Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Doctor Who – The Impossible Astronaut Ep 1/7

Saturday 23 April

6.00-6.45pm Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE

• Press pack

River Song (Alex Kingston), Rory (Arthur Darvill), The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy (Karen Gillan) are reunited in the Utah desert

Four envelopes, numbered two, three and four – each containing a date, time and map reference, unsigned, but TARDIS blue – begin the latest series of the time-travelling adventures. Who sent them? And who received the missing number one?

This strange summons reunites The Doctor, Amy, Rory and River Song in the middle of the Utah desert and unveils a terrible secret that The Doctor's friends must never reveal to him.

Placing his life entirely in their hands, The Doctor agrees to search for the recipient of the fourth envelope. Just who is Canton Everett Delaware the Third? And what is the relevance of their only other clue: "Space 1969"? Their quest lands them in the Oval Office, where they are enlisted by President Nixon himself to assist enigmatic former FBI agent Canton in saving a terrified little girl from a mysterious spaceman.

The Doctor is played by Matt Smith, Amy by Karen Gillan, Rory by Arthur Darvill, River Song by Alex Kingston and Canton Everett Delaware the Third by Mark Sheppard.

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Don't Scare The Hare

Saturday 23 April

5.25-6.00pm Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE

Jason Bradbury hosts an innovative new family game show

Hosted by Jason Bradbury, Don't Scare The Hare is an innovative new family game show packed with humour, jeopardy – and a 4ft animatronic robot hare, voiced by Sue Perkins. It promises fun and games that will have the whole family gathered around the television and laughing out loud.

In Don't Scare The Hare two teams of visitors are invited down to the hare's extraordinary underground forest to take part in a series of physical and mental challenges. If they're successful, they could be leaving this weird and wonderful world with a fantastic stash of cash, as long as they remember one crucial rule – Don't Scare The Hare.

The two teams must avoid scaring the cautious yet inquisitive hare as they compete across several rounds of entertaining large-scale challenges and games, each one full of traps and pitfalls specifically designed to give the hare a fright.

A handy Β£15,000 is at stake in the show's dramatic finale and, with the hare having an unpredictable personality, things are not going to be easy for the teams.

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Jonathan Readwin, Stephen Lloyd, James Buckley, Ashley Gerlach and Lee Long star in this one-off episode of Rock & Chips

It's 1961 and Joan is still keeping the Trotter fortunes afloat, as John Sullivan's comedy drama following the early lives of the Trotter family and their friends in Peckham returns for a one-off special.

Joan is holding down two jobs – one at the Ritz cinema and the other as Freddie Robdal's charlady. But she's been working for Freddie for six months and still doesn't know how to turn on his vacuum cleaner – their time is spent in far more romantic pursuits. Back at the Ritz, Joan is plagued by the less welcome attentions of her boss, Raynor. Every day she dreams of a new life with Freddie, but she knows she needs to see Del settled first.

Del is doing his best, continuing to get himself hitched to half of Peckham. He's particularly keen on the lovely Barbara – whose father has a thriving funeral business and a well-appointed home in Peckham posh-spot, King's Avenue. Things are going extremely well until Del gets trapped in the kitchen with Barbara's inebriated mum...

Meanwhile, DI Thomas is still desperate to get an arrest for the Margate jewellery heist and Freddie's fondness for Joan proves to be his undoing.

This hour-long comedy drama special once again stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as light-fingered Freddie Robdal, Kellie Bright as ever-hopeful Joan Trotter and James Buckley as the young Del Boy. Phil Daniels returns as Grandad, Shaun Dingwall is back as work-shy Reg Trotter and Robert Daws is Joan Trotter's sleazy manager, Raynor. Paula Wilcox picks up her knitting needles again as Reg's mother, Violet, and Mel Smith is back to restore law and order to the streets of Peckham as Freddie's nemesis, DI Thomas.

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To satisfy the nation's growing anticipation for the big Royal event of 2011, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One celebrates and retells the love story of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and shows unprecedented behind-the-scenes action of the forthcoming Royal wedding.

While the documentary has glamour, the palaces and parades, at its heart it is an entertaining, warm and feelgood look at two people who fell in love. It's a perfect appetiser for the week of the wedding and a unique perspective on this key moment in British history.

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It's 1956 and the country has found its first heart-throbs in Manchester United's Busby Babes, a good-looking and talented team of young players who are the pride of Manchester, in Chris Chibnall's authentic and moving account of this heartbreaking football tragedy.

On the fringes is 19-year-old Bobby Charlton. Having trained at the club for three years, his dream is to play alongside his heroes. Guided by inspirational coach Jimmy Murphy, Bobby's hard work pays off when boss Matt Busby gives him his first-team debut. He scores two goals, despite an ankle injury.

By early 1958, United are top of the league and have qualified for the European Cup quarter-finals in Belgrade. Forced by the Football League to be back in Manchester 24 hours before their next League fixture, Busby has to charter a special flight. Arctic weather closes in as the team travel back via Munich. Having aborted take-off twice, a third attempt is made. The plane never leaves the ground, crashing into a fuel dump.

