What’s on telly tonight? Our pick of the best shows on Thursday 14th June

TV Times top picks for tonight

What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight the best shows on Thursday 14^th June

World Cup, 2.30pm, ITV

Get set for a month of the beautiful game as the World Cup begins in Russia, where current holders Germany will be defending their title against the world’s greatest players. Following the opening ceremony from Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium (2.30pm), Russia kick off their own assault on the trophy with a Group A match against Saudi Arabia (k-o 4pm).

Russia have failed to advance from the group stage of any tournament since 2008, but this time out have great hopes of Krasnodar forward Fyodor Smolov, while Saudi Arabia will be looking for goals from top 31-year-old striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi. Rating: ****

[World Cup guide to when and what channels the games are on]

Outlander, 9pm, More4

When last seen, the Frasers were on a frigate and it was the 18th Century. So, it’s a refreshing change of direction as series two of the time-travel drama – first shown on Amazon Prime Video – opens with Claire in Scotland in 1948. As she tries to take up her old life again, the episode jumps to Claire and Jamie arriving in Paris and their bid to stop the Battle of Culloden. Great escapism, with the juggled periods and places allowing for some marvels from the costume department. Rating: ****

Could good old bubble and squeak be the next top restaurant concept? That’s what Rupert and Marita are hoping as they seek a £140,000 investment to launch their restaurant Bubble&. All-seeing, endlessly supportive Fred Sirieix reckons the idea is either ‘genius or… the other way’, while the potential investors are concerned about the high prices of the bubble and squeak-based dishes. Will they take a punt? Meanwhile, passionate Jay is after £600,000 to invest in his Korean vegan-based venture Dynasty in the hope of starting a hub of East Asian restaurants. But while his food is delicious enough, the investors worry that the tastes might be too exotic to be ‘approachable’. Is Jay going to land the funding? Rating: ****

More previews tomorrow

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough.

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!