SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2025

SAT 00:00 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.
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 in Bristol by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2024.
SAT 00:30 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.
SAT 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jm5p)
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.
From a collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the immortal Baker Street detective - first published in 1893.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
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.
SAT 01:45 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.
Concluded by Peter Pacey.
Abridged by Donald Bancroft.
Producer: Maurice Leitch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
SAT 02:00 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 detective sitcom.
Sherlock Holmes …. Roy Hudd
Dr Watson …. Chrs Emmett
Mrs Hudson …. June Whitfield
Inspector Lestrade …. Jeffrey Holland
Musical accompaniment: Ian Smith.
Producer: Chris Neill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1999.
SAT 02:30 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.
SAT 03:00 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.
It's been left in the cellar of their mother's empty house - but where is it?
They're convinced David is alive and planning to kill them and steal their house.
The duo 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.
SAT 03:30 John Buchan (b00lh5tt)
Sick Heart River
5. Discovery
Sir Edward 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' could have happened?
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness.
Abridged by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
SAT 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c0rms)
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.
SAT 04:00 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.
SAT 04:30 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.
SAT 05:00 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.
Starring Jonathan Adams and Jack Klaff.
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.
SAT 06:00 The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (m002hwbz)
The Grey children are left to fend for themselves during a long, hot summer in France.
But they soon become caught up in a tense, evocative adult world of duplicity and lies that finally leads to tragedy.
Rumer Godden's coming of age novel, first published in 1958.
Dramatised by Dawn Lowe Watson.
Cecil .... Ellie Beaven
Joss .... Abigail Docherty
Hester .... Ciara Janson
Willmouse .... Luke Newbury
Eliot .... Michael Maloney
Zizi .... Claire Marchionne
Madame Corbet .... Rachel Atkins
Paul .... Theo Fraser Steele
Monsieur Joubert/Uncle William ... Sean Baker
Mother .... Jenny Lee
Dufour .... Brian Parr
Inspector Cailleux .... Christopher Wright
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
SAT 07:30 The Cure for Good Intentions by Sophie Harrison (Omnibus) (m002hwc1)
This is the story of a life-changing decision.
Aged 28, Sophie Harrison left her job as an editor at a prestigious literary magazine, and put herself through medical school and hospital training before eventually becoming a GP.
From peaceful office days spent writing tactful comments on manuscripts, she entered a world that spoke an entirely different language.
The scenes were familiar from TV and books – long corridors, busy wards, stern consultants, anxious patients – but what was her part in it all? Back in the community as a new GP, the question became ever more pressing.
After leaving publishing for medicine, Sophie discovers there are a surprising number of skills that can be used in both professions.
She offers useful insights into how challenging it can be for doctors to interpret the public. And her background also gives her a literary appreciation - she refers to medicine in literature and contrasts it with her own experiences.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Anna Magnusson.
Read by Tamsin Greig.
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2022
Photo © Onur Pinar
SAT 08:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b55dn)
5. For the Love of Roo
Britain must unite to deal with the kangaroo problem.
Will Cara leap into the arms of her man?
Much-loved comedian Les Dawson concludes his own bodice-ripping novel.
It’s a humorous tale of Britain’s North/South divide.
Five-part spoof epic novel.
Piano "played" by Les Daws
Producer Richard Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1993.
SAT 09:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007zgqw)
Series 1
Episode 5
Shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel tries to swing a prize fight.
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
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 (m000pmdr)
Series 1
The Bishop Goes to Town
The Bishop hopes to buy an ancient book at auction to display at St. Ogg’s.
Ecclesiastical sitcom which started life on BBC TV.
Written and adapted 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
With:
Betty Baskcomb
Nigel Lambert
Patrick Tull
'All Gas And Gaiters' started life as a TV pilot in Comedy Playhouse, ahead of a run on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971.
Selected scripts were revised and re-recorded for radio
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1971.
SAT 10:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m0008htp)
2: Hancock & Hamilton
Comedy and poetry have always had strong links, with many comics and poets blurring the boundaries.
Comedian Kevin Eldon continues his peek either side of the fine line that divides them.
The second of three programmes features:
POECIA TREE
HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR: The Poetry Society
Special guest Paul Hamilton.
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 Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (m002hwbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 The Cure for Good Intentions by Sophie Harrison (Omnibus) (m002hwc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b55dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007zgqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pmdr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m0008htp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Doctor Who (m001bq6z)
Tenth Doctor Adventures
Death and the Queen
Donna falls madly in love with handsome Prince Rudolph of Goratania.
Little does she suspect that on her wedding day, the line ‘till death do us part’ has a more literal and deadly meaning…
One of six adventures featuring the tenth incarnation of The Doctor.
Starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
Written by James Goss.
The Doctor …. David Tennant
Donna Noble …. Catherine Tate
Hortense …. Beth Chalmers
Death …. Alan Cox
The Queen Mum …. Alice Krige
Rudolph …. Blake Ritson
Original music by Howard Carter.
Director: Nicholas Briggs
A Big Finish production.
* Cover artwork by Tom Webster *
SAT 17:00 The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (m002hwbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 The Cure for Good Intentions by Sophie Harrison (Omnibus) (m002hwc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b55dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007zgqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pmdr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m0008htp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Bearded Ladies (m002j1ry)
Series 1
Episode 2
Sexing up DIY, going on a not very scary local ghost tour - and visiting a first-time tattooist….what could possibly go wrong?
The sketch show in which everyday situations are taken to new heights - and then a bit further....
Written and performed by
Susie Donkin
Charlotte McDougall
Oriane Messina
Fay Rusling
Featuring Ewan Bailey
Additional material by
Chris Bartlett, Colin Birch, Richard Ward, Terry Newman, Dan Hobson, John Bridle, Rufus Jones and Robin Kelly.
Music by Steve Burton.
Script Editor: Marcus Powell
Producer: Carol Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2004.
SAT 22:30 Start/Stop (b07m7z0t)
Series 3
2. Therapy
All three couples end up seeing the same therapist.
Evan and Fiona are already in therapy to tackle their issues with conflict - mostly over where they should keep the keys.
Cathy wants Barney to go to a therapist too, as he keeps calling out Alice's name in his sleep.
And during their session, David tries to distract the therapist, who he suspects is having his own lustful thoughts about Alice.
Jack Docherty's sitcom about three marriages in various states of disrepair.
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
With guest star Sanjeev Bhaskar as the Therapist.
Producer: Claire Jones
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2016.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002j7wj)
Christopher Douglas 1/3
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff. Lou Conran chats with Christopher Douglas about his comic creation, Ed Reardon.
SAT 23:00 Ross Noble Goes Global (b01dbgvs)
Series 2
Milan
Ross discovers graffiti, beggars and lycra-clad couriers in the Italian style capital of Europe.
A series of travelogues from globe-trotting comedian Ross Noble.
Producer: Danny Wallace
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.
SAT 23:30 Isy Suttie's Love Letters (b01rszvq)
Series 1
Claire and Leigh
Isy Suttie presents some unique tales, recounting a series of love stories affecting people she's known throughout her life, 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 related real life anecdotes from Isy's own, often disastrous, love life.
This time, Isy looks for signs as to whether her relationship with a poet can survive despite semantic differences, while she lends a helping hand to Matlock's new chef Claire and her Elvis impersonator admirer Leigh.
With her multi-character and vocal skills, plus her guitar, Isy creates a hilarious and deeply moving world, sharing with us her lessons in life and love.
Produced by Lianne Coop.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 2025

SUN 00:00 Doctor Who (m001bq6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (m002hwbz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 The Cure for Good Intentions by Sophie Harrison (Omnibus) (m002hwc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 Come Back With The Wind by Les Dawson (b03b55dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b007zgqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 All Gas and Gaiters (m000pmdr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Poetry Puh-lease (m0008htp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hwdy)
From Fringe to Fame
James Graham
Playwright James Graham is castaway by Lauren Lavenre..
James is an award-winning dramatist whose plays include This House, Ink and Dear England starring Joseph Fiennes as the England football manager Gareth Southgate.
His acclaimed TV productions include Sherwood and Quiz, based on the story of the so-called coughing Major Charles Ingram who was found guilty of cheating on the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
James was born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire in 1982. He was a shy boy who was encouraged to perform in school plays by his teachers. He went on to study drama at Hull University where he wrote his first play Coal Not Dole! He took the play to the Edinburgh fringe and the reception it received from audiences encouraged him to carry on writing.
After graduating he worked as a stage doorkeeper at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham where one of his personal highlights was looking after Danny La Rue, the star of the Christmas panto.
