MY COUNTRY: A WORK IN PROGRESS, BBC2, 9pm
AFTER Brexit, people were asked for their thoughts on the idea of Britain and Britishness.
This drama uses the words of those ordinary people, mingled with those of the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, to try to create a picture of Britain, and to ask whether the idea of Britishness, and a united Britain within a European Union, is dead. Once you sit through an introductory segment of fiery speeches from Thatcher, Blair and Brown, the real good stuff begins.
A mixed group of people gather in a room to speak on behalf of each part of Britain. “I speak for Glasgow and Edinburgh, twin capitals of Caledonia!” says one. Someone else pipes up in a Geordie accent that she speaks for “Sunderland and South-bleedin-Shields”.
We go round the room and it’s like a riotous focus group meeting on the topic of Brexit Britain. Some people are resentful, some angry, and some eminently practical: “I don’t give a shit if my bananas are straight or bent!”
STRICTLY COME DANCING, BBC1, 6.45pm
BLACKPOOL Tower’s dazzling ballroom has been closed all week — no cream teas and foxtrots for the tourists — while the BBC crew get it all set up for tonight’s extravaganza. I love when the BBC steps out of London and remembers there are other places of note, and Blackpool certainly makes the most of its little bit of attention here. The ballroom can take your breath away, with its twinkling chandeliers, ornate scrollwork, and the names of fine old composers inscribed around the high ceilings between painted cherubs and clouds.
Amid all this seaside splendour it would be easy to forget there are some celebs on the floor, dancing their wee socks off.
Susan Calman seems to be everyone’s favourite, and last week she had to field horrified questions on Twitter about why, as a Glaswegian, she has never been to Blackpool before.
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