SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025
SAT 00:00 Midnight News (m002jhng)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SAT 00:30 The Finest Hotel in Kabul by Lyse Doucet (m002jhm8)
Episode 5 - Sadeq and the Danger Hours
Lyse Doucet reads from her new book about Afghanistan, told through daily life at the Inter-Con Kabul. It's 2020 the Taliban can taste new victory, and anxiety stalks the hotel.
Lyse Doucet is the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and an award winning journalist who has reported from many of the world's war zones. She has covered stories from Afghanistan since 1988 when she first checked into the Inter-Con, and from where she has witnessed the impact of unceasing conflict that has scarred this nation for half a century.
Her book is a history of Afghanistan told through the lives of the people who have worked at the Inter-Con, some since it opened in 1969. Despite enduring several coups, a Soviet occupation, civil war, a US invasion, and the rise and fall and rise of the Taliban, the Inter-Con is still standing. In telling the stories of the hotel's housekeepers, chefs, managers and engineers Lyse shows how us how ordinary Afghans have managed to live through destruction and disruption in their workplace and their country.
The music is Wa wa Leili - Leili, how wonderful! from the album Sweet Nomad Girl. Abdul Wahab Madadi (vocal), Veronica Doubleday (vocal and daireh) and John Baily (14-stringed dutar).
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson
Produced by Elizabeth Allard
Image by Paula Bronstein
SAT 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002jhnj)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SAT 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002jhnl)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
SAT 05:30 News Summary (m002jhnn)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SAT 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002jhnq)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SAT 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002jhns)
Season of russet fulfilment
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. Here in the Scottish Borders where I live and work, September is a spectacular month. I was driving across the moors recently, on a day which could only be described as meteorologically grumpy, with mizzle and grey cloud, when a sudden downpour cleared the skies and what shone out of that misty sky was a different world. The blues of the day now fading, the scattered cloud highlighted what was to come – a landscape in the sky, the warm glow of a vast orange and red sunset, with that unreal light that you get in Autumn.
The seasons change the landscape in so many ways, as the vulnerable green of Spring gives way to the vivid blooms of summer, the russet fulfilment of harvest to the blue cold of winter. Each trip around the sun is like a little birth and death, both part of nature and part of our own life cycle. And as Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for all of these things – a time to sow and a time to reap, a time to plant and to pluck up. And God has made these things beautiful in their time, but has given to us a notion of eternity, just enough for us to know that, even if we can’t see beyond the veil, we have a feeling that there might be more to the Universe than we can see.
God of beauty, you order the stars and the planets in their courses, you have given us the changes of the seasons and the times of the year. You cause blossom to form and the fruit to swell, and you have blessed the fallow times of winter too. May we learn of you from the wonder around us, from your presence in every leaf and twig, so that we may find you also in the noise and haste of life, in the faces of friends and strangers, and in ourselves. Amen.
SAT 05:45 Uncharted with Hannah Fry (m0023096)
20. The Confidence Trick
An ambitious portfolio manager stumbles upon a perfect graph. It outlines eye watering profits. But something doesn't quite add up - could this graph be accurate? Or does it hide a far more sinister truth?
Producer Lauren Armstrong Carter
Sound Designer: Jon Nicholls
Story Editor: John Yorke
SAT 06:00 News and Papers (m002js5m)
The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
SAT 06:07 Open Country (m002jfc9)
Fair Isle
Halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of Britain’s most isolated inhabited islands. It's famous for knitting and birds, and those still form the basis of the island's economy, as Martha Kearney discovers.
As an inviting rock in the North Atlantic it’s a magnet for migratory birds, with exhausted individuals blown off course regularly adding to a long list of unusual species recorded by the local bird observatory. Martha joins the island’s Head of Ornithology, Alex Penn, to ring some visitors and sit for a while with Britain’s friendliest colonies of puffin.
French knitwear designer, Marie Brahat introduces Martha to her flock of sheep and gives her a lesson in turning their wool into the unique designs of Fair Isle knitwear. School teacher Jonathan Pye is the newest arrival on the island, currently dealing with a school roll of just two pupils - brothers Luca and Anders.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
SAT 06:30 Farming Today (m002js5p)
20/09/25 Farming Today This Week: Rivers in National Parks, Rural Services, Downpour or drought?
A new report into the health of waterways in National Parks in England and Wales claims that they aren't being properly protected from agricultural and sewage pollution. The research, from the Campaign for National Parks and Rivers Trust, has found that almost sixty percent of rivers and lakes in these areas are failing to meet the legal standard for 'good ecological status'.
Whether it's doctors and dentists or banks and buses, services in the countryside are often harder for residents to access. According to the Rural Services Network, local authorities in rural areas get 40 percent less funding than their counterparts, and rural residents pay 20 percent more council tax. We hear from their Chief Executive Kerry Booth.
This week, the Environment Agency announced that drought conditions are likely to continue into Autumn, with five areas of England remaining in drought status. With many of us seeing torrential rain over the past week, the news may come as a surprise. We speak to two farmers in different parts of the country - the traditionally wet West and the dry East, to hear about the impact of the weather this summer - and this week - on their businesses.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jo Peacey. Farming Today This Week is a BBC Audio Bristol Production.
SAT 06:57 Weather (m002js5r)
The latest weather reports and forecast
SAT 07:00 Today (m002js5t)
Today (Saturday)
SAT 09:00 Saturday Live (m002js5w)
Lulu, Palestinian Cooking, a Water Sommelier, and Mark Kermode's Inheritance Tracks
We all know Lulu for her breakout hit Shout, voicing the theme tune to James Bond's The Man With a Golden Gun, and winning Eurovision in an unprecedented 4-way tie. But, in her new memoir If You Only Knew, she reveals how her childhood in Glasgow was marked by trauma, her father was an alcoholic and mother never fully came to terms with being given away as a baby.
Sami Tamimi first arrived in London from Palestine, in 1997, as a wide-eyed chef in his twenties looking to shake up the Arabic food scene in London. He soon met and befriended Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi and despite the obvious differences from their homelands they became the best of friends and together redefined middle-eastern cooking in the UK. But despite having co-written dozens of cookbooks - Boustany, is the first he has written solo.
After hitting rock bottom following his divorce, then fashion product developer Doran Binder, bought a struggling pub. Little did he know that underneath was exceptionally high quality water. He has not only bottled it, but has become the UK's first water sommelier.
All that, plus the woman soaring her way through grief in a hot air balloon, a thank you for a quite remarkable act of kindness, and the Inheritance Tracks of film critic, writer and broadcaster, Mark Kermode.
Presenter: Adrian Chiles
Producer: Ben Mitchell
SAT 10:00 You're Dead to Me (p0f92pfx)
The Columbian Exchange
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock and comedian Desiree Burch in the 15th century to learn all about the Columbian Exchange, which is often described as the start of globalisation. We go beyond the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to share the bigger story of a monumental exchange of plants, foods, animals, materials, people and culture across the continents. It’s also a life lesson on why you shouldn't set sail with a couple of cougars aboard your ship!
Research by Roxy Moore
Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 10:30 The Kitchen Cabinet (m002js5z)
Series 49
Newbury
Jay Rayner and the expert panel are in Newbury, Berkshire, where an eager audience of food lovers are ready with their culinary questions.
This week the panellists serve up fresh ideas for broccoli-based dishes and ingenious ways of cooking rabbit. They share creative uses for a glut of dill, and explore safe, accessible alternatives to traditional kitchen knives.
Joining Jay at the table are chefs, cooks and food writers Lerato Umah-Shaylor, Tim Anderson, Melissa Thompson and Jordan Bourke.
Senior Producer: Dom Tyerman
Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
SAT 11:00 Radical with Amol Rajan (m002jfd2)
Life After Vogue: Why I Want To Reinvent Fashion Magazines (Edward Enninful)
Edward Enninful thinks fashion risks going backwards on diversity, which is why he’s launched a new media business, EE72, to promote inclusion in an anti-woke era.
The former editor of British Vogue talks to Amol about why the industry needs to appeal to all generations – from getting Gen Z on side by tackling fast fashion and affordability, to highlighting the full spectrum of beauty by focussing on ‘women of a certain age’ in the first issue of his quarterly magazine.
Amol asks him about the recent Sydney Sweeney jeans advert after the US fashion retailer American Eagle ran ads with her alongside the words: "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans".
Edward also explains why he left British Vogue and talks about his relationship with his former boss, Anna Wintour.
GET IN TOUCH
* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480
* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan
Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.
Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies and Sophie Millward. Technical production was by Mike Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.
SAT 11:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m002js61)
Europe's migrant challenge
Kate Adie introduces stories from across Europe, Nepal, Ghana, and Moldova-Transnistria,
As countries across Europe harden their stance on immigration, Fergal Keane retraces the journeys refugees have taken over the years, including stories he has heard from Ireland, Syria, Turkey and Sweden.
Nepal’s government was dramatically overthrown in the deadliest unrest seen in the Himalayan country in decades, triggered by a social media ban and anger at corruption and high unemployment. Charlotte Scarr was in Kathmandu as the protests continued.
Ghana is the world’s largest importer of used clothing, with millions of garments arriving every week, donated from countries like the UK and US – but it’s often the quality, not the quantity which is proving a problem. Hannah Gelbart has been to Accra to see the impact of fast fashion.
And finally, in east Moldova is the self-declared separatist state of Transnistria. Home to around 350,000 people, the region broke away from Moldova in 1990 – though neither Moldova or the international community recognises its independence. Despite the schism, Transnistrians still have a say in what goes on in Moldova - and will be voting in next weekend’s election. Peter Yeung recently paid a visit.
Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
SAT 12:00 News Summary (m002js63)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
SAT 12:04 Money Box (m002js65)
Warning over Trusts and Landlord Mortgages
Top lawyers have told Money Box that people across the UK are being misled into paying thousands of pounds for products which they are told will protect the value of their home from inheritance tax or being taken to pay for care home fees. In reality, they say, these schemes do not work and may trigger legal complications and huge financial costs in the future. Usually the products involve setting up some sort of 'trust' but they are often sold by people who are not lawyers and are not regulated. The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, asked over a hundred its own members and found 95% of those lawyers surveyed said they had seen such products being missold and more than 4 in 5 said they had clients who had been misled.
Buy-to-let mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest level in almost three years and there is more choice of mortgage products for buy to let landlords than ever before. The data, which comes from Money Facts, might be good news for any landlords coming to the end of a 2 year fix when rates were higher, but not for those who fixed 5 years ago when rates were much lower. What does it mean for the market?
The state pension looks set to increase by more than inflation in April - that would mean an extra £500 a year for many.
And why are house prices rising faster in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Eimear Devlin
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(First broadcast
12pm Saturday 20th September 2025)
SAT 12:30 The News Quiz (m002jhmx)
Series 118
3. Crossing the Pond, Crossing the Floor
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Pierre Novellie, Sara Barron and Lucy Porter to break down the week in news. The panel unpack Trump's second state visit, the reserve banquet of seat fillers, foreign investment from the US, Ed Davey's Ancient Greek punishment, chimps drunk on fruit, and why Penny Mordaunt thinks it's no fun to be a Conservative anymore.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Ruth Husko, Sam Lake and Laura Major.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
SAT 12:57 Weather (m002js67)
The latest weather forecast
SAT 13:00 News (m002js69)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SAT 13:10 Any Questions? (m002jhn3)
Sarah Elliott, Nigel Huddleston MP, Alison McGovern MP, Calum Miller MP
Alex Forsyth presents political debate from King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, with Sarah Elliott, spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK and director of the UK-US Special Relationship Unit at the Prosperity Institute; the shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston MP; local government minister Alison McGovern MP; and the Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller MP.
Producer: Paul Martin
Lead broadcast engineer: Tom Parnell
SAT 14:05 Any Answers? (m002js6c)
Listeners respond to the issues raised in the preceding edition of Any Questions?
SAT 14:45 The Archers (m002jhmz)
Ruairi and Paul wake up in Paul’s bed, before Ruairi gets a call from Brian and panics – he should be at work. Brian has in fact come to see Alice and is outside in the Stables Yard. Alice is still angry with Brian, refusing to accept his apology. Ruairi then creeps out of the house, kissing Paul goodbye, only for Ben to interrupt and tell Ruairi he’s just missed Brian. Later, Ben finds Ruairi at Home Farm where they chat about Paul. Ben manages to squeeze a confession out of Ruairi that he really likes Paul, but he doesn’t know if Paul feels the same way.
Lilian finds Brian in the Eco Office, telling him she’s worried how upset Alice is. Brian needs to find a way to make it up with her. Brian insists he’s tried, then admits he’s struggling to run the farm without Stella. Lilian is convinced the stress is getting to him – and blaming Justin for his troubles isn’t the answer. For his own sake Brian needs to let Adam and Ruairi do more – they’re more than capable. Alice appears and tells Brian that Chris apologised to Martha’s teacher on behalf of the family, but apparently hardly any parents noticed anything was wrong. Martha’s friends haven’t said anything to her either. Brian’s relieved, until Lilian repeats the point she made earlier and Alice agrees that Brian should take a step back. Brian however still can’t see past his fight with Justin - and is determined to win the fight, even if it’s the last thing he does!
SAT 15:00 The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann (m000vgfd)
3. A Way Out
Hugh’s cousin James and the beautiful Madame Claudia have both left the sanatorium, but both are soon to return, with fatal consequences.
Hugh is now deep in the enchantment of the Mountain. If he is ever to escape, he will have to undergo a dreadful vision and a terrifying supernatural experience.
Thomas Mann’s novel is a literary icon, a tragi-comedy, a masterpiece of deep thought, sly irony, sex, love and death.
Written from a translation by John E Woods
Dramatised by Robin Brooks
Narrator ..... Lucy Robinson
Hugh Casthorpe ..... Luke Thallon
James Simpson ..... Hugh Skinner
Doctor Crowmarsh ..... Sandy Grierson
Professor Jones ..... Richard Harrington
Claudia Civet ..... Genevieve Gaunt
Peter Piobar ..... Stephen Hogan
Angela Simpson ..... Kate Paul
Howe ..... Huw Brentnall
Ellen Cameron ..... Lilit Lesser
Kirsty / Nurse ..... Georgia Brown
Sound Design by Wilfredo Acosta and Alisdair McGregor
Director: Fiona McAlpine
An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2021.
SAT 16:00 Woman's Hour (m002js6f)
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Baroness Hale, Race Across the World, Cryptic pregnancy, Patricia Lockwood, Sudanese women, Susie Dent
How well does the law serve women? That’s a question Nuala puts to Brenda Marjorie Hale, The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Hale of Richmond, DBE a former judge who served as the first female President of the Supreme Court. She was the first woman and the youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission, where she led the work on what became the 1989 Children Act. In 2019 she announced the Supreme Court’s judgement that the prorogation of Parliament was ‘unlawful, void and of no effect’. She discusses her new book, With the Law on Our Side – How the law works for everyone and how we can make it work better.
BBC Celebrity Race Across the World will soon be back on our screens as four celebs pair up with a friend or family member and travel from a starting point anywhere in the world to another BUT with no phones or flights allowed and only the cost of the flight as money for the entire trip. Woman's Hour had the privilege of revealing one of the pairings: none other than Woman's Hour presenter Anita Rani and her father Balvinder Singh Nazran.
To so many women the symptoms of pregnancy are instant, intense and unmistakeable; however some make it the full nine months without having any idea they’re even pregnant. This phenomenon is known as cryptic pregnancy, and the British Medical Journal suggests it’s more common than triplets. Nuala was joined by two women who have experienced this first-hand, plus Professor of Midwifery, Helen Cheyne to discuss.
Patricia Lockwood is a poet, memoirist and novelist whose work straddles the literary world and the wilds of the internet. Patricia first went viral with her traumatic poem Rape Joke, while her memoir Priestdaddy, about being the daughter of a Catholic priest, has been called a modern classic. She talked to Nuala McGovern about her new book, Will There Ever Be Another You, which explores the surreal disorientation of illness, memory and recovery in the wake of Covid.
Sudanese women and girls are bearing the brunt of a civil war that is entering its third year. The relentless conflict has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis for 6 million displaced women and girls. Cases of conflict-related sexual violence remain hugely under-reported, but evidence points to its systematic use as a weapon of war. Yousra Elbagir, Sky News’ Africa Correspondent talked to Anita about the impact on women and also the role women play in providing support to the displaced.
Are you a fan of words, their meanings and origins? The lexicographer Susie Dent, best known as the queen of Dictionary Corner on C4’s Countdown, has created a whole year’s worth of words, most of which you most probably never knew existed, in a freshly published almanac. It is called Words for Life and each day you can read an entry, digest its meaning and maybe laugh at its sound. Susie gives Anita some examples and explains her interest in words.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Andrea Kidd
SAT 17:00 PM (m002js6h)
Channel crossings: Nearly 1,100 migrants smuggled in one day
On the day two migrants are confirmed to be deported to France, 1,072 arrive by small boat. A Labour MP tells PM progress is needed within months. Also today, we get the latest on delays to flights around Europe. Russian fighter jets have been in Estonian airspace - we hear how the Baltic nation has been preparing to defend itself. And 50 years since the film of the same name, a new stage version of 'The Harder They Come'.
SAT 17:30 Political Thinking with Nick Robinson (m002js6k)
Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values
Lucy Powell on why and how she was sacked by Keir Starmer, and why she now wants to be his Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Editor: Giles Edwards
SAT 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m002js6m)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SAT 17:57 Weather (m002js6p)
The latest weather reports and forecast
SAT 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002js6r)
Airports Hit By Delays
There have been major delays and cancellations at some of Europe's biggest airports - including London Heathrow - after technical problems brought down some automatic check-in systems. In other news, an elderly British couple, who were held by the Taliban for nearly eight months in Afghanistan, have arrived back in the UK. And several major American companies are said to have advised staff on highly skilled visas not to leave the United States, after President Trump suddenly increased the annual visa fee from one thousand to one hundred thousand dollars.
SAT 18:15 Loose Ends (m002js6t)
Neil Hannon & The Divine Comedy, Mark Gatiss, Kate Fox, AA Dhand, Edith Bowman
Edith Bowman is your host for a special Loose Ends live at the BBC's Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford. Guests include the celebrated actor - from Sherlock to Mission Impossible - and writer - from Dr Who to Bookish - Mark Gatiss. He's at the festival starring in a Radio 4 comedy drama written by his League of Gentlemen colleague Jeremy Dyson. We'll hear from Amit Dhand, who credits working in his Dad's Bradford cornershop with providing the psychological insight needed to be a best-selling thriller writer. Writing as AA Dhand, he's behind the high octane BBC drama Virdee and his latest book The Chemist, set against a raging drugs war in Leeds, is his most personal yet, based on what he learnt while working as a Bradford community pharmacist. We'll have festival poet Kate Fox, who is also a standup, a Dr Who superfan and has a phd in northern comedy.
All this and music from The Divine Comedy's brand new album Rainy Sunday Afternoon.
Produced by Olive Clancy
SAT 19:00 Profile (m002js6w)
Deborah Griffin
Deborah Griffin is a pioneer of women's rugby. She played in the first known women's game in England in 1978 and helped create the first Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991.
Having never picked up a rugby ball until she created a team at university in the late seventies, Griffin quickly became one of the sport’s most instrumental figures.
The RFU originally had little interest in female teams, so Griffin and her rugby friends established a separate Women’s Rugby Football Union in 1983. The WRFU and the RFU integrated in 2012 and the women's game exploded. Deborah Griffin took up her presidency of the RFU this past summer.
As England's Red Roses play in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, Griffin's name and those of other pioneers of the sport are stitched inside their official team jackets.
Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues about Deborah Griffin’s central role in bringing women's rugby to the fore.
Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Lucy Proctor, Alex Loftus and Adriana Urbano
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Gareth Jones
SAT 19:15 This Cultural Life (m002jfbq)
Kerry James Marshall
American artist Kerry James Marshall is one of the world’s most important living painters. Marshall has been making his large-scale, vividly colourful evocations of African-American life for over 40 years. His figurative paintings are rich with symbolism, metaphor and visual references to both social history and his favourite artists from the past. A 1997 painting called Past Times, which evokes works by Seurat and Manet, sold at auction in 2018 for $21m, setting a world record for a work by a living African-American artist. In the autumn of 2025 a retrospective of his paintings opened at London's Royal Academy, his largest exhibition outside of the US.
