Katherine Kelly in The Crow Girl and The Piano: TV highlights

Alan Carr’s Picture Slam (Saturday 18/07/26, BBC One, 6.05pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

There’s no doubt that Alan Carr is one of Britain’s brightest stars. It’s more than 20 years since he became known for co-hosting Channel 4’s The Friday Night Project, and he hasn’t had a career setback in the decades since.

In fact, you could say that professionally, life has only got better and better.

Everything was progressing nicely and steadily, and then last year, winning the first series of The Celebrity Traitors sent him into UK TV’s stratosphere. Suddenly he was a man in demand, and was even rumoured to be among the choices to take over the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

That didn’t come to pass (although he would have been wonderful in the role), but he’s still smiling, and is now be in the rarefied position of being able to pick and choose his projects. With that in mind, he must really adore Picture Slam, which has been running since 2023, because he’s back to host another new series of it this week.

“It’s a real honour to be given a Saturday evening show on the BBC,” says the comedian. “Let’s face it, it’s every presenter’s dream. You just don’t want to let anyone down, but there’s so much laughter and joy when we film it that I think that sense of silliness comes through the TV screen… It’s a silly word to use for a show, but it’s lovable.”

As for the format, it’s quite simple (which perhaps in part explains its popularity), as Alan explains: “This is the quiz where every question is a picture, and all you have to do is name them. It’s simple to play and so much fun yet can get frustrating when your knowledge is put to the test with these pictures. From faces, places and brands you see every day to nostalgia you fondly remember, from food you would never eat to garden tools you’ve seen but never used – you need to know something about everything.

“In each round contestants face a line-up of pictures, each correct answer banks them cash, but to win the big money they need to get them all right and if they do that, they’ve got a Picture Slam! The number and variety of pictures gets bigger with each round and the pressure of doing it against the clock means contestants say wonderfully strange answers – it is shout at the TV Saturday night fun!”

He adds: “Tonally it’s perfect Saturday viewing that’s going to set you up for the evening. Everything is covered. It’s one of those quizzes that doesn’t make you feel stupid – anyone can play along, it’s so inclusive.” Having said that, Alan admits he would be “awful” if he were ever to take part because he’s “useless under pressure, my mind goes blank and I start sweating everywhere. I would be leaving penniless and smelling of BO.”

Never mind – he’s the perfect host instead, and one that, hopefully, will be shining on our screens for many more years to come.

The Piano (Sunday 19/07/2026, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

From the moment it made its debut in February 2023, The Piano captured the hearts of the nation.

Millions of viewers and passers-by were instantly gripped by the spectacular performances and moving life stories of the amateur musicians performing on street pianos in the concourses of major UK railway stations.

However, when the hit series returned to Channel 4 last week, presenters Claudia Winkleman and Mika upped the stakes even further, announcing that they would be accompanied by a host of different chart-topping musical stars each week.

In the first show, American classical pianist Tiffany Poon, known for her interpretive, atmospheric and emotional precision, joined the team at Birmingham New Street Station.

And in future episodes, world-renowned Japanese jazz composer and pianist Hiromi, bandleader, broadcaster and doyen of the music scene Jools Holland, and one of today’s most forward-thinking classical musicians, German Alice Sara Ott, will be joining Claudia and Mika at stations around the country.

Alongside this acclaimed line-up, celebrated singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer Jon Batiste is also returning, helping to mentor the cohort of pianists.

For tonight’s second edition, the presenters meet up with another musical superstar – Jamie Cullum.

The 46-year-old Essex-born pianist and songwriter, who has recorded nine studio albums and presents a weekly Tuesday evening jazz show on BBC Radio 2, says:

‘’I’ve loved The Piano since it first began.

“For obvious reasons, I’m completely addicted to the piano: playing it, practising, writing at it, discovering things through it. But I also love hearing other people play, at every level.

“There’s something very moving about people who devote a part of their lives to communicating with the instrument.

“You learn so much about them through what they choose to play and how they choose to play it.

“That’s what I think the show captures so beautifully. It combines my love of the piano with my fascination for the people who play it, and it tells their stories through their relationship with the instrument.

“The piano is extraordinary in that way. It has this ability to reveal who you are and what you’re trying to say, sometimes even when you don’t quite know how to say it yourself. I think the show does a brilliant job of bringing that out in a way that feels respectful, human and completely engrossing.

“So when I was asked to take part as a guest mentor, I absolutely jumped at the chance.’’

