Dancing on Ice- The ice thaws for rapper Rob

Rapper Vanilla Ice failed to melt the hearts of the judges with his Spanish Matador routine on Dancing on Ice’s World Tour themed show last night.

 

The US star, who was voted off the competition following comments from Jason that his Matador poses looked like Space invaders, lost to children’s TV presenter Laura, who was saved by all three judges in the skate off for her Charleston on ice.

Now with only six couples left after last night, it’s getting harder to predict which celeb skaters will go, admitted the judges, who made it no secret that they thought the weakest skaters Denise and Johnson should be the ones to leave, despite the public saving them week upon week.

However they had nothing but praise for top skater Sam, who they said was back on form after performing a Riverdance on ice routine filled with complicated step sequences, jumps and lifts, which earnt him the highest mark of the series, 27/30.

Laura and Chloe were hot on his heels, both scoring 24.5. In forth position was Jeff, who Emma said was ‘the dark horse of the competition’, after pulling off a Vietnamese waltz on the ice.

The couples with the lowest score were Denise and Johnson. Denise donned an ugly wig to skate a samba, which earnt her strict criticism from Jason. ‘You looked like you needed a MRI scan afterwards’, he said. ‘It was messy and hard to watch as you played catch up to partner Matt’, and ‘You and up beat tempo’s don’t match.’

Johnson’s tango didn’t go down much better as it lacked sexual tension, according to the judges.

Both were awarded 14.5/30.

New ITV drama- Monroe

Next month James Nesbitt, my guilty guy crush, returns to our screens in a major six part medical drama series for ITV1. Nesbitt plays brilliant neurosurgeon Gabriel Monroe who performs cutting edge brain surgery, but at home is afraid to admit to himself his life is falling apart. Nobody is more aware of this than his colleague Jenny Bremner, played by Sarah Parish, who has no time for the depleted surgeon. However he has an ally in anaesthetist Lawrence Shepherd (Tom Riley), and determined to unearth her sense of humour.

In the first episode on the 10 March Alison Corby is admitted with a brain tumour and Monroe has to help her make a frightening decision. To go ahead with an operation could leave Alison paralysed, but without surgery she is likely to die within a few years.

The naive teens who get into modelling-CH4's The Model Agency

What does it take to be a Premier model? Over five foot five tall, less than a C cup-over and you’re considered big boned, giving up a regular life and under the strict control of management, who ‘nurture’ girls from the age of 14.

Welcome to Premier modelling agency who are the subject of a new reality documentary on CH4- The Model Agency.

The first episode last night saw the agency’s bookers at their most stressed during the start of fashion week last September. The team, who have model looks and build including the office dogs, are all owner Carole’s friends, and the MD her brother and trainee her daughter, talk about a family business.

Under the spotlight was Head of Faces- Annie, who desperately struggled to convince 16-year-old model India to stay in NYC where she was booked for shows. Annie was even sent to the Big Apple to persuade India from pulling out, despite the teen feeling home sick, jet lagged and having been told she was fat. Not really a life for a confused teen who confessed she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do in life having joined with the agency at 12, so she quit, all the while tearful Annie telling her to not take her decision lightly as she may regret it. And just to find what Premier call a ‘top model’, a ‘rarity’ confesses owner Carole.

Then we were introduced to model scout Charlie, who throughout the one hour show is seen bringing in new potentials and meeting with young girls and their parents, who enter into the industry with their eyes wide shut.

‘It’s a game of poke where girls are the product’, says Carole of the business.

What I watched last night- Heston's Mission Impossible

Heston spoke for us all in saying hospital food is bland, uninteresting and lacks nutritional value. Before you even taste a hospital meal you’re put off by the smell.

In the first episode of Heston’s Misson Impossible (CH4 at 9pm) last night, the chef aimed to put the fun back into food for the patients of Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool. Not an easy task with a strict budget of £4 per person, per day, and wards of nutritionally starved, fussy eaters undergoing medical treatment. ‘It’s not like a restaurant where they choose to come here’, acknowledged Heston.

Up against catering manager Geoff, Heston went about swapping ‘homemade’ meals of potato waffles, baked beans and pizza for a ‘Bet You Can’t Eat That’ menu, with worm topped pizzas, eyeballs- stuffed tomatoes, snot shakes- apple and kiwi smoothies, and vomit soup-chicken and vegetable broth. If given the green light by Geoff he would present the new dishes to the hospital board in the hope to roll them out across the wards.

