TV Guide UK Tonight: Sat 21 Feb 2026 – Britain’s Got Talent, The Walsh Sisters & Six Nations

Britain’s Got Talent is back. After months of speculation about who would fill Bruno Tonioli’s chair, ITV has landed on KSI — YouTuber, boxer, rapper, entrepreneur and, as of tonight, the newest member of the BGT judging panel. Whether that’s a masterstroke or a gamble depends on your perspective, but one thing is certain: Saturday night television just got a jolt of unpredictability. BBC One counters with a double premiere of its own: Michael McIntyre’s Big Show at 8:15pm followed by The Walsh Sisters at 9:15pm, a darkly funny new drama based on Marian Keyes’ novels starring Louisa Harland. The Six Nations delivers a mouth-watering double header with England hosting Ireland at Twickenham and Wales taking on Scotland in Cardiff, Channel 4 brings the devastating finale of The Great Icelandic Swim and screens Spielberg’s The Fabelmans at 9:15pm, and the Winter Olympics reaches its penultimate day. No Casualty tonight — it’s on a three-week break — but there’s more than enough to fill the gap.

Quick Picks: Tonight’s Best

• Britain’s Got Talent — ITV1, 7pm — Series 19 premiere with new judge KSI
• The Walsh Sisters — BBC One, 9:15pm — New drama premiere starring Louisa Harland (★★★★)
• Six Nations: England v Ireland — ITV1, 2pm — Round 3 blockbuster from Twickenham
• Six Nations: Wales v Scotland — BBC One, 4:30pm — Live from the Principality Stadium
• The Great Icelandic Swim — Channel 4, 8pm — Series finale (★★★★★)
• Michael McIntyre’s Big Show — BBC One, 8:15pm — Crouch & Clancy, B*Witched, Katherine Jenkins
• The Fabelmans — Channel 4, 9:15pm — Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated drama
• The 1% Club — ITV1, 8:25pm — Lee Mack’s logic quiz, Series 5
• Roman Empire by Train — Channel 4, 8:15pm — Alice Roberts and the Etruscans (★★★★)
• The Jonathan Ross Show — ITV1, 9:35pm — Patrick Dempsey, Jack Whitehall & Self Esteem

Six Nations Rugby — Round 3

England v Ireland — ITV1, 2pm (k/o 2:10pm)

The marquee fixture of the weekend. England welcome Ireland to Twickenham for a match that could go a long way towards determining this year’s championship. Steve Borthwick’s side have built serious momentum through the opening rounds, playing with a width and ambition that has silenced the critics who accused them of conservatism under previous regimes. The pack is functioning as a genuine unit, the back three look dangerous every time they touch the ball, and there is a confidence about this England side that has been absent for several years.

Ireland, though, remain Ireland. Andy Farrell’s team may have wobbled in the tournament so far, but they possess the kind of squad depth and big-game experience that makes them dangerous in any fixture. The likes of Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan can produce moments of brilliance that shift the momentum of an entire match. Ireland at Twickenham is never straightforward for the hosts, regardless of form. The atmosphere should be electric.

Wales v Scotland — BBC One, 4:30pm (k/o 4:40pm)

The second match of the afternoon takes us to Cardiff, where Wales host Scotland at the Principality Stadium. Both sides will see this as a fixture they need to win if they are to salvage their championship campaign. Wales have the advantage of home support and the closed roof, which transforms the stadium into a cauldron of noise that visiting teams often find overwhelming. Scotland, however, have shown enough quality in this tournament to suggest they can compete in Cardiff. Finn Russell’s ability to unlock defences with a single pass makes Scotland a threat anywhere, and Gregor Townsend will fancy his side’s chances of breaking down a Welsh defence that has looked vulnerable under sustained pressure. A fascinating contest between two teams who cannot afford to lose.