Producer: Edwina Pitman
SAT 20:00 Archive on 4 (m0015tw6)
Sir Alex Ferguson: Made in Govan
BBC Radio Manchester presenter Mike Sweeney and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson go back a long way. They used to play football together and bonded over their love of music from the sixties. In this edition of Archive on 4, they sit down together to talk about Sir Alex as a young man and the influences which shaped his extraordinary career. Sir Alex reflects on his upbringing in Govan, the tenements where he lived and the people who first believed in him. He reveals how his early experiences as a working man left him with values that last to this day. He tells Mike about the magic of first playing football, and reflects on the ups and downs of his playing and coaching career and their impact on what came next. Moments from the BBC Archive help Mike tell Sir Alex's story.
Presented by Mike Sweeney.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Camellia Sinclair.
Mixed by Michael Harrison.
SAT 21:00 Moral Maze (m002jf5c)
To know or not to know?
Graphic details of Charlie Kirk’s death have been almost unavoidable on social media in recent days. Similarly, shocking footage of an unprovoked knife attack on 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina last month, has been widely circulated. Add to that the videos coming out of Gaza, Ukraine or Sudan. Seeing such images changes us. We can’t unsee them. They shock us, anger us, frighten us, stir our empathy, shift our moral compass.
Do we have a moral duty to watch real-life violence order to gain a deeper understanding of a situation? For example, would George Floyd’s death have had the same imaginative power if it hadn’t been filmed? Or is the truth-seeking instinct sometimes misplaced, driven by morbid curiosity and voyeurism, risking desensitisation, compassion fatigue or, conversely, chronic anxiety and stress? Do such stark images give us a moral anchor in a storm of spin and misinformation, or are we in danger of missing important context and using the intimately personal moment of a human death as a weapon in a heated political arena? With social media moderators being cut and TV news channels under pressure to beat the competition for pictures, what does the choice to publish and consume ever more extreme content say about us, and the dignity of those whose lives and deaths we are a witness to?
When should we choose to see or not to see – to know or not to know?
Chair: Michael Buerk
Panel: Giles Fraser, Sonia Sodha, James Orr and Tim Stanley.
Witnesses: Paul Conroy, Hilda Burke, Jamie Whyte and Rik Peels.
Producer: Dan Tierney.
SAT 22:00 News (m002js6y)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SAT 22:15 The Food Programme (m002jhm6)
The Rise of Matcha
As sales of matcha continue to boom, Leyla Kazim traces the story of the powdered green tea from centuries-old Japanese tradition to global health trend phenomenon. We look behind the social media videos and headlines to find out more about the reported matcha shortage, how the matcha supply chain is reacting, and ask what might happen next.
Also in the programme Leyla learns about some of the misconceptions we have about matcha, including the issues around the term 'ceremonial grade'; we have a report from Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms in Japan about how tea farmers are coping with the sudden boom; and Leyla digs into the health claims about matcha with dietician and scientist at King's College London, Dr Emily Leeming.
Presented by Leyla Kazim and produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio in Bristol.
SAT 23:00 Icklewick FM (m002j89f)
Series 2
4. Ye Revolt
The whole town turns up to celebrate the launch of a brand new attraction which promises to bring Icklewick’s colourful history to life using the power of immersive theatre. When Jicklevick fails to live up to the impossibly high expectations set by Sharon and Louis L’Beech, Chris and Amy find themselves at risk of being devoured by a horde of disgruntled MILFs. Meanwhile, Simon does a Gary Sparrow.
Icklewick FM is created and written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill, with additional material from the cast.
Starring:
Amy Gledhill
Chris Cantrill
Mark Silcox
Colin
Hoult
Janice Connolly
Phil Ellis
Lucy Beaumont
Henry Paker
Molly McGuinness
Darren J Coles
Shivani Thussu
Joe Kent Walters
Tom Burgess
Nicola Redman
Tai Campbell
Em Humble
James Carbutt
Series Artwork by Sam O'Leary
Music, sound design and additional material by Jack Lewis Evans.
Line Produced by Laura Shaw
Produced by Benjamin Sutton.
A Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4
SAT 23:30 BBC National Short Story Award (m002jhnd)
BBC National Short Story Award 2025
You Cannot Thread a Moving Needle by Colwill Brown
Colwill Brown's powerful and heart-breaking story is about Shaz, a teenager who is more vulnerable than she realises. A brutal incident with two boys has a lasting impact, leaving her with a powerful sense of shame, and curtailing her life chances. The reader is Sophie McShera.
Colwill Brown is the author of the novel We Pretty Pieces of Flesh published in 2025. Her work has appeared in Granta, Prairie Schooner, and other publications, and she has received scholarships and awards from the Tin House Summer Workshop, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Hedgebrook, Ragdale, the Anderson Center, GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing, and elsewhere.
The annual BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University marks its twentieth anniversary in 2025 with a shortlist of five short stories by established and newer writers to the form. The five outstanding stories explore relationships, community and place against a backdrop of a world in crisis.
For two decades this award has celebrated writers who are the UK’s finest exponents of the form. James Lasdun secured the inaugural Award in 2006 for ‘An Anxious Man’. In 2012 when the Award expanded internationally for one year, Miroslav Penkov was victorious for his story, ‘East of the West’. Last year, the Award was won by Ross Raisin for ‘Ghost Kitchen’, a tense, cinematic story narrated by a bicycle courier and inspired by the gig economy and the ‘dark kitchens’ of the restaurant industry.
In its 20-year history, Sarah Hall, K J Orr, Naomi Wood, Jonathan Buckley, Julian Gough, Clare Wigfall, Cynan Jones, Lucy Caldwell, Ingrid Persaud, Saba Sams and David Constantine have also carried off the Award with shortlisted authors including Zadie Smith, Jackie Kay, William Trevor, Rose Tremain, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Naomi Alderman, Kamila Shamsie, K Patrick and Jacqueline Crooks.
This year’s judging panel was chaired by Di Speirs who has sat on every judging panel since the Award’s inception and is joined by the very first chair of judges, William Boyd as well as former winners and shortlisted writers Lucy Caldwell, Ross Raisin and Kamila Shamsie.
In a time when literary awards come and go, and can struggle for funding and airtime, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University continues to be a cause for joy
From 15th to 18th September four of the shortlisted stories can be heard at
3.30 each afternoon with the fifth story in contention for the award broadcasting on Friday, 19th September, at
11.30pm. The winner of the 20th BBC National Short Story Award will be announced live on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row on Tuesday 30th September 2025.
If you have been a victim of child or adult sexual abuse or violence, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2025
SUN 00:00 Midnight News (m002js70)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SUN 00:15 Take Four Books (m002jgjr)
Ian McEwan
Booker prize winning author, Ian McEwan, speaks to Take Four Books, about his new novel, What We Can Know, and explores its connections to three other literary works. What We Can Know is set almost a hundred years in the future in a Britain much of which is now underwater, and it follows the character of Tom Metcalfe, a scholar of the University of South Downs, who is looking back at the literature of the early twenty-first century.
For his his three influences Ian chose: a poem called Marston Meadows: A corona for Prue by John Fuller, first published in the Times Literary Supplement in 2021; The Immortal Dinner by Penelope Hughes-Hallett from 2000; and Footsteps by Richard Holmes from 1985.
The supporting contributor for this episode is the writer Denise Mina, and it's recorded during the Edinburgh International Books Festival.
Presenter: James Crawford
Producer: Dominic Howell
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002js72)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002js74)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
SUN 05:30 News Summary (m002js76)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SUN 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002js78)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (m002js7b)
St Peter’s Church in Theberton, Suffolk
Bells on Sunday comes from St Peter’s Church in Theberton, Suffolk. The Grade I listed church building mostly dates from the 12th century with 15th century windows. It features a thatched roof covering the nave and chancel and a round tower with an octagonal upper section. There are six bells of which the heaviest five all date from 1875 and were cast at the Mears & Stainbank foundry in London. The Tenor weighs six and one half hundredweight and is tuned to the note of B flat. We hear them ringing Merchants Return Delight Minor.
SUN 05:45 In Touch (m002jf43)
Bedtime Donations, Psychological Support
The Royal Society for Blind Children has launched a new campaign called Bedtime Donations, and its aim is to generate better provision of audiobooks for visually impaired children. The idea is that people can record themselves reading children's stories into an app, where it will be published and be accessible to visually impaired children. The Society's aim is to develop the largest free service of children's audiobooks.
The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust are calling for visually impaired people's experiences of how they received psychological support throughout their healthcare pathway. The Trust are aiming to improve provisions of psychological services that patients receive, following a diagnosis of an eye condition, and thereafter.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Paul Holloway
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio’ in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
SUN 06:00 News Summary (m002js7h)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
SUN 06:05 Heart and Soul (w3ct6vp4)
Bergen-Belsen: Among graves, we were born
Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany was the only camp liberated by the British Forces in April, 1945. Prior to that, over 50,000 people were murdered there. After liberation, the British Forces, alongside the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) set up another camp about 2 kilometres away - the Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons (DP) Camp – the largest DP camp in Europe, where over 2,000 babies were born. Known as ‘Bergen-Belsen Babies’, Susan Schwartz and Karen Lasky were two of the many born stateless who gained citizenship after their families were eventually accepted and immigrated to Canada.
On the anniversary of the liberation, survivors, alongside Bergen-Belsen Babies gathered for the week, trying to fill in the gaps of what happened to their families and reflect on their childhoods.
Executive Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
(Photo: A mix of old photos from a survivor of the DP camp. Credit: Andrew Schwartz)
SUN 06:35 On Your Farm (m002js7l)
The Yorkshire Milkshake!
Yorkshire dairy farmers James and Alex Hill like a milkshake and had a feeling they weren’t alone. Just three years ago they launched their own milkshake and milk vending machines in 5 farm shops. The shakes sold really well and a pal of theirs wondered if they might be interested in converting the old beer trailer, he’d used at festivals into their own mobile milkshake truck. Of course they would!
The trailer now serves festival-goers rhubarb and custard, bis-cowf, and red velvet milkshakes instead of best bitter and mild at events across Yorkshire. Visitors to this summer’s Great Yorkshire Show supped up 15 hundred litres of flavoured milk and 800 litres of ice-cream.
Caz Graham visits the Hill family farm near Penistone to see how robotic milking and a vending machine shop complete with music, glitterballs and cow print boxer shorts have helped transform farm life. Then it’s off to Barnsley town centre to pull a few pints... of frothy milkshake.
SUN 06:57 Weather (m002js7n)
The latest weather reports and forecast
SUN 07:00 News and Papers (m002js7q)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
SUN 07:10 Sunday (m002js7s)
UN at 80; Christian Nationalism; Religion and video games
As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, William Crawley talks to Adrian Gallagher, Professor in Global Security about whether the UN has lived up to its founding principles.
Britain's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has condemned the UK decision to formally recognise Palestinian statehood this week as "an historic error of foreign policy", but could this action forge a way to peace?
We're used to seeing faith and religion portrayed in books and films, but now it's religion inspiring video games. The Gaming Vicar, Rev Simon Archer, explains the fascination with religion in video games.
On Sunday an open letter in the Sunday Times accused the organisers of the "Unite the Kingdom" rally in central London of misusing Christianity and co-opting Christian symbols.. Pastor Rikki Doolan, who brought Tommy Robinson to faith, explains why the bible should be at the heart of British culture and decision making. We get reaction from Rt Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin and Dr Maria Power, Co editor of "The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity" talks to William about the rise of Christian nationalism.
Presenter: William Crawley
Producers: Amanda Hancox and Katy Davis
Studio Managers: Philip Halliwell and Ben Swift
Editor: Tim Pemberton
SUN 07:54 Radio 4 Appeal (m002js7v)
AMR Action UK
The scientist and broadcaster Dr Adam Rutherford makes the BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of AMR Action UK.
The Radio 4 Appeal features a new charity every week.
Each appeal then runs on Radio 4 from Sunday 0755 for 7 days.
To Give:
- Freephone 0800 404 8144
- Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. (That’s the whole address. Please do not write anything else on the front of the envelope). Mark the back of the envelope ‘AMR Action UK’.
- Cheques should be made payable to ‘AMR Action UK’.
- You can donate online at bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4
- Please ensure you are donating to the correct charity by checking the name of the charity on the donate page.
Registered Charity Number: 1157884. If you’d like to find out more about the charity’s work visit *https://amr-action-uk.org/
*The BBC is not responsible for content on external websites
Producer: Anna Bailey
SUN 07:57 Weather (m002js7x)
The latest weather reports and forecast
SUN 08:00 News and Papers (m002js7z)
The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (m002js81)
St Aloysius' Church, Glasgow
With Fr Adrian Porter SJ and the Schola Cantorum of St Aloysius' College, Glasgow.
Readings: Amos 8:4-7
Luke
16:10-13
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind (Tune: Repton)
Before The World Began (John L Bell/Graham Maule)
Ubi Caritas (Gjeilo)
Our Father (Roberts)
Praise To The Holiest In The Height (Tune: Billing)
Organ Voluntary: March from The Occasional Oratorio (Handel)
Director of Music: Ann Archibald
Organist: Ronan McQuade
SUN 08:48 Witness History (w3ct74jq)
9/11: The generosity of Gander
On 11 September, 2001, a small Canadian town called Gander became a haven for thousands of airline passengers and crew stranded after the 9/11 terror attacks.
The attacks on the World Trade Center had forced the closure of US airspace leaving many flights unable to land. Within hours, 38 planes with 7,000 passengers, had been diverted to Gander, effectively doubling the town's population. But what happened next showcased the extraordinary kindness and generosity of the Newfoundlanders.
For five days, local residents provided beds, food, medicine and clothing for those stranded during the crisis, and didn’t ask for a cent. They even put on music evenings, barbecues and canoe trips to keep their visitors entertained.
Beverley Bass, one of the plane captains, tells Jane Wilkinson about Gander’s extraordinary hospitality during one of the most traumatic events in modern history.
Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there.
For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.
Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue.
We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina’s Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall’ speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler’s List; and Jacques Derrida, France’s ‘rock star’ philosopher.
You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world’s oldest languages.
(Photo: Passengers and crew at Gander airfield, 2001. Credit: Town of Gander)
SUN 08:58 Tweet of the Day (m002js83)
Michael Malay on the Curlew
As the summer months draw to a close, the curlew departs its upland breeding grounds to spend the winter on estuaries and in coastal areas. The largest European wading bird, with its curved bill and long legs, it is perhaps best known for its distinctive, bubbling call.
Amidst the swirling landscape of the estuary, Michael Malay hears the cry of the curlew and ponders what is contained in the sound.
Presented by Michael Malay and produced by Jo Peacey. A BBC Audio Bristol production.
SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (m002js85)
UK poised to recognise Palestinian state
What will change when the UK and other allies declare that Palestine is a state? Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran and Lord Walney discuss. Plus, Steve Rosenberg on the Intervision red carpet and a call for music listening devices designed for dementia patients. Michael Gove, Stephen Bush and Karin Von Hippel review the papers.
SUN 10:00 The Reunion (m002js87)
House of Lords Reform
Kirsty Wark brings together a group of people involved in the 1999 attempt to reform the House of Lords.
Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Leo Hornak
Editor: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4
SUN 11:00 The Archers Omnibus (m002js89)
Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer.... Ben Norris
Lilian Bellamy.... Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman
Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott.... Simon Williams
Alan Franks.... John Telfer
Martyn Gibson.... Jon Glover
Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond
Jim Lloyd.... John Rowe
Paul Mack.... Joshua Riley
Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde
Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly
Lily Pargetter.... Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers.... Joanna Van Kampen
SUN 12:15 Profile (m002js6w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Saturday]
SUN 12:30 Just a Minute (m002jgpk)
Series 95
5. Whoopsie-daisy
Sue Perkins challenges Lucy Porter, Paul Merton, Zoe Lyons and Stephen Mangan to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include give it 110%, Oasis tickets and I wish I didn’t know that about you.
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Additional material by Eve Delaney
An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
SUN 12:57 Weather (m002js8c)
The latest weather forecast
SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (m002js8f)
Britain and Palestine
As the UK decides to formally recognise a Palestinian state, we explore the unique history they share. Lucy Williamson reports from the West Bank, the Board of Deputies react to the UK's announcement, and we speak to the renowned Palestinian American scholar Rashid Khalidi on what the announcement means.
SUN 13:30 Currently (m002js8h)
Scotland Wants You
Nick Eardley explores the Scottish dimension to one of the most contentious issues facing the UK – immigration. With lower birthrates and a population that’s aging faster, Scotland desperately needs people to come here and take up jobs in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality. And now with Reform biting at their heels Labour plan to adopt a much tighter immigration policy. So does this ‘one size fits all’ immigration policy risk making Scotland’s problems worse?
Nick’s investigation probes into another central question: are higher immigration levels something that the average Scot is ready to accept? On the surface, Scotland presents itself as a hospitable, inclusive country, known for its strong values of egalitarianism. It avoided last year’s wave of immigration riots which hit parts of England and marred Labour’s first few weeks in power but recent protests outside asylum hotels in places like Perth and Falkirk suggest public opinion is shifting.
The recent rise in support for Reform UK reveal a complex picture. While there’s much enthusiasm for Scotland from immigrant communities, there are surprising undercurrents of resentment surfacing.
Nick will explore the often contradictory narratives and perspectives surrounding immigration in Scotland. His journey will uncover whether Scotland’s reputation for openness aligns with current attitudes, or if this image masks deeper ambivalences - does the old Scottish adage, about inclusivity - “We’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns,” still reflect the country today?
Presenter: Nick Eardley
Producer: Peter McManus
Sound: Gav Murchie
SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m002jhmn)
Elmbridge: Friendly Fungi, Sticky Leaves and Stunted Sweet Peas
Why do indoor cyclamen develop sticky leaves? What’s the secret to growing taller sweet peas? And how can we make our gardens more fungi-friendly?
This week, Kathy Clugston and the Gardeners’ Question Time panel return to Claygate in Surrey, ready to tackle listeners’ gardening dilemmas. Joining Kathy are horticultural experts Bob Flowerdew, Juliet Sargeant, and Pippa Greenwood, bringing their deep knowledge and lively discussion to the table.
Later in the programme, Bunny Guinness shares seasonal tips and practical advice to help you make the most of your garden as autumn sets in.
Producer: Matt Smith
Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 14:45 Opening Lines (m002js8k)
The Cherry Orchard - Episode Two
John Yorke looks at The Cherry Orchard, Anton Chekhov’s final play and a landmark in 20th century theatre.
It’s 1903 and Liubov Andryeevna Ranyevskaya has returned to the family estate in southern Russia. As the head of this aristocratic household she faces a dilemma. The family is in serious financial difficulty and they have the choice of either selling the entire estate, or accepting the proposal of local businessman, Lopakhin, to cut down their beloved cherry orchard to make way for holiday homes and use the money to pay their debts.
In the second of two episodes, John looks at how Chekhov’s use of ambiguity, his skilful combination of comic and tragic elements, and his rejection of naturalism represent a departure from his previous work and were to prove so influential in the development of 20th century theatre.
John has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Drama series. As former Head of Channel Four Drama and Controller of BBC Drama Production he has worked on some of the most popular shows in Britain - from EastEnders to The Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless. As creator of the BBC Writers Academy he's trained a generation of screenwriters - now with over 70 green lights and thousands of hours of television to their names. He is the author of Into the Woods, the bestselling book on narrative, and he writes, teaches and consults on all forms of narrative, including many podcasts for Radio 4.
Contributors:
Simon Russell Beale, whose long and distinguished acting career has seen him play many roles, including his performance as Lopakhin in a 2009 production of The Cherry Orchard at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He also won an Olivier Award for his performance as Uncle Vanya in 2003.
Rosamund Bartlett, a cultural historian with expertise in Russian literature, music, and art. Her books include Chekhov: Scenes from a Life and she has also translated and edited selections of his stories and letters.
Benedict Andrews, director of an acclaimed production of The Cherry Orchard at the Donmar Warehouse in London in 2024.
Reader: Torquil MacLeod
Closing music: Torquil MacLeod
Sound: Sean Kerwin
Researcher: Henry Tydeman
Production Hub Coordinator: Nina Semple
Producer: Torquil MacLeod
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4
SUN 15:00 Drama on 4 (m002js8m)
The Yafa Cherry Orchard
Part 2
Chekhov’s masterpiece is relocated to Palestine during the partition of 1948.
