SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2025

SAT 00:00 Midnight News (m0026npw)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 00:30 How to Read the News (m001v3xn)
What you’re not being told

Why don’t journalists tell everything they know? One reason is privacy law. We hear from the lawyer who warned editors off publishing the name of Phillip Schofield’s former lover, and speak to the chief lawyer for The Times and The Sunday Times who took the risk of naming a parliamentary researcher alleged to be spying for China.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Charlotte McDonald
Researchers: Beth Ashmead Latham, Kirsteen Knight
Editors: China Collins, Emma Rippon


SAT 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026npy)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SAT 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026nq0)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SAT 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026nq2)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SAT 05:30 News Briefing (m0026nq4)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026nq6)
Music changes everything

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

Wherever we are in the world, music is a powerful gift for expressing and elevating our emotions. Music can speak to us at any time and in any situation. It transcends language and culture as it touches our hearts.

On this day four years ago, my Dad died of Covid during one of the worst periods of that pandemic. We weren’t allowed to visit him until the very last moment, and only six people could attend his short funeral. It was an icy January on the south coast, no café or hotel was permitted to open afterwards, and it felt utterly bleak. Yet we were walking this hard path of grief with many others. We were not alone.

My Dad always wanted the Radetzky March by Johann Strauss Senior to be played at his funeral. It’s jubilant and energetic music was composed as a victory celebration and that is exactly what it is. Inevitably, hands clap and feet stamp as the rhythm develops. On this cold and cheerless morning, I saw a glimpse of this joy as the music played out - memories of my Dad listening to the piece every New Year’s Day and at other times, tapping his slender fingers to the beat, smiling at Strauss, and delighting in the melody of life all came flooding back.

I pray that music will soothe and comfort all those who mourn, bring joy and delight to those who welcome hope, and unite us all in peace across time and space.

Amen.


SAT 05:45 Something to Declare (m0026nnw)
How to Rise to the Challenge

Jack Boswell explores the Finnish concept of sisu - a profound inner strength that emerges when we face life’s toughest challenges.

Joining him is Emilia Elisabet Lahti, a Finnish behavioural scientist, who delves into the origins of sisu, a cornerstone of Finnish culture. She explains how this powerful quality - described as the “life force in times of adversity” - has helped individuals and the nation persevere through extraordinary hardships, including the Winter War. Elisabet shares how her own experiences of overcoming personal trauma inspired her to study sisu and its universal relevance.

Jack also meets Mikko Paasi, a Finnish cave diver whose reliance on sisu was tested during the 2018 Tham Luang Cave Rescue in Thailand. Mikko recounts the harrowing operation to save a trapped youth football team, describing how determination, step-by-step focus, and a deep reservoir of mental strength helped him and his team navigate impossible odds. His reflections on resilience and redemption reveal how sisu can guide us not just through crises, but also towards healing from our past.

Elisabet offers practical insights into how sisu can be cultivated by anyone, anywhere. Through techniques like breathwork and self-compassion, she highlights how this universal human quality helps us push forward when the going gets tough.

This episode is an inspiring exploration of resilience, courage, and the quiet power within all of us to persevere - no matter how steep the climb.

Host: Jack Boswell
Producer: Emma Crampton
Senior Producer: Harry Stott
Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari
Production Coordinator: James Cox
Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle
Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 News and Papers (m0026ttn)
The latest news headlines. Including the weather and a look at the papers.


SAT 06:07 Ramblings (m0026ngx)
Clare's 25th Year! Bakewell with the RamSoc

This is Clare's 25th year of walking and talking on Ramblings! To mark this, ahem, milestone her first hike of 2025 is with a group of students from the University of Nottingham who are all members of the RamSoc (The Rambling and Hiking Society) which has just celebrated its 90th anniversary.

All of today's walkers are under the age of 25, so weren't even around when Clare first stepped out with the Ramblings microphone. It's joyful to know that walking in the great outdoors continues as a rich part of our culture with young people like Theo, Amy, and others leading the way...

They met in Bakewell, Derbyshire on a rainy, windy, wintery Sunday morning and set off on a circular hike taking in the grounds of Chatsworth House.

Producer: Karen Gregor
Presenter: Clare Balding


SAT 06:30 Farming Today (m0026ttq)
11/01/25 Farming Today This Week: the farming conferences in Oxford

Farming Today This Week comes from Oxford where two big conferences have been taking place: the Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference. The first is traditionally seen as attended by the established and larger farms, and the Real Farming Conference has wider scope with more smaller farms, organic producers and artisan food producers. Both together represent UK farming as a whole.

A convoy of tractors and farmers with placards staged a protest in Oxford City Centre as Defra Secretary Steve Reed gave his speech to the Oxford Farming Conference. They're angry at plans to change the rules around inheritance tax. This wasn't the focus of Steve Reed's speech; instead he promised a plan for change. He told delegates this must have three things: food production at its core, diversification of income, and restoration of nature as part of farming. He also announced speeding up the planning process for farm buildings. Agriculture's a devolved issue, and farming ministers for the devolved nations gave speeches about what's happening in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

We also report from The Oxford Real Farming Conference, where have similar concerns about the future of their businesses. We speak to the manager, interview an upland farmer about whole farm profitability, and drop in on a session about inheritance tax.

Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


SAT 06:57 Weather (m0026tts)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SAT 07:00 Today (m0026ttv)
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


SAT 09:00 Saturday Live (m0026ttx)
Jackie Kay, Huw Ware, Peter Murray, Alice Roberts

The literary alchemist Jackie Kay, poet, author and playwright, whose words dance between the very personal and the universal - she wants us to Coorie Doon.

We’ve scored a bullseye in getting darts referee and LGBT+ ambassador Huw Ware on the show...so…game on!

Sir Peter Murray, the visionary sculptor of landscapes and minds alike reveals how he went from an educationalist to founder of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

All that plus the Inheritance Tracks of Professor Alice Roberts are dug up.

Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Ben Mitchell


SAT 10:00 You're Dead to Me (m0026ttz)
Causes of the British Civil Wars: Royalists versus Parliamentarians

Greg Jenner is joined in 17th-Century England by Dr Jonathan Healey and comedian Toussaint Douglass to learn about King Charles I and the causes of the British Civil Wars.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Charles I coming to the throne on 27th March 1625. Less than two decades later, his antagonistic relationship with Parliament would ignite a civil war, one that would end with his capture, trial and execution, and the rule of Oliver Cromwell. The war is remembered as a fight between Cavaliers and Roundheads, but what did each side actually believe in, and what were the causes of this conflict? Tracing the breakdown of the relationship between the King and Parliament, this episode takes in clashes over taxation, religion and the limits of royal power, disastrous wars, unpopular advisers, and Charles’s attempts to rule without Parliament altogether. It also moves outside London, exploring popular uprisings against everything from the King’s taxes and contentious church reforms to the 17th-Century cost-of-living crisis.

If you’re a fan of royals behaving badly, political bust-ups, rebellion and revolution, you’ll love our episode on the causes of the British Civil Wars.

If you want to hear more from Toussaint Douglass, check out our episode on abolitionist Frederick Douglass. And for more Stuart history, listen to our episodes on King James I and VI and scandalous actress Nell Gwyn.

You’re Dead to Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past.

Hosted by: Greg Jenner
Research by: Matt Ryan
Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner
Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Production Coordinator: Ben Hollands
Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse
Executive Editor: James Cook


SAT 10:30 Rewinder (m0026tv1)
Singing Dogs!

It’s Dry January so...Greg is bucking the trend and taking his archive search down the pub. The BBC Archive is overflowing with innkeeping oddities: goat riding, phantoms lurking in an 800-year-old walls and how to play a new game called 'plasticine splat'.

With a new season of Traitors in full swing, Greg dons his black cloak and finds an early incarnation of the game the BBC killed off 20 years ago. No castles, cloaks or fringes in sight, just a plain white studio - and a very young Ruth Wilson, future star of Luther and His Dark Materials, taking on a man who claims to own a four foot monitor lizard. But which of them is a traitor?

A listener request leads Greg to a weird slice of BBC history as he revisits beeb.com, an internet shopping website from the BBC where you could buy a WAP-enabled phone and tickets to see S Club 7.

And to mark the release of a new biopic about the great opera singer Maria Callas, Greg looks back at some archive highlights of the soprano known as La Divina, including being pelted with radishes, getting into blazing rows with opera bosses, and an extraordinary duet with her singing dog.

Producer: Tim Bano
Series archivists: Joe Schultz and Jonathan Charlton

An EcoAudio certified production.


SAT 11:00 The Week in Westminster (m0026tv3)
Caroline Wheeler, political editor of The Sunday Times, assesses the latest developments at Westminster.

To discuss whether there should be a national inquiry into grooming gangs, Caroline is joined by Labour MP Paul Waugh who represents Rochdale, and former Conservative MP Laura Farris, who served as Safeguarding Minister in Rishi Sunak's government.

Following the announcement of the government's plans to reducing waiting lists in England, Caroline speaks to surgeon and former Labour Health Minister Ara Darzi who now sits in the House of Lords as an independent peer. He is the author of the recent government review into the NHS in England.

As the Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits China, Caroline brings together the chair of the business and trade select committee, Liam Byrne, and Conservative MP, Tom Tugendhat, who is a former Security Minister.

And, finally, the beginning of the Westminster week was dominated by political interventions made by the owner of the social media platform X. To discuss how the Prime Minister should handle such interventions, Caroline brought together Katie Perrior, former Downing Street Director of Communications for Theresa May and David Yelland, a former newspaper editor who is co-presenter of Radio 4's ‘When It Hits the Fan’.


SAT 11:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m0026tv5)
The Israeli and Palestinian schism

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel and the Palestinian territories, South Korea, Canada and Finland.

If and when a ceasefire deal is agreed between Israel and Hamas, it is likely to do little to mend the deepening mistrust between many Israeli and Palestinian communities. Jon Donnison has lived and worked in the region for many years, and he reflects on the challenges he faces as a journalist, navigating relationships with friends and contacts who hold starkly different views of the conflict.

Feminism is facing a serious backlash in South Korea. Many women who advocate for gender equality are often depicted as man-haters, and are relentlessly trolled by anonymous online attackers - some women have even lost their jobs due to pressure from angry male activists. Jean MacKenzie heard one woman's experience.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation this week after nine years in power. Neal Razzell reflects on Mr Trudeau’s meteoric rise as the darling of the country's liberal voters - and why many Canadians fell out of love with him.

Finland's new status as a NATO member was put to the test recently, after a Russian ship was suspected of severing an underwater power cable on Christmas Day. Emilia Jansson was home for the holidays, and reveals how the incident has been met with both fascination and suspicion by Finns.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison


SAT 12:00 News Summary (m0026tv7)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 12:04 Money Box (m0026tv9)
Breakfast Clubs and Housing Costs

The Government made a start this week on its manifesto promise to provide free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill got through its first big step in the House of Commons on Wednesday and will give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club for their children with food and childcare. Schools Minister Stephen Morgan speaks to Paul Lewis about the plans.

New research form the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, seen exclusively by this programme, suggests more than half of those facing housing worries have been kept awake at night over the past year due to concerns about things like high rents, poor conditions and the risk of eviction. What can be done to help them?

And millions of people who need to file a self assessment tax form have still not done it - and the deadline is less than three weeks away on January 31st. Listen for the Money Box guide on what you need to know.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Emma Smith, Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 11th January 2025)


SAT 12:30 The News Quiz (m0026np8)
Series 116

Checked Facts & Unfettered Fictions

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Paul Sinha, Angela Barnes and Anushka Asthana to unpack the week's new stories. The panel look into Donald Trump's international ambitions, Keir Starmer looking ahead to the not-too-distant, yet not-too-close future, and the relentless interjections to British politics from Elon Musk.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Christina Riggs Mike Shephard, and Angela Channell.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss.
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production


SAT 12:57 Weather (m0026tvc)
The latest weather forecast


SAT 13:00 News and Weather (m0026tvf)
The latest national and international news and weather reports from BBC Radio 4


SAT 13:10 Any Questions? (m0026nph)
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Lord Finkelstein, Meg Hillier MP, Greg Swenson

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Trinity College, Oxford with i Paper columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown; Conservative peer and Times columnist Lord Finkelstein; Meg Hillier, the Labour MP and chair of the Treasury select committee; and Greg Swenson, chair of Republicans Overseas UK.

Producer: Paul Martin
Lead technical engineer: Rob Dyball


SAT 14:00 Any Answers? (m0026tvh)
Call Any Answers? to have your say on the big issues in the news this week.


SAT 14:45 The Archers (m0026npc)
Khalil and Henry seek elusive panto tickets, interrupted by Justin, who Khalil is keen to avoid. He’s worried after divulging Rex and Kirsty’s wild beaver release plans to David. But Justin is grateful for Khalil’s honesty, as it’s worked out for the best for the rewilding project – but Khalil had better avoid Kirsty! Later, as Justin snags the last Panto tickets, Khalil tries to persuade Justin to gift him two as a reward for his earlier work, but Justin’s wise to it.

Henry tells Khalil about Lee moving to San Francisco. Khalil comments his dad’s always away, and he sees it as an opportunity to guilt his dad into giving him really good presents. But Henry knows that whilst Lee will stay in touch, he can’t rely on him and has to make his own plans.

Fallon finds Harrison up early. He explains yesterday’s conversation with Norris, who he admits is right about him. Fallon understands how he feels, and if he wants to leave the force, they’ll manage. Harrison reveals he’s been offered a secondment in Yorkshire. It’s a special confidential case and he’d have to go and live alone in the training accommodation. Shocked Fallon discusses it further. They agree that time apart might do them good. Harrison wants to phone every day, but Fallon suggests only doing that if he wants to, the important thing is for Harrison to focus on what he needs to do. He still loves her, and they wouldn’t be splitting up. Fallon acknowledges how adult they’re being. They persuade themselves it’s right and reaffirm their love for one another.


SAT 15:00 Drama on 4 (m000h1g2)
Return to Vegas: A Musical Drama

Musical drama written by and starring Roland Gift, one of our finest soul singers and ex-lead singer of the 1980s band Fine Young Cannibals.

Johnny Holloway, an ex-pop star wrongly convicted of drug dealing, gets out of prison and is picked up on his release by his "brother from another mother", Sean. Having missed the funeral, Johnny asks to be taken to the wake of his colleague Frank to pay his respects. When he gets there, he finds he has inherited his nightclub - the Las Vegas - much to the disgust of Frank's son, Ricky.

To add insult to injury, Johnny used to be with Ricky’s wife Carol. He's determined to right a few wrongs and, when Ricky steps out of line, Johnny sees the way forward - he needs to battle an old rival to win the girl he loves.

It's a story about love, felony and betrayal. Who will rise above and win the day?

Recorded on location in Gerry’s Club in Soho, London, with music written by Gift and Barson and performed by Roland Gift and members of the cast.

