ITV Documentaries
Season 2020
Documentaries broadcast on ITV.
Where to Watch Season 2020
47 Episodes
- The BRITs at 40
E4The BRITs at 40Jack Whitehall narrates a look back at the history of the awards ceremony, featuring archive footage of some of the most memorable moments, from Oasis and Blur's rivalry to Stormzy's attack on the government, and classic performances by Adele, Rihanna and Drake. The programme also recalls less successful moments, from the infamous 1989 ceremony hosted by Mick Fleetwood and Sam Fox, and Madonna struggles with her cape. Featuring interviews with stars including Robbie Williams, Mel B, Mick Fleetwood, Little Mix, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Sharon Osbourne, Bros, Dua Lipa, Rick Astley and Tom Jones. - Our Queen at War
E11Our Queen at War"War made her, it made her closer to people and it made us closer to her because she’s one of us." - Ron Batchelor, Wartime evacuee This new documentary explores how the Queen - yet to be crowned Britain's monarch - was shaped by the events of the Second World War. Drawing on interviews with a childhood friend, people who shared her experiences, and royal experts, this programme looks at how what she called, 'The terrible and glorious years of World War Two,' transformed a teenage princess into the country's longest-reigning monarch. Marking 75 years since the end of the war, the programme chronicles how from meeting the man she would later marry at the age of just 13, to the demands of making a radio broadcast to the Empire, to experiencing the terror of a V-1 bomb, Princess Elizabeth had to grow up fast. Unlike many of her peers who were evacuated abroad, Elizabeth remained in Britain. She was prepared for the throne by studying the British constitution at Eton College, while putting on fund-raising pantomimes at Windsor Castle and worrying about the safety of her parents who remained at Buckingham Palace. By the time she was 16, Princess Elizabeth was inspecting the troops and launching ships while living in a secret location and keeping up with developments in the war by watching weekly newsreels. At the age of 18 the Princess joined the women’s arm of the British Army, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), and became the first female member of the royal family to serve in the armed forces. Royal biographer Jane Dismore says: "The war gave Princess Elizabeth a humanity that she might have taken longer to discover she shared a lot in common with ordinary people in that she saw their suffering, she knew about it. She knew that people looked to her as that new generation, that new generation of hope. " When the end of the War came, on VE day in May 1945, she mingled with the crowds outside Buckingham Palace incognito in her ATS uniform - Captain Tom's WarE12
Captain Tom's WarJust a week after his 100th birthday celebrations, NHS fundraiser extraordinaire and national treasure Captain Tom Moore marks another upcoming milestone in this documentary - 75 years since VJ Day and the end of the Second World War later this summer. He looks back on his time in the brutal Burma campaign and honours the soldiers who fought in what has since become known - with so much focus on the European battlefront and on today's VE Day commemoration - as the 'forgotten war' - Billion Pound Cruises: All At SeaE14
Billion Pound Cruises: All At SeaA new documentary for ITV tells the story of how the biggest global crisis in living memory brought the £120 billion pound lucrative cruise industry to its knees and 100s of ships around the world to a standstill across six extraordinary weeks. - Stephen Lawrence: Has Britain Changed?E16
Stephen Lawrence: Has Britain Changed?The killing of George Floyd in the US triggered global protests, with thousands also taking to the streets in Britain. In light of these events, Rageh Omaar and Anushka Asthana host this live debate to examine racial equality in the UK. They discuss how much has changed in Britain almost three decades after the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence. - Anne: The Princess Royal At 70
E18Anne: The Princess Royal At 70A special documentary marking Princess Anne's 70th birthday, as she talks openly about her life and work, and the reality of growing up as a member of the Royal family. Throughout the programme, Princess Anne talks frankly about a family in which women tended to be seen as 'honorary men', about the challenges for younger royalty, about a bloody kidnap attempt, and about refusing titles for her children, Peter and Zara. - The Day They Dropped the Bomb
E19The Day They Dropped the BombDocumentary marking the 70th anniversary of the day the world's first atomic bomb was detonated above the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Featuring a minute-by-minute account of what happened on that tragic day, through archive footage and interviews with eyewitnesses who rarely speak about their experience of the bombing. Also interviewed is navigator Theodore Van Kirk, who was the last surviving member of the crew who dropped the bomb, before his death in 2014. - Scotland Loves High RoadE20
