SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2026

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b00drrl5)
Series 7
Chopin's Ballade No 1 in G Minor
Chopin's Ballade clearly tells a story, and yet that story differs for each person who hears or plays it.
Pianist Peter Donohoe heads a cast of people whose lives have been shaped and changed by hearing and playing this technically demanding, emotionally turbulent piece of music.
Featuring:
Peter Donohoe
Pete Rosskamm
Edi Bilimoria
Richard Bielecki
Andrew Armstrong
Dr Jay B. Hess
Joshua Wright
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008.
SAT 00:30 Art in Miniature (b0952zlc)
Prompted by advances in technology - and the enduring wonder of things created on a really, really tiny scale - Dr Lance Dann follows his own obsession with the miracle of miniature art.
He’s crouching down on hands and knees to better observe it.
Knocking on the tiny doors of creators from street artist Slinkachu, whose mesmerising cityscapes are created, photographed and abandoned in the street, to the collection of antique miniature portraits in Sotheby’s. Here expert Mark Griffith Jones delicately reveals the hidden treasures that span from over 500 years of art history.
The 21st century has experienced a revival of the small in art Desiree De Leon has attracted hundreds of thousands of followers for her Instagram account of small doodles, whilst the ‘the chewing gum man’ Ben Wilson, has gathered a loyal following for his hidden gems scattered about the London streets.
What is the enduring appeal of the miniature in art, and where has this revival come from?
To discover where it hides, why it appeals, and how the artists’ work on such delicate objects, Dann plays with scale, sound and voices to bring a closer, more microscopic focus on the art world.
Music sourced by Danny Webb
Producer: Sara Jane Hall
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2017
* Photo credit: Slinkachu
SAT 01:00 The Blackburn Files (b007w3zt)
Series 2
4. A Case of Whistle and Run
A routine case for private eye Stephen J Blackburn starts to look like his final investigation
Starring Fine Time Fontayne and Judy Flynn.
Another case for Yorkshire's ex-pitman turned private investigator, Stephen J Blackburn.
Written by Ian McMillan, Martyn Wiley and Dave Sheasby.
Stephen J Blackburn …. Fine Time Fontayne
Tracey Duggan …. Judy Flynn
Mam …. Rita May
Angela …. Daryl Fishwick
Rodney …. Christopher Kent
Producer: Dave Sheasby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.
SAT 01:30 The Rivals (b082x79t)
Series 4
4. The Mystery of the Scarlet Thread
Inspector Lestrade was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, with tales of Holmes' rivals.
James Fleet stars as Inspector Lestrade.
Lestrade enlists the help of 'the Thinking Machine' Professor SFX Van Dusen with what he suspects may be a series of attempted murders.
City dealer Nicholas Henley, has nearly been gassed three times in apparent accidents in the luxury flats of Malplaquet House.
All the residents have secrets, but which one of them is out to get Henley?
Written by Jacques Futrelle and dramatised by Chris Harrald.
Lestrade ...... James Fleet
Van Dusen ...... Tony Gardner
Nicolas Henley ...... Nick Underwood
Charlotte Lipscombe ...... Joannah Tincey
Reginald Cabell ...... James Lailey
Miss Regnier ...... Kirsty Oswald
Burlingame ...... Brian Protheroe
Pemberley ...... Sean Baker
Producer: Liz Webb.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
SAT 02:00 Flying the Flag (b00c65k9)
Series 3
Cool Heads
The diplomats' wives' factfinding shopping trip is grounded by hijackers.
Meanwhile, their husbands decide on a rescue plan.
“In my view, Colonel, the best course of action would be a swift and speedy implementation of time-honoured diplomatic principles.”
“Wait and see?”
“Precisely."
Starring Dinsdale Landen.
Eastern Bloc embassy sitcom written by Alex Shearer.
HM Ambassador Mackenzie …. Dinsdale Landen
William Frost …. Peter Acre
Helen Waterson …. Moir Leslie
US Ambassador Spiro Weinberg …. Stephen Greif
Colonel Surikov …. Christopher Benjamin
Dr Hutchings …. Norman Bird
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1990.
SAT 02:30 Steptoe and Son (b007k4gh)
Series 6
And So to Bed
Harold Steptoe hopes that a brand new bed will impress his girlfriends.
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
Marissa Wrigley .... Norma Ronald
Salesman .... Michael Burlington
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1976.
SAT 03:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m002130m)
Series 13
Stoke-on-Trent
The award-winning show where Mark Steel 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.
Next stop, Mark visits the city of Stoke-on-Trent, part of the industrial area know as The Potteries.
Mark chats to the locals about their town, hears about how friendly people are and some the famous people associated with Stoke.
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 July 2024.
SAT 03:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m000129m)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
5. A Confession
Adrian’s professional life takes a turn for the worse and he confesses his feelings for Leonora.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
SAT 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mbmd1)
5. A Falling Out
Anne confesses her love for Lyon to 'fiancé' Allen.
She decides against moving in with Lyon, but finds another option.
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Neely O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Helen Lawson .... Sally Dexter
Henry Bellamy .... Stuart Milligan
Lyon Burke .... Jamie Glover
Jennifer North .... Julia Ford
Miss Steinberg .... Liza Ross
Allen Cooper .... Walter Lewis
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
SAT 04:00 The Personality Test (b007sq67)
Series 3
Andrew Neil
Broadcaster and former Sunday Times Editor Andrew Neil is in the hot seat posing questions all about him.
With:
Sue Perkins
Carrie Quinlan
Will Smith
Robin Ince
Series with changing hosts who quiz the panel.
Script by Simon Littlefield and Kieron Quirke.
Devised and produced by Aled Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
SAT 04:30 Ballylenon (b00ft0t2)
Series 1
Episode 5
Phonsie calls in a few favours from his friend Joe MacMonagle.
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
Aubrey Frawley ...... Dominic Letts
Jonathan Ffrench O'Dowd ...... Wesley Murphy
Primrose Ffrench O'Dowd ...... Marcella Riordan
Music arranged and performed by Stephanie Hughes.
Director: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1994.
SAT 05:00 Scorched by Nicola Jones (b00sfykg)
A man tries to re-interpret his memories of the UK’s long hot summer of 1976.
Who is to blame for his sister's disappearance?
What really happened to her?
In 1976, Mike's 16-year-old sister, Evie, walked out of the house and never came back.
There didn't seem to be any explanation, but Mike was 13 at the time and didn't want to upset his Mum by asking too many questions.
Now Mike’s in his 40s, his Mum is dead and a rare visit to his hometown provides him with an opportunity to investigate the events of that scorching summer. It's his chance to reinterpret them from an adult perspective.
A meeting with an old school friend forces Mike to question his father more closely.
Is he guarding a dark family secret?
Is he telling the whole truth..?
Stars Tom Roberts and Kim Wall.
Tense, fast-moving thriller written by Nicola Jones.
Mike …. Tom Roberts
Bern …. Kim Wall
Young Mike …. Gabriel Towell
Evie …. Chandeep Uppal
Sylvia …. Bharti Patel
Jason …. Robert Wilkinson
Taxi driver …. Sean Connolly
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
SAT 05:45 Short Works (m001tsdh)
The Portal in Lisbon by Baret Magarian
After things go wrong for him in London, an academic goes on a restorative but unusual summer break in Lisbon.
Written by Baret Magarian.
Read by Edmund Kingsley.
* Baret was born in London of Armenian origin.
His novel, The Fabrications, was published in 2017. His collection of stories, Melting Point, was published in 2019.
Producer: Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2024.
SAT 06:00 Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (m002ybdq)
"Love has brought you to the Hotel du Lac out of season to sit with other women and talk of clothes - is that what you want?"
The Hotel du Lac is a Swiss refuge for the aged - and disgraced.
It’s an unlikely setting for a romance…
Anita Brookner's Booker Prize winning novel, first published in 1984.
Starring Barbara Flynn and Jack Klaff.
Dramatised by Ayshe Raif.
Edith..... Barbara Flynn
Mr Neville..... Jack Klaff
Iris Pusey.... Joan Sims
Jennifer Pusey..... Siddiqua Akhtar
Monica ...... Lynne Verrall
Harold..... Ian Masters
Penelope ......Shirley Dixon
Geoffrey ..... Ioan Meredith
With:
Colleen Prendergast
Robert Harper
Director Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1996.
SAT 07:30 Into the Night: A Year with the Police by Matt Lloyd-Rose (Omnibus) (m002ybds)
Matt Lloyd-Rose recalls his year as a Special Constable, a volunteer police officer in Lambeth, South London.
On Friday evenings, the former carer, primary school teacher and education researcher policed the borough where he lived and taught.
In this lyrical, thought-provoking and often humorous account, he captures what he saw on the streets at night.
Victims of crime and domestic abuse, thieves and drug-dealers, as well as many people drunk or lost, desperate to find their way home. Plus characters like the illegal hot-dog seller who just won’t take no for an answer.
His work brought him into contact with specialised police units, community police officers and back-office staff.
Matt quietly recorded the best and worst of ordinary policing from thrill-seeking adrenalin junkies, misogyny and sexism to those who showed kindness, care and patience.
He says, "this is neither a defence or the police, nor a polemic against them. Rather, it is an attempt to direct a steady gaze at some of the most complex challenges that confront us – and that includes the question of who is best suited to address them."
It starts as Matt completes his training and heads out on patrol with regular officers.
He’s surprised at the variety of calls they respond to in one shift, and particularly surprised when he is asked to search for a missing wallaby.
Omnibus of five episodes.
Read by Jack Parris.
Abridged and produced by Alexandra Quinn with Elizabeth Burke.
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2023.
SAT 08:45 I, An Actor (m002ybdv)
3. Struggle
Nicholas Craig is the greatest actor in the world.
He reflects on his early acting years at nursery, and the the fact that acting is so hard that it really is like climbing Everest with a shark on your back.....
“Comic acting, and in particular the farcical form…is an immensely complex, serious, punishing and time consuming business....”
Starring Nigel Planer.
With
Christopher Ryan
Chrissy Roberts
Christopher Douglas
Researched by Nigel Planer and Christopher Douglas.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1989.
