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 9th August
Inventing the Impossible, 8pm, BBC2
Three more moving stories of people in need of some hi-tech help. Twelve-year-old Pollyanna loves ballet, but 10 years ago she lost her lower right leg. Engineer Yusef needs to design her a prosthetic that allows her to dance up on her toes. Bobby, 73, has been deaf for the past 20 years and would love to be able to chat to his wife and friends like he used to. Inventor Akram builds a device to enable Bobby to feel confident and safe out in the world again. Finally, dad Tobijah needs help with his hands. Paralysed from the chest down after a car crash, he wants to be able to bake a birthday cake for his three-year-old daughter. Celebrating intelligence and innovation for the good of others, a truly inspiring series. Rating: *****
Our Shirley Valentine Summer, 9pm, ITV
Unlike Pauline Collins in the original 1989 film, who decided not to go home after her holiday ended, it’s time for our celebrities to say goodbye to the island of Naxos. But has the experience been as life-changing for the eight single women as it was for the cinematic Shirley Valentine? It would seem so – Annabel Giles braves her first date in years, Aggie MacKenzie faces her greatest fear and Melinda Messenger makes a huge decision about her future. To bid farewell to the locals, the group hosts a traditional afternoon tea, and also entertain the crowd with their attempt at a classic Greek dance. Rating: ****
The New Wife, 9pm, Channel 5
When a marriage ends, it can leave unresolved issues for all those involved, as is the case with Ashleigh and her ex Matt, and his girlfriend Donna. But what would happen if the three of them moved in together for a week in an attempt to heal old wounds? Animosity laid aside, or open warfare? In this one-off programme, this emotional experiment doesn’t start that well, but then the two women find out that they have more in common than just Matt… Rating: ***
More previews tomorrow
