SATURDAY 30 MAY 2026

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b00dnjrn)
Series 7
So What
***Visionary jazz musician Miles Davis joins BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 Club – born 26th May 1926. He died in 1991 aged 65***
On 2nd March 1959, Miles Davis and his sextet began recording a new album: "Kind of Blue".
The first track was "So What" and the album became the best selling Jazz album of all time.
This programme tells the stories of people whose lives have been changed by this piece of music.
Featuring:
Clemency Burton-Hill
Jonathan Eno
Estelle Kokot
Ashley Kahn
Dr Richard Niles
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.
SAT 00:30 The Lost Cockney Voice (b08n4hmh)
What does the way we speak say about us?
Why do we still judge each other that way? And why do so many of us still feel the need to “improve” our accent to fit in?
Cole Moreton did that as a teenager, trying to escape London's East End, but now he goes back to understand where he came from - and to search for the unique but vanishing voice of his late grandmother’s generation.
They grew up during and after wartime listening to posh announcers on the wireless and sounded half Cockney, half like the Queen. Can there be any women like that left in the same place today, transformed as it is by immigration and gentrification?
The East Enders have left for Essex and Kent and experts say true Cockney will die out within a couple of decades. Meanwhile a new accent is emerging on the old streets - Multicultural London English. Cole meets modern grandmothers of all backgrounds in the East End today, as he searches in vain for the voice of his Nan.
The real Queen sounds more like a Cockney than she used to - but she’s not available for interview.
Dame Vera Lynn sings him a bedtime lullaby. June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton, says they don’t talk proper Cockney on BBC TV's EastEnders any more - it’s all “lazy talk” now.
But finally, Cole finds Beryl, a formidable force in Forest Gate at the age of 91, who sounds exactly like his Nan.
Producer: Jonathan Mayo
A TBI Media production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.
SAT 01:00 Detective (b04fgwcj)
Series 2
5. Four Faces of Crime
DS Brook and DC Harrison meet the eccentric Mr Parsons.
Meanwhile a gruesome meat axe murder is investigated...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
Peter Parsons … Derek Francis
Tommy …. Johnny Wade
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1982.
SAT 01:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmx1)
Operation Luna
10. The Citadel
Stranded in Earth's past, the Voice tries tempting Captain Jet Morgan and his crew out into the city of the aliens.
Starring Andrew Faulds and Alfie Bass.
Futuristic tale set in 1965 written and produced by Charles Chilton..
Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy Barnett …. Alfie Bass
Doc …. Guy Kingsley-Poynter
Mitch …. David Williams
Other parts played by:
David Jacobs
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips.
The original 1953 recordings of this futuristic series were erased.
This series was re-recorded and first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1958.
SAT 02:00 Flying the Flag (b00br86w)
Series 3
Whose Rubbish Is It Anyway?
"Lights going up, walls coming down - the West is starting to look a bit lost without someone to blame for all its troubles".
Her Majesty's Ambassador Mackenzie continues to dispense his own blend of British Foreign Policy, despite the arrival of Glastnost, Perestroika - and a container ship of toxic waste...
Starring Dinsdale Landen.
Return of the Eastern Bloc embassy sitcom written by Alex Shearer.
HM Ambassador Mackenzie …. Dinsdale Landen
Helen …. Moir Leslie
Spiro …. Stephen Greif
Christopher Benjamin …. Colonel Surikov
William Frost …. Peter Acre
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1990.
SAT 02:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnjq)
Series 6
Loathe Story
When Harold starts sleepwalking, he gives dad Albert a fright.
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
Psychiatrist ...... Graham Stark
Bunty ...... Jo Manning Wilson
Mrs Kennington-Stroud ...... Margot Boyd
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in February 1976.
SAT 03:00 To Hull and Back (b09v2x5b)
Series 3
Welcome to the Family
Sophie auditions for the panto at New Hull Theatre so she can show Imran she's more than just a hairdresser.
But when Sophie doesn't get a part, Sheila decides to take matters into her own hands so she can see her daughter on that famous stage, fulfilling her dreams.
And of course, more importantly, so she can impress the committee for Kirkella ladies golf...
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
Nigel the Director ...... Mike Bubbins
Imran ...... Shane Zaza
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2018.
SAT 03:30 The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (b03phydw)
5. Contemplation
As summer comes to the city, Moses's friend Harris organises a dance.
Meanwhile, Moses contemplates his life after ten years in London.
Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.
Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Concluded by Don Warrington.
Producer: Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.
SAT 03:45 The Little Ottleys (b01ljwm2)
Series 3
5. What's to be Done?
Aylmer confronts Vincy - believing him to be involved with Edith.
Miss Flummerfelt calls round to see Bruce - and meets Edith.
There's also news of someone returning from Wyoming....
Ada Leverson's witty social comedy set in early 20th century London.
Dramatised by Martyn Wade
Ada/Narrator .......... Haydn Gwynne
Bruce .......... Ifan Meredith
Edith .......... Juliet Aubrey
Aylmer .......... Jonathan Firth
Vincy .......... Sam Alexander
Miss Flummerfelt..............Susie Riddell
Music used: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.
SAT 04:00 Wordaholics (b01dhhps)
Series 1
Episode 5
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:
Jack Whitehall
Milton Jones
Natalie Haynes
Susie Dent
Written by Jon Hunter and James Kettle.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.
SAT 04:30 Ballylenon (b007k4hw)
Series 1
Episode 2
A "gramophone record recital" is the Irish town's cultural highlight of 1953 - the start of something big?
Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal, in 1953, before the days of mass tourism and proper plumbing in every home.
Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Phonsie Doherty ...... TP McKenna
Muriel Maconchy ...... Margaret D'Arcy
Vera Maconchy ...... Stella McCusker
Vivienne Boal ...... Aine McCartney
Guard Gallagher ...... John Hewitt
Stumpy Bonnar ...... Gerard McSorley
Eithne Ni Phartalain ...... Marcella Riordan
Aubrey Frawley ...... Dominic Letts
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1994.
SAT 05:00 The Quest Of Donal Q by David Ashton (b018cbcj)
Based on the template of Don Quixote, The Quest of Donal Q, is the story of two rival brothers who journey through Scotland in search of a childhood sweetheart.
Written by David Ashton especially for Brian Cox and Billy Connolly.
Donal and Sandy were separated in an orphanage.
Donal was adopted by a wealthy couple and taken off to California while Sandy was never chosen and was left to live in not quite so sunny Dundee.
The estranged brothers meet up 10 years later and must seek out the girl they both loved at the orphanage - beautiful Jeanette - who apparently needs a knight in shining armour.
So begins a journey that will make or break the bond between brothers...
Donal ........ Billy Connolly
Sandy ........ Brian Cox
Hamish/Mr Quigley ........ John Kielty
Jeanette/Leonora ........ Sandy McDade
Fergus/Mungo ........ Forbes Masson
Mother/Maybelle ........ Lindy Whiteford
Mary ........ Helen Mackay
Margo/Mrs Quigley ........ Tracey Wiles
Gilchrist ........ Carl Prekopp
Prester John/Ernie ........ David Ashton
Candy ........ Victoria Inez Hardy
Director: David Ian Neville
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.
SAT 06:00 Marilyn and Ella Backstage at the Mocambo (b07djzwp)
***Iconic actress Marilyn Monroe joins BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 Club – born June 1st 1926. She died in 1962 aged just 36***
1950s Hollywood: Marilyn Monroe sets out to help Ella Fitzgerald challenge racial prejudice.
Starring Julia Ford and Alibe Parsons.
Bonnie Greer's drama is inspired by the remarkable true story of how the film star helped to launch the singer's American west coast career at Hollywood's world-famous Mocambo Night Club.
Marilyn Monroe …. Julia Ford
Ella Fitzgerald …. Alibe Parsons
Norman Granz …. Stuart Milligan
Feldman …. Rolf Saxon
Morrison/Lee Strasberg …. Kerry Shale
Karim …. Fred Fortas
Flossie …. Bonnie Greer
Singer: Ruby King
Pianist / Musical Director: Steve Brown
Producers: Pauline Harris and Vivien Rosenthal
Director: Pauline Harris
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
SAT 07:00 Shopping by Kevin Wong (m002x3ww)
A mother is desperate to find the perfect partner for her son.
Comedy drama written by Kevin Wong
David ... David Yip
Mother ... Barbara Yu-Ling
Fay ... Choy-Ling Man
Produced at BBC Manchester by Tony Cliff.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1991.
SAT 07:30 The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (Omnibus) (m002x3wy)
Peter Frankopan's epic history on how the changing climate has shaped the rise and fall of civilisations.
Read by Hugh Bonneville.
In his acclaimed history, Peter Frankopan takes us from the Big Bang to the present and beyond.
Here he shows us that the natural world has always been a defining factor in the twists and turns that global history has taken since the beginning of time.
Discover the role that volcanic eruptions, oceanic shifts, rainfall and solar activity have played in physically, economically and politically shaping our world.
There’s also an exploration of how the evolution of religion; the rapacious colonial appetite for commodities, and technological interventions in weather patterns have shaped societies and cultures all over the world.
As the planet heads towards a future defined by global warming, this book offers up salutary reflections.
Omnibus of five episodes abridged by Katrin Williams.
*** Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University and Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College. The Earth Transformed went straight into the best-seller lists following publication.
His 2015 book, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World was named one of the 'Books of the Decade' 2010-2020 by the Sunday Times. Published in 2018, The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World won the Human Sciences prize of the Carical Foundation.
Producer: Elizabeth Allard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2023.
SAT 08:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007js02)
12. Flaming Fosdykes
'We're being forced out of business by them flaming Fosdykes'. Fire blazes and plotting's afoot...

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
Tom Fosdyke …. David Threlfall
Roger Ditchley …. Christian Rodska
von Richtofen …. Larry Lamb
With:
Nick Maloney
Nick Revell
Sally Grace
John Dougall
Christopher Barr
Producer: Alan Nixon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.