Cast:
JOHNNY ..... Roland Gift
SEAN ..... Ian Puleston-Davies
EZRA ..... Miles Richardson
RICKY ..... Carl Prekopp
PEARL ..... Sophie Melville
CAROL ..... Katy Cavanagh-Jupe
BARRY ..... Bill Fellows
FRANK ..... Robert Glenister
ELOISE ..... Claudia Jolly

MOURNERS and PUNTERS
Poppy Allen-Quarmby, Tallulah Bond, Zooey Gleaves, Tom Glenister, Ellis Howard, Jonny Lavelle, Declan Mason

Writer: Roland Gift
Producer/Director: Celia de Wolff
Sound Design: David Chilton
Photograph by Jerry Tremaine

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 16:00 Woman's Hour (m0026tvk)
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Rape gangs, Exploring Antarctica, Deep fakes, Oti Mabuse

Victims groomed and raped by gangs have told the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent Sima Kotecha that they are adamant the crime is still happening to girls across the country. This week, a Tory amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which wanted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was voted down. Krupa Padhy talked to Sima and Simon Morton, a former senior investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, about what is known about how these gangs operate.

Lucy Lawless, best known for playing Xena: Warrior Princess, joined Nuala McGovern to discuss another fearless woman. In her directorial debut, Never Look Away, she explores Margaret Moth, a warzone camerawoman for CNN who covered conflicts from the liberation of Kuwait in the early 90s to the Lebanon War in the mid-2000s armed only with a camera and an attitude.

A new law change has made the creation of explicit deepfakes illegal, with those found guilty facing up to two years in prison. Nuala was joined by Durham Law Professor Clare McGlynn to hear more about what this means, and Channel 4's Cathy Newman, who was a victim of deepfakes herself, gives her thoughts.

Victoria Melluish is a listener who wrote to us to highlight women working in environmentally hostile environments and to encourage more women to get out in the field. Victoria is currently employed as a marine mammal specialist and expedition guide on a cruise expedition ship. She says, 'I’m 30 and I work in the Arctic and Antarctic, and I often get asked how I manage having endometriosis while driving Zodiac boats around glaciers and marine megafauna.' Nuala spoke to her about her work.

2025 is a big year for former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse who is judging Dancing on Ice, then going on tour and publishing her first adult novel. She joined Krupa to talk about these projects, becoming a mother and how being on I’m A Celebrity taught her the importance of sharing feelings.

Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Rebecca Myatt


SAT 17:00 PM (m0026tvm)
Full coverage of the day's news.


SAT 17:30 Sliced Bread (m0026ngn)
Smart Scales

Listener Steve got in touch with us after trying out a set of Smart Scales himself. He wanted to keep an eye on his protein levels – which his scales claimed to do – for health reasons, and because he’d heard that we need more protein as we get older.

His scales also promised to show him his body fat, muscle mass, and bone mass via a corresponding app on his phone. However, some of those readings didn’t seem quite right – making him question how accurate his scales are, and if they can REALLY tell you so much about yourself?

Greg Foot asks two experts - a GP and a professor of applied mathematics – to weigh in on the topic, and find out whether these scales can measure up.

As always, all of our investigations start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

PRESENTER: GREG FOOT

PRODUCER: KATE HOLDSWORTH


SAT 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m0026tvp)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SAT 17:57 Weather (m0026tvr)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SAT 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026tvt)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says deals worth £600 million were agreed on a visit to China.


SAT 18:15 Loose Ends (m0026tvw)
Joanne Harris, Richard Blackwood, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Nina Gilligan, Clive Anderson, The Deep Blue, John Bramwell

Loose Ends is in Hebden Bridge this week, a town made famous by the BBC drama Happy Valley, but you might also recognise the place and its glorious scenery from Last Tango in Halifax, Gentleman Jack or The Gallow's Pole.

Clive will talk to local resident and bestselling novelist Joanne Harris, maybe best known for Chocolat which was adapted into an Oscar nominated film of the same name. Her latest book The Moonlight Garden is a fantasy set in a "long ago and far away" version of London and fits right into the wildly popular "romantasy" genre - a good fit for a town renowned for its quirky ways and alternative lifestyles.

Also in the show, the acclaimed comedian and actor Richard Blackwood, best known for roles in Hollyoaks and EastEnders as well as on stage, is out on the road and passing through town on a stand up tour promising heavyweight laughs and no messing.

TV presenter, GP and host of Europe's most popular wellness podcast Dr Ranjan Chatterjee will be easing us all into the New Year, just about the time when we all begin to fall off the New Year resolutions wagon and we'll be hearing about what happened to his own long held ambition to be Jon Bon Jovi.

And award wining stand-up comedian and Hebden resident Nina Gilligan will explain why her new show is called Goldfish.

Music from former I am Kloot frontman John Bramwell and band The Full Harmonic Convergence and also from all female Indie-folk band The Deep Blue.

Presented by Clive Anderson
Produced by Olive Clancy


SAT 19:00 Profile (m0026tvy)
Allan Leighton

He's been described as the best connected man in the business world. Allan Leighton’s the arch-moderniser who's led some of the UK's most well-known companies.

His career started at Mars Confectionery in the mid-70s, working his way up through the business over nearly two decades. But, it was in the 90s that Allan Leighton really made his name.

He moved to Asda in 1992, becoming Chief Executive four years later. There he was credited with a successful turnaround of the supermarket and oversaw its acquisition by Wal-Mart in 1999.

By the 2000s, Allan Leighton had left Asda to 'go plural', as he put it, and went on to take prominent positions in companies including Royal Mail, Co-Op, Dyson and lastminute.com. But late last year, the supermarket chain came calling again.

Mark Coles has been talking to his friends and peers to understand where Allan Leighton came from and what’s in store for him at Asda.

Production Team

Producers: Nathan Gower and Sally Abrahams
Editor: Ben Mundy
Sound: James Beard
Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young

Credits:
Marketing Academy: Rene Carayol interviews Allan Leighton
Mars Maltesters, TV advert 1970s
Walmart Rollback TV advert 1998
Asda Rollback TV advert


SAT 19:15 This Cultural Life (m0026ngg)
James Ivory

James Ivory formed the filmmaking company Merchant Ivory with producer Ismail Merchant and the writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala in 1961. The company went on to produce over 40 films and became synonymous with a particular sumptuous movie genre in the 80s and 90s, often adapted from literary classics. Merchant Ivory won awards and acclaim for A Room With A View, Howard’s End, The Remains Of The Day and many more. In 2018, at the age of 89, James Ivory became the oldest ever winner of an Academy Award. Having been nominated three times previously for best director, he won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for the coming-of-age drama Call Me By Your Name.

Now 96 years old, James Ivory recalls his upbringing in Oregon, the son of a timber merchant. He says that seeing Gone With the Wind soon after the film had first been released in 1939 was a formative moment in his love of cinema. Having initially studied architecture, he enrolled at the University of California to study cinema and began making short films. It was during a trip to India that he first became fascinated with the country and was introduced to the great Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who was a hugely influential figure. James Ivory also talks about the unique relationship he had with Ismail Merchant and Ruth Jhabvala whom he describes as his "life's partners".

Producer: Edwina Pitman


SAT 20:00 Archive on 4 (m0026tw0)
Do You Speak English?

English has been taught to people abroad using radio and television for more than half a century and this is how it all started.

Miriam Margolyes is among the stars of English by Radio and Television, broadcast to millions around the world, who reflects on the amazing global impact of the programmes. From their beginnings in 1943 when English was taught to occupied Europe, to their role today reaching girls in Afghanistan banned from school, Josephine McDermott unearths the English programmes lost to time which feature everything from Abba to Morris dancing and a furry, green, alien monster who eats metal.

Most of the programmes have never been heard by a UK audience and took months to track down, but they provide an intriguing insight into the way Britain has been projected in the booming years of broadcast media.

Josephine’s late father Brian McDermott starred in the BBC’s first television series to teach English in the 1960s, Walter and Connie. Unsure if any of the series still exists in the archive, she gets to see films for the first time. He used to tell stories of being mobbed by fans in Europe which sounded like exaggeration for the sake of a good story. It's Josephine’s task to find out if there was any truth in it - and it may be some ageing Dutch pop stars have the answer. She discovers they still perform a song inspired by her father's TV programme teaching English.

With insights from Professor Jean Seaton, former English by Radio and Television producer Hamish Norbrook, the actor Miriam Margolyes, Kathy Flower, presenter of Follow Me in China, plus Robert Jan Stips and Rob Kloet from the band Nits.

Presenter and producer: Josephine McDermott
Editor: Tom Bigwood
Sound: Richard Hannaford
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Consultant: John Escolme


SAT 21:00 Moral Maze (m0026ndl)
What should we do about inherited inequality?

In every species, including homo sapiens, the family is nature’s way of passing inequality down the generations. The family gives us our genetic make-up and a large proportion of our training, education, socialisation and cultural attitudes. It may bequeath to us wealth or poverty. None of this is fair.

Should we get cross about silver spoons and livid about nepotism? We don’t seem to. Inheritance tax is deeply unpopular (not just with farmers). And it's not merely money that tilts the scales when a child is born. There's the where and when of it, there's parental character and competence, there are genetic pluses and minuses. How should we, as a society, address the unfairness that results from inherited advantage? And how can we know whether it’s made a difference? Everyone claims to want equality of opportunity. Some of us want to measure our success by equality of outcome; the rest of us say ‘dream on.’

Should we aim to eradicate or compensate for inherited inequality? Should we try to correct for the effects of genetic and environmental misfortune? Or should we just accept that, in the words of William Blake, 'Some are Born to sweet delight. Some are Born to Endless Night'?

Chair: Michael Buerk
Panel: Tim Stanley, Ash Sarkar, James Orr and Mona Siddiqui
Witnesses: Aaron Reeves, Ruth Porter, Will Snell, Edward Davies.

Producers: Dan Tierney and Peter Everett.
Editor: Tim Pemberton


SAT 22:00 News (m0026tw2)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 22:15 The Food Programme (m0026nnh)
Food and AI

How will Artificial Intelligence (AI) transform the food industry? Experts say it's already having an effect - whether through self-service checkouts or the algorithms that determine which recipes you see online or the way supermarkets are using it to predict the next big food trend.

Jaega Wise heads to the Waitrose Headquarters in Berkshire to find out how their product development team is using AI to inform which ingredients they stock on the shelves. She also talks to the firm Tastewise which makes software that calculates food trends by analysing social media and online menus.

A restaurant in Glasgow is already using embodied AI in the form of robots which serve their customers. Jaega witnesses the robots in action and finds diners are divided over their use. She also talks to consumer affairs journalist Harry Wallop about how supermarkets use our data and the futurist Tracey Follows who gives us her take on what might happen next in the world of AI. Jaega also hears the tipped top food trends for 2025.

Presented by Jaega Wise
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Robin Markwell


SAT 23:00 What? Seriously?? (m0026swh)
2. Beaks and Bloody Battles

In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson to learn about a humbling event in Australia's military history - with some diverting conversations about foxes, films, and flightless birds.

What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara and Isy who unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.

The stories are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get.

Across the series, Dara and Isy will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.

‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Rhys Nicholson
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 23:30 Counterpoint (m0026n4g)
Series 38

Heat 2, 2025

(2/13)
Three more contenders line up to display their knowledge of music in all its varieties, with Paul Gambaccini asking the questions. They'll be expected to know about Pavarotti, Handel and Mussorgsky as well as Pink Floyd, the Supremes and Shania Twain. In the second round Paul will be giving them a choice of special musical topics on which they'll have to answer individual questions, without any advance notice of what the categories are going to be.

Taking part are:
Gareth Aubrey from Beddau in south Wales
Nicholas Brann from Wimbledon
Sue Bates from Leicestershire.

Counterpoint is a BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.

Assistant Producer: Stephen Garner
Producer: Paul Bajoria

SUNDAY 12 JANUARY 2025

SUN 00:00 Midnight News (m0026tw4)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 00:15 Bookclub (m0026n4d)
Richard Osman

Presented by James Naughtie, BBC Bookclub speaks to the writer Richard Osman about his crime-fiction novel The Thursday Murder Club, which sold millions of copies, and has been made into a film.


SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026tw6)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026tw8)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SUN 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026twb)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SUN 05:30 News Briefing (m0026twd)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (m0026twg)
St Mary’s church in the village of Frittenden, Kent

Bells on Sunday comes from St Mary’s church in the village of Frittenden, Kent. The church underwent extensive renovation and rebuilding in 1848 following a fire in the Church when lightning struck the Church steeple. This included a new upper tower and recessed stone spire. There are eight bells which were cast by the Gillett and Johnston foundry in 1928 using metal from an earlier ring of eight. The tenor bell weighs fifteen and one quarter hundredweight and tuned to the note of F sharp. We hear them ringing Spliced Surprise Major.


SUN 05:45 In Touch (m0026ndz)
Macular Society's New CEO, Ed Holloway; New OCT Scanner Technology

The Macular Society has a new CEO, Ed Holloway. With Macular disease being the most common form of sight loss in the UK, its important that the charity continue their work in supporting people with the condition, but also push towards more research and the discovery of new treatments. Ed Holloway describes what his plans are in these areas and other ambitions he has for the future of the charity.

Siloton are a medical equipment manufacturing company that also have big ambitions within this space. Ben Hunt is one of their co-founders and he describes to In Touch about a new form of OCT scanner they are developing, with the aim of empowering patients to conduct their own scans within the home and also to reduce NHS waiting lists.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: David Baguley
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio’ in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.


SUN 06:00 News Summary (m0026typ)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 06:05 Beyond Belief (m0026nd2)
Divine Comedy

Faith based comedy is growing in popularity. Why is religion such a good source for jokes? Is God funny? And, is there anywhere with religion that you just don’t go?

Dillon Mapletoft, the writer and creator of hit comedy Everyone Else Burns, explains his fundamentalist Christian upbringing and the influence it had on him writing the coming-of-age sitcom about a Manchester family who are part of a puritanical Christian sect and doomsday cult.

To explore Giles Fraser is joined by Shazia Mirza, comedian and part of a female only Halal comedy tour, Shanny Luft, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Winconsin, and Ashley Blaker, a Jewish comedian and writer once described as "the UK's only Orthodox comedian".

Producer: Alexa Good
Assistant Producer: Linda Walker
Editor: Tim Pemberton


SUN 06:35 On Your Farm (m0026tyt)
The Bake Off Farmer - Mike Wilkins

Mike Wilkins is an arable farmer who shot to fame as a contestant on this season's Great British Bake Off. Charlotte Smith meets him on his family's farm in North Wiltshire. His passion is the arable side of the business, but over the past few years, he and his family have started to introduce livestock back onto the farm. His vision - to open a farm shop and cafe, which will sell produce and serve locally grown food, with minimum food miles. He says celebrity baker Paul Hollywood's promised to visit!

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Rebecca Rooney


SUN 06:57 Weather (m0026tyy)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 07:00 News and Papers (m0026tz2)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.


SUN 07:10 Sunday (m0026tz6)
Places of worship and LA wildfires; Nobody Wants This Jewish romcom and grooming gangs

This week France marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had a history of lampooning Muslim leaders, including the prophet Mohammed. To discuss the long term impact of these events we are joined by Nabila Ramdani, a writer and commentator known for her strong views on the position of Muslims in France.

‘Nobody Wants This’ is a lauded new Netflix series that tells the story of a rabbi falling in love with an agnostic sex podcaster. Rabbi Deborah Blausten from Finchley Reform synagogue in North London tells us how the show has sparked conversations about interfaith marriage in her community.

Nazir Afzal was the former Chief Crown Prosecutor who led successful prosecutions in landmark sexual abuse cases. He responds to Elon Musk’s calls for a national grooming gangs inquiry.

