SATURDAY 04 JULY 2026

SAT 00:00 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.
SAT 00:30 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
SAT 01:00 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.
SAT 01:30 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.
SAT 02:00 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.
SAT 02:30 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.
SAT 03:00 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.
SAT 03:30 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.
SAT 03:45 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.
SAT 04:00 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.
SAT 04:30 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.
SAT 05:40 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.
SAT 06:00 Three of Swords by Mike Dorrell (m002ymtr)
If anyone did kill Rachel Evans then local hard man, Mal Rees, must be the chief suspect.
Nevertheless, the suspended police inspector is determined to prove his mistress was murdered.
His only clue is a tarot card that stands for chaos...
Starring Mike Hayward and Gareth Armstrong.
Mike Dorrell's dark crime thriller is set in Swansea.
Inspector Mal Rees .... Mike Hayward
Flaherty ....... Gareth Armstrong
Marshall ........ Howell Evans
Sheila ...... Myfanwy Talog
Kay ...... Beth Morris
Rachel .... Sian Owen
Big Dave / Alan .... Philip Rowlands
Walker .... Gareth Snook
Steiner .... John Linstrum
O'Shea .... Martin Gower
Carl Edwards .... Sion Probert
Aneurin Evans .... Dorien Thomas
Directed at BBC Wales by Adrian Mourby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1986.
SAT 07:30 The Duel by Joseph Conrad (Omnibus) (m0021938)
"Napoleon I, whose career had the quality of a duel against the whole of Europe, disliked duelling between the officers of his army."
The story of two feuding officers - Feraud and D'Hubert - both lieutenants in a regiment of hussars, but not in the same regiment.
Short story written by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1908.
Omnibus abridged in five parts by Andrew Simpson
Read by Stephen Boxer
Producer: Eoin O'Callaghan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1997.
SAT 08:45 I, An Actor (m002ymtt)
4. Myself
Nicholas Craig is the greatest actor in the world.
He reflects on agents, how negotiating your fee is just as hard as fighting in the trenches, and takes us behind-the-scenes with his rehearsal diaries.....
‘How can something be malicious if it’s the truth....?’
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 (b007jrgv)
Series 2
1. When the Sap Is Rising
Dame Hilda and Dr Evadne swallow the consequences of home-made wine.
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 ...... George Logan
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... Patrick Fyffe
Tom ...... David Griffin
Maud ...... Daphne Heard
Major Dyrenforth ...... Anthony Sharp
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 April 1983.
SAT 09:30 Brothers in Law (b007k0z0)
Series 1
The First Brief
Rookie barrister Roger Thursby unwittingly aids a habitual fraudster.
Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was first published in 1955.
Legendary duo Frank Muir and Denis Norden adapted it for BBC TV in 1962. This gave Richard Briers his first regular starring role as idealistic young lawyer, Roger Thursby.
Roger Thursby …. Richard Briers
Henry Blagrove …. Richard Waring
Sally Mannering …. Ann Davies
Grimes …. John Glyn-Jones
Green …. Kenneth Connor
The Judge …. John Le Mesurier
Other parts played by:
Malcolm Hayes
Fredrick Treves
Adapted from the BBC TV scripts by Richard Waring
Restored from BBC Transcription Service tapes - originally edited for sale abroad.
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1970.
SAT 10:00 The Changing Sound of Radio (m000g3y2)
1: Under Water and in the Garden
Since he was first given a tape recorder in 1967, musician and wildlife sound recordist, Chris Watson, has been fascinated by the possibilities of sound.
In the first of three programmes, he tells the story of the technological advances in radio from the first Outside Broadcast, through the Radiophonic Workshop and to advent of podcasting.
For starters, Chris fires up his first-ever tape recorder and we hear some of his radio moments.
Featuring:
* ORCHESTRA UNDER THE WAVES - presented by Evelyn Glennie
- BBC Radio 4, 1996.
* THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACKBIRD
- BBC Radio 3, 2000
* OH, WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU
- BBC Home Service, 1963.
Producer: Jessica Treen
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra - and first broadcast in October 2018.
SAT 11:00 Three of Swords by Mike Dorrell (m002ymtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 The Duel by Joseph Conrad (Omnibus) (m0021938)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 I, An Actor (m002ymtt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrgv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Brothers in Law (b007k0z0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 The Changing Sound of Radio (m000g3y2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Drama on 4 (b01j2bmz)
The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins
In 1860, the formidable Countess Narona marries a rich young aristocrat in London.
But shortly after travelling to Venice her husband dies, apparently of natural causes.
This leaves the Countess a rich woman.
Years later, guests in a Venetian hotel encounter the terrifying apparition of a murder victim seeking revenge.
Wilkie Collins' gothic horror tale is a powerful combination of ghost story and detective mystery.
Starring Adjoa Andoh.
Dramatised by Rod Beacham.
Countess Narona ...... Adjoa Andoh
Henry Westwick ...... Harry Lloyd
Agnes Lockwood ...... Jasmine Hyde
Francis Westwick ...... Simon Bubb
Suzannah Westwick ...... Katherine Igoe
Emily Ferrari ...... Alex Rivers
Megan ...... Josie Kidd
Doctor Wybrow ...... Gerard McDermott
Carstairs ...... James Lailey
Doctor Bruno ...... Rod Beacham
Director: Bruce Young.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2012.
SAT 17:00 Three of Swords by Mike Dorrell (m002ymtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 The Duel by Joseph Conrad (Omnibus) (m0021938)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 I, An Actor (m002ymtt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrgv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Brothers in Law (b007k0z0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 The Changing Sound of Radio (m000g3y2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 22:00 The Secret World (b011vld9)
Series 1
Episode 5
From Sir Alan Sugar to Boy George.
The comedy impressions series examining the bizarre and private lives of public people.
Starring:
Jon Culshaw
Lewis Macleod
Margaret Cabourn Smith
Julian Dutton
Jess Robinson
Duncan Wisbey
Written by Bill Dare, Julian Dutton, Joel Morris & Jason Hazeley, Rufus Jones and Dan Skinner.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2009.
SAT 22:30 Jayde Adams: Hometown Glory (m0011lfk)
Episode 2
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 take another half-hour episode to explain.
Jayde asks what ‘feeling at home’ really means; why we leave home; and why some of us, at least, feel the draw to go back.
Not that Jayde’s story isn’t interesting enough on its own - girl lives in same house for 18 years, moves to London, moves back again.
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 (m002ypmw)
Davina Bentley 1/3
Lou Conran speaks to comedian and writer Davina Bentley. Davina shares how she juggles being a lawyer and a comedian, and they chat about why perimenopause shouldn't be a dirty word.
SAT 23:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00ls6bt)
Series 1
Episode 4
More fun and frolics round at Arthur Smith’s home in Balham, south London.
With comedians:
Stewart Lee
Reginald D Hunter
Plus music from Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Will she be in Arthur’s kitchen?
Singer-songwriter Loretta Maine (Pippa Evans) lends a hand.
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.
SAT 23:30 Everyone Quite Likes Justin (b012l4ng)
Series 1
Episode 4
House-hunting sparks all sorts of difficulties for Manchester DJ Justin..
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
Christine Bottomley ..... Lisa
Jim Poyser ..... Lisa's boyfriend
Justin Moorhouse ..... Justin
Lloyd Langford ..... Bryn
Paul Copley ..... Ray
Susan Cookson ..... Tanya
Producer: Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.

SUNDAY 05 JULY 2026

SUN 00:00 Drama on 4 (b01j2bmz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Three of Swords by Mike Dorrell (m002ymtr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 The Duel by Joseph Conrad (Omnibus) (m0021938)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 I, An Actor (m002ymtt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket (b007jrgv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Brothers in Law (b007k0z0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 The Changing Sound of Radio (m000g3y2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ymxn)
Nautical Castaways
Dame Ellen MacArthur
Solo yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur is castaway by Kirsty Young.
Ellen was 28 when she became the fastest person to sail solo around the world, and has been called the 'first true heroine of the 21st century'.
She still sails with friends and with the charity she set up for children with cancer and leukaemia, but her ambition now is to try to find a way of living the same sustainable existence on land that she lives at sea.
When your life depends on it, she says, you realise how scarce food and fuel really are.
DISC ONE: OutKast - Hey Ya
DISC TWO: Don Henley - The Boys of Summer
DISC THREE: Phil Collins - I Wish It Would Rain Down
DISC FOUR: Manu Chao - Me Gustas Tu (I Like You)
DISC FIVE: Thomas Newman - Any Other Name
DISC SIX: Dido - Here With Me
DISC SEVEN: Spandau Ballet - Through the Barricades
DISC EIGHT: Coldplay - Fix You
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Don Henley - The Boys of Summer
BOOK CHOICE: SAS Survival Handbook by John "Lofty" Wiseman
LUXURY CHOICE: A fluffy purple worm (which has been taken everywhere)
Producer: Leanne Buckle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mydlm)
Series 1
Amber
As a boy, David Attenborough had a piece of amber in which lay a blood-sucking fly. He still has it today.
