The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC1, 4.30pm)
Wonderland – Mad Cats and Englishwomen (BBC2, 9pm)
Michael Wood’s Story of England (BBC4, 9pm)

NOT one, but two of Doctor Who’s companions turn up in this week’s episodes. Having brought back Sarah Jane Smith successfully in her own spin-off series, he now re-introduces another time-travelling Tardis partner Jo Grant.

The two companions never met in the series, with Jo joining Jon Pertwee’s incarnation between 1971 and 1973. Her place in the Tardis was taken by intrepid journalist Sarah Jane and here they join forces for the first time when the Time Lord is pronounced dead.

The duo, plus Sarah Jane’s young friends Clyde and Rani, must discover what’s happened to him – and before you know it, they’re up to their necks in bother.

While it’s great to see Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane) and Katy Manning (Jo) on screen together for the first time, it’s even better that they get to share it with the current Doctor Matt Smith, who makes a guest appearance.

For Jo, seeing the Time Lord in his 11th form comes as something of a shock as the last time she saw him he was a twinklysilver fox. Now he’s young enough to be her grandson.

“We do touch on that,” says Sladen. “It’s a fantastic script. I’ve known Katy for ages and I’m delighted to be working with her.

I last met her in LA, but this time we’re in Cardiff. LA was good, but Cardiff is better.”

Manning has been living in Australia, but recently returned to the UK. “Playing Jo Grant again is something I never really considered,” she says.

“I was gob-smacked when they told me and I’m over the moon. What an incredible little treat. I come home and this is one of the first things that happens.”

The story takes the gang inside a secret base beneath Snowdon and introduces brand-new vulture aliens, the mysterious Shansheeth. All this, plus a trip to an alien planet – a first for The Sarah Jane Adventures.”

Smith claims he enjoyed every minute of being on set. “Honestly, Lis Sladen is an absolute gem,” he says. “I’ve got so much time for Lis.

THE latest edition of documentary series Wonderland considers Mad Cats And Englishwomen by looking at two people who work tirelessly to make sure unwanted creatures receive the best care and attention possible.

During the Sixties, Celia Hammond became an iconic model through her work with photographer Terence Donovan.

It was during that time she began campaigning against the use of fur. She also developed a growing interest in helping unwanted animals and now runs several East London clinics that treat, neuter and rehome such creatures, particularly cats.

She works up to 22 hours a day, sometimes going without sleep – and now wonders if she can ever get on top of the problem.

She shares many of the same issues with Pat, a former folk singer and hippie, whose house is full of elderly, sick and unwanted felines.

HISTORIAN Michael Wood comes to the end of his Story Of England told through one village.

Set in the Leicestershire village of Kibworth, and assisted by today’s residents, Wood has been uncovering the secret history of a village more colourful than anything Dickens could have imagined.

The series recreates Penny Concerts of the 1880s, visits First World War battlefields with the school, recalls the Home Guard and the 1940 bombing of the village.