Churches, synagogues and a mosque are among the thousands of buildings damaged in wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. We hear stories from various faith communities.

Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Katy Davis and Saba Zaman
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Studio Managers: Helen Williams and Liam Juniper


SUN 07:54 Radio 4 Appeal (m0026tzb)
MicroLoan Foundation

Mariella Frostrup makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of MicroLoan Foundation. The charity provides small start-up loans for female entrepreneurs in Africa so they can set up businesses and help themselves out of poverty.

To Give:
- Freephone 0800 404 8144
- Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. (That’s the whole address. Please do not write anything else on the front of the envelope). Mark the back of the envelope ‘MicroLoan Foundation’.
- Cheques should be made payable to ‘MicroLoan Foundation’.
- You can donate online at bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4

Registered Charity Number: 104287 (Scotland: SC041941). If you’d like to find out more about the charity’s work visit *https://www.microloanfoundation.org.uk
*The BBC is not responsible for content on external websites

Producer: Katy Takatsuki


SUN 07:57 Weather (m0026tzg)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 08:00 News and Papers (m0026tzl)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the Sunday papers


SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (m0026tzq)
A new year, a new term and a new hope

At the start of a new year and a new term Sunday Worship comes from St Mary’s – the neighbouring church to Reigate Grammar School – for a service of celebration as the school marks its 350th anniversary year and reflects on the success of student, Sharon, the BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2024.

The Godfrey Searle Choir made up of pupils from Reigate St Mary’s and Reigate Grammar School will provide the music and there will be solo performances from Sharon, Senior winner of BBC Young Chorister of the Year.

The service will be led by the School Chaplain the Rev Philip Jackson and the Headteacher Shaun Fenton. The Head of Choral Music is Tali Glynne-Jones, the harpist is Eleanor Medcalf and the organist is Martina Smyth.

Producer: Alexa Good

A BBC Audio North Production

Music:
Be Thou My Vision (Bob Chilcott)
Bethlehem Down (Peter Warlock)
A New Year Carol (Benjamin Britten)
Ubi Caritas (Ola Gjeilo)
The Lord's Prayer (Martin Hindmarsh)


SUN 08:48 A Point of View (m0026npk)
On a Gloomy Moment

In deepest, darkest January, Adam Gopnik muses on light and dark.

Adam reminds us that - from the natural world of the ghost moth to the politics of today's America - although we live in a 'gloomy moment' we can 'adjust our eyes to the gloom.'

'Every little bit of light we make,' writes Adam, 'in every decent thing we do and every indecency we refuse to accept, illuminates some small corner of our universe. Even at night, after all, we still see light. The stars shine, too.'

Producer: Adele Armstrong
Sound: Peter Bosher
Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith


SUN 08:58 Tweet of the Day (m0026tzv)
Mya Bambrick on the Waxwing

A new series of Tweet of the Day for Sunday morning revealing personal and fascinating stories from some fresh voices who have been inspired by birds, their calls and encounters.

For Mya Bambrick, the punks are back in town! Celebrating some of the young birdwatchers and emerging naturalists Tweet of the Day features the urban arrival of waxwings in Sussex. Ornithologist Mya, winner of the BTO Young Ornithologist Award 2023, alerted by social media of the waxwings arrival, heads into the centre of town to see a flock of Bohemian waxwing feeding on berries.

Producer: Andrew Dawes for BBC Audio Bristol
Studio engineer : Ilse Lademann


SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (m0026tzz)
Nurses demand action on 'unsafe' corridor care

As the NHS struggles to meet demand, the Royal College of Nursing warns treating patients in corridors puts lives at risk. Plus Lord Kinnock on Elon Musk's attacks on the Prime Minister, and Michael Connelly chronicles LA's fire disaster.


SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs (m0026v03)
Laurie Anderson, artist

Laurie Anderson is an artist and performer who came to fame in the UK with her 1981 hit O Superman. Her work spans music, film and multimedia projects which interrogate our relationship with technology and tell stories about the world we live in.

She was born in Chicago in 1947, the second-oldest of eight children, and started learning the violin when she was five. She studied Art History at Barnard College in New York and took a Masters in Sculpture at Columbia University.

In the 1970s she was part of the downtown New York art scene and her friends and contemporaries included Philip Glass, Gordon Matta-Clark and the choreographer and dancer Trisha Brown. One of Laurie’s first performance art pieces featured a symphony played by car horns.

In 1992 she met Lou Reed, the singer and songwriter who fronted the Velvet Underground. They were together for 21 years until his death in 2013. Laurie is the head of Lou’s archive which is at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and open to anyone who wants to learn more about his musical adventures.

In 2024 Laurie was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys and a Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication.

DISC ONE: Pony Time - Chubby Checker
DISC TWO: Gracias a la vida - Violetta Parra
DISC THREE: Tusen Tankar - Triakel
DISC FOUR: Part 1 - Philip Glass Ensemble, conducted by Michael Riesman
DISC FIVE: Flibberty Jib - Ken Nordine with the Fred Katz Group
DISC SIX: Doin' the Things That We Want To - Lou Reed
DISC SEVEN: Washington, D.C - The Magnetic Fields
DISC EIGHT: Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago – Soul Coughing

BOOK CHOICE: Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov
LUXURY ITEM: A dog collar
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Gracias a la vida - Violetta Parra

Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer Paula McGinley


SUN 11:00 The Archers Omnibus (m0026v05)
Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Jolene Archer…. Bufffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Inspector Norris…. Bharti Patel
Scarlett…. Beatrice White


SUN 12:15 Profile (m0026tvy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 12:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0026nk3)
Series 82

Episode 5

The godfather of all panel shows pays a visit to the City Hall in Sheffield. On the panel are Milton Jones, Lucy Porter, Miles Jupp and Tony Hawks, with Jack Dee in the umpire’s chair. Colin Sell accompanies on the piano.

Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 12:57 Weather (m0026v07)
The latest weather forecast


SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (m0026v09)
How do you solve a problem like Iran?

After the rout of Iran's proxies, diplomats consider how to approach fresh nuclear talks. Plus, the end of the long saga of the CalMac ferry to Arran is in sight.


SUN 13:30 12/01/2025 (m0026v0c)
Last summer, Canada’s population grew to a record 40 million people - a moment the Canadian government described as an “exciting milestone”.

The Canadian people didn’t necessarily agree. Canada has long been proud of its multicultural roots, but - for the first time - surveys show a significant number believe there are too many immigrants coming into the country.

Accusations that newcomers are hurting “the real Canada” are spreading on social media, with some arguing that Canadian cities simply can’t support so many new arrivals.

The BBC’s Celia Hatton travels to her home country to learn why more Canadians are questioning their country’s relationship with immigration, and why others are fighting to keep the country’s doors open to newcomers.


SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m0026nny)
Midlothian: Polytunnels, Gardening Regrets and Plants With Purpose

Is a polytunnel good for keeping weeds out? What type of wall would be more suitable for a lean-to greenhouse? What are the panel's gardening regrets?

Kathy Clugston and a team of experts return to the windswept region of Midlothian, to solve the gardening questions of a green-fingered audience. Kathy is joined by ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Neil Porteous and Head of Gardens at Balmoral Kirsty Wilson.

Later in the programme, James Wong learns about Royal Edinburgh Botanical Gardens 'Plants with Purpose' campaign, which uses horticulture to mitigate the effects of climate change on urban locations.

Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 14:45 Opening Lines (m0026v0f)
Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Episode 2

John Yorke examines Kate Atkinson’s 1995 Whitbread award-winning debut Behind the Scenes at the Museum. An epic tragi-comedy, the novel tells the story of protagonist Ruby Lennox, who is born above a family pet shop in York in the early 1950s and grows up in post-war Britain. Through Ruby, the reader is transported back and forth through the centuries as she recounts the stories of four generations of her family from the 1800s to the mid-1990s.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum was the first in a series of novels by Kate Atkinson to explore the war and its fall-out. In this episode, John explores the themes and structure of a novel praised for its inventiveness, ambition and wit. Thirty years on, it remains a contemporary classic. So why, and how, does it work?

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years and shares his experience as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Drama series. As former Head of Channel Four Drama and Controller of BBC Drama Production he has worked on some of the most popular shows in Britain - from EastEnders to The Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless. As creator of the BBC Writers Academy, he's trained a generation of screenwriters - now with over 70 green lights and thousands of hours of television to their names. He is the author of Into the Woods, the bestselling book on narrative, and he writes, teaches and consults on all forms of narrative - including many podcasts for R4.

Contributors:
Alex Clark, Literary Journalist and Broadcaster
Armelle Parey, Professor of Contemporary British Fiction at the University of Caen-Normandie
Lee Randall, Writer, editor and book festival programmer

Credits:
Audio archive clips from Book Club (BBC Sounds), A Good Read (BBC Sounds)

Producer: Lucy Hough
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
Readings: Clare Corbett
Sound: Sean Kerwin
Production Hub Coordinator: Nina Semple

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 15:00 Behind the Scenes at the Museum (m0026v0h)
Episode 2

Ruby Lennox’s family is ostensibly ordinary. But behind the scenes, secrets, lies and inexplicable coincidences are waiting to be found.

In Kate Atkinson’s beguiling Behind The Scenes At The Museum, the effervescent Ruby pulls at threads at to unravel a tragi-comic story of family love, loss and heartbreak that spans a century. Starring Rosie Cavaliero, Kate O'Flynn and Samuel James.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum won the Whitbread Best Book of the Year in 1995, and is now dramatised by one of our very best audio writers, Katie Hims, for BBC Radio 4. This is part two of three episodes.

Bunty’s disappeared, so Ruby, Gillian and Patricia spend a glorious week on holiday in Whitby with George’s ‘friend’ Doreen. But the fun can’t last forever..

CAST
Ruby ..... Rosie Cavaliero
Bunty ..... Kate O’Flynn
George/Edmund ..... Samuel James
Doreen ..... Laura Dos Santos
Young Ruby ..... Matilda Kent
Young Gillian ..... Ava Talbot
Young Patricia ..... Frankie-Jae Simmonds
Lilian ..... Andi Bickers
Nell ..... Shreya Lallu
Paddy ..... Nuhazet Diaz Cano
Mac ..... Ian Dunnett Jnr

Dramatist ..... Katie Hims
Director ..... Anne Isger
Production Co-ordinators ..... Jenny Mendez and Maggie Olgiati
Sound ..... Keith Graham, Ali Craig, Andy Garratt

A BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

KATIE HIMS

Katie has written extensively in audio drama including multiple leading adaptations for BBC Radio 4: Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'ubervilles, George Eliot's Middlemarch, Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls and The Martin Beck Killings by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo.

Katie was also lead writer on BBC's Home Front and other radio work includes Black Eyed Girls (winner of the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Original Drama), Lost Property (winner of the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Original Drama), The Gunshot Wedding (winner of The Writer’s Guild Best Original Radio Drama) and The Earthquake Girl (winner of the Richard Imison Award).

In TV Katie is developing an original grounded sci-fi drama with Hooley Productions, and has episodic experience on BBC's long running series Casualty. In theatre, Katie is currently on attachment at the National Theatre. Her recent stage work includes a contemporary retelling of Kafka's The Trial which ran at The Unicorn Theatre in 2023 and received 4 and 5 star reviews.


SUN 16:00 Take Four Books (m0026v0k)
Jonathan Coe

This week Take Four Books, presented by James Crawford, speaks to the award-winning writer Jonathan Coe about his new novel - The Proof Of My Innocence - and explores its connections to three other literary works. Jonathan's three influencing texts were: The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt; Good As Gold by Joseph Heller; and Unexplained Laughter by Alice Thomas Ellis.

Producer: Dom Howell
Editor: Annie McGuire
This was a BBC AUDIO SCOTLAND production


SUN 16:30 Counterpoint (m0026v0m)
Series 38

Heat 3, 2025

(3/13)
In the third heat of the 2025 series, Paul Gambaccini's questions cover everything from minimalism to Michael Jackson, the new Master of the King's Music and the pop songs inspired by Bach. One of today's trio of competitors will win a place in the semi-finals and take another step towards the 38th BBC Counterpoint title.

Appearing today are
John Gallagher from Warwickshire
Liz Langley from Buckinghamshire
Jonathan Brick from Hertfordshire

As well as demonstrating their musical general knowledge, they'll each have to choose a special category on which to answer individual questions in Round 2, with no prior warning of the choices.

Counterpoint is a BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.

Assistant Producer: Stephen Garner
Producer: Paul Bajoria


SUN 17:00 Witness History (w3ct5ydw)
Saving lives after the 2002 Bali bombings

Two bombs ripped through the Kuta area of the Indonesian island of Bali on 12 October 2002.

202 people were killed.

28 burns victims were taken to Royal Perth Hospital, Australia, where plastic surgeon Professor Fiona Wood worked.

She led a team working to save patients suffering between two and 92 percent body burns using ‘spray-on skin’.

Professor Wood speaks to Megan Jones.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Professor Fiona Wood. Credit: Fiona Wood Foundation)


SUN 17:10 The Verb (m0026v0r)
Richard Dawkins, Gwyneth Lewis, Kate Fox, Eartoon

Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins tells Ian McMillan about the influence of poetry on his writing, and shares poems written by his own mother. Ian also explores the influence of a very competitive mother on the life and poetry of former National Poet of Wales Gwyneth Lewis. And as it's the first Verb of the year, stand-up poet Kate Fox suggests new names for all the calendar months, whilst Stagedoor Johnny brings a new 'eartoon' (which explains why the names of baby animals can be so confusing).

Richard Dawkins' new book is 'The Genetic Book of the Dead'
Gwyneth Lewis' memoir is 'Nightshade Mother'
Kate Fox's latest book is 'On Sycamore Gap'


SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m0026v0t)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SUN 17:57 Weather (m0026v0w)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026v0y)
Donald Trump has described the response of officials to the fires as "incompetent".


SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (m0026v10)
Elizabeth Alker

Elizabeth is taking her listening one step at a time, following the grandmotherly advice given on Woman's Hour this week. That doesn't stop us in journeying all the way to the Harpa concert hall in Reykjavik to hear beautiful live piano, or getting a poetic tour around Scotland with some haiku performed in Doric. We get close to the action alongside a team of paramedics as they take to the skies of the Home Counties in order to save lives. And an alternative history of karaoke emerges from the town of Stockport - Geoff Lloyd grabs the mic and tracks down a self-proclaimed inventor of the sing-a-long machine. Make sure it's in the right key though, Geoff!

Presenter: Elizabeth Alker
Producer: Anthony McKee
Production Co-ordinator: Jack Ferrie

A BBC Audio Northern Ireland production for BBC Radio 4.


SUN 19:00 The Archers (m0026v12)
Brian’s not impressed to find Justin at Grey Gables with Miranda. He corners Justin about the beaver release on the rewilding land, the prospect of which he heartily disapproves. He threatens to take it to the BL board; there’s no way any of them will allow beavers in Ambridge. Miranda pronounces this a shame, and points out the benefits. Brian undermines her views and she declares she’ll make up her own mind. Justin departs, not before asking innocently whether Brian dabbles in bridge. Miranda’s looking for a new partner due to her existing one moving away. Brian blusters that he’s not bad. After Justin’s left Miranda suggests Brian joins her at a Bridge club open session to see what he’s made of.

