PICKS OF THE WEEK: 26 JANUARY-01 FEBRUARY 2026, WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Our picks of what to watch during the week ahead.

RuPAUL'S DRAG RACE UK VS THE WORLD

Tuesday, BBC Three

It’s back and fiercer than ever! The hugely successful Drag Race UK spin-off returns as RuPaul welcomes elite queens from across the Drag Race world to the UK arena. In this premiere, the queens launch into the Ruruvision Song Contest – a glittering celebration where each queen represents their home franchise on the international stage - complete with cheeky VO from Graham Norton.

TAKE THAT

Tuesday, Netflix

TAKE THAT tells the remarkable story of the UK’s most iconic boy band. Now, in this 3-part limited docu-series, go behind the scenes with Gary, Howard, Mark, Jason, and Robbie as they reveal their personal experiences in a band that captivated millions of fans, playing sold-out shows, topping the charts with 12 huge UK No.1 hit singles and selling over 45 million records worldwide.

 SHRINKING

Wednesday, Apple TV

Shrinking follows a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.

 DRAGONS' DEN

Thursday, BBC One

Dragons’ Den is back in business with a brand new series – and the heat is on. An exciting new line-up of guest Dragons is ready to shake things up in the Den and put Britain’s boldest entrepreneurs to the ultimate test. Cosmetic powerhouse Jenna Meek makes her fiery debut in this episode. The CEO and co-founder of REFY Beauty joins Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman as they grill a fresh wave of hopefuls chasing the deal of a lifetime.

 THE APPRENTICE

Thursday, BBC One

The series starts with a bang as Lord Sugar’s business hopefuls jet off to Hong Kong on a mission to secure nine items at knock-down prices. The teams must juggle unknown geography, tight deadlines and business basics. Lord Sugar has a few surprises in store, and in the end, there are fireworks, and firings, in the boardroom.

 BRIDGERTON

Thursday, Netflix

From Shondaland and Jess Brownell, BRIDGERTON returns for a fairy-tale inspired fourth season. Bohemian second son Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) refuses to settle down, despite pleas to the contrary from matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell). Until — at Violet’s masquerade ball, Benedict is awestruck by a masked, mysterious Lady in Silver.

 THE LAST LEG

Friday, Channel 4

The show sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It Ok? Viewers at home and the live studio audience will be encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement. Once again, our three hosts will attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

 UNDER SALT MARSH

Friday, Sky Atlantic

Created, written and directed by Claire Oakley (Make Up), the six-part series opens as a once-in-a-generation storm rolls in from the sea. Former detective turned teacher Jackie Ellis (Reilly) makes a shocking discovery that reopens the wounds of a three-year-old cold case which cost her both her career and her family’s trust.

Forced to reunite with her estranged police partner Eric Bull (Spall), Jackie is drawn back into an investigation that will shake Morfa Halen to its core. Together, they must confront a community haunted by secrets and fractured by grief, before the incoming storm washes away the evidence forever.

 SECRET GENIUS

Sunday, Channel 4

This six-part series will see people from each of the four regions of the UK come to take part in immersive and ambitious challenges that will test all aspects of their brain power. Celebrating all things cerebral, Alan and Susie will explain the tasks and games -no matter how complex and mind-bending- and encourage viewers to play along and find out if they too have what it takes to be a genius. 

 MOCK THE WEEK

Sunday, TLC

Once again overseeing the mayhem will be Dara Ó Briain. The witty, fast-paced, satirical panel show that turns the week’s news into comedy gold is back bigger than ever, with hour-long episodes packed full of fearless jokes, quick-fire challenges and the chaotic energy fans know and love. Expect razor-sharp, inspired silliness and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as some of the nation’s funniest comedians battle it out to get the biggest laughs.