TV Critics: Long Lost Family: What Happened Next; Elizabeth I; Our Friend Victoria

“If this doesn’t make you blub, then you’re a liar, or a robot, or both. That’s how it goes: tears, old photo, beach, seagulls, letter, beach, sad music, letter, adoption papers, tears. Nicky, knock knock, Davina, in the Volvo, surprise, new photo, tears, beach, hand in hand … Yeah, it’s easy to be cynical, to try to mask the fact that you’re bawling your eyes out, which I am.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“It is like Jenny Agutter flinging herself at her returning daddy in The Railway Children. It never fails. The sticking point for many is, of course, that in the end it is all about creating good telly. Here one is grateful for a certain restraint shown by the programme-makers and the discretion of its presenters, Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“The ‘what happened next’ bit is often a death knell for many a good show, a clumsy way of disguising a chopped-up repeat. But with this particular show there are obvious reasons for going back to see how things panned out. Amid the powerful scenes of revelation and reunion, it was impossible to forget why all these relationships had been ruptured.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“Every expense has been spared, and the casting is problematic, with the actress playing the teenage princess looking older than young queen Lily Cole, who, in a starry big reveal, replaces her. Still, your children will find it tells the story clearly. Just swallow your giggles if you are watching it with them.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Mad moments aside, this was a watchable trot through 16th-century royal politics. Lipscomb and Jones are engaging presenters, sure of their insights and not prone to showing off.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“This has been a beautifully compiled collection of her best clips, from a career spanning 30 years. Instead of rushing out a ragbag of her favourite routines, the Beeb has taken the trouble to plan it properly. The result was six themed shows, crammed with comedy gems that really did justice to Victoria Wood’s work.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail