VICTORIA returned to our screens at the weekend for a second series surrounding royal couple Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

It’s been amazing how well the story of the Queen and her German prince has translated to prime-time TV because I’d always thought this historical period a bit dull and this pair rather reserved. But apparently not.

The production, created by Daisy Goodwin, is engaging and well-written, but it helps that the Queen is played by Blackpool-born actress Jenna Coleman - moving away from her time as Dr Who’s assistant - and actor Tom Hughes.

They are an attractive young couple but the on-screen romance is definitely enhanced by media headlines of an off-screen romance. While Jenna aptly portrays the stresses of marrying and being monarch with a private life while raising a young family, Tom is all intense support and fire.

Together, they have managed to make history much more interesting and created a regular Sunday night viewing slot that promises to do them both much good in the future.