Friday night brings a mix of treachery, travel and tribute. The Traitors continues to dominate BBC One with its castle-based paranoia, while BBC Two launches Monty Don’s new gardening series along the Rhine. For something completely different, David Baddiel celebrates cats on Channel 4, and BBC Four pays tribute to David Bowie ten years after his death.
Quick Picks: Tonight’s Best
- The Traitors – BBC One, 8pm – More betrayal in the Highlands
- Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens – BBC Two, 8pm – Brand new series
- David Baddiel: Cat Man – Channel 4, 8pm – Feline appreciation
- David Bowie Tribute – BBC Four, 11pm – Ten years on
Early Evening (5pm – 8pm)
Blue Peter – CBBC, 5pm
Gladiators Apollo and Electro visit the studio for a special edition, which should get the kids excited. Followed by Gladiators: Epic Pranks if you want to keep the theme going.
Would I Lie to You? – BBC One, 7:30pm
David Mitchell’s interrogation skills are getting rather intense these days. Lee Mack has to remind him at one point that he’s not actually playing Ludwig, the detective character from his recent drama. Tonight’s guests include Gary Wilmot, who claims he once rescued a man trapped in a wheelie bin, Henning Wehn with a tale of fleeing an aircraft, and Martine McCutcheon recounting an apparently mortifying underwear situation with Hugh Grant on the set of Love Actually. Whether any of this actually happened is anyone’s guess.
Prime Time (8pm onwards)
The Traitors – BBC One, 8pm ⭐
Claudia Winkleman’s game of deception rolls on from the Scottish castle, where contestants continue the nightly ritual of trying to identify who among them is secretly bumping off the competition. By this stage, everyone’s suspicious of everyone else, alliances are shifting by the hour, and the Faithfuls are probably starting to realise that trusting anyone was a terrible idea. The Traitors Uncloaked follows at 9pm with Ed Gamble picking over the latest casualties.
Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens – BBC Two, 8pm
A treat for anyone who enjoys watching beautiful gardens while someone knowledgeable explains what makes them special. Monty begins a three-part journey following the River Rhine through Switzerland, Germany and France, examining how the great waterway has shaped the horticulture of the communities along its banks. He visits an alpine garden at Schatzalp in Switzerland, sees a rose display that looks nothing like what you’d find in an English garden, explores an arboretum and a historic herb garden, and discovers something called a dog garden, which is apparently a real thing. The highlight is learning about Zurich’s rooftop rewilding scheme, designed to bring wildlife back to urban spaces and tackle climate change. There’s a lot packed into one hour, but it’s enjoyable throughout.
Tom Read Wilson’s Magnificent Journey – Channel 5, 8pm
The final episode of this short travel series, and Tom’s taking a vintage Lancia through Tuscany. He’s particularly affected by Florence, standing open-mouthed before the cathedral and describing the experience in typically theatrical fashion. If you’ve enjoyed his enthusiastic approach to beautiful scenery over the past few weeks, this is a fitting conclusion. An antidote to blokey travel shows where the presenter pretends not to be moved by anything.
David Baddiel: Cat Man – Channel 4, 8pm
A new documentary for anyone who prefers cats to dogs. Baddiel’s a devoted cat person and has gathered fellow enthusiasts including Jonathan Ross, Ricky Gervais, Lou Sanders and Josh Widdicombe to discuss why felines are superior. There’s a visit to Larry, the Downing Street mouser, and Frank Skinner turns up to argue the opposing view, despite once co-owning a cat called Chairman Miaow with Baddiel. Expect kitten yoga and some genuinely fond tributes to remarkable cats.
Mystery Road: Origin – BBC Two, 9pm
The second series of this Australian crime drama continues. Indigenous detective Jay Swan, played with quiet determination by Mark Coles Smith, is investigating both a missing seven-year-old and the suspicious death of an elderly nun in the outback town of Loch Iris. The local police seem determined to write everything off as accidents, which naturally makes Jay more suspicious. His own brother is getting tangled up in trouble too. Atmospheric stuff with stunning desert landscapes. The full series is on iPlayer.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown – Channel 4, 9pm
A new series of the comedy panel show that somehow works despite mashing together two completely different formats. Jimmy Carr hosts as always.
Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job – BBC One, 9:30pm
Amanda Holden and Alan Carr are supposedly renovating their Corfu property, though they seem to spend more time on excursions than doing actual DIY. This week they’re tackling a children’s room, which involves meeting Gerald Durrell’s widow Lee for inspiration, volunteering at a donkey sanctuary, and braving water slides. Amanda’s mum Judy makes an appearance and turns out to be equally commanding. The builders do most of the real work while the presenters provide entertainment.