SAT 09:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrdh)
A Lot of Tulle and a Little Imagination
The dear ladies are confident they can organise a Fancy Dress Ball.....
Starring Dame Hilda Bracket and her lifelong companion Dr Evadne Hinge.
Another extract of life from the genteel setting of the Stackton Tressel - the Suffolk village where the musical duo reside.
Written by Gerald Frow.
Dame Hilda Bracket ...... Patrick Fyffe
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... George Logan
Maud .... Daphne Heard
With:
David Griffin
Anthony Sharp
Timothy Bateson
The ladies made three series for BBC Radio 4 between 1977 and 1979, with further spin-off seasons on BBC Radio 2 until 1990.
In the early 1980s, they expanded over to BBC TV with the series Dear Ladies.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1982.
SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
Series 4
Episode 20
Kenneth Horne goes behind the scenes – and Hornerama looks at History.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman.
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Betty Marsden
Hugh Paddick
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 March 1961.
SAT 10:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000rdkd)
3. Ripping Yarns
Actor-adventurer, Michael Palin talks more to John McCarthy about his remarkable life and career as broadcast on BBC radio.
Michael has been a Python, a world traveller, author, actor and screenwriter, and often described as “Britain’s Nicest Man”.
However one area which is often overlooked from his long and impressive career are his fascinating radio contributions.
The last of three programmes featuring extracts from from his mighty canon of work including his famous diaries, interviews about his comedy and travel work, documentaries and dramas.
From London’s BBC Radio Theatre.
Producer: Stephen Garner
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2017.
SAT 11:00 Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (m002ybdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Into the Night: A Year with the Police by Matt Lloyd-Rose (Omnibus) (m002ybds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 I, An Actor (m002ybdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000rdkd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Shadows of the Past by Rosemary Timperley (b06cjr80)
“When I saw the outside of the house I knew it. And that staircase - I knew that. And the tree outside your window - that's an old friend.”
An amnesiac seeks answers in the house where he was traumatised as a child.
Starring Trader Faulkner and Kate Binchy.
Written by Rosemary Timperley
Colin …….. Trader Faulkner
Anne …….. Kate Binchy
Richard Harrow …….. Francis de Wolff
Miss Craig …….. Marjorie Westbury
Mr Lord …….. Ronald Herdman
Mr Brown …….. William Eedle
Sister Norley …….. Katherine Parr
Producer Betty Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1972.
SAT 17:00 Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (m002ybdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Into the Night: A Year with the Police by Matt Lloyd-Rose (Omnibus) (m002ybds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 I, An Actor (m002ybdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000rdkd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Secret World (b011qdpd)
Series 1
Episode 4
From Steve Wright to Ken Dodd.
The comedy impressions series examining the bizarre and private lives of public people.
Starring:
Starring:
Jon Culshaw
Margaret Cabourn Smith
Julian Dutton
Lewis Macleod
Jess Robinson
Duncan Wisbey
Written by Bill Dare, Julian Dutton, Tom Jameson & Nev Fountain, Rufus Jones and Dan Skinner.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2009.
SAT 22:30 Jayde Adams: Hometown Glory (m0011cqq)
Episode 1
After more than 10 years of living in London, comedian Jayde Adams is returning to her hometown of Bristol.
Why?
It’s cheaper.
But also because of reasons that go deeper than that, and which she told Radio 4 would probably take two half-hour episodes to explain.
Jayde also spoke to Dawn French, Victoria Scone, Keala Settle and Sophie Willan about their own experiences of home; where they’ve made home; and how it’s made them.
Written and performed by Jayde Adams.
Script Editor: Simon Alcock
Producer: Hayley Sterling
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2021.
SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002ydvz)
Sapphire McIntosh 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Esylllt Sears speaks to professional footballer turned actor and comic, Sapphire McIntosh.
SAT 23:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00lp32n)
Series 1
Episode 3
Arthur Smith invites an audience into his home in Balham, south London, for music and comedy.
With guest comedians:
Nat Luurtsema
Seann Walsh
Micky Flanagan.
In the kitchen, Arthur learns a thing or two about rock n' roll from guest band Alabama 3 (responsible for the theme tune to The Sopranos).
Singer-songwriter Loretta Maine (Pippa Evans) lends a hand.
Producers: Sam Michell and Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.
SAT 23:30 Everyone Quite Likes Justin (b012fqnb)
Series 1
Episode 3
An untimely death causes a lifestyle rethink for the Manchester DJ.
Starring Justin Moorhouse, Anne Reid and Paul Copley.
Sitcom written by Justin Moorhouse and Jim Poyser.
Despite his messy life, Justin always remains positive. Every new day is a new opportunity, "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade".
Recorded in front of an audience in Manchester.
Anne Reid ..... Gran
Bernard Wrigley ..... Sven
Christine Bottomley ..... Lisa
Jim Poyser ..... Vicar
Justin Moorhouse ..... Justin
Lloyd Langford ..... Bryn
Paul Copley ..... Ray
Rachel Austin ..... Receptionist
Susan Cookson ..... Tanya
Producer: Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.

SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2026

SUN 00:00 Shadows of the Past by Rosemary Timperley (b06cjr80)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (m002ybdq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Into the Night: A Year with the Police by Matt Lloyd-Rose (Omnibus) (m002ybds)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 I, An Actor (m002ybdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrdh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000qz0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures (m000rdkd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ybdg)
Equestrian Castaways
Mark Johnston
Racehorse trainer Mark Johnston is castaway by Lauren Laverne.
Mark is a lynchpin of British flat racing. In August 2018 - when 20-1 shot Poet's Society, ridden by Frankie Dettori, streaked to victory at York - Mark became the most prolific winning trainer in British racing history, saddling 4,194 winners.
Based in a 300-acre training yard in Yorkshire, he has never trained fewer than 100 winners each season for the last 26 years including champions such as Attraction, Mister Baileys, Double Trigger and Shamardal.
Mark grew up on a council estate in East Kilbride and learned to ride when he was a child. His father was a horse lover who enjoyed a flutter and took the young Mark to the bookies when he placed his bets - although Mark was too young to go inside. As a 14-year-old Mark raced whippets and later studied veterinary medicine at Glasgow University but his dream was always to become a racehorse trainer.
In 1986, together with his wife and business partner Deirdre, Mark bought his first yard. He had no money or connections in the racing world and had three-and-a-half paying horses rather than the 12 he needed under the terms of his trainer's licence. In these early days, the horses trained on a nearby beach that doubled up as an MOD bombing range.
Johnston horses are known for their front-running style - he believes races aren't won by horses accelerating and passing the other runners, but when the horses in front slow down. He says: "I tell my jockeys to bowl along at the speed the horse is happiest."
DISC ONE: Get Down and Get With It by Slade
DISC TWO: Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini
DISC THREE: You May Be Right by Billy Joel
DISC FOUR: You're Still The One by Deirdre and Angus Johnston
DISC FIVE: Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits
DISC SIX: I Knew the Bride by Dave Edmunds
DISC SEVEN: Not Ready to Make Nice by Dixie Chicks
DISC EIGHT: Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
BOOK CHOICE: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
LUXURY ITEM: A pair of binoculars
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Paula McGinley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2020.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
Series 1
Adam's Face
What are human eyebrows for?
Possibly to allow communication without the use of words.
Testing the value of eyebrow communication came into its own when David Attenborough met the men of an aboriginal tribe in New Guinea where there was no other common language.
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002ybdj)
The Path and the Poem: Frank O'Hara & Terminates Here: Endings
Poet Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects two short programmes.
To marks 100 years since the birth of American poet Frank O'Hara in March 1926, Daljit Nagra selects The Path and the Poem. And in his second programme choice, Terminates Here ep 5/5, presenter Lemn Sissay's train journey comes to an end in Scotland.
**The Essay - The Path and the Poem
In a series about poems that follow paths, poet and critic Andrew Motion explores the connection between walking and writing. In this episode he focuses on the poem by Frank O'Hara "The Day Lady Died" about the iconic Billie Holiday.
Presenter - Andrew Motion
Producer - Tim Dee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.
**Terminates Here - Endings
Lemn Sissay's journey to train stations around the country is complete, but will a dawn arrival at Glasgow help him finish his poem? At the station, passengers reveal the impact of relationships with children and parents.
Presenter - Lemn Sissay
Producer - Philip Sellars
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SUN 07:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016d2)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
Episode 1
Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, The Wilderness Years is Sue Townsend's third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series.
It is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Sara Davies
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (b04pqyx3)
Sue Townsend
Adrian Mole author Sue Townsend inherits Billie Holiday's version of 'All of Me' and passes on Ben E King's 'Stand By Me'.
SUN 08:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (b00mdn40)
Episode 1
September, 1945: Anne Welles arrives in New York from sedate Lawrenceville to find that every woman she meets is looking for a husband.
Jacqueline Susann's 1960s best seller.
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Omnibus of the first five of fifteen episodes.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Neely O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Henry Bellamy .... Stuart Milligan
Allen Cooper .... Walter Lewis
Mrs Welles .... Liza Ross
Lyon Burke .... Jamie Glover
Gino Cooper .... Nathan Osgood
Miss Steinberg .... Liza Ross
Helen Lawson .... Sally Dexter
Amelia .... Susan Jameson
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2005.
SUN 10:00 Know Your Place (b01874kv)
Not to Be Used for Babies
Caretaker Ramsay awards cleaner Elsie her own storeroom, but he’s keen to ensure the perk isn't abused.
Ramsay Potts is the jobsworth caretaker at a crumbling Edwardian block of flats, pursued by the over-amorous cleaner Elsie.
Starring Roy Dotrice and Patricia Hayes.
Sitcom written by Andrew Palmer and Nell Brennan.
Ramsay Potts ...... Roy Dotrice
Elspeth Spurgeon ...... Patricia Hayes
With:
Pat Coombs
John Graham
Sue Holderness
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in January 1982.
SUN 10:30 Frankie Howerd (m002ybdl)
From 25/09/1966
The King of the Titters has problems with his obsessed landlady but still has time to be a hero.
