The Radio Times Easter issue is available now!
Pick up a copy of our Easter issue for a complete entertainment guide to the bank holiday weekend.
The Radio Times Easter issue is on sale now! This year's special issue contains 40 of the best TV shows you can watch and stream over the long bank holiday weekend and a new daily radio guide. Our festively floral cover illustration was designed exclusively for Radio Times by Charlotte Day. You can watch the cover spring to life in the video below! The Easter issue features full TV listings and expert guidance on the latest unmissable TV, streaming, radio, film and podcast recommendations, plus interviews and features with: Ken Bruce on not being given the credit he deserved at the BBC, his disappointment with the way they treated him, and hoping his audience follows him to Greatest Hits Radio Paul O'Grady's radio producer and friend Malcolm Prince pays tribute to his life and impact and recalls their last hours together Sara Pascoe chats about her nerves going on Mock the Week, being part of a "gentler generation" of comedians and how struggling with fertility impacted her comedy Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell discusses the parallels between one of his favourite films, Groundhog Day, and churchgoing, and the lessons we can learn from the film Share your photos of your Radio Times Easter issue with us on social media using #RadioTimesEaster and we'll re-post our favourites! HOW TO BUY IN STORES & ONLINE: As well as in-store at supermarkets and newsagents, you can pick up your Radio Times Easter issue online with your favourite retailers: Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. DIGITAL EDITION: You can also download our digital edition and get instant access on your chosen device, click here to buy yours.
Best TV and films to watch on Easter Saturday - what to watch this weekend
Snuggle on the sofa with some chocolate eggs for these TV treats.
An Easter weekend requires at least a few films and quality TV - luckily we've sifted through the TV guide to bring you the very best Easter Saturday has to offer. So from the conclusion of Saturday Night Takeaway to blockbuster movie premieres to a few classic repeats, there's something for everyone this long weekend. Let's start with some top picks. What's on ITV on Easter Saturday? Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway at 8pm After a series featuring a chart-topping sea shanty, the long-awaited return of Chums, and no live audience whatsoever, Ant and Dec are capping off their ever-popular variety show with an Easter extravaganza. Mo Farah will be following Ant and Dec's orders in the popular Get Out Me Ear! segment, while Mo Gilligan will be the guest announcer introducing the conclusions to Double Trouble and Ant vs. Dec. Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow at 8:35pm Alan Carr's retro gameshow mashup returns for another series, kicking things off with a celebrity special of Play Your Cards Right. Harry and Sandra Redknapp and Martin and Shirlie Kemp are the two couples guessing higher or lower to win a jackpot for charity in an episode that would fit just as well in the Easter weekend schedules in the 1980s. What's on BBC One on Easter Saturday? Keeping Faith at 9pm The third series of the breakout Welsh hit Keeping Faith continues, with Torchwood's Eve Myles as the small-town lawyer whose life goes into limbo following the disappearance of her husband. In this second episode, Faith is thrown by the reappearance of the mysterious Rose after 25 years - can she stay focused on the case of teenage cancer patient Osian? Casualty at 8:20pm It's a big episode for Connie this week, with actress Amanda Mealing confirmed to be taking an extended break after this episode. Connie's daughter Grace is right in the thick of it this week after she makes a mistake while trying to save Ollie's life - could Connie's furious reaction divide mother and daughter forever? Pointless Celebrities at 10am Easter Saturday is a perfect time for light-hearted fare such as Pointless, with this week a celebrity stand-up special. Rosie Jones, Miles Jupp, Russell Kane, Lucy Beaumont, Rhys James, Lloyd Griffith, Phil Wang and Sindhu Vee are the contestants more used to providing funny answers rather than correct ones - let alone responses no one else has thought of. What's on BBC Two on Easter Saturday? Easter from King's at 7pm Daniel Hyde's world-famous choir remind us that Easter isn't just about chocolate with these carols from King's College Cambridge. Hymns include Ubi Caritas, God So Loved the World and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, as well as traditional readings of the King James Bible. Life in Ten Pictures at 9pm A new documentary series charting celebrity's lives through 10 defining photos, starting with the rather eventful life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. It's an intimate and emotional approach starting with the rock star as a baby in Zanzibar and ending with a private snap shortly before death, showing every side to Mercury in between - from the flamboyant showman known the world over to the shy art student and cat lover behind his persona. What's on NOW? Scoob! What would have been the first big-screen Scooby-Doo movie in 15 years, this animated reboot explores the origins of the iconic cowardly dog as well as adding other classic Hanna-Barbera animated characters into the mix. It features an all-star cast too - listen out for the voices of Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Gina Rodriguez, Mark Wahlberg, and veteran voice actor Frank Welker. Best Movies on Easter Saturday What movies are on BBC Two on Easter Saturday? Death on the Nile at 1:50pm The Kenneth Branagh remake may keep getting endlessly delayed, but this 1978 adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels is screening today for all to watch. The title nicely sums up the plot of this Poirot classic, which features screen legends such as Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis and Maggie Smith. Evil under the Sun at 9:15pm It's a full-on Agatha Christie marathon on BBC Two, with Peter Ustinov returning as iconic detective Hercule Poirot for a second outing. Poirot remains in warm climates, this time on an Adriatic holiday island investigating the murder of glamorous stage actress (Diana Rigg). What movies are on Channel 4 on Easter Saturday? BlackKklansman at 9pm A network premiere, Spike Lee's universally praised biopic tells the unbelievable true story of an African American police officer who successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. With a sprinkling of humour and powerful comparisons to modern-day America from director Spike Lee, this film propelled breakout star John David Washington to a role in Christopher Nolan's Tenet. What movies are on ITV on Good Friday? Despicable Me at 3:15pm on ITV2 It's hard to think of a time when Minions weren't an all-encompassing pop culture phenomenon, but before their billion-dollar spin-off movie they were merely amusing side characters in this charming animation. Supervillain Gru (Steve Carell) adopts three children to aid him in his criminal plan to steal the moon - but soon finds some things are more important than evil heists... Wonder Woman at 8pm on ITV2 It's been a busy few months for Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, who starred in her own sequel Wonder Woman 1984 in December and the infamous Snyder Cut of Justice League in March. You can see how it all began in her critically praised 2017 origin story however, which sees the iconic Amazonian travel through World War One Europe to find the god of war Ares. What movies are on Sky One on Easter Saturday? The Da Vinci Code at 9pm A phenomenon when it was released in 2006, this adaptation of Dan Brown's controversial novel sees Tom Hanks as the Harvard symbologist accused of murder who uncovers a two-thousand-year-old conspiracy hiding the location of the Holy Grail. It certainly makes for an alternative religious viewing this Easter weekend - with two sequels also available, namely 2009's Angels and Demons and 2016's Inferno. Find these films and shows on our TV Guide. The Radio Times Easter issue is out now.
