York State following his Appleton’s Guide. Beginning in the city of Poughkeepsie, he visits a famous all-female university, alma mater of Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep. He discovers the tumultuous history of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge and follows the train line up to the Catskill Mountains, admiring its picturesque scenery from an altogether different type of line – a zip wire. Back on safe ground, he discovers that the dramatic landscape inspired artists of the Hudson River School. Arriving in New York’s state capital, Albany, he samples a drop of Albany Ale before rubbing shoulders with the State Senator.

Landward Special – The Great Scottish Flood (BBC 1 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

A special edition of Scotland’s countryside magazine. Dougie Vipond and the team meet the homeowners, landowners and farmers who bore the brunt of this winter’s extreme flooding. They ask what can be done to protect people from such dramatic damage ever again.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

The murder investigation takes Perez and Tosh to Glasgow as they try to uncover the reasons behind Maguire’s brutal death and his connection to Robbie Morton. But old ghosts return to haunt Perez as his enemies try to prevent him from getting to the truth.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Series featuring inspirational walks from around Britain. Andrew White walks above and alongside 2 large bodies of water – Ladybower Reservoir and Windermere.

The Last Leg Goes Down Under (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:10pm | Friday 5th February 2016)

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker – hosts of the award-winning The Last Leg – head to the Australian wilderness for the ultimate outback road trip. Adam plots his revenge after four years of verbal abuse from English co-hosts Josh and Alex about his home country, Australia with the help of blind adventure travel guide Amar Latif. In the concluding show, having driven the length of the Northern Territory, the lads have one week to get from the opal mining town of Coober Pedy to Sydney in time to meet Adam’s 97-year-old grandfather. En route they try mining for opals, survive dressing in drag in an edgy town, hunt wild boars and go the full ‘Mad Max’. Josh and Alex are struggling with Adam’s transformation from mildly Aussie suburbanite to the most Australian thing since Mick Dundee and his attempts to Aussie-up the pair of them. Will their matey rapport survive the arduous journey or is this the last straw for The Last Leg?

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 23/01/2016

The Restoration Man - 28-01-2016 - YouView appHorse (BBC 2/HD | 7:20pm to 9:35pm | Saturday 23rd January 2016)

Wartime drama. It is 1914, and struggling Devon farmer Ted Narracott buys a remarkable but unsuitable horse at auction. His son Albert names him Joey and, under pressure from their unscrupulous landlord, somehow trains Joey to work the farm. But when war breaks out, Joey is requisitioned by the army to serve at the front and begins a remarkable adventure that takes him far from Albert and the fields of Devon.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 24th January 2016)

Barbara experiences the biggest test of her career when a struggling dockworker’s wife is forced into a difficult decision about her impending delivery. Nurse Crane meets a new friend who promises great adventure but conceals a secret. Sister Evangelina is forced to take action when a mistake comes to light.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

Michael begins a new journey through the home counties in Ashford, Kent, lending a hand at a state-of-the-art train maintenance plant, home to the High Speed 1 rolling stock – a modern railway hub in a Victorian railway town. A visit to a historic make-up brand reveals the foundations of the Victorian cosmetics industry. Taking the tracks east to Marden, Michael is moved by music played on Queen Victoria’s personal piano before ending his journey in Sevenoaks at Knole House, seat of the Sackville-West family, where he learns of its colourful history.

Griff’s Great Britain (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

Griff explores Dartmoor National Park, the largest and wildest area of open country in the south of England. The park is home to ancient woodlands, high granite tors, vast tracts of rolling moorland as well as churches, cream teas, llamas and legends.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 25th January 2016)

The accidental fatal shooting of a Polish teenager in an armed police operation puts the firearms division responsible under immense public scrutiny. After the inquest delivers a lawful killing verdict, the mutilated body of a Turkish man is found in close proximity to the original incident, leading IPCC investigator Vicky Sharpe to question whether there is a link. Sharpe approaches the Lyell to seek their help in reviewing the armed police shooting evidence. As revelations about the shooting threaten to emerge, further bodies are discovered and the team are drawn into the world of Turkish gangsters, a grieving Polish family hell bent on justice and a fractured firearms unit attempting to put a year of accusations and interrogations behind them.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

At East Grinstead, Michael dons a boiler suit and takes to the footplate of a loco on the Bluebell Railway, Britain’s first passenger carrying heritage line. Travelling north to Merstham, Surrey, Michael experiences an explosive encounter as he witnesses the power of dynamite first-hand. Moving east through Surrey countryside, he visits the stunningly situated Leith Hill Place to explore the compositions of the great British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The journey ends near Guildford with the story of a giant of Victorian art – GF Watts.

