MUST-SEE SHOWS
BIG STAR’S LITTLE STAR
Tonight, ITV, 7pm EVER been embarrassed by your kids choosing a particularly inopportune moment to loudly blurt out one of your most mortifying secrets? Then you’ll no doubt admire the bravery of the celebs who are willing to appear on this series.
Stephen Mulhern gets the inside scoop on the lives of famous faces, courtesy of their children. The stars taking part in the first episode of the new run include former X Factor finalist and TV personality Stacey Solomon and her nine-year-old son Zachary; actor John Thomson and his daughter Sophia, age seven, and presenter Jenny Powell and her eight-yearold daughter Pollyana.
TRAVELS IN TRUMPLAND WITH ED BALLS Tomorrow, BBC2, 9pm
IF ANY former British politician knows about the power of reality TV, it’s Ed Balls – the former Shadow Chancellor’s public profile soared after he did the salsa to Gangnam Style on Strictly Come Dancing.
But it seems he still has some questions about how the former US Apprentice star, Donald Trump, rose to become President. With that in mind, Ed is heading to America’s Deep South to immerse himself in the lives of the people who put Trump in power. It’s a trip that takes him to the Rednecks with Paychecks festival, one of the ultimate celebrations of Southern Pride, but he also finds a much less stereotypical Trump supporter in the form of Mexican Mardha, who crossed the border illegally 20 years ago.
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Monday, BBC1, 9pm STRICTLY Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas investigates a family story that said her maternal greatgrandmother abandoned her husband and children for a more exciting life in America, and what she discovers casts her relative in a completely new light. The ballroom dancer and teacher also pursues a rumour that she has black ancestors on her father’s side.
LONG LOST FAMILY
Tuesday, ITV, 9pm GROWING up, Barbara Jacobs always believed that she was one of three children. It was not until she reached her 20s that she made a discovery which would change her life. Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell investigate her story.
THE REAL MARIGOLD HOTEL
Wednesday, BBC1, 9pm PART of the joy of watching this series lies in not just seeing how the celebrities cope with life in a different culture, but also how they get on with each other.
This year’s run features people you wouldn’t previously have thrown together – what will former newsreader Selina Scott talk about with Ian and Janette Tough, aka The Krankies, for instance? You would, however, imagine that Selina will buddy up with actress Susan George and Stephanie Beacham.
They will be rubbing shoulders with ex-jockey Bob Champion, comedian Syd Little, ex-EastEnders star Peter Dean and writer Stanley ‘father of Boris’ Johnson.
MEET THE DRUG LORDS: INSIDE THE REAL NARCOS
Thursday, Channel 4, 9pm FORMER Special Forces soldier Jason Fox travels through South America, investigating the cartel strongholds of Mexico, Colombia and Peru to lift the lid on their brutal worlds.
What kind of lives do their members have, what does their work involve and how do they continue to evade the law? Jason begins in Mexico, where he meets members of the Sinaloa cartel.
CELEBRITY 5 GO CARAVANNING
Friday, Channel 5, 8pm ACTORS Colin Baker, Sherrie Hewson and Brian Capron, DJ Tony Blackburn and pop star Sonia embark on the second leg of their Cornwall odyssey.
The boys make a detour to the picturesque fishing village of Polperro, whilst the girls decide to cycle the Camel trail.
Later the gang reunites and heads to Helston to compete in a pilot gig racing challenge and enjoy a celebratory ice-cream to mark the end of their journey.
Last in the series.