David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth among TV highlights this week

Dermot’s Taste of Irel and (Saturday 02/05/2026, ITV1, 12noon)

Words by Richard Jones

Although he was born and raised in a village near Colchester, Essex, Seán Dermot Fintan O’Leary Jr is deeply proud of his Irish roots.

“I was very much in an Irish household – lots of crucifixes on the wall and Irish music playing,” the self-proclaimed ‘Plastic Paddy’ who turns 53 this month said in an interview with The Irish Times in 2022.

“My parents, Maria and Seán, came over from Ireland in 1968 and, like a lot of people from that generation, there wasn’t a real plan.

“They lived in north-west London and their whole life revolved around church, hurling and the Irish community there.”

Following the success of his series Dermot’s Taste of Ireland on ITV, the This Morning presenter is heading back on the road to do his bit for Ireland’s tourist board.

As before, he will be discovering more delicious secrets while reliving childhood holidays, exploring ancient landscapes, diverse cities and stunning coastlines.

On the menu will be an array of traditional Irish dishes like stew, soda bread, fresh seafood and boxty potato pancakes as Dermot meets the chefs and locals that champion and celebrate the island’s gastronomic heritage.

Ahead of the first run two years ago, he said: “I can’t wait to embark on this trip, to explore two of my great loves, Ireland and food.

“The food scene in Ireland is so exciting and to meet the people and try the produce will be a real treat.

“It’s exciting to see modern Ireland through second generation eyes. And [it’s exciting] to show that Ireland’s food is more than cabbage and stews… although all their cabbage and stews are also great!”

His latest journey begins at Blackhead Lighthouse which is situated on dramatic cliffs in Whitehead and marks the entrance to Belfast Lough where it opens out into the North Channel separating Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Dermot takes in the sweeping views of Co Antrim before setting off along the famous Causeway Coastal Route.

This 115-mile drive stretches all the way from Belfast to Derry, and with its ancient castles, towering cliffs and areas of unparalleled natural beauty, it’s home to many of the best things to do in Northern Ireland.

Then, in the Glens of Antrim – nine scenic, ice-age carved valleys radiating from the Antrim Plateau to the coast – the presenter joins a sixth-generation farmer preserving traditional methods on his heritage property.

From there, Dermot continues on to Glenarm Castle, the ancestral estate of the Earls of Antrim and home to the award-winning Walled Garden, which hosts family activities and events throughout the year.

Here, chef, food writer and broadcaster Paula McIntyre fires up the smoker for some world-famous Glenarm beef, paired with a vibrant runner bean salad.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in the mothership,” the presenter says.

“Dermot’s Taste of Ireland is returning for series two! We’re diving back into the heart (and stomach) of the old country. Expect more delicious food and lovely, passionate people.”

Your Song (Sunday 03/05/26, Channel 4, 8pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

Elton John once sang during his first hit record, which shares its name with Channel 4’s latest musical show, “It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside.”

Of course, he was repeating lyricist Bernie Taupin’s musings on romantic love, but for the people featuring in the programme, the funny feeling inside is caused by the songs themselves and the reasons they’re performing them.

For presenter Alison Hammond, the emotions generated in each episode are why she loves the show, created by the makers of The Piano and her other Channel 4 hit, The Great British Bake Off, so much.

“It’s been magical,” she says of the filming process. “I’ve got the best seat in the house, front row to people literally living their dream! You see them shaking at first, then that first note hits, and suddenly they’re flying. I’m there clapping, crying, dancing, the whole Hammond rollercoaster! It’s proper special watching ordinary people do extraordinary things.

“Every single person who steps on that stage has a reason they’re singing; for someone they love, or someone they’ve lost, or just to prove something to themselves. I went in thinking it was about singing, but it’s really about heart.

“And let me tell you, I wasn’t ready for the amount of tears Paloma Faith cried, I cried, the sound guy cried… grown camera women and men cried. It was like a group cry with microphones!”

Hammond has, of course, met many A-listers while interviewing them for This Morning, but she reckons there’s something extra special about Your Song: “I’ve hugged everyone from The Rock to Dame Helen Mirren, but watching everyday people shine like that? That’s something else. It’s raw, it’s real, and it hits different. Celebs rehearse; these lot sing from the soul. I think I might prefer that, but don’t tell Hollywood!”

The latest edition sees her on familiar turf in her home city of Birmingham. It’s the final heat of the series, so is the last chance the participants have to claim a spot at the Hackney Empire for what is sure to be a memorable grand finale.

