Ashes To Ashes (BBC1, 9pm); Extreme Fishing with Robson Green(Five, 9pm); Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam (Sky Arts 2, 7pm)

SAM TYLER may have shuffled off this mortal coil, but those figments of his imagination, Gene Hunt, Ray Carling and Chris Skelton, are still alive and well.

Now they’re back in a second run of Life on Mars spin-off Ashes to Ashes, and once more, those politically incorrect coppers will take no prisoners.

Okay, maybe a few.

Keeley Hawes returns as Detective Inspector Alex Drake, the present-day psychological profiler who’s still in a coma after being shot in the head at the start of last series.

As with Life on Mars, the fishout- of-water protagonist is determined to get back to her own time and, in this case, be with her daughter, Molly.

The new series kicks off in 1982, the year of ET, leg warmers, fluorescent fashions and the Falklands Conflict.

Alex finally understands how the world around her works, but when she starts hearing news from the future, she realises nothing is as it seems.

She discovers she may not be alone in her predicament. A stranger who also seems to be stuck in 1982 is making Alex doubt that her current world is merely a figment of her imagination.

And while Gene Hunt saved her younger self from the car bomb that killed her parents, can she ever trust him enough to share her extraordinary scenario?

That remains to be seen, but while keeping some of the plot twists under wraps, fans should be thrilled to see a few familiar faces returning.

Marshall Lancaster is back as Detective Constable Chris Skelton and Montserrat Lombard is reprising her role as PC Shaz Granger.

Chris and Shaz couldn’t be happier.

He’s still trying his best to be the perfect “feminist” boyfriend and wants to take the relationship to the next level but, predictably, Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) continues to tease him about his romantic gestures.

Ray is also struggling to contain his emotions about the Falklands Conflict, blaming the “Argies” and throwing his weight behind Maggie Thatcher.

So, aside from the year, how have things changed in season two?

Producer Beth Willis says: “The new series moves in a slightly different direction and we’ve really enjoyed developing the characters. Gene and Alex’s relationship is so complex; it is very sparky and they obviously care for each other in a begrudging manner, so it’s interesting to see how this evolves.”

The arrival of Superintendent “Supermac”

Mackintosh (Roger Allam) should also set the cat among the pigeons. His arrival initially seems like a blessing because he’s been hailed as a star within the force, and someone not to be messed with.

However, Gene’s gut instinct tells him something isn’t quite right.

IN the final episode of Extreme Fishing, Geordie angler Robson Green takes on what could be his most extreme challenge yet.

He heads to the Philippines, where fishing is less about sport and more about survival, as fish forms a vital part of both the diet and the economy.

Having spent most of the series accustomed to the best captains, boats and equipment, Green now finds he must get back to basics and adjust to the lack of technology. His prey is the dorado, which can swim at up to 60mph and even learn simple tricks. Will these masterminds of the sea outsmart him?

WE’VE had celebrity skating, ballroom dancing, showjumping and air stewarding. Now it’s bridge.

As befits a game with such a genteel image, Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam is an altogether classier affair.

Competitor Susan Hampshire says, “It’s not really a reality show. It’s sort of a country house party where eight people are playing. It’s to introduce people to bridge who may never have taken it up otherwise.”

She’ll face competition from, among others, former cricketer Mike Gatting, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and crime writer Val McDermid.