ITV Documentaries

Fifty years after the death of Winston Churchill, this drama-documentary draws on private letters, diaries and the testimony of his personal physician to reveal how he turned his own failings into victory during his first three months as prime minister in 1940. This was a period when France was collapsing, the Nazis had the Allies on the run, the British Army was being defeated at Dunkirk, and Britain faced invasion by Hitler’s troops. The story is brought to life by Robert Hardy as Churchill, Jemma Redgrave as his wife Clementine, Phil Davis as physician Charles McMoran Wilson, and Edwin Thomas as civil servant John Colville. Nigel Anthony narrates.

90-minute countdown of the 20 greatest musical moments from a time when everyone knew every week just what was number one.

A look at the dramatic increase of cyber crime in Britain, a problem so worrying the government is secretly putting millions of pounds into specialist units to catch the crooks. Stories include a woman who fell for a romance scam which cost her £180,000 and a teenager who committed suicide after being scammed by somebody pretending to be a police officer.

Cinematic documentary examining the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United footballers.

Magician Stephen Mulhern celebrates 60 years of TV magic shows, from David Nixon and Tommy Cooper to David Copperfield and hip young performers such as David Blaine and Dynamo.

A fascinating feature-length sports documentary about the Dunlop family - a motorcycling dynasty who have dominated the sport for over 30 years.

Leading entomologist George McGavin deliberately infests a house with thousands of pests in order to study them. The menagerie includes bedbugs, spiders, mice and cockroaches.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, the survivors, victims, relatives and rescuers remember the tragic events of that day, July 7th 2005.

A revealing inside view of how Wigan Council is responding to huge cuts in central government funding by reinventing itself as a profit-making enterprise.

Documentary following six months in the lives of three very different autistic girls and other students and staff at Britain's only state-run boarding school for girls with autism.

Documentary looking at the world of identical twins. Using new filming techniques, the programme discovers not only what it means to be a twin, but also what it means to be human.

Documentary following The Zoo's Adrian Wells on a journey across the globe to see his beloved penguins in their natural habitats.

Documentary about British citizens imprisoned overseas - trials that have gone wrong, dubious evidence and one man who has been trying to prove his innocence for nearly 30 years.

August sixth 1945 marked the start of a terrifying new episode in human history. This documentary marks the 70th anniversary of the day when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped.

Abducted follows three parents on emotional and dramatic journeys as they desperately try to get their children back from foreign countries. With exclusive access to a team of child recovery experts who take children back, Abducted shows some parents are taking desperate measures.

Cash In Hand! Payday Loans ‘No-one wakes up and says, ‘I want to become a debt collector.’’ “My dad responds to my job by saying I work in finance. It’s like a family secret.” For the first time ever viewers will get to see the inner workings of the controversial payday loan industry as cameras film the team in the collections department of lenders Uncle Buck. Founded by Steve Murray 10 years ago, from the backroom of a pawn broking shop, the payday lender now employs a staff of almost 70 at its offices in a discreet corner of Kent. Cameras join the company’s management and collection agents at the beginning of May, providing an insight into the range of characters, egos and working culture in a team in which employees must reach a collection target of £270,000 by the end of the month in order to receive their bonus, supplementing their £20,000 basic salary. Cash In Hand! Payday Loans captures the tension of often cat-and-mouse exchanges between customers being pursued for unpaid loans and the team members whose bonuses depend on finding ways to make them agree to pay up. Massimo is Uncle Buck’s Head of Collections, and his challenge is to keep his troops upbeat without making them over zealous. He says: “We need to create an atmosphere where the guys are motivated and happy, because they’re speaking to people that have some kind of issue. But not putting things in place that almost incentivise them to do the wrong thing.” An additional goal for the collections team is to get their name on the ‘Top Performer‘ shield, a champions-of-champions prize for all-round excellence. However, those who work in the money-lending business don’t always want the world to know about it. One worker says: “My dad responds to my job by saying I work in finance. It’s like a family secret.” Another adds: “No-one wakes up and says, ‘I want to become a debt collector.’’’ With just 10 per c

As ITV celebrates six decades on screen, ITV Changed My Life meets some of the people whose lives have been changed forever by its shows.

