Crufts, Gladiators & Bill Bailey’s Vietnam: TV Highlights Today
Crufts 2026 and a Weekend of Entertainment
The nation’s biggest dog show, , kicked off on and continues through at the NEC Birmingham. This year’s coverage features a recent face alongside veteran presenter Clare Balding: The Traitors star Claudia Winkleman. Winkleman expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I’d rather be. I can’t wait to join this incredible team and I’m so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats.”
The event showcases every dog breed imaginable, with thousands competing for the coveted title of Crufts Best in Show. Highlights on , include judging of the best utility and toy dogs, as well as the international freestyle competition featuring nimble heelwork to music. The Scruffts competition, celebrating crossbreeds, will also award prizes for categories like “most handsome” and “golden oldie.”
Revivals and Remembrance on the Modest Screen
Beyond the canine competition, television schedules this weekend offer a diverse range of programming. The revival of Gladiators continues on at 8pm on BBC One. The show’s unexpected success reflects a broader trend of blending sport and entertainment, according to observers. Bradley and Barney Walsh will preside over the latest quarter-final contest.
Bill Bailey’s Vietnam: A 50th Anniversary Reflection
Channel 4 presents Bill Bailey’s Vietnam on at 9pm. This documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, with Bailey traveling to Ho Chi Minh City to explore the profound changes the country has undergone. The program follows Bailey as he explores wartime tunnels and the local metal music scene, guided by KK on a scooter.
Royal History and Family Drama
Also on , Channel 5 will air The Three Kings of 1936 at 9pm. This film re-examines the tumultuous year of 1936, marked by the death of George V, the brief reign and abdication of Edward VIII, and the subsequent ascension of George VI. The documentary utilizes archive footage and insights from royal commentators.
Late-Night Talk and Turbulent Relationships
For those staying up late, The Jonathan Ross Show airs at 9.45pm on ITV1. Ross will be joined by actors Kurt Russell and Tim Roth, as well as David Byrne, Sara Pascoe, and Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Meanwhile, BBC One will broadcast The Walsh Sisters at 10pm, continuing the dramatic story of Anna as she grapples with grief and guilt following a crash, and confronts her sister Rachel about her struggles with alcohol.
Film Choice: A Post-Apocalyptic Struggle
Prime Video offers Worldbreaker, a post-climate breakdown thriller. The film depicts a future where humanity is threatened by insectoid creatures known as Breakers. Luke Evans and Billie Boullet star as a father and daughter attempting to survive, while Milla Jovovich leads an all-female army. The film focuses on the coming-of-age story within the survival narrative, with Evans delivering his lines with a Welsh lilt.
Brief History of a Family: A Chinese Psychological Drama
BBC Four will air Brief History of a Family at 10.40pm. This Chinese psychological drama, described as having hints of Parasite, explores the unsettling dynamics of a family infiltrated by a mysterious young man. The film raises questions about motives and the potential for hidden agendas.
Live Sport: A Full Schedule
Sports fans have a busy weekend ahead. Channel 4’s coverage of the Winter Paralympics begins on with Neil Simpson defending his super-G title. ITV1 will broadcast the Women’s World Cup Football qualifier between England and Iceland at noon. Rugby fans can tune into the Six Nations match between Scotland and France on BBC One at 1pm, followed by Italy v England on ITV1 at 3.35pm. Football continues with the FA Cup tie between Wrexham and Chelsea on BBC One at 5.30pm, and Mansfield v Arsenal on TNT Sports 1 at 11am, with Newcastle v Man City at 7pm. Finally, Formula One enthusiasts can catch the Australian Grand Prix live from Melbourne on Sky Sports Main Event at 3.55am.