The 20 best Easter movies to watch and stream - top films for kids
Animated bunnies, religious epics and classic musicals – there's no need to hunt for these eggcellent films
For the second year in a row, we're spending Easter in lockdown, and although restrictions have eased somewhat in England, we're still spending more time indoors than might usually be the case. With that in mind, you might be looking for ways to keep the kids occupied over Easter weekend. Luckily there's a wealth of family films that are readily available to stream, many of which are relevant to Easter. So whether you fancy some animated fun with Wallace and Gromit, or a classic musical starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, you can check our list of all the best family movies to watch over Easter below. Many of the best Easter movies for the whole family are, of course, Disney films and you sign up to Disney Plus for just £79.90 a year for a full year’s subscription (or £7.99 a month). You will be able to enjoy various Pixar and Marvel films, and so much more. Watch some of last year’s best movies like Rocketman and Toy Story 4 on NOW TV (ad) Peter Rabbit Every good Easter film needs a rabbit, and few come more famous than Peter Rabbit himself. This 2018 update of Beatrix Potter's classic tale sees James Corden voice the titular bunny (now computer-generated) as he battles Domhnall Gleeson's Mr. McGregor for his vegetable garden. A sequel was originally due out this Easter, but has since been delayed. Watch Peter Rabbit on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Peter Rabbit review Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit For rabbits of the bigger variety, you can't do much better than Aardman's only feature-length film in the popular claymation series. Featuring a cast befitting a big-budget adaptation (including Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter) but losing none of the charm of the original shorts, this comedy will have the whole family laughing. Adults will love the clever references too, as the film parodies everything from King Kong to Top Gun. Watch Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit review Hop While Russell Brand as the Easter Bunny doesn't sound like the most family-friendly choice, this live-action/CGI comedy is thankfully suitable for all. In perhaps the most Easter-themed film there is, Brand's E.B. – the Easter Bunny's son – heads to Hollywood to become a drummer, and teams up with a human named Fred to stop an evil chick attempting to take over the family business. Look out for Sonic the Hedgehog's James Marsden and The Flight Attendant's Kaley Cuoco too. Rent Hop on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Hop review Rise of the Guardians The Avengers of holiday films, this 3-D computer-animated adventure gives us the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost as you've never seen them before. Reimagined as superhero-esque protectors, the fantasy characters team up to form the Guardians in order to stop the evil spirit Pitch from taking over the world. Some real-life acting legends appropriately take on the roles, with Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law all lending their voices. Watch Rise of the Guardians on Netflix Read our full Rise of the Guardians Review The Secret Life of Pets 2 A sequel to one of the biggest animated comedies of the last few years, The Secret Life of Pets 2 sees Max the terrier embark on a worrisome trip to the countryside with his friends. Turns out pets secretly have movie star voices – the film features Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet and Harrison Ford (!) in his voice acting debut. At a time when we're constantly with our pets, here's a chance to see what they do when you're not around. Watch The Secret Life of Pets 2 on NOW Read our full The Secret Life of Pets review Chicken Little Disney's first fully computer-animated movie (and one of their first forays into 3D), this often forgotten film from 2005 has an adorable cast of animal characters to keep the kids entertained this Easter. When Zach Braff's Chicken Little becomes convinced that the sky is falling, no-one believes him. Until aliens start invading. Watch Chicken Little on DisneyPlus Read our full Chicken Little review The Prince of Egypt Charlton Heston's live-action Moses features a little further down this list, but this 1998 animated iteration may be a better choice for the kids. The Book of Exodus is retold here, complete with a talented voice cast including Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sandra Bullock, as well as the mandatory catchy tunes. The pop hit When You Believe – remember that? – by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey came from this movie, and won Best Original Song at the 1999 Academy Awards. Rent The Prince of Egypt on Amazon Prime Video Read our full The Prince of Egypt Review The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Disney's 2005 blockbuster adaptation of the classic C.S. Lewis book delivered a perfect Lord of the Rings-esque fantasy epic suitable for younger children, with impressive battle scenes for the adults as well. The Christian parallels are easy to see for the older viewer, making Easter the perfect time to reunite with the Pevensie children, Mr. Tumnus and co. The franchise may have struggled afterwards, but this first film still stands as a high point for children's fantasy. Watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on Disney Plus Read our full The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe review Zootropolis (Zootopia) While there are no Easter celebrations here, a tough bunny is the star of one of Disney's biggest hits of the last few years. Zootropolis (better known as Zootopia outside the UK) follows rookie rabbit cop Judy Hopps as she teams up with con artist fox, Nick Wilde to solve a conspiracy. As well as earning over $1billion worldwide, it's also one of the best modern Disney films. We gave it five stars. Watch Zootropolis on Disney Plus Read our full Zootropolis review Jesus Christ Superstar A chance to remind ourselves of the original Easter story – perhaps with a few creative liberties – this 1973 adaptation of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical emphasises the superstar part of the title. If you prefer your Bible stories with jet fighters and disco costumes, then this is the film for you. Watch Jesus Christ Superstar on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Jesus Christ Superstar review The Greatest Story Ever Told This ambitious film features not only the story of the resurrection, but Jesus Christ's entire tumultuous life. Epic in scope – and runtime – this film took inspiration from a 1947 radio series to become one of the great religious biopics. The cast is just as epic, with an ensemble including Charlton Heston, John Wayne and the late Max von Sydow. Rent The Greatest Story Ever Told on Amazon Prime Video Read our full The Greatest Story Ever Told review Easter Parade MGM's classic musical follows a performer who hires a chorus girl as his new dance partner to make his previous one jealous, setting up a G-rated love triangle. Sure, the plot doesn't have that much to do with Easter, but who needs an excuse to see Fred Astaire and Judy Garland sing and dance through some of their biggest hits? To keep just enough Easter spirit, the film culminates with a proposal at, you guessed it, a show-stopping Easter Parade. Rent Easter Parade on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Easter Parade review The Ten Commandments Charlton Heston headlines another religious epic, this time playing Egyptian prince Moses as he discovers his Hebrew roots and becomes a messenger for God. Cecil B. DeMille's remake of his 1923 silent film is one of the most financially successful films of all time, making well over $1billion if you adjust for inflation. The film has aired at Easter on network television in the US every year since 1973, and you can now join our American cousins through the more modern technique of streaming. Rent The Ten Commandments on Amazon Prime Video Read our full The Ten Commandments review Who Framed Roger Rabbit Another film prominently featuring a rabbit, this 1988 classic blends animation and live-action to wonderful effect and remains a firm family favourite. The noir-ish plot follows Roger, a toon rabbit who seeks the help of human detective Eddie Valiant after he becomes convinced his