SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b0076mh5)
Series 4
Like a Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan's signature tune became the anthem of a generation.
It scattered all preconceptions of what a pop 45rpm single could achieve.
Robbie Robertson, Al Kooper, Greil Marcus and Paula Radice muse on a song that threw down a challenge and changed lives.
Featuring:
Bebe Miller
Paula Radice
CP Lee
Michael Gray
Bill McGarvey
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Lindsay Leonard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
SAT 00:30 Eagle: The Space Age Weekly (b00wqdx6)
Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of British magazine Eagle and the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare.
Eagle ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. Dan Dare, often referred to as "Biggles in space", is regarded in some circles as the greatest British science fiction hero of the 20th century
In this feature we chart the influences behind the comic, and explore the life of its creator Marcus Morris, a fascinating man who began the publication because of his concern over 'horrific' US comics which presented 'disturbing' storylines which he felt 'corrupted British youth'.
The programme reveals how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut. It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson who introduced technology years ahead of its time. Hampson knew the Space Age was on its way while serving in the Second World War and seeing the German VI rockets. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.
We reveal how the stories had educational value and, along with Dan Dare, we look at other Eagle offerings including Shakespeare's plays and the Greek myths which ran as comic strips.
Featuring contributions from author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris the daughter of Eagle Creator Marcus and Eagle Society member David Britton.
Producer: Stephen Garner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
SAT 01:00 Sky High by Guy Meredith (b00wdkfd)
The clock is ticking away in this cat and mouse game of twists, turns and subterfuge by Guy Meredith.
It is the early hours of a new day and in a tall office block in London there is a woman working. She thinks she is alone but then she hears the lift doors open.
As we listen to the action the clock is ticking away in real time. Emma needs to unravel a mystery code in the computer and she hasn't got much time. Will Mark agree to help her or is he more interested in revenge? He used to work there and would like to settle a score or two. Can Emma trust him and will she find the code in time? The tension mounts as the minutes tick by ...
The Writer
Guy Meredith writes for radio, TV and the stage. He has had over 25 plays broadcast on Radio 3 & 4. Including, "The Surprise Symphony", "La Peste" and "Run, Man, Run". He has written all of the "Daunt and Dervish" that have been broadcast on Radio 4. For TV he has written "Ruth Rendell Mysteries", "Heartbeat" and "The Bill".
CAST:
Emma...................Claire Harry
Mark.....................Chris Pavlo
Charlie...................Lloyd Thomas
Directed by Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
SAT 01:45 Whodunnits (b00v3ky6)
The Power of Life And Death
5. A Death for a Death
When a number of distinguished members of government committees are found dead in suspicious circumstances, it falls to DCI Kate Duncan to discover what the connecting factor is.
The revelation that two elderly women were killed by experimental drugs that had not been prescribed to them led initial suspicion to fall on their GP, Dr Tom Cready. But - following the suspected murder of a cancer specialist at the local hospital - DCI Kate Duncan now believes that all three victims died because they were involved in decisions to refuse the use of expensive new treatments in the NHS.
Mark Lawson's deftly plotted murder-mystery gets to grips with a major concern at the heart of our cash-strapped NHS: the post code lottery and exactly who is to be considered deserving of the most expensive life saving drugs on the market.
Kate Duncan ..... Haydn Gwynne
Lorenzo ..... Lloyd Thomas
Briggs ..... Chris McHallem
Hermione Sharp ..... Abigail McKern
Dame Imelda Sharp ..... Honor Blackman
Sue Wells ..... Abigail McGibbon
Dr Tom Cready ..... Nick Dunning
Dee Mortimer ..... Stella McCusker
Jeremy Vine ..... Himself
Written by Mark Lawson
Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.
SAT 02:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b2gpj)
The Mystery of the Obese Escapologist
Baker Street’s great detective, Sherlock Holmes, probes the murky world of a Victorian music hall.
Roy Hudd spoofs the famous sleuth in Tony Hare’s comedy series.
Sherlock Holmes …. Roy Hudd
Dr Watson …. Chrs Emmett
Mrs Hudson …. June Whitfield
Moriarty …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Musical accompaniment: Ian Smith.
Producer: Chris Neill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1999.
SAT 02:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007rgl7)
Honoria Glossop
When Bingo Little's new love lands Bertie Wooster in bother - who can save the day?
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Adapted by Chris Miller.
Jeeves …. Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster …. Richard Briers
Sir Roderick Glossop …. Andrew Cruickshank
Aunt Agatha …. Joan Sanderson
Bingo Little …. Jonathan Cecil
Lord Rainsby …. James Villiers
Honoria Glossop …. Miriam Margolyes
Oswald Glossop …. Denise Bryer
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1973.
SAT 03:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m000rnkx)
Series 2
Dial M for Maureen
Lesley and Maureen turn detective. While Lesley follows David to meet his publisher in London, Maureen stays behind to search the house for the incriminating manuscript.
But David takes a detour, misses his train, lets himself in to three strange houses and returns to their house while Maureen is still inside. Now Maureen is trapped and David is building something sinister in the cellar.
Written by Sue Limb and Betsy Vriend.
Maureen ...... Alison Steadman
Lesley ...... Morwenna Banks
Pierre ...... Nigel Planer
Producer: Jamie Rix
A Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2021.
SAT 03:30 The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante (m000mcpc)
10. Beautiful
A teenage girl uncovers family secrets and lies in 1990s Naples, in a new novel by Elena Ferrante, author of the Neapolitan quartet of novels (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child).
Giovanna wonders if Roberto was serious about her being beautiful.
As Giovanna moves from childhood into adolescence, she becomes fascinated with her father's sister Vittoria, from whom he is estranged. She goes down from the affluent heights of Naples where she has grown up in a wealthy left-wing family, into the depths of the rough neighbourhoods of her father's youth. As she begins to excavate her family history, everything of which she was certain unravels.
Read by Juliet Aubrey
Abridged by Sara Davies
Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery and Mair Bosworth
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.
SAT 03:45 All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West (b00h45n1)
5. Bittersweet Riches
Adaptation of the 1931 novel by Vita Sackville-West.
Lady Slane's decision about what to do with the vast fortune left to her by her friend Mr FitzGeorge outrages her family, but a visit from her great-granddaughter brings hope for the future.
Lady Slane ...... Honor Blackman
Mr FitzGeorge ...... Alec McCowen
Herbert Holland ...... John Nicholas
Carrie ...... Phyllida Nash
Kay Holland ...... Patrick Romer
Mr Bucktrout ...... Paul Nicholson
Mr Gosheron ...... Peter Ellis
Genoux ...... Sonia Elliman
Police Inspector ...... Russell Boulter
Deborah Holland ...... Annabel Scholey
Directed by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.
SAT 04:00 Whispers (b00c6rnk)
Series 2
Episode 5
Gyles Brandreth hosts the quiz show with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
Joining team captains Lucy Moore and Anthony Holden to run the gauntlet of gossip:
Lynne Truss
Michelle Brown
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
SAT 04:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b3cvrh)
Series 3
Pest Control
It's "Pest Control to Milton Jones", as he becomes an expert in clearing vermin.
Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is "Help!" Because in each episode, Milton, and his trusty assistant Anton set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure.
Because when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push.
Written by Milton Jones with James Cary and Dan Evans
With:
Tom Goodman-Hill
Josie Lawrence
Ben Willbond
Music by Guy Jackson.
Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
SAT 05:00 The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen (b0890hpt)
3. 1924-1934
Fading fast, is scheming Mme Fisher sowing the seeds for the ultimate destruction of her house in Paris?
The conclusion of Elizabeth Bowen's classic novel dramatised by Margaret Steward.
Mme Fisher …. Sara Kestelman
Karen …. Sunny Ormonde
Naomi Fisher …. Susan Bovell
Max …. John Duttine
Aunt Violet …. Ann Windsor
Uncle Bill …. David King
Henrietta …. Fiona Christie
Leopold …. Joshua Goodman
Music by Anthea Gomez.
Producer: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1994.
SAT 06:00 The Real George Orwell (b01q7fzf)
Animal Farm
George Orwell described his short novel as a fairy story, but it’s a satire on the Soviet Communist system.
But 'Animal Farm' still reads as a powerful warning despite all the changes in world politics since it was first published in 1945.
Of course, there is no real George Orwell - it was the pen name of Eric Blair - a writer and political commentator.
Ever since his early death in 1950, he has been the darling of some on both the left and the right of British politics - whilst being reviled by others.
For all the beautiful simplicity of his writing and storytelling Orwell/Blair is a contradictory figure - an anti-establishment, pro-English, ex-Etonian ex-policeman and socialist, who was ardently anti-authoritarian. He was as anti-fascist as he was anti-communist, a former Spanish Civil War soldier who was anti-war but pro the Second World War.
The author dramatised his own novel
One night, on an English farm, Major the boar recounts his vision of an utopia where his fellow creatures own the land along with the means of production and are no longer the slaves of humans.
Before long, his dream comes true and for a short while all animals really are equal. But the clever pigs educate themselves and soon learn how to extend their own power, inevitably at the expense of the rest of the community.
Narrated by Tamsin Greig.
Napoleon .....Nicky Henson
Squealer ..... Toby Jones
Snowball ..... Patrick Brennan
Boxer ..... Ralph Ineson
Clover ..... Liza Sadovy
Major ..... Robert Blythe
Benjamin ..... Paul Stonehouse
Muriel ..... Sarah Thom
Mollie ..... Lizzy Watts
With:
Eleanor Crooks
Ben Crowe
Will Howard
Gerard McDermott
Adam Nagaitis
Stephanie Racine
Musical Director: Neil Brand
Director Alison Hindell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2013.
SAT 07:30 The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington by Joanna Moorhead (Omnibus) (b08tj37y)
Leonora Carrington, born in 1917, was the last surviving member of the Surrealist movement of the 1930s.
A prodigious painter and writer, she was caught up in some of the most exciting - and most terrible - events of the 20th century.
Joanna Moorhead tells the remarkable life story of her father's cousin.
Omnibus in five parts abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Juliet Stevenson.
Introduced by Joanna Moorhead.
Aged 17, Leonora Carrington rejected her upper class English upbringing and her family, in favour of the bohemian life of an artist, first in London and then Paris. She became the lover and muse of Max Ernst, and friend of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and many other creative geniuses.
Soon after the outbreak of the war however, she suffered a mental breakdown and ended up in an asylum in Madrid. She eventually escaped war-torn Europe by marrying a Mexican, which enabled her passage to New York, and from there she journeyed to Mexico where she lived out the rest of her life.
Mexico is where Joanna Moorhead went to find Leonora in 2006. During Joanna's childhood, all she knew was that her father's cousin had been a wild child who had caused the family no end of trouble and "simply flounced off into the sunset". But this first visit of many was the start of a life-changing friendship. During days of talking and reading, of drinking tea and tequila, of going for walks and eating in local restaurants Leonora told Joanna her amazing life story.
This book is the story of Leonora Carrington's life, and of the relationship between two women. And it's about Surrealism as Leonora lived it - a way of approaching the world in a spirit of constant curiosity, with the desire to work out, if not the answers, then at least some of the questions.
Director: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2017.
SAT 08:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b4td7)
4. Culpepper Midden's Master Plan
Les Dawson reads from his own gusset-ripping novel about the civil war between the North and South of Britain.
A man called Culpepper Midden comes up with a master plan to save Lancashire - involving a weed which has an unfortunate effect on the menfolk.
Producer Richard Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1993.
SAT 09:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
Series 1
Episode 4
It's a dog's life for shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel when a Pekingese goes missing.
Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.
Groucho Marx as Waldorf T Flywheel ...... Michael Roberts
Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravellias ...... Frank Lazarus
With Lorelei King and Graham Hoadly.
Written by Nat Perrin and Athur Sheekman. Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1990.
SAT 09:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pf9p)
Series 1
The Bishop Gives a Party
The Bishop is taken with the Dean’s sister. However, he has a rival.
The ecclesiastical sitcom started life as a TV pilot in Comedy Playhouse, ahead of a run on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971.
Adapted from their TV script by husband-and-wife team, Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps.
The Archdeacon …. Robertson Hare
The Bishop …. William Mervyn
The Bishop's Chaplain …. Derek Nimmo
The Dean …. John Barron
Miss Chaffer …. Nan Munro
Hilary Pugh-Critchley …. Naomi Chance
Mrs Pugh-Critchley …. Joan Sanderson
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1971.
SAT 10:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m00088m4)
1. Simon Day & Tim Key
Comedy and poetry have always had strong links, with many comics and poets blurring the boundaries.
Now, comedian Kevin Eldon takes peeks either side of the fine line that divides them.
With the occasional input of his poet alter-ego, Paul Hamilton, Eldon presents a rich collection of radio comedy that celebrates the risible and funny side of poetry.
The first of threes programmes featuring:
‘The Simon Day Show’ [Series 2 Episode 3]
‘Tim Key’s Late Night Poetry Programme: Survival’ [Series 2 Episode 4]
Along the way there is a rich mix of poetry that might be funny, sometimes cringe-worthy, occasionally absurd, sporadically nonsensical, but often brilliant.
Producer: Luke Doran.
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in January 2015.
SAT 11:00 The Real George Orwell (b01q7fzf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington by Joanna Moorhead (Omnibus) (b08tj37y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b4td7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pf9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m00088m4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Doctor Who (m001bk2y)
Tenth Doctor Adventures
Time Reaver
With the TARDIS in need of spares, The Doctor heads for the spaceport Calibris. It’s a place where anything goes and everything can be bought… at a price.
The Timelord is surprised to find the officious Vacintians are trying to impose some order on the chaos and soon discovers why.
An outlawed weapon – The Time Reaver - is loose on the streets. It’s a weapon that slowly and agonisingly destroys its victims.
One of six adventures featuring the tenth incarnation of The Doctor.
Starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
Written by Jenny T Colgan.
The Doctor …. David Tennant
Donna Noble …. Catherine Tate
Cora …. Sabrina Bartlett
Gully …. John Banks
Soren …. Alex Lowe
Rone …. Terry Molloy
Dorn …. Dan Starkey
Original music by Howard Carter.
Producer: David Richardson
A Big Finish production.
* Cover artwork by Tom Webster *
SAT 17:00 The Real George Orwell (b01q7fzf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington by Joanna Moorhead (Omnibus) (b08tj37y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b4td7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pf9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m00088m4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Bearded Ladies (m002hk72)
Series 1
Episode 1
Women behaving oddly. The sketch show in which everyday situations are taken to new heights - and then a bit further....
Farmer Giles of Islington, the pole dancing interview, ending a marriage in management-speak and the psychic bartender.
Written and performed by
Susie Donkin
Charlotte McDougall
Oriane Messina
Fay Rusling
Featuring Ewan Bailey
Additional Material by
Lucy Clarke
Pete Gold
Jim Harrington
Rufus Jones
Lucy Porter
Nick Swift
Music by Steve Burton
Script editor Marcus Powell
Producer Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2003.
SAT 22:30 Start/Stop (b07lhk6p)
Series 3
1. The Third Way
Fiona tests Barney's theory about how to put the spark back into your marriage, much to Barney's annoyance. Evan is housebound, sitting in a rubber ring. And David is worried about his memory.
Jack Docherty's sitcom about three marriages in various states of disrepair. Barney and Cathy have been married for ages and it shows, Evan and Fiona's marriage is one big, noisy argument and David is old enough to be Alice's father.
Start/Stop follows the story of these three couples as they try to make the best of things. The characters stop the action, explain themselves to the audience and start up again.
Starring:
Couple 1:
Barney ...... Jack Docherty
Cathy ...... Kerry Godliman
Couple 2:
Evan ...... John Thomson
Fiona ...... Fiona Allen
Couple 3:
David ...... Charlie Higson
Alice ...... Laura Aikman
Producer: Claire Jones
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in July 2016.
SAT 23:00 Ross Noble Goes Global (b01cvr0t)
Series 2
Egypt
Ross entertains bewildered Bedouins in the desert and ponders the merits of doing a wildlife show.
A series of travelogues from globe-trotting comedian Ross Noble.
Producer: Danny Wallace
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
SAT 23:30 Isy Suttie's Love Letters (b01rqbmc)
Series 1
Mr Mississippi
Isy Suttie presents some unique tales, recounting a series of love stories affecting people she's known, told partly through song.
Sometimes Isy has merely observed other people's love lives; quite often she's intervened, changing the action dramatically - for better or worse. Intertwined within these stories are anecdotes from Isy's own, often disastrous, love life.
This time, Isy tries tries to save her failing relationship with a papier-mâché penguin, while at the same time helping Matlock's resident busker, Mr Mississippi, capture the heart of his unrequited love Lorna, a shelf stacker at the local supermarket.
With her multi-character and vocal skills, plus her guitar, Isy creates a hilarious and moving world, sharing with us her lessons in life and love.
Producer: Lianne Coop
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2025

