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Private Notes
On the day of his death, a musical tribute to David Bowie featuring the songs and videos that made him one of the world's greatest artists.
The definitive story of the January 2015 attacks in Paris by Islamist militants against satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the police and a Jewish supermarket
Exploring the decade when comedy went alternative, fashion found the slogan and ravers ran rampant. Tony Hadley, Martin Kemp, Richard Branson, Alexei Sayle, Adam Ant and Julian Clary are interviewed.
This documentary tells the inside story of one of the National Crime Agency's largest money laundering investigations. With unique access to NCA documents and surveillance footage, the programme traces an extraordinary nine-month operation, which started with undercover surveillance on one man, and ended up with over 100 officers bringing down one of the largest criminal networks in the country, worth over £180 million. Every year, more than £100 billion changes hands in Britain illegally. Much of the money is controlled by international criminal networks that are involved in drug smuggling, human trafficking and even terrorism. Many British drug dealers outsource the cleaning of their dirty cash to specialist money laundering groups, who collect the money by hand and ensure it's paid out to the right person in the right place, anywhere in the world. These groups operate with a strict hierarchy and a sprawling network of agents, each with different roles.
In 2014, director Jamie Roberts filmed with Islamic extremist Abu Rumaysah. This month, Rumaysah has become one of the world's most wanted men: he's suspected of being the British jihadi in the latest Isis execution video. This timely, powerful new hour-long documentary for Channel 4 takes an intimate look at the people spreading extremist fundamentalism in Britain. Roberts - who also directed Angry, White and Proud for Channel 4 - gains extraordinary access, over the course of two years, to a new wave of extremists, including Rumaysah, who are radicalising and grooming young British Muslims.
Over the past six years, the remains of more than 90 individuals have been recovered from the canals of Greater Manchester - most of them young men. Headlines are now claiming a serial killer may be responsible for their deaths, a story that has caught fire on social media. In this First Cut documentary, former murder detective Tony Blockley reviews the cases of three young men who drowned in the city's canals. Two of them went missing only to turn up dead later, while the third was seen leaving a nightclub with a mystery man who has never been identified. Is the so-called Pusher real or a 21st-century urban legend?
In this heart-warming documentary two single mums are given the chance to find love online, but there's a catch: their children are in control of finding them a partner. Websites like My Lovely Parent allow children to sign their parents up to online dating and even pick the dates for them. Usually a child won't meet their parent's date until it develops into a relationship, but in Date My Mum the children can choose who they would like their parent to date rather than having to accept a partner who they might not like. The programme offers a funny and touching insight into the lives of some of Britain's three million single-parent families.
In the summer of 2015 former Auschwitz clerk Oskar Groening - then aged 93 - was charged as an accessory to the murder of more than 300,000 Jews at the infamous death camp. During the subsequent trial, 81-year-old Auschwitz survivor Eva Kor was called to give her testimony on the medical experiments she endured at the hands of Josef Mengele. Finding herself face-to-face with a Nazi for the first time in more than 70 years, Eva chose to embrace Groening, publicly forgiving him despite the role he played in the deaths of most of her family. This documentary explores the impact of her decision to absolve Groening, who was ultimately sentenced to four years in prison, and also tells the emotional stories of the last surviving Auschwitz inmates living in Britain, some of whom have expressed anger at Eva's actions, considering them a betrayal of those who lost their lives in the concentration camp.
Matt Frei enters the colourful and mad world of presidential hopeful Donald Trump, whose meteoric political rise comes amid one of the most controversial political campaigns America has ever seen. Trump's plans to ban all Muslims from entering the States and to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out have outraged many in the States and beyond. Discover the man behind the brand, from the multiple divorces, the bankruptcies and the public insults aimed at women who crossed him to claims of bullying Scottish residents who stood in the way of his golf resort. It's the all-consuming story of a privileged multi-billionaire tycoon who has now decided to use his considerable resource to become the most powerful person on the planet. Frei is also on the campaign trail, meeting those who oppose Trump as well as his fervent supporters who believe he is the epitome of American success and will deliver on his promise to 'Make America great again'.
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, this documentary sees Patricia Routledge following in the footsteps of the Edwardian publishing sensation. She discovers what fired the author's imagination and where her love and understanding of animals was born. As an actress, Patricia played Beatrix on stage in the 1990s. In her present role as patron of the Beatrix Potter Society, and with access to rare drawings, letters and artefacts held at the V&A Archive, she discovers the woman behind the myth.
With British boys now apparently spending 30 per cent more time in the bathroom than teenage girls and taking twice as many selfies, this documentary follows some of those in search of the perfect body. From bodybuilding and eyebrow waxing to make-up, the film also examines how far they will they go to achieve perfection. And what happens when things are taken to extremes?
Palaeontologist Dr Tori Herridge investigates the natural disaster that destroyed the massive chalk land-bridge that once connected Britain to continental Europe 450,000 years ago . Beginning her inquiries in Norfolk, she discovers what life was like before the ancient mega-flood, where she meets an amateur palaeontologist who uncovered the biggest mammoth skeleton ever found, and examines the 850,000-year-old footprints of an early human family perfectly preserved in prehistoric mud. She then travels to Kent and the white cliffs of Dover to detail how the mega-flood happened, joining an `oceanographic' expedition seeking to document evidence of this cataclysm found on the bed of the English Channel.
Tenants who have gone the extra mile to turn their local authority lodgings into unique homes, and the surprising stories behind each transformation. They include the painter-decorator who turned his Brighton terrace into a replica of the Sistine Chapel, and the pensioner who spent decades recreating the interior of a merchant navy ship in his flat on the 11th floor of a Portsmouth tower block.
This documentary meets five 18 to 21-year-olds with an incredible desire to earn and spend money. They've all grafted for every penny. How do they make their money and how has it changed their lives?
In June 2014, the world was transfixed by images of men emerging from the deepest Amazonian rainforest for the first time. They were among the last people living on our planet who had had no contact with the outside world. In this documentary, film-maker Angus Macqueen gains access to this tribe, to Xani and Shirimaku and their families, to find out how they lived, why they had remained isolated for so long and what finally brought them out of isolation.
