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Private Notes
Houses buried under snow, rivers frozen solid, bombers called upon to drop bread to isolated villages. How did Brits survive the snowiest winter ever recorded? Less than two years after the Second World War ended, with food strictly rationed and most homes without central heating, the nation shivered for seven long weeks in a Siberian climate. Huge snow drifts and plunging temperatures of -21C caused frozen railways, factory shutdowns, power cuts and a farming crisis. Famous faces including John Craven, Amanda Barrie, Timothy West and Neil Kinnock share childhood memories of the extreme winter and explain why it remains unparalleled
Across several rounds the trusty old microwave is challenged against the air fryer.
The story of Queen Margrethe II, who guided Denmark into the 21st century.
A celebration of one of the UK's most enduring sitcoms - the smash hit 1970s comedy.
How, since Hugh Hefner's death, a darker take on Playboy has emerged.
Alexis Conran investigates whether loyalty cards save consumers money when shopping, looking into the possibility that supermarkets could be inflating prices only to discount them. Alexis discovers how supermarkets offer a reduced price in return for an exchange of data from shoppers, speaking to those responsible for handling the data and making profits from it.
Carla Lane was a sitcom pioneer. Writing female driven shows that powered through the 1960s,70s and 80s. In this 90-minute special we pay tribute to her three most famous shows. From the flat-sharing young girls-about-town in The Liver Birds, to the bored, frustrated housewife Ria in Butterflies, and the Boswell family in 80s hit Bread.
Alexis Conran discovers how different makes and models of air fryers stack up.
Looking back at the biggest hits and videos from 1995, including Oasis, The Spice Girls, Blur, Take That, Babylon Zoo and more. With contributions from East 17, Go West and Betty Boo.
Exploring one of the most devastating but little-known disasters in London's history.
A look back at outrageous events of '74, replaying the most controversial moments in TV, cinema, music, showbiz and politics, including film 'The Exorcist', TV's 'Tiswas' and the 3-day working week.
A look back at key events in TV, film, showbusiness and politics in 1984, a year when Spitting Image and The Young Ones revolutionised comedy and enraged the old guard. Conservative crusaders became hysterical over the horror of video nasties, and an attempt to silence pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood backfired spectacularly. In politics, Margaret Thatcher faced a fierce year-long battle with striking coal miners and the Conservative Party was hit by a deadly terrorist attack in Brighton. Narrated by Jan Leeming and featuring contributions from John Thomson, Cheryl Baker, Steve Nallon, Edwina Currie, Matthew Parris and Martin Bell.
Alexis Conran investigates the latest scams, with a look at the banking app infiltrated by criminals, a delivery scam, and a woman tricked out of the sale of her new Spanish home.
Between 1979 and 1981, up to 24 million viewers were glued to their TV sets for a sitcom that followed the fortunes of upper-class widow Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith) after she was forced to sell her manor house to self-made grocer Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). Features an interview with Penelope Keith, as well as hearing from co-stars, crew and celebrity fans, while there are classic clips and behind-the-scenes archive.
Alexis Conran uncovers the truth behind the promised benefits of smart energy meters, investigating their mental health impact, whether data gathered is being monetised and hearing horror stories of wildly inaccurate bills and invasions of privacy. Do smart meters live up to the claims made for them, or should consumers listen to the alarming tales that are coming to light?
Disturbing documentary about the notorious case, delving into questions that never got answered, with testimony from those who lived through the tragedy.
With the final demolition of the spa built by Captain Tom Moore's family, this documentary reveals one of the most shocking stories of recent times, unravelling what really happened to the money donated by the British public. The film examines if Captain Tom's legacy has been tarnished and whether this sorry saga is finally at an end
Exploring the story behind how Marks and Spencer's returned to fashion relevance. With a look at the stores modern designs, desirable women's and men's wear, plus collaborations with celebrities, such as Sienna Miller and Hannah Waddingham. Also, focusing on how how their success is based on a new management team.
Since the 17th century, St James's in central London has been the go-to destination for luxury retailing and for the kings and queens of Britain. In this programme, we meet the characters who run these world-famous stores, and the customers who purchase their top of the range products and services offered with the utmost traditional English flair
Looking back at the deadly floods that devastated England's east coast in January 1953, the worst natural disaster to strike Britain in modern times. Across a day of destruction, a massive storm and its huge tidal surge flooded 250 square miles of land, killing hundreds of people, sinking several ships and destroying tens of thousands of homes.
Alexis Conran investigates some weight loss meal plans with the help of the air fryer.
Where the royals are free to be themselves - to fall in love, celebrate, mourn and argue.
In "M&S: Secrets of the Food Hall", viewers are treated to an inside look at the extraordinary transformation that Marks and Spencer’s food stores have undergone. This revelatory documentary dives into the creation of their stunning new Food Hall-style stores, which have captured the hearts of British shoppers.
A surprisingly bumpy ride through our love-hate relationship with motorways. The godmother of the road sign discusses her iconic designs. Plus, our favourite and most hated service stations.
A look at the history of the royal palace in the City of Westminster, revealing the family dramas that have taken place there since it was built on Henry VIII's order in the 1530s. Journalists, historians and commentators take us through the extraordinary hidden stories, from Elizabeth II becoming a commercial landlady for the first time, renting out St James's luxury apartments to commoners, to Queen Victoria setting the trend for big, white weddings the world over in the historic Chapel Royal
The surprising and colourful life of the Queen Consort. Who is the woman for whom Charles risked everything?
