Des comes off bench with more questions of sport; BRIAN McIVER'S PICK OF THE DAY DAYTIME MOVIES.(Features) - Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)

Byline: BRIAN McIVER

Sports Mastermind

BBC Two, 8.00pm

AT this time of year, we'll take anything going sports-wise, what with the quiet spell until the football kicks off again in earnest.

Des Lynam is the Magnus Magnussona-like who asks the tough questions of contestants brave enough to climb into the big black chair.

River City

BBC One Scotland, 8.00pm

AS Gina's family rally round her during Archie's court trial, the accused makes it clear he is indeed back to his usual old self and his alter ego Douglas has well and truly vanished.

Gina is furious and can't hide her contempt for Liz when she realises that she was in on the secret that her son's memory had returned.

As the verdict grows closer, it is clear that whatever the outcome, many bridges have been burned within this family.

Meanwhile, when Ruth realises that Nicki is looking for advice, she seizes the opportunity to poison the young girl's mind against not only Iona but also Zoe.

Britain's Missing Top Model

BBC Three, 9.00pm

THE seven remaining would-be models face their second assignment - a Fifties pin-up inspired photo shoot - as the search for Britain's Top Missing Model continues.

The girls, who are all disabled, are sent to find out how comfortable they are with their bodies.

Mentor Jonathan Phang asks them each to pick an outfit from an underwear shop and then pose in the window as real-life mannequins.

For some contestants, it would seem that the girls with a less visible disability appear to have an advantage over the others.

Imagine

BBC One, 10.35pm

THE death of director Anthony Minghella shocked the movie world. The creator of films such as Cold Mountain and The English Patient passed away at the age of 54 this year.

This special edition of Imagine looks back at his career and work, and features contributions from his actors and fellow directors including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Ralph Fiennes.

LA Story

ITV2, 11.05pm

BEFORE watching this film, have someone hide your credit cards and unplug your internet connection, because after watching it you will have the uncontrollable urge to hop on the first plane to Los Angeles.

This is a beautiful, funny and intelligent comedy starring and written by Steve Martin.

It's basically a love letter to the Californian city.

Steve plays a whacky weatherman who falls in love with an English journalist (Martin's reallife wife Victoria Tennant) and enjoys an affair which brings out the best in him, and the city.

But there is so much more going on than just the romance, and you'll love this.

Sarah Jessica Parker plays a crazy young lover, back when she was actually young.

Escapade In Japan

BBC Two, 10.30am

ADVENTURE starring Teresa Wright. A six-year-old boy, stranded by a plane crash, embarks on a colourful journey across Japan, while his distraught parents wait to hear what has become of him.

The Ghost And Mrs Muir

Channel 4, 12.30pm

FANTASY starring Gene Tierney as a lonely widow who realises the spirit of a dead sea captain is haunting her new home, and gradually falls for his spectral charms. With Rex Harrison.

Love's Abiding Joy

Five, 3.15pm

THE fourth instalment of Janette Oke's best-selling series of books is brought to life in Michael Landon Jnr's Western about a couple who journey farther afield to locate a suitable home for their children. With Logan Bartholomew.

CAPTION(S):

DES LYNAM: BBC Two, 8.00pm; VICTORIA TENNANT: ITV2, 11.05pm; TERESA WRIGHT: BBC Two, 10.30am