Kirsty’s on edge awaiting Justin’s decision regarding the beavers. Rex says he’ll ring him to request a meeting. Ruth arrives, unhappy not to have heard from the rewilding team that the plan’s not going ahead. Kirsty assures her there’ll be no wild release now, but Ruth’s aghast to hear a licenced scheme is still a possibility. Rochelle joins them having walked on Lakey Hill. She’s keen to think about ways to help improve peoples’ wellbeing. She’s in search of Rex, and Kirsty suggests she asks him about his running. However Rochelle struggles to track Rex down. Later Rochelle tells Ruth she wants to organise a wellbeing event in the village. Impressed, Ruth offers the Events Barn as a venue. Later Rex and Kirsty’s wait continues as Justin tells them the beaver scheme is very much in the balance.


SUN 19:15 Illuminated (m0026x15)
In Pieces

For some, burnout feels like an unravelling - a slow, creeping dissolution where the threads of your life and identity loosen and fray until you are completely undone.

For others, it’s a breaking point - a sharp, sudden, collapse where everything shatters all at once. It doesn’t just kill physical vitality it also guts the entire internal mechanism of us. Like lifting the hood off a car and finding no engine. There’s nothing, a void, which feels very shameful and fragile to those who have defined themselves by performance and always had the ability to bounce back.

Driven by extensive rumination both burnout and shame thrive in silence.

Stories are often how we create shape from the mess, they turn shame into something softer; something shared. They are how we make sense of the world, and often how we survive it. Giving us the power to hold what feels unholdable and ultimately creating a space where someone else can say, “me too”.

And sometimes what is required isn’t the courage to keep it all together, but to surrender and come apart.

Recovery is messy, non-linear but also deeply creative.

This is where the feature maker Hana Walker-Brown finds herself in this tender and intimate programme, sifting through the fragments, the scattered pieces of a life upended, considering how to start putting it back together.

With contributions from Luca and Theo Walker-Brown, Hana’s swimming companions Zoë and Gabby, Dr Sophie Mort, Dr Aaron Balick, Andrew Tobert and Services Director for Calm Wendy Robinson.

With thanks to Kenwood Ladies Pond and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Featuring the use of "Prayer" by PJ Harvey

Produced and presented by Hana Walker-Brown

Sound design and original music by Hana Walker-Brown

Executive Producer: Anishka Sharma

Mix and Mastering: Peregrine Andrews

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 19:45 Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley (m001scrp)
Walk Backwards

Step out - backwards! The Chinese have a saying that 100 steps backwards are worth 1000 steps forward - and they might be onto something! It may look bizarre to onlookers, but Michael delves into the research and finds some surprising benefits. It’s been used for decades in rehabilitative physical therapy, and recent research reveals that it could even boost memory - by giving your brain a workout! Michael also speaks to biomechanics expert and champion of backwards walking, Professor Janet Dufek from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, whose research suggests that walking backwards could help with lower back pain. They discuss why walking backwards is so beneficial for our muscles and how to do it safely. Volunteer Nina takes her daughter with her for a backward stroll - and gets a laugh out of it!

New episodes will be released on Wednesdays, but if you’re in the UK, listen to new episodes, a week early, first on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3zqa6BB

Producer: Nija Dalal-Small
Science Producer: Catherine Wyler
Assistant Producer: Gulnar Mimaroglu
Trainee Assistant Producer: Toni Arenyeka
Executive Producer: Zoe Heron
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.


SUN 20:00 Word of Mouth (m0026ngz)
Susie Dent's World of Words

Susie Dent joins Michael Rosen to talk about her lifelong fascination with words and their origins. It's a programme bringing some apricity, which is one of Susie's favourite words. Her love of language began when she was a child, then found expression in her passion for French and German and now in her work as a lexicographer, writer and language broadcaster.

Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Beth O'Dea.
Subscribe to the Word of Mouth podcast and never miss an episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qtnz


SUN 20:30 Last Word (m0026np2)
Jean-Marie Le Pen, Catherine Brown, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, Johnnie Walker

Matthew Bannister on Jean-Marie Le Pen, who built up the French right wing National Front Party before being ejected from it by his daughter.

Catherine Brown, the food writer who championed traditional Scottish cuisine.

Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, the parliamentarian who fought for consumer rights.

And the radio DJ Johnnie Walker, known for his passion for music and his rebellious attitude. Bob Harris pays tribute.

Producer: Ed Prendeville

Archive:
Birmingham Six Case Reopens, BBC News, 1990; Release of the Birmingham Six, BBC News, 1991; Hard Talk, BBC, 2000; BBC Radio 4, 1974; Anti-IRA Marches, BBC News, 1974; Sounds of the 70s with Bob Harris, BBC R2, 2024; Johnnie Walker, Radio Caroline, 1968; Johnnie Walker: Interview, BBC Radio 1 Vintage, 2017; Sounds of the 70s with Johnnie Walker, BBC R2, 2024; Offshore Radio RSL and Johnnie Walker interview, Sky News, 1992; Sounds of the 70s with Johnnie Walker - Walker & Walker: Johnnie & Tiggy, BBC R2, 2024; Johnnie Walker Show, Radio Caroline, 14/08/1967; Walker on Walker, BBC R2, 2025; Johnnie Walker on KSAN, 1976; Johnnie Walker Documentary on Pirate Stations; Radio Cafe, BBC Radio Scotland, 2009; Kitchen Cafe, BBC Radio Scotland, 2009; Catherine Brown, Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, 2017; BBC World at One,1981; House of Lords, 2017; BBC West, 1974: Tomorrow’s World, BBC1, 1976; BBC News, 1989


SUN 21:00 Money Box (m0026tv9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:04 on Saturday]


SUN 21:25 Radio 4 Appeal (m0026tzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:54 today]


SUN 21:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m0026tv5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:30 on Saturday]


SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (m0026v14)
Ben Wright and guests discuss the economy, UK-China relations and the government's plans for schools

Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP Jeevun Sandher, Shadow Cabinet minister Alex Burghart; and Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. They discuss the future of AI, ahead of an announcement from the Prime Minister about how he wants to harness its potential. The panel also consider the state of the UK economy amid concerns about the cost of borrowing. Journalist Ben Riley-Smith from the Daily Telegraph brings additional insight and analysis. And Ben speaks to the educationalist and former Labour adviser Peter Hyman, about changes coming to Academy schools and the review of the national curriculum.


SUN 23:00 Illuminated (m002698f)
My Night With Tracy - How the Darwin Cyclone Made a Man of Mike Thomson

What drives us? What makes us who we are? For one of the BBC’s most experienced foreign correspondents, the multi-award-winning Mike Thomson, it was a near-death experience in Australia’s worst natural disaster this century. Having been kicked out of school at 17 for refusing to cut his hair, Mike opts to go travelling. With an older family friend, Mick Kendall, he journeys overland from Ivybridge in Devon to Australia’s 'top end' via Turkey, Afghanistan, India, Burma and Indonesia. Mike arrives in Darwin in December 1974. However, the search for fun and adventure with Mick and their new friend, Daryl Johnson, turns to terror when an “evil wind” known as Cyclone Tracy strikes on Christmas Eve and flattens the city in one night. For days Mike’s parents think their youngest child is "presumed dead" His name is on a list of causalities when in fact Mike was being well looked after as a refugee and evacuated to a farm in Western Australia. Why the confusion? Who is this ‘other’ Thomson? Now, 50 years on, Mike returns to Darwin to answer these questions and search for the two friends who helped him through the ordeal that shaped him.

For more stories like this, search for Illuminated on BBC Sounds. It was produced by Ed Prendeville for BBC Audio Wales and Jane Ray for Cat Flap Media. Sound design is by John Wakefield, original music by Ben Goodman. This edition of ILLUMINATED was written and presented by Mike Thomson.

With thanks to Rod Louey-Gung on behalf of the Northern Territories Museum for use of their archive.


SUN 23:30 The Bottom Line (m0026v16)
Decisions That Made Me: Sir John Hegarty (The Garage Soho, Founder)

The advertising exec behind some of the most successful adverts of recent decades shares some of the decisions that have influenced his career, including an early decision to accept a lower salary and instead pursue and opportunity that would bring him more opportunities. Sir John would go out to co-found successful agencies Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and Saatchi and Saatchi.

Today, Sir John says he shuns five year plans, instead focusing on 'five minute plans' and says he tries to make each day as interesting as it can be.

Production team:
Producer: Drew Hyndman
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison


SUN 23:45 Short Works (m0026np0)
The Third Wave

On New Year's Day 1919, more than 200 men returning home from the Great War were killed when HMY Iolaire struck rocks close to Stornoway Harbour. Iain Finlay Macleod's story marks the anniversary of one of Britain's worst maritime disasters.
Read by Daibhidh Walker
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie

MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2025

MON 00:00 Midnight News (m0026v18)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


MON 00:15 Crossing Continents (m0026nf3)
South Korea: The Feminist Hunters

Why feminism has become a dirty word in South Korea. Being a feminist is now something that can only be admitted in private, thanks to a fierce backlash against feminism. Anti-feminists accuse South Korean women who advocate for equality as being man-haters, worthy of punishment. Online witch-hunts - spearheaded by young male gamers - target women suspected of harbouring feminist views, bombarding them with abuse and demanding they be fired from their jobs. Jean Mackenzie investigates how these witch-hunts have silenced women, and asks what this means for the future of women's rights in a country where gender discrimination is still deeply entrenched.

Presenter: Jean Mackenzie
Producers: John Murphy, Jake Kwon, Hosu Lee and Leehyun Choi
Mixed by: Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy


MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (m0026twg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:43 on Sunday]


MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026v1b)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026v1d)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


MON 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026v1g)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


MON 05:30 News Briefing (m0026v1j)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026v1l)
Pandora's Box

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

When I was 14 my father made me a metal box which I’ve cherished ever since. I put my sports badges in it from my convent school days – athletics, netball and volleyball. The box with its art deco lid and beautiful hinge, contained my teenage hopes and dreams. When I open it now, I am straight back on the running track and reminded of those halcyon days.

Originally, Pandora’s box was actually a jar. In Greek mythology Pandora was the first woman to be created. She was given a jar full of the best gifts of the gods and goddesses to preserve for the human race. But among all the gifts that Zeus - the Father of the gods - had also planted, were evil, toil and illness. Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her and so she opened it, and the gifts and curses flew around the earth. By the time she closed the jar - only hope remained!

Sometimes the world feels out of control, and we want to ‘put a lid on it’. Or we seek a knowledge and power that have consequences that we cannot anticipate, and which neither free us nor those around us as we perceive they should.
In spite of what emerged, Pandora kept hold of hope, and so can we. We cannot undo the past, but we can face the future in hope and use our own gifts for the healing of the world.

I pray that today we will discern the times with more wisdom and less curiosity. May we be vessels of hope and a blessing in our time, bringing people together rather than fragmenting the earth.

Amen.


MON 05:45 Farming Today (m0026v1n)
13/01/25 - Glyphosate resistant weeds, willow trial for sheep, farm machinery sales down

A weed which is resistant to the herbicide glyphosate has been discovered for the first time in the UK, on a farm in Kent. What that could mean for regenerative farms which rely on the weedkiller?

All this week we’re turning our sights on farm machinery, and what innovations may be available to farmers in the coming years and decades.

A trial using Suffolk mule lambs, supported by Innovative Farmers, has been putting the benefits of browsing on willow to the test.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.


MON 05:57 Weather (m0026v1q)
Weather reports and forecasts for farmers


MON 06:00 Today (m0026v86)
13/01/25 - Nick Robinson and Justin Webb

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


MON 09:00 Start the Week (m0026v88)
Socrates, optimism and racism

In the first programme of the New Year Adam Rutherford follows two possible guides to a more fulfilled life – Socrates and optimism – but asks whether either has any answers to dealing with racism.

The philosopher Agnes Callard proposes the questioning Socratic method in Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life. She shows that this ancient method offers a new ethics to live by, from answering questions about identity and inequality, to helping us love and die well. But to truly flourish we also need a huge dose of optimism, according to the science writer Sumit Paul-Choudhury. In The Bright Side he argues that being optimistic is not only central to the human psyche, but plays a crucial role in overcoming the challenges of the twenty-first century.

The social psychologist Keon West is more sceptical. In his new book The Science of Racism, he challenges those – a reputed half of the population – who think that racism doesn’t exist. He goes back to the data and research to reveal the extent and prevalence of racist behaviour, and the repeated inadequacy of attempts to address it.

Producer: Katy Hickman


MON 09:45 Café Hope (m0026v8b)
Grub not garbage

Co-founder of REfUSE, Nikki Dravers, tells Rachel Burden how the social enterprise helps reduce food waste by running a 'pay-as-you-feel' cafe.

Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk


MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (m0026v8d)
Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Fast-fashion company Shein, Abortion in Texas

The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury - Britain's first black woman bishop. She’s a trailblazer, who has been right at the heart of a changing nation for over 40 years. Despite discrimination due to her gender and ethnic minority background, Bishop Rose has never wavered from the call she received to enter ministry at the age of 14. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her memoir, The Girl from Montego Bay.

The fast-fashion company Shein, whose customers in the UK are 80% women, may be listing on the London Stock Exchange soon. But questions remain over the company's supply chain and work practices amid allegations of forced labour and human rights abuses. Nuala speaks to sustainable fashion consultant Natalie Binns and Head of Money and Markets at Hargreaves Lansdown Susannah Streeter. We asked Shein for a comment, but they said they didn't want to provide a statement.

Zoe Kornberg is a trainee doctor in Texas who says she left her obstetrician and gynaecology training programme because she felt that, under the strict abortion laws, she wasn’t able to care for her patients safely. Nuala and reporter Melanie Abbott speak to women on both sides of the abortion debate in the US, as well as hearing from Zoe herself.

If you've walked through Pounds Park in Sheffield recently, you might have seen a 25m-tall heron...it's a colourful mural by street artist Megan Russell, also known as Peachzz, who has been nominated for Street Art Cities' best mural in the world 2024. Megan joins Nuala to tell us more.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton


MON 11:00 The Body Politic (m0026v8g)
Surrogacy

The politics of the human body is at the centre of intense debate in the UK and beyond. Thanks to science, technology and a fast-moving political landscape, humans are increasingly able to intervene in the natural processes of life – how we are conceived, how we are born and how and when we die. But what are the limits to this intervention, how should we decide and who should decide?

Broadcaster and columnist Sonia Sodha gets behind divides and polarisation to discover nuance, complexity and compelling stories, often involving a fascinating clash of competing rights and interests.

The first episode focuses on surrogacy, where a woman gestates and gives birth to a baby for a couple or and individual. The UK surrogacy debate is at a crossroads - the practice is legal but limited, with reforms on the table to create new routes and attract more surrogates to come forward. Should they be implemented or should we follow countries like Italy, Spain and Germany and ban surrogacy entirely?

Sonia hears emotional testimony from those who have become new parents through surrogacy – a single man parenting a young daughter, a gay male couple who now run a leading surrogacy agency and an Irish senator whose experience of infertility led her to surrogacy in India and a campaign to reform the law in Ireland. Sonia hears too from a former surrogate who defends her right to use her body to help others become parents.