The UK's top 10 fetishes, kinks and unusual sexual practices, based on a nationally representative survey specially commissioned by Channel 4 and conducted by YouGov. The programme meets ordinary people from across the UK who get up to some jaw-dropping and eye-watering activities in the bedroom, with experts including psychotherapist Philippa Perry and Belgian sexologist Goedele Liekens explaining where unusual sexual desires come from, and why there's no such thing as normal.
Candid documentary offering a glimpse at the secretive world of gay saunas, gaining access to an establishment in Nottingham where men go to meet strangers for sex. The programme meets people from a wide variety of backgrounds who frequent the sauna, from teachers and plumbers to Tory councillors, as well as hearing from the staff who work there, including owners Joe and John, who have been a couple for over 30 years. The programme provides a rarely before seen snapshot of gay culture, in a world where only men are welcome.
The extraordinary human stories of the Battle of Britain pilots and ground crew.
Hidden camera show in which impressionist Scheiffer Bates is let loose on the streets of Britain to convince members of the public they are having a conversation with celebrities. Featuring Christopher Walken getting his foot stuck in a toilet, Matthew McConaughey trying his luck with booking a massage and Jason Statham making a personal injury claim, as well as Liam Neeson looking for a dog walker and Bear Grylls taking on an extreme adventure in a park bin.
Brothers Bobby and Tommy White open the door to the world of top-end jewellery as they invite the cameras into their world for a year of east end boys and west end pearls. Expensive and cool, the millionaire client world for the brothers' uber-chic pieces is far removed from the traditional high street clientele. From a diamond-encrusted hand grenade to space rockets crammed with gemstones and unique motion rings, these are rocks for rock stars. Tommy and Bobby lead the pack of young designers supplying the growing list of A list clients clammering for ever more exotic pieces. Tommy takes care of business while Bobby designs and makes bespoke pieces for a stellar list of stars including Jay Z, Rihanna and Usain Bolt.
Heston's Dinner in Space Heston Blumenthal and his team, working closely with the UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA, attempt to revolutionise the previously limited world of space food. British astronaut Tim Peake set Heston a task before embarking on his mission at the International Space Station, which was to create seven dishes that would remind him of home, helping to combat the emotional impact of his journey. Heston takes Tim on a nostalgic trip back to his childhood with every bite, providing much-needed comfort food and creating the quintessential cup of tea - the first to be sipped in Space.
Materialist scientist Professor Mark Miodownik challenges two-Michelin-star chef Marcus Wareing to the ultimate cookery competition. Over the course of 90 minutes they cook up some of the nation's best-loved dishes, from starter to dessert, in a head-to-head contest to see who can create the most flavoursome food. Marcus has flair, passion, and experience, while Mark an understanding of cooking at the molecular level and access to state-of-the-art technology. Ultimately the question they will try to answer is this: is cooking a science or an art?
In an extraordinary live TV event, Guy Martin takes on his most daring and extreme world record attempt yet, as he defies gravity on the largest Wall of Death ever made.
Donald Trump has now emerged as the clear front runner for the Republican Presidential nomination. His popularity has reached fever pitch. Matt Frei asks: can Trump really go all the way to the White House? As the race to the Oval Office has heated up the billionaire tycoon has continued to spark indignation, been criticised by the Pope and had his rivals question the size of his genitals. Along the way 'the Donald' has won key states and increased his support while some of his rallies have been consumed by mass protests. His position may now be unassailable, as Trump himself puts it: 'I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters'. Frei asks if those who want to stop him have any chance of doing so. Can he beat Hillary Clinton? Can he convince the American voters to sweep his political circus into the top job? America is now waking up to an extraordinary reality: Donald Trump could actually become President.
Documentary exploring some of the UK's most extraordinary final goodbyes, meeting families who go above and beyond to ensure their loved ones go out in style. With access to some of Britain's leading funeral directors, the programme explores the challenges they face as they organise some of the biggest funerals of their careers, pulling out all the stops, with just one chance to get it right.
With Europe on heightened terror alert following the attacks in Paris and Brussels and the security services raising the threat posed by hundreds of home-grown jihadists, politicians and Muslim leaders claim that the values of these extremists are shared only by a tiny minority in the UK. To find out if this is the case, Channel 4 has commissioned one of the most extensive and rigorous surveys ever carried out to get a better understanding of the views of British Muslims directly from a representative cross section of Muslim men and women, rather than those who claim to speak on their behalf; and, in particular, to try to understand why young Muslims are being drawn to violence. The survey explores attitudes to being British and British institutions, as well as social issues including gender equality and homosexuality.
In the early hours of 15th September 2014, two British backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, were found dead just yards from their hotel in Koh Tao, Thailand. Murder in Paradise delves into life on the seemingly idyllic island and discovers a darker undercurrent to this popular tourist hotspot. David and Hannah's murders are just two of a number of British deaths in Thailand, but with authorities anxious to protect the booming tourist industry, the deaths of Westerners often go unexplained. With previously unseen footage inside the police station, and rare interviews with the Burmese migrant workers convicted of the murder, Murder in Paradise takes a closer look at the dangers of the island and asks if Koh Tao is becoming more of a nightmare than a dream destination for Western holidaymakers.
Hollywood action man Arnold Schwarzenegger guides viewers through some of the world's most cunning stunts, including feats of strength, endurance, bravery, and sometimes just dumb luck. Using clips of the stunts themselves, in addition to commentary from fans, comedians, stunt coordinators and daredevils, this one-off show takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most famous, jaw-dropping stunts ever, with Arnie providing humour, shock, awe and delight as the programme counts down to number one.
