TV Tonight: our highlights for Tuesday, January 4

By Joanne Lowles
published

'The Language of Love' is just one of the gems on TV tonight.

TV tonight Davina hearts this TV show.
Davina hearts this TV show. (Image credit: C4)

On TV tonight, Davina McCall presents a new dating show with a difference in C4's The Language of Love, Ben Fogle is in Portugal for another series of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild on Channel 5 and can Jac save the day in Holby on BBC1? Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight. 

  • Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV Tonight include three 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

The Language of Love, 10pm, C4

TV tonight Davina McCall and Ricky Merino host.

Davina McCall and Ricky Merino host. (Image credit: C4)

Can chemistry bridge the language barrier? That’s the question posed by this dating show, presented by Davina McCall and Spanish actor Ricky Merino and set
in a beautiful Spanish villa. Twelve singletons – six Brits and six Spaniards – all hope to find love under the sun, but when no one speaks the same language, getting to know one another is a little tricky. In this first episode, the participants pick who they want to spend the next few days with. Think Love Island with subtitles! 

★★★ JL

Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, 9pm, Channel 5

TV tonight Ben meets Alex (and pet pooch Peanut)

Ben meets Alex (and pet pooch Peanut). (Image credit: Channel 5)

In the arid mountains of northern Portugal, Ben meets Alex, a 39-year-old former retail manager, on his 35-acre farm. Alex bought it two years ago in a derelict state and has worked hard to restore the farmhouse and build himself a life in this isolated spot. Ben asks why a relatively young man would want to live in such solitude, which is when Alex opens up about the past traumas that have led him here. Ben’s visit also takes a spiritual turn when he meets Ira, a friend of Alex with her own story to share, who wants to open a retreat. 

★★★ JL

Holby City, 7.50pm, BBC1

TV tonight Regina’s appointment surprises the staff

Regina’s appointment surprises the staff. (Image credit: BBC)

Despite worsening symptoms from her brain tumour, Jac is all set for a crucial meeting with the Clinical Strategy Directorate to discuss pulling Holby out of ‘Recovery Support’. Jac, Hanssen and Max are surprised to find that Regina Marriott (Karen Ascoe) is the new CSD director and she wants a tour of the hospital. Later, when Jac makes a breakthrough in theatre, Regina’s impressed. Can Jac now save the hospital – or could she be in jeopardy? 

★★★★ VW

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

Cobra Kai, season 4, Netflix

TV tonight Daniel and Johnny played by Ralph Macchio and William Zabka.

Daniel and Johnny played by Ralph Macchio and William Zabka. (Image credit: Netflix)

Long-time martial-arts rivals Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) will need to bury their differences for good when The Karate Kid spin-off series returns for a fourth season. It’s the only way they will be able to stop ruthless sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove), aided by his old Vietnam war buddy Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), from winning LA’s All Valley Karate Tournament. The stakes are particularly high this year – the losers will have to leave the area for good. But can Daniel and Johnny really bring themselves to bury the hatchet?

Best film to watch on TV today

Rocketman, 9pm, Film4

TV tonight aron Egerton in a typically understated Elton moment

Taron Egerton in a typically understated Elton moment. (Image credit: C4)

This splashy, lavish biopic charts the life of Elton John (superbly played by Taron Egerton), beginning with shy Reggie Dwight from Pinner, taking in his song-writing partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) and on to international stardom. But fame doesn’t help Elton shake off his demons... A film full of colour, spectacle and hits. 

Live Sport

  • Cricket, The Ashes, 10.30pm, BT Sport 1

Soaps on TV tonight

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss The Language of Love on TV tonight – we all need a little bit of sunshine at this time of year! 

Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide. 

Happy viewing!

Joanne Lowles
Joanne Lowles
Freelance writer and editor

Joanne Lowles has been writing about TV since 2002. After graduating from Cardiff University with a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism, she worked for All About Soap magazine covering the ups and downs of life on the cobbles, the square and the Dales. 


Next came nearly 10 years at TV Times magazine as a writer and then deputy features editor. Here she spent many happy days interviewing the biggest names in entertainment and visiting the sets of some of our most popular shows including Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing. 


With a love of nature and wildlife she’s also interviewed the leading experts in this area including David Attenborough, Chris Packham and Steve Backshall. She’s also travelled the world visiting Mongolia, Canada and South Africa to see how the best in the business make the most brilliant natural history documentaries. 


Freelance since 2013, she is now is a digital writer and editor for What to Watch, previews the best on the box for TV Times mag each week and loves being constantly surprised, entertained and informed by the amazing TV that she is lucky enough to watch.