Home//What's on TV/12-Aug-23/In This Issue
What's on TV|12-Aug-23HOT TV THIS WEEK!SanditonNEWFrom Thursday 17 August, ITVX DramaThe period drama returns for a third and final series, with Rose Williams back as heroine Charlotte Heywood. We catch up with Charlotte after her shock decision to marry farmer Ralph Starling (Cai Brigden) in the wake of her disappointment with Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes). Van Der Valk star Emma Fielding joins the cast as Lady Montrose, while New Tricks actor James Bolam plays a wealthy investor who’s interested in teaming up with Tom Parker (Kris Marshall) on the seaside resort’s expansion – but things get complicated when Lady Denham (Anne Reid) becomes involved.P11CasualtySaturday, 8.25pm, BBC1 DramaThere are shock scenes when paramedics Iain and Jacob arrive at a warehouse rave where partygoers are screaming in pain after an acid attack. At the ED, Max declares…4 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Coming soon…★ Lenny Rush (left) is joining Doctor Who when the sci-fi series returns to BBC1. The young BAFTA-winning actor will play Morris, who joins the team under Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor just as the Time Lord’s biggest nightmare begins to unfold.★ Tales from the Riverbank with Clare Balding on Channel 5 tells the stories of Britain’s most iconic rivers. Clare looks at the wildlife, meets those who live and work on the waterways and checks out landmarks and attractions.★ Hosted by Stephen Mangan (left), with Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper as team captains, the US game show Password is coming to the UK on ITV1. Alan and Daisy must each help a contestant guess mystery passwords.★ The Chelsea Detective returns to Acorn TV for a second series…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23You like…Now try…LOVE ISLANDon ITV2If you enjoy…Love Island, hosted by Maya Jama (right), where a group of singletons move into a villa together for the summer in the hope of finding love. They complete a series of tasks with a partner that they keep swapping until they find their true love, plus face public votes along the way.MY MUM, YOUR DADon ITV1You’ll want to check out…This upcoming dating show, which puts a new twist on the Love Island format. Hosted by Davina McCall (right), the upcoming series follows a group of single parents who’ve been nominated by their grown-up children to find love. Unbeknownst to them, their kids are watching nearby and meddling in their fate.…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Gourmet glamour!CELEBRITY MASTERCHEFWednesday-Friday, times vary, BBC1 CookerySamantha Fox shot to stardom in 1983 as a glamour model before becoming a pop star, going on to sell 30 million records worldwide. Now, she’s showing off her cooking talents on Celebrity MasterChef. Top‘People probably wouldn’t have me down as a cook but I find cooking at home relaxing,’ says Samantha. ‘I’m not a sexy cook, though!’In this penultimate heat, Samantha is joined by drag artist Cheryl Hole, singer-songwriter Jamelia, DJ Locksmith and opera singer Wynne Evans, all looking to impress, starting with skills test Under the Cloche…Fish dish‘I lifted up my cloche to find a red mullet with its head on – I’ve never filleted a fish in my life,’ reveals Samantha. ‘But I work well under pressure and I was creative.’Known for…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Shocking lies!CASUALTYSaturday, 8.25pm, BBC1 DramaFaith Cadogan’s secret addiction takes a terrible twist when the tormented nurse tells a despicable lie.Faith began using diazepam after she was raped last year. Since then, the drug has taken hold and this week she sinks to a new low when her best friend, Stevie Nash, discovers the truth.The drama kicks off after clinical lead Max Cristie reveals diazepam is going missing and asks senior staff to be on alert. Meanwhile, casualties pour in to the ED following an acid attack at a rave. As desperate Faith tries to pilfer more pills in the chaos, she is caught and confronted by Stevie!‘Stevie notices a patient’s medication is missing,’ says Kirsty Mitchell, who plays Faith. ‘Initially Faith contemplates telling Stevie the truth, but before she can fathom…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Alfie’s agonyTuesday MUST-SEE EPISODE!Alfie Moon’s run of bad luck seemed to have turned recently when he landed a job at the bookies after Elaine Peaco*ck unceremoniously booted him out of The Vic.But Alfie being Alfie, the good times never last long, and this week he not only has to deal with a serious bust-up with his wayward son, Tommy, but also a worrying health scare!ShowdownThings begin to unravel for Alfie when Freddie unwittingly lets slip that it was Tommy who revealed his rapist dad Graham’s whereabouts, which leads to an almighty showdown between Alfie and the 12-year-old lad.Although a dejected Alfie later tries to calm the situation down, things