TV Tonight: our highlights for Wednesday, May 25

TV tonight – Marissa, Jonah and Duncan the dragon.
Marissa, Jonah and Duncan the dragon. (Image credit: BBC)

On TV tonight, there's another feel good trip to the barn as The Repair Shop continues on BBC One, it's children's week in The Great British Sewing Bee also on BBC One and continuing the crafty theme there's a royal-inspired one-off of Grayson's Art Club: Queen's Jubilee Special on C4. On BBC Two Jessica Hynes guest stars in Inside No 9 and a new soothing travelogue begins on More4, Britain's Beautiful Rivers with Richard Hammond. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.

  • Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include five 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 Repair Shop, 8pm, BBC One

TV tonight Barry and Bernadette with their musical jewellery box.

Barry and Bernadette with their musical jewellery box. (Image credit: BBC)

Every item brought in to the barn has a story to tell. Some are of great victories, such as the two 2016 Olympic medals brought in by diver Jack Laugher. Others tell of bravery and lasting love, like the musical jewellery box brought in by Barry and Bernadette. The precious box was sent from Malaysia while Barry was in the army more than 50 years ago, but it was damaged in transit. Bernadette has never heard it work and it’s up to resident horologist Steve to let the music play. Finally, a fitting keeper of family memories is Duncan the dragon, a much-loved soft toy in need of a special magical makeover. 

★★★★ JL

The Great British Sewing Bee, 9pm, BBC One

TV tonight Sara, Patrick and Esme introduce small stitches.

Sara, Patrick and Esme introduce small stitches. (Image credit: BBC)

Host and first-time mum Sara Pascoe should be watching on eagerly for inspiration as tonight it’s that theme that makes viewers go ‘aww’ at their screens – Children’s Week. There are mini-models in the mill, for whom the remaining sewers must make Made to Measure Halloween costumes (it’s never too early?!). But first, they tackle sailor suits for a toddler, which tests their skill set with complicated elasticated waists and square collars, then the opposite number in the fashion stakes – turning old school clothes into a cool outfit to be seen out and about in. As usual, Patrick and Esme offer firm but fair critiques on a unique array of fabulous creations. 

★★★★ NT

Grayson's Art Club: Queen's Jubilee Special, 10pm, C4

TV tonight Prue gets creative in the Art Club special

Prue gets creative in the Art Club special. (Image credit: C4)

For this special edition of Art Club to mark the Platinum Jubilee, Grayson and Philippa Perry, plus guest Prue Leith, get royally creative to produce artwork inspired by the Queen. As Grayson sets to work on a pottery charger, or large plate, Philippa makes a monarchy mug and Prue creates a classy chandelier. The trio also present the best pieces sent in from the public (plus comedian Harry Hill, who has an interesting late submission) and discuss how Elizabeth II has inspired artists throughout her 70-year reign. 

★★★ JL

Inside No 9, season 7, 10pm, BBC Two

TV tonight Who comes knocking at the door of Helen and son Zach’s home?

Who comes knocking at the door of Helen and son Zach’s home? (Image credit: BBC)

We’ve seen a lot of Jessica Hynes lately – which is nothing but a good thing – in Life After Life, The Witchfinder and Nicôle Lecky’s brilliant BBC3 series Mood (all three are on BBC iPlayer). She guest stars in this episode of the offbeat comedy series which sees her as single mum Helen, in an uneasy relationship with her teenage son Zach, when a stranger (Steve Pemberton), arrives at her door. Will spending time with the stranger bring Helen and Zach closer together, or will there be an altogether more sinister outcome (it is Inside No 9, after all)? 

★★★★ JP

Britain's Beautiful Rivers with Richard Hammond, 9pm, More4

TV tonight The meandering River Severn.

The meandering River Severn. (Image credit: More4)

Richard takes a break from overseeing Crazy Contraptions (Sunday, 10.55pm, C4) for a very different series, as he travels the UK to find out more about Britain’s rivers. As he swims, kayaks and walks along the waterways, he meets people involved with them and discover the rivers’ history, beginning with the Severn. 

★★★ JP

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

Derry Girls, season 1–3, All4

The Derry Girls jumping for joy.

The brilliant Derry Girls and the wee English fella!  (Image credit: Channel4)

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 tonight

War for the Planet of the Apes, 11.10pm, Film4

The rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy reaches a rousing conclusion with a blockbuster adventure that combines spectacle, moral complexity and emotional depth. At war with Woody Harrelson’s human military commander, ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis, once again performing marvels in his role) sets out on a vengeance-fuelled quest with a handful of comrades.

Live Sport

  • T20 Blast Cricket, Kent Spitfires vs Somerset, 7pm, Sky Sports Main Event/NOW

Soaps on TV tonight

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss The Repair Shop on TV tonight – from Olympic glory to a soft toy dragon, every item is treated equally in the wonderful Repair Shop barn.

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

Happy viewing!

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.