THIS WEEK’S TOP TV PICKS

RURAL A Country Life For Half The Price With Kate Humble Tuesday, Channel hannel 5, 8pm

It’s a dream that many of us have cherished, and the notion of selling up a home in the city to move to the country has only gained allure since the pandemic. But does the reality match up to the hopes for those who have taken the plunge? Kate Humble (above) presents the second series of her show in which she meets the brave families who have staked all on a change of lifestyle. She begins with a couple who bought a traditional Welsh loghouse in a deal that leaves them blissfully mortgage-free – but they may have to pay the price in sheer hard work to bring their new estate back to life.

ART Fake Or Fortune? Wednesday, BBC1, 9pm

If you’re a fan of detective stories but haven’t caught this series, you’ve been missing a treat. No crime has been committed itted (not as far as we know), yet presenter Fiona Bruce (above) and art dealer Philip Mould employ the kind of sleuthing methods Poirot would be proud of as they attempt to verify the creator of potentially valuable paintings, drawings and sculptures. In a 2018 episode they uncovered a previously unknown sketch by Henry Moore, and now the ninth run begins with another work suspected to be by the Yorkshire-born artist. This time it’s a sculpture found in the long grass of a Norfolk garden that could be worth up to £1 million.

DOCUMENTARY Yorkshire Firefighters Thursday, BBC2, 8pm

They’re the men and women who brave fires to save lives where others would simply flee to save themselves. Now the firefighters of West Yorkshire (including Sophie, above) are the subject of a dramatic new four-part documentary series revealing their extraordinary courage as well as the plain-speaking humour and camaraderie they share every day as they go about their work. There’s an eventful Bonfire Night to contend with in the opening episode, before a blaze pouring out toxic fumes in the heart of Bradford poses a threat to thousands of residents and draws every crew that can be spared in a race against time to put it out.

MUSIC BBC Proms: First Night Of The Proms Friday, BBC2, 8pm; BBC4, 9.05pm

He’s the great at British composer who is probably best loved for The Lark Ascending, but in 1938 Vaughan Williams gave ve the world an enthralling celebration of Proms founder Sir Henry Wood. Now, as the sixweek festival gets under way, Williams’s Serenade To Music – featuring 16 soloists, including Martin Owen (above) – is one of the highlights of the Proms first night, which also includes Poulenc’s Organ Concerto and the world premiere of a new work by Sir James MacMillan. Having been the conductor for last year’s audience-less Last Night, Finnish star Dalia Stasevska picks up the baton with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

COMEDY King Gary Friday, BBC1, 9.30pm

Following a successful pilot in 2018, Tom m Davis and James De Frond – the duo behind Murder In Successville e – were commissioned ned to write a full ull series of King Gary, a sitcom about Gary King, his lady love Terri and their life in suburbia. The resulting sitcom went down a treat with viewers, so it should come as no surprise that a second run is hitting our screens. Davis also plays Gary (above), who continues his quest to impress the neighbours and his beloved dad, Big Gary. The opening episode sees Gary hiring a skip, working on his wedding plans and dealing with the funeral of neighbour Mrs Watson. But it’s an abrasive new resident who threatens the peace of Butterchurn Crescent.