Today's TV: salute to comedy genius Tommy Cooper

It’s almost 40 years since the fez-wearing funnyman collapsed and died on live TV. Nevertheless, Tommy Cooper remains hugely popular, with new generations of viewers becoming fans after being introduced to his unique mix of magic and comedy via programmes such as this. He performed tricks from the age of eight after an aunt bought him a magic set, and developed an act while part of an entertainment party during the Second World War. After being demobbed, Cooper went professional and quickly learned that the audience was more amused by the failure of his tricks than by their success. He made his TV debut on BBC talent show New to You in 1948 and never looked back. He was more associated with ITV than the Beeb, but there are still plenty of laughs to be seen in this trip down memory lane.

BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan brings us Athletics: European Indoor Championships 2021

Athletics: European Indoor Championships 2021 (BBC2, 6.30pm)

THIS event is one of the few that didn’t suffer as a result of last year’s lockdown – but only because it wasn’t due to be held. Now the biannual athletics championship is back and will take place over the course of three days in Torun, Poland. Obviously the fact it’s held indoors will have caused a headache for its organisers – it’s not easy to remain socially distanced while running, jumping or throwing in an enclosed space. Last month the British Indoor Championships were cancelled, but we’re promised every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of those involved here.

Artist Grayson Perry

Grayson’s Art Club (C4, 8pm)

When Russell Tovey appeared as a sitter on Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year show in 2020, he discussed his passion for art. It seemed as if he was more enthusiastic as a collector rather than as a creator, but he joins Philippa and Grayson Perry to show off his work inspired by this week’s theme – nature. The History Boys star also helps Grayson choose the best of the latest offerings submitted by the public before the Turner Prize-winning potter chats to fellow artists Andy Goldsworthy and Polly Morgan.

Deutschland 89

Deutschland 89 (More4, 9pm)

The third and final series of the acclaimed drama begins. When the Berlin Wall falls on November 9, 1989, super spy Martin Rauch (Jonas Nay) and his fellow agents at the East German Foreign Intelligence are left reeling. Their government has collapsed, their organisation is in chaos and their futures are uncertain. With Lenora still locked up and everything on the line, Martin is ordered to prevent further liberal reforms from being passed by the GDR government. But as he follows his own plan, he gets caught up in a deadly chain of events. The full boxset will be made available on All 4 after the transmission of this first episode.

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show (BBC1, 10.45pm)

The eagerly awaited sixth series of Line of Duty is due to start any time now, and Norton will be hoping two of its stars – Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar – will give him the lowdown on what to expect when they appear on tonight’s programme. Daisy Ridley also promotes her sci-fi adventure Chaos Walking, Chiwetel Ejiofor waxes lyrical about romantic comedy heist Locked Down (a timely title if ever there was one) and Bryan Cranston discusses his role in the TV drama Your Honour. Plus, music comes from Imelda May.

The Pupil Referral Unit

PRU (BBC1, regions vary)

The title of this new comedy stands for Pupil Referral Unit, which doesn’t sound like the kind of place where you’d find lots of laughs. However, the project, part of the acclaimed Comedy Slice strand, manages to find plenty of humour in a place rarely depicted on screen before. At the heart of the story are four complex and seemingly self-destructive teenagers who say the unsayable and do the undoable; each of the young stars landed their role following an open casting process designed to find bright and, perhaps, undiscovered new talents. Kerry Godliman is a more recognisable face who’ll be popping up in this pilot episode; if successful, a full series will be filmed and broadcast at a later date.