His first London premiere came in 2005 at the Finborough Theatre in London with Albert’s Boy, which explored the arguments for and against nuclear weapons.
In 2020 James was awarded an OBE for services to drama and young people in British theatre.
This is an extended version of a programme first broadcast on Sunday 10 March 2024.
DISC ONE: Disco 2000 - Pulp
DISC TWO: Chatanooga Choo Choo - Glenn Miller
DISC THREE: Up In Arms - Foo Fighters
DISC FOUR: Syncopes - Gabriel Yared
DISC FIVE: Your Disco Needs You - Kylie Minogue
DISC SIX: Where Are We Now? - David Bowie
DISC SEVEN: If You Came To See Me Cry - Katie Brayben (from Tammy Faye: The Musical)
DISC EIGHT: Going To A Town - Rufus Wainwright
BOOK CHOICE: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
LUXURY ITEM: A keg of Single Malt Scotch Whisky
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Where Are We Now? - David Bowie
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Paula McGinley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2024.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002hwf0)
Poetry Please - The End of Summer
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Poetry Please: The End of Summer.
Roger McGough presents poems on themes reflecting summer's end such as enjoying the garden, working the land and preparing for the inevitable return to school.
He also looks at a collection of artwork drawn especially for him by a class of primary school pupils who were inspired by one of his own poems.
Poems included:
* The Writer of This Poem by Roger McGough
* Warning by Kate Scott
* Arithmetic by Carl Sandburg
* Scenes from Childhood by Charles Causley
* First Day by Charles Causley
* From The Land by Vita Sackville-West
* The Wishing Tree by Kathleen Jamie
* Garden in Progress by Berthold Brecht, translated by John Willett
* Towards the End of Summer by Jenny Joseph
* First Day at School by Roger McGough
Producer: Christine Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SUN 07:30 Sick Heart River by John Buchan (Omnibus) (m002hwf2)
Episode 1
Sir Edward Leithen is drawing his career to a close when he's asked if he'll undertake one last mission...
John Buchan's final novel is set in the Canadian wilderness.
He completed writing it days before his death. It was 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.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Trevor Royle.
Read by Paul Young.
Director: Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lj9jr2)
Fearne Cotton
Broadcaster Fearne Cotton chooses ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘Campfire Day Four’ by Ludovico Einaudi.
SUN 08:50 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (Omnibus) (m002hwf6)
Episode 1
Former British tennis number two, Felix 'Flex' Carbury once had a career.
But now he has a problem...
Anthony Trollope's satirical novel about money, greed and dishonesty, first published in 1875.
Omnibus of the first five of 15 episodes - updated for the 21st century 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.
SUN 10:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrtp)
From 08/11/1949
Ted's wife Kitty buys a dog, while George interviews a double-octogenarian.
Starring Ted Ray.
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.
Written by Eddie Maguire and Ted Ray.
With:
Kitty Bluett
Peter Sellers
Patricia Hayes
Fred Yule
Leslie Perrins.
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 (m001b3cq)
Series 2
Competition Corner
Much to William’s annoyance Olive, Kath and Nev get the competition bug.
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.
William Wheeler …. Deryck Guyler
Olive Wheeler …. Mollie Sugden
Jack Bailey …. Norman Rossington
Kath …. Patricia Greene
Nev …. John Baddeley
Ange …. Ysanne Churchman
Theme music composed and played by Alex Walsh and his Band.
Producer: Trafford Whitelock.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1975.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hwdy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002hwf0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Sick Heart River by John Buchan (Omnibus) (m002hwf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lj9jr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (Omnibus) (m002hwf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Home to Roost (m001b3cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Hothouse by Brian Aldiss (b00mdx7n)
2. Fusion
The tribal elders have gone, leaving the children to face the Earth's dense jungle alone.
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 sci-fi fantasy novel, first published in 1962.
Abridged by Lu Kemp.
Read by Gareth Thomas.
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in August 2009.
SUN 16:30 The Man in Black (b017prn7)
Series 4
2. The Punt by Christina Balit
An ex-alcoholic is on the run from more than just his buddy from Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Man in Black introduces Christina Balit's dark tale.
Mark Gatiss stars as the sinister raconteur.
Jimmy ...... Ian Hogg
Derek ...... James Lailey
The Voice ...... Victoria Inez Hardy
Jak ...... Adjoa Andoh
Priest ...... Adam Billington
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: Selina Ream
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2011.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hwdy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002hwf0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Sick Heart River by John Buchan (Omnibus) (m002hwf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lj9jr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (Omnibus) (m002hwf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Home to Roost (m001b3cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Clare in the Community (b0089j0c)
Series 1
Babysitter
Work colleague Helen has a date for the first time in eight years.
So Clare gets roped into looking after a 16-year-old delinquent Gareth for the evening....
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker with all the right jargon but never a practical solution. Bogged down with her own issues, she's not so good at listening to others and often manages to put her foot in it with her views.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing more than bossing others around. She's in her 30s, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ..... Alex Lowe
With:
Richard Lumsden
Gemma Craven
Ellen Thomas
Nina Conti
Paul Chequer
Emily Wachter
Producer: Katie Tyrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
SUN 22:30 King Cutler (b008s3cc)
King Cutler II
A succulent batch of poems, songs and stories from Phyllis King and Ivor Cutler.
With wood-carver's words from Craig Murray-Orr.
Translation by Dylan Edwards and page-turning by David Lloyd.
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in January 1990.
SUN 23:00 Daphne Sounds Expensive (b08y2b70)
Series 2
Time Travel
After Phil blows a fortune on a spanking new time machine, the Daphne boys must use it to embark on a treacherous adventure in a desperate attempt to recoup their losses.
Written by and starring:
Jason Forbes
Phil Wang
George Fouracres
With:
Lewis Mcleod
Elizabeth Tan
Sir Willard White
Original music composed by Jeff Carpenter
Orchestrator: Simon Nathan
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 The Mark Steel Solution (b007k111)
Series 3
Charity
What are the motives behind mankind's fundraising efforts for good causes?
Comedian Mark Steel provides alternative solutions to our everyday problems
Written by Mark Steel and Pete Sinclair.
With
Debbie Isitt
Kim Wall
Producer: Phil Clarke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1995.

MONDAY 01 SEPTEMBER 2025

MON 00:00 Hothouse by Brian Aldiss (b00mdx7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 The Man in Black (b017prn7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002hwdy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002hwf0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Sick Heart River by John Buchan (Omnibus) (m002hwf2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lj9jr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (Omnibus) (m002hwf6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Ray's a Laugh (b007jrtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Home to Roost (m001b3cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jm66)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 1
The Reigate Squires
Burglary and violent death breaks out among the Surrey gentry, just as the sleuth is trying to convalesce from overwork.
From a collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the immortal Baker Street detective - first published in 1893.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Sherlock Holmes …. Clive Merrison
Dr Watson …. Michael Williams
Inspector Forrester …. Peter Davison
Mr Cunningham …. Roger Hammond
Alec Cunningham …. Struan Rodger
Mr Acton …. Terence Edmond
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1992.
MON 06:45 A Glowing Future by Ruth Rendell (m002hwhr)
Betsy watches her ex-lover Maurice packing up ready to embark on a new life in Australia with his new lover Patricia.
But Betsy feels she needs to share a few thoughts with her replacement.
Ruth Rendell's short story read by Elizabeth Bell.
Producer: Pat Pryor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1992.
MON 07:00 In the Red (b007k0qh)
Episode 6
Reporter George is due in court - while BBC controllers keep on plotting to axe the Director General.
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
Controller BBC 1 ...... Ian McNiece
Prosecution ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Fortescue's PA ...... Jane Slavin
With Alice Arnold, Eva Stuart, Gavin Muir, Annabel Mullion and Richard Turner.
Music by Paul Mottram.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jlcs)
Series 1
The Enemy Within the Gates
As their new uniforms arrive, Captain Mainwaring's platoon try to capture Germans - for a cash reward.
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 Walker …. James Beck
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Captain Winogrodzki …. Carl Jaffe,
Other parts …. 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 (m0003ctx)
Series 1
The Last Woman Killed In The War
In 1960s Liverpool, Mary’s parents whisk her away from their working class community to hide her illegitimate pregnancy.
Returning 40 years later to confront them, she discovers that attitudes have shifted somewhat.
Alexei Sayle narrates his series of dark comic plays adapted from his original short stories.
Starring:
Adi Alfa
Katy Carmichael
Shaun Mason
Jan Ravens
Paislie Reid
Adapted by Graham Duff.
