It's Thursday, which means we're one day away from the weekend and The Celebrity Traitors is finally revealing who's been lying through their teeth for weeks. Plus Celia Imrie being brilliantly chaotic, as always.

Table of Contents

Quick Picks: Tonight's Best

Early Evening: Pre-Watershed Viewing

The Repair Shop - BBC One, 8pm

Another evening of Jay Blades working miracles on broken family treasures. This week's got a Victorian writing slope and a teddy bear that's seen better days. You know exactly what you're getting - gentle restoration, a few tears, and that warm fuzzy feeling when they reveal the finished piece. It's comfort telly done right.

The Chase - ITV1, 5pm

Bradley Walsh vs four hopefuls vs a Chaser who's far too clever for their own good. The format's been running forever but it still works. There's something deeply satisfying about watching ordinary people take down quiz champions, and Bradley's laugh when contestants say something daft never gets old.

Escape to the Country - BBC One, 3pm

Before Celia Imrie pops up at 3.45pm in The Bidding Room, there's the usual house-hunting in the countryside. Someone's budget is unrealistic, the third property's always the wildcard, and they'll probably choose none of them. But it's harmless viewing if you're working from home and need background noise.

The Bidding Room - BBC One, 3.45pm

Right, THIS is why you tune in today. Celia Imrie's the guest bringing items to flog, and if you know anything about Celia Imrie, you know it's going to be brilliant chaos. The woman's a national treasure with impeccable comic timing - she'll have those antique dealers in knots. Worth catching on iPlayer if you're at work.

Prime Time: Thursday Night Drama (9pm onwards)

⭐ The Celebrity Traitors Finale - BBC One, 9pm

We've reached the endgame. After weeks of round tables, murky banishments, and celebrities trying to backstab each other whilst maintaining their public image, tonight we find out who's been playing us all along.

The celebrity version's been a wild ride - turns out famous people are just as rubbish at lying as the rest of us, they're just more dramatic about it. The accusations have been flying, alliances have crumbled, and someone's definitely been crying in the castle corridors.

Claudia Winkleman's been loving every minute of the carnage in her knitwear, and the final's always where things get vicious. Will the Traitors pull off the con? Will the Faithful finally wake up? Either way, the Twitter meltdown's going to be glorious.

If you've somehow avoided spoilers until now, stay off social media until you watch it. This show's fans are brutal with the live-tweeting.

Better - BBC One, 10pm

Leila Farzad's been killing it as Lou Slack, a bent copper trying to go straight whilst her criminal past keeps dragging her back in. It's gritty, it's tense, and Farzad's performance is the kind that makes you forget you're watching someone act.

Tonight's episode amps up the pressure as Lou's trying to protect her family whilst the walls close in. The show doesn't pull punches - it's dark, morally complex, and asks uncomfortable questions about what you'd do to protect the people you love.

Fair warning: this isn't background telly. You need to pay attention or you'll miss crucial details. But if you're after something with bite after the Traitors chaos, this is your show.

Vigil - BBC One, 9pm (repeat)

If you missed Suranne Jones in this submarine thriller when it first aired, BBC One's giving you another chance. DCI Silva investigating a murder on a nuclear sub whilst dealing with claustrophobia and military secrets? It's tense as hell.

The first series was brilliant - all paranoia and tight spaces and "who can you trust when you're trapped underwater?" vibes. Suranne Jones doesn't miss, and this role's one of her best. The only downside is you'll be checking your locks and looking over your shoulder for days.

The Graham Norton Show - BBC One, 10.45pm

After all that drama and tension, Graham's here with the celebrity chat and wine. No idea who's on the sofa tonight, but Graham could make paint drying entertaining. It's the perfect wind-down - funny stories, a bit of promotion for whatever film's out this week, and someone will definitely get tipsy.

Late Night: For Night Owls

Newsnight - BBC Two, 10.30pm

If you want to know what fresh political chaos happened today, Newsnight's got you covered. It's probably going to be grim (it's always grim), but at least you'll be informed grim.

Later... with Jools Holland - BBC Two, 11.45pm

Jools and his piano, plus whatever eclectic mix of musicians he's rounded up this week. Could be anyone from indie bands to jazz legends to pop stars who've decided they want "credibility." It's hit or miss depending on who's performing, but when it hits, it's magic.

If You're Not Into Reality TV Drama

The Weakest Link - BBC One, 6pm

Anne Robinson asking questions and being witty-slash-savage to contestants. It's quiz show comfort food - you know the format, you know Anne's going to destroy someone's confidence with a single raised eyebrow, and you'll probably shout answers at the telly.

Taskmaster - Dave, 9pm (repeat)

If you fancy a laugh instead of drama, Dave's probably running a Taskmaster repeat. Five comedians doing absurd challenges while Greg Davies judges them and Alex Horne looks perpetually confused. Never not funny.

Grand Designs: The Street - Channel 4, 9pm

Kevin McCloud following people trying to build affordable custom homes. It's all the architectural ambition of regular Grand Designs but with more community drama and budget constraints. Someone's extension is definitely going to annoy the neighbours.

What's on Streaming

BBC iPlayer: Catch The Bidding Room with Celia Imrie if you miss the afternoon slot - it's the lightest viewing you'll get today.

Netflix: The latest true crime doc everyone's talking about, or whatever baking show is currently trending.

Disney+: Probably another Star Wars or Marvel thing. They never stop.

The Viewing Schedule Table

Time Channel Programme What's It About?
3:00pm Quest +1 The Repair Shop Jay Blades fixes treasured items
3:00pm BBC One Escape to the Country Unrealistic house-hunting dreams
5:00pm Challenge The Bidding Room Celia Imrie causes antique chaos
5:00pm ITV1 The Chase Bradley vs the Chasers
6:00pm BBC One The Weakest Link Anne Robinson destroys confidence
6:55pm ITV4 The Chase Celebrity Special Celeb quiz battles
8:00pm BBC One The Repair Shop More restoration magic
9:00pm BBC One The Celebrity Traitors Finale Celebrity finale drama
9:00pm Channel 4 Grand Designs: The Street Community building drama
9:00pm Dave Taskmaster (repeat) Comedians vs absurd tasks
10:00pm BBC One Better Bent copper thriller continues
10:30pm BBC Two Newsnight Today's political chaos explained
10:45pm BBC One The Graham Norton Show Celebrity chat and wine
11:45pm BBC Two Later... with Jools Holland Eclectic music performances

Final Verdict

The Traitors finale is tonight's unmissable event - don't even think about going on Twitter until you've watched it. Better's your serious drama fix for afterwards, and if you're home this afternoon, Celia Imrie in The Bidding Room is worth a watch just for her causing delightful havoc. Solid Thursday night sorted.