Would it be possible to extract the DNA from one of these insects caught in the resin and, maybe, recreate a dinosaur?
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 October 2009
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002ymxr)
The Echo Chamber - Sean Borodale
Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects The Echo Chamber - Sean Borodale - who, in this edition, is in a literal echo chamber.
**And Daljit Nagra reads from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: Alcatraz: Poems from the Contemporary Welsh edited by Robert Minhinnick.
In the Echo Chamber, poet Sean Borodale shares poems from his collection Asylum, written deep within the caves of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. He is then joined in a caving pub by Holly Corfield Carr.
Produced by Ellie Richold.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.
SUN 07:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016b2)
Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years
Episode 2
The third book in the exquisitely funny Adrian Mole series by Sue Townsend, one of our most celebrated comic writers.
Read by Harry McEntire
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.
Omnibus of the last five of ten parts abridged by Sara Davies.
Producer: Alexa Moore
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.
SUN 08:40 Witness History (w3cswsrl)
Barbara Cartland - Queen of Romance
Dame Barbara Cartland was best known for her historical romances and is thought to have sold hundreds of millions of books around the world.
She was step-grandmother to Princess Diana and was at her most prolific in the 1970s and 80s when she appeared regularly on British television.
Kirsty Reid has been listening to some of her interviews from the BBC archives and hearing what it was like to meet her in person.
Kirsty also talks to writer Joe McAleer about Dame Barbara Cartland.
Producer/Presenter: Kirsty Reid
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in January 2019.
Photo: Barbara Cartland, pictured in 1970 (Credit: BBC)
SUN 08:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (m00161kx)
Episode 2
In dazzling post-war New York, Anne, Jennifer and Neely move in together. Jacqueline Susann drama with Barbara Barnes.
SUN 10:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
Room to Manoeuvre
Cleaner Elsie Spurgeon borrows a flat just for a night, but must try to be keep caretaker Ramsay Potts out of the way.
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:
John Graham
Jon Glover
Norma Ronald
Nell Brennan
Yvonne Manners
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1982.
SUN 10:30 Take It From Here (b09yd9y9)
From 11/10/1955
The cast take oaths of allegiance - and 'The Glums' go to the pictures.
Starring:
Professor Jimmy Edwards
Dick Bentley
June Whitfield
Alma Cogan
Wallace Eton
Music from The Keynotes and the BBC Revue Orchestra.
Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1955.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ymxn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mydlm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002ymxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Witness History (w3cswsrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (m00161kx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Take It From Here (b09yd9y9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Limelight (p0clfh4t)
English Rose: Series 1
4. Life Support
Gulliver is in the hospital and Rose wants to know why. There is danger everywhere and she must protect him.
18-year-old Rose has come from Whitby to Manhattan to work as a nanny to a glittering but secretive family. She's not like the other girls. And Gulliver is no ordinary baby. This is a world not just of champagne, but shadows, where all is definitely not as it seems.
Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent). With music by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Mercury-nominated band, Porridge Radio.
Written by Helen Cross
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.
Sound design by Ilse Lademann
Producer Mary Ward-Lowery
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2022.
SUN 16:30 Fear on 4 (b007jnx3)
Series 2
A Child Crying
To hear the sound of a crying child is not unusual.
What does it mean though when you are the only one who can hear it?
The Man in Black sets the chilling scene...
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Written by James Saunders
The Man In Black …. Edward de Souza
Guy …. Nigel Anthony
Paul …. Ken Cumberlidge
Child's voice …. Cara Kelly
Ian …. Kim Wall
Producer: Gerry Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ymxn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mydlm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002ymxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Witness History (w3cswsrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (m00161kx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Take It From Here (b09yd9y9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Revolting People (b007lrv1)
Series 2
Trying Times
A wife returns, a daughter gives birth and Sergeant McGurk reveals the real reason the British won the Battle of Culloden.
The return of the sitcom set just before the American War of Independence.
Written by Andy Hamilton and Jay Tarses.
Samuel Oliphant …. Jay Tarses
Sergeant McGurk …. Andy Hamilton
Captain Brimshaw …. James Fleet
Mary Oliphant …. Jan Ravens
Ezekiel Spriggs …. Hugh Dennis
Cora Oliphant …. Penelope Nice
Joshua Oliphant …. Tony Maudsley
Elizabeth Oliphant …. Susie Blake
Agnes …. Selina Griffiths
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
SUN 22:30 Alexei Sayle's Strangers on a Train (m00193sf)
Series 1
Cardiff to Portsmouth
Alexei Sayle takes a train journey and breaks the golden rule of travelling by train in the UK - he actually talks to his fellow passengers.
His first trip takes him from Cardiff to Portsmouth.
Among his many fellow travellers, he meets:
* David, who looks after tunnels for a living
* Tess, who speaks Russian and Ukrainian and has been trained to drive a tank
* Technician Megan from the National Oceanography Centre who, while many of us might be daunted by trying to deal with a leaking washing machine, loves fixing things and takes on the maintenance of mass spectrometers as part of the centre’s work on climate change.
Producers: Peter Lowe & Nick Symons
A Ride production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2022.
SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002ypkh)
Davina Bentley 2/3
Lou Conran speaks to comedian and writer Davina Bentley. They talk tap dancing, needing time alone and wanting to have an exciting life.
SUN 23:00 Ed Reardon's Week (m0005f1d)
Series 13
Punk Rock Vampires
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.
A British horror film that Ed wrote in the 1970s - called 'Punk Rock Vampires' - comes back to haunt him
But it presents the opportunity to make a few quid...
Starring: Christopher Douglas
Comedy written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.
Ed Reardon …. Christopher Douglas
Olive …. Stephanie Cole
Pearl …. Brigit Forsyth
Ping …. Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Stan …. Geoffrey Whitehead
Andy …. Dan Tetsell
Producer Simon Nicholls
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2019.
SUN 23:30 Electric Ink (b0116gvm)
Series 1
Episode 1
Maddox is an old school journalist struggling to keep up with new technology.
He feels the art of finding stories is being forgotten and he is not about to let that happen.
Starring Robert Lindsay and Alex Jennings.
Old hacks meet new media in Alistair Beaton’s satire set in the changing world of the newspaper industry.
Maddox ...... Robert Lindsay
Oliver ...... Alex Jennings
Amelia ...... Elizabeth Berrington
Tasneem ...... Zita Sattar
Masha ...... Debbie Chazen
Freddy ...... Ben Willbond
Announcer ...... Matt Addis
With additional material by Tom Mitchelson.
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2009.

MONDAY 06 JULY 2026

MON 00:00 Limelight (p0clfh4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Fear on 4 (b007jnx3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002ymxn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mydlm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002ymxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 The Diaries of Adrian Mole (Omnibus) (m00016b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Witness History (w3cswsrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Omnibus) (m00161kx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Know Your Place (b018jpjy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Take It From Here (b09yd9y9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlpz)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Empty House
Sherlock Holmes has met his fate at the Reichenbach Falls, and Mary Watson is on her death-bed.
Alone and grief-stricken, Dr Watson tries his hand at solving a society murder.
Series of classic mysteries.about the immortal Baker Street detective.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1903.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr Watson .... Michael Williams
Mary Watson .... Jillie Meers
Prof. Moriarty .... Michael Pennington
Colonel Moran .... Frederick Treves
Inspector Lestrade .... Donald Gee
Mrs. Hudson .... Joan Matheson
Sir John .... Peter Penry Jones
Ronald Adair .... John Webb
Murray .... Steve Hodson
Nurse .... Kate Binchy
Jenny .... Siriol Jenkins
Stamford .... Keith Drinkel
Coroner .... John Church
Parker .... John Fleming
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1993.
MON 06:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b00757f0)
1. 1940s Broadcasting House
Life at the BBC's Broadcasting House during the dark days of 1940 when London was under nightly attack from the Luftwaffe.
Wartime sees myriad hopes and fears of employees come and go in the course of newsgathering.
Penelope Fitzgerald's bitter-sweet comedy, first published in 1980.
Abridged in ten parts by David Dorward
Read by Penelope Wilton,
Producer: Patrick Rayner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.
MON 07:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h9t2d)
Series 1
Episode 7
A day trip to France brings buried memories to the surface for Bernard.