Eight of the team die as a result of their injuries, along with backroom staff, journalists and two of the plane's crew. Back in Manchester, Murphy breaks the news to anxious relatives before flying to Munich to visit the injured team in hospital. Riddled with guilt about the decision to charter the plane, Busby remains in a critical condition.

Facing the possibility that Manchester United might close, Jimmy pieces together a team to honour the club's remaining fixtures.

While Manchester mourns, Bobby returns home unsure whether to play again. With Jimmy's gentle words and inspired by a chance kick-about, he decides to return to Old Trafford to watch Murphy's patched-up side.

Led by Murphy, with Bobby back in the side and Busby's return to the dressing room, United reach the FA Cup Final at Wembley. Though the final is lost, the spirit of the club lives on.

Bobby Charlton is played by Jack O'Connell, Jimmy Murphy by David Tennant, Matt Busby by Dougray Scott, Duncan Edwards by Sam Claflin, Harry Gregg by Ben Peel, Eddie Coleman by Thomas Howes and Mark Jones by Philip Hill-Pearson

United is one of a series of new dramas reflecting the major new investment for drama on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two. This year marks the rebirth of drama on the channel with a range of truly original pieces that all signal this confident new direction.

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To compliment the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two drama United, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport presents a special documentary looking back at the remarkable career of arguably England's most iconic and greatest ever footballer: Sir Bobby Charlton.

Sir Bobby was a key member of the England team that won the World Cup on home soil in 1966 and part of a Manchester United team touched by success and tragedy in equal measure.

Charlton survived the Munich Air disaster in 1958 which killed several of his teammates, dubbed the Busby Babes. He became a crucial figure in the club's resurgence, winning two league titles and, unforgettably, in 1968, the European Cup against Benfica. Renowned for his attacking instincts and ferocious long-range shot, he is still the record goal scorer for England and Manchester United.

He received a knighthood in 1994 and was awarded the prestigious Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. A fiercely proud Englishman, Charlton helped to promote London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, plus bids for the Fifa World Cup and Manchester's hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. He remains a pivotal figure at Manchester United as an ambassador, Club Director and close confidante of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The programme features incredible archive from Sir Bobby's life in football plus poignant contributions on the Munich crash from survivors including Sir Bobby himself. It also hears from the biggest names in world football, including Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Geoff Hurst, Harry Greig, Gordon Banks, Ryan Giggs, Gary Lineker and Bobby's brother, Jack Charlton, who all pay tribute to the much-loved man they simply call "Sir Bobby".

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The world première of a new full-length ballet created by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon for The Royal Ballet comes from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The ballet is based on Lewis Carroll's famous story of Alice, an ordinary girl who falls down a rabbit hole one summer afternoon and finds herself on an extraordinary adventure. The music, by Joby Talbot, is the first new full-length score for the company in 20 years, with designs by internationally acclaimed Bob Crowley.

Alice is danced by the Royal Ballet's rising star Lauren Cuthbertson and actor Simon Russell-Beale plays the cameo role of the Duchess.

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This documentary follows the creation of the Royal Ballet's first full-length ballet with a newly commissioned score in 20 years, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.

The film follows the making of the work through Alice's eyes – principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson – exploring the intimate process of creating a major and complex work of dance. The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is her "wonderland" as viewers follow Lauren's experiences, through rehearsals to taking the ballet out of the studio and onto the stage.

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Sue Perkins and Giles Coren plan their own royal wedding

They've dined together through two series of Supersizers and attempted to live The Good Life. Now, in this one-off special, Giles Coren and Sue Perkins take their relationship to the next level as they prepare for their very own royal wedding.

The pair assume the roles of a modern prince and his princess-to-be as they agonise over every step of the wedding planning process, from choosing the dress to arguing over the vows. Along the way they don historical costumes to step back in time and draw inspiration from past Royal couples, including Royal wedding veteran Henry VIII; the fast-living George, Prince of Wales and his "mail order" bride, Caroline of Brunswick; and Queen Victoria's eldest son, Prince "Bertie", and the original "people's princess" Alexandra of Denmark.

In true Supersizers fashion the programme culminates with a lavish wedding banquet featuring dishes from past Royal nuptials, including everything from Sturgeon Γ  la Royale to the Queen Mother's favourite, Eggs Drumkilbo. Witty, irreverent and packed with fascinating historical detail, Giles And Sue's Royal Wedding provides the ideal preparation for the big day.

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Kate Humble presents a Springwatch special

It's Easter weekend, and spring has sprung all over Britain. The Springwatch team – Chris Packham, Kate Humble and Martin Hughes-Games – present an up-to-the-minute report on the progress of spring 2011, with news, views and inspiration on how viewers can get involved. The team are based at the Portland Bill bird observatory, where spring migrant birds returning from Africa will be arriving on our shores.

