Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and Children in Need: TV highlights this week

Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2026 (Saturday 07/11/26, BBC1, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

The Festival of Remembrance was first held at the Royal Albert Hall in 1927, and is now an annual tradition. It’s a chance for viewers to reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.

This year, the Royal British Legion has also been using its Poppy campaign to remind us of the toll military service can take on soldiers’ families.

Lucy Inskip, Director of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, said: “The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community.

“This year, we’re proud to be highlighting that when someone serves, their family serves too, recognising the families behind those who serve and the unique sacrifices they make.”

That’s a sentiment that was echoed by one of the campaign’s supporters, actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served as a major in the 6th Gurkha Rifles.

She said: “Having grown up in an Army family, travelling with my father’s postings, I’ve seen firsthand how much military service shapes family life.

“When someone serves, their loved ones share in the uncertainty, the time apart and the sacrifices that come with it.”

Tonight military families can come together, whether it’s in their living rooms or at the Royal Albert Hall, where members of the royal family join veterans, serving personnel and their loved ones at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the concert.

Music comes from Alfie Boe, James Emmanuel, Mica Paris and Tom Odell, as well as Rita Wilson, who is probably best known as an actress and the wife of Tom Hanks, but is no stranger to the Royal Albert Hall. In 2022, she performed a version of Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird with Gregory Porter at the Royal Variety Performance, which they dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II.

They’ll be joined by the Band of Royal Air Force Regiment and the Bands of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and Collingwood.

There will also be readings, military displays by current members of the armed forces, and the moving release of poppy petals.

The BBC’s coverage continues on Remembrance Sunday. From 10.15am, Sophie Raworth and Petroc Trelawny will be presenting live coverage from London as HM the King leads the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph.

His Majesty will be joined on Whitehall by senior members of the royal family and leading UK politicians, alongside representatives of the armed forces, the Commonwealth and faith communities for the two-minute silence at 11am and the National Service of Remembrance.

This is followed by the annual wreath laying and the historic march past of 10,000 veterans as the nation remembers all those who have died serving their country.

The event is also broadcast on Radio 4, and highlights can be seen on BBC2 at 7.10pm.

Then on Wednesday, the two-minute silence will be observed across the BBC.

Stacey Dooley’s Australia: Off the Beaten Track (Sunday 08/11/26, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

You can run but you can’t hide from Stacey Dooley. Not that anybody should want to – after all, she’s one of the most engaging TV presenters and investigative reporters around.

She is, however, a very busy woman, and it sometimes feels as if she’s omnipresent. In recent months there’s been a chance to see some of her hard-hitting documentaries on BBC Three, while over on BBC One, she’s taken charge of Clickbait Clinic, in which she, with help from doctors Alex George and Nighat Arif, sets out to test and analyse internet health trends.

One role she hasn’t tackled, however, is that of Strictly Come Dancing presenter, despite rumours last year that she could be one of those stepping into the high-heeled shoes of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Her partner Kevin Clifton, with whom she waltzed away with the glitterball trophy in 2018, felt she would be “amazing” at it.

And she would, but perhaps Stacey didn’t want to commit to something that would take her away from what she feels she does best – investigating issues and offering accessible insights into them. Sometimes producing her documentaries can be a life-changing experience for her too.

“I was making a documentary and I was staying with a load of sisters in Whitby,” she revealed while on Loose Women. “Sister Helen was basically saying, ‘what are your plans for the future?’ And that’s always been a bit ambivalent.”

Stacey says she replied: “‘Oh, you know, whatever, we’ll see. Whatever happens, happens’. She was like, ‘Stacey this career isn’t going to last forever’… It did make me think about did I want to be a mum? So if I hadn’t gone to the convent, who knows?” She and Kevin are now the proud parents of daughter Minnie, who will turn four this coming January.

Whether Stacey’s latest series will have a similar impact on her life remains to be seen, but making it was a memorable experience. However, if you think the six-parter is just another celebrity travelogue, you’re very much mistaken.

Instead, it could be viewed as an extension of her investigative reporting shows – there certainly won’t be any sight of Stacey topping up her tan in tourist hotspots. Instead, as the title suggests, her mission is to see parts of Australia that aren’t featured in guidebooks. She heads into the vast nation’s hidden corners, meeting with the people who live there and finding out about their lives.

Future episodes will see her visit an isolated cattle station and a rainforest, but she begins on Kangaroo Island, which lies 70 miles southwest of Adelaide in the state of Southern Australia.