We also hear powerful stories from opponents, including a French woman born through surrogacy who is now estranged from her parents and claims long term psychological damage. And radical feminists explain why they see surrogacy as exploitative and misogynistic and why their campaign has brought strange new alliances across ideological divides.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan
Sound Design: Hal Haines


MON 11:45 The Ideas List (m0026v8k)
1. Mondex

Thirty years ago, in March 1995, a fresh-faced Claudia Hammond arrived at the BBC for a job interview as a trainee science producer. To prepare, she put together a comprehensive list of science and health stories, ready to pitch at the interview.

Fast forward to the present day and Claudia, now an award-winning broadcaster and presenter of Radio 4’s All in the Mind, is sorting through the drawer of paper she keeps to recycle in her printer and she discovers the list of stories she’d prepared to pitch at that interview three decades earlier.

In this quirky, personal journey, Claudia revisits five ideas from her Ideas List to find out what happened next. She tracks each headline-grabbing story forward through the false-starts and dead ends, the surprises and successes. And she asks what each tale teaches us about the tortuous path of scientific progress.

In the first episode she looks into a bold experiment in digital cash which aimed to consign notes and coins to history.

Mondex looked like any other debit or credit card but it wasn’t associated with a bank account. The money was right there on the card and it was designed to be used for all those smaller purchases where cash was king, from a lunchtime sandwich to a pint in your local.

Swindon was chosen as the place to trial Mondex and in July 1995, amid a blaze of publicity, the card was launched in the town centre. The first official Mondex transaction was a copy of the local paper, the Swindon Advertiser.

Claudia meets one of the inventors of Mondex, Tim Jones. He tells her about the moment of inspiration which turned digital cash from a bright idea into reality. We also hear from Rob Jamieson whose job it was to win hearts and minds for Mondex among the businesses and residents of Swindon. And photographer Richard Wintle recalls the excitement of launch day, when the eyes of the world were on the Wiltshire town.

Producers: Florian Bohr and Jeremy Grange


MON 12:00 News Summary (m0026v8m)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


MON 12:04 You and Yours (m0026v8p)
Supermarket Challenges, Lost Phones on Airplanes, Pets on the Internet

Many retail firms say they are worried about the increase in taxes they'll pay from the Spring , but how might that filter through to the consumer experience and prices in stores.

It has been a bumper year for health supplement shop Holland and Barrett and they are preparing to open dozens of new stores, what is the secret of their success?

Millions of items are left on airplanes each year. The airlines are legally obliged to track and return luggage checked in the hold but not in the cabin. So what are the chances of retrieving an item if you leave it behind?

Its been a year of storms, with more named storms than ever before in 2024. That led to tens of thousands of people losing power to their homes. If that happens what compensation are you entitled to and how do you claim it?

Private car park owners say they’ll be more lenient with motorist in future, but what does that mean?

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: KEV MOUSLEY


MON 12:57 Weather (m0026v8r)
The latest weather forecast


MON 13:00 World at One (m0026v8t)
The UK's AI future unveiled

The prime minister says the UK will be an artificial intelligence superpower. Also on the World at One, what will Trump presidency mean for Ukraine and Middle East?


MON 13:45 Human Intelligence (m0026v8w)
Teachers: Michael Faraday

The modern world is inconceivable without this son of a blacksmith and his meticulous, relentless brain. Naomi Alderman meets the mind behind huge scientific advances – who made breakthroughs in the understanding of electricity, changed the technology by which we live and contributed to our theoretical understanding of the forces underpinning the universe. Faraday also devoted his life to spreading the understanding of science into public life via his lectures at the Royal Institution.

Special thanks to Frank James, Professor of the History of Science at University College London.

Produced by BBC Studios Audio in partnership with The Open University.


MON 14:00 The Archers (m0026v12)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Sunday]


MON 14:15 Hennikay (m0026v8y)
Series 2

5. G.O.A.P.T.

Bill Bailey stars as Guy Starling, a middle aged man who, after 45 years, and for reasons quite unknown to him, is suddenly revisited by his imaginary childhood friend, Hennikay.

Guy is doing exceptionally well at his new job as a funeral plan salesman, mainly because he always listens to the advice of his imaginary friend, Hennikay, and ignores everything he’s told to do by his real boss, Tony.

This is quite easy to do because, since Tony visited the company’s head office in America, he has started speaking a totally incomprehensible form of corporate gibberish which has made him even more ignorable than before.

So everything is going well until the head of the company pays a surprise visit to learn the secret of Guy’s extraordinary success. Which is a problem for Tony, because he doesn’t know the secret and an even bigger problem for Guy, because he can’t tell anyone that it’s all down to an invisible 11 year old boy from 1976. And to make matters worse, Hennikay, his trusted friend and advisor seems to have disappeared and not even his therapist, Marika, seems able to summon him back.

Bill Bailey stars in this warm, funny look at the confusions of modern life - where adults too often act like and children and it takes a child to make sense of it all.

Written by David Spicer

Guy: Bill Bailey
Hennikay: Max Lester
Marika: Elizabeth Carling
Tony: Tony Gardner
Laura: Lorelei King

Producer: Liz Anstee
ACPL production for BBC Radio 4


MON 14:45 Marple: Three New Stories (m001gj0d)
Miss Marple's Christmas by Ruth Ware

Miss Marple's Christmas (Part 3)

Agatha Christie’s iconic detective is reimagined for a new generation with a murder, a theft and a mystery where nothing is quite what it seems.

Miss Marple's Christmas by Ruth Ware
As the Bantry's guests at Gossington Hall await their sumptuous feast, a theft is discovered. Cook will not be amused when police interviews take precedence over turkey...

Read by Georgie Glen
Abridged and produced by Eilidh McCreadie

Almost 50 years since the publication of Agatha Christie's last Miss Marple novel, 'Marple: Twelve New Stories' is a collection of ingenious stories by acclaimed authors who also happen to be Christie devotees.


MON 15:00 Great Lives (m0026v90)
Jessica Fostekew on Boudica

"The Queen Boadicea, standing loftily charioted, Brandishing in her hand a dart and rolling glances lioness-like, Yell'd and shriek'd between her daughters in her fierce volubility": so wrote Alfred, Lord Tennyson in the 19th Century, celebrating the story of an ancient English warrior queen who sparked a brutal and bloody rebellion against Roman rule in the first century AD.

Today, Boudica - or as the Victorians renamed her, Boadicea - remains a symbol of bravery, independence, and that indomitable British underdog spirit; although how much of that is true and how much should be attributed to the romanticising of her story in later years, is open to debate...

Bringing that debate to the Great Lives studio is comedian and erstwhile Boudica impersonator Jessica Fostekew, along with expert insight from Professor Miranda Aldhouse-Green, known for her research on the Iron Age and the Celts as well as books including 'Boudica Britannia: Rebel, War-leader and Queen'.

So was Boudica a brutal giant of a women hell-bent on personal revenge, or a forward-thinking feminist leader determined to overthrow her country's conquerors?
And could her death possibly have been down to a war elephant? Jess, Miranda and Matthew thrash it out.

Presented by Matthew Parris, produced for BBC Studios Audio by Lucy Taylor.


MON 15:30 History's Heroes (m0026v92)
History's Youngest Heroes

History's Youngest Heroes: 6. Louis Braille: Code Maker

After losing his sight in a childhood accident, a young Frenchman invents a tool that will change the lives of blind people around the world.

Nicola Coughlan shines a light on extraordinary young people from across history. Join her for 12 stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth.

A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Elaina Boateng
Series Producer: Suniti Somaiya
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Written by Alex von Tunzelmann
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts


MON 16:00 12/01/2025 (m0026v0c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:30 on Sunday]


MON 16:30 Rewinder (m0026tv1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Saturday]


MON 17:00 PM (m0026v94)
Economic woes overshadow prime minister's AI speech

Keir Starmer defends Rachel Reeves' handling of the economy, and says she will stay on as chancellor for the whole of this parliament.


MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026v96)
Sir Keir Starmer outlines plans to harness artificial intelligence


MON 18:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m0026v98)
Series 82

Episode 6

Back for a second week at the City Hall in Sheffield, panellists Milton Jones, Lucy Porter, Miles Jupp and Tony Hawks compete with one another, with Jack Dee the unimpressed umpire. Piano accompaniment is provided by Colin Sell.

Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random production for BBC Radio 4


MON 19:00 The Archers (m0026v5h)
Helen can’t believe Justin appears to be dictating the future of the rewilding. Kirsty reckons Justin’s mellowed, but she’s still very wary. She reports all is proceeding with the Willow Farm purchase. Helen’s pleased for her. She’s fine about living with Tom and Natasha for a while. She’s no longer annoyed at them for not keeping her in the picture about wanting the house. It’s how they operate. She doesn’t want to move back to the farmhouse with her parents. She needs to be living her life on her own terms before she can move on. Kirsty understands.

Tom wants Helen’s house key to do some measuring up. She suggests he gets the spare from Joy. She asks Tom if he can look at some homework Henry’s struggling with. That’s fine, says Tom. Mick’s preparing to get in the hot tub and surprises Tom by appearing in just a towel. Mick gives him the key and Joy offers their assistance if he needs anything; they’re looking forward to his family moving in. Tom asks that they don’t make any noise after 7pm. Affronted Mick assures him they’re not loud people. Later Mick and Joy have been disturbed by Tom’s squealing girls in Helen’s garden, and they acknowledge it’ll be different having little ones next door. Later Tom’s reluctant to return the key but Joy insists. Mick admires her tenacity. He can’t see Rochelle getting on with Tom. He mentions the chemistry between Rochelle and Rex, but Joy brusquely brushes this off. Mick asserts everyone deserves a bit of happiness.


MON 19:15 Front Row (m0026v9b)
Michael Sheen, Matthew Bourne on Oliver! and ghostwriting

Actor Michael Sheen explains how he was rehearsing his role as the creator of the NHS, Nye Bevan when he heard about the demise of National Theatre Wales and decided to make plans for a new organisation, using some of his own money. Matthew Bourne talks about his new stage production of the musical Oliver! and the 30th anniversary tour of his groundbreaking version of the ballet Swan Lake. The society of authors has asked for Ghostwriters to be recognised, particularly when celebrities are involved. We speak to two ghostwriters about this potentially secretive process.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Ruth Watts


MON 20:00 The Briefing Room (m0026nh1)
Why does Trump love tariffs?

Donald Trump says he wants to introduce more tariffs on imports during his second presidency. He’s mentioned targeting imports from countries including Mexico, Canada, China and Demark as well as floating the idea of a universal tariff on all goods coming into the US.

So why does Trump like tariffs so much? What can we realistically expect him to do? And what would the effect be on the rest of us?

Archive clip included from Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Spotify, 25 October 2024.

Guests:
Sam Lowe, Partner at Flint Global consultancy
Meredith Crowley is a Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge
David Henig, Director of the UK Trade Policy Project
Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Charlotte McDonald, Kirsteen Knight and Beth Ashmead Latham
Sound engineers: James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman


MON 20:30 BBC Inside Science (m0026nh3)
Science in 2025

How will science shape up in 2025?

Marnie Chesterton is joined by a panel of science watchers to discuss what we can expect from the year ahead. We'll talk big science, small science - and the plain cool. What will science do for us in the coming year?

On the Inside Science panel, we have:

- Tom Whipple, science editor of The Times
- Shaoni Bhattacharya, former acting science editor of The Observer & freelance editor at Research Professional News
- Penny Sarchet, commissioning editor at New Scientist

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth 

To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.


MON 21:00 Start the Week (m0026v88)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 21:45 Café Hope (m0026v8b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 today]


MON 22:00 The World Tonight (m0026v9d)
Starmer backs Reeves as cost of borrowing rises

Sir Keir Starmer said he planned to work with Rachel Reeves as Chancellor for the remainder of this parliament after the opposition questioned her position. But the government could be facing questions from its own MPs over potential spending cuts in order to calm the markets.

US President Joe Biden said negotiators were "on the brink" of reaching a deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

And after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admonished a group who wanted his autograph, we ask what motivates people to collect signatures.


MON 22:45 Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban (m0026v9g)
Episode 1

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts’ and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 50 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I’m in a better mood.”

"This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement." John Fowles

"Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy." John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban
Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4


MON 23:00 Limelight (m001bl3q)
Exemplar - Series 1

Exemplar - Episode 3

A modern day thriller set in the North East of England starring Gina McKee as a lone wolf audio forensic analyst and Juliet Stevenson as a populist leader. Jess and Maya reluctantly agree to assist a controversial public figure to verify a piece of incriminating audio.

Exemplar: an audio recording made by a forensic analyst to recreate the precise audio conditions of a piece of evidence in a criminal or civil case.

Exemplar is based on an idea by leading sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, and written by Ben Ringham, Max Ringham and Dan Rebellato.

Jess ..... Gina McKee
Maya ..... Shvorne Marks
Aoife ..... Fenella Woolgar
Judith ..... Barbara Marten
Rose ..... Juliet Stevenson
Lawrence ..... Asif Khan

Writers: Ben and Max Ringham, with Dan Rebellato
Showrunner: Dan Rebellato
Audio forensic consultant: James Zjalić
Sound recordist: Alisdair McGregor
Studio assistant: Oyin Fowowe
Production coordinator: Darren Spruce
Sound design: Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton
Original music/Sound consultants: Ben and Max Ringham
Directors: Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis
Executive producer: Joby Waldman

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 23:30 Today in Parliament (m0026v9j)
Alicia McCarthy reports as the Government answers questions from MPs about its plans for AI.

TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2025

TUE 00:00 Midnight News (m0026v9l)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 00:30 The Ideas List (m0026v8k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Monday]


TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026v9n)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026v9q)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026v9s)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


TUE 05:30 News Briefing (m0026v9v)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026v9x)
Jubilee Hope

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

Pilgrimages are popular at the moment, whether to a local shrine close to home or a trek across the globe. They heal and restore us. The pilgrimage I remember with fondness is to Santiago di Compostela in northern Spain. Camping in tents, washing in rivers, and like a swarm of bees, finally descending on the Cathedral Square of St James to queue for our blessing and our pilgrim’s scallop shell.

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year with the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. He is encouraging us, during this year, to go on a pilgrimage and change the way we live alongside each other. His model is the biblical Jubilee first celebrated in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 25.

Originally a year of restoration, justice and freedom, it represented the most radical system of social reform in the ancient world. It blocked land and wealth from becoming the focus of a wealthy elite at the expense of the ordinary people.
Meanwhile, the weekly Sabbath helped the people sustain this same vision: a day of rest for everyone, for the land and the animals. A time set aside and hallowed, to the praise and glory of God. Today Sunday Worship and weekend rest still provide many with a welcome break from work.

I pray that in this jubilee year - whether we find time to rest, or travel to a shrine of our faith, that we come together as pilgrims of this earth in the struggle for justice, freedom and hope.

Amen.


TUE 05:45 Farming Today (m0026v9z)
As England is now the one part of the UK allowed to grow gene edited crops, what does that mean for trade with partners like the EU? We discuss the latest promises on legislation with Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs...and a farmer who's growing precision bred crops.

Twenty years ago the idea of robotic milking for cows may have seemed far-fetched, but today it's not uncommon, with an estimated 10% of UK dairy farms using automated systems. We visit a farm in Wales to see the kit in action.

