Alone at Home, C4, 8pm
WITH studies showing that British parents are among the most anxious in Europe, this new factual entertainment series questions to what degree modern parenting styles adequately prepare our children for adulthood. Across four episodes, featuring a different family each week, parents leave their children alone at home. Tonight we meet Natalie, from Surrey, who has had enough of doing everything for her two daughters, 16-year-old Millie and Laurel, 13. Natalie’s partner Dan, a former soldier, thinks Natalie’s a soft touch and wants the girls to help more. With the house to themselves and complete freedom to do whatever they want, will the teenagers do the right thing? Or will the parents come home to complete chaos?
The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm
TWICE Oscar-nominated actor Sir Ian McKellen talks about his 50-year career, in particular his recent role in Jonathan Munby’s explosive revival of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy King Lear at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, and his one-man stage show, Ian McKellen with Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You at the Park Theatre. Joining him on the sofa are Carey Mulligan, who is promoting 1960s-set US drama Wildlife, and Taron Egerton, who plays the title role in the new Robin Hood movie. Canadian crooner Michael Buble performs from his new album Love.
The Great Model Railway Challenge: The Final, C5, 8pm
THE last day at Fawley Hill sees the five winning teams from the heats take on their toughest challenge to date – a journey through time. The modellers are tasked to take viewers and regular judges Steve Flint and Kathy Millat on a voyage through the Cold War, the Industrial Revolution, 1950s West Country railways and the 2012 Olympics.
Portillo’s Hidden History of Britain, C5, 9pm
IN Manchester, Michael Portillo ventures inside the London Road fire station, which was decommissioned in 1986 after 80 years’ service. The former politician dons a vintage uniform and rides a fire engine, learning about the tools the firefighters had available to save the city from the Luftwaffe’s incendiary bombs.
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