SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2026

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (b013f96w)
Series 12

Wichita Lineman

Witchita Lineman is the ultimate country/pop crossover track - written by Jimmy Webb for the Country star Glen Campbell.

Released in 1968, it tells the story of a lonely lineman in the American Midwest, travelling vast distances to mend power and telephone lines.

The song has been covered many times, but Glen’s version remains the best-loved and most played.

Johnny Cash also recorded an extraordinary and very raw version. Peter Lewry, a lifelong Cash fan, describes how it came about.

David Crary is a lineman from Oklahoma, who recalls his reaction to the first time he heard the song.

Meggean Ward's father was a lineman in Rhode Island. As a child she always felt it was written for her him.

Glen Campbell is also interviewed.

Shortly after it was recorded, he went public about his diagnosis of Alzheimer's. His contribution is brief, but it includes an acoustic performance of the song. It was a privilege to record ‘down the line’.

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011.


SAT 00:30 Between the Ears (b08v8lzk)
Brighstone 428

Artist Graeme Miller captures the poetry of the landline.

In this half hour, we follow the arc of a single call from dialling to hanging up, taking in the sweep across the global landscape of the 20th century. He draws out the private habits and distinctive speech as well as the collective dreams and nightmares of the landlines art and culture.

While collaging the mores and cadences of telephone behaviour and speech the piece also lands in the physical space of the landline - the actual line and the real land. The world of the telephone engineer atop a telegraph pole; the village operator, the maintenance or laying of underwater cables, the middle-of-nowhere phone box which exists oblique to the density of traffic of information and chat.

The plot lines of death and murder stalking the crossed lines of the city, to the call of the worried voice "Are you still there?". All these spaces are opened up with the reassurances and communities of landline use.

It is a line crossed next to the atmospheric space that denotes a fragility and hints at the ways in which the technology that opened up connection also imported in its liveness an equal and opposite force of disconnection.

Running out of change, the broken phone box, the drama and plunge into existential separation, opened up by the one-sided conversation and now, the relentless possibility of being in touch.

With thanks to Max Flemmich of Darvel Telephone Museum and Dr Sarah Jackson, Senior Lecturer English and Creative Writing, Nottingham Trent University.

A Cast Iron Radio production for BBC Radio 3, first broadcast in June 2017.


SAT 01:00 No Place To Hide (m001kwh8)
3. Joanna Appears

After the seizure of a British MI6 agent, John Rennie must use every lead to try and track the kidnappers down...

Starring John Kerry and Margaret Robertson.

Spy-based serial written by Ted Allbeury.

John Rennie .... James Kerry
Kathy Swenson .... Margaret Robertson
Khalim Said .... Richard Kay
Adele Palmer .... Susannah Fellows
Jan Branders .... Ali Refaie
Hugo Paynter .... David Garth
Joanna de Vries .... Colette Hiller
Gabriella .... Carole Boyd
Dutchman/Porter .... Mark Straker
Policeman .... Charles Whaley

Piano played by Mary Nash.

Director: Christopher Venning

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1984.


SAT 01:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jn17)
1. Killed?

When Kim Drake's fiance is killed on their wedding day, the authorities agree on suicide.

But why would computer expert Mike kill himself on his wedding day?

Could it be connected to his decision to walk out of his sensitive job at Peregrine Communications Systems?

Starring Siriol Jenkins and Neil Roberts.

Shaun Prendergast's techno-thriller in six-parts.

Kim Drake …. Siriol Jenkins
Mike Fisher …. Neil Roberts
Anne …. Kate Binchy
Frank …. Shaun Prendergast
Miss Gee …. Ann Davies
Stone …. Kenneth Cranham
Todd …. Jack Klaff
DI Dear …. Eric Alan
DS Love …. Jonathan Tafler
John Maschler …. Terence Edmond
Emma/Nurse Lewis …. Caroline Strong
Mary/WPC …. Nicola Boyce

Director: Adrian Bean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1992.


SAT 02:00 My Mammy and Me (m002sg4z)
Series 1

6. Swami Mammy

Mammy thinks Isobel’s romantic life could use a little bit of magical intervention.

Cathy McPhail's sitcom about Isobel's attempt to untie her mother's ever-tightening apron strings.

Mammy …. Eileen McCallum
Isobel .... Kate Donnelly
Willie .... Jake D'Arcy
Ida .... Barbara Rafferty
Sgt Blood .... Sean Scanlan
Con …. Forbes Masson
Elsie / Madame Fortunata .... Carolyn Boneyman
Marion …. Clare Hemphill
Mr Patel / Mrs Patel / Fraser …. Lewis
Organ played by Sheena Creighton

Producer: Kathy Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in March 1995.


SAT 02:30 Steptoe and Son (b007k0rm)
Series 4

The Lodger

Albert and Harold Steptoe argue over their lack of cash.

Starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett.

Classic sitcom about the lives of rag and bone men Albert Steptoe and his son Harold.

Written for BBC TV and adapted for BBC Radio by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Albert ...... Wilfrid Brambell
Harold ...... Harry H Corbett

With:

William Eadie

Producer: Bobby Jaye

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1972.


SAT 03:00 Mark Steel's in Town (m001bgrp)
Series 12

Nottingham

"Ay up me duck!"

Mark Steel returns with the 12th series of his award winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.

After thoroughly researching each town, he writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.

Mark is kicking off with a visit to Nottingham in the East Midlands.

It's a contrarian city, full of heroes, rebels, caves and lovers of mushy peas.

He learns about local legends, Robin Hood, Lord Byron, DH Lawrence, Brian Clough, and the most famous of all, Frank the xylophone player.

Plus the history of the Luddites, the cheese riots and visits three pubs that are all the oldest in the country.

Later in this series, Mark is off to the Isles of Scilly, Tring, Salisbury, Newport and Paris.

Written and performed by Mark Steel.

Additional material by Pete Sinclair.

Producer: Carl Cooper

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2022.


SAT 03:30 Stephen Fry on the Phone (b017clwx)
5. The Chips Inside Smartphones

Stephen Fry concludes tracing the evolution of the mobile phone.

All mobile phones rely on hyper-intelligent silicon chips to run them.

And the astonishing thing is 85% of the silicon chips inside all mobile phones are designed by one Cambridge-based company, ARM.

Stephen talks to the pioneers who designed these chips. They needed some micro-processors to build a better home computer, but didn't like what they saw and decided to make their own.

Strapped for cash, they designed chips that were small, cheap and exceptionally low power and, quite by chance, ideally suited to the next generation of pocket-sized mobile phones.

Not to mention today's power-hungry smartphones.

Producer: Anna Buckley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.


SAT 03:45 Ladies of Letters (b012211j)
Ladies of Letters Go Green

5. Aftermath

Vera has ruined Irene's son's wedding by her unexpected arrival at the nuptials.

