On TV tonight, Gods of Tennis looks back at the careers of Björn Bork and John McEnroe, Spy in the Ocean puts us alongside more marine marvels, there's more trouble in Ten Pound Poms, the celebs take to the pitch for Soccer Aid 2023 and Europe from Above looks at the islands of Britain. 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
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What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
Gods of Tennis, 9 pm, BBC Two (times vary) / iPlayer (box set)
With his long hair and rock-star looks, tennis player Björn Borg was a sensation of the sport, greeted by screaming female fans wherever he went in the 1970s. He was also the best in the world, winning Wimbledon five times in a row. This episode hears from Borg himself about those years, and also shows how brash New Yorker John McEnroe arrived on the scene to give the sport an iconic rivalry, especially in the Wimbledon finals of 1980 and 1981 where two very different styles of play faced off. ★★★★★ NC
Ten Pound Poms, 9 pm, BBC One / iPlayer (box set)
Dean the bigoted ditch-digger (David Field) was definitely the villain of the piece in the early stages of this series, but he has been absolutely and comprehensively overtaken by the vindictive Bill Anderson (Leon Ford) in recent weeks. And as this impressive drama hits its penultimate episode we now fully understand why his long-suffering wife Sheila (Emma Hamilton) sought comfort in the arms of another man. But disaster strikes when Bill catches her and camp supervisor JJ Walker (Stephen Curry) in bed together tonight. Meanwhile, there’s a ray of hope for Terry and Ron when Arty asks for help building a fish and chip shop on a picturesque beach, which sounds like heaven to us.
★★★★ SMA
Europe from Above, 8 pm, National Geographic
The breathtaking series returns with an episode on the islands of Britain. Highlights include Barra Airport, the only one in the world to operate from a tidal beach. The gorgeous (if a bit mad) Battle of the Flowers in Jersey. And the huge Pioneering Spirit, the world’s biggest construction vessel, whose speciality is dismantling old oil rigs and bringing them to shore, where they’re blown up. Spectacular!
★★★ SM
Soccer Aid 2023, 6.30 pm, ITV1
Old Trafford is the venue for this year’s fund-raiser for UNICEF, which sees football legends and celebrities taking to the pitch for another England v Soccer Aid World XI clash (k-o 7.30pm). Ex-Lioness Jill Scott captains an England side including Tom Hiddleston and Danny Dyer, and overseen by Vicky McClure, Stormzy, Harry Redknapp and Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes. Olympian Usain Bolt returns to skipper the World XI, which is managed by new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, Robbie Keane, and Vicky’s Line of Duty co-star and former footballer Martin Compston. Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott host.
★★★ IM
Spy in the Ocean, 7 pm, BBC One
In the second episode of the series following on from Spy in the Wild, and also narrated by David Tennant, we see spy dolphin share the euphoria of his pod as they surf the ocean waves. The episode gains valuable insight into the innermost feelings of the ocean’s creatures and we see how dolphins surf for pleasure and as a way of bonding with their pod. Spy cuttlefish catches the eye of a love-struck mate and, in the Caribbean, spy manatee gets a special kiss from a new friend. We see a seal pup under the waters surrounding New Zealand helped by his robot friend and a real octopus is inspired to put on a really spectacular display by mimicking the spy in his midst.
★★★★ NH
Best box set on TV tonight
Poker Face, Sky Max/NOW (box set)
Rian Johnson’s anthology series has a pleasing retro feel about it from the titles onwards. Imagine, if you can, Mr Benn in the hands of Quentin Tarantino, as drifting ‘Poker Face’ Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) sets out to solve a different mystery in each episode.
★★★★ JP
Best film on TV tonight
Paddington 2, 2.55 pm, BBC One
The lovable little bear has settled into his new life with the Brown family in London, becoming a much-loved member of the local community - until his search for a birthday present for his aunt leads to him being framed as a thief. While the Browns try to clear Paddington's name, he tries to make himself at home in prison, winning over the other convicts and getting involved in an escape attempt. Comedy adventure, starring Hugh Bonneville, Hugh Grant and Sally Hawkins, with Ben Whishaw providing the voice of Paddington.
Live Sport
- Soccer Aid 2023, 6.30 pm, ITV1
- PGA Tour Golf, 6.15 pm, Sky Sports Main Event
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Gods of Tennis on TV tonight.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
