From Lily Savage to Ed Sheeran

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW

On this week’s episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, Jonathan is joined by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in his only UK TV interview with an exclusive performance of new single Eyes Closed. Plus, Jonathan chats with singer Michael Bublé, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, musician-turned-actress Lily Allen and comedian Desiree Burch.

Discussing his latest album Subtract singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran tells Jonathan of writing it: “I had a load of stuff happen at the beginning of last year… I made another album over the course of a decade, but then some stuff happened to me at the beginning of last year and I wrote this while that was happening and put the other one to the side. It’s kind of happened in a backwards way.”

Opening up about what was going on, Ed explains: “I feel like, this is the one thing about having adult stuff happen to you, is you realise that everyone else is going through exactly the same thing and I didn’t really talk to anyone about it… You never know what’s going on with someone.”  

Joining by video call from Australia, actor Russell Crowe responds to speculation he’s in talks for Gladiator 2.  He says: “I think when they’re shooting in the colosseum and stuff, I’ll be lying like 6ft underground… you won’t see me, but I’ll be there beneath the ground…” He adds: “I’ve had a couple of dinners with Ridley [Scott] since he embarked on this, we haven’t really talked about what he’s doing. But no, I’m not involved. Maximus has departed the world…” 

Musician-turned-actress Lily Allen discusses why she originally undertook 2:22 A Ghost Story on stage, admitting: “I kind of took this job on because I was full of self-hatred at the time. [I was telling myself] ‘This will be a disaster, I’ll hate it, the reviews will be horrendous’ and I’ll be able to be like, ‘Yes you are a piece of s***’. But actually it was really brilliant and it sold out. I got an Olivier nomination!” She admits: “It was probably the most scary thing I’ve ever done.” 

ITV/UTV/STV, 9.40pm

LILY SAVAGE’S BLANKETY BLANK

In a change to the advertised programme, BBC One will be broadcasting a classic episode of Blankety Blank tonight in memory of presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady. Two members of the public have to fill in the blank or blanks and hope the all-star celebrity panel match with them to win reasonably passable prizes.

In this episode of the game show, with Paul O’Grady as Lily Savage, the guests are Rebecca Callard, Sophie Lawrence, Davina McCall, Sir Ian McKellen, Gray O’Brien and Dale Winton.

At 8.30pm on Channel 5, there is also another chance to see Paul O’Grady: 40 Years of Laughter.

BBC One, 7pm

FORTRESS BRITAIN WITH ALICE ROBERTS

Professor Alice Roberts, Professor Danielle George and Dr Onyeka Nubia tell the story of Britain’s preparation for a Nazi land invasion during World War II, through the physical reminders that remain to this day.

Alice gets up close and personal with a highly volatile anti-tank sticky bomb, as she learns about the rapid deployment of the Home Guard and hears the tragic story of one of the war’s forgotten heroines.

Danielle discovers brutal-looking tank traps hiding in plain sight on the outskirts of Guildford and travels to the Channel Islands to visit the only concentration camp to be built on British soil. And Onyeka studies the detail of Hitler’s invasion plan and descends into the underground world of the ruthless auxiliary units.

Channel 4, 8pm

SHAQ

Featuring a series of revealing interviews with O’Neal, Shaq tells the story of a basketball legend unlike any other, whose larger-than-life personality transcended the sport and transformed him into a cultural icon.

The documentary series chronicles Shaq’s ascent to superstardom, as a dominant force who won four NBA championships, and league MVP honours, and changed the game. It also encompasses his life off the court, from his upbringing in a military family to his deepest personal relationships and prosperous broadcasting and business careers.

SKY Documentaries, all four episodes accessible from today