SUN 16:00 Take Four Books (m002js8p)
Graham Norton
BAFTA Award-winning broadcaster and novelist Graham Norton discusses Frankie, his fifth novel, which centres on the life of an apparently unremarkable Irish woman in her eighties as she recounts her story to a young carer.
Graham Norton shares the three key literary influences that helped shape the novel: Elizabeth Bowen’s The Last September (1929), Armistead Maupin’s Significant Others (1987), and Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (2022).
Joining the discussion is acclaimed Irish author, poet, and LGBT+ activist Mary Dorcey.
Producer: Rachael O’Neill
Editor: Esme Kennedy
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.
SUN 16:30 The 3rd Degree (m002js8r)
Series 15
2. Queen Mary, University of London
This episode coming from Queen Mary University of London, The 3rd Degree is a funny, upbeat and brainy quiz show.
The specialist subjects this week are Dentistry, Medicine and Politics, so there’ll be references to Melt-Quench Processing, Biliary Sludge and Quintin Hogg - clue, only one of them was a Conservative Cabinet Minister. Plus your chance to play Vaccine Scrabble!
The show is recorded on location at a different University each week, and pits three Undergraduates against three of their Professors in this fresh take on an academic quiz. The General Knowledge rounds include a quickfire bell-and-buzzer finale and the Highbrow & Lowbrow round cunningly devised to test not only the students’ knowledge of history, art, literature and politics, but also their Professors’ awareness of TV, music and sport. Meanwhile there are the three Specialist Subject rounds, in which students take on their Professors in their own subjects, and where we find out whether the students have actually been awake during lectures.
In this series, universities include Bristol, Queen Mary University of London, Kent, Worcester College Oxford, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Producer: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
SUN 17:00 Witness History (m002k5jt)
When Stalin silenced Shostakovich
Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. But in 1936, Joseph Stalin attended a performance of Shostakovich's opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
The Soviet leader was unimpressed and left early. Days later, the state newspaper Pravda published a scathing review titled 'Muddle instead of music', castigating the music as bourgeois.
Shostakovich was blacklisted from public life, and feared for his safety during Stalin's ongoing purges.
The traditional style of his comeback Symphony No 5 in 1937 was a hit with the authorities, and Shostakovich's reputation was restored. But his true intentions are hugely debated – some experts argue the Fifth Symphony was a cleverly veiled act of dissent.
Fifty years on from the composer's death, his son Maxim Shostakovich unfolds the mystery with Ben Henderson.
Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive.
Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there.
For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.
Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue.
We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina’s Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall’ speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler’s List; and Jacques Derrida, France’s ‘rock star’ philosopher.
You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world’s oldest languages.
(Photo: Dmitri Shostakovich and his son Maxim Shostakovich. Credit: Express/Getty Images)
SUN 17:10 Inheritors of Partition (m0019yxh)
Five years after the award-winning Radio 4 series Partition Voices, Kavita Puri explores the 75th anniversary of the division of the Indian subcontinent through three stories from the third generation in Britain.
In homes across the UK, partition is not history but a live issue for its young descendants. It’s a quiet awakening just as there is a noisy national conversation around how colonial history is told. This documentary tells contemporary tales of love, longing and discovery. A man goes to the Pakistani village where his Hindu grandfather was saved by Muslims and makes a surprising connection; a woman who has always thought of herself as British Pakistani does a DNA test; and a young couple with roots on different sides of the line dividing India and Pakistan plan their wedding.
Over the course of a year, Kavita Puri follows their stories as they piece together parts of their complex family histories and try to understand the legacy of partition and what it means to them today, and to their place in Britain.
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Sound: Neil Churchill
Production Coordinator: Janet Staples
The theme composition is based on a piece of music originating in pre-partition Punjab. It has been reinterpreted and arranged in collaboration between Manbir Singh, a classical singer and musician of Punjabi heritage, and Enayet, an electronic music producer and artist of Bengali heritage.
SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m002js8t)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
SUN 17:57 Weather (m002js8w)
The latest weather reports and forecast
SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002js8y)
UK Recognises Palestine
The UK has formally recognised a Palestinian state, marking a major shift in foreign policy. Israel has criticised the move, describing it as a reward to Hamas. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said there will never be a Palestinian state. The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, welcomed the decision as a step towards lasting peace in the region. In other news, emails allegedly sent by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, to the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been published in two newspapers. And the Liberal Democrats have called for a windfall tax on banks to fund public services and help homeowners with energy costs.
SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (m002js90)
Alex Lathbridge
This week, Alex is learning about birds and how light impacts their migrations - but don’t tell Jack Dee, he wants to put them all into Room 101. Speaking of getting rid of things, why are we a sentimental bunch? Crowdscience finds out the answer through a video game. And the Proms may be finished for another year, but there’s a quintet of recorders set loose on Loose Ends.
Presenter: Alex Lathbridge
Producer: Anthony McKee
Production Coordinators: Caroline Peddle and Caoilfhinn McFadden
A BBC Audio Northern Ireland production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 19:00 The Archers (m002js92)
In a largely empty marquee Susan and Emma assume most people haven’t bothered entering the Flower & Produce Show again, though Ben’s entered several categories on Jill’s behalf. Azra’s surprised to find Alan judging with her, before Susan apologises to Alan for Brian’s behaviour at the school Harvest Festival. Emma then tells Susan that George’s homecoming party will be held at Will’s house instead of Grange Farm. Susan presumes her and Neil won’t be invited, but Emma insists they should go, no matter what Amber thinks. Emma then tries persuading Amber to invite them, but when Amber sees Susan she tells her about the nightmares George has had in prison, where he’s trapped in a sinking car while Neil and Susan stare down from the riverbank. Amber says their betrayal nearly broke him. If they go to the party they should be aware just how much it might upset him.
As part of the judging Alan decides to taste a courgette, but when he reports how bitter it is Azra makes him spit it out. One of her patients suffered Toxic Squash syndrome, after ingesting high levels of cucurbitacin in pumpkin soup. She thinks the courgette tastes bitter for the same reason. Alan’s grateful for Azra’s intervention when he hears about the terrible effects it could have had. After the judging Ben discovers he won in all three categories he entered, pipping Susan for best cake. Susan’s preoccupied by what she heard from Amber though, and makes her excuses to Emma. They won’t be going to George’s party after all.
SUN 19:15 Illuminated (m002js94)
How Trains Shrank Time and Space
200 years ago, the modern railway was born. On 27th September 1825, the first ticketed passenger train, powered by steam travelled on a public line in County Durham.
Katrina Porteous, a poet with generational connections to the area follows the track of that inaugural journey, accompanied by a rich aural soundscape by Joe Fowler. She also journeys through time, accelerating from the coal mines which fuelled the railway to the modern day, racing to a future of international travel and modern technologies which offer new, more sustainable rail alternatives.
From the Northeast's coal mines to the sea, we capture the wonder of that inaugural journey, meeting people passionate about the Stockton and Darlington Line and the rail networks that followed: chance encounters, voices from history, retired railway men, and those who have preserved this legacy (Senior Museum Curator at Locomotion the National Railway Museum in Shildon, Anthony Coulls, and Caroline Hardie, Friends of the S&DR.)
Katrina discovers how this particular railway contributed to the standardisation of time and its incredibly rapid growth in Britain and around the world, while cold digital sounds and aural disintegration reflect some of the challenges rail travel has faced in the modern era. Through landscape and time, Katrina explores what a world shrunk by technology and speed means now and what the future of the railways might be.
This is a magic mosaic, capturing the place railway travel holds in so many hearts – not least the production team where family histories entwine and childhood passions now experiment with sound, or who have simply enjoyed train travel in places as far flung as India, the States or Japan.
Produced by Anna Scott-Brown.
An Overtone production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 19:45 Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley (m0017cfl)
Dance
In this episode, Michael gets out his dancing shoes & shines some light on the many benefits of dancing, revealing that dancing has been shown to be BETTER than traditional fitness exercises for improving your muscles, your balance and even the size of your brain. He speaks to professional-ballet-dancer-turned-neuroscientist Dr Julia F Christensen at the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt, to find out how dancing can improve our balance and coordination, and trigger new connections in our brain, while our volunteer Lorne has a go at adding some disco dancing to her everyday routine.
SUN 20:00 Word of Mouth (m002js96)
The Language of the Manosphere
The 'Manosphere' is a group of loosely affiliated mainly young males who have developed a specialised vocabulary to discuss women online in a negative and hostile way. Some of the vocabulary is a response to feminism which some men claim is diminishing their role in society. For other men a failure to attract women has given rise to phrases such as Chad and Stacey and a belief in the 80/20 theory - that 80% of women are attracted to just 20% of men who are Alpha males or Chads.
Acronyms such as AWALT (All women are like that) and MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way) are also used for the purpose of internet dialogue.
Dr Jessica Aiston of Queen Mary University in London is one of several linguistic researchers who submitted evidence to the UK Parliament call for research into online misogyny. She tells Michael Rosen what that research has shown her and explains some of the terms used.
How did terms like “down the rabbit hole” and “gaslighting” enter the English language? How do other languages adapt expressions like these? Find out in an interactive guide with The Open University’s experts. Visit the BBC Radio 4Word of Mouth page and follow the links to The Open University.
Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Maggie Ayre, in partnership with the Open University.
Subscribe to the Word of Mouth podcast and never miss an episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qtnz
SUN 20:30 Last Word (m002jhmq)
Robert Redford, Barbara Harvey, Rosa Roisinblit, Stuart Craig
Matthew Bannister on:
Robert Redford, the film star who believed his striking good looks could be a curse as well as a blessing.
Barbara Harvey, the mediaeval historian who revealed fascinating details of the lives of the monks of Westminster Abbey.
Rosa Roisinblit, one of Argentina’s Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo who finally tracked down the grandson who had been abducted at birth and given up for adoption.
And the Oscar winning film designer Stuart Craig who brought the Harry Potter world to life on the big screen. Director Chris Columbus pays tribute.
Interviewee: Chris Columbus
Interviewee: Michael Feeney Callan
Interviewee: Professor Joanna Innes
Interviewee: Professor John Blair
Interviewee: Amy Booth
Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Archive used:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Trailer, 20th Century Studios Youtube Channel, uploaded 18/09/2015; Robert Redford interview, Parkinson, BBC Television, 1980; Barefoot in the Park film trailer, 1967, Paramount movies digital channel uploaded 10/10/2014; All the President's Men - Original Theatrical Trailer, Warner Brothers Rewind YouTube Channel uploaded 09/07/2014; Rosa Roisinblit interview, BBC Newsnight, 04/04/2013; Guillermo Pérez Roisinblit interview, 60 minutes, CBS News Television, 60mins Facebook channel uploaded 28/07/2025; Mother of plaza de mayo report, International Assignment, BBC Radio 4, 04/09/1981; Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Official Trailer, Harry Potter YouTube Channel, uploaded 24/09/2023; Stuart Craig interview, The One Show, 05/03/2012; Stuart Craig Interview, The Film Programme, BBC Radio 4, 09/11/2007;
SUN 21:00 Money Box (m002js65)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:04 on Saturday]
SUN 21:25 Radio 4 Appeal (m002js7v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:54 today]
SUN 21:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m002js61)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:30 on Saturday]
SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (m002js9b)
Recognition of Palestine
Ben Wright's guests are the Labour MP Calvin Bailey; Shadow Cabinet minister Alex Burghart; and Lib Dem Education spokesperson, Munira Wilson. They discuss the UK government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state and the challenges of this autumn conference season for the main parties at Westminster. George Parker - political editor of the Financial Times - brings additional insight and analysis. Ben also speaks to Jon Cruddas - former Labour deputy leadership candidate and party historian - about the current contest to succeed Angela Rayner, Labour's direction under Keir Starmer, and the issues of patriotism and social cohesion.
SUN 23:00 On the Run (m00237gv)
Stay Alive
Writer, Poet and Runner Helen Mort trails a history of running, from prehistoric times to present day. Helen asks why we run, and finds out what running has meant through the ages. Helen looks at stories of running through the ages, to chart the development of humanity's relationship with running. She'll be finding out what role running played in societies through the ages, and how it has been represented in culture.
In the first episode, Helen examines the role of running in prehistoric times. What role did running play in life of early humans, and what kinds of running did they do? Did we evolve to sprint, or to run long distances, and why? How did people represent running in their culture, such as cave art? Helen finds out if cultures of running in different indigenous communities today, with traditions stretching back thousands of years, can tell us anything about humanity's approach to running.
Helen's route then leads to Ancient Greece, the site of some of the earliest known records of running as a sport. She relives the famous journey of the messenger Pheidippides to Athens, whose feat, and feet gave us the marathon.
Interviewees:
Dr Nathalie Hager, Lecturer in Art History, University of British Columbia
Prof Dan Lieberman, Evolutionary Biologist at Harvard University and author 'Exercised: The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health
Dustin Martin, Executive Director, Wings of America
Christopher McDougall, writer and author of 'Born to Run'
Andrea Marcolongo, Classicist and author of 'The Art of Running: Learning to Run Like a Greek'.
Roger Robinson, Runner, Historian and author of 'Running in Literature'.
Readings by Andi Bickers and Nuhazet Diaz Cano
Excerpt from Henri Lhote, A la découverte des fresques du Tassili (The Search for the Tassili Frescos) (Arhaud, 1958).
Thanks to Dr Judith Swaddling
Producer: Sam Peach
SUN 23:45 Short Works (m0012fwy)
Every Ballymena Man's Dream by Gerard McKeown
Someone has been leaving footballs filled with concrete in public places for unsuspecting people to discover.
Or, in one case, try to kick.
Gerard McKeown's original short story read by Seamus O'Hara.
Gerard is a writer from Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
He was recently longlisted for the Retreat West 2020 Short Story Award and the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award.
His work has appeared in numerous anthologies including 'Still Worlds Turning' 2019 and 'The Black Dreams: Strange Stories from Northern Ireland' 2021.
Producer: Michael Shannon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2021.
MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2025
MON 00:00 Midnight News (m002js9g)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
MON 00:15 Crossing Continents (m002jf47)
Kenya: A Battle for Gen Z
Over the past year, Kenya has been rocked by anti-government protests. What started as a demonstration over proposed tax increases soon turned into a nationwide, youth-led protest over the state of the economy, alleged political corruption and police brutality. But it's come at a cost. Dozens of protestors have been killed in clashes with the police, and human rights groups say many activists have been abducted and tortured by agents of the states. Michael Kaloki meets the young Kenyans who are caught in a battle for change.
Presented by Michael Kaloki
Produced by Alex Last
Studio mix by Neil Churchill
Editor Penny Murphy
MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (m002js7b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
05:43 on Sunday]
MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002js9k)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002js9m)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
MON 05:00 News Summary (m002js9p)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
MON 05:04 Last Word (m002jhmq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:30 on Sunday]
MON 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002js9r)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002js9t)
What a loser...
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. One of the joys of my job is talking with people who don’t have a lot of knowledge of church or the bible - I’m a chaplain in the local school and it can really keep you grounded. One day in the café we run for children there, I asked a group of kids if they knew anything from the bible at all. There was a lot of general discussion about God and Santa, but I pressed them and asked them if they could remember any quotation from the bible. One child then unzipped his coat to reveal a rock band T-shirt with “666 the number of the beast” written on it. Well I suppose I did ask.
It's funny that that part of the book of Revelation seems to hold such an allure for people. The beasts and the dragons, and the idea of the great spiritual battle. For many people, such ideas can evoke a type of thrill, but they don’t delve too deeply into them. But I’ve seen people get into quite a mess toying with misguided thoughts about the supernatural. The superficial allure of the vampire is as strong as hero-worshipping of Superman. Both of those images are about the same thing – about having power, to use for good or ill. Our times seem to be dominated by powerful men who seek to impose their power on others. Yet the barefoot Rabbi whom Christians worship in Jesus did exactly the opposite. The All Powerful God of love was found helpless and powerless in the face of anger and hatred. If the example of Jesus was followed, what transformation might we witness.
Almighty God, you became weak and helpless, in the form of a new born baby, who grew to be a wandering preacher, who was left nailed to a cross, a symbol of failure. May we see you in all those who are powerless, vulnerable, cruelly treated. May we see your face in their pain, that we may do all that we can to care for them. Amen.
MON 05:45 Farming Today (m002js9w)
It's a good year for British apples, a lack of frost and an abundance of warm weather should mean a bumper crop. Harvest is underway and hopes are high, but there are continuing concerns about the loss of orchards and growers' reluctance to invest in new ones.
It's party conference season and we're hearing from all the parties about their plans for the countryside. Today we speak to Tim Farron from the Liberal Democrats who would scrap inheritance tax on farms.
An experimental scheme using drones to disperse native tree seeds across areas of rocky moorland in the Scottish Highlands has produced encouraging results.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.
MON 05:57 Weather (m002js9y)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers
MON 06:00 Today (m002jsbq)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
MON 09:00 Start the Week (m002jsbs)
Contains Strong Language Festival, Bradford
At the Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford, Tom Sutcliffe and guests explore the history and culture of the city, and nation, through its poetry and stories. From battlefields and royal courts, coalmines to curry houses Start the Week looks at the language and rhythms that have captured the country.
The historian Catherine Clarke is retelling the story of the past in a new way in ‘A History of England in 25 Poems’. From the 8th century to today these verses illuminate the experiences, emotions and imaginations of those who lived through it.
As the 2025 City of Culture, Bradford gets an imaginative re-making in ‘The Book of Bradford: A City in Short Fiction’, a collection filled with rich diversity and youthful energy. Its editor Saima Mir, who grew up in the city, says the stories don’t avoid the scars of past challenges, but there’s pride in a city that has overcome differences and is looking ahead.
Moving on from the past is also reflected in Andrew McMillan’s debut novel, ‘Pity’, which follows three generations of a Yorkshire mining family, exploring themes of masculinity and post-industrial decline. As a prize-winning poet, McMillan will also be performing at the Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford.
Producer: Katy Hickman
Assistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez
MON 09:45 Café Hope (m002jsbv)
Caring quilts
Founder of Quilts for Care Leavers, Maggie Lloyd-Jones, tells Rachel Burden how the charity offers 'quilted hugs' to young people who are leaving the local authority care system.
Volunteers start quilting at the start of the year, so each care leaver attending an organised Christmas dinner can pick out a quilt of their choice.
Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.
We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.
You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Rachel Burden
Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy
Sound Design: Nicky Edwards
Researcher: Maeve Schaffer
Editor: Clare Fordham
MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002jsbx)
Driving anxiety, Erika Kirk profile, Marie Antoinette style
Journalist Mary McCarthy has been avoiding motorways for years, even planning her life around how to dodge them. She tells Kylie Pentelow how she discovered it’s a far more common problem than you might think, especially among women in mid-life.
England are through to the Rugby World Cup final. They face Canada next Saturday but who will we see lift the trophy? Former player Kat Merchant gives her view.
Who is Erika Kirk? Kylie speaks to Anne McElvoy, executive editor at Politico and host of the Sam and Anne political podcast, about the wife of Charlie Kirk, American activist and influencer, who was shot dead on 10 September.
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks discusses her new adaptation of The Harder They Come, based on the classic 1972 film whose legendary soundtrack brought reggae to the world. She joins Kylie to explain her process for adapting classic stories and how she rewrote the rules for language and structure in theatre.
The UK’s first ever exhibition dedicated to the life of the French Queen Marie Antoinette has just opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Marie Antoinette Style explores the lasting influence of the fashionable icon, showcasing more than 250 objects, some of which have never been seen outside of Versailles. So, who was this ill-fated queen and how does her style still resonate with us today?
MON 11:00 The Great Influencer Experiment (m002jsbz)
The Business of Being Seen
As their experiment wraps up, Emily, Alun and Danyah must reckon with what they’ve learned. Did the experiment bring success, or expose the limits of life online? Is the pressure, scrutiny and demand of visibility worth continuing with?
And beneath their stories lies a bigger question: can being a creator really be a sustainable career? The creator economy promises opportunity, but the business of turning attention into income is more precarious than it appears.
Presenter: Osman Iqbal
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Tony Churnside
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
MON 11:45 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jsc1)
1: Vikings - 'The Battle of Maldon'
Catherine Clarke reads her new and original history of England - told through poetry.
