A definitive guide to the best telly on air next week!
Monday 8th February
M4, 9pm – Darcey Bussell’s Wild Coasts of Scotland
In this brand-new, four-part series, Dame Darcey Bussell swaps her famous pointe shoes for walking boots as she heads to the beautiful islands off the west coast of Scotland, to explore their stunning landscapes and find out more about her own Scottish ancestry. Her Scottish grandfather, as a young boy, spent most of his summers on the Isle of Bute, speaking of magical landscapes and spectacular sights that Darcey has only ever seen in pictures. Her picture-perfect journey takes in Skye, the Outer Hebrides, Islay, Jura and finally, Bute, where she sees for the first time the house where her grandfather spent so many of his childhood summers. From scallops and swimming in Skye, whisky in Islay and rare breed ponies in Uist to sheepdog handling and the fine art of sword dancing in Bute, Darcey meets many different people who call these islands home and gets to indulge her passion for dance. In this first episode, Darcey's Scottish odyssey begins on one of the most beautiful and best-known islands off the west coast - the Isle of Skye - where she tries scallops fresh from the loch, has a go at step dancing and goes wild swimming in honour of her grandfather. On her first stop, she meets weaver Maggie Williams who shows her how to operate a loom. Darcey then joins the young environmentalists keeping their beaches clean for wildlife and hears about the work being done to look after Skye's otters. Sophie Stephenson, who's keeping Skye's ancient dancing tradition alive, teaches Darcey some new moves and Meena Watts, who runs a successful business making and selling sea salt and teaches Bollywood dance classes, offers Darcey an impromptu lesson on the shoreline! Diver David Oakes, who fishes for scallops by hand, treats Darcey to an alfresco scallop lunch at the edge of one of Skye's most stunning lochs, but not before she's shown how to shuck her own. And Skye's dark past is revealed when Darcey pays a visit to Kilchrist, a ruined village laid waste during the Highland Clearances, before her day ends with a wild swim in memory of her grandfather in one of Skye's many beautiful hidden pools.
C4, 9pm – Undercover Police: Hunting Paedophiles
A new series that goes undercover with the covert officers targeting people who pose a sexual threat to children. Each programme follows an officer who, after assuming a new identity online, is tasked with engaging with people who have demonstrated a sexual interest in children. With the National Crime Agency estimating that there are now 300,000 people in the UK posing a sexual threat to children, this hard-hitting series, three years in the making, has gained exclusive access to a previously unseen undercover unit. Cameras watch on as officers race to gather the evidence that will help bring to justice child sex offenders hiding on the internet, before they can harm more children. In the first episode, an undercover officer assumes the identity of a 47-year-old paedophile. His fake profile is named 'Simon', a man who claims he enjoys sexually abusing his 10-year-old daughter and is looking for other men who would like to join him in abusing her. Within hours of logging into a chatroom designed for children, the undercover officer has made contact with dozens of men who show a sexual interest in his 'daughter'. The investigation proceeds as officers try to identify one of these men who forms a close bond with 'Simon', as they plan the shocking abuse of a young child. The episode also explores how many offenders now engage with victims online in a world that has very little regulation; and how engaging with perpetrators undercover casts an emotional shadow over even the toughest undercover officers. By following the team who are asked to submerge themselves deep into this disturbing world on the public's behalf, the series explores difficult questions around the causes of paedophilia and the best way of tackling it.
Tuesday 9th February
M4, 9pm – Escape to the Chateau
Six years ago, Dick and Angel Strawbridge transformed a magnificent 19th-century chateau in the French countryside into an incredible family home and a base for their wedding and events business. And although life is a little different in 2020, Dick and Angel's family adventure continues. It's been a long hot summer at the chateau. The walled garden is bursting with a bumper crop of fruit and veg, gorgeous Kerry blue puppy Petale, the newest member of the Strawbridge family, is growing fast, as are Dorothy and Arthur. Dick and Angel's never-ending chateau to-do list is as long as ever, and with no guests, weddings or events at the chateau this year, Dick and Angel use their engineering and design skills to tackle some major projects. First on the list is transforming one of the old outbuildings into a supersized workshop for chateau-sized jobs. But before work can begin, the floor above must be emptied of decades of debris and, amid the rubbish, Dick and Angel discover that the chateau still has secrets to share.
