BBC REVEAL APRIL AND MAY PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
The BBC have revealed new and returning programming coming to its portfolio of channels in April and May.
MASTERCHEF
The MasterChef arena opens its doors for the first of five heats, welcoming 58 amateurs from all over the UK to take on the challenge. The first six hopefuls arrive with their sights set on one goal: to win one of the four exclusive MasterChef aprons that secure their place in the competition. Those that make it will head straight back into battle, as only the best reach the quarter-final.
RACE ACROSS THE WORLD
Eastern Asia is this year’s route, and the five intrepid duos will battle it out in a breath-taking 15,000 kilometres race across several countries. From northernmost Japan, they will cross six seas and eight borders, skirting the path of the volcanic ring of fire - the most geologically unstable region on the planet to reach the finish line in Lombok, an idyllic Indonesian island paradise.
BLUE LIGHTS
An authentic, gripping and darkly funny drama about ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. Series one which aired in March last year, followed three new PSNI probationary recruits as they navigated their way through their first few months in a uniquely complex place to be a response police officer. It was recently commissioned for two more series.
THE RESPONDER
The first series of The Responder held a mirror up to the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing – sometimes darkly funny, sometimes painfully tragic, always challenging. Released on the BBC in January 2022 it attracted 9.6m viewers (episode one 28-day figure), making it one of the year’s biggest new dramas. Sold in over 195 territories, with Fremantle handling global distribution, it fast became one of the biggest dramas of 2022.
DOCTOR WHO
The new season will see Ncuti Gatwa return as the Fifteenth Doctor, alongside Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, it comes after they made their highly acclaimed debut on Christmas Day in The Church on Ruby Road. Within the upcoming series, audiences will see the Doctor and Ruby travel through time and space on adventures to unknown lands, to the Regency era in England, to outer space worlds and the sixties.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
The contest itself will take place in Malmö, Sweden following the country's victory at the 2023 contest with the song "Tattoo" by Loreen. Sweden are guaranteed a place in the final due to their victory at last year’s contest, alongside the Big Five countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy) meaning the United Kingdom does not have to qualify from the semi-final stage of the competition and will gain automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final.
GRANITE HARBOUR
Centring on the story of RMP Sergeant Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson) who arrived in Aberdeen as a new recruit to Police Scotland working alongside DS Lara ‘Bart’ Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson). The second series will see Lindo and Bart called to the harbour to investigate the origins of a new crime wave sweeping the city.
I KISSED A GIRL (TBC)
In this bumper ten part series, 10 single girls are matched up, and meet for the first time...with a kiss. No chat. No messages. Just one kiss to test their chemistry straight away. Will their kiss be sweet and pure? Passionate and wild? And ultimately, will that first kiss lead to love? Let's find out as Dannii Minogue throws open the doors to a beautiful location perfect for the ultimate summer of love.
AVOIDANCE
Jonathan (Romesh Ranganathan) is back and he’s reinvented himself. He may have a new body, a new hobby, and a lot of lycra, but he’s still stuck avoiding conflict and all the mess that causes. Jonathan is determined to win back his ex-partner Claire (Jessica Knappett) and rebuild his family and make son, Spencer (Kieran Logendra) happy.
CELEBRITY BRIDGE OF LIES
Back for a second eight-part series, Celebrity Bridge of Lies will once again see much-loved actor and presenter Ross help steer teams of celebrities across the interactive bridge on the studio floor. But they’ll have to be careful to step on the truths and avoid the lies, or they’ll risk falling off and out the game and could go home empty-handed.
HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU Ian Hislop, Paul Merton and a who's who of hosts welcome a gaggle of guest panellists to find the funny in the week's big stories.