What to watch on TV this week: Wednesday 21 to Friday 30 January

Ready for a jam-packed schedule of telly treats? Don’t miss the hotly anticipated finales of The Traitors and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, while Guy Martin: Proper Jobs, RuPaul’s Drag Race Vs The World, Dragons’ Den and Death In Paradise all return to screens. Happy viewing!

With all this plus our usual sport and movie picks of the week, there’s something for all tastes across the service. And don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your TV with you on the move.

There’s so much good stuff on this week that we’ve compiled a list of the best TV shows to watch. Bookmark this page to keep up to date with the latest changes.

Pick of the day: Pole To Pole With Will Smith
8pm, National Geographic HD (CH 183)

It’s official: the Fresh Prince has left Bel-Air. In this new docuseries, Will Smith is swapping his creature comforts for a jam-packed, 100-day itinerary that takes him around the world on a life-changing expedition. Tune in to watch the star ski to the South Pole, dive underneath the treacherous Arctic ice and take on epic challenges everywhere in between. You can stream more episodes now in National Geographic on demand or in Apps > Disney+.

What else to watch:

• Winterwatch – 7pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• The Traitors – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Patience – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Can You Keep A Secret? – 9.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Matlock – 9pm, Sky Witness HD (CH 110)

Pick of the day: Winterwatch
7pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

While most of us are hibernating during the cold winter months, the Winterwatch team have been heading out into the elements to capture the often-unseen beauty that this season brings. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams are spending a week with woolly hats and wildlife at the National Trust’s Mount Stewart in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, keeping their eyes and ears peeled for a rather elusive otter which moves silently through the winter landscape. Best enjoyed snuggled up with a cup of tea and a fuzzy blanket.

What else to watch:

• The Traitors – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Patience – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Rob & Romesh Vs Team GB – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• Black Ops – 9.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Pick of the day: The Traitors: The Finale
8.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Cancel all your Friday night plans. After weeks of deception, deceit and iconic wardrobe moments from Claudia Winkleman (give her stylist a pay rise!), it’s time for the castle dwellers to visit the round table one last time. But with the fate of Traitors and Faithfuls alike hanging in the balance, we have so many burning questions. Who will be banished? Who will get their hands on a prize pot worth up to £120,000? And who will wear a pair of stylish fingerless gloves? (Spoiler alert: It’s Claudia.) Don’t miss it! Plus, Traitors super-fans can tune in to the first series of The Traitors Ireland at midnight or stream it in Apps > BBC iPlayer.

What else to watch:

• Winterwatch – 7pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens – 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• David Baddiel: Cat Man – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Mystery Road: Origin – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Taskmasterclass – 10pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: Dolly Parton: Here I Am
9.35pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

With Dolly Parton celebrating her milestone 80th birthday this month, don’t miss this landmark documentary that chronicles the extraordinary life and legacy of a country music icon. Featuring archive footage and exclusive interviews with the artist herself as well as stars like Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton: Here I Am tells the remarkable story of the superstar’s journey from humble beginnings to global success. A heartwarming must-watch for any Dolly fan. Followed on BBC Two by her memorable Glastonbury performance from 2014.

What else to watch:

• Gladiators – 5.45pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Michael McIntyre’s Big Show – 6.45pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• The Masked Singer – 7pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Waiting For The Out – 9.25pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Catch Me A Killer – 10pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the day: Guy Martin: Proper Jobs
8pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

They say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. And daredevil presenter Guy Martin takes that expression to extreme new levels as he seeks out some of the UK’s most dangerous jobs and the folk who love doing them. Come along for the adrenaline-fuelled second series as Martin first travels to his hometown of Grimsby to join the RNLI Lifeboat crew of volunteers who put their lives on the line every day. Gripping stuff.

What else to watch:

• Mission To Space With Francis Bourgeois – 6.50pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Night Manager – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Confessions Of A Killer – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• After The Flood – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Four Kings – 10.05pm + 11pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

After Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ most gruelling series yet unfolded on our screens – a whopping nine contestants have withdrawn at the time of writing – the remaining recruits are at the finish line. But will it be the British or the Australian celebrity candidates who claim the crown in TV’s toughest reality show? There’s only one way to find out as the team are pushed to their limit once last time.

What else to watch:

• Clive Myrie’s African Adventure – 6.30pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Jamie’s Feasts For A Fiver – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Lynley – 8.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• After The Flood – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Industry – 10.40pm, BBC One HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: RuPaul’s Drag Race Vs The World
9pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107/113)

The library is open! Get ready to meet the Queens for a third season of this high-stakes spin-off. Ten powerhouses including former Drag Race UK contestants Kate Butch, Sminty Drop and Zahirah Zapanta are going stiletto-to-stiletto with international glamazons, as the group battle it out for Drag Race glory, a £50,000 cash prize and the coveted title Queen of the Mothertucking World. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for celebrity Drag Race superfans including Amandaland’s Lucy Punch, Doctor Who writer and producer Russell T Davies and pop icon Jade.