And the creation of new, small abattoirs to replace those we've lost should be supported by Government funding - that's according to the Rare Breed Survival Trust. It comes as Newman's Abattoir in Hampshire is now set to shut its doors at the end of January - the latest in a long line of closures.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced by Heather Simons


TUE 06:00 Today (m0026v4r)
14/01/25 - Nick Robinson and Amol Rajan

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


TUE 09:00 Young Again (m0026v4t)
21. Sara Pascoe

Kirsty Young asks the comedian Sara Pascoe what advice she would give her younger self.

Pascoe found fame soon after moving from acting to stand up comedy in 2007. She has since packed out national tours, starred panel shows and sitcoms, and written three books including her acclaimed recent novel, Weirdo. She discusses drinking on stage, declaring bankruptcy, her first gig in front of just 12 people, becoming a mum in her forties and her continuing passion for performing stand up.

A BBC Studios Audio production.


TUE 09:30 Inside Health (m0026v4w)
Mould and Indoor Air Pollution: How Concerned Should You Be?

It has been a cold start to the year and for many that means the heating's on, windows are shut and we're drying clothes inside the house. For many people, mould becomes a major concern in winter and the health problems mould can cause have been under more scrutiny since the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 from long-term exposure to mould at his home in Rochdale.

At Imperial College London a study called WellHome is underway to monitor levels of mould and other indoor pollutants in homes across the west of the capital. Presenter James Gallagher meets Mum of four Roxanne who had monitoring equipment installed in her house to collect data that could lead to guidance on housing quality and inform how healthcare professionals look for and treat conditions affected by mould.

Joining James at Roxanne's is WellHome's Dr Athena Trachalaki, a Respiratory Registrar with Imperial College NHS trust. With her, to go through all the pollutants that pose a risk to our health indoors is WellHome lead and Professor of Community Health and Policy at Imperial College, Frank Kelly.

Dr Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine at Queen Mary University, London, tells James it could be the end of the line for the gas cooker, and Professor Alastair Lewis who is Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of York takes a virtual tour of James's home to discuss all the ways James could be cleaning up the air he breathes.

Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Editor: Holly Squire


TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (m0026v4y)
Sticky floor jobs, Kiena Dawes, The Mare, Badass Gran

The term ‘sticky floor’ refers to the difficulties women face in progressing to higher-paid and higher-powered job roles whilst balancing the demands of their careers with personal, unpaid responsibilities. They can get stuck at lower levels, leaving the most senior positions to be occupied by, predominantly, men. Nuala McGovern discusses some of the reasons and solutions with Claire Reindorp, CEO of Young Women’s Trust, and Lucy Kellaway, former journalist, now economics teacher and co-founder of Now Teach.

A Lancashire jury has found Ryan Wellings not guilty of the manslaughter of 23-year-old Kiena Dawes. Wellings, who was Kiena's boyfriend, was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault between January 2020 and July 2022. He had denied all the charges against him, and will be sentenced at a later date. During the trial, the jury heard that Kiena had left a note claiming she was murdered and that Wellings had killed her before she took her own life. Joining Nuala to discuss this case are BBC reporter Yunus Mulla, Crown Prosecution Service domestic abuse lead Kate Brown and Director of the Centre for Women's Justice Harriet Wistrich.

Hermine Braunsteiner was the first person to be extradited from the US for Nazi war crimes. She was one of a few thousand women who had worked as a concentration camp guard and was nicknamed ‘the Mare’ by prisoners because of her cruelty; she kicked people to death. In 1964, Hermine’s past was unknown: She was living a quiet existence as an adoring suburban housewife in Queens, New York when she was tracked down by a reporter from The New York Times who exposed her past. Angharad Hampshire, a Research Fellow at York St John University, joins Nuala to talk about The Mare, her novel based on Hermine’s life.

Known as Badass Gran to her Instagram followers, Celia Duff is a double world Hyrox champion after taking up the races at 68. After retiring from her career as a doctor in public health medicine, the 70 year old dedicates her time to an impressive fitness regime that includes yoga, pilates, running, strength and conditioning, Olympic weightlifting six times a week, and now she’s fitter and stronger than ever.


TUE 11:00 Screenshot (m0026npf)
Therapists

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore how therapists have been portrayed on screen throughout cinema and television history. From the benign care of Claude Rains’ Dr Jaquith in Now, Voyager (1942), and the neuroses of Woody Allen, to the deadly Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (1991), they survey the archetypes, the foibles, and the dramatic potential of the psychotherapist - both fictional and real.

Mark speaks with Richard Hughes, the TV producer and director turned psychotherapist, about his favourite screen therapists. And actor and writer Brett Goldstein talks about his Emmy nominated TV show, Shrinking, which features a therapist going off the rails.

Ellen speaks to Dr Orna Guralnik from the TV show Couples Therapy about what it's like conducting real therapy sessions on screen and what film and TV gets wrong about its depiction of therapy. ‘Therapy Speak’ is everywhere on social media, but it’s also present in many film and TV shows - Ellen discusses its rise with journalist Billie Walker.

Produced by Freya Hellier
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 11:45 The Ideas List (m0026v50)
2. Inhalable Vaccines

Thirty years ago years ago, in March 1995, a fresh-faced Claudia Hammond arrived at the BBC for a job interview as a trainee science producer. She put together a comprehensive list of science and health stories, ready to pitch at the interview. In this quirky, personal journey, Claudia revisits five ideas from her Ideas List to find out what happened next. She tracks each headline-grabbing story forward through the false-starts and dead ends, the surprises and successes. And she asks what each tale teaches us about the tortuous path of scientific progress.

In this episode, Claudia reexamines a story about inhalable flu vaccines that she had found in the New Scientist edition from March 11th, 1995. Normally, vaccines are administered via injections, but, in some ways, this isn’t ideal as it does not induce immunity in the mucosal tissues in the upper airways and nose.

In the early 90s, virologist Jan Wilschut decided to explore an idea: what if we were to create vaccines that could be administered right where influenza viruses enter the human body? After some very promising experiments in mice, he and his colleagues work together with a pharmaceutical company. But translating their approach into an actual medical treatment proves too difficult. And Jan wrote off the idea entirely.

Immunologist Chris Chiu shares with Claudia that, for the last decade or so, children in the UK have received an intranasal flu vaccine. The issue is that it is the only vaccine of its kind and does not work in adults. Other attempts to create similar intranasal or inhalable vaccines have not been successful as of yet. But there is hope on the horizon. The Covid pandemic has renewed interest in the idea of stopping infections in their tracks. And with new technological developments and a better understanding of the human immune system, Chris believes that inhalable vaccines could become a reality in the future.

Jan Wilschut didn’t follow any of these new developments. And hearing about it now made him reflect on his old failed attempt to revolutionise flu vaccines. Maybe his idea was just too visionary.

Producers: Florian Bohr and Jeremy Grange


TUE 12:00 News Summary (m0026v53)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 12:04 You and Yours (m0026v55)
Call You and Yours - Private Parking Firms

One of subjects we get the highest volume of emails about is fines from private parking firms or Parking Charge Notices. New legislation was due to come in which would impose a legally binding fair code of conduct on private parking firms. While the new law was passed in 2019 it was then dropped in 2022 when the government tried to implement it after legal challenges from parking firms. Industry bodies have since published their own voluntary code of practice. But with the number of fines issued at record levels many motorists have yet to see what impact this code has made.

So we want to hear how this is impact you at the moment?

Have you fallen foul of private parking firms? Tell us what happened. Or do you believe that parking fines are an essential deterrent to ensure people park according to the rules?

Email us - youandyours@bbc.co.uk and from 11am on Tuesday call us on 03700 100 444

PRODUCER: CATHERINE EARLAM
PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON


TUE 12:57 Weather (m0026v57)
The latest weather forecast


TUE 13:00 World at One (m0026v59)
Gaza: is a ceasefire imminent?

Is a breakthrough Gaza deal about to be agreed? Qatar says its very close. The World at One hears from a businessman from Gaza and politicians close to the talks.


TUE 13:45 Human Intelligence (m0026v5c)
Teachers: Maimonides

Naomi Alderman explores one of the greatest minds of the medieval world and in the history of Jewish thought. His work, The Guide for the Perplexed, is among the most influential works of medieval philosophy. In his efforts to reconcile faith and reason, Maimonides was having parts of the Enlightenment in his head 600 years early.

Special thanks to Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies and the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought.

Produced by BBC Studios Audio in partnership with The Open University.


TUE 14:00 The Archers (m0026v5h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Monday]


TUE 14:15 This Thing of Darkness (m001tr8k)
Series 3

A Dangerous Animal

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part One – A Dangerous Animal

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on teenage perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group.

Has Dr Bridges made a mistake in putting co-offenders together in Group therapy?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti
Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald
Finn ….. Reuben Joseph
Twitch …. Brian Ferguson
Simon ….. Shaun Mason
Donna ….. Karen Bartke
Mental Health Nurse ….. Elysia Welch

Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill.

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams


TUE 15:00 The Gift (m0024p01)
Series 2

1. Switched - Part 1

An at-home DNA test - taken by chance when a game of golf is rained off - forces one man and three women to reassess everything they thought they knew about their families.

It’s the perfect gift for the person who already has everything. It promises to tell you who you really are, and how you’re connected to the world. A present that will reveal your genetic past – but could also disrupt your future.

In the first series of The Gift, Jenny Kleeman looked at the extraordinary truths that can unravel when people take at-home DNA tests like Ancestry and 23andMe.

For the second series, Jenny is going deeper into the unintended consequences - the aftershocks - set in motion when people link up to the enormous global DNA database.

Reconnecting and rupturing families, uprooting identities, unearthing long-buried secrets - what happens after technology, genealogy and identity collide?

Presenter: Jenny Kleeman
Producer: Conor Garrett
Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

The Gift is a BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 15:30 Beyond Belief (m0026v5m)
Pharisees: a byword for hypocrisy?

The word hypocrite gets used with such regularity – and Jesus himself had form using the term.

How did the Pharisees became a byword for hypocrisy and is it fair? Was Jesus wrong about the Pharisees? Is the view of the Pharisees changing?

To discuss Giles Fraser is joined by Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University and co-author of ‘The Pharisees’, James Alison a Catholic Theologian and Dr Stephen de Wijze, a philosopher and Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at Manchester University.

Producer: Alexa Good
Assistant Producer: Linda Walker
Editor: Tim Pemberton


TUE 16:00 50 years of the Koln Concert (m0026v5r)
Fifty years after Keith Jarrett performed the Koln Concert to a sellout crowd, Kevin le Gendre explores the enduring appeal of the biggest selling solo piano record of all time, and unpicks a new musical language born out of adversity.

That night in January 1975 is full of stories - of Keith Jarrett's long journey, no food, poor sleep and arriving at the Cologne Opera House to find a broken piano. The concert was almost cancelled and the legendary recording beloved by millions nearly never happened. Yet could these problems be at the heart of the album's bewitching new sound world?

Multi Grammy award winner, Jacob Collier, sits at the piano to unpick Jarrett's evocative harmonies that have captured millions of hearts far beyond the jazz world. Writer Geoff Dyer applauds Jarrett's gorgeous lyricism and discusses the momentous achievement of improvising live for over an hour, not knowing what the first note would be. British jazz pianists Nikki Yeoh and Django Bates reflect on Jarrett's influence and tell stories of gigs where limitations lead to magic. And pianist Maki Namekawa, who now performs a transcription of The Koln Concert, shares peoples' stories of why they love to listen in some unique circumstances.

And in testament to the album's blockbuster success, we hear from a few of the many guests who have picked the Koln Concert on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

Presenter: Kevin le Gendre
Producer: Erika Wright
Sound Mixing: Richard Courtice
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
A TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 16:30 When It Hits the Fan (m0026v5w)
California in crisis and is the UK running out of gas?

As the LA wildfires continue to burn, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the challenge looming for US insurers that find themselves on the frontline of climate change communications - because it looks likely it's not the world's politicians who are going to explain to people the consequences of our warming planet, it's the insurance companies.

Also, a fan-hitting Hollywood feud that has PR at the centre of it. What does the lawsuit between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reveal about the use of publicity smear campaigns?

And - just what was behind the UK's biggest energy company warning about low levels of gas storage during the coldest week of the winter?

Producer: Eve Streeter
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 17:00 PM (m0026v60)
Tulip Siddiq quits as treasury minister

Siddiq’s resignation from Government followed growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation. Plus: we speak to the people behind the Sizewell C nuclear plant about reports of the rocketing costs of the project.


TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026v64)
Treasury minister resigns after being named in corruption probe in Bangladesh.


TUE 18:30 Janey Godley: The C Bomb (m001x53c)
Series 2

2. It Was Acceptable in the 70s

Trying her best to live in the present and working as hard as ever, Janey is compelled to share the strange, colourful, almost mythical world of her past. With stories of stealing coal, copper wires and playing on train tracks, and the poignant reason she’s taken up a challenging new hobby in the limited time she has left.

Reflecting on the past with honesty, vulnerability and empathy for those who let her down, she continues to find humour and insight in both the darkness and the ridiculous.

A mix of stories told onstage to a hometown audience, and candid conversations with her daughter Ashley Storrie, recorded in the living room of their home in Glasgow.

Produced by Julia Sutherland.
Featuring Ashley Storrie.

A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 19:00 The Archers (m0026v6d)
GP Azra confirms Neil’s blood pressure’s back to normal. Neil’s relieved. Susan’s taken it particularly seriously as they don’t know his family medical history. Azra asks if Neil’s curious about his birth family. Neil asserts it was a long time ago and his foster family couldn’t have been better; they’ve perhaps made him who he is today. He admits he does sometimes wonder about his mum – but at least he can stop worrying about his blood pressure.

Susan arranges for Joy to cover her at the post office so she can take Neil out for lunch. He’s a bit out of sorts and needs cheering up. She tells Joy about Neil’s family history and Joy feels sorry for his birth mum. Thinking about her own family, Susan assert she follows the ‘keep calm and carry on’ motto. Joy agrees heartily. Later Neil says he’s going to stop worrying and be grateful for what he’s got.

Rochelle has tracked down busy Rex to Lower Loxley, where he’s installing a heat lamp for some piglets. She offers to help him with the lamp. He hesitates, but she makes him laugh and he gives in. They chat about her wellbeing event, and the rewilding. Rochelle remarks that Rex’s face glows when he talks about it. She invites him for a picnic on Thursday so he can show her the longhorns. Rex reluctantly agrees. Later Rex calls Joy, explaining he’s had to accept lunch with Rochelle. Joy quietly despairs.


TUE 19:15 Front Row (m0026v6j)
Vivaldi's Four Seasons reimagined, impact of L.A. fires on culture, Leigh Whannell's new horror film, Dead Ink Books

Sir Michael Morpurgo and violinist Daniel Pioro discusss reimagining Vivaldi's Four Seasons for a recording with the Manchester Camerata featuring new poetry by Sir Michael and improvisations by Daniel.

Pat Saperstein, Deputy Editor of Variety, and Peter Bowes, BBC Correspondent in Los Angeles reflect on the impact of the L. A fires on the film, television, music and visual arts worlds.