SUN 00:00 Doctor Who (m001bk2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 The Real George Orwell (b01q7fzf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington by Joanna Moorhead (Omnibus) (b08tj37y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b4td7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007ynfd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pf9p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m00088m4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hkdq)
From Fringe to Fame
Rory Bremner
Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the impressionist and satirist Rory Bremner. He was born in Edinburgh in 1961. A self-confessed show-off, he started doing impersonations at primary school, sending up teachers, sports commentators and Moira Anderson! Entertaining his school friends inevitably developed into performing on stage and he worked as a stand up on the comedy circuit, and notably at the Edinburgh Festival.
The BBC offered him his first television series, Now Something Else. It ran on BBC2 for seven years. In 1993 he moved to Channel 4, where his show Rory Bremner - Who Else? developed a more hard-edged, satirical and political bite. Rory was also a regular on Spitting Image and Mock the Week.
An opera lover with an academic side to him, Rory has translated three operatic works into English. In more recent years, Rory has been on Strictly, Who Do You Think You Are? The Imitation Game - not forgetting I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
DISC ONE: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Highland Cathedral
DISC TWO: Danny Kaye - Masters Of All Masters
DISC THREE: Brian Johnston & Jonathan Agnew - Test Match Special (9/8/1991)
DISC FOUR: Cologne Radio Orchestra, conducted by Jan Latham-Koenig - excerpt from Kurt Weill’s The Silver Lake The Finale
DISC FIVE: Julie London - I'm In The Mood For Love
DISC SIX: Frank Sinatra - I've Got You Under My Skin
DISC SEVEN: Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately
DISC EIGHT: Kiri Te Kanawa - Georges Bizet’s Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante (from Carmen)
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately
BOOK CHOICE: Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon
LUXURY CHOICE: Radio
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2003.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
Series 1
Sloths
Sir David muses on the natural history of the sloth
It's perhaps the most lethargic beast in the animal world, and one that he has admitted to wanting to be.
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002hkds)
Between the Ears - Songs of the Mojave Desert
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Between the Ears - Songs of the Mojave Desert with celebrated Mojave American poet Natalie Diaz. And Daljit reads a poem from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: Unstill Landscapes by Becca Drake.
Natalie Diaz's award-winning poetry collection, When My Brother Was An Aztec, draws on her experiences growing up on the Fort Mojave Indian reservation, a 40,000 acre stretch of desert spanning California, Arizona and Nevada.
Natalie brings us to Mojave Valley, to the home of her uncle Hubert McCord. At 91, Hubert is the last fluent Mojave speaker who is also a singer. Together they have been working on a language recovery program for young people, whilst also recording ancient bird and clan songs for future generations.
Mojaves call themselves Aha’Macav - which means the river runs through their bodies and through their land. Today this is the most endangered river in the United States.
Despite brutal attempts to silence Mojave language and culture in the 20th century, Mojave ancient songs, with their stories of animals, the river, and ancient beings, still resonate with life today on the reservation. Although many traditions are at risk of dying out.
Produced by Victoria Ferran
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 3, first broadcast in 2020.
SUN 07:30 Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant (Omnibus) (m001ng9h)
The culinary-tinged memoirs of a woman raised in multi-cultural, cosmopolitan Cairo during the Second World War.
Published in 2001, 'Apricots on the Nile', subtitled 'A Memoir with Recipes' is a collection of the author Colette Rossant's recollections.
In 1937, five-year-old Colette arrived in Cairo from Paris with her Egyptian-Jewish father and beautiful French mother. When her father died, Colette's mother abandoned her daughter to the care of her wealthy grandparents. She soon settled into their luxuriant, food-centred lifestyle.
The memoir, accompanied by mouth-watering description of dishes, evokes old world Egypt.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Katrin Williams.
Read by Barbara Flynn.
Producer: Liz Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lgyqcg)
Suzi Ruffell
Actor, writer and stand-up Suzi Ruffe chooses ‘You Can't Hurry Love’ by The Supremes and ‘Heart's Content’ by Brandi Carlile.
SUN 08:50 Vita Sackville-West - All Passion Spent (Omnibus) (b007jxd3)
88 years-old and widowed, Lady Slane defies her children to embark on an independent life.
Vita Sackville-West's novel, first published in 1931.
Lady Slane .... Honor Blackman
Mr FitzGeorge .... Alec McCowen
Herbert Holland .... John Nicholas
Carrie .... Phyllida Nash
Kay Holland .... Patrick Romer
Mr Bucktrout .... Paul Nicholson
Mr Gosheron .... Peter Ellis
Genoux .... Sonia Elliman
Police Inspector .... Russell Boulter
Deborah Holland .... Annabel Scholey
An omnibus of Jonathan Holloway's five-part dramatisation.
Director: Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.
SUN 10:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrr2)
From 01/11/1949
Ted and Kitty bicker over too much toothpaste, plus news of a curious will.
Starring Ted Ray.
With Kitty Bluett, Peter Sellers, Patricia Hayes, Fred Yule and Leslie Perrins.
Ray's A Laugh - the successor to ITMA - follows the comedy exploits of Ted's life at home with his 'radio' wife Kitty, as well as in a variety of jobs. It ran from 1949-1961.
Scripted by Eddie Maguire and Ted Ray.
Music from Bob and Alf Pearson and The Beaux and The Belles.
BBC Dance Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black.
Producer: George Inns
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1949.
SUN 10:30 Home to Roost (m0019wn8)
Series 2
Gardening
'Father' says all the shopping trading stamps are his – and he wants to get a lawn mower.
'Mother' has other ideas. And a confession to make....
Stars Molly Sugden and Deryck Guyler.
Olive and William Wheeler are a crusty old married couple, who call each other ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’.
He's still adapting to his retirement after 40 years in the same office, while she's trying to cope with him being under her feet all day.
Sitcom written by Anne Jones.
Deryck Guyler … Mr Wheeler
Molly Sugden … Mrs Wheeler
Norman Rossington … Jack Bailey
Kath … Patricia Greene
John Baddeley … Nev
Peter Hawkins … Percy Grower
Theme music composed and played by Alex Walsh and his Band.
Producers: Trafford Whitelock
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1975.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hkdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002hkds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant (Omnibus) (m001ng9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lgyqcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Vita Sackville-West - All Passion Spent (Omnibus) (b007jxd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Home to Roost (m0019wn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00m9p2w)
1. The Canopy
Millions of years in the future, a colossal banyan tree covers much of the Earth. In its boughs, the last remnants of humanity are fighting for survival, terrorised by carnivorous plants and grotesque insect life.
The Earth has stopped rotating and the Sun's output has increased. Plants are engaged in a constant tropical forest-style frenzy of growth driving other life forms to extinction...
Brian Aldiss's 1962 sci-fi fantasy read by Gareth Thomas.
Abridged in five parts by Lu Kemp.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2009.
SUN 16:30 The Man in Black (b017glqm)
Series 4
1. Containment by David Lemon
A self-storage facility off the A12 offers hope to a lost soul, but there's a sinister price attached.
Mark Gatiss returns as the sinister raconteur, The Man in Black, to introduce David Lemon's unsettling tale.
Helen ...... Clare Corbett
Andy ...... Rikki Lawton
Tom ...... Carl Prekopp
Peter ...... Gabriel Brody
Lucy ...... Katie Angelou
More horrifying tales from The Man in Black. You might meet him at a luggage carousel in an airport, or behind the desk at an employment agency or he might approach you in the corridor of a care home. Wherever you encounter him, he's eager to pass on his stories. Stories to unsettle and horrify. Stories to haunt you.
Director: Gemma Jenkins
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in November 2011.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hkdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002hkds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant (Omnibus) (m001ng9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lgyqcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Vita Sackville-West - All Passion Spent (Omnibus) (b007jxd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Home to Roost (m0019wn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 My Teenage Diary (b0b9wsb1)
Series 8
Helen Lederer
Helen Lederer recalls her school days in South-East London, when she was far more interested in boys than in school work.
The comedian and actress shares tales of her teenage past with Rufus Hound.
Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2018.
SUN 22:30 King Cutler (b008pbxf)
King Cutler I
Meet Phyllis King and Ivor Cutler.
The duo are happily enmeshed in a roomful of offbeat humorous songs, poems and dialogues until.... the knock on the door.
With artist Glen Baxter.
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in January 1990.
SUN 23:00 Daphne Sounds Expensive (b08xctdw)
Series 2
Black Country
The Daphne boys host a charity gala night in George's native Wolverhampton. All seems to be going swimmingly before George makes a shocking confession.
As usual they are joined by their live band, The Daphnettes and renown opera singer Sir Willard White.
Written by and starring:
Jason Forbes
Phil Wang
George Fouracres
With:
Celeste Dring
Jack Kirwan
Sir Willard White
Special guest: Caitlin Moran.
Original music composed by Jeff Carpenter
Orchestrator: Simon Nathan
The Daphnettes are the London Musical Theatre Orchestra:
Musical Director - Freddie Tapner
Violin - Debs White
Cello - Nick Squires
Trumpet - Michael Maddocks
Trombone - Elliot Pooley
Tenor Sax - Joe Atkin Reeves
Drum Kit - Ben Hartley
Percussion - Ben Burton
Piano - Jon Ranger
Bass - Jack Cherry
Producer: Matt Stronge
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2017.
SUN 23:30 Cowards (b00fq6rq)
Series 2
Episode 4
An interesting idea for a catalogue photo shoot - and a talking bike.
More from inside the strange and happy world of the Cowards.
Sketch comedy with a comic slant on human frailties
Written by and starring:
Tom Basden
Stefan Golaszewski
Tim Key
Lloyd Woolf
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.

