Television
TUESDAY 26 MARCH
DOCUMENTARY
9.00pm ITV1 Catch up via ITVX “I want to be heard,” Derek Draper told his wife Kate Garraway shortly before he died in January, after struggling with extreme coronavirus complications for four years. She had already made two awardwinning films about the challenges faced by Derek and the millions of others living with serious illness and disability and their carers but, at Derek’s request, agreed to make another documentary on the proviso it was told in his voice. That was an emotional suggestion because his words and speech were limited, yet there was so much that he wanted to say.
While it reflects on Derek’s life before Covid, including his political career and the early years of his marriage to Kate, this is also an unflinching view of the effect of his situation on the people around him and how his illness changed the dynamic of their relationship.
There was no preview available at the time of writing, but the last word goes to Derek: “Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love.”
DESIGN
8.00pm BBC1 Catch up via iPlayer
Challenged to make over bland hospitality boxes at Ascot racecourse, the eight fledgling designers are told the rooms should be uplifting, luxurious and elegant if they want to impress Michelle Ogundehin and guest judge Kelly Hoppen. I’m not sure where atheme of “80s New York drag scene” fits into that brief.
Although several competitors are inspired by jockey colours and a couple use trellising, the results couldn’t be more different, ranging from adark-green scheme to a summerhouse vibe via My Fair Lady. Meanwhile, Alan Carr frolics about on ahobby horse, encouraging everyone towards the winning post.
This Week: page 6
PANEL SHOW
9.00pm (11.15pm in NI) BBC2 Catch up via iPlayer
We’re now on the “U” series, which means the alphabet should be completed by 2029. What then? Will the show go off-air? Or go back to “A” and start again? The QI elves have five years to work it out. In the meantime, tonight’s theme is “Upsadaisy”. Host Sandi Toksvig tells acracking yarn about askiing Finnish soldier on drugs and regular panellist Alan Davies gets Rickrolled. As for the guests, Holly Walsh has robust opinions about umbrellas, Justin Moorhouse pinpoints where Western civilisation went wrong and Emmanuel Sonubi explains how to throw asix-year-old child. But which world leaders carry bulletproof umbrellas? As always, the answer is quite interesting.
DOCUMENTARY
9.00pm Channel 5
Catch up via My5
The last time Ben went to visit Randi Skaug in Norway, certain scurrilous publications accused the adventurer of flirting with his host. “You’re a fine catch,” he said, while on afishing trip.