Grandmothers Irene Spencer and Vera Small continue their tempestuous correspondence.

They started to look beyond at the future of the planet - but as ever, soon manage to bring their focus back to themselves!

Starring Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge.

Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Hayman.

Irene Spencer ..................... Prunella Scales
Vera Small ...................... Patricia Routledge

Producer: Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.


SAT 04:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m001xm0y)
Series 1

6. Everybody Loves Velociraptor

Sharp carpets and a keg with a difference.

The weird and wonderful world of good, bad and downright baffling online reviews explored in a panel game, hosted by Frank Skinner

With:

Simon Evans
Ania Magliano
Sunil Patel
Kiri Pritchard-McLean

Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Rajiv Karia, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter Tellouche

Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler

A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2024.


SAT 04:30 King Street Junior Revisited (b00jnlsk)
Series 3

Half-Term Blues

Half-term is a time for King Street’s teachers to catch their breath within a busy autumn term.

If only...

School comedy created and written by Jim Eldridge.

Mrs Devon ...... Carolyn Pickles
Miss Lewis ...... Marlene Sidaway
Mr Maxwell ...... Michael Cochrane
Mr Long ...... Paul Copley
Miss Featherstone ...... Teresa Gallagher
Miss Reid ...... Jacqueline Beatty
Mrs Khan ...... Janice Acquah
Rajesh ...... Pax Baldwin
Wayne ...... Daryl Moore
Kirsten ...... Ruby Williams
Dawn ...... Jessica Hill.

Ten series of this King Street Junior ran between 1985 and 1998.

King Street Junior Revisited ran from 2002 to 2005.

Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.


SAT 05:00 Drama on 4 (b04cb9gy)
Close Call by Sarah Weatherall

With Apollo 11 about to land on the moon, the Watts family have finally installed their first telephone at home.

But they little realise how much their lives will change with its arrival.

The phone sits in the hallway, witnessing their activities, listening to the family's secret loves, fears and joys.

There is much excitement at using a house phone for the first time, in the days before mobiles and texts, and when no conversation was private.

Starring Ricky Champ and Angie Wallis.

Written by Sarah Weatherall.

Frank Watts ..... Ricky Champ
Natalie ..... Angie Wallis
Vincent ..... Matthew Tennyson
Liam ..... Reece Buttery
DJ ..... Clive Hayward
Newsreader ..... Elaine Claxton

Director: Anne Bunting

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014.


SAT 05:45 Short Works (m0029hwh)
Up Dog Down Dog by Vicki Jarrett

A cleaner labours in a large townhouse while her client strives for inner peace.

Original short story written by Vicki Jarrett.

Read by Molly Innes.

Vicki Jarrett is a novelist and short story writer from Edinburgh. Her novel 'Always North' is a thriller set aboard an arctic icebreaker.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

A BBC Audio Scotland production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2025.


SAT 06:00 Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale (m002spmn)
1981. Four men are awaiting vasectomies at a private clinic specialising in cosmetic and social surgery.

But they soon find themselves contemplating far more than just the prospect of birth prevention….

Starring David Ross.

Written by Alan Bleasdale.

'Having a Ball’ was created as part of a 1981 BBC/Arts Council scheme to commission new drama for radio and theatre.

Bleasdale would go on to write BBC TV's 1982 BAFTA winning 'Boys from the Blackstuff'.

Broadcast on 4 Extra to celebrate Alan Bleasdale's 80th birthday (Born: 23rd March 1946)

Lenny .... David Ross
Nurse .... Jeffrey Longmore
Surgeon .... Judith Barker
Anaesthetist .... Ian Mercer
Malcolm .... Cliff Howells
Doreen .... Lesley E. Bennett
Ritchie .... Andrew Hay
Old Man .... Ted Morris
Jean .... Lesley Nicol

Director: Caroline Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in May 1981.


SAT 07:20 Inheritance Tracks (b05wcl3w)
Stephen Fry

Actor and raconteur Stephen Fry chooses the Overture to Tannhauser by Richard Wagner, and 'The Spanish Flea' by Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass.


SAT 07:30 A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (Omnibus) (m002spmq)
Intimate and unflinching account of the life and death of Rob Delaney’s young son Henry.

It's told with honesty, humour and much, much love.

"When you’re a parent and your child gets hurt or sick, not only do you try to help them get better, but you’re also animated by the general belief that you can help them get better. That’s not always the case, though. Sometimes children die."

Rob Delaney is an American comedian, actor and writer. He co-created and co-starred in the BAFTA-winning comedy "Catastrophe".

Written and read by Rob Delaney.

Omnibus of five episodes abridged by Clara Glynn.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2022.


SAT 08:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrk7)
2. The Fly in the Ointment

"The truth is - our Victoria's run away...”

Josiah Fosdyke starts work at the tripe works.

A classic tale of struggle, power, personalities and tripe.

Bill Tidy and John Junkin's family saga - based on Tidy's Daily Mirror cartoon strip (1971-1985) parodying John Galsworthy's 'The Forsyte Saga' novels.

Jos Fosdyke ...... Philip Lowrie
Victoria Fosdyke ...... Miriam Margolyes
Tom Fosdyke ...... David Threlfall
Rebecca Fosdyke.....Stephanie Turner
Roger Ditchley ...... Christian Rodska
Ben Ditchley ...... Colin Douglas

Other parts played by:

Christopher Barr
Sally Grace
John Junkin

Producer: Alan Nixon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1983.


SAT 09:00 At Home With Hinge and Bracket (b008s999)
5. Evelyn Laye

Dame Hilda Bracket and her lifelong companion, Dr Evadne Hinge, invite you to eavesdrop on some informal music and conversation.

Joining them in the music room is a legendary star of British musical theatre :

Evelyn Laye

Dame Hilda Bracket ...... Patrick Fyffe
Dr Evadne Hinge ...... George Logan

Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1990.


SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000mqvg)
Series 4

Episode 4

A murder mystery for Kenneth Horne, and Hornerama looks at The Sea.

A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman.

Starring:

Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee

Music from Janet Waters, The Hornets and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.

Incidental music by Edwin Braden.

Announcer: Douglas Smith

Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith and Rodney and Charles.

The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’.

Producer: Jacques Brown

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1960.


SAT 10:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000ztyk)
1. Bump

Jessica Fostekew charts the horrors and the highs of the 9 months of life with a bump.

Plus the moment of reckoning with birth, and the chaos, or not, that lies ahead...

In the first of three programmes, Jessica dips into the BBC archive.

And she chats to lots of special guests including

Jenny Eclair
Cariad Lloyd
Sara Barron
Richard and Catie Herring
Caroline Mabey
Jen Brister
Hatty Ashdown
Kirsty Newton
Katie Mulgrew
Taylor Glenn
Robin Ince
Laura Lexx
Sindhu Vee
Diane Morgan
Holly Walsh

Producer: Laura Grimshaw

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2018.