wife, Jessica Rabbit, is having an affair. Things take a turn for the worse when Roger ends up accused of murder... Watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit on Disney Plus Read our full Who Framed Roger Rabbit review Soul OK, so there's not much direct relevance to Easter in this film – beyond the theme of resurrection – but Pixar's latest feature is nonetheless a perfect watch for the whole family over the holiday weekend. With a stellar voice cast, some characteristically sublime animation and an Oscar-nominated score, the film ticks just about every box, telling a life-affirming story about a jazz musician who learns some valuable life lessons after an unfortunate accident. Watch Soul on Disney Plus Read our full Soul review Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Easter weekend is a great time for a family musical – and they don't come much better than Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Based on the book by James Bond writer Ian Fleming and adapted for the screen by Roald Dahl, this story of an eccentric inventor and his flying car includes some superb songs, a memorable turn from Dick Van Dyke and, of course, one of the great film villains of all time – the terrifying Child Catcher. Rent Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Amazon Prime Video Read our full Chitty Chitty Bang Bang review Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory One of the best things about Easter is the opportunity to eat huge amounts of chocolate, so what could be more fitting than heading to Willy Wonka's famous factory for a whimsical adventure with Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe? The original adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel features some catchy tunes and wonderful sets, and Gene Wilder is simply perfect as the eccentric factory owner. Another Willy Wonka film is currently in development – but this one will be hard to top. Watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory on Netflix Read our full Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory review Winnie the Pooh This film, released in 2011, was the first original Pooh feature for more than 35 years, and follows the lovable bear as he searches the Hundred Acre Wood for a replacement for Eeyore's missing tail. While on their hunt, Pooh and his friends receive a cryptic message from Christopher Robin that soon takes them on a separate, more daring, adventure. Watch Winnie the Pooh on Disney Plus Read our full Winnie the Pooh review Tangled Disney has adapted many a classic fairytale over the years, and one of the more recent examples is this enjoyable reworking of the classic Brothers Grimm tale Rapunzel. Released in cinemas back in 2010 it featured This is Us star Mandy Moore voicing the long-haired prisoner. As is to be expected from a Disney animation, there are plenty of toe-tapping tunes and some stunning animation to be enjoyed – not to mention a couple of excellent animal sidekicks in chameleon Pascal and horse Maximus. Watch Tangled on Disney Plus Read our full Tangled review Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade If you're after something a little bit shorter to keep the kids occupied, you might enjoy this Easter-themed Ice Age short which was released as a TV special back in 2016. Set five years after the events of Ice Age: Continental Drift, the 25-minute film features all the main characters from the franchise, including Sid, Manny, and Diego, as they prepare for the Easter Weekend – including an Easter Egg hunt with a difference. Watch Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade on Disney Plus Sign up to Disney Plus for £79.90 a year or £7.99 a month now Find out what other films are showing this Easter with our TV Guide.
Best TV and films to watch on Easter Monday
The long weekend is nearly over - but some quality shows are only just starting
While you may be stuffed with chocolate eggs and already contemplating work (at home) tomorrow, there's plenty on the TV schedules to take your mind off things. From the long-awaited return of TV sensation Killing Eve to ITV's adaptation of the infamous Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? coughing scandal, there's no shortage of new shows - as well as the mandatory Bank Holiday films. Let's start with some top picks to help you decide what to watch on Easter Monday. What's on ITV on Easter Monday? Quiz at 9pm Hot on the heels of the return of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, this dramatisation recreates the programme's - and indeed the quiz show industry's - biggest scandal. Complete with Michael Sheen's spot-on Christ Tarrant impression, the show sees British Army Major Charles Ingram as he sails straight through to the top prize of £1million - with the help of a few infamous coughs. Our four-star review described it as "Ocean’s 11 meets middle-class Wiltshire". What's on BBC iPlayer on Easter Monday? Killing Eve One of the few recent shows to be moved forward, the long-awaited return of this cat-and-mouse thriller sees Villanelle getting over her "break-up". The trailer has promised more of Villanelle's elaborate disguises, more creative assassinations and a resolution to that cliffhanger from series two. Our review of the first episode promises plenty of early shock twists... What's on BBC One on Easter Monday? Father Brown at 1:40pm It may be a repeat, but Easter is the perfect time for some light village crime-solving with Father Brown. This series one episode sees a girl ostracised as she is believed to have radiation sickness - so there's plenty of suspects when she goes missing... The Nest at 9pm The twisty-turny surrogate drama concludes as the main characters all wrangle over custody of the baby. There's still time for a few revelations though - Emily learns an important part of husband Dan's history, while Kaya's past catches up with her. What's on BBC Two on Easter Monday? Mary Berry's Easter Feast at 7pm The conclusion of her two-part Easter extravaganza, this episode sees the former Bake Off judge cook Easter dishes from around the world, Lechon (Filipino roasted pork) and a cardamom dove cake. She also explores international traditions over Easter, including how the Greek Orthodox community breaks the fast with tsoureki bread, the work of Archbishop of York John Sentamu as well as Italian culinary specialities. Might make you hungry even if you're full of chocolate eggs... Dolly Parton: 50 years at the Opry at 9pm Celebrating her 50 years as a member of country music stage the Grand Ole Opry, this candid documentary sees the musical icon talk through her career, interspersed with footage of her anniversary concert in October 2019. Parton rings her trademark wit as well some disarming honesty, and is joined by guests Lady Antebellum, Emmylou Harris and Hank Williams Jr. What's on Amazon Prime on Easter Monday? Outlander The time-travel drama continues after a week off. Following on from the Battle of Alamance, the surviving characters were last seen looking for Roger when they discovered a familiar hooded body hanging from a tree - is this really it for Roger MacKenzie? Watch on Amazon Prime. Best Movies to watch on Easter Monday What movies are on BBC One on Easter Monday? Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull The ending remains controversial, but this belated sequel proved Indiana Jones could wield that whip at any age. We also get a good look at the famous warehouse glimpsed at the end of the first film - keep an eye out for the Ark of the Covenant cameo... What movies are on BBC Two on Easter Monday? The Robe at 3pm One of the many religious epics shown this weekend, The Robe sees Richard Burton as a Roman military tribune who commands the crucifixion of Jesus Christ only to be tormented by a guilty conscience afterwards. Known for being the first film to be shot in widescreen cinemascope, the movie is worth seeing for Jay Robinson's unforgettably over-the-top Emporer Caligula. What movies are on ITV2 on Easter Monday? Richie Rich at 2:45pm Macaulay Culkin's last feature film as a child star, this Harvey Comics adaptation sees a wealthy but friendless young boy finally get some pals his age when a scheming executive tries to steal his parents' wealth. Formulaic family fun perfect for a Bank Holiday afternoon in. Casper at 4:40pm Another 90s childhood classic adapted from a Harvey Comics strip, this film swaps Macaulay Culkin for fellow child star Christina Ricci fresh from her breakout role in The Addams Family. The first film to have a CGI character in the lead role, this movie sees a paranormal expert and his daughter befriend the friendly ghost himself when hired to clear a mansion of spirits. Jurassic World at 6:35pm Billion-dollar reboot of Spielberg's iconic dinosaur franchise, this time focusing on a fully-functioning park that makes a genetically engineered hybrid The Indominus Rex. