Programme Information

Lark Rise To Candleford Ep 2/6

Sunday 16 January

8.00-9.00pm BBC ONE and BBC HD

• www.bbc.co.uk/drama
• Feature (interview with Richard Harrington)

When Daniel announces that his newspaper is launching a poetry competition, it sends the inhabitants of Lark Rise and Candleford into a frenzy of creative excitement, as the series based on the novels by Flora Thompson, and adapted by Bill Gallagher, continues.

Laura has high hopes of taking home the trophy and begins writing feverishly; Pearl indulges in plagiarism after her own efforts are found wanting; and even Margaret embarks upon an epic poem based on her husband's postal rounds.

Laura buys some second-hand poetry books for inspiration and discovers that they once belonged to Gabriel's late wife. She is shocked to find a letter inside from Liza to her lover, expressing regret at having married Gabriel. When Laura shows Dorcas the letter, she is tormented about what to do with it.

Meanwhile, Ruby, still put out by her sister's fawning over Daniel, begins a malicious rumour that he and Laura have fixed the outcome of the poetry competition between them. Laura is furious with Ruby for questioning her and Daniel's integrity, and even more annoyed that it has effectively ruled her out of winning the competition.

Over in Lark Rise, Queenie is trying to come to terms with the march of progress. The beautiful lace that she has lovingly made and sold all her life is no longer in demand. And Twister, as usual, seems too preoccupied with his own gripes to notice Queenie's unhappiness. She at least finds some comfort in sharing her craft with Ruby who, in turn, finds solace in the time spent with Queenie. It makes her reflect on her mischief-making with Daniel, and she determines to put things right.

Dorcas is still sitting on the explosive revelations from Liza's letter but when Gabriel tells her he has seen a mysterious man leaving flowers at her graveside, and is determined to find out who he is, Dorcas fears it will lead him into a violent confrontation. She decides that the kindest and safest way to proceed is to leave the letter for him to find, and discover the truth for himself...

Later, the winner of the competition is announced and it takes everyone by surprise, even the winner...

Ben Aldridge plays Daniel, Olivia Hallinan plays Laura, Matilda Ziegler plays Pearl, Sandy McDade plays Margaret, Richard Harrington plays Gabriel, Julia Sawalha plays Dorcas, Victoria Hamilton plays Ruby, Linda Bassett plays Queenie and Karl Johnson plays Twister.

Lark Rise To Candleford is simulcast in HD on BBC One HD on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

CM4

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When wealthy industrialist and political party funder Ruggerio Miletti is kidnapped, the Italian Ministry turn to their favourite detective, Aurelio Zen, to get Miletti back alive at any cost – financial or personal – in the final film about the fictional Italian detective based on the novels of Michael Dibdin.

Miletti's lawyer is murdered during an illegal ransom payment, and Zen soon discovers that the kidnappers are only part of his problem. He must contend with the Milettis, who are no ordinary family. Nothing is as it seems: considering themselves above the law, spoilt daughter Cinzia, her ruthless husband Carlo, and overlooked younger brother Silvio are scheming to gain control of the family company.

Things are no better in the office, with new Chief of Police Heuber imposing a strict moral code of conduct in the workplace, just as Zen and Tania's relationship is blossoming. Caught up in the political minefield both inside and outside the Miletti family, Zen's life, career and reputation are on the line. Not even his admirer, powerful prosecutor Nadia Pirlo, can help him through this dilemma. Paired with rival detective Vincenzo Fabri, who is plotting to overthrow Heuber, Zen must decide whether to play Fabri's game or uncover the truth.

Aurelio Zen is played by Rufus Sewell, Cinzia Miletti by Sarah-Jane Potts, Carlo Fagioli by Callum Blue, Silvio Miletti by Sebastian Armesto, Ernesto Heuber by Michael McElhatton, Tania Moretti by Caterina Murino, Nadia Pirlo by Cosima Shaw and Vincenzo Fabri by Ed Stoppard.

IJ

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Colin Murray presents the best of the highlights from a huge day of Premier League action. There's the Merseyside derby from Anfield between Liverpool and Everton, and a North East derby from the Stadium Of Light as Sunderland look to avenge the 5-1 thrashing they suffered earlier this season at the hands of Newcastle. The third derby of the day sees Midlands rivals Birmingham and Aston Villa meet at St Andrew's and the day's fantastic four is completed with title contenders Tottenham and Manchester United's meeting at White Hart Lane.

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Masters Snooker – Final

Sunday 16 January

1.55-4.45pm BBC TWO

• www.bbc.co.uk/sport

Last year, Mark Selby captured his second Masters title with a thrilling deciding frame for a 10-9 victory over the 2009 champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan. This afternoon, the first eight frames are played in the 2011 final, with tonight's winner picking up a cheque for £150,000.

Hazel Irvine, Steve Davis and John Parrott introduce the action. Commentary comes from Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, John Virgo and Ken Doherty. Coverage continues later in the evening on BBC Two.

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Graham Bell and Ed Leigh present coverage of the longest, fastest and most arduous downhill race on the men's tour – Wengen's infamous Lauberhorn. Switzerland's whizz kid Carlo Janka was victorious in front of his home fans last year, on his way to claiming the overall World Cup crown. Graham also travels to Austria to try his hand at the unique sport of Skijoring, finding out if being pulled around a frozen racetrack on skis by a motorbike is as much fun as it sounds...

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