Through five poems across a week, Clarke takes us onto battlefields, inside royal courts, below stairs of great houses and onto cricket pitches, with vivid voices, and surprising stories. In a portal to the past, she takes us inside the words and moments these poems capture, with new perspectives on how England has dreamed itself into existence - and who gets to tell its story.
Today: Clarke begins in Essex, in the year 1000, with The Battle of Maldon, a myth-making poem, creating the idea of England as a proud warrior nation.
Writer and reader: Catherine is a Professor at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Director of the Victoria County History of England.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett
MON 12:00 News Summary (m002jsc4)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
MON 12:04 You and Yours (m002jsc6)
Deliveroo Kits, Seventy Years Of TV Adverts, Wimbledon Ticket Scams
Rider kits are the bags and clothing that Deliveroo riders wear when carrying out orders, but residents of one London street are receiving them at random. They are addressed to people that don't live at these addresses or any address nearby. So, why are these kits being delivered and how are potential Deliveroo riders signing up with addresses they don’t live at?
The flat share website Spare Room says it has seen the number of ads it hosts increase by 50% over the last three years. As more people opt for sublets and lodgings in order to keep costs down, it is creating some rather unusual conditions in the market. We hear about some rental horror stories, from kitchen use restrictions to no working from home.
More than half a million people attended Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships this year, with millions more watching on their televisions at home. We speak to a listener that was sold hundreds of pounds worth of fake tickets to next year's semi finals on a bogus site, and discuss what you can do to protect yourself from ticket fraud.
It is seventy years to the day that the first television advert was broadcast in the UK. It was for Gibbs SR toothpaste and was chosen through a lottery featuring 23 different brands, including Guinness, Surf, National Benzole and Brown & Polson custard. However, as linear television viewing figures continue to drop, what does the future hold for the television advert?
The Royal Mail is extremely important to many small businesses, not least if you are based on an island. We hear how one jeweller on the Isle of Wight has struggled to get compensation for more than five months after a one-off commission was lost in the post.
MON 12:57 Weather (m002jsc8)
The latest weather forecast
MON 13:00 World at One (m002jscb)
More countries recognise the state of Palestine
A number of European states will join the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising a Palestinian state. We speak to Arab Barghouti, whose father Marwan consistently leads the polls of who Palestinians want to lead them. Also: President Trump is expected to link the use of paracetamol in early pregnancy and autism. We’ll look at the science and speak to Prof Chris Van Tulleken. And: Why Matcha tea has become the latest Gen Z craze.
MON 13:45 Looking for No Man's Land (m002jscd)
1. All great quests start with a map
Humans have spread to every corner of the globe, transforming ecosystems and reshaping landscapes. Is there anywhere left on Earth that is unaffected by humans? Anywhere we haven’t changed – at all?
Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr set out in search of No Man’s Land... if it exists.
In this first episode, we start by ruling places out. With the help of environmental scientist Erle Ellis and the head of NASA’s scientific visualisation team Mark Subbarao, we explore maps that reveal humanity’s astonishing global footprint – and wonder whether we’ve bitten off more than we can chew.
Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws
MON 14:00 The Archers (m002js92)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Sunday]
MON 14:15 Alone (m0009bnq)
Series 2
Anti-Valentine's Day
The unattached neighbours are all dreading the left-out feeling they always get on February 14th.
Encouraged by a driven Will, they agree to go out and enjoy themselves anyway, by way of protest, and so book a table for a singles-only meal out. After all, there is safety in numbers - as long as you have the numbers.
Sitcom about five single, middle aged neighbours living in flats in a converted house in North London.
Mitch is a widower and part-time therapist, looking to put his life back together now that he is single and living with Will, his younger, more volatile and unhappily divorced half-brother.
Elsewhere in the building is schoolteacher Ellie who is shy, nervous and holds a secret candle for Mitch. Overly honest, frustrated actress Louisa, and socially inept IT nerd Morris complete the line-up of mis-matched neighbours.
Mitch ...... Angus Deayton
Will ...... Pearce Quigley
Ellie ...... Abigail Cruttenden
Louisa ...... Kate Isitt
Morris ...... Bennett Arron
Waiter ...... Dominic Coleman
Written and created by Moray Hunter
Produced by Gordon Kennedy
Based on an original idea developed in association with Dandy Productions
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2019.
MON 14:45 Mrs Bridge by Evan S Connell (m0019r15)
Episode 6
Evan S. Connell's Mrs Bridge is an extraordinary tragicomic portrayal of suburban life and one of the classic American novels of the 20th century.
Mrs Bridge, a conservative housewife in Missouri, has three children and a kindly lawyer husband. Her married life begins in the early 1930s – and soon after she and her young family move to a wealthy country club suburb of Kansas City. She spends her time shopping, going to bridge parties and bringing up her children to be pleasant, clean and have nice manners. The qualities that she values above all else. And yet she finds modern life increasingly baffling, her children aren't growing up into the people she expected, and sometimes she has the vague disquieting sensation that all is not well in her life.
In a series of comic, telling vignettes, Evan S. Connell illuminates the narrow morality, confusion, futility and even terror at the heart of a life of plenty.
First published in 1959 it was perhaps overshadowed by the critical attention paid to contemporaries like Philip Roth and John Updike - although Mrs Bridge was a finalist for the National Book Award in that year. Ten years later Connell published Mr Bridge which follows that same events largely from the point of view of Walter Bridge. In 1990, James Ivory directed the film Mr and Mrs Bridge based on both novels and starring Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward. Fans of the book today include the novelist David Nicholls and Tracey Thorne, author and singer.
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Written by Evan S Connell
Abridged by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4
MON 15:00 Great Lives (m002jsch)
Elizabeth Day on Hatshepsut
"One of the things that she claimed was that her mother had been impregnated by the sun god Amon-Ra."
Elizabeth Day's interest in the female pharaoh Hatshepsut was sparked by a trip to Egypt less than a year ago. What intrigued her was how this woman survived and thrived as ruler in a traditionally male role. Joining her in discussion is Professor Joyce Tyldesley, recent winner of archaeologist of the year. She says that Hatshepsut changed her life when she wrote her biography. Matthew Parris presents.
Elizabeth Day is the author of six novels and host of How to Fail.
The producer for BBC Studios in Bristol is Miles Warde
MON 15:30 You're Dead to Me (p0f92pfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Saturday]
MON 16:00 Currently (m002js8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Sunday]
MON 16:30 The Kitchen Cabinet (m002js5z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:30 on Saturday]
MON 17:00 PM (m002jsck)
France to join UK in recognising Palestinian state
World leaders are gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly, as France prepares to join the UK in recognising a Palestinian state. Plus, Trump officials are expected to make a disputed link between autism and the use of paracetamol in pregnant women.
MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002jscm)
Charities Cut Ties With Duchess of York
Multiple charities have cut ties with the Duchess of York, following the emergence an email she sent to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, in which she called him her "supreme friend". A spokesperson for the duchess said her email to Epstein had been sent because she was trying to counter a threat from him to sue her for defamation - and that she still regretted any association with him. In other news, Reform UK has announced plans to abolish the right of migrants to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK after five years - if the party wins the next general election. And several more countries are expected to follow the UK in recognising a Palestinian state.
MON 18:30 Just a Minute (m002jscp)
Series 95
6. Do you believe in soul mates?
Sue Perkins challenges Julian Clary, Rachel Parris, Paterson Joseph and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include my Spanish exchange, Paddington Bear and shoulder pads.
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Additional material by Eve Delaney
An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 19:00 The Archers (m002jscr)
When Justin encounters Brian on the Village Green they swap barbs over what happened at the Harvest Festival, before Justin suggests Brian could do some sort of penance. Brian wonders whether Justin’s equally keen to clear his conscience.
At St Stephen’s Leonard asks Alan if he’s recovered from nearly poisoning himself at the Flower and Produce Show. Alan’s just grateful he had qualified doctor Azra with him. Susan then asks Alan about the quality of forgiveness, especially when the wrongdoer hasn’t been forgiven. Justin comes in, suggesting he could pay for repairs to the church or whatever Alan thinks best. When Brian joins them he and Justin try to outdo each other in their magnanimity. But Alan doesn’t want their money, suggesting they come to Bible Study group instead. Brian, Justin and Susan then receive a salutary lesson in putting forgiveness and reconciliation above all other considerations.
In the graveyard Leonard finds Jill by Grace Archer’s headstone, on the seventieth anniversary of her death. Jill knows Phil marked the date every year, regretting the jealousy she felt towards Grace. Thanks to Leonard she now understands you can have room in your heart for more than one person. When Brian and Justin emerge from church they tell Leonard they’ve made up their differences. The reconciliation doesn’t last though, as Justin points out the price Brian’s paid for allowing his temper to get the better of him: he’s driven his business off a cliff. And whilst Justin isn’t one for quoting scripture, maybe Brian should think about removing the ‘log in his eye’ before judging anyone else.
MON 19:15 Front Row (m002jsct)
Late-night shows under fire
Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Jay Leno made the late night talk wildly popular viewing for American audiences for decades, but those days are fading fast thanks to declining ratings and ad revenue. Now, with two of today's biggest late night shows are in trouble after offending President Trump, we speak to the New York Times chief TV critic, James Poniewozik after the future of these show.
This weekend the sculptor Martin Jennings was announced as the designer of the statue at the new national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth in London’s St James Park. In his first broadcast interview since being appointed by Norman Foster Associates, Martin Jennings tells us how he is approaching the task.
Today marks the autumn equinox, and according to viewing data, it’s a time when many of us seek out cosy romantic comedy films to watch. Screenwriters and sisters Nora and Delia Ephron made some of the most loved, often set in autumn - When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, all three starring Meg Ryan.
Delia Ephron tells us what it was about autumn in NY that made such an irresistible setting.
It’s been 10 years since Shamima Begum and her friends left the UK for Syria, having been indoctrinated online by the Islamic State group. While press coverage at the time focused on the horrors of the group, a new fiction film, Brides, seeks to put out a more sympathetic portrayal about similar teenage girls who made that journey. Director Nadia Falls is on to discuss.
MON 20:00 Rethink (m002jfch)
Rethink: should we stop flying?
Aviation is far more difficult to decarbonise than other sectors of the economy, because kerosene is the perfect fuel for planes. It produces enough power to enable planes to fly, yet it is light enough for them to get off the ground and cross the world.
Alternatives are thin on the ground; batteries are too heavy, clean hydrogen power is in its infancy, while Sustainable Aviation Fuel - or SAF - is expensive and in short supply. Although the Government has a "SAF-mandate", only 22% of all jet fuel supplied by 2040 will have to be sustainable.
New airliners are more fuel-efficient than ever before, and both routes and air-traffic control are being optimised. But if growth outpaces efficiencies, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise.
And passenger demand is back at pre-pandemic levels. In 2024 the UK was the third largest market in the world for flights.
In the absence of any immediate solution, should we fly less, if at all? How realistic and affordable are slower alternatives like the train? Could passengers be penalised for taking more than one return flight a year? And should the Government rather than individuals be taking responsibility for change?
Presenter: Ben Ansell
Producer: Ravi Naik
Editor: Lisa Baxter
Contributors:
Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy in the School of Engineering at the University of Manchester.
Dr Roger Tyers, UK Aviation specialist at Transport & Environment
Yannick van den Berg, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam Law School
Tom Nevitt, project manager of Climate Perks
Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive, Sustainable Aviation
Rethink is a BBC co-production with the Open University
MON 20:30 BBC Inside Science (m002jfck)
What’s the highest a human could possibly pole vault?
Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis broke the sport’s world record again this week at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. It’s the 14th consecutive time he’s broken the record.
Professor of Sports Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, Steve Haake, joins Victoria Gill to discuss this monumental feat of athleticism, and to explain the role physics and engineering play in Duplantis’s unprecedented success.
The actor, comedian and scientist Nick Mohammed explains why he and his fellow judges selected ‘Ends of the Earth’ by Professor Neil Shubin as one of this year’s finalists in the Royal Society Trivedi Book Prize. We also hear from the book’s author about what it’s like doing science at the farthest reaches of the planet.
Neuroscientist Professor James Ainge from the University of St Andrews tells us how he has been mapping our internal mileage clock.
And the author and mathematician Dr Katie Steckles brings us the brand new maths and science shaping our world this week.
To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk, search for BBC Inside Science, and follow the links to The Open University.
Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Clare Salisbury, Dan Welsh, Jonathan Blackwell and Tim Dodd
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
MON 21:00 Start the Week (m002jsbs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 21:45 Café Hope (m002jsbv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 today]
MON 22:00 The World Tonight (m002jscw)
Trump tells pregnant women to avoid paracetamol
Standing alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. the US president said the drug, commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol in the US, was to blame for a rise in autism diagnoses.
Also on the programme: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he will overhaul the rights of migrants to remain in the UK; and seven decades after the first British TV ad we explore the medium that formed some top Hollywood directors.
MON 22:45 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (m002jscy)
Episode 1
Richard Schiff (The West Wing) reads Roth's chilling vision of an alternative American history, in which Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in 1940 and makes a deal with Hitler. The new presidency begins to take a toll on the Roth family, ushering in a wave of anti-Semitism.
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Fay Lomas for BBC Audio
Abridged by Sara Davies
Sound by Ilse Lademann
Assistant produced by Alice McKee
Read by Richard Schiff
MON 23:00 Tracking the Planet (m001xdfb)
Riding the Storm
Our planet is alive. A dynamic, moving, pulsating organism. Air pressure rises and falls, ocean currents meander, and the climate continues, by tiny increments, to warm.
And at the same time, billions of animals are on the move.
All over the planet, animals are fitted with sophisticated tracking devices by teams of dedicated scientists, which tell us so much about what they’re up to. From rhinos in bulky satellite collars, to microscopic chips glued to the back of a bee, they record where the animals go, what they eat, and how and why they migrate across the globe.
But they record so much more than that too – modern trackers can also log local climactic conditions, windspeed, temperature, even some measures of the animal’s own health; heartbeat, or skin temperature. Every tagged animal is transformed into a tiny dynamic weather station, collecting data on climactic conditions and the health of ecosystems, which would be impossible to collect otherwise.
Diving Weddell seals bring back data on the melting speed of a deep water glacier. Roving Tiger Sharks uncover previously unknown sea-grass habitats. High-flying sea-birds on annual migration tell us about changing wind patterns across the tempestuous equator, and farm animals in the mountains of Italy, moving nervously in their fields, give a silent alert: an earthquake is on the way.
In this series, Emily Knight explores some of the stories that can be told about the animals that call this world home, and the much larger over-arching story too: How the changing conditions on this planet are transforming THEIR lives, changing their migration routes, re-positioning their food-stocks, bringing new diseases or challenging weather. We can track how they’re coping with it all, and how, sometimes, they’re not.
MON 23:30 Great Lives (m001y1yb)
Sir Bruce Forsyth
The political writer and broadcaster Steve Richards remembers the 1970s as a “dark decade.” But one shining light for the teenage Steve was Saturday evening telly, especially the Generation Game on BBC One. He was captivated by the performance of the show’s host, Bruce Forsyth. Brucie was in his pomp, with the programme getting audiences of up to 19 million. Steve thought his performances were comedic genius, especially his interaction with contestants. And he came to appreciate Sir Bruce’s other talents too, like his singing and dancing abilities.
As well as the Generation Game, his seven-decade career took in Sunday Night at The London Palladium, one-man stage shows, Play Your Cards Right and Strictly Come Dancing. Indeed, it has been said that the story of Sir Bruce Forsyth is the story of modern entertainment television in Britain.
That’s why Steve has nominated Sir Bruce as a Great Life. And joining him and host Matthew Parris to discuss Brucie’s life and career are his widow Lady Forsyth and his long-time manager Ian Wilson.
Producer: Paul Martin for BBC Studios Audio
TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2025
TUE 00:00 Midnight News (m002jsd1)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
TUE 00:30 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jsc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Monday]
TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002jsd3)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002jsd5)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
TUE 05:00 News Summary (m002jsd7)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
TUE 05:04 Currently (m002js8h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Sunday]
TUE 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002jsd9)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002jsdc)
A prayer from the monastery
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. This week I have been largely recovering from the Melrose music festival, a weeklong festival of varied and vibrant music of all styles, of which I am the Chair of Trustees. In our festival we heard music that was over a thousand years old, and music which hadn’t even been composed on the morning it was being performed. But the thread which led us through the whole week was the music of the church, both modern and ancient. The festival ended with the singing of Compline, the night prayer, and for me - passionate about music since I was a child - singing and prayer are so linked to me that it’s hard to think of one without the other.
The Abbey which dominates our town of Melrose is nine hundred years old, but like so many abbeys around the borders, it lies in ruins. But the music which was sung there, is as alive and as vibrant as it was when those first stones were laid, not ruinous but whole, living. We sang it at Compline. Tenth century plainsong, aching and mournfully beautiful, music from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which winds itself around the plainsong and grows out of it like vines from branches, ornamenting the song of the church. And the prayers that were prayed in that Monastery eight times a day for hundreds of years, we still pray today, keeping us in the night and greeting us at the dawn.
So I use one of them for my prayer today:O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by your governance, to do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
TUE 05:45 Farming Today (m002jsdf)
23/09/22: Bluetongue warning, apple harvest, farming for food and nature in Norfolk
Bluetongue affects ruminant animals, like Sheep and Cattle, and it's spread between animals by biting midges. The disease tends to subside as temperatures drop but vets are warning farmers not to become complacent about Bluetongue this autumn. Anna Hill hears from the British Veterinary Association.
This week we're focussing on apples, plums and their ilk - known as Top Fruit. Today, a visit to a Herefordshire orchard growing apple varieties old and new, which is enjoying a good harvest.
Anna visits a conference in North Norfolk, where farmers are at the sharp end of balancing farming for food production with farming for nature.
Presenter: Anna Hill
Producer: Sarah Swadling
TUE 06:00 Today (m002jsph)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
TUE 09:00 The Life Scientific (m002jspk)
Gareth Collett on a career in bomb disposal
Movies might have us believe that bomb disposal comes down to cutting the right wire. In fact, explosive devices are complex and varied - and learning how to dispose of them safely involves intense training, as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure.
This was the world of Dr Gareth Collett, a retired British Army Brigadier General and engineer, specialising in bomb disposal; whose 32-year military career took him around the world, including heading up major ordnance clearance projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the army, Gareth became a university lecturer – but following his diagnosis with bladder cancer, started researching a possible link between bomb disposal veterans and higher rates of urological cancers.
In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Gareth discusses this ongoing research, dealing with PTSD - and why he just can't watch Oscar-winning movie The Hurt Locker...
Presented by Jim Al-Khalili
Produced by Lucy Taylor for BBC Studios
TUE 09:30 Universities Challenged (m002jspm)
Is it worth it?
Today's students face rising tuition fees while the cost of living keeps going up. Their experience of studying is changing. Pressures on university finances mean their teachers are overstretched and class sizes are bigger, while AI changes their whole relationship to knowledge. And then they'll graduate into a challenging jobs market with some of the highest student loan debt in the world. Sophia Smith Galer speaks to students and their parents along with experts in the university sector and asks whether, in the face of all these challenges, is it still worth getting a degree?
Presenter: Sophia Smith Galer
Producer: Lucy Burns
Sound: Gareth Jones
Editor: Nick Holland
TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002jspp)
Annie Lennox, Paracetamol in pregnancy, Liquid BBLs, Phubbing
The multi award-winning singer songwriter Annie Lennox has been part of the musical landscape for almost 50 years, from her days in The Tourists, to the Eurythmics and then going solo. Now at the age of 70, Annie has brought out a book of photographs called Annie Lennox: Retrospective, and talks to Nuala McGovern about her life and career.
President Trump has said that pregnant women should avoid paracetamol because of the risks of autism and that US doctors will soon be advised not to prescribe Tylenol, as paracetamol is known in the US, to pregnant women. However he didn't provide any scientific evidence for this. UK health officials have stressed that paracetamol remains the safest painkiller available to pregnant women, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told women to ignore Trump's comments. Nuala is joined by Dr Alex Tsompanidis, senior research associate at the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University and the BBC's Health reporter, Jim Reed.
It’s a year since the death of Alice Webb, the first woman in the UK to die from complications after a liquid Brazilian butt lift, a non-surgical procedure injecting filler into the buttocks. You don’t need to have any medical qualifications to carry out the procedure. We talk to Sasha Dean who had terrifying complications after a liquid BBL and to David Sines from the JCCP, which runs a voluntary regulator for practitioners.
Are you guilty of ‘phubbing’? It’s the process of snubbing the person you are with in person by looking at your phone. New research shows that these phone snubs can have a huge impact on relationships. Dr Claire Hart, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southampton, tells us about her findings and Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, University College London and author of Smartphone Nation, discusses the impact parental phubbing can have on children.
TUE 11:00 Add to Playlist (m002jhn1)
Anne Dudley and Joe Stilgoe round off the series
Musician and songwriter Joe Stilgoe and Oscar-winning composer and arranger Anne Dudley join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the final five tracks of the series, taking us from calypso to K-pop via Beethoven and Brubeck.
Add to Playlist returns on 14 November.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald
Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Calypso Queen by Calypso Rose
Concrete and Clay by Unit 4 + 2
Piano Concerto in G Major: III (Rondo) by Beethoven
Blue Rondo à la Turk by Dave Brubeck
Gangnam Style by Psy
Other music in this episode:
Disco Inferno by The Trammps
WHO AM I by Berwyn
Abatina by Calypso Rose
I Love to Love by Tina Charles
Rock the Boat by Hues Corporation
Concrete and Clay by Eddie Rambeau
Take Five by Dave Brubeck
TUE 11:45 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jspr)
2: Poetry, Prophecy and the Island - ‘This England’, from Shakespeare's Richard II
Catherine Clarke reads her new and original history of England - told through poetry.
Through five poems across a week, Clarke takes us onto battlefields, inside royal courts, below stairs of great houses and onto cricket pitches, with vivid voices, and surprising stories. In a portal to the past, she takes us inside the words and moments these poems capture, with new perspectives on how England has dreamed itself into existence - and who gets to tell its story.
Today: Clarke looks at the ways in which Shakespeare's endlessly anthologised 'This England' speech from Richard II has shaped English identity.
Writer and reader: Catherine is a Professor at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Director of the Victoria County History of England.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett
TUE 12:00 News Summary (m002jspt)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 12:04 You and Yours (m002jspw)
Call You & Yours: Are you getting a good service from your insurance company?
Our phone in today is asking: "Are you getting a good service from your insurance company?"
Consumer group Which? has launched a super-complaint on customer's behalf calling on the regulator to take action on home and travel insurance. Which? says these markets are failing consumers. The FCA has already highlighted these failings in reviews in the summer - but Which? says these serious issues have been allowed to persist for too long.
Which? says home and travel insurance policies have the lowest levels of claims being accepted by insurers - and the impact on consumers if things go wrong is huge.
30 million people have buildings and contents insurance, with a similar number buying either annual or single-trip travel cover during last year.
Which? said that 99% of car insurance claims were upheld, but acceptance rates fell to 63% of buildings insurance claims and 80% of travel insurance claims.
Which? will join us to explain their super complaint, as well as the Association of British Insurers.
Are you getting a good service from your insurance company?
You can call our phone lines from
11am, the number is 03700 100 444
Or email us youandyours@bbc.co.uk
PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: LYDIA THOMAS
TUE 12:57 Weather (m002jspy)
The latest weather forecast
TUE 13:00 World at One (m002jsq0)
The Liberal Democrats take the fight to Reform
Where should the Liberal Democrats position themselves ahead of the next election? We're at their conference in Bournemouth, hearing from delegates - and from deputy leader Daisy Cooper. Also on the programme, the chair of Britain’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation gives us his response to President Trump's unproven health claims. And Jonathan Agnew gives us his tribute to former cricket umpire Dickie Bird who has died aged 92.
TUE 13:45 Looking for No Man's Land (m002jsq2)
2. A deep dive
Humans have spread across the planet, leaving our mark on the landscapes and ecosystems we rely on. But is there anywhere left that is unchanged by humans? Anywhere we haven’t affected – whatsoever?
Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr continue their search for the last places on Earth free from human impact.
In this second episode, we dive into our oceans. Deep-sea ecologist Jeff Drazen guides us through the ocean’s mysterious layers. And in a submersible 11,000 metres below the surface - the second deepest point on the planet - we join marine biologist Alan Jamieson as he makes a startling discovery. Could No Man’s Land be hidden in the deep?
Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws
TUE 14:00 The Archers (m002jscr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Monday]
TUE 14:15 Life Lines (m002jsq4)
Series 8: Part One
The award winning drama set in an Ambulance Control Room.
Carrie is a call handler for the ambulance service. Every day she makes split-second decisions as she deals with a succession of emergencies; from a young woman who has been sexually assaulted to a vicious attack on an ambulance crew. Carrie is gifted with the knack of calmly helping people through their most vulnerable moments. Each episode is a collage of heart-stopping stories, where Carrie’s indiscriminate acts of kindness can mean the difference between life and death
But how can a newly pregnant Carrie maintain a calm facade when she has to work with an AI system that can listen but doesn't always understand and her own body rebelling against her.
For details of organisations which offer advice and support with pregnancy related issues, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline
Carrie ..... Sarah Ridgeway
Will ..... Rick Warden
Ian ..... Michael Jibson
Caitlyn ..... Rowan Robinson
Dan/Doctor ..... Tom Victor
Flo/Holly ..... Abbie Andrews
Isaac ....Keenan Munn-Francis
Andy ..... Jason Barnett
Nina ..... Kitty O'Sullivan
Receptionist ..... Maggie Service
Technical Producers ..... Andrew Garratt & Neva Missirian
Production Co-ordinator ..... Luke MacGregor
Writer ..... Al Smith
Director ..... Sally Avens
A BBC Studios Audio Production
TUE 15:00 History's Heroes (m002fbhs)
Katharine Hepburn: Queen of the Screen
How did the actor Katharine Hepburn challenge the conventions of Hollywood’s studio system?
Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.
Archive courtesy of The G.Robert Vincent Voice Library in Michigan State University.
A BBC Studios Audio production.
Producer: Lorna Reader
Series producer: Suniti Somaiya
Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts
TUE 15:30 Beyond Belief (m002jsq9)
Faith versus Fear
Giles Fraser delves into the moral and theological tensions surrounding immigration, asking whether Christian faith leads to exclusion or radical inclusion. British politician and prominent catholic Ann Widdecombe opens with a candid reflection on the limits of national capacity and the need for fair rules, citing scripture to support her belief in prioritizing care for one’s family and community. The discussion broadens with insights from Journalist & Historian Tim Stanley, human rights advocate Yasmin Halima, and Theos researcher George Lapshynov, who presents data showing Christians are more hostile toward immigration than the general public. The panel explores the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger, the concept of “ordered love” from Saint Augustine, and the practical challenges of balancing compassion with security. Author and activist Onjali Raúf adds a deeply personal lens, highlighting the human cost of displacement and the rhetoric that dehumanizes refugees.
Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4.
Presenter: Giles Fraser
Producer: Bara’atu Ibrahim
Assistant Producer: Linda Walker
Editor: Tim Pemberton
TUE 16:00 Artworks (m002jsqf)
Iris Barry, First Lady of Film
In 1924 Iris Barry wrote the infamous words: “Going to the pictures is nothing to be ashamed of.”
We think of cinema as being the defining artform of the 20th century, but at its inception film was considered anything but art. It was a cheap form of mass entertainment circulating through flea pit cinemas and music halls. Yet one woman dedicated her life to changing that perception.
Silent film historian Pamela Hutchinson explores the extraordinary life of Iris Barry – the pioneering 1920s critic, curator and film preservationist who made the case for cinema to be taken seriously.
Through sheer force of will, a razor-sharp wit and the magnetism of her writing, Iris Barry managed to catapult herself from provincial obscurity into the upper echelons of high society – on both sides of the Atlantic – and in the process forever changed the course of cinematic history, while leading a life worthy of the most improbable of film plots.
Featuring Richard Brody of the New Yorker, Bryony Dixon curator for silent film for the British Film Institute, Arts Editor for The Spectator Igor Toronyi-Lalic, journalist and academic Henry K. Miller, and Iris Barry biographer Robert Sitton.
Presented by Pamela Hutchinson
Produced by James King and Ashley Pollak
Consultant: Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Sound Mix by Tom O’Sullivan
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
A TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 16:30 What's Up Docs? (m002jsqj)
Are you getting enough fibre?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken clear up the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they want to answer some of the most important questions about dietary fibre. What is it and why do our bodies need it? They’ll explore the best sources of fibre - both natural and processed - and unpack the growing trend of fibre-enriched foods. Also, they’ll discuss easy ways to add more fibre into our daily routines without overhauling our diets.
They speak to Dr Deirdre Tobias, an obesity and nutritional epidemiologist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, to find out.
If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.
Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Dr Deirdre Tobias
Producers: Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Maia Miller-Lewis
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Ruth Rainey
At the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 17:00 PM (m002jsql)
News and current affairs, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002jsqn)
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, uses his party conference speech to attack Reform UK saying don't let "Trump's America" become "Farage's Britain."
TUE 18:30 Mark Steel's in Town (m00127vg)
Series 11
Walthamstow, London
Walthamstow has got plenty going for it - "it has the requisite villagey middle-class bit, but with a proper gor-blimey guv'nor East End heart" says one newspaper article and Mark finds a town mid-gentrification. The dog track has gone, the famously long market remains but there is also a Viking Shop and an extraordinary showroom and workshop with a vast range of neon light fittings called God's Own Junkyard. There is a museum dedicated to the designer William Morris who used to live there and there's evidence of a recent war too in the form of the cycling scheme known as "mini-Holland." Hopefully Mark will tread carefully. With guest local MP Stella Creasy.
The full box set of all episodes (with well over 50 towns visited) is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
Written by and starring...Mark Steel
With additional material from Pete Sinclair
Production Coordinator...Beverly Tagg
Producer...Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios Production.
TUE 19:00 The Archers (m002jsqq)
Stella looks to the future, and Adam has reservations.
TUE 19:15 Front Row (m002jsqs)
Stephen Knight on House of Guinness
Peaky Blinders' screenwriter Stephen Knight on his new TV series, House of Guinness.
Indhu Rubasingham talks about her vision as the new Artistic Director for the National Theatre and her first production there - Bacchae
Art critic Waldemar Januszczak has been to see the Turner Prize Exhibition for us, which this year is in Bradford. We find out what he makes of it.
Former Booker winner Roddy Doyle on the 6 books shortlisted for this year's Booker Prize.
Presenter: Samira Ahmed
TUE 20:00 File on 4 Investigates (m002k96k)
Inside the Migrant Hotel
It's a familiar story from the outside. Around 32,000 people are housed in migrant hotels around the UK and protests outside them have been violent and vocal.
Sue Mitchell has spent the summer getting to know a different side of the story - what life is like Inside the migrant hotels - and she's seen and heard some striking things:
Families who have been seeking asylum for nearly a decade;, a stream of prepaid taxis taking migrants to medical appointments and transporting them across the UK, families cooking meals in secret in hotel bathrooms and a system that appears to be broken, according to the people within it.
These are the first recordings that have been made of this kind. It's a story that has dominated the news, but hasn't been heard from the inside until now.
All names have been changed to protect the identities of hotel residents and staff
Reporter: Sue Mitchell
Producer: Joel Moors
Executive producer: Joe Kent
Inside the Migrant Hotel is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 20:40 In Touch (m002jsqx)
Leaving the Macular Society, Age Verification Help
Since the spring, we have been receiving a steady stream of emails from people who are deeply concerned about developments at the Macular Society. The concerns have primarily been over the plans to make a number of the Society's regional managers redundant. In the background, there have been events evolving based around a WhatsApp group chat, which included a number of the regional managers who were told they could be made redundant. In Touch speaks to one of the regional managers, following her dismissal from the charity over the WhatsApp group chat.
A few months ago, age verification checks became a requirement on certain websites under the Online Safety Act. The aim of the Act is to protect children and young people from content that is deemed to be harmful. But, In Touch heard from listeners that they are having issues with the accessibility of these age verification measures, and subsequently are struggling to access content they should be entitled to view as adults. Since we discussed this on the programme, we have heard from the The Age Verification Providers Association who offered to provide some advice on how people with visual impairments can navigate these systems. Their Executive Director Iain Corby gives some pointers.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Paul Holloway
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio’ in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
TUE 21:00 Crossing Continents (m002jsqz)
‘A new foe’: Conscripting women in Denmark
Denmark is eyeing up the military threat from Russia – and dramatically increasing the numbers in its national service. Now, 18-year-old girls are facing a call up.
The BBC has been granted rare access to a military base on the outskirts of Copenhagen to see the newest recruits learn how to operate on the battlefield.
Anna Holligan attends a “Defences Day” where teenagers find out whether they’re fit to serve, and draw a conscription lottery ticket that could shape their future.
Presenter: Anna Holligan
Producer: Ellie House
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound Mix: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Penny Murphy
TUE 21:30 Great Lives (m002jsch)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:00 on Monday]
TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (m002jsr1)
Trump's explosive speech at UN
President Trump has suggested Ukraine is in a position to win back all of the territory it has lost since Moscow's invasion. Earlier, he told the UN General Assembly in New York that European countries were "going to hell" because of mass immigration. In a long - and uncompromising - speech that took aim at the institution where it was being delivered, Mr Trump also falsely claimed Sharia law could be introduced in London - we get reaction from an MP from the capital.
Also on the programme:
The mother of a British dual national killed while fighting for Ukraine on her fight to get his body back - and how she found out her son was dead.
And as the cricket world mourns the legendary umpire Dickie Bird, the former England cricketer Allan Lamb remembers him.
TUE 22:45 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (m002jsr3)
Episode 2
Richard Schiff (The West Wing) reads Roth's chilling vision of an alternative American history, in which Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in 1940. Conservative Rabbi Bengelsdorf of Newark endorses the new President, who flies to Europe to make a deal with Hitler to keep the USA out of the war.
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Fay Lomas for BBC Audio
Abridged by Sara Davies
Sound by Ilse Lademann
Assistant produced by Alice McKee
Read by Richard Schiff
TUE 23:00 Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics (m00212zs)
Series 10
Hesiod
Natalie stands up for the prize-winning Greek poet, cataloguer of gods and author of a flatpack wagon manual, Hesiod. She's joined by Professor Edith Hall and poet Alicia Stallings.
Hesiod is highly regarded by the ancients for his sublime poetry, and he won a prize for his Theogony, a detailed account of the origins of the gods. He also wrote a farming manual, including the wagon-building instructions, and an epic on how to pickle fish. Hesiod rails at the hardship of the farming life in autobiographical references in his poems: he is not a fan of his home town of Ascra in ancient Boeotia, and he describes being cold and hungry at low points in the year.
Rock star mythologist’ and reformed stand-up Natalie Haynes is obsessed with the ancient world. Here she explores key stories from ancient Rome and Greece that still have resonance today. They might be biographical, topographical, mythological or epic, but they are always hilarious, magical and tragic, mystifying and revelatory. And they tell us more about ourselves now than seems possible of stories from a couple of thousand years ago.
Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery
TUE 23:30 Great Lives (m001y8b2)
Antoni Gaudi
Baroness Ros Altmann, a Conservative peer and former pensions minister, was “blown away” by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi on a trip to Barcelona in the 1990s. She’s been back several times and her wonder at Gaudi’s use of colour and natural shapes has not faded. She wants to find out more about the conservative, religious man who created such exuberant and flamboyant work. Gaudi biographer Gijs Van Hensbergen joins Ros and host Matthew Parris to explore Gaudi’s childhood, his personal life and how his Catholicism and love of Catalan nature informed his work.
Producer: Paul Martin for BBC Studios Audio.
WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025
WED 00:00 Midnight News (m002jsr5)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
WED 00:30 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jspr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Tuesday]
WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002jsr7)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002jsr9)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
WED 05:00 News Summary (m002jsrc)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
WED 05:04 BBC Inside Science (m002jfck)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:30 on Monday]
WED 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002jsrf)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002jsrh)
Carrot, bean and brassica
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. We are currently in the middle of a season of the church known as Creationtide. This is where we pay particular attention to our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. As well as having an important environmental message, it’s also a way of recapturing something which is easy to lose in a very technological and industrial world.
Last year I went on sabbatical to try and understand the monks and the nuns who prayed and walked this land in very early times – such saints as Cuthbert and Boisil, who founded the very first monastery in the 6th century here in Melrose. It's actually quite difficult to do, to get back into their mindset. But one thing which really helped was – I started growing vegetables, and I’m so lucky to be able to do that. You notice the weather more, you worry about the soil – and you certainly worry about rabbits. In the days of Cuthbert, people would have prayed when they scattered the wheat seed, they would have prayed for rich soil, for rain and for sun, they would have prayed at Rogationtide and Lammastide, agricultural feasts now all but forgotten. They would have prayed as they gathered the harvest, as they threshed the wheat and milled It, their recipes for bread would have had prayers written into them, so that by the time the bread landed on the table, or the altar, it was as much prayer as it was bread.
It's hard when we’re removed from the land to feel it, but gardening does make you realise, that every carrot, bean and brassica is a genuine miracle, a sublime gift from God.
Almighty God we thank you for the miracle of growth, from the rain and the sun, the microbes and the insects that work in the soil, the pollinators, the miracle of seeds becoming plants, and the glorious cycle of life. May we commit ourselves to treading lightly on the earth, that we may honour you as you bless us in your everyday miracles. Amen.
WED 05:45 Farming Today (m002jsrk)
24/09/25: New farmland bird stats, Corn Buntings, precision Plum growing.
Farmland bird populations in England have seen a 'rapid nosedive' says the RSPB. It's worried by new Government figures showing an 11% decrease in farmland bird numbers between 2019 and 2024. Meanwhile, farmers in Scotland have been trialling tweaks to conservation scheme options which could help the Corn Bunting.
And, new techniques to make Plum growing more profitable by using resources more efficiently.
Presenter: Anna Hill
Producer: Sarah Swadling
WED 06:00 Today (m002jtxw)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
WED 09:00 More or Less (m002jsw9)
Was it easier to deport migrants to France before Brexit?
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey says it was easier to deport illegal migrants to Europe when we were in the EU. Is that true?
Did the governor of the Bank of England get his numbers wrong on the UK’s ageing population?
Why is the price of beef up by 25% in a year?
Is it possible to prove that MPs are using AI to write their speeches?
If you’ve seen a number you think we should take a look at, email the team: moreorless@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeill
Producers: Nathan Gower and Nicholas Barrett
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound mix: Gareth Jones
Editor: Richard Vadon
WED 09:30 Artworks (m002bhx5)
Paul Simon's Political Storm
The pairing of joyful Black South African music with Paul Simon’s cinematic lyricism is either a high point in cultural exchange, or an outrageous betrayal of the anti-apartheid movement. How should we view Simon's Graceland album now - in a time when cultural boycotts, cultural appropriation, and cancel culture are on the tip of everyone's tongue?
Forty years on, and through a distinctly South African lens, New York Times reporter Lynsey Chutel considers the legacy of one the most popular, controversial, and contested record releases ever. Was Paul Simon arrogant? Ignorant? And did his music really aid the struggle against apartheid?
Contributors:
Stanley De Klerk, Lynsey's uncle
Professor Sean Jacobs, Director of International Affairs at The New School
Bakithi Kumalo, bassist on Graceland
Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter
Dali Tambo, founder of Artists Against Apartheid
Sonti Mndebele, singer on the Graceland tour
Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi, music writer
Presented by Lynsey Chutel
Produced by Seun Matiluko & Jack Howson
Mixed by Louis Blatherwick
With thanks to Tom Bonnett for inspiration, as well as Rose-Anna Hyde, Richard Power and Saskia Cookson for additional research
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 4
WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002jty2)
Post childbirth and sex, Juliet Stevenson, Ruby Tui
There has been a renewed conversation regarding sex after childbirth following a recent episode of the CBeebies Parenting Helpline podcast which tackled the topic of libido in the time after having a baby. It can be a very confusing time when it comes to your relationship with your body, so how do you navigate those ‘blurred lines’ between your roles as mother, partner, and sexual being. Nuala McGovern is joined by journalist and author Nell Frizzell, who's written about her own experiences, and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Karen Joash.