From mad March hares to Easter bunnies, and spring flowers to waking hedgehogs, they track the progress of spring across Britain. Chris investigates the science of spring and asks what exactly it is that triggers our wildlife to be so active at this time of year. Martin visits the Hampshire parish of Selborne to discover how 18th-century vicar Gilbert White became the first "springwatcher". Kate, meanwhile, takes a walk in the woods near her home in the Wye Valley, and finds out how to help birds looking for a home to raise a family.

Lovers of wildlife are also being encouraged this year to get online to indulge their passion for wildlife by birding expert Bill Oddie, as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's First Click campaign.

Bill shares his enduring passion for nature in a special item filmed at his home for Springwatch – checking weather forecasts and logging bird and other wildlife sightings, and demonstrating how easy it is to communicate with fellow birders at home and abroad online.

The programme also asks viewers to get involved in the Springwatch survey – one of the most important examples of citizen science in the UK. The team look back at what the survey has revealed about changes in the timing of spring, and lets people know what to look out for over the coming weeks.

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Ruth Jones, award-winning comedy actress and writer, returns to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two this Easter with a second helping of her seasonal chat show, Ruth Jones's Easter Treat. Following on from the success of Ruth's Christmas Cracker, she is joined by queen of comedy Dawn French, star of stage and screen Michael Sheen and musical comedian Tim Minchin. There is also music from rising star Clare Mcguire.

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Easter From King's tells, in words and music, the story of the last days of the Earthly life of Jesus and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Music sung by the world-famous Chapel choir – directed by Stephen Cleobury – includes Lotti's Crucifixus, pieces from Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Ave verum corpus. Other composers featured are Allegri, Tchaikovsky, Wood, Gibbons and Ousley. Traditional hymns include Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross and There Is A Green Hill Far Away.

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Don't Tell The Bride

Bank Holiday Friday 29 April

10.30-11.30pm Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE

There may be a royal wedding planned this year but Kate and Wills aren't the only couple who will be nervously waiting for 29 April to arrive. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three's bride and groom are also getting hitched on that soon-to-be-famous date and, as if that wasn't pressure enough, of course it's the groom who's single-handedly taken on the role of organising every last aspect of the wedding he hopes will be fit for his very own princess.

In a Don't Tell The Bride first, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three joins the couple live from their evening wedding reception. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three's Cherry Healey is on hand to take viewers through the journey of their wedding in a series of films pre-recorded in the weeks leading up to the big day, and by chatting to the newlyweds and the guests in between the clips the programme aims to get right under the skin of the story and witness first-hand how all the preparations pay off.

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Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Ep 1/6

Tuesday 26 April

10.30-11.00pm Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE

Gaz (Will Mellor, front) adjusts to life in a wheelchair (L-R: Luke Gell, Natalie Casey, Freddie Hogan and Georgia Henshaw)

There are new faces in Runcorn as Susan Nickson's popular sitcom returns to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three for a new series this spring.

Georgia Henshaw (Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging, Skins) plays Cassie, a feisty young girl who has just been released from a juvenile detention centre, and Freddie Hogan (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows) joins the cast as Billy. Wannabe footballer Billy works as a carer for Gaz, who has been left paralysed following his accident at the end of the last series.

Gaz returns home from the hospital following his accident; he finds it tough to adjust to life in a wheelchair and becomes annoyed with his new carer, Billy, who is eternally cheery and overly helpful. Things are made worse when Donna shows him all the adjustments she's made around the flat, and when their first attempt at a quickie goes disastrously wrong it begins to dawn on them both just how much has changed.

Over at the Archer, a makeover is attracting a new, younger crowd to the pub and landlord Tim is really happy with the new business coming in. However, Tim's good mood is short-lived when his younger sister Cassie turns up fresh out of a juvenile detention centre and immediately stirs things up with the regulars in the pub. Despite Tim's best efforts Cassie will not leave, particularly when she discovers that old school crush Billy hangs out in the Archer – but he doesn't want her in Runcorn, especially as she refuses to apologise for the awful thing she did...

Gaz is played by Will Mellor, Donna by Natalie Casey and Tim by Luke Gell.

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Gaz can't get used to his "metrosexual" carer Billy; not only does he have regular manicures, he keeps calling him "babe" and trying to hug him. Billy is upset, but he's determined to win Gaz round no matter what it takes.

Meanwhile Donna starts to face up to her responsibilities now that she is the sole breadwinner. Desperate for a job, she asks Tim for a few shifts in The Archer but draws a blank, she continues her search at the job centre but is thrown when she sees her old nemesis from school and is left feeling inadequate that she too doesn't have a career.

Elsewhere, Cassie continues to admire Billy from afar, but she's too scared to make her move. Tim decides she needs to boost her confidence and gives her a make over so she can discover her "inner diva", and bag her man.

Gaz is played by Will Mellor, Billy by Freddie Hogan, Donna by Natalie Casey, Tim by Luke Gell and Cassie by Georgia Henshaw.

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