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are the Park employees escaping the rampage, and will return along with the original Jurassic Park cast in the upcoming Jurassic World: Dominion. What movies are on Film Four on Easter Monday? Shrek the Third at 5pm Shrek takes aim at the legend of King Arthur in this animated sequel, best remembered for introducing the adorable ogre babies. After inheriting the throne the death of Fiona's father, Shrek would much rather someones else become King - is Justin Timberlake's Artie up to the job? Home Alone at 6:50pm Macaulay Culkin strikes again, this time in his most famous work by far - Home Alone. It may not be Christmas, but the story of an eight-year-old boy causing chaos while home alone works with or without the festive setting - it may also work as a reminder before the upcoming Disney+ reboot. Plan your Easter Monday schedule with our TV Guide
The best TV and movie Easter eggs: Marvel, Star Wars, Black Mirror, Doctor Who and more
They're Easter eggs, but not of the edible chocolate kind...
Did you know?… an Easter Egg is not only a delicious reminder that Easter is here, it also has another pop-culture meaning: a hidden reference or inside joke/clue hidden in TV, films and video games. RadioTimes.com has done the hard work for you, bringing you some of the best hidden "Easter Eggs" from TV shows and movies past and present. Here's a rather Eggscellent round-up of all the Easter egg material we've served up in the run-up to Easter Sunday – and be sure to look out for #RadioTimesEasterEgg across our social channels for more content and to join in the discussion! 16 of the best movie Easter eggs While many know about the beloved Stan Lee cameos in Marvel's Cinematic Universe and the hidden Mickeys in Disney movies, here we highlight some of the more obscure pop culture references that filmmakers have sneaked into some of the world's biggest movies. So keep your eyes peeled next time you rewatch one of these classics - even die-hard fans may be surprised. 14 of the best Pixar Easter Eggs you may have missed Now one unexpected film franchise that is reaching MCU-levels of Easter eggs is Pixar, which has been sneaking in animated in-jokes and messages ever since Toy Story all the way back in 1995. So it seems the studio aren't just the masters of heart-wrenching animation - here are their best Easter eggs over the years. The best Doctor Who TV Easter Eggs to enjoy this Easter In a show with as long and varied a history as Doctor Who, it’s nigh-on impossible to pick out just one Easter Egg – even picking one from a series is difficult enough – but one of our favourites of the last few years was definitely a Star Trek-themed mural that popped up in the Peter Capaldi era of the BBC sci-fi drama. But why stop there? Here’s loads more Doctor Who-y Easter Egg goodness to occupy your time – and we've rounded up some of the very best hidden references and nods to fans. Doctor Who series 11, episode 1: the biggest Easter eggs and references The best Marvel Easter Eggs to hunt out this Easter Next, we’re delving into the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to take a look at some of the best Easter Eggs featured in films about the Avengers and their friends. Check out one of our favourite Marvel Easter Eggs – including a surprising connection to Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back. The 11 best Black Panther Easter eggs, cameos and comic-book callbacks 19 incredibly subtle Avengers: Infinity War Easter eggs and callbacks The 21 best Spider-Man: Homecoming Easter eggs, references and callbacks 17 of the best Spider-Man: Far From Home Easter eggs and hidden references Black Mirror season five's Easter eggs As well as some dystopian stories that could goad the most sound-minded viewer into an existential crisis, you can always rely on Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror to serve up one thing: a whole lot of Easter eggs. From blink-and-you’ll-miss-them references to some very subtle nods, season five of the anthology series is chock full of callbacks and treats for fans. 13 incredible Easter Eggs hidden in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom While it’s not quite as focused on the past as the original Jurassic World was, sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom still has plenty of Easter eggs and callbacks related to previous films in the Jurassic Park franchise. Check out a few of our favourite hidden references. 29 incredible Easter Eggs, callbacks and references in Star Wars: The Last Jedi Just like its predecessors The Force Awakens and Rogue One, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is packed full of cameos, Easter Eggs, callbacks and reference to the events of the original Star Wars trilogy and other film franchises. Check out just a few of our favourites. Check out the 20 best Easter movies to watch and stream right now – check out what else is on with our TV Guide
How to watch Easter Sunday Mass and services online - Pope Francis live today
Even though everyone is pretty much in lockdown for Easter people can still join in with a service or Mass to celebrate Eastertide
Easter is the main event in the Christian calendar, marking the end of Lent and Jesus' resurrection. The day is celebrated globally by Christians, but this year with everyone in lockdown due to the pandemic people from all denominations, from Catholics to CoE, maybe wondering where they can watch a service online. While services are behind closed church doors this year they are still running in the UK as well as Pope Francis' Holy Week schedule. How to watch an Easter service or Mass There are several places you can watch the Easter servicees. The Church of England has a live stream that will go live on Sunday, 12th April at 9am UK time. You can watch on the Church of England website. You can also watch on Facebook or listen in on BBC Radio 4 at 8.10am onwards. To find your local church live streaming a Church of England service you can look here. If you want a Catholic Mass read on for the Pope's services or tune in to follow Cardinal Nichols for Easter Sunday Mass on all BBC Local Radio at 8.10am. On BBC One there's Sunday service on BBC One at 11.25am. Easter Sunday TV schedule Saturday 11th April Easter From King's at 7pm BBC Two sees music and readings from the fan-vaulted Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, with the world-famous choir singing some of the best-loved choral music for the season. Easter - Sunday, 12th April A special edition of Sunday Worship, with an Easter service coming from Bangor Cathedral in Wales, led by the Dean of Bangor, the Very Reverend Kathy Jones on BBC One. Urbi et Orbi - Pope Francis gives Easter Message live from Rome at 11am, BBC One. Music for Hope, a performance by Andrea Bocelli, will be available to stream live on his YouTube channel at 6pm, YouTube How to watch the Pope's Easter services Vatican News also has a YouTube channel with live stream and playlists so you can watch them back. EWTN will air the services over Easter Weekend just as it did Palm Sunday. You can tune in on EWTN's YouTube Channel. Thursday Pope Francis will celebrate all Holy Week rites at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican according to Vatican News. Events kicked off with Palm Sunday last week. They continue with Maundy Thursday on 9th April at 6pm. Good Friday Good Friday service, the Lord's Passion is at 5pm UK time (6pm Rome). The Stations of the Cross won't be held in as normal at the Colosseum, but instead, they'll be shown in front of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at 8pm UK time (9pm Rome) Saturday The Easter Vigil Mass will be held at the Vatican Basilica at 8pm UK time (9pm Rome) on 11th April. Easter Sunday The next day Easter Sunday Mass will be held at the Basilica at 8am UK time (9am Rome) and will end with the Pope's Blessing Urbi et Orbi and his message. The Urbi et Orbi message will be shown on BBC One at 11am. For more timings and what to watch take a look at our our TV Guide.
