Boomers (BBC1, 9pm)

ACTING your age has never been more difficult for the baby boomers that are now guilty of exceeding the speed limit on a single carriageway (that’s going over 60), many with little sign of retirement in sight

With the viewing figures of so many older people at stake, Richard Pinto's Boomers offers a comedy-drama based on three sixty-something couples living in Thurnemouth, Norfolk, following their ups and downs in their marriages, and their attitudes towards becoming pensioners.

The Bafta award-winning Last Tango in Halifax certainly caught the attention of viewers who prefer Pointless Celebrities to The Simpsons, and it looks like the sanatogen set are finally going to get some more worthwhile viewing.

BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore says: "Comedy has a unique ability to make the ordinary extraordinary and Boomers delivers that with a big hit of characters. The series follows three newly retired couples who re-discover what it means to have time on their hands, hilariously brought to life by a stellar cast whose relationships are tested in a multitude of ways."

Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning, explains: "This is a very modern, affectionate and brutally honest single camera take on a stage of life often stereotyped and outmoded in sitcom-world."

Russ Abbot, Alison Steadman, Stephanie Beacham and Paula Wilcox are the most name-worthy of the old actors on show. The plot involves Alan (Philip Jackson) and Joyce (Steadman) approaching retirement in very different ways. Him wanting to slow down and her wanting to step it up a gear. John (Abbot) and Maureen (Beacham) enjoy a life of luxury in their gadget-filled house, making the most of every day. But there's a constant reminder of what's to come with Maureen's mum Joan (June Whitfield) never far away.

And Trevor (James Smith) and Carol (Wilcox) have such a laid-back, fuss-free relationship that if he was to go away for a weekend, she probably wouldn't even notice. In the first instalment, the group are preparing for the funeral of an old friend, Jean, but there are mixed feelings among them.

Alan is more interested that her ex-husband, Mick, an old friend who has been living in Spain, will be making an appearance. John's also wary of the visitor, convinced that he has had a thing for Maureen ever since a notorious holiday in Weymouth years ago.

Meanwhile, Joyce is preoccupied with thoughts about her daughter-in-law who is due to give birth any day now. Keep an eye out for cameos from Dudley Sutton and Nigel Planer.

Scrappers (BBC1, 8.30pm)

Goody, more muck and brass with Terry and Lindsey Walker who are at the helm of a multi-million scrap business. Terry notices that he hasn't had an argument with his missus for weeks. But all that might be about to change when he decides to throw an open day to celebrate their 21 years working together, and tempers start to fray. And when Boyle is arrested, Terry loses his cool, and it's not just the big event that could be left in tatters, but his marriage too.

Wartime Secrets with Harry Harris (Quest, 9pm)

LONDON cabbie and keen amateur historian Harry Harris acquired plenty of knowledge during 20 years in the business. Previously he delved into London's history. Now Harris is back on a mammoth journey through the Second World War, uncovering secrets, conspiracies and other hidden stories of wartime Britain. In the first episode of what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining series, Harry examines why Luftwaffe pilots were buried with military honours in London, and retraces the British Legion's controversial trip to Nazi Germany.