UK TV programmes to watch this week : 29/04/2023

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 30th April 2023)

The story of King Charles III’s more than seven decades as heir to the throne, using archive material drawn from newsreels, home movies, interviews and documentaries. He reflects on his formative years from life at home with his family, his singular education, early experiences as a fledgling working royal, his time in the military and the roots of the many passions and causes that have been a feature of his time as Prince of Wales.

Canal Boat Diaries (BBC Four/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 1st May 2023) ** NEW SERIES **

Sheffield to Keadby. Series 4, episode 1. Narrowboater Robbie Cumming begins a fresh set of adventures along the waterways of the north of England and the Midlands. He is forced to make a running repair to his narrowboat the Naughty Lass while on the Tinsley lock flight in South Yorkshire. He then cruises beneath Conisbrough’s magnificent viaduct and must wait for an unusual sliding railway bridge to open on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal.

Canal Boat Diaries (BBC Four/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 2nd May 2023)

Keadby to Kiveton Park. Series 4, episode 2. Robbie Cumming tackles the fast-flowing River Trent and is invited to join a night-time illuminated boat parade. However, his journey is hampered by a damaged wall in Worksop and a water shortage on the Chesterfield Canal which threatens his voyage.

The Architecture The Railways Built (Yesterday | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Tuesday 2nd May 2023)

Hull. Series 4, episode 10. Tim Dunn explores beautiful Hull Paragon station and finds out how Royal Leamington Spa got a wonderful art deco station.

Britain by Steam (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 2nd May 2023)

The trio start the next leg of their journey at Peterborough station, which is home to the Nene Valley Railway, and Paul is thrilled to board a steam train designed by famous designer Oliver Bullet called 92 Squadron. Next, they head to the Grand Union Canal where they board a steam barge called The Adamant, before travelling north to York on the impressive steam loco the Duchess of Sutherland.

Canal Boat Diaries (BBC Four/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Wednesday 3rd May 2023)

Lincoln to Nottingham. Series 4, episode 3. Autumnal fog and an overheating engine prove to be problems for narrowboater Robbie Cumming. As he navigates a Roman waterway, it proves to be a journey of many challenges as he runs aground and breaks down in Nottingham.

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 3rd May 2023) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The teams venture through Canada’s friendliest provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, as they head to the seventh checkpoint in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Zainib and Mobeen plan to test the friendly reputation of the area and rely on local hospitality to get them to their destination. Claudia and Kevin are running on fumes and are in desperate need of some good luck as they end up spending money to go backwards. Tricia and Cathie start to feel the stress of the race getting to them and put their efforts into rallying together for the final push and Monique and Ladi feel the pressure as the only team remaining to have not won a leg yet.

Canal Boat Diaries (BBC Four/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Thursday 4th May 2023)

Series 4, episode 4. On the last leg of his journey across the North and the Midlands, Robbie faces issues with ice on the Grand Union Canal. He takes on Foxton’s famous lock flight in Leicestershire and completes his journey in the picturesque village Braunston, Northamptonshire, regarded as the spiritual home for narrowboaters.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.