Alan Dee’s guide to the best of next week’s TV

SATURDAY

The Hollow Crown: Richard II (BBC Two, 9pm)

The BBC is bringing us new star-studded adaptations of four of Shakespeare’s best-loved history plays; Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V.

In Richard II Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear and James Purefoy are centre stage in a tangled tale of royal intrigue with a supporting cast that includes Patrick Stewart, Lindsay Duncan and Davids Suchet and Morrissey.

Sunday

T4 on the Beach (Channel 4, 1.30pm)

The weather may not have been so kind to us in recent weeks, but pack up your bucket and spade because there’s one heck of a beach party to be had at Weston-super-Mare and if you can’t get there in person let Channel 4 bring you coverage from the day.

Musiuc comes from the likes of Taio Cruz, Tulisa, The Wanted, Professor Green, Rita Ora and Little Mix, to name but a few.

MONDAY

Blackout (BBC One, 9pm)

This three-part drama has at its centre a troubled man whose alcoholism has driven a wedge between him and his wife and their three children.

Just when it seems he’s hit rock bottom, matters get even worse – he believes he may have murdered somebody during one drunken night. Trying to redeem himself, he becomes a public hero but a determined detective is on his trail and determined to bring him to book.

Christopher Eccleston takes the lead role and also in the cast are Dervla Kirwan and Ewan Bremner

Tuesday

Bomber Command (ITV1, 9pm)

John Sergeant helms this tribute to the aircrews of RAF Bomber Command in a documentary that comes days after a ceremony in London’s Green Park, during which the Queen unveiled a £6.5million memorial in honour of the 55,573 fliers who lost their lives in the Second World War

Sergeant hears about the journey of the airmen through the war, from their first arrival at the RAF base to the controversial bombing of Dresden.

Wednesday

When I Get Older (BBC One, 9pm)

In the first of a two-part documentary, celebrities John Simpson, Gloria Hunniford, Lesley Joseph and Tony Robinson swap their busy, comfortable lives for those of fellow pensioners less fortunate than themselves.

Despite working in more than 120 countries, including some of the world’s most dangerous places, spending time with an elderly stranger proves to be quite a challenge for John before he’s even met them.

“Going to the unknown, facing things I don’t normally face and my instinct has obviously been to bring the kind of stuff I take to war zones,” he explains.

The real stars of the show are Peggy, an isolated 83-year-old widow living in rural Suffolk, and 74-year-old Pat, who looks after her partner Malcolm after a series of strokes left him paralysed four years ago.

Thursday

Let’s Get Gold (ITV1, 9pm)

Each edition of this three-part series features five sporting teams from the UK being put through their paces via a series of tests designed to demonstrate their prowess – and whoever comes out on top wins £100,000.

Their success or failure in these challenges will be judged by famous faces from the worlds of showbusiness and sport who will be paying attention to the teams’ technique, skill, athleticism, creativity, style and flair.

Friday

Episodes (BBC Two, 10pm)

Sadly it’s the final episode of series two, and as the assorted affairs and romances are exposed, we see whether estranged scrptwriters Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) finally get back together.Given the calibre of the first two runs, let’s hope there’s more Episodes to come.