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
Hiker/Waiter/Gendarme …. Peter Wheeler
Mandy …. Julie Higginson
Produced at BBC Manchester by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1993.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jq5q)
Series 3
The Deadly Attachment
The Walmington-on-Sea platoon attempt to guard the crew of a German U-boat crew.
But their captain starts making a list of Mainwaring's men...
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon
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
Vicar …. Frank Williams
Captain Muller …. Philip Madoc
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1976.
MON 08:00 The Architects (b051rjpp)
Series 2
Refurb
Matt and Tim are dispatched to Watford to restyle a Premier League footballer's mansion.
Meanwhile Sir Lucien must negotiate a press interview without putting his foot in it.
Comedy set in a struggling architectural practice.
Written by Jim Poyser with Neil Griffiths.
Sir Lucien ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Tim ...... Alex Carter
Sarah ...... Anna Crilly
Matt ...... Dominic Coleman
Danny ...... Richie Campbell
Sean ...... Jude Akuwudike
John ...... Ian Conningham
Computer Caddie/Tony ...... Sam Dale
Directed by Toby Swift.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2015.
MON 08:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fxxkz)
1. April Revival - 1984
Tina Brown's time as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine from the mid-1980's to the early 90's.
Barely out of her 30s, she moved to New York to take over Conde Nast's ailing magazine, Vanity Fair.
The culture shock was big, with little time to get her April edition up and running.
Any good ideas?
Abridged in five parts by Katrin Williams.
Read by Tina Brown.
Producer: Duncan Minshull.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
MON 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjktk)
11. The Cat Fight
1956: Neely's Hollywood career has collapsed. Back in New York - she gets a TV break.
But is she up to it?
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
Nelly O'Hara ...Barbara Barnes
Kevin... Kerry Shale
Helen Lawson... Sally Dexter
Attendant... Coleen Prendergast
Director... Nathan Osgood
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
MON 09:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m002ybh7)
Series 85
4. Garden or Bedroom
The godfather of all panel shows returns 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 Eat Your Garden (m002ymyb)
Castle Leslie, County Monaghan
With its stunning lough-side location, it was no surprise when Paul McCartney chose Castle Leslie in County Monaghan as the venue for his wedding (2002).
But it wasn't just the view that appealed- there also was stunning food, the ingredients grown and selected on the estate by Ireland's hottest young chef, Noel McMeel.
Hedgerow harvester, Wiz Clift joins Noel and castle owner, Sammy Leslie as they prepare the evening menu.
They tour the Castle's crumbling walled gardens which once employed 26 gardeners.
Today the orchards, flower beds and glasshouses are abandoned but at the height of British rule they produced an extraordinary range of food for one of Ireland's richest families.
One smitten member of the Anglo-Irish gentry grew exotic fruits and orchids in the centrally heated glasshouses and sent them in a weekly basket to his soprano lover at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Later generations brought cannabis plants back from their travels, convincing the locals that they were breeding a new species of edible thistle. Investigating a mysterious noise one night the gardener disturbed a policeman rooting around the cloches. Flush-faced, the embarrassed Guard admitted that he was in search of a few tomatoes for his sick grandmother.
Even among the thorns and bracken of the overgrown garden Wiz and Noel find inspiration- ancient gnarled apples for a tart tatin, rosemary and wild blewit mushrooms to flavour and accompany the Estate's venison and elderberries to turn beef stock into a rich emulsion fit to moisten the dark, marbled meat.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2003.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002ymyd)
The Power of Story - Noah's Ark
Comedian and children's writer Paul Kerensa looks at the Biblical account of Noah's Ark and how children's stories can both make us laugh, ask questions and explore faith.
Theme:
The Power of Story - Noah's Ark
Presenter: Paul Kerensa
Reading: Noah's Ark
Music:
Great are you Lord - Jake & Mates
Ancient of Days - Becca Folkes
If my people - Lucy Grimble
MON 10:00 I Was... (b08spdx4)
Series 4
I Was Johnny Cash's Tailor
Manuel Cuevas, the man who created and made the suits that defined "the Man in Black" - country singer, Johnny Cash, talks to Andrew McGibbon.
Manuel Cuevas is the "King of Cowboy Bling". He has been designing clothes since he was a boy - barely 7 years old - in his native Mexico. His Nashville store is where all the stars get their threads. But from 1969 Manuel was hired to design Johnny Cash's legendary black suits and formed an extraordinary relationship with the iconic star.
In I Was... Johnny Cash's Tailor, Manuel Cuevas tells the story of his tailoring relationship with the country singer and how he saw the metaphysical black in Johnny's character and couldn't resist making him black suits.
This is a charming story about the spiritual relationship between a tailor and the most inscrutable and enduring country music star ever.
Written and presented by Andrew McGibbon
A Curtains for Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2017.
MON 10:30 The No.219 Sodcast Project (b011v1bq)
Scourge of public transport and perpetrators of tinny sounds - young people are reclaiming buses and trains with their tiny mobile phone speakers and gangster tracks. The 'sodcast' is everywhere. But is it really such a menace?
Ian McMillan recaptures his own youth when he was ghetto blasting Captain Beefheart and sets out on Yorkshire's buses to unpick the sodcasting phenomenon.
Inspired by a bus campaign to exterminate the sodcaster, he meets passengers newly committed to giving up their music in public, and plenty who will fight to the last for their right to peace and quiet. In Hackney he rides with school girls who switch from tunes on their phones to self-composed raps about school dinner ladies, and visits the producer of one of the UK's most sodcasted tracks to learn the secrets of remixing music for the lowest of lo-fi reproduction.
But can Ian convince a bus-load of sceptics that sharing music is an act of charity rather than an assault on our personal space?
The ultimate sodcast is his plan, a 'joycast' of music to unite rather than divide. It turns out to be quite a challenge.....
Producer: Michael Surcombe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
MON 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b00757f0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 12:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h9t2d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jq5q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 The Architects (b051rjpp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fxxkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjktk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
Series 62
Episode 5
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Paul Merton
Sue Perkins
Julian Clary
Charles Collingwood
Subjects include: The Contents Of Nicholas's Wallet, Waiting For The Phone To Ring, The Perfect Man, The Perfect Woman, Paying Through The Nose, My Favourite Season, Camping Holidays, Who I'd Like To Have Been, Bach and My Hobby
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.
MON 14:30 King Street Junior Revisited (b00l74dt)
Series 4
Turning the Tables
The move up from Junior to High School is a step too far it seems, for a former pupil.
It's also quiz time, but Mr Maxwell is lacking a team.
School comedy created and written by Jim Eldridge.
Miss Lewis …. Marlene Sidaway
Mr Maxwell …. Michael Cochrane
Miss Featherstone …. Teresa Gallagher
Miss Reid …. Jacqueline Beatty
Mrs Khan …. Janice Acquah
Mr Long …. Paul Copley
Jack Pollard …. Bill Wallis
Mrs Morgan …. Jemma Churchill
Ten series of King Street Junior ran between 1985 and 1998.
King Street Junior Revisited ran from 2002 to 2005.
Producer: John Fawcett Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2005.
MON 15:00 The Two Sisters by David Ashton (b0721g5y)
A lecherous salesman stumbles into the claustrophobic world of two sisters with a grim secret.
Starring Joan Sims and Barbara Jefford.
David Ashton 's darkly humorous horror story has several decidedly "unsisterly" twists and turns.
Henrietta ...... Barbara Jefford
Abigail ...... Joan Sims
The Nephew ...... Robert Glenister
Producer: Martin Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996
MON 16:00 I Was... (b08spdx4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 The No.219 Sodcast Project (b011v1bq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b00757f0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 18:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h9t2d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jq5q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 The Architects (b051rjpp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fxxkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjktk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 King Street Junior Revisited (b00l74dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 The Two Sisters by David Ashton (b0721g5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m002ybh7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:30 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b0081b6p)
Series 1
Episode 6
Butterfly's terror reign 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 March 1997.
MON 22:45 Ivor Cutler - A Wet Handle (b00ctkty)
Episode 5
Grass seed, mud and digging ditches.
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 (m002ycbj)
Series 27
Much Ado About North-ing
Like Andy Burnham’s No.10, Dead Ringers is in the North, at the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival in Sheffield. This week: Chris Mason is giddy, Zia Yusuf is everywhere, and The Rest is Politics has gone mad for it.
Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey and Kieran Hodgson.
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 (b00h3h6c)
Series 3
The Thing
Learn about medieval cooking, and view the most precious exhibit.
