Celebrating our magical medics
BBC1, 9pm
WE HAVE all at some point in our lives depended on the NHS and the heroic medics and carers who treat everything from a DIY accident to serious illnesses.
But there’s nothing like a global pandemic to make a nation realise how incredible the NHS is.
To celebrate it, writer, comedian and former doctor Adam Kay guides us through the personal stories of celebrities who tell us about their hour of need.
The result is a one-hour thank-you letter as each famous face reveals their personal reasons for needing the NHS, speaking candidly and thanking the doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers who helped them.
There are some funny moments. Accident-prone Sue Perkins reveals: “I have broken four toes, electrocuted myself twice and something very weird happened to my left buttock. I almost sawed off a finger and had a knife through my palm.”
But mostly, this is an emotional wallop of a show, lurching from one gut-wrenching trauma to another.
Comedian Alex Brooker, born with four deformed limbs, tells of his experience of being under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital for his entire childhood.
Broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire talks about dealing with her breast cancer diagnosis.
Actor Adrian Lester tells the difference one doctor made to his struggles with asthma.
Shirley Ballas reveals how her dance career was nearly over before it began, and TV presenter Katie Piper says: “I spent most of my 20s with the NHS, they were my boyfriend!” And that’s just to mention a few... grab a box of tissues for this one.