SATURDAY 02 MAY 2026

SAT 00:00 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.
SAT 00:30 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.
SAT 01:00 Whodunnits (m00046rb)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
2. Terror for a Bride
In a mysterious case of blackmail, Chief Inspector Roger West hunts a missing honeymooning bride.
Meanwhile Michael Grant receives a mysterious phone call...
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.
SAT 01:30 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
Director: Shaun MacLoughlin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1986.
SAT 02:00 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.
SAT 02:30 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.
SAT 03:00 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.
SAT 03:30 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.
SAT 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065gkj1)
5. Screaming Dirt
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.
Now she's in shock after learning that her father Atticus is chairman of a white separatist group in Maycomb.
She's relieved when he 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...
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Read by Fenella Woolgar.
Producer Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
SAT 04:00 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.
SAT 04:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002vpq7)
Episode 2
Mrs Milliner is busy on TV dazzling London with her new collection of staggering hats.
Susan is in heaven watching it - until her Auntie Pat turns up with alarming news!
Will Susan ever find out what Gerald did to turn Mrs Milliner against him?
Another battle for Susan to make time every week to watch her favourite old TV show, Mrs Milliner.
Comedy drama series written by Lynne Truss.
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.
SAT 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000p0t6)
Meltdown by Tessa Gibbs
**** 4 Extra marks the 80th birthday of one of the UK's best-loved actors, Dame Joanna Lumley - born 1st May 1946.
A famous actress reaches the end of her patience with selfies and the demands of strangers.
She decides to locks herself in the loo...
Starring Joanna Lumley.
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.
SAT 05:45 Love Stories (b01msgg4)
A Voice From the Past by Penny Vincenzi
**** 4 Extra marks the 80th birthday of the absolutely fabulous, Dame Joanna Lumley - born 1st May 1946.
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
From a series of stories from best-selling romantic novelists.
Written by Penny Vincenzi
Producer Kirsteen Cameron
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
SAT 06:00 1926 by Joe Dunlop (m002vy7q)
**** BBC Radio 4 Extra marks the centenary of the United Kingdom's only General Strike - 4th - 12th May 1926.
It happened at a time when the country was on the brink of a workers' revolution.
Starring William Hootkins and Christopher Scott.
Joe Dunlop's fast moving drama-documentary reveals the remarkable story...
Winston Churchill .... William Hootkins
Stanley Baldwin .... Christopher Scott
Josh .... Bill Fellows
Maggie .... Alice Arnold
Lawrence .... Alex Lowe
Ernest Bevin .... Ioan Meredith
Walter Citrine .... Sean Baker
Jimmy Thomas .... Chris Pavlo
Joynson-Hicks .... Denys Hawthorne
The Commentator .... Kim Wall
Robert Harper .... Arthur Cook
Mr Adams .... Stephen Thorne
Sammy .... Mark Bonnar
Diana .... Elaine Pyke
Betty .... Colleen Prendergast
Lawrence's mother .... Shirley Dixon
Director: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1996.
SAT 07:30 To Preserve the Health of Man by DJ Britton (Omnibus) (m002vy7s)
David Suchet stars as the English Renaissance composer William Byrd, 'The Father of English Music'.
In five imagined encounters, Byrd looks back at key influences in his life and work, as he composes his major liturgical work, the Gradualia, a collection of 109 pieces written for each of the feasts and events in the Church calendar.
It begins at Advent, 1603.
As a Catholic, Byrd enjoyed the patronage and protection of Elizabeth I but now, the early years of James I bring change and turbulence and a renewed threat to Catholics following the Reformation.
Byrd's wife, Juliana, convinces him not to be afraid and to continue with his composition.
Omnibus of five episodes written by DJ Britton.
William Byrd ..... David Suchet
Juliana Byrd ..... Sara Kestelman
Queen Elizabeth ..... Juliet Aubrey
Thomas Tallis ..... Philip Jackson
Edmund Campion ..... Gunnar Cauthery
Music performed by Odyssean Ensemble and recorded at the Chapel Royal, Tower of London
Music Director: Colm Carey
Sound: Nigel Lewis and Catherine Robinson
Director: Alison Hindell
A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 3, first broadcast in July 2021.
SAT 08:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtd)
8. Stranglers in the Night
"'Don't fight me, Albert, you fool. I'm doing this for your own good."
Worried about his amnesiac son Albert's nocturnal habits, Jos Fosdyke takes the law into his own hands.
A classic tale of struggle, power, personalities and tripe.
Bill Tidy and John Junkin's family 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
Albert Fosdyke ...... Enn Reitel
Roger Ditchley ...... Christian Rodska
Fifi ...... Sally Grace
The Strangler ...... Nick Maloney
Other parts played by Nick Revell.
Producer: Alan Nixon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1983.
SAT 09:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
Series 3
Episode 5
Shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel takes on an amusement arcade.
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 (m000p8h6)
Series 4
Episode 11
Kenneth Horne tells the story of Raffles – and Hornerama investigates Holidays.
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
The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’, ‘Beyond Our Ken’ hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1960.
SAT 10:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000gvkt)
1: Break On Through
Had singer Jim Morrison of The Doors not died in mysterious circumstances at the tender age of 27 in 1971, he would have celebrated his 80th birthday this December.
In the first of three programmes, Paul Gambaccini mixes the music and poetry of the man with the influences that moulded the self-proclaimed ‘The Lizard King’.
Paul first encountered Morrison in 1967 when, as a young music director on a New Hampshire radio station, he eagerly opened The Doors’ first single ‘Break On Through’. He followed his career from beginning to end and, to this day, visits Jim’s grave in Paris.
In addition to sharing memories and observations, Paul delves into the BBC archive:
* ‘CULT HEROES: JIM MORRISON'
Tony Slattery looks back at Morrison’s volatile career
[BBC Radio 5 1- 1990
* ‘LIKE A ROLLING STONE’
The life, work and lasting influence on Jim Morrison of French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
[BBC Radio 4 - 2006
Producer: Mik Wilkojc
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2018.
SAT 11:00 1926 by Joe Dunlop (m002vy7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 To Preserve the Health of Man by DJ Britton (Omnibus) (m002vy7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000p8h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000gvkt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Wally K Daly (b007jt88)
Time Slip
Paul Williamson arrives home, only to find himself already there.
What exactly is going on?
Starring Paul Daneman.
Wally K Daly's award-winning sci-fi comedy drama.
Paul ...... Paul Daneman
Frank ...... Donald Hewlett
Margaret ...... Gwen Watford
Faye ...... Norma Ronald
Harold the Barman ...... Eric Allan
Producer: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1983.
SAT 17:00 1926 by Joe Dunlop (m002vy7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 To Preserve the Health of Man by DJ Britton (Omnibus) (m002vy7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000p8h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000gvkt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Absolutely Radio Show (b06d29by)
Series 1
Episode 4
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 as well as pearls of nonsense from Calum Gilhooley, Edinburgh's most boring man, and the ever popular Little Girl, telling us what is true about teenagers.
Frank Hovis makes an appearance, there will be more stories from those who were nearly there in The People's War, talking Facebook will return and we meet an angsting actor who is very concerned about the length of his co-star's credits.
Producers: Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.
SAT 22:30 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m000czy3)
Joe Lycett's Obsessions - Series 2
Clara Amfo and Carol Kirkwood
Joe Lycett returns with a second series exploring the nation's weird and wonderful obsessions.
He's joined by a selection of famous and not-so-famous guests.
Joining him on the sofa is BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who shares her obsession with a cat called Donald, whilst BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo reveals her love of trainers.
Joe also welcomes members of the public to share their secret passions.
And meet this week's VOP (very obsessed person), Paul Fraine, who introduces Joe to the world of Live Action Role Play.
Written and performed by Joe Lycett.
With material from James Kettle.
Additional material from Catherine Brinkworth and Kat Sadler.
Producer: Suzy Grant
A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2020.
SAT 23:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04ntvv9)
Series 2
Lost and Found
When Tom makes his weekly phone call to his parents in Sheffield he discovers they've been flooded.
As his parents manage the clear up operation, Tom reflects on what is important to keep and what isn't.
Tom .... Tom Wrigglesworth
Granny .... Judy Parfitt
Dad .... Paul Copley
Mum .... Kate Anthony
Written by Tom Wrigglesworth and James Kettle.
Additional material by Miles Jupp.
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
SAT 23:30 Radio Active (b007k2yf)
Series 5
Get Away With You
Fancy a timeshare? Or a trip to the Black Country?
It's time to 'Get Away With You'.
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, Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins.
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins with Jeremy Pascall.
Producer: Jamie Rix
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1985.

SUNDAY 03 MAY 2026

SUN 00:00 Wally K Daly (b007jt88)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 1926 by Joe Dunlop (m002vy7q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 To Preserve the Health of Man by DJ Britton (Omnibus) (m002vy7s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel (b008hgpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000p8h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Jim Morrison's Will to be Weird (m000gvkt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vx04)
Naturalist Castaways
Sir David Attenborough
**** Sir David Attenborough joins BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 CLUB as he celebrates his 100th birthday on 8th May 2026
Kirsty Young's castaway for the 70th anniversary edition of Desert Island Discs is Sir David Attenborough.
He has seen more of the world than anyone else who has ever lived - he's visited the north and south poles and witnessed most of the life in-between - from the birds in the canopies of tropical rainforests to giant earthworms in Australia.
But despite his extraordinary travels, there is one part of the globe that's eluded him. As a young man and a keen rock-climber, he yearned to conquer the highest peak in the world:
"I won't make it now - I won't make it to base camp now - but as a teenager, I thought that the only thing a red-blooded Englishman really should do was to climb Everest."
