TELLY PICKS
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Olly Alexander’s Road to Eurovision ‘24
Tuesday, BBC1. 10.50pm
When it was announced last year that Olly Alexander would be the UK’S representative for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, it seemed like a win-win situation.
The UK was getting a singer with a proven track record – as the frontman of Years & Years, he’d scored two number one UK albums and 10 UK Top 40 singles – while for Olly, it was the chance to start a new era in his career by ful lling a lifelong dream.
The star, who says he’s loved watching Eurovision since he was a little kid says: “I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and y the ag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!
“I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!”
His track, Dizzy was unveiled in March and Olly says: “I wrote the song last summer with Danny L Harle, we started o with the word ‘Dizzy’ because it just popped into my head and I liked it. I was thinking about fun things that could make you dizzy and I remember saying ‘dizzy from your kisses’ so the song is about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out.”
Since then, he’s been caught up in a promotional whirlwind, which has even included a cameo in his mum’s favourite TV programme, Eastenders.
But has the experience been as joyous as Olly hoped? On the same night that he takes to the stage for Eurovision semi- nal (although as the UK is one of the so-called ‘Big Five’, he’s already guaranteed a spot in Saturday’s nal), this documentary explores his journey.
It follows him as he juggles press attention and performs at Eurovision pre-parties in Madrid and London, all while preparing for the big event at the Malmo Arena in Sweden.
Suits Friday, BBC1, 11.10pmy
This legal drama was a decent hit when it rst aired in the USA between 2011 and 2018, but it’s gone on to enjoy a hugely impressive afterlife.
Not only did the series get a major pro le boost when one of its stars, a certain Meghan Markle, went on to marry royalty, but it also found a new audience on streaming services, becoming one of the biggest shows in the world.
Now, newcomers can nd out why as the BBC brings us Suits from the beginning as college drop-out Mike Ross gets a job at a Manhattan law rm.
Bodkin
From Thursday, Net ix
This new seven-part dark comedy thriller stars US actor Will Forte, who is best known for a long stint on Saturday Night Live and the sitcom The Last Man on Earth, which he created and took the lead role in.
Here he plays Gilbert Power, an American podcaster who travels to Ireland in a bid to
nd out more about his roots. On arriving in the seemingly idyllic coastal town of Bodkin, he joins forces with other investigators to delve into the place’s secret past.
However, their questions about the mysterious disappearance of three people only seem to inspire more queries than answers.
What’s more, separating fact from ction becomes increasingly di cult.
Siobhan Cullen, Robyn Cara and David Wilmot co-star.
Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir
Wednesday, Sky Arts, 9pm
The couple returns to visit more places around Britain, creating original pieces of art and celebrating a species of bird native to that region.
They begin by seeking out an iconic pair of nesting peregrine falcons at Battersea Power Station in London with help from The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins and photographer Mary Mccartney.
Future locations include Chatsworth Estate, Wrexham, Dublin, the Scottish Highlands and the Antrim Coast, with guests including Nitin Ganatra, Stephen Mangan, Joe Pasquale, Ronni Ancona and Imelda May.