Channel 5 (UK) Documentaries

A celebration of Britain's best love double acts from the world of TV, sport and comedy.

A different take on the purpose, design and significance of the pyramids in Egypt.

Takes a look at a night out on the tiles in Southampton where there is trouble at the taxi ranks. Elsewhere, the medical team on the SOS bus have to deal with a sailorʼs stag party.

This documentary brings this incredible story up to date, catching up with Choppers, one of the last surviving tea chimps, at Twycross Zoo. When Choppers is reunited with the woman who saved her life, it seems that she remembers more than expected from her performing days. The film uses unseen archives and first-hand accounts from the people who knew and loved these hairy superstars, from a former keeper to the writer and director of the famous adverts.

Narrated by comic Iain Lee and with commentary by comedian and cat-lover Susan Calman, the show includes priceless clips of cats playing musical instruments, cats talking, cats in costumes, cats on hoovers and cats attempting to find their way out of sticky situations. The programme will even introduce the cats so famous that they have their own Hollywood agents!

Brand new documentary using 3D laser scanners to virtually re-create Rome's Colosseum and uncover some of its engineering mysteries.

This programme reconstructs the many layers of facial cosmetic surgery that the Peter Pan of pop underwent during his life and asks what drove him to have so many operations and what he would have looked like if he had none.

London, 1888. A killer known by the name of Jack the Ripper brutally murders five prostitutes. Though the killings make the world's headlines, the slayer's identity remains a mystery for over 120 years. Retired UK murder squad detective Trevor Marriott now hopes to crack the case with the aid of an international team of experts: a criminal psychologist, a forensic scientist and a pathologist. And he's in luck: they find new evidence that leads to a German sailor and to New York's Lower East Side...

From fishermen who believe that their livelihoods are being destroyed by EU legislation to those who blame immigration for all of the UK's ills, UKIP supporters come in all shades of purple. Father and son Terry and Luke argue that the no fishing zones being established in the English Channel are the result of conservation rules gone "out of control" and spearheaded by Brussels, while London cabbie Graham believes that Nigel Farage will protect the British values that he holds dear.

Documentary about three people who have transformed themselves from head to toe with an array of tattoos, piercings and body alterations, looking at the effect it has on their personal and social lives. Keith is 58 and has spent £15,000 on the 2,000 tattoos that cover his body, but his four children think he has gone too far and his wife Lisa hates his appearance, while Matthew has an emotional argument with his family over his body modification and name change. Cameras also follow 28-year-old Torz on a night out and at a speed-dating event

This one-off documentary tells some unbelievable stories about members of UK police forces who have been jailed for breaking the law. One police officer subsidised his income by being a drug runner, one traffic cop would offer offenders a way out of their troubles by sleeping with him and one PCSO would tell new arrivals at Gatwick to hand over their money.

Documentary focusing on Aidan Smith, a boy with an extremely rare condition characterised by lumps and growths covering a large percentage of his body. The programme follows Aidan's progress and that of his parents as they learn that he suffers from Cloves syndrome, a genetic disorder with fewer than 130 cases diagnosed worldwide to date.

Lee had a number two hit in 1969 and the 75-year-old now lives in Majorca with his Danish girlfriend Bettina, who is just 25 years old.Colin recently turned 70 and is currently dating six different women, while 73-year-old Raimondo enjoys a tantric sex session and also goes to a belly-dancing class.

Kyle, 31, lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has multiple older women on the go, the oldest of whom is 92-year-old great-granny Marge. The couple have been seeing each other once a month for over six years. “At my age, to feel sexy and to be told you are... itʼs probably the best thing in the world... better than fried potatoes,” she says as she shows off her racy lingerie collection.

Mike, Keith, Nick and Russian are four fathers from different backgrounds who collectively have over 70 children with more than 40 women. While some of them see their babymaking abilities as a gift from God that should not be wasted, others have come to realise that a penchant for pulling women without proper protection can result in problems.