It’s a breathtakingly beautiful location, a paradise featuring stunning scenery and amazing wildlife, but it isn’t without its problems, as Stacey discovers while hearing from the locals who have had to rebuild their lives following devastating bushfires. There’s time for some fun too – she also takes part in a game of ‘country footy’, learning in the process how the local club is about far more than just sport.

So Stacey is the one running, but she isn’t hiding – and we can’t wait to see what she gets up to next.

Mums vs Big Pharma (Monday 09/11/2026, BBC Two, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Sodium valproate, commonly known by brand names including Epilim, Episenta and Depakote, is a drug prescribed to people suffering from epilepsy, bipolar disorder and prevent migraines.

But while it has proven to be effective in controlling and reducing seizures, it is teratogenic, meaning that it can harm babies in the womb.

Around one in nine babies whose mothers took the drug while pregnant will have a physical birth defect, and around three or four may have developmental problems.

Although evidence that sodium valproate can harm unborn fetuses existed as early as the 1970s, clear warnings were not routinely placed on patient information leaflets until 2005, with pharmaceutical companies saying they wanted to avoid causing “anxiety”.

As a result, an estimated 20,000 people in the UK have been affected (that’s a greater number than thalidomide) since the drug was licensed in 1973, contributing to conditions like spina bifida, facial anomalies, low IQ, ADHD and autism.

From Little Gem, the co-producers of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, this documentary, originally titled A Bitter Pill: The Sodium Valproate Scandal, reveals the story of the most widespread medical scandal pregnant women in Britain have ever faced.

Lottie Gammon’s film reveals the ‘David vs Goliath’ battle of two working-class mums, Janet Williams and Emma Murphy, who were ignored and dismissed by doctors and the drug company.

Born years apart, but drawn together by their ordeal of trying to find answers to why their children had developmental abnormalities, the pair finally discovered each other by coincidence, and now take us on an extraordinary story that spans three decades.

It shows Janet and Emma, co-founders of the campaign group In-Fact which supports families and individuals affected by anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) taken during pregnancy, a they search for answers from the medical establishment during decades of campaigning.

It also follows the ongoing fight for government redress in the wake of the 2024 Patient Safety Commissioner report by Dr Henrietta Hughes which said there was a “clear” and “urgent” need to compensate those harmed by valproate, both financially and otherwise.

Dr Hughes made a series of recommendations, including a specific housing grant for valproate victims, a removal of the barriers many face in getting their special educational needs recognised, and an apology to each individual affected.

Executive Producer Ben Gale said: “When I met Janet and Emma the first time I was struck by their passion and commitment, and their determination to do the right thing by their children and the many other families who’ve been affected by this scandal.

“It has been a privilege to work with them to try and get the story to the widest possible audience. When I tell people what we’re working on, they’re amazed they haven’t heard more about it.”

Tom Coveney, Head of Science Commissioning at the BBC, adds: “It’s shocking that in 2026 we don’t know more about this birth defect scandal that’s bigger than thalidomide and that’s been going on for decades.

“Janet and Emma are clever, funny and extraordinarily determined: the work that they’re doing, along with other mums like them, is truly inspiring.”

Stacey & Joe (Tuesday 10/11/2026, BBC One, 8pm)

Words by Richard Jones

Named after their son Rex, whom they affectionately call ‘Pickle’, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s Pickle Cottage has been as much of a star of this series as the couple and their kids.

“I gave birth to both of the girls there and we got married there, so it’s so special,” Stacey says.

Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that Stacey and Joe have decided to leave their ‘dream home’ after five years.

They’re swapping the Grade II-listed, 16th-century Tudor-style country home for a huge £2million mansion and new project in Essex.

“We’ve found somewhere where we can see our family growing and really flourishing”, adds Joe.

But before they up sticks, Pickle Cottage will form the backdrop of one more series of hit fly-on-the-wall reality series Stacey & Joe.

A third four-part run will follow the pair as they manage their five children and menagerie of animals, while Joe pursues his dream of opening a therapeutic fishing lake and glamping site designed to support teenagers with ADHD and mental-health challenges.

What begins as Joe’s personal passion quickly becomes a full family endeavour, naturally drawing in Stacey’s creativity, the kids’ energy and the wider family’s support.

“If you watched the first series, you’ll know we’ve been talking about the lakes for ages,” the couple says. “It feels a bit surreal to finally see it coming to life.

