Gef Box: Big Smiles for the Camera

Here are your TV recommendations for the week.

The Gallows Pole

Step right into the 18th century and travel to Yorkshire – that’s where we find ourselves for this retelling of Benjamin Myers’ 2017 novel.

It follows a fictionalised version of David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners at the onset of the industrial revolution. As the first cotton mills and factories are built, and withGef Box: Big Smiles for the CameraHere are your TV recommendations for the week.  commoners starving, Hartley has a vision that inspires him to assemble a gang of weavers and land-workers. They then embark upon a criminal enterprise with the aim of bringing comfort and dignity back to their community. 

Catch up with the first episode on BBC iPlayer, then watch the second of the three-part series on BBC Two on Wednesday at 9pm.

For Her Sins

This one looks very dramatic… but sometimes those make for the best shows!

Laura and newcomer Emily form a quick bond at the school playground but not everything is as it seems. It turns out these women share a dark secret, one that Laura desperately tried to bury, but secrets can’t stay hidden forever. With Emily determined to expose it, Laura stop the unravelling of truths.

Watch it on Channel 5. It starts tonight at 9pm.

Binge-worthy box sets

No Room for Error

I don’t know many people who haven’t given this a go, but on the off chance you’re one of those few, No Room For Error is a fantastic look behind the scenes of the motorsport event that draws people to our island in their droves.

In this new documentary series, viewers get to see everything from the dangers of the road race to the fans that support it. Squint hard enough and you’ll probably end up spotting someone you know – we spotted my brother in episode four.

They’re already filming series two as well, so big smiles if you spot a film crew…

Find it on TT+ or ITVX.

Not Going Out

Smashing onto our small screens in 2006, Not Going Out has been splitting our sides for 17 years.

Lee is an unambitious lodger who spends most of his days on the sofa or in the pub with friends. The only motivation and drive to get Lee off of the couch and active is to pursue the girl of his dreams. This sitcom shows how Lee evolves from a sofa-dweller to a family man facing the joy and relentless onslaught of bringing up kids and dealing with his in-laws. 

Comedian Lee Mack is the genius behind the series, with his quippy comebacks and hilarious ideas. It’s very much a comfort show for me!

There are 12 series of this now and it never seems to show any sign of letting up, with another one due this year. However, its creator and star says this could be the last, with the show reaching 100 episodes.

Watch it on BBC iPlayer.