This week's TV: War Hero in My Family and more

Submitted by mattelton

Tue, 2011-04-12 09:29

This week's
TV & radio
26 April – 1 May

Pick of the week

War Hero in My Family

Tuesday 1 May, 8pm Channel 5

This new series can essentially - if a little glibly - be described as Who Do You Think You Are? with a purely military bent, as celebrities set out to explore the war records of their parents and grandparents to uncover their previously undisclosed experiences. Of course, that's exactly what they do discover (because otherwise the title would be reaching somewhat), but the unsung nature of these tales goes a long way to highlight the fact that our forebears often did keep their wartime memories to themselves. This opening episode follows Chris Tarrant and, on a break from her Heir Hunters hosting duties, Lisa Faulkner.

Also this week Long Lost Family

Thursday 26 April, 9pm ITV/STV/UTV

The reasons that families break up, and the ways in which they reunite, continue to be the themes of this compelling series fronted by Nicky Campbell and Davina McCall. It can, at times, be a difficult watch - this week, for instance, features the story of two people hunting for their birth mothers - but there are glimmers of happiness among the heartbreak.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Thursday 26 April, 10pm Yesterday

A solitary classic instalment of WDYTYA? to enjoy this week after last weekend's deluge, and it's one that divides opinion: the 2009 episode featuring Sex and the City actor Kim Cattrall. For my money, the decision to take a break from the tree-climbing - in a genealogical sense - and focus on the story of a single individual offers a refreshing change, as the impact of one man's decisions are explored in often poignant detail.

The Listening Project

On radio and online; more details here

BBC Radio has teamed up with the British Library to launch this intriguing new project, in which people from around the UK are being encouraged to record the conversation that they've always wanted to have with a friend or family member. Some of the resulting stories are already available to listen to online, and Fi Glover offers a weekly omnibus on Sunday at quarter to three.

Words | Matt Elton

WDYTYA: Forum