C4, 10pm – First Dates: Valentine’s
It's Valentine's Day at the brand new First Dates restaurant in Manchester, and Fred and the staff are serving up an extra portion of love for some hopeful singletons. Wedding planner Alexandra, the 'Bridget Jones of Northampton', is looking to be swept off her feet. Her Valentine is Tom, who also happens to work in the wedding industry. Will they both say 'I do' to a second date? Retired politician Roger is looking for someone to travel and share adventures with. The 71-year-old meets fellow jetsetter Jean, who hasn't given up on love just yet. Delivery driver Adam is yet to meet someone who doesn't think he's 'a bit too much'. His Valentine's catch of the day is fun-loving Charlie, who likes 'a bit of banter'. But what will she make of Adam's howlers? West End actor and performer Joseph suffers stage fright when it comes to love. Could fellow musical theatre enthusiast Finn be the one to land the role as Joseph's first boyfriend?
Wednesday 10th February
E4, 7.30pm – Married At First Sight Australia
Off the back of some rocky homestays at the brides' houses, a few relationships are on thin ice as they head into the next dinner party. As the couples arrive separately, different sides of what unfolded during the homestays are shared with the group.
C4, 9pm – Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig
In this brand-new series, broadcaster and national treasure Sandi Toksvig explores the delights of the UK's wildest, most remote and beautifully designed holiday digs, accompanied by some of the nation's most fascinating and funny women who she's been longing to spend quality time with. Sandi's given the keys to some of the very best staycation spots for her and her guests - all awe-inspiring properties built to make the most of the stunning landscape around them. From a lighthouse cottage on a private island near the Isle of Skye and a stunning tree house in the Wye Valley, to the only nature reserve in England in which you can stay, every episode visits a different region and promises hidden away places offering glorious sanctuary. In this first episode, Sandi Toksvig's joined by legendary actor Alison Steadman in the wilds of Suffolk. Sandi discovers that the Gavin and Stacey and Pride and Prejudice star is also a passionate nature lover and seeks out some extraordinary escapes in the wilds of Suffolk. Starting on the Heritage Coast, they discover the imposing 19th-century Martello Tower. Once a wreck, this unique building has been lovingly transformed into an architecturally stunning home for guests that makes the most of the panoramic views and remote beach on its doorstep. It's the perfect escape for Alison to indulge in her passion for cloud watching and for Sandi to reveal some fascinating facts about Napoleon's penis. Amid a 5000-acre estate devoted to wildlife conservation, Sandi and Alison reconnect with nature during their stay at a rebuilt 17th-century thatched cottage with a difference - it has its very own moat - and Alison reveals her penchant for fungi spotting. And deep in the country, they discover that the gatehouse of an 11th-century priory has been offering hospitality to visitors for hundreds of years and still offers a sense of sanctuary to guests today. During their travels, Sandi also takes time to explore Alison's loves, life and acting career.
Thursday 11th February
M4, 9pm – Location, Location, Location: 20 Years And Counting
To mark the 20th anniversary of Location, Location, Location, this new series sees Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer look back on their 20 years of house-hunting, from chocolate box cottages and future-proof pads, to tackling tough markets and the most memorable offers made. In this episode, Kirstie and Phil reminisce on 20 years of house-hunting with solo buyers. Maria's returning from Switzerland with her chocolate Labrador, Edward, and is looking for a wow-factor house overlooking the Thames. Thrill seeker Davy has moved from Edinburgh to London and wants to spend his inheritance wisely by buying his first home. Former army major Anjie needs a home with wheelchair access and countryside views near her hometown of Whitby. She wants to be close to family, but not too close! And Margo's downsizing and has a long list of requirements but a tiny search area around Crosby, north of Liverpool.
C4, 10pm – Back
The second series of Simon Blackwell's comedy starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb continues. One of the last things that Stephen's father did before he died was to organise a pub quiz. But Stephen (Mitchell) fumbled the jackpot question and forfeited the substantial prize, and Laurie died never having forgiven his son. So when the Barleycorn is called upon to host another pub quiz, Stephen faces an emotional dilemma. Can he exorcise his demons and redeem himself, or will he fail and feel his father's opprobrium all over again? It doesn't help that he's facing the same team who beat them last time, The Brights. Can Andrew (Webb) help Stephen? Or is he too busy getting ever closer to Alison's parents?
Friday 12th February
E4, 9pm – Celebs Go Dating: Extra Mansion
The Celebrity Dating Agency continues in its swanky new home. For the very first time, the celebs and their potential matches all bed down together in one very plush mansion, under the ever-watchful eyes of dating experts Paul C Brunson and Anna Williamson. It's been another busy week at the Celebs Go Dating mansion for our single celebrities looking for love. In this special round-up show, we look back at the highlights from the week. Plus, there's exclusive, unseen action from the mansion and a sneak peek at the singles set to move in next week.