Tricks of the Restaurant Trade (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

In the fourth episode of the series that lifts the lid on the restaurant industry, Kate Quilton and Simon Rimmer chow down on fried chicken, focusing on the two big players: KFC and Nando’s. KFC has over 890 outlets in the UK, but Simon’s never eaten there. As well as sampling his first ever KFC, he attempts to recreate Colonel Sanders’ famous secret recipe; can a KFC superfan tell the difference? Peri-peri chicken chain Nando’s inspires cult-like devotion among its customers. Celebrities like Ed Sheeran, JLS and Dizzee Rascal have all raved about it, which may have something to do with their celebrity High Five card. Apparently you’ll never get one if you ask; nonetheless Simon tries to procure one of these mysterious cards.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

When the body of an armed police officer is found, the team join the manhunt for supposed cop killer Bruno, hoping to apprehend him before more officers can be killed. Jack hopes to reach the suspect first and talk him into handing himself in before more damage is done. In doing so, he uncovers links to London’s small but devastating gun trade. Meanwhile, the murder of their colleague forces the other armed police officers to question their safety, and soon their paranoia leads them to scrutinise each other’s behaviour. As further victims fall prey to the killer, the pathology and forensics begin to point to a highly trained individual. The team rally round Jack as he searches for the truth. He must put himself in jeopardy in order to discover who is responsible for the murders, and what really happened during the armed police operation.

The Mad World of Donald Trump (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 26th January 2016)

Matt Frei enters the colourful and mad world of presidential hopeful Donald Trump, whose meteoric political rise comes amid one of the most controversial political campaigns America has ever seen. Trump’s plans to ban all Muslims from entering the States and to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out have outraged many in the States and beyond. Discover the man behind the brand, from the multiple divorces, the bankruptcies and the public insults aimed at women who crossed him to claims of bullying Scottish residents who stood in the way of his golf resort. It’s the all-consuming story of a privileged multi-billionaire tycoon who has now decided to use his considerable resource to become the most powerful person on the planet. Frei is also on the campaign trail, meeting those who oppose Trump as well as his fervent supporters who believe he is the epitome of American success and will deliver on his promise to ‘Make America great again’.
(High Definition, Subtitles)

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 27th January 2016)

Michael’s journey through the home counties continues at Woking, Surrey, where Michael uncovers the story of Britain’s first purpose-built crematorium, a response to overcrowded cemeteries and London’s ever-expanding population. A trip to world-famous Wisley Gardens sheds light on the work of the Royal Horticultural Society, as Michael gets green fingered. Swapping trees and tranquillity for the roar of a motor car, at Weybridge Michael visits Brooklands the birthplace of motor racing and gets behind the wheel of a vintage Bentley racing car. As this journey leg draws to a close, Portillo goes camping at Walton-on-Thames and learns about the unlikely origins of a leisure pursuit that is going strong today.

Children Saved from the Nazis: The Story of Sir Nicholas Winton (BBC 1/HD | 10:45pm to 11:45pm | Wednesday 27th January 2016)

Documentary telling the extraordinary story of how Nicholas Winton rescued 669 children from the clutches of the Nazis, bringing them by train to Britain. In 1939 Europe was on the brink of war, and with Hitler invading Czechoslovakia, the lives of the Jewish population was threatened. Winton, a young British stockbroker, decided to do everything possible to save the lives of as many Jewish children as he could. In order to provide a degree of credibility with both the British and Nazi governments of the day, Winton single-handedly established the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia – Children’s Section, using it to obtain passports and visas for the children. He then organised for each child to be adopted by families throughout the country and their safe passage across Europe and into Britain. For nearly fifty years, Nicholas told no-one of his heroic deeds.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

A royal residence beckons for Michael as he is treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s longest vine at Hampton Court Palace. Maintaining a royal theme, Michael is drawn to Esher to visit stately Claremont House, where tragic circumstances led directly to the birth of the Victorian era. Moving up the line to Wimbledon, Michael is challenged to a duel on the common, the site of a historic and memorable duelling event. This journey ends in Teddington, where the story of a Victorian reformer whose work revolutionised the care for those living with learning disabilities is uncovered.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