MONDAY 25 AUGUST 2025

MON 00:00 Brian Aldiss - Hothouse (b00m9p2w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 The Man in Black (b017glqm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hkdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00kr7bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002hkds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant (Omnibus) (m001ng9h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lgyqcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Vita Sackville-West - All Passion Spent (Omnibus) (b007jxd3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Home to Roost (m0019wn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hkmz)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
Silver Blaze
When a racehorse favourite disappears, the sleuth heads to Devon, where the horse’s trainer is found murdered.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story first published in the Strand Magazine in December 1892.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Colonel Ross …. Jack May
Inspector Gregory …. Terence Edmond
John Straker …. Fraser Kerr
Mrs Straker …. Susan Sheridan
Silas Brown …. Brett Usher
Fitzroy Simpson …. Nigel Carrington
Ned …. Mark Straker
Edith …. Petra Markham
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1992.
MON 06:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hkn1)
1. The Blurring
Just returned from his famous adventure in the Lost World, the resourceful Professor George Challenger faces his greatest danger yet: Earth will pass through a belt of poisonous ether and mankind might not survive.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a sequel to The Lost World - first published in The Strand magazine in 1913.
Read by Peter Pacey.
Abridged in five parts by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
MON 07:00 In the Red (b007k0hz)
Episode 5
A crucial by-election result is due, as the murders continue - but reporter George Cragge is on the case.
London is plagued by a series of bizarre murders of bank managers. Hot on the trail of the killer are old-style Chief Police Inspector Frank Jefferson and BBC Radio's anarchic crime correspondent, George Cragge.
Starring Michael Williams and Barry Foster.
Mark Tavener's blackly humorous murder mystery set in the world of City finance, the BBC and political parties.
Dramatised by his novel by Mark Tavener and Peter Baynham.
George Cragge ...... Michael Williams
Frank Jefferson ...... Barry Foster
Geoffrey Crichton-Potter ...... Stephen Moore
Henry ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Max ...... Peter Woodthorpe
Controller Radio 2 ...... Stephen Fry
Controller Radio 4 ...... John Bird
Dominic De'ath ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Hercules Fortescue ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Andrew James ...... Peter Serafinowcz
Laetitia ...... Victoria Carling
Caroline ...... Susie Brann
Home Secretary ...... Peter Yapp
Auntie Agony ...... Eva Stuart
Controller BBC 1 ...... Ian McNiece
PA Woman ...... Annabel Mullion
With Alice Arnold, Richard Turner and Tim Hope.
Music by Paul Mottram
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jl9m)
Series 1
Command Decision
Captain Mainwaring gets an offer of weapons for the platoon, but there's a catch...
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Walker …. James Beck
Colonel Square …. Geoffrey Lumsden
Driver …. David Sinclair
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1974.
MON 08:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003574)
Series 1
The Minister for Death
Alexei Sayle’s The Absence of Normal is a series of dark comic plays narrated by Alexei Sayle and adapted for radio from his original short stories.
The Minister for Death is the story of a Liverpudlian pensioner who turns the tables on a would be mugger and in the process rediscovers an unhealthy lust for murder.
Starring Paul Barber, Lewis MacLeod, Shaun Mason, Freya Parker and Frances Tomelty.
Written and narrated by Alexei Sayle.
Adapted for radio by Graham Duff.
Producer: Joe Nunnery
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2019.
MON 08:30 John Buchan (b00lgnp4)
Sick Heart River
1. A Final Commission
Sir Edward Leithen is drawing his career to a close when he's asked if he'll undertake one last mission...
Paul Young reads John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Originally broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of John Buchan's death, this reading is of his last novel. "Sick Heart River" was completed days before his death and published posthumously in 1941.
Buchan's rich descriptions of the rugged Canadian Northwest Territories are influenced by his real-life voyage down the Mackenzie River in 1937. At that time, Buchan was Governor-General of Canada.
Abridged in ten parts by Trevor Royle.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
MON 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hkn5)
1. Problem
Former British Tennis Number Two, Felix 'Flex' Carbury once had a career.
But now he's got a problem....
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty, first published in 1875.
Updated for the 21st century in fifteen parts by Jonathan Myerson.
Ghassan Mehmoud ...... Henry Goodman
Felix 'Flex' Carbury ...... Dexter Fletcher
Anthony Trollope ...... John Rowe
Paul Montague ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Rt Hon Jeremy Longstaff ...... David Bamber
Georgiana Longstaff ...... Lucy Montgomery
Ruby Ruggles ...... Sheridan Smith
Marie Mehmoud ...... Chipo Chung
Roger Lloyd-Montague ...... Ben Crowe
Hetta Carbury ...... Emily Wachter
Tilly Carbury ...... Annette Badland
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Nick Broune ...... Stephen Critchlow
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
MON 09:00 Just a Minute (m002h9t3)
Series 95
1. The time I went to Sue Perkins’ birthday party
Sue Perkins challenges Paul Merton, Lucy Porter, Zoe Lyons and Stephen Mangan to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include sharing is caring, Mr. Darcy and the worst piece of advice I've ever been given.
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 09:30 On The Beach (b0076hv9)
Jaywick Sands
Writer and film-maker Roger Deakin spends a summer day at Jaywick Sands, near Clacton on the Essex coast.
The first of five programmes exploring how the British, as an island race, have a special relationship with beaches - as five people reveal why they do like to be beside the seaside.
Producer: Hilary Dunn / Jane Greenwood
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002hkn8)
Chaplaincy week - Hospital
Rev Liz Maitland leads a service from The Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Airedale Hospital, beginning a special week of services reflecting on the work of chaplains across Bradford and Yorkshire.
Reading: Luke 24:13-24 – On the Road to Emmaus
Music:
Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You by Richard A M Gillard
Vagabonds by Stuart Townend
Journey Prayers by John Bell
MON 10:00 Frankly Speaking (b055q3p1)
Maurice Chevalier
French entertainer Maurice Chevalier is interviewed about his life and career by Penelope Mortimer, Colin MacInnes and Carl Wildman.
Sadly the full programme from 1963 no longer exists, but this is a long extract. Then in his 70s, he speaks openly about how much he owes to English vaudeville and music hall. Chevalier reveals his use of the then new-fangled stage microphone, touches on his working class roots, his adored mother and two bouts of depression. He's also questioned about his stage persona as the sophisticated, romantic, Frenchman versus the real Chevalier.
Launched in 1952 on the BBC Home Service, Frankly Speaking was a novel, groundbreaking series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers firing direct questions - straight to the point.
Early critics described it as 'unkempt', 'an inquisition' and described the guest as prey being cornered, quarry being pursued - with calls to axe the unscripted interview. But the format won out and eventually won over its detractors.
Unknown or very inexperienced broadcasters were employed as interviewers, notably John Freeman, John Betjeman, Malcolm Muggeridge, Harold Hobson, Penelope Mortimer, Elizabeth Beresford and Katherine Whitehorn.
Only about 40 of the original 100 programmes survive.
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in 1963.
MON 10:20 Witness History: The Guinness Book of Records (m002hknb)
It's sixty years since the first edition of one of the world's best-selling books was published.
Compiled by the McWhirter brothers, the idea for the book arose after an argument at a shooting party in Ireland.
Produced and presented by Catherine Davis.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in August 2015.
MON 10:30 Costume Drama: The Wonderful World of Cosplay (p054mh48)
Yasmeen Khan meets the people who put on the costumes, make-up and prosthetics of their favourite TV and film characters, to gather together in venues for cosplay and costuming.
Many of these events, or Comic Cons, are huge with thousands of people flocking to mingle with each other and with some of the film and television stars who turn up to sign autographs, pose for photographs and top up their incomes.
But what do the so-called cosplayers get out of this? Costumes can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly as many cosplayers take pride in being as authentic as possible. Cosplay is expensive and time-consuming but cosplayers maintain that the costume world has changed their lives for the good.
Yasmeen follows Star Wars cosplayer Beth Gourlay as she and her eight-year-old son Alexander son get ready for Digi-Con in Doncaster. We also meet Kerry, who is dressed as Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid, Julian - a perfectly terrifying Darth Vader, and many others.
Producer: Neil Rosser
A Spools Out production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2017.
MON 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hkmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hkn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 12:00 In the Red (b007k0hz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jl9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003574)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 John Buchan (b00lgnp4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hkn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Booked (b08lxzg6)
Series 5
Episode 2
From David Niven to the Teletubbies.
Running riot through the halls of popular literature:
Dillie Keane
Roger McGough
David Stafford
Arthur Smith
All unrestrained by the hand of chairman Ian McMillan.
Producer: Viv Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
MON 14:30 The Party Line (b00sx226)
Series 1
Episode 5
Family friction for Duncan Stonebridge as MPs debate the Religious and Racial Hatred Bill.
A topical sitcom, originally recorded just prior to transmission, focused on the life of Duncan Stonebridge, frustrated backbench Labour MP for Rothershurst. Since falling off the stage during a live edition of Question Time, he fears his career is going nowhere. He’s a man trapped in limbo, struggling to deal on a local level with the edicts handed down from Westminster.
Duncan Stonebridge …. James Fleet
Tom …. Simon Greenall
Roger …. Geoffrey McGivern
Jane Stonebridge …. Rachel Atkins
Mr Bashar …. Amerjit Deu
With:
Jennie Cox
Sue Elliott-Nichols
Written by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2005.
MON 15:00 Whodunnits (m002hknd)
A Charles Paris Mystery - So Much Blood
Charles Paris takes his one-man show to the 1999 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, filling a vacant spot at a student venue which is a hot-bed of drama - most of it of behind the scenes. Until, that is, an imitation stage dagger murderously turns out to be a real one...

