Channel 4's blog
Ambreen: The Girl Boxer
Friday, January 22 on 4
Fifteen-year-old Ambreen Sadiq is the first Muslim female boxer in the country. And she's good. In June 2009 she became the ABA Female National Champion for her age and weight. This film follows Ambreen's preparations for the rematch of her championship bout against rival boxer Bobbi Clarke as she is supported by her singularly dedicated coach and a close, vibrant family. Part of the acclaimed First Cut strand of half-hour documentaries, which features the brightest new directing talent around.
Phil Down Under Premiere: Perth

Friday, January 22 on 4
Phil Spencer helps British families make the biggest move of their lives as they relocate to Australia. Over four shows, Phil gives the definitive guide to all things Oz. With a wife from Melbourne and an extensive knowledge of the Aussie property market, Phil uses all his experience to find four emigrating British families their perfect pads down under. The first in the run features Lee and Bronagh Davidson, who have decided to leave behind their four-bedroom house in the suburbs for a four-bedroom house in... the suburbs.
My Dream Farm Premiere

Thursday, January 21 on 4
Monty Don returns with a new six-part series in which he helps six different families realise their dream of returning to the land. They're all determined to leave the rat race behind, and transform their lives, but with few skills and no previous experience, it's going to be far from easy. With over 40 years' experience of farming, Monty Don is on hand to guide the novices through their first, tentative steps. Filmed throughout the farming year My Dream Farm taps into the zeitgeist as more and more people dream of returning to the land. The first episode features Dick and Pauline Beijen, who gave up their executive lifestyle and moved from Dick's native Holland to Devon.
The Slumdog Children Of Mumbai

Thursday, January 21 on 4
This Dispatches Special , screening as part of Channel 4's Indian Winter season, reveals the brutal reality of life on the streets and in the slums of Mumbai, following the daily struggles of four young children to survive over the course of three months and throughout the treacherous monsoon season. Dispatches provides a deeply moving portrait of the lives of India's real slumdogs, blighted by substance abuse, hardship and heartache, yet proof of the infinite resilience of children, and forced to reach adulthood long before they should.
Relocation, Relocation Series Premiere
Wednesday, January 20 on 4
Relocation, Relocation is back, and Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer have six brand new couples looking to make the property moves that will change their lives forever. Kirstie and Phil meet Inyang and Gregor Ross, who are risking it all to realise their dream of family life in Cornwall. Gregor's quit his job; they've sold their three-storey Glasgow townhouse; and in just three weeks' time they'll be of no fixed abode! This is one family who really need a helping hand; not least as this search will be the first time any of them have even been to Cornwall!
How To Look Good Naked... With A Difference Premiere

Tuesday, January 19 on 4
Everyone should have body confidence, and Gok Wan is determined to prove it. For this How to Look Good Naked three part special, he meets three women with zero body confidence and who all have a disability. In the first programme, he meets 40- year-old single mum Tracy Warren from Leicestershire, who has been using a wheelchair since 2007. Tracy truly believes her body is disgusting, hates her stomach and legs, and thinks she can never look sexy in a wheelchair. Gok has never styled a woman who uses a wheelchair before, so it proves as much a learning curve for him as it does Tracy.
The TV Book Club Series Premiere

Monday, January 18 on 4
The acclaimed TV Book Club returns for a brand new ten-part series. The show, which champions both established and emerging authors, welcomes a new presenting line-up consisting of Jo Brand, Gok Wan, Laila Rouass, Dave Spikey and Nathaniel Parker. Each week the presenters rate and review one title, inviting viewers to celebrate and immerse themselves in some of Britain's best writing. This episode looks at South Bank Award-winner Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger and features an interview with Chris Evans.
Gordon's Great Escape Premiere

Monday, January 18 on 4
In this new three-part series, showing over three consecutive nights as part of Channel 4's Indian Winter season, Gordon Ramsay travels to India for the first time to experience the stunning diversity of its culinary traditions, immersing himself in all aspects of Indian culture, no matter how challenging, unfamiliar or extreme. Gordon has always loved curry, and he's not alone: curry is one of Britain's favourite dishes; and now he finds out how to authentically cook the classics and try his hand at some of the country's most renowned regional dishes. His epic journey showcases India's stunning scenery, diverse people and an abundance of delicious, mouth-watering food.
Glee Premiere