Producer: Joe Nunnery
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2019.
MON 08:30 John Buchan (b00ljxx8)
Sick Heart River
6. Searching
A confused and feverish Galliard is found, but Sir Edward Leithen must now search for Lou.
But disaster strikes...
John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness
Abridged by Trevor Royle
Read by Paul Young.
Director Hamish Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.
MON 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53p7)
6. Old Friend
Paul Montague gets a visit from an old friend.
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
Wynford Hurtle ...... Corey Johnson
Sheikh Izdihar Behrooz ...... Nadim Sawalha
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Stephen Critchlow
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
MON 09:00 Just a Minute (m002hkw9)
Series 95
2. Where's the live, laugh, love?
Sue Perkins challenges Tony Hawks, Desiree Burch, Gyles Brandreth and Emma Sidi to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include the perfect pair of pyjamas, checking one’s moles and getting the ‘ick’.
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 Lies My Teacher Told Me (m000dq2b)
1. All is Revision
The school history textbook is often used to tell the story of a nation when young minds are unlikely to question the content - or even pay much attention to it.
What do we want children to make of their own national past?
Historian Priya Atwal, explores the global issues in telling textbook national history - from Lebanon to Japan to Northern Ireland and India.
She explores history's uses as pedagogy and sometimes even propaganda.
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002hwhw)
New challenges - A right time
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: New challenges - A right time
Presenter: Lyndall Bywater
Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
Music:
Build my life - Rivers and Robots
A day of new beginnings - Sasha Johnson Manning & Holly Marland
Come now is the time to worship - Brian Doerkson
MON 10:00 Frankly Speaking (b0812twl)
Jean Renoir
French film director, Jean Renoir is quizzed about his life and career by a panel of two.
* Dilys Powell - film critic
* Andrew Forge - painter and critic
Jean reveals the problems of having a famous father - artist Auguste Renoir - and his motivation for making films.
Launched in 1952, Frankly Speaking was a novel, ground breaking BBC series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers - later two - firing direct questions. Early critics demanded it was axed, but the format won out and eventually won over detractors.
Only 40 or so of the original 100 programmes survive.
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in June 1962.
MON 10:45 Short Works (m000ms09)
Post by Elaine Feeney
On the morning of her 80th birthday, Joan bumps into her 12 year old neighbour Fionn at the post box.
The story of an unlikely friendship between two neighbours in rural Ireland.
Elaine Feeney's short story read by Maggie Cronin.
Elaine is an Irish poet, novelist, and playwright. She has published three collections of poetry, Where’s Katie?, The Radio was Gospel, Rise, and a drama piece, WRoNGHEADED, commissioned by Liz Roche Company. She teaches at The National University of Ireland, Galway and St Jarlath’s College.
Her work has been widely published and anthologised in Poetry Review, The Stinging Fly, The Irish Times and others.
Her fiction debut 'As You Were' was featured in the Observer's Ten Best Debut Novelists of 2020.
Producer: Michael Shannon.
A BBC Northern Ireland production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2020.
MON 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jm66)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:45 A Glowing Future by Ruth Rendell (m002hwhr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 12:00 In the Red (b007k0qh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jlcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003ctx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 John Buchan (b00ljxx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Booked (b08mkkxr)
Series 5
Episode 3
From Just William to The Archers.
The panel game where Ian McMillan rules the roost.
Doing their best to lay some fresh and tasty literary gems:
Helen Lederer
Roger McGough
Miles Kington
David Stafford
Producer: Viv Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1998.
MON 14:30 The Party Line (b00sythm)
Series 1
Episode 6
Beleaguered MP Duncan Stonebridge goes on a date - with The Opposition.
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.
Written by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
Duncan Stonebridge …. James Fleet
Tom …. Simon Greenall
Roger …. Geoffrey McGivern
Jane Stonebridge …. Rachel Atkins
With:
Jennie Cox
Sue Elliott-Nichols
Dominic Coleman
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2005.
MON 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000mbq0)
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
1. Coup
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's remarkable novel is set during the Nigeria-Biafra War of the late 1960s.
Sisters Olanna and Kainene are the daughters of a "nouveau riche" tribal chief turned businessman and part of the Igbo elite.
Olanna's lover Odenigbo is a revolutionary university professor.
Richard is a British writer who’s in love with Kainene.
Ugwu is a young man employed as a houseboy for Odenigbo.
All of their lives are drastically changed as they become swept up in the brutal civil war.
This is a powerful, compassionate depiction of the human tragedy of those caught up in Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic and the chilling violence and trauma that followed
Dramatised by Janice Okoh.
Narrator ........ Ben Onwukwe
Okeoma ........ Sule Rimi
Odenigbo ........ Adetomiwa Edun
Ugwu ........ Valentine Olukoga
Miss Adebayo/ Mama/ Amala ........ Gbemisola Ikumelo
Olanna ........ Susan Wokoma
Richard ........ Blake Ritson
Kainene ........ Nikki Amuka-Bird
Madu ........ Okezie Morro
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.
MON 16:00 Frankly Speaking (b0812twl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:45 Short Works (m000ms09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]
MON 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jm66)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:45 A Glowing Future by Ruth Rendell (m002hwhr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 18:00 In the Red (b007k0qh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jlcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003ctx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 John Buchan (b00ljxx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Booked (b08mkkxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 The Party Line (b00sythm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000mbq0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m002hkw9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing (b04hz62m)
Series 3
About Paranoia
Nathan Caton illustrates how watching too much TV can make you paranoid - and that can have serious repercussions for your family.
A mix of stand-up and re-enacted family life - written by Nathan Caton and James Kettle
After becoming the first in his family to graduate from University, Nathan 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 United Kingdom 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
Mum ...... Adjoa Andoh
Dad ...... Curtis Walker
Grandma ...... Mona Hammond
Tyree ...... Alhaji Fofano
Reverend Williams ...... Rudolph Walker
Mercedes ...... Chizzy Akudolu
Optician ...... Damian Lynch
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014.
MON 23:00 Too Long; Didn't Read (m002hmrb)
Series 2
Computer says no
Is AI taking over? And if so, how should we treat our new robot overlords? Catherine Bohart investigates, with the help of Olga Koch, Professor Kate Devlin, and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel.
Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Rose Johnson and Pravanya Pillay
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 Old Harry's Game (b00c6jfr)
Series 5
Moral Leadership
Mankind is now so sinful that they're all coming to Hell and the place is full to bursting.
The only way to stop the flow is to persuade humanity to be good - but that's quite a tall order for the Prince of Darkness.
Andy Hamilton’s devilishly funny sitcom set in Hell.
Satan …. Andy Hamilton
Scumspawn …. Robert Duncan
Thomas …. Jimmy Mulville
God …. David Swift
The Professor …. James Grout
Other characters played by:
Philip Pope
Nick Revell
Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.

TUESDAY 02 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUE 00:00 Frankly Speaking (b0812twl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:45 Short Works (m000ms09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jm66)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:45 A Glowing Future by Ruth Rendell (m002hwhr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 In the Red (b007k0qh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jlcs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal (m0003ctx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 John Buchan (b00ljxx8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53p7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Booked (b08mkkxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 The Party Line (b00sythm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000mbq0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Paul Temple (b00sms54)
Paul Temple and Steve
1. The Notorious Dr Belasco
Enlisted by Sir Graham Forbes of Scotland Yard, Paul Temple and his wife Steve to help track down the mysterious Dr Belasco. The suave couple search for clues by day, then dance the night away in louche Latin American night clubs.
A faithful 2010 re-creation of the 1947 detective serial 'Paul Temple and Steve', the original of which was lost from the Radio Archive.
Written by Francis Durbridge.
Paul Temple .... Crawford Logan
Steve .... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham Forbes .... Gareth Thomas
Nelson .... Jimmy Chisholm
Mary Hamilton .... Eliza Langland
Kaufman .... Nick Underwood
Charlie/Worth .... Greg Powrie
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010
TUE 06:30 Whodunnits (b069ww2b)
Miss Marple's Final Cases
1. Tape-Measure Murder
Gossip spreads through St Mary Mead of a murdered wife and a husband under suspicion.
Then Miss Marple is called as an alibi...
June Whitfield returns as Miss Marple.
Agatha Christie's whodunnit, first published in 1941.
The first of three dramatisations of the best short stories by Joy Wilkinson.
Miss Marple ...... June Whitfield
Bunch ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Inspector Slack ...... Stephen Critchlow
Miss Hartnell ...... Jessica Turner
Miss Politt ...... Alison Pettit
Mr Spenlow ...... Sam Dale
Ted Gerard ...... Chris Pavlo
Director: Gemma Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.