The team must solve a deeply personal case when Dwayne’s old mentor is found dead and a text message indicates it was murder. DI Goodman tries to unleash his inner gourmand.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 28th January 2016)

Restoration novices Mark Hinchcliffe and Laura Rushton have hatched a risky plan to convert two beautiful but crumbling church buildings into family homes in Harrogate. The project hangs on them successfully transforming the listed Sunday school building – as all the profits from its sale are needed to turn the cavernous Victorian church into Mark and Laura’s own home. The stunning Sunday school conversion shows they are born restorers, but can they keep up their high standards as the hidden costs of modernising these neglected structures start to spiral?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Michael begins the final leg of this journey through the home counties at Egham, where a perfectly preserved, historic steam fair offers the original white-knuckle ride. Across town lies the palatial Royal Holloway College, now part of the University of London, where Michael discovers the institution’s philanthropic roots. Moving on to Berkshire, Michael drops in at a factory that manufactures a famously sleep-inducing beverage with historic roots. This journey ends riverside at Henley-on-Thames, where Michael takes to the water and learns that rowing in an eight is a challenging business.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Come and take a stroll with the Walks Around Britain team as they take us on fun and easily accessible walks from across the British Isles.

The Last Leg Goes Down Under (Channel 4/HD | 10:00pm to 11:05pm | Friday 29th January 2016)

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker – hosts of the award-winning The Last Leg – head to the Australian wilderness for the ultimate outback road trip. Adam plots his revenge after four years of verbal abuse from English co-hosts Josh and Alex about his home country, Australia. He wants to show the lads that Australia isn’t the silly place they thought it was, but in fact a searing hot, unforgiving hell hole, stuffed full of people who are hard as nails. In the first episode, they head from Darwin to Uluru where their fantasies of beaches and sunshine are replaced by camping out with deadly snakes and spiders, confronting hard-faced biker gangs and generally embracing a real-life Crocodile Dundee experience. Adam seems transformed, but Josh and Alex wonder if a nervous breakdown looms. The guys find out a few new things about each other along the journey while turning each encounter into an exciting and richly comedic journey.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 16/01/2016

Call the Midwife - 17-01-2016 - YouView appCall the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 17th January 2016)

Easter approaches, and midwives are shaken by the birth of a baby with severe, unexplained deformities. Meanwhile, Trixie begins teaching her brand new keep-fit classes, but a medical emergency for one of her group makes her question the relationship between women and their bodies.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 18th January 2016)

Every train ride begins with a whistle and Michael Portillo’s new railway journey is no exception, blasting off from Birmingham’s jewellery quarter to the sound of the Acme whistle, manufactured there since 1884. A visit to the city’s town hall reveals a magnificent organ and the location for a celebrated music festival. Travelling south to Kidderminster, Michael reports for duty at the Post Office, where he sorts the letters and discovers more about the great postal innovator Sir Rowland Hill, before heading out to deliver the Royal Mail. 19th-century quack doctors and their bogus remedies are exposed in Worcester, where Michael discovers the origins of the British Medical Association.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 18th January 2016)

When an ex-convict is found brutally murdered in his home, the Lyell team is introduced to Sasha Blackburn, a forensic psychologist who works closely with those released from prison on life licence. The victim was a client of Sasha’s, and so is one of the suspects: Paul Raynott, a vulnerable young man trying to turn his life around with Sasha’s help. Several other members of the life licence community are drawn into the investigation, each at varying stages of rehabilitation having served time for murder. Whilst the team learn how fragile their freedom really is, Sasha’s close relationship with these damaged men is called into question, as is whether she really knows what’s best for them. There are concerns over Paul’s safety in particular, whose fragile state of mind and desperate need for rehabilitation mean he may be just as much a danger to himself as others.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

He heads for the sharp end of the Victorian industrial revolution at a needle manufactory in Redditch. The Freemasons of Cheltenham invite Michael into their lodge to share the secrets of their society. In Gloucester, he learns how to make Gloucester cheese. Continuing on to Highnam, Michael is glad to discover the beautiful Victorian Gothic church of Thomas Parry and to join the Gloucester Choral Society in a rendition of Jerusalem composed by Thomas’s son Hubert.