DISC ONE: Francisco Yglesia - Pajaro Campana or The Bell Bird
DISC TWO: Imogen Cooper - Franz Schubert’s Impromptu No.1 in F minor
DISC THREE: Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner - George Frideric Handel’s And the Glory of the Lord (from The Messiah)
DISC FOUR: Recording of the Lyre Bird (from The Life of Birds)
DISC FIVE: Murray Perahia - Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations
DISC SIX: Balinese Gamelan performance of Legong
DISC SEVEN: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner - Carl Michael Ziehrer’s Wiener Bürger Waltz
DISC EIGHT: Montserrat Caballé, Janet Baker and Richard Van Allan with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Sir Colin Davis - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Soave sia il vento (from Così fan tutte)
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Murray Perahia - Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations
BOOK CHOICE: Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel and Exploration by W B Lord
LUXURY CHOICE: a piano
Producer: Leanne Buckle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
Series 1
Birds of Paradise
Set to celebrate his 100th birthday on 8th May 2025 - Sir David Attenborough talks about the Birds of Paradise.
This is a group of birds which evolved in the relative safety of New Guinea, allowing them to acquire adornments and feathered decorations so resplendent that they fooled the early explorers who discovered them.
Series of talks by Sir David on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in August 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002vx07)
Letters to a Young Woman Poet
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects Letters to a Young Woman Poet featuring Gillian Clarke, Penelope Shuttle and Grace Nichols who share insights into their creativity.
**And Daljit reads from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: Night Boat & other poems by Maria Barnas.
'Ask yourself, in the still of your night, must I write?'
In ‘Letters to a Young Woman Poet’ - three of our most celebrated poets explore the deep pleasure of writing, the poetry of menstruation, sensuality and motherhood, and offer advice to younger writers.
The programme includes the creative insights of the Bohemian poet Rainer Maria Rilke – who began the iconic correspondence known as ‘Letters to a Young Poet’ more than 120 years ago.
Quotations from 'Letters to a Young Poet' trans. M.D.Herter Norton
Poems read in full:
‘Confirmation’ - Grace Nichols
‘Ashes, Blood ‘- Penelope Shuttle
‘Sheila Na Gig at Kilpeck’ – Gillian Clarke
‘Invitation’ – Grace Nichols
‘Mother and Child’ - Penelope Shuttle
‘Times Like These’ - Gillian Clarke
‘Moon Mothers’ - Grace Nichols
Produced by Faith Lawrence
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2022.
SUN 07:30 No Room for Secrets by Joanna Lumley (Omnibus) (m000vy0k)
**** 4 Extra marks the 80th birthday of one of the UK's best-loved actors - born 1st May 1946.
The absolutely fabulous Dame Joanna Lumley, reads from her autobiography.
She uses the theme of rooms in a house to separate different parts of her life.
Omnibus of five episodes.
* The Hall
* The Drawing Room
* The Kitchen
* The Dressing Room
* The Music Room and the Attic
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.
SUN 08:40 Witness History (m002vx09)
David Attenborough's First Expedition
In 1954, the BBC broadcast a new TV programme in Britain.
It was called Zoo Quest and it launched the career of a man who has since brought the natural world into millions of homes around the world, the broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
Louise Hidalgo has been listening back through the BBC archives to Sir David telling the story of the first natural history expedition for Zoo Quest, to Sierra Leone in West Africa.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in April 2021.
SUN 08:50 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Omnibus) (b065yqml)
1. Homeward Bound
'To Kill a Mockingbird' won Harper Lee the Pulitzer Prize. Her book has been studied, loved, wept over and revered by generations since its publication in 1960.
Her explosive second novel ‘Go Set a Watchman’ was believed to be ‘lost’ for decades, until it 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.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Robin Brooks.
Read by Fenella Woolgar.
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
SUN 10:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00nhq58)
Loser Pays
Joe Huggett and neighbour Fred's attempt to teach their wives a lesson backfires.
Starring Jack Warner and Kathleen Harrison.
The popular working-class Huggett family first hit the cinema screen with a series of Gainsborough films between 1947 and 1949.
This subsequent BBC radio series ran from 1953 to 1962.
Selection of surviving episodes in the BBC Archive.
Written by Eddie Maguire.
Joe …. Jack Warner
Ethel …. Kathleen Harrison
Bobby …. George Howell
Jane …. Marion Collins
Fred Stebbings …. Charles Leno
Clara …. Molly Lumley
Insurance Salesman …. Kenneth Connor
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1957.
SUN 10:30 Frankie Howerd (m002vx0c)
From 24/07/1966
The King of Titters tries to join his local golf club.
And stethoscopes ready for news of his new TV show – as Britain's answer to Dr Kildare!
Written by Charles Hart and Peter Bishop.
Starring Frankie Howerd.
With:
June Whitfield
Wallas Eaton
Robertson Hare
Producer: Bill Worsley
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in July 1966.
***Recovered audio from an off air recording. Thanks to our friends at the Radio Circle***
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vx04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002vx07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 No Room for Secrets by Joanna Lumley (Omnibus) (m000vy0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Witness History (m002vx09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Omnibus) (b065yqml)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00nhq58)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Frankie Howerd (m002vx0c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Terry Pratchett (b010v3d7)
Night Watch
4. Reliving
Thrown back in time, Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch relives the glorious revolution of his youth.
But he must also protect his younger self from arch-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
Reg Shoe …. Joseph Kloska
Tilden …. Peter Marinker
Knock …. Matt Addis
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.
SUN 16:30 Fear on 4 (b007jn0y)
Series 2
The Dispossessed Daughter
The Man in Black reveals what happens when a grieving mother makes a pact with the Devil.
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Written by Katharine Nicholas
The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
David …. John Duttine
Ellen …. Vivien Heilbron
Rev Williams …. Gareth Armstrong
Directed at BBC Wales by Adrian Mourby.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1989.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vx04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002vx07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 No Room for Secrets by Joanna Lumley (Omnibus) (m000vy0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Witness History (m002vx09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Omnibus) (b065yqml)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00nhq58)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Frankie Howerd (m002vx0c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Revolting People (b007jrzv)
Series 1
Tons of Storm Clouds
A revolutionary orator is after more than just Mary's support.
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
Announcer/Nathaniel Hopkins …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
SUN 22:30 Alun Cochrane's Fun House (b01rr555)
Living Room
Comedian Alun Cochrane has a 25-year mortgage which he can only pay off by being funny.
Continuing his room by room, stand-up tour of his house - he arrives in his living room.
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 declutter 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.
Starring Alun Cochrane and Gavin Osborn.
Writers: Alun Cochrane and Andy Wolton
Producer: Carl Cooper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
SUN 23:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03trnjd)
Series 3
The Funeral
Damien's peace is once again shattered when he is asked to do the food at the funeral of Anthony's maiden aunt.
But things become even more complicated when his literary agent is discovered behaving erratically in a branch of Paperchase and Damien has to look after him.
Meanwhile, Anthony must prepare a song to sing at the funeral.
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
Ian Frobisher ...... Philip Fox
Anthony's Father ...... Philip Fox
Policeman ...... David Seddon
Anthony's Sister ...... Priyanga Burford
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
SUN 23:30 Paperback Hell (m000p0dt)
Series 3
A Posset Full of Death
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 medieval monastic murder mystery, as Edith Plunger reads from her historical thriller.
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 November 2005.
SUN 23:45 Bunk Bed (m001pfhn)
Series 10
Episode 4
Bunk Bed goes on tour - after a fashion. Peter Curran’s old caravan is dragged to a field at this summer’s Black Deer Americana festival.
Patrick Marber hates every moment.
'Bunk Bed is funny, strange, enchanting, and beautifully put together.' - The Observer
'Bunk Bed is beloved by broadsheet critics, but don't let that put you off....' - Metro
Producer: Peter Curran
A Foghorn production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2023.

MONDAY 04 MAY 2026

MON 00:00 Terry Pratchett (b010v3d7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Fear on 4 (b007jn0y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002vx04)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lxhb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002vx07)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 No Room for Secrets by Joanna Lumley (Omnibus) (m000vy0k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Witness History (m002vx09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Omnibus) (b065yqml)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00nhq58)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Frankie Howerd (m002vx0c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Whodunnits (m00046kl)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
3. Shadow on a Millionaire
Michael Grant is taken for a ride, and Inspector West finds a door slammed in his face.
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
Arthur Morley …. Preston Lockwood
Julieta …. Eva Stuart
Sir Mortimer Grant …. Humphrey Morton
Carosian …. Francis de Wolff
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1967.
MON 06:30 Whodunnits (b013fj19)
A Case for Paul Temple
1. In Which Paul Temple Hears About Valentine
Ten apparent suicides in one single week - and all of them drug addicts.
Scotland Yard desperately turns to Paul Temple for help.
This is a recreation of the BBC vintage crime serial first heard in 1946.
Crawford Logan and Gerda Stevenson star as Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and his glamorous wife Steve
Between 1938 and 1968, they solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series.
They inhabit a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their original adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them using original scripts and incidental music. Recordings were made using vintage microphones and sound effects.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Snooker Riley ...... Jimmy Chisholm
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Joy ...... Lucy Patterson
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
MON 07:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03yh0dk)
The Snout
Can the skint 1920s tipster plot revenge on a local informant and end up a winner too?
Roy Hudd stars as a self-styled "sporting authority" in 1920's Camden Town in London.
Edgar Wallace's 1924 novel dramatised by Richard Quick.
Narrator …. Freddie Jones
Educated Evans …. Roy Hudd
Inspector Pine …. Andrew Sachs
The Miller …. Michael Roberts
Mrs Rankin …. Pat Coombs
Joe Taskett …. David Battley
Albert Shanks …. Simon Treves
Mildred Lee …. Rosemary Martin
Ginger Vennett …. Ian Targett
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 (b007jpcv)
Series 2
All Is Safely Gathered In
Captain Mainwaring's platoon battle to bring in a farmer's harvest - with help from ARP Warden Hodges.
