“Although the three lives neither touched nor particularly illuminated one another, the programme sort of worked.”

Born On The Same Day

Born on the Same Day, Channel 4

“It’s all very moving – Frances’s story especially. The lives of the other two aren’t overshadowed by the presence of the famous figure; Frances’s fostering and Ewart’s family leaving everything and setting off into the unknown are just as brave as Sir Ranulph’s polar treks. It makes you think about stuff – you know, ageing, how quick a life goes by, your own, perhaps.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“Although the three lives neither touched nor particularly illuminated one another, the programme sort of worked. It helped that Chorlton, Rennalls and Fiennes were likeable and that each showed courage. In the spaces between their stories lay glimpses of the social history of a country growing a heart big enough to give the persistent the chance to make choices.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Born On The Same Day deserved to be well-hidden. It took three good stories and botched all of them, in a muddled format that taught us nothing. If they had come together at the end, to compare experiences, it might have made some kind of sense. But throughout the hour, the three remained entirely unaware of each other.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, Dave

“This series is such a disappointment for Dave that their schedulers can’t get rid of it fast enough. It’s on seven nights a week. Luckily, there’s no chance of anybody seeing it even accidentally, thanks to the football.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

Revolution and Romance: Musical Masters of the 19th Century, BBC4

“The saxophone may not be to everyone’s taste but in Suzy Klein’s entertaining account its inventor’s story was a symbol for progress itself. There can’t be many tougher challenges than turning out a three-part telly series about classical music and making it entertaining.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

Little Divas: Tantrums & Tiaras, Channel 5

“The people in last night’s programme seemed like spoilt, needy bullies, demanding absurd amounts of clothing, accessories, treatments from their loved ones on pain of a big, foot-stamping paddy. The programme, of course, inspired us to be very cross about these people. They must have known that would happen which made their decision to take part anyway seem more sad than contemptible.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

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