A remarkable, uplifting documentary following the extraordinary story of a man trying to rebuild his body and his family after a devastating illness. In November 2013, father-of-one Alex Lewis caught a common cold. In an extremely rare case, the cold developed into toxic shock syndrome, with shattering effects. Alex lost both his legs, both his arms and part of his face as doctors fought to save him. But his physical rehabilitation wouldn't be his biggest challenge; rebuilding his relationship with his partner Lucy and winning back the love of his three-year-old son would be. Filmed intimately over two years, and from just days after he lost his limbs, filmmaker Leonardo Machado's documentary follows Alex's incredible story as he seeks to rebuild his life and his relationships and to reinvent himself. He wakes up an alien to himself, and a different father to Sam, his son, who can't bring himself to kiss his dad's new disfigured face.
Focusing on China's elite who are obsessed with everything British and have the money to pay for it. From Savile Row suits to high society debutantes, million-pound racehorses to lavish wedding ceremonies, this film follows some of the Far East's most enthusiastic Anglophiles.
Documentary looking at disputes between residents in upmarket areas of London. Zipporah Lisle Mainwaring hit the headlines worldwide for painting her exclusive Kensington mews in bright red stripes, which came in the midst of an ongoing legal argument about her plans to turn this two-storey property into a dream home, complete with pool and cinema. The programme also hears from author Rachel Johnson, sister of London mayor Boris, who is one of the most outspoken Notting Hill residents on the horrors of living next door to a basement build.
Documentary following the fortunes of a Syrian family over four years, from the ruins of their life in Aleppo to beginning new lives as refugees in Germany. Set against the backdrop of the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War, the story is told by three sisters and their brother.
Across Britain a community of people have turned extreme penny pinching into a way of life. Some have made their passion their career, becoming celebrities in their own right. For others, it's all about saving their families serious money. Now, for the first time, they go head to head to see who can get the best value from one of our most costly spends - the holiday. First up are the professional money savers. Ashleigh Swan is known in the cost-cutting world as Ashleigh Money Saver and claims to have more Facebook followers than The Queen. Keen to steal her crown is Jenny Drew, the Coupon Detective. They lock horns over who can bag themselves the cheapest weekend break in Great Yarmouth. Meanwhile, two amateur money saving families battle it out in Mallorca, where a five night stay in May half term can cost £2500 for a family of four.
Michael Crick examines how the EU referendum campaign has become a personal battle between David Cameron and Boris Johnson, which will define the futures of the Conservative Party and of the country
Phil Spencer and a team of specialists tackle the nations clutter crisis by helping a family launch a major clearout
A close look at female big game hunters and the abuse they receive for taking part in such a controversial blood sport
For 1300 years, Wu Zetian - China's only female Emperor - has been remembered as a callous tyrant who brought calamity to China. But new discoveries paint a very different picture of her reign.
Fuelled by a boom in oil, gas and telecoms, Nigeria is now Africa's largest economy. With a new wave of super-rich moving in to London's poshest neighbourhoods, this documentary follows the lives of wealthy young Nigerians as they live what's dubbed `the shuttle life' between Lagos and London. They include Cuppy and Temi Otedola, heiresses to a $1.2billion fortune, and British-Nigerian multi-millionaire Alexander Amosu, who is preparing to launch a new business venture
The Yeti - a mysterious creature that walks on two legs - has been part of Tibetan folklore for thousands of years. Scientist Mark Evans has long been intrigued by the legend, and has assembled a team of leading international geneticists who will use cutting-edge DNA analysis to help him find out, once and for all, if there's a rational explanation for the 'Abominable Snowman'. He travels halfway around the world on a mission to explore two competing theories for the Yeti. Is it a different species of human that was pushed to the margins by Homo sapiens and clung on in the high Himalaya until more recently than anyone thought possible? Or is the Yeti an unknown bear species? Mark meets renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner who claims to have encountered a Yeti and is convinced that it's some kind of special bear. British mountaineer Steve Berry shows Mark intriguing photos of footprints on an unexplored Himalayan mountain.
In this one-off documentary, criminologist Professor David Wilson conducts a series of revealing interviews with convicted murderer Bert Spencer, the man never charged with, yet widely suspected of killing paperboy Carl Bridgewater in 1978 – a crime he has always denied.
In this celebration of the life and work of the much-loved entertainer, friends and famous fans pay tribute to the comedian who wrote some of television's greatest comedy sketches, dramas and musicals, and won two BAFTA awards for her drama Housewife, 49. Stars including Sir Lenny Henry, Peter Kay and Alison Steadman talk about Victoria Wood's contribution to entertainment, while friends and fellow actors such as Celia Imrie, Michael Ball, David Threlfall and Anne Reid recall what it was like to work with her.
Penelope Keith looks back at the hidden villages she has visited across Britain and puts together a selection of her favourites. From the popular holiday hotspots of Devon and Cornwall, via the stunning shores of the Lake District and the wilds of Scotland, Penelope revisits some of Britain's most captivating villages, exploring their extraordinary traditions, fascinating residents and marvelling at the captivating stories that can unexpectedly touch us all.
A quarter of British households have a dog. But some people don't just want to own a dog; they want to be one. Secret Life of the Human Pups introduces a previously unseen subculture of ordinary men who lead extraordinary double lives, dressing up in elaborate dog suits that cost thousands of pounds as they strive to become their very own pet. Human puppy play has become a global phenomenon in recent years and there are now an estimated 10,000 'human pups' in the UK alone. But what makes these grown men covet doggy treats, belly rubs and squeaky toys? And why has it risen in popularity? Getting under the skin of this weird and wonderful world, this documentary explores what it takes to become a human pup, the impact it has on friends and loved ones and why, for some people, it has become a way of life.
Documentary exploring the ageing population through the eyes of some of Britain's oldest muscle men, as they work towards the competitive World Bodybuilding Finals in Miami. The programme takes an alternative look at what it is like to be old in today's rapidly changing world, and meets contestants including 79-year-old Eric Dowie, who is the oldest man in the competition and hopes to retain his 2014 title of Over-70s World Champion. Cameras also follow Jimmy, who is desperate to reclaim the title from Eric, and 76-year-old Roger, who is determined to succeed with the help of his right-hand lady Joan.
