The Tudors, BBC2

On one hand, the historian in me - hard to believe but I somehow got a degree in the subject in the dim and distant past - objects to the apparent Hollywood style in which Henry VIII and his court are all portrayed like soap stars.

Surely there were some ugly people in Tudor times? It's a bit like watching Hollyoaks in doublet and hose and throwing the odd chicken leg over your shoulder in the process!

But, then again, I find it quite refreshing to see a different portrayal of Henry.

We all know the pot bellied, balding figure with stout calves as pictured by Holbein but, let's face it, the man must have been pretty charismatic to work his way through six wives - and the majority of Europe.

Let's face it, The Tudors is from the same school of history as Rome and before that The Cleopatras.

This basically involves a lot of semi-naked frolics, the introduction of modern-day slang and some spectacular looking sets.

If you're hoping for the definitive history of a particular period then forget it.

But there's no point getting all sniffy about it - just treat the whole thing as a harmless romp (as Henry himself seems to do) and you're likely to have an enjoyable evening's viewing.