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 Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Warden Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Vicar …. Frank Williams
Announcer …. John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1975.
MON 08:00 The Architects (b03yqyz5)
Series 1
Mad Hélène
Sir Lucien's blossoming romance with a French serial divorcee was worrying already.
Then the 'men in black' arrive to assess his assets and more besides...
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
Helene ...... Carolyn Pickles
Mr Douglas ...... Sean Murray
Mr McCoy ...... Harry Myers
Director: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
MON 08:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08nkrc6)
1. A Typical Day
Nicholas Hytner tells the inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
It’s a tale of lunatic failures and spectacular successes like The History Boys, War Horse and One Man, Two Guvnors. Plus it's about opening the National Theatre's doors in London to a broader audience than ever before - and changing the public's perception of what theatre is for.
It’s also about probing Shakespeare from every angle and reinventing the classics, plus fostering new talent and directing some of the most celebrated actors of our times - from Alan Bennett and Maggie Smith to Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
In this opening episode, Nicholas describes his typical day as the theatre's director.
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
MON 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065sycn)
6. Race Relations
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 has travelled 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.
Distraught after learning that her father Atticus chairs Maycomb's white separatist group, a visit to the woman who raised her - the family's old housekeeper Calpurnia - has opened Jean Louise's eyes to the realities of race relations in her home state.
Abridged in ten parts by Robin Brooks
Read by Fenella Woolgar.
Producer Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
MON 09:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m002vm5n)
Series 33
1. Hats, Drugs, Germany and the BBC
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they’re able to smuggle past their opponents.
Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh, Miles Jupp and Lucy Porter are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as hats, drugs, Germany and the BBC.
The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
MON 09:30 Hidden Histories of the Information Age (b04lpxx3)
1. Enfield Exchange
Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.
"Hello Girls"
In 1960 the women telephonists of the Enfield exchange said goodbye to the last manual telephone exchange in Greater London.
For decades they had put through calls using this plugboard machine, providing a polite and friendly voice to any caller.
Aleks Krotoski uncovers the exchange's hidden histories and how it provided a new kind of employment for young women.
Part of the Enfield Exchange is on display in the new Information Age gallery at the Science Museum in London. The gallery tells the story of the evolution in how we communicate with each other. The objects in the exhibition represent cultural moments from the last 200 years - not just technological innovations.
We also hear from the women who worked as telephonists about the relationship between the supervisors and operators, some of whom were only 15 years old, the aches and pains the plugboard caused and the prestige brought by a job with the GPO.
With the expertise of:
* The Science Museum's Keeper of Technology, Dr Tilly Blyth
* Curator of Communication, John Liffen,
Producer: Deborah Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002vx19)
Angels - Cherubim
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music
Theme: Angels- Cherubim
Presenter: Canon Simon Doogan
Reading: Genesis 3:20-24
Music:
Angel voices, ever singing
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Ye holy angels bright
MON 10:00 David Attenborough: My Life in Sound (b03lnzxh)
**** Sir David Attenborough joins BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 CLUB as he celebrates his 100th birthday on 8th May 2026
In an BBC exclusive interview, the wildlife legend talks about his life in sound. One of his first jobs in natural history film making was as a wildlife sound recordist.
Recorded in Qatar, Sir David is with sound recordist Chris Watson, there to make a film about a group of birds he is passionate about, The Bird of Paradise.
Qatar is home to the world's largest captive breeding population and it's in this setting that Chris chats to Sir David.
They look back to the 1950's and Sir David’s early recording escapades, right through to his narration for a series of Tweet of the Day for BBC Radio 4.
Producer: Jamie Merritt
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
MON 10:30 The Imperial Inversion of Cricket (b08r2n4f)
When he’s not engaged as a BBC broadcaster, Amol Rajan would love to be either watching, or better yet, playing cricket.
A deceptively mean leg-spin bowler he grew up in South London soaking up the traditions of the game, its rhythms, complexities and drama.
But he’s concerned that those qualities are under threat from what he calls ‘The Imperial Inversion of Cricket’.
Initially the process saw Britain’s former colonies develop and overtake the mother country in terms of ability. First came the Australians, then the West Indies, both- of-them using the established game to better their former colonial masters.
Now it’s the turn of India, but this time it’s different. This time the sheer scale, passion and desire to make something new of the game is making India not just a dominant playing power but a major force in the direction of the game.
Amol goes back to his roots at the Old Sinjuns cricket club in south London and talks to club members today about what they think of the changes over-taking the game.
And he travels to India to hear the story of the game there, from the sleepy colonial splendour of the Roshanara Cricket Club in Old Delhi to the hi-tech offices of one of the IPL franchises, the Delhi Daredevils. He also talks to Lalit Modi, the man who helped launch the IPL.
What he finds is a vibrant, coherent response to the needs of a professional sport in the 21st century.
Will cricket hold on to its traditions and will Lords remain the Mecca as Simon Hughes the former Middlesex bowler fervently hopes, or will the sheer financial power and numbers India calls upon change the game for ever?
And if it does change, might it actually be for the better?
Producer: Tom Alban
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
MON 11:00 Whodunnits (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Whodunnits (b013fj19)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03yh0dk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jpcv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Architects (b03yqyz5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08nkrc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065sycn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b013ptfx)
Series 61
Episode 4
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
Shappi Khorsandi
Russell Kane
Subjects include: My Tartan Underwear, Castles, Call Centres, Spartacus, Hand Me Downs, On A Long Train Journey, The Eldest Child, Cleaning Up My Act and Acquired Taste
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
Recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
MON 14:30 Miracles R Us (b00sg1hh)
Domestic Arrangements
The man lurking outside turns out not to be the private detective Sylvia supposes, but a potential client.
He's inadvertently encouraged a middle-aged American academic, in whom he has no romantic interest, to have hopes of a shared future.
She is arriving next week. Can MiraclesRus help?
Starring Anna Massey and Deborah Findlay.
Comedy about two women who run a cleaning service together by Lesley Bruce.
Sylvia ..... Anna Massey
Caroline ..... Deborah Findlay
James Linnet ..... David Horovitch
Mary Beth Haldeman ..... Laura Shavin
Pianist ..... Jeremy Limb
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2010.
* Music and stings from the music of Nick Drake. Theme: "When the Day is Done" and stings: "Time of No Reply" and "Cello Song".
MON 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000p725)
Clash: 1. Chances
**** BBC Radio 4 Extra marks the centenary of the United Kingdom's only General Strike - 4th - 12th May 1926.
Joan Craig meets Bloomsbury socialist Tony Dacre while supporting her union in the discussions leading up to the General Strike.
Ellen Wilkinson's political romance is set during the 1926 General Strike.
Semi-autobiographical novel first published in 1929.
It explores the clash between North and South, work and life, plus traditional and emerging roles.
Joan bridges all these divides with energy and talent, but ultimately has to choose whose side she's on.
Starring Kate O’Flynn and Paul Ready.
Dramatised in two parts by Sharon Oakes.
Joan Craig …. Kate O’Flynn
Tony Dacre …. Paul Ready
Gerry Blain …. Luke Nunn
Mary Maud Meadowes ….Jane Whittenshaw
William Royd …. Roger Ringrose
Helen Dacre …. Emma Handy
Harry Browne …. Stefan Adegbola
Factory worker …. Charlotte East
Chemical Worker …. Ian Dunnett Jnr
Directors: Ciaran Bermingham and Jessica Dromgoole
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
**** Ellen Wilkinson was an all too rare working class, female voice from early 20th century literature.
As one of the first ever women MPs and cabinet members, she is better known as a political pioneer.
Joan's story echoes Wilkinson's own life. A woman with major personal and political dilemmas: Joan is born into a working class family, fights for social equality but is enchanted by world of ease and luxury represented by Mary Maud Meadowes and Tony Dacre.
MON 16:00 David Attenborough: My Life in Sound (b03lnzxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 The Imperial Inversion of Cricket (b08r2n4f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Whodunnits (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Whodunnits (b013fj19)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03yh0dk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jpcv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 The Architects (b03yqyz5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08nkrc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065sycn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b013ptfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Miracles R Us (b00sg1hh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000p725)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m002vm5n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Sindhustan (b0b89ttf)
Sandwich Filling
Comic Sindhu Vee is stuck between her parents, in-laws and their three beloved grandkids.
She's taking a look at being a parent in a multi-generational family.
Born in India, educated in Delhi, Toronto, Chicago and Oxford, married to a Dane, and with three London born kids still living at home (and calling her mate) former investment banker Sindhu Vee has a unique perspective on parenting.
At least the dog - a giant Labrador from Wales - understands her.
Written and performed by Sindhu Vee.
Script Editor: Robin Morgan
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
A BBC Studios production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2018.
MON 22:45 Jessica Fostekew: Sturdy Girl Club (m001kh5m)
Series 1
1. Strongwoman
Strength can look like a lot of things.
Comedian Jessica Fostekew starts at the most dirty, functional end of things - strongwoman.
It's where weightlifting meets theatre. You might have seen on the telly at Christmas, the one with Geoff Capes running around with a fridge on his little finger or giving an entire train a tow with his body.
Jess talks to four-times Britain's Strongest Woman Andrea Thompson and multiple world-record holder Mayyah Blair to get their take on strength, aesthetic and why the strongest women in the world still have to work part-time.
And she tells us about the time she pulled an actual bus.
Lets face it, she goes on and on about it.
Written and performed by Jessica Fostekew.