TUE 07:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sz46w)
Series 2
Episode 3
Parish Council leader Mrs Roberts must tackle a supermarket boycott.
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
Jon Glover
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1989.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007jpkr)
Series 8
The String Robberies
Ace investigator Neddie Seagoon must solve a crime, and the link to Moriarty's sock.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
George Chisholm
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Pat Dixon
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1958.
TUE 08:00 Mrs Sidhu Investigates (m0005tpb)
Mrs Sidhu's Deadly Highland Game
1. A Pie To Die For
When a Scottish billionaire disappears on his Highland estate, nosey Mrs Sidhu stews in her own suspicions.
A murder mystery with a quirky touch written by Suk Pannu and starring Meera Syal. The Indian Aunty from Slough gets mixed up in Highland homicide.
Mrs Sidhu (Meera Syal) is the interfering Indian chef with a taste for murder. Since her husband’s death, she has built a successful reputation as a caterer in Slough, and has snagged a billionaire client at a Scottish shooting estate. But when she is threatened by a mysterious Russian, she drags in Inspector Burton (Justin Edwards).
Supported by hotshot trainee PC Williamson (Okorie Chukwu), they pry into the dark corners of Castle Tannoch, its eccentric laird (John Sessions) and his gruff niece Jane (Hilary Maclean).
Meanwhile, handsome Gamekeeper Callum (Gordon Kennedy) makes her heart skip a beat, while her wayward son Tez (Hamza Jeetoa) causes more of a heart attack with his incendiary distractions.
Mrs Sidhu …. Meera Syal
Inspector Burton …. Justin Edwards
Tez …. Hamza Jeetooa
Sir Alex / Zukhov …. John Sessions
Jane / Kirsty …. Hilary Maclean
Robert / PC Williamson …. Okorie Chukwu
Callum …. Gordon Kennedy
Written by Suk Pannu.
Recorded at Soundhouse Studios.
Edited by Leon Chambers.
Studio Managers: Wilfredo Acosta and Leon Chambers
Production Manager: Sarah Tombling
Directed by Marilyn Imrie.
Producer: Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2019.
TUE 08:30 John Buchan (b00ljz6k)
Sick Heart River
Episode 7
A weakened Sir Edward Leithen is himself rescued by Lou, who has a positive effect on his flagging spirit. Read by Paul Young.
TUE 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nd)
7. Elope
Marie is plotting to elope, but is it worth Flex's while?
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
Wynford Hurtle ...... Corey Johnson
Sheikh Izdihar Behrooz ...... Nadim Sawalha
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Stephen Critchlow
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
TUE 09:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m002hkq4)
Series 3
Richard Ayoade
Paul asks Richard Ayoade what he would like to put into Room 101.
TUE 09:30 Lies My Teacher Told Me (m000dpjx)
2. Lebanon-History Interrupted
Lebanon has suffered sectarian violence, invasion, civil war and turmoil for much of its history. Nothing that has led to this struggle - or indeed much of anything else relevant to Lebanon's modern existence - can be found in the classroom itself. Children must learn a history that is frozen at 1943, the year Lebanon achieved independence and it has been this way for generations.
Priya Atwal explores the global pitfalls in telling textbook national history
Producer Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002hwnl)
New challenges - A guiding hand
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: New challenges - A guiding hand
Presenter: Bishop Joe Aldred
Reading: Psalm 139: 1-10
Music:
Guide me o thou great Jehovah - Rachel John
O God, you search me and you know me - Oregon Catholic Press Session Choir
Love theory - Kirk Franklin
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m0006zv7)
Pam Hogg and Mark Billingham
Fashion designer Pam Hogg and crime writer Mark Billingham and Harriett Gilbert discuss favourite books by Katherine Dunn, Dashiell Hammett and Lucy Mangan.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
Publisher: Abacus
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Publisher: Orion
Bookworm by Lucy Mangan
Publisher: Vintage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
TUE 10:30 How to Write a Power Ballad (b08y0t5l)
Love it or loathe it, the power ballad is the musical genre that never went away. Superfan and ex-Communard Rev. Richard Coles dusts off his song writing skills and goes back to the 1980s to explore an era of inflated emotions, big production and even bigger hair.
Power ballads hit their height in the 1980s – a time of excess and strife – when big music budgets, huge concert arenas and new synthesiser technology made it possible and necessary for these massive tunes to be constructed.
They still permeate popular culture from TV talent shows, to Disney films, to musicals like The Bodyguard and Bat Out of Hell. There’s even a club, now in its eleventh year, which plays back-to-back power ballads to a sing-along crowd who know every word of every Whitney, Meatloaf, Celine and Bonnie hit.
But can Richard write a new power ballad to rival ‘Total Eclipse of The Heart’ and set the world singing with lighters aloft? With help from ‘the man who invented the eighties’, record producer Trevor Horn and singer Lynda Hayes, nothing’s gonna stop him now.
Producer: Debbie Kilbride
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.
TUE 11:00 Paul Temple (b00sms54)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Whodunnits (b069ww2b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sz46w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jpkr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Mrs Sidhu Investigates (m0005tpb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 John Buchan (b00ljz6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Guess What? (b0627zhy)
Episode 3
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
Barry Took hosts a revised version of popular radio parlour game of 20 questions.
On the panel:
Geoffrey Durham
Jeremy Hanley
Helen Atkinson-Wood
Written by Michael Dines.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1998.
TUE 14:30 Trapped (m001nmzw)
Series 2
1. Throw the Book
Having got themselves locked in a bookshop overnight, odd couple cons Eddie and Mouse have plenty of time to work out what went horribly wrong with the robbery they have just failed to pull off.
With the help of a highly inquisitive and unpredictable security guard, they discover rather more about each other in the process.
More one-off comedy dramas written by, and sometimes featuring, Daniel and Mark Maier
Eddie …. Philip Jackson
Mouse … William Ash
Sunday …. David Webber
Feathers …. Daniel Maier
Producer: Claire Bartlett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
TUE 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000mlbc)
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2. On the Run
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's stirring novel is set during the Nigeria-Biafra War of the late 1960s, dramatised by Janice Okoh.
With the continued bombing of Biafra and the danger coming ever closer, Olanna, Odenigbo, Ugwu, and Baby are forced to flee again. They move forward with courage even when living conditions get progressively worse and their food and money run out. An unexpected visit from Kainene brings some hope for their future.
A powerful, compassionate depiction of the human tragedy of those caught up in Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic and the chilling violence and trauma that followed.
Narrator................................ Ben Onwukwe
Olanna................................... Susan Wokoma
Odenigbo............................. Adetomiwa Edun
Mrs Muokelu/Eberechi......Adeyinka Akinrinade
Ugwu........................................Valentine Olukoga
Richard....................................Blake Ritson
Kainene...................................Nikki Amuka-Bird
Madu.......................................Okezie Morro
Sound Design by Sharon Hughes
Directed by Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m0006zv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 How to Write a Power Ballad (b08y0t5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Paul Temple (b00sms54)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Whodunnits (b069ww2b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sz46w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007jpkr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Mrs Sidhu Investigates (m0005tpb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 John Buchan (b00ljz6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Guess What? (b0627zhy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Trapped (m001nmzw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000mlbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Room 101 with Paul Merton (m002hkq4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00d0sjl)
Series 2
Patience
Mark Watson examines the importance of holding your horses.
Part of the comedian's continuing quest to delve into six virtues.
Biding their time in order to provide poetry and music:
Tim Key
Tim Minchin
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002j7wl)
Christopher Douglas 2/3
The Comedy Club keeps the laughs coming from 10pm to midnight, every night of the week. Tonight, Lou Conran continues her chat with Christopher Douglas – star of Ed Reardon’s Week.
TUE 23:00 The Tim Vine Chat Show (b06ns1bg)
Pilot
It’s the pilot for a chat show with a twist.
Tim Vine brings you half an hour of daft exuberance and stand up comedy.
The twist is that Tim's guests are the Great British public in a celebration of ordinary people.
Join Tim as we hear the entertaining and diverse life stories of:
* Kevin Hall, an automotive design engineer
* Debs Green, a speech and language therapist
* Amber Ash, a student of English
* Paul Hunt, who teaches computer science
Tim also sings his much-loved songs and showcases the world famous one-liners that have made him a global comedy star.
This pilot proved to be a winner with Tim's following series broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 2, first broadcast in November 2015.
TUE 23:30 And Now in Colour (b007jscz)
Series 2
Stately Home
The sketch show team take their audience on a posh day out.
Precision comedy written and performed by:
Tim Firth
Tim de Jongh
Michael Rutger
William Vandyck
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1991.

WEDNESDAY 03 SEPTEMBER 2025

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m0006zv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 How to Write a Power Ballad (b08y0t5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Paul Temple (b00sms54)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Whodunnits (b069ww2b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00sz46w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007jpkr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Mrs Sidhu Investigates (m0005tpb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 John Buchan (b00ljz6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Guess What? (b0627zhy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Trapped (m001nmzw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000mlbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Paul Temple (b00sq2n3)
Paul Temple and Steve
2. 27a Berkeley House Place
The Temples’ hunt takes them from London's Soho to a dangerous rendezvous on the Great North Road.
Enlisted by Sir Graham Forbes of Scotland Yard, Paul Temple and his wife Steve to help track down the mysterious Dr Belasco. The suave couple search for clues by day, then dance the night away in louche Latin American night clubs.
A faithful 2010 re-creation of the 1947 detective serial 'Paul Temple and Steve', the original of which was lost from the Radio Archive.
Written by Francis Durbridge.
Paul Temple .... Crawford Logan
Steve .... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham Forbes .... Gareth Thomas
Kaufman .... Nick Underwood
Charlie/Worth .... Greg Powrie
Nelson .... Jimmy Chisholm
Insp. Perry .... Michael Mackenzie
Sergeant .... Richard Greenwood
Billie .... Emma Currie
Mrs Forester .... Candida Benson
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.
WED 06:30 Whodunnits (b06bp2vp)
Miss Marple's Final Cases
2. The Case of the Perfect Maid
Miss Marple uncovers a mystery when she looks into the curious sacking of a lady's maid.
Her investigative skills are also required when her nephew, crime writer Raymond West, arrives on the doorstep with a severe case of writer's block...
June Whitfield stars as Miss Marple
Agatha Christie's whodunnit, first published in 1942.
Short story dramatised by Joy Wilkinson.
Miss Marple ...... June Whitfield
Raymond West ...... Raymond Coulthard
Lavinia Skinner ...... Claudie Blakley
Emily Skinner ...... Tracy Wiles
Inspector Slack ...... Stephen Critchlow
Miss Hartnell ...... Jessica Turner
Edna ...... Alex Tregear
Director: Gemma Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.
WED 07:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dpspn)
Series 3
The Queen of Song
Rosie is asked to arrange a showcase concert for a new potential rival to Celine Dion.
The girl has plenty of money, but what about talent?
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
Robert ..... Simon Trinder
Cath Unger ..... Felicity Goodson
Terry ..... Colin Sell
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2002.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsvk)
Series 5
The Election Candidate
The electioneering Lad battles to represent East Cheam in the Houses of Parliament.
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 (b043xqry)
Series 1
Grain
Simon looks at commodities markets in grain.
How moral is it to trade in food? How much of it is animal feed and what is the future of food?
Simon Evans has the answers in this series which asks us to get involved in the funny side of investment.
Rather than being cowed by an apparently complicated and overwhelming system, Simon jumps right in. He takes as his focus four commodities which are so intrinsic to our lives they have an almost elemental significance - land, gold, oil and grain. Yet, despite the fact we encounter them everywhere we look, very few people have been able to build a fortune on them.
All that's about to change as, Simon enlists help from the experts to help brings us closer to understanding of how global economic forces have a far-reaching and often surprising impact on our lives.
Performed by Simon Evans, with regular guests Tim Harford and Merryn Somerset-Webb, and to talk about grain markets, Kanes Rajah and Jim Rogers.
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 (b00lk2cb)
Sick Heart River
Episode 8
Gaillard opens up to Leithen to reveal the reasons for him moving to America, and his disappearance. Read by Paul Young.
WED 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nl)
8. Freedom?
For both Paul and Marie, freedom is so close, and yet so far away.
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
Wynford Hurtle ...... Corey Johnson
Sheikh Izdihar Behrooz ...... Nadim Sawalha
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Stephen Critchlow
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
WED 09:00 The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2025 (m002hktc)
Best Newcomer
Comedy fans can catch the Best Newcomer nominees for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 in this showcase for BBC Radio 4.
The prestigious Awards turns 45 this year and in this gala, hosted by 2024 Best Show winner Amy Gledhill, we'll hear from all the Best Newcomer nominees - plus the winner Ayoade Bamgboye.
This gives listeners around the UK the chance to hear from the future of comedy. The gala was recorded at the Gilded Balloon, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues.
The winner for Best Newcomer 2025 is Ayoade Bamgboye.
Nominated for Best Newcomer are:
Molly McGuinness, Touissant Douglass, Ada & Bron, Elouise Eftos, Ayoade Bamgboye , Kate Owens and Roger O'Sullivan.
Host: Amy Gledhill
Producer: Georgia Keating
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Edited by Giles Aspen
Recorded by Sean Kerwin
Recorded at Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
WED 09:30 Lies My Teacher Told Me (m000dqgs)
3. Saffronising History
India began its new independent life with its history textbooks still coloured by a colonial telling of the past. A new generation of historians like Romila Thapar brought both academic rigour and historical enquiry to the creation of new texts for the classroom. However, increasingly, the 'saffronisation" of history - Hindu nationalist narratives - have begun to impact on both the facts of history and the struggle for the story of India.
Priya Atwal explores the global pitfalls in telling textbook national history
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast in January 2020.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002hxw4)
New challenges - Strength for the task
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: New challenges - Strength for the task
Presenter: Ann Easter
Reading: Hebrews 12: 1-2, 11-13
Music:
Psalm 121 - St Martin's Voices
Wake up Jesus - St Martin's Voices
God is our strenth and refuge - Daily Service Service
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m000mcch)
Spitfire: From the Ashes
Historian Victoria Taylor looks back at the Spitfire, and the men and women who built it, against all odds.
In September 1940, in two factories in Southampton, one of the most iconic planes of the Second World War was being painstakingly assembled, piece by piece.
This sleek and beautiful fighter, with record breaking top speeds and a deadly reputation for precision, was to be Britain’s most notorious weapon against the Nazi air invasion. But, the factory making them was about to be destroyed by devastating German bombing raids.
How could the Battle of Britain be fought without the Spitfire?
With the factory a smoking ruin, a plan was hatched to keep the planes coming, against some pretty extraordinary odds.
Reconstructed from letters, autobiographies, oral histories and contemporary interviews, historian Victoria Taylor pieces it all together.
This isn’t the usual story, about the plane that saved Britain. This is a story about the ordinary men and women, in church-halls, bus depots, laundries and garages, who saved the Spitfire.
Historical Advisor: David Key
Produced in Bristol by Emily Knight for BBC Audio.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.
WED 11:00 Paul Temple (b00sq2n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Whodunnits (b06bp2vp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dpspn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b043xqry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 John Buchan (b00lk2cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdrwz)
Series 13
Episode 2
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Lee Mack welcome:
* Comedian Athena Kugblenu
* Writer and podcaster Dolly Alderton
* Artificial Intelligence expert Sir Nigel Shadbolt
The Museum's Guest Committee opt for the cheapest item on a wedding list, celebrate the triumph of a machine over the best chess player in the world and feel vegetarian nostalgia for corned beef.
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 (m001c6yg)
People's Choice
The babysitting circle members debate the education issue and headmistress Carla gets to grips with naughty Crystal
Meanwhile Geoff develops his connections via his daughter's school.
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
Vanessa Percival .... Melissa Sinden
Doug Lewis .... Shaun Parkes
Carla McInnan .... Maxine Burth
Emma .... Tara Prendergast
Jessica .... Gemma Salusbury
Tim (Teenager) .... Ciaran Griffiths
Elliot (News Boy) .... Gregg Baines
Crystal ... Holly Grainger
Edmund .... Christopher Limond
Director: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1999.
WED 15:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014r622)
1. A Most Desirable Address
A Most Desirable Address is how Durham Square is unerringly described by its inhabitants.
But is this treasured status soon to be eroded by the arrival of Miss Susan Leg?
Starring Pauline Collins.
EF Benson’s comedy novel, first published in 1932.
Dramatised in three parts by Aubrey Woods.
Susan Leg ...... Pauline Collins
Margaret Mantrip ...... Margot Boyd
Jimmie Mason ...... Ronald Herdman
Elizabeth Conklin ...... Rachel Gurney
Lady Eva Lowndes ...... Pauline Letts
Mr Cartwright ...... Peter Howell
Arthur Armstrong MP ...... Edward de Souza
Bosanquet ...... John Church
Vicar ...... Tim Reynolds
Miss Ascham ...... Sheila Grant
Mr Woodstock ...... Manning Wilson
Figus ...... George Parsons
Ellen ...... Jennifer Piercey
Foreman ...... Gordon Reid
Receptionist ...... Jonathan Tafler
Dealer ...... Andrew Branch
Narrated by Aubrey Woods.
Assorted dogs played by the cast.
Music by John Owen Edwards.
Producer: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m000mcch)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Paul Temple (b00sq2n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Whodunnits (b06bp2vp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dpspn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b043xqry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 John Buchan (b00lk2cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdrwz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 The Circle (m001c6yg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014r622)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2025 (m002hktc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Where Did It All Go Wrong? (b0076qm0)
Series 2
Pavlov's Last Dog
Retired to the wastelands of Siberia, the scientist who discovered conditioning, Ivan Pavlov, is conducting his final experiment when a stranger arrives, enquiring about a dog.
Written and performed by Simon Munnery.
With:
Kevin Eldon
Sally Phillips
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
WED 22:45 Athena's Cancel Culture (m000v2r3)
Episode 2
Comedian Athena Kugblenu turns the icy hand of cancel culture justice on herself, examining an incident where she experienced a workplace grilling.
Can we all receive a cancel?
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 bin cat lady?
With stand up and sketch comedy, Athena explores cancel culture and the world of offence in modern times.
Athena helps to 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.
With:
James McNicholas
Jamie-Rose Monk
Producer: Gus Beattie
A Gusman production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.
WED 23:00 The Million Pound Radio Show (m001g2mq)
Series 5
Episode 2
Chernobyl five years on, the Middle East and life insurance.
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 (b00vkycj)
Series 1
Dolly the Sheep
Comedian Richard Herring is reclaiming those things we've grown to hate.
In the final show of the series Richard reclaims Dolly the sheep as he examines why we are fearful and suspicious of the idea of cloning without really understanding it.
Richard talks to a genetics professor about how cloning works and what it was like to meet Dolly.
He also asks science writer Dr Ben Goldacre whether evil scientists exist and whether he is allowed to clone Doctor Who assistant Amy Pond.
With:
Emma Kennedy
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.

THURSDAY 04 SEPTEMBER 2025

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m000mcch)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Paul Temple (b00sq2n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Whodunnits (b06bp2vp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Smelling of Roses (b00dpspn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Simon Evans Goes to Market (b043xqry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 John Buchan (b00lk2cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (b0bqdrwz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 The Circle (m001c6yg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014r622)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Paul Temple (b00ss4tc)
Paul Temple and Steve
3. Presenting Ed Bellamy
The Temples have an evening of intrigue at one of London's most fashionable nightspots.
Enlisted by Sir Graham Forbes of Scotland Yard, Paul Temple and his wife Steve to help track down the mysterious Dr Belasco. The suave couple search for clues by day, then dance the night away in louche Latin American night clubs.
A faithful 2010 re-creation of the 1947 detective serial 'Paul Temple and Steve', the original of which was lost from the Radio Archive.
Written by Francis Durbridge.
Paul Temple .... Crawford Logan
Steve .... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham Forbes .... Gareth Thomas
Kaufman .... Nick Underwood
Worth .... Greg Powrie
Nelson .... Jimmy Chisholm
Inspector Perry .... Michael Mackenzie
Joseph .... Richard Greenwood
Mrs Forester .... Candida Benson
Ed Bellamy .... Robin Laing
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.
THU 06:30 Whodunnits (b06d8h0y)
Miss Marple's Final Cases
3. Sanctuary
Miss Marple and her god-daughter, Bunch, arrive at the local church to discover a dying man.
His last words provide the clues to unlock an unsolved crime.
June Whitfield stars as Miss Marple
Agatha Christie's whodunnit, first published in 1954.
Short story dramatised by Joy Wilkinson.
Miss Marple ...... June Whitfield
Bunch ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Inspector Slack ...... Stephen Critchlow
Edna ...... Alex Tregear
Mrs Eccles ...... Sally Orrock
Edwin Moss ...... Michael Shelford
Director: Gemma Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.
THU 07:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007k00f)
Episode 4
Edgar and young Robert have been kidnapped - but is it a case of mistaken identity?
Starring Richard Griffiths as shy solicitor's clerk, Edgar Finchley.
Edgar Finchley .... Richard Griffiths
Lawrence Hume .... Piers Gibbon
Robert Gillespie .... James Cohen
Mr Hammerton .... Nicky Henson
Michel .... Jeffrey Holland
Jerome Giraud .... Simon Roberts
Robert Gillespie .... James Cohen
Marie Peters .... Serena Evans
Jacques .... David Howarth
Baptiste Mignard .... Albert Welling
Madame Mignard .... Jacqueline Tong
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 (m002hwqx)
Baby Talk
Wires in the house-share get crossed over talk of a new arrival.
More exploits of flatmates Ken and Bill and their upstairs neighbours Angela and Caroline.
They all live under the watchful gaze of their landlady, Mrs Platt.
Written by Richard Matthews and John Davis.
Ken …. Peter Cleall
Bill …. Derek Seaton
Angela …. Susanne Curtis
Caroline …. April Walker
Mrs Platt …. Patricia Hayes
Helen/The Baby …. Pat Coombs
Two series ran on BBC Radio 2 between 1972 and 1975.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1975
THU 08:00 Guilt Trip (b07m7833)
2. Walking Worries
It's day 6 of the walk and Ros is concerned that they aren't doing enough to revive the bond between them, while Laura is worried that she doesn't have a passion and focus in her life.
Will they both find what they are looking for?
Comedy drama written by Katherine Jakeways with Felicity Montagu and Olivia Nixon.
A mother and daughter are undertaking 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."
Ros ...... Felicity Montagu
Laura ...... Olivia Nixon
Stepmother ...... Katherine Jakeways
Boyfriend ...... Tim Key
With:
Javone Prince
Evie Killip
Amelia Lowdell
Producer: Jane Berthoud
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016.
THU 08:30 John Buchan (b00lk9c4)
Sick Heart River
Episode 9
Deep in the wilds of Canada, Sir Edward Leithen fantasises about returning to the comforts of home. Read by Paul Young.
THU 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53ns)
9. Big Plans
Mehmoud plans to triumph at the Powercure Ball.
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
Wynford Hurtle ...... Corey Johnson
Sheikh Izdihar Behrooz ...... Nadim Sawalha
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Stephen Critchlow
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
THU 09:00 The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2025 (m002hky8)
Best Show
Comedy fans can catch the Best Show nominees for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 in this showcase for BBC Radio 4.
The prestigious Awards turns 45 this year and in this gala, hosted by 2024 Best Show winner Amy Gledhill, we hear from all of the Best Show nominees - plus the winner Sam Nicoresti.
This gives listeners around the UK the chance to hear from some of the best shows at the Fringe this year. The gala was recorded at the Gilded Balloon, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues.
The winner for Best Show 2025 is Sam Nicoresti.
Nominated for Best Show are:
Ian Smith, Katie Norris, Ed Night, Sam Jay, John Tothill, Creepy Boys and Dan Tiernan
Host: Amy Gledhill
Producer: Georgia Keating
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Edited by Giles Aspen
Recorded by Sean Kerwin
Recorded at Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
THU 09:30 Lies My Teacher Told Me (m000dqyx)
4. Japan - Revising the past
Japan's 20th century Imperial past and war in South East Asia, has often been a fault line at home and abroad. Within Japan itself, the American occupation left a confusing legacy of freedom from direct government interference as to what should be told in the history textbook and a system of opaque censorship.
Internal disputes over textbook accounts of the war and their possible distortions, provoked diplomatic rows with China and South Korea over the legacy of the past and Japanese contrition.
Presenter Priya Atwal
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002hwr1)
New challenges - One step enough for me
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: New challenges - One step enough for me
Presenter: Laura Darrall
Reading: Psalm 37: 7-11, 39-40
Music
Be still for the presence of the Lord
St Philip's Boy's Choir
CD: Angel Voices at Christmas (Demon Music Group)
I waited for the Lord - Mendelssohn
St Paul's Cathedral Choristers
CD: The World of Sacred Music (Decca)
Wait for the Lord - Taize
St Martin's Voices
BBC recording
Be still and know
St Martin's Voices
BBC recording
Spiegel im Spiegel
Tamsin Little & Martin Roscoe
CD: The Very Best of Arvo Part (Warner)
THU 10:00 Great Lives (m000hfyp)
Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Ursula le Guin was born in California in 1929. Her books - including A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness - have been described as masterpieces but she battled prejudice all her life from the literary elite.
