SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2026

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b05tkzn5)
Series 20
The Lord Is My Shepherd
This much-loved hymn based on Psalm 23 has been set to music many times, including Brother James' Air and Crimond.
The Queen requested the Crimond version at her wedding. Harriet Bowes Lyon's tells the story that her mother, Lady Margaret Colville, (formerly Lady Margaret Egerton) taught the descant to the Queen and Princess Margaret, and was summoned to sing it when, two days before the wedding, the descant music could not be found.
Howard Goodall, who wrote a new setting for 'The Vicar of Dibley' describes how he composed it in a taxi.
Selina Scott says that the Crimond always puts her in mind of her Scottish grandmother.
Contributors:
Howard Goodall
Ian Bradley
Marion Dodd
Emily Badger
Athena Kruger
Esther Sternberg
Selina Scott
Harriet Bowes-Lyon
Adrian Goldberg
Producer: Sara Conkey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2015.
SAT 00:30 Sid James - Not Just a Dirty Laugh (b01s4762)
BBC Radio 4 Extra marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sid James on stage in Sunderland on 26 April 1976, aged 62.
Comedian Lee Mack examines recently discovered archives and rare recordings offering a unique insight into the lesser- known work on radio, stage and screen of Sid James.
The actor’s daughter, author Reina James provides previously unheard material from the family archives of her father's years in South Africa.
Christopher Fairbank provides the voice of Sid for sketches found in the BBC's written archives and quotes excerpts from interviews given during his extraordinary life.
Bernard Cribbins, Lance Percival and Liz Fraser reveal what it was like working with Sid.
Born in Johannesburg in May 1913, Sid James arrived in Britain in 1946 and came to prominence as sidekick to ground-breaking comedy actor Tony Hancock. He later became a household name as the star of the Carry On series of films
As Lee Mack discovers there's more skill to Sid James' performances than is often evident. He'd already made numerous screen appearances before Hancock and the Carry Ons with straight roles and comic support in films by Powell and Pressburger and Ealing Comedies.
His early radio work includes parts alongside Peter Sellers and Dennis Price, on stage he performed in Guys and Dolls and starred in Citizen James his own television situation comedy scripted for him by Galton and Simpson.
Presenting a fascinating collection of extracts never before broadcast on radio, this documentary puts the emphasis on the unfamiliar with interviewees adding another dimension to Sid's story by revealing his early career and assessing his copious talents.
Producer: Stephen Garner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
SAT 01:00 John le Carré (m002v89k)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
3. Released
Alec Leamas is released from prison. Out in the cold again, he will need contacts as he faces an uncertain future.
Starring Colin Blakely.
John le Carré’s Cold War espionage novel, first published in 1963.
Adapted by Rene Basilico.
Alec Leamas .... Colin Blakely
Ashe .... Trevor Baxter
Kiever .... Carl Duering
George Smiley .... Michael Turner
Peter Guillam .... Douglas Blackwell
Tony .... Edward De Souza
Prison governor .... Alan Thompson
Warder .... Ronald Herdman
Chief officer .... Robin Summers
Theme music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio in May 1986.
SAT 01:30 Falco (b008kmgp)
Shadows in Bronze
3. Friends
At the villa of Helena's former father-in-law, Falco meets some old friends of the senator's daughter.
Starring Anton Lesser.
Lindsey Davis's witty detective, Marcus Didius Falco patrols the streets of 1st-century Rome.
Dramatised by Mary Cutler.
Falco ....... Anton Lesser
Helena Justina ....... Anna Madeley
Larius ....... Christopher Kelham
Caprenius Marcellus ....... Paul Webster
Aemilius Rufus ....... Timothy Watson
Aenelia ....... Jaimi Barbakoff
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Peter Leslie Wild.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
SAT 02:00 No Commitments (b007jmsc)
Series 1
A Complete Break
Anna takes pity on her boss and invites him to dinner - a decision she lives to regret.
Meanwhile Victoria thinks the solution to all Anna's problems is a complete break ... with her nephew and nieces.
Simon Brett’s sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters.
Anna …. Rosemary Leach
Victoria …. Nicola Pagett
Charlotte …. Celia Imrie
Delia …. Maxine Audley
Roger …. Stephen Moore
Eddie …. James Greene
Patrick …. Nicholas Murchie
Mrs Motson …. Alison Reid
Music by Elizabeth Parker of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1992.
SAT 02:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn1s)
Series 5
Come Dancing
Albert sets out to help son Harold to conquer his fear of ballroom dancing.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.
Classic sitcom about the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold.
Written for BBC TV and adapted for BBC Radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett
Milkman ...... Clifford Norgate
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1974.
SAT 03:00 Tudur Owen: Zoo (m000k3gj)
1. Opening
Tudur Owen first brought us 'Where on Earth is Anglesey?', introducing us to his homeland, Ynys Môn and hinted at the rather unconventional goings-on there.
One such eccentric event is the incredible but true story of how he and his family somewhat unwittingly became the owners of what the News of the World would go on to describe as “The Worst Zoo in Britain”.
Join Tudur for an engrossing caper about a corrupt animal wrangler, a family on the brink and a climactic wallaby chase across the Menai Strait.
All the events in this story are almost true.
Written and performed by Tudur Owen.
With:
Lisa-Jên Brown
Fergus Craig
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
SAT 03:30 I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (b092sh31)
5. Daughter
Maggie O'Farrell describes the challenges she and her family face trying to give her daughter as normal life a life as possible.
Startling memoir, in which the bestselling author recounts her life through a series of near-death experiences.
Concluded by Hattie Morahan.
The book started out as a private project, a way for O'Farrell to help her young daughter who suffers from a serious immunology disorder, including severe eczema and allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock: "I've asked myself, when she has been very ill, how do you carry on when death is a daily possibility?"
Abridged and produced by Kirsteen Cameron
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
SAT 03:45 Under One Roof (m002v89m)
Stairway to Heaven
5. Breakthrough
Gillian’s romantic life might be improving.
But will her mother ever agree to use the new stairlift?
Gillian lives with her 19-year-old daughter and 89-year-old mother plus her beloved boxer dog.
Life is a constant balancing act, lived in the eye of the storm.
Starring Paola Dionisotti as Gillian.
Series based on the original stories by Michele Hanson.
Written by Michele Hanson and Jenny Landreth.
Chloe .... Luisa Bradshaw-White
Gillian .... Paola Dionisotti
Bernice .... Edna Doré
Rosemary .... Angela Down
Boyfriend .... John Rowe
Programme Voice .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Director: Marilyn Imrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
SAT 04:00 Wordaholics (b01c7lk6)
Series 1
Episode 1
Clever, intelligent, witty and unexpected! Wordaholics is the comedy panel game all about words.
Gyles Brandreth presides over toponyms, abbreviations, euphemisms, old words, new words, cockney rhyming slang, Greek gobbledegook, plus the panellists' picks of the ugliest and the most beautiful words.
Ready to vie for wordy supremacy in the ring:
Stephen Fry
Natalie Haynes
Milton Jones
Lloyd Langford
Written by Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Find out the meaning of words like giff-gaff, knock-knobbler and buckfitches, plus the difference between French marbles, French velvet and the French ache.
Hear the glorious poetry of the English language, as practised by writers varying from William Shakespeare to Vanilla Ice - and spend half an hour laughing and learning with some of the finest Wordaholics in the business.
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
SAT 04:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002v89r)
Episode 1
Jane Asher stars in a four-part comedy drama written by Lynne Truss.
Susan is determined that for half an hour every week, she’ll find time to watch her favourite old TV show, Mrs Milliner.
The trouble is Susan finds it hard to say no and each time she settles down to watch the telly, she’s inevitably interrupted – for starters by a rather incompetent window cleaner.
If only she could be more like TV’s Mrs Milliner, a forceful captain-of-industry-type woman.
She’s not only ruthless about getting her own way, but also makes the most fantastical hats!
Mrs Milliner .... Jane Asher
Susan .... Caroline Harker
Gerald .... Jonathan Coy
Gordon .... Jason Hughes
Elsie/ Lady Hannington .... Beth Chalmers
Lord Hannington /Cockney Driver .... Stephen Critchlow
Producer Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.
SAT 05:00 Queen Lucia by EF Benson (b08yr2sz)
4. Purgatory and a Princess
Lucia fails to comprehend but Colonel Boucher's eyes are opened - and Daisy get the message.
Comedy series based on EF Benson's novel.
Starring Barbara Jefford and Jonathan Cecil
Dramatised and narrated by Aubrey Woods.
Lucia .... Barbara Jefford
Georgie Pillson .... Jonathan Cecil
Olga Bracely ..... June Tobin
Colonel Boucher .... Bernard Brown
Mrs Weston .... Margot Boyd
Princess Popoffski .... Margaret Robertson
Daisy Quantock .... Jane Wenham
Peppino .... David Garth
Grosvenor .... Narissa Knights
Footman ... Colin Starkey
Cortese ... Nicholas Courtney
Princess's secretary .... Arnold Diamond
Producer: John Cardy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1984.
SAT 05:45 Anita and Me by Meera Syal (b00fwq9n)
9. Robert
Tough times for Meena with a stay in hospital and major changes in her circle of friends
12-year-old Meena Kumar is an Asian girl living a fairly uneventful life in the Black Country village of Tollington near Wolverhampton in the 1970s.
She's surrounded by her loving, if slightly eccentric, Punjabi family.
But then one day she met Anita Rutter.....
Actress and comedy writer Meera Syal continues her first novel.
Abridged by Doreen Estall
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.
SAT 06:00 The Revengers' Comedies by Alan Ayckbourn (b007jzd1)
Episode 2
As Karen continues to wreak havoc, Henry discovers that revenge is not necessarily sweet.
Conclusion of Alan Ayckbourn’s epic two part dark comedy of passion and payback.
First performed on stage in Scarborough in 1989, it then transferred to the West End in 1991.
Starring Lia Williams and Jon Strickland.
Dramatised by Richard Wigmore.
Karen Knightly …. Lia Williams
Henry Bell …. Jon Strickland
Imogen …. Barbara Flynn
Oliver Knightly …. Adam Godley
Veronica …. Jennifer Piercey
Winnie …. Jenny Howe
Norma …. Deborah Berlin
Colonel Marcus Lipscott …. Jack May
Anthony Staxton-Billing …. George Parsons
Jeremy Pride …. Derek Waring
Daphne Teale …. Tina Gray
Mrs Bully …. Kristin Milward
Lydia …. Natasha Pyne
Eugene Chase …. Ian Masters
Director: Gordon House
First broadcast on BBC World Service in January 1995.
SAT 07:30 Travellers to Unimaginable Lands: Dementia, Carers and the Hidden Workings of the Mind by Dasha Kiper (Omnibus) (m002vkky)
Dasha Kiper blends science with lived experience to enhance our understanding of dementia with a collection of compassionate case studies.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Christine Entwisle.
* Stories of dementia disorders that put both the person with dementia and the carer-giver at the centre.
* What happens when dementia causes a person to forget their spouse.
* What is the impact of exclusion and loneliness on caregivers who look after loved ones with delusions.
* An exploration of a loving relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother and the fuzzy line between old behaviour and cognitive impairment.
* The impact of trauma on a mother and son and the hope that’s found in conversation.
Read by Teresa Gallagher.
Producer: Kirsty Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2023.
SAT 08:35 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
Miriam Margolyes
Actress Miriam Margolyes chooses MacCrimmon's Lament and Cecilia Bartoli singing Agitata Da Due Venti by Vivaldi.
SAT 08:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtc)
7. Tripe and Appeasement
"Jos, you've been hitting him with that shovel for a week..."
Back from war, Albert is suffering from amnesia.
A classic tale of struggle, power, personalities and tripe.