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 07 JULY 2026

TUE 00:00 I Was... (b08spdx4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 The No.219 Sodcast Project (b011v1bq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b00757f0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 For Better or for Worse (b00h9t2d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jq5q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 The Architects (b051rjpp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fxxkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjktk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b01cvkc7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 King Street Junior Revisited (b00l74dt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 The Two Sisters by David Ashton (b0721g5y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jp4j)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Norwood Builder
Why does a highly respected builder ask a junior legal clerk to draw up his will and then make him the sole beneficiary?
Series of classic mysteries.about the immortal Baker Street detective.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1903.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr Watson .... Michael Williams
Jonas Oldacre .... Peter Sallis
Inspector Lestrade .... Donald Gee
John McFarlane .... David Holt
Elaine McFarlane .... Melinda Walker
Mr McFarlane .... Jonathan Adams
Mrs Lexington .... Carole Walker
Mr Graham .... Lewis Jones
Vicky .... Melanie Hudson
Constable Davies .... Matthew Morgan
First Fireman .... Keith Drinkel
Second Fireman .... David Thorpe
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
TUE 06:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007k2n4)
2. A Boozy French General Visits
A boozy French General arrives for a visit with misguided words of hope.
Life at the BBC's Broadcasting House during the dark days of 1940 when London was under nightly attack from the Luftwaffe.
Penelope Fitzgerald's bitter-sweet comedy about the battles of employees in newsgathering.
,
Abridged by David Dorward
Read by Penelope Wilton,
Producer: Patrick Rayner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.
TUE 07:00 Beaumarchais (m0010qj4)
6. Le Mot Juste
Will the storming of the Bastille finally dampen the sprits of Beaumarchais?
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
Barber and Figaro:....Sean Baker
Beaumarchais' Father ....Stephen Thorne
Market women .... Joanna Monro / Elaine Pyke
Soldier ....Alex Lowe
Marat ....Kim Wall
President ....Christopher Scott
Director: Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1996.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (m001w87s)
Vintage Goons
The Great Bank of England Robbery
By just answering the telephone Neddie becomes embroiled in a villainous plan.
Ground-breaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
Vintage Goons is a series of re-recorded episodes made by the original cast for sale abroad.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Producer: Charles Chilton
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1954.
Re-recording from October 1958 by the BBC Transcription Service made for broadcast overseas.
TUE 08:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001d54m)
Series 7
Vulnerable Adult
Policeman turned comic Alfie Moore and his audience of deputies focus on an old man in the community whose had a stroke of luck.
He's got himself a much younger lady friend!.
His daughter though, is worried that this woman maybe taking advantage of her dad?
What is the right move, both legally and morally?
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 Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy5x2)
2. The Reagans -1985
The magazine wows its readers with a cover shot of the President of the USA and his wife Nancy Reagan.
There were plenty of dramas before it hit the news stands in 1985.
So how did this revealing photo spread come about?
Tina Brown recalls her time as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine in the 1980's and early 90's.
Read by the author.
Producer Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
TUE 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjnwj)
12. Fateful News
1959: Successful film star Jennifer returns to America, and falls madly in love.
But just as she’s planning their future – tragedy strikes.
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
Kevin... Kerry Shale
Claude ...Wayne Foskett
Winston Adams... Nathan Osgood
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
TUE 09:00 Meet David Sedaris (m001jcb3)
Series 9
1. Happy Go Lucky
“If something is in Esquire and you don’t like it, it might be a bad essay. If something is in the New Yorker and you don’t like it – there’s something wrong with you!”
In the first episode of this series, David reads from Happy Go Lucky – the latest comic essay about his turbulent relationship with his father, Lou, aged 98. The story opens at Springmoor, the assisted living facility where Sedaris senior is seeing out his final days and where his cognitive impairment seems to have turned him from a monster into a pussycat.
Also in this show – some extracts from David’s hilarious diary, which he’s kept for over 40 years and which reveals some of his darkest and cheekiest thoughts – including the magical marketing of a town called Uranus.
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 09:30 Eat Your Garden (m002ykzs)
River Severn
Wiz Clift rummages through Captain Bill Swinley's fertile acres in search of the perfect accompaniments for a dish of flash-fried River Severn eel.
Cut off from the rest of England by the broad Severn on one side and the Forest of Dean on the other, Captain Bill Swinley's garden basks in its own micro-climate.
The sheltered warmth of his sloping acres have allowed him to cultivate the largest collection of rare plum and damson varieties in private hands.
It's also given him the chance to grow a broad range of unusual fruits and vegetables- many harking back to his days in the Caribbean, where he spent the post-war years setting up the navy of Barbados.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002ykzw)
The Power of Story - Balaam's Donkey
Author and TV presenter Gemma Hunt marvels at a talking donkey who captures our attention.
Theme: The Power of Story - Balaams Donkey
Presenter: Gemma Hunt
Reading: Balaams Donkey - Number 22
Music: Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin
Open the eyes of my heart - Chris Tomlin
Be Still - Rivers and Robots
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000sj8j)
Amrou Al-Kadhi & Peter Bazalgette
Writer and drag performer Amrou Al-Kadhi and TV executive Peter Bazalgette join Harriett to dsicuss favourite books by Laura Cumming, Leila Slimani and Katherine Heiny.
On Chapel Sands by Laura Cumming
Publisher: Vintage
Lullaby by Leila Slimani
Publisher: Faber
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny
Publisher: 4th Estate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2021.
TUE 10:30 "Right", Said Ted and Myles (b00vcwmh)
***** English songwriter Myles Rudge joins 4 Extra's 100 CLUB - born 8th July 1926. He died in 2007 aged 81
Philip Glassborrow talks to Myles Rudge and Ted Dicks about their classic comic records like ‘Hole In The Ground’ and ‘Right Said Fred’.
Featuring:
Bernard Cribbins
Sir George Martin
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2004.
TUE 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jp4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007k2n4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 12:00 Beaumarchais (m0010qj4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (m001w87s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001d54m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy5x2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjnwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Hoax! (m002yl00)
From 17/08/1993
Barry Cryer, Brian Johnston and Ray Cooney 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 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b0076t5h)
Series 4
Ground Control to Major Derek
Wendy and Robin's new arrival and Derek's disturbing experience - is there a connection?
Sitcom about the mundane lives of Robin and Wendy and their friends and neighbours.
Written by Kay Stonham.
Robin ...... Brian Capron
Wendy ...... Kay Stonham
Derek ...... Martin Trenaman
Maureen ...... Amelia Bullmore.
With Lucy Montgomery
Producer: Claire Bartlett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2005.
TUE 15:00 Drama on 4 (m0011bg6)
Barred by Thandi Lubimbi & Richard Kurti
Tamika believes the law is a wonderful thing: “It’s freed slaves and humbled tyrants.”
The problem is the Head of Chambers believes the law is simply a machine for making as much money as possible: “Justice doesn’t come into it.”
As tensions rise, the truth about a violent sexual assault in Tamika’s past starts to emerge but, rather than support her, colleagues use this vulnerability to manipulate and undermine her.
Barred sits on a fault line between ordinary people and the institutions that are supposed to serve them - written with the knowledge of an insider and the passion of an outsider.
Starring Kerri McLean.
Written by Thandi Lubimbi and Richard Kurti.
Tamika - Kerri McLean
Kris - Susannah Harker
Dominic - Andrew Wincott
Patrick - Andrew Lancel
Carol - Ali Bastian
Max - Liam Woodlands-Mooney
Franki - Anton Rice
Wallace - Sam Devereaux
Sam - Becky Wright
Thornton - Jonathan Rhodes
Security Guard - Russell Shaw
Elliott - David O’Mahony
Della - Sally Walker Taylor
HHJ Dyson - Pavel Douglas
Prosecutor - Edwin Flay
DS Sullivan - Sean Connolly
Grace - Katy Maw
HHJ Graves - Tanya Rich
Prosecutor Steadman - Will Harrison-Wallace
Helena - Marta da Silva
Faversham - Christopher Tester
Other roles were played by members of the cast.
Thandi Lubimbi spent much of her childhood growing up in deprived areas of the country. She joined the army to get away, worked as a Senior Intelligence Officer for a law enforcement agency and then retrained as a barrister prosecuting criminal offences.
Producer: Helen Quigley
Director: Andrew Mark Sewell
A B7 Media production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2021.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000sj8j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 "Right", Said Ted and Myles (b00vcwmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jp4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007k2n4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 18:00 Beaumarchais (m0010qj4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (m001w87s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001d54m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy5x2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjnwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Hoax! (m002yl00)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b0076t5h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 Drama on 4 (m0011bg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Meet David Sedaris (m001jcb3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 And the Winner Is... (b00zxl34)
Series 2
Episode 1
Matt Lucas hosts his alternative awards show – The Lucases - as selected by his guests.
Awards include the Lucas for Biggest Political Mistake, Most Reliable Professional, Most Underwhelming British Tourist Attraction and the Luckiest Ever Winner.