SAT 09:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01jznr9)
Series 1
Episode 4
Baby talk for Eric and it's bath-time for Ernie - but is he really that hairy?
Starring Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe.
Written by Eddie Braben.
Special singing guest: Wilma Reading.
With:
Anne Hamilton
Arthur Tolcher
Music by Dennis Wilson & His Orchestra.
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1975.
SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
Series 4
Episode 16
Kenneth Horne looks for a housekeeper – and Hornerama investigates Magic and Mystery.
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 February 1961.
SAT 10:00 The Inimitable PG Wodehouse (m000vqtg)
2. Carry On
“Everything in life that’s any fun, as somebody wisely observed, is either immoral, illegal or fattening.” PG Wodehouse, Girl in Blue [1970]
Alexander Armstrong attended the special dedication to PG Wodehouse [1881-1975] at Westminster Abbey in September 2019, where parts of this programme were recorded.
Alexander continues his three-part celebration of the author's work.
Wodehouse was widely regarded as the greatest comic author of the 20th century, and during these three one-hour episodes, we’ll hear a collection of some his best loved work, including a celebration of his creations, such as the feckless Bertie Wooster and his phlegmatic manservant, Jeeves, and his many other characters. All brought to life on radio by stars including Simon Cadell, Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Plus rare interviews and archive along with contributions from fans, friends and family.
Alexander is president of the PG Wodehouse Society – which attracts followers from all over the world.
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in January 2020.
SAT 11:00 Marilyn and Ella Backstage at the Mocambo (b07djzwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:00 Shopping by Kevin Wong (m002x3ww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SAT 12:30 The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (Omnibus) (m002x3wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007js02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01jznr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 The Inimitable PG Wodehouse (m000vqtg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Spine Chillers (b088stfn)
Mrs M by David Campton
Mrs Meadowsweet offers visitors to her country guesthouse a truly carefree holiday.
Everybody is so happy. A little vague perhaps, but certainly happy…
Newcomers Madge and Arthur are suspicious.
Can Mrs M win them over?
Written by David Campton.
Mrs Meadowsweet …. Rosemary Leach
Madge …. Anne Jameson
Arthur …. Roger Hume
Simon …. Terry Molloy
Miss Brazenose …. Joyce Gibbs
Inga …. Patricia Gallimore
Directed by Peter Windows at BBC Birmingham
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1984.
SAT 16:45 Edinburgh Haunts (b03fftgq)
The Misadventures of Magnus Lovatt by Susie Maguire
An actor at the Edinburgh Festival performs a one man show of a Robert Louis Stevenson story.
But the words begin to echo back to him in a deeply unsettling way...
Continuing our series of newly commissioned ghost stories set in Edinburgh.
Susie Maguire's tale draws on the city's theatrical history.
Read by Steven McNicoll
Producer: Allegra McIlroy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013.
SAT 17:00 Marilyn and Ella Backstage at the Mocambo (b07djzwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:00 Shopping by Kevin Wong (m002x3ww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SAT 18:30 The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (Omnibus) (m002x3wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007js02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01jznr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 The Inimitable PG Wodehouse (m000vqtg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz (m00174f1)
Series 1
Round 4: Everything
So the more quizzes you do, the more predictable they get. Luckily, Paul Sinha is inviting the audience to tell him their favourite quiz questions, before offering up not just different and surprising questions, but also the fascinating stories behind the answers.
This time, it’s a general knowledge round. Paul asks about Popes, toy companies and Nazis. The audience, meanwhile, contribute questions about cars, Margaret Rutherford quotes and Nazis.
It’s facts, jokes, stories and puns – just the way you like them.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha
Additional material: Oliver Levy
Additional questions: The Audience
Original music: Tim Sutton
Sound engineer: Jerry Peal
Producer: Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2022.
SAT 22:30 Tim Key's Poetry Programme (b09rycmw)
Series 4
Continuity
Tim Key explores a variety of themes through his comic poems.
His first focus is the concept of the unobtainable.
Misunderstandings, Siberian waitresses and a surprising new love interest come thick and fast.
Written and presented by Tim Key
With musical support from Tom Basden.
Producer: James Robinson
A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.
SAT 23:00 Tom Wrigglesworth's Hang-Ups (b04tjft4)
Series 2
Earning Your Corn
Tom's mum is not best pleased with Tom's dad.
He pressgangs her into helping out at a celebration he's planning to celebrate 168 years since the repeal of the Corn Laws ("Well, it'd be tempting fate to hold on for the bicentennary").
They've chosen the Toby Carvery as a suitable dining venue.
Meanwhile, Tom has decided to buy a flat in London, much to his gran's chagrin.
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 December 2014.
SAT 23:30 28 Acts in 28 Minutes (b008kmqx)
Series 2
Episode 2
28 performers have just 60 seconds in which to entertain the audience in this traditional variety show.
Featuring established stand-ups, and some newer talent
The whole thing is presided over by John Humphrys, who sits at the side of the stage with a stopwatch, ready to cut the microphone when the time is up.
And hey - if there's an act you don't like, well, there's another one along in 55 seconds or so...
Arthur Smith
Catherine Williams
Natalie Haynes
Murray Lachlan Young
Dave Fulton
Harald Dubois [Kevin Eldon]
Paul Sinha
Fat Tongue
Mick Miller
I Am Kloot
Dr. Phil Hammond
Pappy's Fun Club
Five Live Drive
Dan Evans
Faultless & Torrance
Joe Wilkinson
Joolz Denby
Paul Carenza
Philip Pope
Carrie Quinlan
Lady Agatha [Lizzie Roper]
Mark Maier
Hils Barker
The Pros from Dover
Andy Zaltzman
Billy Bennett [Andrew Sachs]
Jimmy Cricket
Marcus Brigstocke
Producers: Rohan Acharya and Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.

SUNDAY 31 MAY 2026

SUN 00:00 Spine Chillers (b088stfn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 00:45 Edinburgh Haunts (b03fftgq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:45 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Marilyn and Ella Backstage at the Mocambo (b07djzwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:00 Shopping by Kevin Wong (m002x3ww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (Omnibus) (m002x3wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007js02)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show (b01jznr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qb6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 The Inimitable PG Wodehouse (m000vqtg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002x3x1)
Naturalist Castaways
Carl Jones
Biologist Professor Carl Jones is castaway by Lauren Laverne.
Carl is a conservation biologist who is best known for saving the Mauritius kestrel from extinction.
He is the scientific director of Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, chief scientist at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and an honorary professor in ecology and conservation biology at the University of East Anglia.
He was born in Carmarthen in Wales and was fascinated with animals from an early age, rearing rescued common kestrels, owls and hawks in his back garden. He studied biology at North-East London Polytechnic and, after learning about the plight of the Mauritius kestrel, he was determined to go out to the country to try to save the bird.
He arrived in Mauritius in 1979 when there were only two known breeding pairs left in the wild.
By the time he left in 1999 he’d established a captive breeding programme and today hundreds of Mauritius kestrels fly over the islands where he spent decades pioneering his, sometimes controversial, methods. Today the Mauritius kestrel is the national bird.
He is also responsible for saving from extinction three species of reptiles, a fruit bat and several plants.
He was appointed an MBE for his work in 2004 and in 2016 he won the prestigious Indianapolis Prize – the world’s leading award for animal conservation.
Carl lives in Carmarthen with his wife and two children and assorted animals including two Andean condors called Carlos and Baby.
DISC ONE: Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf Opus 67 - The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult
DISC TWO: Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas. Narrated by Richard Burton and performed by Meredith Edwards, Gwenllian Owen and Gwenyth Petty
DISC THREE: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll - Ian Dury
DISC FOUR: La Rivière Noire - John Kenneth Nelson
DISC FIVE: Asimbonanga - Johnny Clegg & Savuka
DISC SIX: Sega lakordeon – Rene oule bwar mwa - La Troupe de l’Union
DISC SEVEN: Londonderry Air - Beatrice Harrison
DISC EIGHT: Clear Sky - Catrin Finch
BOOK CHOICE: The Collected Works of Dylan Thomas
LUXURY ITEM: Binoculars
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Asimbonanga - Johnny Clegg & Savuka
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Paula McGinley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2025.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002x3x3)
The Ballad of Eliza Showell
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects The Ballad of Eliza Showell - the story of an orphan.
When poet Liz Berry stumbles onto a hidden part of her own family's story, it leads her into an investigation of a lost chapter of British history; a story that takes us from the slums of Edwardian Birmingham to the snowbound hills of Nova Scotia.
Between 1860 and 1960, over 130,000 of Britain's poorest and most vulnerable children were forcibly emigrated to distant parts of the British colonies to work as indentured farm labourers and domestic servants. They were known as Home Children. It is estimated that one in ten Canadians is descended from a 'Home Child'.
In 2010, Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an official apology on behalf of the UK Government to the child migrants - "We are sorry that instead of caring for them, this country turned its back, and we are sorry that the voices of those children were not heard."
Presented by Liz Berry
Original music composed and performed by John Matthias. Recorded by Dan Smith.
Produced by Mair Bosworth for BBC Audio
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2023.
SUN 07:30 The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (Omnibus) (m001mtr8)
Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.
Omnibus of five parts abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.
Read by Don Warrington.
Moses Aloetta is an old hand who has lived in London for ten years.
He goes to Waterloo station to meet another boat train of hopeful new arrivals from the West Indies.
They've come to find work and wealth in the capital of the mother country, but they meet with a cold welcome and bitter weather.
Despite this, Moses and his friends of the Windrush generation go about making new lives for themselves with vigour and panache, navigating the rules and regulations of their new home, lending support to each other when needed, learning to survive.
It's not long before, as Moses puts it “the boys coming and going, working, eating, sleeping, going about the vast metropolis like veteran Londoners.”
