TV tonight: our highlights for Tuesday 19th January
Winterwatch is just one of the gems on TV tonight...
This year's Winterwatch will reveal the nature that is waiting for you right outside your front door, while 24 Hours in A&E reminds us once again how amazing our NHS is. 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
Winterwatch, 8pm, BBC2
Winter can be a difficult time of year but there is lots of joy to be found in the great outdoors. For the next two weeks, the Winterwatch team are back to tell us what to look out for. Chris Packham is live from his home in the New Forest, Gillian Burke explores one wildlife project that’s revamped part of South Yorkshire, while young birder Indy Green goes deep into Sherwood Forest on the hunt for the elusive goshawk. This show gives reassurance, if it were needed, that the world isn’t such a bad place after all. ★★★★ VW
First Dates, 10pm, C4
The feelgood dating series returns from a new restaurant in Manchester as more singletons hope to find love. Jessie, 23, admits that she ‘can be a bit overbearing on a date,’ but her match, Josh, isn’t shy either, so the argumentative pair gets off to a good start. As Winston, 69, is bowled over by his date Donna, Alan, 32, is looking for a fresh start and a ‘hus-bear’ (husband material with a bit of meat on his bones!). Finally, Kristina is also looking for a husband and isn’t afraid to tell her date Billy he’s the one. ★★★★ JL
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24 Hours in A&E, 9pm, C4
An episode focusing on the ups and downs of childhood as two brave youngsters are rushed in to St George’s. Harriet, 13, was knocked off her bike, while Adam, 12, fell from a tree, impaling his leg on a branch. Also requiring expert help is 85-year-old Shirley, who has injured her elbow. While she looks back at her own childhood as the eldest of 11 in wartime London, Adam’s mum talks about the impact of bullying on her son and Harriet’s mum reveals the joys and challenges of parenting a teen. ★★★★ JL
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Not Going Out, Series 1 to 10, BBC iPlayer
With series 11 of Not Going Out currently airing on BBC1, what better time to catch up with the past 10 series of the show and find out how Lee (Lee Mack) and Lucy (Sally Bretton) went from being young, free and single, to married with three kids. There are plenty of laughs and many famous faces making appearances across the 10 series which are currently available to stream on iPlayer.
Best film to watch on TV tonight
Oblivion, 12.05am, ITV4
In 2077, a war with aliens has left Earth a wasteland. With survivors evacuated, Tom Cruise and Andrew Riseborough are left to maintain hi-tech surveillance drones. But the appearance of Olga Kurylenko and Morgan Freeman turn Cruise’s world upside down… With striking performances and dazzling action, this is an intelligent, gripping sci-fi. ★★★★
Soaps
Live sport
- Premier League Football: West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion, 6pm, BT Sport
- Premier League Football: Leicester City v Chelsea, 8.15pm, Sky Sports
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Winterwatch - this much-loved series will make you want to get outside and discover the nature on your doorstep.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.
After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.
She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!
As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.