Bill Nighy stars as the celebrated amateur detective.

Written by Simon Brett.

Dramatised by Bert Coules.

Charles Paris .... Bill Nighy
Michael Roylott .... John Paul Hurley
Gerald Venables .... Jimmy Chisholm
DS Benton .... Doug Russell
Pam Northcliffe ..... Cara Kelly
Martin Warburton .... Johnny Meres
Anna Duncan .... Lucy Paterson
Stella/Jean .... Wendy Seager
James Milne .... Robert Trotter

Robert Morton and Greg Proops appear as themselves

All other parts played by members of the cast.

Director: Gaynor Macfarlane

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1999.
MON 16:00 Frankly Speaking (b055q3p1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:20 Witness History: The Guinness Book of Records (m002hknb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:20 today]
MON 16:30 Costume Drama: The Wonderful World of Cosplay (p054mh48)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hkmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hkn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 18:00 In the Red (b007k0hz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jl9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003574)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 John Buchan (b00lgnp4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hkn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Booked (b08lxzg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 The Party Line (b00sx226)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Whodunnits (m002hknd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m002h9t3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing (b04gwlw4)
Series 3
About Intelligence
Nathan Caton illustrates what can happen when you try to prove to your family how clever you are.
A mix of stand-up and re-enacted family life - written by Nathan Caton and James Kettle
Young, up-and-coming comedian Nathan Caton, who after becoming the first in his family to graduate from University, opted not to use his architecture degree but instead to try his hand at being a full-time stand-up comedian, much to his family's horror and disgust. They desperately want him to get a 'proper job.'
Janet a.k.a. Mum is probably the kindest and most lenient of the disappointed family members. At the end of the day she just wants the best for her son. However, she'd also love to brag and show her son off to her friends, but with Nathan only telling jokes for a living that's kind of hard to do.
Martin a.k.a. Dad works in the construction industry and was looking forward to his son getting a degree so the two of them could work together in the same field. But now Nathan has blown that dream out of the window. Martin is clumsy and hard-headed and leaves running the house to his wife (she wouldn't allow it to be any other way).
Shirley a.k.a. Grandma cannot believe Nathan turned down architecture for comedy. She can't believe she left the paradise in the West Indies and came to the freezing UK for a better life so that years later her grandson could 'tell jokes!' How can her grandson go on stage and use foul language and filthy material... it's not the good Christian way!
So with all this going on in the household what will Nathan do? Will he persevere and follow his dreams? Or will he give in to his family's interference? Or will he finally leave home?!
Nathan ...... Nathan Caton
Grandma ...... Mona Hammond
Mum ...... Adjoa Andoh
Dad ...... Curtis Walker
Tyree ...... Alhaji Fofana
Reverend Williams ...... Don Gilet
Himself ...... Vernon Kay
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014.
MON 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002hpqc)
Gareth Joyner 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey chats to comedian Gareth Joyner
MON 23:00 Too Long; Didn't Read (m002hbl6)
Series 2
Episode 5
Columns. Analysis. The Guardian's Long Read. Who has time? Catherine Bohart, that's who, and she's going beyond the headlines to give you the lowdown on one of the biggest stories this week - with the help of Desiree Burch and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel.
Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham and Priya Hall.
Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Sayer
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
MON 23:30 Cliche (m000y0d3)
From 20/4/1981
From a game show for toffs to the Loch Ness monster.
Sketches galore from Red Dwarf creators, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.
Starring:
Carole Hayman
Nick Maloney
Simon Molloy
Brian Southwood
Music by Peter Lingwood.
Producer: Ron McDonnell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1981.

