25 years of terrific telly moments: Weekend's TV editor Mike Mulvihill rounds up the most talked-about programmes of the past quarter century – and reveals the highlights he’ll never forget

  • Weekend magazine's TV editor Mike Mulvihill recalled memorable TV highlights 
  • He remembers Ann Robinson's Queen of mean quotes on The Weakest Link 
  • He claims mockumentary-style sitcom The Office changed comedy forever
  • Mike recalls Danny Dyer discovering his heritage on Who Do You Think You Are?

TV editor Mike Mulvihill rounds up the most talked-about programmes of the past quarter century – and reveals the highlights he’ll never forget

Only Fools And Horses 1981-2003: Just one sitcom has exceeded 20 million viewers in the past 25 years – and this one did it four times. There were countless classic moments, but who can forget when Del Boy and Rodney finally became millionaires during the 1996 Christmas special (left) after they found an antique pocket watch.

Only Fools And Horses 1981-2003: Just one sitcom has exceeded 20 million viewers in the past 25 years – and this one did it four times. There were countless classic moments, but who can forget when Del Boy and Rodney finally became millionaires during the 1996 Christmas special (left) after they found an antique pocket watch.

Absolutely Fabulous 1992-2012: Immature designer Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and chain-smoking Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) captured the hedonistic Nineties perfectly. In this gem from 1994 Edina’s ex-husbands find out she’s been cheating them over alimony and – horror! – she has to tighten her belt.

Absolutely Fabulous 1992-2012: Immature designer Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and chain-smoking Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) captured the hedonistic Nineties perfectly. In this gem from 1994 Edina’s ex-husbands find out she’s been cheating them over alimony and – horror! – she has to tighten her belt.

The Sopranos 1999-2007: Never before had we seen the domesticated side of the Mafia. James Gandolfini was the New Jersey mob boss whose personal life was as complicated as his professional one. This was perfectly illustrated when he murdered an FBI informer he’d spotted while on a trip to visit colleges with his daughter (above).

The Sopranos 1999-2007: Never before had we seen the domesticated side of the Mafia. James Gandolfini was the New Jersey mob boss whose personal life was as complicated as his professional one. This was perfectly illustrated when he murdered an FBI informer he’d spotted while on a trip to visit colleges with his daughter (above).

MasterChef 2005-present: From 1990-2001, Loyd Grossman ‘deliberated, cogitated and digested’ the efforts of amateur chefs in this contest. But when John Torode and Gregg Wallace arrived in 2005, MasterChef really took off, and Thomasina Miers (left, with Gregg and John) won their unmissable first series.

MasterChef 2005-present: From 1990-2001, Loyd Grossman ‘deliberated, cogitated and digested’ the efforts of amateur chefs in this contest. But when John Torode and Gregg Wallace arrived in 2005, MasterChef really took off, and Thomasina Miers (left, with Gregg and John) won their unmissable first series.

The X Factor 2004-present: We first saw Simon Cowell in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol, but then he launched his own version. Leona Lewis and Little Mix are among the show’s success stories, but a highlight must be the time One Direction (left), a band put together from solo wannabes, came third – and then achieved global stardom. The biggest winner, though, is Cowell, who is now a multi-millionaire.

The X Factor 2004-present: We first saw Simon Cowell in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol, but then he launched his own version. Leona Lewis and Little Mix are among the show’s success stories, but a highlight must be the time One Direction (left), a band put together from solo wannabes, came third – and then achieved global stardom. The biggest winner, though, is Cowell, who is now a multi-millionaire.

Game Of Thrones 2011-present: Budgets have increased hugely over the past 25 years and your favourite shows have never looked so good
Viewers’ wishes came true last season when characters Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen were finally in the same castle at the same time

Game Of Thrones 2011-present: Budgets have increased hugely over the past 25 years and your favourite shows have never looked so good. Nothing looks better than this epic fantasy series, which costs £8m an episode to make. Viewers’ wishes came true last season when characters Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke, left, and Kit Harington, right), were finally in the same castle at the same time

Pride And Prejudice 1995: Colin Firth set pulses racing when he stepped out of the water in his dripping wet white shirt in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Poor Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) didn’t know where to look – although millions of women watching at home certainly did! Andrew Davies’s series really set the template for sexing up period dramas.