Ruby Tui was the star of the last Women's Rugby World Cup, held in her native New Zealand in 2021. She's now regarded by many to be the star of the BBC's coverage of this year's World Cup, held in England. The tournament has broken records, from viewership to ticket sales and reflects the rapidly rising profile of the women’s game. Ruby Tui reflects on the tournament and her own journey to the top of the sport.
A form of family violence which receives minimal attention and is arguably the most hidden form of abuse within the home is known as CAPVA. This stands for child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse. Today the charity Action for Children has released a report with insights from their parenting support services, which suggests there has been a marked uptake in need for support on this issue. Nuala hears from Martha Hampson, Senior Policy Advisor on Early Help with Action for Children, and Dr Nikki Rutter, assistant professor in the department of sociology at Durham University and child parent violence researcher.
Award-winning actor Juliet Stevenson takes the lead in a new play at the National Theatre, The Land of the Living. She plays Ruth, a UN relief worker in post-war Germany, trying to reunite children stolen by the Nazis from Eastern Europe, with their families. With one particular child it becomes a very personal mission. Juliet tells Nuala why she wanted to play this part.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
WED 11:00 File on 4 Investigates (m002k96k)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Tuesday]
WED 11:40 This Week in History (m002jswr)
September 22nd - September 28th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 22nd September to 28th September
- 22nd September 1692. The last eight victims are hanged in the Salem Witch trials
- 22nd September 1968. A ceremony takes place to mark the relocation of the ancient Egyptian Abu Simbel temples
- 25th September 1066. King Harold II wins the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Read by Ron Brown and Caroline Nicholls
Produced by Chris Pearson
WED 11:45 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jty4)
3: Below Stairs in the Country House - ‘Crumble Hall’ by Mary Leapor
Catherine Clarke reads her new and original history of England - told through poetry.
Through five poems across a week, Clarke takes us onto battlefields, inside royal courts, below stairs of great houses and onto cricket pitches, with vivid voices, and surprising stories. In a portal to the past, she takes us inside the words and moments these poems capture, with new perspectives on how England has dreamed itself into existence - and who gets to tell its story.
Today: we go below stairs with a poem with a twist - Mary Leapor's biting satire on the 18th-century 'country house' poem, 'Crumble Hall'
Writer and reader: Catherine is a Professor at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Director of the Victoria County History of England.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett
WED 12:00 News Summary (m002jty6)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 12:04 You and Yours (m002jty8)
Cost of going to University, Standing Charges, Decluttering
Almost half a million UK students will start at university next month. For most it will be their first time living away from home and budgeting for themselves.
A new report from Save the Student has shown that the average student will find themselves short by £500 a month, even after making cuts from their expenses.
We speak to one student that found themselves in £4000 of debt after moving out of the family home and hear how this experience impacts their studies.
Ofgem have announced changes to energy standing charges. From January, you should be able to choose an energy deal with a low standing charge, if that's what you want to do. But the trade off will be that you'll pay more for the energy you use. We ask one You & Yours listener if they believe this will be a help, and talk to Which? about how this will impact consumers and if it will solve the debate around the fixed charge.
And take a look around your home...is it cluttered and does that bother you? Good Housekeeping and the Declutter Darling will join us to discuss the best decluttering methods, hopefully helping with the one in four of us that feel embarrassed about our clutter.
Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Dave James
WED 12:57 Weather (m002jtyb)
The latest weather forecast
WED 13:00 World at One (m002jtyd)
A breakthrough in the treatment for Huntington's disease
New treatment for Huntingdon's disease could give patients decades of extra life. Also Typhoon Ragasa hits China two million people are evacuated.
WED 13:45 Looking for No Man's Land (m002jtyg)
3. A little world within itself
Humans have transformed almost every corner of our planet, reshaping landscapes and ecosystems beyond recognition But is there anywhere left on Earth that is unchanged by humans? Anywhere we haven’t altered – at all?
Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr continue their search for No Man’s Land…if it exists.
In this episode, we speak to legendary ocean explorer Bob Ballard - the man who found the Titanic’s resting place. But instead we ask him about what he considers to be his life’s greatest achievement – his discovery of hydrothermal vents, underwater chimneys blasting superheated water from deep beneath the ocean floor. Marine biologist Verena Tunnicliffe, who has spent four decades studying these alien worlds, joins Caroline and Florian to answer the all-important question – could hydrothermal vents be No Man’s Land?
Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws
Archive:
The Beagle Diary, Radio 4, read by Jo Stone-Fewings
WED 14:00 The Archers (m002jsqq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Tuesday]
WED 14:15 Life Lines (m002jtyj)
Series 8: Part Two
Carrie ...... Sarah Ridgeway
Will .....Rick Warden
Ian ..... Michael Jibson
Oscar ..... Alex Laurence-Philips
Paul ..... Jason Barnett
Lindsay ..... Maggie Service
James/Luke ....... Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong
Maira ..... Aoife Moss
Technical Producers ...... Andrew Garratt & Neva Missirian
Production Co-ordinator ..... Luke MacGregor
Writer ..... Al Smith
Director ..... Sally Avens
A BBC Studios Audio Production
Award winning drama set in an Ambulance Control Room.
As Carrie struggles with her own feelings of redundancy at work and loss in her personal life she faces a barrage of calls from members of the public in danger of losing their own loved ones.
The series contains scenes of a traumatic nature.
For details of organisations which offer advice and support with pregnancy related issues, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline
WED 15:00 Money Box (m002jtyl)
Money Box Live: Understanding Crypto
Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are a type of digital money that has proliferated in recent years. They are mostly unconnected to governments or central banks. Some people treat them as an investment, some people as a bit of a flutter, and many more people don't yet know anything about them at all.
We look at how they work and how the regulatory landscape is changing with the UK's financial regulator the Financial Conduct Authority currently consulting on a range of proposals. It could mean crypto-related firms will be covered by the same requirements as traditional financial firms, boosting consumer protections.
It comes as Action Fraud, which is the UK's national reporting centre for cybercrime, says crypto-related scams jumped by 16% last year. In fact, it accounted for two thirds of all investment fraud reports.
Felicity Hannah is joined by Kate Baucherel, a digital strategy consultant specialising in emerging technologies like crypto, and Louise Abbott, a partner at Keystone Law with a focus on fraud, crypto and asset recovery.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producers: James Graham
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(This episode was first broadcast at
3pm on Radio 4 on Wednesday the 24th of September 2025).
WED 15:30 The Artificial Human (m002jtyn)
Can AI make me fitter?
What would make you want to exercise? Is it the thrill of being discovered as the next football legend? Or maybe the threat of a scary drill sergeant shouting at you?
Join Aleks and Kevin at the starting line, as they set out to discover how AI could help reshape your fitness goals. From what the high end athletes are using to track their progress and how that trickles down to everyday users, to how AI is levelling the playing field when it comes to scouting new talent. Plus, could an AI coach be just the thing to help with that pesky fleeting motivation?
Presenters: Aleks Krotoski & Kevin Fong
Producer: Emily Esson
Sound: Sean Mullervy
WED 16:00 When It Hits the Fan (m002jtvy)
Why the Macrons are willing to bare all
We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawyer says 'a line has been crossed' by an online influencer who has repeatedly claimed Mrs Macron is a man.
This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the 'fight for truth'. Famous people and businesses used to be able to ignore or not comment on stories that were clearly untrue. But in the disinformation age, lies gain traction - and stick - faster than ever. So what are the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds?
And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at arguably the toughest PR job in the country - the Archbishop of Canterbury. An announcement on who'll take up the position is expected in the next few weeks - and they face a huge challenge. They'll have a guaranteed platform, but what's the message? At a time when church leaders have written an open letter criticising the 'misuse' of Christian symbols during a march organised by the Far Right, is being controversial unavoidable?
Also, who's up and who's down? Yes, it's league table PR. As Oxford and Cambridge slip down the list of best universities, what dark arts are at play in similar lists? Can they be manipulated - and what are the real reputational risks of falling down the rankings?
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4
WED 16:15 The Media Show (m002jtw0)
Reporting on migrant hotels, Jimmy Kimmel's return, The Hack
A new BBC investigation into the government's use of hotels to house migrants has led to the government ordering an urgent review into its findings. Journalist Sue Mitchell explains how she got access to record inside these hotels. As Jimmy Kimmel returns to the screen, Brian Stelter, CNN's chief media analyst, assesses what it means for relations between the US media and the Trump administration. Tara Copp, Pentagon correspondent for the Washington Post, takes us through the Pentagon's new restrictions on reporters. Also on the programme, the executive producer of ITV's new drama The Hack, Patrick Spence, reveals how they made the series and the financial pressures facing the TV industry. Plus, creators Jade Beason, BrandonB and Shabaz Ali discuss the value of making niche content.
WED 17:00 PM (m002jtyq)
Major breakthrough in Huntington's treatment
A woman whose family has been affected by Huntington's disease gives us her reaction to news of a major medical breakthrough. A former astronaut speaks to us about Nasa's first crewed Moon expedition in 50 years. Plus, Euan Blair - son of Tony - tells us about his mission to get the nation ready for the new world of work.
WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002jtys)
Doctors treat Huntington's disease for the first time
Doctors have made a huge breakthrough in tackling the genetic disorder Huntington's disease, with initial results showing a significant slowing in the progress of the condition.
Plans to extend the high-speed rail network between Liverpool and Manchester have been delayed and won't now be announced at the Labour Conference.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has accused President Trump of being Islamophobic, after Mr Trump told world leaders at the United Nations that he thought London's mayor wanted to "go to sharia law".
And how four astronauts heading on a trip around the Moon as early as February next year hope to see things no human eye has seen before.
WED 18:30 Do Gooders (m002jtyv)
Series 2
4. The Party
Clive attempts to impress his judgemental father with a lavish birthday party. Unfortunately, numbers are lower than he’d like, not least because the rest of the team are at a secret fundraising dinner.
Garrett Millerick’s ensemble sitcom Do Gooders returns for another series. The show takes us back behind the curtain of fictional mid-level charity, The Alzheimers Alliance, as the fundraising events team continue their struggle for survival. Cue more office feuds, more workplace romances and more catastrophic fundraising blunders – all par for the course when trying to ‘do good’ on an industrial scale.
Cast
Gladys – Kathryn Drysdale
Lauren – Ania Magliano
Clive – Garrett Millerick
Harriett – Fay Ripley
Achi – Ahir Shah
Ken – Frank Skinner
Writer – Garrett Millerick
Additional Material – Andrea Hubert
Sound Engineer – David Thomas
Editor – David Thomas
Production Assistant – Jenny Recaldin
Producer – Jules Lom
Executive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner, Daisy Knight, Julien Matthews, Jon Thoday
An Avalon Television Production for BBC Radio 4
WED 19:00 The Archers (m002jtvc)
When Brian mentions the objectionable idea of Amber’s homecoming party for George, Alice wonders if that’s why he’s been flipping out recently. But Alice is more worried about Brian taking on too much at Home Farm and wants him to advertise for a new manager. Meanwhile, Ruairi has gone to sound out Stella about taking her old job back, so long as Brian agrees to retire. Stella reckons that’ll never happen though, so it’s a no from her.
Having been accosted by several people about the poor job Grey Gables made of the Flower and Produce Show, Oliver tells Dane they need to get the village back on side. Dane thinks that time will heal the breach, but Oliver feels poor communication between different departments was the root cause. Which is why he’s considering Lily’s idea of a job swap - only they both know it would never work. But having staff shadow one another could be a goer, Dane reckons, especially if they introduce an element of fun. He’ll come up with a plan, but leaving their jobs out of it as they both know all the other jobs already.
Later, Ruairi shows Brian and Alice the amazing castle in Scotland he’s found as a potential family holiday destination. They both think it looks perfect, but Brian’s mood darkens when Ruairi mentions Stella and retirement. Ruairi then admits his fear of losing Brian, like he’s already lost Siobhan and Jenny. So, he’s decided to come back for good to both Ambridge and Home Farm.
WED 19:15 Front Row (m002jtyx)
Will & Grace star Eric McCormack on his latest TV role.
Will & Grace star Eric McCormack tells us about his latest screen role – in the new BBC One thriller series Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue. McCormack plays one of nine people who survive a plane crash in the Mexican jungle, and aren't aware that a murderer might be lurking in their midst.
We hear the true story of a bear who was adopted from a Highland wildlife park in the 70s and became a star of stage and screen, caddying for Bob Hope on the golf course and playing a cameo role in a Bond film. The much-loved Hercules the Bear is brought back to life in a theatre production which is touring Scotland this month.
Countertenor David James and music journalist Andrew Mellor discuss the music of one of the most popular of contemporary composers, Arvo Pärt, who has just turned 90 and whose birthday celebrations include the release of a number of CDs and concerts in London and Oxford.
And we pay tribute to Italian cinema legend Claudia Cardinale, who has died at the age of 87.
Presenter: Kate Molleson
Producer: Mark Crossan
WED 20:00 Moral Maze (m002jtyz)
Is recognising the state of Palestine a moral duty?
Prime Minister Kier Starmer has described the UK’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state as a “moral duty”, saying the change in policy would, "revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution". The rising number of UN members following suit this week, marks a turning point in their approach to Israel since it began its war against Hamas in Gaza, following the October 7th atrocities. In that time, tens of thousands have been killed and more than one million displaced by Israel's military offensive.
Why is Palestinian statehood recognition a ‘moral duty’ now, as opposed to decades ago? Does it put pressure on Israel to push for a ceasefire or does it reward terrorism? Does it represent moral leadership or gesture politics and hypocrisy?
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had long opposed a Palestinian state because it would constitute “an existential danger to Israel”. Meanwhile, over a century of colonial legacies, wars, and failed diplomatic endeavours has led to scepticism that Palestinians’ aspirations for equality and freedom can ever be achieved. To what extent is the recognition of Palestine a moral priority in such a long and intractable conflict between two peoples who have competing claims to land, and who see the other as a threat?
Chair: Michael Buerk
Panel: Matthew Taylor, Giles Fraser, Mona Siddiqui and Tim Stanley.
Producer: Dan Tierney
WED 21:00 The Life Scientific (m002jspk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Tuesday]
WED 21:30 Illuminated (m002js94)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:15 on Sunday]
WED 22:00 The World Tonight (m002jtz1)
Northern Powerhouse Rail plan delayed again
The government is holding off on announcing plans for high-speed rail across northern England due to concerns over long-term costs, the BBC has learned. The already-delayed announcement of the scheme was expected at next week's Labour Party conference, but that will not now happen. A Labour MP told us the news is "extremely disappointing" and that Britain risked being "left behind comparable nations".
The President of Syria has become the first leader of the country to address the UN General Assembly since 1967. We hear from former CIA director General David Petraeus, who as a general in Iraq had Ahmed al-Sharaa detained for fighting with the insurgency, and now calls himself a "fan".
And 30 years after the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was released, we look back at its cultural legacy with the man who wrote it and woman who starred in it.
WED 22:45 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (m002jtz3)
Episode 3
Richard Schiff (The West Wing) reads Roth's chilling vision of an alternative American history, in which Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in 1940 and makes a deal with Hitler. Visiting Washington D.C. the Roth family begin to feel like strangers in their own country.
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Fay Lomas for BBC Audio
Abridged by Sara Davies
Sound by Ilse Lademann
Assistant produced by Alice McKee
Read by Richard Schiff
WED 23:00 Ria Lina Gets Forensic (m002jtz5)
Series 1
3. Red Light Therapy
Forensic-scientist-turned-stand-up-comedian Ria Lina applies her forensic eye to the various treatments out there that claim to have anti-aging effects.
This time, she’s joined by stand-up Ninia Benjamin to see if Red Light Therapy can heal Ria’s aching shoulder and Ninia’s aching knees, shoulder, finger and earlobe.
Featuring Ria Lina and Ninia Benjamin
Written by Ria Lina and Steve N Allen
Produced by Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:15 The Skewer (m002jtz7)
Series 14
Ep 3: Supercalifragilisticexpibraggadocious
The four-time Gold Comedy winner at the Radio Academy Awards returns as Jon Holmes remixes the news into the current affairs comedy concept album where world events meet popular culture in a satirical mash-up.
This week - Donald Trump is Supercalifragilisticexpibraggadocious.
Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:30 Great Lives (m001yhj1)
Katherine Rundell on E Nesbit
Bestselling children's author Katherine Rundell discusses the extraordinary life of E Nesbit who wrote The Railway Children and Five Children And It.
Katherine praises her “bold unwillingness to speak down to children” and reflects that “she never seemed to forget what it was like to be a child”. E, or Edith, Nesbit’s conjuring of mythical beasts like the Phoenix and the sand fairy the Psammead was a particular inspiration to Katherine Rundell who says "you can really believe they are flesh and blood”. Edith Nesbit has also influenced the work of Jacqueline Wilson and JK Rowling who have both praised this trailblazing writer.
She had a particularly colourful private life and a very open marriage. She flouted the social conventions of the time. She was married when seven months pregnant. Her husband had children outside of their relationship and Edith then raised them as her own. She was a feminist but didn't believe in Votes for Women. She co-founded the Fabian Society and kept company with the likes of George Bernard Shaw and Noel Coward.
Katherine Rundell is joined by Elisabeth Galvin who has written a biography of E Nesbit. The programme features an excerpt from The Phoenix And The Carpet by E Nesbit as well as clips from the 1970 film of The Railway Children distributed by EMI films and the 1991 BBC television adaptation of Five Children And It.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Producer: Robin Markwell for BBC Studios Audio
THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
THU 00:00 Midnight News (m002jtz9)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
THU 00:30 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jty4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Wednesday]
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002jtzc)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002jtzf)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
THU 05:00 News Summary (m002jtzh)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
THU 05:04 More or Less (m002jsw9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002jtzk)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002jtzm)
I want to be alone?
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. The rural parish in the Borders where I live and work has many advantages. It’s always beautiful, our towns all have their own identity, and it doesn’t take long in a place like this before you become a “weel kent face” and you feel part of the community. But the issues which face people in large towns and cities are all here too. Our foodbank serves hundreds of people each week, there is terrible poverty and drug misuse, and loneliness particularly among the elderly can be crippling, especially if you are in isolated communities without transport. Sometimes I visit people and find I am the only person they have seen for weeks.
When I lived in the city I used to yearn for quiet and solitude. But the quiet that for some people provides comfort can for others be oppressive and lonely beyond words.
I spent a year living in a Franciscan friary when I was younger, and the silence of prayer there felt like a blessed relief – for the first few months. Then it started to get oppressive, isolating, lonely. I realised that for those long silent hours, there was only me and God in the room – and I didn’t really know who either of those people was.
Eventually I came to realise that I didn’t need to. In the end, what matters most is not that I know God, but that God knows me. The most transformative thing you can do for someone is to show them that you understand how they feel. Sometimes we can lose ourselves in the isolation, and sometimes in the busyness of life. It’s easy to be lonely during the busy times as well as the quiet ones.
So in the prayer of Baron Astley before the battle of Naseby, I pray – “Lord, you know how busy I have to be this day. If I forget you, do not forget me”. Amen.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (m002jtzp)
25/09/25 Bumper crop of damsons, dahlias, water management workshop
This year's baking heat has had a beneficial impact on damsons and dahlias.
The Lyth Valley in south Cumbria is known for its damson orchards, a dazzle of snowy white blossom in spring and this year creaking under the weight of a bumper harvest. It's such a bumper crop that some growers have more damsons than they know what to do with.
In Gloucestershire dahlia growers are enjoying a good growing season. These bright autumn flowers originally come from Mexico, and their popularity here as a cut flower is growing.
Weather patterns are changing, and farmers in the usually dry eastern counties of England are having to adapt to more sudden and unpredictable downpours. This water runs off the land, and rather than giving crops a drink, it ends up on country lanes taking precious soil with it. We join a water workshop in Norfolk where farmers are learning how they can do more to contain and re-use water.
Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.
THU 06:00 Today (m002jttn)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
THU 09:00 Writing the Universe (m00209g8)
The fabric of the universe
When we think of the fabric of the universe we might imagine vast expanses of nothing, but one phenomenon that has captured the imagination of both scientists and fiction writers is the black hole. These giant gaps in the fabric of spacetime can span billions of miles, but we now know there is one at the centre of every galaxy.
Robin Ince talks to cosmologists about how they attempt to convey their almost unbelievable size, at the same time as staying true to the maths that explains them. He learns that Einstein first conceived of a black hole in 1915, but didn't believe anyone would ever prove their existence, even after the German physicist Karl Schwarzschild confirmed their existence.
