TV tonight: our highlights for Monday 31st August

TV tonight Planet Earth: A Celebration
(Image credit: BBC/NHU)

Planet Earth: A Celebration is just one of the gems on today...

Relive some of the best moments in wildlife documentaries in Planet Earth: A Celebration, Dr Michael Mosley leads The Diagnosis Detectives, and C4 lets us in on the Dirty Secrets of Britain's Takeaways. Here's what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight. 

  • Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include three TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set 
  • Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis 
  • For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide 

What's on TV tonight 

Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight... 

Best TV shows on TV tonight

The Diagnosis Detectives, 9pm, BBC2

TV tonight The Diagnosis Detectives

Can Michael help solve some medical mysteries?

Dr Michael Mosley (again!) presents a new four-part series that brings together 12 of the UK’s leading doctors to help patients who have so far baffled the medical profession. Paul, 75, woke up with a swollen eye 18 months ago and now he’s struggling to see. The 12 medics believe it could be anything from an allergy to a rare tropical disease or even lung cancer. As Paul undergoes tests, also in need of an answer is 71-year-old Judy, who keeps being sick and struggles to eat any solid food. The impact on her life has been absolutely devastating, but one of the doctors is confident that he knows what is wrong and, crucially, how to help her. 

★★★★ JL

Planet Earth: A Celebration, 8pm, BBC1

TV tonight Planet Earth: A Celebration

Relive the marine iguanas’ great escape

The BBC natural history team has captured some extraordinary events in recent years and Sir David Attenborough selects the finest sequences from Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II for this special programme. There’s new narration as well as a fresh score from Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea to enjoy, and these add an extra dimension to some of the wildest moments. Relive breathtaking footage of baby iguanas chased by racer snakes, rarely seen Himalayan snow leopards, surfing dolphins and plenty more… 

★★★★ SMA

Dirty Secrets of Britain's Takeaways, 7.30pm, C4

TV tonight Dirty Secrets of Britain's Takeaways

Gareth and April

In Britain we eat 22m takeaways every week, but how much do we  know about the places they come from? Environmental Health Officer Gareth Jones and chef April Jackson look at some north-west London food outlets and get a few nasty surprises. The good news is that one place gets a five-star hygiene makeover… 

★★★ SMA

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

Designated Survivor, seasons 1-3, Netflix

TV tonight Designated Survivor

Kiefer Sutherland is the designated survivor

With the US elections just around the corner, sit back and watch what happens when a low-ranking politician has to take over the running of America after a bomb kills the president and all his top officials. Kiefer Sutherland stars in the lead role. 

Best film to watch on TV tonight

Paddington 2, 6.25pm (not Scotland), BBC1

TV tonight Paddington 2

Porridge for Paddington and pals

The marmalade-loving bear from Peru returns in a family movie that’s even finer and funnier than the first. It’s a joyous experience, even though Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) ends up in the clink after being framed by a conniving actor (Hugh Grant, having a fine old time of hamming it up). Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins return as Paddington’s adopted parents, with a smattering of well-known faces proliferating possibly the most charming rendition of London you’ll ever hope to see. A movie with a lovable, furry centre. 

Live sport

  • Tennis: US Open Amazon Prime Video

Soaps on TV tonight

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight… 

Don't miss Planet Earth: A Celebration on TV tonight – breathtaking natural history

Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide. 

Happy viewing!