Latest news with #AlexiDuggins
The Guardian
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: fundraising bonanza Comic Relief turns 40
7pm, BBC OneIt's that time of year again – the fundraising marathon returns, packed with sketches, heart-tugging stories and downright bizarre moments. And this is its 40th anniversary! Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Alison Hammond and AJ Odudu are among the night's hosts, with Strictly, Gladiators and Beyond Paradise some of the shows getting the comic treatment. Hollie Richardson 7.30pm, Channel 4This investigation into the rise of institutions in South Africa dedicated to using military methods to instil discipline in teenagers focuses on the Rising Stars Generation camp. Run by 25-year-old Prince Motlou, its practices including corporal punishment and making children march for hours in the heat without water. Alexi Duggins 8pm, BBC TwoWith glimmers of sunshine finally arriving in the UK, it's OK to get excited about things such as jewel garden borders again – which is exactly what Monty Don is doing this week. Over in Carmarthenshire, Sue Kent is harnessing the Welsh weather to grow some veg. HR 8pm, Channel 4Claudia Winkleman hosts the high-stakes, high-concept quiz, where only one question stands between contestants and £100,000. This time, father and son Duncan and William compete alongside twins Teresa and Maddy. Ali Catterall 9pm, Sky Max The tour rolls on, now managed by Marcus. But when Deborah meets an old comedy rival and finds her selling shoes for a living, she is forced to agonise over how being a good parent and successful comic don't always go hand in hand. Cue Ava stepping up like a surrogate daughter for a touching pep talk. Alexi Duggins 10pm, Channel 4Fabulously dressed artist Grayson Perry and football-mad comedian Maisie Adam join Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker to dissect yet another chaotic week that has featured more if-you-don't-laugh-you'll-cry moments from our world leaders. Hopefully, there'll be a good story in there, too ... please? HR Birdy, 6am, 3.55pm, Sky Cinema Greats A neglected entry in the slew of Vietnam war movies released in the 1980s, Alan Parker's drama is an affecting tale of childhood friendship and trauma, with a cracking Peter Gabriel score. Nicolas Cage throws his all into the role of injured US soldier Al (he even had two teeth extracted to simulate his character's facial injury), who visits his childhood best mate, mute war veteran Birdy (Matthew Modine), in a military psychiatric facility. Flashbacks to their teenage scrapes in Philly, and Birdy's escalating obsession with birds and flying, offer clues to his breakdown. Simon Wardell Sweet Sue, 11.15pm, BBC TwoOn this evidence, Leo 'son of Mike' Leigh is clearly a chip off the old block. The lives of working-class people are made complex, vital and tragic in his comedy drama following party-shop owner Sue (Maggie O'Neill). She's had her troubles, but things start to look up after she meets strong, silent biker Ron at her brother's funeral. Sadly, he's silent because he's bottled up emotionally, and also has a fraught relationship with his influencer son Anthony (Harry Trevaldwyn). O'Neill is terrific as a woman up for fun but too self-assured to play nursemaid to inadequate men. SW Athletics: World Indoor Championships 10.15am, BBC Two. Day one from Nanjing, China. World Cup football: England v Albania 7pm, ITV1. A Group K qualifier at Wembley.
The Guardian
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: inside the astonishing ‘spy cops' scandal
9pm, ITV1 This shocking documentary series televises the 'spy cops' scandal brought to national attention by the Guardian. Told by five female activists whose romantic partners suddenly abandoned them, it's a moving, personal account of discovering you've been dating an undercover police officer – and an astonishing tale of their investigative nous. Alexi Duggins 7pm, BBC One Alex Jones and Roman Kemp head to Buckingham Palace for this World Book Day celebration. Queen Camilla will be among those hearing the six winning stories in the BBC 500 Words competition for budding authors of primary school age, brought to life by celebrity readers including the great Olivia Colman. Graeme Virtue 7.30pm, Channel 4 It is day one of the world's biggest dog show, and Clare Balding presents all the canine action from Birmingham. Terriers are the first group to be judged, with the winner going through to Sunday's best in show final. Then it's over to the hound group, where miniature dachshunds and huge Irish wolfhounds will be competing. It ends with athleticism and speed in the flyball heats. Hollie Richardson 9pm, BBC One With its strained mix of bonhomie and backstabbing, Lord Sugar's business bunfight often feels like a team-building exercise gone wrong. So it makes sense to task the candidates with designing profitable away days in Turkey for corporate clients. The scenery is certainly spectacular, but can both sides keep their eye on the ball? GV 9pm, Sky Max Chris O'Dowd's slightly self-indulgent but still fun Ireland-meets-Hollywood sci-fi comedy drama continues – and the film production is in full swing. 'I kinda feel Armie Hammer is due a comeback,' is one casting suggestion put to Wendy (Christina Hendricks). But she's got an agenda of her own, which involves casting local people. HR 9pm, U&Drama The rebooted 80s cop show continues with new Bergerac (now played by Brassic's Damien Molony) pursuing leads all across the island of Jersey. The pressure is on to solve a murder and find a kidnapped baby before it's too late. But not everyone believes Bergerac should stay on the case. Ellen E Jones Athletics: European Indoor Championships, 5pm, BBC TwoDay one from Omnisport Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, with Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell in the first round of the 1500m. Coverage continues on BBC Three at 8pm.