Nominations are provided by Matt's guests:
Justin Edwards
Harry Enfield
Dave Gorman
But the ultimate decision is down to the whim of the host.
Devised by Ashley Blaker and Bill Matthews.
Programme Associate: Ged Parsons.
Producer: Ashley Blaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April 2011.
TUE 23:00 All the World's a Globe (b007jwp2)
1. The Creation
From the first amoeba to the Second World War.
It's the history of mankind.
Presented with a bang by the entire cast of the National Theatre of Brent - Desmond Olivier Dingle and Wallace, aided by Mr Barker.
Written by Patrick Barlow
With additional material by Jim Broadbent and Martin Duncan.
With thanks to:
Patrick Barlow
Jim Broadbent
Martin Duncan
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1990.
TUE 23:15 Foley and McColl: The Interview (b0076cvt)
Rockall
The comedy duo behind the Morecambe and Wise tribute ‘The Play What I Wrote’ finally give their big interview and spill the beans to Michael Parkinson.
Written by and starring Sean Foley and Hamish McColl.
With Michael Parkinson.
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.
TUE 23:30 Edge Falls (b007spsj)
Series 1
Family Fun Day
Dickie Doubleday 'Animal Man' is booked for a celebrity appearance at the retail village.
But it proves to be a barking idea...
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 ...... Neil Warhurst
Dickie Doubleday ...... Paul Barnhill
Tina/Shaz ...... Jasmine Callan
Miranda ...... Lindsay Allen
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2007.

WEDNESDAY 08 JULY 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m000sj8j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 "Right", Said Ted and Myles (b00vcwmh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jp4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007k2n4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Beaumarchais (m0010qj4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (m001w87s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 It's a Fair Cop (m001d54m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy5x2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjnwj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Hoax! (m002yl00)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b0076t5h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 Drama on 4 (m0011bg6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlqr)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Dancing Men
The Great detective investigate why the scribbles of a child spark tragedy for an old Norfolk family.
Series of classic mysteries.about the immortal Baker Street detective.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1903.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr Watson .... Michael Williams
Insp Martin .... Peter Tuddenham
Hilton Cubitt .... Christopher Good
Elsie Cubitt .... Diana Hunter
Abe Slaney .... John Guerrasio
Mrs King .... Jill Graham
Sounders .... Sue Broomfield
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
WED 06:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ypbc)
3. American Reporters Arrive
Some reporters from the USA arrive from France.
Odd living arrangements are made.
Life at the BBC's Broadcasting House during the dark days of 1940 when London was under nightly attack from the Luftwaffe.
Penelope Fitzgerald's bitter-sweet comedy about the battles of employees in newsgathering.
,
Abridged by David Dorward
Read by Penelope Wilton,
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.
WED 07:00 After Henry (b007jn96)
Series 2
The Romantic Approach
'It's amazing how much harm winning a war does for the moral fibre of a nation.
I mean, you'd never have seen Winston Churchill walking around with a personal stereo.'
Clare's been dumped, Eleanor finds a friend and Sarah is listening.
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
Aubrey ...... Lockwood West
Delivery boy ...... David Learner
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 Hancock's Half Hour (m0022c8n)
Series 2
A Visit to Swansea
Can the Lad manage to track down Harry Secombe to thank him for stepping in?
This recovered episode was first heard in full on the BBC Light Programme on the 10th May 1955, just two days before Tony Hancock’s 31st birthday.
Hancock had taken an unscheduled trip to Italy, leaving series producer, Dennis Main Wilson, to ask Harry Secombe to step in to star in the first three episodes of the second series of Hancock’s Half Hour.
This fourth episode saw Tony return to begrudgingly record it - and thank Harry Secombe for stepping in.
Rediscovered by Richard Harrison and restored by The Radio Circle
With an introduction by Keith Wickham.
Although the first two minutes are sadly missing, the remainder of the show, long searched for, is gloriously restored.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Harry Secombe
Bill Kerr
Sidney James
Andree Melly
Kenneth Williams
Theme and incidental music composed and conducted by Wally Stott.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1955.
WED 08:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000y0rb)
Series 1
Cheesy Strings
His Room Next Door videos are getting tens of millions of views online, a mention in the House of Commons and plaudits from highbrow cultural commentators so, by rights, Michael should be drowning in big money offers.
But, in reality, he’s sat at his desk writing copy for a kitchen worktop company worrying about the restructuring consultant they’ve brought in. Getting the axe would be catastrophic for Michael and his family.
This strange position is heightened when A-list British actor Emily Mallaby contacts Michael to invite him to a political dinner party at home. She is starting a new movement to shake up Westminster and wants the famous Room Next Door Man, who lampoons cabinet members so mercilessly, to spearhead the campaign.
At the same time, Michael’s wife Roberta is channelling her energy into hustling for Michael as a distraction from having to make a work friend redundant. She secures him an audition for a potentially lucrative commercial. OK, the role is to play a cheesy string, but a gig’s a gig and shows that Michael should take Roberta’s ambitions to be his manager seriously.
Unfortunately, he fails to acknowledge her skills and they have a massive falling out, just as he needs his wife’s advice on the work situation. Michael tries to enlist his eldest son, Sam’s help to extract that advice, but he’s useless. Perhaps Daddy is expecting too much of a nine-year old?
Both the audition and the political dinner party test Michael’s patience and integrity but fortunately Peter Curran is on hand to reassure and unnerve him in equal measure. Can Michael emerge with his principles intact and what will happen when Roberta’s ex-colleague Alexandra turns up at her doorstep while Michael is gallivanting with the A-Listers?
Written and performed by Michael Spicer.
With:
Ellie Taylor
Joanna Neary
Beattie Edmondson
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Peter Curran
Kipp Spicer.
Producer: Matt Tiller
A Starstruck and Tillervision production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
WED 08:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy6gc)
3. Let's Dance - 1986
In 1985 there was the Charles and Di story to report on and all the reactions to it.
In 1986, there's much delight with the birth of Tina's first child.
The juggling of work and home life shall begin.
Tina Brown recalls her time as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine in the 1980's and early 90's.
Read by the author.
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
WED 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjs2l)
13. An Old Flame
Following the tragedy, Neely spirals out of control.
Anne gets a visit from an ex-lover...
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
Madeleine Potter.............Anne Welles
Neely O'Hara............Barbara Barnes
Dr Hall/Jerry............Harry Myers
Nurse/Operator.........Susan Jameson
Kevin ........................ Kerry Shale
Lyon Burke ................ Jamie Glover
Producer Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
WED 09:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m0023y0q)
Series 1
3. John Robins & Michelle De Swarte
Comedian and obsessive Ivo Graham welcomes 2 guests to share their biggest obsessions with him.
British Podcast Award-winning comedians John Robins and Michelle De Swarte join Ivo this week. John is obsessed with musical icon and prolific songwriter Frank Zappa, while Michelle spends more than she's willing to admit on skincare. Ivo also delves into the audience to find out what their proclivities are, and finally Ivo is joined by a Very Obsessed Person, or 'VOP'. This week, Paul Beckmann not only tells us of his love of Fortresses of the UK, but his wife, Katia also joins to explain just how deep the obsession goes.
Hosted by Ivo Graham
Featuring John Robins, Michelle De Swarte and Paul & Katia Beckmann
Written by Ivo Graham and Matthew Crosby
Additional Material by Ray Badran, Cody Dahler, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche
Recorded at the Marylebone Theatre by Duncan Hannant and Donald McDonald
Sound edited by Charlie Brandon-King
Production Coordinators: Katie Baum and 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 Eat Your Garden (m002ymyp)
Lincolnshire
Archaeologists Francis and Maisie Pryor know more about the eating habits of prehistoric Britons than anyone else alive.
In their digs across East Anglia, they've uncovered convincing proof that the farmers of pre-Roman Britain had developed a sophisticated food production system, based around huge flocks of semi-domesticated sheep.
Whilst they don't claim to survive purely on creamed nettles, meadowsweet ale and vinegar cheese, they do keep their own flock of Neolithic sheep and need little persuasion to rustle up an ancient tribal feast.
Wiz Clift joins the Pryors for a stroll around their Lincolnshire garden.
She'll be in search of the herbs, vegetables and flowers that pre-Roman Britons would have used to liven up their mutton-based diet.
When her trug is over-flowing, she'll be sitting Francis and Maisie around an open fire in a reconstructed Bronze Age hut for her own version of a Neolithic Sunday lunch.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m002ymyr)
The Power of Story - Light and power in the Psalms
Author and illustrator Katy Hollamby takes us to a woodland in Hattersley, which inspires her fairytale style paintings, and wonders how we can look beyond ourselves as the hero in our own story, and to the source of light and power.
