MasterChef: The Professionals
8pm, BBC2
The non-amateur version of Britain’s second-favourite cookery franchise gets under way for an eighth time. First up, three of the six contestants must create a floating island, but whose desserts will end up cast aside rather than castaway? Meanwhile, the remaining three are challenged with making a blue steak and peppercorn sauce in 15 minutes – otherwise known as the amount of time Gregg Wallace spends spouting nonsense about dipping his noggin in gooey loveliness during each challenge. Continues Wednesday and Thursday. Hannah J Davies
Eternal Glory
8pm, ITV
Richard Bacon has never shied away from embracing his inner Partridge, so this slightly low-rent reality tournament – where veteran athletes compete in challenges such as standing on one leg – has been a terrific fit. The original eight have been whittled down to a doughty trio, who face one last round of tests in the baking heat of Croatia. In the punishing Heart Rate Drag Race, one contestant appears to be struggling. “Take me inside her head … and her heart,” Bacon asks bemused co-commentator Greg Whyte. Graeme Virtue
Loch Lomond: A Year In The Wild
8pm, Channel 5
The first of four programmes examining the wildlife at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park in Scotland, with each episode covering a single season. It begins with springtime, and there’s a lot to be discovered within Loch Lomond’s 700 square miles. Ospreys return to the park following winter sojourns to sunnier climes, while pregnant deer descend from the mountain tops to give birth. Beautifully shot proof that Britain offers wildlife as wonderful as anywhere. Mark Gibbings-Jones
Lewis
9pm, ITV
Concluding the ninth and final series of Lewis, and after last week’s explosive letter bomb-based cliffhanger, Lewis and Hathaway close in on the culprit behind the murder of randy maths boffin Adam Capstone in the heady world of geometric topology and knot theory. But Lewis is also struggling to keep a hold on both his relationship with Laura, with a six-month trip to New Zealand in the offing, and his job, as new boss Moody decides whether to keep the gruff consultant detective on the payroll. A result on this case might make all the difference. Ben Arnold
Medieval Murder Mysteries
9pm, Yesterday
The death of Christopher Marlowe in 1593 kicks off a new series about very cold cases. The playwright was supposedly stabbed in a tavern brawl but he had been arrested, probably for heresy, days earlier. Was the killing an assassination to stop him incriminating other dirty atheists, or even a stunt to facilitate escape? It’s a strong enough story to survive the show’s eccentric production, which uncertainly employs jarring computer-matrix graphics, and isn’t sure if the historians telling the tale are contributors or presenters. Jack Seale
Catastrophe
10pm, Channel 4
Round two of Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney’s deeply funny romcom continues, as the pair visit Paris in order to revive their sex life. But not even a Channel crossing can curb their squabbling, especially with Sharon’s post-pregnancy body a ticket to both traumatic boob issues and infuriating pharmacy visits. Despite mining sitcom tropes of yore (language barriers; dodgy interactions with masseuses), its diligent cataloguing of emotional minutiae reroutes it into something that feels relevant and real. Rachel Aroesti
Chewing Gum
10pm, E4
Last in the series of Michaela Coel’s sitcom. As Ronald’s wedding day approaches, Tracey (Coel) tries to warn his bride-to-be about the gayness, to no avail. Meanwhile, her relationship reaches a crossroads. What a blast of menthol through the collective comedy nostril. Theatrical, certainly, but pumped full of ideas and madly lovable, largely thanks to Coel’s never-still face. Pity anything that has to share the screen with it. She has a distinct comedy voice and really uses it to say something. More her, please. Julia Raeside
Film choice
Billy Elliot (Stephen Daldry, 2000) 9pm, BBC4
Daldry’s warmhearted tale of a young northern lad’s search for self-expression is a sort of musical Kes. Jamie Bell is 11-year-old Billy, who wants to swap his boxing gloves for ballet shoes. Set against a grim background of the 80s miners’ strike, it’s nevertheless full of infectious fun and energy, with Julie Walters in her element as Billy’s dance teacher. Paul Howlett
The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2008) 11.15pm, Film4
Bigelow’s stunning war movie follows a US bomb disposal unit in Iraq in 2004, in particular Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James. He’s the best of the bunch, combining, under extreme pressure, both superhuman focus and a crazed recklessness. It’s an extraordinary portrait of a man addicted to his nerve-shredding trade, and one of the most visceral war films ever made. PH
Today’s best live sport
Grand Slam Of Darts The fourth day at Wolverhampton civic hall, as the second-round lineup is completed. 7pm, Sky Sports 1
Greyhound Racing: The William Hill St Leger Coverage of the prestigious meeting from Wimbledon, which also includes the RFS Puppy Derby. 7pm, Sky Sports 2
NBA Basketball: Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics The action from the BMO Harris Bradley Center as the premier North American league continues. 1am, BT Sport 1