The best Doctor Who TV Easter Eggs to enjoy this Easter
Forget chocolate – we’re hunting out the best in-jokes, callbacks and hidden references for you this year
As we approach Easter, it’s important to remember that the best Easter Eggs sometimes aren’t made of delicious chocolate – especially when it comes to the world of pop culture. No, these days you’re as likely to hear "Easter Egg" used as a term to describe in-jokes, references and callbacks hidden inside your favourite movies and TV shows, which – like their milk-chocolate cousins – have to be hunted down by fans. But this Easter at RadioTimes.com we’ve done that hard work for you. Over the next few days we’ll be bringing you some of the best hidden Easter Eggs from TV shows and films that we’ve unearthed over the years, as well as some new treats that we’ll be showcasing for the very first time. Look out for #RadioTimesEasterEgg across our channels until Easter to follow all the releases, but for now prepare to take a step back through time and space – because for our first Easter Egg rewind, we’re delving into the world of Doctor Who. Our Doctor Who Easter Egg pick– series nine episode 3, Under the Lake In a show with as long and varied a history as Doctor Who, it’s nigh-on impossible to pick out just one Easter Egg – even picking one from a series is difficult enough – but one of our favourites of the last few years was definitely this mural from the Peter Capaldi era of the BBC sci-fi drama. Appearing in the background of 2015 episode Under the Lake, the mysterious painting depicts the crew of a sailing ship under attack from a brutal monster, foreshadowing the future attack on the underwater mine from dastardly villain The Fisher King (who bears a close resemblance to the creature). But the Easter Egg-y goodness only begins there. Note the colour of the three sailors’ outfits, and you’ll see they’re wearing the traditional livery of Star Trek officers – gold for command, blue for science and medical, red for security/engineering/expendability. And if you think that’s a coincidence, the references to Gene Roddenderry’s sci-fi classic don’t end there. At one point during the episode you can spot a serial number on a closing bay door – 1701 – which exactly matches the serial number of the starship Enterprise, home to Captain Kirk et al. And the gold jumper worn by Jenna Coleman’s companion Clara Oswald also seems to nod to the Starfleet colours, perhaps hinting that she’s truly the one in the Captain’s chair when travelling with the Doctor… Altogether, it’s a brilliant meshing of two sci-fi champions that’ve both been around for over half a century, and a top Doctor Who Easter Egg for this year’s festivities. But why stop there? Here’s loads more Doctor Who-y Easter Egg goodness to occupy your time… The 14 sneakiest Doctor Who video game Easter Eggs There’s no way you spotted all these secret Whoniverse callbacks. Bradley Walsh reveals Doctor Who Easter egg that no-one spotted Did you spot it? We didn't... 10 Doctor Who DVD Easter eggs you may have missed From Blink to the behind-the-scenes extras you can't be without... The biggest Easter eggs and references from Jodie Whittaker's first episode The Woman Who Fell to Earth had more than a few callbacks... The best Doctor Who Easter Eggs in spin-off Class The most recent spin-off had a few nods to its parent series. 17 amazing Doctor Who Easter Eggs, callbacks and references in the 2017 Christmas special Peter Capaldi's last episode was chock-full of Easter Eggs. Someone's discovered an awesome Doctor Who Easter Egg in Assassin's Creed: Origins This has to be seen (or played) to be believed... John Barrowman responds to Doctor Who’s sneaky Captain Jack Easter Egg Did you spot the return of the Vortex Manipulator? Doctor Who production team confirm subtle Tom Baker Easter Egg in Peter Capaldi’s last episode The return of the Curator! Don't forget to check back this week for more Easter Eggs from the world of TV and Film - this is just the beginning... Doctor Who returns to BBC One in late 2020/early 2021
What's on TV this Easter? Best shows to watch on Easter Sunday 2018
Ordeal by Innocence, Mel & Sue's Generation Game reboot and The Durrells lead the line-up this Sunday
Find out what's on TV this Easter Sunday, including Ordeal by Innocence, Mel and Sue's reboot of The Generation Game and The Durrells. Check out the best TV below, and click the times for more info. View oEmbed on the source website Ordeal by Innocence, 9pm BBC1 The Argyll family lives in luxury at the sumptuous Sunny Point, though the house is anything but. It’s a cradle of vipers, a place of dark corners and even darker deeds. Sarah Phelps’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s story writhes with greed and suspicion after the murder of cruel matriarch Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor), bludgeoned with a decanter and left to die messily on the carpet. Her son Jack is accused of her killing, although he protests his innocence. But time moves on and Rachel’s husband Leo (Bill Nighy) is about to marry again, though none of his children likes his bride to be, the brassy Gwenda (Alice Eve). As the preparations are under way, a pale stranger with a bloody hand arrives to drop a bombshell. It’s a terrific melodrama, camp without being silly, and packed with exactly what you want from a Christie adaptation – suspense, poisonous glares and loads and loads of suspects. The Generation Game, 8pm BBC1 The theme music is (sort of) the same, the conveyor belt packed with prizes to be memorised, the jokes are as bad, the challenges as messy and the contestants enthusiastic but, of course, there’s no Brucie. Instead Mel and Sue take the reins of the show that was regularly watched by 21 million viewers back in the 1970s. The games, for those too young to remember the original, are designed for maximum embarrassment, double entendres and hilarity, so we see contestants attempt to work a pottery wheel (under the surprisingly competent eye of Johnny Vegas), make sausages and do a Bollywood routine. By the time two teams of family members try plate-spinning, everyone’s having a smashing time. Yep, that’s the level of it. The Durrells, 8pm ITV Louisa and Larry are holed-up in rain-sodden Bournemouth for the funeral, although not for long. They soon decamp to rain-sodden London to stay with writer Henry Miller and his artist friends. Drably provincial versus wildly bohemian makes for some entertaining situations, but you still yearn for the sunshine of Corfu. Luckily, we do spend some time on the Greek island, where Gerry rescues a donkey from an abusive farmer, Margo sees Zoltan against her mother’s precise instructions and Leslie – of all people – is offered a job as a policeman. However, very little is done on the domestic front, judging by the appalling state of the Durrells’ kitchen. The Big Painting Challenge, 6pm BBC1 The amiable art contest stretches its canvas for another