Richard Arnold's Armchair Guide - June 26
Normally at this time of year all of your favourite soap stars would be gathering to quaff champagne and gossip at the British Soap Awards. This year we'll have to do with a glitzy documentary featuring sips and spills from the annal of TV's liveliest awards show.
Elsewhere it's games galore with Alan Carr and Love Island: Australia.
Read on TV people...
The British Soap Awards celebrates 21 years, Sunday 9pm, ITV
The British Soap Awards is one of the many events cancelled 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, pausing a run of more than two decades of ITV’s annual celebration of achievements in continuing drama.
But fear not, the makers of the glitzy ceremony serve up a treat for soap fans missing their yearly dose of red-carpet glamour with a brand-new documentary this weekend, celebrating the history of TV’s liveliest awards show.
The Road to Coronation Street, Sunday 7.30pm, ITV
The Road to Coronation Street is a British drama documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960. Set mainly in Manchester in 1960, the 75-minute-long programme follows the true story of Tony Warren, a struggling scriptwriter who creates a vision of a television programme depicting normal life in a Salford street of terraced houses.
Check out more Corrie on the ITV Hub.
Coronation Street icons: Audrey Roberts - 40 fabulous year, Thursday 8pm, ITV - watch Corrie now on the ITV Hub
A celebration of Sue Nicholls' time on Coronation Street, which began in April 1979. The actress relives some of Audrey's quirky highlights and most dramatic lows, while Tracy Shaw and Nikki Sanderson - who played salon girls Maxine and Candice - return to the Street to surprise Sue. Brian Capron also reminisces about their dramatic scenes together during the storyline involving his serial killer character Richard Hillman.
Small Island, available on BritBox right now
Small Island is a two-part television drama adapted from the 2004 novel of the same title by Andrea Levy. The programme stars Naomie Harris and Ruth Wilson as joint respective female protagonists Hortense Roberts and Queenie Bligh, two women who struggle to fulfil their personal ambitions and dreams amidst the chaos of World War II London and Jamaica.
Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow, Saturday 7.30pm, ITV and on the ITV Hub
Chatty Man Alan Carr follows in the footsteps of some of the UK's most iconic gameshow hosts including Bruce Forsyth as he takes centre-stage, but not without a 2020 revamp. With this nod to the past, one can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia but in true Chatty Man style, Alan brings fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Featuring shows like `Play Your Cards Right' and `Take Your Pick', contestants compete to win top prizes in a series of challenges.
Love Island: Australia, everyday 9pm, ITV2 and available on the ITV Hub
Love Island Australia is an Australian dating reality show based on the British series Love Island. The series is presented by Sophie Monk and narrated by Eoghan McDermott. Isolated from the outside world, contestants live in a villa and undertake a series of challenges to find the love of their life and win the competition.
Ross King's Lockdown: John Legend, watch on Youtube now
Ross King is joined by John Legend ahead of his London show last year to talk about parenting, politics and constantly receiving business ideas.