Tracey Ullman's Show (BBC1, 9.30pm)

THE start of a fresh run of comedy sketches featuring the talented entertainer, who made her name in the UK in the early 1980s before settling for some time in the United States. Delinquent Dame Judi Dench is back, but will being a National Treasure be enough to save her this time? Ambitious politician Nicola Sturgeon has her sights set on more than just Scotland, while there's a heartfelt song from German leader Angela Merkel. Plus, Ben Miller makes a guest appearance as media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

it was in 1981 that the Slough-born actress and comedian teamed up with Lenny Henry and David Copperfield to make Three of a Kind, the fast-moving BBC sketch show. Proving she was a double threat, Ullman went on to become a chart star with hits such as Breakaway and They Don't Know About Us cementing her status as an entertainer.

By the mid-1980s she was Stateside, with the likes of Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta working on The Tracey Ullman Show. It was here the crudely-animated version of Matt Groening's cartoon creations The Simpsons made the leap from that show to global domination.

Now the Emmy-winning Ullman has gone full circle with the second run of her acclaimed BBC sketch strand back on the box. The first run launched in a 10.45pm slot, and gained an impressive three millions viewers, so Beeb bosses didn't need much persuading to green light this run, or give it an earlier placing.

Inevitably there is a feeling of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" as series two begins. From the same bed-bouncing, foot-tapping opening titles, we are soon reunited with season one's most successful creation, anti-social Judi Dench.

While attempting to dispose of her dog's little presents in a Hampstead tree, it seems she might have finally met her match.

A sketch involving law enforcers and an apparent criminal should touch a chord with millions of vigilant door-watchers, while the make-up team outdo themselves again with Ullman's uncanny version of a ubiquitous presenter. (Take a bow Floris Schuller, Neill Gorton, Linda Wilson, Cathy Burczak and Lesley Altringham).

Ullman did not become comfortably well off without having an eye for fine supporting talent, and Dan Skinner, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Kevin Bishop and Colin Salmon are just a few of the famous faces supporting the new series.

Like many of today's biggest stars, Tracey got a taste of success at a young age. At 12 she landed a scholarship to the Italia Conti stage school. Four years later she was dancing in Berlin in a stage performance of Gigi.

By 21, she showed off her improv skills at London's Royal Court in the play Four in a Million, and the numerically themed success story continued with the aforementioned Lenny Henry/David Copperfield collaboration.

Spy in the Wild (BBC1, 7.30pm)

THIS wildlife series has captured some incredible footage of animals, but arguably the real stars have been the "Spy bots" themselves. So, it's only fair that the last episode in the series takes a closer look at the extraordinary story behind the hidden cameras, showing how the idea evolved and became the inspiration for the animatronic animals of the series. This documentary reveals the painstaking work that goes into building the lifelike models, from first concept until they become "alive" for the first time. David Tennant provides the narration.

Not Going Out (BBC1, 9pm)

LEE, Lucy and the children set off in their car to catch a ferry with plenty of time to spare - or so they think. As a consequence their plans for a welcome break prove anything but stress-free. This episode sees Lee Mack reunited with Would I Lie to You? chairman Rob Brydon, who makes a sneaky appearance when his voice is heard as the clan attempts to make its way to the ferry terminal. Sally Bretton and Dan Tetsell also star in the long-running comedy, which has already been commissioned for a further two series.

Viv Hardwick