A last-minute change of location means that several of Scotland’s amateur pianists have to travel south from Glasgow to London Liverpool Street to take part tonight.

Among those performing are a pianist who refused to give up after a brain tumour left him unable to use his right hand, a Mexican mother rediscovering her passion for playing, and a gifted teenager inspired by the Isle of Lewis.

Plus, there’s a virtuoso arrangement of The Who’s iconic rock song Baba O’Riley.

This fourth run of The Piano will reach the crescendo with a concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall, widely considered one of the finest concert halls in the world.

So who will hit the right note with Jamie, Claudia and Mika tonight and secure a coveted place in the series finale?

The Crow Girl (Monday 20/07/26, 5, 9pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

It’s not every day that two of the nation’s best and most popular small screen stars team up, so when they do, everyone should sit up and take notice.

Last year, Eve Myles and Katherine Kelly joined forces in The Crow Girl, which debuted on Paramount+; now, it’s finally making an appearance on the streaming service’s traditional broadcast partner, 5.

It’s based on the international bestselling novel of the same name by Erik Axl Sund, and sees Belonging and Torchwood star Myles play DCI Jeanette Kilburn, with Kelly as her polar opposite, psychotherapist Dr Sophia Craven, who’s certainly a far cry from Becky McDonald, the Coronation Street character with which she made her name.

“From a character point of view, it’s exciting,” claims Myles. “To begin with, you wouldn’t think that these two people are alike at all. They are the antithesis of each other, aesthetically and in terms of their rhythms and home life. Everything about them seems really opposite, but actually, they are similar animals, and one of the main entry points of that is taking their work home. In their personal and private lives, there are not many barriers between the two.

“They acknowledge the rules, but they don’t pay any attention to them if there’s something bigger at stake, which there absolutely is. So they recognise the same principles. I mean, I would never speak for another character, but Sophia certainly recognises that in Jeanette.”

“The fusion of the drama is when these two get together, sparks start to fly,” adds Kelly. “But I think Jeanette tries and does too much. There are not enough hours in the day for this woman to be able to do what she needs to be doing. Sacrifices are unfortunately kind of inevitable, and in Jeanette’s life, what has to become sacrificed is her time at home and time with a family, and she suffers greatly for that.”

The characters are brought together after Kilburn and her team begin an investigation into the death of a young man found on a busy Bristol street. Craven is then brought in to profile the possible killer, just as the body count begins to rise.

“I’ve got to say, when I read the script, I was really excited,” says Kelly. “It was giddying to read, and it was just brilliantly executed.”

“The story is so dense and complex, but sometimes it’s hard to find the places where you can dance and you can improvise a bit, or you can try something different, but we managed it,” explains Myles. “So many scenes I came away feeling surprised and engaged in a different way.”

The duo hopes audiences will also find it engaging, particularly as there’s more to come from the characters – the drama’s second season is due to drop on Paramount+ today. So you know what to do – binge watch this one before logging in to soak up its sequel.

The Undeclared War (Tuesday 21/07/2026, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Cyber thrillers don’t rely on bombs, bullets, physical altercations or high-speed chases.

Instead, the danger can be a piece of computer software or a line of code in the hands of a foreign adversary, and the horrible realisation that a country, or even the entire world, can be destabilised.

When the first season of Peter Kosminsky’s The Undeclared War launched in June 2022, viewers were plunged into the seemingly unspectacular world of GCHQ in a near-future Britain, as tech nerds tackled a virus capable of bringing the country to its knees.

We’re back with the agency’s Malware Department tonight as they come to terms with a massive Russian cyber-attack.

But just as the British authorities finally gain the upper hand, the team realises that Russia were not the real architects of the attack.

They have a new adversary, and not only that, there is a mole in GCHQ.

One of show’s stars, Simon Pegg, who plays Director of Operations Danny Patrick, explains why he couldn’t wait to get to work on series two.

“I read all six episodes in one sitting because it was completely gripping, and it was an immediate ‘yes’ for me,” he says.

“I was so excited when I heard we were doing a second series, not least because

the first series ended on such a cliffhanger.

“We pick up pretty much where that one left off, with seemingly Russian aircraft in British airspace.

“Things are very tense, and we’re trying to figure out whether the threat is real or

not.”

In tonight’s opening episode, Danny and his elite staff, including brilliant young coder Saara Parvin (Hannah Khalique-Brown), grapple with the aftermath of a devastating Russian cyber-attack.

Meanwhile, Vadim (German Segal) is missing and in danger.

The series continues tomorrow, as Vadim realises that he must try to escape captivity in Shenzhen.