What else to watch:

• What Not To Eat – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Harry Wild – 8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Waterloo Road – 9pm + 10.40pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• The Good Ship Murder – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Dark Winds – 9pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

Pick of the day: The Beauty Queen And The Catfish
9pm, 9.45pm + 10.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107/113)

If you haven’t had a chance to watch this jaw-dropping true crime docuseries, now’s the time to hunker down for one seriously twisty tale. The three-parter chronicles the real-life crimes committed by former nurse Adele Rennie, who disguised herself as a doctor online and became one of Scotland’s most notorious catfishers, drawing dozens of women into her deception. Eventually, beauty pageant contestant Abbie Draper teamed up with other victims to uncover the truth and end Rennie’s chilling cyberbullying campaign once and for all. Binge all three episodes in one sitting.

What else to watch:

• Pole To Pole With Will Smith – 8pm, National Geographic HD (CH 183)

• Patience – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Matlock – 9pm, Sky Witness HD (CH 110)

• Can You Keep A Secret? – 9.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Grosse Pointe Garden Society – 10.05pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: Dragons’ Den
8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

The dragons are seated with their stacks of £50 notes, which can only mean one thing: a fresh batch of aspiring entrepreneurs are ready for their shot at making their business dreams come true. With success stories including Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauce and smoothie franchise Boost Juice Bars (as well as missed opportunities Tangle Teezer brushes and BrewDog beer), the show is now in its 23rd series and we can’t wait to see which soon-to-be household brands will visit the Den this time.

What else to watch:

• Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Apprentice – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Patience – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• 90 Day Fiancé UK – 9pm + 10pm, TLC HD (CH 113)

• Piglets – 10.05pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: Death In Paradise
9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Pack your bags for the sunny (and murderous) climes of Saint Marie, as the beloved detective drama returns for a 15th series. Following the departure of former Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) in the last series, the fan favourite is returning after a stint in last year’s Christmas special and we can’t wait to see him back for good on our screens. He’s joined by DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet), who’s decided to stay on the island following the bombshell revelation that he has a brother. Consider us seated.

What else to watch:

• Amanda & Alan’s Greek Job – 7.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• David Baddiel: Cat Man – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Claudia Winkleman: Behind The Fringe – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• The Last Leg – 10pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Football: Women’s Super League – Chelsea v Arsenal
Saturday 24 January, 12.15pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

This week a Deloitte report on the finances of women’s football showed that these two are the richest clubs in the sport, with Arsenal slightly ahead – but that will count for very little when the teams cross the white line on Saturday. Chelsea are used to lording it over their London rivals thanks to six consecutive WSL titles, while Arsenal claimed some bragging rights last season by winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League. However, this term they’re both playing catch-up to Man City, whose 11-match winning run has taken them clear at the top of the table.

If either team is going to play a significant part in the title race they’ll need three points from this game. Chelsea’s talismanic striker Sam Kerr is back after a long injury lay-off, but her return hasn’t had the impact fans hoped for. As for Arsenal, despite their abundance of superstar attacking talent (including the England trio Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead), they sometimes struggle to break down defences, as in their 0-0 draw against 10-player Man Utd last week.

In November, the Gunners needed a late Russo equaliser to grab a point at home to Chelsea – but a draw now is little use to either, given City’s six-point lead. The pressure’s on both teams and this game will be a tense affair. Which of their high-quality creative players could make the difference?

What else to watch:

Looking for more sport this week? We can help with that.

• All the best live sport you can watch on TV this week

• Got a Sky Sports subscription? Check out our monthly guide

• If you’ve got TNT Sports, your monthly guide is here

One Life
Monday 26 January, 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Tales of the Second World War often depict the heroism of soldiers on the front line. But what about the acts of bravery that happened back on home soil? Nicholas Winton was a stockbroker in London who helped to organise the Kindertransport that rescued over 600 predominantly Jewish children from German-occupied Czechoslovakia and into the safety of British foster homes. Winton then spent almost 50 years unrecognised for his efforts – until a 1988 episode of That’s Life! reunited him with dozens of the now adult “Nicky’s Children”. One Life is a deeply moving tribute to the astonishing true story of a hero from the Holocaust, starring Anthony Hopkins as Winton. Helena Bonham Carter co-stars.

• Our monthly Sky Cinema guide featuring the best movies this month

• Looking for something on Netflix? Try our monthly guide to new releases

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