BEST OF THE REST
WE ARE MOST AMUSED AND AMAZED
ITV, 8pm
IF THERE’S one thing Brits do well, it’s a variety show. So what better way to celebrate the birthday of a royal than with this thoroughly old school spectacular.
In honour of Prince Charles’s 70th birthday – and to raise money for his youth charity The Prince’s Trust – this is a Royal Variety style show packed with music, comedy and magic.
Filmed at the London Palladium (where else?), this promises to showcase the best jaw-dropping illusions from the greatest magicians in the business.
Indeed, topping the bill are Penn & Teller, Dynamo and The Ehrlich Brothers.
Joining them is a cast of comedy giants, including Bill Bailey, Rowan Atkinson, Sandi Toksvig, Omid Djalili, Mischief Theatre and Alistair McGowan.
Expect special appearances from Kylie Minogue, Cheryl and Wallace & Gromit.
The show also reunites comedians Armstrong and Miller, who host the two-hour event.
Alexander Armstrong says: “This is going to be a night from the very toppermost drawer.”
OPERATION LIVE
Channel 5, 10pm
THE squeamish among you may want to look away now. This is surgery, live and er, uncut, excuse the pun.
Using the latest technology and with privileged access to St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital, prepare to witness life-changing operations unfolding before your very eyes.
So if scenes from Holby City make you feel nauseous, this probably isn’t going to be your cup of tea.
If you can stomach it, however, this promises a fascinating insight, with expert commentary and surgeon narration to guide us through.
Crews are using a medically approved multi-camera setup that has never been used in an operating theatre before.
On for three consecutive nights, each programme features one operation.
Tonight it’s an aortic valve replacement. We follow the open-heart surgery from the moment the chest is opened and the heart is stopped, through to the new valve being implanted and the heart restarted.
You might find the whole thing a little heart-stopping yourself.