TV tonight: romance blossoms as First Dates returns

First Dates

10pm, Channel 4

Maître d’ Fred Sirieix is back playing cupid in this latest edition of the blind-dates series, allowing viewers to live vicariously through the singletons’ experiences, as dating remains subject to unromantic social distancing rules. Among tonight’s crop is 24-year-old party girl Nikita, who starts the night with a shot of tequila before her date, Rhys, decides to reveal an intimate tattoo to the restaurant. Meanwhile, 69-year-old former Playboy bunny Kelly Ann is looking for a man to keep her as interested as her celeb flings. Ammar Kalia

The Grand Party Hotel

8pm, BBC One

We are back at Liverpool’s Shankly hotel, the city’s bastion of weekend extravagance, thanks to its party-themed rooms. This week, we follow its owners, the married couple Lawrence and Katie, who live in the building and are known locally as the “Posh and Becks of Liverpool hotels”. AK

The Apprentice Best Bits

9pm, BBC One

While The Apprentice and “best bits” may seem a contradiction in terms, there have doubtless been some cringe-inducing moments across the years – 15 in total – of Lord Sugar’s “business”’ extravaganza. Tom Allen elevates proceedings in this new six-part look back, adding a knowing wink of a voiceover. Hannah J Davies

London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year

9pm, ITV

The last time London Zoo shut down, it was for two weeks during the Blitz. In the concluding part of the series granted behind-the-bars access during lockdown, there are more stories of keepers caring for the vast menageries housed in Regent’s Park and its sister zoo, Whipsnade in Bedfordshire. Graeme Virtue

Council House Britain

9pm, Channel 4

Another cheery dispatch from Southwark, watching the south London council’s employees do their best to shore up dwindling community spirit. The happy-go-lucky pest controllers have rats and a family of loft-invading squirrels to catch, while a housing officer visits an old couple who provide tonight’s high emotion. Jack Seale

Walk Against Fear: James Meredith

9pm, Smithsonian

When, in 1962, James Meredith became the first black man to enrol at the University of Mississippi, in the US’s segregated south, his actions caused widespread rioting and marked him out as a well-known civil rights activist. The reporter Sol B River hears his story. AK

Film choice

True Grit (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2010), 11.20pm, Film4
The Coen brothers’ remake is darker and more satisfying than the John Wayne original. Hailee Steinfeld’s Mattie is the hero, her intelligence and resolve driving marshal Jeff Bridges and Texas Ranger Matt Damon to avenge her father’s murder. A sombre western, shot with gallows humour. Paul Howlett

Live sport

Tennis: French Open 10am, ITV4. Concluding second round men’s and women’s matches.

European Tour golf: Scottish Open 11.30am, Sky Sports Main Event. Opening round from North Berwick.

Indian Premier League cricket: Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians 5.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event. T20 tournament coverage.