As ITV turns 60, this one-hour special celebrates six decades of the greatest musical compositions that have featured in the channel’s best-loved television series. From Morse and Tales Of The Unexpected to The Avengers and Thunderbirds, these ITV favourites have provided viewers with some of the most memorable TV soundtracks of the last 60 years. The Sound of ITV reveals the stories behind 20 of these iconic pieces of music, and pays tribute to the writers and performers who brought them to the small screen. The programme includes interviews from stars such as Chris Tarrant (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), Dennis Waterman (Minder, The Sweeney) and William Roache (Coronation Street), as well as the musical maestros responsible for television theme tune classics, including Christopher Gunning (Poirot), Simon Park (Van Der Valk) and Tony Hatch (Emmerdale).

It’s 60 years since the first newsreader appeared on British television. And Here Is The News features some of Britain’s best-known newsreaders as they reveal what life has been like behind the studio desk, and how the role has changed beyond recognition over six decades. The programme hears how the BBC, after learning about the impending launch of Independent Television News and their plans to put newsreaders on camera, beat ITV to it with Richard Baker and Kenneth Kendall becoming the first in-vision news presenters on British screens on September 4th 1955. Michael Aspel, one of the BBC’s earliest newsreaders recalls when ITV launched 18 days later on the 22nd September 1955 - ITN deciding to go with a famous face to read their first news bulletin, choosing Christopher Chataway, an athlete who had broken the 5,000m world record. The documentary reveals how ITV’s News at Ten was initially only due to be on air for a 12 week trial run to fill the schedules over the summer of 1967. Newscaster Alastair Stewart tells us what he feels was the driving force behind the programme’s early success - the role of the double anchor - which included the likes of the charismatic duo Andrew Gardner and Reginald Bosanquet. The BBC’s Angela Rippon sets the record straight over her alleged professional relationship with ITN’s Anna Ford during the 1970’s. Angela recalls the newspapers going mad over their ‘rivalry’, when in fact they became close personal friends. Angela also relives the moment she transformed the newsreader into a sex symbol after 26 million people saw her reveal her legs during a sketch on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special in 1976. Also within the programme, news anchors share the moments that meant the most to them, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 when technology had advanced enough for news teams from the BBC and ITN to anchor live from the Brandenburg Gate. And Here Is The News also

Film buff and super fan, Jonathan, will exclusively interview Bond himself, Daniel Craig, on set at the world famous Pinewood Studios in the actor’s first big interview for Spectre. The show will also see interviews with other leading cast members including Naomie Harris, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz and Lea Seydoux. As well as looking ahead to the new film, the show will also be a celebration of the iconic spy film series as Jonathan takes a look at the classic cars, impressive gadgets, evil villains and beautiful Bond girls. Bond is as well known for incredible stunts and car chases as his famous Aston Martin DB10, which has been specially designed for the latest film. Will Jonathan get a chance to get behind the wheel of this beautiful motor? The programme will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes filming at locations all over the world from Mexico to Rome, Austria, Morocco and London to offer a unique insight into the glamorous and sophisticated world of 007.

Great Scott! Back to the Future Day on ITV2 sees all three time-travelling films aired in a celebration of the cult classics. Slap bang in the middle of this birthday bash is a one off celebratory special – Keith Lemon’s Back t’Future Tribute. It’s been 30 years since Marty McFly stepped into Doc Brown's time travelling DeLorean and ITV2 is celebrating in style. Back to the Future Day on 21 October 2015 is the date inventor Doc Brown and Marty journey to in Back to the Future II - to a world of flying cars and self-tying sneakers, instant pizza and faxes in every room. Keith Lemon, is creating his very own celebratory one off special to mark the occasion - Keith Lemon’s Back t'Future Tribute. So rev your engines up to 88 miles an hour and get your flux capacitor’s ready for a stellar trip through time.

Documentary celebrating 50 years of the Bond film franchise. Featuring archive footage, interviews and clips, the film follows the establishment of the series by producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Salzman, the creation of the character by Ian Fleming, and the actors that played him.