Back at GCHQ, Danny clashes with Director of Rapid Response Lt Colonel Roz Cavendish (Chloe Pirrie) over China, while GCHQ’s Head of Security and Danny’s childhood friend Charlie Francis (Danny Sapani) is confident that he has identified the mole.

Blue Lights and Trying star Siân Brooke joins the cast as Danny’s wife Barbara Patrick, an ex-MI5 operative who is now an analyst at GCHQ.

The couple’s relationship forms the emotional backbone of the story as they contend with personal and professional conflicts which take them on a collision course.

“Danny and Barbara are incredibly close and make a real team,” explains Pegg.

“They’ve been through a lot together, and we learn more about some of the challenges they’ve faced in the past.

“It’s a difficult job when you can’t tell your partner exactly what you do. It’s an open relationship in many ways, but also one built around necessary secrecy.”

When asked about the themes of the series, and the popularity of thrillers like The Undeclared War, Pegg adds: “As always, we’re dealing with international intrigue. Cyber warfare is the new frontline.

“When you watch the news and see a physical attack, an explosion or a terrorist

incident, you witness the consequences.

“What you don’t see is what’s happening in cyberspace, even though the level of aggression can be comparable.

“It’s about what you see on the surface and what’s really going on underneath.

“It’s tense, exciting and nail-biting.”

Bake Off: The Professionals – The Final (Wednesday 22/07/26, Channel 4, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Regular viewers of Bake Off: The Professionals always tune in hoping to see some incredible creations, courtesy of the teams of pastry chefs, but this year has been especially eye-popping.

Just ask judge Cherish Finden. She says: “For me, the standard has truly skyrocketed. The contestants are more refined, more creative, and far more daring in their approach. It’s not just about technique anymore it’s about precision, elegance, and pushing boundaries. That’s what makes the competition so intense and exciting.”

For any cynics thinking ‘well, she would say that’, let her remind you of some of the incredible showpieces she and fellow judge Benoit Blin have been presented with, including biscuit models of famous landmarks.

She says: “I absolutely loved the Eiffel Tower – so much effort, planning, engineering-work and precision went into it, all built from biscuits. The Tower Bridge over the River Thames was another standout for me; it was so grand and sleek, with glass details and even a London bus that really brought it to life.

“The Taj Mahal was also incredibly impressive. It was so cleverly put together, with beautiful attention to detail that really captured its elegance.”

Less beautiful but no less impressive was last week’s creepy quarter-final. Cherish explains: “The Circus of Horrors piñata challenge was a standout moment in the competition, combining theatrical spectacle with technical precision. It was both exciting and incredibly tense to watch the teams suspend their showpieces. There’s nowhere to hide when your creation has to quite literally hold itself together.

“One piece that really captured my attention featured a giant balloon with a sinister clown’s face emerging from it, complete with a decaying tooth. It was visually striking, deeply unsettling, and perfectly in keeping with the brief – memorable in all the right ways.”

If you’re wondering how they can possibly top that, then buckle up for the final as the remaining teams face the longest challenge in the show’s history. They have been given 12 hours to create a Masquerade Ball Banquet, which will demonstrate their skill, passion and creativity.

There is a slight break at the six-hour mark, but there’s no relaxing as the teams need to have two desserts finished and ready for a halfway judging – and the contestants that don’t hit the mark will be sent home, leaving just two more to finish their banquets.

But who will be crowned winner? And will even presenters Ellie Taylor and Liam Charles be feeling the pressure as they try to lighten the mood for 12 hours?

Cherish certainly thinks it’s the perfect conclusion to the series: “The Masquerade Ball Final was nothing short of spectacular.

“Every detail mattered. There was no room for error only precision, creativity, and nerves of steel. The pressure was relentless as each team fought to outdo the others in a battle of imagination and execution.”

She adds: “What unfolded was electric. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the stakes were sky-high, and the competition was so close it came down to the finest margins – truly neck and neck until the very end.”

Fake or Fortune? (Thursday 23/07/26, BBC1, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Last week, Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould returned for the 14th series of the fascinating show that seems them investigating works of art which the owners have reason to believe could be extremely valuable.

Even if you don’t know your Van Gogh from your Warhol, it’s easy to see Fake or Fortune? has proved so successful. As well as offering an interest insight into the work of some of the world’s great artists and the experts who authenticate their pieces, there is also mystery, suspense and human drama. After all, there are some, huge life-changing sums at stake, and Fiona admits that she can’t help getting invested it in herself.

