The nation’s favourite dog show returns to Channel 4 while Six Nations rugby, FA Cup football and the Winter Paralympics headline a packed Saturday of television.
Saturday television leans heavily into big shared events and today is no exception. Crufts returns to Channel 4 with hours of canine competition, while sport dominates the afternoon schedule with the Six Nations, international football and FA Cup ties.
Later in the evening viewers can settle into familiar favourites including Gladiators and The Walsh Sisters, alongside travel with Bill Bailey and a lively guest line up on The Jonathan Ross Show.
Crufts 2026
2.30pm, Channel 4
The UK’s biggest dog show continues with another afternoon from Birmingham’s NEC. Claudia Winkleman joins Clare Balding to guide viewers through day two of the competition, which blends serious judging with moments of light hearted spectacle.
Highlights include the Best Utility and Toy dog categories alongside the ever popular heelwork to music freestyle competition. Scruffts also returns, celebrating crossbreeds with awards such as most handsome dog and the much loved Golden Oldie category.
Crufts has evolved into a television staple, balancing genuine competition with the simple pleasure of watching well trained dogs perform.
Gladiators
8pm, BBC One
The revived version of Gladiators continues its quarter final stage as Bradley and Barney Walsh oversee another set of physical contests.
The reboot has quietly found a large family audience by mixing nostalgia with modern production values. Events such as The Wall and the Eliminator remain recognisable from the original series while newer Gladiators bring a different energy to the arena.
Bill Bailey’s Vietnam
9pm, Channel 4
Bill Bailey’s travel series moves on to Ho Chi Minh City as the comedian explores modern Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war.
The episode moves between historical reflection and Bailey’s curious sense of humour. Wartime tunnels are contrasted with the city’s thriving music scene as he navigates the streets on the back of a scooter with local guide KK.
The Three Kings of 1936
9pm, Channel 5
This documentary revisits one of the most turbulent years in British royal history. The death of George V in January 1936 was followed by the abdication of Edward VIII later that same year, leaving George VI to take the throne.
Through archive footage and commentary from historians, the programme explores how political pressure, public expectation and personal decisions reshaped the monarchy in the space of just twelve months.
The Jonathan Ross Show
9.45pm, ITV1
Jonathan Ross returns with an eclectic line up including Kurt Russell and Tim Roth alongside comedian Sara Pascoe, broadcaster Maggie Aderin-Pocock and musician David Byrne.
The show may no longer chase the biggest Hollywood premieres, but its mix of personalities often produces unpredictable conversation.
The Walsh Sisters
10pm, BBC One
Family tensions deepen in Marian Keyes’s drama as Anna struggles with grief and guilt following the car crash involving Aidan.
Louisa Harland delivers a quietly devastating performance as the family attempt to rally around her, while Rachel continues to resist confronting her alcoholism despite being in rehab.
Film choice
Worldbreaker
Prime Video
Brad Anderson’s science fiction survival drama imagines a world devastated by climate collapse and mysterious subterranean creatures known as Breakers.
Luke Evans plays a father attempting to protect his teenage daughter on a remote island while humanity fights back against the creatures spreading across the planet.
The film works best as a character story about survival and parenthood rather than pure spectacle.
Live sport today
Saturday is packed with live sport across multiple channels.
Channel 4 continues coverage of the Winter Paralympics from 8am, with Britain’s Neil Simpson defending his super G title.
In football, England face Iceland at noon on ITV1 in a Women’s World Cup qualifier.
Rugby union takes centre stage in the afternoon with Scotland v France at 1pm on BBC One, followed by Italy v England at 3.35pm on ITV1 in the Six Nations.
FA Cup action includes Wrexham v Chelsea at 5.30pm on BBC One, while other ties include Mansfield v Arsenal at 11am on TNT Sports and Newcastle v Manchester City at 7pm.
Formula One fans can watch the Australian Grand Prix at 3.55am on Sky Sports, opening the new season from Melbourne.
Meanwhile darts fans can follow the UK Open on ITV4 and ITVX, with afternoon sessions from midday and evening sessions starting at 7pm throughout the weekend.
Watching UK TV while travelling
British streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 are normally restricted to viewers inside the UK because of programme licensing agreements.
When travelling abroad many viewers discover that their usual services suddenly become unavailable.
Using a UK based VPN can allow access to the platforms people already subscribe to while overseas. Some providers operate UK servers specifically designed for streaming access.
LibertyShield offers UK based connections and readers can test compatibility through its 48 hour free trial, which allows people to check whether their preferred services work across their devices before committing.