THE best of tonight's TV choices.

Killed By My Debt (BBC One, 9pm)

BBC Three began to carve out a reputation for its hard-hitting TV dramas with the award-winning Murdered By My Boyfriend, which explored the issue of domestic abuse.

Since becoming an online platform, it's continued to produce thought-provoking films, including Murdered By My Father, which looked at so-called honour killings, and Murdered For Being Different, which told the heart-breaking real-life story of Sophie Lancaster, who was attacked because she was dressed as a goth.

Earlier this year, the channel tackled the drawbacks of the so-called gig economy and insecure jobs with Killed by My Debt, which is now getting a well-deserved airing on primetime BBC1.

It raises the issues through the true story of Jerome Rogers from New Addington, Croydon, who in January 2015, at the age of 19, got his first real job as a self-employed courier for a delivery service.

His weekly earnings could vary widely - although in the early months, he could bring home around £350, it could sometimes it could be as little £12.

So, when he picked up two traffic fines totalling £130 while at work, he couldn't pay them. Before long, the amount he owed had spiralled to more than £1,000. His stepdad Bentley paid off £507 for the first ticket, and Jerome told Bentley and his mum that he had sorted the second, but didn't reveal the extent of his money troubles - or that he had applied for 15 payday loans. And to add to his mounting troubles, he also had to pay for his bike, his company tracker, jacket, insurance and petrol, leaving him with no money to pay off the bailiffs.

Matters came to a head in March 2016 when a bailiff clamped his bike, leaving Jerome unable to work - and setting the scene for a tragedy...

The production team worked closely with Jerome's family and also drew on testimony and evidence given during the inquest into his death, which included bodycam recordings of Jerome's confrontations with the bailiffs.

There's also a talented cast to bring the story the screen, including newcomer Chance Perdomo in the lead role. The BBC are billing this as a potentially star-making performance and given that in 2015, the then little-known Georgina Campbell won the Best Actress Bafta for Murdered by My Boyfriend (beating fellow nominees Keeley Hawes, Sarah Lancashire and Sheridan Smith in the process), you wouldn't bet it against it.

However, nothing detracts from Jerome's own story - which, as the film-makers discovered when they spoke to other young people dealing with debt and the gig economy, is not as rare or as extreme as some may hope.

BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh says: "This drama is an incredibly important British story and a devastating examination of the damage wrought on one family by low income, unstable jobs and debt. It is an issue that affects many in the country, mainly young people, and I'm proud that BBC Three continues to bring thought-provoking, powerful storytelling to younger audiences."

Animals Behaving Badly (BBC1, 8pm)

A new three-part series from the BBC - and let's face it, who does animal docs better? - focuses on the science behind animal behaviour. While it may have a fun and often adorable veneer, it also sneaks in a bit of science along the way. The first episode focuses on mating, and frankly some of these critters have habits which we may find distasteful to say the least. Presenter Liz Bonnin reveals how mongoose are apt to start turf wars simply to create a distraction in order to sneak in and mate; macaques meanwhile will actually kidnap babies in order to curry favour with rivals. Meanwhile, in the American plains, she finds out why promiscuity might be the key to healthy offspring - in prairie dogs, at least.

Live Well For Longer (C4, 8pm)

With the BBC's series Eat Well for Less, plus countless other similar programmes, this new Channel 4 show promising an in-depth look at health topics might fail to stand out. That would be a shame, as this actually contains some really useful information - presented in a frank, grown-up fashion. Presenters Kate Quilton and Tamal Ray kick things off by discussing sex, drugs and alcohol. The pair hear about a new, supposedly hangover-free type of booze called 'alcosynth', while a group of women find out the effects of alcohol by going tipple-free for a month. Meanwhile reporter Morland Sanders trials a new smart drug, and asks whether it's time to lift the ban on medical marijuana.

Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh (C5, 9pm)

The presenter travels to Greater Manchester to visit the Dunham Massey, a Georgian mansion once home to the Earl of Stamford. During the mid-19th century, Dunham Massey passed into the hands of the teenage seventh Earl, George Harry Grey, who let the estate go into decline, but the mansion was revived as a military hospital during the First World War under the stewardship of the countess Penelope. Alan explores this grand house, and uncovers secret store rooms, reads first-hand wartime accounts and even meets the family's butler.