Lofty aims for a reunion
BRACE yourself for an emotional night in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). It’s the funeral of dear old Doctor Legg and you’ll never guess who’s back for it. Why, none other than Albert Square legend Lofty Holloway. Not only him but also Mary the punk.
You remember Lofty and Mary, surely? Well, possibly not, I suppose, if your memory doesn’t stretch back quite that far, or if you’ve never watched EastEnders in your life, poor you.
Yet these characters, played by Tom Watt (right) and Linda Davidson respectively, were major names for the show’s first three years, from 1985 to 1988, in those days when half the country seemed to watch. Mary formed an unlikely friendship with Dot, while Lofty ended up marrying Michelle Fowler. It’s probably just as well that Michelle’s recent return to Walford was short-lived, because if Lofty bumped into her tonight he’d surely feel obliged to question the wisdom of her head transplant.
He does however bump into Sharon, mind you. “Blimey, I thought you escaped this hellhole years ago,” he sadly doesn’t remark. Also tonight, we have the second round of THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE (BBC2, 8pm). Now, I have to confess, I didn’t quite make it to the end of the opening show so I’m grateful for the recap they give us at the start of tonight’s programme.
Juliet, it turns out, won last week’s Garment Of The Week, or at least one of her garments did, while “Tom’s passion for patterns proved to be his undoing”. I had a dreadful feeling that might be the case.
And the opening challenge this week? Each contestant must produce a hoodie. By that I mean they must create a garment of that name, not pop outside and grab the nearest juvenile delinquent.
Also, it has to be small. Not because the show’s budget is extra-tight this year and they’re being stingy with the material, although there’s possibly that as well, but because this is children’s week, where all the clothes being made are intended for youngsters.
It’s a theme that some of these contestants take in their stride. “They’re just tiny adult clothes, how hard can it be?” remarks Tom. But others, well, you’d think they’d been asked to create clothing for an alien species. “I know nothing about children,” protests Leah.
Before that, in the last in the current run of MY MILLION POUND MENU (Channel 5, 8pm), another three pairs of would-be restaurateurs are competing for a huge, potentially life-changing investment.
One couple, Steve and Claire, have a particularly heartwarming approach, not only making sustainability their priority but also having a real sense of social responsibility.
They’re anxious to give something back to the community, “so one day a month,” says Claire, “we would host a free evening for more vulnerable people.” Now, that’s what I call compassion. And their thoughts, having been the first to pitch to the investors?
“You just hope the other guys mess up. Ha ha!” chuckles Claire.