Among those heading to the stage are an ex-Birmingham City footballer with a tribute for her granddad, and a Royal Navy officer whose rendition of Nessun Dorma almost brings the house down.

Look out too for a primary school teacher with an inner rock goddess, an Iranian refugee for whom singing was once an act of rebellion, a 72-year-old Nat King Cole fan and a pregnant woman who credits her choice of tune with saving her life.

As for Hammond, she knows exactly who she would perform alongside given the chance.

“It’s got to be Sam Ryder! That man’s voice could power the National Grid. He’s just pure sunshine with hair that defies gravity. We’d do something big and fun, loads of key changes, loads of hair flicks, maybe a bit of pyrotechnics if I can talk the producers into it!”

No doubt you’d love to see that too, so keep your fingers crossed and watch this space…

Number One Fan (Monday 04/05/26, 5, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Sally Lindsay and Jill Halfpenny are two of Britain’s hardest-working actresses. They have both done stints on Coronation Street and the comedy Mount Pleasant, and they have also cropped up in some of 5’s most successful dramas.

So, it might come as a surprise to learn that the new thriller Number One Fan, which is showing over four consecutive evenings, is the first time they’ve ever acted together. It might not be the last though.

Sally says: “I met [Jill] a few times; we’ve always got on. We had a meeting once, about a potential project about five or six years ago but it never happened.

“We work so well together. I think it’s one of those partnerships we didn’t know we needed.”

While the stars may have hit it off behind the scenes, it’s a very different story on screen.

Jill plays presenter Lucy Logan, who seems to have it all – a hit show, a huge social media following and a perfect family. One day, she’s walking through a car park, when her bag is swiped by a mugger, and a woman named Donna (Lindsay) steps into save the day.

When Donna reveals she’s a huge fan, Lucy invites her to visit the show as a thank you and thinks that will be the end of it.

However, Donna clearly has other ideas as she begins turning up in the audience, at launch events, and then on the school run and outside Lucy’s house… Where is the growing obsession going?

Viewers may find it hard to predict. Sally says: “It’s a thriller, it’s dark and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. You think it’s taking you down one path with this famous TV presenter, the queen of daytime television, who meets someone who adores her and then you go down this completely different path that you’re not expecting. When I read it, I was like, ‘Well, I didn’t see that coming.’”

Some viewers may also be surprised to see Sally, who stars in 5’s cosy crime drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries, playing a sinister character, but she enjoyed the chance to take on a new challenge.

She says: “Well, interestingly, I thought I was going to play Lucy. But watching Donna in this series I’ve never looked like that before. In one part I look absolutely wild.

“I would be terrified meeting that woman at night. It’s the physicality and the pent-up anger in the character. Something happened to her in her late twenties and she’s never been able to move on from it.”

Sally adds: “She’s very uptight and that’s why my movements are very stiff. When you first meet Donna, she’s sort of shy and very mild and quiet. You know, everything that I’m not. And then she turns into something else. She’s a complex character.”

She’s hoping the character and the plot will grab viewers’ attention. “I’d love it for people to go to work the next day and go, did you see that? You know, like, proper good old-fashioned television, like a bit of a water cooler moment.”

Jamie’s Ultimate BBQ (Tuesday 05/05/2026, Channel 4, 8pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Sipping cold drinks in the warm sunshine, spending long evenings with friends and family, and the smell of delicious food cooking on an open flame.

Yes, barbecue season is upon us, but before you dust off your equipment and get the food in, Jamie Oliver has a few recipes and tips to make sure you’re bossing the grill like a pro and that your al fresco gatherings are sizzling.

Being the author of over 30 books and the presenter of almost as many TV cookery shows, it’s somewhat surprising that Oliver is yet to turn his attention to barbecues.

However, in his new publication BBQ, released last month, the 50-year-old chef has knocked up 90 recipes to show readers how brilliant and versatile barbecuing can be, whatever the season.

“I’ve always wanted to write a barbecue book,” he says.

“Cooking outside is one of my happiest places to be and it’s such a pleasure to be able to share that with people looking to increase their confidence on the grill.

“Anyone who loves to barbecue will know what I mean when I say there’s really nothing like it.”

So what can we expect from this new TV series?

“First and foremost, utterly delicious food,” he explains. “From incredible veggies to delicate fish, gnarly hunks of meat to a whole array of new takes on burgers, and some surprises like my barbecue brekkie (which I’m particularly proud of!), I hope it will show you just how fantastically versatile grilling can be.