“With the juggle of family life thrown in, we’re learning as we go, so we’ll be just as surprised as everyone else to see how it all unfolds.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has watched Stacey & Joe so far. We’re so grateful and can’t wait for you to see this next series.”

In tonight’s opening episode, summer is fast approaching and Joe has big plans for his lake.

He wants to have it transformed into a fishery and glamping site in time for the holidays – but there’s a lot to get done.

And with organisation not exactly being Joe’s forte, he enlists Stacey to keep his ambitious plans on track, making her project manager.

As Joe gets to work on the lake, Stacey and her Executive Assistant Emma head to the tulip fields – where an unexpected encounter with a paparazzo reminds Stacey that life in the spotlight comes with its downsides.

Back at Pickle Cottage, the family are growing up fast. Zach is preparing for his first interview, while Stacey juggles life with Teddy and their ever-growing collection of animals.

Meanwhile, Joe heads out for lunch with Casey and Kiffy, who get the lowdown on the lake and Stacey and Joe working together.

There are celebrations too, as the family comes together for both Rex and Jemma’s birthdays.

And Joe’s animal obsession takes an unexpected turn when he spots an emu at a fishery and instantly falls in love.

But Stacey isn’t giving in that easily. She sets him a challenge: if he can make friends with their notoriously difficult cockerel, she’ll consider letting an emu join the menagerie.

As the family’s busy week draws to a close, Stacey has something important to tell Joe.

Could it be to do with a potential house move, or something else?

Hunting Alice Bell (Wednesday 11/11/26, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

In these days of social-media detectives, what is like to be falsely accused by an online (and real-life) mob?

That’s one of the questions behind the new thriller Hunting Alice Bell, which was co-created by David Baddiel and Peter Bradshaw.

Alexandra Roach stars as Fran Da Silva, whose life is turned upside down when rumours spread that she’s really Alice Bell, aka Britain’s Most Hated Woman. Bell was the lover of convicted serial killer Dr Jason Nash (Simon Pegg), and without her falsified evidence, his killing spree could have been brought to an end more quickly.

Now Alice is living under a new identity, and internet sleuths are determined to track her down. Fran discovers she’s not the only woman who’s been falsely accused, so she and the others ‘Alices’ band together to clear their names. But is there a chance one of them could be the genuine article?

If the premise sounds convincing, that may be because Baddiel was influenced by a real-life case. He says: “The original inspiration was a documentary I saw a long time ago called Being Maxine Carr. After Maxine Carr was released, she was given lifelong anonymity. But women with no connection to her were being targeted in small towns by people who were certain they were her, living under another name.

“There were four women in the documentary, and a couple of scenes in the show are based on what I saw. In one, a woman has just moved to a new area when rumours start. Within a couple of weeks, there’s a mob in her garden, shouting at her. She comes out with her passport to prove who she is; that stayed with me.”

However, the drama takes off in some different directions. Baddiel explains: “The documentary had already been made, and it’s quite chilling in itself. But it’s also out of date because there was no social media in it. As I worked on the idea, I realised how much social media could turbocharge this story. It’s an enormous rumour-mongering and targeting machine.”

It’s a sensitive subject, and tackling it meant that Baddiel, who is best known as a comedian, had to curb some of his instincts. He say: “Peter Bradshaw and I originally wrote more comedy, but we had to be careful. If you put in too many jokes, you disrupt the dread, fear and momentum of the story.

“But people in terrible situations do still make jokes. Humour is a way of dealing with what’s happening.”

And it seems that the cast, which also includes Ralf Little and Amanda Abbington, have helped to add to that sense of foreboding.

David says: “The cast were brilliant. Alex Roach is amazing throughout. But the moment I loved most was when Simon Pegg came in to play Dr Jason Nash.

“The first scene we shot was a flashback of Jason being interviewed by the police. Simon played it very straight and realistically. I said, “That’s brilliant. Can you just give it an edge — more psychopath?” He did, and I got goosebumps.”

Now we get to see if he has the same effect on audiences.

Shetland (Thursday 12/11/26, BBC One, 9pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

The weather will remain bleak, the skies interesting shades of grey and the murders as puzzling as ever, but after the new run of Shetland airs, life within the drama will never be the same again.

Why? Because Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh won’t solving crimes on the islands any more. Yes, after 13 years of playing the police officer fans have watched turn from being a wet-behind-the-ears sidekick into a mature Detective Inspector, Alison O’Donnell is bidding a fond farewell to the popular drama inspired by Ann Cleeves’s books.

