SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025

SAT 00:00 Wireless Nights (m0001mfq)
Series 6
Night Train
Jarvis Cocker’s series exploring the human condition after dark boards the Wireless Nights Express to hear tales of night people on sleeper - or sleepless - trains.
He begins on the Caledonian Sleeper, leaving the noise and crowds of London Euston to make a night-time journey across the country to the Scottish Highlands.
In the dining car and corridors he meets fellow passengers and stewards. And as he starts to drift off in his cabin, the train makes some unscheduled stops.
Geoff MacCormack recalls taking the Trans-Siberian express with his childhood friend David Bowie and a sobering stop at the East German border.
Tessa Smit boards a 24 hour party train; and travel writer Colin Thubron on the time he got off his train, in the middle of Siberia.
Producer: Georgia Catt
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.
SAT 00:30 Anything You Can Do (b0b8b7qb)
On 3rd July 1938, Sir Nigel Gresley’s blue streamlined ‘Mallard’ broke the world speed record for railway steam engines.
It reached an incredible 126mph - a record which still stands today.
Piers Bishop tells of the record attempt and traces the rivalry between two great railway engineers back in the golden age of steam.
Producer: Ivan Howlett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1988.
SAT 01:00 Whodunnits (m0002chk)
Hercule Poirot - The Mystery of the Blue Train
4. Le Comte de la Roche
After the murder of Ruth Kettering and theft of her jewels, suspicion falls on her none-too-scrupulous former lover.
The Comte de la Roche has a weakness for ladies and expensive gems.
But to Hercule Poirot, nothing is as obvious as it seems...
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars Maurice Denham as the Belgian detective.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot …. Maurice Denham
Katherine Grey …. Janet Maw
Rufus Van Aldin …. Robert Beatty
Derek Kettering …. Anthony Smee
Major Knighton …. Michael Deacon
Lady Tamplin …. Gwen Cherrell
Lenox …. Moir Leslie
Mirelle …. Judy Buxton
Mason …. Pauline Letts
Le Comte de la Roche …. Nigel Graham
Monsieur Caux …. Adrian Egan
Monsieur Carrege …. Gordon Reid
George …. Edward de Souza
Hipolyte …. Andrew Branch
Director: David Johnston.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January1986.
SAT 01:30 Red For Danger by Edward J Mason (m000rvwq)
6. Under Fire
Even Paul Farley is uneasy, as living targets are lined up to test the Kratz alloy metal.
Can David and Pat outwit the villains who become increasingly reckless under Johnny Johnson?
Conclusion of the suspense-packed vintage thriller serial.
Written by Edward J Mason.
Starring:
Ysanne Churchman
Anne Cullen
Chris Gittins
Arnold Peters
Bernard Rebel
Eddie Robinson
Dudley Rolph
June Spencer
Peter Wilde
Harry Stubbs
Producer: Philip Garston-Jones
First broadcast on the BBC Midland Home Service in November 1954.
SAT 02:00 The Sit Crom (b00lvmwp)
The Secret Knocke
Mercy's disguise is revealed, Father Francis is perplexed in his hole and Tobias denigrates the vegetables.
Arise Higgs and his platoon are billeted on Firebasket Hall - and Gazebo has lethal orders.
Sue Limb's six-part comedy set during the English Civil War in the days of Oliver Cromwell.
Sir John Firebasket ...... Joss Ackland
Lady Anne Firebasket ...... Denise Coffey
Tobias Thynne ...... Clive Merrison
Mercy, alias Melissa ...... Miriam Margolyes
Father Francis ...... Nickolas Grace
Slow Ned ...... Chris Emmett
Gazebo Fogg ...... Jack Klaff
Captain Arise Higgs ...... Alun Armstrong
Posthumous ...... Nicky Henson
Counter Tenor ...... Peter Hayward
Lettice ...... Jane Whittenshaw
Music by Colin Sell.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1990.
SAT 02:30 The Inimitable Jeeves (b007vgg5)
Bingo and the Little Woman
Bertie Wooster turns into a romantic novelist (again) when Bingo Little falls in love (again).
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Adapted by Chris Miller.
Jeeves ...... Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster ..... Richard Briers
Lord Bittlesham ..... Ronald Fraser
Bingo Little ..... Jonathan Cecil
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1973.
SAT 03:00 Teatime (m000g4fy)
Episode 4
There’s an awkward atmosphere in Vicky and Rav’s house, as Joe and Donna sort through the boxes in the garage and divide up the last of their belongings, remnants left over from their failed marriage.
As they talk about old times, Vicky and Rav are upstairs redecorating their spare room, and talking about the future.
Meanwhile, Lisa and Uncle Bob are on tea-cooking duties. Bob can handle it, but for Lisa, it’s genuinely the challenge of a lifetime.
So: Joe and Donna have a chat in a garage, Vicky and Rav paint a bedroom wall, and Lisa and Uncle Bob cook some baked beans.
Needless to say, events quickly spiral out of control.
Comedy by Katherine Jakeways about a chaotic but loving family.
Joe …… Philip Glenister
Donna …… Samantha Spiro
Vicky …… Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Rav …… Prasanna Puwanarajah
Lisa …… Katie Redford
Uncle Bob …… Steven Brandon
Producer: Sam Ward
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.
SAT 03:30 Thrilling Stories of the Railway (b00fwcsp)
The Affair of the Birmingham Bank
Can daring Edwardian sleuth, Thorpe Hazell manage to foil a gold bullion train robbery?
Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch's most famous novel, first published in 1912.
Thorpe Hazell is a speciality detective using his locomotive expertise to solve audacious and ingenious crimes plaguing Britain’s Edwardian railways.
Adapted by Fiona Kelcher.
Concluded by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Thorpe is an eccentric and is in many ways a man before his time: a vegetarian and health fanatic using his encyclopaedic railway knowledge to tackle Britain's most ingenious smugglings, thefts, kidnaps and murders. A man of independent means, he thrives on working to his own whims - and operating outside the law when it suits him.
Producer: Fiona Kelcher
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2008.
SAT 03:45 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (b017x4fj)
10. Startling Intelligences
Gilbert is in despair. He hasn't seen Helen Graham for several months now and he has learnt that she has returned to nurse her sick husband.
Gilbert......Robert Lonsdale
Helen......Hattie Morahan
Huntingdon......Leo Bill
Arthur......Samuel Bridger
Lawrence......Carl Prekopp
Director: David Hunter
Dramatised by: Rachel Joyce
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
SAT 04:00 The Motion Show (b00762pb)
Series 4
Episode 4
Debates galore from modern manners - to life in the fast lane.
Graeme Garden chairs the quirky battle of words and wit.
With:
Jenny Eclair
Hugh Dennis
Stuart Maconie
Greg Proops
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.
SAT 04:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b0b430zf)
Series 3
The Decluttererer
Why not sort out your life and sign on with the patent Milton Declutterering Method! (Including getting rid of that extra "er" in Declutterering.)
Written by Milton Jones with James Cary and Dan Evans
With:
Tom Goodman-Hill
Josie Lawrence
Ben Willbond
Music by Guy Jackson
Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
SAT 05:00 Victoria Station (b06spfst)
Series 1
5. Over the Points: Wednesday 1st February 1895
Wednesday 1st February, 1895. A day notable for accidental honour and pre-meditated dishonour.
The crash inquiry begins and a second disaster looms. Can Roberts clear his name?
Series of self-contained dramas set in Victoria Station, Bridgford on consecutive Wednesdays in January and February of 1895.
Written by Nottingham-born author Steve Chambers.
Joe Braddock .... Sean Baker
Tidmarsh .... Philip Jackson
Josie .... Julia Ford
Ada .... Pauline Letts
Mr Cripps .... Gavin Muir
Fred Roberts .... John Hartley
Syd .... Tom Bevan
Phoebe .... Becky Hindley
Robson .... Lloyd Notice
Jackson .... Joshua Towb
Sir James Chettle .... Stephen Thorne
Miss Walker .... Jilly Bond
Mrs Peabody .... Joyce Gibbs
Hickman .... Tim Seely
Jamie .... Ian Taylor
Dr Keeble .... George Parsons
Wheeler .... Tom Knight
Mr Newton... Peter Whitman
Mr Allcock .... Don McCorkindale
Director: Celia de Wolff
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1995.
SAT 05:45 Miss Bessemer Saves The Train by Roy Apps (m0010wm4)
5. 'Young Man, I Know Precisely What a 'V' Sign Means...!'
Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman’s fight to halt the closure of her local railway.
Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you’ve got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings.
Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.
But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer’s plans are consigned to the dustbin of history.
All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.
Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world’s first preserved standard gauge passenger railway – the Bluebell Line – but also to the UK’s multi-million pound heritage railway industry.
Writer: Roy Apps
Reader: Penelope Keith
Director: Celia de Wolff
Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2021.
SAT 06:00 Drama on 4 (b09fj3xf)
Stamboul Train by Graham Greene
Europe in the 1930s. A dangerous place to be.
As the Orient Express weaves its way through snow towards Constantinople, a motley group of people find themselves threatened by intrigue, skulduggery and murderous politics.
It is a heady cocktail of wit, adventure, mystery, interrogations, scamming, shoot-outs and sexual intrigue.
Graham Greene's tense thriller novel, first published in 1932.
Greene admitted, in 1974, that he wrote it to make a bit of money. "In Stamboul Train for the first and last time in my life I deliberately set out to write a book to please, one which with luck might be made into a film. The devil looks after his own and I succeeded in both aims"
Starring Joseph Milson and Sam Dale.
Dramatised by Jeremy Front.
Myatt ….. Joseph Millson
Coral ….. Abbie Andrews
Czinner ….. Sam Dale
Josef ….. Nicholas Murchie
Mabel ….. Jane Slavin
Janet ….. Isabella Inchbald
Petkovitch ….. Simon Ludders
Ninitch ….. Samuel James
Hartep ….. Phillip Fox
Mrs Peters ….. Ellie Darvil
Mr Peters ….. Charlie Clements
Other parts played by:
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong
Adam Fitzgerald
Gary Duncan
David Reakes
Kath Weare
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
SAT 07:30 Stage and Screen (b007fw3h)
Julie Andrews
West End, Broadway and Hollywood star Dame Julie Andrews looks back over her career.
Ranging from childhood vaudeville to 'The Sound of Music' - with anecdotes about many of the big names she worked with. In conversation with Edward Seckerson.
Featuring extracts of many of Julie's best loved performances in 'The Boyfriend', 'My Fair Lady', 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound of Music'.
Born 1st October 1935 - Dame Julie Andrews celebrates her 90th birthday this week.
Producers: Bill Lloyd & Lindsay Pell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in December 2003.
SAT 09:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m002k32f)
Series 3
Saga Of The Snow 2/2
The house guests have gone missing in the snow!
Whatever are the dear ladies going to do..?
