TUNE IN TO CLOSER’S PICK OF THE TELLY EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT WITH TV EDITOR HANNAH WRIGHT
TV WEEK: 15-21 APRIL
15-21 APRIL
1 STORYVILLE: DEBORAH JAMES - BOWELBABE IN HER OWN WORDS
MON 17 APR, 9PM, BBC2
A life-affirming, beautiful documentary which follows “the last extraordinary five years” of the late, great Dame Deborah James’ life. With never-before-seen footage, TikToks, voice notes and recordings from her podcast, this follows Deborah – otherwise known as Bowelbabe – as she lived with Stage 4 bowel cancer. “I’ve shared my story for a reason; the laughs, the giggles, and showing that you can live with cancer but ultimately, I don’t want any other Deborahs to go through this,” says the mum of two – who was made a Dame a month before she passed away in June 2022. An emotional watch.
2 DEAD RINGERS
NEW SERIES
FRI 21 APR, PRIME VIDEO
The 1988 movie about identical twin doctors gets a TV reboot, starring the Oscar-winning Rachel Weisz. Jeremy Irons played the role in the original film.
3 THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER
SUN 16 APR, 7.40PM, C4
Paul and Prue are in the mood for cheesecake, and Jay Blades reckons if you can “slice it and eat it then, bosh! he’s a winner…” Did Judi Love practise? Hell no, she was having her nails done! Such fun!
4 THE 1% CLUB
NEW SERIES
SAT 15 APR, 9.25PM, ITV1
Hosted by Lee Mack, contestants try to win big by answering a question only one per cent of the country would get right. Simples!
5 SARAH BEENY’S NEW LIFE IN THE COUNTRY
NEW SERIES
The show where property expert Sarah Beeny and her family get to grips with life on a 220-acre, semi-derelict former dairy farm in Suffolk has captured the attention of millions of viewers, and now it’s back for a third outing – hooray! We see the star embark on a slower pace of life in beautiful surroundings, and this series is especially poignant with Sarah undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
6 BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
A 16th season of the TV staple is here – and this year sees former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli replacing David Walliams. Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon all return, with hosts Ant and Dec “so excited to be back” (they were mobbed by fans when the auditions started in January, so we can safely say everyone is pretty chuffed by their return too). All that remains to be said is, “Open the floodgates!”
FACTFILE: The show has launched the careers of stars including Ashley Banjo, singer Susan Boyle, plus Lost Voice Guy, Lee Ridley.
NEW SERIES
Ant mc Partlin:
Ant ’n’ Dec
