On TV Tonight, Tom Daley fronts an investigation into the Commonwealth countries where it's illegal to be gay in Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me, BritBox Original Secrets of the Spies makes its debut on ITV, Darcey Bussell's Royal Road Trip comes to an end, and there's another chance to see the delightful documentary Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include four TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
- Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis
- For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide
What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me, 9 pm, BBC One
There are 35 countries in the Commonwealth where it’s illegal to be gay, with punishments such as whipping, life imprisonment and even the death penalty. Olympic diving champion Tom Daley visits some of the worst offenders to find out what the sporting world can do to help, talking to LGBTQ+ athletes including Jamaican swimmer Michael Gunning and Indian sprinter Dutee Chand. Others speak under total anonymity, bravely revealing the extreme dangers faced by gay and lesbian athletes.
★★★★ NC
Secrets of the Spies, ITV, 9 pm
Previously shown on BritBox, this docuseries lifts the lid on the world of espionage. As well as interviews with relatives of former spies, there are insights from historians, authors and police officers into the history of spying from its Cold War heyday (immortalised in novels by Ian Fleming and John le Carré) to recent incidents such as the Salisbury poisonings.
★★★ JPM
Darcey Bussell's Royal Road Trip, 9 pm, More4
The final leg of the road trip heads to Wales, and although there isn’t a palace to visit, it is the birthplace of another hugely important part of the royal household, much loved by the Queen – Pembrokeshire Corgis. Dame Darcey visits working corgis Ted and Kitty as they herd cows on the farm, their little legs going like the clappers to keep the cattle on the move. She also visits the stunning St Davids Cathedral to discover more about the importance of faith to Her Majesty, ascends into the canopy at a rewilding project in the Welsh borders, goes panning for gold, and meets a royal cheesemaker with a very strong nose.
★★★ JL
Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51, 11.40 pm (times vary), BBC One
Another chance to catch this very candid documentary from The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades, who is among the 8 million adults in the UK who struggle to read. Jay left school with no qualifications, was diagnosed with dyslexia in his 30s and has spent his life avoiding the written word. Now committed to learning, he talks openly about the struggles he’s faced as he embarks on a course of reading lessons. Inspiring, eye-opening viewing.
★★★★★ TL
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Neil Gaiman's sprawling comic book series has been described as "unfilmable" in the past, but Netflix has taken on the task by transforming his universe into this 10-part adaptation which is based on the first two arcs from the books. The Sandman tells the story of Morpheus — aka Dream — who rules over a realm known as The Dreaming, the fantasy world that awaits every single one of us as we dream.
Tom Sturridge leads the cast alongside a whole host of exciting British stars including Charles Dance, Gwendoline Christie, David Thewlis, Stephen Fry, Jenna Coleman and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
Best film to watch on TV tonight
Young Adult, 11.15 pm - 12.45 am, BBC Two
This deliciously sour movie sees a brilliant Charlize Theron as a former prom queen who returns to her drab small home town in a bid to win back her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Wilson, even though he's now a happily married new dad. Pursuing her delusional scheme, she finds an unlikely confidant in another ex-classmate, bitter outcast Patton Oswalt. Painful, sad and very, very funny.
Live Sport
- The Hundred 2022: Northern Superchargers vs Trent Rockets, 6 pm (start time 6.30 pm), BBC Two/Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
- EFL: Bradford City vs Hull City: 7 pm (k-o 7.45 pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
Soaps on TV tonight
- EastEnders, 7.30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30 pm, ITV
- Hollyoaks, 6.30 pm, C4
- Home and Away, 6 pm & 6.30 pm, 5Star
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me on TV Tonight as he speaks to some of the brave LGBTQ+ athletes from throughout the Commonwealth.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