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 September 1966.
***Recovered audio from an off air recording. Warm thanks to our friends at the Radio Circle***
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ybdg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002ybdj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016d2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (b04pqyx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (b00mdn40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Know Your Place (b01874kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Frankie Howerd (m002ybdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Limelight (m0019kd4)
English Rose: Series 1
3. Tending the Wounds
Rose has come from Whitby to Manhattan to work as a nanny for power couple Austin and Maya. Their baby Gulliver is... unusual. But then, so is Rose. Bloody revenge is her speciality.
The body count is rising and she still has to work out where the dangers lie. Also she needs something expensive to wear to Maya's launch. Time to go shopping with the platinum credit card.
Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent).
Helen Cross wrote ‘My Summer of Love’ which won a Betty Trask award and was made into a Bafta-winning film with Emily Blunt (recently rated her best film in The Guardian top ten Emily Blunt films). Mary Ward-Lowery won Best Director in 2020 Audio Drama Awards.
Rose ... Alexandra Mardell
Maya ... Miranda Braun
Austin ... Demetri Goritsas
Siobhan ... Deirdre Mullins
Delphine ... Yasemin Özdemir
Randy ... Michael Begley
Art Guy ... Mathew Durkan
Beatrice ... Alexandra Hannant
Newsreader ... Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong
Jason ... Joseph Tweedale
Mam ... Jane Thornton
Including the voices of Jo Makel, Paul Murphy, James Hoggarth, Freya Pollaidh, Augusta Chapman, Becky Ripley and Ben Casswell.
Original music written and performed by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Porridge Radio, and produced, mixed and engineered by Sam Yardley.
Sound design by Ilse Lademann.
Director: Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2022.
SUN 16:30 Fear on 4 (b007jnt6)
Series 2
Soul Searching
Hospitals can be frightening enough, but even more so when a patient is asked to take part in a bizarre experiment.
The Man in Black sets the chilling scene...
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Written by Martyn Wade
The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
Mr Timmins …. Bernard Cribbins
Tom …. Shaun Prendergast
Oswald/2nd Surgeon …. Norman Bird
Sister …. Joan Walker
Night Nurse …. Rebecca Jones
1st Surgeon …. Steve Hodson
Producer: Martyn Wade
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1989.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ybdg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002ybdj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016d2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (b04pqyx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (b00mdn40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Know Your Place (b01874kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Frankie Howerd (m002ybdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Clare in the Community (b008z5wk)
Series 4
The Long Goodbye
Ray's colleagues celebrate his civil partnership and Brian reassesses his life after his not-very-near-death experience.
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
Counsellor ...... Anna Bengo
Ainsworth ...... Lloyd Thomas
Troy ...... Ben Onwukwe.
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008.
SUN 22:30 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b007k24f)
Series 2
Trapped
The elderly Scotsmen's first trip to London ends in chaos.
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
With:
John Garden
Karen Street
Ros Stephen
Kylie Davies
Scott Hammond
Brian Berkins
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2004.
SUN 22:45 Steven Appleby's Normal Life (b00swl5g)
Series 2
Normal Truth
Cartoonist Steven boldly tells the truth to end this series.
A less-than-wise career move
Paul McCrink stars as Steven Appleby with what he laughably describes as ‘insights into normal, everyday life.’
With:
Rosalind Paul
Ewan Bailey
Nigel Betts
Rachel Atkins
Written by Steven Appleby
Producer: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
SUN 23:00 Ed Reardon's Week (m00057nb)
Series 13
Planned Parenthood
Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive email, attempts to survive in a world where the media seems to be run by idiots and lying charlatans.
Ed gets a surprising offer of work in ‘New-Mum lit’ - writing a series of modern parenting baby books.
Comedy written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
Ed Reardon …. Christopher Douglas
Olive …. Stephanie Cole
Pearl …. Brigit Forsyth
Ping …. Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Maggie ............. Pippa Haywood
Stan …. Geoffrey Whitehead
With:
Sam Pamphilon
Colin Nicholls
Producer Simon Nicholls
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2019.
SUN 23:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00yz3hs)
Series 3
Kate Adie
Kate Adie has a reputation for fearless BBC reporting from war zones, riots and natural disasters.
But, of all things, she has a mild fear of porridge.
Marcus Brigstocke helps Kate to overcome this fear for the very first time, and she has a small taste of the traditional breakfast food.
She tries some other things entirely new to her too - yoga, the TV series The Sopranos, bingo and reading Swallows and Amazons. How will they rank?
Created and produced by Bill Dare.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.

MONDAY 29 JUNE 2026

MON 00:00 Limelight (m0019kd4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Fear on 4 (b007jnt6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ybdg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mrzn0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002ybdj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016d2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (b04pqyx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (b00mdn40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Know Your Place (b01874kv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Frankie Howerd (m002ybdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Whodunnits (b007yn6z)
Hercule Poirot - Murder on the Orient Express
1. Departure
A train departs, but one person aboard the Orient Express is destined never to arrive.
Speeding through the snowy European landscape, a bizarre and terrible murder brings the train to an abrupt halt.
The high-class carriages are packed with passengers and one of them - Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot - soon realises the challenge that awaits him...
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot.
From the book published in 1934.
Dramatised in five parts by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Mr Ratchett ...... Joss Ackland
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Hardman ...... John Church
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
The Taurus Express Guard ...... Vic Tablian
The Hotel Clerk ...... Kevork Malikyan
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
MON 06:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkx)
1. An Interview with the King
At House of Lords questions, the matter of any unpublished documents about the death of Tsar Nicholas II and his family is raised.
Ted Willis (playing himself) then meets with the Viscount Tremayne of Trevellick.
As a young man, Tremayne was summoned by King George V and Lloyd George to mount an expedition to rescue the Imperial Family of Russia.
Does Tremayne have knowledge of what really happened at Ekaterinburg in 1918?
And what is The Buckingham Palace Connection?
Starring Maurice Denham.
A five-part dramatisation by Ted Willis from his own novel, first published in 1980.
Ted Willis .... Himself
Lord Tremayne .... Maurice Denham
Captain Tremayne .... Jeremy Clyde
Lady Tremayne .... Joyce Carey
Meg .... Elizabeth Proud
George V .... Michael Aldridge
Lloyd George .... Victor Spinetti
Maria Astakhov .... Miriam Margolyes
Baroness Ward .... Margaret Robertson
Stamfordham .... William Fox
Lord Whitby .... Anthony Newlands
Kolya .... Nicholas Courtney
Landlord .... Alan Dudley
Percy .... Malcolm Hayes
Verger .... David McAlister
Soldier .... John Livesey
Sailor .... Christopher Scott
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1981.
MON 07:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h4lng)
Series 1
Episode 6
As Iris dreams of hearing Pavarotti sing in concert, Bernard tries to buy some tickets.
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
Tramp/Ticket Tout ...... Peter Wheeler
Produced at BBC Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1993.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
Series 3
The Great White Hunter
Captain Mainwaring causes chaos trying to track down Private Walker's purloined parachute made of silk.
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
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Mrs Pike …. Pearl Hackney
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.
MON 08:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
Series 2
Airport
Architects Sarah and Matt journey north in pursuit of an airport contract that will put Sir Lucien and Partners back on the map.
Meanwhile Tim tries to buddy up with a TV chef who's fond of the sauce...
Comedy set in a struggling architectural practice.
Arch-Brutalist Sir Lucien founded his architectural practice on a commitment to concrete in all its forms. Fashion has been a cruel mistress. Four decades later, things are not going well for him and his team of loyal-ish employees.
Written by Jim Poyser with Neil Griffiths.
Sir Lucien ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Sarah ..... Anna Crilly
Matt ..... Dominic Coleman
Tim ..... Alex Carter
Murray ..... Peter Forbes
Noel ..... David Hounslow
Ella ..... Rhiannon Neads
Director: Toby Swift
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.
MON 08:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013pg)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
6. Accommodation Problems
Adrian finds himself homeless again.
Bianca offers to put him up, but is moving to London. Adrian has a frank exchange with his mother.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged in ten parts by Sara Davies.
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
MON 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyl5)
6. Money Money Money
1945 and war is over.
Set on showbiz careers in New York, Anne, Jennifer and Neely move in together
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised in fifteen parts by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Neely O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Jennifer North .... Julia Ford
Jennifer's mother .... Susan Jameson
Lyon Burke .... Jamie Glover
Mel .... Harry Myers
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
MON 09:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m002xzs9)
Series 85
3. Song Stoppers
The godfather of all panel shows pays a visit to the Cambridge Corn Exchange. On the panel are Miles Jupp, Tony Hawks, Lucy Porter and Henning Wehn with Jack Dee in the umpire’s chair. Regular listeners will know to expect inspired nonsense, pointless revelry and Colin Sell at the piano.
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random production for BBC Radio 4
MON 09:30 Elizabethan Subjects (m002ybd3)
1. Black Elizabethans
Historian Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.
From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.
Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.
"Her Majestie understanding that there are of late divers blackmoores brought into this realme, of which kinde of people there are already here too many."
Justin kicks off by examining the little known world of the non-white Elizabethan.
How did the presence of Moorish, Black and Asian immigrants in London contribute to a veritable melting-pot of cultures and influences?
Delving beneath the surface of Elizabethan society, we discover who these people were, what their daily life was like, their contribution to British life and what prejudices and problems they faced.
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002ybd6)
Meals with Jesus - Lunch with Levi
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
MON 10:00 I Was... (b08rt9rr)
Series 4
I Was Bob Dylan's One-Off Sparring Partner
Daniel 'Catfish' Russ started out as a boxer, trained as a Rabbi and was a stand-up comedian before settling on his chosen profession, advertising.
He also plays blues harmonica.
But in April 2008 Catfish found himself opposite his idol, Bob Dylan, in a boxing ring in Austin, Texas.
Written and presented by Andrew McGibbon.
Producer: Nick Romero
A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2017.
MON 10:30 That Reminds Me (b007jp9q)
John Inman
Actor John Inman shares memories of his TV, stage and film career with an audience.
John recalls his early career in Rep and his love of playing dames in over 40 pantomimes. Oh yes he does!
He also reveals behind-the-scenes tales playing Mr Humphries in the long-running classic BBC TV sitcom 'Are You Being Served?'.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2001.
MON 11:00 Whodunnits (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h4lng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013pg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (m002ybd7)
Series 62
Episode 4
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Paul Merton
Liza Tarbuck
Josie Lawrence
Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Subjects include: The Perfect Lie In, My Ideal Date, Camden Town, The Ides Of March, How To Belly Dance, Clearing Out Your Clutter, How To Throw A Successful Party, Advice From My Hairdresser, My Favourite Children's Book and Train Annoucement
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
MON 14:30 Tunes of Glory by James Kennaway (m002ybd9)
**** 4 Extra pays tribute to Scottish actor Alexander Morton with a small collection of dramas showcasing his talents. He died last April aged 81
Sinclair is a hard-bitten, hard drinking war hero. Barrow, the man who takes over from him, is Sandhurst-trained and a gentleman.
In the claustrophobic world of Campbell Barracks, the two men clash with tragic consequences for them both.
Starring Bill Paterson as Lt.-Col. Jock Sinclair and Alexander Morton as Lt.-Col. Basil Barrow.
James Kennaway 's famous novel about the impact of a new commanding officer on the men of a Scottish battalion was memorably filmed in 1960.
Dramatised for the first time on radio by Trevor Royle.
Lt.-Col. Jock Sinclair ..... Bill Paterson
Lt.-Col. Basil Barrow ..... Alexander Morton
Major Charlie Scott ..... Paul Young
Captain Jimmy Cairns ..... Tom Smith
Mary Titterington ..... Cara Kelly
Morag Sinclair ..... Julie Duncanson
Lt. Eric Simpson ..... Andrew Conlan
Lt. Alec Rattray ..... Douglas Russell
2nd Lt. Rory MacKinnon ..... Gregor Powrie
R.S.M. Riddick ..... David McKail
Pipe-Major McLean ..... Norman MacLean
Corp.-Piper Ian Fraser ..... Matthew Zajac
Music played by Pipe-Major Stuart Samson and Pipe-Sergeant James Stout of the Highlanders
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.
MON 16:00 I Was... (b08rt9rr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 That Reminds Me (b007jp9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Whodunnits (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h4lng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013pg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (m002ybd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Tunes of Glory by James Kennaway (m002ybd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m002xzs9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b0080jwg)
Series 1
Episode 5
Grave-digging Olympics on the public access cable radio show - with the local councillors.
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
Dominic King
Special guest: Enrico Valdez and his Orchestra
Producer: Dirk Maggs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1997.
MON 22:45 Ivor Cutler - A Wet Handle (b00cqd9z)
Episode 4
The tale of a yellow fly and shoplifting with a twist.
Songs, stories and poems from humourist Ivor Cutler.
With:
Craig Murray-Orr
Alison O'Kill
Dylan Edwards
Beverley Crew
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in June 1997.
MON 23:00 Dead Ringers (m002y253)
Series 27
Heat, Hydration and Harry Kane
The Dead Ringers team train their vocal firepower on the week’s news. This week: Keir is ex-Prime Minister, Rob is ex-army, and Liz Truss is ex-cited. Oh and it’s ruddy HOT.
Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis Macleod, Duncan Wisbey and Jess Robinson.
Produced by Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b00gs2nj)
Series 3
Natural Science
The birds and the bees, blue plaques and the human body are all on exhibition.
Written and performed by:
Marcus Brigstocke
Danny Robins
Dan Tetsell
With Lucy Montgomery.
Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2006.

TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2026

TUE 00:00 I Was... (b08rt9rr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 That Reminds Me (b007jp9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Whodunnits (b007yn6z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h4lng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jq38)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Architects (b050zpxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013pg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (m002ybd7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Tunes of Glory by James Kennaway (m002ybd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Whodunnits (b007yp1g)
Hercule Poirot - Murder on the Orient Express
2. Trapped
The Orient Express is trapped in a snowdrift and in one compartment, a man lies murdered.
Fortunately Hercule Poirot is aboard the train.
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars John Moffatt as the Belgian sleuth.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
TUE 06:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yyc5)
2. The Royal Flush
1918. Young Captain Tremayne has been sent to Russia by George V.
His mission: to rescue the Tsar and the Imperial Royal family from Ekaterinburg.
He arrives in Vladivostock to be met by a beautiful dark-eyed woman - Maria Astakhov....
Starring Maurice Denham.
Dramatised by Ted Willis from his own novel.
Himself .... Ted Willis
Lord Tremayne .... Maurice Denham
Captain Tremayne …. Jeremy Clyde
Maria Astakhov .... Miriam Margolyes
Major Story .... Bob Sherman
Colonel Kazakov .... Sean Barrett
George V .... Michael Aldridge
Lydia Elman .... Elizabeth Seal
Semyonov .... Michael Spice
Dukhonin .... David Timson
Klaus .... John Rye
Admiral Knight .... Murray Kash
High Commissioner .... Alan Dudley
Samarin .... James Windsor
Gromyko .... Cyril Shaps
Mogilov .... Nicholas Courtney
Music arranged and played by Richard Holmes.
Balalaika played by Roberto Campadeli.
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1981.
TUE 07:00 Beaumarchais (m0010ts8)
5. Droit d'Auteur
One tap of the censor's gavel and The Marriage of Figaro would disappear forever.
It's time to hold a party...
Starring Henry Goodman.
Craig Warner's irreverent comedy set in 18th-century France. The battles of Beaumarchais who is anxious to climb the ladder of French nobility...
Beaumarchais ....Henry Goodman
Marie Antoinette....Siobhan Redmond
Suard/Beggar....Ron Cook
Le Compe d'Artois....Sean Baker
Louis XVI ....Alex Lowe
Beaumarchai's Father ....Stephen Thorne
Le Duchesse de Polignac ....Joanna Monro
Le Duc de Fronsac ... Ioan Meredith
President Dupaty ....David Bannerman.
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007k370)
Vintage Goons
The Silent Bugler
It's 1902 and British secret agent Seagoon is heading to Dresden on a deadly mission
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Charles Chilton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in March 1954.
Re-recording from February 1958.
First broadcast in the UK on BBC Radio 4 in December 1986.
TUE 08:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001cxhf)
Series 7
Custody Officer
Policeman turned comic Alfie Moore takes us through the day of a custody officer.
How to keep the timings in your head, cell etiquette, and searches.
Alfie takes us back to his time with the Humberside Police when he was briefly and unwillingly a custody officer.
Alfie's deputised audience will have to figure out: when is it ok to do a strip search, are people allowed their one phone call, and how do you deal with someone who doesn't want to go in a cell.
Recorded at the Darwen Library Theatre.
Written and presented by Alfie Moore.
Script Editor: Will Ing
Producer: Sam Holmes
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2022.
TUE 08:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013rp)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
7. A New Job and a Move
Adrian gets a new job and his love life finally takes off.
He decides to move to London to be with Bianca.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
TUE 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyzz)
7. A Writer's Paradise
Jennifer gives Tony an ultimatum.
When Lyon visits Anne's family home, he thinks Lawrenceville would be a better environment for his writing craft than back in New York...
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Jennifer North .... Julia Ford
Tony Polar .... John Sharian
Lyon Burke .... Jamie Glover
Henry Bellamy .... Stuart Milligan
Irma .... Susan Jameson
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
TUE 09:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m002y1c4)
Series 4
S4 E6: A Wedgie from History
Frank Skinner and guests Sunil Patel, Angela Barnes, Anna Thomas and Marcus Brigstocke look at shiny fish, sexy horses and where Sir Walter Raleigh should have put his potato.
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 reviewed some tinsel by saying “does what it says on the tin”, this show salutes you!
Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer and Peter Tellouche, with additional material by Pete Redfern
Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 09:30 Elizabethan Subjects (m002ybfz)
2. Puritans
Historian Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.
From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.
Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.
Now, Dr Justin re-examines the myth that the lives of Puritans were uneventful.
What were their ambitions for social reform and the dream of 'Godly cities'?
Lady Hoby’s diaries are the earliest personal records we have of a gentlewoman's life.
Ignatius Jurdain wanted to make Exeter a "godly city upon a hill".
Reader: Carolyn Jones
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002ybg1)
Meals with Jesus - The big picnic
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Meals with Jesus - The big picnic
Presenter: Tim Gee
Reading: Luke 9: 12-17
Music:
Two Little Fishes and Five loaves of bread - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Jesus Bread of life - The porters gate
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer - Lucy Grimble
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000s9vl)
Tobias Menzies & Gytha Lodge
Actor Tobias Menzies and crime writer Gytha Lodge join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Rachel Cusk, Judith Kerr, and Helen Garner.
Transit by Rachel Cusk
Publisher: Jonathan Cape ( Faber)
The Spare Room by Helen Garner
Publisher: Canongate Canons
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2021.
TUE 10:30 Conversation Piece in Hollywood - Mel Brooks (m002ybg4)
**** Writer, director, actor and comedian Mel Brooks joins 4 Extra’s 100 Club. He was born on 28th June 1926.
"The best and most successful movie I ever made was The Producers" says Brooks. "It never made a nickel."
Sue MacGregor meets Hollywood film director and comedian Mel Brooks, who celebrates his 100th birthday on June 28th.
From Blazing Saddles to Young Frankenstein and High Anxiety, the writer, director, comedian and magnificent vulgarian, tells all.
Producer: Gillian Hush
First broadcast on BBC World Service in December 1988.
TUE 11:00 Whodunnits (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yyc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Beaumarchais (m0010ts8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001cxhf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013rp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyzz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Hoax! (m002ybg6)
From 10/08/1993
Bernard Cribbins, Dulcie Gray and Anthony Shaffer tell the stories.
Tim Brooke-Taylor and the audience must try to spot the hoax!
Devised by Ian Messiter
Producer Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1993.
