Posh Pawn (Channel 4, 8pm)

YOU can't help but feel fascinated with the posh people end up having to sneak along to the pawnbroker and cash in some of their trinkets... and the odd yacht or two.

James Constantinou and the London-based team at Prestige Pawnbrokers are back tonight, providing viewers with a chance to catch up with the fortunes of the Hatton Garden, Weybridge and Richmond stores.

Although they specialise in high-end items, some clients include people selling unwanted competition prizes or diamond necklaces and scrolls from the era of King George V.

"As long as it doesn't breathe we will usually take it," James told a national newspaper. "Where else can you say that?"

Pawnbroking was one of the big winners of the financial crash (the sector grew from £300 million in 2007 to more than £850 million last year).

Constantinou, a former property developer, set up Prestige in early 2009 after spotting a gap in the market for the asset-rich but cash-poor.

"I knew people living in million-pound houses with Ferraris on the drive who were short on funds," he says. "These people had built up wealth in cars and jewellery but couldn't use them as collateral.

"You can have a picture hanging on the wall behind you that's worth £20,000, but you can't take a painting into a bank to raise capital.

"Yet you can bring it to us and within ten minutes walk out with a large amount of cash or a bank draft."

Of course there is also a human and emotional element to James' work.

"I don't like to see people parted from items they are very attached to,' he confesses.

"People get upset, of course, because sometimes they feel they have no choice but to leave things with us that have huge emotional significance. We try and work with them and help them wherever we can."

Tonight's opener features a prospective customer who hopes the proceeds from the sale of designer handbags might help get a new business venture off the ground.

Meanwhile, the company's memorabilia expert Lawrence values a guitar signed by Oasis, and a diamond bracelet gives new branch manager Alicja a chance to secure an international client.

Finally, for James, things get off to a typically extravagant start as he jets off to sun-kissed Palma to view a yacht that could be worth £150,000.

Pound Shop Wars (BBC1, 7.30pm)

CHIEF executive Chris Edwards takes a huge gamble by filling his new warehouse with £4million worth of stock he has pre-bought to fill the 40 new Poundworlds he plans to open within the next 12 months. Owning 230 at the moment just doesn't quite fit the bill.

However, launching each branch comes with its own particular set of problems, a truth that becomes very clear to store manager Duncan, who has been given the task of overseeing the opening of a flagship shop in an up-market Cardiff shopping centres. Meanwhile, in Burnley, store manager Geoff is forced to take time off for eye surgery, giving assistant Ian – known as the Grafter with Laughter – to step into the top job.

The Great British Bake Off (BBC1, 8pm)

AS the rain pours torrents on to the Tent of Dreams, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins usher the nine remaining home-bakers back into the tent for the fourth week of the contest. This time, the competitors must tackle desserts, beginning with a signature challenge in the form of a French classic – creme brulee. With the clock ticking, the contestants must grill their offerings to perfection to avoid serving up an unappetising scrambled egg and custard soup. Next is the technical challenge, in which Mary Berry asks the group to prepare Spaniche Windtorte, an Austrian meringue inspired by the tastes of Spain, Switzerland and France. Finally, the showstopper this week involves baking a three-tiered cheesecake stack.