BEST OF THE REST
THE WEEK THE LANDLORDS MOVED IN BBC1, 9pm
WHEN father and son landlords Peter and Marc walk into one of their rented properties, the dismay is written all over their faces. There’s a smell of mould, the hot tap doesn’t work, the kitchen hobs look dangerous and it’s freezing cold.
This is the reality for 66-year-old Linda, who lives alone in the flat as their tenant. She’s been too afraid to report any maintenance problems for fear of being turfed out and made homeless.
This series challenges some of Britain’s most successful landlords to spend a week living in one of their own rentals, on their tenant’s budget.
In this case, Linda’s weekly budget after bills is £54.12. “That would be a round of drinks for me,” admits 36-yearold Marc. He and his dad Peter, 66, run a property empire worth £7 million.
By contrast, Linda, who has osteoarthritis, works three jobs to make ends meet. To his credit, Marc is soon quite tearful, admitting: “I’ve been living in a bit of a bubble. I pride myself on being a good landlord but I don’t want anyone living here.”
WHERE THERE’S BLAME, THERE’S A CLAIM Channel 5, 9pm
WHEN Leah Washington and Joe Pugh were caught up in the devastating ‘Smiler’ ride crash at Alton Towers in June 2015, the accident would prove to be life-changing.
Leah, then 17, nearly died twice and ended up having her left leg amputated, while Joe, then 18, had both knees smashed so badly he had to learn to walk again.
This documentary, following various compensation claimants, follows the young couple 18 months later as Leah seeks compensation for her injuries.
With prosthetic legs costing thousands, her final claim could run into the millions. But it’s the interview with Leah and Joe that is most compelling here.
Leah recalls: “I felt my knees and I could just feel flesh and bone. I went into shock,” while Joe adds: “I could see blood, bone, flesh, splattered on the carriage in front. I panicked.”
Also in this episode, Harleigh Kay, 17, is chasing a claim after a botched eyebrow tint sent her to A&E. And a man is suing the police after being mistakenly tasered, arrested and held for 17 hours.