Starring Dame Hilda Bracket and her lifelong companion Dr Evadne Hinge.
Brought to you from the genteel setting of the Suffolk village of Stackton Tressel, where the musical duo reside.
Written by Mike Craig, Lawrie Kinsley and Ron McDonnell.
Dame Hilda Bracket ...... Patrick Fyffe
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... George Logan
Maud .... Daphne Heard
PC Bolsover .... Herbert Smith
Three series ran on BBC Radio 4 between 1977 and 1979, with further spin-off seasons on BBC Radio 2 until 1990.
In the early 1980s, they expanded over to BBC TV with the series Dear Ladies.
Producer: James Casey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1979.
SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m0007klm)
Series 3
Episode 1
Kenneth Horne has his flat redecorated and Hornerama investigates photography.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman and Barry Took
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee
Music from Pat Lancaster, the Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Incidental music by Edwin Braden.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith and Rodney and Charles.
The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’ – sadly only 15 shows survive from the original run of 21 episodes in Series 2. Audio restored using both home and overseas (BBC Transcription Service) recordings.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1960.
SAT 10:00 Archive on 4 (b0076pgg)
The Hills Are Alive
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Julie Andrews' starring role in the big screen version of The Sound of Music - another chance to hear Mark Kermode's look back at the film's evolution.
Along with the music, the programme includes interviews with:
* The original Maria Von Trapp
* Julie Andrews
* Christopher Plummer
* Film Director Robert Wise
* Other members of the cast and film crew.
Producer: Bob Dickinson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
SAT 11:00 Drama on 4 (b09fj3xf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Stage and Screen (b007fw3h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 14:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m002k32f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m0007klm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Archive on 4 (b0076pgg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 272 Attempts by Bryony Lavery (b0076mn4)
An isolated house. The discovery of children's graves. A large number of tagged children in the house.
Award- winning playwright Bryony Lavery explores the world of genetics.
Patrick Lear …. Malcolm Sinclair
Helen Lear …. Penelope Wilton
Chisobe Oylele …. Adjoa Andoh
Dr Serkassie …. Deborah Findlay
Chavez …. Stephen Hogan
Cupido …. Alice Hart
Colonel Treves …. John Rowe
Dr Cortes …. Philip Fox
Dr Chang …. Joanna McCallum
Father Sifacis …. Jon Glover
With:
Lulu Popplewell
Anton Rice
Jessica Crossley
Director: Claire Grove
First Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
SAT 17:00 Drama on 4 (b09fj3xf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Stage and Screen (b007fw3h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 20:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m002k32f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m0007klm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Archive on 4 (b0076pgg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Boosh (b007jmfm)
Jungle
Howard has had enough of the way Bob Fossil is running the zoo, so he sets off in search of his childhood hero and legendary zookeeper, Tommy.
Written by and starring Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt.
The Boosh is a surreal adventure based on the Perrier Award-winning comedy show, featuring Howard and Vince's battles with zoo manager Bob Fossil.
Howard Moon …. Julian Barrattt
Vince Noir …. Noel Fielding
Bob Fossil …. Rich Fulcher
With Richard Ayoade.
After BBC radio gave them their big break with this series, they transferred to BBC TV where The Mighty Boosh ran for three series.
Producer: Danny Wallace.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.
SAT 22:30 Start/Stop (b07qc3gc)
Series 3
6. Friends
Barney is being suspiciously nice to Cathy. Fiona wants Evan to invest in her new business but Evan thinks it will be a disaster.
And David is trying not to be so controlling.
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
Producer: Claire Jones
A BBC Studio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2016.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002kcz9)
Ria Lina 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Isy Suttie chats to fellow comedian Ria Lina.
SAT 23:00 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b015mvsj)
Series 1
Episode 4
Enjoy some musical interludes from the zoo, and a sketch that only a fool wouldn't find funny.
John Finnemore presents another half hour of his very own sketches.
Written by and starring John Finnemore.
With:
Carrie Quinlan
Lawry Lewin
Simon Kane
Producer: Ed Morrish
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2011.
SAT 23:30 Richard Herring's Objective (b017mt04)
Series 2
The Old School Tie
Richard examines 'The Old School Tie' an object that has come to represent public school networks and contacts. Richard asks if it is acceptable to be prejudice against the posh?
Series in which Richard Herring pokes and prods a variety controversial objects and see if the controversy falls out.
Through vox pops, interviews and stand up comedy, he examines the objects' history, meaning and significance and challenges our assumed logic and stereotypes.
Can we reclaim these objects away from their unfortunate associations?
Written by and starring Richard Herring.
With Emma Kennedy.
Special guest: Alexei Sayle
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2025

SUN 00:00 272 Attempts by Bryony Lavery (b0076mn4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Drama on 4 (b09fj3xf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Stage and Screen (b007fw3h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket (m002k32f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m0007klm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Archive on 4 (b0076pgg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002kt79)
Just A Minute
Stephen Mangan
Actor Stephen Mangan is castaway by Lauren Laverne in an extended edition.
Stephen is an award-winning actor who is also a presenter and writer. His prolific career includes comedic roles in TV hits Green Wing; Episodes and Adrian Mole.
He also plays the much loved Nathan in BBC drama The Split and has appeared in many award winning theatre productions in the UK and on Broadway.
Born in London to Irish immigrant parents, Stephen studied Law at Cambridge University.
His passion though was for acting and after taking time out to care for his mother, he spent three years at RADA before pursuing a successful career on stage, screen and film.
Stephen lives in London with his wife and three sons.
DISC ONE: King of the Road - Roger Miller
DISC TWO: I Recall A Gypsy Woman - Don Williams
DISC THREE: Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon
DISC FOUR: Who Knows Where the Time Goes - Fairport Convention
DISC FIVE: Stayin Alive - Bee Gees
DISC SIX: Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major, M. 83: II. Adagio assai. Composed by Maurice Ravel and performed by Martha Argerich (piano) and Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Claudio Abbado
DISC SEVEN: Rhapsody in Blue. Composed by George Gershwin and performed by New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta
DISC EIGHT: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
BOOK CHOICE: Collected Works of Seamus Heaney
LUXURY ITEM: A piano
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Stayin Alive - Bee Gees
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Sarah Taylor
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2025.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002k36y)
Adventures in Poetry - Vitai Lampada
Daljit Nagra celebrates 'play' the theme of National Poetry Day 2025 by revisiting the BBC's poetry archive and selecting Adventures in Poetry with Peggy Reynolds. The iconic Victorian poem Vitai Lampada by Henry Newbolt is better known to most by its rousing chorus 'play up, play up and play the game!"
Henry Newbolt's poem Vitai Lampada seems at first sight to be a product solely of its time and place. It was written at the end of the 19th century and it features cricket, war and a public school ethos about sport and leadership.
However, as Peggy Reynolds unpacks the poem and talks to people who still know it, some surprises emerge.
Producer Christine Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
SUN 07:30 Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch (Omnibus) (m002k370)
Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch's most famous novel, first published in 1912.
Eccentric Thorpe Hazell is a speciality detective using his locomotive expertise to solve audacious and ingenious crimes plaguing Britain’s Edwardian railways.
Omnibus of five parts adapted by Fiona Kelcher.
* THE AFFAIR OF THE GERMAN DISPATCH BOX
Can a daring amateur sleuth help to intercept a German dispatch-box with a highly confidential document stolen from the British Government?
* SIR GILBERT MURRELL'S PICTURE
A goods train carrying valuable paintings arrives with one missing carriage. The sleuth must uncover how thieves removed it from a non-stopping service?
* THE AFFAIR OF THE CORRIDOR EXPRESS
The son of a multi-millionaire is snatched from a moving train. Can Thorpe Hazell foil the kidnappers' dastardly plan..?
* THE STOLEN NECKLACE
A passenger begs for Thorpe Hazell's help after her Aunt's valuable diamonds are stolen from her luggage.
* THE AFFAIR OF THE BIRMINGHAM BANK
Can daring Edwardian sleuth, Thorpe Hazell manage to foil a gold bullion train robbery?
Read by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Hazell is in many ways a man before his time: a vegetarian and health fanatic with an encyclopaedic railway knowledge. A man of independent means, he thrives on working to his own whims - and operating outside the law when it suits him.
English reverend, railway enthusiast and popular mystery writer, Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch's immaculate plots were much admired by Dorothy L Sayers and Ellery Queen. He was one of the first authors to submit his stories to Scotland Yard so they could vet his police procedures.
Producer: Fiona Kelcher
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2008.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lprlqj)
Ade Adepitan
TV presenter, and Paralympian, Ade Adepitan chooses ‘One Drop’ by Bob Marley and ‘Optimistic’ by Sounds of Blackness.
SUN 08:50 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Omnibus) (b017ztsm)
Episode 2
Gentleman farmer Gilbert Markham has been learning why Helen Graham has sought refuge in the neighbourhood.
Reading her journal, he discovers how her marriage has been severely tested by her husband's prolonged absences - as well as his drinking and infidelity.
And now she has a son to care for too...
Anne Bronte’s second and final novel, first published under a pseudonym 1848.
Omnibus of the last five of ten parts dramatised by Rachel Joyce
Gilbert …. Robert Lonsdale
Helen .... Hattie Morahan
Huntingdon …. Leo Bill
Arthur …. Samuel Bridger
Rose …. Leah Brotherhead
Annabella …. Emerald O'Hanrahan
Hargrave .... Stephen Critchlow
Lowborough …. Chris Webster
Miss Myers …. Alex Rivers
Lawrence …. Carl Prekopp
Eliza …. Victoria Inez Hardy
Director: David Hunter
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.
SUN 10:00 Frankie Howerd (m001vcsv)
Series 4
Episode 2
The King of Titters takes his driving test and recalls wartime escapades.
Frankie takes a comic look back through his eventful life and illustrious career.
Written by David McKellar and David Nobbs.
With:
Ray Fell
Barbara Mitchell
Christopher Scoular
April Walker
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1975.
SUN 10:30 Jim the Great (b0334t0v)
Series 2
Here Comes the Hun
The moustachioed monarch raises an army to take on Attila and his approaching horde.
Back in the days of yore, one particular chieftain was very hard up... King Jim.
A historical regal romp starring Jimmy Edwards.
Written by Andrew Palmer.
King Jim …. Jimmy Edwards
Queen Esmerelda …. Joan Sanderson
The Chancellor …. Julian Orchard
Attila the Hun …. Jack Watson
With:
John Graham
John Baddiley
Following a successful pilot, ‘Jim the Great’ ran for three series on BBC Radio 2 between 1976 and 1979.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in September 1979.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002kt79)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002k36y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch (Omnibus) (m002k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lprlqj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Omnibus) (b017ztsm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Frankie Howerd (m001vcsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Jim the Great (b0334t0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Haunted (b01qxztt)
The Lamp by Agatha Christie
A sickly young boy settles at a new address, but his ghostly playmate has other ideas...
Agatha Christie's creepy tale dramatised by Patricia Mays.
Mrs Lancaster ...... Judy Cornwell
Mr Windburn ...... Timothy Bateson
Geoffrey ...... Marco Ferraro
Radnor ...... William Eadle
Doctor ...... Arnold Diamond
Child ...... Simon Meacock
Director: Derek Hoddinott
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in July 1984.
SUN 16:30 Jefferson 37 by Jenny Stephens (b007jwfl)
1. Abbotsville
What happens when spare-part surgery becomes the norm?
Marketing expert Eleanor Riley is called in to re-vamp the image of a remote clone farm.
She soon discovers that there's more to ‘Abbotsville’ than meets the eye...
Stars Oliver Hembrough and Alison Carney.
Sci-fi thriller written by Jenny Stephens in four parts.
Jefferson 37 …. Oliver Hembrough
Patel 2 …. Dharmesh Patel
Eleanor Riley …. Alison Carney
Dr Abbots …. David Birrell
Dr Martell …. Rob Swinton
Paul Smith …. Alex Jones
Saskia Treby 9 …. Helen Monks
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in January 2006.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002kt79)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002k36y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch (Omnibus) (m002k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lprlqj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Omnibus) (b017ztsm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Frankie Howerd (m001vcsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Jim the Great (b0334t0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Clare in the Community (b008hvzj)
Series 1
Combat Zone
Learning to drive, the social worker heads to the office Christmas party with Brian.
Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her 30s, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Clare continually struggles to control both her professional and private life
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Starring Sally Phillips and Alex Lowe.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.
SUN 22:30 King Cutler (b0090bdh)
King Cutler VI
The final episode. What more can be said?
Plenty.
Songs, poems and stories from Phyllis King , Ivor Cutler and their visitors.
With:
Dylan Edwards
Ted Harrison
Craig Murray-Orr
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in February 1990.
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002kcyw)
Ria Lina 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Isy Suttie chats again to fellow comedian Ria Lina.
SUN 23:00 Meet David Sedaris (m000t6lt)
Series 8
Instalment 1
When the whole world ground to a Covid-fuelled viral halt - world-renowned storyteller David Sedaris recorded this special series of entertaining essays and diary entries at his Sussex home.
Series 8 kicks off with more of David’s sardonic wit and incisive social critiques.
* Recipe For Disaster
* Nailed
* Must Everything Go?
David Sedaris first shared his very particular world view having brought us The SantaLand Diaries back in 1996.
David has become one of America’s pre-eminent humour writers and, in 2019, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he's a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.
SUN 23:30 I Think I've Got a Problem (b007wp39)
Series 1
Episode 1
Tom Caine awakes one morning to discover he can't stop singing at inappropriate moments.
As a result, he loses his job and his girlfriend Sadie.
Who are the strange bunch of musicians following him around? Why can't anyone else see them? Will Tom reach the high notes?
Starring Suggs and Bob Monkhouse.
Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero's everyday story about a man who can't stop himself from breaking into song.
Tom Caine …… Suggs
Dr Boone …… Bob Monkhouse
Sadie …… Mika Simmons
Bouche …… Phil Cornwell
Clammy Clemence …… Michael Roberts
Jake …… Andrew McGibbon
Monty DeVere …… Nick Romero
Miss Lie …… Emma Clarke
Songs: Andrew McGibbon, Nick Romero and Suggs
Director: Chris Neill
Producers: Torquil MacLeod, Julian Mayers and Andrew McGibbon.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2001.

MONDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2025

MON 00:00 Haunted (b01qxztt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Jefferson 37 by Jenny Stephens (b007jwfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002kt79)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002k36y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor Lorenzo Whitechurch (Omnibus) (m002k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (p0lprlqj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Omnibus) (b017ztsm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Frankie Howerd (m001vcsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Jim the Great (b0334t0v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Whodunnits (m0002cvc)
Hercule Poirot - The Mystery of the Blue Train
5. A Dancer's Revenge
Ruth Kettering has been found murdered on the Blue Train with her priceless rubies stolen.
Both her husband Derek and former lover are suspects.
So when Hercule Poirot discovers he's recently acquired a set of rubies, the case would seem to be cut and dried.
Or is it..?
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars Maurice Denham as the Belgian detective.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot …. Maurice Denham
Katherine Grey …. Janet Maw
Rufus Van Aldin …. Robert Beatty
Derek Ketterin …. Anthony Smee
Major Knighton …. Michael Deacon
Mirelle …. Judy Buxton
Monsieur Carrege …. Gordon Reid
Le Comte de la Roche …. Nigel Graham
Mason …. Pauline Letts
Zia …. Jane Leonard
Papopoulos …. Ronald Herdman
George …. Edward de Souza
Waiter …. Jamie Roberts
Director: David Johnston.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1986.
MON 06:30 Limelight (m001b4fs)
Exemplar: Series 1
1. Judith
Gina McKee stars as Jess, a lone wolf scientist with a troubled past whose passion for sound makes her the UK’s leading audio forensic examiner.
Together with her new trainee, Maya, she undertakes a different sound challenge in every episode.
A modern-day thriller set in the North-East of England.
Jess attends the scene of a young woman’s apparently accidental death to create an audio exemplar to match a recording from a voice activated speaker.
Mysterious voice messages about the past from her mother Judith add to the tension.
Exemplar is rooted in factual research and based on an idea from Ben and Max Ringham. Written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato.
Exemplar: an audio recording made by a forensic analyst to recreate the precise audio conditions of a piece of evidence in a criminal or civil case
Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Aoife ..... Fenella Woolgar
Judith ..... Barbara Marten
Nathalie ..... Chetna Pandya
Dylan ..... Don Gilet
Writers: Ben and Max Ringham, with Dan Rebellato
Showrunner: Dan Rebellato
Audio forensic consultant: James Zjalić
Sound recordist: Alisdair McGregor
Studio assistant: Oyin Fowowe
Production coordinator: Darren Spruce
Sound design: Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton
Original music/Sound consultants: Ben and Max Ringham
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
Executive producer: Joby Waldman
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2022.
MON 07:00 Pankhiraj (b07mf5zt)
The Move
Can Sripurna find new tenants for her flat?
Will Malati's comedy gig be a success?
Three generations of women collide jn Tanika Gupta's four-part comedy.
Starring Charubala Chokshi, Souad Faress and Meera Syal.
Malati ...... Meera Syal
Dida ...... Charubala Chokshi
Sripurna ...... Souad Faress
Rehana ...... Vinny Dhillon
Geoffrey ...... Geoffrey Beevers
Nishith ...... Bhasker Patel
Director: Michelle Matherson Frederick
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007js9w)
Series 1
A Stripe for Frazer
When Captain Mainwaring promotes Private Frazer, his new powers go straight to his head...
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
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Walker …. James Beck
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Captain Bailey …. Michael Knowles
Colonel Square …. Geoffrey Lumsden
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1974.
MON 08:00 Michael Frayn's Pocket Playhouse (b0b6phln)
Episode 4
Martin Jarvis directs Michael Frayn’s masterly comic series with an outstanding cast led by Ian McKellen, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, Alfred Molina, Alex Jennings and Jarvis himself.
Michael Frayn - author of Noises Off - is the most comic philosophical writer of our time.
This final episode reveals his infectious delight in writing between the lines of theatre, fiction, TV and the media, the church, relationships - life in general.
* Joanna Lumley presents a surprising travel programme
* Janie Dee and Alex Jennings have memory lapses, and the ensemble provides an unusual restaurant menu.
* Alex Jennings fronts a manic infomercial
* Gyles Brandreth chairs the TV-watching Championships, assisted by Nigel Anthony and George Blagden
* Alfred Molina and Yeni Alvarez speak "international English"
* Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres wonder what's really happening on the radio.
Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
MON 08:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dywr9)
1. Discovery
Thomas Keneally's account of his discovery of the story of Oskar Schindler.
This became the basis for his Booker Prize-winning novel Schindler's Ark and the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing.
Read by James Laurenson.
Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008.
MON 08:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011tz8m)
1. Tobermory
Recycled and restaged - this is a collection of short stories written by Saki (HH Munro)
They're now set in a modern-day gated-community for the far-too-wealthy for their own good.
The tales are woven together by the character of Clovis, a security guard. She recalls the events of strange days and long nights.
Starting with barrister couple Lady Jane and Jean-Michel Blemley, who hold a dinner party for some of their rich clients.
One of their guests, eccentric scientist Cornelius Appin, claims that he has been experimenting with animal behaviour techniques and can teach them to communicate.
When he demonstrates on the Blemleys' cat, Tobermory, the couple find they have a problem on their hands and seek assistance from security guard Clovis.
Dramatised in five parts by Sean Grundy.
Clovis ...... Pippa Haywood
Tobermory ...... Nick Mohammed
Cornelius Appin ...... Alan Coveney
Lady Jane Blemley ...... Dolly Wells
Jean-Michel Blemley ...... Ed Weeks
Agnes Resker ...... Jennifer Lee Jellicorse
Odo Finsberry ...... David Collins
Bertie Van Than ...... Paul Dodgson
Director: Alison Crawford.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
MON 09:00 Just a Minute (m002jscp)
Series 95
6. Do you believe in soul mates?
Sue Perkins challenges Julian Clary, Rachel Parris, Paterson Joseph and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include my Spanish exchange, Paddington Bear and shoulder pads.
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Additional material by Eve Delaney
An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 09:30 Empire of Tea (m001t307)
1. Cosy With A Kick
Exciting and enterprising, bloody and brutal.
Sathnam Sanghera tells the story of our national drink and its imperial past.
Punjabi cha, served from a saucepan to the whole family every morning, is the drink of Sathnam’s childhood. But he’s also noticed that tea is a Forrest Gump-type figure, appearing at all sorts of key moments in global history.
Tea arrived in Britain as an exotic product for the elite. How and why did it then become a drink for the masses?
Discover the story of how Britain's national drink and its imperial background helped shape the modern world.
Producer: Paul Martin
A BBC Audio Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2023.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002k3n7)
Love your neighbour - Eternal Life
Theme: Love your neighbour - Eternal Life
Presenter: Archbishop Cherry Vann
Reading: Luke 10 25:28
Music:
New Every Morning
Brother Sister Let Me Serve You
Now Thank We All Our God
MON 10:00 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b0075yfg)
Gore Vidal
Fastidious, unforgiving, disdainful, aphoristic, bellicose and wickedly compelling.
Born 3rd October 1925 - legendary American writer and critic, Gore Vidal is the latest to join 4 Extra’s 100 Club.
Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare's in depth interviews with prominent people from different walks of life.
Born in Dublin, author Anthony Clare held a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in philosophy and was a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. After becoming a regular on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week in the 1980s, he became Britain's best-known psychiatrist and earned his own vehicle, In the Psychiatrist's Chair.