escalate when Tommy violently lashes out, leading Phil and Alfie to agree that Tommy should join The Boxing Den to release his…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Ryan collapses!After the acid attack that left him with permanent scars to his face and neck, Ryan became paranoid about his appearance.But having taken time out to visit his mum in Ireland, Ryan returned seemingly refreshed as he took delivery of some exercise equipment to work on his fitness and build his confidence.He set up a social-media account and is now enjoying the comments he gets for his posts, which include photos of his torso. But he’s hiding a secret because he’s turned to taking illegal steroids to boost his physique.But the dodgy drugs don’t come without some serious side effects. As well as giving him a bit of a temper, they cause him to have heart palpitations when he goes out for a run.As Ryan’s legs give way, a passing…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Soap gossip★ Richard does Frank Sinatra!Richard Shelton, who starred as Emmerdale’s murderous Dr Adam Forsythe, will play Frank Sinatra in the UK tour of the award-winning stage play Sinatra: RAW. The show follows the legendary crooner in 1971 as he faces retirement and opens in Chipping Norton on 4 October.★ Susie’s new roleCorrie star Susie Blake (AKA Bev Unwin) will be lending her acting talents to the theatre thriller Murder in the Dark. Starring alongside Tom Chambers, she’ll play Mrs Bateman in the ghost story, which will tour the UK and Ireland from 7 September, beginning at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.★ Dot’s coat on display!A brown tweed coat worn by June Brown as Dot Branning on EastEnders is set to go on display for the first time ever! It will be…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Magical MaldivesAMAZING HOTELS: LIFE BEYOND THE LOBBYSunday, 8pm, BBC2 FactualMonica Galetti and Rob Rinder enjoy the plum job of exploring the stunning five-star resort of Joali in the Maldives for this week’s envy-inducing episode of Amazing Hotels.The island retreat has five restaurants, a spa, yoga pavilion, dive centre, as well as secluded beachside villas costing an average of £2,500 a night!‘There’s wow factor and then there’s WOW factor,’ says Rob, as he steps into his private villa complete with infinity pool. ‘It’s a desert-island paradise. I’m so relaxed, I feel like I’m even breathing differently!’New perspectiveBut it’s not long before Monica and Rob are put to work. While Monica helps the head chef with a delivery of fresh lobsters, Rob reports for duty in a swimsuit and snorkel to clean algae…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23NEXT WEEK’S ISSUETHE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTONMurder-mystery period dramaTHE FINISH LINENew game show with Roman Kemp and Sarah GreeneEMMERDALERhona is under pressure and takes action!* For a more detailed reading of your stars, ring your sign’s Starline. Starlines are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last about three minutes. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Users must be 18+. SP: Spoke 0333 202 3390COMPILED BY: JO LEWIS. PHOTOS: BBC, ITV, SHUTTERSTOCK…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Spycatcher!WORLD ON FIRESunday, 9pm, BBC1 DramaKasia Chase fought German soldiers on the streets of Warsaw at the start of the war. But having fled to Britain, she’s found herself a long way from the action.Determined to keep playing her part in the battle against the Nazis, she begged Sir James Danemere (Mark Bonnar) to send her back to Poland. Yet the MI5 operative revealed she could still do her bit from her new home in Cheshire.After being recruited to MI5, last week Kasia was told to follow a Polish factory worker called Irena, who’d been rousing suspicions.‘Kasia is desperate to work in military intelligence,’ says Zofia Wichłacz, who plays her. ‘She needs to work, to feel useful and to have a sense of purpose. She needs to be a soldier,…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Marry-go-round!NEWSANDITONFrom Thursday 17 August, ITVX DramaIn the last series of Sanditon, the period drama based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, heroine Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) had left town broken-hearted after realising her employer Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) was unwilling to pursue a relationship, despite his feelings for her.As the third and final run begins, Charlotte returns to Sanditon with her childhood pal and new fiancé Ralph Starling (Cai Brigden) to celebrate the 21st birthday of her best friend Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke). But is Charlotte truly happy with her engagement?