TUESDAY 26 AUGUST 2025

TUE 00:00 Frankly Speaking (b055q3p1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:20 Witness History: The Guinness Book of Records (m002hknb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:20 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Costume Drama: The Wonderful World of Cosplay (p054mh48)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hkmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hkn1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 In the Red (b007k0hz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jl9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003574)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 John Buchan (b00lgnp4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hkn5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Booked (b08lxzg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 The Party Line (b00sx226)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Whodunnits (m002hknd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hm7l)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
The Yellow Face
The sleuth investigates when a hideous apparition at a cottage window troubles an anxious husband.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story first published in the Strand Magazine in February 1893.
Dramatised by Gerry Jones.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Jack Grant-Munro …. Mark Straker
Effie …. Helena Breck
Mrs Hudson …. Joan Matheson
The Maid …. Siriol Jenkins
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1992.
TUE 06:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hm7n)
2. A Blasted World
Professor Challenger explains the deadly peril the Earth now faces travelling through the cosmos.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a sequel to The Lost World - first published in The Strand Magazine in 1913.
Read by Peter Pacey.
Abridged in five parts by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
TUE 07:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sxbj7)
Series 2
Episode 2
Parish Council leader Mrs Hilda Roberts sparks in-fighting and economic upheaval.
The continuing everyday story of a country folk.
80s political satirical soap opera set in the strangely familiar village of Little Blighty.
Life here is pretty uneventful, though the humdrum happenings include social turmoil, economic upheaval and vicious political squabbles.
Written by Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Mike Coleman.
Starring:
Jo Kendall
Michael Troughton
John Baddeley
Bernadine Corrigan
Daniel Strauss
Jonathan Kydd
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1989.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (m002hm7q)
Series 8
The Thing On The Mountain
Can Neddie Seagoon deliver the goods and capture a monster on the loose?
Ground-breaking, surreal BBC radio comedy.
Written by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1958.
TUE 08:00 To Hull and Back (b06nq26y)
Series 1
It's My Party
Sophie finally comes in to some money. It's her chance to get away at last.
However, her mother Sheila's birthday is imminent and a surprise party takes precedence.
But there's more of a surprise in store for Sophie...
Sophie still lives at home with her mum in Hull. They make a living doing car boot sales at the weekend.
Except they don't really make a living because her mum can't bear to get rid of any of their junk. Plus, they don't have a car. As their house gets more cluttered, Sophie feels more trapped.
Starring Lucy Beaumont and Maureen Lipman.
Sitcom written by Lucy Beaumont.
Sophie ...... Lucy Beaumont
Sheila ...... Maureen Lipman
Jean ...... Kerrie Marsh
Ernie ...... Norman Lovett
DJ Ritchie ...... Jon Richardson
Debs ...... Jemma Walker
Receptionist/Nurse/Glenda ...... Debra Baker
Car Boot Johnny/Vidal Sassoon ...... Ewan Bailey
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Radio Comedy Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2015.
TUE 08:30 John Buchan (b00lh0tq)
Sick Heart River
2. The Canadian
Undertaking one last mission, Sir Edward Leithen probes the life of a missing New York businessman.
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Abridged in ten parts by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
TUE 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hm7s)
2. Profile
International financier Ghassan Mehmoud has money - but not the profile he craves.
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty, updated by Jonathan Myerson.
Ghassan Mehmoud ...... Henry Goodman
Felix Carbury ...... Dexter Fletcher
Anthony Trollope ...... John Rowe
Paul Montague ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Rt Hon Jeremy Longstaff ...... David Bamber
Georgiana Longstaff ...... Lucy Montgomery
Ruby Ruggles ...... Sheridan Smith
Marie Mehmoud ...... Chipo Chung
Roger Lloyd-Montague ...... Ben Crowe
Hetta Carbury ...... Emily Wachter
Tilly Carbury ...... Annette Badland
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Nick Broune ...... Stephen Critchlow
Other parts played by Chris Pavlo, Beth Chalmers, Dan Starkey and Joan Walker.
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
TUE 09:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m002h9wk)
Series 3
Janet Street Porter
Paul finds out what Janet Street Porter would like to send to Room 101.
TUE 09:30 On The Beach (b0076hvv)
Dymchurch
Theatre director Paulette Randall remembers her childhood outings from London to the village of Dymchurch on the Kent Coast.
The second of five programmes exploring how the British, as an island race, have a special relationship with beaches - as five people reveal why they do like to be beside the seaside.
Producer: Hilary Dunn/Jane Greenwood
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002hm7v)
Chaplaincy week - Sport
As part of our week focusing on chaplaincy Chris Mason, chaplain to the Bradford Bulls rugby league teams, leads a Daily Service from Odsal Stadium.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Music:
Before the throne / Yearn (live) by Phil Wickham, Shane & Shane
Pull me through by Damilola and KXC
Hymn of the Holy Spirit by Pat Barrett
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m0006snk)
Dolly Alderton & Clare Mackintosh
Author and podcaster Dolly Alderton and and crime writer Clare Mackintosh join Harriett Gilbert to talk about favourite books by Martin Amis, Emma Henderson and Cressida Connolly. From 2019.
The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis
Publisher: Vintage
Grace Williams Says It Loud by Emma Henderson
Publisher: Sceptre
After the Party by Cressida Connolly
Publisher: Penguin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2019.
TUE 10:30 Toynbee At War (b098h70m)
Polly Toynbee examines how war profoundly informed the vision of her grandfather, the renowned historian Arnold J Toynbee.
His generation were slaughtered on the Flanders fields but Toynbee's life took him on a different path. 'History is as melancholy as war itself' wrote Toynbee as he rose to become one of the 20th century's most popular historians & public intellectual. Yet real loss, from the fallout of war & troubled peace, began to inexorably shape his understanding, and writing, of history classics texts such as his vast, multi-volume best-seller A Study of History are rooted in his life and work from the outbreak of the Great War to the rise of fascism.
Haunted by the idea that he outlived so many of his generation who fell in battle, Toynbee became an important part in the Great War propaganda machine, an eyewitness to the fraught Peace Conference at Versailles & a war journalist in the troubled peace that followed. He would become a central figure in the new discipline of international relations and the founding of Chatham House as he rose to become a public intellectual. But as war loomed yet again, and after a personal audience with Hitler, Toynbee could not escape the shadow of human helplessness in the face of traumatic events surrounding him both professionally and privately. 'One is like a beetle under a steamroller' he wrote.
Many of today's leading historians dismiss Toynbee's great 10 volume work as deeply flawed & riddled with mysticism and few now understand the events that deeply shaped his life. Polly Toynbee explores the events that haunted and shaped his work & life.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.
TUE 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hm7l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hm7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 12:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sxbj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (m002hm7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 To Hull and Back (b06nq26y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 John Buchan (b00lh0tq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hm7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Guess What? (b061fth0)
Episode 2
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
Barry Took hosts a revised version of popular radio parlour game of 20 questions.
On the panel:
Geoffrey Durham
Hattie Hayridge
Dick Vosburgh
Written by Michael Dines.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
TUE 14:30 Barbara Nice (m000p155)
Series 1
The Fib
A school reunion with Barbara's long standing frenemy Pat Burrows leads Barbara to make a rash white lie that has dramatic consequences.
Meanwhile Ken is trying in vain to get a better broadband deal.
Janice Connolly from 'Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights' stars in this warm-hearted sitcom about married couple, Barbara and Ken.
Written by Janice Connolly and Steve Turner.
Barbara Nice...Janice Connolly
Ken Nice... John Henshaw
Mary... Angela Curran
Pat Burrows...Sally Lindsay
Thelma... Liz Hume Dawson
Zachary...Lizzie Griffiths
Mary's grandson...Charlie Burchill
Party goers... Jarvis, Niamh and Gabriel Papworth
Producer: Rebecca Papworth
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 2 first broadcast in March 2017.
TUE 15:00 Cool Water Murder by Chris O'Connell (m002hm7y)
A hotel on a remote and crumbling headland. There is only one guest and everyone has a motive to murder.
Kitchen knives go missing, stairs creak and surprises lurk in locked rooms.
Will there be a victim before the sea takes its sacrifice?
Written by Chris O'Connell.
Heather .... Estelle Kohler
Drew .... Robert Whelen
Lawrence .... Jim Pyke
Lisa .... Annabelle Dowler
Danny .... Paul Rattray
Griffin .... Trevor Harrison
Music by Derek Nesbitt.
Director: Sue Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m0006snk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Toynbee At War (b098h70m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hm7l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hm7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 18:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sxbj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (m002hm7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 To Hull and Back (b06nq26y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 John Buchan (b00lh0tq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hm7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Guess What? (b061fth0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Barbara Nice (m000p155)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Cool Water Murder by Chris O'Connell (m002hm7y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m002h9wk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00cxr1s)
Series 2
Courage
Mark Watson promotes the virtue of courage
Fresh from his quest to free us from the seven deadly sins in his first series - Mark turns his attention to six virtues.
Providing poetry, music and feats of cowardice:
Tim Key
Tim Minchin
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008.
TUE 23:00 Hannah Gadsby: Arts Clown (b05n00f1)
4. Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
Aussie comedian and art historian Hannah Gadsby concludes her comedy lectures with Picasso's angry 1907 masterpiece 'Les Demoiselles D'Avignon'.
It was as a student in Canberra in her early 20s that Hannah was first introduced to this canvas and it took her a long time to grow to love it.
She takes us on her personal journey through hate, to eventual love, explaining along the way why this piece is so pivotal in art history.
With the help of her Quotebot, Hannah explores 'Les Dems' rebellion, anger and revolution and the painting's place in modern art.
She also decides Picasso was 'a bit of a dick'.
Written and performed by Hannah Gadsby.
With her Quotebot aka John Lloyd.
Script edited by Jon Hunter.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.
TUE 23:15 Kieran Hodgson's Earworms (b091w6kw)
Series 1
Schnittke
Can self-described 'music educator and inspiration' Ralph Lewis (the man behind ''Tchaikovsky Abs Blast' or 'Holst for the Homeless') persuade self-confessed 'enemy of culture' Paul, that Schnittke's worth a listen?
Critically-acclaimed comedian Kieran Hodgson - as Ralph Lewis - presents comedy intros to the great composers.
Written by and starring Kieran Hodgson.
With:
Colin Hoult
Georgie Glen
Producer: Sam Ward
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2017.
TUE 23:30 Susan Calman - Keep Calman Carry On (b09jvvny)
Series 2
Birdwatching
Susan Calman is the least relaxed person she knows. Unless she finds a way to switch off, and soon, her wife says she's going to be unbearable.
Susan decided her best bet was to try to immerse herself in the pursuits that her friends find relaxing, to find her inner zen and outer tranquillity.
So now she’s going birdwatching with the writer and comedian Emma Kennedy.
In this audience stand up show, Susan reveals how successful she's been - both at relaxing and at the pursuit itself - as well as playing in and discussing a handful of illustrative clips from her efforts.
Written by Susan Calman and Jon Hunter.
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2017.

WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2025

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m0006snk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Toynbee At War (b098h70m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hm7l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hm7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sxbj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (m002hm7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 To Hull and Back (b06nq26y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 John Buchan (b00lh0tq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hm7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Guess What? (b061fth0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Barbara Nice (m000p155)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Cool Water Murder by Chris O'Connell (m002hm7y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmby)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
The Stockbroker's Clerk
The sleuth investigates when a young man is mysteriously offered a dream job.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story first published in the Strand Magazine in March 1893.
Dramatised by Denys Hawthorne.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Hall Pycroft …. Jonathan Tafler
The Pinner Brothers …. Sean Barrett
Inspector Gabriel …. Nigel Carrington
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1992.
WED 06:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmc0)
3. The Last Act
Will Professor Challenger’s oxygen plan save them, or only defer their terrible fate?
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a sequel to The Lost World - first published in The Strand Magazine in 1913.
Read by Peter Pacey.
Abridged in five parts by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
WED 07:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dl042)
Series 3
A Cheeky Little Number
Jo's relationship with Robert is looking a bit rocky.
The situation isn't helped when she meets a charming young wine shipper for whom Rosie's organising a tasting...
Prunella Scales stars in Simon Brett's sitcom.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, based in Brighton
Rosie ..... Prunella Scales
Jo ..... Rebecca Callard
Bob ..... Duncan Preston
Tess ..... Annette Badland
Harry Butt ..... Gideon Turner
Emma Bryson ..... Rebecca Front
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnqr)
Series 5
The Americans Hit Town
Some visiting servicemen get Griselda Pugh all excited - and Sid all keen to rent out the Lad's rooms.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Sidney James
Bill Kerr
Kenneth Williams
Hattie Jacques
Theme and incidental music composed and conducted by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1958.
WED 08:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b0435p0k)
Series 1
Land
How do you make economics funny? How do you put the comedy in commodity?
Simon Evans has the answer in this series which asks us to get involved in investment.
Uncowed by an apparently complicated and overwhelming system, Simon focuses on four commodities so intrinsic to our lives they have an almost elemental significance - land, gold, oil and grain.
Yet, despite us encountering them everywhere we look, very few people have been able to build a fortune on them. But that's set to change as, Simon enlists help from the experts - Tim Harford, Merryn Somerset Webb and a guest specialist as they examine the chequered social and economic histories of these commodities.
By looking at four such fundamental products, Simon brings us to a closer understanding of how global economic forces have a far-reaching and often surprising impact on our lives.
In this first episode, Simon looks at Land. How did it come to be traded, why we think bricks and mortar are a safe investment and who really owns the land we buy?
Performed by Simon Evans, with regular guests Tim Harford and Merryn Somerset-Webb, and Land expert Kevin Cahill
Written by Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge, Guy Venables and Andy Wolton.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2014.
WED 08:30 John Buchan (b00lh2k4)
Sick Heart River
3. Château Gaillard
Sir Edward Leithen is ill and has a year to live. His last undertaking is to travel to Canada to search for a missing businessman called Francis Gaillard. Once there, he hires the help of Johnny Frizel who knows the territory.
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Abridged in by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
WED 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmc2)
3. Devotion
Organic farmer Roger Lloyd-Montague is devoted to Hetta Carbury.
If only she were as devoted to him.
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty - updated by Jonathan Myerson.
Ghassan Mehmoud ...... Henry Goodman
Felix 'Flex' Carbury ...... Dexter Fletcher
Anthony Trollope ...... John Rowe
Paul Montague ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Rt Hon Jeremy Longstaff ...... David Bamber
Georgiana Longstaff ...... Lucy Montgomery
Ruby Ruggles ...... Sheridan Smith
Marie Mehmoud ...... Chipo Chung
Roger Lloyd-Montague ...... Ben Crowe
Hetta Carbury ...... Emily Wachter
Tilly Carbury ...... Annette Badland
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Nick Broune ...... Stephen Critchlow
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
WED 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m00132k3)
George Fouracres: Black Country Gentlemon
A stand-up special from celebrated comedy star George Fouracres (Daphne, Pls Like, Raised by Wolves), who tells his story of growing up living with his Grandad and brothers in Wolverhampton.
Expect tales of wearing a bowtie on childhood trips to McDonalds (always dress for dinner), being woken up at 4:30am by his Grandad’s screeching mynah bird in the kitchen and really really wanting to become a priest. This is the story of George's love for the Black Country and how his eccentric upbringing has made him a true Black Country ‘Gentlemon’.
Producer: Richard Morris
Production co-ordinator: Beverly Tagg
This programme was first broadcast in March 2022
A BBC Studios Production
WED 09:30 On The Beach (b0076hw9)
Port la Nouvelle
Artist and filmmaker Andrew Kötting contemplates the differences between French and British beach culture.
The third of five programmes exploring how the British, as an island race, have a special relationship with beaches - as five people reveal why they do like to be beside the seaside.
Producer: Hilary Dunn/Jane Greenwood
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002hmc4)
Chaplaincy week - Army
Padre Trudy Hobson leads a service from Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, reflecting on the work of chaplains in the Army.
Reading: Matthew 4: 18-22
Music:
I vow to the My Country Sung by Oxford Trinity Choir
God is With Us by The Afters
For the Healing of the Nations by the Priory Singer
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m000qbgj)
Da da da DAAAAA!
Rachel Parris leads us on an irreverent tour of Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th Symphony.
She starts with four notes almost anybody in the world will recognise: da da da daaa!
Rachel’s journey takes her through the highs and lows of the composer’s life, as well as on detours via cover versions, rip-offs and spoofs.
But what’s the secret of the composer's 5th Symphony, and why has it triumphed where so much other music has fallen flat?
Does the answer lie in those first four notes?
The programme was originally made to mark the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in 1770.
Producer: Glyn Tansley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2020.
WED 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
WED 12:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dl042)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b0435p0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 John Buchan (b00lh2k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmc2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdhwr)
Series 13
Episode 1
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Lee Mack welcome:
* Comedian and writer Lucy Beaumont
* Scientist, writer and storyteller Dr Kat Arney
* Multi-award-winning poet Benjamin Zephaniah
The Museum's Guest Committee find out how jumping genes took the world by surprise, peep through the smallest window in the world and practise the ancient art of Tai Chi.
Researched by QI and Mike Turner.
Producers: Richard Turner and Anne Miller.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.
WED 14:30 The Circle (m001bzcf)
We're All Middle Class Now
Crystal’s behaviour is so bad she’s becoming an embarrassment in the babysitting circle.
Her Mother sees a solution in the way the Percivals live…
Starring John McArdle and Sherrie Hewson.
Six-part sitcom by Elizabeth Baines.
Set on an estate – described as an ‘exclusive village development’ – in Whittleshulme, Cheshire. It's squarely aimed at yuppies, the nouveau-riche and high-fliers.
With no teenagers to babysit allowing locals to pursue busy careers and social lives, the neighbours set up their own circle...
Jenny Bryant .... Sherrie Hewson
Geoff Bryant .... John McArdle
Trish Abbas .... Jane Hazelgrove
Tariq Abbas .... Lyndam Gregory
Doug Lewis .... Shaun Parkes
Shaneela .... Rina Mahoney
Sammy .... Anthony Hickling
Crystal .... Holly Grainger
Tim (Teenager) .... Ciaran Griffiths
Julian Percival …. Jonathan Morris
Vanessa Percival … Melissa Sinden
Director: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1999.
WED 15:00 The Odd Job by William Ash and Andrew Knott (b01l0glw)
An aspiring documentary maker meets a retired couple and is drawn into their increasingly perilous world.
Sheila and Barry are desperately trying to raise funds for a sick child; this selfless pursuit has reinvigorated their empty lives with purpose. Sensing a career-defining story, aspiring documentary maker Clive becomes involved in their money making scheme and is soon entrenched in their increasingly perilous world.
William Ash and Andrew Knott's dark comedy about a documentary maker who meets a retired couple with a startling secret.
Sheila ..... Joan Kempson
Barry ..... John Henshaw
Clive ..... Burn Gorman
Gaz ..... Iain McKee
Claire ..... Samantha Power
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
WED 15:45 Wealth Surrendered by Rabindranath Tagore (m002hmc6)
A miserly grandfather unwittingly leaves all his buried gold to his grandson.
Or is it the other way around?
Rabindranath Tagore's cautionary tale of a miserly grandfather.
Read by Renu Setna.
Producer: Graham Hoyland
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m000qbgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
WED 18:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dl042)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b0435p0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 John Buchan (b00lh2k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmc2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdhwr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 The Circle (m001bzcf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 The Odd Job by William Ash and Andrew Knott (b01l0glw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 21:45 Wealth Surrendered by Rabindranath Tagore (m002hmc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
WED 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m00132k3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002hpqf)
Gareth Joyner 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey chats again to comedian Gareth Joyner
WED 22:35 Where Did It All Go Wrong? (b0076qhy)
Series 2
The True Confessions of Sherlock Holmes II
The great Sherlock Holmes is out of work and desperate to re-establish his reputation as the finest sleuth on the nationwide detecting circuit.
He takes on a case of a missing one-legged German Count.
Written and performed by Simon Munnery.
With:
Kevin Eldon
Sally Phillips
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
WED 22:50 Athena's Cancel Culture (m000tsld)
Episode 1
Over the last few years, if a celebrity has ever said or done anything remotely controversial, then they've probably been cancelled.
Largely performed through social media, some describe it as necessary evil to help democratise the internet and reflect the expectancy of an artist’s audience, for others it’s just a chance to shut up gobby celebs!
Whatever your view, it certainly helps empower fans by diminishing celebrity cultural capital and helping keep their egos and opinions in check. It's a growing phenomenon that's left almost no one unscathed, from comedians and actors to musicians and TV hosts.
It’s also happening to the not so famous - remember the cat bin lady?
With stand up and sketch comedy, Athena explores cancel culture and the world of offence in modern times.
Over four episodes, Athena will help explain the phenomenon of cancel culture among celebrities, look at the history of offence, and offer up some cancel rules for guidance. Athena then puts all that cancel knowledge to the test on her own social media activity from 10 years ago.
There’s just no escape from cancel culture justice, even for Athena!
Written and performed by Athena Kugblenu.
Producer: Gus Beattie
A Gusman production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.
WED 23:00 The Million Pound Radio Show (m001fwws)
Series 5
Episode 1
Making sense of sexual attraction and when is it right to distort the truth?
Sharp-edged topical humour in the most expensive show on radio.
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell
With:
Jasper Jacob
Felicity Montagu
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
WED 23:30 Richard Herring's Objective (b00vhgc7)
Series 1
The St George's Flag
Comedian Richard Herring is reclaiming the English National Flag from any associations with far right extremists.
Why does the man and woman on the street have no idea when St George's day is? Who is St George?
Richard asks a vexillologist (flag expert) about how flags have come to symbolise nations.
He also talks to anthropologist Kate Fox who has studied the behaviour of the English, about why the English are not natural flag waving patriots.
With:
Emma Kennedy
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.