Pride And Prejudice 1995: Colin Firth set pulses racing when he stepped out of the water in his dripping wet white shirt in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Poor Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) didn’t know where to look – although millions of women watching at home certainly did! Andrew Davies’s series really set the template for sexing up period dramas.

Our Friends In The North 1996: Future Bond Daniel Craig making his breakthrough with a handsome head of hair (above with Christopher Eccleston), when he played George ‘Geordie’ Peacock in this BBC2 drama, was a TV moment in itself. Barbara Broccoli, producer of the 007 films, recalled Daniel’s performance when casting Bond years later.

Our Friends In The North 1996: Future Bond Daniel Craig making his breakthrough with a handsome head of hair (above with Christopher Eccleston), when he played George ‘Geordie’ Peacock in this BBC2 drama, was a TV moment in itself. Barbara Broccoli, producer of the 007 films, recalled Daniel’s performance when casting Bond years later.

The Weakest Link 2000-2017: Anne Robinson relished her role as the pantomime Queen of Mean when she hosted her delightfully nasty quiz. Famous acid-laced lines included, ‘Your forehead’s so big, I mistook you for one of the Munsters!’ and ‘I’m surprised you went unnoticed considering your nose is so big!’

The Weakest Link 2000-2017: Anne Robinson relished her role as the pantomime Queen of Mean when she hosted her delightfully nasty quiz. Famous acid-laced lines included, ‘Your forehead’s so big, I mistook you for one of the Munsters!’ and ‘I’m surprised you went unnoticed considering your nose is so big!’

The Office 2001-2003: The Office ran for just 12 episodes (and two specials), but creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant changed comedy forever with their mockumentary-style sitcom. And none of us will ever forget the sight of odious office manager David Brent throwing shapes (pictured).

The Office 2001-2003: The Office ran for just 12 episodes (and two specials), but creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant changed comedy forever with their mockumentary-style sitcom. And none of us will ever forget the sight of odious office manager David Brent throwing shapes (pictured).

Strictly Come Dancing 2004-present: In 2004 an old ballroom dancing show became one of the BBC’s biggest hits. Much of its success is down to original host Bruce Forsyth, who died last year, and of course the comedy turns, who have included John Sergeant and Ann Widdecombe (above, with judge Craig Revel Horwood)

Strictly Come Dancing 2004-present: In 2004 an old ballroom dancing show became one of the BBC’s biggest hits. Much of its success is down to original host Bruce Forsyth, who died last year, and of course the comedy turns, who have included John Sergeant and Ann Widdecombe (above, with judge Craig Revel Horwood)

Top Gear 2002-present: Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond took a broken-down car show and turned it into a ratings hit. They regularly got into scrapes but none more so than in 2014 (above) when they had to flee Argentina after creating a furore with a car number plate, H982 FKL, that appeared to refer to the Falklands War

Top Gear 2002-present: Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond took a broken-down car show and turned it into a ratings hit. They regularly got into scrapes but none more so than in 2014 (above) when they had to flee Argentina after creating a furore with a car number plate, H982 FKL, that appeared to refer to the Falklands War

Th e Vicar Of Dibley 1994-2007: Richard Curtis’s comedy was about the (shocking!) arrival of a female vicar (Dawn French) in an Oxfordshire village. We loved verger Alice, who was away with the fairies, Jim, who said, ‘no no no no’ before saying ‘yes’ and the Rev Geraldine herself, who in one hilarious 1999 episode (pictured) disappeared into a puddle on a romantic walk.

Th e Vicar Of Dibley 1994-2007: Richard Curtis’s comedy was about the (shocking!) arrival of a female vicar (Dawn French) in an Oxfordshire village. We loved verger Alice, who was away with the fairies, Jim, who said, ‘no no no no’ before saying ‘yes’ and the Rev Geraldine herself, who in one hilarious 1999 episode (pictured) disappeared into a puddle on a romantic walk.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 1998-2014: Nearly 20 million viewers an episode tuned in to watch this addictive game show, and in 2000 Judith Keppel (pictured) became the first person to win £1 million on British TV. Host Chris Tarrant gave his final answer in 2014, but the show will return next year with Jeremy Clarkson at the helm