‘Charlotte has always loved Ralph,’ says Rose. ‘They grew up together, and their engagement was described as a “foregone conclusion” by her father. Despite her experiences in Sanditon and her expanded horizons, she felt a responsibility to protect her family with…2 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Look who’s back…OMID DJALILIKate Garraway’s Life Stories, Wednesday, 9pm, ITV1FACT FILELaugh out loud The stand-up comedian landed his own sketch show The Omid Djalili Show (pictured) in 2007.Many talents He presented ITV’s game show Winning Combination and played Dr Lanselius in His Dark Materials.Big-screen star He’s appeared in films The Mummy, Anita and Me and Sex and the City 2.Iranian-British actor, comedian and writer Omid joins Kate Garraway in the studio as the final guest in her Life Stories series – and his interview turns out to be both shocking and uplifting. ‘Even though he’s been a star of so many films, his actual life story is incredible,’ says Kate. ‘I think if you took it to a Hollywood director, they’d never believe it. How he’s survived and thrived through it is…2 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Full of Fury!NEWAt Home with the FurysAvailable: Wed 16 August Genre: Reality Season: 1 Eps: 9Having retained his world heavyweight title, British boxing legend Tyson Fury announced his retirement at Wembley Stadium in April 2022, saying: ‘This is definitely the end.’The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ struggled with his mental health the last time he hung up his gloves, so faced a challenge as he adjusted to full-time life in his busy Morecambe home with wife Paris, who is currently pregnant with their seventh child, and the family.In the months before Tyson decided to go back into the ring, the couple invited a camera crew to capture this new phase of their lives for a Netflix docuseries…‘The expectation was, I get to spend time with my family, and do normal jobs like the school…4 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23What a week for…Bobby’s jealousEASTENDERSHe worries that Anna fancies Freddie, but she’s more interested in an update about her mum Rose…p20Tyrone’s shockCORONATION STREETHe’s floored when Cassie turns up and blurts out that she’s his supposedly dead mum!p18Bob collapsesEMMERDALEWrongly assuming Liam and Wendy’s affair is still going on, he lamps his love rival, then has a heart attack!p19Goldie’s new love?HOLLYOAKSAs she hopes things will get better, she meets a mystery man. Could he be her Mr Right?p21Felicity’s missionHOME AND AWAYShe’s annoyed that she can’t remember who attacked her and refuses to let it lie until she does!p21• DOCTORS is on a break and returns in September…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Bob dies?Monday MUST-SEE EPISODE!Bob’s still licking his wounds after finding out about Wendy’s affair with Liam, but while his partner is hoping they have a future together, he’s struggling to move past her betrayal.‘He’s very upset,’ says Tony Audenshaw, who plays Bob. ‘He wants to give their relationship another go and see if they can make it work, but he’s finding it difficult.’As Bob tries to work through his trust issues, the situation isn’t helped by the fact that his love rival lives in the same village…‘It’s easier said than done when it’s someone you see every day and who’s younger and fitter than you,’ says Tony. ‘He’s also feeling his age, so he hates Liam with a vengeance and keeps getting wound up. So we see a lot of angry…2 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23I want closureLAST IN SERIES!LONG LOST FAMILYMonday, 9pm, ITV1 FactualArthur Fitzharris always knew he’d been adopted from an orphanage at the age of five, having initially been placed with foster parents.But in 2001, when he began a search for his birth parents, he was shocked to discover that his birth had been registered illegally and his foster parents had been falsely recorded as his biological parents.No clues‘I was dumbfounded – it horrified me,’ says Arthur, from Bray, Ireland, in this special episode about false identities that wraps up the current series of Long Lost Family. ‘I was up against a brick wall. No matter what road I took, it always ended in a cul-de-sac. I just want to find out who I am, I want closure.’The special reveals how, for almost 100…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23FUN!£500 CrosswordSolve the clues and rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the name of an American actor (4,5). To enter, see below right. The winner gets £500. Usual rules apply (below).ACROSS1 Feminist icon and writer, Germaine -----(5)6 Superhero TV series in which Stephen Amell played Oliver Queen (5)7 Jar Jar -----, divisive Star Wars character (5)9 See picture clue: ------ Agyeman, Dr Sharpe in New Amsterdam (6)11 ----101, US series with Jamie Lynn Spears (4)12 In Sickness and in ------, BBC sitcom (6)15 Motörhead song from 1980, Ace of ------(6)17 Clips show narrated by Harry Hill (5,4,6)19 1980 musical starring Olivia Newton-John (6)21 Comedian, Rita ------(6)24 Recurring character who is infatuated with Marge Simpson, Artie ----(4)25 Oscar-winning film with Sir Ben Kingsley (6)27 American illusionist, -----Blaine…4 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23YOUR STARSARIES (21 March-20 April)With the North Node in your sign, cultivate leadership qualities. Take charge and set an example – it’s what you do best.STARLINE: 0905 817 0426*TAURUS (21 April-21 May)Move beyond any limitations by taking calculated risks. You can trust yourself to make the best choices.STARLINE: 0905 817 0427*GEMINI (22 May-21 June)Retreat to recharge and heal for a few hours. Rest your active mind and put on some beautiful music to soothe your soul.STARLINE: 0905 817 0428*CANCER (22 June-22 July)You often find the world quite harsh. Now more than ever, it’s vital to surround yourself with loving, kind people.STARLINE: 0905 817 0429*LEO (23 July-22 August)The New Moon in your sign this month wants you to live your best life. Say yes to the good things coming your way.STARLINE: 0905…2 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23What’s Hot! What’s Not!All sewn up!The final of The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC1 on Wed 26 July won the night’s ratings battle, with 3.6m tuning in to see finalist Asmaa (pictured) crowned winner. It beat the final part of ITV1’s Joanna Lumley’s Spice Trail Adventure (1.7m).Power failureNew BBC1 comedy The Power of Parker, starring Conleth Hill (right), Sian Gibson and Rosie Cavaliero, got off to a slow start on Friday 28 July, pulling in an audience of just 1.5m, which was half the usual 3m average for the same time slot.…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Last requestLAST IN SERIES!A SPY AMONG FRIENDSSunday, 9pm, ITV1 DramaThe truth about the emotional end to the close relationship between Soviet spy Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) and his old pal Nicholas Elliott is revealed in the finale to A Spy among Friends.MI5 boss Sir Roger Hollis (Adrian Edmondson), whose loyalty to Britain is also in question, grills Nicholas (Damian Lewis) to learn whether Philby gave up the names of other double agents when the duo met in Beirut before Philby fled to Russia.As flashbacks show what really went on in Lebanon, Philby struggles in Moscow and ends up in hospital after a drunken binge. But when Philby sends Nicholas a letter asking for one last meeting, will Nicholas agree?‘Philby’s swindled his closest friend,’ says Guy. ‘It’s life-and-death stuff…’• Companion documentary The…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Revenge time!THE POWER OF PARKERFriday, 9.30pm, BBC1 ComedyThings are going from bad to worse for Martin (Conleth Hill) as he finds himself in a vulnerable position. When he asks the Slater brothers for more time to settle his debts, they make him an offer he literally can’t refuse.Meanwhile, his wife Diane (Rosie Cavaliero) and his ex-mistress Kath (Sian Gibson) pay a visit to Martin’s accountant, who tips them off that some of his shady dealings have put them in a position of power, giving them the perfect opportunity for revenge. But will Kath be able to stick to the plan when she visits Martin in his office?…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Mini crosswordWIN £100!ACROSS1 1980s US sci-fi sitcom (3) (inits)3 BBC series with Dame Joanna Lumley and Denis Lawson, Sensitive ----(4)6 Renée Zellweger’s character in hit 2003 movie Chicago (5,4)7 American comedy with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale (4)9 The Beatles song released in 1967, With a Little ----from My Friends (4)11 Northern Irish singer, actor and TV personality (4-5)13 1983 Michael Jackson hit, Billie ----(4)14 ---: Who Dares Wins, C4 series (3) (inits)DOWN1 Otis the --------, BBC puppet (8)2 Michael J. ---, played Marty McFly in 1985’s Back to the Future (3)3 John Noakes’ dog in Blue Peter (4)4 Puppet show, Spitting -----(5)5 Played the villain in 2002 film Die Another Day, Toby --------(8)8 -----Tanner, Pat Phoenix’s role in Coronation Street (5)10 The ----, 1976 horror movie starring Gregory Peck and…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Wedding daze!NEWHENPOCALYPSE!Tuesday, 10pm, BBC2 Comedy (box set, BBC iPlayer)Hen parties are always memorable occasions – usually for all the wrong reasons – and carnage is on the cards as one woman’s celebrations are interrupted by the end of the world in Caroline Moran’s new six-part comedy, Henpocalypse!