Taskmasterclass – Channel 4, 10pm
If you haven’t had enough Taskmaster yet, here’s a compilation special featuring memorable moments from across the show’s history. Greg Davies and Alex Horne provide new commentary, reflecting on classic tasks involving tree wizards, balloons on forks, and sitting on cakes. Most of these clips are on YouTube anyway, but the fresh observations add something.
The Graham Norton Show – BBC One, 10:40pm
Erin Doherty and Martin Freeman are tonight’s guests. Olivia Dean performs.
Late Night
David Bowie Tribute – BBC Four, 11pm
A decade since David Bowie died, just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of Blackstar. BBC Four marks the anniversary properly with over three hours of programming. First up is Bowie at the BBC, compiling performances and interviews spanning his career from 1964 onwards, including appearances on Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test. At midnight there’s David Bowie at the BBC Radio Theatre, an intimate concert from 2000. Then at 1am, David Bowie: Finding Fame, the final part of Francis Whately’s documentary trilogy examining different periods of Bowie’s artistic evolution. Essential viewing for fans.
Lollipop – BBC Two, 11pm
Posy Sterling won a British Independent Film Award for her performance in this 2024 social drama, and it’s easy to see why. She plays Molly, a young mother trying to regain custody of her children after serving time in prison. The system isn’t making it easy. There’s warmth amid the difficulty though, particularly in Molly’s reunion with an old friend, played by newcomer Idil Ahmed. Their bond gives the film its emotional core.
Sport
Snooker: The Masters – BBC Two/BBC Four, various times
Quarter-final action continues from Alexandra Palace. Coverage on BBC Two from 1pm and 7pm, with BBC Four picking up at 8pm. Also on TNT Sports.
Golf: Dubai Invitational – Sky Sports, 7:30am
Day two from Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
Cricket: Under-19 World Cup – Sky Sports, 11:30am
England face Pakistan in Harare.
The Viewing Schedule
| Time | Channel | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00pm | CBBC | Blue Peter |
| 7:30pm | BBC One | Would I Lie to You? |
| 8:00pm | BBC One | The Traitors |
| 8:00pm | BBC Two | Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens |
| 8:00pm | Channel 5 | Tom Read Wilson’s Magnificent Journey |
| 8:00pm | Channel 4 | David Baddiel: Cat Man |
| 9:00pm | BBC One | The Traitors Uncloaked |
| 9:00pm | BBC Two | Mystery Road: Origin |
| 9:00pm | Channel 4 | 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown |
| 9:30pm | BBC One | Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job |
| 10:00pm | Channel 4 | Taskmasterclass |
| 10:40pm | BBC One | The Graham Norton Show |
| 11:00pm | BBC Four | David Bowie Tribute |
| 11:00pm | BBC Two | Lollipop |
What’s On Streaming
BBC iPlayer: The Traitors (full series), Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens, Mystery Road: Origin (full series), Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job, Lollipop
Channel 4 streaming: David Baddiel: Cat Man, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Taskmasterclass
My5: Tom Read Wilson’s Magnificent Journey
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is The Traitors on tonight?
The Traitors is on BBC One at 8pm tonight (Friday 16th January 2026), followed by The Traitors Uncloaked at 9pm.
What’s the best thing to watch on TV tonight?
Our top pick is The Traitors on BBC One at 8pm – Claudia Winkleman’s game of treachery continues with paranoia levels rising by the day.
Is EastEnders on TV tonight?
No, EastEnders is not on tonight. The soap airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. You can catch up on recent episodes via BBC iPlayer.
What’s on BBC Two tonight?
BBC Two’s highlights include Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens at 8pm (new series), Mystery Road: Origin at 9pm, and the film Lollipop at 11pm.
What channel is the David Bowie tribute on?
BBC Four is showing a David Bowie tribute night from 11pm onwards, marking ten years since his death with archive performances, a 2000 concert and documentaries.
Final Verdict
A strong Friday lineup. The Traitors remains essential viewing for anyone who enjoys watching people become increasingly paranoid, while Monty Don’s new gardening series offers a gentler alternative for those who’d rather see beautiful plants than psychological warfare. David Baddiel’s cat documentary is worth a look if you’re a feline fan, and the David Bowie tribute on BBC Four is unmissable for anyone who grew up with his music. Stay up for Lollipop if you want something more substantial – Posy Sterling’s award-winning performance deserves the attention.
