Tonight's TV: Emmerdale 1918 (ITV, 8.30pm)

Emmerdale 1918 (ITV, 8.30pm)

IF Emmerdale had been set 100 years ago, how would the villagers have been affected by the First World War?

We're about to find out as this new series, which marks the centenary of the end of the conflict, finds Emmerdale cast members digging into the real lives of some of Yorkshire's local heroes who drove the war effort. Future episodes will see the soap's vicar, vet and farmer learning more about the experiences of their real-live equivalents, but we begin with Mark Charnock, who is better known to soap fans as chef Marlon Dingle. In reality, the actor has little kitchen experience, but that's about to change as he learns more about the legacy of a First World War cook who lived in the Yorkshire village that provided the inspiration for Emmerdale.

HMS Victory: Nelson's Great Warship (C5, 8pm)

NEW series. Rob Bell reveals the secrets of the historic ships that shaped the nation.

He begins with the story of HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson's personal flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. When Victory was built more than 40 years previously, she was the largest warship in the world with firepower equivalent to a whole army on land. However, Rob discovers that this titan of the seas was very nearly scrapped long before the battle that would ultimately seal her place in history.

Michael Palin in North Korea (C5, 9pm)

HE'S been around the world in 80 days, travelled pole to pole, gone full circle, and taken in the sights and sounds of the Sahara, the Himalayas, Brazil and New Europe, but one place Michael Palin has never visited before is North Korea.

But then again, few people from the West have. In what must be something of a coup for Channel 5, they're broadcasting a two-part series charting the Monty Python star's adventures in the country, during what he describes as "the most revealing journey of my life." He sets out to learn more about the North Korea behind the headlines, a place 25 million people call home, and he wants to meet as many of them, from different walks of life, as he can. He isn't, however, without company - where Palin goes, there are always guides watching his every move.

Hyundai Mercury Prize 2018 Live: Album of the Year (BBC4, 9pm)

THERE used to be a theory that the Mercury Music Prize was cursed - largely due to some the early winners struggling to maintain their success - but it's doubtful that anyone on this year's shortlist cares about that, especially as the line-up includes industry veteran Noel Gallagher and previous champions Arctic Monkeys, who have done pretty well for themselves since taking the prize home in 2006.

The other nominees at this ceremony, hosted by Annie Mac, are Lily Allen, Everything Everything, Everything Is Recorded, Florence and the Machine, King Krule, Novelist, Nadine Shah, Jorja Smith, Sons of Kemet and Wolf Alice.

Press (BBC1, 9pm)

HOLLY picks up a lead about a business tycoon, alleging that he has been using his position of authority to pressure young women into sleeping with him.

Editor Amina is aware it will be difficult to prove the allegation but she allows Holly to investigate anyway - unaware of the ramifications in store. Rival reporters Ed and Leona become involved in a competitive tussle when they are both sent to cover the same case, and when both papers go to print, Duncan and Amina make bold moves that could jeopardise their careers.

To Catch a Serial Killer - with Trevor McDonald (ITV, 9pm)

DOCUMENTARY about Steve Fulcher, the detective superintendent who destroyed his own career in his determination to catch suspected killer Christopher Halliwell.

Having arrested the taxi driver on suspicion of killing Sian O'Callaghan, Fulcher bonded with the suspect, who confessed to killing Sian and a second murder years before. But the detective's failure to caution Halliwell and denying him access to a solicitor meant the evidence was inadmissible.