Daily Express Saturday Magazine – 29 August 2026
Summary
Vigil returns for a new series set at a remote Arctic research station, with Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie braving Svalbard locations, as reported in the 29 August 2026 issue of Daily Express Saturday Magazine under the cover line "COLD CASE". The 8-page TV guide bundle also includes Jen Pharo's unmissables, weekend brainteasers and a Ryobi toolkit promotion.
Jen Pharo's picks this week include The Jury: 14 and On Trial for Murder (Channel 4), Hamza: African Birds of Prey (BBC One), Fred's Ultimate Hotels featuring Marrakech's Royal Mansour, and The Repair Shop: Beyond the Barn (BBC One). Gogglebox returns for series 28, and The Game airs on Channel 5.
Beyond TV, the magazine offers the Pick and Mix Crossword, Spot the Difference and Word Search across 8 pages of games. The Ryobi 18V ONE+ promotion (battery plus charger for £99.99 with a free tool) dominates the advertising, alongside the Win £47,000 word search competition.
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Content Guide
▸ Cover Story / Jen Pharo's Picks / Puzzles / Promotions
p.4 · Vigil — COLD CASE
Suranne Jones returns as DCI Silva, joined by Rose Leslie as DI Longacre, in a new Vigil series shot in Svalbard, Norway. The cold-case investigation takes the pair to a remote Arctic research station. Jones describes filming in sub-zero conditions as both brutal and bonding. The two-episode opener airs Sunday and Monday at 9pm on BBC One — clear your Sunday and Monday 9pm slots.
p.8 · Jen Pharo's Unmissables
The editor's weekly TV picks include The Jury: 14 and On Trial for Murder (Tuesday, Channel 4), Hamza: African Birds of Prey (Sunday, BBC One), Fred's Ultimate Hotels (Marrakech's Royal Mansour), The Repair Shop: Beyond the Barn (Wednesday, BBC One), and The Game (Tuesday/Wednesday, Channel 5). Each show gets a one-line verdict. Record The Jury — it is the most talked-about documentary of the week and not on iPlayer indefinitely.
p.14 · Weekend Brainteasers
The Pick and Mix Crossword, Spot the Difference and Word Search fill 8 pages of games. The puzzle mix is standard Express fare, with enough variety for a 30-minute Sunday morning session. The Word Search uses a 20×20 grid with 30 hidden words. Start with the Spot the Difference — the Express version hides 10 changes across two near-identical photos.
p.20 · Build Your Own Toolkit — Ryobi Promotion
Ryomi offers its 18V ONE+ battery system with a charger for £99.99, plus a choice of 30 free tools. The promotion runs across multiple pages with clear order codes and a phone number. The hedge trimmer and leaf blower are pictured prominently. Choose the hedge trimmer — it is the highest-value free tool in the list at £89.99 RRP.
p.24 · TV Listings
Full 7-day TV schedule from Saturday to Friday. Soaps, movies, sport and documentaries are colour-coded for quick scanning. The prime-time highlights are flagged in a separate column. Use the highlights column to plan your week in 2 minutes — the Express layout is more scan-friendly than Radio Times.
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Editor's Take
The Vigil cover story gives this issue a strong seasonal hook, and Jen Pharo's picks remain reliably sharp. The Ryobi promotion takes up more than 3 full pages, which drags the editorial-to-ad ratio down noticeably. The puzzles section is standard. Best for: Vigil fans and TV viewers who want a quick weekly planner with a dose of crime drama.
Strengths
• Vigil Svalbard feature has genuine behind-the-scenes value
• Jen Pharo's TV picks are specific and time-stamped
• Ryobi bundle deal is genuinely competitive for DIY readers
Weaknesses
• Ryobi advertising dominates 3+ pages, cutting editorial space
• No single long-form feature beyond the cover article
Verdict: Selective read — The Vigil coverage earns a look, but heavy promotional content limits the issue's staying power as a sit-down read.