run. Richard Coles and Mariella Frostrup return as the lightly bantering hosts, with ten amateur artists putting themselves through painterly challenges. This week the theme is still life – literally in the case of rendering the copper stills at a Glasgow spirit makers onto canvas. The hopefuls learn about the difference between shape and form and the technique of reductive painting. They also get a masterclass in patronising: “Well done for your energy,” is Mentor Diana Ali’s comment on one effort. “It’s very punchy,” adds Coles, kindly. Revolution, 6.30pm Sky 1 Revolution isn’t for the faint-hearted. The Ninja Warrior-style show sees 50 fearless BMX bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders taking on terrifying stunts and challenges (they have ominous names like The Cull and The Reckoning) to see ultimately which street sport is the best. The premise might be a bit fluffy, but the spectacle is anything but. It’s just as well those paramedics are on hand – actual blood gets spilt on the course. The Good Karma Hospital, 9pm ITV Gabriel joins Ruby on an outreach programme to a tea plantation, but discovers that she has not been completely honest about her reasons for wanting to go there. Back at the clinic, Lydia tries to help a patient who she believes is a victim of domestic abuse. Best film: Selma, 11pm BBC2 Director Ava DuVernay's sweepingly staged history lesson avoids the episodic pitfalls of the biopic by eschewing Dr Martin Luther King's whole life story in favour of a single flashpoint. She focuses on the three marches led by the civil rights beacon in 1965 from Selma in Alabama to the state capital, Montgomery, demanding equal voting rights for blacks.
BBC’s religion editor Martin Bashir: Why Christianity is still relevant this Easter
Bashir describes his conversion to Christianity – and why Easter isn't just about chocolate
If Christmas is now a secular celebration – described by one newspaper as a season marked by “buying, boozing and bonking” – then what do we make of Easter? Is Holy Week more about chocolate eggs than the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ? And since the latest British Social Attitudes survey says that more than half (53 per cent) of the British public now describe themselves as having “no religion”, isn’t it time to consign these Christian festivals to history? Should we accept the advice offered by an advertising campaign on the side of London buses in 2008 that read, “There’s probably no God – now stop worrying and enjoy your life”? Where is God on TV? Thought for the Day allows religion to be examined as well as contribute in the public arena View oEmbed on the source website These are some of the questions that I’ve been grappling with since I returned to the UK in 2016, after working for 12 years as a news broadcaster in New York, and became the BBC’s religion editor. The business of journalism demands objectivity and fairness, but there is no such thing as perfect impartiality because all of us carry our own cultural freight, and I’m no different. My parents came to Britain from Pakistan in 1951, my father having served with the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War. They would describe themselves as liberal Muslims, firmly embracing of British culture, and did not insist upon attendance at a mosque beyond my tenth birthday. That experience piqued an early interest in theology and philosophy and I found myself embracing the Christian faith in my late teens after attending a church in south London. But Christians speak of their faith as a journey, or pilgrimage, for good reason. The experience of faith and doubt, of moral failure and repentance, of incarnating what that faith means in practice, is a daily challenge. In my experience, there is no mastery of mystery. That’s a good thing because, soon after I rejoined the BBC in 2016, the corporation started a series of consultations to consider the audience’s appetite for religion. It was an interesting experience, being appointed to cover a subject that was immediately up for review – one that could have resulted in the religious affairs portfolio being cut. But the results are in – and that’s not how things turned out. We heard repeatedly that our audiences are interested in moral questions, but are living in a less structured moral environment. So while previous generations may have considered the possibility of foetal screening or physician-assisted suicide through the prism of a religion, many now ask exactly the same question but without the resources of theology. Audiences are less interested in the architecture of religion and more interested in how theology and ethical beliefs shape the way we live. Last November, I went to Iceland where not a single mother gave birth to a child with Down’s syndrome after undergoing foetal screening for the condition and being given the choice of a termination. Denmark has experienced a similar outcome. We interviewed Dr Kari Stefansson, one of the world’s leading geneticists, who explained that, 40 years earlier, when he was in medical school, developing a test for Down’s syndrome was regarded as the Holy Grail. But now, he said, he’s not only worried about “cleansing” countries of certain genetic abnormalities but also that foetal screening might be used to test not just for abnormalities but for talents, too. What then, he asked? Again, I confess that I’m not detached from this debate. I had a brother, Tommy, with muscular dystrophy whom I loved deeply and whose life was taken by the disease in 1991 aged just 29. From an economic perspective, his value was limited since he never did a day’s work and probably cost the state an additional £200,000 when compared with an able-bodied child. I can’t imagine my life without Tommy having been part of it, and he became the motivation for so many of my best endeavours, from sport to work. But who decides on the value of a life? Interestingly, Judeo-Christian writing offers an important principle known by the ancients as “Imago Dei”. It is the belief that each individual is made in the image of God, regardless of status, wealth, achievement or social standing. It’s the principle that led William Wilberforce, a politician of deep faith, to fight against slavery in the early 19th century. The Imago Dei has shaped countless causes over the centuries and it comes from the pages of scripture. Our worldview (or belief if you prefer) shapes everything from how we parent our children to how we die – and religion plays a formative role in this area. It’s worth pointing out, since the BBC also provides content for the World Service, that declining religious affiliation in Britain is not shared around the globe. According to the Pew Research Centre in 2015, 84 per cent of people affiliate with a religion worldwide and this is predicted to rise over the next few decades. View oEmbed on the source website The growth of the church in Africa is particularly remarkable. In 1900, Africa