TUE 14:30 Whodunnits (b02m6s19)
Cully - The Serpent's Back
**** 4 Extra remembers Scottish actor Alexander Morton who died in April aged 81.
The resourceful if low-born Mr Cullender (caddie, manservant and general dogsbody) goes in search of a double murderer.
Starring Alexander Morton.
Ian Rankin's 18th century black comedy set in the seething Old Town of Edinburgh.
Cully .... Alexander Morton
Gisborne .... Richard Greenwood
The Lady ..... Wendy Seager
Mr Mack .... Norman MacLean
Walter Scott .... Tom Smith
The Comte .... Kern Falconer
Fordyce .... Paul Young
Braxfield .... Michael Elder
Urquhart .... Liam Brennan
Lucky Aird .... Sheila Donald
Lord Provost .... Simon Scott
Ballantine .... Steven McNicholl
Best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, Ian Rankin is one of the UK’s most widely-read crime novelists, with many of his novels translated into numerous languages
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1995.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000s9vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Conversation Piece in Hollywood - Mel Brooks (m002ybg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Whodunnits (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yyc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Beaumarchais (m0010ts8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001cxhf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013rp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyzz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Hoax! (m002ybg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Whodunnits (b02m6s19)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 22:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m002y1c4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Sam Simmons Is Not a People Person (b088fp4b)
Glenn
Comedian. Writer. Ex-Zoo Keeper. Bird Watcher. Definitely NOT a people person.
Sam and Henry are making a documentary series about birds, each week - armed with Sam's 'Big Book of Birds' they seek out different species. Despite Henry's best efforts, Sam is continually aggravated by the people they run into. Each encounter sparks an investigation into Sam's past, because once they've sorted out his issues, they'll really be able to focus on the bird-watching.
Now Sam is trudging through the desert in search of the Steppe Eagle.
The unique talents of the multi-award winning comedian Sam Simmons have landed.
Written by and starring Sam Simmons
With:
Henry Paker
Sarah Kendall
Mike Wilmot
Freya Parker
Sound design by Craig Schuftan
Music by Craig Schuftan with Lani Bagley
Producers: Joseph Nunnery & Alexandra Smith
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.
TUE 22:45 Tina C (b0076qds)
Tina C's Tiny Island Tour
Wales
Country singer and global activist Tina C concludes her exploration of the special relationship between America and the UK – arriving in Cardiff.
"So, are we all proud to be white trash? Let me hear you say, 'hell, yeah!'"
Written and performed by Christopher Green.
Pianist: Duncan Walsh Atkins
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2005.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002ydw9)
Sapphire McIntosh 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Esylllt Sears speaks to professional footballer turned actor and comic, Sapphire McIntosh.
TUE 23:00 Bussmann and Quantick Kingsize (b044w4v4)
Episode 4
Buy a compendium of fairy tales from Boney M.
A decadent ounce of sketches, monologues and evil chat.
Originally broadcast live from London's exclusive Imperial Rooms, Mayfair.
Written and performed by Jane Bussmann and David Quantick.
Featuring:
Peter Serafinowicz
Emma Clarke
Steve Brody
Producer: Phil Bowker.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
TUE 23:30 Edge Falls (b007s1dt)
Series 1
Happy Week
The retail park's latest campaign is launched by its politically correct manager, Sonya.
Starring Sarah Lancashire and Mark Benton.
Paul Barnhill and Neil Warhurst's sitcom following the lives of the staff of Edge Falls Retail Village.
Sonya ...... Sarah Lancashire
Mick ...... Mark Benton
Rez ...... Emil Marwa
Valerie ...... Sarah Hadland
Colin ...... Anthony Glennon
Milosh ...... John Dougall
John/Jim ...... Neil Warhurst
Karl//Gretel ...... Paul Barnhill
Tina ...... Jasmine Callan
Cheryl ...... Kitty McDonagh
Mum ...... Rachel Bavidge
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.

WEDNESDAY 01 JULY 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m000s9vl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Conversation Piece in Hollywood - Mel Brooks (m002ybg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Whodunnits (b007yp1g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yyc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Beaumarchais (m0010ts8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007k370)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001cxhf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013rp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mdyzz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hoax! (m002ybg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Whodunnits (b02m6s19)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Whodunnits (b007yrng)
Hercule Poirot - Murder on the Orient Express
3. Clues
Hercule Poirot has discovered the murder victim has a "past" - and is convinced that the murderer is still aboard the Orient Express.
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars John Moffatt as the Belgian sleuth.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Hardman ...... John Church
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
WED 06:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkh)
3. Across the Siberian Plains
1918: Captain Tremayne is aboard an armoured train.
The Royal Flush continues its perilous journey across Russia towards Ekaterinburg in an attempt to rescue the Russian royal family from the Bolsheviks.
Starring Maurice Denham and Jeremy Clyde.
Dramatised by Ted Willis from his own novel.
Himself .... Ted Willis
Lord Tremayne .... Maurice Denham
Captain Tremayne .... Jeremy Clyde
Lady Tremayne .... Joyce Carey
Meg .... Elizabeth Proud
Major Story .... Bob Sherman
Colonel Kasakov .... Sean Barrett
Nikolai Dukov .... Haydn Wood
Dukhonin .... David Timson
Klaus .... John Rye
Samarin .... James Windsor
Consul .... John Livesey
Natasha .... Liza Hayden
Red Guard .... John Webb
Red Leader .... Spencer Banks
Prisoner .... Malcolm Hayes
Man .... Alan Dudley
Woman .... Diana Bishop
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1981.
WED 07:00 After Henry (b007k280)
Series 2
Memory Games
"Mother, you are doing it again. You are defining us. And what's more, you are wrong.
Henry was lovely and endearing, but he wasn't practical. He couldn't organise himself out of a paper bag."
Daughter Clare's trivia quiz helps Sarah with all her memories of late husband Henry.
Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye.
Sarah ...... Prunella Scales
Eleanor ...... Joan Sanderson
Russell ...... Benjamin Whitrow
Clare ...... Gerry Cowper
Miles ...... David Quilter
Quizmaster .... Graham Blockey
Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network.
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986.
WED 07:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
Series 3
The Racehorse
Another recreation of a missing episode of series 2 of Hancock's Half Hour.
Also missing from the original show was The Lad Himself, as Tony Hancock had absconded to Rome.
The Goon Show's Harry Secombe replaced him for three episodes. In this recreation, Harry is portrayed by his son Andy Secombe.
Harry Secombe has 10 bob left so Bill decides to spend it on a racehorse.
The fact that it only has three legs doesn't deter Sid from entering it in the Britannia Steeplechase...
(For younger listeners - 10 bob or shillings is 50 British pence!)
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Harry Secombe …. Andy Secombe
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Andree Melly …. Susy Kane
The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.
20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives, but all missing episodes have now been lovingly re-recreated in the BBC Radio Theatre.
The classic Hancock score newly recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.
Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson
The original version was broadcast on the 3rd May, 1955.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2017.
WED 08:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000xtc1)
Series 1
Silver Badge
Things are taking off for our socially awkward and neurotic part-time comedian now he is a fully fledged internet sensation.
Michael is asked to attend the Webber’s Comedy Awards, but he is only needed to present an award, not to receive one. Even so, this is the first time Michael has been invited to such a prestigious industry event and wife Roberta insists he attends - as long as she can come too.
Roberta is more excited about the awards ceremony than Michael, as she spies a chance to network and create new opportunities for his burgeoning comedy career.
And the stress of Michael’s day job as a copywriter at a kitchen worktop company intensifies after an ominous corridor encounter with a new recruit.
As Michael’s anxiety goes full throttle, even a call from 1920s cabaret star and war heroine Josephine Baker fails to calm his nerves and he gives the most explosive presentation speech in the history of the Webber’s Comedy Awards. Or does he?
As Roberta attempts to become Michael’s manager and thrust him into the limelight outside the social media where he has become successful, will he break through into television and radio?
It’s only Episode Two so this is still in your hands.
Listen to the show. He’s been trying for 20 years with only cult success until now. So give it a sympathy listen, if nothing else. That would be good.
Written and performed by Michael Spicer.
With:
Ellie Taylor
Joanna Neary
Paterson Joseph
Susan Wokoma
Greig Johnson
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Tara Flynn
Peter Curran
Producer: Matt Tiller
A Starstruck and Tillervision production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
WED 08:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013w1)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
8. A Trip to Leicester
Adrian and Bianca find themselves at odds with each other.
A trip to Leicester has unexpected consequences.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
WED 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf04n)
8. Family Strife
New bride Jennifer visits Neely, who has become a big Hollywood star, but the studio schedule is beginning to takes its toll...
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Jennifer North .... Julia Ford
Tony Polar .... John Sharian
Nelly O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Mel .... Harry Myers
Miriam .... Susan Jameson
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
WED 09:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m0023q3x)
Series 1
2. Susie McCabe & Kieran Hodgson
Ivo Graham travels to Glasgow to find out what obsesses his guests, Glaswegian comedian Susie McCabe, and comedian, actor, and Glasgow adoptee Kieran Hodgson.
Susie builds her credentials as a Lego obsessive, and Kieran waxes lyrical about the journey up the East Coast Main Line. The audience share their obsessions too, and Ivo receives a gift from one kind audience member. This week's very obsessed person, or 'VOP' is Dr Malcolm Knight, who brings his love of puppetry to its most natural medium, the radio.
Hosted by Ivo Graham
Featuring Susie McCabe, Kieran Hodgson and Dr Malcolm Knight
Written by Ivo Graham and Zoe Tomalin
Additional Material by Alex Kealy, Peter Tellouche and Christina Riggs
Recorded at the Tron Theatre by Sean Kerwin
Sound editing by Charlie Brandon King
Production Coordinators: Katie Baum & Jodie Charman
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies, a BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4
An EcoAudio certified production
Show image: Matt Stronge
WED 09:30 Elizabethan Subjects (m002ybk9)
3. Criminals
Historian Dr Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.
From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.
Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.
Now, Justin rifles through the popular murder pamphlets of the Elizabethan era to find out about serial killers, murderers and executioners.
