Wallander, Sunday 9pm, BBC1

Posted by Tom Murphy

Our rating:

Sidetracked is the first of three feature-length episodes featuring provincial Swedish detective Kurt Wallander, based on the award-winning novels of Henning Mankell. Kenneth Branagh stars as the world-weary inspector, whose investigation into a series of brutal killings takes him deep into a web of corruption.

The film starts shockingly, as Wallander fails to prevent the suicide of a young woman – something that haunts him for the rest of the story. He is then called upon to investigate the axe murder and partial scalping of a former minister of justice. Before long, a prominent art dealer, a small-time thug and a financial wheeler-dealer are murdered in the same way.

Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday, BBC1

Posted by Liberty Jones

After finding herself in the dance-off two weeks running, Lisa Snowdon came out fighting on Saturday night. Her first dance – a dazzling foxtrot – scored a whopping 39 out of 40, with Len describing her routine as "a smorgasbord of gorgeousness". Later, the model-turned-radio presenter changed into a sassy fringed frock that showed off her endless legs to full effect, and delivered an equally impressive cha cha cha, which secured her position at the top of the leaderboard.

In our view, however, the best single performance of the night was Austin Healey's paso doble. With his freshly waxed chest bared, the former rugby star oozed testosterone from every pore, and by the end of his macho display we were shaken and more than a little stirred.

"I've never seen such a powerful performance in my life," gushed Bruno, while Craig praised the routine for being "arrogant" and "full of attitude". Only curmudgeonly Len remained unmoved, claiming Austin looked like "a Spanish waiter giving out hors d'oeuvres." Ouch.

Pocket princess Rachel Stevens didn't fare quite as well as last week, finishing third on the leaderboard after an effortless waltz and a rather less impressive paso, which saw her losing her balance twice. A flu-stricken Tom Chambers romped home just one point behind her, having drawn criticism from the judges for his sticky-out bottom.

Trailing some way behind the pack was TV presenter Christine Bleakley, so it was no surprise when she ended up in the bottom two. Pitted in the dance-off against Rachel Stevens – who, Strictly fans will recall, scored a perfect 40 last week – she had no chance. Farewell, Christine… we'll miss that mile-wide smile.

Oh, and did anyone notice the expression on Brendan Cole's face when it was announced he and Lisa had got through to next week? Is it just us, or did he look positively disappointed? Roll on the quarter finals…

The X Factor, Saturday, ITV1

Like millions of X Factor fans, we were really looking forward to Britney Spears' much-hyped appearance on the show – and, while we were pleased to see the singer glowing with health, we were a bit disappointed with her performance.

Despite an X Factor spokeswoman's insistence that "there were some live vocals", it looked very much to us as if the pop princess were miming the words to her new single 'Womanizer'. Nor did her dance routine – which consisted mainly of marching back and forwards – set the stage on fire.

Unlike previous guest stars Take That and Mariah Carey, Britney didn't mentor the contestants ahead of the show. In fact, according to tabloid reports, she didn't even bother to watch the five remaining acts sing their hearts out from the comfort of her dressing room. And when asked by Dermot if she had any words of advice for them, all she could manage was: "Good luck and just keep doing it!" Still perhaps it didn't really matter. After a four-year absence from British TV screens, Britney was back – and there was no denying she looked fabulous in her skimpy black outfit.

For us, the real star of the show was Alexandra Burke, who delivered a powerful cover of Britney's 'Toxic' - a performance which made Cheryl "the proudest mentor on the planet". But it was the 20-year-old Londoner's interpretation of Beyoncé's 'Listen' that brought all four judges to their feet and prompted Simon to pronounce it "the best performance of the whole series".

The worst performer of the night in our book was Diana Vickers, who absolutely murdered REM's 'Everybody Hurts', so we were gutted when Dannii's last remaining act Ruth Lorenzo got the boot. In a dramatic twist, there was no sing-off and so the Spanish songstress was axed on the viewer vote alone. But, despite bursting into tears earlier in the night, Ruth remained dignified on hearing the result. Smiling graciously, she told her fans: "I have fought for this with all my heart and this doesn't end here. This is just the beginning." Let's hope she's right…

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Picture: PA Photos

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, Saturday 9.15pm, ITV1

It was about time we had a few more surprises for the campers in the jungle and on Saturday night Ant and Dec throw the celebs a curveball.

Yes, we were all voting for our favourites as usual but this time rather than the least favourite being kicked out the bottom two will go head to head in a special Bushtucker trial.

And the lucky contestants – Brian and Timmy! The pair will take part in a trial called Last Chance Saloon with the winner earning immunity from the next vote off and the loser going home.

And what does the head to head battle involve – well, it’s a favourite formula with Brian and Timmy having to eat and drink lots of horrible jungle snacks. Ah, how we love it.

Meanwhile, in camp tensions have been rising with DVD – that’s David Van Day – at the heart of it as he hangs on to the most comfortable and driest bed in the camp. Martina and some of the others are not best pleased, especially as it got very damp in the jungle during the day.

Brian was at the centre of things too as he had a bad night’s sleep but wasn’t prepared to confront David over who getting to sleep in the bus for a night. For the moment DVD has the high ground but we’re not sure it will last with Martina on the warpath.

In other news Esther threw a “safety officer” strop when Brian got a bit careless with the fire, we got to see Joe and Timmy shear sheep and Joe, Simon and Nicola won 8 out of 9 stars in the Bushtucker trial.

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, Friday 9pm, ITV1

So Carly Zucker's luck runs out as she is the third celebrity to make an exit from the jungle. It's sort of a non-placement, not the worst but just one that will fade into the memory pretty quickly - much like Carly's jungle adventure.

What will she be remembered for, er, er, er oh yeah saying how tough it was being rich and dropping out of the bottom of a glass box 200ft in the air in show two or something. And that's about it.

She told Ant and Dec in her interview: "I just really struggled. It wasn’t really how I imagined it would be. I’m a family person so I missed my partner and my family in there."

On the plus side she did add: "Meeting Nicola has changed me I think. She’s inspired me and changed me in some ways."

Who knew a glamour model could be so inspiring! But then Nicola is a pretty tough cookie. Carly, naturally, would like her to win and told the boys: "I just told her she needs to hang in there. She’s a strong person and she’ll be ok, she’ll manage."

No doubt she will but for how long? will she or her arch enenmy David Van Day come out victorious. Tune in tomorrow to find out.

The latest jungle photos >>

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Thursday 9pm, ITV1

Posted by Tom Murphy

After last night's dramatic expulsion of Robert Kilroy-Silk, there was a storm of indifference across the nation this evening as posh totty and occasional TV presenter Dani Behr eased her way out of the camp. And given that she was up against Carly Zucker, it was probably the right result. After all, who wants to see Carly flung back into her nightmarish world of unimaginable wealth?

This episode picked up the action immediately after Silksie's departure, with scenes of hugging and sobbing reminiscent of the sudden – and short-lived – affection you suddenly feel for your ex-colleagues at around 11.30pm on the night of your leaving do: “Yeah... keep in touch... we'll definitely go for that drink...”

I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Wednesday 8.30pm, ITV1

Posted by Will Parkhouse

So, Robert Kilroy-Silk is the first to head home. Initially up against five other jungle-dwelling celebs, it was then narrowed down to the former chat show host and ex-cop and politico Brian Paddick. There was, apparently, less than half a percent between the bottom two. "I don't even know what half a percent is," said Ant or Dec, whose zingers are still the best thing about I'm A Celebrity...