For the physicist and writer Janna Levin black holes are almost magical and she has spent her career trying to convey their wonder to the general public, using language as a tool to draw us in. Thanks to the Nobel laureate, physicist Kip Thorne, we now have a better idea of what they may actually look like. He explains how equations form the basis of the black holes in the film Interstellar and reveals that the movie-making process also taught him more about how these vast tears in the fabric of spacetime actually work.
With contributions from Robin’s fellow Infinite Monkey Cage presenter Brian Cox; Janna Levin, author of 'The Black Hole Survival Guide'; astronomer Paul Murdin; physicist Kip Thorne; special effects adviser Paul Franklyn; physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll and theoretical physicist Fay Dowker.
Producer: Marijke Peters
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Soundscape designer: Jane Watkins
BBC Studios Audio Production
THU 09:45 Strong Message Here (m002jttq)
Hurty Words
Stewart Lee returns to the show, to join Armando in discussing 'hurty words'.
With Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, and in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder, free speech is in the spotlight again. Those who railed against 'cancel culture' are now getting into 'consequence culture'. We also discuss how Marvel's superheroes might respond to the actions of their new owners, and whether you can pray in your own homes in this country anymore (spoiler alert, you can).
Listen to Strong Message Here on Radio 4, Thursdays at
9:45, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002jtts)
Child benefit cap, Prof Edith Heard, Book banning
More than 100 Labour MPs are calling this morning for the Government to put up gambling taxes to pay for scrapping the two child cap on universal credit. Lifting the cap would cost an estimated £3 billion a year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves already has a £20 to £30 billion deficit to try and balance in the November budget. So, should she do it? Anita Rani talks to Iain Watson, BBC Political Correspondent, and Director of policy, rights and advocacy at Child Poverty Action Group, Sara Ogilvie.
Professor Edith Heard is the new Director of the Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s flagship biomedical centre. Passionate about women’s biology, she's taking over at a time when debates over science seem to get hotter by the day. Resources are under strain too, not just money in the midst of high inflation but also the pressure to keep the best scientists working here in the UK. She tells Woman’s Hour about how she got here and her plans for the future.
The Librarians is a new documentary examining the rise of campaign groups calling to ban books from school and public libraries in the USA. Anita talks to film maker Kym Snyder and librarian Amanda Jones.
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel My Sister the Serial Killer was nominated for the Women’s and Booker prizes in 2019. Now she’s back with another novel on similarly dark themes but explored in a markedly different way. Cursed Daughters is about a legacy of heartache and broken relationships that comes to define one family in Nigeria. She joins Anita.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Corinna Jones
THU 11:00 This Cultural Life (m002jttv)
Jackie Kay
Jackie Kay is one of the best known and most popular Scottish literary figures. A poet and novelist, she served as Makar - the name for Scotland’s poet laureate - for five years from 2016. Since her debut poetry collection The Adoption Papers in 1991, she has published 20 works of fiction and verse for adults and children, and a memoir about meeting her biological parents called Red Dust Road. Jackie Kay was made a CBE for services to literature in 2020.
Jackie talks to John Wilson about her childhood in Glasgow as the mixed-race, adopted daughter of a loving couple. From a young age, Jackie was entranced by the parties her parents hosted in their house to raise money for the Communist Party and where they would debate and sing songs. It was her first introduction to performance and theatre. As a teenager, hearing poets such as Tom Leonard and Liz Lochhead recite their own work also had a big impact on her literary aspirations.
Growing up in the Glasgow of the 60s and 70s, Jackie had very few black role models and took inspiration from the work of the African American poet Audre Lorde and the American political activist Angela Davis. Jackie also recalls finding her birth parents and how a visit to her birth father's ancestral village in Nigeria finally gave her a sense of dual identity.
Producer: Edwina Pitman
Other poets who have appeared on This Cultural Life include Michael Rosen, Linton Kwesi Johnson and George The Poet, along with children’s authors including Katherine Rundell and Michael Morpurgo. You can find them in the This Cultural Life archive, which contains over 130 previous episodes.
THU 11:45 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jttx)
4: Modernity, Mourning and the Shadow of War - ‘Funeral Blues’ by W. H. Auden
Catherine Clarke reads her new and original history of England - told through poetry.
Through five poems across a week, Clarke takes us onto battlefields, inside royal courts, below stairs of great houses and onto cricket pitches, with vivid voices, and surprising stories. In a portal to the past, she takes us inside the words and moments these poems capture, with new perspectives on how England has dreamed itself into existence - and who gets to tell its story.
W. H. Auden's 'Funeral Blues' is beloved as a moving portrait of grief. But today Clarke looks at how its unexpected origins in 1930s satire...
Writer and reader: Catherine is a Professor at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Director of the Victoria County History of England.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett
THU 12:00 News Summary (m002jttz)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 12:04 The Bottom Line (m002jtv1)
Direct to Consumer: A Better Way to Sell?
It's easier than ever to create a website for your business and talk directly with customers, but what are the pitfalls to avoid? Three business leaders discuss the pros and cons of selling 'D2C' with Evan Davis.
Sellers no longer need to convince bigger retailers to carry their products or invest in inventory just to fill the shelves. Selling direct to consumers online also means businesses know exactly what their best sellers are, and who is buying what. These businesses can make improvements quickly and market only to those people most likely to buy.
But as online selling becomes more competitive and targeted advertising gets more expensive, how can 'direct to consumer' businesses grow? Does the answer lie in bricks and mortar?
Panel:
Alexandra Thurstan, co-founder Different Dog, fresh dog food company
Lucas London, co-founder Lick, paint company
Neil Campbell, Chief Growth Officer SMOL, eco cleaning product company
THU 12:32 Sliced Bread (m002jtv3)
Dough - The Future of Flight
Can supersonic air travel make a comeback?
Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'.
Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.
Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.
This episode examines the future of flight.
How could new, supersonic flights not cost the earth?
Will your future taxi be a flying one without a pilot?
Could a new shape for aeroplanes make them more spacious and efficient?
Alongside Greg is the futurist, Tom Cheesewright, and expert guests Mariya Tarabanovska, an aerospace engineer and the founder of Flight Crowd, a non-profit educational organisation focused on electric aviation and Simon Davies, chief test pilot at Vertical Aerospace, a British aerospace technology company.
This episode was produced by Jay Unger.
Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
THU 12:57 Weather (m002jtv5)
The latest weather forecast
THU 13:00 World at One (m002jtv7)
Andy Burnham addresses Labour leadership speculation
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has said it's up to Labour MPs to decide whether the party needs a change of leadership. We'll hear from a backbencher and the public. Also on the programme, communities are to gain new powers to control life on their high streets. We'll ask The Housing and Communities Secretary if the changes go far enough. And GQ publishes 125 rules for the modern gentlemen. We'll discuss how etiquette has evolved.
THU 13:45 Looking for No Man's Land (m002jtv9)
4. A really good clue
We humans have made a mark on our planet. We’ve changed the air we breathe, warmed the atmosphere and filled our oceans with microplastics. Is there anywhere left on Earth that is unchanged by humans? Anywhere we haven’t affected – at all?
Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr continue their search for No Man’s Land…if it exists.
In this episode, evolutionary biologist Professor Ben Garrod gives us a really good clue: hidden deep in underwater caves are almost mythical creatures – olms. These long, pale and skinny salamanders are highly sensitive to climate change. If a cave still has a thriving olm population, it could be the perfect candidate for No Man’s Land.
We track down olm expert and superfan Dušan Jelić, who dives into submerged cave systems to study these creatures. Plus, we hear from cave microbiologist Hazel Barton about another contender for No Man’s Land – Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico – thousands of miles of hidden passages beneath our feet.
Could this be the episode where we finally find No Man’s Land?
Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws
THU 14:00 The Archers (m002jtvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Drama on 4 (m001byz3)
Love Across the Ages
Shahid Iqbal Khan’s BBC Radio 4 afternoon drama tackles love between two Muslim men from Iran in 815 through to modern-day Bradford using classical poet Abu Nuwas as our guide, our Cupid. Love Across was the Ages was nominated for an Aria 'Best Drama' Award in 2023.
Abū Nuwās al-Ḥasan ibn Hānī al-Ḥakamī (c. 756 – c. 814) was a classical Arabic poet, and the foremost representative of the modern (muhdath) poetry, famous for his wine, hunting and homoerotic oeuvre. He also entered the folkloric tradition, appearing several times in One Thousand and One Nights.
It’s 2022. Danyaal and Saif meet in a bookshop in Bradford. They are both drawn to the poetry book of Abu Nuwas, but with only one copy left who will become its lucky owner? Abu Nuwas plays Cupid with his words, with the enchanting powers of his poetry as we are transported to different eras, different countries, each with different views on gay relationships. Can Danyaal and Saif navigate the ups and downs of their relationship during these times and will they live happily ever after? Abu Nuwas reminds us to let down our guard and to reach out… Where will it take us?
Cast:
Danyaal ..... Esh Alladi
Saif ..... Darren Kuppan
Abu Nuwas ..... Raad Rawi
Shop assistant / Shazia ..... Nadia Emam
The quotes from poems by Abu Nuwas were translated by James Montgomery, Jim Colville and Philip Kennedy. Forget the Windswept Traces and Don't Cry for Layla from Poems Of Wine & Revelry, 1st Edition by Colville, published by Routledge © Jim Colville, quoted by arrangement with Taylor & Francis Group.
Shahid Iqbal Khan is an Olivier-Award nominated playwright based in Bury, Greater Manchester. He writes for the stage and radio. His previous works in audio include Brandlesholme (United Kingdoms, Radio 4), Bhavika and Night of the Living Flatpacks (both on community channels). He is currently adapting The Last of the Mohicans for Radio 4.
Nickie Miles-Wildin directs for radio and theatre, making work that challenges, connects and is full of hope.
Production team:
Director, Nickie Miles-Wildin
Sound Recordist, Greg Veryard
Sound Designer, Steve Brooke
Composer, Sarah Sayeed
Illustration, Isobel Platt
Production Manager, Darren Spruce
Producer, Polly Thomas
Executive Producer, Eloise Whitmore
A Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
THU 15:00 Open Country (m002jtvf)
The Stones of Snuff Mills
Tucked away in a wooded valley on the outskirts of Bristol is a magical woodland nature reserve, Snuff Mills. Helen Mark discovers what lies beneath the trees, a now peaceful place with a history of heavy industry, where milling and stone quarrying has left behind a stunning playground for walkers and climbers. Local residents John, Beryl and Margaret grew up next to the quarry and witnessed its transformation from their secret playground to a busy public park. Engineer Geoff Wallis helped to literally unearth a fascinating piece of industrial history, and Steve England shows Helen the natural secrets of the valley.
Following the stones of the quarry Helen crosses the river and finds the grounds of what was once Bristol’s asylum and – Helen hears from volunteer Anwyl Cooper-Willis - a landscape carefully designed to be therapeutic for patients and speed their recovery. But where does the name Snuff Mills come from? Is it really one of the most haunted places in Bristol? And which Hollywood star has a connection with the Asylum's story?
Presented by Helen Mark
Produced by Beth Sagar-Fenton
Assistant production by Ellie Richold
Series Producer: Emma Campbell
THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (m002js7v)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:54 on Sunday]
THU 15:30 Word of Mouth (m002jtvh)
It's not what you say, it's how you say it
Michael Rosen on the linguistic comfort food of clichés, pragmatics and how we use language to connect us beyond the actual words used. Derek Bousfield explains how words do more than carry meaning: context governs what we say and how it’s understood.
Dr Bousfield is Reader in Pragmatics and Communication and Co-Director of The Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics and co-author of Talking in Clichés: The Use of Stock Phrases in Discourse and Communication.
Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Beth O'Dea, in partnership with the Open University.
Subscribe to the Word of Mouth podcast and never miss an episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qtnz
THU 16:00 Rethink (m002jtvk)
Rethink... winners and losers
Do you agree with either of these statements?
Illegal migrants come here and are a burden on services and the taxpayer.
OR
The only way to reduce inequality is to tax billionaires and giant companies who avoid tax.
They may seem on opposite poles of the political spectrum, but both anti-migrant campaigners and anti-capitalists share an identical mindset. Both are demonstrating zero-sum thinking; the belief that if one group wins, another has to lose.
In itself, zero-sum thinking isn't moral or immoral, right or wrong. But Economists claim it leads to poor economic policy, and they say evidence shows it is possible to create win-win situations for everyone.
But many of the main parties at Westminster also use zero-sum thinking in their political rhetoric - from Reform and the Greens, to the Conservatives and Labour. Also, the first past the post electoral system is literally a zero-sum process. So is this kind of thinking baked-into UK politics?
So are there particular groups of people that are more prone to zero-sum beliefs? Where did this mindset come from? What economic conditions encourage zero-sum thinking, and how deeply are these beliefs held?
Presenter: Ben Ansell
Producer: Ravi Naik
Editor: Richard Vadon
Contributors:
Stefanie Stantcheva, Nathaniel Ropes Professor of Political Economy at Harvard and founder and director of the Social Economics Lab.
Dr Patricia Andrews Fearon, behavioural science researcher at social impact accelerator The Agency Fund, and Stanford University. Her research on zero-sum mindsets began during her doctoral studies at Cambridge, where she was a Gates Scholar.
Dr Parth Patel, Associate director for democracy & politics at the Institute of Public Policy and Research
Iain Mansfield, Director of Research and Head of Education and Science at Policy Exchange
Cleo Watson, Former Downing Street strategist, adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, author, and presenter of Radio 4's "How to win a campaign"
THU 16:30 BBC Inside Science (m002jtvm)
The science behind autism
What do we know about the causes of autism? Laura Andreae, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience at King’s College London explains the science. It’s after President Trump made unproven claims the condition is linked to taking paracetamol in pregnancy.
Tim O’Brien, Professor of Astrophysics at The University of Manchester and Associate Director of Jodrell Bank Centre, explains why NASA is planning to send a crew of astronauts around the moon for the first time in 50 years.
Tim Minshall, inaugural Dr John C. Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge dives into the mysterious world of manufacturing. His book ‘Your Life is Manufactured’ is shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2025. And we hear from Dave Sexton, conservationist on the Isle of Mull, and his search for one unusual bird.
If you want to test your climate change knowledge, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University to take the quiz.
THU 17:00 PM (m002jtvp)
Starmer to bring in compulsory digital IDs
The prime minister believes the ID scheme will help crack down on illegal working. Plus, how drones are changing the world of warfare, and living on a British-food only diet.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002jtvr)
ID Card scheme expected to be announced tomorrow
A UK-wide ID Card scheme is expected to be announced tomorrow - the Prime Minister believes it will help tackle illegal working and will modernise the State.
THU 18:30 Stand-Up Specials (m002jtvt)
Glenn Moore's Almanac Series 2
Run Glenn Run!
Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time. In this episode, Glenn not only decides to enter the London Marathon but to do it with his fridge, albeit with it strapped to someone else’s back.
Perhaps best-known for his outrageously brilliant one-liners on Mock The Week , Glenn delivers a tale of comic mishaps and extraordinary scenes interwoven with a big event in history – and looks back through his almanac to find out other strange connections to the day as well.
Written by Glenn with additional material by Katie Storey (Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, The Last Leg) and produced and directed by David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, etc)
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
THU 19:00 The Archers (m002jsw1)
Amber wants to talk about George’s party, but Emma is more concerned with Bartleby, whose owner, Meg, reckons he hasn’t got long left. Knowing about Bartleby from George, Amber insists on taking Emma to see him. On the way they discuss how much Bartleby means to George and how hard it was when he had to sell him. Amber’s seen all the videos, while Emma reveals some fond memories too. When they get there Meg explains how much Bartleby is struggling, even if he looks okay now. Amber can’t bear the idea that George won’t get another chance to see him. Meg didn’t know George was in prison and says she’ll do her best to keep Bartleby going until George gets out, but she can’t promise anything.
Ruairi tells Adam he still doesn’t know if he got through to Brian about retiring. But at least everybody Ruairi’s told so far about the Scottish castle idea is very enthusiastic. Ruairi then goes off with Ben and, while they’re scoring sheep on their readiness for tupping, Ben reports that his first day as an agency nurse went as well as he could have hoped for. Ruairi’s in awe of what Ben’s doing, especially compared to the aimlessness of his own life. Ruairi feels he’s in the right place at Home Farm now, though. Adam then tells Ruairi that all the Bridge Farm Archers love the Scottish castle and Debbie said she’s in too. Ruairi’s achieved the impossible in getting the whole family to agree – maybe they’re not so dysfunctional after all!
THU 19:15 Front Row (m002jtvw)
Leonardo DiCaprio comes on Front Row to talk about One Battle After Another
Leonardo DiCaprio and director Paul Thomas Anderson tell Tom about their new film One Battle After Another.
Our reviewers tonight are film critic Tim Robey and theatre critic Sarah Crompton.
They also review The Land of the Living, David Lan's new play for the National Theatre, directed by Stephen Daldry and starring Juliet Stevenson .
And Patricia Lockwood's latest novel Will There Ever Be Another You?
Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe
Producer: Eliane Glaser
THU 20:00 When It Hits the Fan (m002jtvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Wednesday]
THU 20:15 The Media Show (m002jtw0)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:15 on Wednesday]
THU 21:00 Loose Ends (m002js6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at
18:15 on Saturday]
THU 21:45 Strong Message Here (m002jttq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 today]
THU 22:00 The World Tonight (m002jtw2)
Will government's ID scheme help stop small boat crossings?
The prime minister is to announce a new national scheme of compulsory digital ID for all adults, to crack down on illegal working. We'll debate whether the proposals can stop small boat crossings.
Also on the programme:
Sensitive data about children, and their parents, has been stolen by hackers targetting a chain of nurseries. How alarmed should we be?
France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy becomes its first head of state to be handed a prison sentence in 80 years.
And it's 200 years since Louis Braille invented his tactile rreading system for people with sight loss. We hear about his remarkable work that helps blind musicians.
THU 22:45 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (m002jtw4)
Episode 4
Richard Schiff (The West Wing) reads Roth's chilling vision of an alternative American history, in which Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in 1940 and makes a deal with Hitler. The Roth family receive some bad news about cousin Alvin, who's been fighting with the Canadians against Nazi Germany.
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Fay Lomas for BBC Audio
Abridged by Sara Davies
Sound by Ilse Lademann
Assistant produced by Alice McKee
Read by Richard Schiff
THU 23:00 Radical with Amol Rajan (m002jtw6)
The Weaponisation of Science: How to Avoid a Global Catastrophe (Carlo Rovelli)
Physicist Carlo Rovelli thinks we need natural intelligence and not artificial intelligence in an age of confrontation.
Ten years ago he wrote a short book called Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, which became an international bestseller and catapulted him to scientific stardom.
A decade on he thinks the world is at a dangerous moment as the West’s dominance declines and global powers prioritise competition over collaboration.
One area he's most concerned about is AI, which he thinks is overhyped but needs to be controlled nonetheless.
He also explains some mind-bending ideas about time, space and why he thinks the Big Bang was actually a Big Bounce.
GET IN TOUCH
* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480
* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan
Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.
Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. Technical production was by Phil Bull. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.
THU 23:30 Great Lives (m001ypz8)
James Dyson on Frank Whittle
Frank Whittle’s fascination with aeroplanes started as a nine-year-old boy when he was nearly decapitated by one that was taking off from a local common in Coventry where he grew up. From that moment he set his sights on becoming a pilot, and joined the RAF in 1923. A few years later, aged just 21, he came up with an idea for powering aircraft so that they could fly much further and faster than the existing propeller planes. Despite a dearth of support from the Air Ministry, he doggedly pursued his vision of a turbojet engine and the RAF’s first fighter jet entered service towards the end of the Second World War, in 1944. His invention not only revolutionised air combat, but also international travel.
The inventor and entrepreneur James Dyson finds his story so inspiring that he has collected some of Whittle’s inventions, including an original working jet engine from 1943. He finds it amazing that Whittle got it right first time, which inventors almost never do. James Dyson is joined in the studio by Frank Whittle’s son, Ian Whittle, who is also a pilot.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Producer: Beth McLeod for BBC Studios Audio
FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2025
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (m002jtw8)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
FRI 00:30 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jttx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002jtwb)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002jtwd)
BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:00 News Summary (m002jtwg)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
FRI 05:04 Rethink (m002jtvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002jtwj)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002jtwl)
Precious atoms
Spiritual reflection to start the day with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose.