Producer: Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002x3x5)
Marian Keyes
Popular Irish novelist Marian Keyes, inherits 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' by Christy Moore and 'The Bottle' by Gil Scott-Heron.
SUN 08:50 The Little Ottleys (m002wqm3)
Omnibus
Series 3
Summer 1916 - and the Little Ottleys, as that fine-looking yet tall couple had been known - are a couple no longer......
Continuing Ada Leverson's witty social comedy set in early 20th century London.
Bruce Ottley headed off to America with widow Madame Frabelle. But he found life with her to be less than idyllic, and decides to return to England.
However, his wife Edith, is all set to marry the love of her life - Aylmer Ross. She takes pity on her former husband who now cuts rather a pathetic figure, and allows him into the spare room. How on earth can she tell Aylmer?
Omnibus of five episodes dramatised by Martyn Wade.
Taken from three short novels written by Ada Leverson between 1908 and 1916.
Ada/Narrator …. Haydn Gwynne
Bruce …. Ifan Meredith
Edith …. Juliet Aubrey
Aylmer …. Jonathan Firth
Vincy …. Sam Alexander
Miss Flummerfelt …. Susie Riddell
Music: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.
SUN 10:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00ncgg1)
No Fear
Huggett family chaos reigns when young Bobby sets out to play the hero.
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
Jane ...... Marion Collins
Bobby ...... George Howell
Fred Stebbings ...... Charles Leno
Charlie ...... Kenneth Connor
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1957.
SUN 10:30 Frankie Howerd (m002x3x7)
From 21/08/1966
The King of Titters has a property to sell but still has time to star in a new TV legal drama.
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 August 1966.
***Recovered audio. Our thanks to our friends at the Radio Circle***
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002x3x1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002x3x3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (Omnibus) (m001mtr8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002x3x5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 The Little Ottleys (m002wqm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00ncgg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Frankie Howerd (m002x3x7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood (b007jvxy)
3. Ancient Forces
Vesin has been travelling in France when he finds himself stopping off for one night in a sleepy medieval town.
There he meets Ilse the beautiful innkeeper's daughter and becomes bewitched by her.
Vesin starts wondering whether the people actually come alive at night and wonders if the town is in the hands of cats.
Vesin begins to feel uneasy and that strange forces are tugging at his very being.
Algernon Blackwood's dark tale unabridged in four parts.
Read by Philip Madoc.
Producer: Lawrence Jackson
Made for BBC 7 by BBC Northern Ireland and first broadcast in September 2005.
SUN 16:30 Fear on 4 (b007jndg)
Series 2
The Journey Home
Felicity and George are driving home, when suddenly something unaccountable happens that leads them down a nightmare road to inescapable horror.
The Man in Black sets the scene...
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Written by Bert Coules
The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
Doctor …. Richard Pasco
Felicity …. Helena Breck
George …. Crawford Logan
Voice …. Simon Cuff
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1989.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002x3x1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002x3x3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (Omnibus) (m001mtr8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002x3x5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 The Little Ottleys (m002wqm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00ncgg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Frankie Howerd (m002x3x7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Clare in the Community (b008pzyz)
Series 4
A Game Of Two Slavs
At couples counselling, Clare and Brian are encouraged to share their interests, But sadly Clare realises she doesn't have any.
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her 30s, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.
Clare continually struggles to control both her professional and private life
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ..... Alex Lowe
Ray ..... Richard Lumsden
Helen ..... Gemma Craven
Irene ..... Ellen Thomas
Megan ..... Nina Conti
Simon ..... Andrew Wincott
Milos..........Shaban Arifi
Dragan.......Rad Lazar
Yob.....Paul Chequer
Counsellor.....Anna Bengo
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.
SUN 22:30 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b007k154)
Series 2
Fame Idol
Hamish and Dougal are extremely anxious to enter Fay MacAdemy - the famous Highland talent Contest.
Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden star as the two Scotsmen famed for their appearances on BBC Radio’s I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
With Alison Steadman as their cleaning-lady-cum-housekeeper, Mrs Naughtie, and Jeremy Hardy as the local Laird.
Hamish ...... Barry Cryer
Dougal ...... Graeme Garden
Mrs Naughtie ...... Alison Steadman
The Laird ...... Jeremy Hardy
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2004.
SUN 22:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b00slvww)
Series 2
Normal Time
Cartoonist Steven Appleby claims dinosaurs mastered the 3Rs - reading, writing and riding bicycles.
Paul McCrink stars as Steven Appleby with what he laughably describes as "insights into normal, everyday life".
Written by Steven Appleby.
With:
Rosalind Paul
Ewan Bailey
Nigel Betts
Rachel Atkins
Producer: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002xhtd)
Freya Mallard 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey speaks to comedian Freya Mallard.
SUN 23:00 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03xd3hn)
Series 3
The Prisoner
Nerves are fraying as Anthony's first night of Hay Fever looms, not helped by news of a dangerous prisoner loose in the area.
Meanwhile, Damien contends with an angry neighbour...
Sitcom written by and starring Miles Jupp, charting the life of cookery writer Damien Trench and his partner Anthony.
Damien Trench ...... Miles Jupp
Anthony ...... Justin Edwards
Mr Mullaney ...... Brendan Dempsey
Marion Duffett ...... Lesley Vickerage
Ian Frobisher ...... Philip Fox
Steven ...... Ade Oyefeso
Constable Clive ...... David Seddon
Superintendent Michael ...... Bertenshaw
Victim Liaison Officer ...... Priyanga Burford
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
SUN 23:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00rbkyc)
Series 3
Jon Culshaw
Marcus Brigstocke invites his guest Jon Culshaw to try five things he's never done before, including visiting a casino, eating salad and going to the opera.
Whether the experiences are banal or profound, the show is about embracing the new and getting out of our comfort zones.
The title comes from the fact that the show's producer and creator Bill Dare had never seen Star Wars.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.

MONDAY 01 JUNE 2026

MON 00:00 Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood (b007jvxy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Fear on 4 (b007jndg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002x3x1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002x3x3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (Omnibus) (m001mtr8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002x3x5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 The Little Ottleys (m002wqm3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Meet the Huggetts (b00ncgg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Frankie Howerd (m002x3x7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Detective (b04g16ll)
Series 2
6. Missing From Home
DS Dave Brook investigates another missing person, but is he seeing connections where there are actually none?
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Michael Kemp …. William Booker
Mr Kemp …. Keith Drinkel
Charles …. David Lodge
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1982.
MON 06:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmxh)
Operation Luna
11. To the Moon or Venus?
The Voice invites Captain Jet Morgan and his crew to meet him, but soon Lemmy is feeling terrified...
Starring Andrew Faulds and Guy Kingsley-Poynter.
Futuristic tale set in 1965 as first broadcast in 1953.
Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy Barnett …. Alfie Bass
Doc …. Guy Kingsley-Poynter
Mitch …. David Williams
Other parts played by:
David Jacobs
Deryck Guyler
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips.
Written in 13-parts and produced by Charles Chilton.
Though first heard in 1953, the original recordings were wiped.
Re-recording first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1958.
MON 07:00 For Better or for Worse (b00g43w6)
Series 1
Episode 2
A trip to the cinema turns into a disaster off-screen for sweethearts Bernard and Iris - and his dad Wilf.
Dithering Bernard tries to get engaged to his flighty partner Iris.
Will she manage to persuade Bernard to buy her an engagement ring at last?
Starring Gorden Kaye and Su Pollard.
Vince Powell’s sitcom about the turbulent relationship of an odd couple.
Iris ...... Su Pollard
Bernard ...... Gorden Kaye
Wilf ...... David Ross
Daisy ...... Paula Tilbrook
Mr Foley ...... Peter Wheeler
Myrtle ...... Julie Higginson
Writer Vince Powell (1928–2009) scripted a number of popular TV sitcoms including Love Thy Neighbour, For the Love of Ada and Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width.
Produced in Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1993.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jprv)
Series 3
The Godiva Affair
The Home Guard platoon holds a Spitfire fundraiser, but Corporal Jones is pining for Mrs Fox.
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Warden Hodges …. Bill Pertwee
Mrs Fox …. Mollie Sugden
Announcer ...... John Snagge
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1976.
MON 08:00 The Break (b0b42v6l)
Series 2
The Mystery of Room 66
To win back Corinne's heart, Jeff takes her to an escape room.
But no-one expects a puzzle set by Death himself.
Stars Philip Jackson, Alison Steadman and Mark Benton.
Comedy by Ian Brown and James Hendrie set in the eccentric seaside town of Flamford following City burn-out Andy Chambers
Frank … Mark Benton
Mrs Truepenny … Alison Steadman
Jeff … Tom Palmer
Andy … Philip Jackson
Truepenny … Rasmus Hardiker
Rev Bev … Shobna Gulati
Producer: Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.
MON 08:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cyby5)
Reality and Metaphor
From the Garden of Eden to Monet's water lilies at Giverny - Penelope Lively considers the metaphorical garden.
Stephanie Cole begins this intimate meditation on gardening, literature and creativity.
Penelope Lively has always been a keen gardener. This book is partly a memoir of her own life in gardens: the large garden at home in Cairo where she spent most of her childhood, her Oxfordshire garden and the smaller urban garden in the North London home she lives in today.
In this intimate and eloquent work of narrative non-fiction, one of the UK's most cherished and admired writers uses the garden to break open the world for us, and examines how we might encourage our lives to bloom.
Abridged in five parts by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
MON 08:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqndn)
Series 4
1. Return to London
It is early Autumn in the year 1916.
Bruce Ottley, having gone to America to escape the Zeppelins and to live with Madame Frabelle, has returned to England.
Though divorced from Edith he is still residing in the spare room of the very concise house in Sloane Street, Knightsbridge. He has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before.
Much to the dismay of Aylmer.
Continuing Ada Leverson's witty and wonderful social comedy set in early 20th century London.