British musician Kate Stables speaks to Matthew Parris from Paris about her love of le Guin's books. Plus, on the line from San Francisco is Arwen Curry - she knew the author and made the film The Worlds of Ursula K Le Guin with the strapline 'A Wizard's Work is Never Done'.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Guest: Kate Stables
Guest: Arwen Curry
Producers: Toby Field and Miles Warde
A BBC Bristol production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2020.
THU 10:30 Sibelius: A Symphony that Burned (b01kjt7h)
The story of Jean Sibelius's Eighth Symphony - with extracts from new musical fragments performed exclusively for the programme.
One morning in 1945, Jean Sibelius, took the pages of a symphony that had brought him to the brink of despair and burned the lot. The composer wanted to destroy the work before it destroyed him.
His Eighth Symphony became the most notorious 'lost work' in classical music. Not a single note could be traced. And then, in 2011, three, short, fragments of music were revealed - the culmination of years of painstaking research through piles of manuscript sketches. The only evidence of any orchestral work by Sibelius during the 'silence of Ainola'. And almost certainly the only tantalising glimpse we may ever have of his fabled Eighth Symphony.
Writer and broadcaster Peggy Reynolds visits Sibelius's home near Helsinki to unpick - for the first time - the riddle of Sibelius's Eighth Symphony, with contributions from the British conductor and Sibelius expert Sir Mark Elder. Peggy also presents a performance of newly-discovered musical fragments, performed exclusively for the programme by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under John Storgards. After nine decades, this may be the closest we ever get to experiencing the most infamous lost work in 20th century music.
Producer Steven Rajam
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012
THU 11:00 Paul Temple (b00ss4tc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Whodunnits (b06d8h0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007k00f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hwqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Guilt Trip (b07m7833)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 John Buchan (b00lk9c4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008pbnv)
Episode 4
Party pieces - and the worst possible people to be a British astronaut.
Clive Anderson hosts the famed improvisation game.
Regular team captains:
Stephen Fry
John Sessions
With:
Kate Robbins
Griff Rhys-Jones
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 (b007jpnw)
Series 6
Episode 4
The residents await news from New York, while the Hawthornes are fretting. It's 1956 in the sleepy Irish town. Stars TP McKenna.
THU 15:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014sh4w)
2. A Most Salubrious Seaside Resort
'A most salubrious seaside resort' is an apt description of Brighton.
But will the arrival of Mr Arthur Armstrong - critic, poet, novelist and Labour Member of Parliament - make it even more attractive to Miss Susan Leg?
Starring Pauline Collins.
EF Benson’s comedy novel, first published in 1932.
Dramatised by Aubrey Woods.
Miss Susan Leg ...... Pauline Collins
Margaret Mantrip ...... Margot Boyd
Jimmie Mason ...... Ronald Herdman
Elizabeth Conklin ...... Rachel Gurney
Lady Eva Lowndes ...... Pauline Letts
Mr Cartwright ...... Peter Howell
Arthur Armstrong MP ...... Edward de Souza
Bosanquet ...... John Church
Vicar ...... Tim Reynolds
Minnie Mimps ...... Sheila Grant
Head Waiter...... Manning Wilson
Mr Puffy ...... George Parsons
Doctor ...... Gordon Reid
Receptionist ...... Jonathan Tafler
Augustus ...... Andrew Branch
Vicar ...... Tim Reynolds
Narrated by Aubrey Woods.
Music by John Owen Edwards.
Producer: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987
THU 16:00 Great Lives (m000hfyp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Sibelius: A Symphony that Burned (b01kjt7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Paul Temple (b00ss4tc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Whodunnits (b06d8h0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007k00f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hwqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Guilt Trip (b07m7833)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 John Buchan (b00lk9c4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008pbnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Ballylenon (b007jpnw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014sh4w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2025 (m002hky8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 Hearing with Hegley (b00b7c59)
Series 1
Episode 4
The poet laureate of alternative comedy, John Hegley, presents a selection of his work.
With:
Keith Moore
Susan Norton
Andrew Bailey
Nigel Piper
Producer: Phil Clarke
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1996.
THU 22:45 Nick Mohammed in Quarters (b00hdbgz)
Episode 4
A manic anger management facilitator tackles road rage.
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 (b08n2wt4)
Series 3
Some Owls Were Harmed During the Making of This Programme
A love song, a dead scarecrow, a Jiffy Bag and Kylie Minogue.
Some owls were harmed during the making of this programme.
Comedy's best kept secret ingredient, Kevin Eldon hosts his very own sketch show.
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.
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.
THU 23:30 Beauty of Britain (b01m6cr8)
Series 3
The Broad Fit Footglove
Beauty looks after Ray, an ex-footballer who is young at heart.
Or is it Beauty who is aging up from spending so much time with the elderly?
Beauty becomes protective of Ray when a long-lost relative appears out of the blue.
Beauty of Britain is about one woman's progress through a foreign country as she searches for personal fulfilment, 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
Ray ...... Duncan Preston
Linda ...... Janine Duvitski
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen ...... Nicola Sanderson
Anil ...... Phaldut Sharma
Mrs. Gupte ...... Indira Joshi
Shawn, Bouncer ...... Don Gilet
Yvonne ...... Rachel Atkins
Neil ...... Christopher Douglas
Producer : Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.

FRIDAY 05 SEPTEMBER 2025

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (m000hfyp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Sibelius: A Symphony that Burned (b01kjt7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Paul Temple (b00ss4tc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Whodunnits (b06d8h0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Mr Finchley Goes to Paris (b007k00f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 I'm Ken, He's Bill (m002hwqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Guilt Trip (b07m7833)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 John Buchan (b00lk9c4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53ns)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (b008pbnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Ballylenon (b007jpnw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014sh4w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Paul Temple (b00svt6h)
Paul Temple and Steve
4. Mrs Forester Is Surprised
Trailing the ruthless Dr Belasco, the sleuth faces danger on leaving the Machicha Club.
Enlisted by Sir Graham Forbes of Scotland Yard, Paul Temple and his wife Steve to help track down the mysterious Dr Belasco. The suave couple search for clues by day, then dance the night away in louche Latin American night clubs.
A faithful 2010 re-creation of the 1947 detective serial 'Paul Temple and Steve', the original of which was lost from the Radio Archive.
Written by Francis Durbridge.
Paul Temple .... Crawford Logan
Steve .... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham Forbes .... Gareth Thomas
Kaufman .... Nick Underwood
Joseph .... Richard Greenwood
Mrs Forester …. Candida Benson
Ed Bellamy .... Robin Laing
Sergeant O'Day .... John Paul Hurley
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.
FRI 06:30 Mr Ledbetter's Vacation by HG Wells (m002hxyy)
Schoolmaster Mr Ledbetter's dreams of restoring personal courage in the modern age are put to the test.
Short story written by HG Wells, first published in 1898.
Adapted for radio by Lance Sieveking.
Ledbetter .... Robertson Hare
Crabtree .... Richard Williams
Bingham .... Godfrey Kenton
Marrow .... John Gabriel
Abdul .... Manning Wilson
Mr Martin .... Rolf Lefebvre
Producer: Ayton Whitaker
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1955.
FRI 07:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b9ftc)
Sherlock Holmes and the Glorious Doppelganger
Baker Street’s great detective investigates when Queen Victoria suffers a severe personality change.
The ghastly truth is revealed at Buckingham Palace garden party.
Roy Hudd spoofs the famous sleuth in Tony Hare’s comedy series.
Sherlock Holmes …. Roy Hudd
Dr Watson …. Chris Emmett
Mrs Hudson …. June Whitfield
Professor Moriarty …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Musical accompaniment by Ian Smith.
Producer: Chris Neill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1999.
FRI 07:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007sxvp)
The Purity of the Turf
After the syndicate disaster, Bertie Wooster ponders what he should bet on next.
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
Steggles ...... Edwin Apps
Harold ...... Denise Bryer
Charles ...... John Samson
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1973.
FRI 08:00 Teatime (m000fghv)
Episode 1
Newlyweds Vicky and Rav have just got back from their honeymoon and are looking forward to their first quiet night in as a married couple.
But a quiet night in proves impossible when Vicky’s family invite themselves round. Vicky's parents Donna and Joe have separated, but Joe has is keen to rekindle the old spark.
Vicky's sister Lisa is scandalised by what she thinks she remembers happening at the wedding.