The first hurdle he faced was the hospital’s chefs, a team of six, just two of which cook meals for the children, the rest make dishes for staff and Alder Hey’s canteen- the money maker.

Heston with Michael and the new dishes (CH4)

He won the stone faced chefs over by his use of themed foods and the children’s reaction to them, before letting them loose to create their own lunchtime concoctions. Sceptic Elaine made flying saucer sarnies, which to her surprise went down a treat with the kids. But it took a little more convincing to persuade them to give the gruesome dinner menu a go. Although in the end even Geoff came round to Heston’s way of thinking despite the meals being over budget and against health and safety regulations with the use of dry ice, old dog new tricks?

Next was the hospital board, who agreed to trial the dinners with the children, after the lunch-time menu proved such a hit and many plates came back empty. And as all good stories go, the children loved the new dishes, after initial doubt, with the hospital’s full time resident 17- year-old Michael, who has been in and out of the ward since he was three days old with spina bifida, giving the Michelin starred chef the thumbs up.

Soap Spoiler- Corrie

Arrogant Dev is worried about money after being refused a loan and Owen is chasing him for payment on refubishing the shop. Sunitia is confused as she believed the insurance would cover the costs, but Dev has some shocking news for her, which he later admits to Steve in the pub, very private??? They later hit a casino, but Steve wins big with £5000 rather than Dev.

Meanwhile, Nick is drowning his sorrows now that he has lost Leanne for good and makes plans to move away from Weatherfield, hurrah. But romance is not dead at Tyrone's pad, when Julie helps out with his chores and cooking his dinner. She even introduces him to self help books.

In another of the homes on the street, Owen breaks into the Grimshaws to take action on his unpaid VAT bills. He riffels through Eileen's drawers to discover incriminating paperwork, then calls the police to report a case of fraud.

David returns from his holiday to announace to his mother and grandmother that is in love with a cage dancer called Candy.

My new TV crush

I'm absolutely addicted to the new US drama The Big C on More 4, which deals with cancer in a fun, witty and laugh out loud way.
The series follows reserved suburban wife and mother Cathy Jamison, who vows to dramatically shake up her life after being diagnosed with terminal skin cancer. However she keeps the news of the illness between her and her fitty of an oncologist, Dr Todd.

Wanting to live life to the full, she orders only desserts and alcoholic beverages at posh restaurants,throws her infantile husband Paul out of the house after coming home to him and his friends playing computer games, and orders a pool to be built in the garden so she can teach her teenage son Adam her favourite dives from her childhood.

She also starts to make amends with her recluse of a neighbourhood, grouchy Marlene, whose dog she confides in, and encourages an overweight student (Andrea) she teaches at summer school to lose weight and stop smoking by bribing her.
All this and she has to contend with her eco maniac brother, who chooses to live in the carpark of a supermarket warning shoppers of the damage they are doing to the environment, and her unruly son, who she vows to teach manners and essential lessons in life, but not before she cancels his trip to soccer camp.

The Big C is on every Thursday @ 11pm on More4.

Must see TV coming soon

This month a new show portraying model agency Premier begins on Channel 4. The programme, The Model Agency, starts during the agency's busiest periods- New York Fashion Week, when staff at Premier organise models for shoots, catwalk shows and castings, as well as carrying out the day to day running of the agency and liaising with walk-in models, parents, scouts, designers and photographers.

The show also includes individual interviews with members of the team, away from the office, with Carole and her bookers talking of their nerves around the fashion weeks and the pressure to the 'the girl' and models for shows each season. But as normal the agency works through its usual dilemmas with its usual jokey squabbles, jibes about tattoos, and the all important group fag break. 
The first episode is on Wed 23 @ 10pm.

Lies and deceit- the way of a gypsy traveller?

I will never understand the traveller way of life, lying to your dress maker about the date of your wedding, the desire for a Disney princess wedding, and travelling by horse and carriage for ten days when you can drive for two hours?

On last night's My Big Fast Gypsy Wedding, which explored the prejudice against the minority group, owner of Nico bridal shop, Thelma, was once again in the spotlight. Normally a supporter of the travellers, she was fed lies by deceitful bride to be 17-year-old Priscilla, who let Thelma book a flight to Northern Ireland to dress her for her wedding day, and send underskirts, worth £2,000,only to find out the date was false.