In Britain, we like to think of ourselves as a nation of foodies But many people don't know what good quality produce looks, tastes, or smells like, or where it comes from. Across the UK there is a cornucopia of wholesale food markets, fishmongers, greengrocers and specialist food suppliers, where seasoned merchants and traders use knowledge acquired over generations to ensure their customers get the very best produce. The show has trawled the country to get Britain's top fish experts to reveal their secrets from the deep. Award-winning chip shop chef Mark Petrou shows how to fry up the perfect fish and chips - with Prosecco. Billingsgate pro CJ sniffs out the freshest fish. Michelin-starred seafood guru Shaun Rankin cooks up a fishy dishy with wow factor. And renowned fish restaurateur Nathan Outlaw reveals how to feed the whole family on the cheap.
Paul O'Grady embarks on a feel-good journey in this special show celebrating the many highlights of the magical movie genre of the musical. A keen fan and aficionado, Paul leaves no musical note un-tuned as he reveals the genre's history - from its roots in the early 20th century, through its golden era, and all the way up to the multimillion dollar industry it has become. Paul is joined by a host of stars and insiders from the world of movie musicals, including James Corden, Michael Ball, Michael York, Joel Grey, Sheila Hancock and Benny Andersson.
The musicals covered include Singin' in the Rain, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Bugsy Malone, Mamma Mia! and Into the Woods. There are stories from the set of The Wizard of Oz, told by Judy Garland's daughter and Bert Lahr's son. Scott Baio, who played Bugsy Malone, reveals what it's like in appearing in a movie with no adults. And the directors and stars of Les Misérables discuss singing the whole score live on set.
This documentary takes a look at the hidden world of Mayfair's super-luxury nightlife scene, following global nightclub entrepreneur Joe Fournier. The owner of clubs in London, New York and Mykonos, Joe and his team travel the world trying to create exclusive party experiences for the international jet set. His flagship club Bonbonniere is in Mayfair, an area that now rivals Gstaad and Monaco as a favourite playground for the world's young super-rich. With a £15k house cocktail, Bonbonniere caters for the extremely wealthy. Not content with his global clubbing empire, however, Joe plans an aggressive expansion into hotels and restaurants.
Rufus Hound meets the sugar-craft specialists behind some of the world's unusual cakes, including a solar system made of sponge, edible statues and life-sized fondant swans.
Just hours before voting begins, Channel 4 hosts the final debate on the EU Referendum. Jeremy Paxman is joined by politicians, celebrities and high-profile men and women from business, science, sport, the military and security services. The audience consists of 150 handpicked guests, consisting of 50 remain, 50 leave and 50 undecided. The panel members will be drawn from the audience on a rotating basis.
At a time when most have us have too much stuff - with the average Brit owning 1000 items, while checking their phone 200 hundred times a day - what do we really need to be happy? To find out, three households take part in a life changing experiment. For 21 days, all their possessions will be stripped away - even their clothes - and every single item in their home put into storage. They must not buy or borrow anything, apart from food and drink. Carrying on with their daily routine - work, relationships and social lives - they can choose to get back one item a day for 21 days. Will it be shoes or mattress? Phone or pants? When absolutely everything is stripped away, who are they without their possessions?
Andi Osho and Anna Richardson go behind the scenes of the internet retail revolution, assessing how shopping websites tempt people to buy more and how much online delivery really costs. From Amazon to Asda, and John Lewis to Just Eat, the Supershoppers reveal some surprising results and, through a series of shopping diaries, internet addicts reveal their insights and tips into the world of online shopping.
From eye-crossing fetishists to balloon and bubblegum poppers, roll neck-shamers and ear-diddling enthusiasts, Britain is in the grip of a secret fetish obsession, with an army of amateur filmmakers ready to cater to our every quirky need. Welcome to the world of porn to order. Exploring the bizarre and highly lucrative business of bespoke online fetish video production, this entertaining documentary follows a growing number of British producers as they make their fortune delivering other people's fantasies on tape.
Nineteen-year-old Nic Hamilton attempts to follow in the tyre tracks of his brother, Formula 1 world champion Lewis. On top of the pressure of being a Hamilton and never having raced a car in his life, Nic also suffers from cerebral palsy, which had him in a wheelchair until he was 16. This touching and inspiring documentary follows Nic as he strives to fulfil his own lifelong dream of becoming a racing driver.
Broadcasting live from a 1950s style high school prom in the UK, Alan Carr's Grease Night is a one-off entertainment extravaganza hopelessly devoted to all things Grease and 50s Americana. Featuring some very special famous faces, including the original Frenchy, Didi Conn, and Katherine Ryan. There's dancing, dating, plus some big audience surprises. At the end of the night two lucky prom revellers win the ultimate high school accolade of being crowned Prom King and Queen.
Donald Trump versus Hilary Clinton is on. Matt Frei looks at how this US presidential contest is shaping up to be one of the most brutal in living memory. Clinton says Trump isn't fit for President, while Trump has called for Clinton to be locked up and has even been accused of hinting that she should be assassinated. Frei asks if Trump can really make it all the way to the White House or if he'll be crushed by the Clinton machine. He meets Trump supporters and conflicted Republicans. Considering his derogatory remarks on women, he also asks whether Trump can really win over the all significant female vote. The experts continue to predict the Trump insurgency is doomed to crash and burn, but they said the same about Brexit. A Trump America could well be a reality.
Documentary making extensive use of interviews and clips from big-budget Hollywood blockbusters to explore the story of how superheroes - once exclusively found on the pages of comic books - found their way to the silver screen, becoming bankable cinematic icons in the process. A Channel 4 poll outlines which do-gooders the British public have taken to their hearts, and the programme charts the history of big-screen heroics from the release of the ground-breaking Superman: The Movie in 1978 through to the high-profile releases arriving in cinemas this year. Along the way, viewers are given a chance to revisit Tim Burton's noir-themed iteration of Batman in the 1990s, the angst-filled antics of the X-Men and Spider-Man in the early noughties, and the far-reaching storylines of Marvel's inter-connected Avengers films. All this culminates as the poll results reveals which five heroes have captured British imaginations to become the nation's favourites.
Designer William Hardie, crafter Clemency Green and bespoke car maker Ant Anstead tackle different tasks, from making a dog bed to a hand-sewn leather satchel.
From Four Weddings and a Funeral to Notting Hill, and When Harry Met Sally to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Meg Ryan, Hugh Grant, Richard Curtis, Rupert Everett and Stephen Merchant reveal the untold stories behind the greatest romantic comedy films of the past three decades in this new, feature-length documentary narrated by Julie Walters. In this intimate, insiders' account of our transatlantic love affair with romcoms, Richard Curtis describes his dilemma when casting the lead in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Hollywood mega-star Meg Ryan comes clean about her orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, and There's Something About Mary's legendary director Bobby Farrelly unzips the secrets of Cameron Diaz's hairstyle.
The spectacular natural beauty of the Himalayas draws three quarters of a million people to Nepal every year. But the same forces that created these mountains also have the power to destroy. In April this year a violent earthquake struck the country, triggering deadly landslides and avalanches across the Himalayas. This programme, made with footage shot by people who were there, tells the story of climbers and trekkers trapped in remote corners of the mountains. What should have been the trip of a lifetime quickly became a nightmare. Who lived, and who died, was a matter of chance.
In the early 1960s, John Harris blazed a trail as a prominent anti-apartheid activist. He even helped to get South Africa barred from the Olympics. But in July 1964 everything changed. Harris placed a bomb in Johannesburg station, hoping to deal apartheid a crushing blow. Instead, he horrified the country, killing a 77-year-old woman, and severely burning her young granddaughter, who soon moved abroad, changing her identity in order to escape press attention. Harris was hanged eight months later, the only white political prisoner executed in the four decades of apartheid. Nelson Mandela held a vigil in his honour. Harris left a young widow and a 10-month-old son. Now, over half a century later, the home movies of the station bomber have surfaced, allowing those who knew him best to tell his story. And in the UK, in an emotional encounter, John Harris's son finally meets the young girl who was maimed by his father's bomb.
Millionaires Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow came to fame in 1999 as the first British gay fathers to pay surrogate mothers to have their own children. Pioneers, they became role models but also unwitting celebrities when they were forced to defend their decision in the face of a judgmental and hostile media. Sixteen years on their eldest children - twins Aspen and Saffron - are about to turn 16. In this documentary we find out what life is like for a teenager in this extraordinary family. In true Drewitt-Barlow style, they're planning an extravagant birthday party to celebrate the twins' 16th and some seriously expensive coming of age presents. The programme follows the whole family across a milestone year of defining social events, lavish gifts and GCSEs as they struggle to combine life as a 'normal' family with the demands of an insatiable media.
Body Coach phenomenon Joe Wicks has helped thousands transform their bodies with his eat more, exercise less fitness regime. Now the Instagram sensation is bringing his body confidence revolution to the whole nation demonstrating superfast, tasty recipes and short, intense work outs to get us all fit, strong and healthy this summer. In this one-off show he brings his own brand of high-octane optimism to a group who are ready for a tone up. Among those hoping to be transformed are a fireman who's struggled with fat fighting; a police officer who worries her colleagues use the word 'bubbly' as code for 'fat' and a couple who want to lose weight for their honeymoon. They all have different deadlines looming... Some have 90 days, some 60 and some only 30 days - can Joe give them the body confidence boost they need to happily run down the beach in their swimmers?
More and more people are taking up risky, adrenaline-fuelled sports like bungee jumping, skydiving and waterskiing and this documentary follows a group of people with disabilities determined to push themselves to the limit. Bazza lost the use of all four limbs in a car accident, Jenna was born with small arms, Caroline lost a leg in a motorcycle crash in which her husband died, Gemma is reliant on crutches and a wheelchair as a result of the rare Guillian-Barré Syndrome and Kain is one of the smallest dwarves in the UK.
George Clarke looks back at some of his favourite amazing builds by the sea, including a multifunctional beach hut in Bournemouth built for less than £400, and a 21st-century update of a Victorian bathing machine in Margate. George also looks back at some of his favourite waterside retreats in Germany: an extraordinary life guard tower and a holiday home with incredible views across the water, as well as reflecting on the seaside build he undertook with master craftsman Will Hardie that pushed the humble beach hut to its limits by making it float in the open sea.
Ashley Madison is the controversial dating site that marketed itself directly to potential adulterers. In August 2015 the private details of over 30 million users of the site were hacked and made public, with catastrophic effect. But when internal company emails purporting to be those of the then CEO of the company were also published by the hackers, it seemed a lot more may be going on behind the scenes. Havana Marking's gripping documentary investigates a world of porn, genius marketing and media manipulation as well as claims of prostitution and cyber bullying.
I'm a Celeb contestant Lady Colin Campbell attempts to transform a crumbling stately home back into a desirable residence in this one-off documentary. When Lady C bought Castle Goring for a knockdown price, the place was a complete ruin with a leaking roof. Undeterred, Lady C takes on the challenge of restoring this derelict money pit to its former glory, aiming to turn it into a home fit for a lady and an upmarket venue for weddings and events. Can she finish all the restoration work before the grand opening ball is scheduled to take place in a few weeks time?
2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button gives an honest, emotional and funny interview with legendary broadcaster Murray Walker. Covering Jensen's introduction to motor sport at his father's side in rallycross events of the 1980s, to his arrival at Williams in 2000 as Britain's youngest ever F1 driver, to his magnificent championship season with Brawn GP and current drive alongside Fernando Alonso.
Hosted by David Walliams and to mark the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl's birth, this is a celebration of the author's ten best-selling children's books. This one-off programme also features a live viewer vote that will climax by revealing the nation's favourite work by Dahl. The marvellous books in question include classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, The Witches, Matilda, The Twits, and many more. The programme includes contributions from Steven Spielberg, Julie Walters, Richard Curtis, Mackenzie Crook, Jarvis Cocker, Johnny Vegas, Jessica Hynes and Miriam Margolyes - each one championing their favourite Dahl book.