‘These five working-class women head to Wales on a hen do but the fun grinds to a halt when an epidemic of crab measles brings about an apocalypse,’ says Lucie Shorthouse, who plays bride-to-be Zara.Battle for survival‘Zara is 100% a bridezilla. When the Apocalypse hits, she’s like: “I know the end of the world is affecting everyone but it’s affecting me the most.” For Zara, it’s still very much her hen do – and she’s still getting married!’Alongside the usual hen-do tensions, Zara and the…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23NEWTO WATCHOppenheimerAvailable: Now Genre: Drama Season: 1 Eps: 7The life of atom-bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer was recently made into a hit film, but in 1980 this BBC seven-parter (also airing weekly on Saturdays on BBC4 from 12 Aug) told the same remarkable story, with Sam Waterston (right) playing the American scientist.BillionsAvailable: Fri 11 Aug Genre: Drama Season: 7 Eps: 12 (released weekly)Damian Lewis (right) returns as Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod, who left the show at the end of season five but steps back into the fray during this final series (also shown on Fridays, 9pm, Sky Atlantic). This time, things come to a head as long-held alliances are turned upside down.My Dad the Bounty HunterAvailable: Thursday 17 August Genre: Animation Season: 2 Eps: 9The sci-fi children’s series returns, following a father…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23I’m your MUM!Wednesday MUST-SEE EPISODE!When her drug-addict daughter Cassie turned up in Weatherfield a month or two ago, Evelyn was sent into a panic because she’s always told grandson Tyrone that his mum died years ago.Evelyn was rattled further when she turned up at No.9 and found that Tyrone had invited Cassie in, with Cassie claiming to be an old pal of his nan’s called Cath.Later, Cassie told her mum that she wanted to tell her son the truth so she could get to know him and his kids, but Evelyn insisted that she cleaned up her act first.The mum and daughter haven’t been seen since, and as far as Ty is concerned, Evelyn has gone away to look after a former neighbour who needs her help.‘Evelyn and Cassie have actually been…2 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Blast from the past!Four years ago, Lydia was forced to revisit a traumatic episode from her childhood when the remains of a baby were discovered in the grounds of the local school.It turned out that when Lydia was 15, she lived in a children’s home, where she secretly gave birth to a stillborn baby boy. After burying him in some nearby woodland, she then ran away to Scarborough before anyone found out what she had done.MemoriesThis week, Lydia’s reminded once again of her time in care and of her son, who she later named Toby, when Sam finds an old doll’s house that he plans to renovate for his granddaughter Esther’s birthday.The tatty toy reminds Lydia of the one she had in the children’s home, so as the couple set to work on…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Humans rule!LAST IN SERIES!EARTHMonday, 9pm, BBC2 FactualToday, around eight billion people live on Earth, and in this last episode of the series, Chris Packham explains how humankind came to be and how we went from being part of nature to controlling it.Starting from when an asteroid the size of Mount Everest wiped out all non-flying dinosaurs, he shows how this event allowed the few remaining mammals to thrive.‘For more than 150 million years, the mammals had lived in the shadows of the dinosaurs,’ says Chris. ‘But a new chapter was beginning. The age of the mammals.’Eventually, primates evolved, and 34 million years ago, they learnt to walk on two legs to find food. They then started to eat meat, grew bigger brains, and evolved from mammals into hom*o sapiens, such as…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23Looking for lions!LEVISON WOOD: WALKING WITH…Sunday, 8pm, C4 FactualWith wildlife populations plummeting at a rate not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs, explorer Levison Wood continues his quest to track down some of the world’s rarest animals in the wild.In the second episode of his latest series, he travels to Namibia in search of rare desert lions. But with fewer than 100 of the creatures left, it’s no mean feat.On his journey, Levison and his guide bump into a herd of elephants and have a close call when one of them charges…‘We weren’t expecting that,’ he admits. ‘You’ve got to be very vigilant in Africa. My heart definitely did race a little.’Toothy taleLevison also fulfils a lifelong dream by meeting the indigenous Himba people.‘I loved meeting the Himba but they have…1 min
What's on TV|12-Aug-23HAVE YOUR SAYWrite to: Have Your Say, What’s On TV, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JREmail us: wotv.postbag@futurenet.com Please remember to include your full postal address in your emailWe pay: £10 for every letter or rant printed and £25 for the Star Letter!Back to the futureI’m an avid watcher of Garden Rescue on BBC1 and appreciate the knowledge of the plants that the presenters have. I love the designs and outcomes, but why do they never return to the gardens in future shows? They describe what the gardens can be used for, but I would love to see how the gardens actually look a year on…Sue Pinto, EssexA bit blandMy hubby and I have watched BBC2’s University Challenge ever since Bamber Gascoigne hosted. When he left, we thought Jeremy Paxman was perfect…3 min