Bill Tidy and John Junkin's saga - based on Tidy's Daily Mirror cartoon strip (1971-1985) parodying John Galsworthy's 'The Forsyte Saga' novels.
Rebecca Fosdyke …. Stephanie Turner
Josiah Fosdyke …. Philip Lowrie
Victoria Fosdyke …. Miriam Margolyes
Tom Fosdyke …. David Threlfall
Albert Fosdyke …. Enn Reitel
The Sergeant …. Trevor Cooper
Other parts played by:
Sally Grace
Nick Maloney
Producer: Alan Nixon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1983.
SAT 09:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008g2b9)
Series 3
Episode 4
Shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel edits a newspaper in Chicago.
Recreation of the Marx Brothers' lost shows charting the adventures of shady lawyer Waldorf T. Flywheel and his assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli.
Originally broadcast with sponsors on America's NBC radio network in the 1930s. The scripts were rediscovered in 1988.
Groucho Marx as Waldorf T Flywheel …. Michael Roberts
Chico Marx as Emmanuel Ravelli …. Frank Lazarus
With:
Lorelei King
Graham Hoadly
Vincent Marzello
Written by Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman.
Adapted by Mark Brisenden.
Music arranged and conducted by David Firman.
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1992.
SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000nvy5)
Series 4
Episode 9
Inspector Polly Potter is on an investigation in Paris - and ‘Hornerama’ meets some 'stars' of showbiz.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman.
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee
Music from Janet Waters, The Hornets and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Incidental music by Edwin Braden.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1960.
SAT 10:00 4 Extra Goes Gardening (m000v8st)
3. Percy Thrower and Christopher Lloyd
Penelope Keith concludes her exploration of Gertrude Jekyll's ten-acre garden – the enchanting Munstead Wood in Surrey
In the last of three programmes, Penelope discusses Gertrude's influence and changing horticultural fashions with broadcaster and author, James Wong, author Catherine Horwood and Munstead Wood's head gardener, Annabel Watts.
Horticultural wisdoms and delights featured from the BBC Archive:
* Percy Thrower from ‘BEYOND THE BACK DOOR: THAT REMINDS ME’ - BBC Home Service - 1963
* DESERT ISLAND DISCS – Christopher Lloyd - BBC Radio 4 - 2000
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions and first broadcast in February 2014
SAT 11:00 The Revengers' Comedies by Alan Ayckbourn (b007jzd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Travellers to Unimaginable Lands: Dementia, Carers and the Hidden Workings of the Mind by Dasha Kiper (Omnibus) (m002vkky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:35 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:35 today]
SAT 13:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008g2b9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000nvy5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 4 Extra Goes Gardening (m000v8st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Potted History by Andrew Dallmeyer (m000xyws)
Eccentric Ruben Chomsky has invented an incredible device to listen to sounds captured on ancient pottery when it was first thrown on the wheel.
Now he needs the help of someone to ‘acquire’ some from his local museum...
Written by Andrew Dallmeyer.
Anna Hewison .... Irene MacDougall
Ruben Chomsky ....Tom Watson
Patrick Selby-Wright .... Crawford Logan
‘Alice’ .... Michael Perceval-Maxwell
Mr Butterfield .... John Buick
Voices on the pottery:
Eliza Langland
John Ramage
Ann-Louise Ross .
Directed at BBC Edinburgh by Finlay Welsh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
SAT 17:00 The Revengers' Comedies by Alan Ayckbourn (b007jzd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Travellers to Unimaginable Lands: Dementia, Carers and the Hidden Workings of the Mind by Dasha Kiper (Omnibus) (m002vkky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:35 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:35 today]
SAT 19:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008g2b9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000nvy5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 4 Extra Goes Gardening (m000v8st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Absolutely Radio Show (b06bfd59)
Series 1
Episode 3
Cast members of Channel 4's hugely popular TV sketch show Absolutely reunite.
They're revisiting some much-loved sketch characters, with some newcomers too.
Starring:
Pete Baikie
Morwenna Banks
Moray Hunter
Gordon Kennedy
John Sparkes
Another meeting of the highly confused Stoneybridge Town Council and there's Denzil and Gwynedd, the far from devoted Swansea couple.
We also hear from the Little Girl with her own take on Teenagers, Mr Muzak talks about going to a club with like-minded individuals, and Calum Gilhooley pontificates with Google HR on their logo changes.
There's a talking version of Facebook and more from the Regional News team
Producers: Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
SAT 22:30 Sarah Millican's Support Group (b011ppyc)
Series 2
6. ' I've finally found what I'm looking for...'
"Bullying at work - a trapeze artist who's been pushed off her perch"
"I've finally found what I'm looking for...Terry, it's you!"
Sarah Millican is a life counsellor and modern-day agony aunt tackling the nation's problems head on, dishing out real advice for real people.
Assisted by her very own team of experts of the heart - man of the people local cabbie Terry, and self qualified counsellor Marion.
Sarah tackles the nation's problems head on and has a solution for everything.
Sarah ...... Sarah Millican
Marion ...... Ruth Bratt
Terry ...... Simon Daye
Judy ...... Anna Crilly
Evan ...... Elis James
Written by Sarah Millican.
Producer: Lianne Coop
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2011.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002vrzm)
Sarah Roberts 1/3
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff. Tonight, Eleanor Conway chats to fellow standup comedian Sarah Roberts.
SAT 23:00 Life: An Idiot's Guide (b045xxst)
Series 3
Mortality
Stephen K Amos sets out to compile an idiot's guide to mortality.
With assistance from some of the comedy circuit's best stand-ups:
Jason Cook
Brendon Burns
Robin Ince
Additional material by Stephen Grant and Hugh Sington.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.
SAT 23:30 Radio Active (b01pj1l5)
Series 5
In Australia
Meet Craig Stevens the Ripper Drongo, as the team head down under.
Mike Flex in Sydney and Anne Adaptor in Adelaide.
Radio Active is the one and only local national radio station.
Starring:
Helen Atkinson-Wood
Angus Deayton
Geoffrey Perkins
Philip Pope
Michael Fenton-Stevens
Music by Philip Pope, Richard Curtis and Steve Brown.
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins with John Canter.
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1985.

SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2026

SUN 00:00 Potted History by Andrew Dallmeyer (m000xyws)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 The Revengers' Comedies by Alan Ayckbourn (b007jzd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Travellers to Unimaginable Lands: Dementia, Carers and the Hidden Workings of the Mind by Dasha Kiper (Omnibus) (m002vkky)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:35 Inheritance Tracks (m0012nyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:35 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008g2b9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000nvy5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 4 Extra Goes Gardening (m000v8st)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vksz)
Sporting Champions
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson
Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson is castaway by Sue Lawley.
Tanni has won medals in four Paralympic Games.
When she was 19, she competed at Seoul and took the Bronze for the 200m.
During the following 12 years her tally of medals has increased to nine golds and three silvers.
She was made a Dame in 2005.
DISC ONE: Dunvant Male Choir with Band of Welsh Guards - Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah [Bread of Heaven]
DISC TWO: Soft Cell - Tainted Love
DISC THREE: ABBA - Waterloo
DISC FOUR: Mash Company - Theme from MASH: Suicide is Painless
DISC FIVE: Blind Melon - No Rain
DISC SIX: Steve Coogan - Knowing Me, Knowing You
DISC SEVEN: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
DISC EIGHT: Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle with You
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Steve Coogan - Knowing Me, Knowing You
BOOK CHOICE: A guide to edible foods on a desert island
LUXURY CHOICE: Five juggling balls
Producer: Christine Pawlowsky
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b010mwv4)
Series 2
Monsters
Fire breathing dragons are clearly something from legend, but what about a monster that lives in an ancient deep lake?
Sir David Attenborough reflects on a time when pre-eminent conservationist and naturalist Peter Scott was acquiring evidence to prove - or disprove - the existence of the Loch Ness Monster. No such giant creature has ever been found, but this is an intriguing tale of discovery.
David moves his story beyond the Scottish Highlands and into the Himalayas - where he reveals something very surprising.
Written and presented by David Attenborough.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002vkt1)
Adventures in Poetry - “The quality of mercy is not strain'd”
Daljit Nagra marks birth and death of William Shakespeare (April 23rd 1564 - April 23rd 1616) as he revisits the BBC's poetry archive to select Adventures in Poetry - "The quality of mercy is not strain'd".
Peggy Reynolds explores the background, effect and lasting appeal of the well-loved poem:- “The quality of mercy is not strain'd” from The Merchant of Venice.
The quality of mercy is not strain'd” is delivered by Portia in Shakespeare’s play as she confronts Shylock in court – and its moving plea for mercy and forgiveness is followed by a distinctly unmerciful legal demolition of Shylock’s claim to a pound of flesh from Antonio in forfeit of his debt.
Peggy explores the legal, theological and linguistic complexities of the piece with:
* The Lord Chief Justice, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
* Lisa Jardine
* Rabbi Julia Neuberger
* Actress Janet Suzman who talks about her approach to the speech.
Producer: Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
**** And Daljit reads from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: The House of Broken Things by Kim Moore
SUN 07:30 I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (Omnibus) (b092gh2h)
A memoir with a difference, subtitled: "Seventeen Brushes With Death".
Award-winning novelist Maggie O'Farrell tells her life story through a series of vignettes of her near-death experiences.
These include:
* A childhood illness she was not expected to survive
* A terrifying encounter on a remote mountain path
* A mismanaged labour in an understaffed hospital
Her book started out as a private project, a way for O'Farrell to help her young daughter who suffers from a serious immunology disorder, including severe eczema and allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock:
"I've asked myself, when she has been very ill, how do you carry on when death is a daily possibility?"
Omnibus of five parts read by Hattie Morahan.
Abridged and produced by Kirsteen Cameron
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
SUN 08:40 Witness History (w3csvtsk)
To Kill a Mockingbird
One of the most successful American films of all time was released on Christmas Day 1962.
To Kill a Mockingbird was written by the best-selling author Harper Lee.
It starred Gregory Peck as lawyer Atticus Finch, who stood against prejudice in the Deep South of the USA.
Directed by Robert Mulligan and produced by Alan J Pakula, the courtroom film drama was critically acclaimed and won multiple Oscars
Louise Hidalgo spoke to Gregory Peck's son Carey Peck about the film, and about his family's long-standing friendship with the reclusive Harper Lee.
Presented and produced by Louise Hidalgo.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in December 2017.
SUN 08:50 Under One Roof (Omnibus) (m002vkt4)
Stairway to Heaven
Gillian lives with her nineteen-year-old daughter and eighty-nine-year-old mother and her beloved boxer dog.
Life is a constant balancing act, lived in the eye of the storm.
The art of ascent and descent is under secret discussion....
Starring Paola Dionisotti.
Omnibus of five episodes written by Michele Hanson and Jenny Landreth.
Based on the original stories by Michele Hanson.
Gillian .... Paola Dionisotti
Bernice .... Edna Doré
Chloe .... Luisa Bradshaw-White
Rosemary .... Angela Down
Tanya .... Alison Pettitt
Lift Workman .... David Antrobus
Olga .... Frances Jeater
Kathy ... Tilly Vosburgh
Herbie ... Geoffrey Whitehead
Esther .... Ann Beach
Lift Workman/Care Asst .... David Antrobus
Man in Day Care Centre .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Boyfriend .... John Rowe
Programme Voice .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Director: Marilyn Imrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
SUN 10:00 It's A Deal starring Sid James (b01s7vsv)
Tycoon Sid’s girlfriend Molly seeks a change of career, but a tight dress sparks problems.
After the end of his working partnership with Tony Hancock, Sid James was offered this 13-part series.
He plays a similar character as in Hancock's Half Hour, but this time he is a property tycoon partnered by the impeccable Dennis Price.