Documentary following a new generation of British florists, showing how they are taking on the Dutch firms who control the world market. Jay's new business is booming because of her use of quirky homegrown British buds for event displays, while Geoff has learnt Dutch and buys directly at the flower auctions in the Netherlands, passing on savings to his loyal customers back home. The film also follows Rob as he create a huge flower display outside London's National Portrait Gallery.
Parental outsourcing has become big business. From etiquette lessons, to professional potty trainers who guarantee results in three days, modern parents have never had so many experts to choose from. If they can afford it. For some, parental support services are a necessity of modern life, enabling quality time between parents and their children. Others feel strongly that the burgeoning business is simply a by-product of lazy parenting.
Too Posh to Parent, a one-off documentary, explores this polarising subject by meeting the providers of parental services to the super rich, and the wealthy families that use them: from 34-year-old Nina Naustdal, and her household of full-time staff, to family concierge Lucy Challenger, who is on a mission to find a client a nanny who can both cook vegan food and ski. Going behind closed doors at well-heeled family homes, the programme uncovers how some wealthy parents spend their money on raising their kids.
Last year 80,000 people in the UK listed their property on room bookings site Airbnb, and London has become one of its fastest growing markets. The majority of its millions of users have positive experiences, such as Peckham mum-of-two Leah, who rents out her spare room from £40 a night, which provides valuable extra income and allows her to spend more time at home with her kids. She's hugely positive about the whole experience but others aren't so lucky. Airbnb: Dream or Nightmare?
“It changed my life for ever. Not many films do that.” Virginia McKenna returns to Kenya for a documentary that, appropriately, has bite beneath a warm, self-congratulatory exterior. We hear about how McKenna and Bill Travers, her husband on and off screen, relocated their family for a year to shoot the 1966 movie Born Free, a film that couldn’t be made now and was seen as suicidally risky then. To play Joy and George Adamson, McKenna and Travers had to replicate the pioneering conservationists’ daring closeness with lions – overcoming the scary logistics involved imbued the actors with their own fierce love of wildlife.
McKenna bursts with charming anecdotes about her definitive performance, although the odd tart aside shows she needed a certain toughness to pull it off.
SUMMARY
The actress returns to the Kenyan locations of the classic movie about a lion being reared by humans to mark its 50th anniversary. Virginia shares her experiences of working alongside wild lions for nine months, revealing how she was able to earn the animals' trust, and reflects on how the film changed public perceptions of wildlife. The programme examines the political backdrop of the film, with footage of Kenya officially gaining independence from British imperial rule.
Kate Quilton is joined by Dr Tamal Ray - known for his time on The Great British Bake Off last year - to investigate a series of questions about health, examining the latest online solutions to pressing medical needs and testing the boldest claims from recent advice. The examine whether eating placenta after childbirth can really revitalise the body faster, look at an app offering guidance on the status of moles and sun damage and try to discover what coconut pulling has to do with the perfect smile.
Documentary exploring the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Gemma Chan, who plays android Mia in sci-fi drama Humans, meets experts in robotics and computer programming from around the world, and visits a project attempting to create a computer more powerful than the human brain. Gemma participates in an experiment to create a robotic version of herself, which is then tested for its ability to produce convincing human responses.
Former Parachute Regiment officer and current affairs foreign correspondent Abigail Austen travels to America, on the eve of the 2016 US Presidential Election, to discover why transgender rights have become such a crucial electoral battleground this year. At the heart of the matter is North Carolina, a pivotal swing state that was criticised earlier this year for passing local legislation that forced transgender people to use public toilets corresponding to the gender recorded on their birth certificate. The resulting backlash forced the Obama administration to sue North Carolina, and provoked a constitutional crisis in a state Republican candidate Donald Trump and his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton are both keen to win. As a trans-woman herself, Abigail explores how what has been a highly political problem can become desperately personal.
Forty years on from Dad's Army, one of Britain's best-loved actors, Ian Lavender (who played Pike), meets the men and women who were just teenagers when they served on the Home Front during the Second World War. Pike from Dad's Army served in the Home Guard, but this was just a part of the larger Home Front. What was life really like for the millions of young people serving in thousands of different roles that were so vital to victory? Travelling across the country, Ian takes to the skies in a Spitfire, meets former land girls, nurses, WAFS, entertainers, forestry workers and coal-mining Bevin Boys - all of whom had wartime experiences that changed them forever. At a time of the year when the nation remembers the wartime sacrifices of previous generations, Ian meets the often unsung heroes who 'did their bit' for their country.
From contour kings and queens to bad Barbies, cyber mermaids and tattooed goddesses, extreme image lovers from around the UK showcase their skills in this one-off show. Eight personalities begin the process barefaced and stripped of their `identity', before showing the tricks of their trade with unique tutorials.
The World According to President Trump will see RTS award-winner Matt Frei talking to those in the know in an attempt to get to the bottom of what a Trump presidency means.
Will Trump really seek to ban all Muslims from entering the United States? Will he actually build The Wall? What will the US-Russia relationship look like?
Channel 4’s George Waldrum said “We have never seen anything like it before, or possibly ever will again. The controversy surrounding the election has been remarkable and it is a great opportunity to continue the coverage and analysis on Channel 4.
“Matt Frei has been at the heart of the election coverage and can provide great insight into the aftermath of the election," he added.
Documentary following The Rolling Stones' tour of early 2016 through 10 Latin American cities. The film combines their electrifying live performances from across the tour and from the historic tour finale as the first ever rock band to perform in Havana, providing an intimate insight into the world of The Rolling Stones. It's a road movie that celebrates the revolutionary power of rock 'n' roll and chronicles the tour, the local culture and the unique bond that exists between the Latin American people and The Rolling Stones.
