Graham Norton

Holding

Monday

ITV, 9.00pm

A very Irish comedy crime drama adapted from Graham Norton’s novel of the same name, with comedian Kathy Burke directing all four parts.

I was very clear I didn’t want to do the adaptation. I’d had my time with these characters, and it was time to hand them over.” Graham Norton is quick to explain why he was thrilled to let someone else bring to screen his 2016 bestselling crime novel, Holding. It is the story of a murder in a rural Irish community where everyone, it seems, has secrets that they have been holding on to. “I thought I’d feel weird, but I’ve loved watching the direction the characters have gone in, and the way the world has opened up and got larger. I’ve really enjoyed it.” 

Brenda Fricker, Siobhán McSweeney, Charlene McKenna, Helen Behan, Pauline McLynn and Conleth Hill have been cast in the four-part drama, directed by Kathy Burke.

Conleth Hill plays local police officer Sergeant PJ Collins, a soft and gentle man who shies away from people and fills his days with eating comfort food and half-hearted police work. 

He lives his life as a loveable outsider but is lonely and lacks motivation for his job. 

When the long-lost body of local legend Tommy Burke is found, Collins must stop hiding away and solve the biggest crime of his career. 

After a year-long break due to the pandemic, Eurovision is back, bigger and better than ever!

This year's contest will welcome 26 countries to battle it out for the 2021 trophy, including the United Kingdom's entry James Newman. 

Hosted in Rotterdam, Graham Norton will be back with his brilliantly scathing and joyous commentary throughout the proceedings.

The series will be adapted by writers Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Karen Cogan and directed by Kathy Burke.

Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) will lead as local police officer, Sergeant PJ Collins, of the remote Irish village of Duneen, West Cork.

A big friendly giant of a man, Sergeant Collins spends his days hiding, eating comfort food and avoiding real police work. But the discovery of local legend Tommy Burke’s body thrusts him into the limelight as he is tasked with solving a genuine case for the first time in his career.

Once again, Graham Norton will be bringing his trademark irreverent commentary to provide the laughs while the performances bring the marvellous high camp spectacle. 

The UK hasn’t won since 1997, with Katrina and the Waves’ hymn Love Shines a Light, but the Brit Award-winning singer James Newman will be hoping to end our 23-year drought with his single Embers.

With a selection of the weird and wonderful, here’s a rundown of the all-time most iconic Eurovision performances in its history:

Norton will be presenting his 12th Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One, following on from his role commentating last year’s Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light in the wake of a cancelled live final due to the pandemic.

The Brit-award winning singer James Newman will be representing the UK with his single Embers.

The night begins at 9pm with The Big New Year’s In hosted by Paddy McGuinness.

Celebrity guests will join McGuinness in a live show of music, games, surprises and a hilarious quiz of the year.

Graham Norton will then continue the countdown with his traditional end of year talk show, joined by Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Tom Hanks, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jessica Chastain, Nish Kumar, and with music from Sophie Ellis Bextor.

There will be a mix of special programmes and a look back at some classic moments from Eurovision.

Famous faces Graham Norton, Ken Bruce and Rylan Clark-Neal will help bring the Eurovision spirt into viewers homes. 

Graham Norton described Eurovision as a form of “escapism” for people especially during these times.

He added: “This year people at home can celebrate the amazing spirit of the event and hopefully get the chance to take their mind off the current situation for a few hours.”

Start your engines! RuPaul’s Drag Race has finally made its way across the pond for a UK makeover – and a weekly podcast from BBC Sounds for even more content about the nation’s favourite drag queens.

After 11 series of the popular US drag competition, diehard fans rejoiced when it was announced that RuPaul’s Drag Race would be heading to BBC Three for the first UK series.