Daily Express Saturday Magazine – 5 September 2026
Summary
Casualty marks its 40th anniversary with a double bill, and Joel Dommett hosts the National Television Awards 2026, both covered in the 5 September 2026 issue of Daily Express Saturday Magazine under the cover line "BEST ON THE BOX". The free TV magazine bundle delivers a full weekly listings guide plus Jen Pharo's unmissables column.
Jen Pharo's curated picks range from Lorne on Sky Documentaries to The Paper on Sky One, 999: What Happened Next on Channel 4, and Colin From Accounts on BBC Two. The magazine also features a national TV awards nominee pull-out and weekend brainteasers including Pick and Mix Crossword and Spot the Difference across the puzzles section.
Beyond the TV focus, the issue carries advertising for multi-buy clothing offers (7 Cotton T-Shirts for £19.99) and a basic essentials pack, reflecting the Saturday supplement's dual role as entertainment guide and retail catalogue. The puzzle pages and horoscopes provide the traditional weekend wind-down.
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Content Guide
▸ TV Highlights / Jen Pharo's Picks / Puzzles / Shopping
p.4 · Casualty 40th Anniversary Double Bill
The BBC's long-running medical drama marks four decades with a special two-episode event. The feature recaps key moments from the show's history and teases the anniversary storyline involving a returning character. The tribute balances nostalgia with forward momentum. Set a reminder for Saturday night — the second episode airs immediately after the first with no repeat scheduled.
p.8 · National Television Awards 2026
Joel Dommett hosts this year's NTAs, with nominees spanning reality, drama and entertainment. The magazine prints a full nominees list across multiple categories, giving readers a ready-made voting checklist. The coverage includes viewer-voting deadlines and broadcast details. Cast your vote before Friday midday — the magazine prints the online link and phone numbers.
p.12 · Jen Pharo's Unmissables
The magazine's TV editor selects the week's essential viewing, including Lorne (Saturday, Sky Documentaries), The Paper (Thursday, Sky One), 999: What Happened Next (Monday, Channel 4) and Colin From Accounts (Monday, BBC Two). Each entry includes a one-line verdict and the broadcast time. Record Colin From Accounts — it is the quiet comedy gem of the week and not on catch-up yet.
p.18 · Weekend Brainteasers
The Pick and Mix Crossword and Spot the Difference appear in this 8-page games and teasers section. The puzzles range from quick word games to more involved logic challenges. A dedicated word search adds variety for solvers who prefer letter-grid hunting. Start with the Spot the Difference — the Express version hides 10 changes, not the standard 6.
p.24 · TV Listings
Full 7-day TV schedule from Saturday to Friday, with prime-time highlights marked. Soaps, movies, sport and documentaries are clearly categorised. The layout uses colour-coded channels for quick scanning. Use the highlight column to plan your week in 2 minutes rather than scanning all 30 pages.
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Editor's Take
A competent TV-focused Saturday supplement that serves its core purpose: telling you what to watch and when. The Casualty anniversary coverage has genuine news value, and Jen Pharo's picks are reliably sharp. Weakest area is the heavy retail-ad density — clothing multi-buys and beauty promos fill pages that could carry editorial. Best for: Express readers who want a quick TV week planner with one or two deeper features.
Strengths
• Casualty 40th anniversary feature gives the issue a news hook
• Jen Pharo's unmissable picks are specific and well-judged
• 8-page puzzle section delivers easy weekend value
Weaknesses
• Heavy retail advertising crowds the editorial-to-ad ratio
• No single long-form feature beyond the TV listings
Verdict: Selective read — A functional TV guide with two notable features; the ad density limits its value as a sit-down read.