Tricks of the Restaurant Trade (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

There are more than a quarter of a million places to eat out in the UK. Most families eat out a couple of times a week, so how can they ensure that they receive good food, a fair price and a great experience? Consumers may not know much about what goes on behind the scenes in restaurants, but that changes in this episode, which reveals that many restaurants serve pre-prepared meals, desserts and cocktails, ordered in from outside catering suppliers, with some restaurants serving meals that might have been made many miles away. Now that chains make up over 40% of all restaurants, the way they prepare food has changed radically. Would you care if your cocktail came ready-made in a carton?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 19th January 2016)

After the team discovers that suspect Paul may not be who he says he is, and was involved in an infamous murder in the past, the investigation revisits the fifteen-year-old case. Wounds are re-opened for the family of the victim as Paul’s psychopathic accomplice in the historical murder is visited in the hope that he can shed light on the current investigation. Further victims are killed and a distinctive, sadistic modus operandi begins to become clear. The team turns to forensic psychologist Sasha for advice on the killer, but her proximity to the suspects puts her viewpoint in doubt. As the team move closer to discovering who the killer is, they question whether a murderer can truly be rehabilitated and what that rehabilitation really means.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 20th January 2016)

Michael takes pot luck on the snooker table as he investigates the Victorian origins of the game and finds out what it takes to produce the fine green cloth which smoothes the path of the balls. In Cirencester, he ploughs a crooked furrow at the Royal Agricultural College before taking tea with the ladies in Bath, where he also discovers a scandalous novel written by an eccentric recluse, once the wealthiest man in England.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

Armed with his Bradshaw’s guidebook, Michael enters the foul-smelling world of a Victorian tannery. In Nailsea, he discovers how mountains of bird droppings made one of the greatest fortunes of the era for a 19th-century entrepreneur, who spent his wealth building churches and chapels and one of the most luxurious country houses in Britain. Reaching Glastonbury, Michael heads for the mystical abbey, where Victorian tourists flocked to hear stories of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

DI Goodman finds himself embroiled in the highly strung world of modelling when a young star is strangled in the middle of a fashion show. JP bumps into an old flame.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 21st January 2016)

Thirty years after starting to restore a Georgian gazebo tower built on top of Pembroke’s medieval city walls, retired businessman Bruce Woodall finally takes on the challenge of finishing it. But Bruce discovers that since his architect drew up the plans, conservation laws have changed and the ‘scheduled ancient monument’ beneath the tower threatens to shut down the build for good. As George unravels this local landmark’s 500-hundred year-old secrets, its place in key chapters in English and Welsh history becomes clear. But has the gazebo tower’s story finally come to an end?

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

Following his Bradshaw’s Guidebook, Michael stands trial at the Bloody Assizes in Taunton and feels the full force of the law. He gets to grips with a miracle of Victorian engineering on the Somerset Levels at Westonzoyland and on Dartmoor he embarks on a mid-19th-century treasure hunt still popular today.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

DI Jimmy Perez is convinced that Michael Maguire is somehow implicated in the death of Robbie Morton. But with the investigation seemingly under threat before it’s even started, he faces an uphill battle to uncover the truth behind Maguire’s silence.

Walks Around Britain (Community Channel | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 22nd January 2016)

Come and take a stroll with the Walks Around Britain team as they take us on fun and easily accessible walks from across the British Isles.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 09/01/2016

Shetland - 15-01-2016 - YouView appMy Mediterranean with Adrian Chiles (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 10th January 2016)

Adrian Chiles tours the colourful religious festivals of the Mediterranean to find out whether his choice of church was an accident of birth and geography. This episode finds Adrian in Rome, riding a Vespa with Father Gianni on the pillion. The pair speculate on whether having a priest accompanying him to the pearly gates improves or damages Adrian’s chances of entry to heaven. Adrian then joins the faithful in St Peter’s Square to listen to the man he describes as ‘chairman and chief executive’ of his own religion. Later, an 80-year-old cardinal tries to remain unflustered as Adrian makes his first confession in eight years. He observes the Sabbath with a Jewish family, but his brief flirtation with Judaism is cut short when he learns that becoming a Jew is not easy. He cooks with the nuns of Marseille, and visits a Roman Catholic school where 80% of the children are Muslims and where he declares the head teacher to be ‘the most inspiring person I have ever met’.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Monday 11th January 2016)

Michael Portillo embarks on a railway journey along the south coast of Britain. Beginning in the port of Dover, he is inspired by a brave Victorian sea captain to plunge into the English Channel. A spectacular miniature steam railway, one third the size of his customary mode of transport, conveys him from Romney Marsh to Dungeness. In elegant Eastbourne, he discovers how the refined Victorian upper crust was attracted to the town by design of the 7th Duke of Devonshire. He ends his journey in truly eccentric English style at the Glyndebourne opera festival on the South Downs.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 11th January 2016)

