Steamy thriller and period drama – our TV Editor’s top seven shows to watch as Valentine’s Day approaches
AS Valentine's Day approaches, love is definitely in the air in TV land - and it seems sex still sells when it comes to raking in the ratings too.
This week I've had the arduous task of sampling all the romance and romping available on the big five channels, as well as the streamers.
There's oodles to choose from, but I've simmered it all down to seven shows - from period dramas to steamy thrillers - which might just get you in the mood.
And, of course, I've thrown in the odd bit of wholesome family entertainment along the way.
After all, you have to cool things down at some point...
Thu Feb 13 - My Fault: London, Prime Video
It's hard to believe this is actually a "young adults" story, given how steamy it is.
My Fault is actually a UK version of a hit drama in Spain which is based on the novel Culpa mía by Mercedes Ron.
It's all about a predictably stunning young American girl who arrives in London and has a torrid fling with - wait for it - her step-brother.
Naturally he's devastatingly good looking and a bit of a bad boy to boot and they get themselves in all sorts of trouble.
So as much as this is aimed at younger viewers, it's definitely not one to watch with kids around.
Fri Feb 14 - Luther: Never Too Much, Sky
If that doesn't get you feeling amorous then sample this documentary on one of the most sultry crooners of all time - Luther Vandross.
This profile of the late singer got huge acclaim when it debuted at festivals last year and now Sky bring it to a wider audience.
And, trust me, it's well worth a look as it delves into the highs and lows of Vandross's amazing career, which helped provide the soundtrack to lots of love affairs back in the Eighties.
Sadly, as is often the case with celebrities, his own love life seemed to cause him more heartache than joy.
Fri Feb 14 - Gogglebox, Channel 4
If you're not spending Valentine's Day with someone special then hunker down for a new season of Gogglebox.
It's hard to believe that this will be its 25th series - and the show has now been going on Channel 4 for 12 epic years.
Only this week it bagged yet another gong at the TV Choice Awards, the latest in a long line of well deserved accolades.
I'm of the firm belief that this show is all about feeling like you're actually sharing a huge, nationwide sofa with the entire country.
So even if you're watching by yourself, you're never alone.
Fri Feb 14 - One Question, Channel 4
No, this isn't another dating show where we follow couples proposing marriage to one another.
One Question is the Channel 4 gameshow hosted by Claudia Winkleman which is returning this Valentine's Day for a second series.
I almost forgot its first outing, to be honest, because it actually aired three years ago - which in telly time is virtually a decade.
But let's just rejoice at the fact it has returned at all, given how in demand Claudia is in between hosting The Traitors, Strictly and The Piano.
Sat Feb 15 - The Masked Singer final, ITV
I've thrown in some family entertainment too, with the conclusion of this year's brilliant series of The Masked Singer.
Making it to the final is a menage a trois made up of dressed crab, wolf and puffer fish, who've kept audiences guessing for the past two months.
Viewers have been speculating that it might just be Gregory Porter, Marti Pellow or Jamie Lynn Spears, but there's only one way to find out.
Turn it on and watch them take it off.
Sun Feb 16 - Miss Austen, BBC One
I admit: this show has already started, but it is an absolute must-watch, particularly if you're in the mood for some serious romance.
So you can get up to speed on catch-up before watching this Sunday - but trust me, there's a good chance you'll probably just want to binge it all.
Like alot of people, bonnets and bustle period dramas aren't normally my thing, but this story is gut-wrenching and beautiful and Keeley Hawes is hypnotic in the lead role of Cassie.
She plays the sister of writer Jane Austen whose real life turns out to be almost as dramatic as the characters in her sibling's famous novels.
Be warned, this is a real jerker - but it's really worth it.
Mon Feb 17 - The White Lotus, Sky
I've literally been counting down the months until this returned.
The White Lotus - as anyone who's seen the first two series will tell you - is slightly warped, very steamy stuff and quite unlike any other drama you're likely to see.
Why? It's hard to put your finger on it. But it hooks you from the beginning a sense of impending doom.
And, of course, there's always one particularly sexy scene that has everyone talking.
Who can forget Theo James's prosthetic private parts in the last season in 2022?
This time the action moves to Thailand and the cast includes Sex Education's Aimee Lou Reed as well as Jason Isaacs from Harry Potter.
But this is certainly not one for schoolkids to be watching.
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