Little England offers us a glimpse of what could be

Little England (ITV1)

Dispatches: The Truth About Drugs and Football (Channel 4)

There's nothing like battening down the hatches on a blustery evening, slipping into your jim jams, grabbing a blanket and a brew and settling down in front of the telly.

Although on cosy nights like this, it's best to choose your telly wisely, or risk feeling the autumn blues.

Within minutes of Little England beginning, with its stunning southern French scenery and the smug smiles of the folk who have upped sticks to move there, I was yearning to be whisked away to stroll around its lush green countryside instead of hiding from the remnants of Hurricane Katia outside.

Last night's episode was the first in a 12-part series, and was a cheery look at the lives of those who have ditched the rat race for a tranquil life in beautiful Dordogne.

It's so popular with us Brits, around 20,000 have moved there.

Monica Walker and Nick Dean left British shores a few years ago, and now call an amazing chateau on the banks of the Dordogne river their home.

They have a fabulous life, looking after the house for an older, affluent couple and living the dream by arranging weddings there – even for the owners themselves.

One pair from Leeds had a brainwave to bring a little piece of Britain to the region, and now sweat their way around the pretty towns and villages in 50 degree heat inside a tiny caravan, giving ex-pats and natives a taste of a British chippy.

Ray and Sophie Hicks and their two children chose a farm.

It's a little glimpse of what could be if you had the time, money and inclination to leave behind everything you know and join a little corner of England abroad.

Over on Channel 4, Dispatches was looking at another British tradition, albeit a very murky side of it.

The Truth About Drugs in Football revealed the identities of several professional players who have failed drug tests for substances including cocaine, cannabis and ecstacy but who had been protected by the FA.

It told how former Birmingham City striker Gary O'Connor had actually been suspended for two months after failing a drugs test – at a time when Alex Mcleish broadcasted to the media that he was having a groin operation.

Elvis Hammond too emerged as a naughty boy whose misdemeanours went unreported by his superiors. Anyone hoping to hear about England stars regularly snorting cocaine would have been very disappointed.

The big question at the end of the programme remained, however. Is anyone really that surprised?