TV Guide Drama Thursday

Tracey spreads her wings for the first time since her husband was put behind bars, and invites a handsome footballer round for dinner. Meanwhile, Sharon discovers the joys of literature. Comedy, starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph

Christmas special from 1989. The Essex girls steel themselves for a lonely Christmas away from their jailbird husbands. Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson star

Jimmi tries to convince an abused teacher to take action against the people responsible, while Vivien is forced to reveal the truth to Julia. Medical drama set in a busy Midlands surgery, starring Adrian Lewis Morgan and Anita Carey

Michelle faces a difficult decision when a dying a mother resolves to entrust her son to her homeless brother. Vivien revives an old friendship after meeting Lionel for lunch and Daniel goes for his trial run with Clodagh - telling Julia he is attending a Gamblers Anonymous meeting

Just as Kelly is deemed well enough to be moved to a secure unit, her brother Nic regains consciousness - but the surgical team have been unable to stem his bleeding, meaning things are still looking bleak. Mubbs invites Rosie out for a drink, but when the gesture blows up in his face, he finds another shoulder to cry on in the shape of Chrissie

Zoe learns just how unlikely it is she will be able to have children, but avoids sharing the diagnosis with Nick, who is determined to become a father. Lenny's over-confidence is shaken by a situation Yuki finds disturbingly familiar and Ruth challenges a senior surgeon who she believes has too easily dismissed a cancer sufferer's chances of survival. With guest star Jon Lee (formerly of S Club 7)

James's plans for an evening out are spoiled when a dog goes missing after an operation. Siegfried struggles to keep the budget under control, and Tristan's love life creates more trouble. Rural drama, starring Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison

The disappearance of an illicit tin of pineapple chunks leaves the inmates horrified that there is a thief in their midst - and for a while, no one is above suspicion. Prison comedy, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale

Part one of two. The body of a Falklands War veteran who became one of the leading lights in the campaign against nuclear weapons is found in a stretch of river running underneath the Ministry of Defence. As Boyd and the team set about investigating the man's former allies, they stumble upon footage of an incident intelligence services had tried to cover up - and Grace is reunited with a former lover from her own time in the anti-nuclear movement. Drama, starring Trevor Eve and Sue Johnston, with Jack Shepherd (Wycliffe, Into the Storm), John McArdle (Brookside) and Anna Chancellor (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Spooks)

The disappearance of an illicit tin of pineapple chunks leaves the inmates horrified that there is a thief in their midst - and for a while, no one is above suspicion. Prison comedy, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale

Christmas special from 1989. The Essex girls steel themselves for a lonely Christmas away from their jailbird husbands. Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson star