Jools Holland

Intimate documentary exploring how Paul O'Grady's creation, Lily Savage, took mainstream TV by storm. Unravel the real story of Lily with insights from Paul's daughter and famous pals.

Described by Bono as 'the Noel Coward of our generation’, the singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl would have turned 65 this year had her life not been tragically cut short in December 2000. Signed at the age of just 19 after being the backing singer for a failed punk band, Kirsty went on to write and record songs that spanned genres, including rockabilly, pop and South American. She had hits like A New England and Days and sang a key part in one of the nation’s favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale of New York. Respected by those who worked alongside her, including Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Jools Holland and many others, she has left a legacy that is still valued today. This programme brings together performances that highlight the wit and intelligence of this unique performer

A celebration of some of the biggest names in music, offering an epic compilation of 60 songs performed over the past 60 years to celebrate BBC Two's diamond anniversary. All the performances featured originated on BBC Two and have formed an important part of the channel's output over its 60-year history. Featuring such musicians as Joni Mitchell, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Kylie Minogue, Bob Marley, Blondie and Queen.

Pauline Black is a multi-talented figure who dedicated four decades to music, while supporting and campaigning for racial equality. Featuring excellent archive and contemporary footage, the film charts Black’s history – from her adopted background to the racism, sexism and hostility she faced on her journey through British life and the entertainment industry. It’s engrossing, essential viewing.

The story of Britain’s long relationship with Blondie - the part it played in helping the band to international success and the impact the band had on British fans and musicians.

Filmed on the road during his 2022 Greatest Hit Tour, director Chris Atkins followed James Blunt across Europe and delves into James Blunt's unique backstory. From witnessing the Kosovo War, recording the biggest selling album of the '00s, enduring the backlash that followed his success, and then tweeting his way back to becoming a national treasure, this is an intimate portrait of James Blunt as never seen before – a brutally honest story of a painfully self-aware, endlessly touring musician, for whom persistence eventually prevails.

A collection of songs from the kings and queens of the keyboards, whose performances have captivated audiences over the decades and across a selection of the BBC’s best-loved music programmes. From piano pioneers like Little Richard, Nina Simone and Ray Charles, who showed the world that the new sounds of pop and rock didn’t just revolve around guitars, right through to modern maestros like Elton John, Lady Gaga and the BBC’s own Jools Holland, these are the big names who got us tapping our feet by letting their fingers do the talking.

A compilation of TV appearances from the post-Beatles career of Britain’s most successful singer-songwriter. This playlist shows how the Fab Four’s split didn’t stop the hits and features some of Paul McCartney’s most popular songs and iconic performances on some of the biggest BBC shows of the past five decades, from Top of the Pops to the Electric Proms. Alongside tracks like Band on the Run, Jet, Coming Up and Live and Let Die, there is rarely seen backstage footage, interviews and a range of familiar faces, including a recent encounter with die-hard Beatles fan Bob Mortimer.

Documentary examining the unique connections the singer shared with Britain, and what made the UK such a sanctuary for him. The programme features contributions from some of those who were closest to him, from his own children to friend Elvis Costello, as well as celebrity fans including Jools Holland and Freddie Flintoff.

Historian Lucy Worsley teams up with artist and materials scientist Zoe Laughlin to explore the explosive science and fascinating history of fireworks, using an original pyrotechnics instruction manual, and other 400-year-old historical documents, to recreate one of the most spectacular fireworks displays from the Tudor era.