Maybe it was Brian's teary speech to Simon Webbe wot won it, an unusually moving moment for a show which prides itself on pouring bugs on people's heads then laughing as they scream in fear. "Black people in this country don't get a good deal," sobbed the erstwhile policeman. "We need more people like you." He'd clearly forgotten about Blue's substandard third album, but no matter.

Coronation Street, Wednesday, ITV1

Posted by Liberty Jones

Corrie’s Steve McDonald has apparently been sprinkled with an invisible pheromone that makes him irresistible to every woman in Weatherfield. How else do you explain the vast number of notches on his bedpost?

Not satisfied with his gorgeous fiancée Michelle, the pigeon-chested cab boss’s wandering eye recently alighted on comely barmcake butterer-
turned-barmaid Becky. Back in June, the seemingly mismatched pair shared a drunken night of passion – and ever since then their relationship has been simmering away nicely.

Last night, things reached boiling point after Steve provided Becky with a false alibi at her trial on theft and assault charges. Quite frankly it was a miracle he made it to court at all – what with a bolshie Michelle insisting he stay at the Rovers to help her organise a 40th anniversary party for her parents. “Except it’s more like an Asbo that says I’m not allowed out of that door,” a henpecked Steve grumbled to mum Liz.

Unwilling to let Becky down, Steve embarked on a series of far-fetched – but highly entertaining – escapades to make sure he was on the witness stand. Meanwhile, professional curtain twitcher Blanche, who had turned up in court to rubberneck, looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp when she heard Steve tell the judge he and Becky had been having an affair for the past year.

When she was acquitted, a suitably grateful Becky rewarded Steve with a huge smacker… and it didn't stop there. Before you could say, "But what about Michelle?" the lusty couple were heading off to the nearest Travelodge for a celebratory romp. “I don’t usually do this sober,” the barmaid panted as she stripped to her shocking pink bra. Yeah, that’s what they all say, love…

SEE ALSO:
Steve's New Year horror >>

Horizon: Jimmy's GM Food Fight, Tuesday 9pm, BBC2

Posted by Jane Murphy

There's something very disconcerting about seeing a bunch of angry Europeans stamping on a field of crops in their sensible walking boots. I couldn't help feeling a little sorry for the poor, defenceless vegetables as I watched the action unfold on last night's Horizon.

But then again, this was no ordinary crop. This was a genetically modified crop - and therefore scourge of the Earth, right? Well, possibly not. According to scientist-turned-farmer Jimmy Doherty's thoughtful, balanced argument, there's a chance GM could actually save the world.

In Uganda, for example, people may soon die of starvation if nothing is done to protect their vital banana crops, which are under attack from a rampant disease. Scientists believe a GM disease-resistant tree could provide the solution.

And while most of Europe is now a GM-free zone, 10% of the world's crops are GM. Americans have been eating GM corn and soya-based products for more than a decade with no immediately obvious ill effects. But when the US sent an aid package of four tons of GM maize to Africa during the 2002 famine, it was rejected by four governments. "We would rather starve than eat something that is toxic," the Zambian president told reporters.

This being Horizon, the programme did contain a few unnecessary Open University-circa-1975-style science graphics. But that aside, Mr Doherty's fascinating investigation provided food for thought on a very important issue - even if it did fail to give us any real answers.

Picture: BBC

SEE ALSO:
Is guerrilla gardening the way to go? >>
Jamie's Ministry Of Food: our view >>
More must-see documentaries >>

24: Redemption, Monday 10pm, Sky1

Posted by Will Parkhouse

Our rating:

Call me a nitpicker, but last night’s 24 special really should have just been called 2, shouldn’t it? Although it used 24’s trademark real-time system, had a few split screen moments and featured, of course, a grizzled Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) running around with a gun and a manbag, it covered just a couple of hours, a new departure for the long-running show.

The breakaway from the main series was obviously so the show’s creators got the chance to do a “Jack in Africa” sort of adventure without then having to follow it with 10 episodes of Jack sitting on a plane looking out the window and watching an in-flight movie.