Various moral panics during this period resulted in harsher sentencing - you could even be fined for swearing in public.
And with no prison system, if found guilty, your fate was the scaffold.
Justin visits Tyburn, one of the prime execution sites.
Reader: Jonathan Keeble
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002ybkc)
Meals with Jesus - Surprise Guests
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Meals with Jesus - Surprise guests
Presenter: Becky Silver
Reading: Luke 14 v1; v7-14
Music:
When I needed a neighbour (Sydney Carter) - St Martin's Voices
You are good - Becca Folkes with Psalms and Saints
It is well with my soul - Philippa Hanna, Israel Houghton, with Psalms and Saints
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m0018wsy)
Fifty Years of Pride
The first ever Gay Pride march happened in July 1972.
The event in London went on to inspire marches not only across all four nations of the UK - albeit decades later - but around the world. Damian Barr examines the impact of Pride on society over the past half century.
Gay rights were slow to be granted. From the 1954 Wolfenden Report through to the 1968 Stonewall Riots in the US and the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK in 1967, change has been incremental. In 1972, the Gay Liberation Front staged the world’s first ever Gay Pride march in London.
Interviewees include people who took part in that first demonstration. We also hear from Stonewall, the Queer Museum, and those who helped create Black Pride, as well as Gay’s The Word bookshop, which was used as a meeting place by those who organised Pride in its early years.
The 1980s saw Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28 law and the AIDS crisis with Pride growing in size.
In the 1990s, Pride came of age as LGBT equality groups began to mobilise against the injustices of the 1967 Act. Yet the event also entered a new commercial phase with the pink pound dominating.
In the 2000, campaigners began to see restrictive laws repealed - equal age of consent and a lifting of the ban on gay people in the armed services, civil partnerships and ultimately marriage.
The programme ends by asking where we are now and what the future holds.
Is there still a need for Pride? And, if so, what are the issues it should be pushing?
Should it perhaps return to its original non-commercial protesting roots? And what does Pride mean to people today?
Presenter: Damian Barr
Producer: Howard Shannon
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2022.
WED 11:00 Whodunnits (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 After Henry (b007k280)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000xtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013w1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf04n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Write Stuff (m000kx0j)
Series 5
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Panel game of literary correctness.
Hosted by James Walton.
With
Sebastian Faulks
John Walsh
Stephen Fry
Lynne Truss
Author of the week: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2002.
WED 14:30 Whodunnits (b02x5wsr)
Cully - The Third Gentleman
**** 4 Extra remembers Scottish actor Alexander Morton who died in April aged 81.
Another case for the roguish sleuth, Mr Cullender, in 1790s Edinburgh.
As the Press Gang roams the streets looking for likely lads to fight Napoleon, and while the Town Guard finds themselves baffled by a spate of wine cellar murders, Cully gallantly rushes to the assistance of a young lady in distress.
Starring Alexander Morton.
Ian Rankin's period detective story.
Cully …. Alexander Morton
Mary …. Wendy Seager
Sgt Horsburgh …. Douglas Russell
Jane/’Blackie’ Bird …. Cara Kelly
Jeffary/Lord Montbordeaux …. John Buick
Maggie Kirk …. Monica Gibb
Dr Cant …. Simon Tate
Lord Provost …. Robin Thompson
Ballantine/Senior Brusci …. Stephen McNickle
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1997.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m0018wsy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Whodunnits (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 After Henry (b007k280)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000xtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013w1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf04n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Write Stuff (m000kx0j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Whodunnits (b02x5wsr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 22:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m0023q3x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Delve Special (b007jmq1)
Series 3
City Limits
The money men may be making a killing, but are they getting away with murder?
David Lander looks at the City and in particular the Rouget-Dory Venture Capital Syndicate
Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.
Studio production by:
Felicity Montagu,
Jack Klaff
Robert Bathurst
Dramatic reconstructions by:
Harry Enfield
Mark Arden
Researched by Tony Sarchet.
Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer
Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.
WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002ydw7)
Sapphire McIntosh 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Esylllt Sears speaks to professional footballer turned actor and comic, Sapphire McIntosh.
WED 23:00 Mark Thomas: The Manifesto (b00xhzjc)
Series 3
Episode 3
Comedian-activist Mark Thomas, considers the blue-sky political policy suggestions of the public.
This week's agenda:
1) Nationalise British Music Festivals
2) Abolish Stamp Duty
3) Reduce Voting Age to 16
Plus more weird and wonderful suggestions from the studio audience, submitted as "Any Other Business".
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2011.
WED 23:30 Clayton Grange (b01n65zq)
Series 1
Episode 3
The team attempt to make war just a bit more gentle.
This is Clayton Grange, top secret Scientific Institute with a government brief to solve the global fuel crisis, cheer people up and make war just a bit more gentle.
Meet the scientists who are a bit rubbish at life. And not much better at science.
Comedy by Neil Warhurst with extra material by Paul Barnhill.
Saunders ..... Anthony Head
Geoff ..... Neil Warhurst
Roger ..... Paul Barnhill
Jameson ..... Stephanie Racine
Lionel ..... Don Gilet
Alan Dobson ..... Paul Stonehouse
Director: Marion Nancarrow.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

THURSDAY 02 JULY 2026

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m0018wsy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Whodunnits (b007yrng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzkh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 After Henry (b007k280)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 The Missing Hancocks (b08k2ctk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000xtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00013w1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf04n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Write Stuff (m000kx0j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Whodunnits (b02x5wsr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Whodunnits (b007ys7n)
Hercule Poirot - Murder on the Orient Express
4. Liar
Hercule Poirot discovers that someone aboard the Orient Express is lying to him.
Agatha Christie's whodunnit stars John Moffatt as the Belgian sleuth.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1992.
THU 06:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzm5)
4. The House of Special Purpose
Russia, 1918: Captain Tremayne and Colonel Kasakov have arrived - Soviet disguised partisans - on the outskirts of Ekaterinburg.
This is the last stage of their attempt to rescue the Tsar and his family.
Starring Maurice Denham, Jeremy Clyde and Sean Barrett.
Dramatised by Ted Willis from his own novel.
Himself .... Ted Willis
Lord Tremayne .... Maurice Denham
Captain Tremayne .... Jeremy Clyde
Colonel Kasakov .... Sean Barrett
Lady Tremayne .... Joyce Carey
Meg .... Elizabeth Proud
Major Story .... Bob Sherman
Nikolai Dukov .... Haydn Wood
Samarin .... James Windsor
Voytek .... David McAlister
Klaus .... John Rye
Natasha .... Liza Haydn
Mischa .... William Booker
Tambov .... Alan Dudley
Mogilov .... Nicholas Courtney
Gromyko .... Cyril Shaps
Kelly .... John Livesey
Guard .... Spencer Banks
Woman …. Christine Absalom
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1981.
THU 07:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv8w)
A Curry at Kelmscot
Jennifer joins Mark and his mutt's Thames quest, but there is a surprise on their menu.
Starring Timothy Spall.
One man’s quest to discover the true source of the River Thames with his faithful hound, Boogie.
Adapted by Mark Wallington from his own novel.
Mark/Narrator …. Timothy Spall
Jennifer Conway …. Carla Mendonca
Boogie/Landlord …. Ronald Herdman
Michael …. Gary Parker
Lock Keeper …. Terence Edmond
Mrs Byron/Shopkeeper …. Margaret Stallard
Percy …. Eric Allen
Fisherman 1 …. John Church
Fisherman 2 …. Rod Smith
Fisherman 3 …. David Holt
‘A Bit of Alright’/Curator …. Nicholas Murchie
Producer: Caroline Leddy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.
THU 07:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qt2hk)
Series 2
Episode 6
Young inventors, 1930s vintage musical 'Adam and Eve' and Private Eye Mike Spanner is on the case...
More quick-fire sketches, terrible puns, humorous songs plus TV and cinema parodies.
Starring:
Tim Brooke-Taylor
Graeme Garden
Bill Oddie
Jo Kendall
David Hatch
Originating from the Cambridge University Footlights revue 'Cambridge Circus', ISIRTA ran for 8 years on BBC Radio and quickly developed a cult following.
Written by Les Lilley, Chic Jacob, Graeme Garden, Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke and Bill Oddie.
Songs by Bill Oddie and Jean Hart with music by Dave Lee.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1965.
THU 08:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000219n)
Series 2
Passions
Award-winning comedian and super-sharp everywoman Angela Barnes tackles life and love and - with the audience’s help - packs herself a fantasy coffin.
This is in part tribute to her beloved late father - a larger-than-life gregarious character, who managed a sex shop. He was also a naturist, and a big fan of caravans and pranks. Angela celebrates his carpe diem approach to life, and his motto "You Can't Take It With You".
When her father died very suddenly in 2008, Angela and her family proved him wrong and stuffed his coffin with sentimental keepsakes for his final journey.
Angela now does the very same thing, nominating objects that she would choose to send on with her as mementoes of her life.
She also asks the audience to share items they would take with them, all acting as prompts for contemplative, heart-warming and captivating comedy.
Producer Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.
THU 08:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00014l9)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
9. Hospital and a Brochure
Adrian’s Grandma is admitted to hospital.
He receives an interesting holiday brochure.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Read by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
THU 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf36d)
9. Adverts and Oscars
Jennifer's invited to star in French films and Anne gets work in the new medium of television.
Neely meanwhile, has a new husband...
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
Jennifer North .... Julia Ford
Nelly O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Carmen .... Coleen Prendergast
Kevin .... Kerry Shale
Henry Bellamy .... Stuart Milligan
Ted .... Wayne Foskett
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
THU 09:00 P.O.V. (m002y1j2)
Series 2
S2 E2: Black Friday Forever!
This week we hear an acrimonious sports commentary, every paranormal podcast ever, and some unmissable Black Friday deals.
Written and performed by Davina Bentley, Jake Bhardwaj, Kylie Brakeman, Cowboy Complex, Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Foxx, Matt Green, Farrel Hegarty, Larry & Paul, Kelechi Okafor, Will Sebag-Montefiore, and Ed Night & Paddy Young.