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 1998-2014: Nearly 20 million viewers an episode tuned in to watch this addictive game show, and in 2000 Judith Keppel (pictured) became the first person to win £1 million on British TV. Host Chris Tarrant gave his final answer in 2014, but the show will return next year with Jeremy Clarkson at the helm

The Killing 2011-2014: We have long been in thrall to American TV, but so many other countries have now got in on the act thanks to this Danish gem. Detective Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol, centre) made Scandi noir and woolly sweaters cool from the very first episode of the crime thriller. TV has always been a window on the world but Lund kicked it open. Gone are the days of subtitles being a turn-off

The Killing 2011-2014: We have long been in thrall to American TV, but so many other countries have now got in on the act thanks to this Danish gem. Detective Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol, centre) made Scandi noir and woolly sweaters cool from the very first episode of the crime thriller. TV has always been a window on the world but Lund kicked it open. Gone are the days of subtitles being a turn-off

Friends 1994-2004: Who’d have thought a show about six dysfunctional New Yorkers would become one of the most defining of all time? In the episode The One With All The Thanksgivings, Monica finally got a confession of love from Chandler (Courtney Cox and Matthew Perry in character, pictured) when she turned up at his door with a turkey on her head 

Friends 1994-2004: Who’d have thought a show about six dysfunctional New Yorkers would become one of the most defining of all time? In the episode The One With All The Thanksgivings, Monica finally got a confession of love from Chandler (Courtney Cox and Matthew Perry in character, pictured) when she turned up at his door with a turkey on her head 

The Blue Planet 2001: Sir David Attenborough has for decades shown us a spectacular side to the world that we’d never see for ourselves. This show, with its amazing footage of polar bears (above), and Planet Earth in 2006, took nature documentaries to a whole new level. Sequels Planet Earth II (2016) and Blue Planet II (2017) proved he is even more relevant today than ever

The Blue Planet 2001: Sir David Attenborough has for decades shown us a spectacular side to the world that we’d never see for ourselves. This show, with its amazing footage of polar bears (above), and Planet Earth in 2006, took nature documentaries to a whole new level. Sequels Planet Earth II (2016) and Blue Planet II (2017) proved he is even more relevant today than ever

The Apprentice 2005-present: A US show was given a British makeover with Alan Sugar stepping into the shoes of Donald Trump and firing The Apprentice to success. The candidates claim to be the sharpest minds in business, but seeing them fail at tasks before being fired is TV gold. It was summed up perfectly in 2014 by winner Mark Wright (above): ‘It’s hard to fly like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys’

The Apprentice 2005-present: A US show was given a British makeover with Alan Sugar stepping into the shoes of Donald Trump and firing The Apprentice to success. The candidates claim to be the sharpest minds in business, but seeing them fail at tasks before being fired is TV gold. It was summed up perfectly in 2014 by winner Mark Wright (above): ‘It’s hard to fly like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys’

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 2002-present: In 1993, Ant and Dec were in children’s show Byker Grove, but they’re now the nation’s favourite presenting duo. Nowhere have they looked more at home than on their own Saturday extravaganza, in which they pull stunts such as disguising themselves to prank a celebrity. Here it’s Lorraine Kelly (pictured with the duo)

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 2002-present: In 1993, Ant and Dec were in children’s show Byker Grove, but they’re now the nation’s favourite presenting duo. Nowhere have they looked more at home than on their own Saturday extravaganza, in which they pull stunts such as disguising themselves to prank a celebrity. Here it’s Lorraine Kelly (pictured with the duo)

The Great British Bake Off 2010-present: No one could have imagined a baking show set in a tent would attract 16 million viewers. It’s made stars of original judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood – and its winners, including Nadiya Hussain, who captured the nation’s hearts when she triumphed in 2015. She gave an emotional speech that saw Mary (above, with Paul and Nadiya) wipe away Nadiya’s tears while she choked back her own

The Great British Bake Off 2010-present: No one could have imagined a baking show set in a tent would attract 16 million viewers. It’s made stars of original judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood – and its winners, including Nadiya Hussain, who captured the nation’s hearts when she triumphed in 2015. She gave an emotional speech that saw Mary (above, with Paul and Nadiya) wipe away Nadiya’s tears while she choked back her own