Winter Olympics 2026 — Day 16

BBC Two has coverage from 9am as the Milano Cortina Games reach their penultimate day. The figure skating gala exhibition brings the skating programme to a spectacular close, with the sport’s biggest names performing exhibition routines free from the pressure of competition. The men’s ice hockey bronze medal game provides the drama, while remaining medal events across multiple disciplines ensure there is still plenty to play for. If you have missed any of the Games, BBC iPlayer’s Olympics Extra streams every sport, and Discovery+ offers comprehensive coverage. With just two days remaining, this is your last chance to soak up the Olympic atmosphere before the closing ceremony tomorrow.

Snooker Players Championship Semi-Finals — Channel 5, from 12:30pm

Channel 5’s coverage of the 2026 Players Championship continues from the Telford International Centre with both semi-finals. This is Channel 5’s first year broadcasting the event, and the best-of-11 format ensures plenty of drama. The final takes place tomorrow.

Early Evening (7pm — 8pm)

Britain’s Got Talent — ITV1, 7pm — SERIES 19 PREMIERE

The biggest launch of the Saturday night calendar. Britain’s Got Talent returns for its nineteenth series, and the headline is not the acts — it is the man sitting in Bruno Tonioli’s old seat. KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji, has built an empire that spans YouTube, boxing, music and energy drinks, and now he adds primetime ITV talent show judge to the CV. It is a bold appointment. At 32, he brings a demographic that BGT has been chasing for years — younger, digitally native, unfiltered. Whether that energy translates to the judging panel or creates friction with the established order of Cowell, Holden and Dixon is the central question of the opening episode.

The format, of course, is unchanged. Acts arrive at the Blackpool Winter Gardens — a venue that gives the auditions a theatrical grandeur the London Palladium sometimes lacked — and perform in front of the four judges and a packed audience. Ant and Dec provide the backstage warmth and the onstage mischief. The audition episodes are always the most entertaining phase of BGT, before the live shows introduce the complications of public voting and ITV scheduling. Tonight’s premiere should offer the usual mix of genuine talent, hopeful dreamers and the occasional act so baffling it loops back around to being compelling. The golden buzzer remains in play.

Simon Cowell has spoken in pre-series interviews about wanting to “shake things up” this year, and KSI is clearly the biggest shake since the show’s inception. Amanda Holden will cry at something. Alesha Dixon will say “you smashed it.” And Cowell will do the thing where he pauses for just long enough to make someone think they have failed before breaking into a smile. Some formulas endure because they work.

Sailing the Shipping Forecast with Rev Coles — Channel 4, 7pm

Reverend Richard Coles continues his charming maritime odyssey through the regions mapped out by the shipping forecast. Coles brings his trademark warmth and intellectual curiosity to encounters with coastal communities whose lives remain shaped by the sea. The pace is deliberately gentle — this is television for unwinding rather than sitting forward — and the scenery is consistently magnificent. A perfect aperitif before Channel 4’s more demanding evening programming.

Gladiators — BBC One, ~7:15pm

The Six Nations rugby overrun pushes Gladiators earlier than its usual 8pm slot tonight, so check your listings carefully. The quarter-finals continue as contenders take on the Gladiators in the arena events that have made this revival series such a success. The physical challenges are genuinely demanding, the Gladiators themselves have become proper Saturday night characters — particularly Legend, whose mixture of intimidation and shameless self-promotion has made him the breakout star — and the Walsh commentary team keeps the energy high throughout. Available on BBC iPlayer if you miss the shifted start time.

Prime Time (8pm onwards)

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show — BBC One, 8:15pm

Series 9 continues with an episode packed with surprises. Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy take on the first-ever couples edition of Remember Me — the segment where McIntyre ambushes celebrities by calling contacts from their phones. B*Witched are duped in Unexpected Star Star, the hidden camera segment that has produced some of the show’s most gloriously awkward moments. Shane Richie and Gillian Taylforth — EastEnders royalty — feature in McIntyre’s TV Takeover, and Katherine Jenkins provides the musical class with a performance that elevates any Saturday night. McIntyre remains a masterful live entertainer, and the format continues to find new ways to surprise both its celebrity victims and the studio audience.