Additional material by James Clarke.
Recorded at The Soundhouse Studios and Guilt Free Post, London; Maximum Fun, Los Angeles; and Oscillate Recordings, Manchester.
Sound design: Rich Evans at Synbox Post.
Producer: Ed Morrish
Executive producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
THU 09:30 Elizabethan Subjects (m002ybsb)
4. Women in the Alehouse
Historian Dr Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.
From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.
Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.
Now, Justin investigates the lives of Elizabethan women through the stories of the customers, owners and 'working girls' who made up the world of the alehouse.
Reader: Jonathan Keeble
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002ybsd)
Meals with Jesus - The Last Supper
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Meals with Jesus - The Last Supper
Presenter: Dr Rachel Mann
Reading: Luke 22:14-21
Music
Love flows - Lucy Walker
St Martin’s Voices
CD: Lucy Walker Choral Works (Resonus)
Eat this bread - Taize
St Martin’s Voices
BBC recording
Bread for the World - Bernadette Farrell
CD: Spirit & Song vol. 6
Love bade me welcome - Ralph Vaughan Williams
Brian Rayner Cook, London Philharmonic Choir
CD: Vaughan Williams - Dona nobis pacem (Chandos)
THU 10:00 Great Lives (m001trqb)
Jimmy Wales on Thomas Jefferson
In 1776 Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence.
This kick-started the movement against British rule and put the foundations in place for democracy in what became the United States of America.
But he was a man of contradictions.
He argued passionately against slavery but was a slave-owner. He had a relationship with an enslaved woman, Sally Hemings which may have started in France when she was just 14.
He became the third President of the United States, and he loved philosophy, nature and wine.
Jimmy Wales is the founder of Wikipedia. He first-learned of Jefferson and the founding fathers when he was in school. He fell in love with Encyclopaedias when his Mother bought a set from a travelling salesman.
Jimmy joins Matthew Parris to explain his fascination with Jefferson's political principles and intrigued by his many contradictions.
They’re joined by guest expert: Kathleen Burk, Professor Emerita of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London
Together they discuss Jefferson's political legacy and how his attitudes to slavery are impacting on how he's seen today.
Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Toby Field.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2024.
THU 10:30 What We Leave We Carry: The Legacy of John la Rose (b00x95h6)
When John La Rose died in 2006, the poet Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote in his obituary:
'the depth and breadth of his contribution to the struggle for cultural and social change, for racial equality and social justice, for the humanisation of society, is unparalleled in the history of the black experience in Britain'.
Hundreds crammed into his funeral.
In 1966 John La Rose founded New Beacon Books, at first selling Caribbean and African literature from his London home. Then he began publishing himself, becoming the first black publishing house in Britain. The shop and publishing house are still active today. In the early 1980s he organised - with others - the International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books.
But his whole life was one of activism and political and cultural involvement. Poets, novelists, theologians, campaigners, sculptors and musicians - all gathered around the kitchen table of this erudite and generous man, liming and planning campaigns.
Around that same table, actor and director Burt Caesar gathers some of them to tell John La Rose’s story, and consider his legacy.
Featuring: Burt’s partner Sarah White and old friends Linton Kwesi Johnson, poet and musician, Margaret Busby (founder of Britain's second black publishing house), visiting Trinidadian scholar Susan Craig-James and Professor Gus John, who became the first black Director of Education in the country in the 1980s.
Burt Caesar also visits the bookshop itself and the chambers of Ian MacDonald QC, who as a young lawyer allied himself with La Rose and his causes. He also meets John's son Michael La Rose and his sculptor, Errol Lloyd.
Using BBC archive of John La Rose, calypso and dub poetry reggae associated with him, Burt tells the story of this remarkable man and how his influence lives on today.
Producer: Julian May
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2011.
THU 11:00 Whodunnits (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzm5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qt2hk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000219n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00014l9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf36d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b0183rb5)
Series 1
Episode 5
Sue Perkins sets moral and ethical posers for:
John Finnemore
Danielle Ward
Alun Cochrane
Dame Ann Leslie
Hypothetical situations involve old ladies shoplifting, gentlemen "pocket-patting", unqualified doctors and fake psychics.
The panel also debates which figure least deserves their place in history out of Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and David Attenborough.
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 December 2011.
THU 14:30 The Strange Case of the Man in the Velvet Jacket by Robert Forrest (b016kdcg)
**** 4 Extra remembers Scottish actor Alexander Morton who died in April aged 81.
Robert Forrest's powerful and intriguing original play based on the early life of writer Robert Louis Stevenson in Edinburgh.
Set in 1873, Stevenson is invigorated by the intellectual maelstrom still challenging the way people saw and navigated the world of arts, science and politics following the Enlightment.
He may have been unsure of what his role in all this could be, but it was the things he knew he had to reject - belief in God, a career in law or engineering - that creates turmoil in his own mind - and heartache in his relationship with his parents.
Meanwhile his discovery of the female species was also pre-occupying his thoughts and emotions.
Starring Tom Freeman.
**** Robert Forrest writes,
"Famously Stevenson created no convincing or complex women in his fiction until late in his life, with (to a degree) Catriona and (wonderfully) the two Kirsties in Weir of Hermiston. But the Stevenson who is revealed in his letters and essays is altogether different; his understanding of women, his liking, respect and admiration for them, are very striking.
There was a story that he developed an intense love for an older Highland woman (he later was indeed drawn to women older than himself), but that youthful affair has been dismissed as mere legend. But what if this mysterious woman is his own invention, his inner muse, a dream figure he conjures up and is then haunted by?
There are shades of Jekyll here - he creates this woman and then can't be rid of her. Is she the haunting figure of his muse?"
Louis ..... Tom Freeman
Thomas Stevenson ..... Alexander Morton
Margaret Stevenson ..... Carol Ann Crawford
Kate/Frances ..... Meg Fraser
John Todd ..... Paul Young
Mary Henderson/Henrietta/Ellen ..... Rosalind Sydney
Bob ..... Keith Fleming
Original music by Iain Johnstone
Singer ..... Dominic Barberi
Director: David Ian Neville
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in October 2011.
THU 15:50 Inheritance Tracks (m00289jw)
Mackenzie Crook
Actor and writer Mackenzie Crook chooses ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ by Joni Mitchell and ‘River Man’ by Nick Drake.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (m001trqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 What We Leave We Carry: The Legacy of John la Rose (b00x95h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Whodunnits (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzm5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qt2hk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000219n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00014l9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf36d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b0183rb5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Strange Case of the Man in the Velvet Jacket by Robert Forrest (b016kdcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:50 Inheritance Tracks (m00289jw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:50 today]
THU 22:00 P.O.V. (m002y1j2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 Alex Edelman's Peer Group (m000wjqx)
Series 4
New Relationships To Old Things
Alex Edelman is a comedian who spends his life travelling the US and the world. So when his parents come to sell the family home he thinks nothing of it.
That is until lockdown happens and he realises he might have more emotional investment in the house, and the things he left behind, than he had at first thought.
Written by Alex Edelman and Max Davis
With special thanks to:
Josh Weller
Alfie Brown
Rajiv Karia
Tasha Dhanraj
Danny Jolles
Hannah Einbinder
Producer: Sam Michell.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2021.
THU 23:00 Paul Sinha's General Knowledge (m000y6p4)
Series 3
Episode 2
Paul Sinha is an award-winning comedian, the reigning British Quiz Champion and also, according to the Radio Times, the UK's "funniest fund of forgotten facts".
He's recounting the amazing true stories that lie behind fascinating nuggets of information.
This episode finally lives up to the title of the series, by focusing mainly on facts and stories regarding generals. But it's also, somehow, connected to Kevin Bacon, and there's time at the end to take a look at things you probably don't know about Oscar-winning actresses.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha.
Additional material by Oliver Levy.
Producer: Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo/Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
THU 23:30 Sorry About Last Night (b00nj7cz)
A Enemy
Dad's double-life shocks Andy and Julie.
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
Mr Overthorpe ...... Simon Greenall
Michael ...... Gary Bleasdale
Mrs Overthrope ...... Kay Stonham
Bronson ...... Tony Burgess
Produced and directed by Jo Clegg with Alexei Sayle.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1999.

FRIDAY 03 JULY 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (m001trqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 What We Leave We Carry: The Legacy of John la Rose (b00x95h6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Whodunnits (b007ys7n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzm5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jv8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qt2hk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000219n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m00014l9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mf36d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b0183rb5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 The Strange Case of the Man in the Velvet Jacket by Robert Forrest (b016kdcg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:50 Inheritance Tracks (m00289jw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:50 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Whodunnits (b007ytww)
Hercule Poirot - Murder on the Orient Express
5. Whodunnit?
Time is against Belgian sleuth, as he battles to unmask the murderer aboard the Orient Express.
John Moffatt stars as Hercule Poirot in the conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunnit.
From the book published in 1934 and dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Monsieur Bouc ...... Andre Maranne
Dr Constantine ...... Peter Polycarpou
Masterman ...... Desmond Llewelyn
Pierre Michel ...... Frank Windsor
Princess Dragmiroff ...... Sian Phillips
Mrs Hubbard ...... Sylvia Syms
Miss Debenham ...... Francesca Annis
Count Andrenyi ...... David Thorpe
Countess Andrenyi ...... Siriol Jenkins
Colonel Arbuthnot ...... Stephen Hodson
Foscarelli ...... Frank Coda
Miss Ohlsson ...... Kate Binchy
MacQueen ...... James Telfer
Fraulein Schmidt ...... Linda Polan
Music composed and played by Michael Haslam
Director Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.
FRI 06:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzdp)
5. The Secret of the Forest
Ekaterinburg, 1918: Captain Tremayne has had to bring forward his attempt to rescue the Tsar and the Imperial Royal family from the Bolsheviks.
He and Kasakov prepare for the assault on the House of Special Purpose.
Starring Maurice Denham, Jeremy Clyde and Sean Barrett.
Dramatised by Ted Willis from his own novel, first published in 1980.