Who Do You Think You Are? 2004-present: The show that started a craze for genealogy has featured famous faces from Jeremy Paxman to Barbara Windsor. But best of all was Danny Dyer (pictured) discovering, to his amazement, that he’s a descendant of two kings of England, William the Conqueror and Edward III

Who Do You Think You Are? 2004-present: The show that started a craze for genealogy has featured famous faces from Jeremy Paxman to Barbara Windsor. But best of all was Danny Dyer (pictured) discovering, to his amazement, that he’s a descendant of two kings of England, William the Conqueror and Edward III

Sherlock 2010-present: Benedict Cumberbatch turned a 19th-century detective into a modern hero when the doors of 221b Baker Street were thrown open by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. While Cumberbatch has stolen every scene as Holmes, he’s been ably supported by Martin Freeman as Watson (above). The series two finale stunned fans as Sherlock appeared to commit suicide by diving off a roof

Sherlock 2010-present: Benedict Cumberbatch turned a 19th-century detective into a modern hero when the doors of 221b Baker Street were thrown open by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. While Cumberbatch has stolen every scene as Holmes, he’s been ably supported by Martin Freeman as Watson (above). The series two finale stunned fans as Sherlock appeared to commit suicide by diving off a roof

Doctor Who 2005-present: The Doctor was lost in space and time for 16 years (apart from an ill-fated 1996 TV movie) until he was regenerated – first by Russell T Davis, then Steven Moffat and now Chris Chibnall – and won over a new generation. Christopher Eccleston set the ball rolling as the ninth Doctor, followed by David Tennant, Matt Smith – who in 2012 faced the deadly Weeping Angels (above) – and Peter Capaldi. The show reinvented itself again by casting Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor in its 55-year history, seen in the current series

Doctor Who 2005-present: The Doctor was lost in space and time for 16 years (apart from an ill-fated 1996 TV movie) until he was regenerated – first by Russell T Davis, then Steven Moffat and now Chris Chibnall – and won over a new generation. Christopher Eccleston set the ball rolling as the ninth Doctor, followed by David Tennant, Matt Smith – who in 2012 faced the deadly Weeping Angels (above) – and Peter Capaldi. The show reinvented itself again by casting Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor in its 55-year history, seen in the current series

Big Brother 2000-2018: On 18 July 2000, 11 people, including ‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman (above), entered a house to be filmed 24/7, kicking off an explosion of reality TV. Who’d have thought an experiment inspired by Orwell’s novel 1984 would last 18 years?

Big Brother 2000-2018: On 18 July 2000, 11 people, including ‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman (above), entered a house to be filmed 24/7, kicking off an explosion of reality TV. Who’d have thought an experiment inspired by Orwell’s novel 1984 would last 18 years?

Downton Abbey 2010-2016: No list of great British dramas would be complete without Downton Abbey, the story of the Crawley household. No one in the cast seemed to mind that Dame Maggie Smith, as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was stealing all the best lines. And we all rejoiced when widow Mary found happiness again with Henry Talbot (above)

Downton Abbey 2010-2016: No list of great British dramas would be complete without Downton Abbey, the story of the Crawley household. No one in the cast seemed to mind that Dame Maggie Smith, as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was stealing all the best lines. And we all rejoiced when widow Mary found happiness again with Henry Talbot (above)

 

AND SOME OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE TV MOMENTS!

NOT VERY LADYLIKE

The Broadcasting Standards Council criticised the ‘unduly protracted’ love scenes in the BBC’s version of Lady Chatterley’s Lover with Joely Richardson and Sean Bean in June 1993 – but 11 million viewers didn’t seem to mind!

11 million viewers tuned in to watch the love scenes in BBC's Lady Chatterley’s Lover (pictured) in 1993

11 million viewers tuned in to watch the love scenes in BBC's Lady Chatterley’s Lover (pictured) in 1993

KATE WOWS THE WARDS

Kate Winslet starred in Casualty in 1993 as a teenage babysitter being abused by her boyfriend.

Tom Hiddleston, Orlando Bloom, Martin Freeman and Minnie Driver also appeared on the show early in their careers.

