SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2026

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b00tpqm4)
Series 10
Ma Vlast
At the core of Czech cultural identity sits Bedrich Smetana’s Ma Vlast.
Written in the late 19th century, it's a series of six symphonic poems. For a western audience the most popular and best loved is Vltava, a soundscape conjuring up vivid images of the river which runs through Prague.
Jan Kaplan is a Czech born film-maker who has lived in the UK since 1968. He describes the 'educational concerts' he had to attend as a young boy when - bored to tears - he would endure long performances of Smetana's music.
However, as an adult living in exile, his experience of Czech culture was tinged with a remote sense of patriotism and he grew to appreciate his national composer. When - following the 1989 Velvet revolution - he was eventually able to return home, he witnessed one of the most famous and moving performances of Ma Vlast at Smetana Hall in 1990.
Also at that concert was musicologist, Professor Jan Smaczny, who describes his memories of that evening, and explains the history and mythology portrayed in Ma Vlast.
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Karen Gregor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
SAT 00:30 Radioactive Art (b08g7tv3)
Radioactive waste can remain dangerous for 100,000 years. The nuclear industry uses artists for creative solutions. From 2017.
Nations with nuclear power are building underground storage facilities to permanently house it, but how might they mark these sites for future generations?
The nuclear industry is turning to artists for creative solutions. How might artists create a warning that will still be understood and heeded so far into the future?
Meet the artists whose work deals with issues around nuclear legacy, with a visit to the nuclear agency in France that’s sought their input.
Presented by Gordon Young.
Featuring:
* Jean-Noël Dumont - Memory Division at ANDRA, the French nuclear agency
* Stéfane Perraud - Visual Artist and creator of the 'Blue Zone'
* Aram Kebabdjian - Writer and creator of the 'Blue Zone'
* Mari Keto - Art jeweller and creator of 'Inheritance'
* Erich Berger - Artist and creator of 'Inheritance'
* Richard Edmondson - Operations Manager at Sellafield Ltd
* Tim Hunkin - Cartoonist and Engineer, owner of Novelty Automation in London
* Ele Carpenter - Nuclear Culture Project Curator (Arts Catalyst funded) and curator of the 'Perpetual Uncertainty' exhibition at the Bildmuseet in Umeå, Sweden
Producer: Beatrice Pickup
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
SAT 01:00 Whodunnits (b00s6r7j)
Wimsey - Five Red Herrings
5. Alibis
Lord Peter Wimsey battles to verify the whereabouts of key suspects in the murder of unpopular Scottish artist, Sandy Campbell.
Ian Carmichael stars as the aristocratic amateur sleuth created by Dorothy L Sayers.
Dramatised in eight parts by Chris Miller.
Lord Peter Wimsey ...... Ian Carmichael
Sgt Dalziel ...... John Graham
Strachan ...... Gordon Clyde
Mrs Smith-Le Mesurier ...... Sheila Mitchell
Waters ...... Bill Wallace
Mrs Faron ...... Frances Jeater
Faron ...... Gordon Gardner
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1978.
SAT 01:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010ppx)
5. A Face in the Crowd
Inspector Mahmoud has given Elizabeth a warning.
Whatever secret she knows about the Harshak Tomb - excavated by her father in Luxor - is placing her life in danger.
The danger is all too real.
She was last seen at a local cinema, but now has disappeared without trace.
Starring Sheila Grant.
Victor Pemberton's archaeological thriller serial set in Egypt.
Elizabeth Warwick:....Sheila Grant
Mahmoud:....James Thomason
Mr Wilder:....John Humphry
Fuad:....David Spenser
Charles Villiers ....Rolf Lefebvre
Margaret Villiers:....Marion Mathie
Abdullah:....Antony Viccars
Bertie Pringle:....Barry Lowe
Captain Aziz:....John Justin
Michael Warwick ....Christopher Bidmead
O'Hara:....Denis McCarthy
Producer: John Tydeman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
SAT 02:00 Flying the Flag (b00dk3vl)
Series 4
As Unequal as Others
When equal rights for women appears on the agenda, closely followed by the emergence of militant feminists, Ambassador Mackenzie is stuck by the echo of men closing ranks.
Starring Dinsdale Landen.
Eastern Bloc embassy sitcom written by Alex Shearer.
HM Ambassador Mackenzie …. Dinsdale Landen
Wiliam Frost …. Peter Acre
Helen Waterson …. Moir Leslie
Colonel Surikov …. Christopher Benjamin
US Ambassador Spiro Weinberg …. Stephen Greif
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1992.
SAT 02:30 Beyond Our Ken (m0030n4z)
Series 5
Episode 6
Kenneth Horne meets juicy Nell Gwyn - and 'Hornerama' reports on Homes and Gardens.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman.
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee
Music from Jill Day, The Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith and Rodney and Charles.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1961.
SAT 03:00 Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel (m00194hf)
Inside Robin Ince
Escaping the confines of The Infinite Monkey Cage, comedian Robin Ince takes us on a journey through his Reality Tunnel in this two-part stand-up show, recorded specially for Radio 4.
Performing in front of a live audience in Manchester, Robin examines the brain’s relationship with reality and over the two episode series, he looks at the difference between the inner and the outer self and considers how we put together our picture of the world.
Written and performed by Robin Ince.
Sound Manager - Jerry Peal
Sound Editor - Joshan Chana
Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
Picture by Steve Best
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2022.
SAT 03:30 Underland by Robert Macfarlane (m0004mgg)
5. Glacier
Robert Macfarlane discovers various worlds beneath our feet.
This time he heads to the ice mass of the Knud Rasmussen glacier:
"An hour short of dusk on the evening of our arrival, the fog bank disperses to reveal the calving face of the glacier..."
But what is meant by 'calving', exactly?
Concluded by the author.
Abridged by Katrin Williams.
Producer Duncan Minshull.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
SAT 03:45 Breathing Underwater by Bryony Lavery (b007jtfb)
5. Revelation
Simon and Sennen lose contact diving under water.
The mystery of Sennen's paternity is revealed...
Conclusion of Bryony Lavery's tale of diving for a ship wreck - the Elizabeth Mary - which sank off Cornwall's Porthant Bay in 1575.
Sennen Pennamenny ...... Susannah Doyle
Robert Renownden ...... John Turner
Simon Murray ...... Charles Simpson
Harry Trice ...... Geoffrey Hutchings
Bob ...... Sean Arnold
Andy ...... Russell Boulter
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.
SAT 04:00 The Museum of Curiosity (m001kgrl)
Series 17
Episode 6
In this series finale, John Lloyd and Anna Ptaszynski are joined by
* Comedian Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes
* Insect champion Bridget Nicholls
* Explorer Levison Wood
They come armed with a wonder of the ancient world, a wonder of the natural world, and a wonderful artefact of 90s nostalgia.
Researchers: Mike Turner, Mandy Fenton and Lydia Mizon of QI.
Producers: Sam Holmes & Leying Lee
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2023.
SAT 04:30 Millport (b0076br4)
Series 3
The End of the Beginning
The island makeover has turned horribly sour.
With Irene gone, the only person to save the island from being bulldozed is Bunty Pierce.
But with her ailing health and hermit ways, will she leave her vegetables to rescue the island's integrity?
And will Irene change her mind about mainland life and return to the island for good?
Conclusion of the bittersweet comedy written by and starring Lynn Ferguson.
Barmaid Irene Bruce is 30-something and hankering after a better life on the mainland.
Irene ...... Lynn Ferguson
Moira/Agnes ...... Janet Brown
Alberto/Ferryman/Robert the Dog/Morris ...... Lewis McLeod
Ena/Bunty ...... Gabriel Quigley
Minister/Bob ...... Robert Patterson
Dougie ...... Kenneth Bryans
Producer: Lucy Bacon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.
SAT 05:00 Drama on 4 (m0013z05)
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
Presented as a poem with a foreward and commentary, Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Pale Fire is a postmodern masterpiece about a poet, a regal commentator and a would-be assassin. It defies all convention.
Set in 1959 and reimagined here as an audio documentary, it's the story of Charles Kinbote as he tries to prove his machinations have inspired a poetic masterpiece.
Have they? And who truly is Charles?
A delusional academic, an exiled king or both?
Dramatised by Oliver Emanuel
Charles … Grant O’Rourke
John … Michael Nardone
Gradus…Finn den Hertog
Odon…Robin Laing
Gordon…Thierry Mabonga
Sybil…Renee Williams
Sound by Kris McConnachie, Joanne Willott, Niall Young
Director: Kirsty Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2022.
SAT 06:00 Leviathan '99 by Ray Bradbury (m0030x1h)
**** This programme was suggested by Max Coleman and David Lewis-Burry as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
The year is 2099. Strange new ships sail toward the stars instead of under them.
Ishmael, the sole survivor of a deadly encounter, tells us of his rocket ship's vengeful, blind captain, who sacrifices his crew in pursuit of a dangerous celestial object....
Starring Denys Hawthorne as Ishmael and Christopher Lee as The Captain.
Written by Ray Bradbury. Author of Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury wrote the screenplay for John Huston's 1956 film version of Herman Melville's novel, Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab.
Ishmael .... Denys Hawthorne
Captain of the Cetus 7 .... Christopher Lee
Quell .... Robert Eddison
The Warning Man .... Walter Fitzgerald
Father Ellery Colworth / Schweitzer .... Denis McCarthy
Redleigh .... Alexander John
Voice Clock / Smith .... Ian Thompson
Aristotle / Metal Worker .... Haydn Jones
Radio Voice .... Anthony Jackson
The Small One / Rogers .... Christopher Bidmead
Shore .... Nigel Clayton
Radar Man .... Leroy Lingwood
Lightfall One Captain / Socrates .... Frank Henderson
Rachel's Captain / Plato .... Ralph Truman
Electronic music and sounds by Tristram Cary.
Technical direction by Harry Catlin.
Adapted and produced by HB Fortuin.
First broadcast on the BBC Third Programme in May 1968.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 07:15 The Pedlar's Dream (m0030x1k)
**** This programme was suggested by Loretta Addley, Paul Freeman, Paul Mitchell, Gabriella Moncur, Pauline Porter and Janet Parker as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
For The Young: Once Upon a Time....
Stories from 'English Fables and Fairy Stories' retold by James Reeves.
The Pedlar's Dream read by David Davis.
A pedlar from Swaffham travels to London following a dream, only to learn treasure is buried under his own garden.
Adapter: James Reeves
Producer: David Davis
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in June 1963.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 07:30 Jazz Score (m0030x1m)
From 30/3/1991
**** This programme was suggested by Ian White, Hadrian Jeffs, Janet Parker and Brian in New Jersey – USA - as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
A reminiscent programme on the subject of jazz.
Chairman Benny Green has the jazz questions – can the panel of Humphrey Lyttelton, Ronnie Scott, Bob Wilber and Digby Fairweather provide the answers?
Recorded at the National Jazz Foundation Archives, Loughton, Central Library, Essex.
Research and questions: Roy Pellett
Producer: Richard Willcox
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1991.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 08:00 The Glamour by Christopher Priest (m0030x1q)
**** This programme was suggested by Hugh and Patti Christie as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
Richard is fighing to get his memory back after a bad accident.
So Susan reintroduces him to the strangely plausible and intriguing world of "The Glamour" and boyfriend Niall.
Susan .... Tilly Vosburgh
Richard .... Nathaniel Parker
Niall .... Linus Roache
Neighbour .... Melanie Hudson
A dramatisation of his own chilling novel by Christopher Priest.
Director Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1993.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 09:30 Trumpton Riots Again (m0030x1s)
It's Friday, It's Five to Five and It's ...
**** This programme was suggested by Ian Beadle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Jenny Hanley (presenter on children's TV programme Magpie) explores what made BBC TVs Crackerjack one of the best loved children's light entertainment programmes, especially is its 1970s heyday.