The murder of a well-known anti-fundamentalist Muslim, Amir Aziz, leads the Lyell team to question who would kill this peaceful but outspoken man. Suspicion quickly falls on a local taxi driver, revealed as a member of the English Defence League whose son was killed by a Taliban IED. The team are joined in the investigation by DI Nina Ryman. Ryman knew Aziz and believed him to be a good man, but her faith in him is called into question when it is discovered that Aziz was in correspondence with a wanted drug smuggler before his death.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Tuesday 12th January 2016)

Following his Bradshaw’s handbook, Michael Portillo examines the nation’s hidden defences against potential invaders, beginning in the port of Newhaven. Detouring north to Balcombe, he interrupts his journey to appreciate two magnificent engineering achievements – the Ouse Valley Viaduct and the Clayton Tunnel – and learns of a gruesome murder. High on top of a favourite Victorian beauty spot, Michael learns how trains once brought hordes of day trippers here to walk and fly kites. Michael ends this leg of his journey in Worthing, where he finds a novel way to pick tomatoes.

Tricks of the Restaurant Trade (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Tuesday 12th January 2016)

There are more than a quarter of a million places to eat out in the UK. Most families eat out a couple of times a week, so how can they ensure that they receive good food, a fair price and a great experience? Kate Quilton, chef Simon Rimmer and reporter Adam Pearson investigate how customers can get the best quality food and service, and reveal some of the techniques that restaurants use to make you spend more. In this episode, the team put British pizzas to the test. How do two very non-traditional pizzas from takeaway chain Papa John’s compare with an authentic Italian pizza and which will the diners at an Italian restaurant prefer? Can you really improve the traditional Italian classic with curried chicken, spices, fruit and countless other ingredients?

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 12th January 2016)

Thomas must put his personal feelings aside as the team track down Begovic before she and her extremist compatriots strike out again. It soon becomes clear that Begovic isn’t working alone and may not have been the one who shot Ryman. In fact, her accomplice may be a man previously assumed dead.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Wednesday 13th January 2016)

Michael Portillo arrives in Littlehampton, where he discovers how Victorian engineers dug deep to defend the town’s residents from cholera and learns how their drills still access clean water around the world. At Gosport, he experiences first-hand the lethal firepower unleashed on the French and learns how the Victorians were engaged in a furious arms race against them. At the family home of Florence Nightingale in the New Forest, Michael finds out what motivated the Lady of the Lamp, before seizing the chance to drive the first motor car at Beaulieu.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Thursday 14th January 2016)

Armed with his Bradshaw’s Handbook, Michael Portillo arrives in the sailing haven of Lymington where he makes a lifesaving discovery. Exploring Dorchester’s literary landscape, he finds out how the coming of the railways inspired the work of the region’s greatest writer – Thomas Hardy. Weaving his way to Axminster, Michael tries his hand at carpet making. His last stop is Exmouth, home to Francis Danby, a forgotten Victorian landscape artist.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 14th January 2016)

The team enter the shady world of island politics when the outgoing governor of Saint Marie is poisoned at her leaving party. Meanwhile, DI Goodman dives into the even murkier world of online dating.

The Restoration Man (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 14th January 2016)

When Lee Head spotted a Victorian railway station for sale in Northumberland, he saw the opportunity of a lifetime. He drew up a master plan for the rest of the site to pay for converting the main station into a family home; and saving money by doing all the building work alone at weekends. The sheer scale of the challenge has not been helped by planning restrictions. George Clarke gives Lee a hand when he can, and investigates the story behind why such a fine rural railway station never had a chance to achieve its promise.

Great British Railway Journeys (BBC 2/HD | 6:30pm to 7:00pm | Friday 15th January 2016)

In Plymouth, Michael finds out about the Royal Navy’s fighting spirit and mixes his own blend of ruin. Crossing into Cornwall, Michael learns about the last bridge to be built by one of his heroes, the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. By Tre, Pol and Pen, he comes to know Cornishmen and how to prepare the perfect pasty. His journey ends in a small village which in Victorian times became a hub of global communications.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 15th January 2016)

When a young man disappears on the Aberdeen to Shetland ferry crossing and a small boy ends up in intensive care, DI Jimmy Perez and his team investigate and become convinced the two events are connected.

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