Philip Glenister and Ant Anstead sink their own hard earned cash into restoring a 1950s Lotus Elite
Documentary about three children on the professional go-kart racing circuit and the parents who support them through gruelling training and the pursuit of sponsorship deals as they work towards becoming Formula 1 drivers when they grow up. While two families are able to spend large sums of money on their children's ambitions, 10-year-old Fenn Chapman, who has found the sport useful in managing his autism, is unable to join a professional team and faces competitors with much higher budgets.
Documentary bringing together a group of profoundly deaf people, sharing the moment when they may hear for the very first time since having a cochlear implant fitted.
The shopping guru lifts the lid on the nation's salaries, at the top and the bottom of the wage scale, and explores why people are so secretive about their pay packets. From the PM's salary to footballers' wages, Mary Portas meets a range of earners to discover how far their salaries stretch in Britain today, and reveals the best and worst places in Britain to live.
Documentary exploring the consequences of deadly single hits, from a row over a parking space in a supermarket car park to an unanticipated fight outside a nightclub. By examining three different assaults, the film shows that a single punch can have a colossal effect, often in innocuous locations and circumstances.
Lee McKenzie talks to former F1 and current World Endurance Championship driver Mark Webber about his illustrious racing career. Webber speaks openly about his relationship with Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, and his career highs and lows.
An edited version of Guy's world record attempt, with added behind-the-scenes footage.
How do you discharge a patient from a psychiatric hospital when they committed terrible crimes in the past? This documentary meets three men who may be released after decades under lock and key.
Documentary following veteran DJ Carl Cox across the 2016 season in Ibiza, from the Music Is Revolution opening in June through to the closing of Space in September. The film offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on a momentous slice of clubbing history, as well as an honest and insightful window into Cox's life inside, and away from, the DJ booth.
Social media is fuelling a global phenomenon of people seeking their twin stranger. Leading twin experts test seven doppelgänger pairs. What can science learn from non-related pairs?
Following his critically acclaimed ratings smash David Blaine: Real or Magic, Blaine returns with his most revealing performance yet, which has been two years in the making. Blaine pulls the lid off his signature brand of street magic, sparking reactions that will awe audiences and defy all expectations. Magic meets documentary in the one-hour special, as Blaine blows the minds of some of the most recognisable celebrities in the world, including David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Drake, Steph Curry, Dave Chappelle, John Travolta, Patrick Stewart, Emma Stone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others.
Just like Las Vegas, Skegness is a town built on live entertainment. For agents and performers, this is where dreams are made - and broken. It may be a million miles away from Nevada's Sin City, but the highs and lows of this coastal town in Lincolnshire are just as visceral, and over the summer Skegness comes alive. With more than a million holiday-makers visiting Europe's largest caravan park complex, demand for entertainment is feverish. Competition between the artistes is fierce, and the audiences can be brutal. Virtually everyone in the town is involved in some way in the live entertainment industry. Noel Gee, a veteran talent manager who narrates this documentary, has been in the business for over 40 years. Along with his trusty sidekick and legendary Skegness glam rocker Kriz Garrick, Noel can help make dreams come true. Noel aims to help his roster of stars to ascend the glittering stage of venues such as Club Tropicana, but the reality can be far from glamorous.
This First Cut documentary follows three spirited pensioner couples who are set to tie the knot and prove that you're never too old for love. In 2015 the number of grooms in their late sixties increased by 25%, while the number of brides in the same age group went up by 21%. The programme captures their excitement as well as their fears as they tackle the challenges of getting down the aisle and face the realities of what the future might hold for them. Widow Georgina, who's 94, is marrying 86-year-old retired chef Raymond, who has terminal cancer. Defiant in the face of this knowledge, they hope to have at least a couple of years together. Margaret, who's 81 and has 11 great grandchildren, has turned to the internet to find love. She met Victor, who's 77, fell for him instantly and, ignored her granddaughter's warning not to take him home on the first date.
This film follows the lives of young mothers who have ended up in a YMCA hostel when they found themselves pregnant and homeless. Shot over several months, this observational documentary follows five young mothers spending the first year of their baby's life in a hostel. Every year, thousands of teen mothers and mums-to-be become homeless. Rising private rents, a shortage of affordable housing and benefit cuts mean more and more young parents find themselves living in unsuitable accommodation, B&Bs or night shelters. This film focuses on five mothers and their journey towards independence over 12 months. The mothers tell their stories in their own words, giving a unique and surprising perspective on what it's really like to become a parent in your teens when you don't have a home.
Comedian, actor and outdoor enthusiast Ardal O'Hanlon explores the UK to discover its most remarkable trees. There are a staggering 50 trees to every person in Britain, and many have a history and heritage worth celebrating. In 2016, for the first time on television, Channel 4 reveals the winners of the Woodland Trust's prestigious Tree of the Year award. The public have voted on a 28-strong shortlist, selected by some of the country's leading botanists, historians and photographers. The winning tree from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is put to a panel of experts, who will select just one of the four to take the overall title of UK Tree of the Year.
The story of Britain's extreme weather from the last year, told and filmed by people right in the middle of it, from record-breaking floods and super-storms to terrifying tornadoes and hair-raising lightning strikes. The documentary uses jaw-dropping footage captured on cameras and phones and hears the amazing real-life experiences of people caught up in 2016's extreme weather conditions. It also explores how a record level El Niño effect unleashed climate chaos on the UK and why our small island gets battered by such crazy weather, often all at once. This is a sometimes funny and sometimes frightening journey through our weather year.
While the rest of us search out bargain toys on the high street and online, the UK's millionaires and billionaires use a network of bespoke, high-end suppliers of luxurious gifts and entertainment. Many of us grew up playing on a traditional rocking horse, but only one very lucky child will get to own a horse covered in over 8000 Swarovski crystals. When Mummy and Daddy own some of London's most valuable real estate, it follows that their children's doll's house will be worth £25,000. And if your car is a symbol of your status and wealth, then no wonder Atom Cars think their 20mph electric car is perfect for a child whose parents have £30,000 to spare. This documentary explores the inside world of the craftsmen and inventors attempting to realise the dreams of Britain's billionaires.