C4, 9pm – It’s A Sin
Drama from Russell T Davies about five friends living and loving in the shadow of AIDS. March 1988, and Kylie Minogue is Number One. Ritchie (Olly Alexander) and Jill (Lydia West) hatch a scheme to buy the Pink Palace, and Ash (Nathaniel Curtis) finds himself battling Clause 28, while Roscoe (Omari Douglas) hopes that his secret lover can take him far away from his ordinary life. But secrets are being kept, and Ritchie knows that he'll have to come out to his parents. A lonely journey home to the Isle of Wight turns into a dark night of the soul when Ritchie has to confront certain truths. Back in London, the protests against the government's handling of the AIDS crisis begin. Jill puts herself in danger from the police, and Roscoe's set on a collision course with none other than Margaret Thatcher - an encounter that neither will ever forget.
Saturday 13th February
C4, 6am – Live Cricket: India v England 2nd Test – Day 1
Day 1 of England's second Test against India from Chennai. Joe Root's side have won five consecutive overseas Tests, the most recent being a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka. India are still flying high having pulled off a historic 2-1 win against Australia on their own soil. England's all-time leading Test run-scorer and former captain Sir Alastair Cook joins presenter Rishi Persad in the studio. Coverage continues throughout the week.
C4, 9pm – The Little Stranger
Post-war, psychological gothic drama starring Ruth Wilson (His Dark Materials), Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson and Charlotte Rampling. When a doctor is called to a mansion in the village where he grew up, he finds it very different to what he imagined... It's 1947 and Dr Faraday (Gleeson) is called to Hundreds Hall to examine the maid, Betty. While he's there he meets gruff RAF war veteran Roderick Ayres (Poulter), who carries considerable injuries, his sister Caroline (Wilson) and their mother, Mrs Ayers (Rampling). When he examines Betty, Faraday discovers that she may just be a bit afraid of the house. Faraday asks Caroline if perhaps some comfort could be provided. Caroline just smirks and they go to find Roderick for payment. They run into Mrs Ayers in the hallway. She seems austere. Regarding Betty, Mrs Ayers says the house works on people, they come here a piece of grit and leave a pearl. Faraday reveals that his mother had been a maid there. Caroline looks somewhat concerned. Mrs Ayers' expression doesn't change, but there is an atmosphere. Faraday, it turns out, has been fascinated by the house since he was a boy. Now, through various chance meetings with the family and helping Roderick with the pain of his injuries, Faraday is drawn increasingly into life at Hundreds Hall. There is a feeling in the house that goes beyond the demeanour of its inhabitants and their money problems, as if Hundreds Hall itself is troubled. But is this just the natural atmosphere of a formerly grand house in decay, or is there something more sinister going on? Based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Waters.
Sunday 14th February
M4, 7.25pm – A Taste Of Italy
In this new culinary travel series, chef and restaurateur Nisha Katona embarks on a less-travelled path to reveal Italy's hidden foodie gems. On a voyage to uncover recipes and ingredients passed down for generations, Nisha shows us a different side of Italy and the unique, mouth-watering dishes that go beyond pizza and pasta. Travelling to the beautiful regions of Umbria, Puglia and Tuscany, Nisha takes in the stunning landscapes and historic architecture of each location and meets a local chef to learn the regional secrets that influence their dishes. Nisha shows us Italian cookery in a new and exciting way, inspiring us to try more authentic Italian cuisine for ourselves. In this first episode, Nisha explores the wonderful city of Orvieto in the Umbria mountains, where she meets a local chef to see how 'gallina 'mbriaca' - drunk chicken - is cooked. She tries a bowl of delicious funghi porcini pasta and has a taste of 'lumachella' - a pastry shell filled with cheese and ham. And inspired by the local dishes, Nisha cooks up a poached chicken dish with dried porcini mushrooms and cream.
C4, 8pm – The Great Pottery Throwdown
The battle of the clay continues, as Britain's best home potters compete to become champion. Hosted by Siobhán McSweeney. It's Terracotta Week in the pottery, and the potters are tasked to make their own range of cookware. Judge Rich Miller sets a second terracotta challenge to engrave tiles, before he and fellow judge Keith Brymer Jones decide who will be potter of the week and who will be leaving the competition.
