Mick Lynch
As national rail strikes disrupt train travel across the UK, what makes RMT leader Mick Lynch tick? And how did he become the leader of one of Britain's most powerful unions? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard
Jun 25, 2022•14 min
Profile
An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines
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Episodes
Kate Bush
Kate Bush, whose song Running up that Hill is storming the charts across the world. The singer exploded onto the music scene at the end of the 1970s with Wuthering Heights, the first UK number one song performed and written by a female artist. Kate Bush has experimented throughout her career, sometimes being in the public eye and at other times composing at home while bringing up her son. With Timandra Harkness. Produced by Bob Howard
Jun 18, 2022•14 min
Johan Lundgren
Johan Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer of Easyjet, one of Europe's biggest airlines. The carrier has been faced customer fury after cancelling hundreds of flights. Johan Lundgren has dealt with extremely trying personal and professional situations at different times in his life. Mark Coles hears about his youthful career ambition - to become a trombonist. Producer: Bob Howard Researcher: Natasha Fernandes Sound: James Beard Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Hugh Levinson
Jun 11, 2022•15 min
Ben Stokes
What makes Ben Stokes, the New Zealand born poster boy of English cricket and England's new captain tick? He has at times courted controversy but was the hero in England's world cup triumph. With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard
Jun 04, 2022•14 min
David Canzini
Boris Johnson’s Mr Fixit - a Deputy Chief of Staff - brought in to steady the ship at the height of the "Partygate" allegations. Described as politically astute and determined for the Conservatives to win the next election, Canzini's career in the Tory party began in the 1980s. He's a long-standing Brexiteer who's worked alongside former Conservative leader, William Hague, and is a close ally of the Tories’ election guru, Sir Lynton Crosby. His critics worry he is pushing the Prime Minister furt...
May 28, 2022•15 min
Jack Monroe
Jack Monroe rose to fame with her blog 'A Girl Called Jack’, sharing her struggles as a single mum on benefits, with just £10 a week to spend on food. She’s become a best-selling, award-winning writer of cookery books and she campaigns against poverty. A regular on TV and social media, talking benefits and food banks, Jack Monroe has attracted the wrath of some right-wing commentators. She successfully sued former newspaper columnist, Katie Hopkins, for comments made online. Now, she’s threateni...
May 21, 2022•14 min
Michelle O'Neill
She wants to be a first minister for all, having led her party to a historic election win. Sinn Féin now hold the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, entitling them to the position of first minister. From local councillor to would-be leader of the power sharing executive, Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Michelle O'Neill, the IRA man's daughter, changing the image and appeal of nationalist party, Sinn Féin. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardso...
May 14, 2022•15 min
Bongbong Marcos
The brutal and corrupt regime of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos was overthrown in 1986, yet their son, known as Bongbong, is leading the race to become the next president of The Philippines. Edward Stourton profiles the life and career of Philippine presidential hopeful, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
May 07, 2022•15 min
Sonia Boyce OBE
Her multi-media work celebrates the achievements of women in music and art, challenges racial and sexual bias and asks how our cultural institutions can become more inclusive. From pastels to a cappella, Mark Coles profiles the life and career of Sonia Boyce, winner of this year's Venice Biennale, international art exhibition. Sonia Boyce’s winning entry entitled 'Feeling Her Way' features the improvisations of five black female musicians, Poppy Ajudha, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Sofia Jernberg, Tani...
Apr 30, 2022•14 min
Lisa McGee
Playwright, screenwriter and creator of the hit TV sitcom Derry Girls, about five school friends in 1990s Northern Ireland - getting up to all sorts.
Apr 23, 2022•15 min
Marine Le Pen
The far-right politician going head-to-head with Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential elections. Mark Coles charts Marine Le Pen's life and political career, which began alongside her father Jean-Marie Le Pen - founder of the far right Front National party. Today she has sought to soften her image by playing down her party's past policies by taking on issues such as the cost of living crisis, as she challenges for the French presidency for a third time. Producers: Sally Abrahams and Diane ...