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2023
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m002vngk)
Series 120
3. When the King came round for tea
This week you’re all cordially invited to join us for King Charles’ state visit to Donald Trump’s White House. Please dress to impress. We’ll also be digging into the state of the nation ahead of the upcoming elections on 7th May. Plus, what do we think about MPs drinking at work?
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Matt Hulme, Eleri Morgan, Joe Topping and Angela Channell
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k498)
Series 2
Under New Management
Discover the secret of computer techniques in film, experience the history of rock'n'roll and meet the Museum's curious new curator.
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 April 2005.

TUESDAY 05 MAY 2026

TUE 00:00 David Attenborough: My Life in Sound (b03lnzxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 The Imperial Inversion of Cricket (b08r2n4f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Whodunnits (m00046kl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Whodunnits (b013fj19)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Educated Evans by Edgar Wallace (b03yh0dk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jpcv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Architects (b03yqyz5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08nkrc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065sycn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b013ptfx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Miracles R Us (b00sg1hh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000p725)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Whodunnits (m00046vl)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
4. Bait for a Bogey
Chief Inspector Roger West takes a trip to the seaside - and receives a dinner invitation from a lady.
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
Arthur Morley …. Preston Lockwood
Julieta …. Eva Stuart
Sir Mortimer Grant …. Humphrey Morton
Carosian …. Francis de Wolff
DS Hubert Gill …. Trevor Bannister
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1967.
TUE 06:30 Whodunnits (b013q313)
A Case for Paul Temple
2. In Which Steve Meets Captain O'Hara
The smooth sleuth's investigations lead him to London's East End for a drink in a Limehouse pub with a very Irish sailor.
Then it's on to a chilling discovery in a lonely quarry...
Paul and Steve brave great danger to reveal the identity of the mysterious West End drug dealer known only as 'Valentine'...
Crawford Logan stars as Paul Temple and Gerda Stevenson as Steve In this 2011 recreation of the 1946 vintage crime serial.
Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective and his glamorous wife solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their original adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them with vintage microphones and sound effects, using original scripts and incidental music.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Snooker Riley ...... Jimmy Chisholm
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Captain O'Hara ...... Robin Laing
Mary ...... Eliza Langland
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Sir Gilbert Dryden ...... Michael Mackenzie
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
TUE 07:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b2rpjy)
Basic Instinct
Richard and Sarah are summoned to see their daughter Kate's headmaster.
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
Headmaster ...... Brian Bowles
Julia ...... Teresa
Mrs Morris ...... Kay Stoneham
James ...... David Cooper
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1996.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (m001t38y)
Vintage Goons
The Greatest Mountain in the World
Neddie wants to climb the world’s highest mountain, but it’s already been done.
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
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in March 1954.
Re-recording from October 1957 by the BBC Transcription Service made for broadcast overseas.
This is the debut broadcast in the UK on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
TUE 08:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001yhj7)
Series 8
4. Knife Crime
Policeman turned stand-up Alfie Moore takes his audience through another real-life crime scenario.
When does a knife become a crime?
Knife crime is a societal woe that gets a lot of coverage in the media, but how do the police actually work on getting knives off the streets?
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 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9sm)
2. Shakespeare
Nicholas Hytner continues his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of his first production of William Shakespeare at The National Theatre - Henry V, starring Adrian Lester.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
TUE 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065vrtn)
7. Maycomb Ladies
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 has travelled from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home.
She's now been left shocked after catching Atticus and Hank at a racist meeting.
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
TUE 09:00 Nature Table (m002vmf0)
Series 5
4: Common Frogs & Promiscuous Oaks
In this episode Sue checks out Common Frogs, promiscuous Oak Trees and a regenerating, time-travelling animal that’s only a 1/10th of a millimetre – the Rotifer.
‘Sue Perkins’ Nature Table - possibly the funniest “natural science” series, ever.’ Pick of the Week, The Telegraph
Joining Sue Perkins at the BBC Radio Theatre, this episode of the ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy features special guests: US comedian and actress Desiree Burch, Zoologist and science writer Jules Howard and Kevin Martin – Head of Tree Collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
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: Desiree Burch, Jules Howard and Kevin Martin.
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 Hidden Histories of the Information Age (b04m3bcc)
2. Tat - 1
Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.
In 1957 the singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson performed a concert to an audience sitting in St Pancras Town Hall in London.
Astonishingly, Paul was in New York at the time, and he was performing live over a transatlantic phone line.
Robeson was an outspoken critic of lynching laws and anti-fascism. Because of his support of these causes, he was a victim of early attempts by the US FBI to quash civil rights activism, and was blacklisted by the State Department. His passport was cancelled so he could not leave the US.
But Robeson was also an innovator, who used the latest tools to go around the restrictions that were imposed upon him. When the authorities increasingly tried to silence him, he used technology to make his voice heard.
Aleks Krotoski tells the story of how Paul Robeson came to perform for his British fans using the new transatlantic telephone cable, called TAT-1.
It was laid between 1955 and 1956 linking Newfoundland, Canada and Oban on the West Coast of Scotland.
TAT-1 is one of the objects on display in the Information Age Gallery at the Science Museum in London. This new gallery features the evolution in how we communicate with one another. The objects in the gallery represent cultural moments from the last 200 years, not just technological innovations.
Producer: Deborah Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002vy7c)
Angels - Helpers
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Angels - Helpers
Presenter: Holly Adams
Reading: 1 Kings 19:3-9
Music:
Just as I am - Daily Service Singers
My guardian angel (Weir) - St Martin's Voices
Take my life - Daily Service Singers
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000pmx3)
Alexander McCall Smith & Prof Lucie Green
Writer Alexander McCall Smith and UCL's Department of Space & Climate Physics, Professor Lucie Green, join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Somerset Maugham, John Higgs and Lewis Carroll.
The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham
Publisher: Heinemann
Watling Street by John Higgs
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Publisher: Macmillan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2020.
TUE 10:30 The Hidden History of the Corridor (b095tkgx)
Take a trip down the corridor with Dr Rachel Hurdley as she explores the history of this most ambiguous space.
As a sociologist, Rachel has long been fascinated by the power of corridors and their role as places which are neither entirely public nor private.
The corridor is a relatively recent architectural innovation, arriving in Britain around the beginning of the 18th Century.
Rachel visits Castle Howard to walk what are thought to be the first corridors in England, discovers why the Victorians had a mania for corridors, finds out about the move towards open plan and asks whether corridors may now be due to return to our buildings.
Along the way, she considers how corridors reflect the society of their time, hears why they’re a film maker’s dream and enters the world of diplomacy to find out why corridors can be the perfect place to make a deal.
Interviewees:
* Jonathan Glancey, Architectural Writer and Historian
* James Rothwell, Architectural Historian, The National Trust at Petworth House in West Sussex
* Mark Jarzombek, Professor of Architectural History and Theory at MIT
* Sir Christopher Meyer, Former Ambassador to Washington and Germany
* Dr Chris Ridgway, Curator of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire
* Sue Hayward, Curator at the National Trust’s Tyntesfield near Bristol
* Pat Rowe, Guide at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
* Karen Krizanovich, Film Expert
* Darren Southgate, Architect of the Factory 2050 Building in Sheffield
Producer: Louise Adamson
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017
TUE 11:00 Whodunnits (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Whodunnits (b013q313)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b2rpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (m001t38y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001yhj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9sm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065vrtn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Hoax! (m002vy7g)
From 26/12/1991
Ray Cooney, Johnny Morris and Frank Thornton tell the stories.
Tim Brooke-Taylor and the audience try to spot the hoax.
Devised by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.
TUE 14:30 The Cavity Within (b007709x)
Episode 1
Marty has finally settled on a life in dentistry, like his father and grandfather before him.
But the dysfunctional practice he's joined seems to have its own cavity within.
Will he have the patients?
Written by Jim Poyser.
Marty ........ Chris O'Dowd
Pete ........ Jeff Rawle
Daisy ........ Sara Crowe
Tim ........ Mark Straker
Anna ........ Christine Kavanagh
Mr. Holmes ........ John Rowe
Sarah/Girl ........ Emma Noakes
Mum/Mrs. Finegan. ........ Tracy Wiles
Mr Burgess ........ Sam Dale
Director: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
TUE 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000pdrc)
Clash - Part 2
In the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike, Joan has a choice to make.
Should she stick with passionate politics or give up her work for a comfortable life with Tony, the man she's fallen for?
Conclusion of Ellen Wilkinson's political romance exploring the clash between North and South, work and life, plus traditional and emerging roles.
Starring Kate O’Flynn and Paul Ready.
Dramatised by Sharon Oakes.
Joan Craig …. Kate O’Flynn
Tony Dacre …. Paul Ready
Gerry Blain …. Luke Nunn
Mary Maud Meadowes …. Jane Whittenshaw
William Royd …. Roger Ringrose
Bunny Royd …. Emma Handy
Ben Lewis …. Stefan Adegbola
Dolly …. Charlotte East
Alaric …. Ian Dunnett Jnr
Sally …. Cecilia Appiah
Directors: Ciaran Bermingham and Jessica Dromgoole
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000pmx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 The Hidden History of the Corridor (b095tkgx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Whodunnits (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Whodunnits (b013q313)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b2rpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (m001t38y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001yhj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9sm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065vrtn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Hoax! (m002vy7g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 The Cavity Within (b007709x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Drama on 4 (m000pdrc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Nature Table (m002vmf0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 And the Winner Is... (b00qx5lv)
Series 1
Episode 1
Matt Lucas hosts the 'Lucases' - his alternative awards show.
Awards include the Lucas for Lamest Excuse of All-Time, the Lucas for Most Pointless Member of the Royal Family and the Lucas for Greatest Song By A Musical Artist Who Is Otherwise Rubbish.