Written by Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe.
This sole surviving example of the series (an off-air recording) is the concluding episode.
Sid …. Sid James
Dennis …. Dennis Price
Molly …. June Whitfield
Carole …. Carole Shelley
With:
Roy Dotrice
Wallace Eaton
Gwen Lewis
Producer: Tom Ronald
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1961.
SUN 10:30 Jim the Great (b011vmg0)
Series 2
The Man From the Monastery
Queen Esmerelda appoints the Venerable Bede to research her husband Jim's ancestry.
Historical regal romp starring Jimmy Edwards.
King Jim …. Jimmy Edwards
The Chancellor …. Julian Orchard
Queen Esmerelda …. Joan Sanderson
Venerable Bede …. Deryck Guyler
With:
John Baddeley
Gordon Clyde
Written by Andrew Palmer.
After a successful pilot, Jim The Great ran for two series on BBC Radio 2 between 1976 - 1979.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 1979.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vksz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b010mwv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002vkt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (Omnibus) (b092gh2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Witness History (w3csvtsk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Under One Roof (Omnibus) (m002vkt4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 It's A Deal starring Sid James (b01s7vsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Jim the Great (b011vmg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Terry Pratchett (b010tzfb)
Night Watch
3. Enemy
Thrown back in time, Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch is training his young self in the art of policing.
But then he runs into old enemy, Carcer.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel.
Dramatised by Robin Brooks.
Sam Vimes........Philip Jackson
Young Sam.........Carl Prekopp
Carcer...................Paul Ritter
Rosie......................Clare Corbett
Colon.....................Sam Dale
Dr Lawn.................Ben Onwukwe
Tilden......................Peter Marinker
Lady Meserole......Rachel Atkins
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.
SUN 16:30 Fear on 4 (b007jmy3)
Series 2
The Dead Drummer
It's a stormy night on Salisbury Plain, but it's not the wind and rain that terrifies, but the sound of a distant drum.
The Man in Black reveals the terror of two Napoleonic sailors who lose their way...
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Written by David Buck
The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
The Landlord …. Glyn Houston
Undertaker …. David Buck
Matthew …. Ray Smith
Billy Boy …. Christian Rodska
Director: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1989.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vksz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b010mwv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002vkt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (Omnibus) (b092gh2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Witness History (w3csvtsk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Under One Roof (Omnibus) (m002vkt4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 It's A Deal starring Sid James (b01s7vsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Jim the Great (b011vmg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Revolting People (b007jrx3)
Series 1
Even More Storm Clouds
Samuel's crooked brother lures Joshua into fighting the 'Cockney Monster'.
Sitcom set in 1770, just before the American War of Independence.
Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.
Samuel Oliphant …. Jay Tarses
Sergeant McGurk …. Andy Hamilton
Mary Oliphant …. Sophie Thompson
Captain Brimshaw …. James Fleet
Ezekiel Spriggs …. Hugh Dennis
Cora Oliphant …. Felicity Montagu
Joshua Oliphant …. Tony Maudsley
Mrs Arbuthnot …. Susie Blake
Uncle Dan Oliphant …. William Hootkins
Announcer/Various …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
SUN 22:30 Alun Cochrane's Fun House (b01rlnhp)
The Kitchen
Comedian Alun Cochrane has a 25 year mortgage which he can only pay off by being funny.
In this series, he takes us on a room by room, stand up tour of his house.
He has a fridge that beeps at him when he doesn't move quickly enough and a fire alarm he can't reach.
His relationship with his house is a complicated one.
A hoarder of funny and original observations on everyday life, Alun invites us to help him de-clutter his mind and tidy his ideas into one of those bags that you hoover all the air out of and keep under your bed.
This show will help Alun and his house work through their relationship issues and prevent a separation that Alun can ill afford; at least not until the market picks up anyway.
Performed by Alun Cochrane and Gavin Osborn.
Written by Alun Cochrane and Andy Wolton.
Producer: Carl Cooper.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002vrzp)
Sarah Roberts 2/3
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff. Tonight, Eleanor Conway chats again to standup comedian Sarah Roberts.
SUN 23:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03srgv9)
Series 3
The Awards
Damien is nominated for a 'Melvyn' for his TV show about the culinary habits of the great poets, but finds it hard to think of what to write in his column for a new gentleman's magazine.
Meanwhile, Anthony busies himself preparing for an audition for an amateur production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever.
Sitcom written by and starring Miles Jupp, charting the life of cookery writer Damien Trench and his partner Anthony.
Damien Trench ...... Miles Jupp
Anthony MacIlveny ...... Justin Edwards
Mr Mullaney ...... Brendan Dempsey
Steven ...... Ade Oyefeso
Ray Jarrow ...... Chris Brand
Michel Houllewitz ...... Toby Longworth
Janet Trench ...... Selina Cadell
Ian Frobisher ...... Philip Fox
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
SUN 23:30 Paperback Hell (m000nv8y)
Series 3
The Tu'penny Ha'penny Heiress
Six chapters, by six different authors.
All of them imaginary. All of them straight out of the bestseller charts.
None of them very good.
This time: a romantic, North-East based family saga.
Written by Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.
Starring:
Michael Fenton Stevens
Rebecca Front
Mel Hudson
Alex Lowe
Dan Tetsell
Producer: Lucy Armitage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.
SUN 23:45 Bunk Bed (m001p7my)
Series 10
Episode 3
Late at night, in the dark and in a bunk bed, our tired minds can wander through strange territory before we drift off.
Kathy Burke reflects on winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and fancying Gordon Brown.
Peter Curran and Patrick Marber butt heads about the seductive power of politics.
Producer: Peter Curran
A Foghorn production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2023.

MONDAY 27 APRIL 2026

MON 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b010tzfb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Fear on 4 (b007jmy3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vksz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b010mwv4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002vkt1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (Omnibus) (b092gh2h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Witness History (w3csvtsk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Under One Roof (Omnibus) (m002vkt4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 It's A Deal starring Sid James (b01s7vsv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Jim the Great (b011vmg0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 John le Carré (m002vkl0)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
4. Holland
The approach was classic.
The offer was attractive.
Leamas accepted.
Now, he flies out to Holland to meet the 'client'.
Starring Colin Blakely.
John le Carré’s Cold War espionage novel, first published in 1963.
Adapted by Rene Basilico.
Alec Leamas .... Colin Blakely
Peters .... Julian Glover
Kiever .... Carl Duering
Fiedler .... David de Keyser
Els .... Helen Cooper
Driver .... Peter Birch
Passport Controller .... Lex Van Delden
Theme music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio in May 1986.
MON 06:30 Falco (b008ktyq)
Shadows in Bronze
4. Party
Falco heads to a party thrown by the wealthy and influential Crispus.
Helena gets shocking news and the Roman sleuth receives a nasty surprise.
Starring Anton Lesser.
Lindsey Davis's witty detective, Marcus Didius Falco patrols the streets of 1st-century Rome.
Dramatised by Mary Cutler.
Falco ....... Anton Lesser
Helena Justina ....... Anna Madeley
Aufidius Crispus ....... Bertie Carvel
Petronius ....... Ben Crowe
Silvia ....... Sara Poyzer
Aemilius Rufus ....... Timothy Watson
Aenelia ....... Jaimi Barbakoff
Atius Pertinax ....... Sean Connolly
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Peter Leslie Wild.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
MON 07:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03y7ldm)
Inside Information
Skint horse tipster Evans gets an unlikely helping hand from a self-righteous police inspector.
Roy Hudd stars as a self-styled "sporting authority" in 1920's Camden Town in London.
Edgar Wallace's humorous novel, first published in 1924.
Dramatised in four parts by Richard Quick.
Narrator …. Freddie Jones
Educated Evans …. Roy Hudd
Inspector Pine …. Andrew Sachs
The Miller …. Michael Roberts
Mrs Rankin …. Pat Coombs
Albert Shanks …. Simon Treves
Miss Mavis …. Elizabeth Mansfield
George Canfyn …. Charles Collingwood
Music by Philip Glassborow and Rick Cardinall.
Director: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1996.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
Series 2
A Wilson (Manager)
Captain Mainwaring is aghast when his chief clerk comes up in the world.
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring … Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
The Verger …. Edward Sinclair
Captain Bailey …. Michael Knowles
Mr West …. Fraser Kerr
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
MON 08:00 The Architects (b03y3kgn)
Series 1
Fracking Hell
Potentially lucrative contracts involving nuclear power plants, military drone manufacturers and a fracking company leave Matt and his principles in potential meltdown.
Stars Dominic Coleman, Ingrid Oliver and Geoffrey Whitehead.
Sitcom set in a struggling architectural practice.
Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths.
Matt ...... Dominic Coleman
Sarah ...... Ingrid Oliver
Sir Lucien ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Tim ...... Alex Carter
Hayley ...... Aisling Bea
Amanda ...... Carolyn Pickles
Snadaker ..... Stephen Critchlow
Gentle Energy MD ...... Steve Toussaint
Director: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
MON 08:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00g9px4)
1. The Hall
**** 4 Extra marks the 80th birthday of one of the UK's best-loved actors, Dame Joanna Lumley - born 1st May 1946.
Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography as she moves from room-to-room.
Beginning in the Hall, she elaborates on her early years in India followed by her time at boarding school back in England.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
MON 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b064yj8q)
1. Homeward Bound
Believed lost for decades after 'To Kill A Mockingbird' was published, Harper Lee's explosive second novel finally appeared in 2015.
It revisits much-loved characters, this time through adult eyes.
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch travels from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home. It's always a relief to slip into the comfortable rhythms of the South; to spend time with her beloved father Atticus and rekindle her spiky relationship with Aunt Alexandra.
But mid-1950s Alabama is not the same place where young Scout spent idyllic summers with brother Jem, and the 26-year old will be betrayed and have her trust shattered before she is able to become her own woman.
Abridged in ten parts by Robin Brooks
Read by Fenella Woolgar.
Harper Lee was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', a book which has been studied, loved, wept over and revered by generations since its publication in 1960. She lived in Monroeville, Alabama until her death in 2016.
Producer Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
MON 09:00 Unspeakable (m002v9pq)
Series 3
6. Wondrous Words from Wales
This episode we hear Mike Bubbins's word for bad forecasting, Charlotte Church's word for the brief glowing soul of a moment, and Jason Byrne's equally beautiful word for moving around on your chair when you've got an itch down there.
Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.
Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie Dent
Guests: Mike Bubbins, Jason Byrne and Charlotte Church
Created by Joe Varley
Writers: Matt Crosby and Katie Storey
Recorded by Jerry Peal
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash Lockmun
A Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4
MON 09:30 All in a Chord (b087ps60)
Beethoven: The Eroica Symphony
Ivan Hewett examines a chord from Beethoven's Eroica Symphony to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history.
He's joined by Beethoven expert John Suchet and writer and historian Professor Andrew Roberts who has special interest in Napoleon.
Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.
Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.
Beethoven's Eroica Chord of 1804 is the climax of the composer's attempt to capture the fervour of revolution. Strident trumpets scream out above the orchestra, forming a clash of harmony that no one could mistake as anything but a great musical rallying cry for freedom.
Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002vkl2)
Sing to the Lord a new song - And Ever Amen
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Sing to the Lord a new song - And Ever Amen
Presenter: Philippa Hanna
Reading: Matthew 6:9-13
Music:
Free Indeed - Philippa Hanna
And ever Amen - Philippa Hanna
It is well - Philippa Hanna
MON 10:00 Musical Genes (b00f5b1x)
Series 1
Lorna Luft
Tom Morton meets Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, to get the true story of life as the offspring of a legend.
Series searching for the true story behind some of our best loved musicians.
Producer: Deirdre Waldie
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in October 2008.