Meet the patients who are costing the NHS a fortune. They have been dubbed ‘scroungers’ for expecting the NHS to pick up the pieces of their bad habits, but is this really the case? Did they ever imagine their habits would leave them in need of expensive life-saving treatment? Julie, 39, has been in a coma twice because of her drinking. As she’s released from her latest hospital stay, she works hard to stay sober, knowing that one more drink could kill her. Barry, 57, has already lost his left leg due to smoking, through a series of costly surgeries - but he refuses to quit – will he manage it before he loses his other leg? Rochelle, 21, is 30 stone and starting to get ill because of her weight. She wants to be on sickness benefit and blames the NHS for failing to help her. Danny, 56, has been warned that his life is at risk due to his bad diet. The Diabetes patient faces weight loss surgery to save his life which will cost thousands of pounds. On the front line in A&E, in hospital wards across the country, doctors and nurses battle to hold back the flood of patients coming through their doors asking for help for their self-inflicted health problems. Can we stop our bingeing before the NHS goes bust?

Documentary looking back at the shocking events in Britain over the last 50 years.

Documentary bringing to life the horrific events when Cunard's flagship passenger liner, RMS Lusitania, was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat on 7th May 1915, seen from the perspectives of the survivors and the German submarine captain. Featuring archive footage, photographs and documents, dramatic reconstructions and expert opinion by marine historians, the film also explains how this single act of unprovoked violence eventually led to America entering the war on the side of the Allies.

Documentary series about the growing trend among mums to kit out their babies and toddlers in top-to-toe glamour. Former glamour model Lisa Marie enters her girls into a beauty pageant. Candi has taught her six-year-old daughter to put on false nails, lipstick and mascara, and single mum Sammy cannot resist buying extravagant clothes for her kids.

This programme explores the prophecies of Armageddon and compares them to newly uncovered scientific facts. Is 'The Apocalypse' simply a first-century poetic description of an internal religious state, as some theologians insist, or is it a prophecy of impending doom that we must all face?

Furious felines and crazy kitties are captured on camera in this insightful documentary.

Meet the cat lovers who take feline worship to a whole new level.

August 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most infamous, almost legendary events in modern history, one that changed the world and contemporary warfare as we know it - the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. In honour of that fateful day, Channel 5 explores its aftermath in this remarkable documentary.

This one-off documentary showcases some very desirable houses, formerly owned by local authorities, some of which are now worth well over a million pounds. The lucky owners are former council tenants who have seen their fortunes increase as much as tenfold as their homes just keep going up and up in value.

Employers face a yearly bill of around £9billion for sick pay, with as many as 960,000 employees on sick leave for a month or more each year. One in three Brits admit to pulling a ‘sickie’ from time to time, but there are a group of people who take a duvet day to the extreme. This show will expose Britain’s biggest sick note skivers whose stories will shock and annoy. In this programme we’ll hear outrageous retrospective stories, brought to life with talking heads from colleagues, bosses and the investigators that brought them to justice. Reconstructions will dramatise their journey of deceit – the initial circumstances that resulted in their sick claim, growing suspicions, and the eventual ‘gotcha’ moment when they’re finally caught out. In each case investigators will have been called in to uncover these suspected skivers and we use their original incriminating footage and photos to show first-hand the lengths these people will go to get a pay check for nothing.

There are one million caravans in Britain and more than 400 caravan clubs. The mobile holiday homes have never been more popular—the industry is currently worth £6b to the UK economy, and they are seeing some of their fastest growth among holidaymakers in their 20s and 30s. So get ready to meet Britainʼs fun-seeking, slow lane- hogging “carafans”. They come from all backgrounds and all parts of the country, but they all have one thing in common. In the face of angry drivers, jet-set snobs and the Great British weather, these intrepid travellers spend all the free time they can get with their fellow “carafans” and their cherished box of delights. In this funny, character-driven documentary, viewers meet a colourful cast of caravanning characters as they cross the country on a weekend break. Itʼs a “Little Britain” world that feels familiar yet strange at the same time, holding up a microscope to the UK in 2015. They might not be cool, they might not be popular, and they might not collect many air miles. But they are a close-knit community who would not swap their mobile maisonettes for the world. And if you donʼt like them, well you can kiss their caravan!

