Friday
Pick of the day: Would I Lie to You?
8pm, BBC One
Bob Mortimer’s appearances on Would I Lie To You? have left an indelible mark on the show, and it’s exciting to see him return to confound team captain David Mitchell once again. Mortimer has a knack for spinning such improbable tales that they seem too outlandish to be true… or maybe they are? His storytelling prowess shines through as he shares a humorous incident involving a wedding video shoot gone awry, featuring a character named “Dr. King,” known for his remarkable milk-drinking habits. Joining Mortimer in this episode are comedians Chris Ramsey, who recently saw his wife on the show, and Michelle de Swarte, alongside Dragons’ Den’s Sara Davies.
Live Fight Night
7pm, Sky Showcase
This evening promises thrilling boxing action as Natasha Jonas faces off against Lauren Price for the IBF, WBC, and WBA world welterweight titles at the illustrious Royal Albert Hall. A pioneer in women’s boxing, Jonas was the first amateur female boxer to represent GB Boxing and made history by competing at the 2012 Olympic Games. Her opponent, the Welsh sensation Price, won gold at the 2020 Olympics and boasts an impressive undefeated record of eight professional fights since her debut in 2022. At 9pm, Channel 5 will feature more boxing when Harlem Eubank, nephew of Chris Eubank, takes on Irishman Tyrone McKenna for the vacant IBF intercontinental welterweight title in front of a home crowd in Brighton.
Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey
7.30pm, BBC One
In this episode, comedian Bill Bailey explores the heartwarming story of Marva and Lionel, a Birmingham couple who began fostering teenagers in the early 1990s. Over the past three decades, they have provided a loving home to nearly 200 young people. Bailey invites Manchester-based artist Chloe Cox, a self-taught painter who has already received commissions from notable figures, including His Majesty the King, to create a portrait of the couple.
Around the World in First Class
8pm, Channel 5
Join Josie Gibson as she embarks on a luxurious upper-class flight to the stunning Caribbean island of Grenada. While there, she explores a hidden boutique resort by the sea, where she is pampered with her own personal chef and a masseuse, all while soaking up the tranquility of a pristine Caribbean beach. Let’s hope she left The White Lotus behind on her flight!
Death in Paradise
9pm, BBC One
In a surprising turn, the typically grumpy Mervin (Don Gilet) invites himself over to cook breakfast for Naomi, who had anticipated a quiet Saturday alone. His gesture of gratitude stems from her assistance in reopening his mother’s case. However, their breakfast plans are abruptly interrupted by a murder call: a man has been shot dead inside his villa, just moments before he was set to meet a woman he had connected with on a dating app.
The Big Eurovision Party
11.40pm, BBC One
In Amsterdam, Eurovision legends gather to celebrate the rich history of this iconic musical event, with hosts Edsilia Rombley and Drag Race UK star Tia Kofi leading the festivities. The show features performances from Eurovision all-stars like Loreen, Nemo, Käärijä, Katrina Leskanich of Katrina and the Waves, Johnny Logan, Marija Šerifović, Baby Lasagna, and Bambie Thug. The country girl band Remember Monday will represent the UK in the upcoming contest in May at St Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.
Saturday
Pick of the day: Candy: A Death in Texas
9pm, Channel 4
This gripping five-part mini-series, which has been available on Disney+ since 2022, offers a more nuanced take on true-crime storytelling. Jessica Biel delivers a captivating performance as Candy Montgomery, a Texas housewife accused of murdering her neighbor Betty Gore in 1980. The shocking crime involved Candy striking Betty 41 times with an axe. Claiming self-defense during a confrontation over her affair with Betty’s husband, Candy’s story is one of suburban frustration and the tensions that led to such a tragic outcome, with both women wrestling with their own discontent.
Live Six Nations Rugby Union
1.25pm, ITV1 and 4pm, BBC One
The suspenseful Six Nations tournament continues, beginning with the highly anticipated match between Ireland and France in Dublin. The Irish team triumphed over France last year with a score of 38-17, but the stakes are high as they face a formidable French side, fresh off an astounding 73-24 victory against Italy, setting a record for most tries in a single game. Later, Scotland, led by Finn Russell, will host Wales, while England takes on Italy on Sunday.
