From wine tasting with a pop star to trying out trends with an EastEnder, the celebs have us covered, as our TV columnist Sara Wallis picks the best telly to watch tonight

From thrilling new dramas and gritty documentaries through to glossy entertainment shows, reality binge-watches, returning series and all the best soaps, there’s always something to keep us glued to the small screen. If you’re wondering what to watch tonight, I’ve handpicked the best of the box, selected from all the traditional networks like BBC and ITV, as well as streamers like Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV.

Tonight, Gary Barlow heads out on a second wine tasting trip, this time in Australia, while Mad Men’s Jon Hamm is the brilliant lead of a dark comedy drama and Natalie Cassidy tries out ice cream makers and teeth whiteners.

See below for my top telly picks.

Top Pick

GARY BARLOW’S WINE TOUR: AUSTRALIA ITV1, 2pm

Who knew when Take That pop star Gary Barlow was chucking jelly around half-naked for a music video that one day he’d be a grown-up sensible wine buff… He’s already taken fans on a tour of South Africa, and some of his fans (yes, me) may have even tried his own brand rosé – now he’s back for a second adventure in Australia. And it’s not easy being a superstar – he had to juggle filming with going on a major tour with bandmates Mark Owen and Howard Donald. Gary says: “The fact that I was in Australia on tour, seeing this great country, seeing the people, playing for them, singing for them, to then go and make a TV show all about where they live, it just felt absolutely perfect.”

Could it be magic? Gary is living the dream in Australia ( 
Image:
ITV)
This time he’s joined by a host of celebrity friends including Dannii Minogue, Tim Minchin, Ronan Keating, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, John Bishop and Andi Peters. Gary will take them to experience the main attractions across the North Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. He also meets chefs and wine producers across the regions to learn more about the process and pairing local wines with the exquisite food on offer. Gary adds: “I was actually worried that it was going to feel like we were making the same show again. Beautiful country, southern hemisphere, gorgeous beaches, vineyards – why wouldn’t it be the same? And I couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t need to worry whatsoever.”

Best of the rest…

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL: BRITAIN’S BEST BUYS? CHANNEL 4, 8pm

EastEnder Natalie Cassidy is the super enthusiastic host of this consumer show, which aims to smash through the hype and find the trends worth spending money on. “Let’s face it, we’re all addicted to shopping, especially online,” says the actress. “With so many talked about must-haves, which ones are worth buying?” With the help of six families, all trying out the so-called wonder products at home, Natalie gets to the bottom of everything from pizza ovens to packing cubes.

In this episode, Natalie discovers the alarming truth about some of the teeth whiteners being marketed online. She also puts the viral Ninja CREAMi to the test against its ice cream maker rivals. And she investigates whether eco shower-heads really can save you money, while also finding out whether barefoot shoes are the route to stronger feet and better posture. These items are splashed all over our socials, but should we splash the cash?

YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS, APPLE TV+

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm is excellent in this edgy and dramatic black comedy about a man whose life is spiralling out of control. He plays Andrew Cooper, known as Coop, a recently-divorced hedge fund manager who is fired in disgrace and resorts to stealing from his neighbours’ homes in the affluent Westmont Village – only to discover that the secrets behind the posh curtains are more dangerous than he could have imagined.

The show begins with Coop waking up soaked in blood – fortunately it’s someone else’s blood, though it’s not great to wake up next to a dead body in someone else’s house. As Coop narrates the episode, he reflects on the “swirling hot mess of my life”, wondering how everything could go so wrong, so fast. Flash back to four months ago and Coop is in bar where he is seduced by a woman nearly half his age – this will be the first of many mistakes that turn this into an entertaining crime caper.

Amanda Peet and Jon Hamm star in the darkly comic Your Friends & Neighbors ( 
Image:
AP)

EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm

Never one to shy away from interfering in other people’s lives, Kim orchestrates a romantic night away for Dawn and Billy. She’s desperately hoping that it’ll get their relationship back on track, but it could be a tall order. Aaron and Steph open up to each other and have a heart-to-heart. The Milligan family is on edge when they receive a bunch of flowers claiming to be from Anthony. Who really sent them? Steph wonders if Anthony could be alive.

CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 8pm

Abi heads to Freshco to get some anti-sickness meds for Kevin. In the car park a handsome man called Carl tries to steal Abi’s parking space causing her to prang her car. Abi loses her temper shouting that her husband has cancer. When Hope hears Sally and Tim talking about fostering and not wanting to look after a child like Hope, she plots her revenge. In the hotel bar, Debbie reads a text from Abi which leaves her confused.