Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts (BBC2, 8pm)
MARY explores how families can use food to create their own sense of home, meeting a father-and-daughter team who take their home cooking to the streets with a food van and a family who have created a slice of Sicily in north London. The chef also spends time with a family celebrating Diwali, helping them to prepare the feast and decorate the home. Plus, Mary makes some of her own favourites, including a bolognese bake, a roast vegetable curry and roast chicken with melting onions followed by a wild bramble mousse.
The Savoy (STV, 9pm)
IT has hosted rock stars and royalty, Oscar winners and world leaders. Now, Britain’s most famous hotel is opening its revolving doors to TV viewers. From the busy winter season to its devastating coronavirus shutdown, we will get a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those lucky enough to be able to afford this iconic slice of luxury – and those who make the magic happen. There are nerves in the basement florists as a young trainee attempts to create her first bouquet for a VIP guest. And The Savoy Grill manager Thierry is determined not to disappoint owner Gordon Ramsay.
Ambulance (BBC1, 9pm)
IT’S another Friday night in London, and it proves to be a busy shift for Abbie and Ben, Kieran and Mick, and others among the 320 crews on duty. Reports are coming in of an armed male on the loose and Andy is dispatched to the scene to take charge of a stabbing incident. Across the river from the first attack, there is another 999 call for a patient who has been knifed in the throat. Meanwhile, Abbie and Ben are sent to a patient who was on his way home with his girlfriend before being attacked on a bus.
Lawrence of Arabia: Britain’s Great Adventurer (C5, 9pm)
WHO was the real Thomas Edward Lawrence? This documentary looks at the life of the First World War military officer who united the tribes of Arabia against the Ottoman Turkish army but was also a deeply troubled man. The film delves into his personal torment, the secret his family were hiding, the punishment he endured and the idea that much of what drove Lawrence was a need to escape into a fantasy world.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here