TV Highlights

'Farewell Jack’ (ITV, Wednesday, 7.30pm) - Jack Duckworth was one of Coronation Street’s most popular characters and, as the soap world prepares to say goodbye to him, this one-off special pays tribute to one of its best-loved figures. Bill Tarmey first stepped into the role of Jack in 1979 and went on to make the part iconic, establishing Jack as a work-shy, womanising, pigeon fancier and providing some of Coronation Street’s most memorable moments. 'Farewell Jack’ looks back at the character’s re-invention as Vince St Clair, the time he dressed up as a woman to join the ladies’ bowling team, and the moment when Vera served his beloved pigeons to him in the shape of a pie. In this half-hour documentary, friends and 'Coronation Street’ colleagues pay tribute to the work of Bill Tarmey and the actor shares his memories from playing one of TV’s national treasures. ____________________________________________________________ 'Fade Street’ (RTE 2, Thursday, 9pm) - A brand new reality drama following a group of twenty-somethings as they make their way in Ireland 2010. Inspired by shows like MTV’s 'The Real World’, 'The Hills’, 'Peak Season’ and 'The City’, which pioneered and evolved the reality genre, the show is based around real people and real situations. The show tracks a varied group of young woman and men from all over the country, living in Dublin, as they navigate the minefield of life in the city and the challenges that career, the economy, love, friends and family throw at them. They are all in their 20s and just starting their lives and careers in an economic environment that is radically different to the one they grew up in. The cast are not actors and do not deliver lines from a script nor provide emotions on demand. With cameras as far removed from the action as possible, 'Fade Street’ gives viewers the chance to see real emotions and truths come to the fore. The soundtrack is also central in this Dublin-based series, with all the music featured coming from both new and established Irish artists. _____________________________________________________________ 'Gaybo Laughs Back’ (RTE 1, Sunday, 8.30pm) - A new six-part series that features some of the biggest names in Irish and international comedy. From legends of laughter like Billy Connolly, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan to homegrown greats like Tommy Tiernan, Niall Tobin, Dylan Moran and Graham Norton through to classic moments from the likes of Emu, Dustin The Turkey and that infamous Boyzone clip in its full uncut glory. Always a huge part of 'The Late Late Show’, these comedy gems also prove Gay’s long-held theory that you never can tell where the laughs will come from. Along with the giants of comedy, Gaybo is joined by Charlie Bird, Jimmy Magee and a step dancing legend that might just be the highlight of the entire series. 'Accused’ (BBC 1, Monday, 9pm) - Christopher Eccleston stars in a series of six new dramas written by Jimmy McGovern, each story about an ordinary person who ends up in the dock. Willy is a man in turmoil. He does his best; he’s a good plumber and a loving father, but he fails to be a faithful husband. At the very moment Willy’s about to drop the bombshell on his wife, Carmel, his daughter Laura arrives home and announces she’s getting married. Willy’s guilty secret must wait. Having been comfortable for years, Willy is now worried about money. But his pride won’t allow him to change what are becoming elaborate and costly wedding plans. What’s more, his infidelity is getting to him and, as pressure from all sides mounts, his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. However, events rapidly spiral against him and Willy ends up in the dock. Now he awaits the jury’s verdict. _____________________________________________________________ 'Wagon’s Den’ (RTE 2, Tuesday, 10.50pm) - A new half-hour Comedy Celebrity News show starring comic personality, Katherine Lynch, in the guise of Tallaghtfornian Sheila Chic. Having exhausted her career as a hip hop artist, chipper-owner and international female gigolo, Sheila has landed a job as host of RTÉ’s first 'Girls-Only’ Entertainment News Show. Sheila is joined each week by 'Honorary Wagon’ Brian Dowling and two guest Wagons who trawl through the week’s celebrity news and gossip, ripping their acrylic nails through the PR spin and the bogus blather to cut right to the black heart of the story. _____________________________________________________________ Movie Of The Week: 'Dukes Of Hazzard: The Beginning’ (TV3, Saturday, 10.45pm) - Charging hot off the wheels of the successful 2005 theatrical release, see where it all began with this comedy prequel containing wild car chases and crashes, Daisy’s hilarious, but ultimately successful transformation into every Hazzard boy’s fantasy girl, and all the fun and laughs expected from the Dukes of Hazzard. Everybody is there, including country legend Willie Nelson, reprising his role as Uncle Jesse.