THURSDAY 28 AUGUST 2025

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m000qbgj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dl042)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jnqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b0435p0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 John Buchan (b00lh2k4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmc2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdhwr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 The Circle (m001bzcf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 The Odd Job by William Ash and Andrew Knott (b01l0glw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:45 Wealth Surrendered by Rabindranath Tagore (m002hmc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmh0)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
The Gloria Scott
Cruel blackmail and mutiny at sea. The Baker Street sleuth recalls his first case.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story first published in the Strand Magazine in April 1893.
Dramatised by Vincent McInerney.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Victor Trevor …. Simon Treves
Old Justice Trevor …. Terence Edmond
Armitage/Trevor …. Nigel Carrington
The Captain …. Charles Millham
Hudson …. Eric Allan
The Reverend Wilson …. Mark Straker
Prendergast …. Alan Barker
The Doctor …. Fraser Kerr
The Maid …. Siriol Jenkins
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1992.
THU 06:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmh2)
4. Amazed Silence
With Professor Challenger and his friends' oxygen dwindling, will the sands of their lives also run out?
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a sequel to The Lost World - first published in The Strand Magazine in 1913.
Read by Peter Pacey.
Abridged in five parts by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
THU 07:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007jzrh)
Episode 3
Edgar finally meets his client and visits a fair. But will this bring down the curtain on his visit?
Starring Richard Griffiths as shy solicitor's clerk, Edgar Finchley.
Lawrence Hume ...... Piers Gibbon
Robert Gillespie ...... James Cohen
Mr Hammerton ...... Nicky Henson
Marie Peters ...... Serena Evans
Michel ...... Jeffrey Holland
Jerome Giraud ...... Simon Roberts
Robert Gillespie ...... James Cohen
Gaston ...... David Howarth
Narrated by James Villiers.
Written by Victor Canning and adapted for radio by Andy and Eric Merriman.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1994.
THU 07:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hmh4)
A Bird in the Flat
'I'm Ken, He's Bill' follows the exploits of Ken and Bill and the girls upstairs.
The flatmates and their landlady go animal crackers......
Ken........................Peter Cleall
Bill.........................Derek Seaton
Angela.................Suzanne Kerchiss
Caroline..............April Walker
Vicar/Budgie......John Graham
Shopkeeper........Alan Thompson
Keeping them in order was Mrs Platt played by Patricia Hayes.
Written by Richard Mathews and John Davis
Producer Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1975.
THU 08:00 Guilt Trip (b07lhg2q)
Episode 1
A mother and daughter undertake a two week sponsored walk along The Thames Path to raise money for the dead father's charity.
But the mother and father divorced nine years ago and he'd re-married, so relationships between them all have been strained.
Things come to a head at any mention of the French Oak gable table that Ros and her now dead ex bought together in Camden. This has somehow ended up in the step-mother's house, much to Ros's annoyance:
"I mean she sits at it! It's my table and she sits at it."
Comedy drama written by Katherine Jakeways with Felicity Montagu and Olivia Nixon.
Ros ...... Felicity Montagu
Laura ...... Olivia Nixon
Stepmother ...... Katherine Jakeways
Boyfriend ...... Tim Key
With:
Jeff Rawle
Velibor Topic
In this opening episode, mother and daughter are just starting out and in her usual putting-her-large-foot-firmly-in-it manner Ros gets her daughter's ex-boyfriend to drop them at the source, but without any prior warning to the daughter.
The renewed bonding Ros is hoping for may be a bit bumpier than expected. Especially when along the way Ros also manages to offend pretty much everyone she meets - not least an Eastern European camp site warden.
Producer: Jane Berthoud
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in July 2016.
THU 08:30 John Buchan (b00lh3hl)
Sick Heart River
4. In Lou's Footsteps
Leithen and Johnny reach the Ghost River delta. It's a place that Leithen considers, 'an abomination'. They are well inside the Arctic Circle, where the area teams with insect life and rotting vegetation.
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Abridged in ten parts by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
THU 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmh6)
4. Losses
Jeremy Longstaff, MP, loses his football club - and his daughter - to Ghassan Mehmoud.
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty - updated by Jonathan Myerson.
Ghassan Mehmoud ...... Henry Goodman
Felix 'Flex' Carbury ...... Dexter Fletcher
Anthony Trollope ...... John Rowe
Paul Montague ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Rt Hon Jeremy Longstaff ...... David Bamber
Georgiana Longstaff ...... Lucy Montgomery
Ruby Ruggles ...... Sheridan Smith
Marie Mehmoud ...... Chipo Chung
Roger Lloyd-Montague ...... Ben Crowe
Hetta Carbury ...... Emily Wachter
Tilly Carbury ...... Annette Badland
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Nick Broune ...... Stephen Critchlow
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
THU 09:00 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (m001y278)
Series 6
4. Wild West
The team hit the road in an Americana special, with guest stars Morgana Robinson and Simon Armstrong.
A poetry show like no other – over the course of 6 series Key has performed magic, music, cookery and witchcraft; he’s delivered a baby, gone underground, up the Shard and into space.
And sometimes he finds time to read poems.
This series, regulars Tom Basden and Katy Wix are joined by guest stars Stephen Merchant, Lolly Adefope, Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell, Simon Armstrong and Morgana Robinson.
Written and presented by Tim Key
Produced by James Robinson
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An EcoAudio certified production
THU 09:30 On The Beach (b0076hwr)
Penarth
How do sailors view beaches from the sea? Poet Gwyneth Lewis is just outside Cardiff. Exploring the British and their beaches.
The fourth of five programmes exploring how the British, as an island race, have a special relationship with beaches - as five people reveal why they do like to be beside the seaside.
Producer: Hilary Dunn/Paul Dodgson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002hmh8)
Chaplaincy week - Hospice
Saarah Hamayun, Spiritual Care Practitioner at Martin House Children’s Hospice, reflects on the work of chaplains in times of grief and pain. The service comes from the Sanctuary at the hospice, a peaceful space where families and staff come to reflect, to pray and to sing.
Readings:
Bible - Psalm 18
Quran – Surah Ghafir
Torah - Tehillim 34:17
Music:
My Heart is Read by the Choir of Martin House Children’s Hospice
Fix You by Coldplay
You’ve Got the Love, performed by Florence +The Machine
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b03mfwk1)
Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
The pioneer of modern architecture, Le Corbusier, is chosen by the award-winning architect Sir David Chipperfield.
Le Corbusier aimed to build a better world through radical buildings and the controversial reshaping of whole cities.
Flora Samuel, Professor of Architecture at the University of Sheffield, joins Matthew Parris to unpick the life of a man who considered himself a heroic figure, fighting battles to improve the world.
Producer: Melvin Rickarby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
THU 10:30 The Holton Players (b00768nh)
Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent returns to his roots in rural Lincolnshire.
The village of Holton-cum-Beckering was populated by a small community of conscientious objectors, who included Jim's parents, during the Second World War.
The theatre company which they created in the village school is still proudly alive today, with its own theatre and Jim as its president.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
THU 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmh0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmh2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 12:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007jzrh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hmh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Guilt Trip (b07lhg2q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 John Buchan (b00lh3hl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008m74n)
Episode 3
Improvs in the style of Jeffrey Archer and Jackie Collins – plus ballet in the style of show jumping.
Clive Anderson hosts the famed improvisation game.
Regular team captains:
Stephen Fry
John Sessions
With:
Jimmy Mulville
Nonny Williams
It ran for 10 series on Channel 4 and found success in America, but the hit TV improvisation game actually started life on BBC radio.
With Colin Sell at the piano.
Devised and compiled by Mark Leveson.
Additional material by Martin Booth.
Producer: Dan Patterson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1988.
THU 14:30 Ballylenon (b007jpkl)
Series 6
Episode 3
Speculation over the Hoover cottage – and who will accompany Guard Gallagher to New York?
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal in 1956.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty …. TP McKenna
Muriel McConkey …. Margaret D'Arcy
Vera McConkey …. Stella McCusker
Vivienne Hawthorne …. Aine McCartney
Guard Gallagher …. John Hewitt
Stumpy Bonnar …. Gerard McSorley
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Directed at BBC Belfast by Peter Kavanagh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1999.
THU 15:00 Drama on 4 (m0013zsd)
Twenty Odd by Philip Meeks
Samuel Fergus is 53 and the editor at a Newcastle publishing house.
Their star author is Clara Dove who writes bodice rippers. When her 24 year old son Alfie, drops out of studying for his literature MA, she gets a job created for him at her publishers.
The last thing anyone is expecting is that Alfie falls for his new boss. At first Samuel does not believe the romantic interest but, as things develop, everyone is thinking, if they start a relationship, will they and the people in their lives accept and cope with such an age gap?
The role of Sam is played by former Emmerdale star Rajat Matthew Bose who had a similar experience in his twenties. Coronation Street and Loose Women star Denise Welch plays feisty author Clara Dove, who has very mixed reactions to her young son dating her editor, who is the same age as her.
Produced by an all queer, multi-ethnic production team and cast, including British/West Indian queer writer Rikki Beadle-Blair. Twenty Odd is the second of three LGBTQ+ short dramas commissioned from queer BAME production company Bona Broadcasting.
Written by Philip Meeks.
Sam … .…………………Rajat M Bose
Alfie ………………….….Elijah Young
Clara ……………. ……. Denise Welch
Jon …..…….………….. Donald McBride
Devon ………………… Philip Meeks
Director: Turan Ali
A Bona Broadcasting production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
THU 15:30 Drama on 4 (m0015l0q)
The Road and the Miles to Dundee by Val McDermid
Famous writer Stella has always been haunted by the song her dad used to sing at family gatherings, The Road and the Miles to Dundee. Coming out of a bad break up, and in tears from hearing that song again, Stella meets Jen, a new writer, headed for the same literary festival.
They hit it off at once. Stella becomes tempted to break her own long-standing rules but that damn song just keeps getting in the way.
With flashbacks to her formative experiences, and family songs and renditions that she cherishes and loathes in equal measure, Stella enables Jen to see the woman behind the famous novelist. Stella however, is expert at shooting herself in the foot, and meeting Jen is no exception.
The two women have very different visions of what should happen next, but whose vision will prevail?
Renowned Scottish crime writer Val McDermid’s semi-autobiographical queer tale of avoiding love on the rebound and the power of family memory, with songs from Barbara Dickson as you’ve never heard her before.
Produced by an all queer, multi-ethnic production team and cast, including British/West Indian queer writer Rikki Beadle-Blair. The Road and the Miles to Dundee is last of three LGBTQ+ short dramas commissioned from queer BAME production company Bona Broadcasting.
Stella … .…………………Louise Oliver
Jen .………………….…. Susannah Laing
Aunt Jean/Betty ……….. Barbara Dickson
Dad… ……………. ……. John Kazek
Andy …..…….………… Michael Monroe
Tenor …………………… Cameron Goodall
Written by Val McDermid.
Produced and directed by Turan Ali.
A Bona Broadcasting production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2022.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b03mfwk1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 The Holton Players (b00768nh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmh0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmh2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 18:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007jzrh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hmh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Guilt Trip (b07lhg2q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 John Buchan (b00lh3hl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008m74n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Ballylenon (b007jpkl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Drama on 4 (m0013zsd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 21:30 Drama on 4 (m0015l0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 today]
THU 22:00 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (m001y278)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 Hearing with Hegley (b00b41k4)
Series 1
Episode 3
The poet laureate of alternative comedy, John Hegley, presents a selection of his work.
With:
Keith Moore
Susan Norton
Nigel Piper
Andrew Bailey
Producer: Phil Clarke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1996.
THU 22:45 Nick Mohammed in Quarters (b00h8qk5)
Episode 3
Sheba the travel agent likes Cyprus best but is freaked out by Egypt and Africa.
Meanwhile, TV presenter Daniel is in the hot and humid jungle learning how to spell orangutan and make smoothies - the rest of what he gets up to is not legal.
Fast-paced comedy sketches from award-winning Nick Mohammed and friends.
With:
Anna Crilly
Colin Hoult
Producer Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
THU 23:00 Kevin Eldon Will See You Now (b08mb3wt)
Series 3
Tarquin and the Tiny Studio
More thrilling adventures of Commander Topper Hargreaves and his faithful dog Duke, a sneak preview of a new opera with extra wine gums, and of course some vitreous castanets.
Comedy's best kept secret ingredient, Kevin Eldon returns with another series of his own sketch show.
After all the waiting - Kevin Eldon Will See You Now.
Also starring:
Amelia Bullmore
Julia Davis
Paul Putner
Justin Edwards
David Reed
Rosie Cavaliero
Written by Kevin Eldon.
With additional material by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris.
Original music by Martin Bird.
Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.
THU 23:30 Beauty of Britain (b01m19n8)
Series 3
Groomzilla
Beauty faces a tough decision as Ade presses her to accept his marriage proposal.
Why do all the good men want to go home?
Will Ade remain in Britain for Beauty?
Her elderly client, Miss Carter is also looking to leave Stoke on Trent, to 'go bumming around Europe'.
Beauty of Britain is about one woman's progress through a foreign country as she searches for personal fulfillment, a sense of belonging and a pair of Jimmy Choos she can walk to church in.
Beauty works as a carer for the Featherdown Agency, which is based in Stoke. She sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to live the dream in Britain.
Written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson.
Beauty ...... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Ade ...... Paterson Joseph
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen, QVC Host ...... Nicola Sanderson
Michelle, Lisa, Waitress ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Miss Carter ...... Anne Reid
Various ...... Christopher Douglas
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.

FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2025

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b03mfwk1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 The Holton Players (b00768nh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hmh0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hmh2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007jzrh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hmh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Guilt Trip (b07lhg2q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 John Buchan (b00lh3hl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hmh6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008m74n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Ballylenon (b007jpkl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Drama on 4 (m0013zsd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:30 Drama on 4 (m0015l0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hn0k)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
The Musgrave Ritual
The Baker Street sleuth recalls an early case involving a noble family's ancient tradition.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story first published in the Strand Magazine in May 1893.
Dramatised by Peter Mackie.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Reginald Musgrave .... Robert Daws
Brunton …. David Bannerman
Rachel …. Eluned Jones
Sgt Harris …. Michael Kilgarrift
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1992.
FRI 06:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hn0m)
5. Is It The End?
Professor Challenger and his friends arrive in London. Has anyone survived or is it really the end?
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a sequel to The Lost World - first published in The Strand Magazine in 1913.
Read by Peter Pacey.
Abridged in five parts by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
FRI 07:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b5pg3)
The Case of the Deranged Botanist
Baker Street’s Great Detective Sherlock Holmes is on the case in a monstrous tale of cross-bred plants and humans.
Roy Hudd spoofs the famous sleuth in Tony Hare’s comedy series.
With Chris Emmett as Dr Watson, June Whitfield as Mrs Hudson and Jeffrey Holland as Inspector Lestrade.
Musical accompaniment: Ian Smith.
Producer: Chris Neill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1999.
FRI 07:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007s5dn)
The Great Sermon Handicap
Can Bertie Wooster beat the odds of disaster in an unusual betting syndicate?
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Adapted by Chris Miller.
Jeeves ...... Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster ..... Richard Briers
Revrend Heppenstall ..... Maurice Denham
Bingo Little ..... Jonathan Cecil
Eustace ..... David Jason
Claude ..... Jonathan Lynn
Cynthia ..... Carol Marsh
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1973.
FRI 08:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m000rwwc)
Series 2
Killing David
Sisters Maureen and Lesley return from an idyllic life in rural France to dispose of David's body left in the cellar of their mother's empty house. But where is the body?
They are convinced David is alive and planning to kill them and steal their house. They arm themselves and attempt to lure him back for a final showdown, but the confrontation is interrupted by the sound of a doorbell.....
Written by Sue Limb and Betsy Vriend
Maureen ...... Alison Steadman
Lesley ...... Morwenna Banks
Pierre ...... Nigel Planer
Producer: Jamie Rix
A Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.
FRI 08:30 John Buchan (b00lh5tt)
Sick Heart River
5. Discovery
Leithen and Johnny pick up Lou and Francis' tracks which head down to the Sick Heart river. The terrain is cold and icy, leaving Leithen tired. The tracks show Lou has gone on alone and left his companion behind. Johnny fears for Francis' welfare. What's happened?
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Abridged in by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
FRI 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hn0p)
5. Proposal
Will Flex Carbury have the bottle to ask Ghassan Mehmoud for his daughter's hand?
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty - updated by Jonathan Myerson.
Ghassan Mehmoud ...... Henry Goodman
Felix 'Flex' Carbury ...... Dexter Fletcher
Anthony Trollope ...... John Rowe
Paul Montague ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Rt Hon Jeremy Longstaff ...... David Bamber
Georgiana Longstaff ...... Lucy Montgomery
Ruby Ruggles ...... Sheridan Smith
Marie Mehmoud ...... Chipo Chung
Roger Lloyd-Montague ...... Ben Crowe
Hetta Carbury ...... Emily Wachter
Tilly Carbury ...... Annette Badland
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Nick Broune ...... Stephen Critchlow
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
FRI 09:00 Crybabies Present... (m002hkgb)
Series 1
All or Nothingham
With bailiffs threatening to shut them down, the employees of Starkers Stripping Men’s Club have only one choice. Enter the Dropping a Coin on a Table and Guessing what Type of Coin it is while Blindfolded Championship.
A heartwarming story of friendship, family and the sound coins make when you drop them on a table. Get ready for a plucky underdog story as Crybabies bring the big screen to your normal sized radio.
Written and performed by Michael Clarke, James Gault & Ed Jones.
Featuring Celeste Dring, Amy Gledhill & Greg James.
Production Co-ordinator - Laura Shaw
Sound Design by David Thomas and Victoria Freund
Producer - Benjamin Sutton
Executive Producer - Joe Nunnery
A Boffola Pictures production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 09:30 On The Beach (b0076hx8)
St Agnes
Father and son surfers Mike and James Hendy contemplate the future of St Agnes in Cornwall, threatened by raw sewage pumped into the sea.
The fifth of five programmes exploring how the British, as an island race, have a special relationship with beaches - as five people reveal why they do like to be beside the seaside.
Producer: Hilary Dunn / Jane Greenwood
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002hn0r)
Chaplaincy week - School
For a special week of services about chaplaincy, Rev Jimmy Hinton and children from St Stephen’s C of E Primary in West Bowling lead a service on the role of spiritual support in primary schools.
Reading: Luke 8 : 4 – 15
Music:
Down by the Riverside, African American Spiritual by the Children of St Stephen’s C of E Primary, West Bowling
This Little Light of Mine by the Children of St Stephen’s C of E Primary, West Bowling
This Little Light of Mine by Gospel Dream
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (m001y1yj)
Sweet Thing
Sweet Thing by Van Morrison has an atmosphere full of tenderness, wonder and joy. But underneath this there a feeling of transience, a melancholy sense of things coming to an end, and of inevitable change. It was written for his 1968 album Astral Weeks, at a time when the Northern Irish born Van had left his home country and was down-and-out in Boston, USA. We hear how the track has come to mean so much to so many.
Caroline Mellor from Brighton remembers an intense moment of hearing Sweet Thing whilst staying in the mountains of Andalucía, Spain.
Sammy Douglas, Councillor and current High Sheriff of Belfast, reflects on memories of the Troubles and how the song intertwines with the tale of his first love.
Ryan H. Walsh, Bostonian and author of Astral Weeks: A Secret History of 1968, explains how the seminal album Astral Weeks came about, and John Payne, flautist on Sweet Thing, shares memories of those extraordinary recording sessions with Van Morrison.
And singer-songwriter Alanna Joy from South Africa considers why she opens her live sets with her own rendition of Sweet Thing, and recalls hearing it for the first time through Jeff Buckley's cover.
Technical Producer: Ilse Lademann
Editor: Emma Harding
Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio in Bristol, first broadcast in 2024.
FRI 10:30 When Van Played Cyprus Avenue (b06d2g8z)
"And I'm caught one more time
Up on Cyprus Avenue..."
Van Morrison made a number of references in his songs to the east Belfast neighbourhood in which he grew up - none more directly than in Cyprus Avenue from his 1968 album Astral Weeks.
Romantic images of leaves shaking on a tree, rainbow ribbons in a young girl's hair and a mansion on the hill evoke memories of Cyprus Avenue in the years before Van left Northern Ireland to pursue his career in the USA.
Cyprus Avenue - with its intricate arrangement of flute, harpsichord and strings - was recorded in New York, far from the well-heeled, tree-lined avenue along which the young Van would pass on his way home to the working class area of Hyndford Street. This was in the years before the Troubles. East Belfast was steadfastly loyalist and protestant.
When the arts broadcaster Marie-Louise Muir moved into the area, she was already aware of the iconic quality of street's name - not just from Van Morrison's song, but from the fact that the Reverend Ian Paisley lived on Cyprus Avenue. Marie-Louise was a Catholic ‘blow-in’. So, when Van announced that he'd be celebrating his 70th birthday by playing a gig literally feet from her front door, she was curious to see how the community would respond.
Producer: Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
FRI 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hn0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hn0m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 12:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b5pg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007s5dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m000rwwc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 John Buchan (b00lh5tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hn0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Whispers (b00cbszf)
Series 2
Episode 6
Gyles Brandreth hosts the quiz show with scandal on its mind and slander at its heart.
Joining team captains Lucy Moore and Anthony Holden to run the gauntlet of gossip:
Charles Collingwood
Simon Fanshawe
Producer: Elizabeth Freestone
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
FRI 14:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b50kxk)
Series 3
Milton's Boot Camp
When a famous baker comes to the gym, Milton decides it's time to show off his nice buns.
Written by Milton Jones with James Cary and Dan Evans
With:
Tom Goodman-Hill
Josie Lawrence
Ben Willbond
Music by Guy Jackson.
Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
FRI 15:00 Mateo Falcone by Prosper Merimee (m002hn0v)
For Mateo Falcone, a living legend among Corsican bandits, honour is sacred - and dishonour carries a terrible price.
Written by Prosper Merimee and first published in 1829.
Dramatised by Peter Mackie.
Mateo .... Jonathan Adams
Saupiero .... Jack Klaff
Guiseppa .... Natasha Pyne
Fortunato ... Tom Bevan
Gamba .... Andrew Wincott
Sergeant .... Ian Masters
Varicello ... David Antrobus
Maldini .... Tom Knight
Capello .... Joshua Towb
Prisoner .... Andrew Branch
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (m001y1yj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 When Van Played Cyprus Avenue (b06d2g8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (m002hn0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:45 The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (m002hn0m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 18:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b5pg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007s5dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m000rwwc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 John Buchan (b00lh5tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (m002hn0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Whispers (b00cbszf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b50kxk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Mateo Falcone by Prosper Merimee (m002hn0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Crybabies Present... (m002hkgb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Dial M for Pizza (b007jm7c)
Series 1
Episode 2
Sharp comedy sketches featuring ‘Going to the Proms' to 'Talking in Public Loos'.
Ever since that first primordial fireball exploded in the void countless aeons ago, scattering energy and matter to the furthest reaches of the space-time continuum, people have been doing funny sketches on the radio. And this is no exception.
Written by James Hendrie and Ian Brown.
Starring:
Robert Bathurst
Brenda Blethyn
Mike Grady
Jonathan Kydd
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1987.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002hpqh)
Gareth Joyner 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey chats once again to comedian Gareth Joyner
FRI 23:00 Desolation Jests (b084xc8c)
Episode 1
David Jason stars alongside John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner in David Renwick’s dark and quirky comedy sketch show that takes a not-altogether-factual look at the history of comedy….
What comedy sketches would you most want at your side to face the end of the world?
In the opening episode, interviewer JP Doom interviews Frankie “Flesh Eater” Harris about a life at the top of the Most Wanted list, and discusses what sketch-based chuckles he would choose to lighten his heart if he found himself stranded in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
And there are clips from spurious comedy greats such as Mace and Dixon’s “the Fiancée of Frankenstein” sketch; the ultimate Mastermind parody from Jenkin Spleen and Helena Handcart; and the fast-talking lunacy of the Klutz Brothers' classic “A Day at the Proctologists”.
With:
David Jason
John Bird
Jan Ravens
Rory Bremner
Producer: Gareth Edwards
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.
FRI 23:30 Mitch Benn Specials (b067x5j1)
Mitch Benn Is the Fat Pink Duke
David Bowie is the first rock star Mitch can remember being aware of.
He was two, David was Ziggy Stardust, and he remembers feeling that while he liked him he didn't really get him.
As he's grown up - and David Bowie has grown up right along side - Mitch realises that Not Really Getting David Bowie is the whole point...
Mitch Benn takes you on a whistle-stop tour of Bowie's back catalogue, examining his legacy and Mitch's own personal connection to his music.
Written by and starring Mitch Benn
Comedy series for anyone who's ever bought a record or fallen in love with a song.
Producer: Alexandra Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.