Dramatised in five episodes by Martyn Wade, taken from three of Ada Leverson's short novels written between 1908 and 1916.
Ada (Narrator) .... Haydn Gwynne
Edith .... Juliet Aubrey
Bruce .... Ifan Meredith
Aylmer .... Jonathan Firth
Music: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra.
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
MON 09:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m002wsyv)
Series 33
5. Punishments, Comedy, Hotels and Cars
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.
Alan Davies, Celya AB, Ian Smith and Angela Barnes are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as punishments, comedy, hotels, cars.
The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
MON 09:30 Turn Over Your Papers... Now! (b00775m4)
1. Orals
John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of examinations, and our relationship with them.
Scheduled first in his school time-table, John finds out why, for centuries, Oxbridge finals were all done out loud - complete with a jester.
Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this most upfront, unforgiving form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002x3yk)
Trinity Sunday - Trinity: One God
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music - from St Margaret's Church, Prestwich.
Theme: Trinity Sunday - Trinity: One God
Presenter: Canon Steve Williams
Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Music:
Holy, Holy, Holy - Maggie's Music Makers and the Daily Service Singers
Psalm 23 - Maggie's Music Makers and the Daily Service Singers
Prayer anthem: Father, we adore you - Maggie's Music Makers and the Daily Service Singers
Thou whose almighty word - Maggie's Music Makers and the Daily Service Singers
MON 10:00 Last Chance to See (m0002rx3)
The Answer is Blowing in the Wind
Douglas and Mark go in search of a ‘flying fox’ near Mauritius Island: the Rodrigues Fruit Bat.
Series in which writer Douglas Adams and conservationist Mark Carwardine go in search of weird, exotic endangered animals.
Producer: Gaynor Shutte
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1989.
MON 10:30 Inside the Brain of Gerald Scarfe (b08wp16h)
***** BBC Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 90th birthday of Gerald Scarfe - born on 1st June, 1936.
Gerald Scarfe's drawings have intrigued and alarmed for over 50 years but where do his ideas come from?
Professor Vincent Walsh of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience has a theory he wants to pursue. He’s an expert in the workings of the visual brain.
He thinks that two specific areas may be talking to each other in an unexpected way, resulting in recognisable faces being mixed up with recognisable objects, hence Mrs Thatcher as an axe, a handbag, and even a shark.
Now, cartoonist and neuroscientist are going to meet.
"I for one would be fascinated to know what's going on in my brain - please pursue this!" says Gerald Scarfe.
Produced at BBC Bristol by Miles Warde.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2017.
MON 11:00 Detective (b04g16ll)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 For Better or for Worse (b00g43w6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jprv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Break (b0b42v6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cyby5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqndn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b0150mln)
Series 61
Episode 8
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Tony Hawks
Pam Ayres
Miles Jupp
Gyles Brandreth
Subjects include: Middle England, Old Macdonald, The Films of Marilyn Monroe, The Sunday Papers, Conspiracy Theories, Power Dressing, A Sticky Wicket, and Why Cheating Never Pays
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
MON 14:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x3ym)
A Shred of Evidence by RC Sherriff
Richard Medway has drunk a little too much at a rugby reunion dinner, but still drives himself home afterwards.
The next morning he hears that a man has been killed by a 'hit and run' driver.
Could he be the guilty party..?
Starring Denys Hawthorne and Susan Engel.
Written by RC Sherriff.
Richard Medway .... Denys Hawthorne
Laura Medway .... Susan Engel
John Cartwright .... Hugh Dickson
Inspector Beecroft .... Charles Simon
Tom Foster .... Geoffrey Matthews
Bennett .... Antony Higginson
Mrs Bennett .... Barbara Bliss
Man in the train / Man in the office.... Roger Sansom
Producer: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1970.
************************************************************************************************************************************************
A Shred of Evidence is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection of selected titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.
Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.
MON 16:00 Last Chance to See (m0002rx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 Inside the Brain of Gerald Scarfe (b08wp16h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Detective (b04g16ll)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 For Better or for Worse (b00g43w6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jprv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 The Break (b0b42v6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cyby5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqndn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b0150mln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x3ym)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 22:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m002wsyv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b007xvp9)
Series 1
Episode 1
Switch on for Britain's first public access cable radio show!
Meet the humble members of Bletchley District Council who aim to entertain and educate us in the way of the world.
Written by Julian Dutton.
Starring;
Liz Fraser
David Battley
Julian Dutton
Simon Godley
Toby Longworth
Special guest: Enrico Valdez and his Orchestra
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1997.
MON 22:45 Six Degrees of John Sessions (b09z5ptj)
Series 1
Episode 1
From Dirk Bogarde to Maureen O’Hara via Matthau and Pudsey
Actor, writer, raconteur and impressionist John Sessions mixes showbiz stories, intriguing history, extraordinary impressions and fabulous one-liners all linked to and from him in this entertaining series.
John’s dazzling array of skills - storytelling, erudition, vocal re-creations and comedy - are all brought into play as he starts each episode with a story or fact related to himself, takes us all over the place by linking people, ending up back with himself.
Each show is a quick-witted, Peter Ustinov-style rollercoaster of storytelling: bizarre and brilliant, eccentric and effusive, autobiographical and alliterative, full of incredible impressions and droll digressions along the way.
Written and performed by John Sessions.
Producer: Liz Anstee.
A CPL Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.
MON 23:00 The News Quiz (m002ww1c)
Series 120
7. Heat and NEETs
Andy Zaltzman is joined by his panel of political satirists to unpack the critical essays of Tony Blair, the spending habits of Peter Murrell and the SNP, the sweltering heat, social media ban proposals for under 16s and young people in record levels of unemployment.
This week’s panellists are Scott Bennett, Cody Dahler, Ayesha Hazarika and Bella Hull.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Angela Channel, Sam Nicoresti, Pravanya Pillay and Peter Tellouche.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 Rhysearch (m000wsyp)
Series 1
1. Are Billionaires Evil?
Comedian Rhys James investigates topics that the rest of us are too busy to be bothered with.
Is money the root of all evil, or the solution to all your problems?
Everyone has big questions, but very few people have time to find the answers. Lucky for them, there’s one man with a completely empty diary.
Join Rhys James as he interviews experts, conducts experiments and guesses his way to a solution. Join him as he does the Rhysearch.
Written and presented by Rhys James
With guests:
Grace Blakeley
David Brown
Deborah Meaden
Produced by Carl Cooper
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2021.

TUESDAY 02 JUNE 2026

TUE 00:00 Last Chance to See (m0002rx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Inside the Brain of Gerald Scarfe (b08wp16h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Detective (b04g16ll)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 For Better or for Worse (b00g43w6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jprv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Break (b0b42v6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cyby5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqndn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b0150mln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x3ym)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Detective (b04g1xxz)
Series 2
7. A Very Private Affair
DS Dave Brook gets a tip off from Tessa, and the mystery of Kemp's missing wife gets more and more complex...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
Mr Kemp …. Keith Drinkel
Tessa Mitchell …. Deirdre Costello
Mary …. Jill Lidstone
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1982.
TUE 06:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmyk)
Operation Luna
12. A Rocky Send Off
After travelling through time, could Captain Jet Morgan and his crew be bound for home at last?
Starring Andrew Faulds and David Williams.
Futuristic tale set in 1965 as first broadcast in 1953.
Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy Barnett …. Alfie Bass
Doc …. Guy Kingsley-Poynter
Mitch …. David Williams
Other parts played by:
David Jacobs
Deryck Guyler
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips.
Written and produced by Charles Chilton.
Though first heard in 1953, the original recordings were wiped.
Re-recording first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1958.
TUE 07:00 Beaumarchais (m000zmtr)
1. Noblesse Oblige
Beaumarchais is anxious to climb the ladder of French nobility, but Henri Lepaute is blocking his path.
Starring Henry Goodman.
Craig Warner's irreverent six-part comedy set in 18th-century France.
Beaumarchais .... Henry Goodman
Henri Lepaute .... David Calder
Louis XV .... Ronald Pickup
Madame de Pompadour .... Ann Beach
Beaumarchais' father .... Stephen Thorne
Madelaine .... Elaine Pyke
Vignon ... Denys Hawthorne
Secretaire ... Jason O'Mara
Lawyer .... Alex Lowe
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1996.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007jpxw)
Vintage Goons
The Vanishing Room
Inspector Ned Seagoon investigates the murder of Lord Cretinby and the mysterious library and corpse which reappear on the other side of the English Channel.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Vintage Goons is a series of re-recorded episodes made by the original cast for sale abroad. Scripts in the Vintage Goons are based on scripts from their 4th series, often with a certain amount of re-writing.
With The Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Roy Speer
First broadcast as The Case of the Vanishing Room on the BBC Home Service in February 1954.
Re-recording from December 1957 by the BBC Transcription Service made for broadcast overseas.
First broadcast in the UK on BBC 7 in October 2003.
TUE 08:00 Boswell's Lives (b074wb57)
Series 2
Boswell's Life of Marx
Boswell attempts to write a biography of Karl Marx, but before he can start must help Marx pen his meisterwerk Das Kapital.
Jon Canter’s sitcom sees James Boswell become a time-travelling biographer - doing for other celebrities what he did for Dr Johnson.
James Boswell ..... Miles Jupp
Karl Marx ..... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
TUE 08:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cz3m5)
The Written Garden
Penelope Lively's intimate meditation on gardening, literature and creativity continues as she turns her attention to the garden in fiction.
Read by Stephanie Cole.
One of the UK's most cherished and admired writers Penelope Lively uses the garden to break open the world for us, and examines how we might encourage our lives to bloom.
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
TUE 08:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqpkc)
Series 4
2. A Radical Proposal
1916: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle.
Edith's radical proposal - that she should alternate between Aylmer and Bruce on a monthly basis - is about to be implemented and Bruce is not happy.