MON 10:30 The Sound of Bombs (b08hnj2x)
Fatima Al Qadiri explores how the sounds of war run through modern music.
In 1990, the Iraqi army invaded Kuwait. They left only after 7 months of occupation and the first Gulf War. Fatima Al Qadiri was 9 years old at the time.
Now an acclaimed musician, she explores what happens when warfare and music collide.
War is a permanent feature on our TV’s, radios and computer screens - when it’s not in the news, it’s in Hollywood movies and video games. And the sounds that come with it have bled into modern music in an unmistakeable way.
Some composers and producers must bring war to life in the scores for games and films, while others work to use the sounds of war to try and put the horror of war on record.
In the age of the portable mp3 player, music has become indispensable for soldiers and civilians caught up in warzones - an escape route that is used by soldiers regardless of background and mission, from US Soldiers to fighters for the so-called Islamic State.
Sound also has a more sinister role. The sound of drones is a key part of the terror they create, and music has been used to torture prisoners of war and suspected terrorists.
As she explores the world of music and war, Fatima also investigates why the sounds of warfare have become an essential part of her music, and how music can be used to better understand the violence that inspired it.
Producer: Robert Nicholson.
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2017.
MON 11:00 John le Carré (m002vkl0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Falco (b008ktyq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03y7ldm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Architects (b03y3kgn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00g9px4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b064yj8q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b013f1kv)
Series 61
From 22/08/2011
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Paul Merton
Gyles Brandreth
Jason Byrne
Alun Cochrane
Subjects include: Scottish Air, David & Goliath, My Mysterious Uncle, Tramways, My Time as a Butler, Family Holidays, Scrooge, The Chairman of The Board, Owning a Tandem and Prunes.
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
MON 14:30 Miracles R Us (b00scx37)
Flux
Caroline is running Household Solutions on her own from the student rooms she is renting.
This entails popping leaflets through doors, offering a family back-up service.
After a chance meeting, Sylvia is sure she could be helpful to the business. Caroline is sure she couldn't.
Sylvia persists and, against her better judgement, Caroline gets drawn in.
Can they manage to turn their service into a good business?
Starring Anna Massey and Deborah Findlay.
Lesley Bruce's sitcom in four parts.
Sylvia ..... Anna Massey
Caroline ..... Deborah Findlay
Tanya ..... Alison Pettitt
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
MON 15:00 Queen Lucia by EF Benson (b08yr2t1)
5. Lucia Resurgent
Christmas brings goodwill to Riseholme.
Then Olga departs, Georgie mourns and Daisy emulates the beanstalk
Lucia, of course, just goes on being Lucia...
Conclusion of the comedy series based on EF Benson's 1920's novel.
Starring Barbara Jefford and Jonathan Cecil
Dramatised and narrated by Aubrey Woods.
Lucia ... Barbara Jefford
Georgie Pillson .... Jonathan Cecil
Olga Bracely ... June Tobin
Peppino ... David Garth
Foljambe .... Helena Breck
Newsagent...Clive Panto
Colonel.........Bernard Brown
Mrs Weston....Margot Boyd
Daisy Quantock ... Jane Wenham
Robert Quantock...Anthony Newlands
Pianist...John Owen Edwards
Producer: John Cardy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1984.
MON 15:45 Anita and Me by Meera Syal (b007jvvd)
10. Testing Times
On the eve of taking her 11-plus, the school exam seems to be the least of Meena's worries.....
12-year-old Meena Kumar is an Asian girl living a fairly uneventful life in the Black Country village of Tollington near Wolverhampton in the 1970s. She's surrounded by her loving, if slightly eccentric, Punjabi family.
But then one day she met Anita Rutter...
Actress and comedy writer Meera Syal concludes her first novel.
Abridged by Doreen Estall
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1996.
MON 16:00 Musical Genes (b00f5b1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 The Sound of Bombs (b08hnj2x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 John le Carré (m002vkl0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Falco (b008ktyq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03y7ldm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 The Architects (b03y3kgn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00g9px4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b064yj8q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b013f1kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Miracles R Us (b00scx37)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Queen Lucia by EF Benson (b08yr2t1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 21:45 Anita and Me by Meera Syal (b007jvvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
MON 22:00 Unspeakable (m002v9pq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Damien Slash (m000n4yt)
The Damien Slash Mixtape. Series 3
Episode 4
Multi-character YouTube star Damien Slash with more zeitgeisty sketches in this fast-paced, one-man sketch comedy show.
In his final instalment discover Commuter-wear designed for the most extreme locations, a special prayer to celebrate the re-opening of the pubs and meet new favourite children’s character Thomas the Thermonuclear Missile.
Written by and starring Damien Slash (aka Daniel Barker).
Additional Material from Tom Savage.
Guest starring Natasia Demetriou.
Producer: Benjamin Sutton
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2020.
MON 22:45 Tarot: Soundbleed (m0010wrn)
Episode 4
Tarot: Soundbleed is the brainchild of sketch supergroup Tarot, which unites Gein's Family Giftshop and Goose, alongside stand-up and writer Kiri Pritchard-McLean.
In 2019, Tarot were the best show of the year according to Chortle. The Guardian called it 'bark-out-loud funny', and The Telegraph called it 'hilarious'. Throughout their richly soundscaped first series, Soundbleed harnesses the group's inventive writing, rapid gag rate and fine ear for character.
Expect wild and outlandish sketches about preppers and sex pests.
Written and performed by:
Adam Drake
Edward Easton
Kath Hughes
Ben Rowse
Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Sound Editor: Chris Maclean
Producer: Hayley Sterling
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2021.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m002vc5c)
Series 120
2. The art of vetting
Some hot topics of conversation this week include the ever evolving Peter Mandelson vetting saga, phones being banned in schools and robots who can take over the world... sorry robots who can take over sports. Helping Andy make sense of it all are Daliso Chaponda, Catherine Bohart, Hugo Rifkind and Ria Lina.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Christina Riggs, Henry Whaley and Angela Channell
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinators: Asha Osborne-Grinter & Caroline Barlow
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k425)
Series 2
The Dig
Discover the results of a ‘live’ archaeology dig and visit a very liberal safari park.
Written and performed by:
Marcus Brigstocke
Danny Robins
Dan Tetsell.
With Lucy Montgomery.
Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2005.

TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2026

TUE 00:00 Musical Genes (b00f5b1x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 The Sound of Bombs (b08hnj2x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 John le Carré (m002vkl0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Falco (b008ktyq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03y7ldm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jp95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Architects (b03y3kgn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00g9px4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b064yj8q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b013f1kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Miracles R Us (b00scx37)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Queen Lucia by EF Benson (b08yr2t1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:45 Anita and Me by Meera Syal (b007jvvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 John le Carré (m002vkvd)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
5. Appearances
Leamas is an old hand at the game.
He knows that, in the world of espionage, nothing is ever what it seems.
Starring Colin Blakely.
John le Carré’s Cold War espionage novel, first published in 1963.
Adapted by Rene Basilico.
Alec Leamas .... Colin Blakely
Fiedler .... David de Keyser
Mundt .... Wolf Kahler
Control .... Allan McClelland
Peter Guillam .... Douglas Blackwell
Man from Berlin / Warder .... Lutz Liebelt
Secretary .... Suzanne Roquette
First guard .... Peter Birch
Second guard .... Graham Blockey
Third guard .... Terry Gurry
Theme music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio in May 1986.
TUE 06:30 Falco (b008l1cb)
Shadows in Bronze
5. Surprise
Roman sleuth Falco closes in on his man, but gets more than he bargained for from Helena's old school friend...
Starring Anton Lesser.
Lindsey Davis's witty detective, Marcus Didius Falco patrols the streets of 1st-century Rome.
Dramatised by Mary Cutler.
Falco ....... Anton Lesser
Helena Justina ....... Anna Madeley
Atius Pertinax ....... Sean Connolly
Larius ....... Christopher Kelham
Silvia ....... Sara Poyzer
Marcellus ..... Paul Webster
Aufidius Crispus ....... Bertie Carvel
Aemilius Rufus ....... Timothy Watson
Gordianus ..... Christian Rodska
Aenelia ....... Jaimi Barbakoff
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Peter Leslie Wild.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
TUE 07:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b1xt8g)
A Change of Art
Sarah's mother Bea arrives with a horse-box full of expressionist art and three moulting cats.
Sitcom series about the Stubbs family - cartoonist Richard, therapist Sarah and their daughters - Kate, aged 16 and three-year-old Amy who has Down's Syndrome.
Starring Peter Davison and Samantha Bond.
Written by Son and father team, Andy and Eric Merriman - inspired by Andy's own four-year-old daughter, Sarah.
Eric famously wrote legendary BBC comedy series 'Beyond Our Ken'.
Richard ...... Peter Davison
Sarah ...... Samantha Bond
Kate ...... Claire Russell
Amy ...... Sarah Merriman
Bea ...... Phyllida Law
Felix Patterson ...... Jonathan Adams
Paul ...... Simon Fielder
Meg ...... Zulema Dene
Autograph Hunter ...... Colleen Prendergast
Art Collector ...... Alice Arnold
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1996.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007jpvf)
Vintage Goons
The Mummified Priest
Neddie Seagoon is suffering from 'lust for gold' so organises an expedition into the desert.
Ground-breaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Vintage Goons is a series of re-recorded episodes made by the original cast for sale abroad.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Charles Chilton
Originally broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1954.
Adapted and re-recorded in October 1957 by the BBC Transcription Service for broadcast abroad.
First broadcast in the UK on BBC 7 in September 2003.
TUE 08:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001y8b8)
Series 8
3. Top Dog
Policeman turned stand-up Alfie Moore takes his audience through another real-life crime scenario.
A fan favourite returns this week, Zeus the Police Dog!
But how does our favourite canine copper react when his position as leader of the pack is threatened?
Written and presented by Alfie Moore
Script Editor: Will Ing
Producer: Sam Holmes
A BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2024.
TUE 08:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdhcg)
2. The Drawing Room
Life as a model and breaking into acting - leading to 'The New Avengers', 'Sapphire & Steel' and a date with James Bond.
One of this country's best loved actors, Dame Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography.
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
TUE 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjs0)
2. Pleasures and Irritations
Harper Lee's explosive second novel was finally published in 2015. Believed lost for decades after the publication of 'To Kill A Mockingbird', this book revisits much-loved characters, this time through adult eyes.
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch travels from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home. Back in Maycomb with her family, Jean Louise is both delighted and infuriated by them. Jean Louise Finch finds herself irritated by her Aunt Alexandra, although she's grateful for the care Alexandra takes of Atticus.
Jean Louise asks what Alexandra would think if she married Hank Clinton. Alexandra is not impressed and says that Hank is white trash. Jean Louise insults her aunt and goes on a date with Hank, close to accepting his proposal.
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Written by Harper Lee
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
TUE 09:00 Nature Table (m002v9dr)
Series 5
3: Unwise Tawny Owls & Mischievous Mitten Crabs
In this episode Sue checks out Tawny Owls (not as wise as people make out), mischievous Mitten Crabs and a glamorous looking chicken that could feature on Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
‘Sue Perkins’ Nature Table - possibly the funniest “natural science” series, ever.’ Pick of the Week, The Telegraph
Joining Sue Perkins at the Natural History Museum, this episode of the ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy features special guests: US comedian and film actor Rob Delaney (Mission Impossible and Catastrophe), the Natural History Museum’s Queen of Crustacea Miranda Lowe and zoologist Holly Dominique.
Nature Table has a simple clear goal: to positively celebrate our planet’s wonderfully wild (and funny) flora and fauna in a fun accessible way... whilst always having a giggle.
Hosted by: Sue Perkins
Guests: Rob Delaney, Miranda Lowe and Holly Dominique.
