True Horror
10pm, Channel 4
A bit Derek Acorah, a bit Blair Witch – these accounts of real-life paranormal activity are dramatised in an impressively spooky show. A limited budget often forces creativity’s hand, particularly in horror, and so it proves here, where the tale of Samantha and Jason’s haunting by Jason’s dead dad, Jimmy, offers sinister shadows, a chorus of insistent banging and mountingly strange paranormal activity. “I’m too wicked to die,” Jimmy said before his passing – and that is only the start of it. John Robinson
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs – India
8.30pm, ITV
In this new series, the comedian meets those who dedicate their lives to helping abandoned pups in Delhi. First up, a street dog with a potentially fatal virus and a golden retriever that can’t stop chewing its paw. Plus: O’Grady rolls up his sleeves to save a litter of puppies from certain death. Candice Carty-Williams
Ambulance
9pm, BBC One
It is hard to think of a branch of the emergency services that has not been the focus of at least one visceral and revealing fly-on-the-wall TV series. That said, they are reliably fascinating viewing, provoking much counting of blessings. As this series returns, things get personal for paramedic Nat. Phil Harrison
Harold Shipman: Doctor Death
9pm, ITV
This documentary about Britain’s deadliest serial killer boasts access to police interrogation tapes, as well as interviews with investigating officers and witnesses – many of whom are on the record for the first time since the trial. The police recall how quickly it became clear that this was the case of a lifetime. Jack Seale
Michael Portillo: Our Housing Crisis – Who’s to Blame?
10pm, Channel 5
Who is to blame? You, Mr Portillo, you and your fellow Tories, with your eventual Labour usurpers doing little to alleviate the problem, one is tempted to shriek. Here, Portillo visits estates and interviews residents to discover the reality of council housing today. David Stubbs
Barry
10.45pm, Sky Atlantic
A hitman who is tired of life – his own, to clarify – accidentally discovers his true vocation in a drama class. Yes, this new US comedy has a tricksy, high-concept set-up, but it is dark and funny, too. Saturday Night Live alumnus Bill Hader stars as professional killer Barry, with Henry Winkler as his acting teacher. Jonathan Wright
Film choice
The Thing from Another World (Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks, 1951), 1.20am (Friday), Movies4Men
Stranded at a frozen polar research station, a group of scientists discover a spaceship and are gradually whittled down by the alien within. Where John Carpenter’s remake, The Thing, gave us the beast in all its horror, this Howard Hawks production keeps it lurking round the corner. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Snooker: The World Championship 1pm, BBC Two. Action from Sheffield.
IPL cricket: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kings XI Punjab 3pm, Sky Sports Main Event. More slogging from India.
Europa League football: Arsenal v Atlético Madrid 7.30pm, BT Sport 2. The first leg of the semi-final from the Emirates.