PAIN IN SPAIN

It seemed like a great idea – a soap with sun and sangria. But BBC soap Eldorado, set in Spain, was a flop, finishing in July 1993, just a year after its launch.

The £2 million location was turned into a holiday park but closed after failing to attract enough visitors.

WOMEN IN LOVE

Brookside aired a controversial lesbian kiss, between Anna Friel and Nicola Stephenson, in January 1994 – but the BBC had already done it before the 9pm watershed 20 years earlier, in the Alison Steadman drama Girl in 1974.

THE TUNE IS OUT THERE

The X-Files theme song came about by accident when composer Mark Snow rested his elbow on his keyboard and produced a spooky echo sound.

The sci-fi show first aired in the UK in January 1994.

FLYING FRENCHMAN

A nation watched aghast as Man Utd striker Eric Cantona aimed a kung-fu kick at a Crystal Palace fan in January 1995.

He was given two weeks in jail, but this was reduced to 120 hours of community service after an appeal.

Man Utd striker Eric Cantona (pictured) stunned football supporters in January 1995 when he kicked a Crystal Palace fan 

Man Utd striker Eric Cantona (pictured) stunned football supporters in January 1995 when he kicked a Crystal Palace fan 

ROYAL REVELATIONS

Panorama’s 1995 Princess of Wales interview is the second most-watched show of the past 25 years.

Nearly 23 million saw Diana tell Martin Bashir of the ‘three people’ in her marriage, her affair with James Hewitt and her bulimia.

SINGER BEHAVING BADLY

Jarvis Cocker invaded the stage at the 1996 Brit awards during a performance by Michael Jackson.

Noel Gallagher called for him to be knighted and Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes led a ‘Free Jarvis’ campaign after the Pulp singer was held by police.

ADDED SPICE

On 30 March 1997, the UK got its first new channel in 15 years.

Channel 5 launched at 6pm with the Spice Girls singing 1-2-3-4-5, a reworking of the Manfred Mann song.

An estimated 2.5 million watched the launch night.

COBBLE WOBBLES 

When Corrie’s Deirdre Rachid was jailed for fraud on the soap in 1998, four daily newspapers led campaigns to Free the Weatherfield One – the then Prime Minister Tony Blair even asked Home Secretary Jack Straw to intervene.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

Ben Fogle was among 36 people trying to build a self-sufficient community on a Scottish island in reality show Castaway in 2000. Four lost the possessions they’d been permitted to take with them when a container fell in the sea during an airlift.

TAKE THAT, HEARTBEAT

Police show Heartbeat marked its 150th episode in March 2000 with a special guest appearance by Take That’s Gary Barlow. The show’s name came from the two original main characters’ occupations – doctor (heart) and policeman (beat).

Four newspaper led campaigns to free Coronation Street's Deirdre Rachid (pictured) from prison in the soap during 1998

Four newspaper led campaigns to free Coronation Street's Deirdre Rachid (pictured) from prison in the soap during 1998

RINGING ENDORSEMENT

ITV took 8.7m calls on 9 February 2002 as Will Young won Pop Idol. The huge audiences led to fears there could be power cuts due to electricity surges as kettles were boiled during commercial breaks.

TOTALLY WILD

I’m A Celebrity medic Bob McCarron, who’s been with the show since its start in 2002, was so popular on the German version that a song was made about him.

A SOUND THRASHING

The UK hit a particular low at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest when duo Jemini earned ‘nul points’. They blamed being off-key on not being able to hear their backing track. Terry Wogan blamed a post-Iraq invasion backlash.

Susan Boyle (pictured) went on to sell over 25m records after coming second in Britain's Got Talent in 2009

Susan Boyle (pictured) went on to sell over 25m records after coming second in Britain's Got Talent in 2009

FINAL WHISTLE

The BBC pulled the plug on Grandstand in 2007. Essential viewing for sports fans for almost 50 years, it had seen the likes of Frank Bough, David Coleman and Des Lynam introducing everything from the FA Cup final to the boat race.

BARKING BAKERS

2008’s most-watched show on Christmas Day was the Wallace and Gromit adventure A Matter Of Loaf And Death. DVDs on display in Gromit’s bedroom include Pup Fiction, The Bone Identity, Bite Club, The Dogfather and Where Beagles Dare.