“I think setting up your barbecue area well is really the best thing you can do to give you a strong base.

“Thinking about what equipment you need, your ingredients and recipes, the flow of everything, and how you want to serve, and getting all that sorted before you start grilling will really mean the actual act of barbecuing is much more stress-free, and you can really enjoy the ritual.”

To kick off the series, Jamie cooks steak and chargrilled salad, packed with smoky flavours and textures only a barbecue can deliver.

Then, he shows us how roasting chicken on the barbecue can be completely stress-free as he knocks up a chicken caesar salad, one of his son buddy’s favourite dishes, with charred veg and bacon.

Proving that barbecuing isn’t just for big grills and gardens and that, even with limited space, you can do amazing things, Jamie’s taking classic Italian-inspired lamb chops and turning them into sizzling lollipops.

Dipped in whipped feta and finished with a crunchy, nutty crust, they’re quick, simple, and absolutely delicious.

Jamie knows grilling a whole fish can seem daunting, but with a few little hacks he shows us how to remove the stress and get great results every time.

His whole barbecue fish and ratatouille layers up flavours from dry charring to pan frying, and even steaming – all on the bars.

With Jamie’s help over the next few weeks, choosing the right food and cooking it on the barbecue should be a doddle.

Let’s just hope the British weather decides to play ball.

Amandaland (Wednesday 06/05/26, BBC1, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Spin-offs can be a risky business, so some people may have felt a little bit trepidatious when it was announced that Amanda (Lucy Punch), the alpha mum from the much-loved sitcom Motherland, was getting her own series.

Luckily, we needn’t have worried. The first run, which aired last year, was such a hit that we’ve already had an Amandaland Christmas special (which was the BBC’s highest-rating comedy of 2025), as well as a sketch on Comic Relief.

Now, Amanda is back for a second series, still living in SoHa (as she insists on rebranding South Harlesdon to make it sound trendier), working at Kitchen’s Bathrooms and Kitchens, and dealing with her mother, Felicity (Joanna Lumley).

And of course, she also has her most loyal friend, Anne (Philippa Dunne) for support. But that doesn’t mean that Amanda’s character hasn’t evolved since she was first making Anna Maxwell Martin’s permanently stressed Julia feel bad in Motherland back in 2016.

As actress Lucy Punch points out: “Her change in circumstances has made her realise, finally, that she’s no better than anyone else. In Motherland, her superiority was her ugliest trait. Nevertheless, her giant ego and status anxiety remains, so she still wants everyone to think she’s the best!”

What some viewers may want to know is if Amanda’s relationship with her downstairs neighbour Mal (Samuel Anderson) has also changed. While they may have irritated each other in the first run, there was clearly a spark between them.

Lucy says: “There is [a hint of romance], but it’s buried very deep! They get on better in this series, which is nice, there’s more teasing friendly banter between them.”

There’ll also be some new people for Amanda to try to impress this series. Lucy says: “There are some fantastically funny new characters, and more hilarious storylines with the ones we already know and love.

“I got to work with so many incredibly funny actors, I loved my scenes with Pam Ferris [who plays Amanda’s neighbour Elspeth in episode four]. She’s brilliant.”

Lucy adds: “I love playing Amanda being devious, when she thinks she’s being charming and getting away with it.”

And of course, she’ll still be finding time to do a bit of mothering to her now teenage kids. As Lucy points out: “Amanda’s values may be incredibly skewed, but she is actually a good parent. She loves her kids and puts them first.”

In the opening episode, we’re introduced to Mal’s ex Abs (Harriet Webb) – viewers have only previously met her new partner, the kindly JJ (Ekow Quartey), who wants to be a great stepdad without overstepping boundaries.

Sadly, Amanda doesn’t make the best first impression and is shocked to learn that Abs thinks she’s shallow. So, how better to prove her wrong than by delivering a career talk at the school? And if she inspires a few teenagers along the way, even better. Well, in Amanda’s mind at least – she may be a great comedy creation, but we’re not sure she’s an ideal role model.

Taskmaster (Thursday 07/05/26, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

One of the many, many joys of Taskmaster is the way the line-ups combine up-and-coming comedians with some very big names.

But do any of the rising stars ever feel intimated taking a seat alongside their comedy heroes? Well, it seems that stand-up Amy Gledhill was particularly impressed to find herself competing against Armando Iannucci, but tried to keep that to herself.