Starting in 1955 and running until 1984, she talks to members of the team that made Friday must watch for children of all ages: "it's Friday, it's five to five, and it's.....Crackerjack!
Contributors:
Michael Aspel
Allan Bell
Bernie Clifton
Pip Hinton
Jan Hunt
Don Maclean
Ed Stewart
Producer: Laura Parfitt
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 10:00 The Grumbleweeds: Ho-Di-Ho (m0030x1w)
**** This programme was suggested by Neil Thomas, Mairtin Coss, Maggie Anderson, Paul Newman and Andrew Parr as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Albert, Carl, Graham, Maurice and Robin invite you to join them for another 30 minutes of Grumbleweed fun.
Even the Grumbleweeds go on holiday. They've looked at everything from the Seychelles to Sardinia to Skegness - and decided on Maplins – in the TV comedy land of “Hi-Di-Hi” – but for them its more "Ho-Di-Ho".
The Grumbleweeds special guests are Ruth Madoc and Paul Shane.
The Grumbleweeds comedy radio starred Robin Colvill, Graham Walker, Maurice Lee, Albert Sutcliffe and Carl Sutcliffe. It ran from 1979 to 1988 and won the best radio show prize at The Television and Radio Industries Awards in 1983.
Written and produced by Mike Craig.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in November 1986.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 10:30 Frank Muir Goes Into... (m0030x1y)
Television
**** This programme was suggested by Bob Keech as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
Frank Muir explores the world of television with the help of Alfred Marks.
Frank Muir and Alfred Marks on the humour of the subject and the voices of Bob Newhart, Stan Freberg, John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.
Producers Simon Brett and John Davis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1975.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 11:00 Leviathan '99 by Ray Bradbury (m0030x1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:15 The Pedlar's Dream (m0030x1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 12:30 Jazz Score (m0030x1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:00 The Glamour by Christopher Priest (m0030x1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Trumpton Riots Again (m0030x1s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 The Grumbleweeds: Ho-Di-Ho (m0030x1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 15:30 Frank Muir Goes Into... (m0030x1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SAT 16:00 The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (m0030x21)
1. Jesus and the Critic
**** This programme was suggested by Chris Sewart, Brendan Murphy and Gill Tierney as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
A severed head, a giant talking cat, an invisible guest and two madmen - it's springtime in Moscow!
A diabolical visitor unleashes a whirlwind of chaos entangling the city's literary elite.
This includes Margarita and her beloved - a condemned writer known only as the Master.
Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical novel is a satire of life in 1930s Soviet Russia.
Unpublished during Bulgakov’s lifetime (1891-1940), it was smuggled out of the USSR and first fully published in Paris in 1967.
Starring Daniel Massey, Michael Maloney and Geraldine James.
Dramatised in four parts by Brian Wright.
Woland .... Daniel Massey
The Master .... Michael Maloney
Margarita .... Geraldine James
Bezdomny .... Nigel Anthony
Koroviev .... Colin Jeavons
Azazello .... John Hollis
Behemoth .... David Holt
Inspector .... Eric Allan
Natasha .... Melanie Hudson
Sergeant .... Jonathan Adams
Berlioz .... John Fleming
Stepa .... John Church
Dr Stravinsky .... Peter Penry Jones
Nikanor .... John Webb
Yeshua .... Jonathan Tafler
Nurse .... Melinda Walker
Wife .... Linda Polan
Translated by Michael Glennie.
Director: David Hitchinson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1992.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SAT 17:00 Leviathan '99 by Ray Bradbury (m0030x1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:15 The Pedlar's Dream (m0030x1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]
SAT 18:30 Jazz Score (m0030x1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:00 The Glamour by Christopher Priest (m0030x1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Trumpton Riots Again (m0030x1s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 The Grumbleweeds: Ho-Di-Ho (m0030x1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 21:30 Frank Muir Goes Into... (m0030x1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SAT 22:00 Any Bloke (b007k079)
Series 2
A Death In The Family
Phil and Sarah host a fireworks party - with fatal results.
Starring Jim Sweeney and Caroline Quentin.
Gary Brown's comedy series about family life in the 1990s.
Phil .... Jim Sweeney
Sarah .... Caroline Quentin
Fay .... Sara Kestelman
Liam .... Steve Steen
Gerald .... Lloyd Peters
Sophie .... Nadine Ballantyne
Izzy Wizzy .... Steve Dixon
Rodney .... Gary Brown
Candida .... Natasha Pyne
Mrs Lee .... Becky Hindley
Saskia .... Jessica Brown
Other parts played by: :
Ben Brown
Anna Van Heeswijk
Producer: Ann Jobson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1995.
SAT 22:30 Stand-Up Specials (m0000sy2)
Ken Cheng: Chinese Comedian
4: Relationships
Stand-up series exploring British Chinese culture, from BBC New Comedy Award finalist Ken Cheng.
In this episode, Ken examines attitudes towards relationships.
Reader: Sarah Sharpe
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.
SAT 22:45 Ida Barr: Artificial Hip Hop (b00vcq95)
Transparency
Ida Barr is a music hall singer who has embraced hip hop and rap, reflecting the cultural diversity of London's East End, where she has been living in retirement for several decades.
With her genuine love of talking to people, Ida sets out investigate a new topic in each episode, creating a unique brand of music hall, hip-hop fusion with beat boxer Shlomo.
Ida’s subject this time is "Transparency".
Written by and starring Christopher Green as Ida Barr.
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.
SAT 23:00 Fred at The Stand (m001254z)
Series 3
Dave Johns, Erika Ehler, Sammy Dobson and Mark Simmons
Fred MacAulay is back at The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle, doing what he does best - making people laugh.
The series brings another selection of some of the best of stand-up comedians working in the UK right now. Some you’ll know and some you won’t - yet.
Fred introduces:
* Mark Simmons, who’s known for having a joke for any subject under the sun - and fires out countless one liners at an incredible pace.
* Erika Ehler makes her Radio 4 debut with a smart, uncompromising set that ruffled a few feathers on the night
* Local hero Sammy Dobson set her home crowd straight on what dating is really like as you get into your 30s.
* Headlining the show is the inimitable Dave Johns, who takes us the journey of seeing Ziggy Stardust for the very first time. Spellbinding, and of course, hilarious.
Fred At The Stand is the closest thing your ears are going to get to an actual night in a comedy club.
Producer: Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2021.
SAT 23:30 Radio Active (b007jvz8)
Series 6
Backchat
Time for you to get stuck into the radio station's most popular programme - the forum for listeners' complaints.
Starring:
Geoffrey Perkins
Angus Deayton
Philip Pope
Michael Fenton-Stevens
Morwenna Banks
Written by Angus Deayton and Geoffrey Perkins with Michael Fenton-Stevens.
Music by Philip Pope and Steve Brown.
Producer: David Tyler
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1986.

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2026

SUN 00:00 The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (m0030x21)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 Leviathan '99 by Ray Bradbury (m0030x1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:15 The Pedlar's Dream (m0030x1k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Jazz Score (m0030x1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:00 The Glamour by Christopher Priest (m0030x1q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Trumpton Riots Again (m0030x1s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 The Grumbleweeds: Ho-Di-Ho (m0030x1w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Frank Muir Goes Into... (m0030x1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Man in the Moon by Richard Lumsden (b008m1zr)
**** This programme was suggested by Ben Austin and Jared Pegler as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
Derbyshire bus driver Morris remembers a day out in Scarborough
Moving verse drama starring Tom Courtenay and Gillian Bevan
Written by Richard Lumsden
Morris.............................................Tom Courtenay
Esther...............................................Gillian Bevan
Vera...................................................Ann Beach
Ray/Jim/Pub Drinker...................Richard Lumsden
Bill.......................................................Roger Walker
Ted/Pub Drinker/Passenger......Wayne Foskett
Mrs Walker/Female Voice..........Shirley Dixon
Marion/Jenny's Mum..................Tracey Wiles
Producer Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 06:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wtc)
1. Leaving
**** This programme was suggested by Stephanie Rowlands as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard sets out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
He sets off with a few basic provisions and no idea of where he'll end up...
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Novel written by Benjamin Myers, first published in 2019.
Abridged in ten parts by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Benjamin Myers is an award-winning novelist, music journalist and landscape writer. His novel 'The Gallows Pole' received a Roger Deakin Award and won the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction; 'Beastings' won the Portico Prize for Literature; and 'Pig Iron' won the inaugural Gordon Burn Prize.
Kevin Whately is well known for his TV roles in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and as Robert 'Robbie' Lewis in Inspector Morse and Lewis.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk and tell us why.****
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (b06q5yh4)
Poetry Please: Goblin Market
**** This programme has been suggested by listeners Sue Evans and Tim Varley as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. *******
***And Daljit reads from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: To an Unknown Receiver by poet and editor Erica Hesketh. A collection of sonnets considering humanity's creativity and capacity for hope.
In 'Poetry Please' Roger McGough features the poems of Christina Rossetti. Shirley Henderson gives a beguiling rendition of what is arguably Rossetti's most famous poem 'Goblin Market', published in 1862. It's a heady fairy tale about temptation involving two sisters, Laura and Lizzie.
The poem has a sexual undertone and a menacing quality that lurks among the persistent pleas of the fruit selling Goblin men to 'come buy, come buy.' Visits to your greengrocer may never be the same again.
There is also a reading of another of Rossetti's much requested and moving poems 'Remember,' as well as a lesser known poem of pilgrimage, 'Up-hill'.
Producer: Sarah Langan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
**** To nominate a programme from the BBC poetry archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk and tell us details of why you'd like to hear it.****
SUN 07:30 The Impressionists (m0030wtd)
From 03/03/1983
**** This programme was suggested by Hadrian Jeffs, Alan Clark, Jo Tansley, Chris Langfield and Andy Parr as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Ventriloquist Ray Alan (by kind permission of Lord Charles) cordially invites you to join him in a programme of voices and noises starring four of the country's leading impersonators.
This week:
Peter Goodwright
Johnny More
Brian Coshall
Dave Evans
Musical impressions by The Ronnie Price Trio.
Producer: Richard Willcox
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1983.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 08:00 A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines (m0030wth)
**** This programme was suggested by John A Smith as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
In a raw, mean town a boy turns to the one thing he can trust. A kestrel. Her name is Kes.
He is part of the limbo generation of school leavers too old for lessons and too young to know anything about the outside world. He hates and he is hated. His family and friends are mean and tough and they're sure he's going to end up in big trouble. But Billy knows two things about his own world.
He'll never work down the mines and he does know about animals. His only companion is his kestrel hawk, trained from the nest and, like himself, with the will to destroy or be destroyed.
Dramatised by Barry Hines from his 1968 novel.
Narrated by David Brierley.
With:
John Wheatley
Freddie Fletcher
Lorraine Peters
Graham Roberts
John Linstrum
Carole Turner
Paul Copley
Geoffrey Banks
Paul Dalzell
Andrew Barons
John A Smith
David Smith
Jack Carr
A Kestrel for a Knave was adapted for film as Kes in 1969, directed by Ken Loach.
Director: Dickon Reed
A BBC Schools programme first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1973.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 09:00 The Billy Cotton Band Show (m0030wtk)
**** This programme was suggested by John Lee, Christian Konakci, Chris Dunstan, Barry Hyman, John Groves and David Thompson as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Wakey! Wakey!
Big band music, show tunes and comedy fun starring Billy Cotton.
With Alan Breeze and Kathie Kay with The Bandits.
Special guests: Freddie & The Dreamers
Producer: Richard Dingley
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August 1963.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 09:30 Kind Hearts and Coronets (m0030wtm)
**** This programme was suggested by Peter Nelmes as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
The classic British comedy about a commoner who, following the sudden death of his mother, plots to kill his way to the dukedom.