Christmas, the time of year when peace on earth and goodwill to all men rings out across the land - unless elaborate festive decorating has anything to do with it. This one-off film meets the people who spend each year going into seasonal battle with their neighbours in a bid to come out on top in the extreme decorating stakes. As well as the race to get the lights up and working for the big switch on, there's rivalries, tears and tantrums, and sometimes the risk of electrocution. And behind the brash bulbs and dazzling displays lies a range of surprisingly emotional personal stories as to why Christmas lights have become an obsession for some.
A look behind the scenes as the world's most profitable toy maker opens its biggest ever Lego store, in London
Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing uses his loveable charm to entertain and quiz a host of celebrity guests in their beds, getting a surprisingly candid look at their home and private lives. In this special festive episode, Jamie runs riot through Charlotte Crosby's brand new mansion, snuggles up to Tattoo Fixers' Jay Hutton in his Shoreditch apartment and gets naked with cult 90s TV star Pamela Anderson. In Bed with Jamie at Christmas stops at nothing to deliver outrageous, awkward and revealing moments, with some kisses under the mistletoe!
Arrivals is a refreshingly warm and intimate insight into the lives of some of the thousands of people travelling in today's ever-shrinking world as they pass through the Heathrow airport arrivals halls. Captivating, surprising, heart-warming and often heart-breaking stories are told by passengers and their waiting loved ones, all meeting under the same roof. Narrated by Julie Walters, this documentary goes beyond plain airport 'people-watching' and reveals the incredible and momentous life stories that people have to share. From long-lost friendship to newly found romance, Arrivals is a captivating and honest exploration of love and life.
19 Kids and Counting follows the fascinating lives of Britain's largest family, the Radfords, as they take parenting to a whole new level. The cameras return to the family home as Lancashire pie-maker Noel, Sue and the kids prepare to welcome a new baby to their ever growing brood and only weeks later set off on their most ambitious family holiday to date, down under. In Australia, the Radfords meet Australia's biggest family, the Bonnells, who have 16 kids but enforce much stricter house rules. As Sue, Noel and their offspring meet another supersized family, it transpires that they have something else in common: with over 30 children between them, both sets of parents were adopted as babies themselves. As the Radfords explore Australia's Gold Coast, cooking kangaroo pies for their hosts and falling out with each other on the other side of the world, at its heart the documentary is about love and the family bonds that tie us together.
With home video from his youth, and footage from his early years performing solo in Greenwich Village, this 90-minute special provides a unique insight into the life of Bruce Springsteen.
The hunt for the lost sketches and clips of one of Britain's most-loved comedy acts
Alan Titchmarsh celebrates the 90th birthday of Winnie-the-Pooh, exploring Pooh's adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and friends.
Mary Portas catches up with some of the nation's leading influencers, forecasters and stores, from John Lewis to Asos, to examine the retail trends of 2016, from corgi cakes to eye contours
Documentary about the history of computer games.
Hell on Earth is an hour-long documentary presented by Mark Kermode. It's about Ken Russell's 1971 film, The Devils which is one of the most controversial films ever made. Kermode chats to Russell as well as two of the films stars Goergina Hale and Murray Melvin. Also included are scenes that were cut from the released film for being too controversial.
The Nuremberg trials, 1946 Goering and the Nazi high command stand trial. Within the prison a dangerous mind game is being conducted by Goering and the prison guards who stand watch over the perpetrators of the Holocaust.
19 Kids and Counting follows the fascinating lives of Britain's largest family, the Radfords, as they take parenting to a whole new level. The cameras return to the family home as Lancashire pie-maker Noel, Sue and the kids prepare to welcome a new baby to their ever growing brood and only weeks later set off on their most ambitious family holiday to date, down under. In Australia, the Radfords meet Australia's biggest family, the Bonnells, who have 16 kids but enforce much stricter house rules. As Sue, Noel and their offspring meet another supersized family, it transpires that they have something else in common: with over 30 children between them, both sets of parents were adopted as babies themselves. As the Radfords explore Australia's Gold Coast, cooking kangaroo pies for their hosts and falling out with each other on the other side of the world, at its heart the documentary is about love and the family bonds that tie us together.
With home video from his youth, and footage from his early years performing solo in Greenwich Village, this 90-minute special provides a unique insight into the life of Bruce Springsteen.
The hunt for the lost sketches and clips of one of Britain's most-loved comedy acts
Alan Titchmarsh celebrates the 90th birthday of Winnie-the-Pooh, exploring Pooh's adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and friends.
Mary Portas catches up with some of the nation's leading influencers, forecasters and stores, from John Lewis to Asos, to examine the retail trends of 2016, from corgi cakes to eye contours
Jamie Oliver shares his 20 years experience cooking Christmas dinner and all the trimmings and treats.
In this one-off programme, he offer tips on cooking Christmas dinner and festive treats - from turkey, gravy, sprouts and roasties to cocktails and gooey chocolate pudding.
As the British nation prepares to vote in the EU referendum, cult hit Eurotrash returns with an édition spéciale to remind us of the many, varied and occasionally alarming cultural delights enjoyed by our European cousins. At a time when we are deciding whether to either break up with or embrace the EU, the eternally debonair Antoine de Caunes and Jean Paul Gaultier return with some rudity and nudity to remind us - their straight laced British chums - of some of the best, worst and weirdest things that Europe has offered us over the years. This one-off hour long special is a mix of a bit of old and a bit of new as Antoine and Jean Paul are joined in studio by guests including Andreja Pejic, and, naturally, a man who paints with his privates.
Documentary about the history of computer games.
Hell on Earth is an hour-long documentary presented by Mark Kermode. It's about Ken Russell's 1971 film, The Devils which is one of the most controversial films ever made. Kermode chats to Russell as well as two of the films stars Goergina Hale and Murray Melvin. Also included are scenes that were cut from the released film for being too controversial.
The Nuremberg trials, 1946 Goering and the Nazi high command stand trial. Within the prison a dangerous mind game is being conducted by Goering and the prison guards who stand watch over the perpetrators of the Holocaust.