The 1% Club — ITV1, 8:25pm

Lee Mack hosts Series 5 of the logic quiz that has quietly become one of ITV’s most reliable performers. One hundred contestants face questions designed so that only a decreasing percentage of the population can answer them correctly, working from the 90% question down to the near-impossible 1%. Mack’s hosting style — quick, sharp, genuinely funny — elevates what could be a dry format into compulsive viewing. The tension as contestants decide whether to stick or gamble is surprisingly addictive.

The Great Icelandic Swim with Ross Edgley — Channel 4, 8pm — SERIES FINALE

This is the one. Episode three — “Land of the Dragon and Giant” — brings Ross Edgley’s extraordinary 1,000-mile swim around Iceland to its conclusion, and it is one of the most remarkable hours of television you will see this year.

Two months in, Edgley’s body is in open rebellion. The salt wounds that have plagued him since the north coast have worsened. His tongue, ravaged by constant saltwater exposure, makes eating painful and speaking difficult. The physical toll is written across every frame — this is not a man playing at adventure; this is a human being pushing himself to the absolute boundary of endurance.

The route along Iceland’s east coast takes Edgley past the vast Vatnajokull glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap, where the crew learn how accelerating ice-melt could awaken dormant volcanoes beneath the surface. It is a quietly devastating piece of environmental storytelling woven into the larger narrative of the swim. As Edgley pushes southward, the landscape shifts from glacial desolation to the dramatic black sand beaches of the south coast.

And then tragedy strikes. Near Reynisfjara beach — one of Iceland’s most beautiful and most dangerous stretches of coastline, where rogue waves are a constant and lethal threat — a life is claimed. The moment is handled with extraordinary sensitivity by the production team, and it casts a long shadow over the remainder of the episode. Edgley’s decision about whether to continue becomes not just a question of physical capability but of moral reckoning.

At five stars, this is the best thing on television tonight and one of the finest adventure documentaries in recent memory. Edgley’s philosophy — “you just have to be naive enough to start and stubborn enough to finish” — has never felt more poignant than in this devastating, beautiful, unforgettable finale.

Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts — Channel 4, 8:15pm

Episode three takes Alice Roberts to Northern Italy to answer the question posed by its title: “What Have the Etruscans Ever Done for Us?” The answer, as it turns out, is rather a lot. The Etruscans — the sophisticated civilisation that preceded and profoundly influenced Roman culture — left behind a legacy that Roberts traces through archaeological digs, private estates with their own mausoleums and arenas (the kind of access that makes you wonder exactly who Channel 4’s researchers know), and the monumental architecture of Rome itself.

The highlight is Roberts’ encounter with Trajan’s Column, the extraordinary carved monument that tells the story of the Emperor Trajan’s military campaigns in a spiral narrative of over 2,500 figures. Roberts, who has spent a career handling ancient artefacts, is visibly moved by the scale and detail of the carving. The episode also visits the Roman aqueducts — engineering achievements that still inspire awe two millennia later — before concluding in Florence, where the Etruscan influence on Renaissance art becomes strikingly apparent.

Roberts remains one of British television’s finest presenters of history and science. She combines genuine expertise with an infectious enthusiasm that never feels forced, and her ability to make ancient civilisations feel immediate and relevant is a rare gift. At four stars, this is the evening’s quiet gem for anyone who prefers their Saturday night viewing with substance.

The Walsh Sisters — BBC One, 9:15pm — NEW DRAMA PREMIERE

The most anticipated new BBC drama of the winter arrives tonight. Based on the beloved novels by Marian Keyes, The Walsh Sisters follows five Irish sisters — Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen — bound by love, history and a spectacular collective talent for self-destruction. This is not gentle Sunday-evening period drama. It is darkly funny, emotionally raw, and populated by women who feel achingly real.

Louisa Harland leads the ensemble as Anna, and she is exceptional. Best known as Orla from Derry Girls, Harland here demonstrates a dramatic range that marks her as one of the most exciting actors of her generation. Anna’s story anchors the opening episode, but the series weaves between all five sisters, each carrying her own burden of secrets, bad decisions and fierce loyalty to the family unit. Caroline Menton, Stefanie Preissner, Danielle Galligan and Mairead Tyers complete the quintet, with Aidan Quinn and Carrie Crowley as the Walsh parents.