According to Thelma the gypsies are very secretive about their weddings as venues tend to cancel when they hear they are travellers, but not to even tell your dress-maker and future husband the location and date of the wedding is unusual, she said.

Bridgett from Wiltshire claimed she had also experienced venues refusing to take a booking for her wedding because of the stereotype of gypsies. Even the night before her big day her nephews are thrown out of their hotel for being too noisy. But what concerned Bridgett the most about her wedding day was saying goodbye to best friend and cousin Elizabeth. Once women marry they can no longer go out with their single female friends without the husband being present. Bridgett and Elizabeth's first dance together at the wedding reception was more touching than the entire ceremony.

Bridgett and Elizabeth share their last moment alone.

 Aside from weddings, the episode also focused on Appleby, the traveller's Mecca, where each year thousands meet to shop, find a wife/husband and trade horses. However the festival didn't run as smoothly as planned what with many pubs in the village refusing to allow travellers on their premises, so much for a free house, and others using safety measures such as attaching chicken wire to the inside of windows. More the problem was the 'overbearing' police presence and the unnecessary arrests they made at the festival. Organiser Billy said he wasn't standing for it so started a protest and paraded, along with a sea of gypsy men and horses, to the village police station. A truce was made and the arm of the law suggested they rebuild their relationship. This time the gypsies triumphed.

What I watched last night-One Born Every Minute

A woman's birthing plan went out the window during last night's episode as gave in to using gas and air for pain relief having planned on none at all.

25-year-old Sammy and her 44-year-old partner, explained she wanted a natural birth, 'If my body is able to make a baby then it can give birth to one', she said. Some famous last words as during labour she pleaded with her mum to give her medication for the pain. But having had strict instructions, her mother, who was given the role of birthing partner and hypnotherapist, refused to give in to her daughter's demands. Hours later and baby arrived.

The programme also followed the birthing journeys of young mums, Sarah, 21, and 20-year-old Jenine, who also chose to have only natural pain relief, very brave women.

Naive Jenine, who is married to 20-year-old Tony, said they felt like something was missing in their relationship, ermm maturity (?), and they intended on providing a stable home home for their child and unlike their parents would never consider a divorce.

Whereas clued up Sarah, who delivered her second baby, did not have her partner by her side as he is currently serving time. Instead mum and her best friend, who kept stealing the gas and air, were by her side for the delivery of a baby girl.

Dancing on Ice-Comedy Dave skates his last lap

It's back to the day job for Comedy Dave, who was voted off Dancing on Ice last night for his performance-less routine.

The Radio 1 presenter, who failed to live up to his name, received one vote from the three judges to stay in the competition from skating expert Robin, while Emma and Jason chose to save Kerry (Katona) based purely on performance, despite her being at the bottom of the judges leader-board with 12/30. 'Kerry has lots of catching up to do with the other skaters' they all agreed.

Last night's show was the second of the Ultimate Skills Test, where celebs were required to perform a jump in their routine. The theme of the show was musicals.

The front runners (skaters) Sam, Laura and Chloe, as usual performed at their best, with Laura catching up to Sam with a score of 25.5/30 for her Hairspray routine, for which she was branded by Jason as 'Soooo Disney.'
Hot on their heels was Jeff, who, with his new found confidence, delivered a controlled performance to open the show, earning him 22/30, his best score to date, even beating Vanilla Ice, who Jason said 'was melting.'

Once again Denise's performance to Chicago's Roxy was ripped apart by judge Jason who told her 'Your Fosse arms were more like windscreen wipers', and 'You lacked the sentiment of the performance.' Denise said, 'I was trying to be sexy', 'We didn't get that', replied Jason. Fortunately Johnson escaped Jason's wrath for his comical routine, with Emma praising him for trying something new each week.

Next Sunday the celebs must perform three tricks, a step sequence, jumps and a 360 degree spin, which will count for more than half their overall score.

Review: Never Let me Go

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2005 novel of the same title, Never Let me Go is thought-provoking , goes against human instinct and nature to explore the notion of rent-a-body humans designed to save the real human race from life threatening illnesses such as cancer and motor neuron disease.

