Looking at the human stories behind the objects

THE Repair Shop was something of a sleeper hit, becoming truly popular along with the past year’s lockdowns when an attitude of “make do and mend” was by necessity embraced by us all. The human stories behind the objects which are in need of a little TLC are what really hooked us, though, and tonight’s edition features plenty of those. We meet Stella whose seized-up retro roundabout reminds her of her three daughters’ childhoods. There’s also a First World War dominoes set, thought to have been played in the Christmas truce of 1914.

Architectural designer Charlie Luxton returns with Building the Dream

Building the Dream (More4, 9pm)

Charlie Luxton is back with a new series of his affordable home building series, here heading to Hertfordshire to help retired firefighter Bob and his wife Wendy. The couple spent years looking for the perfect plot, and ultimately found one – literally in their own back garden. Here they hope to construct somewhere to play music, paint and write, so need somewhere relaxing and inspiring. But the ever-expanding budget threatens to sap their creativity. Will they ever get finished?

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 27/04/2021 - Programme Name: The Great British Sewing Bee S7 - TX: 05/05/2021 - Episode: The Great British Sewing Bee S7 - Ep4 (No. 4) - Picture Shows: **STRICTLY EMBARGOED NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE

The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1, 9pm)

Hats off to Joe Lycett, who breathed a whole new lease of life into this Bake Off-by-other-means skills contest when he took over presenting duties from Claudia Winkleman back in 2019. Hats off, too, to this year’s crop of contestants, who this week face a challenge never seen before on the show – yes, to tackle headwear, specifically in the shape of a Peaky Blinders-style baker boy cap. Next up there’s a transformation challenge in which second-hand men’s jackets and blazers must become a stylish garment for a woman. Finally the showstopper – sorry, the made-to-measure challenge, sees them create a utility jacket, with a relaxed fit and at least three pockets. Pockets! You can tell this is Menswear Week...

Bent Coppers: Crossing the Line of Duty

Bent Coppers: Crossing the Line of Duty (BBC2, 9pm)

The current series of Jed Mercurio’s hit crime drama series Line of Duty has certainly captured the public interest, with spin-off podcasts, plenty of column inches and this three-part documentary, which concluded tonight with a look back to the 1970s. During this decade the City of London’s CID was coping with corruption on a grand scale, and even Ted Hastings’ AC-12 unit would have had their work cut out. In response an operation – codenamed Countryman – was launched, and this would be something Mercurio drew on heavily during writing.

First Dates Hotel

First Dates Hotel (C4, 9pm)

The luxury hotel opens its doors to more singletons – provoking envy in those of us who would love to go on a little weekend break somewhere with an open bar and restaurant, let alone with the prospect of finding love. Among the guests this week are self-made millionaire Delia (cue more covetous expressions), who is looking for Mr Right with whom to build a future. Meanwhile Lara provides a sympathetic ear for Bengy, who is struggling with past trauma, and butcher Nick admits he has no idea how to speak to women. A bit late for that, Nick.

Is Uni Racist? Zac Aden and Linda Adey

Is Uni Racist? (BBC1, regions vary)

Are Britain’s universities safe places for students of colour? And if young people experience racism at theses institutions, can they trust that staff will take their complaints seriously and handle them appropriately? That’s what BBC reporter Linda Adey is on a mission to find out as she heads to Manchester to meet a 19-year-old student, who was pinned against a wall by university security staff demanding to see his ID because, according to the student, they thought he was a drug dealer. She also speaks to students who experienced alleged racism at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Oxford.