Clip show looking at the stars, groups and events that have shaped popular music, from Madonna's controversial 'Like a Prayer' video to the global impact of Live Aid.

Last in a series of retrospectives looks at influential and controversial comedy moments, including The Young Ones, Life of Brian, Joan Rivers' debut on The Tonight Show and more.

Eight-year-old Kaleem suffers from macrodactyly or local gigantism - his hands measure 13 inches from wrist to fingertips. Cameras follow as he undergoes special surgery in the hopes of easing his problems and helping him be more accepted in his small Indian village.

Documentary showing the realities of life on welfare, this programme checks in to one of the many hotels being used to home people on benefits.

Sinkholes can occur gradually when the surface subsides into bowl shaped depressions or suddenly when the ground gives way. These geological hazards have swallowed highways, apartment buildings, horses, camels, even golfers, with monster-size holes cracking the earth from Siberia to Louisiana. Filled with compelling eyewitness video of dramatic collapses, and following scientists as they explore the underlying forces behind these natural disasters, this documentary travels the globe to investigate what it's like to have your world vanish beneath your feet.

In Britain thousands of teens are battling with a debilitating memory disorder every day. The amnesia kicks in as soon as they wake up. They cannot remember simple daily routines such as brushing their teeth, eating breakfast or even taking their clothes off before a shower. From school and sports to shopping and dating, everyday activities present a heartbreaking daily struggle for young amnesiacs. Our documentary follows the story of three teenagers 19 year old Ricky, 18 year old Rosie and 14 year old Sam, who all suffer from brain injuries, as they attend a unique 'memory camp' in Yorkshire. Can the camp help transform their lives? In the run-up to the summer camp, we see the three young amnesiacs in their day-to-day lives, witnessing the huge challenges that they and their families face. Things that most teenagers take for granted can be immensely difficult for these extraordinary young people, and their families are hoping that the camp can help. At the camp, the teens are assigned activities specifically designed to improve their amnesia. Falconry, for example, gives them physical contact with another living creature, which many amnesiacs find challenging. Teenager Rosie goes horse riding, a skill that she once possessed, and is surprised to find that she can still remember it through instincts alone. The summer camp may not be able to cure the teens' memory problems, but through it they will acquire new skills, friends and experiences that could improve the quality of their lives forever.

Documentary. The extraordinary story of conjoined twins Krista and Tatiana, sisters who share parts of their brains as well as some remarkable abilities.

This programme tells some frightening stories of ordinary people from the UK whose lives have been turned upside down when they, or their loved ones, have found themselves trapped in a cult. One mother reveals how her teenage son, after connecting with an online group, completely cut off all contact with his family.

Revealing how CCTV is being used to make our streets safer. From footage of armed robbery to road rage and high speed pursuits of dangerous criminals, this programme reveals the extent of violent crime committed on our streets and roads and what the police are doing to combat it.

With first-hand testimony from three women — one an ex-Scientologist, the other two former Jehovahʼs Witnesses — and input from experts, this programme looks at what it is like to devote oneself to these powerful religious movements. It also examines the pressure these women felt to conform to the groupsʼ rules, and how difficult they found it when they eventually decided to leave.

11-year-old Jessica and her three sisters live with their mother near Clacton. Money was already tight, but since their dad left the family has fallen on even harder times. Jessica is afraid of her family collapsing and her mother not being able to cope under the financial strain. Jessicaʼs mother regularly goes without food so that she can feed the children. 12-year-old Jack lives in a damp-riddled home in Leeds, despite suffering from asthma which has caused him to miss many days at school. Jack dreams of going on holiday one day, but right now his main concern is whether his mother will cope with having a new baby. Without their grandmother, he says, they would not be able to pay the bills. Jack is distraught when his pregnant mother is taken to hospital with severe cramps. 15-year-old Blue and her three sisters are often bullied at school for wearing worn-out clothes. Her worst nightmare is no-uniform day at school, which is when she suffers the most teasing. Blue talks candidly about her growing weight, a result of comfort eating caused by the bullying. Her proud and resourceful family are trying to get themselves off benefits by starting a tattoo parlour. Blueʼs mother desperately tries to keep everyoneʼs spirits up by creating free family holidays—camping in the back garden. The family even create their own ʻtake awayʼ dinners, made from home-cooked food wrapped in paper.