SAT 11:00 Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale (m002spmn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 12:20 Inheritance Tracks (b05wcl3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:20 today]


SAT 12:30 A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (Omnibus) (m002spmq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 13:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrk7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


SAT 14:00 At Home With Hinge and Bracket (b008s999)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000mqvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 15:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000ztyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 16:00 The Octopus by Anita Sullivan (b03c3cn6)
Ever wondered what it would be like to have eight legs, no bones - and skin that changes colour?

Hester is a Marine Biologist seeking to discover what it means to be an octopus.

When she's called in to help the local aquarium try to breed two Giant Pacific Octopus (GPO), she uses the opportunity to carry out a social recognition experiment.

Can an octopus recognise an individual human being?

As Hester delves deeper into questions of cephalopod consciousness, she develops an attachment with 'Monster' - the male GPO.

"400 million years ago, when we shared the ocean, I was a bony fish, a prototype. But you... were already you. An octopus. Now I stand here, human. Confounded by you."

Starring Amy Manson.

Anita Sullivan's strange and compelling journey into the mind of an ancient creature.

Hester .... Amy Manson
Jenny .... Riann Steele
Simon .... Ronan Summers
Richie .... Aled Pugh

Director: James Robinson

A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2013.


SAT 16:45 Report on an Unidentified Space Station by JG Ballard (m002spmt)
"A period of growing confusion. Two of our number set out 48 hours ago to explore the lower decks of the station and have so far failed to return."

After an emergency landing on an uninhabited space station, the crew discover its infinite space whilst hunting for missing members of the crew.

Sci-fi tale written by JG Ballard.

Read by Jack Klaff.

Producer: Pam Fraser Solomon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1996.


SAT 17:00 Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale (m002spmn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 18:20 Inheritance Tracks (b05wcl3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:20 today]


SAT 18:30 A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (Omnibus) (m002spmq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 19:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrk7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


SAT 20:00 At Home With Hinge and Bracket (b008s999)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000mqvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 21:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000ztyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 22:00 Craig Brown's Lost Diaries (b00vcms4)
May and June

Satirist Craig Brown dips into the private lives of public figures from the 1960's to the present day.

May and June: As the summer heats up passions rise for Barbara Cartland and Edwina Currie.

Written by Craig Brown.

Voiced by:

Jan Ravens
Alistair McGowan
Lewis McLeod
Ewan Bailey
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Dolly Wells

Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.


SAT 22:30 Fred at The Stand (b09fy66w)
Series 1

Tonkinson, McTavish, Kugblenu and Ferry

Fred MacAulay is at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh 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.

In this episode:

* Paul Tonkinson realises that he's suddenly become middle-aged
* Vladimir McTavish tries his hand at smuggling for the first time
* Athena Kugblenu explains how a huge race row was narrowly avoided
* Mick Ferry starts some rumours that he can't control

Fred At The Stand is the closest thing your ears are going to get to an actual night in a comedy club.

A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.


SAT 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002t41s)
Hal Cruttenden 1/3

From 10pm to midnight, seven nights a week, The Comedy Club brings you two hours of the funny stuff. Tonight, Alison Spittle chats with Hal Cruttenden.


SAT 23:00 The Dream Factory (m001d5bk)
They Mostly Come Out At Night ... Mostly

Cheerful blockhead Joz is now a delivery boy for The Dream Factory. He's excited. But useless.

The Dream Factory is the towering global monopoly which has been responsible for the manufacture and distribution of humanity’s hopes, fantasies and nightmares since the night before the dawn of time.

Due, presumably, to an admin error, The Dream Factory’s UK regional management have recently appointed the worst possible person to the delivery team - cheerful blockhead, Joz Norris. It’s now his responsibility to get the right dreams into the right heads at the right time. His life of well-meant but foolhardy failure, buoyed by friends and family, has been mostly harmless – until now.

Overnight, Joz has attained power over the dreams and fantasies of his friends and family. In no time he makes so many mistakes that the inner worlds of everyone he knows have been turned upside-down. His stunning ineptitude jeopardises all his significant personal relationships as he starts inadvertently messing with the contents of his friends’ heads. It also infuriates his bosses, and he risks losing his job, just as he’d finally found some stable work.

He is utterly inept, but cheerfully enthusiastic to the last, always assuming he can bluff his way out of any situation, no matter how rarely that seems to be true.

Written by Joz Norris and Miranda Holms.

Joz .... Joz Norris
Paula .... Desiree Burch
Anna .... Stevie Martin
Meg .... Roisin O'Mahony
Susie .... Chiara Goldsmith
Ogre 1 .... Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Ogre 2 And Jim .... Ben Targét

With other parts played my members of the cast

Producer: Steve Doherty

A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2022.


SAT 23:30 The Harpoon (b00ckyjg)
Series 3

Episode 2

Handy hints on body language, sewing corner and three cheers for Swanky Beaumont!

More nostalgic fun in the spoof of boys' adventure story papers.

Written by Julian Dutton and Peter Baynham.

Performed by:

Alistair McGowan
Peter Baynham
Susie Brann
Mary Elliot-Nelson
Julian Dutton

Producer: Sarah Smith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1994.

SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2026

SUN 00:00 The Octopus by Anita Sullivan (b03c3cn6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]


SUN 00:45 Report on an Unidentified Space Station by JG Ballard (m002spmt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:45 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale (m002spmn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:20 Inheritance Tracks (b05wcl3w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:20 on Saturday]


SUN 02:30 A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (Omnibus) (m002spmq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 03:45 The Fosdyke Saga (b007jrk7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 At Home With Hinge and Bracket (b008s999)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m000mqvg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]


SUN 05:00 Motherhood: Bump, Birth and Beyond (m000ztyk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002spnk)
Oscar Winners 3

Sandy Powell

Costume designer Sandy Powell is cast away by Lauren Laverne.

Sandy won her first Academy Award for dressing Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love, and has since won two more Oscars - along with a further dozen nominations - and three BAFTAs.

Her credits range from Gangs of New York for Martin Scorsese to Mary Poppins Returns for Disney, and she's worked with many of the biggest current screen stars, including Leonardo di Caprio, Cate Blanchett and Al Pacino.

Sandy was born in south London and completed an art foundation course at St Martin’s School of Art.

In 1981 she got her first job designing costumes for the choreographer Lindsay Kemp’s show Nijinsky at La Scala in Milan. She later worked for the director Derek Jarman on his film Caravaggio and continued to collaborate with him until his death in 1994.

She has also enjoyed long working relationships with Martin Scorsese and Todd Haynes.

Sandy has won acclaim for her designs on films with historical settings, including The Wings of the Dove, The Young Victoria and The Favourite starring Olivia Colman, as well as the flamboyant glam rock world of Velvet Goldmine and the fairy-tale fantasy of Cinderella, starring Lily James.

