TV: Thatcher & Reagan: A Very Special Relationship

Thatcher and Reagan: A Very Special Relationship, Sunday 3rd April, 9pm, BBC Two

Say what you like about Charles Moore, but when it comes to Mrs Thatcher, he knows his onions. The former editor of the Daily Telegraph has written three books about the former Prime Minister, biographies released in 2013, 2016 and 2019. It’s distinctly possible that nobody alive today, with the possible exception of her children, know more about her than he does. And now he’s bringing his considerable expertise to this new two-part documentary series exploring her relationship with Ronald Reagan, and the role it played in ending the Cold War (ha!) and shaping the modern world.

The pair, described by one observer as “peas in a pod”, agreed on almost everything. Politically, economically and socially, they were in complete lock step. But, most importantly, like my children, they were glued together by the sharing of a common enemy. In my kids’ case, their parents. In Thatcher and Reagan’s case, almost as scarily, the USSR.

This riveting documentary series talks to many of the key players from the era. Naturally, many of the foremost figures from 40 years ago have since died, but among those speaking here are senior figures from the US government, as well as Cynthia Crawford, Thatcher’s PA for 35 years, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, and Sir Bernard Ingham, her longtime press secretary and owner of the second-most impressive eyebrows in British political history (after Dennis Healy, of course).

The special relationship between Thatcher and Reagan began before either one was in power. But it was in January 1981, when Reagan became President, that their friendship assumed global and historic significance. A month later, Mrs Thatcher became the first world leader to visit Reagan in America (oh, for the days when we truly mattered on the world stage).

The pair ruled alongside one another for eight years, a period that saw some epoch-defining moments, not least among them the start of the end of the (first) Cold War. This first episode sees Moore examining the early years if their relationship, and the political battles they fought together (and occasionally against) each other.

When Reagan was shot and almost killed in Washington, Thatcher’s message was one of the first relayed to the President. But by early 1982, the pair were at loggerheads. Reagan imposed sanctions on the USSR, to stop it from building a huge gas pipeline from Siberia to Western Europe. Thatcher insisted that the gas was crucial to European industry, but Reagan wanted to switch off the flow of money pouring back in the opposite direction. Stop me if any of this sounds familiar.

The second big test to their friendship came when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Argentina was seen as a key US ally in America’s war against communism closer to home, and Reagan was put in an invidious position. His Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, was intent on brokering a peaceful solution, but all of his plans ultimately involved a transfer of sovereignty of the islands to Argentina. “Haig was a confounded nuisance” blusters Ingham in his growling Yorkshire burr. In fact, the US covertly offered military equipment to aid Britain, a decision almost certainly taken by Reagan himself.

His support was returned by Thatcher in a crucial G7 summit about putting nuclear Cruise missiles onto European soil. Had it not been for her unwavering backing for the idea, it almost certainly would have collapsed.

This is a fascinating trawl through recent history, a portrait of a friendship that shaped the world possibly more than any other in human history. But it is also more than a little depressing to be watching discussion about the enemy from the East and the end of the Cold War, knowing that many of the exact same discussions are taking place in the corridors of power today. The more things change, it seems, the more they stay the same.

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Travel Man, Monday 4th April, 8:30pm, Channel 4

I have long been a fan of Travel Man. It’s a wonderfully funny travel show that has been presented by the superbly acerbic Richard Ayoade for nine series (check it out on All4 if you’ve never seen it…) But all good things come to an end, and Ayoade has decided to put his little wheely suitcase into the attic for the last time.

This news, I don’t mind telling you, devastated me.

Okay, that might be a little strong. What with everything else going on in the world, a comedian deciding to concentrate on new projects isn’t exactly Armageddon. But it made me sad. Ayoade’s brilliant, deadpan schtick and quick, intelligent wit has brought me many hours of televisual pleasure over the years. And now it’s all over.

But, as Julie Andrews said in The Sound of Music, when the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. Enter Joe Lycett, the new host of Travel Man. And a delightful one at that.

Lycett filmed a one-off episode of the show with Bill Bailey that was shown back in December, but at the time I was knee-deep in wrapping paper, pine needles and Bailey’s, so I didn’t get to review it. But happily, he’s back, with a brand new series of the show. Albeit a somewhat truncated one – there are only two episodes.