Starting in 1982, this series ran until 2001 and also transferred to TV. Highlights include conversations with Bob Monkhouse, Cecil Parkinson and Gerry Adams.
Anthony Clare died suddenly in Paris aged 64 in 2007.
Producer: Michael Ember
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2000.
MON 10:45 Short Works (b09w2tjj)
Series 1
The Path Taken by Emma Donoghue
When a mother becomes separated from her children during a hike, the police begin the search for the missing children.
However the outpouring of support on social media soon turns ugly when contradictions in the statements given to police come to light.
An original short story commissioned by BBC Radio 4 from Emma Donoghue - the bestselling writer of 'Room', and its Academy Award nominated screen-adaptation.
Read by:
Christy Meyer
Isabella Mattera
Antonio Mattera
Georgie Glen
Philip Bretherton
Luke Bailey
Ryan Whittle
Emma is an Irish-Canadian playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. Her novels include 'The Wonder', 'Frog Music' and the best-seller 'Room' which was also a finalist for the Man Booker Prize.
Producer: Michael Shannon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2018.
MON 11:00 Whodunnits (m0002cvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Limelight (m001b4fs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 Pankhiraj (b07mf5zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007js9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 Michael Frayn's Pocket Playhouse (b0b6phln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dywr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011tz8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Brain of Britain (b079mdhq)
Bard Brain of Britain
Who knows most about William Shakespeare and his works?
Russell Davies welcomes four experts from the theatre and the world of Shakespeare studies, in order to find out.
This special edition of the nation's longest-running general knowledge quiz - Brain of Britain - was originally recorded to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
Much-loved theatre and film actors Fiona Shaw and John Sessions take on experts Carol Rutter of the University of Warwick and Paul Edmondson of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Questions range across Shakespeare's life, plays and poems, and there'll be plenty of musical and archive extracts to identify.
The winner will lift the trophy as the official BBC 'Bard Brain of Britain'.
Producer: Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.
MON 14:30 Married (b007zmd4)
Series 2
Identity
Robin is about to encounter the double of someone he knew from his old universe.
After all this time, and one universe later, he can't still be nursing a grudge?
Hugh Bonneville stars in Tony Bagley's comedy.
Robin .... Hugh Bonneville
Lesley .... Josie Lawrence
Dirk .... Stephen Frost
Dame Jane Hyde .... Stephanie Cole
Philippa .... Siobhan Redmond
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.
MON 15:00 Singh Tangos by Bettina Gracias (m002k3n9)
Anxious to immerse themselves in British culture and shake off their Indian roots, Mr and Mrs Singh take up ballroom dancing.
Mina is entranced and determined that they enter a dancing competition.
But Harry's enthusiasm soon wanes when he discovers his wife's plans for his costume.
Starring Nina Wadia and Ajay Chhabra.
Written by Bettina Gracias
Mrs Singh .... Nina Wadia
Mr Singh .... Ajay Chhabra
Tej .... Kevin Sherwani
Cassie .... Harvey Virdi
Osbourne .... Stephen Critchlow
Dance Teacher .... Lee Williams
Director: Rosalynd Ward
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2000
MON 16:00 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b0075yfg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:45 Short Works (b09w2tjj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]
MON 17:00 Whodunnits (m0002cvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Limelight (m001b4fs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 Pankhiraj (b07mf5zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007js9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 Michael Frayn's Pocket Playhouse (b0b6phln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dywr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011tz8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Brain of Britain (b079mdhq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Married (b007zmd4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Singh Tangos by Bettina Gracias (m002k3n9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m002jscp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 The Right Time (b00c693m)
Series 3
Episode 2
Facelift fracas - and a new TV quiz show for the hard of memory.
The sketch comedy for people growing older disgracefully.
Starring:
Eleanor Bron
Graeme Garden
Neil Innes
Clive Swift
Roger Blake
Paula Wilcox
Written by Julie Balloo, Janet Ellis, Graeme Garden, Mike Haskins, Jan Etherington, Alan Stafford, Colin Bostock Smith, Mike Pilman, Mark Brisenden and Robert Mills.
Script Editor: Jed Parsons.
Music by Ronnie & The Rex and Neil Innes.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m002jswh)
Series 118
4. A Lib Dem Conference and a Seagull Summit
In the week where Trump addressed the UN, Lib Dems conferred on the beaches of Bournemouth, and a Seagull Summit came to Inverness, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Simon Evans, Neil Delamere, Tiff Stevenson and Cindy Yu to break it all down. Expect talk of the Burnham from behind, the Boriswave, and the wettest generation since the floods.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Miranda Holms, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 The Harpoon (b007k4cc)
Series 1
Episode 1
From patent cures to whaling for the under 5s.
The nostalgic spiffing spoof of adventure story papers for boys.
Hip hip!
Written by Julian Dutton and Peter Baynham.
Performed by:
Susie Brann
Alistair McGowan
Mary Elliot-Nelson
Julian Dutton
Peter Baynham
Producer: Sarah Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1991.

TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUE 00:00 In the Psychiatrist's Chair (b0075yfg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:45 Short Works (b09w2tjj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Whodunnits (m0002cvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Limelight (m001b4fs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Pankhiraj (b07mf5zt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007js9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Michael Frayn's Pocket Playhouse (b0b6phln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dywr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011tz8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Brain of Britain (b079mdhq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Married (b007zmd4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Singh Tangos by Bettina Gracias (m002k3n9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Whodunnits (m0002hdp)
Hercule Poirot - The Mystery of the Blue Train
6. The Mask of The Marquis
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'.
This is an adage that Derek Kettering isn't likely to forget since his snubbed mistress, the tempestuous Mirelle, has denounced him to the police as his wife's murderer!
But somehow Hercule Poirot just can't get that mysterious figure 'the Marquis' out of his mind...
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunnit.
Maurice Denham stars as the Belgian detective.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot …. Maurice Denham
Katherine Grey …. Janet Maw
Rufus Van Aldin …. Robert Beatty
Major Knighton …. Michael Deacon
Lenox …. Moir Leslie
Zia …. Jane Leonard
Papopolous …. Ronald Herdman
Monsieur Carrege …. Gordon Reid
Based on a short story, The Plymouth Express.
Director: David Johnston.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January1986.
TUE 06:30 Limelight (m001bcnt)
Exemplar: Series 1
2. Searching
A modern day thriller set in the North East of England. Starring Gina McKee as Jess, a lone wolf scientist with a troubled past whose passion for sound makes her the UK’s leading audio forensic examiner.
A mysterious voice note takes Jess on a hunt to find an old friend.
Exemplar is based on an idea by leading sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, and written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato.
Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Aoife ..... Fenella Woolgar
Judith ..... Barbara Marten
Neil ..... Don Gilet
Ellie ..... Charlie Hardwick
Audio forensic consultant: James Zjalić
Sound recordist: Alisdair McGregor
Studio assistant: Oyin Fowowe
Production coordinator: Darren Spruce
Sound design: Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton
Original music/Sound consultants: Ben and Max Ringham
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
Executive producer: Joby Waldman
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2022.
TUE 07:00 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
The Whiz Kid
"I should have gone into big business years ago Eric. This is going to be a new era for me. No more fishing around in the pedal bin for used teabags. I'll be able to employ people to do that for me."
Can Wally Thornton convince his pals that his business ideas are more than just pipe dreams?
Starring Tony Brandon as Wally.
Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor.
With
Chris Ellison
John Jardine
Nick Maloney
Rosalind Knight
Theme and incidental music by Debbie Katz.
Produced in BBC Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in November 1982.
**** Tony Brandon's BBC career was mainly as a disc-jockey for Radio 1 and 2 from 1967-1982.
But as an actor, he also recorded two radio comedy series 'The Family Brandon' and 'Wally Who?'
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b00dyb10)
Series 8
Ten Snowballs That Shook the World
Neddie Seagoon attempts to auction the equator - from a raft.
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
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: Charles Chilton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in February 1958.
TUE 08:00 The Wilsons Save the World (m0002r74)
Series 2
Library
Maxine Wilson continues to occupy the local library despite the council closing it.
Now it looks like eviction is on the cards!
Daughter Cat can’t really see the point of libraries anyway, with the internet, and it becomes clear that Mike doesn’t fully grasp what they really mean either.
As things take a turn towards the more confrontational, Mike recruits a veteran activist, much to Max’s horror.
Sitcom about trying to live ethically and do the right thing.
Written by Marcus Brigstocke and Sarah Morgan.
Mike ...... Marcus Brigstocke
Max ...... Kerry Godliman
Cat ...... Mia Jenkins
Lola ...... India Brown
Pauline ...... Liza Tarbuck
Various ...... Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
TUE 08:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v0)
2. Journey
Inspired by Polish-American Holocaust survivor Leopold "Poldek" Pfefferberg, Thomas Keneally sets out to meet other Schindlerjuden - Jews saved by Oskar Schindler – both Australian and American.
His findings became the basis for the Booker Prize-winning novel Schindler's Ark and the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
Abridged by Laurence Wareing.
Read by James Laurenson.
Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008.
TUE 08:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011v1bg)
2. The Interlopers
Recycled and restaged - this is a collection of short stories written by Saki (HH Munro)
They're now set in a modern-day gated-community for the far-too-wealthy for their own good.
The tales are woven together by the character of Clovis, a security guard. She recalls the events of strange days and long nights.
Divorced couple Georgina Znaeym and Ulrich Gradwitz hate each other.
Both professors of Socio geoeconomics at rival universities, each is in line for the prestigious Eisenberg Award.
They are high-minded and serious but in their spare time they are devotees of the on-line video game 'Carpathian Empire' where they fight most of their battles.
When Ulrich delivers a particularly nasty blow to Georgina, she reacts accordingly and their fighting spills out into the real world.
Dramatised by Sean Grundy.
Clovis ...... Pippa Haywood
Georgina Znaeym ...... Barbara Flynn
Ulrich Gradwitz ...... John Sessions
Jeff the Man ...... Malcolm Hamilton
Director: Alison Crawford.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
TUE 09:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m00127vg)
Series 11
Walthamstow, London
Walthamstow has got plenty going for it - "it has the requisite villagey middle-class bit, but with a proper gor-blimey guv'nor East End heart" says one newspaper article and Mark finds a town mid-gentrification. The dog track has gone, the famously long market remains but there is also a Viking Shop and an extraordinary showroom and workshop with a vast range of neon light fittings called God's Own Junkyard. There is a museum dedicated to the designer William Morris who used to live there and there's evidence of a recent war too in the form of the cycling scheme known as "mini-Holland." Hopefully Mark will tread carefully. With guest local MP Stella Creasy.
The full box set of all episodes (with well over 50 towns visited) is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
Written by and starring...Mark Steel
With additional material from Pete Sinclair
Production Coordinator...Beverly Tagg
Producer...Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios Production.
TUE 09:30 Empire of Tea (m001t3fy)
2. Tea At Work
During the industrial revolution workers were powered by very sugary tea.
Historian Lizzie Collingham tells Sathnam Sanghera about the economic forces that led people to the drink, and what that meant for their health.
Then, moving into the 20th Century, Sathnam discusses the rise of the tea break with help from staff in the break room at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital.
And Peter Turnbull of Bristol University analyses how the right to a tea break sometimes became a source of tension in industrial relations.
Producer: Paul Martin
A BBC Audio Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2023.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002k4c3)
Love your neighbour - The Greatest Commandment
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Love your neighbour - The Greatest Commandment
Presenter: Tim Gee
Reading: Mark 12 28-34
The Lords Prayer: Taken from ‘A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa’.
Music:
This Little Light - Sam Cooke
Down by the riverside - Louis Armstrong
In Christ there is no East or West - Mavis Staples.
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m0009b3s)
Poorna Bell and Tony Law
Writer Poorna Bell and comedian Tony Law join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books by Banana Yoshimoto, Lissa Evans and Voltaire.
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (translator – Megan Backus)
Publisher: Faber
Old Baggage by Lissa Evans
Publisher: Black Swan
Candide by Voltaire (translator – Roger Pearson)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2019.
TUE 10:30 The Actor, The Lodgings, The Kipper And Ma (b0084ht0)
Once upon a time, the theatrical landlady provided a home away from home to actors and stars of Variety who could not afford, or didn’t wish, to stay in hotels while on tour.
Often referred to affectionately as 'Ma', the landladies acquired quite the reputation.
Freezing bedrooms, sheets still damp from the washing line, inedible breakfasts and landladies helping themselves to their guests' provisions were, sadly, not uncommon.
Among the performers recalling the world of the theatrical landlady are:
* Bruce Forsyth
* Jimmy Cricket
* Ted Ray
Plus one of the most famous landladies of them all, Manchester's own Alma McKay.
Presented by Geoffrey Wheeler.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
TUE 11:00 Whodunnits (m0002hdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Limelight (m001bcnt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b00dyb10)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 The Wilsons Save the World (m0002r74)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011v1bg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Guess What? (b065jht1)
Episode 7
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
Barry Took hosts a revised version of popular radio parlour game of 20 questions.
On the panel:
Geoffrey Durham
Nigel Dempster
Frances Edmonds
Written by Michael Dines.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
TUE 14:30 The Golden Age (b01nt07r)
1. Interesting Talks
It's back to the 1930s at the BBC's Broadcasting House in London.
Head of programmes, John Tharb and his assistant, Mabel Hopcraft struggle to deal with the foibles and fragile egos of radio's biggest stars.
These include perpetually drunk band-leader, Ronaldo and the most boring man in radio, Mallard Tofts.
Tharb's task is not made any easier by having to constantly defer to the whims and wishes of his irascible boss, Lord Reith.
First radio sitcom written by Channel 4's Father Ted writer, Arthur Mathews.
Staring Robert Bathurst.
In this episode, a series of mysterious deaths brings the police to the BBC.
What could be causing people to die in front of their wireless sets?
Meanwhile, Mabel tries to introduce some modern entertainment to the BBC from "up north".
John Tharb ...... Robert Bathurst
Mabel Hopcraft ...... Vicky McClure
Lord Reith ...... Ford Kiernan
Inspector Cawls ...... Peter Egan
Captain Mallard Tofts ...... Malcolm Tierney
Chip Gibney ...... Kevin Bishop
Ronaldo / Dickie Squires ...... Ewan Bailey
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.
TUE 15:00 Drama on 4 (b067vjwk)
Closely Observed Trains by Bohumil Hrabal
It is 1945. For gauche young apprentice Milos Hrma, life at the sleepy railway station in Bohemia is full of complex preoccupations.
There's the burden of dispatching German troop trains; the shocking scandal of Dispatcher Hubicka; and the vexing problem of his sexual performance.
Celebrated Czech author Bohumil Hrabal's classic of post-war literature is a small masterpiece of humour, humanity and heroism.
First published in 1965 and dramatised by Ian Kershaw
Milos ..... John Bradley
Masha/Virginia ..... Verity Henry
Hubicka ..... Jason Done
Lansky ..... Howard Chadwick
Mother/Viktoria ..... Fiona Clarke
Slusny/Father ..... Jonathan Keeble
Zednicek ..... Hamilton Berstock
Director: Gary Brown
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
*** The novel also became the award-winning Jiri Menzel film of the 'Prague Spring'
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m0009b3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 The Actor, The Lodgings, The Kipper And Ma (b0084ht0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Whodunnits (m0002hdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Limelight (m001bcnt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b00dyb10)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 The Wilsons Save the World (m0002r74)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011v1bg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Guess What? (b065jht1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 The Golden Age (b01nt07r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Drama on 4 (b067vjwk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m00127vg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (b00dhg7k)
Series 2
Humility
Mark Watson ponders the virtue of living more modestly.
The comedian concludes his quest to delve into six virtues.
And more poetry and music with:
Tim Key
Tim Minchin
Tom Basden
Producer: Katie Marsden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.
TUE 23:00 Bridget Christie Minds the Gap (b01r11x0)
Series 1
Episode 1
After noticing that misogyny, like shiny leggings, had made an unexpected comeback - comedian Bridget Christie wonders did it ever really go away?
In the first of her four-part stand up comedy series on the state of British feminism today, Bridget asks why feminism became a dirty word and whether the modern British woman needs it.
An incident involving a man, a smell and a well-known bookstore made her ask what place feminism has in modern Britain, whether the fight has been won or is being fought on different fronts.
Plus, why did Bic launch the "Bic for Her" - a pen specifically designed for a woman's hand?
Fred MacAulay helps her remember some of the key incidents which brought her to an epiphany and a call to arms.
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2013.
TUE 23:30 And Now in Colour (b0080qg5)
Series 2
Eurospecial
The sketch show team cross the English Channel for a French link-up.
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 February 1991.

WEDNESDAY 01 OCTOBER 2025

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m0009b3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 The Actor, The Lodgings, The Kipper And Ma (b0084ht0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Whodunnits (m0002hdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Limelight (m001bcnt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Wally Who? (b08rbhg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b00dyb10)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 The Wilsons Save the World (m0002r74)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011v1bg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Guess What? (b065jht1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 The Golden Age (b01nt07r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Drama on 4 (b067vjwk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7jm)
Series 1
1. The Reluctant Fire-Raiser
Can fire investigator Quentin Barnaby determine if a recent incident had a political motivation?
Starring Robert Beatty.
Philip Levene’s series of intriguing cases for a fire investigator.
Quentin Barnaby … Robert Beatty
Val ... Gudrun Ure
Inspector Hackett …Duncan McIntyre
Alec Groves … Anthony Hall
Mr Lorrimer … Leslie Perrins
Mrs Lorrimer … Barbara Mitchell
Sue … Ann Murray
Mrs Knight … Mary O’Farrell
Fire Officer Taylor … Lee Fox
Nurse …Peggy Butt
Fireman … Lewis Stringer
Peter Ansell … Warren Stanhope
Back in 1962, Philip Levene explained his inspiration:
"I have always been fascinated by fire...... I was struck by the wide variety of intriguing ideas in a field that seemed (bar the obvious insurance fraud) comparatively untouched to date..... but the puzzle of the charred remains of a burnt-out building intrigue me. The motivations of arson are numerous: greed, financial reverses destruction of evidence and revenge".
Producer: Martyn C Webster
First broadcast on the BBC Light Service in September 1962.
WED 06:30 Limelight (m001bl3q)
Exemplar: Series 1
3. The Politician
A modern day thriller set in the North East of England starring Gina McKee as a lone wolf audio forensic analyst and Juliet Stevenson as a populist leader.
Jess and Maya reluctantly agree to assist a controversial public figure to verify a piece of incriminating audio.
Exemplar is based on an idea by leading sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, and written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato.
Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Aoife ..... Fenella Woolgar
Judith ..... Barbara Marten
Rose ..... Juliet Stevenson
Lawrence ..... Asif Khan
Audio forensic consultant: James Zjalić
Sound recordist: Alisdair McGregor
Studio assistant: Oyin Fowowe
Production coordinator: Darren Spruce
Sound design: Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton
Original music/Sound consultants: Ben and Max Ringham
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
Executive producer: Joby Waldman
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2022.
WED 07:00 Star Terk II (m002k4bz)
Series 1
The North Face of Claire Rayner
The show featuring everything from Mrs Thatcher reading a bedtime story to very dubious zoo keeping.
No. ‘Star Terk II’ is not a misprint. A quickfire sketch show that brazenly goes where no sketch show has gone before....
Starring:
Jeffrey Holland
Susie Blake
Fred Harris
Christopher Godwin
Written by Terry Ravenscroft.
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1987.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsys)
Series 5
Sunday Afternoon at Home
Bored and miserable at home, the Lad tries to decide what to do.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's much-loved comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.
Classic episode starring Tony Hancock as The Lad Himself.
With:
Sidney James
Bill Kerr
Hattie Jacques
Kenneth Williams
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1958.
WED 08:00 Dot (b08q3yjs)
Series 2
Psychology
Peabody's not been the full shilling recently and now Dr Pinkly has arrived to test who is the psychological 'weak link' and everyone's a suspect.
Who will be deemed sane and who will be sent to Sunnyside Sanatorium?
Rollicking war time comedy by Ed Harris about the staff from the personnel department of the Cabinet Rooms.
Dot ...... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ...... Kate O'Flynn
Peg ...... Freya Parker
Millicent ...... Jane Slavin
Air Marshal Peabody ...... David Acton
Dr Thomas Pinkly ...... John Dougall
Producer: Jessica Mitic
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
WED 08:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v3)
3. Horror
Thomas Keneally's account of his discovery of the story of Oscar Schindler, which became the basis for his Booker Prize-winning novel Schindler's Ark and the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
Poldek takes Thomas to Poland to witness 'the intimacy of horror' in the Krakow ghetto.
Read by James Laurenson.
Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
WED 08:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vg91)
3. Sredni Vashtar
Beasts on the Lawn is a collection of short stories by Saki (H.H Munro) recycled and restaged in a modern day gated community for the far too wealthy for their own good. The tales are woven together by the character of Clovis, a security guard. She recalls the events of strange days and long nights.
When Conrad de Ropp Snr is given 'gardening leave' from his bank, his time at home coincides with his adopted ten year old son's (Conrad Jnr) school holiday. It's a sobering time, mainly because Conrad Snr had almost forgotten the boy existed. Snr thinks Jnr spends far too much time on his own in the garden. He's occupying himself in the shed, and Snr wonders if the boy has found himself an unhealthy habit. But it's not sexual, it's religious. Jnr has got himself an idol. To anyone else it's just a pet ferret, but to little Conrad it's Sredni Vashtar, a vengeful, merciless god. He loves it. He worships it in secret, and he prays each day it will rid him of Conrad Snr.