Six episodes, each an hour long. BBC One will air weekly from tonight, but all six episodes drop on BBC iPlayer at 6am this morning — so if you want to binge the entire thing before the TV broadcast, you can. At four stars, this is the drama event of the weekend.

The Fabelmans — Channel 4, 9:15pm

Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama gets its terrestrial TV premiere on Channel 4 tonight. Starring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen, the film follows a young boy growing up in post-war Arizona who discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of cinema can help him see the truth. Oscar-nominated and critically adored, this is Spielberg at his most personal — a love letter to filmmaking, family and the complicated relationship between the two. A quality alternative to the entertainment-heavy offerings on BBC One and ITV1.

Late Night

The Jonathan Ross Show — ITV1, 9:35pm

Series 23 continues with a guest list that should keep the post-BGT audience in their seats. Patrick Dempsey — still best known as McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy but increasingly respected for his work in prestige drama and, improbably, competitive motorsport — joins Jonathan Ross for what should be an entertaining interview. The man has range. Jack Whitehall brings his reliably polished brand of self-deprecating comedy, and musical guest Self Esteem provides a welcome dose of quality to the closing performance slot. Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s critically acclaimed project has graduated from indie darling to mainstream presence, and her live performances are consistently excellent.

Songs Inspired by the Movies at the BBC — BBC Two, 10pm

An archive compilation from the BBC vaults, bringing together classic music performances of songs inspired by films and movie stars. Expect the likes of Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes,” Bananarama’s “Robert De Niro’s Waiting” and Deep Blue Something’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” A gentle, nostalgic watch to wind down the evening.

Match of the Day — BBC One, 10:25pm

Mark Chapman presents highlights from the day’s Premier League fixtures. The usual comprehensive package of goals, talking points and analysis.

Sport

Winter Olympics: Milano Cortina 2026 coverage continues throughout the day on BBC Two and Discovery+. Day 16 — the penultimate day of the Games — features the figure skating gala, men’s ice hockey bronze medal game, and remaining medal events. BBC iPlayer’s Olympics Extra streams every sport.

Snooker Players Championship: Semi-finals from the Telford International Centre on Channel 5 from 12:30pm. Best of 11 frames.

Six Nations Rugby Round 3: England v Ireland (ITV1, 2pm, k/o 2:10pm) and Wales v Scotland (BBC One, 4:30pm, k/o 4:40pm).

The Viewing Schedule

What’s On Streaming

BBC iPlayer: The Walsh Sisters (all 6 episodes from 6am), Winter Olympics live and catch-up, Olympics Extra (every sport), Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Six Nations Wales v Scotland highlights, Gladiators, Match of the Day
ITVX: Six Nations England v Ireland, Britain’s Got Talent Series 19, The 1% Club, The Jonathan Ross Show
Channel 4 streaming: The Great Icelandic Swim (finale), The Fabelmans, Roman Empire by Train, Sailing the Shipping Forecast
Channel 5 / My5: Snooker Players Championship Semi-Finals
Discovery+/TNT Sports: Winter Olympics (full coverage)

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Britain’s Got Talent on TV tonight?

Britain’s Got Talent Series 19 premieres on ITV1 at 7pm tonight (Saturday 21st February 2026). The new series features judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI, with Ant and Dec hosting from the Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Who is the new judge on Britain’s Got Talent 2026?

KSI joins the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for Series 19, replacing Bruno Tonioli. He sits alongside returning judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.

What’s the best thing to watch on TV tonight?

Our top pick for entertainment is the Britain’s Got Talent Series 19 premiere on ITV1 at 7pm — after months of speculation about the new judge, the auditions finally begin. For sport, England v Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham is the must-see match. For documentary fans, The Great Icelandic Swim finale on Channel 4 at 8pm is essential viewing.

What time is the Six Nations on TV today?

There are two Six Nations Round 3 matches today. England v Ireland kicks off at 2:10pm on ITV1, live from Twickenham. Wales v Scotland follows on BBC One with a 4:40pm kick-off from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

What time is The Walsh Sisters on BBC One tonight?