“My Elvis was this young one, before the jumpsuits and the big lifestyle. But what was he really like? If my dream had come true and he had come over to England and I had met him, I wonder would I have liked the boy buried underneath the myth? I’m going in search of the youth catapulted to fame and fortune. ” Joanna Lumley Joanna Lumley embarks on a very personal journey for an intimate insight into Elvis Presley, the man behind the myth, for this unique one-hour documentary. The programme sees Joanna travel to Graceland and meet some of Elvis’s closest surviving friends and family, including ex-wife Priscilla Presley, for an honest portrait of what ‘The King’ was really like. One of the first records Joanna ever bought was “Hound Dog” and ever since that day she has loved Elvis. This year Elvis would have turned 80 and it is one of Joanna’s biggest regrets that she never got the opportunity to meet the man. Joanna says: “The thing about being a fan of Elvis is that you just love everything about him. I loved the way he looked, the way he sang, the way he dressed, the photographs of him, the way he performed on stage…and I loved his smile and his sense of humour. I love the fact that he never really grinned huge cheesy grins, he had a special Elvis grin, and I borrowed that for Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous…a little tribute to Elvis.” Joanna joins Priscilla Presley at Abbey Road Studios for a recording session of the new Elvis album “If I Can Dream” with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As they listen to musicians from the live orchestra recording together, the atmosphere is emotional. Priscilla says (of Elvis): “This is something he would have dreamed of doing, especially here. It gives me chills really.” Joanna accepts Priscilla’s invitation to Graceland for a personal tour of Elvis’s home, where Priscilla shares intimate memories about their married life and Joanna learns that Elvis was an insomnia

The Beatles were a musical sensation like no other. Since exploding onto the music scene in the early 60s, the band has had an unparalleled musical and cultural impact on Britain and the world for over fifty years. The Nation’s Favourite Beatles Number One tells the stories behind some of the greatest Beatles songs ever. With interviews from Beatles’ insiders including musicians, friends, fellow performers and celebrity fans, we’ll hear about the stories behind the Fab Four’s best-loved hits. These are the stories behind the 27 songs that reached number one here and in the U.S – from She Loves You to Paperback Writer, Hey Jude to Let it Be – as the show hears from the people who were there to witness in person the extraordinary rise and rise of The Beatles. Some of the celebrity fans featured in the show include Michael Palin, Sandie Shaw, David Tennant, Twiggy, Bjorn Ulvaeus, George Ezra, Jake Bugg and Sue Johnston, who was even a Cavern club regular herself. Across 120 minutes, this prime-time celebration of the biggest and most influential band the world has ever seen uses extraordinary footage from a number of sources, including ITV's own archives and rare and exclusive footage from the Beatles’ company Apple Corps – from the only surviving clips of the band playing in Liverpool’s iconic Cavern club in 1962, to the band’s final, public performance on the roof of the Apple building seven years later. We'll hear how, in between, the Fab Four created a catalogue of classics which is unlikely ever to be equalled.

Emergency! Trains v Weather What does it take to keep Britain’s railway services running through some of the worst winter weather on record? This documentary follows the army of engineers and maintenance teams as they battle against the elements to keep the rail network open and prevent the delays which cause misery to millions of passengers every winter. Using the latest technology and sheer old fashioned graft we see them tackling floods, hurricane force winds and tracks buried under 6 feet of snow not to mention the annual blight of leaves on the line. With millions depending on the trains every day the maintenance teams are the unsung heroes of the rail network battling to keep the trains running whatever the British weather throws at them.

This new documentary tells the stories of pensioners who refuse to grow old gracefully - by committing a slew of crimes including fraud, shoplifting and even growing cannabis.

This one hour special takes an in-depth look at pioneering DJ and comic genius Kenny Everett, combining classic moments from his hugely successful TV career with rare and revealing personal archive and contributions from those closest to this iconic and enigmatic star. The World According to Kenny Everett is the definitive tribute to the star, whose influence still resonates with younger entertainers and whose unique contribution to comedy is still playing an important role today.

For over 50 years, the James Bond films have provided us with some of the most memorable and exciting songs in movie history. This 90 minute special tells the stories behind 20 of the very best as it counts down to The Nation’s Favourite Bond Song - which has come out on top in an exclusive ITV poll of viewers. Along the way, the documentary celebrates some of the most popular Bond themes from across the decades – from early classics like From Russia With Love and Goldfinger, to more recent chart smash hits including A View To A Kill and Die Another Day. The programme features interviews with those who have written songs for a whole host of Bond films - including Sir Paul McCartney & Wings, Duran Duran and a-ha as well as lyricists like Leslie Bricusse (You Only Live Twice, Goldfinger) and Don Black (Diamonds Are Forever, Thunderball), as the show reveals how these famous 007 anthems propelled their way onto the big screen. Plus, with contributions from Sam Smith and Spectre producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the programme hears how - after more than 50 years - Bond only recently got its first ever UK number one record with Smith’s Writing’s On The Wall. There’s stories from inside the studio from those involved in the recording of these Bond classics, such as Vic Flick (guitarist on the famous James Bond theme), and Paul Epworth (co-writer and producer of Adele’s Oscar-winning hit, Skyfall). And a whole host of stars reveal their own personal favourite Bond songs - from Jonathan Ross, Piers Morgan, Moby and Jools Holland - to some of Bond’s biggest stars, including Sir Roger Moore, Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley, Britt Ekland, and Naomie Harris.