While critics have panned the film to be much like The Island (2005), also based on the same novel, Never Let me Go is more realistic, heart felt, the characters easier to relate to and a truly British film with outstanding performances from a talented cast.

Set in an alternative Britain in the late seventies, the movie focuses on the lives of three friends-Kathy H (Carey Mulligan), Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield) who are being brought up in an educational institution where their every day routines are closely monitored, from the food they eat, sport they play and more importantly the state of their health. To keep tabs of the children in the school, each has an electronic tag they use to check in and out with. Of course this seems like the norm to the pupils, who are not allowed past the boundaries of the school and unaware of the true reason of their existence. That is until a new teacher with a conscience starts at the school and tells the children that they will never see past their 30th birthday, have a career or children. But with her statement of truth to the year 4 class she iskilling them with kindness as they have no power or desire to escape this fate that awaits them through fear provoked by the stories they have heard within the school, lies spread by teachers, and subsequently their short years become fraught with paranoia and anticipation as to when they will be called up for their first and last donation.

Whereas society views them as bodies without souls, the pupils are still like normal children, they enjoy playing with toys, develop friendships and feel hurt, anger and jealousy, an emotion that threatens to split up the three friends as Ruth makes a move on Tommy after noticing him and Kathy developing true feelings for each other. 

Their relationship continues at age 18 when the children graduate from the school to live in cottages with others like them who have been brought up in similar institutions. Here they have more freedom and are even allowed into the real world for day trips permitting they return to the cottages.  During this time Tommy and Ruth’s relationship becomes more visible, something which tears Kathy apart, so she decides to volunteer as a carer, the only job the children are permitted, looking after those who are at their stage of completion (donating). Ultimately it is this decision which prolongs her short life, and after moving away from Tommy and Ruth, who eventually split, leads her back to them. 

She finds that both Ruth and Tommy are on their second donation. While Tommy is still fighting fit, Ruth is beaten and requests the three meet to go on a day trip, knowing where Tommy is being cared for. On their outing Ruth makes amends by apologising for her behaviour and offers Kathy and Tommy a life-line, the address of the gallery owner who visited the school, a woman they believe can extend their lives by proving they are in love. However this arrangement is yet another cruel rumour, and as soon as the pair are reunited Tommy is called for his third and last donation. Two weeks after Kathy is notified of the appointment for her first donation.

Of course it’s easy to say that they all should have made a run for, but much like our purpose is for pro-creation theirs is to donate and prolong others’ lives, which they accept.

Mary Portas creates a precedent for estate agents

 It was Mary Portas to the rescue again last night on Secret Shopper (CH4) as she fought to create a new bred of estate agents that are trustworthy, hardworking and honest, a mean task considering 79 per cent of people don’t trust them. As a soon to be first time buyer this rings alarm bells, especially when retail expert Mary Portas discovered that most estate agents receive little or no training before they are sent to do a viewing.

North London estate agents Martyn Gerard provide new recruits with an hours training on customer service, found Mary as she went to give the family business of eight offices a helping hand. However founder Martyn, and now owner Simon Gerard, claimed they only wanted Mary’s help rather than needed it as their service is far superior to the competition because they go the extra mile with personal touches. These consist of a letter to say thank you with an umbrella on to paying customers. Mary tells them ‘Your (estate agents) reputation is as good as poo on the street.’ So she meets up with Martyn Gerard’s top seller Philip Johnson and reveals secret footage of him doing a viewing with a customer, if you can call it that what with his phone glued to his ear. At another viewing he tells a customer that ‘West facing is the new South facing’, its all 'smoke and mirrors' argues Mary, who decides to set the team a task to be a tour guide for the day at Kenwood House. The team excel, which angers her further.

Ms Portas suggests a new approach to viewings, estate agents must list positives and negatives of a property and get rid of all the jargon, with a banned list of clichés, ‘on a popular/prestigious turning’, ‘good for DIY enthusiasts’. Simon Gerard isn’t too keen on Mary’s ideas.

To road test this honest service, Philip and colleague Veronica agree to show customers around two homes that have been on their books for a long time, only they must do a viewing in a different way by using knowledge told to them by the seller and no spin.The result- customers say it’s the best viewing they’ve ever had.

Weeks into the new approach and 100 per cent of customers agree they are pleased with Martyn Gerard’s service and fully trust them, which of course wins Simon around.

4-0 to Mary!!