Stars Robert Powell
A BBC radio version of the Ealing Studios film, based on the novel Israel Rank by Roy Horniman.
Adapted by Gilbert Travers Thomas from the screenplay by Robert Hamer and John Dighton.
Robert Powell .... Louis Mazzini and members of the d'Ascoyne family
Sibella .... Elizabeth Bell
Edith..........Fiona Walker
The Hangman .... Timothy Bateson
and
Lord High Steward...........Patrick Barr
School mistress...........Diana Bishop
Clerk of the Parliament........John Church
Mrs Mazzini..........Sonia Fraser
Prison Governor............Alexander John
Crown Council.............Godfrey Kenton
Girl in the boat........Jenny Lee
Warder......................John Livesey
Detective..................David McAlister
Reporter..................John McAndrew
Mr Perkins.............Sion Probert
Hoskins..................Martyn Read
Defence Council ...........John Rye
Lionel.............John Webb
Boatman........Haydn Wood
Music composed and played by Terence Allbright.
Director: Ian Cotterell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1980
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk ****
SUN 11:00 Man in the Moon by Richard Lumsden (b008m1zr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (b06q5yh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 The Impressionists (m0030wtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:00 A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines (m0030wth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SUN 14:00 The Billy Cotton Band Show (m0030wtk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SUN 14:30 Kind Hearts and Coronets (m0030wtm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SUN 16:00 The Green Isle of the Great Deep by Neil M Gunn (m0030wtp)
1. The Pool
**** This programme was suggested by Charles W. Nixon as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****
Two Scottish travellers, Old Hector and Young Art, venture into a dystopian paradise to fight for free will and human dignity.
Neil M Gunn's novel, first published in 1944.
Starring Duncan Mclntyre, Gwyn Guthrie and Alex Mackenzie.
Dramatised in two parts by John Keir Cross.
Presenter .... Duncan McIntyre
Young Art .... Gwyn Guthrie
Old Hector .... Alex MacKenzie
Agnes .... Sheila Latimer
Tom .... Paul Young
Morag / Mary .... Mary Riggans
Willie .... Ian Gilmour
Dougal .... James Crampsey
Coastwatcher .... Bryden Murdoch
Robert .... Henry Stamper
Mary .... Effie Morrison
Merk .... Bryden Murdoch
Axle .... Alex McAvoy
Producer: Stewart Conn
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1966.
SUN 17:00 Man in the Moon by Richard Lumsden (b008m1zr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (b06q5yh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 The Impressionists (m0030wtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:00 A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines (m0030wth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SUN 20:00 The Billy Cotton Band Show (m0030wtk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SUN 20:30 Kind Hearts and Coronets (m0030wtm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Clare in the Community (b00hq0nc)
Series 5
Too Cool for School
Control freak and social worker, Clare Barker, likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis - so making friends isn't easy.
However, in this episode she manages it...
Sally Phillips is Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.
In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.
Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.
Clare ..... Sally Phillips
Brian ..... Alex Lowe
Helen ..... Liza Tarbuck
Ray ..... Richard Lumsden
Megan/Nali ..... Nina Conti
Irene ..... Ellen Thomas
Simon ..... Andrew Wincott
Chloe ..... Alex Tregear
Mrs Boxer ..... Anna Bengo
Producer: Katie Tyrrell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
SUN 22:30 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b0077007)
Series 3
The Subsidence Adventure
The duo advertise their services as "builders to the gentry" and are soon put to work by the Laird
Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden star as the two Scotsmen famed for their appearances on BBC Radio’s I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
With Alison Steadman as their cleaning-lady-cum-housekeeper, and Jeremy Hardy as the local Laird.
Hamish ...... Barry Cryer
Dougal ...... Graeme Garden
Mrs Naughtie ...... Alison Steadman
The Laird ...... Jeremy Hardy
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.
SUN 22:45 Elastic Planet (b0089jhr)
The Shape
Drugged electricity and artificial icebergs.
Oliver Postgate narrates a stream of bizarre coincidences.
Ben Moor’s cosmic comedy of connections.
With:
Johnny Ball
Henry Cooper
Jamie Owen
Kerry Shale
Dan Strauss
Michael Troughton
Neil Mullarkey
Siriol Jenkins
Alan Dedicoat
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1995
SUN 23:00 Ed Reardon's Week (m000wrl0)
Series 14
Prosecco o’Clock
Author of several plays, TV dramas, works of non-fiction, letters to the BBC about the pitiful decline in standards of literature and grammar, and master of the abusive email – Ed Reardon is back.
In these globally ‘unprecedented times’ Ed is enjoying unprecedented times himself as he has become financially independent and is living in a superb, stylish capsule urban living unit. This new lifestyle comes courtesy of the conversion of no longer required office space to flats made affordable by the timely arrival of his state pension.
For the first time in 20 years, he can afford to eat three meals a day and has the luxury of not having to do anything he doesn’t want to, so can settle down to a long-cherished project – his memoirs. That is if Jenna, the previous occupant of the urban unit when it was office space, would stop visiting his fire escape because she misses the gossip and bantz she no longer gets when working from home.
But old habits die hard for Ed and he is soon distracted not only by the joys of Prosecco o’clock, but also the temptation of the flip-flops lying tantalisingly outside the discount shop in town.
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas
Ed Reardon………..Christopher Douglas
Ping…………….……..Barunka O’Shaughnessy
Jaz Milvain…….……Philip Jackson
Stan……………………Geoffrey Whitehead
Pearl…………………..Brigit Forsyth
Olive…………………..Stephanie Cole
Jenna…………………Mina Anwar
Instructor…………..Nicola Sanderson
Assistant……………Tom Price
The regular cast are joined by guests Maggie Steed, Kathryn Drysdale, Mina Anwar and Phaldut Sharma.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2021.
SUN 23:30 Party (m000p15f)
Series 1
Episode 3
The Party sets out to clarify its policies on climate change whilst Duncan deals with the aftermath of under-cooked chicken sausages from a BBQ.
Before long, murder is committed and the young idealists are placed in a compromising position.
Tom Basden’s sitcom satirises their ambitions, hypocrisy and naivety - based on his 2009 Edinburgh play which won a fringe first.
Simon ...... Tom Basden
Mel ...... Anna Crilly
Duncan ...... Tim Key
Jared ...... Johnny Sweet
Phoebe ...... Katy Wix
Producer: Julia McKenzie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.

MONDAY 31 AUGUST 2026

MON 00:00 The Green Isle of the Great Deep by Neil M Gunn (m0030wtp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Man in the Moon by Richard Lumsden (b008m1zr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wtc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (b06q5yh4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 The Impressionists (m0030wtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines (m0030wth)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Sunday]
MON 04:00 The Billy Cotton Band Show (m0030wtk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Sunday]
MON 04:30 Kind Hearts and Coronets (m0030wtm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Whodunnits (b00s7ql2)
Wimsey - Five Red Herrings
6. Evidence of a Commercial Traveller
Who killed unpopular Scottish artist, Sandy Campbell? Lord Peter Wimsey and Inspector McPherson are weighing up the alibis of suspects
Ian Carmichael stars as the aristocratic amateur sleuth created by Dorothy L Sayers.
Dramatised by Chris Miller.
Lord Peter Wimsey ...... Ian Carmichael
Sgt Dalziel ...... John Graham
Sir Maxwell Jameson ...... Garard Green
Insp MacPherson ...... Don McKillopp
Waters ...... Bill Wallace
Strachan ...... Gordon Clyde
Jock Graham ...... Christopher Scoular
Clarence Gordon ...... Gordon Faith
Producer Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1978.
MON 06:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qd9)
6. At the Point of a Triangle
Elizabeth Warwick has been kidnapped by her brother Michael who she thought was dead.
He's convinced that she knows the secret of the Harshak Tomb at Luxor, but this Elizabeth denies.
Meanwhile Mahmoud and Wilder, in their search for her, learn that she'll be at a village where the whirling Dervishes will dance...
Starring Sheila Grant.
Victor Pemberton's archaeological thriller serial set in Egypt.
Elizabeth Warwick: ....Sheila Grant
Mahmoud:....James Thomason
Mr Wilder:....John Humphry
Fuad:....David Spenser
Charles Villiers ....Rolf Lefebvre
Margaret Villiers:....Marion Mathie
Achmed Araby:....Haydn Jones
Bertie Pringle:....Barry Lowe
Michael Warwick ....Christopher Bidmead
Producer: John Tydeman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
MON 07:00 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
The Total Hotel Experience
John and his best friend Tony find themselves taking part in a seaside hotel's murder-mystery weekend.
John just wants to play dominoes, but amongst the guests is a woman from his past - with her potatoes.
Written by John Hegley
Starring:
John Hegley
Simon Munnery
Terry Malloy
Sunny Ormonde
Andy Hockley
Original music by Nigel Piper.
Director: Anne Edyvean
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1999.
MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jqvj)
Series 3
A Question of Reference
Corporal Jones and Private Godfrey blunder on a Home Guard platoon exercise using live ammunition.
The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.
Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Pike … Ian Lavender
Private Walker …. Larry Martyn
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1976.
MON 08:00 55 and Over (b01nxh1h)
2. Love Struck
Ray and Jane are both starting over with new paramours half their age.
Apparently it's not only teenagers that act like love-struck, tongue-tied fools.
Starring Juliet Stevenson and Philip Jackson.
Peter Souter's comedy about love, sex and other foolhardy mistakes made by the modern 50-pluser.
Jane ..... Juliet Stevenson
Ray ..... Philip Jackson
Tony ..... Patrick Brennan
Heather ..... Liza Sadovy
Honey ..... Stephanie Racine
Sam ..... Adam Nagaitis
Honey's Dad ..... Robert Blythe
Portia ..... Sarah Thom
Director: Helen Perry
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.
MON 08:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqjtl)
1. A New Spaniel
Virginia Woolf's unusual biography begins with the gift of a young dog to a very famous writer, Elizabeth Barret Browning.
Flush was given to her by a family friend.
The young spaniel very quickly becomes the poet's devoted companion and constant attendant at her bedside in her father's house in Wimpole Street.
To start with, Flush must learn to forget his early life in the country, and become used to days spent in an invalid's bedroom.
Read by Jenny Coverack.
Abridged in five parts and produced by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
MON 08:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wvn)
2. Nettle Tea
**** This programme was suggested by Stephanie Rowlands as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend. ****
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard set out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
Acutely attuned to the rhythms and delights of the natural world, he sleeps rough and takes work where he can find it, until meeting Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage looking out to sea.
Dulcie introduces Robert to nettle tea, and some shocking new ideas
Novel written by Benjamin Myers.
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Abridged by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk and tell us why.****
MON 09:00 Just a Minute (m0030dsh)
Series 97
6. Has Paul joined TikTok?
For the final episode of the series Gyles takes on main character energy, Rachel explains why she can't start her day without a full English breakfast, Lucy warns us about the curse and we find out if Paul has finally joined TikTok. Also, in a rare turn of events, the audience manage to get on the scoreboard.
Host: Sue Perkins
Players: Paul Merton, Rachel Parris, Gyles Brandreth and Lucy Porter
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Manager: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Additional material by Angela Channell
An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
MON 09:30 The Secret History of a School (m0002rk0)
Series 1
1. Beginnings
Alan Johnson, the former Education Secretary, tells the story of English education over the last 140 years through the prism of one London school - St Michael and All Angels in Camberwell.
Over the decades, its undergone many transformations, including names, in response to changes in policy, but its purpose has remained constant - to provide decent and free education to local children.
In the first of ten episodes, the story begins using original documents – from headmasters’ logs and inspection reports – and the testimony of both pupils and teachers.
It’s as much a social history of inner-city life down the ages as it is a study of our attempts to educate the children of poor families.
The Headmaster’s log book entry for November 17, 1884 documents the school's opening:
"J Alfred Thomas Cox opened the above school and took charge. 74 boys were admitted."