Ada Leverson's witty and wonderful social comedy set in early 20th century London.
Dramatised by Martyn Wade.
Ada (Narrator) ..... Haydn Gwynne
Edith .... Juliet Aubrey
Bruce .... Ifan Meredith
Aylmer .... Jonathan Firth
Madame Frabelle .... Jane Whittenshaw
Music: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra.
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
TUE 09:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m002wv5g)
Series 4
Pardon My Pterodactyl
Frank Skinner and guests Ian Smith, Rachel Fairburn, Lucy Porter and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd chat about cats, logs, dinosaur sex and the difference between gravitational mass and inertial mass.
Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own. So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!
Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter Tellouche
Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 09:30 Turn Over Your Papers... Now! (b00775xd)
2. Timed Essays
John O'Farrell is exploring the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
Now John finds out why the very idea of timed literary examinations caused a small war in the Victorian Establishment - and how the timed essay has since shaped the way the British power elite thinks.
Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this demanding form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002x49q)
Trinity: Father
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Trinity Sunday - Trinity: Father
Presenter: Lyndall Bywater
Reading: Psalm 29
Music:
How deep the Father's love for us - Angel Morgan
Still - Hillsong Worship
The Father's Song - Matt Redman
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000pfgl)
Vanessa Kisuule & Jonathon Porritt
Poet Vanessa Kisuule and environmental writer Jonathon Porritt join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by John Hersey, Nick Drnaso and Helen Dunmore.
Hiroshima by John Hersey
Publisher: Penguin
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso
Publisher: Granta
Inside the Wave by Helen Dunmore
Publisher: Bloodaxe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
TUE 10:30 Where Are All the Working Class Writers? (b09fzmjt)
"The more we reinforce the stereotypes of who writes and who reads, the more the notion of exclusivity is reinforced. It takes balls to gatecrash a party."
Kit de Waal published her first novel, My Name is Leon, in 2016 at the age of 55.
She’s already put her money where her mouth is - using part of the advance she received from Penguin to set up a creative writing scholarship in an attempt to improve working class representation in the arts.
Kit knows that - as a writer from a working class background - the success of her debut novel is a rare occurrence.
Born to a Caribbean bus driver father and an Irish mother (a cleaner, foster carer and auxiliary nurse), Kit grew up in Birmingham and left school at 15 with no qualifications. She became a secretary with the Crown Prosecution Service and went on to have a career in social services and criminal law.
Kit explores an issue that is deeply personal to her. She looks back at her own life and trajectory, and takes us on a journey around the country to find out what the barriers really are to working class representation in British literature today.
"There is a difference between working class stories and working class writers. Real equality is when working class writers can write about anything they like - an alien invasion, a 19th century courtesan, a medieval war. All we need is the space, the time to do it - oh yes, and some way to pay the bills!"
Producer: Mair Bosworth
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
TUE 11:00 Detective (b04g1xxz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Beaumarchais (m000zmtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jpxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Boswell's Lives (b074wb57)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cz3m5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqpkc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Genius (b0081cvq)
Series 3
Simon Munnery
How about garments made from human dust fragments?
Or, speaking parrots for people?
Dave Gorman asks comedian Simon Munnery to select the public's best loopy idea.
Award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2007.
TUE 14:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x49t)
The Fatal Flaw by Chris Allen
A writer with a modest success behind him.
A huge American corporation interested in film scripts.
The two come together!
Suddenly writer Matthew Bradford finds himself caught up in a world of make-believe that becomes, for him, beyond belief.
Starring Martyn Read and Margaret Robertson.
Written by Chris Allen.
Matthew Bradford .... Martyn Read
Marlene Shapiro .... Margaret Robertson
Jennifer Kent .... Rosalind Adams
Ellen .... Jill Lidstone
Dennis Foster .... John Samson
Ziggy Martin .... Ronald Herdman
Del Ransome .... Steve Hodson
Frank Hegarty / Leo Lehmann .... Alan Dudley
Karen / Jolly lady .... Miranda Forbes
Barry Kent / Interviewer .... Russell Keith Grant
Julie / Lady shopper .... Stella Forge
Ruth / Traveller .... Vanessa Knox-Mawer
Matt Brand / Doctor .... Lewis Rowe
Nurse/Janet .... Caroline Wilkins
John Desmond / Matthew .... Stephen Garlick
Director: Christopher Venning
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1982.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
The Fatal Flaw is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection of selected titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.
Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000pfgl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Where Are All the Working Class Writers? (b09fzmjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Detective (b04g1xxz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Beaumarchais (m000zmtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007jpxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Boswell's Lives (b074wb57)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cz3m5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqpkc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Genius (b0081cvq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x49t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 22:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m002wv5g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 And the Winner Is... (b00rpwn2)
Series 1
Episode 6
Matt Lucas hosts his alternative awards show – The Lucases - as selected by his guests.
Awards include the Lucas for Most Redundant Technology, The Greatest Historical Fatty, Ghastliest Holiday Destination and Worst Ever Vocal Performance on a Hit Single.
Nominations are courtesy of Matt's guests:
Bob Mortimer
Alex Macqueen
Tom Baker
But the ultimate decision is down to the whim of the host.
Script written by Ashley Blaker, Bill Matthews and Ged Parsons.
Producer: Ashley Blaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2010.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002xhtq)
Freya Mallard 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey chats again to comedian Freya Mallard.
TUE 23:00 Josie Long: Romance and Adventure (b077jp15)
Series 1
Episode 4
Josie and Darren go camping but find themselves disastrously ill equipped for the great outdoors.
Comedy drama about a young woman trying to build a more fulfilling life for herself in Glasgow.
Based on characters from the short films "Romance and Adventure" and "Let's Go Swimming" by Josie Long and Douglas King.
Josie ...... Josie Long
Darren ...... Darren Osborne
Margaret ...... Clare Grogan
PCSO Officer ...... Chris Pavlo
The Podcaster ...... Jesse Thorn
Shondra ...... Claudia O'Doherty
Unfeasably Handsome Man ...... John Early
Written by Josie Long.
Producer: Colin Anderson
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016.
TUE 23:30 Chain Reaction (b03nt8bk)
Series 9
Frankie Boyle talks to Grant Morrison
The outspoken comedian and the comic book legend in the talk tag show where the guest becomes the next interviewer.
Frankie Boyle chats to fellow Scot, Grant Morrison MBE about Batman, where ideas come from and the future of humanity.
Recorded with an audience, the interviews focus on the life, career and the passions of the interviewee, but often prove to be as revealing about the interviewer
Producer: Carl Cooper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.

WEDNESDAY 03 JUNE 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m000pfgl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Where Are All the Working Class Writers? (b09fzmjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Detective (b04g1xxz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Beaumarchais (m000zmtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007jpxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Boswell's Lives (b074wb57)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09cz3m5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rqpkc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Genius (b0081cvq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x49t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Detective (b04g3npg)
Series 2
8. The Placer
Warehouses and stolen goods pre-occupy DS Dave Brook and DC Maxton.
Just as the Kemp trail has gone cold, there's a fresh lead...
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Fred Rees …. Philip Talbot
Roy Howard …. Tony Steedman
George …. Spencer Banks
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1982.
WED 06:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmz0)
Operation Luna
13. Set Course for Earth
After blasting off, Captain Jet Morgan and his crew try to make sense of their mammoth trip through time.
Starring Andrew Faulds and Alfie Bass.
Conclusion of the futuristic tale set in 1965 as first broadcast in 1953.
Jet Morgan …. Andrew Faulds
Lemmy Barnett …. Alfie Bass
Doc …. Guy Kingsley-Poynter
Mitch …. David Williams
Other parts played by:
David Jacobs
Deryck Guyler
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips.
Written and produced by Charles Chilton.
Though first heard in 1953, the original recordings were wiped.
Re-recording first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1958.
WED 07:00 Gush (b050h4wd)
Episode 3
Foxwell Cravate and Max Pomeroy face execution by ritual disembowelment.
Will Lady Arabella's wiles coax Prince Saudi into making a last-minute reprieve?
Or will lolanthe Diamond start reminiscing about her 1973 Oscar-winning performance in Tinseltown?
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman's epic tale of power, love, passion and oil.
Foxwell Cravate ...... Martin Jarvis
Max Pomeroy ...... Mac McDonald
Arabella Derbyshire ...... Felicity Montagu
Iolanthe Diamond ...... Caroline Quentin
Charles Ambrose Fortescue de Vere ...... Jonathan Coy
With Julian Dutton, Toby Longworth and Steve Steen.
Producer: Colin Swash
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1994.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m001d5k5)
Series 1
The Marriage Bureau
The time has come - the Lad Himself must get a job. But he needs to find a wife first…
A lost episode of the series recovered and restored for broadcast.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Bill Kerr
Moira Lister
Sidney James
And making his one and only appearance in the iconic sitcom - Peter Sellers.
Announcer: Adrian Waller
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1955.
WED 08:00 Rudy's Rare Records (b00nvyzv)
Series 1
Roots Manoeuvres
Now all living crammed together over a record store in Birmingham, Grandad Rudy, father Adam and son Richie collide over a local history exhibition.
Starring Lenny Henry, Joe Jacobs and Larrington Walker.
Generational sitcom written by Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell.
From an original idea by Lenny Henry.
Adam Sharpe ...... Lenny Henry
Richie Sharp ...... Joe Jacobs
Rudy Sharpe ...... Larrington Walker
Doreen ...... Claire Benedict
Jamelia/Tasha ...... Natasha Godfrey
Clifton ...... Jeffery Kissoon
Alison ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Francis ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Customers ...... Colin Hoult/Doc Brown
Producer: Lucy Armitage.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.
WED 08:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09czrbh)
The Fashionable Garden
Penelope Lively considers gardening according to the dictates of fashion.
Read by Stephanie Cole.
