Great Canal Journeys

Having been a long time fan of Prunella Scales, I approached this series with interest. She was great as the long suffering Sybil Fawlty, and better still as Miss Mapp in the miniseries Mapp and Lucia.

Seeing her with her husband of many decades traveling down canals was a great treat. I was amazed that the couple found so many unusual and out of the ordinary places to visit.

A brilliant series that works on so many levels - travelogue, history documentary, living with Alzheimer's story and, most successfully, insight into a couple who are still devoted to each other after so many years.

Happy to say that, after a number of e-mails to the production company Spun Gold and numerous promises of imminent dee vee dee (sorry, a rather over-zealous IMDb thinks capitalising dee vee dee is shouting) releases, I've finally heard that a two-disc 'highlights' package will be released on July 3rd. At last!

This programme is ostensibly a travelogue about canal and river journeys on barges, riverboats and other small craft.

But that's not why we watch it, I don't think. Two of the great British character actors of a former generation, they are two personalities redolent of our childhoods.

And they have a truly special relationship to which most can only aspire. GCJ charts their journey into an old age beset by Pru's failing health.

It's a true love story, and one of the most heartwarming programmes I've ever watched.

Just one of the most joyous programmes channel 4 have ever made; delightful, whimsical, lighthearted and funny in in the most touching way. Tim and Prue are one of the great theatrical partnerships, both professionally and privately. Who could not be moved by their deep love for one another and all that is beautiful on the canals? Also, they're doing a fantastic PR job for our great canals which can only have a positive knock on effect. Long may they both continue on these wonderful adventures set to exquisite scenery and that hauntingly lovely soundtrack. If only all documentary/reality TV was made as brilliantly as this - Channel 4 please reassure me there are more series to come?

I'm going to sound ancient, but here me out. This show is so much more than a travelogue. It's a documentation on how a couple who've been together for over 50 years are still going strong. Compare that to most couples today who split up. It's also a release from watching copious amounts of sex, swearing and violence, as well as D-list celebrities in the jungle munching down on kangaroo privates or gangs of orange, fake-tanned morons who can barely count past two.