Founded as a church school, St Michael and All Angels is set up under auspices of the The National Society for the Promotion of the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church. The aim is clear:
“the proposed schools are for the poorest of the poor children, quite ragged and destitute. Many of whom are at present spending most of their time in the street.”
Alan finds the beginning of the story of this school site in Camberwell in a collection of logbooks, reports and other documents which were saved by the current school on the site Ark All Saints Academy.
He also visits the London School of Economics where the poverty of the area is illustrated in Charles Booth’s Victorian poverty maps and notebooks.
Producer: Sara Parker
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m0030x7t)
Times of Change - New Seasons
Christian reflection, prayers and music from the Festival City of Edinburgh with The Rev Neil Gardner of Canongate Kirk.
Reading: Matthew 4:18-22
Music: Stand Up And Bless The Lord (Tune: Carlisle)
All Rise - Excerpt from 7th Movement of Wynton Marsalis's Jazz Symphony
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind (Tune: Repton)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Tune: Cwm Rhondda)
MON 10:00 Sounds Natural (m0005gxw)
Humphrey Lyttelton
Humphrey Lyttelton tells Derek Jones about his huge love of birdwatching.
This is an activity he enjoys on holidays in North Wales, on tour with the band - and in his back garden.
The Great Tit and Wheatear are among his choice of natural history recordings from the BBC Sound Archives.
Best known to radio listeners as the host of BBC Radio's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and The Best of Jazz, Hump is a trumpeter, jazz musician and band leader.
Producers: John Burton and Michael Bowen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1971.
MON 10:30 Down and Out Debaters (b01pcvl2)
Every Tuesday night during Michaelmas term at Durham University, the debating chamber at the Durham Union Society is filled with student volunteers training a group of participants brought in by the homeless charity Cyrenians.
The hope is that through debating the group can hone their skills of speaking, and gain confidence and the ability to deal better with job interviews and challenging environments. They've got eight weeks, then there's a black tie dinner and the participants will be debating in front of an audience.
The participants have had a tough history, and for many of them the idea of public speaking fills them with terror.
The students 'ooze confidence' and it's up to them to impart some of that on their trainees, and hope that in the long term it might make a difference to their lives.
Can it? Edi Stark finds out.
Producer: Lucy Lloyd.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.
MON 11:00 Whodunnits (b00s7ql2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 12:00 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jqvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 55 and Over (b01nxh1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqjtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wvn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jp4k)
From 11/02/1992
Nigel Rees chairs the popular quiz involving the exchange of quotations and anecdotes.
From the Festival Theatre, Chichester.
With:
Bernard Bresslaw
Patrick Garland
Gemma O'Connor
Sir Peter Ustinov
Reader: Ronald Fletcher
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1992.
MON 14:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00n490f)
Series 3
Episode 1
Sports agent Trevor ends up in court as a witness.
He must try very hard not to tell lies...
Starring Neil Pearson.
Andy Hamilton's comedy about an honourable sports agent in a dishonourable world.
Trevor …. Neil Pearson
Meryl.........Claire Skinner
Sammy …. Paul Reynolds
Ralph …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Theresa …. Rosalind Ayres
Heidrun …. Cosima Shaw
Barry …. Abdul Salis
Mr Harcourt ...... Robert Duncan
Brock ...... Geoffrey Whitehead.
Written and produced by Andy Hamilton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.
MON 15:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dyydd)
1. Tough Beginnings
Rick Braithwaite is a handsome, ex-RAF pilot from Guyana who gets a job as a teacher in a radical school in post-war London's East End.
Once in the classroom, the students are tough, foul-mouthed and angry, proving unreceptive to his teaching methods...
ER Braithwaite's semi-autobiographical, international best-selling novel.
Starring Kwame Kwei-Armah, Sasha Behar and Simon Treves.
Dramatised in two parts by Roy Williams.
Rick ........ Kwame Kwel-Armah
Gillian ........ Sasha Behar
Weston ........ Simon Treves
Clinty ........ Liza Sadovy
Florian ........ Sam Dale
Denham ........ Steven Webb
Pamela ........ Clare Corbett
Seales ........ Ashley Chin
Potter ........ Freddy White
Babs ........ Leanne Rowe
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007.
MON 16:00 Sounds Natural (m0005gxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 Down and Out Debaters (b01pcvl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Whodunnits (b00s7ql2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
MON 18:00 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jqvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 55 and Over (b01nxh1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqjtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wvn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jp4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00n490f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dyydd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m0030dsh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
MON 22:25 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00310pr)
Eddy Brimson 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus comedian Lou Conran chats to comedian, actor and writer Eddy Brimson - who she also happens to be married to. Eddy talks about how the comedy circuit has changed in the 26 years he's been doing stand-up, particularly thanks to Jimmy Carr.
MON 22:30 Truly, Madly, Bletchley (b0085jg3)
Series 2
Episode 4
Britain's first public access cable radio show continues!
Meet the humble members of Bletchley District Council who aim to entertain and educate us in the way of the world.
Mrs Crowther attempts to herd ducks up the High Street, Bletchley pensioners keep fit club get a lesson in self defence and Enrico Valdez tantalises us with another 'mealbreak melody'.
Written by Julian Dutton.
Starring:
Liz Fraser
Julian Dutton
Peter Hugo-Daly
Stephen Critchlow
Matthew Bell
With Enrico Valdez and his Orchestra and special guest Cleo Rocos.
Producer: Andy Aliffe
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.
MON 22:45 Quando, Quando, Quando (b00800m4)
Spies
Spies steal the Quando brothers' secret formula - upsetting the delicate equilibrium that's existed for so long between them and the Quandos.
Brothers Rene, Carlo and Charlie Quando chop, snip and crimp their lucky clients into shape at London's finest hair salon.
Written and performed by Rainer Hersch and Mark Maie.
With:
Stephen Greif
Catherine Tate
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.
MON 23:00 The People Have Spoken (m0030nf6)
Episode 3
Ian Smith calls on Cody Dahler, Ayoade Bamgboye and the people to solve the UK's problems.
MON 23:30 The In Crowd (b00snrxg)
Series 3
Episode 5
How to obtain a privatised name.
How to use advertising slogans as part of everyday speech.
Plus discover the darkest secrets behind those people walking the beach with a metal detector...
A final dose of advice in the sketch show from Manchester's Comedy Store.
With:
Helen Moon
Robin Ince
Smug Roberts
Kate Ward
Producer: Graham Frost
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.

TUESDAY 01 SEPTEMBER 2026

TUE 00:00 Sounds Natural (m0005gxw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Down and Out Debaters (b01pcvl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Whodunnits (b00s7ql2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qd9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 The Adventures of John and Tony (b009pn8p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jqvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 55 and Over (b01nxh1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqjtl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wvn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jp4k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00n490f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dyydd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Whodunnits (b00s7tql)
Wimsey - Five Red Herrings
7. Council of War
As the investigation into the mysterious death of Scottish artist Sandy Campbell continues, Lord Peter Wimsey listens to all the various theories and pronounces that they are all wrong.
Ian Carmichael stars as the aristocratic amateur sleuth created by Dorothy L Sayers.
Dramatised by Chris Miller.
Lord Peter Wimsey ...... Ian Carmichael
Sgt Dalziel ...... John Graham
Sir Maxwell Jameson ...... Garard Green
Insp MacPherson ...... Don McKillopp
PC Ross ...... Gordon Kane
PC Duncan ...... David Strong
Campbell/Dr Cameron ...... Trevor Martin
The Procurator Fiscal ...... John Dunbar
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1978.
TUE 06:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qhz)
7. When the Dervish Begins to Dance
Released by her brother, Elizabeth Warwick returns to Inspector Mahmoud and tells him the secret of the Harshak Tomb.
Her father believed it to contain the burial chamber of a Pharaoh.
Together Mahmoud and Elizabeth enter the tomb, where they find a body - but it's not the mummified corpse of the dead Pharaoh...
Starring Sheila Grant.
Victor Pemberton's archaeological thriller serial set in Egypt.
Elizabeth Warwick:....Sheila Grant
Mahmoud:....James Thomason
Mr Wilder:....John Humphry
Fuad:....David Spenser
Charles Villiers ....Rolf Lefebvre
Margaret Villiers:....Marion Mathie
Achmed Araby:....Haydn Jones
Q'Hara:....Denis McCarthy
Dr Fawzad:....Nigel Anthony
Michael Warwick:....Christopher Bidmead
Producer: John Tydeman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
TUE 07:00 Yes Minister (b007k1mq)
Series 2
The Moral Dimension
Thirsty MP Jim Hacker's trip to an Arab state sparks diplomatic disarray.
Starring Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds.
Satirical sitcom centred around hapless MP Jim Hacker and a collection of civil service underlings headed by the Machiavellian Sir Humphrey Appleby and obsequious Bernard.
Written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn.
It first ran on BBC TV between 1980 and 1984.
Jim Hacker …. Paul Eddington
Sir Humphrey Appleby …. Nigel Hawthorne
Bernard …. Derek Fowlds
Anne Hacker …. Diana Hoddinot
Bill Pritchard …. Anthony Carrick
Prince Mohammed …. Walter Randall
First Arab …. Vic Tablian
Helpful Arab …. Ali Rifaii
Jenny Goodwin …. Moir Lesley
Ross …. Robin Summers
Diplomat …. Mark Straker
Adapted for radio by producer Pete Atkin.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1984.
TUE 07:30 The Milligan Papers (m003107d)
That "Cake" Elusive Pimpernel
Undercover and in France, the only way to keep warm in this weather, is the Scarlet Pimpernel.
They seek him here they seek him there. Perhaps they've not looked in the rubbish draw in the kitchen....
A story of rags to more rags and one man's search for fame and fortune....
Madcap comedy series written by John Antrobus and Spike Milligan
Starring:
Spike Milligan
John Bluthal
Chris Langham
John Antrobus
With music from George Chisholm & His Gentleman of Jazz
Announcer: Eugene Fraser
Producer: Paul Spencer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1987.
TUE 08:00 Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen? (m0016pn8)
Series 1
4. Last Night I Dreamt of Mastermind
When Florence is asked to appear on Celebrity Mastermind, she is delighted but terrified as she can’t think of a specialist subject. Meanwhile Lucy finds a strange clue to Selina and Florence’s secret but is told to leave well alone by Florence’s PA Mrs Ragnarrok. And when Florence becomes too stressed to appear on Mastermind, Selina steps in to save – or ruin – the day.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders star as respected novelist Florence and movie star Selina, in a sparkling comedy series about two sisters at war.
Written by Veep writer David Quantick.
Florence .... Dawn French
Selina .... Jennifer Saunders
Mrs Ragnarrok .... Rebecca Front
Lucy .... Lisa McGrillis
All the men .... Alistair McGowan
“The leads’ natural chemistry, plus David Quantick’s witty script… make for an enjoyable comedy with series potential” The Observer
“It’s as slick, dark and funny as one would expect - but surely this cannot be a one-off? The ending alone leaves us begging for a series” Radio Times
“French and Saunders sparkle with a magic that is so rarely heard in new radio comedies that I’d almost forgotten it was possible” Daily Telegraph
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2022.
TUE 08:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqspp)
2. Love Rivals
Flush has abandoned memories of his early days in the country, and is now Elizabeth Barrett Browning's constant companion in her father's house in Wimpole Street.
However, when his beloved owner embarks on a very special correspondence, the spaniel senses change is in the air. His fears are confirmed with the arrival of a new visitor to the invalid's bedroom.
When Flush realises he longer occupies the most important place in Miss Barrett's affections, he decides to make his feelings about the usurper Mr Browning clear in the only way he knows.
Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's devoted spaniel, Flush.