SUSAN’S GOT TALENT

After stunning the world on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 by singing I Dreamed A Dream, Susan Boyle went on to sell over 25m records, have three No 1 albums and earn two Grammy nominations – despite only coming second on the show.

Mo Farah and co (pictured) at the London 2012 Olympics is the most-watched event in US TV history 

Mo Farah and co (pictured) at the London 2012 Olympics is the most-watched event in US TV history 

NAME OF THE GAME

Quiz expert Anne Hegerty’s nickname on The Chase, which began in 2009, was The Headmistress, until host Bradley Walsh renamed her The Governess. But she’s not a former teacher – she used to be a proofreader.

HIGH-STAKES PLOT

EastEnders had its first live episode in 2010, in which we discovered that Stacey Slater had killed Archie Mitchell.

Gamblers staked £500,000 at William Hill on the outcome of the storyline – breaking the previous record, for bets on who shot JR in Dallas in 1980.

DINNER IS OFF

In Downton Abbey, which began in 2010, the lavish banquets weren’t quite all they seemed – the same frozen salmon appeared countless times and up to 60 roast chickens had to be made for one scene, if someone was carving.

AU REVOIR, TOM

A nation sobbed as John Nettles appeared in his last-ever episode as DCI Tom Barnaby in Midsomer Murders in February 2011 – but this wasn’t the UK.

The very English drama was France’s most popular foreign detective show.

HOSTS IN HIDING

Pointless got its first celebrity series in 2011. Hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman use pseudonyms on their dressing room doors as the audience walk past them to get to the toilets.

BBC's Jamaica Inn (pictured) received more than 2,000 complaints about its mumbled dialogue

BBC's Jamaica Inn (pictured) received more than 2,000 complaints about its mumbled dialogue

READY , STEADY , MO

Some 90 per cent of Britons watched Mo Farah and co at the London 2012 Olympics, with almost 52 million people tuning in for at least 15 minutes.

It was also the most-watched event in US TV history – 217 million viewers tuned in.

SPECIAL DELIVERIES

Nonnatus House in Call The Midwife, which first aired in 2012, is named after St Raymond Nonnatus, the patron saint of childbirth.

Every birth on the show takes seven hours to shoot, as infants can only film for 15 minutes at a time.

STAR MAN

Patrick Moore’s last episode of The Sky At Night was shown in January 2013, shortly after his death.

When he was young, his fiancée was killed by a bomb in WWII – he never married.

FALLING ON DEAF EARS

Jamaica Inn, the BBC’s 2014 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel, drew more than 2,000 complaints about its mumbled dialogue.

Comedian Al Murray tweeted, ‘Find out what happens next in Jamaica Inn by getting your ears syringed!’

A SCAR IS BORN

Pamela Haddock, make-up designer on the new version of Poldark, which began in 2015, had to create Ross’s facial scar every day – she tested the moulds on her husband before sticking them on Aidan

FAMOUS FIVE

Ever wondered why Doctor Foster, starring Suranne Jones , had five episodes, rather than the four or six more usual for a TV drama series? It was because writer Mike Bartlett based the hit 2015 drama on five-act Ancient Greek tragedy Medea.

WORTH THE WAIT

Over the four years it took to make 2016’s Planet Earth II, the equivalent of 82,000 DVDs of footage was recorded by a camera crew of 42 in 40 countries on 117 filming expeditions.

And it didn’t help that it took nine months to get permits to film peregrine falcons in New York.

PICTURE PERFECT

Costume designers for the 2016 BBC adaptation of War And Peace were inspired by art galleries.

James Norton’s Prince Andrei was based on Picture Of An Unknown Man In A Yellow Waistcoat, in a museum in Springfield, US.

WHAT A CARRÉ ON

John le Carré had a cameo role in the 2016 TV version of his novel The Night Manager – and kept improvising his lines as ‘diner at restaurant’ to put star Tom Hiddleston off his stride.

LOOK OUT, FISH!

Eunice aphroditois, a carnivorous sea worm with razor-sharp jaws that ambushes its prey, captivated Blue Planet II viewers in 2017.

It is nicknamed the Bobbit worm, after Lorena Bobbitt, who attacked her husband with a knife while he slept. 

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