In 2011 she was awarded an OBE for services for the film industry.

In 2023 she became the first costume designer to receive a BAFTA Fellowship.

DISC ONE: Jeepster - T Rex
DISC TWO: Adagietto, Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor. Composed by Gustav Mahler and performed by Orchestre de l'Académie de Santa Cécilia and conducted by Franco Mannino
DISC THREE: Life on Mars? - David Bowie
DISC FOUR: La Vie en Rose - Alan Dunn
DISC FIVE: I’ll Never Fall in Love Again - Bobbi Gentry
DISC SIX: Satellite of Love - Lou Reed
DISC SEVEN: Where Love Lives (Come On In) - Alison Limerick
DISC EIGHT: I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Tony Bennett

BOOK CHOICE: Josef Koudelka: Gypsies
LUXURY ITEM: A lemon tree
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Life on Mars? - David Bowie

Producer: Paula McGinley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2022.


SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lcmcq)
Series 1

Songsters

Humans aren't the only species who sing. Many birds do and even another ape.

What messages are conveyed in the syllables, melodies and repeated phrases, and who is listening?

Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.

Produce: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2009.


SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m002spnm)
The Echo Chamber - Gillian Clarke

Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC poetry archive and to mark the Spring Equinox selects The Echo Chamber - Gillian Clarke.

A visit to the spring lambs and bluebell woods of Gillian Clarke's home in Ceredigion, Wales.

The one-time National poet of Wales shares poems from her collection, Zoology as well as some old favourites.

Producer: Ellie Richold

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.

**** Plus + Daljit reads from his Poetry Extra Book of the Month: Mouth by Mona Arshi


SUN 07:30 Stephen Fry on the Phone (Omnibus) (m002spnp)
Stephen Fry traces the evolution of the mobile phone.

From hefty executive bricks requiring a separate briefcase for carrying the battery to the smart little devices complete with personal assistant we have today.

There are more mobile phones in the world than there are people on the planet: Stephen talks to the backroom boys who made it all possible and hears how the technology succeeded, in ways that the geeks had not necessarily intended.

He also meets the men who first dreamt of creating a cellular network. Back in the 1960s, two Bell Labs engineers in the US thought perhaps a maximum of 50,000 people might use a cellular phone network.

Now, there are billions of phones in the world, all of them dependent on the networks based on their design. It was an enormous technical challenge that took decades to complete; but the main problems were political.

Motorola, for example, argued that phone calls were a frivolous waste of radio spectrum compared to more worthy causes like television.

Omnibus of five episodes.

Producer: Anna Buckley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.


SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002spnr)
Emily Watson

Actor Emily Watson chooses ‘La Boheme’ by Giacomo Puccini and ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials.


SUN 08:50 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
Ladies of Letters Go Green (Omnibus)

Irene and Vera are back - and this time their thoughts turn to all things environmental.

Grandmothers Irene Spencer and Vera Small continue their tempestuous correspondence. They start to look beyond at the future of the planet - but as ever, soon manage to bring their focus back to themselves!

Starring Prunella Scales as Irene and Patricia Routledge as Vera.

Omnibus of five episodes written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Hayman

Irene Spencer ..................... Prunella Scales
Vera Small ...................... Patricia Routledge

Producer: Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.


SUN 10:00 Al Read Classics (m002spnv)
The funny man from Salford entertains with jokes and sketches about everyday British life.

The morning after the night before, young couples setting up home and teaching your other half how to drive….

Al Read does all the voices

Al first came to fame on BBC Radio in the 1950s thanks to his northern comic monologues.

Written by Ronnie Taylor.

Music from The Settlers.

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1976.


SUN 10:30 Take It From Here (b017gl1f)
From 26/05/1955

As their wedding looms, Eth worries she'll make a bad wife for Ron Glum.

Starring:

Professor Jimmy Edwards
Dick Bentley
June Whitfield
Wallas Eaton

Music from Alma Cogan, The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.

Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1955.


SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002spnk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lcmcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]


SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m002spnm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


SUN 12:30 Stephen Fry on the Phone (Omnibus) (m002spnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002spnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]


SUN 13:50 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


SUN 15:00 Al Read Classics (m002spnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 15:30 Take It From Here (b017gl1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


SUN 16:00 The Coma by Alex Garland (b007mw9w)
3. Dream State

As Carl gets used to the world of his coma, he looks for triggers to help wake him up.

Alex Garland's surreal fantasy explores the lucid, but powerless workings of the mind of Carl, who is in a coma following a violent assault

It plays tricks on both the story's protagonist and the listener.

Read by Tom Goodman-Hill.

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in December 2004.


SUN 16:30 The Slide (m000llkp)
4. Heart-Beat

Redlow’s MP becomes increasingly distant and erratic. Then his old enmity with Professor Gomez surfaces.

Meanwhile scientists who've been examining a sample of mud from the slide get a nasty surprise.

Starring Roger Delgado and Maurice Denham.

Victor Pemberton's sci-fi mystery serial.

Hugh Deverill, MP …. Maurice Denham
Josef Gomez …. Roger Delgado
Professor Landers …. Rolf Lefebvre
Inspector Baxter …. Geoffrey Matthews
RAF Corporal …. Anthony Hall
'Tug' Wilson …. Stephen Jack
Professor Lippert …. Allan McClelland
Anna Deverill …. Marion Mathie
Dr Ken Richards …. David Spenser
Nursing Sister …. Eva Haddon
Mrs Wilson …. Miriam Margolyes
Mrs Luke …. Noel Hood

Special Effects: The BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Producer: John Tydeman

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1966.


SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002spnk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lcmcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]


SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m002spnm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


SUN 18:30 Stephen Fry on the Phone (Omnibus) (m002spnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002spnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]


SUN 19:50 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


SUN 21:00 Al Read Classics (m002spnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 21:30 Take It From Here (b017gl1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


SUN 22:00 Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed (b039cth4)
Series 2

Forgery

Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed finds himself immersed in the art world when a forgery ring is discovered.

Return of the critically acclaimed sitcom written and performed by Nick Mohammed.

Nick's back tackling major crimes and assisting with major public events.

Special constables Colin and Anna aid and abet him in everything he does.

With:

Anna Crilly
Colin Hoult
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Will Andrews

Producers: Tilusha Ghelani and Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2013.


SUN 22:30 The Nick Revell Show (b00d7n9s)
Series 2

All's Well That Ends Well... Well, Well, Well

Writer Nick is leading a charmed life, which naturally leaves him feeling anxious.

A sitcom for the 1990s, written by and starring comedian Nick Revell.

With:

Alistair McGowan
Doon MacKichan
Brian Bowles
Alison Sterling
John Guerrasio

Producer: Ioan Magnusson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1993.


SUN 23:00 Ed Reardon's Week (b099yh8d)
Series 12

The Writer in the Van

Ed Reardon is back!