And Uncle Bob makes a spirited attempt at breaking the world record for most spoons balanced on the face. 31 spoons to beat.
So much for a quiet night in.
Comedy by Katherine Jakeways about a chaotic but loving family.
Vicky …… Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Rav …… Prasanna Puwanarajah
Donna …… Samantha Spiro,
Joe …… Philip Glenister
Lisa …… Katie Redford
Uncle Bob …… Steven Brandon
Producer: Sam Ward
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2020. .
FRI 08:30 John Buchan (b00lkk0v)
Sick Heart River
10. Helping Out
When the men arrive at the Hare Indians' camp, they hear dreadful news about war and starvation - which effects them in different ways.
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 March 1990.
FRI 08:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nz)
10. Powercure Ball
Who will be seen at the Powercure Ball - now the Mehmoud name is toxic?
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
Wynford Hurtle ...... Corey Johnson
Sheikh Izdihar Behrooz ...... Nadim Sawalha
Helen Croll ...... Liz Sutherland
Other parts played by:
Chris Pavlo
Beth Chalmers
Stephen Critchlow
Dan Starkey
Joan Walker
Director: Jonquil Panting
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.
FRI 09:00 Icklewick FM (m002hswz)
Series 2
1. The Comeback
We return to Icklewick one year after the explosive events of Mischief Night. With Amy’s whereabouts still unknown and the rest of the team scattered, Chris has been struggling to keep Icklewick FM on the air from his home studio.
Things are deffo looking bleak until he receives a mysterious call from Mainland Europe...
Icklewick FM is created and written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill, with additional material from the cast.
Starring:
Amy Gledhill
Chris Cantrill
Mark Silcox
Colin Hoult
Janice Connolly
Phil Ellis
Tom Lawrinson
Tom Burgess
Nicola Redman
Tai Campbell
Em Humble
James Carbutt
Series Artwork by Sam O'Leary
Music, sound design and additional material by Jack Lewis Evans.
Line Produced by Laura Shaw
Produced by Benjamin Sutton.
A Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 09:30 Lies My Teacher Told Me (m000drmg)
5. Northern Ireland-Healing History?
Northern Ireland, where pupils were educated in a segregated school system in a divided society. But beginning in the 1970's, a new kind of history teaching began to promise a transformation in the ways history could detoxify partisan narratives.
Concluding part of an examination of textbook history presented by Priya Atwal
Producer: Mark Burman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002hxz4)
New Challenges - And finally
A time of spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and Christian music led by Fr Matt Roche-Saunders.
Theme:
New Challenges - And finally
Reading:
Revelation 21:1-4
Music:
Be Still My Soul
New Reality by Sarah Kroger
Now The Green Blade Riseth
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b0075z8x)
Elgar's Cello Concerto
Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, Michael Kennedy and Tim Dinsley reflect on the special impact of Elgar's Cello Concerto.
Julian Lloyd Webber talks about what it's like to play this work.
Tim Dinsley shares the way in which he and his daughter Jo used this music to support them as she was dying.
And music writer Michael Kennedy explores why this piece has such an impact on people.
Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2000.
FRI 10:30 Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered (b0169255)
Exploring the legacy of musician and broadcaster Jack Jackson, who died in 1978, through the eyes of three generations of his family.
Kenny Everett said of him 'He was the first person to have fun on radio', but even though he inspired many broadcasters and musicians it is the incredible impact Jackson still has on his family.
This programme uncovers another Jackson dynasty overflowing with musicians, record producers and artists all striving to preserve his memory and make their own impression on the world. His two sons established a recording studio, used by artists such as Elton John, Tom Robinson and Motorhead. His daughter is a successful artist and designer and several of his grandchildren are forging effective careers in the music business - one of which co-founded production group 'Bimbo Jones' which has taken numerous number ones to the top of the dance charts. His great grand children are all encouraged to be musical.
Jackson's career in entertainment spanned fifty years. Jackson formed his band in the thirties and was a regular at London's Dorchester Hotel. He became a disc jockey in 1948 on the BBC Light Programme and his programmes featured a mix of linking his voice with comedy clips and popular music. According to his grandson Marc he was the first broadcaster in Britain to introduce the technique of sampling and to present a "clip show" programme.
He is also often cited as the man who gave the BBC the nickname 'Auntie' and the first voice heard on ITV.
Producer: Stephen Garner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
FRI 11:00 Paul Temple (b00svt6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Mr Ledbetter's Vacation by HG Wells (m002hxyy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b9ftc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007sxvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Teatime (m000fghv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 John Buchan (b00lkk0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 The Motion Show (b00762c8)
Series 4
Episode 1
Debates galore from getting old – to whether the Devil has the best tunes?
Graeme Garden chairs the quirky battle of words and wit.
With:
Hugh Dennis
Arthur Smith
Gyles Brandreth
Henry Naylor
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.
FRI 14:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b1r3hv)
Series 3
The Genealogist
Milton becomes an expert genealogist and gets stuck up a rather unexpected family tree.
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.
FRI 15:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014tcjb)
3. A Most Treasured Home
A most treasured home is exactly what 25 Durham Square has become for Miss Susan Leg.
But will its treasure turn to dross with the threatened unravelling of the mystery surrounding her secret life?
Starring Pauline Collins.
Conclusion of EF Benson’s comedy novel, first published in 1932.
Dramatised by Aubrey Woods.
Miss Susan Leg ...... Pauline Collins
Margaret Mantrip ...... Margot Boyd
Jimmie Mason ...... Ronald Herdman
Elizabeth Conklin ...... Rachel Gurney
Lady Eva Lowndes ...... Pauline Letts
Mr Cartwright ...... Peter Howell
Bosanquet ...... John Church
Vicar ...... Tim Reynolds
Minnie Mimps ...... Sheila Grant
Head Waiter...... Manning Wilson
Mr Gandish ...... George Parsons
Ellen ...... Jennifer Piercey
Doctor ...... Gordon Reid
Mr Salt ...... Jonathan Tafler
Augustus ...... Andrew Branch
Vicar ...... Tim Reynolds
Narrated by Aubrey Woods.
Music by John Owen Edwards.
Producer: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b0075z8x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered (b0169255)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Paul Temple (b00svt6h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Mr Ledbetter's Vacation by HG Wells (m002hxyy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (b00b9ftc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007sxvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Teatime (m000fghv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 John Buchan (b00lkk0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 The Way We Live Right Now by Anthony Trollope (b00c53nz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 The Motion Show (b00762c8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b1r3hv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Secret Lives by EF Benson (b014tcjb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Icklewick FM (m002hswz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Dial M for Pizza (b009y1q0)
Series 1
Episode 3
Sharp comedy sketches featuring from ‘The Sauna Novices’ to ‘Batman in his dotage’.
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 December 1987.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002j7wt)
Christopher Douglas 3/3
Two hours of comedy, every night from 10pm. Tonight, Lou Conran wraps up her three-part chat with Christopher Douglas, the creator and star of Ed Reardon’s Week.
FRI 23:00 Desolation Jests (b0858k3l)
Episode 2
David Jason stars with John Bird, Rory Bremner and Jan Ravens in David Renwick's dark sketch comedy that takes a post-apocalyptic and distinctly counter-factual look at the history of laughter....
JP Doom interviews Viktor Schmelling about his career in comedy from his humble beginnings as a joke writer for the Queen through to his current role as Emeritus Professor of Princeton University's Faculty of Laughter. His message - life is horrible - you better learn to see the funny side.
Among the classic comedy sketches Schmelling singles out for posterity are the atheist episode of Sunday Worship; an old lag and his pet orang-utan; and 1950's cult The Demob Mob's remarkable episode on Hitler, liquorish allsorts and the awesome power of the non-sequitur.
With:
David Jason
John Bird
Jan Ravens
Rory Bremner
Christopher Timothy
Adie Allen
James Lailey
Nick Underwood
Producer: Gareth Edwards
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.
FRI 23:30 Mitch Benn Specials (b068xdrj)
Mitch Benn Has Left the Building
Elvis is one of the most impersonated men in history. But it's a surprising complex persona to inhabit.
Mitch Benn explores the man behind the phenomenon called 'Elvis'...
Humble Southern boy or bejewelled megalomaniac emperor?
Fearless rebel or gormless yes-man?
Pioneer and innovator or showbiz sell-out?
Rock and roll's greatest triumph or its most tragic waste?
From the early rock and roll years, to Mr. Presley post-army; food addiction; and his Las Vegas residency in THE SUIT...With a glorious mix of musical parodies and trivia, Mitch Benn is going to find out.
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/Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.