Derek is by far Ricky’s best work to date

THE FINAL episode of Ricky Gervais series Derek had me sobbing into my Doritos last Wednesday night when Derek’s oul da died with Derek by his side drinking whiskey and keeping him company.

This series has been slated by critics far and wide for making fun of people with special needs and whilst I'm not a huge fan of Gervais normally, this series was undoubtedly his best work to date.

Telling the story of Derek a care worker in an old folks home, who has ambiguous special needs himself, the show managed to be funny, touching, witty and poignant all in one go. But for some reason people didn't seem to like it. I think they missed the point. Derek wasn't supposed to be a comedy. It wasn't supposed to be laugh out loud kind of stuff. It was simply telling a story about a man called Derek Noakes.

And there was some funny moments last Wednesday night. Derek went on his first date. He dressed up in his best jumper, slicked his hair down even more and went to a posh restaurant. He and his date discovered a shared love of burping and both tried to eat the warm face cloths they were served to wash their hands.

When he returned to the home, his father who had turned his back on him years before hand and only reemerged recently looking for forgiveness, was on his last legs and Derek sat with him all night telling Hannah in the morning that he had died, but he was ok. What he didn't articulate but meant, was that they had made their peace.

I salute you Mr. Gervais! And Feck the begrudgers!

It's hard to believe Riverdance is 20 years old this year and still as soon as I hear the opening bars, it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The same could be said for Sunday night's Alive and Kicking programme on TV3 - a tribute to Michael Flatley but for completely different reasons!

Very few people remember who won the Eurovision in 1994 (it was Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with Rock and Roll Kids in case you're interested!) but nobody will ever forget the interval performance that was Riverdance and our first glimpse of an amazing dancer who was to change the face of Irish dancing forever.

I could watch Michael Flatley dance all night. He is spellbinding. Not so much when he talks. And with Christine Bleakley grinning inanely at him and laughing at every single word he uttered, it was all I could do not to turn it off.

But it was worth listening to Bleakley laughing like a drain to watch Flatley dance again two decades after Riverdance's spectacular debut. Apparently he has a place in the Guinness Book of Records for being able to tap 35 beats per second and when you see how fast his feet move, you wouldn't doubt it.

He retired a while back, hanging up his dancing shoes forever, or so he said. But a man with an ego his size never really retires and he's back now with a new show - Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games, starring Nadine Coyle (God help us) who plays the Goddess Erin in the production.

For a man of 55, he can throw some shapes!

I've become a little fixated of late with a programme called Meet the Amish on RTE2 where a group of teenagers from the Amish community in America come to Britain to sample life there as an ordinary teenager. The show is made possible by the practice of Rumspringa in which Amish on the cusp of adulthood are given the chance to experience the modern world before making the choice to adopt the traditional values of the Amish faith.

This episode was the last in the series and saw the gang have a last huraaaah in Cornwall with a crowd of surfers who bring them along to a local night club, something they've never experienced before.

The girls are loaned clothes by the English girls who, in fairness to them choose quite modestly but still you can see how uncomfortable they are. Amish girls always cover their hair but one of them, Becky has been persuaded to wear her hair uncovered and down to go to the nightclub.

By the time they get there, the girls are petrified. Becky, who is 19 has never had a boyfriend and cannot comprehend how anyone could have sexual relations outside of marriage. Watching couples writhe on the dance floor is too much for them and they retreat to the house.

It is clear from the programme that they have absolute faith in their religion and their values which is commendable as long as they haven't been brainwashed. These youngsters are so content in themselves, so happy with their lot that you have to wonder is there something in this whole Amish business that's worth looking at? Most of us would love to be that content.

I'm not so sure I could hack the no make up/tv/uncovered hair policy though!

ONES TO WATCH

David Beckham into the Unknown, Monday June 9th, 8.30 pm BBC1

I thought David Beckham went into the unknown years ago when he married Posh Spice but apparently this is a different unknown altogether! This is in fact another one of these programmes that are warming us up for the World Cup in a few weeks time. David Beckham embarks on a trip to Brazil via motorbike, travelling with three of his best friends - Anthony Mandler, world renowned photographer and video director, Derek White an experienced motorbike rider and Dave Gardner, manager and David’s best friend since they were 14 years old. The adventure starts in Rio but the group heads up the Amazon where conditions are basic to say the least.

Finally after almost 800 miles of boat and bike travel they go deep into the jungle to meet the inhabitants of a remote territory where few Westerners have been.

Britain's Got Talent the Live Final, Saturday June 7th 7 pm ITV

I personally won't be watching this because I can't stand the smarmy smugness of Simon Cowell but these sort of programmes do appeal to the masses so don't forget to tune in if you want to see the lucky winner secure a life changing cash prize of £250,000 and a spot on this year's Royal Variety Performance. For the final ten acts go head to head as they try to capture the public's hearts and votes. My money is on Paddy and Nico, the 79 year old salsa dancer and her toy boy partner. You couldn't make it up!

Jamie's Money Saving Meals, Monday June 9th Channel 4, 8 pm

Jamie Oliver shows us once again that being skint shouldn't mean rubbish dinners. In tonight's episode he rustles up a frugal but amazing paella. Crispy Mexican tacos and French Vietnamese banh mi (No I'd never heard of it either!) make perfect midweek suppers. Then out of Sunday's pork leftovers he makes Sicilian meatballs and tasty beans on toast. You gotta love Jamie!