The devastating psychological impact of romance scams is explored by Alexis Conran.
A look at Britain's beloved canal network via a fact-filled cruise along the first superhighways of the Industrial Revolution. In the age before mechanisation, a frenzy of canal-building saw a new army of workers carve out the British landscape, digging out hundreds of miles of waterways using picks, shovels and muscle
The programme reveals how organisers used artificial intelligence to create fake adverts and posters showcasing a magical wonderland but, in reality, rented a warehouse and filled it with cheap-looking props and cardboard cut-outs
Documentary revealing the shocking story of how Richard Spencer was subjected to years of abuse at the hands of his wife Sheree. This is the disturbing tale of the suffering that Richard endured, with compelling footage of the abuse
A celebratory tribute of the life and career of the TV presenter.
Alexis Conran runs an air fryer surgery with cook and author Clare Andrews.
Charting the high and lows of Britain's railway - from the Industrial Revolution to HS2.
The sordid story of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's war years in the Caribbean.
Dan travels to Greece to discover if the fate of real cities could have inspired the legend of Atlantis. He investigates real ancient cities that were destroyed by earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
Dive into the enticing world of Easter chocolate.
Take a deep dive with this documentary investigating the hidden secrets of one of our oldest, and most crucial, networks - the sewers.
A tour of the latest solution - London's Tideway Tunnel - reveals its staggering scale - a 16-mile-long storage tank to hide sewage beneath the river Thames.
There is also a trip to Hadrian's Wall to marvel at how the Romans handled the sewage issue almost 2,000 years ago.
Ben Fogle narrates a detailed film revealing the crucial events that led to the 1986 nuclear accident in Ukraine, as Chernobyl Power Plant Reactor 4 exploded with devastating consequences.
The story of one of the worst storms to hit the UK in centuries, when hurricane-strength winds damaged three million trees and 47 people were killed. This documentary examines how, despite the warnings, this violent daytime storm sent shockwaves across Great Britain and how the heroism of everyday people ensured the death toll wasn't higher. It also explores how we have learned to adapt and survive in the decades since to avoid further tragedy in the face of adverse weather.
The historian pieces together the story of the ancient monument, revealing how modern discoveries have started to solve its many mysteries.
He learns about the true skill and sophistication of its builders, its remarkably advanced solar alignments, exactly where those giant 20-ton stones came from, and how they were moved. Cutting-edge science shows how Stonehenge sat at the heart of a vast Stone Age network that brought people from right across Britain and beyond to build, celebrate and be buried there
Famous faces from the 1960s relive moments they'd rather forget! Bloopers include Doris Day's wardrobe fail, outtakes from Star Trek, and things getting out of hand on a live discussion show.
Robert Jones was the GP in the Essex town of Coggeshall, where he lived with his 35-year-old wife Diane. They first met as doctor and patient and started an affair, but in July 1983, Diane vanished. Three months later her body was discovered in woodland. Suspicion centred on her husband again and again, but he was never charged. This documentary uses new evidence from detectives, friends, lovers and neighbours to reveal Diane Jones's secrets and how she and her upstanding doctor husband lived a life that was nothing like it appeared
An entertaining ride through London's tube network, revealing its deep history.
Documentary celebrating the special bond that has grown between King Charles and the Princess of Wales, who are supporting each other as they both undergo treatment for cancer.
From an intergeneration hook-up on Come Dine with Me to the mile high antics on Footballer's Wives that caused a storm of complaints, these are tales of sex on the box that proved a turn-off.
The story of 'The Fox', who terrorised rural Britain, lying in wait inside victims' homes.
Shocking investigation into the shambolic state of British railways.
A swashbuckling voyage that charts the rise and fall of our greatest ports.
The extraordinary story of how international stardom almost didn't happen for the group.
2024 has seen the health of the royals scrutinised as never before. Experts examine how the royal family's health and the country's have been inextricably linked for centures.
Over four rounds - breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks - chef and taste-tester Philippa Davis reviews some of Wetherspoons' and Toby's most popular meals. From a full English breakfast to mac 'n' cheese wrapped in a Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips to a roast dinner, Philippa tastes her way through dishes on both menus giving her expert verdict.
After three months into 2024, the royal family faced an unprecedented series of crises, threatening the very fabric of the monarchy. A king fighting cancer, a princess undergoing preventative chemotherapy, and an heir torn between privacy and duty.
Richard Bacon narrates this look at epic fails from some of the nation's best-loved TV hosts, with less-than-perfect moments from heavyweights including Anne Diamond, Denis Tuohy and Ross King. Esther Rantzen recalls the shocking moment when she was arrested while filming for That's Life, while other highlights include the opening night of BBC Two, which was beset by technical problems. With contributions from Vanessa Feltz, Lowri Turner, Janet Street-Porter, Ross Kelly and Hal Cruttenden.
A comparison of the quality of different food products from the two German supermarkets, tasting everything from chocolate biscuits to ready meals. Tom Read Wilson and food writers Jonathan Phang and Alexandra Dudley take part in blind taste tests to compare the discount shops' products against their rivals.
In 1990, six families in Rochdale were accused by social service workers of being involved in the satanic ritual abuse of children. Multiple youngsters were taken into care, placed into foster homes and barred from all contact with their families. For some it would be an unbearably long time before they saw their parents again. This documentary uses the scandal as a starting point to explore infamous Satanic panic cases, a type of moral hysteria fuelled by overzealous law enforcement, unsubstantiated statements from children and suggestive interrogation by therapists and prosecutors.