After being sent down from University for misappropriation of funds, he finds himself temporarily living in a hotel. He's trying to write the first in a new series of novels about his eponymous hero, Inspector Masterson, for which he has high hopes.

These are soon dashed by Ed's agent, Ping, who informs him he must write 'grip-lit' with a girl in the title who gets drunk, goes to bed with everyone and then gets chopped up.

Ping also palms Ed and Jaz Milvain off with her new assistant, Maggie, a jam-making, sock knitting 'older' lady (who also designs draft excluders) whilst she goes "oop North" to trawl the universities for the next generation of stand-ups.

Whilst Jaz is furious with being "tossed on the scrapheap" Ed decides to give Maggie a chance and is soon rewarded when she gets him a writing gig on "Your Motorhome Magazine".

This turn of events not only furnishes him with a small but steady income, but also a new home with floral upholstery, carpet on the ceiling and the advantage of letting him and his companion , Elgar, celebrate the freedom of the open road

Ed Reardon ...... Christopher Douglas
Receptionist ...... Nicola Sanderson
Ping ...... Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Jaz Milvain ...... Philip Jackson
Maggie ...... Monica Dolan
Stan ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Pearl ...... Brigit Forsyth
Olive ...... Stephanie Cole
Policeman ...... Dan Tetsell

Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas

The regular cast this series are joined by guests Monica Dolan, Vicki Pepperdine, Don Gilet, Karl Theobald and Tyger Drew-Honey.

Producer: Dawn Ellis

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017.


SUN 23:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00hkprc)
Series 2

Dame Joan Bakewell

Dame Joan Bakewell listens to the Arctic Monkeys, takes a lesson in beat boxing and places a bet on the horses.

Series in which Marcus Brigstocke invites celebrities to try new experiences.

Producer: Bill Dare

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.

MONDAY 16 MARCH 2026

MON 00:00 The Coma by Alex Garland (b007mw9w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 The Slide (m000llkp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m002spnk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00lcmcq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]


MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m002spnm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]


MON 02:30 Stephen Fry on the Phone (Omnibus) (m002spnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]


MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m002spnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]


MON 03:50 Ladies of Letters (b0124trd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Al Read Classics (m002spnv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]


MON 05:30 Take It From Here (b017gl1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]


MON 06:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3b2)
4. It's Better When You're Here

Watching for Mason's kidnappers, can John Rennie also deal with wayward Joanna's demands?

Starring John Kerry and Margaret Robertson.

Journalist Kathy Swenson is caught up in the frightening world of espionage

Spy-based serial written by Ted Allbeury.

John Rennie .... James Kerry
Kathy Swenson .... Margaret Robertson
Joanna de Vries .... Colette Hiller
Jan Branders .... Ali Refaie
Johan de Vries .... Harry Towb
Hugo Paynter .... David Garth
Mike Ryan / Waiter .... Keith Bartlett
Girl .... Carole Boyd

Director: Christopher Venning

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1984.


MON 06:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzf9)
2. Berlin

Kim Drake is retracing the journey across Europe made by her dead boyfriend.

Why did he apparently kill himself on their wedding day?

In the tough city of Hamburg, she discovers that Mike had been economical with the truth...

Starring Siriol Jenkins and Shaun Prendergast.

Shaun Prendergast's techno-thriller.

Kim Drake …. Siriol Jenkins
Mike Fisher …. Neil Roberts
Otto/Burns …. Shaun Prendergast
Stone …. Kenneth Cranham
Todd …. Jack Klaff
Charles …. Okon Jones
Wilson …. Peter Gunn
Welkin …. William Roberts
Prostitute …. Melanie Hudson
Anne/Clearwater/Optician's Receptionist …. Kate Binchy
Doris Meyer/Computer/Hotel Receptionist …. Joanna Wake

Director: Adrian Bean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1992.


MON 07:00 Home Again (m0005nzq)
Doctor Thumper And The Incredibly Inky Ruler

Fulton finally discloses the facts behind his long absence and where he’s been...

Starring Robin Bailey.

As suddenly as he disappeared, Fulton Jones returned to his family – wife Margaret, and children Rosie and Martin.

He went to the newsagent to buy matches 20 years before and, bold as brass, waltzed back assuming his role as father figure once more. Margaret is perplexed, whilst Rosie and Martin are furious with him.

Sitcom written by Peter Tinniswood.

Fulton …. Robin Bailey
Margaret …. Doreen Mantle
Rosie …. Liz Goulding
Martin …. David Troughton
Cyrilla …. Ursula Smith
Ernest Blackrock …. Christopher Benjamin

Producer: Griff Rhys Jones

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1980.


MON 07:30 Dad's Army (b007jnqc)
Series 2

Mum's Army

When Captain Mainwaring decides to open up his Home Guard unit to women, Mrs Gray catches his eye.

The comic exploits of a Second World War Home Guard platoon in Walmington-on-Sea.

Adapted for radio from Jimmy Perry and David Croft's TV scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.

Captain Mainwaring …. Arthur Lowe
Sergeant Wilson …. John Le Mesurier
Corporal Jones …. Clive Dunn
Private Frazer …. John Laurie
Private Pike …. Ian Lavender
Private Godfrey …. Arnold Ridley
Private Walker .... Larry Martyn
Mrs Fox …. Mollie Sugden
Mrs Gray …. Carmen Silvera
Edith Parish ..... Wendy Richard
Announcer …. John Snagge

Producer: John Dyas

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1975.


MON 08:00 For the Love of Leo (m000tg5l)
Series 3

Leo and The Bump In The Night

Edinburgh widower Leo still talks to his beloved wife Tamsin when he’s alone; though pregnant daughter Laura and housekeeper Sadie fill the house and his life

A day of momentous events and surprising revelations as both old and new friends come together in Leo’s Edinburgh home.

Comedy written by Michael Chaplin, created by Michael Chaplin and Marilyn Imrie.

Leo Fabiani ..... Mark Bonnar
Tamsin ..... Beth Marshall
Laura ..... Samara MacLaren
Sadie ..... Tracy Wiles
Jeannie ..... Siobhan Redmond
Julie ..... Pearl Appleby

Director: Catherine Bailey

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.


MON 08:30 A Rage Explained by Alex Wheatle (b08343jq)
Alex Wheatle's autobiographical account of his first visit to Jamaica in 1987.

This was when he met his father for the first time since being placed in a children’s home aged two. But the meeting is charged with conflicting emotions.

Read by Anthony Welsh

Alex Wheatle was born to Jamaican parents living in London.

At 18 he was involved in the Brixton uprising and went to prison for three months. On his release, he continued to perform as a DJ and MC under the name Yardman Irie, moving in the early '90s on to the performance poetry circuit as The Brixton Bard.

Alex has written nine novels, including East of Acre Lane, and was awarded the MBE for services to literature in 2008. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2016 for his book 'Crongton Knights'.

Producer: Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2016.


