On TV tonight, Joanna Lumley sets off on her Spice Trail Adventure, there's a special edition of Horrible Histories to mark the NHS' 75th birthday, Sandi Toksvig heads out for more Extraordinary Escapes and Netflix gains a new look back at chart-toppers George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in Wham! Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.
- Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
- Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis
- For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide
What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure, 9 pm, ITV1
Dame Joanna Lumley is without doubt the queen of travelogues, so it’s a joy to see her set sail again, this time across Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar and Jordan to explore the extraordinary and sometimes brutal history of the spice trade. First up, she’s in Indonesia, where she discovers how nutmeg was once worth more than its weight in gold, tastes some spicy cocktails and smokes a clove cigarette in the style of Absolutely Fabulous’ Patsy. Later in the series, she also hand pollinates vanilla and goes in search of so-called black gold. The 77-year-old dame’s warmth, wit and humility makes this a must-watch.
★★★★★ HD
Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig, 9 pm, Channel 4 / Channel 4 on demand (box set)
A pony ride, a trip on a tricycle and a potter around in a vintage Morris Minor are just three of the modes of transport enjoyed by Sandi and her travel companion this week, comedian Rosie Jones, as they explore the Midlands. A unique eco-build in Rutland, boasting a wood-fired hot tub and a giant mirrorball (surely all anyone needs when on holiday?!), provides the accommodation. Later on, their explorations take them to the Welsh border, where there are some candid conversations to be had when Rosie talks about her career, sex and living with a disability.
★★★★ TL
There’s a blast of pure 1980s pop joy in Netflix’s upbeat documentary, which celebrates George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s four years of incredible chart success with hits including Club Tropicana, Freedom and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. Packed with unseen photos, rare footage and some revelatory audio interviews, this 90-minute film also has a series of real ‘wow’ moments, including the original demo tapes for Careless Whisper and some previously unseen 1984 footage of George giving TV presenter Paula Yates an exclusive rendition of Last Christmas before its release. A nostalgic treat.
★★★★★ HD
Horrible Histories, 6.30 pm, CBBC
In an NHS 75th birthday special of the kids’ comedy, former psychiatric nurse Jo Brand teams up with Rattus to celebrate our National Health Service, which began on 5 July 1948. They explain how difficult and expensive healthcare was before its existence and just exactly who an almoner was. They also tell the story of the first NHS baby and answer such probing questions as: what does half a chicken cure? Earlier (6pm), Operation Ouch! also marks this important day with a medal ceremony for incredible medical staff.
★★★★ NT
Best box set on TV tonight
Season three – split into two, with five episodes released today, and three on 27 July – finds monster-hunting hero Geralt (Henry Cavill) joining forces with Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) to protect Princess Ciri (Freya Allan) from the monsters, mages and monarchs plotting to capture her. But when Yennefer shows Ciri how to harness her powers and leads her and Geralt to the fortress of Aretuza, the trio become cornered by dark magic… Hugh Skinner joins the cast as King Vizimir’s playboy brother Prince Radovid, while Cavill bows out this season, leaving Liam Hemsworth to take over as Geralt.
RM
Best film on TV tonight
Mission: Impossible III, Film4, 9 pm
Former secret agent Ethan Hunt is called out of retirement when an ex-trainee is taken hostage by a ruthless arms dealer, but when the rescue operation goes wrong, the villain decides to target Hunt's fiancee. Action thriller sequel directed by JJ Abrams, starring Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7.30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30 pm, ITV1
- Hollyoaks, 6.30 pm, Channel 4
- Home and Away, 6 pm, 5Star
Live Sport
- Wimbledon 2023, from 11 am, BBC One/BBC Two
- Tour de France 2023, 2 pm, ITV4
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure on TV tonight.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
