David Gower talks about his life in cricket and how spending his early years in Africa inspired his passion for wildlife. Anne Atkins has been inspired to write about her son Alex, who has Asperger's. They discuss their relationship and how Alex has learnt how to read people. Clive Collins explains why Christmas trees are so important to him. Singer Lily Allen shares her Inheritance Tracks - she has chosen I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall, performed by Merle Haggard and Fix You by Coldplay. ...
Dec 22, 2018•1 hr 25 min
The comedian and actor Hugh Dennis talks about being the son of a Bishop and his latest role in The Messiah. Former nurse, Christie Watson, recalls lessons of kindness and hospital Christmasses. Listener Stephanie Bouckley shares her Thank You story pegged to the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie disaster. JP Devlin meets Arthur Spencer, a former teacher and WWII navigator, who has been recognised with the award of a Legion d’honneur from the French government. Jan Blake describes the timeless a...
Dec 15, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Prue Leith has been in our cooking consciousness for years but her appointment as a judge on TV's bake off has exposed her culinary expertise to a whole new audience and inspired a new cook book. She joins Richard and Aasmah along with: Marianne Power who was such a fan of self-help she decided to follow a book a month for a year. She joins us to reflect on her journey of self discovery. Former professional footballer Cherno Samba was tipped to be a superstar in UK football but whilst his career...
Dec 08, 2018•1 hr 23 min
Slade guitarist Dave Hill; Young People’s Laureate for London Momtaza Mehri; Listener Mary Diggory takes JP Devlin back to the woods that gave her sanctuary; Shona Davies on finding love as she sailed around the world. Joanne Froggatt shares her Inheritance Tracks: Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush and Proud Mary performed by Ike and Tina Turner. Dr Xand van Tulleken talks about combining medicine and presenting, with his twin brother. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Comedian and writer Sandi Toksvig, former armed robber turned triathlete John McAvoy and bubble enthusiast, Dr. Helen Czerski and harmonica fan Ben Hewlett. With the Inheritance Tracks of Richard Blackwood. Sandi Toksvig joins Aasmah Mir and the Rev.Richard Coles, to talk about being a national “Trevor”, adapting Treasure Island, why baking makes her emotional, and honeymooning in the Arctic. Helen Czerski, expert in the physics of bubbles, has just returned from a trip to the High Arctic. She e...
Nov 24, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Stephen Fry joins Richard and Aasmah to talk about Greek Heroes and finding wedded bliss. We also have JoJo Wood who extolls the virtue of wood carving for mental health, and Dr Catherine Walker, a septuagenarian weightlifter and academic at Oxford university, and Bisi Alimi who is a LGBTQ rights campaigner and the first person to come out as gay on national TV in Nigeria. We have your thank you and broadcaster and writer Jenni Murray chooses her inheritance tracks: The Blue Danube by Strauss an...
Nov 17, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Michael Palin talks with Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir about travelling in the footsteps of a ship, Erebus, that went missing in the late 1840s and was only re-discovered in 2014. He also discusses the special relationship with his fellow Monty Pythons. Dani Crilly tells the story of the horse who she says saved her life. Vee Walker talks to us from Bavay in France, which was liberated by Vee’s grandfather Major Tom Westmacott in 1918. Beatboxer and composer Jason Singh explains how he works...
Nov 10, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Actor Tamsin Greig, quizzer and barrister Shaun Wallace, explorer Aldo Kane, RAF trauma nurse Sadie Melling and "Chabuddy G". With Stephen Mangan's Inheritance Tracks. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Tamsin Greig is Olivier Award winner, an Aldridge of Borsetshire, Malvolia in a Twelfth Night, and a keen trampolinist. She describes how her love of movement is being constrained in her current roles in Pinter 3 as part of the Pinter Season. Shaun Wallace aka “The Dark Destroyer...
Nov 03, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles are joined by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, who reveals why he has a red painted head and blue horns for his first character-driven stand up show. Jodi Ann Bickley explains why she writes lovely letters to strangers in need – about 4,000 so far. After 65 years working at Waterloo Station, Don Buckley is thought to be Britain’s longest-serving railway worker. He enjoys helping people around the station and is so popular with passengers that one of them, Bernade...
Oct 27, 2018•1 hr 26 min
Comedian and writer Adam Hills is also the host of Channel 4's taboo busting comedy satire The Last Leg. He joins Richard and Aasmah along with: Georgina Lawton who grew up thinking she was white like her parents, then she found out about her black heritage. Claire de Lune is a ceramicist who recently found that her family had been working with clay for 700 years. And composer Shirley J Thompson on how modern history inspires her work. We have your thank you and the inheritance tracks of Manfred...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Aasmah Mir and the Rev Richard Coles are joined in the Saturday Live studio by stand-up comedian Bridget Christie, digital artist and mental health campaigner Kirsty Latoya, milkman Ian Beardwell and etymologist Paul Anthony Jones, the author of Around the World in 80 Words. We also hear the Inheritance Tracks of dancer and choreographer Akram Khan - Mera Joota Hai Japani by Raj Kapoor & Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. Presenters: Aasmah Mir & Rev Richard Coles Producer: Paul Waters...
