Midsomer Murders (ITV, 8pm)

A familiar face returns to the most dramatically murderous part of the UK in the shape of Barnaby's former sidekick, Ben Jones. And it seems actor Jason Hughes soon felt at home.

He says: "I was nervous before I started because I wasn't sure what it would be like to come back to something after being away from it for so long. It helped enormously that everybody was so welcoming and so happy to see me back for an episode – that was very touching. The longer I was there and the more I was around everybody the more relaxed and comfortable I became and as a result I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Hughes certainly enjoyed being reunited with his old co-star Neil Dudgeon, who plays DCI John Barnaby.

He says: "I love Neil; I have such a soft spot for him. He is a wonderful man; he is so intelligent, bright and funny and one of the easiest people I have had the pleasure of working with. I'm glad to see he hasn't changed or become too grand! He is very humble and it is so nice to be around someone with such humility. Jones has obviously done very well for himself as they have given him a promotion! He has moved through the ranks and is Detective Inspector Jones now."

The two coppers meet while Barnaby and Winter are investigating the death of Lower Pampling's star cricketer Leo Henderson, who was found pummelled to death by cricket balls shortly after securing his team's place in the C10 Slam tournament semi-final.

Barnaby is shocked find that Jones was on the dead man's team, especially when his former colleague introduces himself as Jack Morris – and urges the other copper not to blow his cover as he's investigating allegations of match-fixing.

Fortunately, Hughes and his on-screen alter ego should look pretty at home on the pitch, as the actor has a sporting background. "I used to play cricket for my county, Glamorgan, from under 12s – under 16s and then I got into girls, partying and drama and the county cricket fell a bit by the wayside."

"There was a moment where 14 boys were selected from all over the country and 12 of us were going to Australia. I was one of two who wasn't picked to go and that hit me quite hard. I took it to heart and it was then that I decided to pursue drama."

Location, Location, Location (Channel 4, 8pm)

KIRSTIE Allsopp and Phil Spencer head to the North-East to help two couples with their property searches. Kirstie is in Newcastle with Tom and Liz, who are fed up with renting flats and want to find a home of their own, preferably in the fashionable suburb of Heaton. Meanwhile, Phil Spencer is in the Tyne Valley with new parents Michael and Sorrel, who have been searching for a family home for two years. They recently lost out on a property at the last minute, and with just two months left on their current rental, their search is getting very urgent.

Hospital (BBC2, 9pm)

NEW series. A six-part series capturing the day-to-day realities that face the NHS in unprecedented times. With an ever-increasing demand on its various services, the programme shows the real-life dilemmas and tough decisions that hospital staff and patients alike have to endure. In the first episode, two patients await life-saving surgery at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington – both need to be in the intensive card ward, but the hospital is at full capacity and there is only one bed remaining.

Common Sense (BBC2, 10pm)

NEW series. Topical, fast-paced comedy news series voiced by Ruth Jones, featuring a regular cast of real British people, including dinner ladies from Leeds, East End market traders, supermarket co-workers, launderette owners and butchers from Birmingham. Chosen for their sharp wit and humorous take on life, the cast offer their honest and unfiltered thoughts on some of the biggest talking points of the week.

Viv Hardwick