Cold Feet star Helen Baxendale presents a countdown of memorable moments from the 1990s. The show features news stories including the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the election of Tony Blair, popular TV series like TFI Friday and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and musical highlights like the chart battle between Blur and Oasis. Plus, the moment that Elizabeth Hurley, then an unknown actress, wore a dress held together by 27 safety pins to the film premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the national outcry caused by Coronation Street character Deirdre Barlow being sent to prison in the soap.'

Documentary about fanatical cat lovers, including a woman who has adopted over 1,000 local strays, a cat show exhibitor and the woman who runs Newcastle’s first cat café.

One-off documentary exploring the largest animals ever to exist on Earth. Learn about a bird with the wingspan of a fighter jet, or a snake that could swallow a man whole.

Lauren Laverne presents a countdown of some of the most memorable moments from the decade, a period shaped by the rise of reality TV and social media. World-changing events in the headlines included the election of Barack Obama, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act to the UK. Gnarls Barkley made musical history when Crazy went to number one on downloads alone, while the England cricket team regained the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.

Looking at some large families whose sole source of income is benefits. Cases featured include Paula who has seven children after first falling pregnant at the age of 14, and Mohammed who has 11 children, and, even though he has been signing on for ten years, is still confused by the benefits system

Meet the pets who will do anything to escape a trip to the vets.

Sepp Blatter and the FIFA corruption scandal. The sporting scandal which led to the most powerful man in world football coming under criminal investigation.

The Baker Street Heist spawned countless tales and rumours over the years. The story even became the subject of a movie, ʻThe Bank Jobʼ, starring Jason Statham. This documentary blows apart the Hollywood version of events.

Special one-off programme focusing on people who are overweight but under age. Holly is 14, twice her recommended BMI and has been offered a gastric band. 15-year-old Jess is losing weight with the help of friends. Harry is a YouTube star who is comfortable with his 16 stone weight. Samantha died at the age of 20, weighing a colossal 40 stone.

Documentary about people who celebrate Christmas all year round, including a man for whom every day is Christmas Day, a Welsh great-grandma obsessed with Christmas baubles and Britain's oldest Father Christmas who has set up a school for Santas.

Documentary taking a warm and celebratory look at the countless ways the Star Wars universe has inspired fans all over the globe. Whether it be adhering to the scriptures of Jedi, perfecting one's light-saber skills, designing a Wookie costume, or making a self-financed fan film, this show revels in the bright side of the Force.

Documentary taking a behind-scenes look at how a multi-billion pound movie franchise came to be, including reflections from all those involved in the original films, rare interviews with producers Gary Kurtz and Robert Watts, insights from the Oscar-winning creative team, and countless curious details from a galaxy far far away.

Clip show featuring some of the greatest achievments in science fiction cinema, from the most terrifying creatures ('Alien') to the deepest space explorations ('Star Trek'), to earth shattering alien invasions ('Independence Day') and futuristic dystopias ('Blade Runner').

Charting our enduring love affair with the ultimate Swedish pop stars, who sold more than 378 million albums worldwide, the show takes viewers on a trip back to the 70s and 80s. See the groupʼs most iconic videos, learn fascinating facts, glimpse rare footage of the four-piece in their prime, and explore the bandʼs unique sound, fashion and legacy.

Documentary about Myra Hindley, examining her psyche, the nature of her relationship with Ian Brady, her background, and time in prison. Includes interviews with reporters and police officers, and relatives of both Myra and her victims.

This wondrous selection box is a treat for the entire family as it counts down the top ten comedy double acts, honouring Morecambe and Wise, French and Saunders, The Two Ronnies, Terry & June, Ant and Dec, Smashie and Nicey, Cannon and Ball, Cissie and Ada, George & Mildred and last but not least, Little and Large.