What’s on telly tonight? Our pick of the best shows on Sunday 20th May

Ben Whishaw as the lover of MP Jeremy Thorpe (played by Hugh Grant) in a Very English Scandal, which is on Sunday 20th May
(Image credit: BBC/Blueprint/Amazon/Sony)

TV Times top picks for today

What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight the best shows on Sunday 20th May

A Very English Scandal, 9pm, BBC1

If you were around in the 1970s, it was difficult to miss the biggest scandal in British political history when Jeremy Thorpe MP was accused of trying to have his former gay lover Norman Scott murdered. Thorpe ended up on trial at the Old Bailey in 1979. With Hugh Grant playing the dashing and witty Thorpe and Ben Whishaw as troubled Norman – nicknamed ‘Bunny’ by his Liberal benefactor – there’s sizzle and passion in the first of this three-part drama about their story as the pair meet at the horse stables where Norman works and embark on an affair that ultimately brings about Thorpe’s downfall. ***** NC

Midsomer Murders. 8pm, ITV

Simon Fallow, playing a violin, as he guest stars in Midsomer Murders

When a musician is brutally murdered, strangled by a violin string, Barnaby and Winter are thrust into the world of classical music. James Fleet does a star turn as a fading maestro, with his Four Weddings and a Funeral co-star Simon Callow playing a wonderfully sozzled viola player. As the body count mounts, amid rumours of a curse, the chemistry between Kam and Winter continues to fizz… Rating: ****

Chelsea Flower Show, 6pm, BBC1 (BBC2 Wales)

Chelsea Flower Show hosts Monty, Joe and Sophie together in a nice garden

The annual floral extravaganza opens to the public on Tuesday, but Sophie Raworth and Joe Swift give us a sneak preview of the exciting new gardens and trends on display this year. This kicks off a week of catch-ups from the event on BBC1 and 2, with daily reports from Monty Don, and guest presenters including Mary Berry and Jo Whiley. Please note, today’s programme is on BBC2 in Wales. Rating: ****

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!