On TV tonight, Busted bandmate Matt Willis opens up about his struggles with drugs and alcohol in Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, Designing the Hebrides' Banjo Beale tackles his most personal renovation yet, High Desert arrives on Apple TV Plus, Channel 5 goes behind the scenes of a photography event in Natural History Museum: World of Wonder, and BBC Four dedicates the evening to Victoria Wood on what would have been her 70th birthday. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.
- Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include 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
Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, 9 pm, BBC One
As one-third of pop band Busted, Matt Willis appeared to have it all: fame, fortune and a beautiful wife, presenter Emma Willis, whom he married in 2008. However, all his life the star has been battling addiction to alcohol and drugs. In this honest and often heart-wrenching documentary, dad-of three Matt opens up about his daily struggles to keep clean and meets other families living with addiction. He and Emma reveal just how bad things got behind closed doors, while Matt revists rehab clinic The Providence Projects in Bournemouth, which he credits with saving his life. ‘This is not just my story,’ says Matt, ‘this is lots of people’s story.’
★★★★★ TL
Designing the Hebrides, 8 pm, BBC Two/iPlayer (box set)
‘I’ve probably never been quite so nervous to do anything,’ says Banjo Beale about the last makeover of his series. This is his most personal project to date, as he sets out to create a gin-tasting room at the cheese farm where he lives with his husband Ro. With a budget of just £5,500, Banjo reuses what he can from the barns and it’s a wonder to see what he does with some cowbells, church pews and cheeseboards. And any worries are unfounded when the whole thing turns into a community-spirited affair – it’s especially lovely to see ‘the ladies who lunch’ turning out to help him weave some willow seats – which has been the whole ethos of this enjoyable series.
★★★★ NT
Natural History Museum: World of Wonder, 8 pm, Channel 5
It’s always a privilege to be allowed through the doors (there are 1400 of them) at ‘the cathedral to nature’. And episode two offers us a VIP pass as we go behind the scenes with the events team at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards ceremony, hosted by Chris Packham, who loves the museum ‘with all of my heart’. We also get a lesson in the history of whaling thanks to a Southern right whale specimen astonishingly still leaking oil, as well as witness the precarious repair of a triceratops fossil – which involves a lot of dentist’s tools.
★★★★ NT
Victoria Wood Night, from 7 pm, BBC Four
Victoria Wood would have turned 70 this week (19 May), but it’s unlikely that the writer, comedian, and actor who bristled at being called a national treasure would have wanted a fuss. Well, BBC Four are making one anyway, and why would we let a celebration of one of our greatest-ever comedic talents go unnoticed? The evening includes a BAFTA tribute from 2005 (7.55 pm) and Victoria’s play Pat & Margaret (10 pm), in which she starred with Julie Walters. But for fans of ‘Acorn Antiques’ and ‘Two Soups’, the highlight will be The Secret List (9 pm & 11.35 pm), which includes Victoria’s own favourite sketches. And, yes, the sublime song Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It) is there…
★★★★★ JP
High Desert, Apple TV Plus
Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette reunites with Severance director Ben Stiller, who produces this eight-part half-hour dark comedy set in the Californian desert. When her mother passes away, recovering addict Peggy Newman decides she needs a fresh start in the small town of Yucca Valley and convinces disillusioned private investigator Bruce Harvey (Brad Garrett) to give her a job at his failing agency. But when an ex-anchorman who’s rebranded himself as a mystic guru (Rupert Friend) piques Peggy’s suspicions, she soon becomes entangled in a web of sizzling secrets. Matt Dillon plays Peggy’s criminal husband Denny, while I May Destroy You’s Weruche Opia is Peggy’s best friend Carol.
RM
Best box set on TV tonight
Sorry for Your Loss, ITVX
Elizabeth Olsen cemented her reputation as a seriously talented actor in this smart drama about the unexpected effects of grief, first shown on Facebook Watch. It’s one of many US dramas that have been added to ITVX recently. She plays widow Leigh, who moves back in with her sparky mother Amy (a wonderful Janet McTeer) after the death of her husband Matt (Mamoudou Athie). As the two series progress, she attempts to deal with her difficult relationship with her sister, a growing attraction to her brother-in-law and the realisation that she didn’t know her partner at all.
★★★★ NT
Best film on TV tonight
Star Trek, 6.35 pm, Film4
The trainee crew members of the starship Enterprise embark on their maiden flight, which pits them against a Romulan commander from the future who is planning a horrific revenge on those he blames for a tragedy in his own time. Sci-fi adventure based on the original TV series, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana and Leonard Nimoy.
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7.30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30 pm, ITV1
- Coronation Street, 8 pm, ITV1
- Hollyoaks, 6.30 pm, Channel 4
- Home and Away, 6 pm, 5Star
Live Sport
- IPL 2023: Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals, 3 pm, Sky Sports Main Event
- UEFA Champions League: Inter Milan vs AC Milan, BT Sport 1
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction on TV tonight.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
