This week's top TV explores life off-the-grid and London espionage
Monday
London Spy
BBC Two
9pm
Following his role as Q in James Bond’s Spectre, Ben Whishaw returns to our screens for another spy drama, though the plot of London Spy is far removed from Bond’s exploits.
Whishaw plays Danny, who’s down on his luck and working in a dead end job, until he falls in love with the enigmatic, if anti-social, Alex (Edward Holcroft), who works at the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service.
When Alex is found dead in mysterious circumstances, Danny is sure it has been staged, and dives into a world of global espionage that he knows nothing about to find out the truth behind his lover’s untimely demise.
Tuesday
Masterchef: the Professionals
BBC Two
8pm
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(Credit: BBC/Shine)
Judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace return to find the country’s best professional chef.
This week, the chefs must impress with their take on ile flottante, the French dessert that requires them to make the perfect custard and meringue, and attempt to dazzle the judges with their own signature dish.
Wednesday
Peep Show
Channel 4
10pm
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(Credit: Channel 4)
The El Dude Brothers are back in Croydon for the ninth – and final – series of Peep Show.
Having been mildly electrocuted in a field and abandoned by Dobby, Mark and Jez are still healing their emotional wounds.
Now approaching 40, the pair must put their differences aside to celebrate with a newly clean and healthy Super Hans (Matt King).
Familiar faces Olivia Colman and Paterson Joseph are also set to wave off Channel 4’s insightful, and at times uncomfortable, comedy.
Thursday
Ben Fogle: New Lives in the UK
Channel 5
9pm
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(Credit: Channel 5)
Ben Fogle has travelled the world meeting people who have given up the rat race for a simple life in some of the world’s most remote locations.
Now he sets his sights on those who have abandoned their city lives for a life off the grid in the UK.
This week he travels to Devon to meet the Mason family, who swapped life in a council house in London’s commuter belt for a converted horsebox and four acres of overgrown farmland.
Friday
Children in Need
BBC One
7.30pm
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(Credit: BBC/Guy Levey)
Ellie Goulding, Rod Stewart and Selina Gomez are among the stars performing at the BBC Children in Need appeal extravaganza.
Sir Terry Wogan will oversee proceedings that will also feature a Strictly Come Dancing makeover for the cast of Call the Midwife, a special performance from the stars of Eastenders and excerpts from West End musicals Beautiful, Kinky Boots and Bend It Like Beckham.
Saturday
MoTD Special: David Beckham’s Match for Children
BBC One
10.20pm
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(Credit: UNICEF/Villanova)
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham will captain a Great Britain and Ireland team, managed by former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, against an all-star Rest of the World Team led by Zinedine Zidane, with the help of former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Match of the Day special will feature highlights from the game, held at Old Trafford to raise money for UNICEF.
Sunday
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
ITV
9pm
![](/sites/default/files/im_a_celebrity_get_me_out_of_here_01.jpg)
(Credit: ITV/Nigel Wright)
A new group of celebrities will leave their luxurious lives behind to spend up to three weeks in the Australian jungle, where they face hostile wildlife, bushtucker trials and, worst of all, other celebrities.