“Playing Tosh has been the greatest gift an actor could hope for,” says the Motherwell-born actress. “To be able to stay with the character, to allow her to grow in depth and maturity, and to be consistently rewarded and challenged by the writing and stories, has been such a rich and special experience. And to have had the support and loyalty of our wonderful audience has meant so much. I feel so incredibly lucky to have worked with so many hugely talented people both on and off screen.

“I grew up in this job. It has shaped me as an actor, and as a collaborator. It’s in my bones and in my heart. As are the isles themselves, which have become like a second home to me, and to my family. It’s not going to be easy to leave it all behind, but I am excited for the future, for new adventures, and to take everything I have learned and loved in Shetland forward with me, to whatever may come next.”

Before we say farewell, there is, however, another case for her alter ego and her colleague DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) to solve involving a historic murder that looks set to change the lives of all those connected to it.

It begins with the recovery of a car submerged in water. Hidden inside its boot are the skeletal remains of an unknown male. As the team – which also includes DC Sandy Wilson (Steven Robertson), and PCs Alex Grant (Conor McCarry) and Lorna Burns (Eubha Akilade) – try to identify who the victim may be, they discover that the car belonged to a once respected local GP who left Shetland under a cloud nine years ago.

Tosh and Calder delve into the doctor’s state of mind during his final weeks on the islands, as well as the lives of the loved ones he left behind, but while doing so, they must venture into some very dark and dangerous places indeed.

Christine Bottomley, Stella Gonet, Daniel Boyd and Gregor Fisher make guest appearances in a series described by the BBC’s Commissioning Editor Gaynor Holmes as, “brimming with twists, turns, and the kind of emotional punch that keeps viewers hooked.”

She’s also taken the time to pay tribute to O’Donnell: “Her warmth shines through on screen, and we will ensure Tosh is given the fitting farewell she deserves. We are enormously grateful to Alison for everything she has brought to Shetland and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”

Here’s hoping she’ll be back on our screens soon – perhaps in something that doesn’t require her to wear thermals…

Children In Need 2026 (Friday 13/11/26, BBC1, 7pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Get ready for famous faces, exclusive sketches and some very big surprises as Mel Giedroyc, Sara Cox, Alex Jones, Rylan and Tyler West host the annual fundraiser for MediaCityUK in Salford.

It promises to be a packed show, with highlights including special collaborations with much-loved BBC series, an appearance from The One Show Challenge Squad, and the heartwarming return of the Children in Need Choir.

Radio 2’s Owain Wyn Evans is live in the studio for a hero’s welcome after completing his gruelling 400-mile four nations cycle challenge, and we’re promised there’ll even be a sprinkling of Hollywood stardust.

Amid all the celebs and performances though, there will be reminders of what Children in Need is all about, as youngsters from across the UK share their inspirational stories.

Presenter Alex Jones has witnessed first-hand the impact viewers’ donations can have. She says: “Children in Need and the money it raises can, and does, change so many children and young adults’ lives. I have visited countless projects over the years, and they simply would not exist with the support of Children in Need. Little children, who sometimes have nobody to turn to, are not alone whilst Children in Need exists.

“It helps young people going through all sorts of difficult things to feel seen and in turn supports parents who are often in despair themselves for all sorts of reasons. The world would be a more hopeless place without Children in Need.”

That’s one the reasons she’s so thrilled to be one of the hosts this year. The One Show presenter says: “It means the absolute world to be part of the team for the big night of Children in Need, I have watched it avidly since I was a little girl and Sir Terry Wogan was at the helm. It was always one of the big highlights of the year.

“And more recently for me, The One Show has always been very much at the heart of Children in Need, as we will be again this year with our Challenge Squad, so it feels amazing to be there with Pudsey on his big night.”

She’s joined by DJ Sara Cox, who has certainly done her bit for Children in Need in the past. Sara jokes: “It promises to be a spectacular night, that will hopefully raise oodles and oodles of cash for much needed projects. And after completing my Children in Need Ultramarathon Challenge for Radio 2 last year, it will be quite nice to be somewhere warm and cosy and close to the event, instead of running in sideways rain!”

Tyler West adds: “I never felt that I had a voice when I was younger, so the fact I can be part of such a special cause, helping other young people find theirs, means the world. I grew up watching this show every year with my family through so many moments in my life.

“It was a must watch and so without a doubt one of the biggest honours of my life so far. It isn’t a just a job, it’s a special moment to celebrate and support young people across the UK.”