had around ten million Christians out of a continental population of 107 million – around nine per cent. Today, that figure stands at 360 million Christians out of a total population of 784 million – that’s 46 per cent. And that’s just one faith across one continent. Within the UK, Christianity has become less a faith by inheritance and much more one of choice. So the tradition of church attendance has declined, but those who do affiliate with a denomination tend to be committed and active participants. Grace Davie, in her book The Sociology of Religion, says, “In Europe as well as America, a new pattern is gradually emerging: that is a shift away from an understanding of a religion as a form of obligation and towards an increasing emphasis on… choice.” This could also explain why the majority of food banks in Britain are run by churches, and why faith leaders played such an important role in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. A religion of choice, as opposed to inheritance, tends to produce strong disciples. For myself, Easter Sunday will be a working day, which starts early with BBC1’s live coverage from Rome as Pope Francis delivers what is known as Urbi et Orbi – a papal address to the city and the world. We’ll then switch our attention to Canterbury, where Archbishop Justin Welby will deliver his Easter message. Across all our platforms, we’ll be reporting what these leaders have to say as Christians around the world celebrate what they believe happened to Christ during that final week of his life: that he was crucified, died and was then raised from the dead. In many ways, it’s not surprising that the secular world has been able to co-opt Christmas, centred as it is around the birth of a baby in a stable – the stuff of many a child’s Nativity play. But Easter is for grown-ups. The Christian faith speaks of Christ’s death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for all our sin and wrongdoing. And in his resurrection, the opportunity to start again. While I’m as keen as anyone on chocolate, it can’t be the only thing we think of when it comes to Easter Sunday. Can it? The Pope's Easter Message from Rome is on Easter Sunday 11.00am BBC1
What's on TV this Easter? Best shows to watch on Saturday 31 March 2018
Dec takes the reins alone on Saturday Night Takeaway, David Attenborough narrates an ode to eggs and Andrew Scott takes on Shakespeare's Hamlet
Find out what's on TV this Easter Saturday, including the TV debut of Andrew Scott's turn as Hamlet, David Attenborough's love letter to eggs and Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (minus Ant). Check out the best TV below, and click the times for more info. View oEmbed on the source website Hamlet, 9pm BBC2 Of all recent Hamlets, this feels like a good fit for the small screen. Robert Icke’s acclaimed modern-dress production pointedly uses video screens as integral to its sleek setting, a Danish royal court furnished in Scandi good taste. The ghost appears to Hamlet on CCTV via Elsinore’s scratchy security system; rolling news channels update us on the political turmoil outside. If that sounds gimmicky, don’t worry: the gimmicks work, helped by the fact that the cast is terrific, led by Andrew Scott as a searingly troubled prince. His soliloquies feel like the soul-searching of a young man for whom the “pale cast of thought” is a sickness, a mental health condition. Meanwhile, Juliet Stevenson brings what you might call a bit of Apple Tree Yard to Gertrude, a middle-aged woman with so much passion she risks destroying her family. At over three hours this is a long haul, but well worth it. Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, 7pm ITV ITV confirms Saturday Night Takeaway will return without Ant McPartlin Saturday Night Takeaway reveals show line-up for first episode without Ant Suzuki drop Ant and Dec adverts but will sponsor remaining Saturday Night Takeaway episodes Following Ant McPartlin’s much publicised return to rehab and “after much discussion and careful consideration”, Declan Donnelly is presenting the last two shows without his other half. It’s going to be odd – for him and us. A bit like Tom appearing without Jerry, or Eric Morecambe without Ernie Wise, it’s almost inconceivable. But he will have the on-screen support of Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt – plus Paloma Faith and guest announcer Stephen Merchant. More Places on the Plane are given away in the Happiest Minute of the Week (which makes the audience happy but makes me tearful) because it’s been confirmed that next week’s Florida finale is going ahead. David Attenborough's Wonder of Eggs, 8pm BBC2 All our Easters have come at once. Sir David Attenborough holds forth on a subject close to his heart and one that could hardly be more seasonal – the fascination of eggs. “It’s time to introduce some wonder into this miracle of nature,” he tells us, before launching on what becomes part eulogy and part biology, a love letter to “nature’s most perfect thing”. If you’ve wondered why eggs are oval or which end comes out of a chicken first, you’ll find out – although the latter question is trickier than it seems. One interesting section covers the latest research on how great tits can control when their eggs hatch to make sure the young arrive while food is plentiful in English woodland: each chick will need to eat 1,000 caterpillars in its first two weeks. With sections on guillemots and their pointy green eggs, the cuckoo’s deception and the importance of albumen, it’s a perfect prelude to tomorrow’s eggy binge. Easter at King's, 6.15pm BBC2 Sometimes we need reminding that Easter is about more than simply chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. In this special service, the famous choir conducted by Stephen Cleobury sings a selection of choral music for the season while the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection, taken from the gospel of John, is told by members of King’s College. Easter hymns include My Song Is Love Unknown, Were You There?, Greater Love Hath No Man and This Joyful Eastertide. While the choir is known worldwide for its Christmas broadcasts, in recent years this celebration of Holy Week has become an equally important fixture in King’s calendar. Casualty, 8.20pm BBC1 The emergency department is more tense and emotional than usual with the admittance of newlyweds Robyn and her desperately sick husband Glen after their honeymoon car accident. Troy: Fall of a City, 9.10pm BBC1 King Priam takes his life into his hands to visit the Greek camp and Achilles. An agreement is reached, but the Greeks are furious - will the truce hold? Best film: Gone With the Wind, 10.10am Channel 5 Running to nearly four hours and boasting at least three directors, this epic American Civil War romantic drama is more of a symbol of the Hollywood studio system than a mere movie. Forever dividing critics, it will remain an audience favourite for all time.