Oct 16, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Former England football player and manager Kevin Keegan made his professional debut fifty years ago. He talks to Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles about how a nun was his first mentor, the way Bill Shankly changed his life and seizing opportunities off the pitch. Christel Dee is a Dr Who fan - also known as a Whovian - whose life and career has been shaped by the show. British Olympian Archer Patrick Huston got in touch to tell us about the woman who inspired him to take up the sport. Fashio...
Oct 06, 2018•1 hr 25 min
She can dance, she can sing, she can ice skate and act in gritty London based soap EastEnders: all round showbiz star Bonnie Langford joins us to talk about her show business career spanning 5 decades and her return to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it all began aged 7. Aged 15 George Green was a talented footballer and signed by Everton. Money and success at such a young age led him to drug and alcohol abuse, and 4 years later he was let go. He joins us to tell his story of pulling himself ...
Sep 29, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Coming live from Stirling, Coast presenter and archaeologist Neil Oliver talks about his love of the British Isles; writer, musician and journalist Doug Johnstone takes time out from Stirling's Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival. Comedian and You-Tuber Bachala Mbunzama, better known as Bash the Entertainer, talks about his journey from the Congo to Glasgow. Orkney folk musicians Fara will be performing. Ken Bruce shares his Inheritance Tracks. He has chosen I’ve Got You Under M...
Sep 22, 2018•1 hr 21 min
Legendary keyboard player Rick Wakeman is known for his huge contribution to prog rock with the band Yes, his own innovative compositions, his flamboyant caped stage presence and his numerous piano arrangements. Bea Priestley is a 22 year-old wrestler in the ever growing woman’s wrestling scene. Bea got back into wrestling after brain surgery when she was 18 and now tours the UK and Japan. Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull bonded over quizzing. They both found themselves internet sensations after a...
Sep 18, 2018•1 hr 26 min
Conversation from comedian Susan Calman, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones aka The Black Farmer and about Simon's Cat. Naga Munchetty shares her Inheritance Tracks. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Comedian and actress Susan Calman explains why she gave up a successful career in corporate law for stand-up, she shares her memories of Strictly Come Dancing and reveals her love of cats. Simon Tofield, creator of Simon's Cat, recalls how the animation went viral. Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, best...
Sep 08, 2018•1 hr 21 min
Maggie Aderin-Pocock on her love of the moon and Nigerian heritage; Ali Payne tweeted to try and find the inscribed copy of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist given to her by her late husband. She continues her search on Saturday Live. Celebrating 30 years of marriage, The Alarm's Mike and Jules Peters discuss working together and dealing with individual cancer diagnoses. Rehana Popal is the first practising female Afghan at the Bar. Coming to the UK as a refugee when she was five, Rehana talks about ...
Sep 01, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Singer songwriter Jim Kerr of Simple Minds talks about his love of walking in deserts and mountains, sustaining friendships over decades and his pop career. Atoosa Sepehr shares recipes from her cook book Persian Kitchen - authentic recipes and fabulous flavours from Iran - and talks about growing up in Iran & Italy. Nigerian crime fiction writer Leye Adenle reveals how "sunshine noir" authors are fighting back against the dominance of Nordic Noir. Gold medal-winning wheelchair dance duo Pau...
Aug 25, 2018•1 hr 25 min
We're live from the YMCA Theatre in Scarborough with Sir Michael Parkinson, folk legend Martin Carthy, surfer Tori Gower and Jennifer Dunne on the exhibition the Ancient Seas of the Yorkshire Coast. With Inheritance Tracks from Kiki Dee. Sir Michael Parkinson talks about his early life in Yorkshire, happy memories of holidays in Scarborough, his passion for cricket and forthcoming tour - An Evening With Sir Michael Parkinson. Jennifer Dunne is Collections Manager, Scarborough Museums Trust. She ...
Aug 18, 2018•1 hr 22 min
Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, Kim Wilde's inheritance tracks, Bryony Gordon on staying sober and running, the Urban birder David Lindo and Thames plastic picking cyclist Dhruv Boruah join Rev Richard Coles and Suzy Klein. Mark-Anthony Turnage is one of the most admired and widely-performed composers of his generation whose operas include Anna Nicole and Coraline. He'll be talking about why he likes to mix pop culture into classical and provoke a response from his audiences. Former corporate guy...
