WHAT’S HOT TO WATCH TODAY
“CAN you imagine what it’s like,” asks a documentary on ITV tonight, “to have a complete double of yourself?”
At which point I gaze at a picture of Vic Reeves and think: “Yeah, pretty much...”
But SECRET LIFE OF TWINS (9pm) is more scientifically specific than that, as the title indicates.
There are more twins being born today than ever before (one pregnancy in every 250 now produces an identical pair), and in this fascinating one-off documentary we get to learn more about the unique and, to be honest, sometimes rather scary bond that many of them share.
One of the most amazing stories is that of South Korean-born Anais Bordier, adopted and raised in Paris, who believed until she was 26 that she was an only child. It was only when a student pal told her about an identical looking woman he’d spotted online, 26-year-old LA-based actress Samantha Futimar, that the extraordinary truth began to come to light. JUST because someone happens to be of advanced years – by which I mean into their 90s or beyond – does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed on the road? In many cases probably yes, but there’s a growing number of defiant pensioners who’d disagree, a selection of whom turn up in 100-YEAR-OLD DRIVERS RIDE AGAIN (8pm, ITV).
They include feisty Leicester veteran Harold, who’s been driving for 81 years and who’s now 96. Although you can’t help but admire Harold’s stubborn refusal to pack it in, the heart-stopping scene where he nearly pulls out into the path of a speeding lorry suggests he should maybe have a rethink if hopes to reach 97.