TV tonight: how Spice Girls and their girl power changed Britain

A documentary asks how these five personalities combined to such memorable effect. Plus: A House Through Time continues. Here’s what to watch this evening

Spice Girls: How Girl Power Changed Britain

9pm, Channel 4

A barely believable quarter of a century has passed since the Spice Girls released their debut album, Spice. This documentary series offers a deep dive into a phenomenon that emerged at the height of Britpop and seemed to offer aesthetic continuity and a point of difference. But how did it happen? This opening episode explores the band’s formation in 1994 against the backdrop of “ladette” culture. How did these five disparate personalities combine to such memorable effect? Phil Harrison

Love Your Garden

8pm, ITV

Despite coping with her own physical challenges, Middlesbrough mum Phillipa works hard to help other families in her community dealing with disability. Her reward is a fabulous new garden, overseen by Alan Titchmarsh and given a wild, great outdoors vibe and a dinosaur-themed play area. Jack Seale

A House Through Time

9pm, BBC Two

David Olusoga continues to turn up fascinating stories centred on Grosvenor Mount in Leeds. It’s 1871 and the house belongs to factory owner Benjamin Wild. He’s not a sympathetic character, presiding over inequality and industrial accidents. But a reckoning is coming … PH

Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace

9pm, ITV

Nicky Campbell and Davina McCall host a special episode of the tearjerking genealogy series, as the case of two Irish foundlings – David and Helen – continues to unfold. In 2019, the programme identified the pair as siblings, but could there be a connection to a third abandoned child? Hannah J Davies

Back to Life

10.35pm, BBC One

Daisy Haggard’s smart, slightly melancholy sitcom about a woman returning home after 18 years in prison continues. Tonight, Miri (Haggard) is convinced that she knows the identity of the motorist who knocked her off her bike. But her efforts to avoid him have unexpected consequences. PH

Sixteen: Class of 2021

11.05pm, Channel 4

The charming series following the year 11 students at Dudley’s Link Academy continues. As we rejoin the students, GCSE exams have been scrapped and their grades are at the mercy of teacher assessments and coursework. There’s also college applications, career angst and practical work experience. PH

Film choice

The Wedding Singer (Frank Coraci, 1998), 9pm, Comedy Central
It is set in the 80s, but in spirit Frank Coraci’s romantic comedy hails from a more distant past, with Adam Sandler’s singer and Drew Barrymore’s waitress having to ditch – or be ditched by – partners before finding love together. Features some of the era’s catchiest tunes, from Culture Club to Kajagoogoo. Paul Howlett

Live sport

Cricket: Somerset v Lancashire 10.00am, Sky Sports Cricket. County Championship action.

Cycling: Tour of Luxembourg 1.30pm, Eurosport 1. Coverage of stage one of the road race around the capital.

Champions League football: Young Boys v Manchester United 5pm, BT Sport 2. With Chelsea v Zenit St Petersburg to follow.

Contributors

Phil Harrison, Jack Seale, Hannah J Davies and Paul Howlett

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