Category: TV this week

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 09/05/2026

Children of the Blitz (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:30pm | Monday 11th May 2026)

The stories of some of the two million British children who were not evacuated during the Second World War, staying at home in towns and cities at risk of being bombed, often to help their families or because their parents couldn’t bear to send them away. This documentary features some of the last people who were witness to the reality of the Blitz, with their testimonies offering an intimate, enlightening and moving portrait of wartime Britain through children’s eyes.

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 13th May 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

In the penultimate leg, the race shifts up a gear as the four remaining teams enter Mongolia, their eighth and final country. Facing freezing temperatures and rugged off-road travel, the intrepid duos set out on an expedition across the endless steppe and deep into the unknown, traversing landscapes few travellers have ever experienced. It tests every ounce of their resilience as they battle to take pole position at the final checkpoint before the finish line.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 02/05/2026

Making Life On Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 3rd May 2026)

The making of the acclaimed wildlife series that took three years to film, featuring 40 countries and over 600 species. First broadcast in 1979 and watched by 500 million people, it launched David Attenborough’s career as arguably the most successful and influential wildlife film-maker of all time.

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 7th May 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

With the leaderboard closer than ever, the pairs leave Zaamin National Park and race towards the next checkpoint – Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. The Soviet-era capital is the country’s cultural and financial hub, and to get there, the teams face the choice between two countries – north into Kazakhstan, travelling between major cities, or into Kyrgyzstan, a country rarely visited by western tourists, with remote valleys, alpine lakes and winding mountain roads.

David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth (BBC 1/HD | 8:30pm to 10:0pm | Friday 8th May 2026)

A live event from the Royal Albert Hall paying tribute to the veteran broadcaster on the occasion of his 100th birthday. The show takes the audience on a journey of exploration and discovery through the prism of Sir David’s extraordinary life and career, featuring wildlife stories, reflections from friends, colleagues and admirers, and music from some of his programmes, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra under the baton of Jérôme Kuhn.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 25/04/2026

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 30th April 2026)

It’s the halfway point in the race to Mongolia, and after traversing Italy, Greece, and Türkiye, the teams now face the longest leg of the race so far. As they travel through the world’s largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan, and into Uzbekistan, they must navigate the vast Kazakh steppe with its endless horizons and limited English speakers. To keep moving, the pairs have to adapt to a whole new way of travelling. From the shores of the Caspian Sea in Aktau, the racers must embark on a 2,200km journey to Zaamin National Park in the Turkistan Mountains. John Hannah narrates.

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 1st May 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

It’s Humphrey’s last day as detective inspector, and the whole team is eagerly awaiting the town’s annual pirate festival. Danger, however, is ahoy when Geraldine Desai’s nautical exhibition goes up in smoke, leading to the ancient treasure map of pirate Elias Cutler going missing amid the chaos. On the trail of the missing map, Humphrey soon has suspicions when he discovers that Geraldine has been selling her memorabilia to pay for her husband’s care and recently had the map revalued. Drama, starring Kris Marshall.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 18/04/2026

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 19th April 2026)

Documentary exploring a century of change in Britain through the prism of Queen Elizabeth II’s life. Through archive and eyewitness reflections, the film explores how she led the monarchy through profound social, political and cultural change. With contributions from Helen Mirren, David Attenborough, Barack Obama, Tony Blair, and HM Queen Camilla.

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 23rd April 2026)

As the fourth leg begins, the leader board is tighter than ever. The route continues east towards the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Leaving Halfeti behind, the teams face a pivotal decision – head north towards the Black Sea coast or strike east through Turkey’s arid heartland. The competition is fiercer than ever, and with the leaders’ advantage slashed to less than 10 hours, the chasing teams sense an opportunity to strike.

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 24th April 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Humphrey and Esther are left baffled when a dogwalker leads them to a man painted green and bound with ivy. Delving into the mystery of the mythical Green Man, the team discover an off-grid community living off the land. But when their woodland home comes under threat from a developer from the city, tensions rise and accusations fly as the image of the Green Man continues to crop up at crime scenes. Cosy crime drama, starring Kris Marshall.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 11/04/2026

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 16th April 2026)

The teams bid farewell to Europe and head into Asia, racing from bustling Istanbu to the remote town of Halfeti in south-east Turkey – where the last to arrive will be eliminated from the competition. Along the way, Katie persuades brother Harrison to tick off a bucket list experience – watching the hot-air balloons rise over the chimneys of Cappadocia – while the leaders in the last leg, cousins Puja and Roshni, continue to celebrate, this time because it’s Puja’s birthday.

Extraordinary Portraits (BBC 1/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Friday 17th April 2026)

Two Brothers Face Early Dementia. Series 5, episode 4. Unza Saleem is given the task of painting brothers Jordan and Cian, who carry a faulty gene that means they will almost certainly develop symptoms of dementia in their forties. However, just as Unza is getting to grips with the portrait, she has her own family emergency that threatens to derail the project entirely.