Theme: The Power of Story - Light and power in the Psalms
Presenter: Light and power in the Psalms
Reading:
Music:
O Emmanuel - Eriks Essenvalds
God be in my head - The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
Briggs: Hail, Gladdening Light. Choir of Clare College Cambridge
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (b0b4ykkw)
The American Art Tapes
A unique insight into the vibrant art scene of mid-1960s America from an archive of recordings made then.
In 1965, painter and teacher John Jones headed to the USA for a year, intending to record the most important and most influential artists he could find. His wife Gaby and their two young daughters went with him.
One of those daughters, Nicolette Jones is now a writer and critic and she tells the story of how they lodged in New York, while her father grabbed interviews with Yoko Ono, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg and many more.
This was the moment of Happenings, Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism, while the long shadow of Dada and Surrealism, represented on the tapes by Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray, reached forward to Louise Bourgeois.
Later, with nothing planned at all, the family set off on a three month road-trip in their old Ford station wagon, travelling America from East to West Coast, turning up in little towns on the off chance of getting an interview with artists like Jasper Johns in Florida or a young Ed Ruscha in California.
The unique archive of over 100 recordings, gathered by John Jones, lay in boxes in the family home for decades, waiting for him to write a book based on the tapes. He wasn't able to do this and so the family offered the whole set of recordings to the Tate Archive, which acquired them in 2015.
Listen out for a tantalising sample of this extraordinary material, airing a pivotal moment in 20th century art and revealing John Jones to be on a par with some of the great audio collectors like Alan Lomax and Studs Terkel.
The mood of the time is evoked by interweaving the artists' reflections with a soundscape of mid-60s American music, TV and location sound.
Art historian and Artistic Director of the Royal Academy, Tim Marlow gives a powerful sense of the artists' achievement, as Nicolette Jones conjures up the feeling of a great American road trip through the eyes of the child she was.
Extracts by kind permission of:
The Easton Foundation/DACS, London/VAGA, NY 2018
Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2018
May Ray Trust/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2018
Producer: Emma-Louise Williams
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.
WED 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ypbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
WED 12:00 After Henry (b007jn96)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m0022c8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000y0rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy6gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjs2l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Write Stuff (m000l2yg)
Series 5
Virginia Woolf
Panel game of literary correctness.
Hosted by James Walton.
With
Sebastian Faulks
John Walsh
Russell Davies
Sue Limb
Author of the week: Virginia Woolf
Reader: Beth Chalmers
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2002.
WED 14:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002ymyt)
1. Marked Men
After 20 years away, the gods decide it is time for Odysseus, a hero of the Trojan wars, to return to Ithaca before his wife Penelope is forced to marry again.
But the angry god Poseidon still wants revenge.
Starring Tim McInnerny and Amanda Redman.
Homer's ancient Greek epic seafaring tale.
Dramatised in three parts by Simon Armitage.
Odysseus .... Tim McInnerny
Penelope .... Amanda Redman
Telemachus .... Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena .... Janet McTeer
Zeus .... John Wood
Eurycleia .... Mary Wimbush
Hermes .... Bertie Carvel
King Alcinous .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete .... Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa .... Alice Hart
Calypso .... Adjoa Andoh
The Cyclops .... Barrie Rutter
Antinous .... Danny Webb
Eurymachus .... Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomus .... Chris Pavlo
Eurylochus .... Ewan Bailey
Polites .... John Rowe
Elpenus .... Stephen Hogan
Eurybates .... Philip Fox
Antiphus .... Jon Glover
Music by Gary Yershon.
Musicians: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins
Singer: Jon Glover
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (b0b4ykkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ypbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
WED 18:00 After Henry (b007jn96)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m0022c8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000y0rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy6gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjs2l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Write Stuff (m000l2yg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002ymyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 22:00 Ivo Graham's Obsessions (m0023y0q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002ypkr)
Davina Bentley 3/3
Lou Conran speaks to comedian and writer Davina Bentley. They talk about Davina being a debutante, and how to stay healthy at the Edinburgh festival.
WED 22:30 Ken Cheng: I Can School You (m001t9rs)
1. Solving a Problem like Maths
Comedian Ken Cheng focusses his analytical observations on school subjects.
Ken kicks off with an exploration of Maths, the subject that he loved until it broke him.
Ken looks into popular disdain of Maths, and offers up his answers on how we turn around its public image.
Written and presented by Ken Cheng.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2023.
WED 23:00 Mark Thomas: The Manifesto (b00xw276)
Series 3
Episode 4
Comedian-activist, Mark Thomas, entertains the blue-sky political policy suggestions of the public.
On the agenda:
1) Civil Partnerships to be Made Available to Heterosexual Couples
2) Introduce a Government Department for Externalities
3) A Traffic Ban During Rush-Hour
Plus a wide range of Any Other Business suggestions from the studio audience.
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2011.
WED 23:30 Clayton Grange (b01nb1sm)
Series 1
Episode 4
Can the brilliantly stupid scientists make life a bit more never-ending?
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
Verenovsky/Quiz master ..... Don Gilet
Alan Dobson ..... Paul Stonehouse
Silas ..... Joe Sims
Director: Marion Nancarrow.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

THURSDAY 09 JULY 2026

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (b0b4ykkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ypbc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 After Henry (b007jn96)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (m0022c8n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (m000y0rb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fy6gc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mjs2l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Write Stuff (m000l2yg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002ymyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlr7)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Solitary Cyclist
A music teacher is being followed whenever she leaves the house.
Is it a shy admirer - or someone who means her ill?
Series of classic mysteries featuring the immortal Baker Street detective.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1903.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Doctor Watson .... Michael Williams
Bob Carruthers .... Denis Quilley
Violet Smith .... Susannah Harker
Cyril .... John Webb
Woodley .... David Holt
Catherine .... Siriol Jenkins
Williamson .... Peter Penry-Jones
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Pianist: Michael Haslam
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
THU 06:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ys09)
4. Annie
After an eventful young life, Annie Asra makes an impression arriving for her first day.
Life at the BBC's Broadcasting House during the dark days of 1940 when London was under nightly attack from the Luftwaffe.
Penelope Fitzgerald's bitter-sweet comedy about the battles of employees in newsgathering.
Abridged by David Dorward
Read by Penelope Wilton,
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.
THU 07:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jz40)
Lechlade, Twinned with Zanzibar
Mark is celebrating, but with dog hair in the champagne.
Can a living legend save the day?
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 …. Ronald Herdman
Lock Keeper …. Terence Edmond
Archie …. David Holt
PA/Royal Lady …. Ainslie Foster
Sam Tucker …. Geoffrey McGivern
Laundrette Attendant/Girl …. Kate Binchy
Barman …. Simon Godley
Delia Smith …. Melinda Walker
Producer: Caroline Leddy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1993.
THU 07:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qyqd9)
Series 2
Episode 7
London bus gospel and a visit to Nibbling-On-The-Bone.
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 followin
Written by Clive James, John Esmonde & Bob Larbey, Peter Vincent and David McKellar .
Songs by Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor, with music by Dave Lee.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1965.
THU 08:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000254p)
Series 2
Morals
Award winning comedian and super-sharp everywoman Angela Barnes tackles life and love and, with the help of the audience, packs herself a fantasy coffin.
In part tribute to Angela's beloved late father - a larger than life gregarious character, he was a sex shop manager, 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, and asking the audience to share items they would take with them, all acting as prompts for contemplative, heart-warming and captivating comedy.
Angela concludes her series with a look at funeral rituals from around the world - and how strippers can up the attendance numbers - of men - at funerals.
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.
THU 08:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzmjw)
4. Quantum Leap - 1988
There's another cover triumph, as well as office intrigue in the higher echelons of Conde Nast.
How to survive these challenges and then exploit them!
Tina Brown recalls her time as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine in the 1980's and early 90's.
Read by the author.
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
THU 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mk688)
14. The Takeover
Anne's first love Lyon is back - just as she's meant to be getting wed to Kevin...
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
Lyon Burke ... Jamie Glover
Kevin ... Kerry Shale
Neely O'Hara ...Barbara Barnes
Henry Bellamy ... Stuart Milligan
George ... Wayne Foskett
Producer Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
THU 09:00 P.O.V. (m002yblr)
Series 2
S2 E3: Now, Wash Your Hands
This week in P.O.V. we hear a child breaking heartbreaking news to his parents, a very scientific palm-reading, and some advanced medical theories (for the 1600s).
