BEST OF THE REST
BRITAIN BY BARGE: THEN & NOW
Channel 5, 9pm
FOR some relaxed Friday night viewing, there’s nothing more gentle than this extremely British tour of our canals.
Wildlife expert Bill Oddie, royal correspondent Jennie Bond, journalist Anne Diamond and record producer Pete Waterman jump aboard a barge to float along three of Britain’s most famous waterways – the Leeds to Liverpool, the Forth and Clyde and the Grand Union.
Jennie is keen on the history, Anne is excited to meet people along the way, while Pete loves anything mechanical and Bill will be bird-watching.
After a quick tour of their cramped living conditions, they begin their journey on the Leeds to Liverpool canal.
Along the way, an entertaining tour guide shows them businessman Titus Salt’s model town near Bradford, that aimed to improve conditions for his workers back in the 1800s.
A lock-keeper shows them Bingley Five Rise Locks, the steepest canal staircase in the country at 320ft.
And everything finishes in Coventry with some old canal music.
THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW
BBC1, 10.35pm
EXPECT shrieking in the audience as singer, actor and producer Justin Timberlake, pictured, takes up a spot on the red sofa tonight.
Alongside him is Oscar-nominated Anna Kendrick. The pair are co-starring in the animated sequel to the hit Trolls movie – Trolls World Tour, out in UK cinemas next month.
Graham will also be chatting to Strictly star and TV coach Oti Mabuse, who will be talking about all things The Greatest Dancer.
Top comedian Alan Carr completes the line-up to talk about his UK stand-up tour ‘Not Again, Alan!’ this autumn.
And bringing music and chat to round off the evening is singersongwriter Sam Smith.