Nominations are provided by Matt's guests:
Katy Brand
James Corden
Graham Linehan
But the ultimate decision is down to the whim of the host.
Who will walk off with their very own Lucas?
Will it be Eddie Murphy or Mrs Linehan; Prince Edward or Prince Morris; Angry Anderson, Genesis or Radiohead?
Only And The Winner Is... has the answers.
Producer: Ashley Blaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 2010.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002w2c1)
Chris Cantrill 1/3
Lou Conran chats with comedian Chris Cantrill about working on Saturday Night Live UK, dry stone walling and getting flat whites in Carlisle.
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff.
TUE 23:00 Josie Long: Romance and Adventure (b0460v1z)
Pilot
A woman called Josie leaves London for better life in Glasgow – at the indie band theme park, where she will finally be happy and accepted.
Her flatmate Darren is just happy having his meals cooked by someone other than his mum.
Together they drink tea and wander the streets searching for romance and adventure, making fun of squares and making up games. It's them against the world, or so Josie hopes. How much can you rely on a friend who doesn't want to grow up?
Based on characters from the short films "Romance and Adventure" and "Let's Go Swimming" by Josie Long and Douglas King.
Written by and starring Josie Long.
Successful pilot which sparked the following series.
Josie ...... Josie Long
Darren ...... Darren Osborne
Roddy ...... Roddy MacNeill
Kerry ...... Hatty Ashdown
Eleanor ...... Clare Grogan
Geoff ...... Geoff McGivern
Heidi...... Jaimi Barbakoff
Helen ...... Elaine Claxton
Chris ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Mark ...... Douglas King
Other parts played by the cast.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.
TUE 23:30 Forty Nights in the Wildebeest (b00r93bk)
Episode 5
Dan Freedman and Nick Romero push the pun count beyond the pain threshold.
Including:
Cheeky movie spoofs of 'Star Wars' and 'Notting Hill'.
Music is performed by The Gents.
Producers: Jayne Gibson and Julian Mayers
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.

WEDNESDAY 06 MAY 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m000pmx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 The Hidden History of the Corridor (b095tkgx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Whodunnits (m00046vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Whodunnits (b013q313)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Minor Adjustment (b0b2rpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (m001t38y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001yhj7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9sm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065vrtn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hoax! (m002vy7g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 The Cavity Within (b007709x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Drama on 4 (m000pdrc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Whodunnits (m00048fd)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
5. Trail From A Tip-Off
An unexpected phone-call for Janet West - while Inspector West doesn't quite know where he is..?
Starring Patrick Allen.
Created and written by John Creasey.
Dramatised by Maurice Travers.
Chief Inspector Roger West …. Patrick Allen
Janet West .… Sarah Lawson
Sir Guy Chatworth …. Hamilton Dyce
Julieta …. Eva Stuart
Carosian .... Francis de Wolff
DS Hubert Gill …. Trevor Bannister
Pearly Willis …. Henry Stamper
Superintendent Mulloon …. Harry Webster
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.
WED 06:30 Whodunnits (b01460dn)
A Case for Paul Temple
3. In Which Sir Gilbert Explains
Steve has ulterior motives when she makes an appointment with Madame de Briac, one of Mayfair's most fashionable hairdressers.
Paul and Steve brave great danger to reveal the identity of the mysterious West End drug dealer known only as 'Valentine'...
Crawford Logan stars as Paul Temple and Gerda Stevenson as Steve in this 2011 recreation of the 1946 vintage crime serial.
Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective and his glamorous wife solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their original adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them with vintage microphones and sound effects, using original scripts and incidental music.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Mary ...... Eliza Langland
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Captain O'Hara ...... Robin Laing
Sir Gilbert Dryden ...... Michael Mackenzie
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
WED 07:00 After Henry (b007k1rb)
Series 1
The Spectre at the Feast
Widow Sarah is wary of matchmakers - and her mother Eleanor's interference.
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
Chris …. Mark Kingston
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 (b007jz69)
Series 1
A Trip to France
The Lad is longing to sample life across the English Channel, but Sid's got other ideas.
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 January 1955.
WED 08:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b2kpm2)
Series 1
The Helpers
Malawian Comedian Daliso Chaponda continues his look at the relationship between the UK and Africa.
The UK and Africa have had a long a complicated past. This series looks at the history of this relationship and 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...
In this episode, Daliso looks at charities and organisations who want to help the relationship.
Written and performed by Daliso Chaponda
The Other Guy ...... James Quinn
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
WED 08:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9tt)
3. Alan Bennett
Nicholas Hytner continues his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of his fecund creative relationship with actor and playwright, Alan Bennett.
Nicholas reveals how they came to meet and the incredible performances they created together. He fondly remembers their highly successful play 'The History Boys', and how it was brought to life.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
WED 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065wwjc)
8. A Confrontation
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 has travelled from New York to Maycomb for her annual visit home.
Looking for her father, Atticus, Jean Louise is waylaid and faces an awkward conversation as she confronts the men in her life.
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Read by Fenella Woolgar
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
WED 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vmnc)
Emer Maguire: Patron Saint of Bad Luck
A year ago, Emer Maguire had it all. Now she’s sleeping on the floor of her brother’s student flat in a shady part of Belfast – no girlfriend, no home, no hope. Where did it all go wrong? How did she end up all alone, broken hearted and with only an assistance dog called Dougal for company? Is she the Patron Saint of Bad Luck?
Comedian Emer Maguire recalls how the worst year of her life - including messy break-up, serious medical issues and not one, but two life-changing diagnoses – put her on the path to living her best life. Told with her trademark honesty and songwriting brilliance, Emer’s tale is both heartfelt and uplifting, a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting comedic voices, Emer Maguire (who was dubbed by one critic as the “indie Victoria Wood”) is a double Irish IMRO award-winning presenter and four times TEDx speaker.
Written and performed by Emer Maguire
Produced by Anna Hinds
Executive Producer: Keith Martin
Sound: David Walker
A FABEL radio production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 Hidden Histories of the Information Age (b04m3gc6)
3. Our World
Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.
On June 25th 1967, 400 million people across the globe watched a ground-breaking TV show.
It was called, in English, OUR WORLD and it was a feat beyond technological imagination: it was the first programme that linked up countries live by satellite. So everyone was watching what was happening on the other side of the world - or possibly next door - at the exact moment in time when it was actually happening.
In our modern, 24-hour news world, it's hard to understand just how monumental this was, both technologically and politically. It was the golden age of TV. Youth culture had a voice that was about to get much louder. International diplomacy was stretched to breaking point. And our world was rapidly shrinking.
Aleks Krotoski tells the story of how the programme came about. She talks to curators from the Science Museum.
The yellowing pages of Our World's original script is one of the exhibits in the new Information Age gallery at the Science Musuem. It tells the story of the evolution in how we communicate with one another. The objects in the exhibition represent cultural moments from the last 200 years - not just technological innovations.
Producer: Deborah Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002vybg)
Angels - Heavenly Beings
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Angels - Heavenly Beings
Presenters: Paul Kerensa
Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-8
Music:
How great is our God & Lord I lift your name - Volney Morgan and New Ye
Holy Holy (Richard Smallwood) - AMC Gospel Choir
Praise - Becca Folkes & Psalms x Saints
WED 10:00 David Attenborough and the Natural History of Folk (b03trp25)
**** Sir David Attenborough joins BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 CLUB as he celebrates his 100th birthday on 8th May 2026
The wildlife legend is renowned for his bringing spectacular nature into the nation's living rooms.
But his first TV series broadcast in 1954, was quite different - and yet not unrelated.
As a young producer Attenborough made 'Song Hunter', six programmes presented by the American folk music collector, Alan Lomax (who had recorded Leadbelly and Jelly Roll Morton) in which traditional musicians from all over Britain and Ireland sang and played.
'Song Hunter' was broadcast live so no longer exists. But Reg Hall saw the programmes on the base where he was doing his National Service. This was a life changing experience and he went on to work with and record several of the musicians featured.
Prompted by such recordings, David Attenborough recalls the trials and wonders of the enterprise: how, seeking to book the great Traveller singer Margaret Barry, the production office called police stations throughout Donegal asking them, when next Barry was brought in drunk and disorderly, to let her know there was a ticket to London, a TV appearance and a fee ready for her.
Lomax blew the budget bringing half a dozen women from the Hebrides to perform their tweed waulking songs. Sir David also had to battle BBC bureaucrats for permission to let the musicians drink beer while on-air.
At this time the Corporation was engaged in two great endeavours, the BBC Folk Music and Dialect Recording Scheme. Peter Kennedy, Seamus Ennis, Hamish Henderson and Bob Copper were employed to gather songs, tunes, tales, customs and dialects. They travelled all over Britain and Ireland and recorded 700 people aged from 6 to 96. Some of these turned up in 'Song Hunter'.
So Attenborough's career began with folk music. More than this, the way that the material was gathered - searching for, finding, waiting and recording people in their natural environment – has much in common with the way that, to this day, natural history programmes are made.
Some of the personnel and the equipment overlapped. Peter Kennedy did pioneering work recording birdsong with the parabolic microphone he used for recording musicians. The BBC issued LPs of folksong and LPs of birdsong made by the same people, with the same gear, sharing the same office.
David Attenborough recalls those days, as do Bob Copper and Peter Kennedy in previously unbroadcast recordings.
Chris Watson, who works with David Attenborough today, considers the parallels of natural history sound recording and the collecting of music. And, to David Attenborough's delight, there is remarkable music by some of the people he first broadcast 60 years ago in 'Song Hunter'.
Producer: Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 2014.
