On TV tonight, Stacey Solomon joins Bake Off: The Professionals on C4, new comedy State of the Union begins on BBC Two, brilliant historian Lucy Worsley returns with The Witch Hunts: Lucy Worsley Investigates on BBC Two, while there's another DIY SOS: The Big Build on BBC One. Documentary Gentleman Jack Changed My Life is on BBC One, while The Yorkshire Vet has a remarkable tale of doggy bravery on Channel 5. Finally, Sky Arts/NOW hang out with a music legend in Liam Gallagher: 48 Hours at Rockfield. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV Tonight include seven 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
Bake Off: The Professionals, 8pm, C4
As much as we miss the hilarious Tom Allen, Stacey Solomon is a fantastic replacement co-host alongside Liam Charles, as the difficult baking contest returns with more plucky professional pastry chefs showing off their talents. In between offering to ‘look after’ leftover chocolate, Stacey gives plenty of supportive hugs, much-needed when strict judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden charge the first six teams with making 36 fiddly strawberry fraisiers and a delicate chocolate amenity sculpture. Then, for the Showpiece, the chefs take treacle tarts to ‘new heights’ in towering structures that provoke heart-stopping moments…
★★★★ CC
State of the Union, from 10pm, BBC Two
The first series of this short and snappy comedy, which starred Chris O’Dowd and Rosamund Pike, won a hat-trick of Emmy Awards back in 2019, and now writer Nick Hornby is back with a new cast and story. This year’s tale follows an older American couple, Scott (Harry Potter star Brendan Gleeson) and Ellen (House of Cards’ Patricia Clarkson) as they meet in a hip coffee shop in Connecticut to discuss their faltering 30-year relationship ahead of their weekly marriage counselling sessions. It’s both as entertaining and thoughtful as its predecessor, plus the format of episodes just 10 minutes long makes for very easy viewing.
★★★★ SMA
The Witch Hunts: Lucy Worsley Investigates, 9pm, BBC Two
In January 1591 in Edinburgh, a woman was executed by being strangled and then burnt at the stake. Her crime was witchcraft and her death marked the beginning of a century of witch hunts in Britain, at the end of which thousands of women would be dead. Lucy’s series looking at brutal chapters in history kicks off with a grim investigation into the witch-hunt craze, and if it’s not quite as much fun as some of her TV outings, her ability to bring bygone times to life with a mix of archival digging and dramatic reconstruction is fascinating viewing.
★★★★ SM
DIY SOS: The Big Build, 8pm, BBC One
Nick Knowles and co have got their work cut out as they attempt to give one community an outdoor space bursting with adventure. For more than 70 years, The Ranch has been a place of fun and sanctuary for the children of Southmead. It’s now unfit for purpose, and the small team who run it are struggling to keep the site safe. It’s a mammoth project that requires a new kitchen, sports pitch and forest school alongside an amazing playground. These Big Build editions are emotional for all involved and, look closely, you might even see our Nick shed a tear.
★★★★ VW
Gentleman Jack Changed My Life, 10.40pm, BBC1
Miriam Margolyes narrates a look at ‘the Gentleman Jack effect’. Six women who came to realise their true sexuality after watching 19th-century landowner Anne Lister’s adventures tell their coming-out stories. And the history of Anne’s coded diaries is told alongside behind-the-scenes footage of filming. Even writer Sally Wainwright is surprised at the ‘huge emotional response’ to her unique prime-time drama.
★★★ NT
The Yorkshire Vet, 8pm, Channel 5
It’s tense on the operating table as vet Matthew attempts his first prosthetic surgery on a three-legged lamb called Star, born with no hoof. Matt’s feeling the pressure as it’s a procedure that’s rarely performed in this country. Meanwhile, Julian feels similarly hot under the collar as Teddy – a 10-month-old dachshund, who once saved his owner’s life – comes into the Thirsk practice for tricky surgery. Can he help the heroic hound?
★★★★ RF
Liam Gallagher: 48 Hours at Rockfield, 9pm, Sky Arts/NOW
Oasis legend Liam spends two days at two of his favourite places: Rockfield Studios in Wales – and the pub. We’re given access all areas as he performs tracks from his upcoming album, C’Mon You Know, as well as a pair of Oasis classics, then heads to the pub with his sons, Gene and Lennon. Proof, some might say, that a bona fide rock ’n’ roll star doesn’t fade away.
★★★ NT
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Derry Girls, season 1–3, All4
The riotous third series has just finished on C4, but if anyone has missed this absolute gem of a comedy, then all three seasons are now available on All4. The series follows teenagers Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), and James (Dylan Maguire), or “the wee English fella” as everyone calls him, as they navigate life in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the early 1990s. The gang attend Our Lady Immaculate College run by the indomitable Sister Michael, played brilliantly by Siobhán McSweeney, who has seen all their madcap antics before and couldn’t care less. One of the best comedies on the box.
Best film to watch on TV today
Mr Brooks, 9pm, GREAT! Movies
The usually genial Kevin Costner gets to show off his nasty side as a meticulous, methodical serial killer being egged on by his enthusiastic alter ego (William Hurt) in this slick murder thriller, while Demi Moore is on fine form as a reckless, burnt-out cop on his (their) trail. Although the plot stretches credibility, there’s an impressive degree of tension thanks to some bravura plot twists and the attention to detail.
Live Sport
- French Open Tennis, from 9.30am, Eurosport 1
Soaps on TV tonight
- EastEnders, 7.30pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30pm, ITV
- Hollyoaks, 6.30pm, C4
- Neighbours, 6pm, Channel 5
- Home and Away, 6pm & 6.30pm, 5Star
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Bake Off: The Professionals on TV tonight – Stacey Solomon is a great addition to this tasty pastry show.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
