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TV presenter Rob Rinder and historian Ruth Goodman team up to look at The Plague, the Great Fire of London and the Blitz in a fascinating new series
In an eye-opening series, The Great Plague With Rob Rinder & Ruth Goodman, on tonight (July 10th, on 5 at 9pm), they uncover secret plague burials, strange cures and surprising theories in this fascinating look at history’s most dramatic events. Rob and historian Ruth dive into three life-altering moments – the Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the Blitz – looking at each of them through the eyes of both the rich and the poor. They uncover gripping stories of survival, resilience, and reveal what difference wealth made, and whether it was ultimately luck, grit, or the size of your bank balance that mattered most when disasters hit.
In the first instalment, exploring the Plague, the documentary explores how scientists now believe body lice spread the plague, not just fleas carried by rats. Rob and Ruth also discover that underwear may have made a difference. The rich and poor wore similar undergarments, but the rich changed theirs daily – would have helped reduce infection. For a remedy, the rich favoured pricey concoctions like ‘London Treacle’ (walnut, rue, salt and fig), while the poor used homemade methods, like herbs.
There are also modern-day parallels to Covid, like the strict quarantining, where any suspected plague sufferers had to be locked up in their house for 40 days. Rob says: “What drew me to this series was exactly that: this chance to look closely at individuals living through some of the most terrifying, cataclysmic moments in British history — but to do it with humanity. I felt emotionally connected to people who lived 400 years ago. I never expected to, but I did. Deeply.”
The Great Plague With Rob Rinder & Ruth Goodman is airing on 5 tonight at 9pm
There’s plenty more on TV tonight – here’s the best of the rest…
TODAY AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW LIVE, 5, 8pm
For two nights at a sprawling ground in Harrogate is the 166th Great Yorkshire Show, the biggest agricultural show in the UK. Farmers and producers have been working towards this event for the entire year, so will be proudly competing with their best animals and wares. It’s not all fun and games – reputations and businesses are at stake. Julia Bradbury and Jules Hudson experience everything on offer, capturing all the drama.
They’re joined by familiar faces Dave and Rob Nicholson of Cannon Hall Farm, who proudly showcase their prized shire horse, Saffron, along with her stunning foal, Yorkshire Rose. The brothers are quietly confident about their chances of winning a coveted first-place red rosette, but as always, it all hinges on how the horses – and brothers – perform in front of the judges on the day. Julia dives into the delicious world of cheese with food expert Nigel Barden, while Jules explores the machinery section and Julia joins the ‘People’s Pig’ competition.
OUTRAGEOUS, U&DRAMA, 9pm
As this gossipy, glossy period drama about the real life Mitford sisters continues, the family is about to be hit by their biggest scandal yet. The episode starts with a glaring red flag, when eldest daughter Nancy (Bessie Carter) says: “Of course there were bound to be disagreements between us about things like politics, but nothing that could fundamentally threaten the deep bonds of family, surely?”
Marve and Farve have received a letter from Unity (Shannon Watson), who is in Munich, excited that she met Adolf Hitler and talked to him for about half an hour. “Good lord, we can’t have two sisters both mistresses to fascist leaders, what are the chances?” says Nancy. Diana (Joanne Vanderham), driving the car that boyfriend Oswald Mosley bought her, heads to Munich to keep an eye on things. But before long, Unity’s attempts to impress her friends in Germany cause an international scandal and she becomes “the most hated woman in Britain”, causing untold grief for the Mitfords.
EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm
Sarah stubbornly refuses to rest after her hysterectomy despite Charity’s protests. Eager to be distracted, Sarah heads to the garage and offers to help Kammy. Woozy and disorientated, Joe wakes up in a makeshift hospital room to see a menacing Crowley looming over him. The next day a hungry and irritable Gabby is annoyed that her car still isn’t working properly. When Laurel demands a private word with Vinny, he worries which part of his conversation with Kammy she might have overheard.
EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7pm
Peter starts his first day on the fruit and veg stall, but refuses to speak to Laurn about her kiss with Zack. Penny gives Lauren a pep talk ahead of Jimmy’s gene test results. Harry is horrified when Kojo makes a confession. Linda worries that Elaine is doing too much after her heart attack. Anna returns from Spain and has a go at George for keeping her in the dark about the divorce and the sale of The Vic.
CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 9pm
Maria calls at the police station and reports Gary missing. When Kit reveals they’ve had a report from the hospital of an unidentified coma patient, Lisa wonders if it could be Gary. Maria confides in Sarah that Gary hasn’t made any bank transactions since 23rd June. Kevin lies to Carl that he’s been given the all clear from cancer. Dee-Dee collects Laila from James. As she celebrates with Laila’s Godparents and thanks Billy for a lovely christening, will James figure it out?
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