Daily Post

Bangle in the Wind Mystery

THERE was once a time when forensic examinations were a rarity. Imagine if Dixon of Dock Green was dumped in 21st century Britain - he'd have no idea about such things.

Merlin's Magic Spells Danger ; Sorcerer has to Keep His Skills Under Wraps

Swhole lot more exciting again as magic, costumes, drama and action return. And let's not forget the wrinkly old dragon. No, we're not talking about Strictly Come Dancing and Brucie - Merlin is back for another run. Set in the mystical kingdom of Camelot, the BBC Wales series won millions of fans last year exploring the early years of Merlin and Arthur, before they went on to become a powerful magician and the head of the Round Table respectively.

Fortunes Frontman Vern's Back

THEY say a classic never dies and long-running game show Family Fortunes is as old as the hills - but, it's important to note, it is still as entertaining as ever. Back in 1979 when the show first appeared on our screens, Bob Monkhouse was the silver tongued presenter.

Win a Freesat Hd Box ; Competition

THREE Daily Post readers can each win a pounds 200 Freesat HD boxes to kit out televisions around the home, plus installation, to make the most of the coming digital switchover. With Freesat, viewers can receive more than 140 TV channels and radio stations, including free highdefinition (HD) channels from S4C, BBC and ITV, offering five times the picture quality, without paying a monthly subscription. Everyone can receive Freesat wherever they live, with no re-tuning required.

Park Life Swings for Anna

'MUM the horse is in the house!' It's just another day at Anna Ryder Richardson's Pembrokeshire wildlife park, as the kids shout out unfazed and Anna pushes the pony outside. And that's just the start of it.

Blood Pressure for Doc Martin ; Doc Is Back After Break Curmudgeonly

M ARTIN Clunes is running through the streets of a sleepy Cornish village carrying a bag of offal dripping with blood, being chased by a pack of local dogs. No, it's not a scene from a Tarantino-esque British horror film, this is the opening sequence to the fourth series of Doc Martin.

The Two Wives of Lloyd George ; Welsh Wizard's Double Life

THEY say behind every great man is a great woman. That was certainly true in the case of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George - except in his case, he had two. In a S4C documentary Dwy Wraig Lloyd George, Ffion Hague tells the story of the triangle between Lloyd George, first wife Margaret Owen (1866-1941) and mistress Frances Stevenson (1888-1973). The programme follows years of research by Ffion for her book, The Pain and Privilege: The Women in Lloyd George's Life. It includes the firs...

What to Watch

Merlin (BBC1, 6.40pm) This sword and sorcery adventure returns and Merlin (Colin Morgan) is still toiling unappreciated as a servant to Prince Arthur (Bradley James). Tonight an evil sorcerer threatens Camelot, and we begin with workmen uncovering a jewelfilled tomb beneath the castle; soon a visiting chancer has his eye on the treasure and works his way into Arthur's favour at Merlin's expense. A dramatic series opener with striking visual ideas. Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 7.25pm) Amazingl...

What to Watch

Celebrity Come Dine with Me (C4, 8pm) This dinner party challenge launches tonight with a celebrity special in which we get to be the invisible fifth guest at their dinner table. Celebrity guests tonight include EastEnders actress Laila Morse (Mo Harris), comedian Bobby Davro, DJ Dane Bowers and TV presenter Dani Behr. Have the celebrities put their time away from the spotlight to perfect their culinary skills? Are the guests to be treated to a feast fit for a King or will it be a culinary di...

What to Watch

The Paul O'Grady Show (C4, 5pm) This may be the last chance we get to see this outspoken celebrity hosting his hugely popular weekday entertainment programme. Reports have suggested that he may be planning to quit at the end of 2009. So we should make the most of one man and his dog and the air of gentle anarchy that they bring to our teatime. Tonight Paul welcomes Dame Edna Everage, and award- winning pop star Mica provides the music. MasterChef: The Professionals (BBC2, 8.30pm) It's quarter...

