BBC

Rather than replacing Winkleman, who presented the show for six years, the BBC has chosen a guest presenter to front each episode in the upcoming seven-part series. 

Zoe Ball will host the first episode, followed by rapper and comedian Ben Bailey Smith, Mariella Frostrup, The Times columnist Camilla Long, Paul Merton, Edith Bowman and radio presenter and journalist Antonia Quirke.

Danny Leigh will remain as the programme's resident critic and guest critics include Grace Dent, Peter Bradshaw, Kate Muir and Ellen E Jones.

Among the subjects they covered were the UK’s inadequate digital infrastructure, Netflix, Brexit and, inevitably, The Great British Bake Off. 

Matt Hancock’s speech in the previous session found favour with the panel. BBC chief Tony Hall welcomed the emphasis the Minister of State for Digital and Culture had put on “social and regional” diversity in television. 

James Purnell: ‘From a PSB perspective, we now see a real chasm between the way we are going to be regulated. 

‘The Charter agreement is a set of incredibly detailed guidance to Ofcom – children’s programmes, history, religion, current affairs, 100-plus quotas. 

‘We wouldn’t wish that on Channel 4, but, looking at what has happened with Bake Off, there is a huge difference between the way we are regulated, and… now there is a question about whether that is right. 

‘Channel 4’s lighter touch should be looked at.’ 

Speaking to the RTS All Party Parliamentary Group in the House of Commons the veteran natural history broadcaster said that today’s BBC commissioners were reluctant to back lengthy documentaries dealing with serious topics.

“One of the things which BBC Two did very well was to make serious programmes on serious subjects – 13 part series. That requires three years. There’s a great reluctance elsewhere to do those sorts of programmes…

“Today there is a tendency to do shorter series” He added to audience laughter: “’Today we present a new two-part series.’”

The Night Manager was the first television adaptation of one of John Le Carré's novels in 20 years.

The result was a roaring success. It has been one of the most talked about series of the year, was nominated for 12 Primetime Emmys and close to 10m viewers watched the finale on the BBC.

Monday

Be Your Own Doctor

Channel 4, 8.30pm

Be Your Own Doctor is a health programme for modern society, where we turn to Google before GPs when we're ill.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Len Goodman’s critique of Ed Balls’ The Mask-themed Samba spoke for the nation a few weeks ago. Ed Balls has defied expectations to become one of the most popular contestants on the show.

Despite coming bottom of the leaderboard throughout the series, Balls and dance partner Katya Jones have escaped elimination each week.

“Even those who didn’t like him before are warming to him now” Jones says. “He’s just a normal human who came in knowing nothing about dance, and he’s trying so hard.”

The series, based on the book of the same name by award-winning novelist Christos Tsiolkas, is directed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes, Balibo, Three Dollars).

It stars Golden Globe winner Rachel Griffiths (Muriel’s Wedding, Brothers and Sisters), Matt Nable (Hyde & Seek, East West 101) and introduces Elias Anton as central character Danny Kelly.

Barracuda begins in 1996 in Melbourne, when Danny has just won a swimming scholarship to the prestigious Blackstone College.

“Every ballroom dancer in the competition world, once they stop competing, they want to join the programme,” says Gorka Marquez.

Marquez is one of six new professionals who joined the Strictly Family in 2016, along with husband and wife dancing duo Katya and Neil Jones, AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt and Oksana Platero.

Until the shock elimination last weekend, he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson.

“I think the time wasn’t right for her because she was a good dancer. I think it was too early” he protests.