Read by Jenny Coverack
Abridged and produced by Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
TUE 08:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wdl)
3. Lobster
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard set out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
Acutely attuned to the rhythms and delights of the natural world, he sleeps rough and takes work where he can find it, until meeting Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage looking out to sea.
Robert discovers the pleasures of fine food, good wine and conversation
Novel written by Benjamin Myers.
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Abridged by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
TUE 09:00 Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz (m0030lzl)
Series 5
S5 E3: No Such Thing As A Sandwich
Paul sets his live audience in Canterbury questions about misleadingly-named foods from around the world, including the so-called "sandwich", and there's a round based on the highest honour that can be bestowed upon someone in the United Kingdom - getting a pub named after you.
The audience, as usual, get to quiz Paul, asking him questions about the Harlem Globetrotters, the London Underground, and the largest sporting arena in the world.
Written and performed by Paul Sinha
Additional material: Oliver Levy
Additional questions: The Audience
Recorded at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, by David Thomas at Sonic Boom Audio
Mixed by Rich Evans at Syncbox Post
Producer: Ed Morrish
Executive producer: Lyndsay Fenner
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 09:30 The Secret History of a School (m0002r49)
Series 1
2. Hop-picking
Alan Johnson visits one of the few remaining hop gardens at the Museum of Kent Life.
He’s keen to discover how, during September each year, generation after generation of St Michael and All Angels School pupils used to truant - or "hop the wag" - to pick hops and earn money for their school uniform.
Alan talks to some of the last of those who went hop picking.
He considers how, with changes in legislation and the end of child labour in mines and mills, schools became even more important – not just for education, but to meet society’s concerns about children "running wild on the streets".
Series in which the former Education Secretary tells the story of English education over the last 140 years through the prism of one school - St Michael and All Angels in Camberwell, London.
Over the decades, it’s undergone many transformations, including names, in response to changes in policy, but its purpose has remained constant - to provide decent and free education to local children.
The story is told through original documents – from headmasters’ logs and inspection reports – and the testimony of the children and teachers who went there.
It’s as much a social history of inner-city life down the ages as it is a study of our attempts to educate the children of poor families.
Producer: Sara Parker
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m0030ykv)
Times of Change - Growing up
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Times of Change - Growing up
Presenter: Paul Kerensa
Reading: Luke 2:46-52
Music:
Great is thy faithfulness - Phillipa Hanna
Honour - Becca Folkes
O God our help in ages past - Lou Fellingham
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000wttb)
Isy Suttie & Vick Hope
Comedian and writer Isy Suttie and BBC Radio 1's Vick Hope join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Zadie Smith, Patrick Süskind and Patrick Ness.
Swingtime by Zadie Smith
Publisher Penguin
The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind (translated by John E. Woods)
Publisher Penguin
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Publisher Walker Books
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2021.
TUE 10:30 The School on the Moor (b092k9jp)
Revealing 1948 portrait of Bolventor School in Cornwall.
Just 24 pupils aged 5 to 15, in two classrooms with two teachers, plus headmaster Reginald Bennetts and his wife.
In this experimental programme, BBC engineers had set-up microphones around this tiny remote village school in the middle of Bodmin Moor in the Autumn of 1947.
Microphones and cables were left to allow children to get used to them.
This programme was recorded over a week with the head as presenter, plus the stories of two former pupils, who attended the school when it opened in 1877.
*** The school closed in 1994.
Producer: Brandon Acton-Bond
First broadcast on the BBC West of England Home Service.
It evoked so many vivid memories for listeners and sparked a wider broadcast on the BBC Home Service in December 1948 (except for Scotland and Wales).
TUE 11:00 Whodunnits (b00s7tql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qhz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 12:00 Yes Minister (b007k1mq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Milligan Papers (m003107d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen? (m0016pn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqspp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 It's Not What You Know (b01ckr46)
Series 1
Episode 2
"The Thick Of It" star, Rebecca Front, Fast Show actor and comedian, Simon Day, and award-winning Geordie comic, Jason Cook nominate one of their intimate circle to answer questions about their relationship, to try and prove how well they know them.
If the panel can predict the responses their nominees gave, they get points.
Chaired by Miles Jupp.
Rebecca thinks she knows her father, Charles Front, a retired illustrator and calligrapher, pretty well.
Simon examines his relationship with best friend, Conrad Butlin, a stylist from Notting Hill in London.
And Jason plumps for his mother, Pat, a recruitment consultant from Hebburn in Newcastle - and, it turns out, something of a Loose Women fan...
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012.
TUE 14:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
High and Low Life
Pierce Egan is reduced to pawning himself.
He talks his way out of this bind by relating the adventures of Tom, Bob and Jerry as they drink with the lower orders in the East End, dance with high society up West and attend a masquerade, where Jerry is smitten by a serial seductress...
Starring Greg Wise and Mark Gatiss.
Pierce Egan’s 19th-century comic novel adapted by Dan Tetsell.
Pierce Egan .... Geoffrey McGivern
Corinthian Tom .... Greg Wise
Pickpocket .... Neil Edmond
Jerry Hawthorn .... Mark Gatiss
With James Bachman, Neil Edmond, Morwenna Banks, Giles Taylor and Alys Torrance.
Original music by Ben Walker
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2006.
TUE 15:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dz530)
2. Reality
Teacher Rick Braithwaite and his hostile, inner-city students are slowly getting to know each other better - and Rick is falling for his school colleague, Gillian...
Conclusion of ER Braithwaite's semi-autobiographical, international best-selling novel.
Starring Kwame Kwei-Armah, Sasha Behar and Simon Treves.
Dramatised by Roy Williams.
Rick ........ Kwame Kwel-Armah
Gillian ........ Sasha Behar
Weston ........ Simon Treves
Clinty ........ Liza Sadovy
Florian ........ Sam Dale
Denham ........ Steven Webb
Pamela ........ Clare Corbett
Seales ........ Ashley Chin
Potter ........ Freddy White
Babs ........ Leanne Rowe
Producer: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2007.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000wttb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 The School on the Moor (b092k9jp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Whodunnits (b00s7tql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qhz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
TUE 18:00 Yes Minister (b007k1mq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Milligan Papers (m003107d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen? (m0016pn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqspp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 It's Not What You Know (b01ckr46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dz530)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 22:00 Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz (m0030lzl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
TUE 22:30 Pick Ups (b008q0sz)
Series 1
Episode 3
Mike and Linda meet dates Andrew and Teri at a unique restaurant, with mixed results.
Comedy set in in a run down taxi office in Manchester.
Written by Ian Kershaw.
Linda ... Sally Lindsay
Mike ... John Thomson
Dave ... Philip Rowson
Rebel/Brad ... Ash Tandon
Teri ...... Claire Bleasdale
Andrew ...... Paul Warriner
Pat ...... Andrew Grose
Producer: Paul Hardy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.
TUE 23:00 Tina C (b0196rq2)
Tina C's Global Depression Tour
The United States
Country legend Tina C challenges the Secretary for the US Treasury, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and the former CEO of Goldman Sachs.
Where they have failed, she can come up with a solution to the Global Recession.
So Tina sets off on a six country tour to prove it - and her first stop is the United States of America.
Tina C ...... Christopher Green
"Christopher Green's Tina C is one of the great comic creations of the age. A genuinely fine country singer, but with a twist of satire and insight which is rare and highly to be prized." STEPHEN FRY.
With:
Financial journalist, Gillian Tett
Victoria Inez Hardy
James Lailey
Musical arrangements by Duncan Walsh Atkins and Christopher Green
Director: Jeremy Mortimer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
TUE 23:15 2000 Years of Radio (b007jng1)
Series 1
Crusade Roadshow
Join DJ Steve in the Afternoon on his AD 1200 Christian Crusade Roadshow.
He's out to gather up an army of children and the plague-ridden to find salvation and a suntan in the Holy Land.
Series that taps into the radio archive of a bygone age.
Written and performed by:
Marcus Brigstocke
Claire Downes
Stuart Lane
Al Holloway
Danny Robbins
Dan Tetsell
Producers: Paul Dodgson & Sean Grundy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2000.
TUE 23:30 Chain Reaction (b055gcbk)
Series 10
Olivia Colman talks to Sharon Horgan
The star of The Crown, Broadchurch, Twenty Twelve and Peep Show, Olivia Colman
talks to
Creator, writer and star of BBC's BAFTA nominated sitcom Pulling, and winner of the British Comedy Award for best actress, Sharon Horgan.
Chain Reaction is the long running hostless chat show where last week's interviewee becomes this week's interviewer.
Producer: Charlie Perkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.

WEDNESDAY 02 SEPTEMBER 2026

WED 00:00 A Good Read (m000wttb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 The School on the Moor (b092k9jp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Whodunnits (b00s7tql)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010qhz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Yes Minister (b007k1mq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Milligan Papers (m003107d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen? (m0016pn8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqspp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007wdl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 It's Not What You Know (b01ckr46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Life in London (b011q9fw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 To Sir With Love by ER Braithwaite (b00dz530)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Whodunnits (b00s8fxv)
Wimsey - Five Red Herrings
8. Reconstruction
Lord Peter Wimsey and his cohorts battle to solve the mysterious death of Scottish artist Sandy Campbell - as they piece together his final hours.
Ian Carmichael stars as the aristocratic amateur sleuth created by Dorothy L Sayers.
Dramatised by Chris Miller.
Lord Peter Wimsey ...... Ian Carmichael
Sgt Dalziel ...... John Graham
Sir Maxwell Jameson ...... Garard Green
Insp MacPherson ...... Don McKillopp
The Procurator Fiscal ...... John Dunbar
Ferguson ...... Iain Blair
Saunders ...... Alaric Cotter
Miss Madden ...... Nicolette McKenzie
Producer: Simon Brett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1978.
WED 06:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010q16)
8: The Call of the Muezzin
The tomb of Harshak in the Valley of the Kings has been robbed and all its treasure removed. Elizabeth Warwick is also missing.
Inspector Mahmoud and Wilder discover she's been taken by her brother and O'Hara to Cairo.
So they fly there to try and find them - in the City of the Dead.
Starring Sheila Grant.
Conclusion of Victor Pemberton's archaeological thriller serial set in Egypt.
Elizabeth Warwick:....Sheila Grant
Mahmoud:....James Thomason
Mr Wilder:....John Humphry
Fuad:....David Spenser
Bertie Pringle ....Barry Lowe
O'Hara:....Denis McCarthy
Colonel Riza:....Anthony Jackson
Michael Warwick:....Christopher Bidmead
Producer: John Tydeman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in June 1968.
WED 07:00 Men of Intelligence (m0030yqb)
2. Edge of Blackness
Edward and Michael don their duffle coats, accidentally leave their tent behind, and join a CND march across rain-sodden Kent.
Their mission?
They must track down a KGB agent rumoured to be hiding in the ranks.....
Peter Kerry's satirical sitcom about the British Intelligence Service.
Kate .... Harriet Thorpe
Sir Stephen .... John Wells
Sir Donald ..... Donald Pickering
Michael .... Douglas Hodge
Edward .... William Vandyck
Interrogator .... Gordon Reid
Simon .... David Holt
Lucinda: .... Maria Gough
Producer Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1993.
WED 07:30 The Missing Hancocks (b04ly3xv)
Series 1
The Matador
A recreation of the missing episode 12 of series 2 of Hancock's Half Hour.
The Lad uses Sid's travel agency to book a holiday in Spain, little knowing that Sid also runs a bullfighting business....
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Tony Hancock …. Kevin McNally
Bill Kerr …. Kevin Eldon
Kenneth Williams …. Robin Sebastian
Sid James …. Simon Greenall
Andree Melly …. Susy Kane
The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson on one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history.
But 20 episodes of the show are missing from the BBC Archives. All missing episodes have now been lovingly re-recreated in the BBC Radio Theatre.
Classic Hancock score re-recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian.
Producers: Ed Morrish and Neil Pearson.