Written by: Jon Hunter and Jenny Laville.
Additional material by: Jade Gebbie.
Researcher: Catherine Beazley
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Sound Editor: Jerry Peal
Music by: Ben Mirin
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow & Sarah Nicholls
Producer: Simon Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
TUE 09:30 All in a Chord (b088972d)
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
Ivan Hewett examines Wagner's Tristan Chord to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history. He's joined by Professor John Deathridge and Professor Tim Blanning.
Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.
Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.
Wagner's Tristan Chord is called the most significant chord in Western music as it is said to mark the beginning of the breakdown of tonality. Within itself, it contains not one but two dissonances, so creating a double desire, agonising in its intensity for resolution. The chord to which it then moves resolves one of these dissonances but not the other, so providing resolution - but not resolution. Written in 1859, the same year as Origin of the Species and around the same time as Madame Bovary, Wagner's Tristan Chord reflects a time when the anchor was being pulled up on many old certainties.
Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002vkvg)
Sing to the Lord a new song - Knowing you Jesus
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Sing to the Lord a new song - Knowing you Jesus
Presenter: Graham Kendrick
Reading: Philippians 3 7-11
Music:
All who are thirsty - Brenton Brown
Knowing you Jesus - Graham Kendrick
No one Like You (KXC)
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b03k0s5d)
Fern Britton and Katherine Grainger
Harriett Gilbert and her guests - TV presenter Fern Britton and Olympic gold medallist rower Katherine Grainger - discuss their favourite books by Harper Lee, Susan Hill and Alan Bennett.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Publisher: Arrow
The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill
Publisher: Vintage
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Publisher: Profile Books and Faber & Faber
Producer: Beth O'Dea
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
TUE 10:30 Taken To The Cleaners (b0939f5s)
Britain's army of cleaners and some of the people they service meet for the first time.
Many of today's cleaners might as well be invisible - we know so little of the people behind the job title.
Blanche Girouard hears the stories and experiences of a range of immigrant cleaners who work in London's homes, schools and offices.
Alford is a Jamaican man in his 60s who has been cleaning the same school for over a decade. Here, he sits down for a proper conversation with some of the senior pupils for the first time and we hear some extraordinary life stories being shared.
Barrister Maria Gonzalez Marello profiles some of the cases of abuse and exploitation that come through her weekly free legal advice surgery for cleaners - she has won many court cases against unscrupulous contracting companies, and the number of cases had increased since the Brexit process started.
There is a cruel irony that many big London firms boasting of attractive employment packages maintain their gleaming offices using people who work under very poor conditions. The recent decision to ban the charging of (large) fees for those employees wishing to take a grievance to an Employment Tribunal may improve conditions eventually, but contract law is complex.
On the other hand, we meet Veronica - a 24 year-old Polish cleaner who really enjoys cleaning in most of the twenty houses and offices she services every week. The programme concludes that language - the ability to speak English and read contracts - is the greatest defence against exploitation and isolation.
Producer: Peter Curran
A Foghorn production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017.
TUE 11:00 John le Carré (m002vkvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Falco (b008l1cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b1xt8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jpvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001y8b8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdhcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjs0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Hoax! (m002vkvj)
From 5/12/1991
Tim Brooke-Taylor hosts the game where only one of three stories are true. It is up to him and the audience to point the finger at the hoaxer......
Denis Norden recounts the tale of a Savile Row suit in Petticoat Lane
Victor Spinetti reveals he once had dinner with a 1960s heart-throb
Richard Stilgoe was tricked by the Swedish Tourist Board
Created by Ian Messiter
Producer Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.
TUE 14:30 Mum's on the Run (b00txhq5)
Episode 6
Battling lippy kids, annoying neighbours and a jazz playing ex-husband Jen's failing to be the yummy mummy she longs to be.
But Jen has at last secured a semi-date with Mr Rigby but then realises that it's bonfire night and she's promised the kids fireworks in the garden.
Their date turns to farce as both Mr Rigby and the ex-husband turn up and neighbour Vivienne is almost hospitalised by a dodgy rocket.
Starring Ronni Ancona.
Mother of two, Master of none - the hectic life ("What life?") of single mum, Jen.
Conclusion of the modern-day twist on the single-family situation.
Written by Alexis Zegerman.
Jen ...... Ronni Ancona
Mr Rigby ...... John Gordon Sinclair
Shelly ...... Alexis Zegerman
Keith ...... Kevin Eldon
Vivienne ...... Christine Kavanagh
Felicity ...... Amy Dabrowa
Toby ...... Alexander Heath
Connor ...... Pip Woolley
Adam ...... Caleb Hughes
Karina ...... Amaya Rowlands
Policeman ...... Lloyd Thomas
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
TUE 15:00 The People on Privilege Hill by Jane Gardam (b00cg43t)
An elderly judge is preparing to go out for lunch at Dulcie's house on Privilege Hill.
Jane Gardam is an award-winning writer of adult and children’s fiction and literary critic. The People on Privilege Hill is the title story from her 2007 short story collection, which was shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award.
Reader: Geoffrey Palmer
Abridger: Julian Wilkinson
Producer: Liz Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2008.
TUE 15:30 The Hair of the Dog by Jane Gardam (b00bfq0b)
In Jane Gardam's delightful story humour and tenderness colour Eleanor's reflections on her daughter Rosie's wedding twenty-five years ago.
The Hair of the Dog by award winning writer, Jane Gardam, was selected from her much acclaimed short story collection, The People of Privilege Hill. The title story of this collection was the runner up for the 2008 BBC National Short Story Award. Jane Gardam holds a Heywood Hill Literary Prize for a lifetime's contribution to the enjoyment of literature. Her bestselling novel, Old Filth, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize.
Read by Eleanor Bron.
Abridged by Jules Wilkinson.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.
TUE 15:45 The Weeping Child by Jane Gardam (m000gnd7)
"I have seen a ghost... it was the ghost of someone who is still alive."
Mrs Ingham visits her daughter in Jamaica every other year at the end of Jan.
Marion Reed reads Jane Gardam's short story.
Producer: Rob Ketteridge
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1996.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b03k0s5d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Taken To The Cleaners (b0939f5s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 John le Carré (m002vkvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Falco (b008l1cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b1xt8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007jpvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001y8b8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdhcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjs0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Hoax! (m002vkvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Mum's on the Run (b00txhq5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 The People on Privilege Hill by Jane Gardam (b00cg43t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 21:30 The Hair of the Dog by Jane Gardam (b00bfq0b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 today]
TUE 21:45 The Weeping Child by Jane Gardam (m000gnd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
TUE 22:00 Nature Table (m002v9dr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Goodness Gracious Me (b01pgs6z)
Series 3
Episode 6
The Archers and The Waltons with a twist, and the Minx Twins tackle feminism.
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Kulvinder Ghir
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
Sharat Sardana
Gold Winner of the Sony Radio Academy Awards. The sketch comedy show originally ran on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998, later transferring to TV on BBC Two from 1998 to 2001.
Written by Richard Pinto, Sharat Sardana, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sanjeev Kohli.
Script Editors: Sharat Sardana and Richard Pinto
Producer: Anil Gupta
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002vrzr)
Sarah Roberts 3/3
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff. Tonight, Eleanor Conway chats once again to standup comedian Sarah Roberts.
TUE 23:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jvz0)
Series 9
Bill Oddie
Rufus Hound with more honest, intimate and hilarious interviews, with famous guests reading from their genuine teenage diaries.
In this episode, former Goodie Bill Oddie remembers 1958 and talks about an extremely demanding Outward Bound course in the Lake District.
Hill walking, abseiling and jumping into freezing cold waterfalls are all part of the fun.
Producer: Harriet Jaine
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
TUE 23:30 Forty Nights in the Wildebeest (b007k16j)
Episode 4
Dan Freedman and Nick Romero push the pun count beyond the pain threshold.
Including:
American 'Blackadder'
A sheep version of 'Star Trek'.
Music is performed by the Gents.
Producers: Julian Mayers & Jayne Gibson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.

WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b03k0s5d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Taken To The Cleaners (b0939f5s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 John le Carré (m002vkvd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Falco (b008l1cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b1xt8g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007jpvf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001y8b8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdhcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjs0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hoax! (m002vkvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Mum's on the Run (b00txhq5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 The People on Privilege Hill by Jane Gardam (b00cg43t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:30 The Hair of the Dog by Jane Gardam (b00bfq0b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:45 The Weeping Child by Jane Gardam (m000gnd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 John le Carré (m002vkwl)
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
6. Tribunal
The tribunal. Leamas, the key witness, is in sight of his goal. Can he can finally come in from the cold?
Starring Colin Blakely.
John le Carré’s Cold War espionage novel, first published in 1963.
Adapted in six parts by Rene Basilico.
Alec Leamas .... Colin Blakely
Fiedler .... David de Keyser
Karden .... Alfred Burke
Liz Gold .... Janet Maw
Mundt .... Wolf Kahler
President of the Tribunal .... Hannah Norbert
Fischer .... Norman Caro
Erich .... Guy Groen
First guard …. Peter Birch
Second guard …. Stuart Organ
Theme music by Max Harris.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio in June 1986.
WED 06:30 Falco (b008m17q)
Shadows in Bronze
6. Showdown
A final showdown for Roman sleuth Falco - but his reunion with Helena proves bittersweet.
Starring Anton Lesser.
Lindsey Davis's witty detective, Marcus Didius Falco patrols the streets of 1st-century Rome.
Dramatised by Mary Cutler.
Falco ....... Anton Lesser
Petronius ....... Ben Crowe
Helena Justina ....... Anna Madeley
Decimus Camillus ....... Robert Lister
Vespasian ....... Michael Tudor Barnes
Silvia ....... Sara Poyzer
Tullia ....... Fiona Clarke
Gordianus ....... Christian Rodska
Atius Pertinax ....... Sean Connolly
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Peter Leslie Wild.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
WED 07:00 After Henry (b007k1hq)
Series 1
Mr Right
Sarah meets her daughter Clare's boyfriend, while her mother Eleanor interferes.
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women.
Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Sarah …. Prunella Scales
Eleanor …. Joan Sanderson
Russell …. Benjamin Whitrow
Clare …. Gerry Cowper
David …. Nigel Williams
Four radio series were made, but instead of then moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jy6l)
Series 1
The New Car
The lad thinks he should buy a car to keep up appearances, so Sid offers to help.
But there's a big surprise when he takes it for a spin.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Moira Lister
Bill Kerr
Sidney James
Kenneth Williams
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Music recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1954.
WED 08:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b0v5hh)
Series 1
How It All Began
Malawian Comedian Daliso Chaponda looks at the relationship between the UK and Africa.
Both countries have had a long a complicated past. Looking at their history, Daliso is our relationship guidance counsellor, helping us navigate the rocky historical waters between the two places.
A Malawian comedian who grew up all over the world, Daliso straddles cultural divides. He will help us all better understand how to sort out our differences. Or not...
Daliso begins by looking at the origins of the relationship, as he asks how did the UK and Africa first meet?
Written and performed by Daliso Chaponda
The Other Guy ...... James Quinn
Theme music by Lawi.
Image by Steve Ullathorne.
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
WED 08:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
3. The Kitchen
Life as a single mum and a glimpse of old age, courtesy of BBC TV's 'Absolutely Fabulous’.
One of this country's best loved actors, Dame Joanna Lumley, reads from her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
WED 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjvl)
3. A Date with Hank
Harper Lee's explosive second novel was finally published in 2015. Believed lost for decades after the publication of 'To Kill A Mockingbird', this book revisits much-loved characters, this time through adult eyes.
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch travels from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home.
Jean Louise and Hank Clinton are on a date. They go to Jean Louise's family's old land and reminisce about childhood and how Maycomb used to be.