The traveller life according to Paddy- My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

Ever wondered how travellers afford nice cars, lavish weddings and designer clothes, well I have, it’s through bare knuckle fighting, where men can earn thousands of pounds if they beat their component. And these fights are ugly, the only rules no pushing, grabbing or giving up, unless you want to have a bruised ego.

This isn’t the only unusual tradition of travellers, according to last night’s My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding- from the perspective of the male, who consider shopping, the home and all that is in it, their children included, the women’s responsibility.

One man who embodies this is Paddy (Pictured) who runs a traveller site in Salford on behalf on the council. However he makes his real money from concreting and in the past fighting.

As one of the more well off travellers he lives in a mobile home with his wife, ‘woman’, decorated in the ‘versace look’, and buys a new car twice a year. At the moment he is driving a white sports car. The man even his has initials on the gate of his home and etched into the entrance of the trailer park ground. But despite this, you feel some empathy for Paddy, who has fathered ten children but only half of survived, of course he does have his 70 odd godchildren. Fourteen years ago his eldest son, then aged 18, died in a car crash with his cousin, something that appears to have hit Paddy particularly hard. But in the traveller tradition they celebrate the life of the dead with a memorial service on the anniversary of the dead each year. Their service consists of lots of drinking and playing their son’s music out loud.

At the other end of the scale is Violet Ann, a Romany traveller from Leicestershire, who unlike many girls from her community has been working for the past five years at a hotel, her manager did not know she was a traveller. She gives up her independence to marry at 22, considered old by travellers, which means moving 100 miles away from the family home (a house) and leaving her old life behind, something she finds hard to accept.

What I watched last night-One Born Every Minute

Last night's episode of One Born Every Minute, ie the birth control programme, followed two women in their thirties each with their own problems. Sara, mother of three, who is terrified of pain, perhaps getting pregnant wasn't the best of ideas, and Julia, who has a heart condition and having her first baby. Julia's story follows on from the week before when she was admitted to hospital following a scare with the baby.

The two stories play out very differently. Julia, despite birth putting extra pressure on her heart, is reasonably calm apart from when she is moaning at her partner Dean for what he is putting her through, fair enough, while Sara, who is experienced at childbirth, is panick stricken and asks for an epidural at 3cm dilated, you must be joking. Then she asks for a cesearan when she is about to give birth, the midwife tells her the only way you'll get that is to go private and pay, how much she asks.

Sara's baby crowns quite quickly even with her facing the wrong way, a tricky job says the midwife. Julia, who is only allowed to push for 30 minutes according to the heart specialists that at one point are all gathered in the room, talk about an audience, has her baby delivered by forceps, I feel her pain! 'It's my biggest achievement' she says afterwards 'but I'm not having anymore', her partner thinks otherwise.

One Born Every Minute is on every Monday@ 9pm on CH4.

Dancing on Ice-Jennifer Metcalfe is voted off ice.

 Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe was booted off the ice last night after the judges unanimously voted to save Rob aka ‘Ice’ at the skate off. Judge Jason said his decision was based on the skaters’ personality on the ice, leaving Jennifer speechless and in tears as she left the competition.

The outcome of the public vote also came as a surprise to the other celebs and viewers as two of the top skaters Jennifer and Ice were chosen to perform again for their survival, while bottom runners Kerry and Comedy Dave escaped, proving it really is anyone’s game.

And that wasn’t the only drama last night as judge Jason and trainer Karen came head to head in a vicious argument. It all kicked off after Jason claimed he was ‘indifferent’ about Johnson’s performance, prompting Karen to defend the former soldier who said it was a bigger challenge for him than the other skaters. Jason replied ‘If your opinion was so important you’d still be on the panel’, while Karen defensively said ‘you bring nothing to the panel.’ Jason did later attempt to apologise but as he branded Karen too emotional she threw it back in his face by calling him a ‘nasty, nasty man’, handbags , or should I say ice skates at the ready.

Last night’s show was the first of the Ultimate Skills test in which celebs have to perform required elements, the first being a step sequence by themselves but in time with their partner.

There was also a Vegas theme, however it was clear none of the production team have visited Sin City what with the programmes over-use of show girls wearing feathers and the tacky decorations and sparkle, fortunately the skating was much better.