Apr 16, 2022•15 min
Christian Smalls
Despite being fired by Amazon early in the pandemic, Chris Smalls continued to campaign for better rights and conditions for Amazon employees, setting up the Amazon Labor Union last year. Now the Staten Island warehouse where Chris used to be based has made history, becoming the first Amazon workplace in the United States to vote for union representation, a serious defeat for Amazon which has been fighting against unionisation. Timandra Harkness hears about the man behind this historic vote, spe...
Apr 09, 2022•15 min
Martin Lewis
Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert has helped millions of people save money through consumer advice and big campaigns on bank charges and mis-sold PPI credit insurance. But now with the cost of living crisis, has he "run out of tools"? He grew up in a Jewish family in Cheshire. He lost his mother in an accident just before his 12th birthday, an event that had a lasting influence on him. He later became a journalist and financial campaigner, motivated by wanting to help others save money. The succ...
Apr 02, 2022•15 min
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
She made history in the US this week as the first black woman to go through Senate confirmation hearings for an appointment to America’s all powerful Supreme Court. A person of profound faith, Ketanji Brown Jackson poured her soul into her studies. She excelled at Miami Palmetto Senior High School where she was a champion debater, star performer and the president of her class. She graduated from Harvard University where she met her husband Patrick Jackson and formed life-long friendships. From t...
Mar 26, 2022•15 min
Jacqueline Wilson
One of Britain’s most popular authors, Dame Jacqueline Wilson is famous for stories of sassy children, troubled teens and struggling parents. Her books explore themes including death, divorce and depression. Now, the award-winning writer, who created characters like Tracy Beaker, Hetty Feather and Vicky Angel, has just released a new story - her 114th novel to date, about teenage pregnancy. The novelist lived through a difficult childhood and her own marriage ended in divorce. But, after decades...
Mar 19, 2022•15 min
Lynsey Addario
She took the defining picture of Putin’s war so far: a family killed by Russian troops as they tried to flee to safety. The US photojournalist, Lynsey Addario, has reported from almost every major conflict in the twenty-first century, and now she is on the ground in Ukraine, documenting suspected war crimes. Lynsey Addario - who reported on the Taliban before most of the western world knew who they were - has borne witness to war, humanitarian disaster and the worst effects of climate change. Sh...
Mar 12, 2022•14 min
Jens Stoltenberg
As the Ukraine crisis continues to escalate, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, finds himself in the thick of it - tasked with preventing a third world war. Norway’s former prime minister gained international renown for his stoic response to the 2011 terror attacks. Described by NATO colleagues as the ‘Trump whisperer’, he is known for being cool, calm and collected under pressure. Does he have what it takes for this latest challenge? Mark Coles profiles the longest serving NATO chief in ...
Mar 05, 2022•15 min
Sir Nick Clegg
He’s gone into business with Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg, but this isn’t Nick Clegg’s first leadership coalition. He was nicknamed Calamity Clegg but now the papers are calling him Master of the Metaverse. The former deputy prime minister has turned his fortunes around from a bashing at the ballot box, to becoming Silicon valley’s latest top dog. Mark Coles profiles the man hired to fight Facebook’s fires.
Feb 26, 2022•14 min
Ben Wallace
The defence secretary topping Tory polls has had some strong words to say about Russian activity on the border of Ukraine. Adrian Goldberg profiles the soldier turned politician Ben Wallace.
Feb 19, 2022•14 min
Jimmy Carr
Jimmy Carr has been condemned for his ‘abhorent’ Holocaust joke about the murders of thousands of people from the Roma, Sinti and traveller communities. Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the controversial comedian. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Joe Kent Researcher: Drew Miller Hyndman Editor: Damon Rose
Feb 12, 2022•14 min
Joe Rogan
Spotify reportedly paid $100m in 2020 for rights to The Joe Rogan Experience, the streaming service's top podcast. The show is said to be downloaded around 200 million times a month. Joe Rogan hosts a variety of guests who discuss their views on a range of issues - but some episodes have featured false and misleading claims. Big names from the music industry, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, have asked Spotify to remove their music from the platform. They have criticised the music streami...