Penelope uses the garden to break open the world for us, and examines how we might encourage our lives to bloom.
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
WED 08:45 The Little Ottleys (b01s0xfh)
Series 4
3. A Face from the Past
1916: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle.
Feeling abandoned by both Edith and Madame Frabelle, Bruce finds himself at a loose end but then while travelling through Piccadilly he spots a face from the past.
Written by Martyn Wade, based on Ada Leverson's sparkling trilogy of novels.
Ada (Narrator) .... Haydn Gwynne
Bruce .... Ifan Meredith
Edith .... Juliet Aubrey
Aylmer .... Jonathan Firth
Miss Flummerfelt .... Susie Riddell
Vincy Wenham Vincy .... Sam Alexander
Music: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra.
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
WED 09:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002wvfq)
Ian Smith Is Stressed - Series 2
2. Sleep
Ian is torn, should he exercise more or should he just lie down and go to sleep? It’s a toughie. Apparently sleep has incredible health benefits, but it seems counterintuitive to sleep your way through a long life. Ian goes on an adventure to assess his own fitness through a bleep test, before quickly pivoting to sleep.
Written and performed by Ian Smith
Additional Material from Mike Shephard and Rhiannon Shaw
Featuring Dave Green
Assistant Producer - Em Humble
Production Manager - Laura Shaw
Produced by Benjamin Sutton
A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 Turn Over Your Papers... Now! (b007766b)
3. Multiple Choice
John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
John finds out how multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. And why America has relied surprisingly heavily ever since on a test that values objective judgements of the masses over quirky individuality. Plus, examiners on the art of writing the wrong questions, and pupils on trying to avoid the pitfalls of this most slippery of tests.
Producer: Phil Tinline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2007.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002x5b7)
Trinity: Son
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Trinity Sunday - Trinity: Son
Presenter: Imogen Ball
Reading: John 3:13-17
Music:
In Christ Alone - Jonathan Ogden
Christ in Me - Lou Fellingham
Turn your eyes upon Jesus - Elle Limebear
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (b00rl155)
Leaders Under the Lights
In 1960, Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F Kennedy made history with the first ever presidential TV debate.
The idea was quickly adopted around the world. But how much do voters really learn from these encounters, and do they ever make the difference between winning ald losing?
The BBC's political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti unearths some memorable moments from the archives and talks to politicians, television producers, academics and journalists about the heated negotiations, meticulous preparation and sometimes painful gaffes which have had millions glued to their sets at election time.
She also asks what Britain's party leaders can learn.
Producer: Martin Rosenbaum
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.
WED 11:00 Detective (b04g3npg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Gush (b050h4wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m001d5k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Rudy's Rare Records (b00nvyzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09czrbh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 The Little Ottleys (b01s0xfh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m0011ch7)
Series 16
Episode 4
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Holly Walsh welcome:
* Comedian, actor and presenter Griff Rhys Jones
* Bestselling author Mary Roach
* Award-winning poet Lemn Sissay
Mary Roach talks about her latest book Animal, Vegetable, Criminal which is about animals who break the law.
Lemn Sissay explores the role of a poet and his Christmas Day Project to provide Christmas dinners for care leavers.
Griff Rhys Jones discusses his time on Not The Nine O’Clock News and his love for the River Lea.
This series was recorded remotely.
Researchers: Mike Shepherd, Mike Turner and Jack Chambers of QI.
Producer: Anne Miller
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2021.
WED 14:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x5bb)
Landfall by Nevil Shute
'Wars come, and all the world is shattered by their blast. But through it all young people meet and marry....small people of no great significance who are caught up and swept together in the great whirlwind of war.... life goes on, though temples rock and the tall buildings start and crumble in the dust of their destruction.’"
Can costal RAF pilot Jerry Chambers clear his name after being blamed for the sinking of a British submarine?
Starring Geoffrey Matthews and Penelope Lee.
Nevil Shute’s novel first published in 1940.
Dramatised by Stephen Grenfell.
Jerry .... Geoffrey Matthews
Mona .... Penelope Lee
Wing-Cdr, Dickens .... Frederick Treves
Captain Burnaby .... Ralph Truman
Narrator / Matheson .... Gabriel Woolf
F/Lt Hooper .... Gordon Faith
Radio Operator .... Glyn Dearman
Cdr Rutherford .... Kenneth Hyde
Trawler Commander .... Kevin Flood
Air Force C O .... Norman Claridge
Wing-Cdr Hewitt .... Garard Green
Professor Legge .... Hamilton Dyce
Mrs Burnaby .... Olga Lindo
Mona's father .... John Boxer
Commander Sutton .... Alan Haines
Admiral .... William Fox
Nurse Mackenzie .... Dorothy Smith
Nurse Loring .... Margaret Wolfit
Captain Jorgen .... George Hagan
Airman .... Wesley Murphy
Producer: Betty Davies
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in May 1964.
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Landfall is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection of selected titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.
Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (b00rl155)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Detective (b04g3npg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Gush (b050h4wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m001d5k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Rudy's Rare Records (b00nvyzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09czrbh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 The Little Ottleys (b01s0xfh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m0011ch7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x5bb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m002wvfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Britain in Bits with Ross Noble (m00017tp)
Series 1
Episode 4
Ross Noble's surreal magazine show featuring celebrity guests and stories from around Britain - the best bits, the worst bits, the fascinating bits and the downright strange bits.
Journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Wark joins Ross in the studio.
Piers meets a protest singer who's found a niche for himself and the team investigates the take of the Sinister Stuffer of Manchester.
Written by and starring Ross Noble.
With:
Hadley Fraser
George Fouracres
Emma Sidi
Producer: Matt Stronge
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
WED 23:00 Welcome to Wherever You Are (b09hw51s)
Series 1
Episode 3
Andrew Maxwell hosts a truly global stand-up show, in which comedians perform from wherever on the planet they happen to be, to an audience in the BBC Radio Theatre, London.
With:
Urzila Carlson
Rehman Akhtar
Aparna Nancherla
From New Zealand, South Africa-born Urzila Carlson discusses flip-flops and marriage.
From Bahrain, one of Saudi Arabia's first comedians, Rehman Akhtar talks about public flogging
Plus New York's Aparna Nancherla, who filmed a half-hour special for Netflix.
Producer: Ed Morrish
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2017.
** Photo credit: Matt Stronge
WED 23:30 Radio Shuttleworth (b007jqkk)
Series 2
Katrina Leskanich
The UK’s 1997 Eurovision Song Contest winner Katrina Leskanich tells John how she always buys new socks as she doesn’t know how to darn.
John decides to teach her this important skill, so that she need not be so wasteful.
Meanwhile, wife Mary gets the ironing board out and Robert Wyatt tries to impress an impresario.
The semi-detached world of aspiring singer-songwriter John Shuttleworth direct from his front room in Sheffield.
Written and performed by Graham Fellows.
Additional material by Martin Willis.
Producer: Dawn Ellis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000.

THURSDAY 04 JUNE 2026

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (b00rl155)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Detective (b04g3npg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Charles Chilton - Journey into Space (b007jmz0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Gush (b050h4wd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m001d5k5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Rudy's Rare Records (b00nvyzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09czrbh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 The Little Ottleys (b01s0xfh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m0011ch7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x5bb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Detective (b04g3vpn)
Series 2
9. Death in a Lonely Place
In the wake of their discovery, DS Brook and DC Maxton collect together everything they've learned, and talk to Kemp.
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
Mott …. Garard Green
Sergeant Lindsey …. Haydn Wood
Mr Kemp …. Keith Drinkel
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1982.
THU 06:30 Dream Man by J MacLaren-Ross (m002x5md)
An analyst finds at an unexpected private consultation that his patient reveals more than any analyst or audience would think possible.
Written by J MacLaren-Ross
Doctor .... Hugh Miller
Patient .... Anthony Jacobs
Producer: RD Smith
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1960.
THU 07:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002x5mg)
Series 3
From a Great Height
Outside a tenth-floor window, two men dice with death. But neither of them is Harold Lloyd.
So why are they there?
Even they don't know the answer.
Starring Bernard Cribbins and Frank Thornton.
Andrew Palmer’s sitcom about the battles of wheeler-dealer and self-made tycoon Jimmy Bright and his strait-laced chief accountant, Russell Farrow.
Jimmy Bright .... Bernard Cribbins
Russell Farrow .... Frank Thornton
Nan Forbes .... Annette Crosbie
Alan .... John Graham
Sue Plant .... Annee Blott
Written by Andrew Palmer.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1990.
THU 07:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00pzgpv)
Series 2
Episode 2
Oxford take on Bermondsey in 'Universal Challenge', unclad fashion news - and ballet on the radio?
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs plus TV and cinema parodies.
Stars Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie.
Written by Peter Vincent, David McKellar, Les Lilley, Chic Jacob, Humphrey Barclay, David Lund, Bill Oddie, Hugh Woodhouse, Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer.
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Songs by Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden with music by Dave Lee.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in October 1965.
THU 08:00 All Those Women (b09qhsc6)
Series 3
Episode 3
Hetty's taking Maggie on a road trip to collect an heirloom; she wants something to bequeath and this piano is perfect for Emily.
It'll be a lovely day. Provided Maggie can drive a van of course.
Comedy series by Katherine Jakeways about four generations of women living under one roof.
All Those Women explores familial relationships, ageing, marriages - it's about life and love and things not turning out quite the way that you'd expected them to.
Join Hetty, Maggie, Jen and Emily as they struggle to resolve their own problems, and support one another.
Hetty ...... Marcia Warren
Maggie ...... Lesley Manville
Van Hire ...... Chris Pavlo
Ebay Man ...... Chris Pavlo
Producer: Alexandra Smith
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.
THU 08:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d3w1j)
Time, Order and the Garden
Penelope's intimate meditation on gardening, literature and creativity continues as she presents gardening as the ultimate defiance of time.