What to Watch

Blue Peter (BBC1, 4.35pm) This iconic series kicks off with a new series today and introduces the newest member of the team. At just nine months old, red setter/dachsund cross Barney bounds into the spotlight to join Blue Peter's other pets. Meanwhile, the presenters Andy Akinwolere, Helen Skelton and Joel Defries get to talk to two Harry Potter stars and attempt to break the mattress toppling record. All good fun! Holby City (BBC1, 8pm) Someone needs to tell Connie (Amanda Mealing) and Micha...

What to Watch

Midsomer Murders (ITV1, 8pm) DCI Tom Barnaby returns for a new series of this drama that sees so many murders in one small village its hard to believe there is anyone left still alive and kicking. Tonight University science fellow George Jeffers threatens to make a problem public using his state-of-the-art invention Kernel Logic. And when a schoolteacher is killed in a hit-and-run, Barnaby suspects Jeffers was the intended target. Wounded (BBC1, 9pm) This intensely moving and brutally graphic...

What to Watch

EastEnders (BBC1, 7.30pm) Bianca dolls herself up hoping to win back Ricky, but she witnesses him and Sam getting cosy on the swings and ends up on Pat's mobility scooter, covered in oil. Tanya is furious when she finds out that Lauren and Peter are sleeping together, and the wife swap between her and the Beales doesn't go according to plan. She finds herself being treated as a skivvy, and then to top it all she's horrified to find Ian climbing in beside her when she finally settles down to b...

What to Watch

Coronation Street (ITV1, 7.30pm & 8.30pm) Chesney blames Fiz when Kirk moves out, and not even a visit to see John can improve her mood. Rosie vows to do everything she can to win Luke back and when she walks into Tina and Jason's party to see Luke and Michelle kissing she loses it and grabs Michelle by the hair. Michelle fights back and throws Rosie across a table full of drinks. The fight spills out onto the street where Rita breaks it up and takes Rosie home. You'd think she would take the...

Up Close with ... Shakira

Name Shakira Image Snake-hipped songstress. Best Known For Hits like Whenever, Wherever and Hips Don't Lie. Early Life Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Columbia. She is the only child of Nidya del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, who is of Italian and Spanish ancestry, and William Mebarak Chadid, who is an American of Lebanese descent. Shakira quickly displayed a creative talent and wrote her first poem when she was four years old. Despite her music teacher tellin...

Soapbox ...

(week beginning Monday September 21) EASTENDERS (BBC1) Peggy tries to raise the money to get Sam out of jail, and in desperation, turns to Archie. He will give her the cash - on one condition: he must be allowed to move back into the Queen Vic. Before you know it, Sam is back but only one person offers her a shoulder to cry on - the lovable but terminally gullible Ricky. Before long, they're back together, to poor Bianca's chagrin. CORONATION STREET (ITV1) Norris sees his dead mother in a fre...

Fig Out

Fig Out On Pudding ; Roast Figs with Cinnamon Ice Cream (Serves 4)

NOW that the summer fruits have finished - and what a bumper crop we had towards the end - it's time to look further to create desserts for autumn. Apples, pears and plums are growing in the back garden and we have already raided the blackberry bushes for crumbles and tarts. Local ladies have brought me buckets of damsons, which make a wonderful cold soup served with cinnamon ice cream, and we have pickled loads to go with cold meats. We have to import fruit to keep the menus interesting unti...

Wine Notes

I'M sure many people, myself included, were greatly saddened by the news of Keith Floyd's death. He inspired numerous chefs and home cooks with his infectious enthusiasm for food. 250ml 250g brandy;. pan, and cover and He did more to popularise fish and seafood than all the so-called organisations put together. I was pleased that his last night was spent in Mark Hix's Lyme Regis restaurant where he enjoyed oysters, Champagne, partridge and claret - a splendid swansong.

Best Buys