Channel 4's Virgin Island proves the point that not everything should be on TV
The weather may be hotting up outside, but there's every reason to stay in for a night on the sofa with thrilling new dramas, hard-hitting documentaries and shiny talent shows on our screens. With so much to choose from, I have handpicked the best of the box from big broadcasters like BBC and ITV, as well as streaming services - from Netflix to Prime Video.
Tonight, Robson Green plays a charming new neighbour who may or may not be a murderer, while Chris Packham explores ADHD and dyslexia in a new documentary and adult virgins join a reality show to pop their cherries.
See below for my top telly picks.
This gripping cat and mouse thriller starring Robson Green, Jason Watkins and Sunetra Sarker will have you hooked all week. It follows former detective Huw (Watkins), who is still haunted by the one case that he failed to solve - a stalker who taunted his town, toying with his victims before brutally killing them. As Huw tries to settle into retirement alongside his wife Alice (Sarker), the case of the Ripton Stalker is never far from his mind.
And then, when new neighbour Patrick Harbottle (Green) moves in and utters the chilling phrase 'Catch you later' - the stalker's infamous sign off in his letters to the frustrated detective - Huw is convinced that he's finally got his man and starts to spiral. What follows is a high stakes game of psychological chess between the neighbours as Huw tries to unearth the truth. He simply cannot shake the feeling that he is on to something. But has he got the right man, or has his obsession pushed him to the brink? Robson says: 'It's about affirmation and validation. People do the most brutal and destructive things to gain notoriety.'
In tonight's first creepy episode, DI Huw Miller retires without much ceremony and a feeling of unfinished business. He then finds his neighbour dead in an apparent suicide - quite a discovery for day one of retirement. Shortly afterwards the handsome and enigmatic Patrick moves in. And he's such a charming guy - TV code for trouble. With a stellar cast and pacy plot, this is a deliciously dark psychological drama. On every night until Thursday.
In the latest example of 'Do we really need to televise everything?', this reality show sees 12 adult virgins enter an intimacy retreat. It's hard to understand why someone who is feeling massively insecure about being a virgin would sign up to a TV show, but each to their own. The slightly mad series offers a radical retreat to virgins who want to lose the one thing they feel is holding them back.
Overseen by experts - who are ready to do anything to help - the 12 virgins want to overcome their fears of sex and intimacy. Dave, 24, an accountant, says: 'I could be a 40-year-old virgin. I need something to change.' While Emma, 23, a fast food server who is constantly comparing herself to influencers online, says: 'I would like to walk away from the island with more self confidence.' The group arrives at the Mediterranean retreat ready to face their issues - but with some scared to even touch, how are they going to cope?
Hot off the success of Inside Our Autistic Minds, Chris Packham is back with this second series to explore what it's like to live inside ADHD and dyslexic minds. Over two episodes, Chris gives four people the chance to work with top film makers, designers and animators to bring their experiences to life with evocative short films. In their own words and images they reveal to their family and friends how they really feel.
Chris, who has Asperger's syndrome, says: 'One of seven of us have brains that work differently. All too often, we are misunderstood, reduced to stereotypes, made to feel that we don't fit in. I want to tackle this hidden crisis.' In tonight's ADHD episode, Chris meets 23-year-old tour guide Henry, who says that most days he's fighting just to keep his head above water. He also meets Jo, a 51-year-old project manager, who was only diagnosed after the menopause exacerbated her ADHD traits and made her life unbearable.
Living arrangements are causing Liam angst when he catches Mandy in an unguarded moment - he is delighted when Chas agrees he can move in. Newly-single, Ryan despairs as Ross tries to convince him to start playing the field, but Ross's efforts might soon backfire. Manpreet is relieved when Liam agrees to cover-up last night's revelations about what Joe blackmailed her into doing. But Liam is finding it hard to move past his feelings of betrayal at Manpreet's professional recklessness.
Harvey prepares for the Slaters' camping trip but things go from bad to worse when Jean refuses to go without Stacey, upsetting Lily in the process. Vicki and Ross continue to worry about Joel's behaviour as Vicki tries to persuade Ross to speak to Ravi and Priya about their discovery last week. Ross speaks to Avani instead. Linda is confused when Phil is reluctant to call Sharon, but then he drops a bombshell and reveals that she slept with Grant.
At the wedding fayre, Leanne moans about the position of the Speed Daal pitch. Debbie tries to ignore her. As Maria heads out to set up, Lou steals a bottle of prosecco and disappears. Mick takes a swig of his tea and spits it out. Liam laughs, having laced it with washing powder. Lauren confesses to Bobby that she had no choice but to use the £500 he gave her for a deposit on a flat. He declares their friendship is over.
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