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 17th April 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The team investigates when a seaweed farm is targeted in an act of sabotage, with fisherman Jeff Simmons swearing that he saw the legendary mermaid of Shipton Abbott on the night of the incident. With no logical explanation for how someone could damage the farm and get away unseen among glowing bioluminescent waters, Esther braces herself for an excited Humphrey to run wild with the possibility that their prime suspect could be a mermaid.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 04/04/2026

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 9th April 2026)

Leaving the tranquillity of Kefalonia behind, the teams race through Greece to reach one of Europe’s biggest and most vibrant cities, Istanbul, where Europe and Asia collide. As ever, money is tight and just one missed connection can mean disaster. Without mobile phones to help them, the teams have to rely on their wits to make it to the end of the second stage. John Hannah narrates.

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 10th April 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

When the team attend a Dark Morris Dancing event, Margo finds herself at the centre of a crime when a member of her team collapses during their performance. With a severe allergic reaction to blame, and the victim’s epi-pen case empty, Humphrey is stumped as to how the attack was triggered unseen while all eyes were on the stage. Death in Paradise spin-off, starring Kris Marshall and Felicity Montagu.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/03/2026

Race Across the World (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 2nd April 2026) ** NEW SERIES **

Reality game show with John Hannah as narrator. Five adventurous teams are pushed to the limit, battling extreme climates and harsh terrain in a 12,000km race from Palermo, Sicily, across Europe and Asia to reach Hatgal in northern Mongolia. Best friends Jo and Kush from Liverpool, siblings Katie and Harrison from Manchester, Molly and her father Andrew, cousins Puja and Roshni and in-laws Mark and Margo take on the challenge.

Kegworth: Flight to Disaster (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 2nd April 2026)

Survivors and eyewitnesses recount the moment British Midland Airways Flight 092, travelling from London to Belfast, ran into difficulties in January 1989. The Boeing 737-400 crashed onto the motorway embankment between the M1 and A453 near Kegworth, Leicestershire. Rare archive footage and expert analysis uncovers the chain of decisions that sealed the fate of 47 passengers and injured dozens more.
(Subtitles, Widescreen, New, Audio Described)

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 3rd April 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

A couple are targeted by a burglar who repeatedly sneaks back in to clean up without a trace. With several potential suspects, Humphrey must uncover who is out for revenge. Kelby tries to help a young teen held captive in a garden shed and Ester wrestles with a tension headache. Despite putting fostering on pause, Humphrey and Martha find the decision at the forefront of their minds.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 21/03/2026

Beyond Paradise (BBC 1/HD |8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 27th March 2026) ** NEW SERIES **

When the circumstances of a crime novelist’s death eerily mirror the details of his final novel, Humphrey must uncover whether it was a coincidence or murder by design. The Lily Bond is caught adrift leaving Humphrey and Martha back home with Anne. Crime drama, starring Kris Marshall.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 27th March 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

The body of Giles, an eccentric monster hunter, is recovered from the sea. He bears injuries oddly suggestive of the legendary creature he’s spent years chasing – the Lusca. Mervin’s life is turned upside down by an unexpected visit from his niece Eloise.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/03/2026

Comic Relief (BBC 1/HD | 7:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 20th March 2026)

Comic Relief: Funny For Money. Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Catherine Tate as Nan, Nick Mohammed and Katherine Ryan host the annual fundraising extravaganza from Media City UK, Salford. Including a world exclusive of Traitors: The Movie: The Sequel, and Amandaland returns with a sketch full of famous Amandas. Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond find a creative but very risky way to raise money for Comic Relief – robbing a bank. Radio 1 DJ Greg James finishes his mammoth challenge of riding a tandem bike 1,000km across the UK in just seven days, going from Weymouth to Edinburgh then making his way to Media City to join the fundraising in the studio. Four content creators take on one of the hardest songs of the century in the name of a good cause and there are films throughout highlighting the charity’s work.

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

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 07/03/2026

Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th March 2026)

Sister Veronica must decide her future now she is not currently a nun, but not fully part of the world either. The Maternity Home prepares to close its doors, but Dr Turner is determined to preserve equipment and resources for his patients until the last possible moment. The Mullucks fight for the rights of all Thalidomide victims, while Cyril and Rosalind prepare for their wedding.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 9th March 2026) ** PICK OF THE WEEK **

Mervin stumbles across a crime scene when he goes in search of his brother Solomon on Antigua. In a remote cabin, a local businessman has been shot. But Solomon and his associate Cheech both swear the other is responsible, and they’re not letting Mervin go until each one has convinced him of their account.

Dunblane: How Britain Banned Handguns (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th March 2026)

On March 13, 1996, Thomas Hamilton walked into the gym hall in Dunblane Primary School in Stirlingshire and shot dead 16 pupils and their teacher Gwen Mayor, seriously injuring 14 other pupils and two teachers. This documentary follows the campaign to ban private handgun ownership in the UK in the wake of the massacre, revealing how a group of ordinary people forced the government to ensure the tragedy could not happen again.

Death in Paradise (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 13th March 2026)

The team investigate the murder of a local newspaper’s notorious agony aunt, poisoned the morning after her retirement party while reading her final advice column. Mervin resists the counselling sessions the Commissioner has imposed after the case in Antigua and gets a rude awakening from an unexpected figure.

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