skip to main content

What's on? 10 top TV and streaming tips for Thursday

Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber

Who Do You Think You Are? returns with a look at the family tree of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ben Zand investigates The Secret War of Boy Racers, and there are the finals of Taskmaster and MasterChef . . .

Pick of the Day

Who Do You Think You Are? 9.00pm, BBC One

The long-running ancestry show returns for a new run with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber under the generational microscope.

He knows he comes from a musical family, including virtuoso cellist brother Julian, but he is curious as to where his showbusiness genes and love of musical theatre come from.

By following his mother's line, Andrew soon uncovers a certain Uncle Peregrine, who played a key role under Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.

On his father's side, Henry Simmonds was a missionary who dedicated his life to helping the poor and needy.

Andrew is astonished to uncover stories that uncannily parallel his own life, including an ancestor with a famous cello-playing brother.

Don't Miss

Bros, 8.00pm, Sky Cinema Premiere

This is a rarity - a comedy romance about a gay couple - starring Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane.

Podcaster Bobby Lieber embraces his role as curator of the first National LGBTQ+ History Museum in America.

During the launch party of a new gay dating app, where men chat about their favourite actresses before they hook up, Bobby locks eyes with handsome jock Aaron Shepard.

Despite obvious differences, the men awkwardly navigate a no-strings relationship.

Hustlers, 9.30pm, RTÉ2

Here’s a pretty good comedy crime drama, starring Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Lizzo and Cardi B.

Strip club employees band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients, drugging stock traders and CEOs who visit the establishment then running up bills on their credit cards.

Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, 10.00pm, Channel 4

As the curious copulating series continues, married couple Tom and Kirsty are looking to try new things.

With Kirsty's support, Tom wants to sexually experiment with another man but having no previous experience with men leaves him worrying the fantasy won't live up to the reality.

Meanwhile, childhood sweethearts Natalie and Tom continue their stay at the retreat and find themselves with a final chance to have a threesome with resident Precious, but Natalie's insecurities could prove an insurmountable barrier.

New or Returning Shows

Untold: The Secret War of Boy Racers, 11.05pm, Channel 4

Ben Zand (below) investigates the secretive world of the UK's new boy racers and rides along as they reach terrifying speeds, such as 170mph races on public motorways in the dead of night.

He meets those running social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers viewing extreme, dangerous and even illegal driving, and heads to car meets across the UK.

He witnesses first-hand how some of this new generation of car enthusiasts revel in a game of cat-and-mouse with police.

The DART: No Ordinary Day, 9.35pm, RTÉ One

Streaming on RTÉ Player

Another chance to see this documentary, which goes behind the scenes of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit electric railway, capturing ordinary and extraordinary days through the experiences of those who work and travel on it.

Featuring the time the system came to a standstill after a delay resulted in passengers mass evacuating from trains and walking along the track, as well as following the team managing the thousands of passengers en route to the Ireland v Armenia match at the Aviva Stadium.

Cluiche as Baile, 9.30pm, TG4

This is all about the diverse group of people making up the small but mighty GAA clubs in various cities across Europe.

As they make friends, learn a new sport and battle for accolades, it is a crucible of adrenaline, teamwork, passion and emotions.

New to Stream

The Days, Netflix

Blamed by some, hailed as heroes by others, those involved with Fukushima Daiichi face a deadly, invisible threat - an unprecedented nuclear disaster.

Ending Today

MasterChef, 8.00pm, BBC One

After an arduous eight-week journey, the search for the UK’s best amateur cook reaches its climax as the final contenders push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

This is their very last chance to pull out all the stops, show everything they've learned along the way and demonstrate the kind of cook they have become.

They must produce the best three dishes of their lives, push their culinary boundaries and deliver jaw-droppingly good food as they vie to lift the trophy and become the 19th MasterChef champion.

Taskmaster, 9.00pm, Channel 4

The grand final finds courageous contenders Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin fighting to gain the most points to win Greg Davies's golden head.

For their last act, they contemplate using a hose, create something soothing for two very specific professions and have an incredibly intense game of face-changing chess with Alex Horne.

But who will reign supreme in this unparalleled gladiatorial arena?

Click here for TV listings

Click here for more TV news

Read Next