Himself .... Ted Willis
Lord Tremayne .... Maurice Denham
Captain Tremayne .... Jeremy Clyde
Lady Tremayne .... Joyce Carey
Meg .... Elizabeth Proud
Major Story .... Bob Sherman
Colonel Kasakov .... Sean Barrett
Nikolai Dukov .... Haydn Wood
Mogilov .... Nicholas Courtney
Gromyko …. Cyril Shaps
Klaus .... John Rye
Kelly .... John Livesey
Samarin .... James Windsor
Sister Lyudmilla .... Pauline Letts
Sister Elizabieta .... Jane Knowles
Voytek .... David McAllister
The Corporal .... John Webb
Director: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1981.
FRI 07:00 Flying the Flag (b00cbcpj)
Series 3
Cultural Exchange
"Someone else's culture is like someone else's toothbrush, William. You wouldn't want to use it yourself, but you're reassured to know they've got one."
With Heavy Metal and Dancing Detectors, Mackenzie and Surikov mix the oil and water of artistic detente.
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
Grub .... Julian Dutton
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1990.
FRI 07:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
Series 6
Porn Yesterday
Harold Steptoe is horrified when he discovers exactly 'What the Butler Saw'!
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
Mabel ...... Norma Ronald
Vicar ...... Anthony Sharpe
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1976.
FRI 08:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021b1s)
Series 13
Nether Edge
Mark Steel’s 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.
“...a place where all the baristas know your name ... "
Next stop, Mark is in Nether Edge, a leafy suburb of Sheffield which wants to become a village.
Here he samples the local honey, visits the local shops and cafes, a rum keg - and the bowl's club that once threw out Ronnie Wood for inappropriate behaviour.
He also talks to the passionate locals about a campaign by the council to make the area less leafy by cutting down half of the trees.
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 July 2024.
FRI 08:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m000151c)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
10. A Trip to Greece
A new girl starts work at ‘Savages’.
Adrian goes on a writing holiday to Greece and feels liberated by the experience.
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers. Following on from The Secret Diary and The Growing Pains, it is now 1991 and our diarist is 23.
Adrian is still infatuated with his childhood sweetheart Pandora and is living in her box room in Oxford. Already in possession of a husband and a boyfriend, and sick of his attentions, Pandora recommends a therapist to help Adrian move on.
Unfulfilled by his job at the Department of the Environment, Adrian’s aspirations to become a poet and author are undimmed. Whilst working on his first novel, ‘Lo! The Flat Hills of my Homeland’, he is plagued by the literary success of his old nemesis, Barry Kent.
Adrian struggles to understand why he is so unsuccessful with women but his perseverance eventually pays off. How the female brain works remains a mystery to him, however.
As he continues to battle valiantly with the slings and arrows that life throws at him, Adrian starts to feel less of an outsider and more at ease with himself.
Abridged by Sara Davies.
Concluded by Harry McEntire.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
FRI 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mfhv8)
10. A Falling Star
Neely has won an Academy Award, but her second marriage is already on the rocks
But the studio has other ideas...
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Jacqueline Susann's best selling novel, first published in 1966.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus.
Anne Welles .... Madeleine Potter
John Sykes .... Ian Porter
Kevin .... Kerry Shale
Studio Head .... Nathan Osgood
Nelly O'Hara .... Barbara Barnes
Shirley .... Coleen Prendergast
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
FRI 09:00 Parish Is Burning (m0016820)
Surreal, silly vibrations from the flatlining, radio desert somewhere near the Irish Border.
First picked up by lorry drivers trying to find a signal in the flatlining radio desert of the Irish border, Parish Is Burning is a wild, silly and surreal sketch show. A genuine metaphysical anomaly, a mysterious broadcast from an alternative universe (near Omagh) with that uniquely warped, unpredictable, big-hearted, Northern Irish whiff and featuring new comedy talent from all over Ireland.
In this pilot episode, visit Mo Farragh’s Ostrich Farm, eavesdrop on the parish helpline, find out if Sargent Gerry Rafferty can crack the case of the man beaten to death with his own kettle, experience Rural Fury at the Parish youth club and catch up on Belfast soap opera Van Dad.
Parish Is Burning is created by Michael McCullagh and Phil Taggart, and stars Michael Fry, Ciara Knight, Michael Stranney, Hannah Mamalis, Mary Flanigan and Peter McGann.
Producer: Keith Martin
Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd
A Fabel production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 09:30 Elizabethan Subjects (m002ybs0)
5. John Dee
Historian Dr Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.
From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.
Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.
Now, Justin explores the life and work of John Dee, one of the greatest Elizabethan intellectuals and alchemists.
Reader: Bruce Purchase
Producer: Sarah Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002ybs2)
Meals with Jesus - Breakfast on the beach
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Meals with Jesus - Breakfast on the beach
Presenter: Reverend Steve Williams
Reading: John 21:4-14
Music:
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus - AMC Gospel Choir (BBC Recording)
Precious Lord take my hand - Daily Service Singers (BBC Recording)
Great is thy faithfulness - Jake & Mates (BBC Recording)
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b080t7dh)
The Star-Spangled Banner
America's national anthem was written by a lawyer, Francis Scott Key, after watching the British navy bombing Fort McHenry in 1814.
It was set to an English social men's club song and recognized as the national anthem in 1889. Notoriously difficult to sing, and traditionally played at public sports events and orchestral concerts, the anthem has inspired emotion and attracted controversy.
We hear from:
* Dr John Carlos who, along with Dr Tommie Smith, raised his fist on the Olympic podium in the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, as the anthem was played.
* Jose Feliciano who sang the anthem at the 1968 World series and provoked criticism.
* Conrad Netting IV who discovered the truth about his fighter pilot father's history, which led him to a cemetery in Normandy.
* Writer Crista Cloutier who associated it with President Obama's election.
* Members of the Coldstream Guards band, who played the anthem at the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on the day after 9/11.
* Leon Hendrix, Jimi's brother, who was in the army at the time of Woodstock, and was put on 'potato peeling duty' because of the 'dishonourable' version his brother had played.
Producer Sara Conkey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
FRI 10:30 Midnight Feasts and Lashings of Ginger Beer (b00pqj0x)
Food is everywhere in children's literature.
The Famous Five were constantly eating enormous amounts of food. Midnight feasts an essential part of life at St Clare’s and Hogwarts.
Not forgetting squashed fly biscuits, and even food which comes to life - children's books luxuriate in lavish descriptions of meals, picnics and treats.
Food is always delicious and written about with such enthusiasm that the reader is left wishing they could dive into the story and feast on the treats within.
But why is British children's fiction so preoccupied with all this fictional feasting?
Former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, among others, discusses the meaning of all this gluttony with Sheila McClennon.
Producer: Cecile Wright.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2010
FRI 11:00 Whodunnits (b007ytww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Flying the Flag (b00cbcpj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021b1s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m000151c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mfhv8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
Series 3
Edwina Currie
Ex-MP, novelist and broadcaster Edwina Currie is in the hot seat posing questions all about her.
With:
Sue Perkins
Carrie Quinlan
Will Smith
Robin Ince
Series with changing hosts who quiz the panel.
Script by Simon Littlefield and Kieron Quirke.
Devised and produced by Aled Evans.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.
FRI 14:30 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (m002ybs4)
***** 4 Extra remembers Scottish actor Alexander Morton who died in April aged 81.
In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published his disturbing tale of a Dr Jekyll.
It tells of his experiments with a drug which turns him into a fiend by the name of Mr Hyde
Stars Alexander Morton and Tom Fleming.
Robert Forrest's dramatisation is set in Edinburgh and introduces another voice - Legion.
Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde ... Alexander Morton
Legion ... Tom Fleming
Lanyon ... Michael Elder
Utterson ... Ralph Riach
Enfield ... Tom Smith
Mary ... Lisa Grindall
Poole ... John Shedden
Lizzie ... Louise Ironside
Policeman ... David Tennant
Music composed and played by David Dorward
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1993.
FRI 15:40 The Postmaster by Alexander Pushkin (b00fsxfs)
A poor Russian postmaster is left distraught when his beloved daughter runs away with a handsome hussar.
He tracks his daughter down, but finds her enjoying a life of wealth and privilege which she is loathe to leave.
Classic short story written by Alexander Pushkin.
Read by Jeremy Northam.
Producer: Charlotte Riches
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in December 2008.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b080t7dh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Midnight Feasts and Lashings of Ginger Beer (b00pqj0x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Whodunnits (b007ytww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 The Buckingham Palace Connection (m001yzdp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Flying the Flag (b00cbcpj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021b1s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (m000151c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mfhv8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 The Personality Test (b007tckc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (m002ybs4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:40 The Postmaster by Alexander Pushkin (b00fsxfs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:40 today]
FRI 22:00 Parish Is Burning (m0016820)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children (m000xv7s)
Series 1
2. Opt to Adopt
Stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker tells the story of how the Blakers added to their large, hectic domestic life.
They decided to adopt a little girl with Down Syndrome.
Series featuring a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers’ home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
As parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers’ children are not just any kids. Three have special needs – two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome – and the show - with sensitivity - finds the funny side of raising children with disabilities and also adoption.
Written and performed by Ashley Blaker
Ashley is joined by:
Shelley Blond
Kieran Hodgson
Rosie Holt
Judith Jacob
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley’s own children:
Ami
Ophie
Simi
Soroh
Sruly
Bina
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
FRI 23:00 The Big Fun Show (b00lk0c1)
Episode 6
Meet a clueless boxer and his coach and the poor boy who wears a violin to school.
Julian Clary shows his appreciation regarding his entrance...
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
Tony Hawkes
Julian Clary
Music by Tony Hawks.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1988.
FRI 23:30 The Show What You Wrote (b04fcc89)
Series 2
Art and Literature
This is the themed sketch show made entirely from contributions sent in by the public.
The best ideas have been chosen from thousands of submissions from new writers resulting in a show like no other.
Recorded in Manchester.
Art and Literature are the subjects.
Written by:
The Public
With:
Darren Kuppan
Fiona Clarke
Gavin Webste
Helen Moon
Producers: Alexandra Smith & Carl Cooper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014.