MON 08:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm5wp)
Ladies of Letters Crunch Credit

1. Allotment

Financial problems force Vera to live on her allotment while Irene finds a rich friend reduced to begging.

Grandmothers Irene Spencer and Vera Small continue their tempestuous correspondence in tough economic times.

Starring Patricia Routledge as Vera and Prunella Scales as Irene.

Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Hayman.

Vera Small …. Patricia Routledge
Irene Spencer …. Prunella Scales

Producer: Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2009


MON 09:00 Just a Minute (m002rd20)
Series 96

6. The time I spent New Year's Eve with Sue Perkins

We're back in Bradford for the final episode of the series. Zoe tells us why she's not as cool as a cucumber, Chris explains who Bradford Jesus is and Lucy offers her thoughts on Taylor Swift.

Host: Sue Perkins
Players: Paul Merton, Zoe Lyons, Chris Cantrill, Lucy Porter
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Additional material by Ruth Husko

An EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.


MON 09:30 Just So Science (b0477m6s)
Series 2

1. How the Camel Got His Hump

Vivienne Parry is back to consider more of the animals of Rudyard Kipling's much loved Just So Stories for Children.

Assisted by researchers of 'infinite sagacity' (yes - they're awfully clever) she sets out to discover whether his fantasies contain any grains of truth?

Vivienne begins by trying to discover if science can yet explain how the camel got his hump?

Rudyard Kipling's humped beast is as grumpy as they come and is punished for his laziness.

Vivienne talks to Dr Lulu Skidmore, Director of the Camel Reproduction Centre in Dubai about the tricky business of Camel IVF and the truth about just how grumpy (and lazy) these beasts are.

Excerpts read by Samuel West.

Producer: Rami Tzabar

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.


MON 09:45 Daily Service (m002sptp)
Fight the good fight - Final charge to Timothy

A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.

Theme: Fight the good fight - Final charge to Timothy
Presenter: Mark Dowd

Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Music:
Onward Christian Soliders - Norwich Cathedral Choir
Fight the good fight - St Martins Voices
For all the saints - Liverpool cathedral choir


MON 10:00 And the Academy Award Goes To... (b070601q)
Series 6

The Last Emperor

An epic exploring Chinese history. Paul Gambaccini on the story behind 1988 Best Picture winner, The Last Emperor.

It was the film which opened up the recent history of China to the West and swept the Oscars - winning all 9 of its nominations.

Paul hears from its director Bernardo Bertolucci, producer Jeremy Thomas, screenwriter Mark Peploe, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.

With contributions from film writers Larushka Ivan-Zadeh and David Thomson.

Paul Gambaccini takes a long hard look behind the scenes of films which have scooped the Best Picture Award. He reports on the artistic, political and personal decisions that lie behind the winners, laced with some pretty good gossip too.

Producer: Marya Burgess

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.


MON 10:30 Jazzed Up: How Jazz Changed Britain (b08dnrq2)
1. Arrival

A century after the first jazz recordings, Kevin Le Gendre explores how Jazz was received in the UK.

First of a three-part series.

How did the music spread into popular culture after the Original Dixieland Jazz Band first brought the sound of jazz to people's consciousness?

Producer: Harry Parker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.


MON 11:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 11:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzf9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 12:00 Home Again (m0005nzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 12:30 Dad's Army (b007jnqc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 13:00 For the Love of Leo (m000tg5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 13:30 A Rage Explained by Alex Wheatle (b08343jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 13:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm5wp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


MON 14:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jphn)
From 09/03/1982

Nigel Rees chairs the popular quiz involving the exchange of quotations and anecdotes.

With:

Alan Bennett
Janet Suzman
Leslie Thomas
Wynford Vaughan Thomas

Reader: Ronald Fletcher.

Producer: Alan Nixon

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1982.


MON 14:30 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076hv6)
Episode 1

20 years married to Catherine of Aragon - and no son for the King.

Should she take all the blame?

Jonathan Coy stars as Henry VIII

An unreliable history, created and written in six parts by Barry Grossman.

Henry VIII ...... Jonathan Coy
Catherine of Aragon ...... Carla Mendonca
Thomas Cromwell ...... Milton Johns
The Chronicler ...... Alfred Burke
Dona Elvira ...... Sheila Steafel
Cardinal Wolsey ...... John Rowe
The Pope ...... Stephen Greif

Music by Jim Parker.

Producer: John Fawcett Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2003.


MON 15:00 Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (m002sptr)
1. Red Coat - White Cockade

Bonnie Prince Charlie is trying to regain the throne of Great Britain for the Stuart Dynasty.

Meanwhile, a young Englishman finds himself fighting on the wrong side.

Starring Richard Greenwood and Wendy Seager.

Sir Walter Scott's great novel of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

Dramatised in four episodes by Roger Danes.

Edward Waverley .... Richard Greenwood
Bradwardine .... John Buick
Flora .... Wendy Seager
Rose .... Maria Miller
Fergus .... James Bryce
Donald Bean Lean .... Paul Young
Davey .... Tom Smith
Houghton .... Stuart McQuarrie
Evan Dhu .... Finlay Welsh
Callum Beg .... Steven McNicoll
Aunt Rachel .... Mary Riggans
Sir Everard .... Robin Thomson
Col. Gardiner .... David McKail
MacWheeble .... John Shedden
Balmawhapple .... Finlay McLean
Alice .... Eliza Langland

Music composed and performed by Iain Johnstone.

With Mhairi Campbell (violin, viola), Ron Shaw (cello), and Mike Travis (drums).

Director: Patrick Rayner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1994.


MON 16:00 And the Academy Award Goes To... (b070601q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


MON 16:30 Jazzed Up: How Jazz Changed Britain (b08dnrq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


MON 17:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 17:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzf9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 18:00 Home Again (m0005nzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 18:30 Dad's Army (b007jnqc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 19:00 For the Love of Leo (m000tg5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 19:30 A Rage Explained by Alex Wheatle (b08343jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 19:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm5wp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


MON 20:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jphn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]


MON 20:30 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076hv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]


MON 21:00 Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (m002sptr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]


MON 22:00 Just a Minute (m002rd20)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 22:30 Listen Against (b00tpswr)
Series 3

Episode 2

Another week's worth of radio and TV that never happened. It's a bit like the BBC iPlayer, only with two eyes instead of one. And it's got ears.

* Ecological and broadcast catastrophe strikes as BBC 3 leaks in to other channels.

* Edward Stourton and Gaby Roslin tunnel to the centre of the earth for Children in Need,

* Previewing the new musical charting the dramatic lives of the Dimblebys: 'News Brothers'.

Presenters:

Alice Arnold
Jon Holmes

With special guests Marcel Theroux and Julia Hartley-Brewer.