She says: “I’d never met Armando before. I was nervous about meeting him. I haven’t told him this because you don’t want to make it eggy, but I’m such a fan.”

There’s another reason she avoided telling him until filming was over. She explains: “You’ve got to be on the show as if you’re peers. It has to be the most normal thing in the world that I’m sat next to Armando Iannucci instead of making it obvious you’re thinking, ‘You’ve got an entire glass cabinet at home for your BAFTAs’. The whole reason I do comedy is because of The Thick of It, and Alan Partridge, and Veep.

“He’s probably the most influential person in my life, but you can’t open a conversation with that and then just be sat next to each other laughing and joking. It’s too much. I’ve had to play it really cool.”

And of course, Taskmaster itself is a great leveller. Amy, who also recently appeared on the Amazon hit LOL: Last One Laughing UK, says: “[Armando] is unhinged in such a brilliant way. He is obviously so smart and has created all the good comedy that’s existed in my lifetime, so when he fails at a task spectacularly, it makes you feel better as a person.”

In fact, is seems this bunch of contestants – which also includes presenter and comedian Joel Dommett, Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page, and bona fide Hollywood star Kumail Nanjiani – have genuinely bonded.

Amy says: “Joel and Kumail had the ultimate bromance. You see it on screen, but off-screen is where it’s really strong. They’re like little boys on playdates, and me and Joanna are their mums. They’re so sweet and they love each other so much.

“I hope we’re all lifelong friends. We’ve got a WhatsApp group.”

And Amy isn’t leaving Greg Davies out of her lovefest, even if he does make fun of her accent: “[Greg] said hello to my mum in a Yorkshire accent down the camera. It was a hate crime but also sweet. I thought, that’ll make Christine’s life.”

And what about Alex Horne? Amy says: “I’m such a fan of Alex. He reminds me of Noddy. Noddy was my first crush, with his lovely sparkly eyes and little rosy cheeks. Everyone loves Alex.”

Let’s hope everyone is still feeling fond of the Taskmaster and his sidekick in this episode, as Armando causes outrage with an ostrich, Amy struggles to remember the word for ‘tube’, and Kumail challenges the nature of time itself.

Meanwhile, Joel makes his own entertainment with pots and pans, and Joanna, who is never stuck for something to say, passes the time by chatting to Alex about guinea pigs.

David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth (Friday 08/05/26, BBC One, 8.30pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

“A story is a very important element in any programme as far as I’m concerned. A narrative is a very valuable thing to have,” claims David Attenborough.

Tales from his own life could fill numerous books, not just because it’s been so eventful, but because it’s been so long – this Friday, May 8th, he will turn 100 years old.

Most of us have grown up watching him on screen and can’t remember a time when his husky tones weren’t explaining some aspect of life, making it accessible for all. So we should all be grateful that he fell in love with film-making – albeit a different kind to that of his much-missed director and actor brother Richard.

He won’t be celebrating alone either; the BBC, who have been his principal employers for almost three-quarters of a century, are making sure of that.

The party was set to begin on Sunday with the closing episode of his most recent series Secret Garden, followed by Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, which examines his landmark 1979 series. Filming took place in 40 countries and involved 600 species – it also included perhaps his most memorable moment, when he was embraced by gorillas in Rwanda.

We’ve also been treated to episodes from such shows as Planet Earth, One Planet, Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth across the BBC’s channels as well as the iPlayer.

But the biggest bash of all comes on the evening of his birth date itself. It’s a live event broadcast from London’s Royal Albert Hall, a fittingly iconic venue.

The birthday boy will be in attendance to witness an exploration of natural world discoveries made during his lifetime; a range of special guests have also been invited to discuss Sir David’s remarkable achievements in the fields of TV and conservation. Plus, the BBC Concert Orchestra are on hand to perform music from some of his most beloved shows.

“It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us,” states Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, at the BBC. “His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it.

“This special week is a celebration of an extraordinary milestone, and of a body of work that continues to inspire awe, curiosity and care for the natural world. It’s also a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David – for his generosity, for his brilliance, and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”

As for the great man himself, what keeps him working well past ‘normal’ retirement age?

“One is always learning more things about the animal world,” says Attenborough. “You slot more facts in, which makes the picture more and more complete. As long as there are people out there who want them doing, that’s fine.”

Happy birthday, sir. Here’s hoping you continue filling those gaps in our knowledge for as long as possible.