Aug 11, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Shaun Keaveny and Sonali Shah are joined by Rylan Clark-Neal who found fame as a contestant on the X-Factor in 2012. He subsequently won Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 and is now a presenter on programmes including This Morning and Big Brother's Bit on the Side. Paralympian David Smith won gold at Rio in 2016. He explains what it takes to be a Boccia champion. Mary Ellis discovered scything and has since been successful in competitions and is keen to share her knowledge. Dale Vince is a green ind...
Aug 04, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Conversation from the actor Stephen Mangan, pop-up beach organiser Scott Barton, nanotechnologist Dr. Michelle Dickinson, and The Madonna of Bolton - Matt Cain. With Orla Kiely's Inheritance Tracks. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. The actor Stephen Mangan talks about his hair, his 52 cousins and his new Channel 4 series Hang Ups! in which he plays a therapist, who has his own therapist. Sean Randell shares his story of Thanks, to the couple who fostered him before he was adop...
Jul 28, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Mark Gatiss talks about return of The League of Gentlemen, his passion for painting, and why he's drawn to the artist John Minton. Joining him are history teacher and performance poet Jaspreet Kaur, Francoise Malby-Anthony, who runs a game reserve which she set up with her late husband 'Elephant Whisperer' Laurence Anthony; and thriller and Batman writer Gregg Hurwitz. Robert Winston is Chairman of the Genesis Research Trust, which campaigns to improve IVF and increase funding for research into ...
Jul 21, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Conversation from the Journalist Robert Peston, stand up comedian Darren Harriott, teacher Vanessa Tissington, Wimbledon obsessive Ben Chatfield and Butterfly Ambassador, Kate Bradbury. With Chris Difford's Inheritance Tracks. Presented by Konnie Huq and the Rev. Richard Coles. Robert Peston talks about his late father, his family's social mobility and his passion for organising speakers in schools. Teacher, Vanessa Tissington, recalls the year she spent turning around the secondary school in St...
Jul 07, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Aasmah Mir and the Rev Richard Coles host and perform with opera star Bryn Terfel. He's appearing in the title role in Falstaff at the Royal Opera House. Edwina "IronGran" Brocklesby, tells how she took up marathons, triathlons and Iron Man racing in her 50s. She's still going strong at 75 and wants to spread the message that exercise helps physical and mental health whatever your age. BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner talks about his latest thriller, Ultimatum, set in Iran. Rai Rafiq tel...
Jun 30, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Aasmah Mir and Shaun Keaveny with athlete and presenter Kriss Akabusi, singer Kim Appleby, writer Steven Camden, teacher Abed Ahmed and author Ben Okri. Sporting legend Kriss Akabusi still holds the British record for the 400m Hurdles. He gets philosophical about the different sides to his personality, discusses school sports participation and reflects on his career. Abed Ahmed is a teacher with a stammer at the same school he attended as a student. He runs stammer support sessions in his school...
Jun 23, 2018•1 hr 25 min
With Aasmah Mir and guest presenter Konnie Huq are trumpeter Alison Balsom OBE, cycling blogger Jools Walker, self taught Fungi expert Geoff Dann and Joanne Barton who went from teenage alcoholism to becoming a doctor in A&E. Alison Balsom is having a break from travelling the world playing virtuoso trumpet in a new role as Artistic Director of the Cheltenham Music Festival; Jools Walker is a cycling blogger whose passion for two wheels has proved so infectious she has been able to blog full...
Jun 16, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Guests include actor and stand up comedian Richard Blackwood, Little Britain star Matt Lucas, fashion commentator and football obsessive Simon Doonan, and American Football player Phoebe Schecter. Richard Blackwood talks about his early rise to fame and bankruptcy, before playing the donkey in Shrek the Musical and moving on to straight acting roles. Matt Lucas, began his career as a giant baby playing the drums and went on to success with Little Britain wearing a fat suits for the character of ...
Jun 09, 2018•1 hr 25 min
With Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir, David Coulthard talks about his Formula 1 career and life after racing. Listener Kate got in touch to tell us how writing helped her on the way to recovery from anorexia. JP Devlin meets song and dance man Movin' Melvin Brown; Whitney Brown explains how she went from being an academic in America to dry stone walling in Wales. Opera star Willard White shares his Inheritance Tracks: Smile by Nat King Cole and Bach's Prelude No. 1. Adnan Sarwar is a former Br...
Jun 02, 2018•1 hr 29 min
With Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir, John Torode on MasterChef and how travel has inspired his cooking, Simon Mayo shares his Inheritance Tracks, Milad Shadrooh reveals how he became The Singing Dentist, psychologist Janina Scarlet on how superheroes changed her life and enabled her to help others. Mandy Coppin breaks off from organising the largest number of light aircraft to fly the River Tyne, plus JP Devlin meets listener and Tetbury WoolSack Racer Lucy Collins. John Torode's book Sydney ...
May 26, 2018•1 hr 25 min