WED 11:00 Whodunnits (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Whodunnits (b01460dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 After Henry (b007k1rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jz69)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b2kpm2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065wwjc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Write Stuff (m000fmvz)
Series 4
John Betjeman
James Walton’s literary quiz with Sebastian Faulks, John Walsh, Victoria Coren and Sue Limb.
Author of the week: John Betjeman
Reader: Becky Hindley
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.
WED 14:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3yc)
Series 2
Free-Range Angels
Alison and Maud make merry with a Thai take-away.
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
Father ...... Joss Ackland
Bernard ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Leslie ...... .Nicholas Grace
Producer: Jonathan James-Moore.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2004.
WED 15:00 Drama on 4 (b01ngmcl)
What Love Sounds Like by Peter Souter
What Love Sounds Like centres around the meeting of a blind man, Dom, and a deaf woman, Thea, in a faith-healer's waiting room.
Dom has only recently gone blind and is at odds with the world and himself. Thea, using her computer voice generator, plies him with questions - particularly about an old, painful relationship which Dom is initially reluctant to talk about.
As the play progresses we realise that all is not quite as it seems, and that this meeting may have profound consequences for them both.
Written by award-winning playwright Peter Souter.
Dom …. Alex Jennings
Thea …. Juliet Stevenson
Shenoa …. Don Gilet
Luda …. Stephanie Racine
Director: Gordon House
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.
WED 15:45 Short Works (m001hxt0)
The Woodwose Wedding by Electra Rhodes
When loggers threaten their forest home, Trefor and Alan are made an unconventional proposal.
A new story by Cardiff-based writer and archaeologist, Electra Rhodes.
Read by Julian Lewis Jones
Produced by John Norton for Audio Drama Wales
First broadcast on BBC Radio in February 2003.
WED 16:00 David Attenborough and the Natural History of Folk (b03trp25)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Whodunnits (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Whodunnits (b01460dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 After Henry (b007k1rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jz69)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b2kpm2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065wwjc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Write Stuff (m000fmvz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3yc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Drama on 4 (b01ngmcl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 21:45 Short Works (m001hxt0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
WED 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vmnc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Sir Ralph Stanza's Letter from Salford (b007680t)
Series 1
Recital Statistics
The poet-in-residence's mission to bring quiche to the Quays comes to its artistic climax.
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:
Mark Chatterton
Alison Darling
Jack Deam
Stephen Hoyle
Producer: Graham Frost
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2002.
WED 22:45 Heidi Regan: No Worries (m000y0l1)
Episode 4
As someone who tends to worry in 'normal' times, the pandemic has 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 final episode Heidi turns to face her worries and how to displace your worries with jokes.
Written and performed by Heidi Regan.
With thanks to Nick Elleray
Producer: Julia McKenzie
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
WED 23:00 Thom Tuck - Goes Straight to DVD (b01rvppv)
The Olsens
Comedian Thom Tuck draws more parallels between underrated straight-to-DVD movies with captivating tales from his own life experience.
This time its the offerings from "The Olsen Twins", self made millionaires from their empire of teenage market films.
Thom looks at the journey of their success, and draws parallels with the wise (and not so wise) choices he's made in his life.
Producer: Lianne Coop.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
WED 23:30 The Skewer (m002vmnq)
Series 16
2. Lie Back and Think of England
Starmer has a problem, Trump has a ballroom blitz, and Charles lies back and thinks of England.
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 The East Coast Listening Post (m0005t5l)
Series 2
Skull Run
American reporters and sisters, Jenna and Dana Johnson, return to the UK to investigate the people of Great Britain.
In this episode, Jenna and Dana meet Rhodri Williams from the village of Tregafr, who is defending his right to take part in an ancient Welsh tradition known as Ras y Benglog or The Skull Run.
Written and performed by Celeste Dring and Freya Parker.
The East Coast Listening Post was created by Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated duo Lazy Susan.
With performances from:
David Elms
Steffan Rodri
Producer: Suzy Grant
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2019.

THURSDAY 07 MAY 2026

THU 00:00 David Attenborough and the Natural History of Folk (b03trp25)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Whodunnits (m00048fd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Whodunnits (b01460dn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 After Henry (b007k1rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jz69)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere (b0b2kpm2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9tt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065wwjc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Write Stuff (m000fmvz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Alison and Maud (b007k3yc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Drama on 4 (b01ngmcl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 05:45 Short Works (m001hxt0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Whodunnits (m000461y)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
6. Explosion in Red
It’s a bad day for Scotland Yard, and Inspector Roger West. Just what is the arch-villain up to?
Starring Patrick Allen.
Created and written by John Creasey.
Dramatised by Maurice Travers.
Chief Inspector Roger West …. Patrick Allen
Janet West .… Sarah Lawson
Sir Guy Chatworth …. Hamilton Dyce
Julieta …. Eva Stuart
Carosian …. Francis de Wolff
DS Hubert Gill …. Trevor Bannister
Superintendent Mulloon …. Harry Webster
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.
THU 06:30 Whodunnits (b014gclv)
A Case for Paul Temple
4. In Which Sir Graham Is Surprised
A dead man's watch chain leads Paul and Steve to the San Chow, one of London's leading Chinese restaurants.
In this 2011 recreation of the 1946 vintage crime serial, Paul and Steve brave great danger to reveal the identity of the mysterious West End drug dealer known only as 'Valentine'...
Crawford Logan stars as Paul Temple and Gerda Stevenson as Steve.
Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and glamorous wife Steve solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them using original scripts and incidental music, and recorded with vintage microphones and sound effects.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Sir Gilbert Dryden ...... Michael Mackenzie
Layland ...... Robin Laing
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
THU 07:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vx9v)
Series 3
Ladies Who Do
A dust-up is inevitable when the job of cleaning the Brightco building is given to private contractors.
Third series 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.
Starring Bernard Cribbins and Frank Thornton.
Jimmy Bright .... Bernard Cribbins
Russell Farrow .... Frank Thornton
Nan Forbes .... Annette Crosbie
Ethel ... Pat Coombs
Pepper .... Kenneth Connor
Script Andrew Palmer
Producer Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 1990.
THU 07:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7g0)
Series 2
This is Your Life the Burkiss Way
Eamonn Andrews' famous Big Red Book spells surprises.
The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living. Radio's Amazing Revelation Course in which the programme's subject is ...(We can't tell you yet, because it's a secret)
Do you remember these voices from:
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
Fred Harris
And who wrote these words? (Here's a clue - Andrew Marshall and David Renwick)
And whose name is in producer Simon Brett’s little black book this week?
Cult sketch show first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1977.
THU 08:00 Hennikay (m001fwb8)
Series 1
3. The Animo-Expo Pro-Gaming Trade Fair
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.
The pressure is on at work. Guy’s company have had their best (only) idea in years (ever) stolen from under their noses by an unscrupulous rival. But luckily Guy has come up with a brilliant new idea, courtesy of his invisible best friend, Hennikay and the race is on for them to develop it before the big trade show.
And even with Guy foolishly introducing his schoolboy mate from 1976 to the wonders of the 21st century internet and the delights of expense account lunching, the friends triumph and, working together at last, they manage to hit the big deadline.
They head triumphantly to the show - where grown-up treachery is afoot and Hennikay has his young, innocent eyes opened to the cheating, lying and general down and dirty bad behaviour that modern adults call business.
Written by David Spicer.
Guy …. Bill Bailey
Tony …. Dave Lamb
Marika …. Elizabeth Carling
Kallie …. Hollie Edwin
Don …. Joseph May
TV voices and Pizza Guy …. Matt Addis
Hennikay …. Max Pattison
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2022.
THU 08:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9p5)
4. Pullman & Morpurgo
Nicholas Hytner continues his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of how the seemingly impossible can become the most magical. Particularly when it comes to putting animals on stage - through his productions of Philip Pullman's Dark Materials and Michael Morpurgo's War Horse.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
THU 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xchl)
9. Break-up
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.
But mid-50s 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.
Jean Louise reluctantly confronts Atticus about the Citizens' Council.
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 (m002vmlf)
Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S2
S2 E2: Angry Middle-Aged White Men
This week, Geoff looks at the “angry middle-aged white men” that Gary Neville identified as the source of all division within the UK. Is that fair? If so, why are they angry? And could there be both a deeper reason for their anger and also a better outlet for it?
As ever, these serious points are intercut with “manly hypotheticals”, the sort of question men ask each other to avoid talking about stuff that matters, like - if you’re drinking non-alcoholic beer, are you still obliged to buy a round?
Written and presented by Geoff Norcott
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 Hidden Histories of the Information Age (b04m3ftg)
4. Leo Computer
Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.
The company that brought computers into business was Lyons, known for its cakes and teashops.
Aleks Krotoski tells the story of how this technology transformed office work.
One element of the first Lyons Electronic Office, or LEO, computer is on display in the 'Information Age' gallery at the Science Museum in London. This new gallery tells the story of the evolution in how we communicate with with each other. The objects in the exhibition represent cultural moments from the last 200 years - not just technological innovations.
Aleks Krotoski talks to Dr Tilly Blyth and Jessica Bradford of the Science Museum about how Lyons brought computers to its business and hears from one of the first programmers. A tea shop manager recalls how LEO changed her working life.
Producer: Deborah Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002vxb0)
Angels: messengers
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Angels: messengers
Presenter: Rachel Mann
Reading: Daniel 9: 20-24
Music:
And Lo The Angel of the Lord - James McMillan, Sung by Capella Nova
Duo Seraphim a12 - Guerrero, sung by the Sixteen
Ye holy angels bright - Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
THU 10:00 Great Lives (m0013963)
Lady Hale on Lady Rhondda
Judge and former President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, chooses to nominate the suffragette, businesswoman, and founder of Time and Tide magazine, Margaret Haig Thomas, also known as Lady Rhondda.