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Written by Harper Lee
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
WED 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vbxx)
Matt Hutchinson: Are You Really the Doctor?
The public lost their minds when a Black Dr Who was announced. If they can't handle a make believe, time travelling alien being black, they probably feel the same about brain surgeons.
Matt Hutchinson is a stand-up comic who also happens to be a hospital doctor. He specialises in rheumatology, general internal medicine and making people laugh. This, coupled with his Jamaican/White British heritage are the basis of his show Are You Really the Doctor?
We may be familiar with stories of the NHS struggling through long hours and making difficult decisions, while trying to help people when life has dealt them the worst. Doing this while black is akin to running a marathon with a stone in your shoe, cheered on by a crowd who hope you’re heading back to where you came from, while worrying the police will stop you for speeding.
Alongside his comedy, Matt is a writer, NHS doctor and medical researcher - his recently completed PhD is in molecular virology and immunology at UCL/the Francis Crick Institute.
Written by Matt Hutchinson
Additional Material: Dec Munro
Recording Engineer: David Thomas
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 All in a Chord (b0889734)
Mahler: Symphony No.10
Ivan Hewett examines a chord from Mahler's 10th Symphony to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history. He's joined by composer David Matthews and psychoanalyst Anthony Cantle.
Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.
Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.
In 1910, the first movement of Mahler's 10th Symphony finally lands on a chord of terrifying dissonance, as he surveyed the wreckage of his personal life. Mahler had discovered his wife was having an affair with the architect Walter Gropius - a discovery which left him distraught. He was in the middle of composing his 10th Symphony and suddenly this cry of anguish appears seemingly out of nowhere in the music. Mahler made a famous visit to see Freud which resulted in a 6 hour walk during which they discussed all of these matters in the context of the newly "discovered" unconscious.
The chord in question can't be found anywhere in else music. Perhaps it's just too much to bear. However, what follows this chord is music which suggests resolution, acceptance and great peace.
Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002vkwq)
Sing to the Lord a new song - Sing of your love
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Sing to the Lord a new song - Sing of your love
Presenter: Lucy Grimble
Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-17
Music:
Is He Worthy? - CeCe Winans
Sing of your love - Lucy Grimble
All praise belongs - Lucy Grimble
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (b09y6wg3)
The Ultimate Trip: Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey
Christopher Frayling explores the lasting influence of Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece.
2001: A Space Odyssey was released into the world in April 1968. Puzzling, infuriating, inspiring and thrilling, it captivated audiences at the time and, 50 years on, continues to exert a powerful effect on our thinking about the present and the future.
This remarkable movie was the result of a synthesis of two very different visions.
Based on his own short story The Sentinel, it was written by British author Arthur C Clarke - a futurist of uncanny ability. The film director was Stanley Kubrick - an American working in the UK, whose previous works included gladiator epic, Spartacus and savage nuclear satire, Dr Strangelove.
Marketed as The Ultimate Trip, 2001 became an essential experience for younger audiences - many of whom saw it multiple times, and sometimes in an enhanced state of consciousness. But alongside its wildly psychedelic visions, 2001 also presented an extraordinarily convincing and intricate vision of future space travel.
Cultural historian and writer, Christopher Frayling travels back in time to the creation of 2001, hearing how organisations like NASA and IBM were enlisted to help Kubrick craft his vision.
And he speaks to scientists, critics and filmmakers to examine the film's enduring influence on science, design and popular culture.
Interviewees:
* Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist
* Piers Bizony, science journalist
* Victoria Broackes, Senior Curator, V&A Museum
* Catherine Constable, Professor of Film Studies, Warwick University
* John Landis, film director
* Christopher Nolan, film director
* Georgina Orgill, Stanley Kubrick Archivist, University of the Arts London.
Producer: Jane Long
A Hidden Flack production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.
WED 11:00 John le Carré (m002vkwl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Falco (b008m17q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 After Henry (b007k1hq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jy6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b0v5hh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Write Stuff (m000ff8v)
Series 4
Harold Pinter
James Walton’s literary quiz with Sebastian Faulks, John Walsh, Jane Thynne and Jonathan Myerson.
Author of the week: Harold Pinter
Reader: Becky Hindley
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.
WED 14:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3rx)
Series 2
Just Say No
Daddy battles with hallucinogenic fungus and chips.
Starring Denise Coffey and Miriam Margolyes.
Sue Limb's Bed and Breakfast sitcom about sisters Alison and Maud and their guests at the Abbeyfield Guest House in Norwich.
Alison ...... Denise Coffey
Maud ...... Miriam Margolyes
Mr Mullet ...... Chris Emmett
Bernard ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2004.
WED 15:00 Drama on 4 (m001j3cq)
Danger 2023 by Michael Symmons Roberts
Danger 2023 was made to mark the centenary of the first Radio Drama. Poet Michael Symmons Roberts updates elements from Richard Hughes original radio play ‘A Comedy of Danger' broadcast in early 1924.
In order to emphasise the sound-only format Hughes set the play in a deep Welsh coal mine, where visitors get trapped in total darkness in a flooded gallery hoping for rescue.
In February 1923, the BBC broadcast a scene from Julius Caesar. To mark the centenary of this first broadcast, Michael Symmons Roberts has taken elements from Hughes first full play and updated them - the shocking plunge into complete darkness without apparent hope of escape, forcing strangers together, the distant sounds of a rising threat from approaching water that gradually rises in the mine's chamber, and the first and last lines of the original which frame this new version.
In Danger 2023, the lights go out on a party visiting a remote 'doomsday' bank deep under the desert containing a vast collection of historical and cultural data about our lives, from governments, universities and media companies across the world. Our digital world being 'archivable' in a physical location, what would be lost if it were destroyed? Is our culture, our essence, so digital now that it can be preserved and resurrected by people in the distant future ?
The VIP visitors are a small delegation on a confidential visit to this vault to see how the codes, programmes, files and data of our cyber-age are preserved in controlled conditions in case of nuclear or ecological apocalypse.
The metaphorical power of a location like a doomsday data bank - as the world attempts to avert a climate catastrophe and the risk of nuclear conflict feels more urgent than it has for decades. Psychologically and dramatically, the mounting pressure and remote isolation of the party leads them to explore and evoke their response to fear, rising paranoia, different responses to mortality.
Shura …. Phia Saban
Thomas/Rescuer …. Tachia Newall
Belle …. Laurel Lefkow
Milton …. Adonis Anthony
Director: Susan Roberts
A BBC North production for Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2023.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (b09y6wg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 John le Carré (m002vkwl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Falco (b008m17q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 After Henry (b007k1hq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jy6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b0v5hh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Write Stuff (m000ff8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3rx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Drama on 4 (m001j3cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vbxx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Sir Ralph Stanza's Letter from Salford (b00767xp)
Series 1
The Best Page is a Rampage
The poet-in-residence has a run-in with 'the man', which gets his creative juices flowing.
Thanks to a specially funded scheme, Sir Ralph is now striding the streets, wearing a Panama hat, blazer and silk scarf.
His goal is to mix with the people of Salford and express their angst through his verse.
Written by and starring James Quinn as Sir Ralph Stanza.
With:
Alison Darling
Jack Deam
Mark Chatterton
Stephen Hoyle
Producer: Graham Frost
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2002.
WED 22:45 Heidi Regan: No Worries (m000xr9c)
Episode 3
As someone who tends to worry in 'normal' times, the pandemic of course offered some exciting new areas of exploration for the anxious mind.
Having a partner who is a GP has both helped and not helped Heidi with that: worrying about her being safe, but also, yay, on tap medical advice!
That said, examining rashes of a loved one over dinner isn’t really the romance her partner signed up for.
As Heidi and her partner ponder some of the big questions in life, Heidi's brain resorts, as it always does, to distracting them (and the audience) with increasingly silly jokes as she makes an argument for the pros and cons of joking your way through life.
In this episode, Heidi is keen to put her worries into perspective.
Written and performed by Heidi Regan.
With thanks to Nick Elleray.
Produced by Julia McKenzie.
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2021.
WED 23:00 Thom Tuck - Goes Straight to DVD (b01rr371)
Faith Films
Comedian Thom Tuck draws more parallels between underrated straight-to-DVD movies with captivating tales from his own life experience.
This time it’s the strangely lucrative world of faith films.
Thom draws parallels to the narrative in these underrated gems with stories of his own experiences as a child growing up whilst his family travelled the globe through Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Yorkshire.
Producer: Lianne Coop
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m002vbyb)
Series 16
The Incredible Starmer. (You wouldn't like him when he's angry)
Cogs in the War Machine, Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Mandelson, and The Incredible Starmer. (You wouldn't like him when he's angry.)
The multi-award-winning satire is back for a new run as Jon Holmes mashes up the news with pop-culture to create a current affairs comedy concept album.
Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:45 Felicity Ward - Appisodes (m000qm0y)
Series 2
Weddings
Comedy series in which stand-up Felicity Ward uses phone apps to help her cope with modern life.
In the final episode of the series, Felicity explores the world of wedding help in the form of the app “I do this all the time” (voiced by Tom Allen).
Written and performed by Felicity Ward.
Script Editor: Gareth Gwynn
Producer: Adnan Ahmed
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2020.

THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2026

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (b09y6wg3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 John le Carré (m002vkwl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Falco (b008m17q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 After Henry (b007k1hq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jy6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b0v5hh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gdw1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gjvl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Write Stuff (m000ff8v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3rx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Drama on 4 (m001j3cq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Whodunnits (m00045r5)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
1. Honeymoon Spells Nightmare
Chief inspector Roger West has an old score to settle with a notorious blackmailer.
Starring Patrick Allen as Scotland Yard’s youngest, smartest chief inspector.
Created and written by John Creasey.
Dramatised in seven parts by Maurice Travers.
Chief Inspector Roger West …. Patrick Allen
Janet West …. Sarah Lawson
Sir Mortimer Grant …. Humphrey Morton
Michael Grant …. Philip Bond
Christine Grant …. Denise Buckley
Sir Guy Chatworth …. Hamilton Dyce
Prendergast …. John Cazabon
John Creasey wrote over 600 novels, using over 20 pseudonyms. More than 40 Roger West novels were written between 1942 and 1973 with the basis for this first series, first published in 1948.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1967.
THU 06:30 Whodunnits (b00jzwdq)
In a Glass Darkly
A man believes he has seen a murderous attack on a young woman reflected in a mirror.
He then meets and falls in love with her.
With war calling him away, he tries to warn her of what he has seen.
Stars Neil Dudgeon
Agatha Christie's whodunit dramatised by Mike Walker
Jeff ...... Neil Dudgeon
Sylvia ...... Rebecca Egan
Neil ...... Rhys Meredith
Terry ...... Bob Sherman
Angus ...... Richard Firth
Music composed and performed by Ben Wallfisch
Director: Ned Chaillet
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
THU 07:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vmpv)
Series 3
The Property Game
Return of Andrew Palmer’s sitcom about the battles of wheeler-dealer and self-made tycoon Jimmy Bright and his strait-laced chief accountant, Russell Farrow.
Tycoon Jimmy Bright’s got plans to rebuild in the London Docklands, but he hits a major snag.
Starring Bernard Cribbins and Frank Thornton
Guest star Kenneth Connor
Jimmy Bright .... Bernard Cribbins
Russell Farrow .... Frank Thornton
Nan Forbes .... Annette Crosbie
Seymour Dobbs .... Kenneth Connor
Sue Plant .... Annee Blott
Script Andrew Palmer
Producer Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1990.
THU 07:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
Series 2
Get Off With Life The Burkiss Way
Thrills abound as the RAC do their version of 'Gone With the Wind'.
The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living
Appearing for the prosecution and defence:
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
Fred Harris
From briefs prepared by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Under the judicial eye of producer: Simon Brett.
