This week’s best TV
FRIDAY LEE AND DEAN (C4, 10pm)
WRITING duo Miles Chapman and Mark O’Sullivan star in their own five-part sitcom, which centres on the lifelong friendship between Stevenage builders Lee (Chapman) and Dean (O’Sullivan).
However, in the first episode, it looks like the bond is already under threat as Lee meets Nikki (Camille Ucan) and for the first time seems to be completely smitten.
SATURDAY HAMLET (BBC Two, 9pm)
LAST year, actor Andrew Scott – perhaps bestknown as Holmes’ arch-enemy Jim Moriarty in Sherlock – won many plaudits as Shakespeare’s troubled Danish prince during a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre. The production later transferred to London’s West End.
Now those who want to relive the experience, or who missed out on a ticket, will be thrilled to know that the BBC is broadcasting a television version filmed as-live.
SUNDAY ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE (BBC One, 9pm)
WEALTHY philanthropist Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll, a young delinquent, is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence.
Eighteen months later, Dr Arthur Calgary, a mysterious scientist, walks onto the velvety lawns of Sunny Point claiming to have just returned from an expedition to the Arctic. Even more extraordinary is his claim to hold the alibi that can prove Jack’s innocence. But Jack died in prison before the case could come to trial, and the Argyll family is reluctant to dig up the secrets of the past.
MONDAY DAVE ALLEN AT PEACE (BBC Two, 9pm)
DAVE Allen – the laconic comedian whose only props were a stool, a glass of whiskey and a wry smile – was notoriously reticient about his private life. Nevertheless, 13 years after his death, some of Allen’s personal secrets are about to be exposed in a new drama from Stephen Russell, starring Aidan Gillen takes the lead role.
The film explores how tragic events in Allen’s life shaped his showbusiness career, as well as how he managed to survive IRA death threats, a ban by Irish and Australian TV and decades of incurring the Catholic Church’s displeasure.
TUESDAY LAST LAUGH IN VEGAS (ITV, 9PM)
THIS new five-part series follows famous faces from comedy, music and variety from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s as they head to Las Vegas with a chance to fulfil a dream they thought had long gone – performing in the entertainment capital of the world.
The eight stars are double act Cannon & Ball, entertainer Bernie Clifton, comedian Mick Miller, pianist and entertainer Bobby Crush, singer Kenny Lynch, ‘60s pop idol Jess Conrad, actress and singer Anita Harris and Hi-de-Hi! actress Su Pollard.
Cameras follow the group from their departure from the UK to the moment they step on to the stage in Sin City.
WEDNESDAY COMMONWEALTH GAMES (BBC One, 10.30am, 12.15am; BBC Two, 7.00pm)
THE XXI Commonwealth Games get under way as Hazel Irvine introduces the curtain-raiser at the Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast, Queensland.
As well as the traditional parade of each nation’s athletes, the ceremony will culminate with the Competitors’ Oath and the finale of the Queen’s Baton Relay, which has travelled 150,000 miles around every part of the Commonwealth.
Then, once the pleasantries are out of the way, the real business of the sporting competition begins Down Under.
THURSDAY THE INVESTIGATOR: A BRITISH CRIME STORY (ITV, 9pm)
JOURNALIST and former police officer Mark Williams-Thomas is back with a new case in the true-crime series. It begins with the search for Louise Kay, an 18-yearold who disappeared from Eastbourne, East Sussex, in 1988.
But the case soon takes a twist as Williams-Thomas uncovers other stories of missing women, and wonders if Louise’s disappearance could be linked to one of Britain’s most notorious killers.