Read by Stephanie Cole.
Penelope uses the garden to break open the world for us, and examines how we might encourage our lives to bloom.
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
THU 08:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rr7rc)
Series 4
4. The Show Must Go On
Bruce's curiosity has led to him being trapped in Aylmer's pantry. Will he escape in time for his performance in 'The Mystery of the Countess of Carmarthenshire's Emerald Snake Bracelet' or will Aylmer have to come to the rescue so the show can go on?
Written by Martyn Wade, based on Ada Leverson's sparkling trilogy of novels.
Ada (Narrator) .... Haydn Gwynne
Bruce .... Ifan Meredith
Edith .... Juliet Aubrey
Aylmer .... Jonathan Firth
Miss Flummerfelt .... Susie Riddell
Madame Frabelle .... .Jane Whittenshaw
Vincy Wenham Vincy .... Sam Alexander
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
THU 09:00 Ellie Taylor's Safe Space (m001kptb)
Series 3
2: Reality TV
Ellie Taylor welcomes you to "Safe Space", a place where anyone can offload their controversial opinions without fear of judgment.
She talks to members of the public about their gripes and dislikes. This week she wants to prove that reality TV is of cultural significance! It shows people from all walks of life and has provided some of the most memorable TV moments of the last twenty years.
Joining Ellie to prove her point is regular sidekick Robin Morgan.
With special guest: Star of hit BBC reality show The Traitors, Amanda Lovett. She chats to Ellie about what it was like being on The Traitors, why she thinks reality TV is important in bringing people together and why she always carries her Traitors cloak with her.
This series was first broadcast in March 2023.
Written by and starring Ellie Taylor and Robin Morgan.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios production for Radio 4
THU 09:30 Turn Over Your Papers... Now! (b00776gw)
4. Coursework
John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
John discovers how exam work spread beyond school sports halls and into pupils' homes, with the introduction of coursework.
Producer: Phil Tinline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2007.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002x5ml)
Corpus Christi - Eucharist
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Corpus Christi - Eucharist
Presenter: Fr Paschal Uche
Reading: Luke 22:14-20
Music:
Agnus Dei - Choir of Kings College Cambridge
Bread for the World - St Martin's Voices
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer - Daily Service Singers
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b0076r8w)
George Sand
Author Mary Kenny nominates the 19th-century French novelist, while biographer Belinda Jack offers expert advice.
The nineteenth century French novelist George Sand is perhaps best known for her cross-dressing antics and a string of famous lovers that included Frederic Chopin.
But she also wrote 80 novels, 25 plays and thousands of letters, and it is this that led author Mary Kenny to nominate her life.
Biographer Belinda Jack provides the expert advice, and Francine Stock sits in the presenter's chair.
Presenter: Francine Stock
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2005.
THU 10:30 Late Returns (b08csw17)
The writer Nicholas Royle is a passionate supporter of libraries and a devoted bibliophile.
As a young man his passion for books was so strong, in fact, that some of the books he borrowed from libraries didn't manage to find their way back to their homes on the library shelves.
Now, over three decades on, Nicholas is finally doing the right thing and returning the books to the places he first encountered them - Manchester, Paris and London - hoping to avoid any hefty fines in his attempt to straighten his accounts.
Along the way he considers his evolving relationship with both books and libraries, meeting other writers such as Vahni Capildeo and Polar Bear to hear about books they have neglected to return because they loved them so much; he also speaks with others who would never dream of failing to take their books back, such as AL Kennedy.
Nicholas also meets a successful journalist who went to the same school as him and was one of the last to borrow the novel before Nicholas himself took it on extended leave.
Producer: Geoff Bird
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
THU 11:00 Detective (b04g3vpn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Dream Man by J MacLaren-Ross (m002x5md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002x5mg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00pzgpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 All Those Women (b09qhsc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d3w1j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rr7rc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b01747kt)
Series 1
Episode 1
Would you provide an alibi to someone you hate?
Would you confront an elderly relative about casual racism at a family gathering?
And what are the relative merits of Silvio Berlusconi, Vlad the Impaler, L Ron Hubbard and Amanda Holden?
Sue Perkins sets moral and ethical posers for:
Dave Gorman
Richard Herring
Rebecca Front
Dominic Lawson
This is the panel show spotlighting the choices bombarding us in Britain today, as well as some more theoretical problems.
There are no "right" answers - but there are some deeply damning ones.
Devised by Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
THU 14:30 Whodunnits (m002x5mn)
Cadfael - A Morbid Taste for Bones
Brother Cadfael turns detective in this light-hearted story of mystery, murder and intrigue.
The over-ambitious Prior Robert of Shrewsbury leads a delegation into Wales to acquire the 'miraculous' bones of an obscure Welsh saint.
Starring Ray Smith.
A medieval whodunit by Ellis Peters.
Dramatised by Alick Rowe.
Brother Cadfael .... Ray Smith
Brother John .... Steven Pacey
Sioned .... Lolly Cockerell
Prior Robert .... Gordon Reid
Bened .... Glyn Owen
Sub-Prior Richard .... Russell Wootton
The Abbot .... Godfrey Kenton
Brother Columbanus .... Nigel Anthony
Brother Jerome ..... Anthony Hyde
Brother Edmund .... John Church
Brother Matthew / Cai .... Richard Derrington
Father Huw .... Derek Pollitt
Annest .... Kathryn Hurlbutt
Peredur .... Sion Probert
Brother Rhys / Lord Rhisiart .... Douglas Blackwell
Engelard .... David Bradshawe
Director Richard Wortley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1980.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************
A Morbid Taste for Bones is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection of selected titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.
Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b0076r8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Late Returns (b08csw17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Detective (b04g3vpn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Dream Man by J MacLaren-Ross (m002x5md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002x5mg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00pzgpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 All Those Women (b09qhsc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d3w1j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rr7rc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b01747kt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Whodunnits (m002x5mn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 22:00 Ellie Taylor's Safe Space (m001kptb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 Any Bloke (b0080sxn)
Series 1
Past, Present & Future
"It's all coming together isn't it? What with Sophie starting school, and your promotion, and me getting my work noticed."
Unfortunately for Phil, the future is not as straightforward as he thinks.
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
Ray .... Gary Brown
Doctor .... Tony Hawks
Lisa .... Geraldine Fitzgerald
Melanie .... Kim Barry
Producer: Ann Jobson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1993.
THU 23:00 At Home with the Snails (b007k3hb)
Series 2
Episode 2
George and Beverley have feigned their deaths to see how their children will cope with the grief.
Alex is missing his parents, but his snail obsession is back with a vengeance...
Gerard Foster's comedy drama series.
George ..... Geoffrey Palmer
Beverley ..... Angela Thorne
Alex ..... Gerard Foster
Rose ..... Miranda Hart
Hosana ..... Debra Stephenson
Producer: Jane Berthoud
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2002.
THU 23:30 Sorry About Last Night (b00mzvfq)
A Loft
Having read 'Women are from Mars and Men are From Croydon' and 'Set Sail on The SS Relationship' - Andy thinks it's about time he and Julie headed into deeper waters.
So naturally this means a visit to the estate agents...
Written by and starring Alexei Sayle.
Sitcom about life, love and not living together.
Andy ...... Alexei Sayle
Julie ...... Siobhan Redmond
Mr Hamad ...... Nadim Sawalha
Mrs Abasanjo ...... Adjoa Andoh
Mr Lucik ...... Chris Pavlo
Dad ...... Harry Towb
Michael ...... Gary Bleasdale
Gavin ......... Simon Greenall
Other parts played by:
Tony Barclay
Ruth Jones
Produced and directed by Jo Clegg with Alexei Sayle.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1999.

FRIDAY 05 JUNE 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b0076r8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Late Returns (b08csw17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Detective (b04g3vpn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Dream Man by J MacLaren-Ross (m002x5md)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Mind Your Own Business! (m002x5mg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00pzgpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 All Those Women (b09qhsc6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d3w1j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rr7rc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b01747kt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Whodunnits (m002x5mn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Detective (b04g457y)
Series 2
10. The Point of No Return
DS Dave Brook and DC Blair Maxton get moving on the Kemp case, but are they too late?
Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.
Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.
DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
DS Kelly …. John Judd
Carson …. Tony Caunter
James Clark …. Gary Cady
Producer: Martin Fisher
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1982.
FRI 06:30 Peeler (m0005zkz)
1. The New Force
Sir Robert Peel’s new Metropolitan Police force proves unpopular sparking deep political unrest.
Starring Mick Ford and Richard E Grant.
Patrick Carroll’s six-part crime series set in 1830, a year after the Metropolitan Police Act created the 'Peelers'.
PC Martin Quin ...... Mick Ford
Jeremiah Morley ...... James Booth
Sir Robert Peel ...... Norman Jones
Lord Trowle ...... Richard E Grant
Colonel Brown ...... Peter Jeffrey
Richard Mayne ...... Killian McKenna
Maria Staples ...... Joanna Myers
Sergeant Dutton ...... Ronald Herdman
Inspector Beale ...... Timothy Bateson
PC Atkinson ...... Alan Barker
PC Smythe ...... Mark Straker
Lord Laverton ...... James Greene
Mr Yardley ...... Richard Pearce
Arthur Jenkins ...... Ian Lindsay
Rev Charkes Lyton ...... Timothy Carlton
Singer: Martin Carthy
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
FRI 07:00 Flying the Flag (b00bx1kd)
Series 3
Our Own Correspondent
Press freedom reaches the People's Republic, closely followed by Henry Treebling, Investigative Reporter.
Starring Dinsdale Landen.
Eastern Bloc embassy sitcom written by Alex Shearer.
HM Ambassador Mackenzie …. Dinsdale Landen
William Frost …. Peter Acre
Helen Waterson …. Moir Leslie
Colonel Surikov …. Christopher Benjamin
Henry Treebling …. John Grieve
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1990.
