Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC 1/HD | 8:10pm to 9:10pm | Saturday 3rd February 2024)

The comedian hosts an evening of entertainment, giving Alison Hammond a rude awakening to play the Midnight Game Show, presenting Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson with the chance to become the Unexpected Star Star of the Show and coming up with a witty text message on singer Anne-Marie’s mobile to send to all her contacts. There’s also a performance by James Blunt.

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 4th February 2024)

Violet plans a day at the seaside – her first key event since becoming mayor. Having returned to Poplar, Cyril is working with problem families in the area, arranging for some to attend a new playgroup at St Oswald’s church. He invites them, including heavily pregnant Lindy Webster, to the excursion. Despite the poor weather everyone has a good time, but the atmosphere quickly changes when Lindy goes into labour. Dr Turner and Shelagh are blindsided when May’s future with them is called into question, Nurse Crane helps a young couple cope with a rare cancer diagnosis, while Trixie finally passes her driving test.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 4th February 2024) ** NEW SERIES + PICK OF THE WEEK **

The Caribbean-set crime drama returns, and there is a double celebration as the show marks its landmark 100th episode and Commissioner Selwyn Patterson celebrates 50 years of service. However, the party is cut short when the boss is shot by a mysterious assassin and left fighting for his life. As the team members search for the culprit, will the police veteran survive? Starring Ralf Little, Don Warrington and Shantol Jackson.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 5th February 2024)

Death by a Thousand Hits (Part 1). Series 27, episode 7. As the team investigate the death of a Burmese man found on an abandoned beach, his young pregnant wife desperately hopes he is still alive. Nikki and Jack find themselves in uncharted territory as they piece together the perplexing crime scene that poses more questions than it answers. Part one of two.

Putin vs the West (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 5th February 2024)

Doubling Down. Series 2, episode 2. Part two of two. A look at how the impact of the war in Ukraine was felt across the globe, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres describing a face-to-face meeting with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin to try to work with him to avoid a world food crisis. On the ground in Ukraine, the fighting became more deadly and the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine and his main advisers reveal how they lobbied the West for weapons, but came up against growing pressure to negotiate with Russia.

Waterloo Road (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 7th February 2024)

After coming head-to-head with Schuey, the school is up in arms and Amy is left regretting her actions. Dean and Noel make an exciting discovery but Kelly Jo brings Dean crashing back down to earth with a life-changing revelation. Samia and Libby’s plan to purposely fail their mocks backfires spectacularly.

Silent Witness (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 7th February 2024)

Death by a Thousand Hits (Part 2). Series 27, episode 8.  Nikki makes a breakthrough that leaves the team questioning who they can and can’t trust. The Lyell is compromised in an unexpected way as the team strive to find the truth about the man on the beach and why he was killed. Part two of two.

The Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle for Britain (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 8th February 2024)

Power. Series 1, episode 3. The actions of millionaire Tory supporter David Hart, who worked behind the scenes to help Margaret Thatcher’s government defeat the prolonged strike by exploiting divisions between working and striking miners in the key county of Nottinghamshire. When – with Hart’s help – legal action was brought against the National Union of Mineworkers to freeze bank accounts, its chief executive Roger Windsor sought money from a controversial source – Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi. Then, in March 1985, beaten union leader Arthur Scargill announced the strike was over.

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