Born in 1883, Lady Rhondda was brought up an only child, in South Wales, by her feminist parents. She survived the sinking of the Lusitania and sat on the board of 33 companies, becoming, in 1926, the first and to-date only female president of the Institute of Directors. In 1927, the New York Tribune called her ‘the foremost woman of business in the British Empire’.
She was also one of the most prominent British feminists of the inter-war years, marching with the Pankhursts and setting fire to a letterbox, for which she was briefly sent to Usk prison.
Lady Rhondda was also the founder and editor of the pioneering, hugely influential weekly paper Time and Tide, which featured women’s perspectives and essays by literary greats from Orwell to Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf.
The Former President of the Supreme Court, Brenda Hale, believes Lady Rhondda's most important lesson is "that there are always new battles to be fought...You must never give up. You must always go on."
With expert insight from Angela V. John, the author of Turning the Tide: The Life of Lady Rhondda.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Producer: Ellie Richold for BBC Audio in Bristol
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2022.
THU 10:30 Arch Rivals (b0076qjk)
It's a story of modern technology pitted against established craftsmanship and it's being played out in the rarefied atmosphere of the Ballet studio.
Felicity Finch balances the claims of rival ballet shoe makers who are striving to keep the world's finest dancers 'on point'.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.
THU 11:00 Whodunnits (m000461y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Whodunnits (b014gclv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vx9v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7g0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Hennikay (m001fwb8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9p5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xchl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Foul Play (b00zf4tf)
Series 4
The Final Judgement
Crime writers Jessica Mann and James Melville investigate a distinctly 'kinky' matter.
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 (b01ckgfz)
Series 3
Robbed
The two friends, having discovered that their pensions are worthless, take every measure thinkable to survive.
Now Sam tries to remortgage their home...
Nigel William's retirement comedy series, starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost
Mr Loomis ..... Philip Jackson.
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
THU 15:00 Blue Veils and Golden Sands by Martyn Wade (b007jvh7)
One of the most colourful and interesting composers of electronic music, Delia Derbyshire was at the forefront of its development.
She began with a 10 year 'attachment' to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Delia is best remembered for her major part in realising BBC TV's distinctive theme for Doctor Who composed by Ron Grainer.
Starring Sophie Thompson.
Martyn Wade's drama tells he story of Delia's remarkable years before her early death at 64 in 2001.
Delia ....... Sophie Thompson
Peter Kember ....... Himself
Ron Grainer ....... Martin Hyder
Producer ....... Scott Brooksbank
Anthony Newley ....... Stephen Critchlow
Adviser, arranger and composer of original music: Elizabeth Parker
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.
THU 15:45 Short Works (m0022l12)
The Stranger by Daisy Johnson
A young woman finds herself in an unusual flat share with a stranger to save money. It begins as a gentle romantic story, then twists into a suspenseful thriller.
Daisy Johnson is a multi-award-winning short story writer whose debut novel Everything Under was shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.
Saffron Coomber starred in Windrush drama Three Little Birds and Small Axe by Steve McQueen.
Written by Daisy Johnson.
Read by Saffron Coomber.
Producer: Allegra McIlroy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2024.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (m0013963)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Arch Rivals (b0076qjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Whodunnits (m000461y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Whodunnits (b014gclv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vx9v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7g0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Hennikay (m001fwb8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9p5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xchl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Foul Play (b00zf4tf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 HR (b01ckgfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Blue Veils and Golden Sands by Martyn Wade (b007jvh7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 21:45 Short Works (m0022l12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
THU 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002vmlf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002w2cq)
Chris Cantrill 2/3
Lou Conran chats with comedian Chris Cantrill about working with Amy Gledhill in double act The Delightful Sausage, and why he loves village life and being nosey.
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff.
THU 22:30 Any Bloke (b007jxqg)
Series 1
Roots
Phil has promised to take Sophie to a local playgroup, but which one?
There's Oakwood where all the Volvos go or Foxgrove which is in the middle of a council estate...
Starring Jim Sweeney and Caroline Quentin.
Gary Brown's comedy series about family life in the 1990s.
Phil.......Jim Sweeney
Sarah....Caroline Quentin
Fay.......Shirley Stelfox
Liam....Steve Steen
Gerald....Lloyd Peters
Gavin......Paul Clarkson
Sophie....Nadine Balantyne
Edna....Yvonne Edgell
Brenda....Toni Palmer
Carol....Melanie Hudson
Stacey....Kim Barry
Producer: Ann Jobson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1993.
THU 23:00 Beyond The Back of Beyond (m002vxbc)
4. Mad
Lost in the Amazon jungle, malaria takes its toll on our explorers with somewhat startling side effects.
Fourth episode of a six-part comedy written by - and starring - Paul Barnhill and Neil Warhurst.
Mark .... Nell Warhurst
Brian .... Paul Barnhill
Mawa .... Jacey Salles
Luke .... Mark Benton
Joyce .... Marlene Sldaway
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2002.
THU 23:15 Life on Egg (b09k840g)
Series 1
Method
The Egg, floating on a giant prehistoric egg in the middle of the ocean, is Britain's most remote prison.
Harry Hill stars as the Governor.
When famous movie star Brad De Deprrio comes to visit The Egg in order to research a film role, the team are predictably excited to welcome him.
But will they be able to put up with his outrageous showbiz demands, especially when he asks to share a cell with The Egg's most dangerous prisoner?
Governor Harry ..... Harry Hill
Anne ..... Karen Bartke
Peter ..... Marek Larwood
The Minister ..... Tanya Moodie
Tim the Helicopter Pilot ..... Dan Maier
Brad De Depprio ..... Demetri Goritsas
Written by Dan Maier
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2018.
THU 23:30 Small Scenes (b071x4ny)
Series 3
Episode 1
More overblown, melodramatic scenes from modern life.
Meet the woman who uncovers the conspiracy behind cryptic crosswords - and a saxophonist tortured by his inability to play the solo from Baker Street
Plus what happens if you buy Chris de Burgh's old house?
Award-winning sketch show.
Starring:
Daniel Rigby
Mike Wozniak
Cariad Lloyd
Henry Paker
Jessica Ransom
Written by Benjamin Partridge, Henry Paker and Mike Wozniak, with additional material from the cast.
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.

FRIDAY 08 MAY 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (m0013963)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Arch Rivals (b0076qjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Whodunnits (m000461y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Whodunnits (b014gclv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002vx9v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Burkiss Way (b00jr7g0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Hennikay (m001fwb8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9p5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xchl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Foul Play (b00zf4tf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 HR (b01ckgfz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Blue Veils and Golden Sands by Martyn Wade (b007jvh7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:45 Short Works (m0022l12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Whodunnits (m0004fx7)
Stand By For West - Battle For Inspector West
7. Mastermind at Midnight
Supervillain Carosian’s plans finally become evident.
But he’s not the only mastermind behind the criminal enterprise.
Patrick Allen stars in the gripping conclusion.
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
Julieta …. Eva Stuart
Carosian …. Francis de Wolff
DS Hubert Gill …. Trevor Bannister
Arthur Morley …. Preston Lockwood
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1967.
FRI 06:30 Whodunnits (b014qncy)
A Case for Paul Temple
5. In Which Mr Layland Tells the Truth
Hot on the heels of the Valentine gang, Paul and Steve set out on a high speed midnight drive to the coast.
In this 2011 recreation of the 1946 vintage crime serial, Paul and Steve brave great danger to reveal the identity of the mysterious West End drug dealer known only as 'Valentine'...
Crawford Logan stars as Paul Temple and Gerda Stevenson as Steve.
Between 1938 and 1968, Francis Durbridge's incomparably suave amateur detective Paul Temple and glamorous wife Steve solved case after baffling case in one of BBC radio's most popular series. They inhabited a sophisticated, well-heeled world of cocktails and fast cars.
Sadly, only half of their adventures survive in the archives. But in 2006, the BBC began recreating them using original scripts and incidental music, and recorded with vintage microphones and sound effects.
Paul Temple ...... Crawford Logan
Steve ...... Gerda Stevenson
Sir Graham ...... Gareth Thomas
Major Peters ...... Greg Powrie
Supt. Wetherby ...... Richard Greenwood
Sheila Baxter ...... Melody Grove
Mary ...... Eliza Langland
Charles Kelvin ...... Nick Underwood
Sir Gilbert Dryden ...... Michael Mackenzie
Layland ...... Robin Laing
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
FRI 07:00 Dry Slopes (b00lr3nz)
Series 1
The Day of Judgement
Perpetually unemployed and friendless loser Angus Dry agonises over the death of a bee.
Nick Ball’s sitcom about the unemployed son of a high-flying mother.
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 (b007jn7v)
Series 5
A Winter's Tale
Harold admits he's planning a holiday - but without his dad Albert.
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
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in June 1974.
FRI 08:00 To Hull and Back (b09rx3vt)
Series 3
Last Chance Salon
On her way back from Hull station - after failing to get onto Vidal Sassoon hairdressing course in London - Sophie is knocked over by a car.
By way of compensation the driver, Alison, a frequent church-goer, offers Sophie a disused hair salon she can access via her church outreach work.
Sophie accepts Alison's offer. But with only a week to make it a going concern, will she manage to make a success of it?
Starring Lucy Beaumont and Maureen Lipman.
Lucy Beaumont’s warm-hearted sitcom about Sophie's efforts to escape her overbearing mother, Sheila.
Sophie ...... Lucy Beaumont
Sheila ...... Maureen Lipman
Jean ...... Kerrie Marsh
Ernie ...... Norman Lovett
Alison ...... Annie Sawle
Trish ...... Debra Baker
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.
FRI 08:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9wl)
5. 50 Years
Nicholas Hytner concludes his inside story of 12 years at the helm of Britain's greatest theatre.
