Certainly the most irreverent of all the programmes commissioned for the BBC's first world war commemorations, this Horrible Histories one-off is also one of the best, getting across the gravity and grimness of the conflict without compromising on comedy. Expect MasterChef parodies and songs. Lots of songs.

"Sir, why does an Austrian being killed by a Serb in Bosnia mean war, sir?" And so begins the fastest guide to the first world war you'll ever meet, narrated by a rat. As ever, there's an emphasis on gruesome facts and bodily functions, with an advert for World War One Wee Wee, useful for cooling down and softening boots in the trenches. It's not just the children who'll chortle at Historic MasterChef and Emmeline Pankhurst portrayed as a Lily Allen-ish character singing about how fierce suffragettes were.

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War Special is not, strictly speaking, last night's TV. It first aired on CBBC at 9am yesterday morning, but it would be remiss of me not to recommend an iPlayer catch up in the strongest possible terms. Nothing can dislodge Blackadder Goes Forth from its place on the informal school syllabus (especially with Michael Gove's enthusiastic endorsement still ringing in teachers' ears), but this would make a very acceptable substitute.

The Horrible Histories team are known for making history palatable for the young 'uns by putting a comical spin on it, but could that approach ever work on this relatively recent human catastrophe?

The sketches included a brilliant Historical MasterChef in which First World War soldier Ernie, impressed the judges with his inventive yet disgusting dishes (Dog'n'Maggot, anyone?). A Charleston-style ditty sung by The Cousins (King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II) and a jaunty commercial for that solution to all trench-based problems - "New World War One Wee Wee" ("And how much does it cost? Why, one pee, of course!" That's a classic seven-year-old's gag, that.)

It was silly, all right, but also appropriately sombre: "But the funny thing about the Somme is... no, I've got nothing, sorry."

Radio Times review

All the regulars are out in force with new sketches in this Valentine's Day one-off special, but don't expect them to go soppy. Not when Rattus Rattus's idea of a romantic meal is "cockroach in jus de rubbish bag" and Henry VIII is taking part in a TV show called Dating in the Dark - where he falls in love with Anne of Cleves. Our advice: don't turn the lights on, Anne!

The only kids' show mums will want to watch

The songs are genius. I mean, seriously, you can take the Wiggles, put them in a hessian sack and fire them into space.

Horrible Histories wins fourth children's BAFTA

BBC educational sketch series Horrible Histories has become the first programme to win four consecutive BAFTAs at the Children's Awards, having topped the comedy category yet again.

The good (inte)review - Terry Deary

An interview with the author of the Horrible Histories books.

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