The People's Joker

These are the REAL stories of the medieval Knights who dedicated their entire lives to God and to the fight against His enemies…the men of the Holy Orders …The CRUSADERS.

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the BBC and the Royal British Legion honour and celebrate the Second World War generation in a programme featuring recollections from some those who remember this historic day. Popular songs of the era are performed by stars including Katherine Jenkins, Adrian Lester, Anton Du Beke, Beverley Knight, Helen George, Sharon D Clarke, Shane Richie and Emma Barton. In a fitting finale at 9.00, the nation is asked to unite for a very special rendition of We'll Meet Again, as a gesture of thanks to the veterans and in memory of lost loved ones. Presented by Sophie Raworth.

One man transfixed television viewers during snooker's golden age - Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins. This poignant documentary charts the remarkable rise and fall of the snooker genius, from his early days growing up in Belfast to his climb to the top of the sport as two-time world champion. Higgins was pure showbiz, a mercurial talent at the table who played the game like nobody had done before. Boxing had Muhammad Ali, football was blessed by George Best - snooker had Alex Higgins. Yet like Best, Higgins's brilliance was flawed by his demons.

How the invention of writing gave humanity a history. From hieroglyphs to emojis, an exploration of the way in which the technology of writing has shaped the world we live in.

A comprehensive history of the American stage of the Vietnam War.

A comprehensive history of the American stage of the Vietnam War.

David Olusoga travels back in time to examine the turbulent 400-year history of the Covent Garden Piazza, one of the most well-known public areas in the country. The Covent Garden Piazza has served as a market, a gathering place, a stage for performances, and a place of rebirth for more than four centuries. In this documentary, David Olusoga examines its history and summons the ghosts of the past—market vendors, orphans, artists, and activists—with the assistance of numerous experts and eyewitnesses.

Before the war in Ukraine, Mariupol was a thriving city, home to 430,000 people. In a little under three months, most of its citizens had fled Putin's army and thousands had been killed. This Panorama special, filmed and told by residents, is the story of their loss, bravery, determination, and incredible daring in making their escape. They were among those who sought refuge in the Mariupol Theatre, only for it to be bombed, the maternity hospital which was also hit and the Azovstal Steelworks, where hundreds hid in bunkers and Ukrainian forces made their last stand.

David Olusoga explores the 400-year history of the public space in London's West End, which has been a market, a meeting place and a site of protest, performance and renewal. Telling the story of the piazza from its early years as a playground for the aristocracy, through decline and dereliction to eventual rebirth, the programme weaves archive material with virtual production techniques to bring to life the history of this renowned civic space.

This is the story of ordinary LGBTQ people and their extraordinary lives, loves and struggles over the last 50 years. Presented by Stephen K Amos and Susan Calman.