In this first one, he is off to the Basque Country with comedian James Acaster. If you’re unfamiliar with the show, the format is always the same – the host and a fellow comedian go on a mini-break together, see the sights, and basically gad about being silly. It’s not exactly rocket science – but if it ain’t broke…

First off, the pair are in Bilbao. Unsurprisingly, they visit the Guggenheim Art Gallery. To travel to Bilbao and not visit the Guggenheim would be like going to Florence and not visiting the Uffizi. (Side note: I once spent a week in Florence and didn’t visit the Uffizi. On my return, my parents were so shocked they barely spoke to me for a week.)

The Guggenheim is an extraordinary building, all angles and curves, made of 33,000 thin titanium sheets, since you ask. It’s not your average art gallery – as far as I can see, there isn’t a painting in sight. Instead, Joe and James wander around some extraordinary sculptures, including one vast piece that took the artist 11 years to make. I get a panic attack carrying my daughter’s homework project into school, and that’s normally involved half an hour of cutting up cereal boxes and taping them together.

Next up, they visit a high and rather terrifying-looking bridge. Joe is commendably honest about his feelings whilst taking in the view. “Much as I’m enjoying this, I’m not enjoying it, I’m having a terrible time.” To calm his nerves, they visit a local bar to enjoy the region’s most popular drink – red wine and Coca Cola mixed together. They both love it. Each to their own.

After buying a couple of Basque berets (worn in a different style depending on whether you’re from Bilbao or San Sebastian) they journey to the latter, an hour from Bilbao, to their eco-friendly hotel. Then it’s time to attend cookery school, where they are taught to make a local delicacy. As this involves putting a couple of olives and a couple of chilli peppers on a cocktail stick, I do wonder if the whole ‘cookery school’ aspect was entirely necessary. Then it’s off on a bar-crawl around the town, sampling drinks and Pintxos, the local bar snacks.

The show moves along at a cracking rate, and James Acaster is a great companion. Bilbao and San Sebastian look like marvellous places to visit. But the real star of the show here is Joe Lycett, who has somehow brought his own trademark wit and cheer to Travel man, without really changing the essence of the show one iota. The king is dead, long live the king. (Side note: Ayoade isn’t dead, he’s just doing other things).

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The best… and the rest:

Sunday 3rd April

All Star Musicals, 7:30pm, ITV: John Barrowman introduces seven slebs, of varying degrees of fame, including Michaela Strachan, Good Morning Britain’s Alex Beresford, and Corrie’s Lisa George, as they belt out songs from their favourite musicals, including Les Miserables, Hamilton, and Frozen.

Monday 4th April

The Split, 9pm, BBC One: The third and final series of Abi Morgan’s outstanding drama about relationships and betrayal, starring the utterly brilliant Nicola Walker.

House of Maxwell 1/3, 9pm, BBC Two: This three-part documentary series uncovers the extraordinary and troubling story of the Maxwell family, from Robert to Ghislaine. Tonight’s episode focuses on the life and mysterious death of media tycoon Robert.

Tuesday 5th April

Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism, 9pm, BBC One: The five-time Paralympic champion presents this documentary looking into the ethics of a new drug that promises to make children with Achondroplasia grow to almost ‘normal’ height. We have it – but should we use it?

DNAS Journey, 9pm, ITV: The Chase quiz geniuses Anne Hegerty and Shaun Wallace delve into their family histories. Any similarity to Who Do You Think You Are? Is entirely coincidental.

Deadline 1/4, 9pm, Channel 5: New drama following a washed up journalist (James D’Arcy) attempting to salvage his career by solving the murder of a Hungarian tycoon.

Wednesday 6th April

The Great Home Transformation, 9pm, Channel 4: New series that sees Emma Willis and Nick Grimshaw helping transform people’s homes in just three days. Sigh.

Thursday 7th April

Art That Made Us, 9pm, BBC Two: An alternative history of the British Isles, as told through 1500 years of British art. Featuring contributions from Antony Gormley and Michael Sheen.

Nikki Grahame: Who Is She? 9pm, Channel 4: A tribute to the reality star who died last year following a lifelong struggle with anorexia.

Friday 8th April

Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles, 9pm, BBC Two: return of the thought-provoking series that sees celebrities walking ancient pilgrim trails to a place of worship. Part travelogue, part theological rumination, those taking part include Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Nick Hewer, Scarlett Mofatt and Monty Panesar.

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