Recollections of the birth of NT Live and The National's 50th Anniversary commemorations.
Intimate, candid and insightful, Balancing Acts is a passionate exploration of the art and alchemy of making theatre.
Written and read by Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Simon Richardson.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2017.
FRI 08:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xk29)
10. Heartbreak and Escape
The final episode of Harper Lee's explosive second novel which 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.
But mid-50s 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.
Heartbroken after her fight with her father, Atticus, Jean Louise packs for New York.
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 (m0022kfw)
Series 1
2. The Best Friend I Locked Up
Challenged by Babs to find a single person he’s never wronged, Brighty’s search leads them to Cornwall and to best friend Russ Blackshark. Whilst Brighty and Babs re-run Russ’s stag do, Churlington gets into a spot of bother auditing the family tin mine.
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).
Written by Christian Brighty & Amy Greaves
Cast:
Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian Brighty
Babs ….. Jessica Knappett
Churlington ….. Colin McFarlane
Russ Blackshark ….. David Reed
Reticent Tom ….. Nimisha Odedra
Briny Briony ….. Chiara Goldsmith
Gareth Hornpipe ….. Joz Norris
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 Hidden Histories of the Information Age (b04m3jcy)
5. GPS
Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.
Soldiers traditionally learned to find their way around with a compass and a map.
Aleks Krotoski explores how GPS transformed navigation during the first Gulf War in 1991.
An early brick sized GPS device is on display in the 'Information Age' gallery at the Science Museum in London. This gallery tells the story of the evolution in how we communicate with with each other. The objects in the exhibition represent cultural moments from the last 200 years - not just technological innovations.
Aleks Krotoski tells the story of the development of GPS, from its first use by the US military to now being a part of every modern mobile phone, with Dr Tilly Blyth and Dan Green of the Science Museum, historian Professor Jeremy Black of Exeter University and a British soldier whose life was saved by it in the first Gulf War.
Producer: Deborah Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002vymk)
Angels - Powerful Creatures
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Angels - Powerful Creatures
Presenter: Revd Dr Emma Whittick
Reading: Revelation 1: 1-11
Music:
Round the Lord in Glory Seated - Welsh Chamber Singers
Come Holy Ghost Our Souls Inspire - Cambridge King's College Choir
Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Welsh Chamber Singers
FRI 10:00 Sunday Feature (b0857wv1)
David Attenborough - World Music Collector
David Attenborough reveals a side of himself that nobody knows, as a collector of music from all over the world. We hear the stories that surround it, and the music itself.
One of David Attenborough's first projects was 'Alan Lomax - Song Hunter', a television series he produced in 1953-4. The famous collector of the blues and folk music of America gathered traditional musicians from all over Britain and Ireland and, for the first time, they appeared on television. David loved the music, the people and, inspired by Lomax, he became music collector himself.
From the start there was a connection between wildlife and folk culture broadcasting: BBC natural history staff shared an office, and equipment, with colleagues busy recording traditional songs, tunes and stories. Soon after 'Song Hunter' Attenborough began travelling the world for the series 'Zoo Quest'. This time the hunt was for animals, captured live for London Zoo. The series also looked at the culture of local people and if he came across music Attenborough recorded it. In Paraguay he met some amazing harp players and recorded what became the series' signature tune. This started a craze. Remember Los Trios Paraguayos?
Wherever he went to make programmes David Attenborough recorded musicians. When the lads carrying the crew's baggage in New Guinea started singing, he taped them. He recorded songs in Borneo longhouses, drumming in Sierra Leone, gamelan music in Java, Aboriginal didgeridoo players and palace music in Tonga.
Attenborough gave the music to the BBC and it has sat, unheard, in the Sound Library ever since. Now he listens again to recordings he made half a century ago. He reveals the memories and stories they evoke, and his delight in the music.
Producer: Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
FRI 10:45 The New Elizabethans (b01ljwmd)
David Attenborough
The New Elizabethans: Sir David Attenborough is Britain's well-known broadcaster and naturalist whose landmark Life series changed the way we watched TV and attracted record audiences. He received more public votes to be a New Elizabethan than anyone else in the 2012 Radio 4 series “The New Elizabethans” celebrating public figures to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Starting as a trainee producer at the BBC in 1952 making shows like 'Animal, Vegetable, Mineral' and 'Zoo Quest' he became Controller of BBC 2 in 1965. There he shook up the schedule, commissioning programmes such as 'Man Alive', 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' and 'Civilization'.
But despite being promoted to Director of Programmes for BBC 1 and 2 in 1969, Attenborough's heart lay in programme-making and he resigned from the BBC to present and write Life on Earth. This was the first in the Life series with unforgettable scenes such as Attenborough encountering Dian Fossey's mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Since then, Attenborough's films have pushed the boundaries of wildlife film-making and his hushed tones enthusing about the natural world have earned him the title "greatest living national treasure".
The New Elizabethans have been chosen by a panel of leading historians, chaired by Lord (Tony) Hall, Chief Executive of London's Royal Opera House. The panellists were Dominic Sandbrook, Bamber Gascoigne, Sally Alexander, Jonathan Agar, Maria Misra and Sir Max Hastings.
They were asked to choose: "Men and women whose actions during the reign of Elizabeth II have had a significant impact on lives in these islands and/or given the age its character, for better or worse."
Presenter: James Naughtie
Producer: Clare Walker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.
FRI 11:00 Whodunnits (m0004fx7)
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FRI 11:30 Whodunnits (b014qncy)
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FRI 12:00 Dry Slopes (b00lr3nz)
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FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn7v)
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FRI 13:00 To Hull and Back (b09rx3vt)
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FRI 13:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9wl)
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FRI 13:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xk29)
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FRI 14:00 Percy Edwards Showdown (b00htwx7)
David Attenborough stars in a new role: radio quizmaster - in a show all about Percy Edwards, who enjoyed a 70 year career impersonating birds and beasts.
That was a first, and so is this programme - a documentary game-show, combining the strange story of Percy's life, with archive of his impersonations, interviews with those who knew him, and a quiz.
Contestants include: Bill Oddie and Alex Horne.
Sir David will play bird calls for the teams to identify, some of which will be Percy's impressions, so can they tell the difference? They will also be asked to identity circumstances - a cry of distress, alarm or a sexy song?
Woven into the rounds will be snippets about Percy’s life and impact.
Percy discovered his talent for talking like animals aged seven. Eventually he could produce the sound of over 600 birds, and some other beasts (his was the voice of the killer whale in Orca, the alien in Alien and he provided sheep noises for Kate Bush's song The Dreaming).
Percy Edwards died aged 88 in 1996.
Producers: Emma Legg and Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.
FRI 14:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002vymm)
Episode 3
A four-part comedy drama written by Lynne Truss, starring Jane Asher.
Susan is determined that for just 30-minutes each week she will sit down and enjoy her favourite TV show 'Mrs Milliner', set in the world of hat selling.
But every time she settles down to watch, somebody or something stops her - in this episode, she is yet again interrupted, this time by a rather forceful charity worker.
Meanwhile, the dynamic Mrs Milliner has secured a contract to be the sole provider of boaters for the 1928 British Olympic team, but to her annoyance most of the straw workers have been imprisoned after a general strike.
Mrs Milliner .... Jane Asher
Susan .... Caroline Harker
Gerald .... Jonathan Coy
Wendy .... Matilda Ziegler
Elsie .... Beth Chalmers
Joe .... Stephen Critchlow
Producer Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003
FRI 15:00 An End and a Beginning by Don Haworth (m002vymp)
Tom is an affable man in his middle 50s. He's worked happily for many years with a pipe laying gang.
The prospect of early retirement is not something he would look forward to.
Stars Bert Parnaby as Tom.
Written by Don Haworth.
Director: Richard Wortley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1988.
FRI 16:00 Sunday Feature (b0857wv1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:45 The New Elizabethans (b01ljwmd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:45 today]
FRI 17:00 Whodunnits (m0004fx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Whodunnits (b014qncy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Dry Slopes (b00lr3nz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jn7v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 To Hull and Back (b09rx3vt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre (b08ns9wl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (b065xk29)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Percy Edwards Showdown (b00htwx7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Time for Mrs Milliner (m002vymm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 An End and a Beginning by Don Haworth (m002vymp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty (m0022kfw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Josh Howie's Losing It (m0000xx0)
Series 2
The Playgroup
Stand-up comic Josh and his wife battle to come to terms with the arrival of their first child.
Monique has work so Josh has to take their son to his playgroup single-handed.
What could possibly go wrong?
Sitcom starring Josh Howie and Pippa Evans.
Written by Josh Howie.
Josh ...... Josh Howie
Monique ...... Pippa Evans
With:
Paul Chahidi
Caroline Mabey
Natasha Radski
Xavi Spencer
Emma Jay Thomas
Producer: Ashley Blaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002w2ds)
Chris Cantrill 3/3
Lou Conran chats once again with comedian Chris Cantrill and tonight they're covering how to stay healthy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and work-in-progress shows.
From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff.
FRI 23:00 The Mark Steel Lecture (b007jlx9)
Series 2
Leonardo da Vinci
A profile of the Italian artist and scholar.
Was Leonardo da Vinci a genius or a hopeless absent-minded buffoon?
Mark Steel lectures humourously about historical figures that have shaped their era.
With:
Martin Hyder
Melanie Hudson
Producer: Lucy Armitage
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2001.
FRI 23:30 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00bg3gf)
Series 2
Episode 1
Laura reveals 1001 uses for peas, misses a meeting and shuns a caravan owner.
Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series
With:
Rosie Cavaliero
Ben Moor
Ben Willbond
Written by Laura Solon. With additional material by Holly Walsh and Jon Hunter.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.