The original recording of ‘The Matador’ was first broadcast in July, 1955.
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2014.
WED 08:00 You Heard It Here First (m001ygj0)
Series 2
'Is it someone going down a waterslide?'
Chris McCausland asks Jessica Knappett and Andy Parsons to take on Ahir Shah and Desiree Burch.
The teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV
Can they also guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe - and work out which famous faces are being described by Chris's audio assistance software?
Producer: Sasha Boba
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2024.
An EcoAudio certified production
WED 08:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqvk8)
3. Dog Snatchers
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's constant companion Flush has been stolen by a gang of London dog snatchers.
They're holding their canine victims to ransom - to exact a fearful retribution if the price is not paid.
Flush finds himself imprisoned in dreadful conditions in Whitechapel, while Miss Barrett becomes increasingly anxious in Wimpole Street.
Her father tries to prevent her securing Flush's return, and even dear Mr Browning advises her against giving in to blackmail.
So she leaves her sickroom to take matters into her own hands...
Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's devoted spaniel, Flush.
Read by Jenny Coverack
Abridged and produced by Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
WED 08:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007x53)
4. Meadow Work
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard set out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
Acutely attuned to the rhythms and delights of the natural world, he sleeps rough and takes work where he can find it, until meeting Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage looking out to sea.
As Dulcie continues to provide lavish meals at her garden table, Robert insists on earning his keep.
Novel written by Benjamin Myers.
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Abridged by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
WED 09:00 Best Medicine (m0030mcj)
Series 3
5 - Seaweed Underwear, Bubbles, Saunas
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is entrepreneur Alex Perry who champions seaweed underwear inspired by a personal mission to improve women's health. Professor Eleanor Stride returns with bubbles (again) in the fight against everything from cancer to antimicrobial resistance, and comedian Kate Cheka turns up the heat in defence of saunas.
Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.
Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.
Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.
Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Featuring: Kate Cheka, Alex Perry and Professor Eleanor Stride
Written by  Edward Easton, Jordan Gray, Frances Keyton, Mel Owen, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Ben Rowse and Rhys Thorne
Producer: Tashi Radha
Executive Producer: Ben Worsfield
Theme tune composed by Andrew Jones
A Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
WED 09:30 The Secret History of a School (m0002r0k)
Series 1
3. Wartime & Depression
Alan Johnson looks back to the First World War and 1930s depression years with a visit to the Southwark Museum in search of attendance medals.
Many entries in the headmaster's log book lament poor attendance, with pupils staying off school because they have no shoes - or their boots have so many holes they won’t stand up to the rain.
The attendance medals, which spanned Queen Victoria’s reign through to the post-war years, were substantial bronze awards for attendance, punctuality and excellence.
The school archive reveals the impact of the war years as Alan reads the roll of honour.
Former 1930s pupil Iris Kimber remembers how hard those years were and, as a four year old, walked several miles after school with her older sister to get food from the "relieving office" - the equivalent of today's food bank.
But she also recalls the measures taken to improve pupils' health including lining up for "dollops" of malt extract every school morning.
Series in which the former Education Secretary tells the story of English education over the last 140 years through the prism of one school - St Michael and All Angels in Camberwell, London.
Over the decades, it’s undergone many transformations, including names, in response to changes in policy, but its purpose has remained constant - to provide decent and free education to local children.
The story is told through original documents – from headmasters’ logs and inspection reports – and the testimony of the children and teachers who went there.
It’s as much a social history of inner-city life down the ages as it is a study of our attempts to educate the children of poor families.
Producer: Sara Parker
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m0030yqd)
From darkness to light
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: From darkness to light
Presenter: Anne Read
Reading: 1 John 1:1-5
Music:
Longing for light - Daily Service Singers (BBC Recording)
The Lord is my light - Daily Service Singers
Immortal Invisible - Daily Service Singers
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m0011rlh)
Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a global superstar.
Bohemian Rhapsody was the most streamed song of the 20th century, Queen's Greatest Hits is the best-selling album of all time in the UK.
One billion viewers watched the Tribute Concert held after his death.
But hardly anyone seems to know Mercury's real name.
Farrokh Bulsara was born 80 years ago in Zanzibar on 5th September 1946. He died on November 24th, 1991, aged just 45.
He spent his teenage years drinking chai in Mumbai, fled a brutal revolution on British-protected soil, and settled into London's Parsi Zoroastrian community. He never spoke about these things – and the press never enquired.
So what would we ask if he were a star today?
Sathnam Sanghera talks to Farouk Topan, a contemporary from Zanzibar, to find out what life would have been like there.
Friend and biographer Lesley-Ann Jones tracks the transition from Farrokh to Freddie, and reveals his favourite food was always lamb dhansak.
Sathnam unearths old BBC interviews, including Queen back stage at Live Aid and Elton John paying tribute to his close friend. He speaks to super-fan Matt Lucas on how we misread Freddie’s sexuality, and asks Bob Harris about racist music crowds.
Sathnam asks why Queen played in apartheid-era South Africa, and finds out why the Great British public never realised Mercury was gay.
And he discovers Arabic and Persian lyrics in some of Queen’s most famous songs.
Producer: Hannah Sander
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2021.
WED 11:00 Whodunnits (b00s8fxv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010q16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Men of Intelligence (m0030yqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 The Missing Hancocks (b04ly3xv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 You Heard It Here First (m001ygj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqvk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007x53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 The Ultimate Choice (m001vsfq)
Series 2
5: Crabs v Wasps
Welcome to the world's most devious game of Would You Rather?
Host: Steph McGovern
Guests: Russell Kane and Isy Suttie
Devised and written by Jon Harvey & Joseph Morpurgo
With additional material from Laura Major
Producer Jon Harvey
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2024.
WED 14:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00n490h)
Series 3
Episode 5
If Reunions are a bad idea, why do we have them?
Is it to check our success against the others or is it just the hope of exploring some unresolved nooky behind the bikes sheds with Becky from 5B.
Sitcom set in the Cyber Pass’ internet café.
Written by and starring Mervyn Stutter.
Merv …. Mervyn Stutter
Pam …. Lill Roughley
Dibden …. John Challis
Nev …. Gyuri Sarossy
Chantal …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Dilkes …. Chris Ettridge
Songs by Mervyn Stutter.
Performed by Swamp Things.
Producer: Simon Nicholls
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2004.
WED 15:00 Conversation from the Engine Room by Nick Warburton (b092gh2r)
Marriott is a school caretaker. He calls his boiler room the engine room of a ship, with the ship as the school and its cargo - the pupils.
One of them is Robert, a lonely boy, just as Marriott is a lonely man.
But they have something else in common.... could it be innocence?
Nick Warburton’s school-based drama.
Marriott ...... Colin Douglas
Fox ...... Hugh Dickson
Miss Murdoch ...... Avril Clarke
Robert ...... Roy Merchant.
Recorded with contributions from the Music Teacher and pupils of St Gildas’ School in North London.
Director: John Tydeman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1986.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m0011rlh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Whodunnits (b00s8fxv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010q16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Men of Intelligence (m0030yqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 The Missing Hancocks (b04ly3xv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 You Heard It Here First (m001ygj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqvk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007x53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 The Ultimate Choice (m001vsfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00n490h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Conversation from the Engine Room by Nick Warburton (b092gh2r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Best Medicine (m0030mcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
WED 22:30 Delve Special (b007jqfr)
Series 4
Bitter Harvest
Investigating pesticides and agricultural policy, intrepid reporter David Lander asks if farming is in crisis.
Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.
Studio production by:
Brenda Blethyn
Philip Pope
Robert Bathurst
Dramatic reconstructions by:
Julia Hills
Jack Klaff
Phil Nice
Researched by Tony Sarchet.
Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.
Editor: Paul Mayhew Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987.
WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00310q0)
Eddy Brimson 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus comedian Lou Conran chats again to comedian, actor and writer Eddy Brimson - who she just happens to be married to. They talk about life in comedy as a married couple, how they deal with audiences being very honest, and Eddy branching out into writing a horror novel.
WED 23:00 Welcome to Wherever You Are (m0007cw6)
Series 2
Episode 4
Andrew Maxwell hosts a truly global stand-up show, in which comedians perform from wherever on the planet they happen to be, to an audience in the BBC Radio Theatre, London.
With:
Eliana La Casa
Ambrus Oroscz
Tin Vodopivec
Eliana La Casa is the resident MC of Buenos Aires’ first English language stand-up night.
Ambrus Oroscz, the first Hungarian to perform stand-up at the Edinburgh festival dials in from Budapest with stories of politics and his favourite “uncle jokes”.
Tin Vodopivec is in Llubljana, Slovenia, where he’s the biggest national stand-up having supported Eddie Izzard on his tour in the country.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2019.
WED 23:30 Stand-Up Specials (m001k0wv)
Lucy Porter's Lucky Dip
Lucy Porter is back with an examination of middle aged, suburban life. Ably assisted by her young apprentice Luke Kempner, Lucy tackles bank holiday bin collection schedules, video doorbell footage, and being a member of the ‘sandwich generation’.
Apparently, human happiness peaks at 18, dips to its lowest point between the ages of 49 and 54, then picks up again - by the age of about 65 you’re as happy again as you were at 18. So this show will be a comfort to those in the dip, a warning to younger listeners, and will make the older generation feel incredibly smug.
Caravanning, lower back pain and the irresistible allure of Ken Bruce are all covered in this delightful celebration of midlife madness. This show is for you if you own at least one item of clothing that you bought In a garden centre.
Feel free to download it as something to listen to in the middle of the night when the hot flushes or prostate issues are keeping you up anyway.
Cast:
Lucy Porter
Luke Kempner
Created and written by Lucy Porter
With additional material by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch and Mike Shephard
Produced and directed by Gordon Kennedy
Recorded live at Pinner Village Hall
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2023.

THURSDAY 03 SEPTEMBER 2026

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m0011rlh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Whodunnits (b00s8fxv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Kill The Pharaoh! (m0010q16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Men of Intelligence (m0030yqb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 The Missing Hancocks (b04ly3xv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 You Heard It Here First (m001ygj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yqvk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007x53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 The Ultimate Choice (m001vsfq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 Getting Nowhere Fast (b00n490h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Conversation from the Engine Room by Nick Warburton (b092gh2r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xh3kt)
1. New Start
It's 1918. Soldier Davy Powlett-Jones has been invalided out of the trenches.
Now, he must face a new start in life...
RF Delderfield's classic novel of life between the wars.
Stars Oliver Milburn.
Dramatised in five parts by Shaun McKenna.
Davy Powlett-Jones.........Oliver Milburn
Algy Herries....................John Wood
Howarth.........................John Rowe
Carter............................Anthony Calf
Beth..............................Alison Pettitt
Guard/Conductor.............Delroy Brown
"Nipper" Shawe/Youings...Josh Freeborn
"Chad" Boyer..................Steven Williams
Briarley...........................Steven Roberts
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
THU 06:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s5p86)
1. The Photograph
Jane lives happily with her two eccentric aunts - until until the day she finds the photograph she was never meant to see and discovers a secret is being kept from her.
Read by Zelah Clarke.
Producer: John Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in May 1992.
THU 07:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
Series 1
Episode 3
Ken's in a dilemma when he wins an award for an ad campaign he hates.
Starring Martin Jarvis.
Guy Jenkin and Jon Canter’s satire set in the competitive world of advertising.
Ken Handley .... Martin Jarvis
John 'Sandy' Beach .... Christopher Godwin
Freddie .... Lockwood West
June .... Wendy Richard
Sarah …. Sheila Steafel
Sandy …. Christopher Godwin
Mr Sandell …. John Blythe
Barman …. Geoffrey McGivern
Other parts played by:
John Baddeley
Norma Ronald
David Tate
Michael Jayston
Bill Mitchell
Producer: Pete Atkin
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1982.
