If you download any iBooks does the iPad have be online i.e. in a non wireless area?

Nope.

You need to be online only to download the book in the first place - be from iTunes or the device itself. Once its downloaded you don't need to be online at all. You can load up as many as you like and then take the iPad on holiday or whatever and don't need any connection.

Thanks. That is good news!

Does the same apply with BBC iPlayer for example Eastenders. Will downloading a series then "keep" so I can watch later when out of the UK?

No the iPlayer app requires an internet connection as it just streams the tv shows. I don't know of any app that has downloadable tv or film content for keeping or watching offline.

You can however download what tv shows & movies you like on your PC, then simply copy the files onto your ipad. Then you can watch them without an internet connection.I have the entire seasons of Lost & Family Guy stored on my iPad

No. If you download an iBook or a book to the Kindle app, then you can read them when not connected to the internet.

A big benifit of the kindle app is that if you ever buy a kindle or another product that has a kindle app you will be able to download your kindle books to that product/app. Where if you use iBooks your books will only ever be on a apple product.

The selection of books is far smaller on iBooks than on Kindle as well, and they are usually more expensive.