Pick of the week (6 May – 12 May, 2023)

The Coronation

by Elaine Penn |
Updated on
The Coronation
The Coronation ©The Coronation

Saturday

The Coronation

BBC1/BBC2/ITV1, from 7.30am

There’s very little you need from us at this point – we all know what today entails. Covering events for the BBC are Kirsty Young, in a Buckingham Palace studio, plus Huw Edwards, JJ Chalmers, Sophie Raworth and Clare Balding. Meanwhile, over on ITV1, it’s Tom Bradby, Julie Etchingham and Nina Hossain filling the airwaves with points of etiquette, endless historical references and probably a little royal tittle tattle too.

The Coronation Concert

Sunday

The Coronation Concert

BBC1, 8pm

Classical and contemporary acts feature in a spectacular night of music, hosted by Hugh Bonneville. Performers include Take That, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel. And in a one-off special, stars of The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art unite for a one-off piece featuring the 15th Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa and Mei Mac.

Eurovision Calling: Jason and Chelcee’s Ultimate Guide

Monday

Eurovision Calling: Jason & Chelcee’s Ultimate Guide

BBC1, 9pm

That’s Jason Manford and Chelcee Grimes, who front one of the many Eurovision-fluffer shows the BBC are pumping out this week to tie in with the semi-finals and next Saturday’s big event. They’re our guide through this clip-driven effort, which lays on 20 reasons why the song competition remains the greatest show on Earth. Plus they’ll talk to some of those who’ve been there, got the t-shirt… and come home with nul points.

Eurovision Song Contest: Semi-finals

Tuesday

Eurovision Song Contest: Semi-finals

BBC1, 8pm

For the first time ever, Eurovision’s preliminary stage gets a prime-time BBC1 airing ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday. Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina host proceedings from Liverpool Arena, while Scott Mills and Rylan provide commentary. Interval entertainment, meanwhile, comes from Rita Ora. The second semi-final can be seen same time, same channel, on Thursday.

Natural History Museum: World Of Wonder

Wednesday

Natural History Museum: World Of Wonder

Channel 5, 8pm

As children, many of us will remember our first overawed sight of the vast entrance hall of the London museum. But there are plenty of other interesting nooks and crannies in this iconic building, which first opened in 1881, that the public never see. The series that allows us into those rarely seen parts returns and we meet museum staff and scientists – including space expert Ashley and entomologist Erica.

<meta charset="utf-8">Cape Verde With Jane McDonald

Thursday

Cape Verde With Jane McDonald

Channel 5, 8pm

‘This is amazing – get your kit off, come on in!’ enthuses Jane McDonald as she floats in a salt-filled volcanic pool on the unspoilt paradise of Sal, part of Cape Verde. Jane’s latest jaunt sees her head to the holiday destination that lies 350 miles off the west coast of Africa. She’s staying at an adults-only four-star hotel before exploring the island. That includes a coastal bike ride, a shark wading experience and also fishing for her dinner!

Eurovision: Everyone's A Winner

Friday

Eurovision: Everyone’s A Winner

BBC1, 7.30pm

Ahead of tomorrow night’s big Eurovision final in Liverpool, here’s X Factor-runner-up-turned-Hits Radio fave Fleur East with a light-hearted reminder that it’s not all about the winning. Helped by Eurovision fans including Scott Mills and Duncan James, she’s got the lowdown on the Eurovision entries that failed to hit the top spot on the night but went on to break the internet with streams. Don’t worry, our Sam Ryder is in there!

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