Leigh Whannell, the co-creator of the blockbuster Saw horror film franchise, talks about his new film Wolf Man, which is the follow-up to his hit 2020 film The Invisible Man, bringing yet another of Universal's iconic monsters back to the big screen.

Dead Ink Books, a small independent publisher in Liverpool began life in a bedroom but now it's winning major literary prizes. MD Nathan Connnolly discusses its success and its latest prize-winner.

Presenter: Nick Ahad
Producer: Ekene Akalawu


TUE 20:00 File on 4 Investigates (m0026v6n)
Cannabis Kids: The parents breaking the law to help their children with epilepsy

Tens of thousands of children and young people across the UK suffer from severe forms of epilepsy which are resistant to treatment.
For those with intractable epilepsy the options for treatment are limited and the risk of a catastrophic seizure is very real.
But a growing body of evidence has pointed to cannabis having a positive effect on preventing seizures even in people who don't respond to other drugs.
In 2018, medicinal cannabis was legalised following a high profile campaign led by parents of children with intractable epilepsy.
They hoped the change in the law would lead to the drug becoming widely available on the NHS.
But more than six years later File on 4 Investigates has discovered families going to extreme lengths to access a drug they say is keeping their children alive.
Reporter Alastair Fee meets families who claim they have been forced to give their children illegal cannabis sourced online and follows others who regularly break the law importing medicine from the Netherlands.


TUE 20:40 In Touch (m0026v6s)
Repairing your Perkins Brailler; The Blind Professional Wrestler

Where do you go if you need to repair your Perkins brailler? That is the type-writer like machine that allows braillists to produce writing for school, work or leisure. Recent publicity that the UK’s last certified visually impaired repairer of the Perkins, Alan Thorpe, is looking for an apprentice to continue his work, may have left the impression that there's no one else who can repair it for you. This is not the case. We speak to the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) about the repair service that they offer.

Peter White is rarely surprised by the different things blind people do for a living, but he was surprised by Just James, a blind professional wrestler. In Touch pays a visit to the World Association of Wrestling in Norwich to find out how James Jones developed his wrestling persona, how he goes about his fights as a blind person and to watch one of his shows. Will he win?

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: David Baguley
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio’ in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.


TUE 21:00 Crossing Continents (m0026v6x)
The Gambia: When migrants are forced to go home

Each year young people from the tiny West African nation of The Gambia try to reach Europe through “The Backway” - a costly, perilous journey over land and sea.

Many do not make it. In recent years, the EU has done deals with several North African nations to clamp down on irregular migration. Though human rights groups say the treatment of migrants can be brutal - allegations the authorities deny. But each year thousands of African migrants say they have no choice but to return home.

It can be a struggle to return. Some are traumatised by their experience and face stigma for having failed to reach Europe. Others are already planning to try again.

For Crossing Continents, Alex Last travels to The Gambia to find out what happens to migrants who've risked everything to get to Europe, but end up back home.

Reporter: Alex Last
Producer: Ellie House
Local producer: Frederic Tendeng
Sound mix: David Crackles
Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Series Editor: Penny Murphy


TUE 21:30 The Bottom Line (m0026ngl)
Networking: Will It Actually Help Me Get a Job?

Evan Davis gets up-to-date tips on finding a new job and hears how the process of making yourself stand out to an employer has changed over the years.

Episode guests:
Sophie O'Brien: CEO and Founder of Pollen Careers
Depesh Nathwani: CEO of The Consumer Helpline Group
Shan Saba: Director of Brightwork Staffline

Presenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Bob Howard and Nick Holland
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Matt Willis

The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.


TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (m0026v71)
City Minister Tulip Siddiq quits the government.

City Minister, Tulip Siddiq quits the government.

Prime Minister's advisor on ministerial standards pointed to the reputational risks of her family ties to Bangladesh.


2 economists discuss the challenges facing the Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Another attempt to arrest South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol

and the Ukrainian actors recreating a wartime drama they lived through.


TUE 22:45 Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban (m0026v75)
Episode 2

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts’ and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 50 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I’m in a better mood.”

"This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement." John Fowles

"Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy." John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban
Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4


TUE 23:00 Now You're Asking with Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn (m0026v7c)
The Knick-Knack Nightmare Problem

You're gay and your best friend is married to a man who seems to be jealous of your relationship with his wife - what would you do? Your girlfriend's father is sick and you want to support her but are conflicted - what should you do? Your boyfriend's mother seems determined to fill your new flat with horrible ornaments - what could you do? Another week of listener problems - plus the living hell that is a tasting menu. Marian and Tara are here to unpack the shoulds, woulds and coulds.

We have been inundated with emails since the last series, but everything gets read, and we're always on the lookout for new questions, queries and conundrums to include on the show.

Marian Keyes is a multi-award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Tara Flynn is an actress, comedian and writer. Together, these two friends have been through a lot, and now want to use their considerable life experience to help solve the biggest - and smallest - of the things that keep us awake at night.

Got a problem you want Marian and Tara to solve? Email: marianandtara@bbc.co.uk.

Producer: Steve Doherty.
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds


TUE 23:30 Today in Parliament (m0026v7h)
Sean Curran reports as chancellor Rachel Reeves is questioned about economic turbulence and Conservatives warn of a threat to national security in prisons.

WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2025

WED 00:00 Midnight News (m0026v7m)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


WED 00:30 The Ideas List (m0026v50)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Tuesday]


WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026v7t)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026v7w)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026v7y)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


WED 05:30 News Briefing (m0026v80)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026v82)
The In-Between Times

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

Mid-January is a curious period - after the drama of Christmas While these weeks are not very exciting, they don’t offer us special symbols, foods or rituals – they make up much of our lives. As we commute to work - queue at the check outs, banks, clinics and school gates, tackle the domestic chores and dream of holidays and mini breaks – our in-between times, doing the stuff of life, in every season and at any hour are what make us real.
I welcome our Januarys by embracing the changing light, revising my resolutions and preparing for the next big season. We need these in-between times to learn how to be present and how to move forward, regardless of the journey to come or the path yet to be taken.

Life has never been, nor ever will be, a straight line. Sometimes we wait ages between one moment and the next, or between decisions and outcomes which are not always in our control. Then these in-between times define the stages and shifts, the weeks and months. C.S. Lewis reflecting on this dimension of life once said:
“The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one’s life.”

I pray that during the rest of this January, the in-between times will be fruitful for all of us, that they become a quiet resource of ordinary faithfulness from which we can grow in readiness for the next season.

Amen.


WED 05:45 Farming Today (m0026v84)
The UK closes its borders to imports of German meat, as the authorities there tackle an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Farmers here are told to be vigilant.

Each of devolved nations is designing a new post-Brexit farm payment scheme, to replace the old EU system. They're all moving towards rewarding farmers not for the land they farm, but for providing better habitats for wildlife, flood mitigation, improving soils and carbon at the Oxford Farming Conference.

This week we're taking a look at machinery, a vital but very expensive commodity on the farm. To keep costs down many farmers are now part of the national network of machinery rings, where those with kit can loan it out to other farms that need it.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.


WED 06:00 Today (m0026vv9)
15/01/25 - Emma Barnett and Justin Webb

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


WED 09:00 Sideways (m0026vvc)
67. Reality Shifting

In 2020, a curious trend went viral on social media, especially among teenagers and young adults. As much of the world stayed at home to curb the spread of COVID-19, Reality Shifters began claiming they could move from one reality to another, referencing multiverse theory.

Beyond the actual possibility of switching between realities, this craze raised intriguing questions about the fabric of the reality we experience. Philosophers and scientists have long speculated about the existence of multiple realities. Today, Matthew Syed explores the blurry line between what we perceive as reality and what may lie beyond it, inviting us to question the very nature of existence.

With Reality Shifter Kristin Dattoo, clinical psychologist Professor Eli Somer, neuroscientist Professor Anil Seth, and theoretical physicist Professor Ulf Danielsson.

Presenter: Matthew Syed
Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten
Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien
Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson
Theme music by Ioana Selaru
A Novel production for BBC Radio 4


WED 09:30 In Dark Corners (m00272ch)
Series 2

2. They Groom Everyone

Alex Renton has letters and documentation passed to him by a secret source. He tries to track down a former member of the defunct pro-paedophile group, the Paedophile Information Exchange, or PIE.

He delves into the group's origins and discovers that figures within PIE didn’t just groom the people around them, they attempted to groom whole movements.

The group formed in 1974; a time when marginalised groups were campaigning for equality and legal change. PIE took heed, that’s what they wanted.

So they aligned themselves with minority rights groups. And, these groups, whose ethos was to be open hearted, trusting - bought into it. They were fooled.

Alex Renton speaks with men who were part of gay youth groups in the 1970s that were targeted and manipulated by PIE and its members.

And he makes a breakthrough with the membership list.

Presenter: Alex Renton
Producer: Caitlin Smith
Executive Producers: Gail Champion and Gillian Wheelan
Story Consultants: Jack Kibble-White and Kirsty Williams
Sound design: Jon Nicholls
Theme Tune: Jeremy Warmsley

Details of organisations offering information and support for victims of child sexual abuse are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.


WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (m0026vvf)
Author Holly Bourne, SEND, Alcohol pilot scheme at Women's Championship football clubs, Women & cycling

Services for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England are ‘unviable’. That’s the judgement from a report out today by the Public Accounts Committee, who look at the value for money of government services. Anna Dixon MP, who sits on the committee, joins Nuala McGovern to explain more, alongside Katie Ghose, Vice-Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership.

Four Women's Championship football clubs will take part in a new pilot scheme beginning this month to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands. This is something that’s been banned for supporters of the men’s game in the top five tiers. Head of Women’s Football at the Football Supporters’ Association Deborah Dilworth discusses the plans and what this could mean for women’s football matches.

Holly Bourne, bestselling author of How Do You Like Me Now? and the Spinster Club series, is back with So Thrilled For You, her most personal novel yet. It’s a story about four friends navigating motherhood, career ambition, and societal pressures, all unfolding during a sweltering summer’s day at a baby shower. Holly explains what inspired her to write this funny, sharp, and moving exploration of friendship, and her experiences with early motherhood.

According to stats from Cycling UK, 75% of cycling trips in the UK are made by men - but women are increasingly turning to the gym and indoor classes for their biking fix. Nuala discusses how we can get more women cycling, inside and outside, with Michelle Arthurs Brennan, digital editor at Cycling Weekly, and Clare Rogers from the London Cycling Campaign women's network.

Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley


WED 11:00 File on 4 Investigates (m0026v6n)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:00 on Tuesday]


WED 11:45 The Ideas List (m0026vvj)
3. Intrusive Memories

Thirty years ago years ago, in March 1995, a fresh-faced Claudia Hammond arrived at the BBC for a job interview as a trainee science producer. She put together a comprehensive list of science and health stories, ready to pitch at the interview. In this quirky, personal journey, Claudia revisits five ideas from her Ideas List to find out what happened next. She tracks each headline-grabbing story forward through the false-starts and dead ends, the surprises and successes. And she asks what each tale teaches us about the tortuous path of scientific progress.

In this episode Claudia goes back to an idea which she had heard about from a friend. Philippa Hyman had been a fellow psychology student and housemate at university. And now she was working as a research assistant on a project run by Chris Brewin at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Chris’s research has been key to our understanding of PTSD. One of the symptoms of PTSD is unpleasant or difficult memories which come to mind involuntarily and repeatedly, These intrusive memories can also occur in people with depression and, in the study Philippa was working on, they explored the association between intrusive memories and depression in a group of people who were facing challenging life circumstances – in this case a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Thirty years on, Claudia meets Prof. Chris Brewin to reflect on a study which highlighted the vital importance of considering cancer patients’ psychological needs alongside their treatment.

Today, Dr. Philippa Hyman works in exactly this area, providing psychological support for patients in London. She and Claudia - still good friends - look back to her role interviewing patients for Chris’s original study and consider how far we’ve moved on in embedding that parallel approach – body and mind together – in medical practice.

And Sharon-Ann Phillips, who in 2015 was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, shares her experience of intrusive memories and how psychological support has helped her to overcome negative thoughts and images and change her perspective on life.

Producers: Florian Bohr and Jeremy Grange


WED 12:00 News Summary (m0026vvl)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


WED 12:04 You and Yours (m0026vvn)
How Criminals Spend Your Gift Cards

If you buy a gift card, it could be worthless by the time you try to use it - because criminals got there first. How do they do it - and who's responsible for the cash you've lost? Also - how plans to write off up to £1 billion of energy debt could benefit millions of households. Should air passengers only be allowed two drinks each? And online reviews - who's writing them? We hear from a listener who's annoyed at one that was posted on his behalf.

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY


WED 12:57 Weather (m0026vvq)
The latest weather forecast


WED 13:00 World at One (m0026vvs)
A glimmer of hope for the economy

Inflation dips slightly, a small reprieve for the Chancellor. Plus, can you be "fat but fit"? And Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown on the pros and cons of being a 'nepo baby'.


WED 13:45 Human Intelligence (m0026vvv)
Teachers: Mary Somerville

Mary Somerville was a brilliant polymath who found time to correct the work of Isaac Newton whilst looking after her infant children. Naomi Alderman investigates her extraordinary work ethic and expansive interests.

Somerville's writings, across a range of disciplines – maths, astronomy, botany, geography – became essential reading for those learning science, and helped to define what a scientist was in the early 19th century.

Special thanks to Dr Brigitte Stenhouse, Lecturer in the History of Mathematics at The Open University.

Produced by BBC Studios Audio in partnership with The Open University.


WED 14:00 The Archers (m0026v6d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Tuesday]


WED 14:15 Drama on 4 (m000s9rk)
The Elder Son (Part 1)

By Alexander Vampilov
Translated from the Russian by Jan Butler
Adapted for radio by Tom Wainwright

On a cold winter night, two young men miss their last train back home and find themselves stranded in the suburbs. To keep warm until morning, they talk themselves into the home of complete strangers by pretending that one of them is the illegitimate son of the head of the household, a kind-hearted but naïve musician. So far, so good. But the young men have arrived at a tumultuous time for their new-found family - the daughter is on the verge of marrying a dreadful bore and the son is in the midst of a self-esteem crisis. As morning rolls around, the visitors become so entangled in the family's drama that it will prove harder to leave than it was to concoct the lie in the first place.

The Elder Son (1967) by Alexander Vampilov is a classic of Russian theatre and has been adapted in two parts for BBC Radio by Tom Wainwright. During his lifetime, Vampilov was at the forefront of the 'new wave' of Russian dramatists and was often compared to Anton Chekhov. His plays present a devastating and hilarious portrait of life in Brezhnev's Russia. At one time, The Elder Son ran simultaneously in 44 theatres in the Soviet Union. It has also been filmed several times. Tragically, Alexander Vampilov's life was cut short when he died at the age of 34 following a boating accident in Lake Baikal.

Volodya . . . . . . Stewart Campbell
Silva . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr
Sarafanov . . . . . Tony Turner
Nina . . . . . Elinor Coleman
Vasya . . . . . Aaron Gelkoff
Natasha . . . . . Lauren Cornelius
Kudimov . . . . . Hasan Dixon
Neighbour . . . . . Nicholas Murchie

Music arranged and performed by Ian Dunnett Jnr.
Image by Ben Hollands.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.


WED 15:00 Money Box (m0026vvx)
Money Box Live: School Costs

1 in 5 parents say they're struggling with the cost of sending their children to school according to the National Parent Survey.