Scotland Loves High RoadA fresh look at a Scottish classic – celebrating 40 years of Take the High Road. Emma Cameron presents a one off special, looking back on the show and the impact it left behind. It includes some great views of the village of Luss on Loch Lomond and its surrounding area where it was filmed. - The Life & Times of Captain Sir TomE21
The Life & Times of Captain Sir TomFor the first time, Captain Sir Tom Moore reveals his life story and the key events in the amazing century that shaped this stoic, humble and witty Yorkshireman. A profile of the former British Army officer, who captured the hearts of the nation with his fundraising walk for the NHS at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. With access to Tom's everyday life, the film explores the man behind the blazer and hears his story, including his time on the frontline during the Burma campaign in the Second World War. Tom also recalls his teenage years, previous jobs and nursing his wife through illness - as well as a near-fatal accident he suffered just 18 months ago - Britain's Favourite DetectiveE22
Britain's Favourite DetectiveSheridan Smith presents a countdown of the top 25 TV detectives of all time, as voted for by the British viewing public. From Marple to Magnum PI, Luther to Line of Duty and Cracker to Columbo, Sheridan takes viewers on a whistle-stop trip through 70 years of the most famous sleuths on television. From the spires of Oxford with Morse to the skyscrapers of New York with Cagney & Lacey, and from the quintessentially British Midsomer Murders to the brooding Scandi Noir of The Bridge, the programme flips through the crime files of the greatest detectives that have ever graced TV screens. - Rose West and Myra Hindley: The Untold Story with Trevor McDonald
E26Rose West and Myra Hindley: The Untold Story with Trevor McDonaldThe veteran journalist tells the extraordinary untold story of how the two most notorious women in British crime, Rose West and Myra Hindley, became lesbian lovers in jail. Former Category A prisoners, including reformed Mafia member Marisa Merico and ex-gangster Linda Calvey, tell Sir Trevor how Rose West revealed her murderous temper in prison, while former prison governor Veronica Bird, police officers and prison visitors describe how Hindley cleverly manipulated people in jail, even persuading a female guard to help her escape. - James Nesbitt: A Game of Two Halves
E27James Nesbitt: A Game of Two HalvesJames Nesbitt embarks on an epic journey across the globe to see how `Soccer Aid for Unicef' is helping children around the world. Since 2006, Soccer Aid has raised over £38 million, and James will see just how far that money goes. His mission is to take essential supplies to children living in 3 extreme locations: the Himalayas in Nepal, the desert surrounding the Dead Sea, and a remote island in the South Pacific. - Prince William: A Planet for Us AllE28
Prince William: A Planet for Us AllDocumentary following the Duke of Cambridge as he embarks on a campaign to champion global action on conservation and climate change. As he meets inspiring local heroes around Britain and the world, he sees an opportunity to become a bridge between the young people who are crying out for change and the leaders and policy-makers who can make it happen. - Craig and Danny: Funny, Black and on TVE29
Craig and Danny: Funny, Black and on TVFriends Craig Charles and Danny John-Jules celebrate 50 years of Black British comedy legends. They explore the work of the greatest, and sometimes forgotten, Black comedy icons of our time. Through a combination of nostalgic archive footage and star interviews, we profile legends from the first breakout Black comic, Yorkshireman Charlie Williams, to today's rising stars such as Michaela Coel. - McFly - All About UsE34
McFly - All About UsIntimate and emotional interviews with the four members of the pop group, followed by a gig filmed at the Union Chapel in London in front of an audience of family and friends. Featuring never before seen footage of Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry at various points in their careers, and a discussion of how time spent in group therapy helped them to make a comeback with a triumphant reunion gig at the O2 and the release of their first album in 10 years - Rock On, Tommy - The Bobby Ball StoryE35
Rock On, Tommy - The Bobby Ball Storyn a tribute to one of the UK's most popular entertainers, friends, family and co-stars celebrate the life and work of comedian and actor Bobby Ball. It reveals how a factory welder from Oldham went on to become one of the best loved stars on British television. It's narrated by Bobby's colleague of 57 years, Tommy Cannon - Gary Barlow's Night at the MuseumE37
Gary Barlow's Night at the MuseumThe award-winning singer/songwriter performs tracks from his new album, Music Played By Humans, as well as some of his greatest hits. Gary is accompanied by an orchestra at London's Natural History Museum, and will be joined by a range of special guests, including Michael Buble, Jack Whitehall, Beverley Knight, Alfie Boe, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan, Alesha Dixon, Ronan Keating and Sebastian Yatra. - Henry Cole's Great British Treasure HuntE38
