The Best TV Shows on Channel 5

Every Channel 5 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Channel 5 has delivered an expansive roster of over 20 shows, dating from 1984 all the way to 2025. Among Channel 5’s finest offerings are Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam, which debuted in 1984 and 1987, respectively. Check out the most acclaimed shows on Channel 5, with a catalog of over 20 series updated for September 2026.

  • Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom
    Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom (2025)8.3

    The friendship between fairy princess Holly and Ben Elf in an enchanted magical kingdom of elves and fairies.

  • All Creatures Great & Small
    All Creatures Great & Small (2020)8.2

    The heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s. A remake of the 1978 series.

  • Police Interceptors
    Police Interceptors (2008)8.0

    Documentary series profiling the work of high-speed police units across Britain.

  • The Adventures of Paddington
    The Adventures of Paddington (2019)7.7

    Journey to London for heart-warming adventures with beloved British bear Paddington in this CG-animated series, which centres on a younger Paddington as he writes letters to Aunt Lucy celebrating the new things he has discovered through the day’s exciting activities.

  • Gadget & the Gadgetinis
    Gadget & the Gadgetinis (2002)7.3

    Having been recruited by an elite international peacekeeping group called the World Organization of Mega Powers (WOMP), Inspector Gadget is now Lieutenant Gadget, and fights crime with a pair of mechanical assistants called Gadgetinis, who are small robot versions of the Inspector created by his niece, 12-year-old Penny (due to Brain retiring from active duty).

  • The Tribe
    The Tribe (1999)7.0

    All adults have been wiped out by a deadly virus, leaving the children of the world to fend for themselves.

  • The Terry and Gaby Show
    The Terry and Gaby Show (2003)7.0

    The Terry and Gaby Show was a daytime television show broadcast on Five on weekday mornings between June 2003 and April 2004, produced by Chris Evans' company UMTV. It was hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin. The opening titles featured Gaby dressed up like a movie star driven to the studio in a limo and walking on red carpet to the door. Meanwhile Terry, carrying a briefcase, rode a rickety old bicycle across London and parked it outside the back door before quietly entering the building through said back door. The show was not well known for the guests who appeared on it, but rather for its many bloopers or double entendres

  • Thomas & Friends
    Thomas & Friends (1984)6.8

    Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.

  • Dalgliesh
    Dalgliesh (2021)6.7

    A recent widower and acclaimed poet, enigmatic Inspector Adam Dalgliesh employs his exceptional empathy and insight to plumb the darker depths of the human psyche while investigating complex crimes in 1970s England.

  • Peppa Pig
    Peppa Pig (2004)6.5

    Peppa Pig is an energetic piggy who lives with Mummy, Daddy, and little brother George. She loves to jump in mud puddles and make loud snorting noises.

  • Make Way for Noddy
    Make Way for Noddy (2002)6.3

    Noddy, a wooden boy who lives in Toyland, introduces social concepts. He has big musical adventures with his friends and a very big imagination.

  • Monkey Life
    Monkey Life (2007)6.2

    Monkey Life was created in 2006 and has continuously documented the work of Dr. Alison Cronin, MBE and her team at Monkey World; Ape Rescue Centre. Filmed at Monkey World in Dorset, Monkey Life follows the rescue and rehabilitation of abused and neglected primates. Many have mental as well as physical problems so the Primate Care Staff treat their individual needs until they can be reintegrated with primates of their own kind. The primates at the park range from apes, who were taken from the wild as babies and used as photographers props on Spanish beaches to monkeys, many of which were rescued from the UK pet trade. With unparalleled access Monkey World's dedicated team are filmed dealing with medical emergencies, primate moves, births and sometimes heart-breaking decisions. We follow Dr. Alison Cronin, MBE around the globe as she continues the park's mission to rescue abused primates. Monkey Life documents the daily life and drama of the world’s largest primate rescue centre.

  • Fireman Sam
    Fireman Sam (1987)6.1

    Follow the adventures of fireman Sam and his colleagues as they protect the citizens of the Welsh town of Pontypandy. Whenever the alarm sounds, brave Sam and his co-workers can be counted on to jump into a fire engine, hop onto a helicopter, or even launch an inflatable lifeboat to battle blazes, mount rescue missions, or provide medical attention to those in need.

  • The Forsytes
    The Forsytes (2025)5.9

    Chronicles the lives of four generations of an upper-class family of stockbrokers, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving late-Victorian world.

  • Fifth Gear
    Fifth Gear (2002)5.7

    Getting viewers up to speed on all the latest automotive information, with new car reviews, second hand bargains and industry tidbits being the focus of this magazine show.

  • Celebrity Big Brother
    Celebrity Big Brother (2001)5.0

    Celebrity Big Brother is a British reality television game show in which a number of celebrity contestants live in an isolated house trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize being donated to the winner's nominated charity at the end of the run.

  • A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex
    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex (2006)4.9

    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex is a documentary TV series about sex, which ran in eight episodes on Channel 5 and was presented by Dr Catherine Hood. The 45-minute long episodes were broadcast on Monday nights. The series started on 30 October 2006, with the final programme broadcast on 18 December 2006. Each episode explained a sex position and covered a sexually transmitted disease. Additionally, the following topics were discussed: sex among handicapped and overweight people, penis enlargement devices, penis enlargement surgery, sexual violence against men and penis removal, tantric sex, the g-spot, erectile dysfunction, sex reassignment surgery, cosmetic surgery of the vagina, swinging, lichen sclerosus, the use of recreational drugs during sex, male homosexual sex in public toilets, full body plastic wrap bondage, and sex dolls.

  • Big Brother's Bit on the Side
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2011)4.9

    The place to catch up on all things Big Brother UK! Join Emma Willis for the best mix of exclusive clips, news and reactions from the house, plus celebrity guests and live debates in the studio.

  • Big Brother
    Big Brother (2000)4.4

    A British reality television game show in which a number of contestants live in an isolated house for several weeks, trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize at the end of the run.

  • Family Affairs
    Family Affairs (1997)3.7

    Focuses on the lives of residents in the fictional London suburb of Charnham.