Sunday, January 17 on 4
The hit US musical comedy from Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck , comes to Channel 4, starting with a double bill. Optimistic secondary school teacher Will Schuester tries to inspire a group of oddball teenagers to realise their potential and reinstate the school's choir, aka the Glee Club. In the first episode, Schuester begs Prinicipal Figgins to let him replace the sacked Glee Club teacher, and the only students to sign up are the socially outcast but vocally talented. They include: Mercedes, who channels Aretha Franklin; Kurt, the fashion-conscious falsetto; Tina, the punk-rock Asian lesbian; the wheelchair-bound Arty; and the determined diva-in-the-making Rachel.
Slumdog Secret Millionaire Special

Sunday, January 17 on 4
In this special episode of the award-winning The Secret Millionaire , part of Channel 4's Indian Winter season, British Indian entrepreneur Seema Sharma leaves behind her affluent lifestyle in the UK to go undercover in Mumbai, India's largest city. Mumbai has a shocking disparity between wealth and poverty: over half of its 13 million residents live in slums or on the streets. Seema is staying in Dharavi, one of the largest slums in India, where over a million people live crammed into less than one square mile. During her stay Seema volunteers with a number of organisations in the hope of finding worthy causes and individuals to support.
Om Shanti Om
Saturday, January 16 on 4
Network Premiere. Screening in Channel 4's Indian Winter season, Om Prakash Makhija (Shah Rukh Khan) plays a film extra in 1970s Bollywood, who's madly in love with reigning superstar Shantipriya. However, she loves devious producer Mukesh Mehra. But Mehra's greed for power and money is greater than his need for Shanti and when she comes in the way of his ambitions, he decides to murder her. Om Prakash dies trying to save his beloved Shanti from a raging fire, but destiny provides a twist in the tale when he is reborn in 2007 as superstar Om Kapoor. Slowly but surely, his past life unfurls and Om finally seizes the chance to take revenge. In Hindi with English subtitles.
8 Out Of 10 Cats Series Premiere
10:00pm Friday, January 8 on C4
8 Out of 10 Cats is back for a ninth series. The cheeky comedy panel series sets out to predict and analyse what the almighty British public thinks about the week's most talked about subjects. Presenter and stand up comic Jimmy Carr takes the centre chair and is joined by team captains Sean Lock and Jason Manford. Alongside them are panellists from the world of comedy, entertainment and showbiz, as each team thrashes out the topics of the week by examining surveys, opinion polls and statistics; discussing all that is serious - and silly.
Celebrity Big Brother: Live Premiere
9:00pm Friday, January 8 on C4
It's Friday in the most famous TV house in Britain. How have the celebrities fared during their first week? Coming live from the Celebrity Big Brother house, host Davina McCall may have a few surprises in store for the celebrity housemates. Plus highlights from the past 24 hours in the house.
My Daughter Amy
7:30pm Friday, January 8 on C4
The acclaimed First Cut strand of half-hour documentaries, which features the brightest new directing talent around, returns for a new run. Mitch Winehouse talks openly about the consequences of his daughter Amy Winehouse's superstardom, and the issues that an ordinary family in extraordinary circumstances faces, dealing with tabloid scrutiny and addiction. As Amy's dad, he's been an important force in her life and career and, he now hopes, in her rehabilitation. As Amy gets further down the road of recovery, director Jazz Thwaite asks: what now for Mitch?
Gordon Ramsay's F Word: The Final
9:00pm Thursday, January 7 on C4
The nationwide search for The F Word's Best Local Restaurant reaches its climax in the grand final. Following 10,000 nominations from the public, 18 fantastic restaurants in nine different categories (Italian, Indian, French, Chinese, Spanish, Thai, The Americas, British, Rest of the World) battled it out in front of the F Word diners. Only six made it through to the semi-finals and now the remaining two face their hardest challenge. The two restaurants face the toughest set of F Word diners ever, as Gordon has packed the dining room with food writers who will be deciding whether to pay or not to pay. And finally Gordon will decide who should be crowned The F Word's Best Local Restaurant.