Featuring:

James Bachman
Stephen Critchlow
Sarah Hadland
David Schnieder

Written by Jon Holmes, Sam Bryant, John Luke-Roberts, Gareth Gwynn, Jason Hazely, Joel Morris, Bill Dare and Jon Hunter.

Producer: Sam Bryant

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.


MON 23:00 The Naked Week (m002sg68)
Series 4

The Naked Week team party like it's the 2003 Iraq War.

The Naked Week team party like it's the 2003 Iraq War, and then re-enact it with the help of a Viking.

From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.

With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers an topical news-nude straight to your ears.

Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
James Kettle
Jason Hazeley

Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Ali Panting
Helen Brooks
Pete Redfern
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
Joe Topping
Darren Phillips

Investigation:
Cat Neilan

Guests: Rosie Holt, Jimmy The 11th Century Welsh Viking.

Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.

Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams

Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes

An unusual production for BBC Radio 4


MON 23:30 The Museum of Everything (b007k1qj)
Series 1

The History of the Future

Badgerland goes international and experience the History of the Future.

Written and performed by:

Marcus Brigstocke
Danny Robins
Dan Tetsell

With Lucy Montgomery.

Music by Dominic Haslam and Ben Walker.

Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2004.

TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2026

TUE 00:00 And the Academy Award Goes To... (b070601q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]


TUE 00:30 Jazzed Up: How Jazz Changed Britain (b08dnrq2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3b2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzf9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 Home Again (m0005nzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 Dad's Army (b007jnqc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 For the Love of Leo (m000tg5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]


TUE 03:30 A Rage Explained by Alex Wheatle (b08343jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]


TUE 03:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm5wp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 Quote... Unquote (b007jphn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 The Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII (b0076hv6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (m002sptr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]


TUE 06:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3cd)
5. The Kidnap

John Rennie ponders whether to take some extreme measures in order to rescue the kidnapped British agent.

Starring John Kerry and Margaret Robertson.

Journalist Kathy Swenson is caught up in the frightening world of espionage

Spy-based serial written by Ted Allbeury.

John Rennie .... James Kerry
Kathy Swenson .... Margaret Robertson
Joanna de Vries .... Colette Hiller
Mike Ryan .... Keith Bartlett
Khalim Said .... Richard Kay
Gabriella .... Carole Boyd
Hugo Paynter .... David Garth
Adele Palmer .... Susannah Fellows
Arab servant/First policeman .... Peter Van Dissel
Second policeman .... Charles Whaley
English voice/Male voice .... Albert Welling

Director: Christopher Venning

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1984.


TUE 06:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzfm)
3. Denmark

Ex-Stasi Agent, Otto, has sent Kim to Copenhagen in search of clues to solve her fiancé's death.

Will the mysterious Victor solve the riddle, and why does Charles always turn up like a bad penny?

Starring Siriol Jenkins.

Shaun Prendergast's techno thriller.

Kim Drake …. Siriol Jenkins
Mike Fisher …. Neil Roberts
Anne/Jean …. Kate Binchy
Frank/Otto …. Shaun Prendergast
Stone …. Kenneth Cranham
Miss Gee …. Ann Davies
Todd …. Jack Klaff
Charles …. Okon Jones
Wilson …. Peter Gunn
Doris Meyer …. Joanna Wake
Helga/Prostitute …. Melanie Hudson
DI Dear …. Eric Allen
DS Love/Victor …. Jonathan Tafler

Director: Adrian Bean

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1992.


TUE 07:00 Flying the Flag (b00b2nfp)
Series 2

The Opium of the People

It's Glorious Reindeer Day in the People's Republic.

Seasonal goodwill abounds, even if light bulbs and religious tolerance don't...

Starring Dinsdale Landen.

Eastern Bloc embassy sitcom written by Alex Shearer.

HM Ambassador MacKenzie …. Dinsdale Landen
William Frost …. Peter Acre
Helen Waterson …. Moir Leslie
Morris …. John Baddeley
Colonel Surikov …. Christopher Benjamin

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1988.


TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b00k7xd2)
Series 9

The £50 Cure

Neddie Seagoon picks up a lavish NHS prescription for his broken legs.

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan.

Starring:

Spike Milligan
Peter Sellers
Kenneth Connor stands in for Harry Secombe.

First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.

With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.

Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.

Announcer: Wallace Greenslade

Producer: John Browell

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in February 1959.


TUE 08:00 The Fair Intellectual Club (b082j3cb)
An Encounter with Mr Handel

Friedrich Handel is down in the dumps because the King is growing tired of his music.

He heads north to Edinburgh for inspiration and meets the ladies of The Fair Intellectual Club - a secret scholarly society for girls.

With the help of Marjory, Handel finds a melancholy theme for a new work. Thanks to the efforts of girl-about-town Ishbel and maths genius Alison, he ends up with a much jauntier, raunchier tune.

Lucy Porter's sitcom is set in early 18th Century Scotland.

Friedrich Handel ...... Gus Brown
Marjory ...... Samara MacLaren
Ishbel ...... Caroline Deyga
Alison ...... Jessica Hardwick

With:

Simon Donaldson
Gordon Kennedy

Music by Aly Macrae.

Director: Marilyn Imrie
Producer: Gordon Kennedy

An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2016.


TUE 08:30 A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert (m002sqx5)
1. Félicité

The selfless and devout Félicité arrives to work in the household of Madame Aubain in the small, French town of Pont-l'Évêque.

Gustave Flaubert's classic tale of a woman's life in 19th-century Normandy inspired Julian Barnes to write Flaubert's Parrot.

Translated by Robert Baldick.

Abridged in three parts by Alison Joseph.

Read by Julian Barnes.

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1997.


TUE 08:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm9s6)
Ladies of Letters Crunch Credit

2. Discovery

Vera discovers she is not the only person living on her allotment, while Irene nurses her vagrant friend back to health.

Grandmothers Irene Spencer and Vera Small continue their tempestuous correspondence in tough economic times.

Starring Patricia Routledge and Prunella Scales.

Written by Lou Wakefield and Carole Hayman.

Vera Small …. Patricia Routledge
Irene Spencer …. Prunella Scales
Howard Small …. Christopher Kelham
Judith Brain …. Francis Jeater

Producer: Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.


TUE 09:00 Wing It (m002sfvs)
Series 2

2. In AI's Defence...

Cariad Lloyd, Thomas Mayo, Emma Sidi, and Lola Rose-Maxwell embark on more improv mayhem. Host Alasdair Beckett-King presides over a series of games featuring a visit from the grim reaper, overly protective mothers, and a passionate defence of AI.

"No Script. No Prep. No Clue."

Presented by Alasdair Beckett-King.

Starring Cariad Lloyd, Thomas Mayo, Emma Sidi, and Lola Rose-Maxwell

Devised by Sam Holmes

Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Chris Maclean

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4


TUE 09:30 Just So Science (b04795tq)
Series 2

2. The Crab that Played with the Sea

Vivienne Parry considers another of the animals of Rudyard Kipling's much loved Just So Stories for Children.

