TV & Radio
Highlights and listings
DOCUMENTARY The Unbelievable Story Of Carl Beech
Carl Beech’s allegations that he had been sexually abused by a group of prominent men in the 1970s and 80s rocked Britain. They became frontpage news in 2014, when Beech went public, triggering a £2 million police investigation – Operation Midland.
This new documentary by Vanessa Engle tells the jaw-dropping story. It is constructed using Beech’s own words, taken from media and police interviews and from his blogs. There are also exclusive interviews with those who were close to the story at the time, including his ex-wife and Lord Brittan’s widow.
Allegations the police acted on in the post-savile era included that he had witnessed Lord Bramall, Harvey Proctor, and Lord Brittan, who had recently died, murder three young boys. In response, the Met coordinated raids on their homes searching for evidence of murder.
A year later, the Met closed down Operation Midland, having identified no murder victims and made no arrests. But the story did not end there, and Beech soon became a suspect. Analysis of his electronic devices revealed that he had downloaded several hundred pornographic images and had photographed and made videos of young boys. After fleeing to a house he bought in Lapland, he was extradited to the UK in May 2019. After a nine-week trial, where his many lies were exposed, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 years. Monday, BBC2, 9pm
ENTERTAINMENT Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
What started as a way for Paul Whitehouse to get his friend Bob Mortimer outside and re-engaging with life after heart surgery, has turned into one of the surprise hits of the BBC schedules. Each week the pair fish a different river and chat about not very much and everything. Whitehouse is a keen and experienced fisherman, and Mortimer pretty hopeless, but he does pick the accommodation and serve up a heart-healthy meal in the evening. The third season begins with the pair fishing for salmon on the River Tweed, beginning their trip at the Bemersyde Estate before moving on to the Bridge Pool at Kelso. Tomorrow, BBC2, 8pm
COMEDY
Harry Hill’s World Of TV
Harry Hill is returning to the BBC for a new series for the first time since 1997. Made by his own production company, each week the comedian offers his unique take on different TV genres, beginning with a guide to the history of soap operas.
Tomorrow, BBC2, 8:30pm
DOCUMENTARY George Clarke’s National Trust Unlocked
While all National Trust properties were closed as part of lockdown, architect and broadcaster George Clarke was granted access for this six part series celebrating some of the nation’s treasures, beginning in Dorset.
Tomorrow, Channel 4, 9pm
INVESTIGATION The Truth About Cosmetic Treatments
The cosmetic industry is worth an estimated £3billion, but the sector is almost unregulated in the UK.
In this two-part series medical journalist Michael Mosley teams up with blogger and journalist Mehreen Baig to scrutinise the science and safety of cosmetic treatments – and put them to the test.
In the first episode. Mehreen finds out what a surgery-free nose job involves – and if it really works. She also follows an experiment that pits three skin tightening treatments against each other: microneedling, CO2 laser and collagen supplements. Meanwhile, Michael investigates the dangers of unregulated injectable fillers. ■
Tuesday, BBC1, 8pm