Feb 07, 2022•14 min
Volodomyr Zelensky
Zelensky was an actor and comedian who became a household name in Ukraine by starring in a TV series about a teacher who accidentally became president. In a surreal case of life imitating art, Zelensky found himself elected in 2019 with zero political experience. As the threat of a Russian invasion looms, Mark Coles profiles a man on the brink of becoming an unlikely wartime leader.
Jan 29, 2022•14 min
Sue Gray
From pub landlady to chief interrogator, Adrian Goldberg profiles Sue Gray, the woman who secretly “runs Britain”, and is leading the investigation into Downing Street parties. We hear about her unconventional background, a mysterious career break involving brushes with the IRA, and her meteoric rise to become Whitehall’s most feared inquisitor. She’s been called “the most powerful person you’ve never heard of”. But, will she be able to withstand the pressure of investigating her own boss, the P...
Jan 22, 2022•14 min
Novak Djokovic
Adrian Goldberg profiles the life and career of World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic. We hear about him practicing in the streets of Belgrade as a child during the war in the former Yugoslavia, how his views on health and medicine were shaped and how he became the formidable and resilient competitor that he is today. Programme Credits In Depth with Graham Bensinger ABC News Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Penny Murphy
Jan 15, 2022•14 min
Oksana Lyniv
It’s been quite a year for proudly Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv, becoming the first female conductor at the 145-year-old Bayreuth Festival in August and now embarking on a new role as Teatro Comunale di Bologna's first female Music Director. Presenter Mark Coles discovers the family stories and personal challenges which have brought Oksana’s charisma and talent from Western Ukraine to classical music's world stage. Picture Credit: Tristram Kenton, Royal Opera House. Programme Credits: Teatro...
Jan 08, 2022•14 min
David Murdoch
British curling is looking forward to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - and all eyes are on head coach David Murdoch, the man in charge of bringing home some medals. All three teams - mixed, male and female - have qualified and hopes are high this former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist can inspire the teams to victory. Mark Coles finds out what makes the Lockerbie-born sports nerd tick. Producers: Diane Richardson and Lucy Proctor Editor: Penny Murphy
Jan 04, 2022•14 min
Pharoah Sanders
Pharoah Sanders’s 2021 album Promises has been called a spiritual album for the dark ages. Mark Coles hears how Sanders helped invent a new style of music, after his birth in the southern United States, and time spent sleeping rough in New York City. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn
Dec 25, 2021•14 min
Patrick Vallance
The pandemic has thrust the Government Chief Scientific Adviser into the middle of the clash between politics and science. He’s faced criticism from MPs, the press, and the public. Edward Stourton finds out about the man behind the pedestal, Sir Patrick Vallance. From fixing caravans on his parents’ site in Cornwall to breakfast with an mentor and a stint in industry with GlaxoSmithKline, who is the man advising our leaders on the pandemic? Presenter: Edward Stourton Researcher: Drew Miller Hynd...
Dec 18, 2021•14 min
Éric Zemmour
He’s twice been convicted of hate speech, believes foreign names should be banned, and has been accused of being a Holocaust denier. Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the journalist turned politician who hopes to be the next leader of France. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Chris Flynn
Dec 11, 2021•13 min
Lubaina Himid
After becoming the first Black woman – and the oldest person – ever to win the Turner Prize, British artist Lubaina Himid is now enjoying a retrospective at London's Tate Modern. She’s become recognised as one of the most powerful political voices in British contemporary art, creating works about black identity, as well as championing the work of young black British female artists. Mark Coles speaks to those who know her. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Chris Flynn
Dec 04, 2021•15 min
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