In the blood (From The Northern Echo)

In the blood

4:18pm Thursday 19th January 2012 in Tonight's TV By Steve Pratt

Gypsy Blood: True Stories (C4, 10pm)
The Big C (More4, 10pm)
All About Amy (Five, 11pm)

THE latest instalment of the flagship factual True Stories strand provides a fascinating insight into the hidden lives of traveller communities, an area of society that has previously been shrouded in secrecy.

“Hang on a minute,” I hear you say, “this is beginning to sound awfully familiar.”

But, before you start thinking that this is merely C4 retreading old ground, let us assure you that Big Fat Gypsy Weddings this is not.

Rather than focusing on the OTT gaudiness apparently applied to various celebrations, ceremonies and milestones, Gypsy Blood puts the spotlight on a far darker area of traveller life, one that even BFGW left well alone – the world of bareknuckle fighting. And it really does pull no punches.

Among those featured are Romany gypsy Fred Butcher, who, during the course of the programme, is almost killed in a machete attack after a day of drinking and sparring spirals out of control.

There’s also the story of young lad Francie Doherty who, at just seven years of age, finds himself caught between two starkly contrasting worlds. He’s learning to read and write at school, and being taught how to fist-fight at home.

The film is made by award-winning photographer Leo Maguire, who spent three long years immersing himself in the society and culture of the two Irish and Romany families, living alongside them in their camps, and gaining unprecedented and intimate access to the world in which they inhabit, a world where honour means everything.

It’s not just the subject matter that makes this programme so compelling, though. Maguire first started his research back in 2007 as a photographic project before realising it had even greater potential, and his artistic background has enabled him to use striking, visceral footage as well as still photographs and even animations to tell the stories of these families.

But the images don’t just speak for themselves. The fathers and sons are allowed to explain frankly and in their own words what it’s like to be brought up having to prove themselves with their fists.

We hear how the act of fighting for respect can actually be a source of considerable joy and pride at times, but also how ongoing cycles of revenge can suddenly erupt into terrifying, bloody encounters.

THE Big C begins its second series with Laura Linney giving a typically superb performance as a cancer-stricken wife and mother who knows her days are numbered, but who chooses to embrace life.

The new series picks up with Cathy still determined to beat cancer and trying desperately to get an appointment with Dr Atticus Sherman, who may be able to get her into the clinical trial that could be the key to a cure. Cathy’s husband, Paul, tries to be the supportive, loving spouse that Cathy needs.

Meanwhile, their son Adam is still adjusting to learning the truth about his mother’s illness, and part of that comes with added attention at school now that her diagnosis is public knowledge.

THIS is the penultimate episode of All About Amy, so maybe it’s time to take stock and think about what we’ve learnt about Ms Childs during the past couple of months.

It probably won’t take very long, because if truth be known, Amy isn’t exactly a secretive soul, so we pretty much knew it all before the series began – after all, she stood out a mile in The Only Way Is Essex and Celebrity Big Brother, the shows that made her name.

As regular viewers will be aware, Amy now has her heart set on becoming a businesswoman, and has spent much of the run preparing to open her own salon, as well as designing and launching her own clothing range.

Now the salon’s grand opening is just around the corner, but there’s still heaps of work to do.

Nevertheless, Amy finds the time to visit Billingsgate fish market with her dad, Billy, before having a cookery lesson with superchef Aldo Zilli.