What's on TV this Easter? Best shows to watch on Good Friday
The final series of Episodes, the finale of Mastermind – and Phelan's last confrontation in Coronation Street? Find out all the best shows to watch on TV this Good Friday
Find out what's on TV this Easter Good Friday, including the final series of BBC comedy Episodes, Phelan's dramatic confrontation in Coronation Street and the Mastermind grand final. Check out the best TV below, and click the times for more info. View oEmbed on the source website Episodes, 10pm BBC2 In the fifth and final series of this inspired take-down of Hollywood hubris and hypocrisy, Matt LeBlanc is the reluctant host of The Box, an absurdly cruel game show that is so successful it’s what network boss Elliot Salad (Michael Brandon) thinks about when making love to this wife. It also means that Matt is back working with his old enemy Merc Lapidus (John Pankow), and their vinegary exchanges remain both one of this show’s great joys and a useful reminder that disaster is just a misstep away in this phoney, high-stakes world. Coronation Street, 7.30pm/8.30pm ITV Tonight's the night that Eileen finally finds out she's married to a serial killer. Her and Phelan have it out by a rusty harbour railing... that just happens to give way. Will one (or maybe both) of them be going the way of Phelan's past victims? MasterChef, 9pm BBC1 A place in the semi-final is at stake for the nine remaining chefs, with just 90 minutes to create one incredible dish. Mastermind final, 7.30pm BBC2 john Humphrys introduces the final of the current series. Specialist subjects are the Revolt of the Netherlands, golf Majors, the Hannibal Lecter novels, US constitutional amendments, Indian Premier League and Hadrian's Wall. Lee and Dean, 10pm Channel 4 New comedy series from Channel 4 about two Stevenage builders who have been friends since childhood. Room 101, 8.30pm BBC1 Comedians Phil Wang, Holly Walsh and actor Stephen Mangan air their gripes on national television with presenter Frank Skinner. Best film: The Silent Child, 7.40pm BBC1 This year's Oscar-winning short film – the moving account of a deaf girl freed from isolation – airs on BBC1.
Martin Freeman to present BBC radio show this Easter
The Black Panther actor is fronting three hours of soul music this Saturday on BBC Radio 6 Music
Sherlock star Martin Freeman will be taking to the airwaves this Easter weekend as he presents a soul show on BBC Radio. Although normally hosted by Craig Charles, Freeman will take over The Funk And Soul Show on BBC 6 Music from 6-9pm this Saturday 31st March. He’ll be presenting the show alongside founder of Acid Jazz Records Eddie Piller. Martin Freeman has had it with fans wanting Sherlock and Watson to be lovers Every Sherlock episode RANKED View oEmbed on the source website The BBC says listeners can expect tunes from Kamasi Washington to Marlena Shaw, plus “a crate load of funk, Northern Soul, jazz and Motown goodness, as Martin and Eddie spin their favourite tracks from their personal record collections”. This show isn’t the first time Freeman has flaunted his love of soul music, with the actor presenting an episode of The Culture Show in 2009 called Martin Freeman Goes To Motown. He’s also put together Motown compilation record Made To Measure.
What's on TV this Easter? Discover the best bank holiday TV and radio in this week's Radio Times
Plus Mary Berry's best chocolate recipes and the lowdown on the BBC's brand new Agatha Christie drama Ordeal by Innocence – all in this week's Radio Times
Discover the best TV and radio to watch and listen to this Easter with the new issue of Radio Times. With full details of all the best bank holiday TV as well as complete radio listings, Radio Times will keep you covered all the way through the Easter weekend. View oEmbed on the source website The new issue also comes with Mary Berry's top chocolate recipes, interviews with the cast of new BBC Agatha Christie drama Ordeal by Innocence, and a chat with beloved Radio 2 traffic reporter Lynn Bowles, who's leaving the station after 18 years. The new issue is on sale from this Tuesday 27th March, in shops and online via the Apple Newsstand. What's inside the new Radio Times? David Attenborough reveals why he has been fascinated with birds' eggs since he was a young boy Ordeal by Innocence stars Anna Chancellor and Bill Nighy tease the new BBC1 drama BBC religion editor Martin Bashir reflects on Christianity's relevance this Easter First look at the BBC's rebooted Generation Game Mary Berry reveals her best chocolate Easter recipes Lynn Bowles explains why now is the right time to leave Radio 2 Solve our Easter drama quiz to win Endeavour and Shetland DVDs. All this and more in the new Radio Times! Share photos of your Radio Times Easter issue with us on social media! Post your pictures using the hashtag #RadioTimesEaster
Morgan Freeman to present new BBC Radio 2 documentary on Easter Monday
The Hollywood legend will tell the story of his musical favourite, Pearl Bailey
Morgan Freeman, the man with the voice of God, will front a BBC Radio 2 documentary this Easter Monday. Called The Raw Pearl Bailey, the show will centre of the life and music of actress and singer Pearl Bailey in the centenary year of her birth. A huge Bailey fan, Freeman made his Broadway debut with Pearl when he starred in an all-black production of Hello Dolly in 1967. Morgan Freeman is back for the adorable March of the Penguins 2 Morgan Freeman reveals his one big problem with The Shawshank Redemption “It was a monumental moment for me, watching Pearl Bailey sass the audience as well as absorbing her professionalism,” says Freeman. He says that he considers Hello Dolly! among the top five shows of his career, and as he exclaims in the Radio 2 documentary itself, “She was top to bottom genuine, and if you’re listening up there Pearl – Baby I LOVE YOU!” View oEmbed on the source website A preacher's daughter from Virginia, Pearl Bailey gained stardom as an actress and singer on Broadway, before going on to star in movies including Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess. On the set of Porgy and Bess, Bailey challenged the filmmakers for their 'undignified and unnatural' depiction of African American dialect, telling reporters, “There’s a lot of people out there waiting for a dialect, so let’s talk the way we really talk, without the ‘dems, doeses and deses. We don’t talk like that. Maybe we did 50 years ago, but not now.” With contributions from drama critics and singer Imelda May, Freeman will also delve into Pearl’s encounters with racism, her friendships with Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford, and, finally, her death in 1990. And remember, even if you’re not a Pearl Bailey fan then it’ll be worth listening to: this is Morgan Freeman’s voice we’re talking about. The Raw Pearl Bailey is on BBC Radio 2, Monday 2nd April, 10pm View oEmbed on the source website