Cult sketch show first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1977.
THU 08:00 Hennikay (m001fmj2)
Series 1
2. Grown-Up Stuff
Bill Bailey stars as Guy Starling, a middle-aged man who, after 45 years, and for reasons quite unknown to him, is suddenly revisited by his imaginary childhood friend, Hennikay.
Time has passed and Hennikay is still inexplicably and maddeningly in Guy’s life. Every morning when he wakes up, his 11-year-old friend from 1976 is there, making a noisy mess, asking endless questions and generally being as annoying as all 11-year-boys were back in 1976.
And there is nothing Guy can do about it.
So, one Saturday morning, after a particularly typical Friday night out in Maidstone, a very hung-over Guy tries to lay down some adult ground rules to his unwanted housemate and educate him about life in the modern grown-up world.
But Guy’s grown-up modern world gets particularly complicated that morning when he discovers a strange woman in his spare bedroom and has no idea who she is or how she got there. Is she his imaginary girlfriend? Who keeps ordering mysterious boxes from Amazon? And when his boss’s suspicious wife turns up demanding to know where he was last night and what he was doing, why doesn’t he have a clue what to tell her?
If this is what modern life as a grown-up is really like, then young Hennikay is very unimpressed with how his old friend has turned out.
Written by David Spicer.
Guy …. Bill Bailey
Tony …. Dave Lamb
Nikita …. Polly Frame
Lyrissa …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Harry …. Paul Panting
Hennikay …. Max Pattison
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2022.
THU 08:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
4. The Dressing Room
Playing Patsy on BBC TV's Absolutely Fabulous and Joanna's life-long love of fashion.
Much-loved actor, Dame Joanna Lumley continues her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
THU 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gk5b)
4. Reality Hits Home
Harper Lee's explosive second novel was finally published in 2015. Believed lost for decades after the publication of 'To Kill A Mockingbird', this book revisits much-loved characters, this time through adult eyes.
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch travels from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home. Living in New York, Jean Louise is sheltered from many of these truths but a few days into a trip to visit her beloved father Atticus, the reality of life in Alabama is about to hit home with shocking force.
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Written by Harper Lee
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
THU 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vcbr)
Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S2
S2 E1: A Gambling Man
This week, Geoff looks at gambling. 80% of problem gamblers are men - that's 4/1 on. What is it about gambling that men seem to find so addictive? Is it the thrill of the risk? Is it the hormonal rush?
Geoff gets to the bottom of the issue with the help of his Newcastle audience - with plenty of tension-breaking hypotheticals in case it all gets a bit too heavy, such as: What’s less 'manly' - chicken korma or lager with a weird name like ‘Elvis Juice’?
Written and presented by Geoff Norcott
Translation services by Marcel Lucont
Recorded by Sean Kerwin
Production Manager: Dawn Williams
Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael
Producer: Ed Morrish
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4
THU 09:30 All in a Chord (b088973x)
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Ivan Hewett examines a chord from Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history. He's joined by musicologist Gerard McBurney and Professor Valentine Cunningham.
Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.
Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.
Stravinsky wrote his ballet The Rite of Spring for the 1913 Paris season of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company with choreography by Nijinsky. The ballet famously caused a riot at its premiere, largely because of the dance and the music - but partly also because the sense of clash that we hear in this famous chord was, in some senses, a reflection of tensions in the air.
Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002vmpy)
Sing to the Lord a new song - Sing Sing Sing
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Sing to the Lord a new song - Sing Sing Sing
Presenter: Lou Fellingham
Reading: Colossians 3 15-17
Music:
Tapestry - Lou Fellingham
Sing sing sing - Lou Fellingham
One God - Elle Limebear and Called Out Music
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b00bg0fj)
AE Housman
Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter nominates another "son of Oxford" for greatness, the scholar and poet AE Housman.
Matthew Parris is also joined in the studio by Oxford Academic Robert Douglas-Fairhurst.
Series of biographical discussions.
Producer: John Byrne
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.
THU 10:30 The Balancing Bluebottle (b00jz7cc)
Percy Smith was the greatest pioneer of the natural history film-making - tackling subjects from flies to slime mould.
During the 1920s in his studio, the back garden of his home in north London, he developed innovative microscope and time-lapse photography which still looks impressive today.
Tim Boon of London's Science Museum talks to historians and Sir David Attenborough.
Producer: Tim Dee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.
THU 11:00 Whodunnits (m00045r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Whodunnits (b00jzwdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Hennikay (m001fmj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gk5b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Foul Play (b00z5bl2)
Series 4
Much Ado About Murder
Crime writers Jean McConnell and Keith Miles try to solve an Elizabethan court killing.
Simon Brett hosts the murder mystery panel game
Witnesses played by:
Maria McErlane
Lee Simpson
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.
THU 14:30 HR (b01c7rgv)
Series 3
Disinherited
After losing their pensions, 60-something chums Sam and Peter resort to desperate measures.
Which now include visiting an aged - very wealthy - aunt.
Nigel Williams' comedy series stars Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost.
Sam ...... Nicholas le Prevost
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Aunt Norah ..... Dillie Keane
Maud ..... Kate Layden
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
THU 15:00 Drama on 4 (b007rgmm)
A Shropshire Lad by AE Housman
AE Housman's famous poem
Adapted for radio by Steven Canny.
Performed by Simon Russell Beale
A new dramatic setting of Housman's famous poem. Set in a half-imagined Shropshire, "the land of lost content", A Shropshire Lad explores the fleetingness of love and decay of youth.
With interviews and contributions from people across Shropshire.
Sound Design: Christopher Shutt
Producer: Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
THU 15:45 Short Works (m001zw5p)
Dawn by Emma Hooper
Jenny’s family have recently moved from their home in Canada to a village in Dorset to take over the running of her Grandpa’s quarry - ‘aka abandoned everything for a few English rocks’. Homesick and lonely, she explores quarry caves when she’s meant to be waiting at school for her brother to finish football practice. One day she finds something incredible.
Emma Hooper is an author, musician and academic.

Written and read by Emma Hooper
Music by Waitress For the Bees
Produced by Alison Crawford
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2024.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b00bg0fj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 The Balancing Bluebottle (b00jz7cc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Whodunnits (m00045r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Whodunnits (b00jzwdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Hennikay (m001fmj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gk5b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Foul Play (b00z5bl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 HR (b01c7rgv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Drama on 4 (b007rgmm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 21:45 Short Works (m001zw5p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
THU 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vcbr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 Any Bloke (b00755mb)
Series 1
Demand & Supply
Gary Brown 's six-part comedy series about family life in the 90s stars Jim Sweeney and Caroline Quentin.
Phil and Sarah have it all worked out. He's a supply teacher, she stays at home with their daughter, Sophie.
But then Sarah's offered paid employment.
Written by Gary Brown
Phil.......Jim Sweeney
Sarah....Caroline Quentin
Fay.......Shirley Stelfox
Liam....Steve Steen
Gerald....Lloyd Peters
Gavin......Paul Clarkson
Sophie....Nadine Balantyne
Other parts played by:
Jim Barclay
Jillie Meers
Rachel Atkins
David Holt
Oona Beeson
Producer: Ann Jobson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1993.
THU 23:00 Beyond The Back of Beyond (m002vmq3)
3. Fear
Brian has an encounter with a Caiman crocodile and Mawa their Amazon guide manages to lose the river Amazon....
Comedy series by Paul Barnhill and Neil Warhurst
Mark .... Neil Warhurst
Brian .... Paul Barnhill
Mawa .... Jacey Salles
Luke .... Mark Benton
Vicar ... Ewan Bailey
Producer Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
THU 23:15 Life on Egg (b087tx29)
Series 1
CCTV
Harry Hill is the governor of the UK's remotest prison, The Egg.
However, his resources are limited, so when there is an incident within the prison he is forced to record it in watercolours.
That's why he is delighted when he receives a brand new CCTV system to monitor goings-on within The Egg.
But the system soon malfunctions...and Harry has to think quickly to save the sanity of his team.
Harry ..... Harry Hill
Anne ..... Karen Bartke
Peter ..... Marek Larwood
Nev ..... Jason Forbes
Doubleday ..... Jason Forbes
Rev Simone ..... Alison Belbin
The Minister ..... Alison Belbin
Written by Dan Maier.
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4,first broadcast in January 2017.
THU 23:30 The Pin (m00070bd)
Series 4
Sabotage
Comedy from Ben and Alex, aka "The Pin", in a sketch-sitcom hybrid.
The award-winning sketch duo are forced to record their latest series in their flat and the boys are glad of the new creative freedom this opportunity presents, away from the "prying eyes of the BBC". Unfortunately this week, their plans are thrown into disarray when Ben's mum decides she wants her flat back and has sent estate agents in. Luckily, the boys have some anti-eviction tricks up their sleeves...
Written and performed by Alex Owen and Ben Ashenden.
With:
Pippa Haywood
Celeste Dring
James McNicholas
Krupa Pattani
Ed McArthur
Jason Forbes
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2019.

FRIDAY 01 MAY 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b00bg0fj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 The Balancing Bluebottle (b00jz7cc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Whodunnits (m00045r5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Whodunnits (b00jzwdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vmpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7fy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Hennikay (m001fmj2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gf8dj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gk5b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Foul Play (b00z5bl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 HR (b01c7rgv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Drama on 4 (b007rgmm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:45 Short Works (m001zw5p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Whodunnits (m00046rb)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
2. Terror for a Bride
In a mysterious case of blackmail, Chief Inspector West hunts a missing honeymooning bride.
Starring Patrick Allen.
Created and written by John Creasey.
Dramatised by Maurice Travers.
Chief Inspector Roger West …. Patrick Allen
Janet West …. Sarah Lawson
Michael Grant …. Philip Bond
Christine Grant …. Denise Buckley
Sir Guy Chatworth …. Hamilton Dyce
Prendergast …. John Cazabon
Carosian …. Francis de Wolff
Arthur Morley …. Preston Lockwood
Various …. Charles Haggith
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1967.
FRI 06:30 Full Fathom Five by Michael Robson (m002vn7h)
Widower Mary, plans to marry a man her son cannot abide. David's hatred is beyond ordinary jealousy. However, David looks up to their academic neighbour, Dr Matthew Forgan - could he act as peacemaker?
Written by Michael Robson
Matthew Forgan .... Hugh Dickson
Mary Latimer .... Ingrid Hafner
David .... Jonathan Waterman
Freddie Sandbach .... Trevor Nichols
Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1986.
FRI 07:00 Dry Slopes (b00ln0q8)
Series 1
The Lost Boys
Angus Dry has no job, no friends and lives at home with his mum.
She has an international business career and a string of lovers. He feels very sorry for her.
In this opening episode of Nick Ball’s sitcom, Angus tries to recapture the joys of his childhood.
Angus Dry ...... Nick Ball
Mum ...... Louisa Rix
With:
Robert Harley
Toby Longworth
Julie Gibbs
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995.
FRI 07:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn4t)
Series 5
A Star Is Born
Harold falls for the leading lady from his drama society - and Albert makes an entrance.
Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.
Classic sitcom about the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold.
Written for BBC TV and adapted for BBC Radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett
Rupert ...... Trevor Bannister
With:
Jo Manning Wilson
Michael McClain
Nicolette MacKenzie
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1974.
FRI 08:00 Tudur Owen: Zoo (m000k91c)
2. On The Brink
The conclusion of the incredible but true story of how Tudur Owen and his family somewhat unwittingly became the owners of what the News of the World would go on to describe as “The Worst Zoo in Britain”.
Join Tudur for an engrossing caper about a corrupt animal wrangler, a family on the brink and a climactic wallaby chase across the Menai Strait.
All the events in this story are almost true.
Written and performed by Tudur Owen.