Sam was once again at the top of the judges’ leaderboard with an impressive 25.5/30, Laura hot on his heels with 24/30 and Chloe with 22/30. The most improved skater was Jeff who achieved a score of 20/30 with what Emma Bunton called a ‘smouldering, strong and confident’ performance. Whereas Kerry Katona, who admitted she was close to quitting, was exposed by the step sequence leaving her with a low score of 10.

Michelle Roux picks his winning trainees

The competition was wide open last night as the seven trainees completed their last service in a bid to win one of two Academy of Food and Wine scholarships.
After eight weeks of training they were put to the test waiting hand and foot on their mentors at Michelle Roux's famous London restaurant, and expectations were running high.
While they are all stepped up their game and took on the roles given to them by Michelle, Ashley questioned why the Michelin star chef  had asked him to work the floor as a sommelier when he had his heart set on front of house.

But he needn't of worried, as both him and James were awarded the coveted front of house scholarships, despite there originally only being one place available. Michelle admitted he had been unable to choose between the pair so created another position.
The sommelier scholarship went to the youngest of the group Danielle, who couldn't believe her luck, even though she had proven to have a natural ability in describing at selling wines that evening.
And in a surprise end to the programme, Michelle's favourite former dinner lady Brooke was offered a job at  the Galvin at window's restaurant, managed by their trainer Fred Sirieix, something far better than a scholarship she said.

Mary Portas Secret Shopper- This time it's personal

It’s astonishing how many people get conned into buying a mobile phone they don’t want or agreeing to an over priced contract. Only the other day my hairdresser told me she is paying £55 a month for her iPhone on O2, problem is that after she dropped it down the toilet she found that the salesman hadn’t set up her insurance properly. So she’s had to buy a cheap phone but still stuck with the expensive contract. And she’s not alone, according to retail expert Mary Portas, who last night vowed to change this shopping hell, starting with mobile retailer Fone House. But it wasn’t going to be easy with 45 of the 50 stores ran as franchises and five owned by CEO Clive, a 70s rocker who fell into the business, a recipe for disaster?

Mary, with all her good intentions, was sent to the store in Waltham Cross, owned by top seller H, a man who drives a flashy sports car and believes ‘don’t fix it unless it’s broke.’But despite being able to talk the talk, and walk the walk, Mary discovered his customer service just didn’t come up to scratch. Her solution? To send the sales team, plus the companies worst seller -Matt from the flagship store in Angel, to work on a cosmetics counter, where listening to what women want is key. Turns out Matt was more suited to selling women’s lotions and potions than phones. Thank god then for Mary, who took him under her wing.

But that wasn’t all she had up her sleeve. Her plan was to recreate the mobile phone shopping experience into a sociable and enjoyable one by gutting the interior of the stores and introducing demonstration tables for customers to try before they buy and learn about the different phones, rather than be baffled by sales garble.

While Clive agreed to the changes at the Angel store, H and the other franchisees weren’t so easy to convince. Perhaps the cost of £20-25,000 had something to do with it?

But not one for being stuck in the past, H eventually gave in after hearing how sales had increased at the flagship store since the refit, money speaks!

Next week Mary goes undercover at Estate Agents.

Top TV pick

Konnie Huq: Under Pressure-Thurs 10 February@9pm

In a fortnight's time ITV2 will present a brand new series in which top celebs get a chance to realise an ambition they have long dreamed of, but too afraid to fulfil.
In the first episode, X Factor Extra presenter Konnie Huq takes up a challenge to become a rapper, meaning she must learn how to spit lyrics to become a real MC, her dream. Over three weeks, Konnie tries to unleash the rapper within before taking to the stage to perform at the inidgO2 in front of a 3000 crowd of hip hop fans, one mean feat! Luckily help is on hand with her mentor MOBO winner Akala, Roll Deep's Manga and J2K. But can they turn her into a rapper and get her through a MC battle and freestyle live on radio?

Coming soon to CH4

This Friday a new documentary about what it's really like to live in Essex, from the POV of a cabbie, is to air on CH4 @ 7.30pm. First Cut: Welcome to Romford follows the drivers of A1 Taxis and their customers.
The programme uses split screen footage, with one camera on the driver and another on the passengers, revealing a multitude of sins, including when passengers find a man in the road and take him to hospital, a couple using the cab as a wedding car, and a man and woman who have met for the first time after chatting online.