Cast:
Clovis ...... Pippa Haywood
De Ropp ...... Rupert Vansittart
Conrad ...... Olly Bell
Jeff the Man ...... Malcolm Hamilton
Inge ...... Amy Clifton
Director: Alison Crawford.
Adapted by Sean Grundy.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
WED 09:00 Do Gooders (m002jtyv)
Series 2
4. The Party
Clive attempts to impress his judgemental father with a lavish birthday party. Unfortunately, numbers are lower than he’d like, not least because the rest of the team are at a secret fundraising dinner.
Garrett Millerick’s ensemble sitcom Do Gooders returns for another series. The show takes us back behind the curtain of fictional mid-level charity, The Alzheimers Alliance, as the fundraising events team continue their struggle for survival. Cue more office feuds, more workplace romances and more catastrophic fundraising blunders – all par for the course when trying to ‘do good’ on an industrial scale.
Cast
Gladys – Kathryn Drysdale
Lauren – Ania Magliano
Clive – Garrett Millerick
Harriett – Fay Ripley
Achi – Ahir Shah
Ken – Frank Skinner
Writer – Garrett Millerick
Additional Material – Andrea Hubert
Sound Engineer – David Thomas
Editor – David Thomas
Production Assistant – Jenny Recaldin
Producer – Jules Lom
Executive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner, Daisy Knight, Julien Matthews, Jon Thoday
An Avalon Television Production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 Empire of Tea (m001t3dw)
3. The Tea in Boston Harbour
The crates dumped in the harbour at the Boston Tea Party in 1773 contained East India Company tea. The historian William Dalrymple tells Sathnam Sanghera that taxation wasn’t the only issue motivating Boston’s revolutionaries. Fear and suspicion of the EIC and its tea were a factor as well.
And soon, tea would forever change British relations with China too.
Producer: Paul Martin
A BBC Audio Wales production, first broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2023.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002k4c1)
Love your neighbour - The fulliment of the law
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Love your neighbour - The fulliment of the law
Presenter: Reverend Angela Tilby
Reading: Romans 13 7-10
Music:
Faith, hope and love (Joanna Forbes L’Estrange) - St Martin's Voices
Ubi Caritas (Sasha JM) - Sasha Johnson Manning & Holly Marland
Love Divine - Daily Service Singers
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m0017kfl)
Over The Top
What does it mean to be too much, excessive or extra? We're partying in the archives to examine and celebrate extravagance in all its forms as Kit Green takes us Over The Top...
Kit Green has a complicated relationship to being 'Over The Top', they've channelled maximum excess into their beloved character, country music icon Tina C, and written and performed a show about the music hall star Fred Barnes - a man who was excessive to tragic extremes. In this programme Kit asks what being over the top means to them now, in glorious extravagance.
Kit's invited some friends to the party to help them reach maximum excess. They are joined by the king of 90's extravagance, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Professor of the History of Emotions Thomas Dixon drops in to talk extreme joy and extreme sadness. We have an intimate kitchen party chat with Malika Booker on being 'too loud' for poetry, fashion historian Amber Buchart helps us get dressed and fellow performers and hedonists 'Bourgeoius & Maurice' bring us their post-pandemic party show 'Pleasure Seekers'.
Keeping us entertained are a host of fantastically over the top characters from the BBC Archives. Party guests include Quentin Crisp, Edina & Patsy and Jilly Goolden. And of course there's some Eurovision. How much? Too Much? Let's find out...
Presenter: Kit Green
Producer: Jessica Treen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2022.
WED 11:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7jm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Limelight (m001bl3q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Star Terk II (m002k4bz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Dot (b08q3yjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vg91)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m000111g)
Series 13
Episode 6
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Lee Mack welcome:
* Comedian and writer Bridget Christie
* Writer and historian Andrea Wulf
* Oscar-winning documentary-maker Vikram Jayanti
The Museum's Guest Committee discover the therapeutic value of spontaneous crying, look hard into the mirror and make neat little labels for their herbs and spices.
Researchers: QI and Mike Turner.
Producers: Richard Turner and Anne Miller.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
WED 14:30 Millport (b0076221)
Series 2
Avowal
Irene and Moira aren't speaking, Alberto and Ena have fallen out over the minestrone, and Agnes has declared World War Three on the minister's trousers.
Just how are villagers going to solve their dispute if no-one is talking to each other?
Bittersweet comedy written by and starring Lynn Ferguson.
Barmaid Irene Bruce is 30-something and hankering after a better life on the mainland.
Irene ...... Lynn Ferguson
Moira/Agnes ...... Janet Brown
Alberto/Robert ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Bob/Minister ...... Robert Patterson
Dougie ...... Matt Costello
Music arranged by Olly Fox.
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.
WED 15:00 Drama on 4 (b072zkst)
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Set against the sumptuous backdrop of 19th century Jamaica, Jean Rhys's stirring prequel to Jane Eyre envisages the life of the first Mrs Rochester - before she became the 'mad woman in the attic.'
Sold into marriage with a dashing young Englishman, Creole heiress Antoinette Cosway senses danger. But how could anyone have predicted the devastating future that awaited her? As their honeymoon becomes infected by vicious rumours, her new husband’s paranoia begins to grow. The cultural divide between them increases and his desire to turn her into the perfect Victorian wife ultimately becomes a battle for her soul. Antoinette is stripped of her identity and transformed into the disturbing Bertha Rochester......
Antoinette Cosway ….. Lara Rossi
Edward Rochester ….. Trystan Gravelle
Christophine ….. Martina Laird
Young Antoinette ….. Eleanor Worthington-Cox
Amelie ….. Alexandria Riley
Grace Poole ….. Jaimi Barbakoff
Annette ….. Sirine Saba
Mr Mason ….. Don Gilet
Tia ….. Emily Burnett
Richard Mason ….. Eric Kofi Abrefa
Dramatised by Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Music composed and performed by Lucy Rivers with guitar by Dan Lawrence
Directed by Helen Perry
A BBC Cymru/Wales Production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m0017kfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7jm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Limelight (m001bl3q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Star Terk II (m002k4bz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Dot (b08q3yjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vg91)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m000111g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Millport (b0076221)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Drama on 4 (b072zkst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Do Gooders (m002jtyv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Flight of the Conchords (b00dn8cf)
Dan and the Panda
The Kiwi parody band aim for UK fame.
Improvised comedy from the satirical pop pair, as they align with established comics to poke fun at all aspects of pop music.
Rob Brydon narrates the musical odyssey.
Starring New Zealand musical comedy duo, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement.
With:
Rhys Darby
Dan Topolski
Daniel Kitson
Additional material by Joel Morris.
Musicians: David Catlin-Birch and Mark Allis.
Producer: Will Saunders
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in September 2005.
WED 23:00 The Million Pound Radio Show (m001gwn0)
Series 5
Episode 6
Rugby’s a class act and Andy’s got some worrying news for Nick.
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 August 1991.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m002jtz7)
Series 14
Ep 3: Supercalifragilisticexpibraggadocious
The four-time Gold Comedy winner at the Radio Academy Awards returns as Jon Holmes remixes the news into the current affairs comedy concept album where world events meet popular culture in a satirical mash-up.
This week - Donald Trump is Supercalifragilisticexpibraggadocious.
Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:45 Rosie Jones: Box Ticker Too (m00121pt)
Disability, with Don Biswas
Stand-up comedy and chat from triple-threat Rosie Jones. She’s disabled, gay and northern. But she’s not a great example of any of these communities and she’s tired of being asked to speak on their behalf.
This week, Rosie looks at disability through stand-up and chat with Don Biswas. The pair are close friends, so they hold no punches when comparing their daily experiences and interactions with neurotypical people. Who else could ask "What is the best thing about being disabled?" with such charm?
Recorded in a live comedy club, prepare to be shocked and disappointed by Rosie’s lack of respect for your expectations.
Producer: Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2021.

THURSDAY 02 OCTOBER 2025

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m0017kfl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7jm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Limelight (m001bl3q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Star Terk II (m002k4bz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jsys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Dot (b08q3yjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vg91)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m000111g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Millport (b0076221)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Drama on 4 (b072zkst)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Destination - Fire! (m002k4jq)
Series 1
2. The House of Many Treasures
Fire investigator ‘Q’ Barnaby is determined to find how a famous actress’s house fire started.
Starring Robert Beatty.
Philip Levene’s series of intriguing cases for a fire investigator.
Quentin ‘Q’ Barnaby …. Robert Beatty
Valerie Chrane .... Gudrun Ure
Ella Martin .... Mary Wimbush
Secretary .... Shirley Cooklin
Harry Devlin .... Rolf Lefebvre
Carl Sherman .... Earle Grey
Mr Peterson .... Derek Blomfield
Colonel Ryder ... Geoffrey Wincott
Alec Groves .... Anthony Hall
Back in 1962, writer Philip Levene explained his inspiration:
"I have always been fascinated by fire... I was struck by the wide variety of intriguing ideas in a field that seemed (bar the obvious insurance fraud) comparatively untouched to date... but the puzzle of the charred remains of a burnt-out building intrigue me. The motivations of arson are numerous: greed, financial reverses destruction of evidence and revenge".
Producer: Martyn C Webster
First broadcast on the BBC Light Service in October 1962.
*** With thanks to the Radio Circle for sourcing the audio***
THU 06:30 Limelight (p0ctycls)
Exemplar: Series 1
4. Gangland Shooting
A modern day thriller set in the North East of England. Starring Gina McKee as Jess, a lone wolf scientist with a troubled past whose passion for sound makes her the UK’s leading audio forensic examiner.
Jess and Maya examine audio forensic evidence from a nightclub shooting.
Exemplar is based on an idea from Ben and Max Ringham, and written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato
Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Nish Gopaul ..... Asif Khan
Danny ..... Deka Walmsley
Sophie ..... Fenella Woolgar
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2022.
THU 07:00 Bristow (b007rgl8)
Series 2
The Power of the Press
The Chester-Perry buying clerk crusades to improve conditions for cleaning ladies.
Michael Williams stars as Bristow
Frank Dickens' sitcom is based on his famous long-running newspaper cartoon strip about the Chester-Perry buying clerk
Bristow ...... Michael Williams
Jones ...... Rodney Bewes
Gert ...... Liz Fraser
Daisy ...... Joan Sims
Mrs Purdy ...... Dora Bryan
Hewitt ...... Owen Brenman
Miss Sunman ...... Katy Odey
Stationmaster ...... Jon Glover
Stoke ...... David Battley
Hickford ...... Roger Lloyd Pack
Lift Boy ...... Ian Kelland
Music composed and performed by John Whitehall.
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.
THU 07:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jz1f)
Series 3
The Escape
Author Gerald and his wife Diana feel jaded and start planning a break.