The Walsh Sisters premieres on BBC One at 9:15pm tonight (Saturday 21st February 2026). Based on Marian Keyes’ novels, the six-part drama stars Louisa Harland (Derry Girls), Caroline Menton, Stefanie Preissner, Danielle Galligan and Mairead Tyers as five Irish sisters. All six episodes are also available to binge on BBC iPlayer from 6am.

Is Casualty on TV tonight?

No, Casualty is not on tonight. The show is on a three-week break and returns to BBC One on Saturday 7th March 2026. You can catch up on recent episodes via BBC iPlayer.

What time is Gladiators on tonight?

Gladiators is on BBC One at approximately 7:15pm tonight (Saturday 21st February 2026), moved from its usual 8pm slot due to the Six Nations rugby overrun. Also available on BBC iPlayer.

What time is The Jonathan Ross Show on tonight?

The Jonathan Ross Show is on ITV1 at 9:35pm tonight. Series 23, episode 3 welcomes Patrick Dempsey and Jack Whitehall, with music from Self Esteem.

Final Verdict

A Saturday that delivers on almost every front. Britain’s Got Talent returning with KSI as the new judge is the evening’s headline — whether you love the appointment or loathe it, the audition episodes of BGT remain some of the most reliably entertaining television on the schedule, and the Blackpool Winter Gardens setting gives the whole thing a theatrical grandeur. Ant and Dec are Ant and Dec. Cowell is Cowell. The formula endures because it works, and a new judge is exactly the kind of variable that keeps the opening episode compelling. Over on ITV1, The 1% Club at 8:25pm offers Lee Mack at his sharpest.

BBC One has a strong evening of its own. Michael McIntyre’s Big Show at 8:15pm delivers Crouch and Clancy in the first couples Remember Me, and Katherine Jenkins performing. Then at 9:15pm, The Walsh Sisters arrives — a darkly funny, emotionally raw drama based on Marian Keyes’ novels that feels like the drama event of the winter. Louisa Harland is exceptional as Anna. All six episodes are on iPlayer already if you cannot wait.

Sport dominates the afternoon, and what an afternoon it is. England v Ireland at Twickenham is the Six Nations fixture that could define the championship, while Wales v Scotland in Cardiff promises the kind of ferocious, tight contest that makes the tournament so special. The Snooker Players Championship semi-finals on Channel 5 add another option for sport fans, and the Winter Olympics reaches Day 16 on BBC Two — the penultimate day of the Games, with the figure skating gala providing a final flourish before tomorrow’s closing ceremony.

But the real television event of the evening is on Channel 4 at 8pm. The Great Icelandic Swim concludes with a finale that is, quite simply, astonishing. Ross Edgley’s physical deterioration, the environmental storytelling around Iceland’s glaciers, and the tragedy near Reynisfjara beach combine to create an hour of television that will stay with you long after the credits roll. At five stars, it is the best programme on any channel tonight, and one of the most powerful adventure documentaries in years. Roman Empire by Train at 8:15pm is another Channel 4 triumph — Alice Roberts with the Etruscans at four stars. And at 9:15pm, The Fabelmans gives Channel 4 a hat-trick — Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated autobiography is the perfect late-evening film. The Jonathan Ross Show at 9:35pm closes the ITV1 evening with Patrick Dempsey, Jack Whitehall and Self Esteem, before Match of the Day wraps up the Premier League action at 10:25pm on BBC One.

No Casualty tonight — it returns on 7th March — but with this schedule, you will not miss it.

Related: Friday 20 February 2026 TV Guide | Saturday TV Guide | Sunday TV Guide

Clint Edgar

Clint is a writer and self-proclaimed professional binge-watcher who treats the "Skip Intro" button with the suspicion it deserves. When he isn't dissecting plot holes or getting emotionally invested in fictional characters, you can find him scrolling through streaming queues or arguing about why The Office is a masterpiece. Clint lives in London with a dangerously comfortable couch and a remote control that he guards with his life.