Portugal with Michael Portillo
8.15pm, Channel 5
Michael Portillo, known for his vibrant jackets and charismatic presence, explores Portugal’s oldest city, Braga, along with the historic town of Ponte de Lima. Viewers can expect to see Portillo swept away by the festive atmosphere during one of Portugal’s largest annual celebrations, the Feiras Novas, where up to a million revelers partake in three days of music, dancing, and vibrant processions.
Bob Dylan: No Direction Home
9pm, BBC Two
This is a fantastic opportunity to juxtapose Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown with the real Bob Dylan in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed two-part documentary. The first segment delves into Dylan’s formative years, featuring insights from childhood friends and mentors. It highlights his emergence on New York’s bustling folk scene in the early 1960s and the artists who significantly influenced his artistry. Dylan’s own reflections take viewers on a journey from Minnesota’s Iron Range to the vibrant streets of Greenwich Village in New York City.
Dope Girls
9.15pm, BBC One
This new drama, often likened to a female-centric version of Peaky Blinders, has received mixed reviews, possibly due to its direct comparisons with Steven Knight’s acclaimed series. Nevertheless, it showcases its own unique strengths, particularly the performances of Julianne Nicholson and Umi Myers as Kate and Billie, who embark on the journey of establishing their own club. Meanwhile, the character Violet goes deeper undercover to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of Silvio.
Sunday
Pick of the day: Ten Pound Poms
8pm, BBC One
The saga continues in Danny Brocklehurst’s captivating series about a group of Britons seeking a new life in 1950s Australia, enticed by the promise of affordable passage away from post-war difficulties. Set in 1957, the story picks up with the Roberts family, who are still adjusting to life at the Galgownie reception center, likened to a prisoner-of-war camp by war veteran Terry (Warren Brown). A new family, the Skinners from Ireland, joins their ranks. Meanwhile, nurse Kate (Michelle Keegan) contemplates running away to New Zealand, and given the rampant racism, sexism, and xenophobia of the time, it’s understandable why she might seek an escape.
Dancing on Ice
6.30pm, ITV1
Join Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern for the grand finale of Dancing on Ice, where the final three couples compete head-to-head in spectacular routines choreographed by the legendary Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who will also perform together on television for the last time before their farewell tour. Additionally, at 9pm, the final of The Great Pottery Throw Down airs on Channel 4, where the remaining three potters face their ultimate challenge in creating striking Greek amphoras and demonstrating their throwing skills.
Towards Zero
9pm, BBC One
This fresh adaptation of Agatha Christie’s work left viewers with quite the cliffhanger last week, as Inspector Leach (Matthew Rhys) appeared to leap to his demise. At this juncture, a murder victim is still absent, but that may soon change as tennis star Nevile (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) seems more entangled with his ex-wife than with his current spouse, while the dubious valet Mac (Adam Hugill) snoops around, and the bedridden Lady Tressilian (Anjelica Huston) contemplates altering her will.
The Bay
9pm, ITV1
In this gripping episode, Jenn (Marsha Thomason) and her team strive to interrogate Bradley Dawson, the brother of the murdered eco-activist Hannah. However, they face significant obstacles in gaining access to the nuclear power station where Bradley is employed, as the site is fortified with a double layer of security that complicates standard police procedures.
David Frost Vs
9pm, Sky Documentaries
In this compelling documentary, we see the 87-year-old Jane Fonda making headlines once again, delivering a thinly veiled critique of Donald Trump while accepting her lifetime achievement award at last month’s SAG Awards. Fonda has a long history of activism, famously earning the moniker “Hanoi Jane” during the Vietnam War after visiting North Vietnam. David Frost had the opportunity to interview her numerous times, starting with their first meeting when she was at the pinnacle of her fame following her role as the iconic sex symbol in Roger Vadim’s 1968 sci-fi film Barbarella.