Speaking ahead of a previous series, the Question Time and Antiques Roadshow presenter told Radio Times: “There’s a heck of a build-up, and we’re all feeling it. And then, when it doesn’t turn out to be what we would like it to be, it’s hugely disappointing.”

She added: “We’ve got to know [the owners] really well. We’ve been fuelling expectations, but at the same time balancing it with doubt, as is appropriate in this world.”

For their latest mystery, Fiona and are hoping to identify not just the artist behind a portrait, but also its subject – and if they are successful, it could mean that the work gets a six-figure price tag.

The painting in question is a portrait of an Indian woman, and belongs to retired accountant Mary-Louise Wedderburn, who inherited it from her uncle.

Mary-Louise believes it was painted by her distant relative, 18th-century Scottish artist Katherine Read, a well-known portraitist in her time who specialised in depicting women and children.

During her lifetime, Read was so successful that she commanded a higher price than some artists who are more well known today, such as Gainsborough.

Like many other women artists of the period though, much of her work was later reattributed to men, and Fiona and Philip have their work cut out to find authentic Read paintings to compare it to.

So, with the help of experts Professor Catriona Seth, Ashvin Rajagopalan and artist Lachlan Goudie, they delve into Read’s own life.

They discover that she moved in elite circles, studied in Europe and travelled to Chennai in India, known then as Madras, to seek new commissions. As they learn more, Fiona and Philip realise they are uncovering not just Read’s story, but that of the people she may have painted: the Nawabs of Madras, the local Mughal rulers.

Could the woman in the picture be one of the court dancers, highly prized for their culture, knowledge and skills? Or as a woman, was Read asked to paint one of the wives kept in Chepauk Palace in Madras, which might have been inaccessible for a male artist?

If the team discover that Read did paint a wife of a Nawab, this would be a hugely significant historic as well an artistic find, especially if it turns out there is one more than portrait…

Granite Harbour (Friday 24/07/26, BBC1, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

The hit Aberdeen-set crime drama returns for a third series, and cops Lindo (Romario Simpson), Bart (Hannah Donaldson) and the Major Investigations Team are faced with a complex case that could rip local communities apart.

It begins when teenage café worker Lisa Sterling (Jess Douglas-Welsh) disappears into the woods following a birthday celebration for Rose Gough (Ellie Haddington), matriarch of the local traveller community.

When her body is found in a ravine the next morning, it initially seems like a tragic accident but quickly becomes a murder investigation.

Lisa was last seen with Rose’s grandson, Matty Gough (Bailey Newsome), who hasn’t been spotted since the party. That’s enough for social media to brand him the prime suspect, and traveller liaison officer Alex Nichols (Thoren Ferguson) has the difficult job of stopping the growing tensions turning into violence.

Then the cops make a discovery that sends the case in a new direction.

For Romario, who plays Lindo, Granite Harbour’s willingness to tackle an array of issues is part of what keeps it fresh. He says: “It’s thrilling to be able to delve back into these characters and explore a completely different topic, which is the travelling community. “Previous series looked at issues like refugees and the docks, whereas this is something new, but it’s another story that people can relate to and learn from.”

Fans may also notice a change in his character. He says: “[Lindo is] older, wiser and more mature now. He understands his team better, he understands his role as a detective better, and I think you really see him develop both as a person and as a police officer.”

While the nature of the cases may change and the characters evolve, the Aberdeen setting remains, which Romario thinks is another selling point for the crime drama. “Aberdeen offers so much visually. You’re right by the coast, there are so many different landscapes and it’s a city that people can really relate to.

“Viewers can recognise locations and think, ‘I know that place,’ or, ‘I’ve been there.’ It’s great to be part of a show that feels so connected to the city and the people who live there.”

Speaking of connections, there may be a romance in store for Lindo this series.

Following the fallout from the team’s previous high-profile case, Chief Constable Alan Willis (John Gordon Sinclair) has ordered an investigation by the Special Police Investigations Service (SPIS).

That puts an additional strain on the cops, but SPIS Officer Harper Ross’s (Amelia Isaac Jones) presence just adds to the pressure on Romario as their connection goes beyond work.

The actor says: “It’s very close to home for him. He’s trying to navigate the line between his professional life and a potential relationship, which is something he knows should stay separate from work. He tries to keep those worlds apart, but it’s much harder than he expects.

“You see his awkwardness as he tries to manage it and keep it from the rest of the team, but secrets have a way of coming out.”

They certainly do in Granite Harbour.