Written and performed by Davina Bentley, Jake Bhardwaj, Kylie Brakeman, Nathan Caton, The Exploding Heads, Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Foxx, Matt Green, Farrel Hegarty, Kelechi Okafor, Elaine Owusu, Will Sebag-Montefiore, and Ed Night & Paddy Young.
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 Eat Your Garden (m002yl13)
Bedfordshire
Stuffed red peppers with sweet cicely, wildflower salad and rose petal sponge cake are on the next menu.
Kathy Brown is Britain's finest writer on edible flowers, exploring their uses through history and across cultures - from the candied flowers of Restoration England to the marigolds and orange blossom of ancient Chinese cuisine.
Her stunning Bedfordshire garden reflects her literary interests.
The cottage garden, the formal French garden with its rose arbours and her wildflower meadow are all dotted with edible delights that form the base for the salad, cordial and dessert recipes which she creates for her books.
Wiz Clift joins Kathy for some lessons in the art of cooking with flowers and some hints and tips on combining their blousy colours and subtle flavours.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m002yl15)
The Power of Story - Creation stories
Fantasy author Luke Aylen considers the mythical and poetic style of the account of creation found in Genesis 2, and the relationship between the creator and created.
Theme: The Power of Story - Creation stories
Presenter: Luke Aylen
Reading: Genesis 2:4-9, 15-25
Music:
You Make Beautiful Things - Gungor
So Will I - Hillsong United
10,000 reasons - Emma Mould
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b03phrwn)
Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Comedian Dave Allen is chosen by Adil Ray, creator and star of Citizen Khan. He explains to Matthew Parris how the legendary Irish comic helped shape his own career.
Producer: Perminder Khatkar.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.
THU 10:30 JD Salinger: Made in England (b070hbss)
JD Salinger is feted as the writer of one of greatest ever American novels.
The Catcher in Rye established him as the most celebrated chronicler of urban New York and, in Holden Caulfield, he created the enduring embodiment of disaffected American youth.
Less well known is that Salinger spent three months in Tiverton, Devon, while preparing to be part of the D Day landings in 1944, and that during this short time he wrote a revealing autobiographical short-story and worked on the development of Holden Caulfield's character.
Mark Hodkinson - a Salinger devotee who edited his best-selling biography - travels to Tiverton to retrace Salinger's steps and discover how Devon influenced Salinger's work.
The central character in the short-story, For Esme – with Love and Squalor, is, as Salinger was, a fledgling writer who becomes a US sergeant stationed in Devon. With the help of a local reading group, Mark visits the most likely church featured in the story and learns from people who remember the GIs being in town.
Mark is also accompanied by Dr Sarah Graham of the University of Leicester. They discuss how the story and Salinger's time in Devon informed his work, and life.
There's also an exclusive interview with a 96 year old New Yorker who served with Salinger in Tiverton and remained friends with the reclusive writer for the rest of his life.
"Salinger liked Devon," says the veteran soldier, "Any free time he had was taken up by writing on his portable typewriter."
Producer: Ian Bent
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
THU 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ys09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 12:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jz40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qyqd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000254p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzmjw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mk688)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b01888wg)
Series 1
Episode 6
Sue Perkins sets moral and ethical posers for:
Zoe Lyons
Phill Jupitus
Simon Garfield
Humphrey Ker
Quandaries on the agenda include swapped babies, one-night stands, and biochip crime prevention.
They also try to solve some dilemmas the audience have brought along.
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 Odyssey by Homer (m002yl18)
2. Wanderings
Odysseus continues the story of his wanderings with his crew and their encounters.
The must face Circe the Enchantress, the descent into Hades, the Sirens, the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis.
All ahead of the final disaster on the Isle of the Sun God...
Starring Tim McInnerny and Amanda Redman.
Homer's ancient Greek epic seafaring tale.
Dramatised by Simon Armitage.
Odysseus .... Tim McInnerny
Athena .... Janet McTeer
Hermes .... Bertie Carvel
Eurylochus .... Ewan Bailey
Polites .... John Rowe
Shipmate .... Jon Glover
Elpenus .... Stephen Hogan
Eurybates .... Philip Fox
King Alcinous .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete .... Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa .... Alice Hart
Circe .... Frances Barber
Ghost of Anticleia .... Joanna McCallum
Music by Gary Yershon
Musicians: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins.
Singer: Jon Glover
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b03phrwn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 JD Salinger: Made in England (b070hbss)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ys09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 18:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jz40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qyqd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000254p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzmjw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mk688)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b01888wg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002yl18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 22:00 P.O.V. (m002yblr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 What On Earth? With Count Binface (m00100dh)
Count Binface is the most successful alien politician ever, being officially London's 9th choice to be mayor.
Now he's invading the BBC to share what he’s learned about Earth, and how to conquer it.
This programme is the BBC's first co-production with the Intergalactic Broadcasting Service, being transmitted to every species in the observable universe and all the other universes too.
In this special broadcast, Binface will explore how humanity selects its leaders, using his first-hand experience of the so-called “democratic" system they use here. He also speaks to special guests, including former MP Heidi Allen, to gain some native insight.
The BBC is an impartial organisation but would like to take this opportunity to pledge its full devotion and obedience to his excellency Count Binface.
We hereby promise to bring back Ceefax at the earliest possible opportunity, to make Craig Charles the official commentator on all future state occasions and to ensure that no croissant is sold on the premises for more than £1.
In no way is the corporation stating these facts under duress because the Count has a space laser aimed at the Director General's office in Broadcasting House. We hope this clears up any confusion.
Written and performed by Count Binface
Additional material, Jon Harvey
Computer voice based on Barry Davies
Guest, Heidi Allen
Producers, Jon Harvey and Ed Morrish
Executive Producer, Polly Thomas
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2021.
THU 23:00 Paul Sinha's General Knowledge (m000ydm5)
Series 3
Episode 3
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 looks at the history of the UK's new towns, from the son of Stevenage who was one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, to the Redditch-born superstar who has more Twitter followers than anyone else in Britain.
Also, Paul proves empirically that Runcorn is at least three times more interesting than you thought.
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 August 2021.
THU 23:30 Small Scenes (m0002gr9)
Series 4
Episode 1
A visit to the first ever Crufts for Cats.
Plus a terrifying reminder as to why you should never try and cancel your membership of The National Trust.
Symphonious sketch show with more overblown, melodramatic scenes from modern life.
Starring:
Daniel Rigby
Mike Wozniak
Cariad Lloyd
Henry Paker
Freya Parker
Producer: Simon Mayhew-Archer.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.

FRIDAY 10 JULY 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b03phrwn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 JD Salinger: Made in England (b070hbss)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlr7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ys09)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Boogie Up the River (b007jz40)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (b00qyqd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Angela Barnes: You Can't Take It With You (m000254p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzmjw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mk688)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b01888wg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002yl18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlrl)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Series 1
The Priory School
When a young aristocrat disappears from his school, the investigation takes Holmes and Watson to the Yorkshire moors.
Series of classic mysteries featuring the immortal Baker Street detective.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1903.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr Watson .... Michael Williams
Dr Huxtable .... Norman Bird
Duke of Holdernesse .... Nigel Davenport
James Wilder .... Mark Straker
Reuben Hayes .... John Church
Lyndon .... Ian Master
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1993.
FRI 06:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ynnm)
5. Challenges for the New Recruit
Annie's in-depth musical expertise wins her few friends among top brass.
Life at the BBC's Broadcasting House during the dark days of 1940 when London was under nightly attack from the Luftwaffe.
Penelope Fitzgerald's bitter-sweet comedy about the battles of employees in newsgathering.
Abridged by David Dorward
Read by Penelope Wilton,
Producer: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.
FRI 07:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00v3n18)
Series 5
Episode 1
Can Parish Council leader John Barnum satisfy the new doctor's demands?
Early '90s political satirical soap opera set in the strangely familiar village of Little Blighty.
Life here is pretty uneventful, though the humdrum happenings include social turmoil, economic upheaval and vicious political squabbles.
Written by Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Mike Coleman.
Starring:
Jo Kendall
Michael Troughton
John Baddeley
Bernadine Corrigan
Jonathan Kydd
Daniel Strauss
Alistair McGowan
Producer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1992.
FRI 07:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp46)
Series 6
The Seven Steptoerai
When the Steptoes fall victim to threats, Albert decides it's time to fight back.
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
Frankie Barrow ...... Henry Woolf
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in March 1976.
FRI 08:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021j31)
Series 13
Coleraine
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
"...Coleraine is a big town and is ready for City status..."
Mark visits the town of Coleraine in Northern Ireland.
Written and performed by Mark Steel
Additional material by Pete Sinclair
Producer Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2024.
**** Extended versions of each episode are available on BBC Sounds.
FRI 08:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzt7l)
5. Cover Triumph - 1991
Demi Moore appears pregnant and naked on a cover, shot by Annie Leibovitz.
