Doctor In Your House (C4, 8pm)

NOT one but two doctors move in with a family to try and correct their ills this week. Chanel 4 is first out of the blocks, but the BBC follows on Thursday with the far better title of Doctor In The House, without too much sitcom humour in evidence.

The last time viewers saw Dr Xand van Tulleken back in May, he was presenting the Horizon episode Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?, in which he and his identical twin brother Chris tested the effects alcohol.

Now, having hopefully fully sobered up and recovered from that ordeal, cameras follow Dr Xand as he moves in with the White family for a weekend, during which he gives them a unique medical. Dad Dylan's snoring and cholesterol is confronted, as is mum Nicky's blood pressure, while teen daughters Susannah and Natasha have skin, ear and hair worries which Dr Xand hopes to ease. He also drafts in Dr Ellie Cannon for support, who's on family bowel patrol and helps with some of the Whites' skin complaints.

Over on BBC, a three-part health series sees three normal families inviting a doctor into their lives for two months, to undergo the health MoT of a lifetime – the medic in Channel 4's version only stays with a family for a few days.

Like most busy NHS GPs, Dr Rangan Chatterjee only gets around ten minutes with each patient in Oldham.

Now he's taking on the biggest challenge of his career.

"I believe that 99 per cent of a patient's health outcome is what happens in that time outside the surgery room," he explains.

Rangan is about to live alongside individual families who struggle with their health. For the first time he'll gain insight into every aspect of his patients' lives.

"This is a unique opportunity," he says. "I think I'll be able to learn so much. Do they cook fresh food? Is it a noisy street? Are there stressful relationships? All these things have a huge and significant role in determining their health."

He'll detect undiagnosed diseases, deliver some home truths, and discover ways we could all live longer, healthier lives. First stop is Kingsbury in north west London. The home of a couple of middle-aged divorcees/old school friends and her 19 year-old-daughter. They all lead busy lives and are particularly worried about mum's health.

For the past three years she feels like she's been in "a tidal wave" of putting on weight. She also suffers from excema and stress, and her sleep is suffering.

Now temporary lodger Rangan will see if he can transform their wellbeing.

Instead of having seven to seven minutes to ascertain his patient's problem, he will have a month.

"By doing that I can make a bigger impact with their health."

Of course, the big question is whether the families change their lifestyles for the better... and if BBC or Channel 4 look healthier after audience figures are measured?

River (BBC1, 9pm)

THE troubled detective is convinced that Stevie's investigation into the exploitation of illegal immigrants holds the key to her murder. Further questioning of someone close to the team reveals a system of immigration cases that could lead into some unexpected places. When a common link to certain businesses is found, it all starts to fall into place, but the link also leads to unfortunate repercussions. Crime drama, starring Stellan Skarsgard, Nicola Walker, Lesley Manville and Adeel Akhtar. Last in the series.

Imagine (BBC1, 10.35pm)

A STUDY of acclaimed theatre and film producer Michael White, who paved the way for stage and screen hits including A Chorus Line, Sleuth, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and The Rocky Horror Show. Director Gracie Otto's film looks back on White's days in showbusiness as he starts to sell off his treasured collection of personal photographs and papers. Among the interviewees reflecting on White's career are director John Waters, and actors Naomi Watts and John Cleese.