Assisted by researchers of 'infinite sagacity', she sets out to discover whether his fantasies contain any grains of truth?

In 'The Crab that Played with the Sea', Kipling tells the tale of arrogant and mischievous Pau Amma the mighty King Crab who eventually gets his comeuppance.

For paleontologist Richard Fortey, it's the indestructible horseshoe crab that should be regarded as truly regal.

With its copper-rich blue blood and incredible longevity, it has remained almost stubbornly the same for nearly 500 million years! .

Excerpts from the stories are read by Samuel West.

Producer: Rami Tzabar

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.


TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m002sqx8)
Fight the good fight - Overcoming adversity

A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.

Theme:
Fight the good fight - Overcoming adversity
Presenter: Father Eugene O’Neill
Reading: James 1:1-7

Music:
Alone with none but Thee, my God
St Patrick’s Breastplate.


TUE 10:00 A Good Read (m000l0s2)
Sarah Keyworth & Lissa Evans

Author Lissa Evans and comedian Sarah Keyworth join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Oliver Sacks, Cheryl Strayed and David Garnett.

Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks
Publisher: Picador

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Lady into Fox by David Garnett
Publisher: Dover Publications

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2020.


TUE 10:30 Jazzed Up: How Jazz Changed Britain (b08ffv2x)
2. Duke Ellington

A century after the first jazz recordings, Kevin Le Gendre explores how Jazz was received in the UK.

Second of a three-part series.

Kevin looks at the influence of the visits of Duke Ellington before and after the Second World War.

Producer: Harry Parker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.


TUE 11:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3cd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 11:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 12:00 Flying the Flag (b00b2nfp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b00k7xd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 13:00 The Fair Intellectual Club (b082j3cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 13:30 A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert (m002sqx5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 13:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm9s6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


TUE 14:00 Genius (b0076vc0)
Series 2

Johnny Vegas

From a robotic dog to friendly car horns.

Dave Gorman asks comedian and actor Johnny Vegas to select the public's best loopy idea.

Series in which award-winning comedian Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over the ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public.

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2006.


TUE 14:30 Says on the Tin (b00h62pp)
Face Cream

Eliott and Esther are on the brink of admitting their attraction when a young actress with a father fixation fixes on Eliott.

Starring Michael Brandon.

Comedy by Christopher William Hill about an American ad man, forced to relocate to London.

Eliott Thurber ...... Michael Brandon
Esther Finn ...... Samantha Bond
Hannah Walker ...... Pippa Haywood
Pippa Walker ...... Manjeet Mann
Zadie ...... Joannah Tincey
Baz ...... Inam Mirza
Max ...... Robert Lonsdale
Rutter ...... Stephen Critchlow
Angelique ...... Donnla Hughes

Other parts played by:

Janice Acquah
Jill Cardo
Jonathan Tafler
Gunnar Cauthery

Producer: Liz Webb

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.


TUE 15:00 Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (m002sqxc)
2. The Clash of Love and Duty

Waverley, on leave from his regiment, has been injured at the great stag hunt.

Starring Richard Greenwood and Wendy Seager.

A young Englishman is caught up in Bonnie Prince Charlie's attempt to regain the throne of Great Britain for the Stuart Dynasty,

Sir Walter Scott's great novel of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

Dramatised by Roger Danes.

Edward Waverley .... Richard Greenwood
Flora .... Wendy Seager
Rose .... Maria Miller
Fergus .... James Bryce
Donald Bean Lean .... Paul Young
Davey .... Tom Smith
Houghton .... Stuart McQuarrie
Tims .... Finlay Welsh
Col. Gardiner .... David McKail
Callum Beg .... Steven McNicoll
Aunt Rachel .... Mary Riggans
Sir Everard .... Robin Thomson
Sir Richard .... Sandy Neilson
MacWheeble .... John Shedden
Jeannie .... Ceit Kearney

Music composed and performed by Iain Johnstone.

With Mhairi Campbell (violin, viola), Ron Shaw (cello), and Mike Travis (drums).

Director: Patrick Rayner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1994.


TUE 16:00 A Good Read (m000l0s2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


TUE 16:30 Jazzed Up: How Jazz Changed Britain (b08ffv2x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


TUE 17:00 No Place To Hide (m001l3cd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 17:30 Only the Good Die Young (b007jzfm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 18:00 Flying the Flag (b00b2nfp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b00k7xd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 19:00 The Fair Intellectual Club (b082j3cb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 19:30 A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert (m002sqx5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 19:45 Ladies of Letters (b00nm9s6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]


TUE 20:00 Genius (b0076vc0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]


TUE 20:30 Says on the Tin (b00h62pp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]


TUE 21:00 Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (m002sqxc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]


TUE 22:00 Wing It (m002sfvs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 22:30 John Shuttleworth's Lounge Music (b084tlr0)
Series 2

Mari Wilson

John Shuttleworth invites singer Mari Wilson to his Sheffield home to perform one of her own songs and also, more importantly, one of his.

Joan Chitty gets very excited about Mari's visit as she used to have a wonderful beehive and Joan would like Mari to give her the same look.

John is not convinced this is a good idea as Joan has very short spiky hair and far too much hair lacquer would be required.

Anyway, there are more important things to be done.

Mari needs to sing one of John's songs and John has to prepare for a medley of Mari's songs and get Top Tips on the Telephone from Tony Burrows who famously appeared on Top of The Pops three times in one show!

Written and Performed by Graham Fellows.

With special guests

Mari Wilson
Toni Burrows

Producer: Dawn Ellis

A Chic Ken production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016.


TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m002t41v)
Hal Cruttenden 2/3

The Comedy Club keeps the laughs coming from 10pm to midnight, every night of the week. Tonight, Alison Spittle picks up her chat with Hal Cruttenden.


TUE 23:00 Paul Sinha's History Revision (b08wqs1g)
Series 3

Episode 4

Comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha shines a light on the important historical moments that you never got taught at school.

This time, he looks at some political blunders which have not yet been turned into films.

He also reviews the history of historical films - from the first ever film, to the least accurate film, to the film that killed off the greatest percentage of its cast and crew, he celebrates cinema's documentation of the otherwise undocumented.

Paul Sinha's History Revision was the winner of the 2016 Rose d'Or for 'Best Radio Comedy'.

Written and performed by Paul Sinha.

Producer: Ed Morrish

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2017.


TUE 23:30 Chain Reaction (b01lv7ys)
Series 8

Derren Brown interviews Tim Minchin

The illusionist and the musical comedian in the talk tag show where the guest is the next interviewer

Derren Brown quizzes Tim Minchin about beliefs, magic, music and Minchin.

Recorded with an audience, the interviews focus on the life, career and the passions of the interviewee, but often prove to be as revealing about the interviewer.

Producer: Carl Cooper

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2012.