Henry Cole's Great British Treasure HuntHenry Cole hosts as five teams of metal detectorists look for treasures at Sudeley Castle. They're searching for Saxon Coins, but who will come out on top? TV presenter Henry Cole and five teams of passionate metal detectorists have gained exclusive access to one of Britain's most important Stately homes - Sudeley Castle. Their mission - to unearth the Castle's secret history while searching for the fabled hoard of Saxon Coins. Whichever team finds the most valuable artefacts wins the day - Women on Death Row with Susanna Reid: The British GrandmaE39
Women on Death Row with Susanna Reid: The British GrandmaThe Good Morning Britain presenter travels to Texas, home of the most active death chamber in the United States, to meet death row inmate Darlie Routier. Twenty three years ago, the Dallas housewife was convicted and sentenced to death by legal injection for killing one of her sons, and remains accused of murdering the other - despite there being no eyewitnesses, no confession and no motive. Darlie denies the murders and decades on has refused a route off death row in exchange for accepting her guilt. Susanna delves into the history of the case, meeting key witnesses and family members, to find out if the convict is as innocent as she claims - Des O'Connor: The Ultimate EntertainerE40
Des O'Connor: The Ultimate EntertainerA tribute to the longest-serving prime-time TV host of all time, who topped theatre bills globally, including more than a thousand solo appearances at the London Palladium. And despite much mockery from Morecambe & Wise, he released 36 chart-topping albums. Filming began earlier this year after Des, at 88 years old, decided to take a well-earned retirement from the spotlight. With insight from family and showbiz friends, and with exclusive access to an amazing collection of hundreds of unseen home movies, the programme will provide an intimate portrayal of how Des went from Butlins Redcoat to become the ultimate entertainer. Featuring contributions from Jonathan Ross, Jay Leno, Melanie Sykes, Bradley Walsh, Joe Pasquale, Alan Davies, Elaine Paige, Cliff Richard, Jimmy Tarbuck, Sheila Ferguson, Jodie Brooke Wilson and Adam O'Connor. - Bradley Walsh’s How To Win A GameshowE41
Bradley Walsh’s How To Win A GameshowBradley Walsh’s How To Win A Gameshow gives viewers the inside track on how to win big on their favourite quizzes and giveaway shows. Filled with the quick wit and laugh-out-loud comedy fans love from Mr Walsh, it stars some of the best presenters in the business including Ant and Dec, Stephen Mulhern and Ben Shephard. They all give their top tips and cheeky insights into how to beat the gameshow gods and take home some serious prizes. Whether it’s cunning game plans, getting into the right mindset or just being up for a laugh, these familiar faces of the gameshow world have plenty of insider info up their sleeves. Plus, there’s stories of familiar winners, losers and entertaining contestants from over the years to relive - including the Weakest Link star who went above and beyond in a bid to make formidable host Anne Robinson laugh. From Gladiators to Pets Win Prizes via Deal or No Deal, The Chase, Tipping Point and more it’s time to cheer, chuckle, cringe and commiserate as host Bradley Walsh takes a trip down gameshow memory lane. - Jennifer Saunders’ Memory LaneE42
Jennifer Saunders’ Memory LaneJennifer Saunders slips behind the wheel of a classic red Jaguar E-Type for this special show for ITV. Joined in the passenger seat by guest Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, Jennifer drives him on an emotional journey through his own past. With cameras inside the car, every intimate moment is captured as Michael and Jennifer visit places and people that have helped shape the global star he is today. Michael’s revealing journey down Memory Lane takes Jennifer through the streets of Port Talbot where he grew up, stopping at key locations for personal stories from his childhood right up to the present day. Drawing on evocative family photos and colourful local archive, Michael’s recollections are by turns funny, surprising and incredibly poignant. Port Talbot is famed for its industrial heritage and striking skyline, yet has also produced some of the greatest Welsh actors of all time – Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and now Michael Sheen. What is it about this remarkable town, and Michael’s path through it, that is such a catalyst for success? And having lived the life of a movie star in Los Angeles, walking the red carpets of London, Cannes and more, what motivated Michael to come home and resettle in South Wales? With her wit, charm and empathy – alongside a great love of cars – Jennifer is the perfect host for this celebration of a journey through her guest’s past. This is the journey of a lifetime, his lifetime and there is no better guide and confidante than Jennifer. - The Story of SM:TV LiveE44
The Story of SM:TV LiveAnt and Dec reunite with Cat Deeley to look back on making the Saturday morning kids' show, revisiting the studio where the series was filmed and reminiscing about their favourite segments and running gags, including Wonky Donkey, Chums, and Dec's obsession with Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Featuring classic clips and contributions from guests and celebrity fans, including Kylie Minogue, Stephen Mulhern, Fleur East and Scarlett Moffatt.
