TV tonight: prepare for a very exciting Winter Paralympics!

The high drama of snowy sports continues as the Winter Paralympics begin at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with an opening ceremony at the Arena di Verona. GB curler Jo Butterfield aims to become the first British athlete to win at both the summer and winter Games. Presenting the coverage are Ade Adepitan, Billy Monger and Ed Jackson, joined by Sarah Storey and Alice Tai.

At 7pm on BBC One, Alex Jones and Roman Kemp host the final of the 500 Words children’s writing competition from Windsor Castle; Paddington appears and Big Zuu and Jodie Whittaker help reveal the winners. Gardeners’ World at 8pm on BBC Two revisits highlights from the year as Monty Don visits a retired GP’s garden in Yorkshire and a Stroud plot inspired by Tibetan heritage.

Channel 5’s Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall concludes at 8pm with scenes from St Lucia, South Africa, where hippos wander the streets at night and night-vision cameras keep viewers at a distance.

Italy, Verona

winter paralympics, jo butterfield, channel 4, opening ceremony, bbc one, 500 words, windsor castle, gardeners' world, monty don, hippo watch