THU 07:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
Series 3
Not to Be Unwrapped the Burkiss Way
Queen Victoria needs some help with a personal problem - and all is revealed 'Upstairs Downstairs'.
Cult sketch comedy series which originally ran from 1976 to 1980.
Starring:
Fred Harris
Jo Kendall
Nigel Rees
Chris Emmett
Written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick.
Producer: John Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1977.
THU 08:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0013swn)
Series 1
Gilbert
When First Class Steward Gilbert discovers his step-sister is a passenger on the train, he's forced to spend the journey hiding from her. It seems that his whole life Gilbert has been living a lie.
Meanwhile, Sam must contend with a carriage full of Roundheads on their way to a re-enactment of the Battle of Naseby, armed with a collection of very realistic pikes.
Our heroes are the long-suffering train crew who manage to scrape through every shift like a dysfunctional family.
Comedy legends Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis's sitcom, set in the claustrophobic carriages of a cross-country rail service.
Sam…. Rosie Cavaliero
Gilbert…. Kenneth Collard
Dev….. Ali Shahalom
Tasha….. Amy Gledhill
Jocasta.... Anna Crilly
Colleague.... Justice Ritchie
Roundhead 1.... Hugh Dennis
Roundhead 2.... Steve Punt
Producer: James Robinson
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2022.
THU 08:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrfwp)
4. Dog Travels
Flush's life changes dramatically as his mistress and her new husband leave London's Wimpole Street behind them - and travel to Italy.
As the Brownings begin their married life in Florence, Flush too finds a new lease of life amid the rich sensations and smells of the Florentine alleys and fields.
Once again, however, a new arrival threatens to disturb the enjoyable routine.
Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's devoted spaniel, Flush.
Read by Jenny Coverack
Abridged and produced by Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
THU 08:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007ym2)
5. A Leavetaking
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard set out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
Acutely attuned to the rhythms and delights of the natural world, he sleeps rough and takes work where he can find it, until meeting Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage looking out to sea.
Robert says goodbye to Dulcie, but doesn't get as far as he'd planned.
Novel written by Benjamin Myers.
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Abridged by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
THU 09:00 Icklewick FM (m001wjj9)
Series 1
5. The Leak
A town in crisis! Rubbish fills the streets as the bin men continue to strike for fair pay and rumour has it that the rats are engaged in an unholy alliance with the badgers. As The Mayor is seemingly unable to pick up his phone, Chris and Amy put some Hard Questions to his inexperienced assistant, Nicola Trickle.
When a cache of anonymously leaked documents arrives in the Icklewick FM inbox, it lays bare a conspiracy that shakes the town to its core. In sport, Stanley Power finally has some good news to share!
Buckle up because The Mayor’s identity is finally revealed…
Created and written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill with additional material from the cast.
Starring:
Lucy Beaumont
Tom Burgess
Tai Campbell
Phil Ellis
Colin Hoult
Nimisha Odedra
Nicola Redman
Mark Silcox
Shivani Thussu
And a very special secret celebrity guest…
Sound Design and Music by Jack Lewis Evans.
The Line Producer is Laura Shaw.
Produced by Benjamin Sutton.
Icklewick FM is A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 09:30 The Secret History of a School (m0002r6k)
Series 1
4. Second World War
In 1944, St Michael and All Angels School was bombed and destroyed. Pupils like Iris Kimber had been evacuated - the whole school with their teachers transplanted to Reading.
Alan Johnson discovers the impact of the war in the archive, including an air raid wardens' account of the 1944 bombing. He also introduces us to the 1944 Butler Act - one of the most significant pieces of legislation based on a post-World War II plan, the legacy of which is still with us today.
Series in which the former Education Secretary tells the story of English education over the last 140 years through the prism of one school - St Michael and All Angels in Camberwell, London.
Over the decades, it’s undergone many transformations, including names, in response to changes in policy, but its purpose has remained constant - to provide decent and free education to local children.
The story is told through original documents – from headmasters’ logs and inspection reports – and the testimony of the children and teachers who went there.
It’s as much a social history of inner-city life down the ages as it is a study of our attempts to educate the children of poor families.
Producer: Sara Parker
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m0030yql)
Times of Change - Through the fire
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Times of Change - Through the fire
Presenter: Dr Rachel Mann
Reading: James 1:2-4
Music:
O Magnum Mysterium (Ivo Antonioni)
Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
Do Not Be Afraid
Steven Driedger
Refiner’s Fire (Purify my Heart)
Bryan Doerksen
Dona Nobis Pacem (Mark Butler)
London Voices
He Will Hold Me Fast
Keith and Kristyn Getty
THU 10:00 Great Lives (m000zt9m)
Yanis Varoufakis on Hypatia
The Greek politician and economist Yanis Varoufakis takes us back to ancient Alexandria and the life of the first woman to make her name as a mathematician.
But Hypatia is best known now for being brutally murdered. Yanis makes the case for her as a philosopher and mathematician, and explores how her story has been interpreted and misinterpreted in the centuries after her death.
He's joined by the writer and broadcaster, Professor Edith Hall.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Produced at BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2021.
THU 10:30 Camel Country (b01hw6g9)
Camels are the heart and soul of Arabic culture. Even in an age of four-wheel drive and oil-money opulence they're a powerful symbol of wealth.
Field biologist Tessa McGregor travels through the deserts of Oman with one of the last of the frankincense caravans.
For centuries camel trains have climbed from the coastal plain to the high plateau of Dhofar to collect the annual frankincense harvest. The trade has declined as the young Omanis shun the tough world of the desert for the comforts of urban life but even in the cities the camel is still venerated.
Camels are raced, songs are composed in their honour, they're displayed in beauty contests and photos of favourite camels are swapped on mobile phones and Facebook.
In two generations, the people of the Arab peninsula have gone from nomadic poverty when the camel was the difference between life and death to an age of air-conditioned luxury but even today, as Tessa discovers, the camel herders are regarded as princes of the desert.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2012.
THU 11:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xh3kt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s5p86)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 12:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0013swn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrfwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007ym2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Dilemma (b01r5pxg)
Series 2
Episode 4
Sue Perkins sets moral and ethical posers for:
Roisin Conaty
Samira Ahmed
David Reed
Robin Ince
This is the panel show posing finely-balanced dilemmas as Sue cross-examines their answers.
Amongst the dilemmas facing the panel are changing history; dipping into the archives; injust justice and a maths teacher's non-standard deviation.
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 March 2013.
THU 14:30 Snap (b00thqvk)
Series 1
Episode 3
Doug's furious when he discovers Molly plans to take in a lodger.
Plus their best friends having a party, so it could be awkward if both Molly & Doug get an invite...
Starring Rebecca Lacey and Paul Venables.
Paul Mendelson’s sitcom about life for a couple after they've split.
Molly …... Rebecca Lacey
Doug …... Paul Venables
Kaz …... Soumaya Keynes
Scarlet …... Rebecca Front
Annie …... Marlene Sidaway
Raymond …... Jonathan Tafler
Gwynneth Williams …... Jennifer Hill
Producer: David Ian Neville
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2003.
THU 15:00 Mr Betjeman's Class by Jonathan Smith (b09jrsfc)
The first of two plays celebrating one of Britain's best-loved poets.
1928. John Betjeman, aged 23, has left Magdalen College - sent down without a degree.
He's spent three years at Oxford being a class-conscious social climber, clowning his suburban way into the country house weekend set.
With his ambitions in ruins, he's reduced to acting as cricket master in a prep school. He knows nothing of cricket.
Starring Ben Whitrow and Philippe Edwards.
Written by Jonathan Smith.
Older Betjeman ...... Ben Whitrow
Younger Betjeman ...... Philippe Edwards
Bessie ...... Sophie Thompson
Ernest ...... Nicky Henson
Headmaster ...... Gerard McDermott
Boy 1 ...... Adam Thomas Wright
Boy 2 ...... Kedar Williams-Stirling
Boy 3 ...... Tom Cawte
Also being broadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra is Jonathan Smith's accompanying play - Mr Betjeman Regrets
Director: Bruce Young.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
THU 15:45 Short Works (m000p0tb)
The McFeggan Offensive by William Boyd
William Boyd's wry story for radio about bad haircuts, worst accent and illicit cigarettes in a 1960s boys school. Read by John Sessions.
William Boyd is a multi-award winning novelist, short story writer and playwright. The author of 19 highly-acclaimed novels, including Any Human Heart, Restless and Trio, published in 2020, which is set in Brighton during the swinging sixties. He is also the author of Solo, the James Bond novel.
Written for reader John Sessions by Boyd, his long term friend and collaborator.
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (m000zt9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Camel Country (b01hw6g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xh3kt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s5p86)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
THU 18:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0013swn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrfwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007ym2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Dilemma (b01r5pxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Snap (b00thqvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Mr Betjeman's Class by Jonathan Smith (b09jrsfc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 21:45 Short Works (m000p0tb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
THU 22:00 Icklewick FM (m001wjj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
THU 22:30 A Look Back at the Nineties (b007jqvx)
1998
The Queen makes a decision, England's shocker, and The Archers go on strike.
Recorded in 1993 - the comedy team "look back" at 1998 - a year that was yet to happen.
Starring:
Brian Perkins
Kate Robbins
Special guest: Jack Dee
A satirical review set on New Year's Eve 1999 - the Sony Gold award-winning comedy recalls the events from 1995 to 1999.
Predicted by 'Spitting Image' writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Caroline Leddy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1993.
THU 23:00 Hearing with Hegley (b0075rsh)
Series 3
Episode 1
King Canute - did he get his feet wet or not?
Performance poet John Hegley tries to unravel one of Southampton's more enduring mysteries.
The joyous possibilities of flannel, fennel and funnel are also investigated.
With:
Simon Munnery
Andrew Bailey
Producer: Nigel Piper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2000.
THU 23:15 Irish Micks and Legends (b01nl8gr)
Series 1
The Salmon of Knowledge
Aisling Bea and Yasmine Akram become Ais and Yaz and are the very best pals.
They take their role as Ireland's freshest story-tellers to the British nation very seriously indeed but haven't had the time to do much research, learn their lines or work out who is doing which parts.
The girls' unconventional way of telling stories involves a concoction of thoroughly inappropriate modern-day metaphors and references to many of the ancient Irish stories.
With a natural knack for both comedy and character voices the duo bring you warm, modern re-workings of popular ancient Irish stories.
For starters, it's the Salmon of Knowledge.
Written and performed by Aisling Bea and Yasmine Akram.
Producer: Raymond Lau
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.
THU 23:30 Rigor Mortis (b007k419)
Series 1
Episode 1
Dr Webster realises that he recognises the man he’s just performed a routine autopsy on, but where from?
His colleague, Professor Donaldson is aghast at the medical ethics of the situation whilst Dr Anderson is convinced that there's some kind of conspiracy going on.
Dr Webster can't understand what all the fuss is about...
Laurence Howarth’s sitcom set in the fascinating, but misunderstood world of the pathology lab.
Dr Anthony Webster ...... Peter Davison
Dr Ruth Anderson ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Professor Donaldson ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Gordon ...... Tom Price
Chloe ...... Marianne Levy
Simon ...... Gus Brown
David/Patient ...... Stephen Critchlow
Elaine ...... Beth Chalmers
Music by Paul Mottram and Stephanie Benavente.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.

FRIDAY 04 SEPTEMBER 2026

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (m000zt9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Camel Country (b01hw6g9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xh3kt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s5p86)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Burkiss Way (b007jr1v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 The Train at Platform 4 (m0013swn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrfwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m0007ym2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Dilemma (b01r5pxg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Snap (b00thqvk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Mr Betjeman's Class by Jonathan Smith (b09jrsfc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 05:45 Short Works (m000p0tb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xhck3)
2. Settling In and a Tragedy
It’s 1920. Despite clashing with the science master, Davy has settled in well to school life at Bamfylde School.