Good morning. The church season of Creationtide that we are now in contains two of my favourite feasts – it ends with the feast of St Francis, on the 4th October, but nearer to hand is the wonderful feast of Michael And All Angels. I used to say I didn’t really believe in angels, but now I think it’s truer to say that I don’t really know what an angel is. I changed my mind about angels when I moved down here to the Borders. I know it sounds a bit fanciful, but the sky does things here that just make the earthly reality fade and heaven come through a little.
There are times when I just have to stop, and listen, and look. The charcoal grey clouds, looming with energy, are pierced with light, some yellow, some golden, some deep russet red, the hills casting shadows that delve deep into the valleys, and the rich red soil from this part of the Borders seems to echo the sunset. The possibility of angels seems very real. I don’t know what angels are, but then again, the more I discover, the less sure I am about things I used to be certain about.
The more I study astronomy and the quantum world the less certain I am about anything, and the less sure I am that existence is even something we can define. But my firm belief is that God made the Universe, and God is love. That makes every atom of this creation an act of love, and if that is all I ever know, it may well be as much as I will ever need to know.
God of the turning earth, the deep seas and the highest pinnacles, God of the mysterious quantum forces and rushing hurricanes and volcanoes. May we feel your love for us as your precious children, and may that love flow from us to your children who need it most. Amen.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (m002jtwn)
26/09/25: Cybersecurity, historic plums, tenant farming commissioner, Autumn arable progress
As the fallout from a cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover continues, how vulnerable are the major retailers' food supply chains to hackers? The Grocer's Technology Editor tells us that the supermarkets are nervous, and putting pressure on their suppliers to improve cybersecurity.
England's new Tenant Farming Commissioner has been named. Alan Laidlaw will be an 'independent champion' to promote better relationships between tenants and landlords, according to DEFRA.
We visit an orchard full of historic plum varieties in Gloucestershire and check in on autumn crop drilling progress with a Northamptonshire farmer.
Presenter: Steffan Messenger
Producer: Sarah Swadling
FRI 06:00 Today (m002jsvg)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
FRI 09:00 The Reunion (m002js87)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:00 on Sunday]
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002jsvj)
Penny Lancaster, New play Punch, Rugby grounds-women
Penny Lancaster is a special constable, TV personality and photographer. She’s also married to rock legend Rod Stewart. Penny talks to Anita Rani about her life so far - from being bullied at school and living with severe dyslexia, to her IVF journey and educating her boys about the menopause. Penny also shares insights into her marriage to Rod and how for the past four years she has served as a Special Constable with the City of London Police.
We examine the part that women’s safety is playing in protests about immigration in the UK. Reflecting the range of opinion from women who are protesting outside asylum hotels and forming street patrols they say to protect girls, to women’s organisations who believe that violence against women and girls is being weaponised for political gain. Anita speaks to the BBC's Senior UK correspondent Sima Kotecha.
Punch is a play that looks at the ripple effects of a single punch, thrown by a teenager on a night out in Nottingham with fatal consequences. It is on stage in London and the mother of the young man killed, Joan Scourfield, is played by Julie Hesmondhalgh. Both Julie and Joan join Anita to discuss this remarkable story of restorative justice.
It's the Women's Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday between England and Canada. For the first time in history, an all-female grounds management team will be prepping the pitch for the Women’s final. It’s groundbreaking: only 2% of grounds managers are women, and there’s a recruitment crisis looming. Anita is joined by Cheryl Hill, part of the team at Twickenham stadium and Jennifer Carter of the Grounds Management Association.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
FRI 11:00 The Food Programme (m002jsvl)
Wales's Secret Ingredient: Lessons from Cymru on the Future of Food
Sheila Dillon is joined by four guests who each have a deep connection with Welsh food and farming for a panel discussion recorded at the 2025 Abergavenny Food Festival. Beca Lyne-Pirkis is a food writer and broadcaster; Patrick Holden is an organic farmer and founder of the Sustainable Food Trust; Carwyn Graves is a Welsh food historian and author; and Sue Pritchard leads the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. Together, they explore what is currently making Wales’s approach to food distinctive — and what lessons it might offer for the future of food across the UK.
Presented by Sheila Dillon
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Natalie Donovan
FRI 11:45 A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke (m002jsvn)
5: Green - ‘The Groundsman’ by Zaffar Kunial
Catherine Clarke reads her new and original history of England - told through poetry.
Through five poems across a week, Clarke takes us onto battlefields, inside royal courts, below stairs of great houses and onto cricket pitches, with vivid voices, and surprising stories. In a portal to the past, she takes us inside the words and moments these poems capture, with new perspectives on how England has dreamed itself into existence - and who gets to tell its story.
What and whose is English history now? Clarke explores the future of England's 'green and pleasant land' through Zaffar Kunial's 2022 poem, 'The Groundsman', set on an English cricket pitch.
Writer and reader: Catherine is a Professor at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Director of the Victoria County History of England.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett
FRI 12:00 News Summary (m002jsvq)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 12:04 Rare Earth (m002jsvs)
Trains on Trial
It's 200 years since the first passenger rail journey saw George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1 travel 26 miles between Shildon, Darlington and Stockton. Environmentalists love trains - making a journey by rail can be up to 80% greener than doing it by car - and there are exciting new inventions hoping to make train travel even greener. But can we pin part of the blame for global warming on the invention of the railways in the first place?
Presented by Tom Heap and Helen Czerski
Produced by Beth Sagar-Fenton
Assistant Producer: Toby Field
Rare Earth is produced in association with the Open University
FRI 12:57 Weather (m002jsvv)
The latest weather forecast
FRI 13:00 World at One (m002jsvx)
News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
FRI 13:45 Looking for No Man's Land (m002jsvz)
5. One last lead
We humans have irreversibly altered our planet. We’ve changed the air we breathe, warmed our atmosphere and filled our oceans with plastics. But is there anywhere left on Earth that we haven’t affected? A place completely free of our influence – by any measure?
Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr conclude their search for the last places on Earth untouched by humans.
In this final episode, we venture beneath Antarctica’s vast ice sheet to explore secret lakes, seemingly sealed off from the world for millions of years. Dominic Hodgson, Director of Science at the British Antarctic Survey, reveals how these mysterious lakes can be spotted from space. Along the way, Caroline and Florian uncover the dramatic story of Russian scientists whose ambitious mission to drill into one of these lakes went wrong. And we hear from microbial ecologist Trista Vick-Majors as she looks back on the highlight of her career - trying to sample these icy waters. Did she find life – and will our final attempt to find No Man’s Land be successful?
With a huge thanks to all the people we spoke to who made this series possible:
Akshat Rathi - Senior Reporter, Bloomberg News
Alan Jamieson - Professor, University of Western Australia
Ben Garrod - Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement, University of East Anglia
Dominic Hodgson - Interim Director of Science, British Antarctic Survey
Dusan Jelic - conservationist & CEO of BIOTA
Emma Marris - environmental writer & journalist
Erle Ellis - Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
George Monbiot - journalist, writer & environmental activist
Graihagh Jackson - senior broadcast journalist & presenter, BBC
Hazel Barton - Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama
Jan Zalasiewicz - Professor of Paleobiology, University of Leicester
Jeffrez Drazen - Professor of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Manoa
Jill Mikucki - Professor of Microbiology, University of Tennesse, Knoxville
Justin Rowlatt - Climate Editor, BBC
Mads Christensen - Executive Director, Greenpeace International
Mark Subbarao - Scientific Visualisation lead, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Robert Ballard - Professor of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island
Sandra Diaz - Professor of Ecology, National University of Cordoba
Trista Vick-Majors - Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences, Michigan Tech
Verena Tunnicliffe - Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria
Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws
FRI 14:00 The Archers (m002jsw1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Limelight (m002hzhy)
Mothercover
Episode 5: The Visit
Gwen has to do one final task. But just as she thinks things are over, she realises she’s more in danger than ever.
An Aberystwyth-set thriller, by BAFTA Cymru nominee Fflur Dafydd, with original music by Mercury Prize nominees Gwenno and Rhys Edwards.
CAST
Gwen…. Alexandra Roach
Liz…. Remy Beasley
Owen…. Sacha Dhawan
Geraint…. Matthew Gravelle
Dean…. Alex Harries
The Home Secretary…. Claire Cage
Henry…. Gwydion Rhys
Ticket Office Girl…. Aoife Moss
Ioan... Liam Donnelly
Original Music.... Gwenno and Rhys Edwards
Sound design.... Rhys Morris
Assistant Producer.... Ryan Hooper
Production Co-ordinator.... Lindsay Rees and Eleri McAuliffe
Directed by Fay Lomas
Produced by Fay Lomas and John Norton, BBC Audio Drama Wales
FRI 14:45 Untaxing (m0029hd7)
1. The Napkin That Changed the World
Albert Einstein called tax ‘the hardest thing in the world to understand’ - but was he right? Tax expert and campaigner, Dan Neidle delves into the bizarre, brilliant and sometimes disastrous ways tax shapes our lives, our choices and the world around us.
A quick sketch over dinner in 1974 became one of the most influential ideas in economic policy. Art Laffer’s curve promised that tax cuts could pay for themselves - but was it brilliant insight or a costly illusion?
Producer: Tom Pooley
A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m002jsw3)
St Austell: Kiwis, Proud Plants and Frozen Seeds
When do kiwis produce fruit in the UK? What plant cuttings are the panel most proud of propagating? Should we freeze our seeds in water before planting them in the ground?
Kathy Clugston and a powerhouse panel of gardening experts return to the iconic Eden Project outside St Austell in Cornwall where they field questions from a green fingered live audience. Tackling everything from persistent pests to planting dilemmas, the panel includes houseplant specialist Anne Swithinbank, award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw, and horticulturalist Frances Tophill.
Later in the programme, continuing our autumn feature series, Matthew Wilson provides an extensive guide to dividing your perennial plants.
Senior producer: Dominic Tyerman
Junior producer: Rahnee Prescod
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 15:45 Short Works (m002jsw5)
Shadowing Gordon by Jan Carson
An original short story specially commissioned by BBC Radio 4 from the author Jan Carson. Read by Seamus O’Hara (‘Blue Lights’).
The Author
Jan Carson is a writer and community arts facilitator based in East Belfast. Her novel ‘The Fire Starters’ was awarded the EU Prize for Literature 2019 and the author was acclaimed as “one of the most exciting and original Northern Irish writers of her generation” by the Sunday Times. Her most recent novel ‘The Raptures’ was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year and the Kerry Group Novel of the Year. She is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4 was shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2020, the An Post Irish Short Story of the Year and the Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023.
Writer: Jan Carson
Reader: Seamus O’Hara
Producer: Michael Shannon
A BBC Audio Northern Ireland Production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 16:00 Last Word (m002jsw7)
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, John Stapleton, Mary Elizabeth Dodd, Claudia Cardinale
Matthew Bannister on
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect who designed the international terminal at London’s Waterloo Station and the Eden Project.
John Stapleton, the TV presenter who fronted Watchdog with his wife and ITV’s breakfast and daytime shows. His friend Greg Dyke pays tribute.
Mary Elizabeth Dodd, the physiotherapist who pioneered new treatments for cystic fibrosis.
And the glamorous Italian film star Claudia Cardinale who was a muse for the directors Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti.
Interviewee: Andrew Whalley
Interviewee: Greg Dyke
Interviewee: Professor Kevin Webb
Interviewee: Rita Di Santo
Producer: Ed Prendeville
Archive used:
The Late Show, BBC Television 01/02/1989 ; The Eden Project, BBC News 15/03/2001 ; Desert Island Discs – Nicholas Grimshaw , BBC radio 4 , 14/12/2003; John Stapleton in conversation , BBC Radio Wales 01/11/2013; John Stapleton, Argentina report; Newsnight, BBC Two, 13/04/1982 ; John Stapleton , report on Motorways, Nationwide, BBC One, 01/03/1976; The Time The Place, Central Television, ITV, 09/11/1992; John Stapleton, BBC Election 1987, 12/06/1987; Watchdog, BBC One, 11/01/1988 ; John Stapleton report, Panorama, The Class of 81, BBC One, 07/09/1981; Life File , BBC 12/02/1988; The Leopard, director: Luchino Visconti, from the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp 1963; Hardtalk - Claudia Cardinale , BBC 29/11/2011
FRI 16:30 More or Less (m002jsw9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 on Wednesday]
FRI 17:00 PM (m002jswc)
Israeli PM makes defiant speech at UN General Assembly
Israeli PM addresses United Nations and criticises members that have recognised the state of Palestine. We ask a former UK representative to the body what power does it have?
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002jswf)
The Prime Minister sets out digital ID plans
The Prime Minister has set out plans to introduce mandatory digital identification before the next general electon, to try to tackle illegal migration. In a speech in London, Sir Keir Starmer said politicians had been too "squeamish" about addressing the issue. Opposition parties have criticised the move. But Labour's large majority means the party needs to convince only its own MPs to push the plans through the Commons.
FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (m002jswh)
Series 118
4. A Lib Dem Conference and a Seagull Summit
In the week where Trump addressed the UN, Lib Dems conferred on the beaches of Bournemouth, and a Seagull Summit came to Inverness, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Simon Evans, Neil Delamere, Tiff Stevenson and Cindy Yu to break it all down. Expect talk of the Burnham from behind, the Boriswave, and the wettest generation since the floods.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Miranda Holms, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (m002jswk)
Stella phones Pip to tell her the interview went pretty well, the only awkward moment was when she had to explain why she left her previous post. The job looks fantastic though and she’d love to do it, if it’s offered. Later though, Pip’s surprised when Brian turns up at Rickyard rather than Stella. When Stella gets back soon after she tells Pip she’s been offered the job and has bought champagne to celebrate. But then Brian emerges to offer Stella her job back at Home Farm. He acknowledges he’s been making mistakes recently and knows how damaging they’ve been. But now he’s finally ready to hand over the reins and wants somebody he trusts to manage the farm until one of the family is ready to take over. Brian tells Stella to turn the other job down and come back to Home Farm, where she belongs.
Emma and Amber are at Handale prison, visiting George. Emma doesn’t want to worry George by mentioning Bartleby, when he’ll already be anxious about the potential consequences of shopping Markie. George dismisses those concerns when they see him though and talks about the things he wants to do first when he gets out, including visiting Bartleby. But George soon realises something’s wrong, despite Emma and Amber’s attempts to convince him Bartleby’s okay. Eventually they have to admit he may be put down. George gets very upset, despite Amber’s reassurances that Bartleby looked gorgeous when they saw him. And Emma’s sure he’ll still be there for George when he gets out in two weeks’ time.
FRI 19:15 Screenshot (m002jswm)
Yuppies
As cult classic American Psycho turns 25 this year, Ellen and Mark investigate the world of yuppies on screen and ask, are yuppies a thing of the past or more prevalent than ever? They talk to director of American Psycho Mary Harron, co creators of BBC/HBO drama Industry and indie film director Whit Stillman.
Ellen speaks to director Whit Stillman, whose ‘doomed bourgeois in love’ trilogy chronicles the lives of yuppies in the late 80’s. Ellen talks to him about his affectionate take on the era and whether his aunt really did invent the phrase ‘yuppie’.
Mark speaks to Mary Harron, director of American Psycho. They discuss the film's surprising legacy and the casting of Christian Bale in his now iconic role as product-obsessed super-yuppie Patrick Bateman.
Ellen then speaks to Konrad Kay and Mickey Down, co creators of finance-world drama, Industry. They discuss their love of American Psycho and the way in which wealth is portrayed on screen.
Producer: Queenie Qureshi-Wales
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (m002jswp)
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Paul Nowak, Anna Turley MP, Sir Jeremy Wright MP
Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire with the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns of Reform UK; the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Paul Nowak; Labour Party chair and cabinet office minister, Anna Turley; and the Conservative MP and former Cabinet minister, Sir Jeremy Wright.
Producer: Paul Martin
Lead broadcast engineer: Carwyn Griffith
FRI 20:55 This Week in History (m002jswr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:40 on Wednesday]
FRI 21:00 Free Thinking (m002jswt)
Finding my tribe
In party conference season, we look at what bonds party members and what it means to create a new network with its own shared beliefs and rituals. What light can the big thinkers from the worlds of anthropology and sociology shed? From political tribes to criminal gangs, from social media to social class - how do shared beliefs, rituals, rules and values bond us together - and pull us apart?
Anne McElvoy is joined by Kit Davis, emeritus professor of anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London; Lynsey Hanley writer and author of Estates and Respectable: The Experience of Class; Adele Walton, Journalist and author of Logging Off; Alistair Fraser, professor of criminology at Glasgow University; assistant editor of The Spectator and political journalist and Isabel Hardman; and, Rebecca Earle, Professor of History and Chair of the British Academy Book Prize
Shortlist for the British Academy Book Prize announced on October 22nd:
The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years by Sunil Amrith
The Baton and The Cross: Russia’s Church from Pagans to Putin by Lucy Ash
The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple
Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance by Bronwen Everill
Sick of It: The Global Fight for Women's Health by Sophie Harman
Sound Tracks: Uncovering Our Musical Past by Graham Lawson
Producer: Ruth Watts
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (m002jsww)
Netanyahu says "not done yet" in Gaza during UN speech
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly that the IDF offensive into Gaza City would continue. But shortly after his speech US President Trump said he was "close to a deal" on the Palestinian enclave. The deal is reported to include the potential for former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to head up a transition administration in the Gaza Strip. We speak to a US diplomat who worked with Sir Tony in the Middle East.
Also on the programme: former director of the FBI James Comey says he's paying the price for standing up to Donald Trump as he is criminally indicted for perjury. We hear from a former federal prosecutor.
And 200 years on from the first railway journey from Stockton to Darlington, we reflect on the music inspired by trains.
FRI 22:45 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (m002jswy)
Episode 5
Richard Schiff (The West Wing) reads Roth's chilling vision of an alternative American history, in which Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in 1940 and makes a deal with Hitler. Cousin Alvin has returned home after serving with the Canadian military in the fight against Nazi Germany.
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Fay Lomas for BBC Audio
Abridged by Sara Davies
Sound by Ilse Lademann
Assistant Producer Alice McKee
FRI 23:00 Americast (w3ct7t5z)
Is America's health secretary RFK Jr a danger to public health?
Monday’s White House announcement made headlines worldwide when Donald Trump - flanked by his health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior - said taking Tylenol, also known as paracetamol, during pregnancy was linked to a "very increased risk" of autism in children. Medical experts have strongly pushed back on the claims, saying there is not strong enough scientific evidence to show a link, with some calling the president's comments dangerous.
In the past few months, several of the main scientists in charge of public health in America have either been sacked by the health secretary, or have resigned in protest at what they say are decisions based on ideology, not scientific data.
In today’s episode, Anthony and Marianna chat to Dr Debra Houry, a former chief medical officer at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, who spent a decade at the organisation before resigning in protest over RFK Jr’s leadership. She tells us about the events that pushed her towards resignation, the differences between working with Trump’s first and second administrations, and why she believes RFK Jr poses a risk to public health.
HOSTS
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent
GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
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• Or use #Americast
This episode was made by Alix Pickles, Rufus Gray and Purvee Pattni. The technical producer was Mike Regaard and the digital editor is Sophie Millward. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.
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FRI 23:30 Great Lives (m001yysl)
Queen Emma
Professor Alice Roberts, best known as the presenter of Digging for Britain, picks the wife of two English kings and the mother of two English kings. Queen Emma was born in Normandy and came to England as a diplomatic peaceweaver when she married Aethelred in 1002. Somehow she survived the invasion of the Danes under Swein Forkbeard and married his son, King Canute after Aethelred's death. Together with help from Professor Janina Ramirez - author of Femina - and Patricia Bracewell who has written a trilogy of historical novels based on Emma's life, Alice pieces together an extraordinary life, the richest woman in England, aunt of William the Conqueror, mother of Edward the Confessor.
Alice Roberts is Professor of Public Engagement in Science at Birmingham University and the author of Crypt: Life, Death and Disease in the Middle Ages and Beyond
Programme also includes recorded audio of Professor Pauline Stafford, author of Gendering the Middle Ages
The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde