McCartney's Lost Bass: A Beatles Mystery Unravels on BBC Two
In a fascinating new documentary airing tonight, Paul McCartney revisits one of the most enduring mysteries in Beatles history: the disappearance of his iconic Höfner bass guitar. McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass premieres at 8.45pm on BBC Two, featuring exclusive contributions from McCartney himself and a team of dedicated "bass detectives" who have been tracing the instrument's journey.
The Instrument That Defined an Era
Paul McCartney purchased his legendary Höfner bass in 1961 for approximately thirty pounds during the Beatles' formative years in Hamburg. This distinctive violin-shaped bass became synonymous with McCartney's stage presence and played on countless classic recordings. However, the instrument mysteriously vanished around the time of the Beatles' breakup in 1970, embarking on its own unknown journey that has puzzled fans and collectors for decades.
The documentary promises to provide fresh perspectives on this well-documented story, examining how such an iconic piece of music history could simply disappear and what efforts are underway to recover it. With McCartney's personal insights and detective work from experts, viewers will gain unprecedented access to this ongoing musical investigation.
Tonight's Television Lineup
Comedy and Entertainment Highlights
At 7.45pm on BBC Three, Proper Ladies launches a new season of comedy short films that effectively function as pilot episodes for emerging talent. Based on Sabrina Ali's acclaimed play Dugsi Dayz, this sweet yet pointed coming-of-age story follows four Muslim girls stuck in detention at their school. The BBC initiative provides valuable exposure for promising new voices in comedy.
Later at 10pm on Sky One, Saturday Night Live UK presents its final episode before a one-week hiatus with host Jack Whitehall taking the helm. The popular sketch show has featured memorable appearances from Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, and Riz Ahmed in recent weeks, and Whitehall promises to deliver his unique brand of humor alongside musical guest Jorja Smith.
Reality and Drama Offerings
ITV1 presents Celebrity Sabotage at 8pm, featuring a team of celebrities attempting to covertly derail a military endurance series from a nearby bunker. Guest saboteur Guz Khan joins the regular celebrity team in this lighthearted reality competition hosted by former soldier Jason Fox.
On BBC Four at 9.35pm, the third season of Hidden Assets concludes with a double bill. This Euro-hopping procedural about Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau follows DS Wallace and her Basque counterpart Beitia as they desperately try to connect haulage firm KYV with their trafficking case in Bilbao.
Interview and Film Selections
The Jonathan Ross Show airs at 10pm on ITV1 featuring Michael Palin discussing his delightful performance in Small Prophets, which has been hailed as one of 2026's deepest television pleasures. Comic Catherine Tate and actor Anna Maxwell Martin also join the conversation for engaging light banter.
Film enthusiasts can enjoy Outcome on Apple TV, starring Keanu Reeves as Reef Hawk, a celebrated actor and secret recovering heroin addict who embarks on an apology tour after being extorted over a compromising video. The film features a notable cameo from Martin Scorsese as Reef's first manager.
Live Sports Coverage
Today's sports programming includes Premier League football with Arsenal versus Bournemouth at 11am on TNT Sports 1, followed by Liverpool against Fulham at 5pm on Sky Sports Main Event. The Grand National Festival horse racing coverage begins at 12.45pm on ITV1, with the main race scheduled for 4pm.
In women's Six Nations rugby union, England faces Ireland at 1.30pm on BBC One with Meg Jones captaining the title holders for the first time. Wales versus Scotland follows at 4.25pm on BBC Two. Boxing fans can watch Tyson Fury take on Arslanbek Makhmudov at 7pm on Netflix from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while golf enthusiasts can follow day three of The Masters at 7.45pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