His wife Beth is expecting twins and is the hero of the school after saving two pupils in a school fire.
RF Delderfield's classic novel of life between the wars.
Stars Oliver Milburn.
Dramatised in five parts by Shaun McKenna.
Davy Powlett-Jones .... Oliver Milburn
Algy Herries .... John Wood
Howarth ..... John Rowe
Carter .... Anthony Calf
Julia …. Juliet Aubrey
Beth .... Alison Pettitt
Keith Blades …. John Cummins
Spats Winterbourne …. Anthony Glennon
Chad Boyer …. Nick Sayce
Skidmore …. Josh Freeborn
Dobson .... Steven Williams
Ainsworth …. Steven Roberts
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.
FRI 06:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s648t)
2. Clues
Jane unearths clues to her past from a family photo album and she makes up her mind to track down her secret family.
Read by Zelah Clarke.
Producer: John Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in May 1992.
FRI 07:00 Flying the Flag (b00dp3qj)
Series 4
Little Extras
The novelty of artistic freedom in the People's Democracy attracts a swarm of film location managers, hungry for new backdrops, authentic faces - and cheap labour.
The movie moguls hadn't bargained for one thing, however: a little diplomatic scene stealing.
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
US Ambassador Spiro Weinberg …. Stephen Greif
Duncan Bridges …. Peter Whitman
Producer: Neil Cargill
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1992.
FRI 07:30 Beyond Our Ken (b00bfd4t)
Series 5
23/11/1961
Kenneth Horne visits his local music shop - and waltzes back to the Vienna of 1845.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman.
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee
Music from Jill Day, The Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Incidental music by Edwin Braden.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith and Rodney and Charles.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1961.
FRI 08:00 Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel (m0019bxj)
Outside Robin Ince
Escaping the confines of The Infinite Monkey Cage, comedian Robin Ince takes us on a journey through his Reality Tunnel in this two-part stand-up show, recorded specially for Radio 4.
Performing in front of a live audience in Manchester, Robin examines the brain’s relationship with reality and over the two episode series, he looks at the difference between the inner and the outer self and considers how we put together our picture of the world.
In the second show he goes 'Outside Robin Ince'.
Written and performed by Robin Ince.
Sound Manager - Jerry Peal
Sound Editor - Joshan Chana
Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
Picture by Steve Best
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2022.
FRI 08:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrgzc)
5. Reflections
The Brownings have settled happily in Florence, their little boy is growing up, and Flush is growing old.
He can't understand his mistress's new enthusiasm for summoning the spirits, and he's lost his old passion for roaming the streets and fields of Florence.
It's time for him to lie in the shade of a market stall and remember the good times he's lived through.
Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's devoted spaniel, Flush.
Concluded by Jenny Coverack
Abridged and produced by Sara Davies
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2011.
FRI 08:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m00082d4)
6. The Studio
One summer following the Second World War, 16 year old Robert Appleyard set out on foot from his Durham mining village, desperate to see something of the world before he goes down the pit.
Acutely attuned to the rhythms and delights of the natural world, he sleeps rough and takes work where he can find it, until meeting Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage looking out to sea.
Robert makes an unexpected discovery when he begins to clear out the shack in Dulcie's garden.
Novel written by Benjamin Myers.
As an old man, Robert looks back on the summer that changed the direction his life was to take, and the woman who opened his eyes to life's possibilities.
Abridged in ten parts by Sian Preece.
Read by Kevin Whately.
Produced at BBC Scotland by Sara Davies.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019.
FRI 09:00 Wing It (m001vtbl)
"No Script. No Prep. No Clue."
Mike Wozniak plays host to a panel of improv all stars in this new spontaneous game show, full of ridiculous challenges & completely made up games.
Presented by Mike Wozniak.
The contestants were, Josie Lawrence, Steen Raskopoulos, Cariad Lloyd, and Thomas Mayo.
With additional material from Shoot From The Hip
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Joe Bayley
A BBC Studios Production
FRI 09:30 The Secret History of a School (m0002snq)
Series 1
5. The Rise of the Secondary Modern
After the Second World War, it took more than a decade for St Michael and All Angels School to be rebuilt as a secondary modern, part of the Butler Acts tripartite system which included grammar as well as technical schools.
Alan Johnson documents the school's reconstruction from bomb site to the brand new purpose-built school which was officially opened in 1956 by Princess Marie Louise, who signed a visitors' book for the occasion.
Series in which the former Education Secretary tells the story of English education over the last 140 years through the prism of one school - St Michael and All Angels in Camberwell, London.
Over the decades, it’s undergone many transformations, including names, in response to changes in policy, but its purpose has remained constant - to provide decent and free education to local children.
The story is told through original documents – from headmasters’ logs and inspection reports – and the testimony of the children and teachers who went there.
It’s as much a social history of inner-city life down the ages as it is a study of our attempts to educate the children of poor families.
Producer: Sara Parker
Executive Producer: Samir Shah
A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2019.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m0030z6l)
Times of Change - God Never Changes
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Times of Change - God Never Changes
Presenter: Dave Kitchen
Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Music:
Turn, turn, turn
Lord of all hopefulness
May the road rise up to meet you
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (m00120hq)
Unfinished Sympathy
Personal stories inspired by Massive Attack's breakthrough single.
Featuring the vocals of Shara Nelson, the track together with its iconic video would help catapult this band from Bristol onto the global stage.
Stories include the photographer Giles Duley whose work was displayed during the song at the band's 2016 homecoming show in Bristol.
Mountaineer Dmitry Golovchenko who named an attempt on the Nepalese mountain of Jannu after the track*.
Solicitor Marti Burgess who saw early sets from The Wild Bunch, the collective from which Massive Attack emerged, and for whom 'Unfinished Sympathy' helped crystallise her identity.
Music Producer Ski Oakenfull deconstructs the track, peeling back the layers of beats, bells and samples. Belgian singer Liz Aku recorded a version of the track during lockdown, bringing back memories of her first love.
Melissa Chemam, author of 'Massive Attack Out Of The Comfort Zone' explains the origins of Massive Attack, how 'Unfinished Sympathy' was written and why, when the track was released in 1991, the band had to drop the word 'Attack' from their name.
A radio producer and DJ who spent New Year's Eve in a detox centre in London was asked to pick the tune to be played at midnight, and she chose 'Unfinished Sympathy'.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Toby Field
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2021.
*Since this programme was recorded, climbers Dmitry Golovchenko and Sergey Nilov have both sadly died in climbing accidents.
FRI 10:30 Roger Law and the Giant Pot (b091tv95)
Andrew Graham-Dixon looks at the work of Roger Law. The name might be familiar from a satirical puppet show of the 1980s, but today his grotesque creations are to be found on pots.
Roger Law....the artist. The name might just ring a bell as one of the two people responsible for a rather infamous satirical TV puppet show that was broadcast in the 1980s. But there's a lot more to this creator than that, and he's gone on record to say he hates puppets anyway. Since the show ended Roger's been very busy.
After a lengthy stint in Australia feverishly drawing the strange and the wonderful creatures he encountered on land or in the sea, he has returned to his roots in East Anglia for a different creative endeavour. But he's not staying put, as this new creative challenge involves making some of the biggest ceramic pots in the world, and the only place with kilns that can cope is thousands of miles away in a provincial city in China.
Join him on his quest for porcelain perfection.
Presenter: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Producer: Mark Rickards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.
FRI 11:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xhck3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s648t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 12:00 Flying the Flag (b00dp3qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:30 Beyond Our Ken (b00bfd4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel (m0019bxj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrgzc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m00082d4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 Booked (b0075lfg)
Series 3
Episode 1
From bookish musical instruments and conversation consequences, to guess the author!
Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent literary game.
Outrageous parody, biting wit and bizarre couplings from:
Mark Thomas
Roger McGough
Dillie Keane
Rory Motion
Producer: Marc Jobst
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1997.
FRI 14:30 Spending My Inheritance (m00230qw)
The Party
Cash-strapped 40-something Harry decides to throw his dad a 65th birthday party. Stars Kris Marshall. From November 2008.
FRI 15:00 Mr Betjeman Regrets by by Jonathan Smith (b09jvfcr)
Second of two plays celebrating one of Britain's best-loved poets.
Towards the end of his career, Sir John Betjeman is a national treasure.
He's become an immensely popular tv and radio performer, selling over two million copies of his Collected Poems in his lifetime. But he continues to worry about his chequered career and complex personal life.
Stars Benjamin Whitrow who died shortly before he could finish recording this drama.
His role was completed by Robert Bathurst, a friend and fellow Betjeman enthusiast.
Written by Jonathan Smith.
Betjeman ...... Benjamin Whitrow/Robert Bathurst
Lady Elizabeth ...... Joanna David
Lady Penelope ...... Sarah Crowden
Cornish Woman. ...... Sandra Duncan
Young Paul ...... Adam Thomas Wright
Includes voices of:
Gerard McDermott
Isabella Inchbald
Neil McCaul
Director: Bruce Young.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
FRI 15:45 Short Works (m001dp2l)
Happiness by Chetna Maroo
Uma would be happy if she wasn't haunted by her school reports. How can she hide them from her parents?
Chetna Maroo is winner of the 2022 Plimpton Prize for Fiction. Her debut novel Western Lane was published in 2023.
Reader: Sabrina Sandhu
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2022.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (m00120hq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Roger Law and the Giant Pot (b091tv95)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield (b00xhck3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:45 The Outside Child by Nina Bawden (b00s648t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
FRI 18:00 Flying the Flag (b00dp3qj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:30 Beyond Our Ken (b00bfd4t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel (m0019bxj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Flush by Virginia Woolf (b00yrgzc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 The Offing by Benjamin Myers (m00082d4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Booked (b0075lfg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Spending My Inheritance (m00230qw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Mr Betjeman Regrets by by Jonathan Smith (b09jvfcr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 21:45 Short Works (m001dp2l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
FRI 22:00 Stand-Up Specials (m0030x45)
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2026
The prestigious Awards turns 46 this year and as always is recognising a Best Newcomer and a Best Show. In this gala, hosted by 2024 Best Show nominee Catherine Bohart, we'll hear from the nominees to give listeners around the UK the chance to hear what's hot at the Fringe this year. The Gala will be recorded at The Grand in the Pleasance Courtyard, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues.
FRI 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00310q2)
Eddy Brimson 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, the Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. Plus comedian Lou Conran chats once more to comedian, actor and writer Eddy Brimson - who she just happens to be married to. Eddy shares his top tips for new comedians, and his thoughts on comedy on social media after 26 years on the circuit.
FRI 23:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b014r5qh)
Series 4
Alan Davies
Marcus Brigstocke invites reluctant vocalist, actor Alan Davies to sing in public for the first time.
Whether the experiences are banal or profound, the show is about embracing the new and getting out of our comfort zones.
The title comes from the fact that the show's producer and creator Bill Dare had never seen the film Star Wars.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.
FRI 23:30 The Show What You Wrote (b06s9f1j)
Series 3
Crime & Punishment
Themed sketch show made entirely from contributions sent in by the public.
The best ideas have been chosen from thousands of submissions from new writers resulting in a show like no other.
Crime and Punishment are the subjects.
Featuring some remarkably literal highwaymen, a door-to-door salesman who is in no way a conman, and an HR policy that shows it's always best to read the small print.
Performed by:
John Thomson
Shobna Gulati
Fiona Clarke
Chris Jack
Gavin Webster
Written by Cassie Atkinson, Tim Craig, Sarah Glenister, Helen Green, Jack Hall, Dai Hill, Joe Hodgson, Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Rose Johnson, Graham Kilvington, Derek Martin, Steve Nelson, Owen Seddon & Emlyn Williams.
Script Editor: Jon Hunter
Producers: Ed Morrish and Paul Sheehan.
A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2015.