With:
Lisa-Jên Brown
Fergus Craig
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2020.
FRI 08:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
5. The Music Room and the Attic
Married life with a conductor husband and contemplating future resolutions.
Actress Dame Joanna Lumley, concludes her home-based autobiography
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.
FRI 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gkj1)
5. Screaming Dirt
Harper Lee's explosive second novel was finally published in 2015. Believed lost for decades after the publication of 'To Kill A Mockingbird', this book revisits much-loved characters, this time through adult eyes.
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch travels from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home.
Jean Louise is in shock after learning that her father Atticus is chairman of a white separatist group in Maycomb. She is relieved when her father agrees to take the case of their beloved old housekeeper Calpurnia's grandson, who has knocked down and killed a white man. But her relief is short-lived.
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Written by Harper Lee
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
FRI 09:00 The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty (m0022bs9)
Series 1
1. The Couple I Uncoupled
Lord Christian Brighty is the talk of the Regency 'Ton' - a celebrated libertine, a heartthrob and a hero to many. But close-up, he is a spoilt, impetuous, life-ruining bastard… Or at least he was. Because his carefree life of infinite privilege has been upended by an encounter with his new chambermaid - the uneducated but forthright Babigail - who became the first person to tell him the unvarnished truth about his selfish behaviour. Overnight, his lifelong trust that everyone loved him had been replaced with a gnawing fear that Babs was right.
So now, with his narcissism collapsing and a need to prove to Babs he is actually a good person, Lord Brighty is determined to fix all his past wrongs. And by extension all the ills of Regency society. Accompanying him in his quest are Babs (elevated beyond her station to a chambermaid-cum-adviser role), and his butler, Mr Churlington. Although Churley would prefer everything to stay exactly as it used to be (as would all Brighty’s friends, family and the entirety of high society).
In episode 1, Brighty - with Babs' assistance/disapproval - must get nearly-weds Mr Darkly and Miss Lucy-Beth Bonnet to fall back in love, having previously split them up. In his lordship’s absence, the very un-sordid Churlington is left to organise Brighty’s celebrated ‘Sordid Soirée’.
Written by Amy Greaves & Christian Brighty
Cast:
Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian Brighty
Babs ….. Jessica Knappett
Churlington ….. Colin McFarlane
Lucy ….. Nimisha Odedra
Lady Hisper / Singer ….. Katia Kvinge
Darkly / Vicar ….. David Reed
Script Editor ….. David Reed
Sound & Recording ….. David Thomas
Photographer ….. Will Hearle
Production Assistant ….. Katie Sayer
Producer ….. Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
Christian Brighty and Amy Greaves are award-winning comedians. Their viral sketches based on Bridgerton, Poldark and Jane Austen have catapulted them to viral stardom, securing Christian’s place as the internet’s answer to Mr Darcy and amassing 150 million views across TikTok and Instagram (@brightybuoy). Amy and Christian both have a deep love of the work Jane Austen, traditional regency romance (not smut), and historical romance set in the regency (smut).
FRI 09:30 All in a Chord (b088974y)
Terry Riley: In C
Ivan Hewett examines the chord of C major as found in Terry Riley's In C to test the idea that harmony is a reflection of history. He's joined by musicologist Pwyll ap Sion and pianist Joanna MacGregor.
Music is never created in isolation - it's conceived in relation to what's going on around a composer in terms of personal and historical events, new technologies, new ideas and artistic endeavours in other fields. In this series, Ivan Hewett is looking at five very different chords which amply demonstrate the concept that harmony is a reflection of history.
Each programme is a bite size portion of rich musical and historical investigation - and each chord has had far reaching influence on other music and is emblematic of its era.
In 1964, the Californian composer Terry Riley wrote a piece which changed the face of classical music - and it was entirely based on the chord of C major. The piece is called In C and its composition is said to mark the beginning of the Minimalist movement in music. After the complexity of the other chords in this series, this final episode explores how In C reflects the era in which it was written and, in particular, how employing the seemingly simple chord of C major was so appropriate for its time.
Ivan Hewett is a writer on music for the Daily Telegraph, broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, and teacher at the Royal College of Music.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Monty Funk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002vn7k)
Sing to the Lord a new song - Alpha & Omega
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Sing to the Lord a new song - Alpha & Omega
Presenter: Israel Houghton
Music:
Great is thy faithfulness - Israel Houghton
Alpha & Omega - - Israel Houghton
Till the whole world knows - Philippa Hanna & Israel Houghton
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (m0017swt)
Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton
**** 4 Extra broadcast to mark 40 years since the 45 rpm single was released in the UK on 23rd April 1986 ***
Candi Staton and others celebrate this 1970's disco classic which delivers an optimistic message.
Written by David Crawford and released in 1976 this is the kind of song that feels like a carefree celebration, something to lose yourself in on the dancefloor.
But its story isn't quite so simple.
As Candi reveals, Young Hearts Run Free was influenced by her own troubled and abusive relationship which she struggled to leave. In fact the creation of the song helped her gain the confidence to finally walk away.
Other contributors are:
Singer songwriter, Glen Hansard. He performs the song 'as' his mother because it reminds him so much of what the song meant to her.
Ziggi Battles , a singer who chose to cover the song as a way of rejoicing in the role it played in recovering from a very difficult time.
Jason Gilkison, the Creative Director of Strictly Come Dancing. It will forever remind him of the first time he choreographed a group dance for Strictly at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. His grandfather had danced there himself as a young man, before establishing the first dance school in Perth, Australia, which is where Jason developed his own love of ballroom dancing.
Neil Brand, composer and broadcaster, analyses why the piece works musically. He also describes the pure joy of a version by Kym Mazelle and - unlikely as it seems - the actor and opera singer, Paul Sorvino.
It was used as the soundtrack to the ballroom scene in Baz Luhrmann's film of Romeo and Juliet.
Versions used:
Candi Staton
Glen Hansard
Maz O'Connor;
Ziggi Battles
Gloria Estefan
Kym Mazelle
Kym Mazelle (Ballroom Version) with Paul Sorvino
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2022.
FRI 10:30 Fort Dunlop (b00qpmgh)
Drive through Birmingham on the M6 and you can't fail to notice an imposing fort-like building, standing proud against the city's industrial skyline.
The Fort Dunlop building was built for the tyre company in the early 20th century to accommodate the thousands of workers needed to supply the growing motoring and aviation industries.
The Dunlop Tyre Company, was one of Birmingham's largest employers, and those who worked there were looked after and had a job for life. But by the end of the century, competition from overseas led to the closure of the site, as Dunlop transferred much of its operation abroad.
The Fort was abandoned in the late 1980s and stood empty for 20 years, until it was taken over by an innovative urban design company who transformed the vast empty tyre store into state of the art offices, cafes and shops.
This is where Giles Poyner works as brand design manager.
The achingly hip surroundings of his office are a far cry from his 92-year-old grandfather's experience of working at the Fort. He recalls the stench of rubber in the air, the workers arriving by canal boat before the road was built and, above all, the sense of being part of a family, cared for by a benevolent employer.
Giles's mother Susan also worked at Fort Dunlop as a typist during the 1960s. She remembers the generous facilities provided for the workers, including a pub, theatre and playing fields.
Giles pays tribute to this iconic Birmingham landmark and discovers how his workplace has changed both physically and culturally over the decades.
Producer; Maggie Ayre
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2010.
FRI 11:00 Whodunnits (m00046rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Full Fathom Five by Michael Robson (m002vn7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Dry Slopes (b00ln0q8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Tudur Owen: Zoo (m000k91c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gkj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Wordaholics (b01cjm4p)
Series 1
Episode 2
Wordaholics is the comedy panel game all about words.
Gyles Brandreth presides over toponyms, abbreviations, euphemisms, old words, new words, cockney rhyming slang, Greek gobbledegook, plus the panellists' picks of the ugliest and the most beautiful words.
Ready to vie for wordy supremacy in the ring:
Natalie Haynes
Michael Rosen
Arthur Smith
Paul Sinha
Written by Jon Hunter and James Kettle
Producer: Claire Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
FRI 14:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002vpq7)
Episode 2
Lynne Truss's comedy drama.
Susan is desperate to find the time to watch her favourite old show, 'Mrs Milliner'. The title character is busy dazzling London with her new collection of staggering hats and Susan is in heaven watching the programme - until her Auntie Pat turns up with alarming news about a scary cat.
Will Susan ever find out what Gerald did to turn Mrs Milliner against him?
Mrs Milliner .... Jane Asher
Susan .... Caroline Harker
Gerald .... Jonathan Coy
Auntie Pat .... Brigit Forsyth
Elsie .... Beth Chalmers
Producer Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.
FRI 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
Meltdown by Tessa Gibbs
A famous actress reaches the end of her patience with selfies and the demands of strangers.
She decides to lock herself in the loo...
Starring Joanna Lumley and broadcast to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday on 1st May.
Tessa Gibbs's comedy about the tension between fame and privacy.
Emily Sanders ...... Joanna Lumley
Frank ...... Robert Glenister
Tara ...... Claire Rushbrook
Anita ...... Maggie Service
Noah/The Fan ...... Ben Onwukwe
Evan Davis as himself
Director: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
FRI 15:45 Love Stories (b01msgg4)
A Voice From the Past by Penny Vincenzi
Stories from bestselling romantic novelists.
When Anna befriends Rose - a grand and very stylish resident of her grandfather's nursing home - she finds herself enchanted by vivid tales from a racy past.
Read by Joanna Lumley
Written by Penny Vincenzi
Producer Kirsteen Cameron
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (m0017swt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Fort Dunlop (b00qpmgh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Whodunnits (m00046rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Full Fathom Five by Michael Robson (m002vn7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Dry Slopes (b00ln0q8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Tudur Owen: Zoo (m000k91c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 No Room For Secrets by Joanna Lumley (b00gfsmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gkj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Wordaholics (b01cjm4p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002vpq7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 21:45 Love Stories (b01msgg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
FRI 22:00 The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty (m0022bs9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Josh Howie's Losing It (m0000syx)
Series 2
The Getaway
Stand-up comic Josh and his wife battle to come to terms with the arrival of their first child.
Josh and Monique take their baby away for a weekend in Ireland.
Sadly the trip doesn’t get off to the best of starts when Josh upsets several people on the plane.
Sitcom starring Josh Howie and Pippa Evans.
Written by Josh Howie.
Josh ...... Josh Howie
Monique ...... Pippa Evans
With:
Donal Cox
Julian Deane
Stephen Hagen
Jonathan Kemp
Debra Tammer
Wendy Wason
Producer: Ashley Blaker.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.
FRI 23:00 The Mark Steel Lecture (b007jlwr)
Series 2
Aristotle
A profile of the Greek philosopher, who he thinks was hard done by - Aristotle.
Mark Steel lectures humourously about historical figures that have shaped their era.
With:
Melanie Hudson
Martin Hyder
Producer: Lucy Armitage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2001.
FRI 23:30 The Show What You Wrote (b036w3pn)
Series 1
Kitchen Sink
This is the sketch show series made up entirely from sketches sent in by the public.
We've picked the best sketches from thousands of submissions.
Each show is based on different themes, from sci fi and fantasy to historical drama.
This episode is all about Kitchen Sink
Recorded in Manchester in front of a live audience
Starring:
John Thomson
Helen Moon
Fiona Clarke
Gavin Webster
With a special appearance by Gyles Brandreth.
Script Editor: Jon Hunter
Written by Chris Allen, Elise Bramich, Alex Buchanan, Steve Bugeja, Alex Clissold-Jones, Alex Collier, Andy Fury, Jez Gee, Lucy Guy, Mike Haskins, Katherine Knowles, Maeve Larkin, Sarah Page, Ash Williamson.
Producers: Carl Cooper & Alexandra Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.