The Truth About Looking Good, BBC1, 8pm

IF you’re planning to start the new year with a new beauty regime, you may want to watch this programme first, as Cherry Healey and a team of independent scientists conduct an experiment that puts everyday cosmetic and beauty products to the test.

Britain’s Brightest Family, STV, 8pm

NEW series. Hosted by Anne Hegerty, this new quiz show sees 16 families take part in a knockout tournament to win the coveted title of Britain’s Brightest Family.

The contestants go up against each other to answer questions involving literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and general knowledge.

Girlfriends, STV, 9pm

WITH a tremendous cast and a script by Kay Mellor, this drama should be the perfect antidote to the post-Christmas blues – although the characters probably need cheering up more than the viewers. Sue (Miranda Richardson) doesn’t like celebrating a landmark birthday, although she’s given bigger things to worry about when her son makes a confession. Gail (Zoe Wanamaker) is also having trouble with her offspring when Tom goes back inside for breaking his bail curfew and, if that wasn’t stressful enough, she’s also determined to rekindle her spark with Dave before their divorce is finalised.

Linda (Phyllis Logan) is accused of pushing her husband Mick, who disappeared on their anniversary cruise, overboard.

Fighting for Air, BBC2, 9pm

DR Xand van Tulleken conducts the first large-scale experiment using people to try and bring about a quantifiable improvement in air quality for a single day.

However, the odds are stacked against Xand and his team with pollution levels on high streets already at the cusp of legal limits.

Xand also conducts his own personal experiment as he tries to rid his body of the effects of pollution, measuring the shocking results of how his body functions after exposing himself to pollution on a typical city street.