FRI 07:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnms)
Series 6
Oh, What a Beautiful Mourning
Attending the funeral of Albert's brother, George - the Steptoe family clash over his will...
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
Arthur ...... George A Cooper
With Michael Burlington, David Graham, Anne Jameson, Norma Ronald and Marianne Stone.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in February 1976.
FRI 08:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0020hn8)
Series 13
Margate
Mark Steel is back with the 13th series of his award-winning show where he travels around the UK visiting towns with nothing in common but their uniqueness.
After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.
First stop, Mark packs his bucket and spade and visits the lovely seaside town of Margate in the Thanet district of Kent.
“...a nice spot not vulgarised by crowds of literary people...” Oscar Wilde
A magical place where TS Eliot wrote a verse of The Wasteland, JMW Turner painted views of the Harbour, Tracy Emin spent her formative years and Pete Doherty has his name on a wall of fame in a cafe for eating a "mega breakfast" in under 20 minutes.
Mark visits Dreamland and its 100 year old rollercoaster, the famous Crab Museum and the historic Walpole Hotel, before performing his show in the Cliff Bar and snooker hall under the iconic Lido Tower.
Later in this series Mark is off to Stoke on Trent, Malvern and East Grinstead in England plus Coleraine in Northern Ireland.
Written and performed by Mark Steel.
Additional material by Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2024.
FRI 08:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d4bkw)
Town and Country
Penelope's focus falls on city allotments and the suburban garden.
Concluded by Stephanie Cole.
Penelope uses the garden to break open the world for us, and examines how we might encourage our lives to bloom.
Abridged by Siân Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
FRI 08:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rrc0z)
Series 4
5. A Promise
Madame Frabelle is keeping a very close eye on Miss Flummerfelt. Neither are aware that Bruce is trying to win Edith back. Aylmer, fretting for the safety of his soldier son, is desperate for Edith to stay with him and break her promise to Bruce.
Written by Martyn Wade, based on Ada Leverson's sparkling trilogy of novels.
Ada (Narrator) ..... Haydn Gwynne
Bruce .... Ifan Meredith
Edith .... Juliet Aubrey
Aylmer .... Jonathan Firth
Madame Frabelle .... Jane Whittenshaw
Miss Flummerfelt .... Susie Riddell
Vincy Wenham Vincy .... Sam Alexander
Music: "Forgotten Dreams" - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra.
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2013.
FRI 09:00 The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty (m002x3r9)
Series 2
1. The Vicar I Corrupted
After a debauched night partying with a hitherto innocent vicar, Brighty is afraid his quest to right his wrongs will never end. So he goes to seek salvation at church, leaving Babs and Churley to sober up the Reverend Mr Clement. However, the vicar fears the previous evening’s activities may have left him with something more worrisome than a hangover.
Lord Christian Brighty used to be the most notorious rake of the Regency. But after a hazing ritual for a new chambermaid led to a self-inflicted cannonball injury, Brighty, compelled by the chambermaid in question - the uneducated but forthright Babigail – resolves to mend his ways. 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 actually prefer everything to stay exactly as it used to be).
Written by Christian Brighty & Amy Greaves
Cast:
Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian Brighty
Babs ….. Jessica Knappett
Churlington ….. Colin McFarlane
The Vicar, Mr Clement ….. Joz Norris
Mildred – a church warden ….. Chiara Goldsmith
Harry – an adult altar-boy ….. David Reed
Extremely Handsome Tailor ….. Ben Walker (also producer)
Script Editor ….. David Reed
Sound & Recording ….. Sonica Studios
Photographer ….. Will Hearle
Producer ….. Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
Christian Brighty and Amy Greaves’ 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 250 million views across TikTok and Instagram (@brightybuoy). Amy and Christian both have a deep love for the work of Jane Austen, traditional regency romance (not smut), and historical romance set in the regency (smut). The first series of The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty was nominated for Best Radio Show at the Chortle Awards 2025, and listed in The i's Best Radio Comedies Ever.
FRI 09:30 Turn Over Your Papers... Now! (b00776rv)
5. Practicals
John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
John discovers the history of Victorian medical practicals, and why semi-naked patients volunteered to let students draw lines on them. And he finds out who examines the examiners - and what happens if they get a 'D'.
Producer: Phil Tinline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2007.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002x5pc)
Trinity Sunday - Trinity: Holy Spirit
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Trinity Sunday - Trinity: Holy Spirit
Presenter: Leslie Griffiths
Reading: Romans 8:12-17
Music:
Come Holy Spirit Come - Daily Service Singers
Breathe on me breath of God - St Martin's Voices
Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost - St Chad's Cathedral
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b013q20t)
Series 12
Spiegel im Spiegel
Exploring the impact that Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel has had on people's lives.
Written in 1978, just prior to his departure from Estonia, Arvo’s piece for piano and violin is musically minimal, yet produces a serene tranquillity.
It's in F major in 6/4 time, with the piano playing rising crotchet triads and the violin playing slow scales, alternately rising and falling, of increasing length, which all end on the note A.
The score of the piece looks deceptively simple, but as violinist, Tasmin Little explains, it's one of the most difficult pieces to perform because the playing has to simply be perfect, or the mood is lost.
"Spiegel im Spiegel" in German literally can mean both "mirror in the mirror" as well as "mirrors in the mirror", referring to the infinity of images produced by parallel plane mirrors.
The music inspired visual artist Mary Husted to produce a set of collages called "Spiegel im Spiegel" which in a roundabout way, led to her being traced by her long lost son.
Contributors:
Doreen Macfarlane
Rhona Smith
Mary Husted
Tasmin Little
Vicky Smith
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.
FRI 10:30 Every Day in Every Way (b01mqq6f)
Positive thinking gurus and hypnotherapists aren't the only ones familiar with the phrase:
'Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.'
It's reputation today is that of a trite, rather ineffective 'feel good' relic of yesteryear but the phrase, and the man who conjured it up have a fascinating history.
Writer Gillian Darley explores the work of the Frenchman Emile Coué who, though a mere pharmacist in his native France, came to be one of the best known figures of the post First World War world. His visits to England and America were proceeded by record sales of his books which encouraged advocates in the ways of auto-suggestion.
The scientific community are dismissive of his place in the development of psychiatric thinking and development and Gillian reveals reports of one event in which he caused chaos amongst a group of shell-shocked soldiers during a 1922 visit to England. But others say that the phrase, borrowed to comic effect by Frank Spencer, hides a genuine pioneer in cognitive therapy.
Using contemporary eye-witness reports and newspaper coverage of his travels, Gillian reveals a character who might well merit a more measured response from those writing the popular, as well as the academic, history of 20th-century medicine.
Meanwhile in France a recent conference in his old base in Nancy is part of a new interest in the Coué method, ensuring that 'Every Day, in Every way' he's reputation is, at the very least, changing.
Producer: Tom Alban
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.
FRI 11:00 Detective (b04g457y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Peeler (m0005zkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Flying the Flag (b00bx1kd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0020hn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d4bkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rrc0z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Wordaholics (b01dtkjd)
Series 1
Episode 6
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:
Richard Herring
Natalie Haynes
Alex Horne
Jenny Eclair
Written by Jon Hunter and James Kettle
Letter of the week is that cheeky 6th letter of the alphabet - F.
The panellists reveal their favourite words and invent new phobias.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.
FRI 14:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x5pf)
Reg by Emyr Humphreys
Reg owns most of the promenade at Penwent.
Yet he chooses to live in a dilapidated hotel with Queenie, who spends most of her life upstairs.
They're both served by Cherran who reads horoscopes and was once Reg's teacher at school.
To this strange hotel returns a young American who is looking for his father.
Starring Donald Houston, Brenda Bruce and William Devlin.
Written and produced by Emyr Humphreys
Reg ... Donald Houston
Queenie ... Brenda Bruce
Cherran ... William Devlin
Vi ... Liane Aurkin
Al ... David Valla
Gwil ... Artro Morris
Linda ... Margaret Wolfit
Policeman ... Trader Faulkner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1964.
*******************************************************************************************************************************
Reg is part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hidden Treasures collection of selected titles returned to the BBC by various collectors.
Our warm thanks go to the Radio Circle.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b013q20t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Every Day in Every Way (b01mqq6f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Detective (b04g457y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Peeler (m0005zkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Flying the Flag (b00bx1kd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jnms)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0020hn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively (b09d4bkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 The Little Ottleys (b01rrc0z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Wordaholics (b01dtkjd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Hidden Treasures (m002x5pf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 22:00 The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty (m002x3r9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice (m000c4zq)
Episode 2
Tom Allen is Actually Not Very Nice explores what happens when Tom's calm and collected exterior collapses.
He used to be such a nice boy but what has happened to turn him naughty?
With help from the assembled studio audience, Tom works out how best to navigate some tricky social situations and how to keep a lid on his fury when confronted with life's small injustices.
Featuring Gabby Best.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2019.
*** Photo credit: Edward Moore @edshots
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002xhtx)
Freya Mallard 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus Stephen Bailey chats once more to comedian Freya Mallard.
FRI 23:00 The Big Fun Show (b00kvb5d)
Episode 1
If you like your fun big, then it's time to put the canasta away, pop the grapefruit juice back in the fridge, and finish all the Toffees.
The Big Fun Team are here with half an hour of big fun!
Written and presented by Paul Merton and John Irwin.
Also starring:
Josie Lawrence
Neil Mullarkey
Tony Hawkes
Julian Clary
Music by Tony Hawks.
Additional material by the cast, Steve Edgar, Ian McPherson, Paul Jackson and Jeremy Hardy.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1988.
FRI 23:30 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00c5xtr)
Series 2
Episode 5
An attic full of peas, switching from Girl Guide to sumo wrestler and dull geological holidays.
Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series.
With:
Rosie Cavaliero
Ben Moor
Ben Willbond
Written by Laura Solon.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.