TV Times best picks for tonight...
What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight three of the best shows on telly tonight for Friday 20th October…
Paul Daniels: My Life in Magic, 10.00pm, C5
From a shy Middlesbrough lad to Britain’s most popular magician, this one-off documentary tells the story of Paul Daniels’ rise to fame. A family holiday in 1949 in Yorkshire was where his love of magic began and by the age of 21 he was working the northern clubs with his magic show by night, while grafting for the council by day. Current Strictly star and Paul’s wife of nearly 30 years Debbie McGee talks about their life and love, as do his three children and a plethora of stars from the magic world including Stephen Mulhern, David Copperfield and Penn and Teller. A really well-made tribute. Rating: ***
Australian Wilderness with Ray Mears, 8.00pm, ITV (ex Wales, Scot, NI)
For the second stop on his journey into deepest, darkest Australia, wildlife expert and survivalist Ray Mears visits Kakadu National Park in the country’s northern territory. First up, Ray is in the Kakadu wetlands, home to some 280 different bird species – and around 10,000 saltwater crocodiles, some of which can exceed six metres in length! He then heads into the Kakadu forest, where he meets some of the Aboriginal people who have made the forest their home – and goes hunting for bushtucker with Mandy and her nephew Selone, who teach him how they farm with fire. This is a shining example of how people can be a part of nature’s landscape. Rating: ***
Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rome, 8.30pm, C4
Comedian Richard Ayoade returns for another dash around some popular weekend retreats. This week, he begins the new series in Rome, with fellow comedian and actor Matt Lucas. Their whistle-stop tour of the Italian capital begins in a Fiat 500, and the duo do their best to see the sights while battling Rome’s notorious traffic. After a look at the Vatican – the queues are too long to go in – it’s off to a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner, although Matt admits he’s happiest with a bag of crisps and a can of fizzy pop so he’s not overly impressed. Day two is all about the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, then it’s off to Gladiator School – where Richard and Matt excel… sort of. Rating: ***
Return tomorrow for more previews!