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author who's married to a more successful writer.
Starring Ian Carmichael and Charlotte Mitchell.
Written by Basil Boothroyd.
Gerald C Potter ...... Ian Carmichael
Diana Potter ...... Charlotte Mitchell
With:
Betty Huntley-Wright
Michael McClain
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1979.
THU 08:00 A Month of Maureen (b09dtd3w)
Five Lessons
Nigella Smith is no ordinary piano student.
Can her piano tutor win her trust in just five lessons?
A comedy about retreating, advancing and the joys of humming.
Series of comedy dramas written especially for actress, writer, director and author, Dame Maureen Lipman.
Written by Marcy Kahan
PW ........ Maureen Lipman
Conrad ........ Julian Rhind-Tutt
Pianist Peter Ringrose
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
THU 08:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v5)
4. Memory
Thomas Keneally's account of his discovery of the story of Oscar Schindler, which became the basis for his Booker Prize-winning novel Schindler's Ark and the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
The journey ends in Israel and Thomas goes home to write his book.
Read by James Laurenson.
Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
THU 08:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vh4r)
4. Gabriel-Ernest
Beasts on the Lawn is a collection of short stories by Saki (H.H Munro) recycled and restaged in a modern day gated community for the far too wealthy for their own good. The tales are woven together by the character of Clovis, a security guard. She recalls the events of strange days and long nights.
Unpleasant celebrity chef Van Cheele has made quite a name for himself with his particular brand of nasty cooking. One day he finds a filthy naked teenager sunbathing in his large garden on the Munro Estate. The boy claims to enjoy hunting animals and also occasionally humans on the estate. Van Cheele believes that this is a prank by a fellow celebrity chef, but soon discovers that he's truly met his match.
Cast:
Clovis ...... Pippa Haywood
Gabriel-Ernest ...... Carl Prekopp
Van Cheele ...... Ed Weeks
Ewa Ptorovisch ...... Dolly Wells
Jeff the Man ...... Malcolm Hamilton
Director: Alison Crawford
Adapted by Sean Grundy.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
THU 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002jtvt)
Glenn Moore's Almanac Series 2
Run Glenn Run!
Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time. In this episode, Glenn not only decides to enter the London Marathon but to do it with his fridge, albeit with it strapped to someone else’s back.
Perhaps best-known for his outrageously brilliant one-liners on Mock The Week , Glenn delivers a tale of comic mishaps and extraordinary scenes interwoven with a big event in history – and looks back through his almanac to find out other strange connections to the day as well.
Written by Glenn with additional material by Katie Storey (Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, The Last Leg) and produced and directed by David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, etc)
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
THU 09:30 Empire of Tea (m001t321)
4. The Tea Wars
As Britain’s demand for tea soared in the late 18th century, an economic problem was emerging. Britain wanted to buy lots of tea from China, but China wasn’t interested in the commodities Britain had to sell. That meant silver was draining out of Britain and into China.
Eventually a solution was found: opium. It was an imperial product Britain could grow in India and sell to China. But the Chinese leadership didn't want the narcotic, and Britain’s desire to offset its tea habit by selling an addictive, hard drug that harmed Chinese people, led to war.
Professor of Chinese history Yangwen Zheng explains how the situation escalated, and the long shadow the conflict casts upon the modern world.
Producer: Paul Martin
A BBC Audio Wales production, first broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2023.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002k4jt)
Love your neighbour - Be kind and compassionate
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Love your neighbour - The fulliment of the law
Presenter: Heavilyn Ohene-Akrasi
Reading: Ephesians 4 25 - 32
Music:
Blinded by your grace - Melodees from Heaven
His eye is on the sparrow - Melodees from Heaven
Shackles- Melodees from Heaven
THU 10:00 Great Lives (p00glx57)
Charles M Schulz
Journalist and biographer Valerie Grove chooses the creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip, Charles M Schulz, as her great life.
Schulz's widow Jeannie provides biographical insights.
Anita O'Brien, curator of the Cartoon Art Trust, puts the cartoon in its historical context.
Presented by Francine Stock.
Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2005.
THU 10:30 Mastertapes (m0001qjp)
Series 8
Don McLean (A-side)
Don McLean talks about his timeless classic 1971 album, the career defining 'American Pie'.
Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.
Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.
In the A-side, Don McLean chats to John Wilson.
24-year old Don McLean’s debut album was rejected by 72 labels before it was released by Mediarts.
It was only because that label was taken over by United Artists that his follow-up received the promotion it deserved.
His second album contained: a tribute to a 19th-century Dutch painter, which was cited as a personal inspiration by the late rapper Tupac Shakur; a song that was re-recorded 32 years later by George Michael in protest against the Iraq War; and an eight-and-a-half-minute single that in 2017 was designated an “aural treasure… worthy of preservation as part of America’s patrimony.”
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.
THU 11:00 Destination - Fire! (m002k4jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Limelight (p0ctycls)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Bristow (b007rgl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jz1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 A Month of Maureen (b09dtd3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vh4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Counterpoint (b04jjz3s)
Series 28
Heat 2, 2014
Russell Davies is in the chair for the second heat in the 2014 series of Britain's most eclectic music quiz.
Russell is joined by three more contestants in the BBC Radio Theatre in London:
Alan Kershaw from North London
Edward McDermott from Fareham, Hampshire
Stephen Murray from London
As well as answering general knowledge questions on music, they'll also have to pick from a list of specialist musical topics on which to answer their own individual questions, with no prior knowledge of the choices.
There's something to suit every taste and plenty of musical extracts, both familiar and surprising, to identify.
Producer: Paul Bajoria
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014.
THU 14:30 HR (b00hls1b)
Series 1
An Away-Day
Senior manager Peter and his HR officer Sam hate team away-days, but equally fear performing badly and putting their jobs at risk.
But is it a good idea to practise bonding skills while inebriated?
Nigel Williams’ comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
THU 15:00 Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence (b008m3vt)
1. The Countess
Newland Archer is engaged to May Welland, but his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets May's unconventional cousin Countess Ellen Olenska.
Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a passionate life-long love affair which breaks all the rules of the restrictive high society of 1870's New York.
Dramatised in two parts by Jane Rogers.
Newland Archer .... Ryan McCluskey
Ellen Olenska .... Susan Lynch
May Welland ... Kellie Bright
Augusta Welland .... Lorelei King
Sillerton Jackson/Riviere ..... Kerry Shale
Julius Beaufort .... Conrad Nelson
Lawrence .... Martin T Sherman
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (p00glx57)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Mastertapes (m0001qjp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Destination - Fire! (m002k4jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Limelight (p0ctycls)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Bristow (b007rgl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jz1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 A Month of Maureen (b09dtd3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vh4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Counterpoint (b04jjz3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 HR (b00hls1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence (b008m3vt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002jtvt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 iGod (b00ws7md)
Ego
We all worry about the end of the world, as economists and environmentalists speak in apocalyptic terms everyday.
iGOD says that trying to predict the end of the world is as pointless as moisturising an elephant's elbow.
Late-night comedy starring Simon Day and David Soul.
Written Sean Gray - one of the head writers of the BAFTA award-winning The Thick Of It.
In each episode, an unnamed, all-seeing narrator (David Soul) shows us that it is stupid to be worrying, as he looks back at some of the most entertaining apocalypses on parallel Earths.
Each week our case study is a normal bloke called Ian (Simon Day) who manages to accidentally initiate the apocalypse of a different parallel world through a seemingly harmless single act (telling a lie, being lazy, cooking some lambshanks).
A succession of comic vignettes ensue that escalate to the end of a parallel world.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
THU 22:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b007jn0b)
Series 1
Normal Science
Cartoonist Steven sets out to prove that science will eventually make the natural world, humans included, entirely redundant.
Starring Paul McCrink as Steven Appleby.
Cartoonist Steven Appleby takes an abnormal look at everyday life.
Steven ...... Paul McCrink
Mum ...... Rosalind Paul
Lauren Maroon ...... Rachel Atkins
Mr Two ...... Ewan Bailey
Dad ...... Nigel Betts
Written by Steven Appleby
Producer: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.
THU 23:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (m0010pw1)
Series 3
Tolerance
Malawian comedian Daliso Chaponda is back with a third series of his Rose D’Or nominated show where he examines divisive global issues.
Over the course the two previous series Daliso has covered colonialism, slavery, political corruption, charity, immigration, cultural relativism, dictators, and how different countries deal with the sins of their past.
In this second episode of the series, through comedy routines and guest interviews, Daliso will be tackling the subject of ‘Tolerance'.
Performer… Daliso Chaponda
Writer… Daliso Chaponda
Guest… Jennifer Bilec
Additional Material… Scott Bennett
Theme tune - 'Timalira' by Lawi
Production Coordinator: Mabel Wright
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast in October 2021.
THU 23:30 Hair in the Gate (b007k3g1)
Episode 1
A heavy metal band opt to take action over a back-stage expose by the TV production team.
It's the morning after the office party, but the team must prepare to film a badly behaved Heavy Metal band called Tanks and Daisies.
Sitcom set in the glitzy world of TV arts show 'Arting About'.
Written by Clive Coleman
Starring:
Harriet Thorpe
Lorelei King
Forbes Masson
Geoffrey Whitehead
Alistair McGowan
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in September 1993.

FRIDAY 03 OCTOBER 2025

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (p00glx57)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Mastertapes (m0001qjp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Destination - Fire! (m002k4jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Limelight (p0ctycls)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Bristow (b007rgl8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jz1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 A Month of Maureen (b09dtd3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vh4r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Counterpoint (b04jjz3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 HR (b00hls1b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence (b008m3vt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7b5)
Series 1
3. Chance in a Million
Can Quentin Barnaby determine whether a recent incident was an accident - or arson..?
Starring Robert Beatty.
Philip Levene’s series of intriguing cases for a fire investigator.
Quentin Barnaby … Robert Beatty
Val Crane … Gudrun Ure
Inspector Hackett …Duncan McIntyre
Alec Groves … Anthony Hall
Joe Selby … Lewis Stringer
Madge Selby … Peggy Butt
Mrs Foster … Vivienne Chatterton
Harry Newton … Malcolm Hayes
Police Sergeant … Will Leighton
Voice … Hilda Kriseman
Producer: Martyn C Webster
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1962.
FRI 06:30 Limelight (p0ctyd5b)
Exemplar: Series 1
5. A Deadly Secret
A modern day thriller set in the North East of England starring Gina McKee as a lone wolf audio forensic analyst with a troubled past.
When the mystery of her father’s departure is solved, Jess is forced to re-evaluate her childhood memories.
Exemplar: an audio recording made by a forensic analyst to recreate the precise audio conditions of a piece of evidence in a criminal or civil case.
Exemplar is based on an idea from Ben and Max Ringham, and written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato.
Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Sophie ..... Fenella Woolgar
Judith ..... Barbara Marten
Ajay ..... Asif Khan
Audio forensic consultant: James Zjalić
Sound recordist: Alisdair McGregor
Studio assistant: Oyin Fowowe
Production coordinator: Darren Spruce
Sound design: Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton
Original music/Sound consultants: Ben and Max Ringham
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
Executive producer: Joby Waldman
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2022.
FRI 07:00 The Sit Crom (b00ly7z6)
The General Inspection
Cromwell arrives, weeps and investigates as well he might since Father Francis has donned a night shirt and taken to the roof singing Ave Maria.
Mercy's disguise is revealed, Father Francis is perplexed in his hole, Tobias denigrates the vegetables, Arise Higgs and his platoon are billeted on Firebasket Hall and Gazebo has lethal orders.
Sue Limb's six-part comedy set during the English Civil War.
Sir John Firebasket ...... Joss Ackland
Lady Anne Firebasket ...... Denise Coffey
Tobias Thynne ...... Clive Merrison
Mercy, alias Melissa ...... Miriam Margolyes
Father Francis ...... Nickolas Grace
Gazebo Fogg ...... Jack Klaff
Captain Arise Higgs ...... Alun Armstrong
Posthumous ...... Nicky Henson
Counter Tenor ...... Peter Hayward
Cromwell ...... Bert Parnaby
Colonel Thundery ...... Peter Howell
Music by Colin Sell.
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.
FRI 07:30 The News Huddlines (b0bqw60t)
29/12/78
Back to the headline-makers of the past: Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan, Jeremy Thorpe, Peter Parker, Richard Nixon and more!
Roy Hudd and the gang with an end-of-year review of the news highlights of 1978.
With Chris Emmett and Janet Brown.
Music by the Nic Rowley Quintet.
Compiled by Laurie Rowley.
Written by Andy Hamilton, David Renwick, Peter Spence, Keith Rawnsley, Peter Long, Charles Beiber, Peter Hickey and John Hyde.
Producer: John Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1978.
FRI 08:00 Bad Salsa (b091w0f4)
Series 3
Day of the Living Dead
Sitcom about three women who meet during cancer treatment and start going to salsa class together to maintain their friendship.
As they adjust to life after cancer they realise that they've all changed.
It's not about cancer, but about life after cancer, how you cope the changes in your outlook, your desires and your expectations. It's also about how other people cope with the change in you.
In Kay Stonham's final series there's a funeral and a wedding.
But whose funeral and who is marrying who?
Jill ...... Natasha Little
Terri ...... Camille Coduri
Chippy ...... Jessie Cave
Ann ...... Kerry Gooderson
Colin ...... Martin Trenaman
Assistant ...... Philip Fox
Joel ...... Joe Johnsey
Gordon ...... Andrew Obeney
Corinne ...... Kay Stonham
Producer: Katie Tyrrell.
A BBC Studio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2017.
FRI 08:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v8)
5. Film
Thomas Keneally's account of his discovery of the story of Oscar Schindler, which became the basis for his Booker Prize-winning novel Schindler's Ark and the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
Thomas has finished writing Schindler's Ark and Steven Spielberg is interested in making it into a film.
Read by James Laurenson.
Producer: Gaynor MacFarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
FRI 08:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vhsl)
5. Mrs Packletide's Tiger
Beasts on the Lawn is a collection of short stories by Saki (H.H Munro) recycled and restaged in a modern day gated community for the far too wealthy for their own good. The tales are woven together by the character of Clovis, a security guard. She recalls the events of strange days and long nights.
Mrs Packletide, ghastly inheritor of the Gippe perfume empire, needs to shoot a tiger in order to silence her long-time rival Loona Bimberton. She wants it to take place on Munro Estate. Clovis is asked to offer her services, but it doesn't quite go to plan.
Clovis ...... Pippa Haywood
Mrs Packletide ...... Marcia Warren
Louisa Mebbin ...... Jennifer Lee Jellicorse
Director: Alison Crawford.
Adapted by Sean Grundy.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
FRI 09:00 Icklewick FM (m002j89h)
Series 2
5. The Libertine
Icklewick enters mourning mode when a beloved wedding DJ unexpectedly dies from eating too much at an incredibly wet buffet. Grief pushes Chris to take drastic action and Amy mourns an old flame. Meanwhile, Simon learns the truth about his past and Mr Patel honours a handshake deal.
Icklewick FM is created and written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill, with additional material from the cast.
Starring:
Amy Gledhill
Chris Cantrill
Mark Silcox
Colin Hoult
Janice Connolly
Phil Ellis
Lucy Beaumont
Henry Paker
Darren J Coles
Shivani Thussu
Joe Kent Walters
Jin Hao Li
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 Empire of Tea (m001t30y)
5. Innovation, Espionage and Propaganda
Until 1833 the tea drunk in Britain had come from China, imported by the East India Company. But then the company lost its monopoly on Chinese tea. Its response was to attempt to grow its own in British India. The only snag was it didn’t know how to.
So the botanist Robert Fortune was sent on an undercover mission to China. His work, combined with some surprising discoveries of tea closer to home, and mass marketing and propaganda, helped develop India’s huge tea industry in places like Assam and Darjeeling.
At Kew Gardens, Mark Nesbitt and Aurora Prehn tell Sathnam Sanghera about how this shift from China to India changed the international tea trade forever.
Producer: Paul Martin
A BBC Audio Wales production, first broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2023.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002k4nx)
Love your neighbour - Our father
A special week of services exploring the Lord’s Prayer led by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell.
Theme: Love your neighbour - Our father
Presenter: Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
Reading: 1 John 3 1-3
Music:
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (St Martin's Voices)
The Lord’s Prayer – Lucy Walker (St Martin's Voices)
Father, hear the prayer we offer (St Martin's Voices)
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b08r1vzc)
Series 24
My Favourite Things
"Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens".
Guests from around the world share their special memories of The Sound of Music classic 'My Favourite Things'.
Written by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959, this deceptively simple song has travelled the globe to comfort and enthral children the world over.
Iranian Astronaut and philanthropist Anousheh Ansari's first encounter with this musical classic was in her native language of Farsi. It's a melody she held dear to her during years of unrest through the Iranian revolution and the war that was to follow. It's also the song that travelled with her as she realised her childhood dream of exploring outer space.
For vocal coach Heather Mair Thomas 'My Favourite Things' evokes memories of a happy Cornish childhood, growing up with her musical family. It has also become a reminder to always look for the good in life - come what may.
Meanwhile Jazz musician David Lieberman takes us on a journey through the 1960's New York club scene to the night where an encounter with John Coltrane's version of 'My Favourite Things' changed his life forever.
Plus Sound of Music fan Emma Poulton-White relives her very special wedding day that was topped off with a 'copper kettle' .
Featuring Tom Santopietro author of 'The Sound of Music Story'.
Producer: Nicola Humphries
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
FRI 10:30 Mastertapes (m0001qvt)
Series 8
Don McLean (B-side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Don McLean questions about his timeless classic 1971 album, ‘American Pie'.
Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.
With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London.
Don also performs live acoustic versions of some of the tracks on the album.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.
FRI 11:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7b5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Limelight (p0ctyd5b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 The Sit Crom (b00ly7z6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 The News Huddlines (b0bqw60t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Bad Salsa (b091w0f4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vhsl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 The Motion Show (b00762sc)
Series 4
Episode 5
Debates galore from the state of politics - to the existence of supernatural forces.
Graeme Garden chairs the quirky battle of words and wit.
With:
Gyles Brandreth
Scott Capurro
Arthur Smith
Paul Daniels
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.
FRI 14:30 Double Income, No Kids Yet (b008x3lt)
Series 3
Episode 1
Andy and Katy have a lovely new baby and Daniel has a brilliant new job.
But Lucy has a horrible new feeling. Is Daniel about to leave her for a woman called Katriona who's obsessed with cheese?
Starring David Tennant and Elizabeth Carling.
David Spicer's comedy drama about modern life and parenthood, as seen through the eyes of two 30-something non-parents.
Daniel …. David Tennant
Lucy …. Liz Carling
Katie …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Andy …. Tony Gardner
Katriona …. Kate Robbins
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2003.
FRI 15:00 Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence (b008ncs3)
Episode 2. A Life Apart
Despite Newland Archer's marriage to May, he is still obsessed with thoughts of Ellen Olenska.
Conclusion of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a passionate life-long love affair which breaks all the rules of the restrictive high society of 1870's New York.
Newland Archer .... Ryan McCluskey
Ellen Olenska .... Susan Lynch
May Welland ... Kellie Bright
Augusta Welland .... Lorelei King
Sillerton Jackson/Riviere ..... Kerry Shale
Julius Beaufort .... Conrad Nelson
Lawrence .... Martin T Sherman
Dramatised by Jane Rogers.
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b08r1vzc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Mastertapes (m0001qvt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Destination - Fire! (m000b7b5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Limelight (p0ctyd5b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 The Sit Crom (b00ly7z6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 The News Huddlines (b0bqw60t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Bad Salsa (b091w0f4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Searching For Schindler: A Memoir by Thomas Keneally (b00dz9v8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 HH Munro - Beasts on the Lawn: Saki (b011vhsl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 The Motion Show (b00762sc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Double Income, No Kids Yet (b008x3lt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence (b008ncs3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Icklewick FM (m002j89h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Tom Wrigglesworth's Open Letters (b01gvtj8)
Series 2
Insurance
Why is the insurance industry so confusing?
Award-winning comic, Tom Wrigglesworth returns for another series of his open letters.
Written by Tom Wrigglesworth, James Kettle and Miles Jupp.
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2012.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002kczq)
Ria Lina 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Isy Suttie chats once again to fellow comedian Ria Lina.
FRI 23:00 28 Acts in 28 Minutes (b01nswqw)
Series 1
Episode 2
John Humphrys gives 28 performers 60 seconds to entertain an audience:
Justin Edwards
Alfie Joey
The Trap
Jo Enright
Dave Johns
Jim Jeffries
Joanna Neary
Danny Robins
Scott Capurro
Roger McGough
Toby Hadoke & John Warburton
Martin Hutton
Gary Le Strange
Debra-Jane Appleby
James Bachman
Steve Hughes.
Dan Antopolski
Sarah Millican
Patrick Monahan
Michael Redmond
Alan Cochrane.
Derek upon Tweed
Jayne Tunnicliffe
Glenn Wool
Kevin Day
Adam Bloom
Richard Herring
Slaughterhouse Live
Producers: Rohan Acharya and Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006.
FRI 23:30 The Mitch Benn Music Show (b007vh35)
Series 1
5. Neil Innes
From Spinal Tap to David Bowie.
Musical comedian Mitch Benn presents his selection of some of the finest comic songs by other performers.
With guest Neil Innes.
Producer: Ed Morrish
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in August 2005.