So what's the story behind this famous image?
Tina Brown recalls her time as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine in the 1980's and early 90's.
Concluded by the author.
Producer: Duncan Minshull
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
FRI 08:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mlxk3)
15. Happy Ever After..?
Neely's voice returns. She is back on top again, while Anne leaves modelling to have a baby - but is soon facing a dilemma...
Three beautiful young women become best friends as they carve out careers in the entertainment industry.
Conclusion of Jacqueline Susann's best selling 1960s novel.
Dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus
Anne Welles... Madeleine Potter
Lyon Burke ... Jamie Glover
Neely O'Hara ... Barbara Barnes
Henry Bellamy ... Stuart Milligan
Margie Parks ... Coleen Prendergast
Producer Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2005.
FRI 09:00 Parish Matters (m0024vpf)
Series 1
1. "Don't come crying to me when the robots take over!"
A new sitcom-sketch hybrid made in Belfast and starring voices from all over Ireland. Each week we join the eccentric inhabitants of the parish in their weekly council meeting to air their problems and grievances.
The parish is in the grip of a technological revolution and the council meets to try to understand what exactly it all means and where they can noisily wade in. So what will they do about the gargantuan data centre in the good field? Why do the drone deliveries keep blowing up? How did two council members nearly die? What’s the update on the upcoming Manifestival? And can the best (and only) cop in town solve the case of the man going round stealing everyone’s jobs?
Parish Matters is a window into an everlasting argument and an energetic and original comedy show written by Michael McCullagh and Phil Taggart and starring the writers alongside Michael Fry, Ciara Knight, Hannah Mamalis, Mary Flanigan, Michael Stranney and Peter McGann.
Producer: Keith Martin
Executive Producer: Sam Michell
A Fabel Radio production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 09:30 Eat Your Garden (m002ym6p)
Kent
Wiz Clift makes her final stop on her tour of gardens focusing on their edible delights.
She joins Frances Smith for a fossick through her garden and poly-tunnels in search of the ingredients for the perfect Springtime Sunday lunch.
The fact that we can enjoy exotic salads all year round is thanks to the likes of Frances Smith in Kent. For 20 years she’s supplied top London restaurants with an ever-changing supply of intriguing leaves, vegetables and herbs.
From the first UK sightings of Lollo Rosso and Rocket through the 1980s fad for miniature corn cobs and carrots to the current trends in Chinese mustards and coloured salad onions, Frances has been pushing her client chefs ever forward, persuading them to try new varieties and experiment with un-dreamt of combinations.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2003.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m002ym6r)
The Power of Story - Stories in Proverbs
Traditional storyteller Amy Scott Robinson examines how myths and fairytales point us towards what Tolkein called the One True Myth.
Theme: The Power of Story - What the heavens declare
Presenter: Amy Scott Robinson
Reading: Psalm 19
Music:
The Green Man by Malcolm Guite
What Can I Do by Graham Kendrick
Tell Me The Old Old Story by the London Fox Choir
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b0076xbb)
I Vow To Thee My Country
A hymn that has attracted controversy for its patriotism, I Vow To Thee My Country was born just after the First World War.
Ralph Vaughan Williams had the inspirational idea to put together the stirring music from Holst's Jupiter movement and the poem written by American ambassador Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, which was found on his desk when he left office.
Featuring:
Raymond Head
David Burton
Bishop of Hulme, Stephen Lowe
Martin Linton
Battersea Singers
Julian Mitchell
Dr Martin Neary
Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.
Producer: Sara Conkey
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.
FRI 10:30 Serial Offender: Arnold Schoenberg's Twelve Tone Adventure (m0022kng)
Composer Arnold Schoenberg devised a means of composing using each of the 12 tones of the chromatic scale as equals.
It transformed the way in which music was created and perceived.
So why does Schoenberg remain a controversial and divisive individual?
And what about the other aspect of his legacy - Schoenberg's challenging compositions and how a desire to perform them to critic-free, private audiences gave the gatherings a whiff of elitism, unwittingly contributing to the siloing of subsequent modern classical music.
Why is his complex music not performed as regularly as other composers' works?
Schoenberg once told a pupil:
"Today I have discovered something which will assure the supremacy of German music for the next 100 years."
To an extent, he was right - his pioneering system and compositional style have bled through into commercial music since the early part of the 20th century, most
notably in popular cinema, modern music and advert jingles.
In a world of musical plurality, should we consider listening afresh to contemplate the beauty and complexity of Schoenberg's work?
Presented by Kate Molleson.
Programme developed by Laura Tunbridge
Edited by Nick Romero
Producer: Andrew McGibbon
A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2024.
FRI 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ynnm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 12:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00v3n18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021j31)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzt7l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mlxk3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 The Personality Test (b007tzff)
Series 3
Toyah Willcox
Pop sensation and actress Toyah Willcox 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 August 2007.
FRI 14:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002ym6t)
3. Home
Odysseus finally returns home, disguised as a beggar by Athena until he is ready for the final confrontation with the suitors and can be reunited with his wife Penelope.
Starring Tim McInnerny and Amanda Redman.
Conclusion of Homer's ancient Greek epic seafaring tale.
Dramatised by Simon Armitage.
Odysseus .... Tim McInnerny
Penelope .... Amanda Redman
Telemachus .... Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena .... Janet McTeer
Zeus .... John Wood
Eurycleia .... Mary Wimbush
Eurymachus .... Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomus .... Chris Pavlo
Antinous .... Danny Webb
Eumaeus .... Ioan Meredith
Music by Gary Yershon
Musicians: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins.
Singer: Jon Glover
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2004.
FRI 15:30 The Road Home: Remaking Homer's Odyssey (b01d0rhz)
The Hollywood actor Tom Holland explores the continuing appeal of Homer's Odyssey. From the Coen Brothers' film 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' to feminist rewritings of the story of Penelope's long-suffering wait for her husband to return, we remain as fascinated as ever by one of the poetic cornerstones of western life. Why should that be?
Homer has been quarried and mined and remade ever since the Iliad and the Odyssey were first sung. But today poets, dramatists, songwriters, novelists and filmmakers are working on the poems like never before it seems.
Dante, Tennyson and James Joyce all had goes at rewriting the story of Odysseus (also called Ulysses) and his struggle to get home after the Trojan War, but what do today's reworkers have to say about the story and its meaning to us?
With Simon Armitage, Michael Longley, Zachary Mason, Alice Oswald, Edith Hall, and the late Peter Reading and Christopher Logue.
Producer:Tim Dee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b0076xbb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Serial Offender: Arnold Schoenberg's Twelve Tone Adventure (m0022kng)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007jlrl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:45 Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald (b007ynnm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 18:00 Little Blighty on the Down (b00v3n18)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Steptoe and Son (b007jp46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m0021j31)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown (b09fzt7l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (b00mlxk3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 The Personality Test (b007tzff)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 The Odyssey by Homer (m002ym6t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:30 The Road Home: Remaking Homer's Odyssey (b01d0rhz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:30 today]
FRI 22:00 Parish Matters (m0024vpf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
FRI 22:30 Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children (m000y1fg)
Series 1
3. The Special Ones
As a father of two sons with autism and a daughter with Down Syndrome, Ashley Blaker shares five things he wants you to know.....
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.
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.
Ashley is joined by
Shelley Blond
Kieran Hodgson
Rosie Holt
Judith Jacob
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley’s own children:
Ami (17),
Ophie (15)
Simi (13),
Soroh (12),
Sruly (11)
and Bina (7)
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.
FRI 23:00 Vent (b01dlg0k)
Series 3
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ben makes the ambulance journey home to begin life in a wheelchair.
On the way he remembers an argument about cheesecake, invents a panel game and meets Buzz Aldrin.
Starring Neil Pearson.
Nigel Smith's dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind.
Ben ...... Neil Pearson
Mary ...... Fiona Allen
Mum ...... Josie Lawrence
Blitz ...... Leslie Ash
Nurse ...... Jo Martin
Derek ...... Stephen Frost
Marley ...... Spencer Brown
Chairman ...... Robert Webb
Buzz ...... Peter Banks
Announcer ...... Bruce Alexander
Bea ...... Scarlett Milburn-Smith
Director: Nigel Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009.
FRI 23:30 The Show What You Wrote (b04g14v6)
Series 2
Science and Nature
The best ideas have been chosen from thousands of submissions from new writers resulting in a show like no other.
Recorded in Manchester.
Science and nature are the subjects.
Written by
The Public
With:
Fiona Clarke
Gavin Webster
Janice Connolly
Rob Rouse
Producers: Alexandra Smith & Carl Cooper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014.