How the first ever live TV production of the musical The Sound of Music got to air.

An insight into the work of royal cameraman Peter Wilkinson, including his recollections.

Our Cilla celebrates the extraordinary showbiz legend through the people who knew and loved her the most. This hour-long tribute hears not only from her fellow showbiz friends, but also the friends and colleagues who joined Cilla in her journey through life – from Liverpool singing sensation to the queen of Saturday night TV. Famous faces – including Ringo Starr, Sir Cliff Richard, Christopher Biggins, Paul O’Grady and Lynda la Plante – join members of Cilla’s family, close friends and those who played a key role in her life, including her costume designer and hairdresser, to reveal the person behind the personality. Alongside rare interview and archive footage of Cilla, the candid, humorous and surprising insights of the people who knew her best chart the journey of a woman who broke boundaries, both in terms of class and gender, to become a true one-off in the world of entertainment.

The Hedgehog Hotel offers a rare and magical glimpse into the mysterious moonlit world of one of our best loved, but little-known animals. Set in a garden paradise, designed to provide the perfect conditions for a group of rescued hedgehogs to thrive, the film follows a cast of prickly characters as they prepare for their return to the wild. We'll spy on Max’s noisy courtship and Spike's bristling battles. We'll peek inside Amber's cosy nest as she tends to her precious new-borns and watch some intrepid youngsters take their first steps outside. As the hotel’s cameras capture this compelling hedgehog soap opera they'll also reveal remarkable insights into its spiky residents. With numbers in steep decline, each hedgehog guest must grow fit and well enough to survive beyond the hotel grounds. As we follow their progress, this film will unlock their enchanting private lives and celebrate this humble but iconic British animal.

John Bishop encounters one of the most endangered animals on Earth for a brand new ITV show – and discovers they and his family have more in common than he ever imagined. Filming in the jungles of Rwanda for John Bishop’s Gorilla Adventure, the comedian realises adolescent male mountain gorillas are just like his teenage sons – bulging muscles but no sense. Plus they fart, flirt and pick their noses. This one-off film follows John as he joins a group of vets who have dedicated their lives to saving the, sadly, precious few mountain gorillas left in the wild rugged mountains and valleys between the borders of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda, which were made famous to UK viewers by David Attenborough’s iconic sequence filmed among them in the 1970s.

Steve Leonard travels to China to watch the cutest baby animals on the planet grow up. Panda Babies Adorable. That’s the only word for the cute black-and-white bundles of fur in this documentary. Lucky old Steve Leonard is in a Chinese panda nursery where he gets to cuddle the little ones as well as see how the orphans are brought up and nurtured by humans. Even when the staff tap the orphan panda’s tummy to encourage him or her to poo, it’s charming. No really it is. Sadly, there are many orphans because, while 50 per cent of pandas give birth to twins, they usually abandon the weakest one. If you haven’t let out an involuntary “ahhhhh” by the time you’ve seen the toddler’s play-wrestling, you’ve clearly got a heart of stone. However, there are some distressing sequences. One panda’s labour lasts a painful three days while another is rushed into theatre with some serious medical problems. Steve Leonard has been a vet for more than 20 years but has never had a close encounter with a panda. That's all about to change as he travels more than 5,000 miles to China, where he goes behind the scenes of three reserves to watch baby pandas grow up. He is granted exclusive access to meet the young animals, witnesses a birth, and follows their development from newborn through to one-year-old toddlers as he reveals the secrets of these endangered creatures.

Renowned bushcraft expert Ray Mears leads a once in a lifetime excursion down the magical River Wye. Regarded as one of the most stunning waterways in the world, the Wye runs for 150 miles between Wales and England, flowing through spectacular mountain gorges and forests teeming with wildlife.