Wednesday, 15/2/2017

Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC1, 8pm)

Warwick Davis starts his research with his paternal grandmother Edith, who led to his big break at the age of 11 when she heard a radio advert. That advert was 'looking for short people to appear in Return of the Jedi', and Warwick was catapulted to stardom, continuing his acting career in the likes of Labyrinth and Willow. He takes a non-judgemental approach as he researches the family line stretching back from Edith, finding humanity and humour in some uncomfortable stories, while on his maternal side, he finds out about a postman who lived a double life.

The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC1, 9pm)

Clearly this travel documentary series went down a storm with the masses as the latest run has been promoted to a BBC One slot. Lionel Blair, Amanda Barrie, Dennis Taylor, Rustie Lee, Miriam Stoppard, Bill Oddie, Sheila Ferguson and Paul Nicholas are the latest recruits travelling thousands of miles to make a new home in Kochi, a city in the southwest Indian state Kerala. Can they enjoy a more rewarding retirement than in the UK? That remains to be seen, though as a more gentle, exotic take on the Big Brother-style reality format, it offers a welcome change as eclectic characters either bond or get one another's backs up. While Rustie and Miriam seem charmed by their first days here, Lionel, the oldest member of the group at 87, finds dealing with the realities of living in India unsettling.

I'm 21 But Look 61: Extraordinary People (C5, 10pm)

It might not be the catchiest title in the world, but for at least the content is far more worthy. For anyone whose heart went out to South Yorkshire teenager Zara Hartshorn from when the first part of this strand was shown, then now is a chance to play catch up. For newcomers, Zara has a rare genetic condition that left her skin loose and wrinkly. In short: it made her look like a much older woman. However, help was at hand because an American surgeon received news of the Rotherham girl's plight and offered to assist. In this film we follow Zara and her family as they cope with lipodystrophy, the condition that affects them all. Have those hankies at the ready as you may need them.