There're uniform costs, school trips, afterschool clubs and school dinners to consider, but is there a way to keep costs down?

Some changes are on the way with government plans to give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club, as well as limits on how many branded uniform parents have to buy.

This week Felicity Hannah will hear from parents and is joined by Jo Thurston, parenting coach from Action for Children’s Parent Talk service,
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown and Neil Renton, Head Teacher of Harrogate Grammar School.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle

(This programme was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 15th of January 2025)


WED 15:30 The Artificial Human (m0026vvz)
Can AI Level Up Video Games?

You don’t need to be a diehard gamer to realise video games have long been used as a yard stick to measure how far technology has come. From Pong and Space Invaders, right the way to Minecraft and Fallout, as the technology has advanced, so have the games. Pushing new boundaries and creating previously unimaginable worlds and experiences. But how will AI revolutionise the world of gaming itself, both for those who develop games and those who play them? Are we on the cusp of a huge leap forward? Or are the changes on the horizon more evolutionary than revolutionary?

Aleks and Kevin chat to one man who has been using AI to develop his own game from scratch, and hear from an industry insider about what the big companies are doing, and why advances in gaming may not be as dramatic as you might expect.

Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong
Producer: Emily Esson and Elizabeth Ann Duffy
Mixed by: Sean Mullervy


WED 16:00 The Media Show (m0026vtj)
Reporting the LA Fires, AI Michael Parkinson, US TikTok ban approaches

We talk to reporters in Los Angeles about the challenges of covering the fires there. As the government prepares to begin the charter renewal process which will decide the future of the BBC, one option being discussed is mutualisation. We explore what that could look like. A new podcast features celebrities interviewed by a reincarnated AI Michael Parkinson. We meet the team behind it. We get an update on the possibility of Tiktok being banned in the US, plus sift the TV industry’s viewing data for Christmas to see what it tells us about the kind of TV we all want to watch.

Presenter: Ros Atkins
Producer: Simon Richardson
Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

Guests: Jonathan Hunt, Chief Correspondent, Fox News; Emma Vardy, LA Correspondent, BBC News; Allison Agsten, Director, USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication; Caroline Frost, Columnist, Radio Times; Lara O'Reilly, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider; Tom Mills, Chair, Media Reform Coalition; Benjamin Field, Executive Producer, Deep Fusion Films


WED 17:00 PM (m0026vw1)
Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines.


WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026vw3)
The BBC is told Israel and Hamas have signed up to a deal. An announcement is imminent.


WED 18:30 ReincarNathan (m001fmwb)
Series 3

Bonobo

Nathan Blakely was a popstar. But he was useless, died, and was reincarnated. The comedy about Nathan’s adventures in the afterlife continues, starring Daniel Rigby, Ashley McGuire and guest-starring Amy-Beth Hayes and Mike Wozniak.

In episode 3, Nathan is brought back to life as a lovesick Bonobo Ape, who’s escaped from Whipsnood Zoo and made it to Paris on the Eurostar. There, his plan is to sabotage the wedding of his human girlfriend, Susan.

Cast:
Ashley McGuire - Carol
Daniel Rigby – Nathan
Tom Craine – Deliveroo Driver, Banana, Pigeon
Amy-Beth Hayes – Dr Germentrude
Henry Paker – Phil
Freya Parker – Susan
Mike Wozniak – Norman Borman

Writers: Tom Craine and Henry Paker

Producer: Harriet Jaine

Sound: Jerry Peal

Music Composed by: Phil Lepherd

A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4


WED 19:00 The Archers (m0026vsw)
Miranda humours grumpy Brian as they get ready to go to her bridge club open session. She guesses his mood is to do with her lack of support over his opposition to the beaver scheme. He protests at her description of him as old fashioned, and confesses he didn’t like her disagreeing with her in public. She bats back that she enjoys a bit of lively open debate. However after the game Brian has his revenge when Miranda quizzes him on his erratic and unpredictable play. She has to admit when it comes to brass neck he’s in a category of his own. Though she concedes that with some proper lessons he might make a bridge player yet.

At the rewilding office Ruth continues her case against releasing beavers while Kirsty and Rex do their best to assuage her doubts. Justin looks on, suggesting they view the planned release area. Even when she sees where they plan to put the protection in, Ruth’s still not entirely convinced. When she leaves Kirsty comments that at least she seemed to listen, if not agree. Justin suggests they reconvene after lunch for his decision. Rex and Kirsty brace themselves for a rebuttal, but to their surprise and delight, Justin agrees to putting things in motion for the scheme. He admires their tenacity and commitment. They all acknowledge there’s a long way to go but for now they’re overjoyed – they’re really doing it!


WED 19:15 Front Row (m0026vw5)
Franz Ferdinand play in the studio, Richard Price on his new novel Lazarus Man, verdict on BAFTA nominations

Franz Ferdinand play live from their new album The Human Fear, eleven songs which explore deep-set human anxieties and how overcoming and accepting them drives and defines our lives.

Richard Price - the author of Clockers, and a writer on The Wire, talks about his latest novel, Lazarus Man, a chronicle of New York life set in the aftermath of a destructive explosion.

Plus a response to this year's BAFTA nominations, which were announced today, from film critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Mark Crossan


WED 20:00 AntiSocial (m0026nnm)
Is multiculturalism a strength?

In the row about child sexual exploitation by gangs - particularly those made up of Pakistani heritage men - some people have begun to question the value of multiculturalism. Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, suggested the law had been applied selectively against grooming gangs "to sustain the myth that diversity is our strength." So what do we mean when we talk about multiculturalism in modern Britain, where did the concept first come from, and what is the evidence that it is a source of strength or weakness? Plus, to explore the complexities in this area, we look at the anguish around one particular idea - Islamophobia.

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Tulett, Emma Close, Jo Casserly
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy


WED 20:45 How They Made Us Doubt Everything (m001yysj)
Talc Tales: 1. Asbestos in my make-up?

After Hannah Fletcher’s cancer diagnosis, she investigates whether her make up contained asbestos. She was just 41 when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a rare cancer that’s very hard to treat. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 18 months. She says ‘One of the worst things that I've had to do was write letters to my children in case I died’. Following a 14 hour operation to remove as much of the cancer as possible, Hannah’s doctors advised her to call a lawyer because mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. This surprised Hannah as she had always had an office job. She didn’t work in construction or industries disturbing asbestos.

After investigating, Hannah’s lawyers realised her asbestos exposure could have been from a surprising source… her talcum powder and make up. Shockingly, it turns out, this issue of asbestos contamination in talc is not new. Talc and asbestos are both natural minerals formed in similar conditions in the ground. This fact is not contentious to any geologist, but the talc and cosmetics industries have sometimes taken a different approach. Thanks to recent court cases, once secret company memos now reveal how the talc industry sought to cast doubt over the science showing their product could be contaminated with the cancer causing substance.

After chronicling the tactics used by big tobacco to delay regulation on smoking and then by big oil to delay regulation on climate change in series 1, Phoebe Keane investigates whether similar tactics have been used again to create the idea that there was a controversy.

Hearing the evidence, Phoebe Keane sends off her own make up to best tested for asbestos. What will the lab find?

Presenter and Producer: Phoebe Keane
Sound mix: James Beard
Series Editor: Matt Willis


WED 21:00 Sideways (m0026nj9)
25 Years of the 21st Century

25 Years of the 21st Century: 1. The Age of Digital Warfare

In this series, we’re remembering some of the major events of this century and asking how they’re shaping us. This programme is all about war and conflict: from the events of September 11th 2001, to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. We're also looking at artificial intelligence on the battlefield. Where might that take us?

Matthew is joined by historian and writer Margaret MacMillan, former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter and author, Professor Anthony King.

Production team
Editor: Sara Wadeson
Producers: Marianna Brain, Emma Close, Michaela Graichen, Arlene Gregorius
Sound: Tom Brignell
Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison

Archive
Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007


WED 21:30 Inside Health (m0026v4w)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 22:00 The World Tonight (m0026vw8)
Could Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal mark end to conflict?

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war.

We look at what's in the deal and how it got over the line. And we consider what happens next, both in the short and the longer term. We get reaction from Israel, Gaza and the United States, and speak to a British relative of one of the hostages set to be released under the agreement.


WED 22:45 Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban (m0026vwb)
Episode 3

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts’ and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 50 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I’m in a better mood.”

"This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement." John Fowles

"Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy." John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban
Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4


WED 23:00 Ahir Shah's Seven Blunders of the World (m0026v68)
Episode 3

Inspired by an email from his 74-year-old father, comedian Ahir Shah concludes his exploration of the The Seven Blunders of the World.

In 1925, Mahatma Gandhi published an article in the journal Young India, outlining what he called the Seven Social Sins. They were wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, and politics without principle.

100 years on, the world is a very different place (this was written on a computer, for crying out loud!). Yet, Ahir reckons Gandhi's century-old list of the great societal blunders still feels relevant today. Could they teach us anything going forward?

Join Ahir (and sometimes his dad, who started this whole thing), as he wraps up his journey through these seven blunders using his trademark combination of philosophical inquiry, political vigour, and sweet gags.

Created and Performed by Ahir Shah
Starring Meera Syal and Vikram Shah
Additional Material - Glenn Moore
Producers – Daisy Knight and Jules Lom
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4


WED 23:30 Today in Parliament (m0026vwg)
Alicia McCarthy reports on Prime Minister's Questions and how corridor care has become the norm in NHS hospitals.

THURSDAY 16 JANUARY 2025

THU 00:00 Midnight News (m0026vwj)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


THU 00:30 The Ideas List (m0026vvj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Wednesday]


THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026vwl)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026vwn)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026vwq)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


THU 05:30 News Briefing (m0026vws)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026vwv)
Memories to Live By

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

Throughout our lives, we are shaped by memories that affect the way we remember the past, engage the present and face the future.

I’m an identical twin and my sister and I can recall quite different aspects of the same events, such as when we were nine having our tonsils out in a London hospital. She remembers the nurses’ uniforms - I remember the toys we played with, but we both felt the same relief when our mother took us home and gave us ice cream.

We walk daily with our memories; receiving them, processing them, retrieving them - they are the stuff of both our hearts and minds. We have memories we'd rather forget and others we cherish. We bury memories we should face but are not yet ready to embrace and hold onto memories which need release. Sometimes we alter memories to hide or change the truth. Tragically, we can, at any time, lose all memory.
Holding memories in balance requires a lifetime's discernment. It helps if we do not carry them alone. Memory is a continuing theme in the Bible. God makes a solemn promise through his friend Noah with all of Creation. The prophets and psalms remind the people across the generations that they are remembered. Jesus tells stories about how God cannot forget the sparrows - so how much more will he remember us?

I pray that we remember all that is true in our lives. May we visit those memories, where gifts are nurtured and wounds are healed. And give thanks for memories to live and love by.

Amen.


THU 05:45 Farming Today (m0026vwx)
16/01/25 - The LAMMA 2025 Farm Machinery Show

The LAMMA 2025 farm machinery show is underway at the NEC in Birmingham - but is anyone buying? Charlotte Smith visits the show to check out the latest in farm machinery and innovation. She takes a look at a new sprayer which can target individual weeds, and finds out why farmers want to play a farming computer game.

She also hears how many farmers are feeling less able to invest in new kit after a difficult year for farming: wet weather hit harvests and incomes, and then October’s Budget saw a surprise acceleration of the phasing out of subsidy payments in England, alongside changes to employers National Insurance and of course the introduction of inheritance tax on farms.

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Heather Simons


THU 06:00 Today (m0026vs3)
16/01/25 - Emma Barnett and Amol Rajan

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


THU 09:00 In Our Time (m0026vs5)
The Battle of Valmy

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most consequential battles of recent centuries. On 20th September 1792 at Valmy, 120 miles to the east of Paris, the army of the French Revolution faced Prussians, Austrians and French royalists heading for Paris to free Louis XVI and restore his power and end the Revolution. The professional soldiers in the French army were joined by citizens singing the Marseillaise and their refusal to give ground prompted their opponents to retreat when they might have stayed and won. The French success was transformative. The next day, back in Paris, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared the new Republic. Goethe, who was at Valmy, was to write that from that day forth began a new era in the history of the world.

With

Michael Rowe
Reader in European History at King’s College London

Heidi Mehrkens
Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Aberdeen

And

Colin Jones
Professor Emeritus of History at Queen Mary, University of London

Producer: Simon Tillotson

Reading list

T. C. W. Blanning, The French Revolutionary Wars, 1787-1802 (Hodder Education, 1996)

Elizabeth Cross, ‘The Myth of the Foreign Enemy? The Brunswick Manifesto and the Radicalization of the French Revolution’ (French History 25/2, 2011)

Charles J. Esdaile, The Wars of the French Revolution, 1792-1801 (Routledge, 2018)

John A. Lynn, ‘Valmy’ (MHQ: Quarterly Journal of Military History, Fall 1992)

Munro Price, The Fall of the French Monarchy: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the
baron de Breteuil (Macmillan, 2002)

Simon Schama, Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution (Penguin Books, 1989)

Samuel F. Scott, From Yorktown to Valmy: The Transformation of the French Army in an Age of Revolution (University Press of Colorado, 1998)

Marie-Cécile Thoral, From Valmy to Waterloo: France at War, 1792–1815 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011)

In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production


THU 09:45 Strong Message Here (m0026vs7)
A Lawyer, Not a Leader

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language.

This week, after a well-earned week off, Helen and Armando are back to break down how political attacks work. After Kemi Badenoch landed a blow on Keir Starmer calling him 'a lawyer, not a leader', we look at what makes a political attack potent, and crucially, what makes them flop.

Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
An EcoAudio Certified Production.


THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (m0026vs9)
Ofcom's age check guidance, Adwaith, Kamala Harris's legacy, Corridor care

The communications regulator, Ofcom, has published new industry guidance for online services, in which it sets out how it expects online platforms - including social media and porn sites - to introduce highly effective age check measures to prevent children from accessing online pornography and to protect them from other types of harmful content. To discuss the new guidance and its potential impact Anita Rani is joined by Lindsey Fussell, OFCOM’s interim group director for online safety.

Kamala Harris made history as the first woman - and first woman of colour - to become Vice President of the United States of America. She rose higher in the country’s leadership than any other woman before her. Anita discusses her legacy and future with BBC News Online Editor, Courtney Subramanian; and co-founder of Higher Heights, an organisation that works to mobilise black women voters, Kimberly Peeler-Allen. What might be next for the woman who could have been the first female president?

A Royal College of Nursing report, On the Frontline of the UK's Corridor Care Crisis, out today, finds that the situation in A&E is the worst it has ever been and that a lack of hospital beds means corridor care has been "normalised". One nurse described caring for a 95-year-old woman dying with dementia who had spent eight hours lying on a trolley in a crowded corridor next to a drunk person who was vomiting and being abusive. Others describe women having a miscarriage in side rooms. Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing joins Anita to discuss what is going on.

The all-female, Welsh-language, post-punk trio Adwaith are the only band to have won the Welsh Music Prize twice, for their first two albums. The critically-lauded band are about to release their third album, Solas, all about returning to their hometown in Carmarthen. Band members Hollie Singer, Gwenedd Owen and Gwen Anthony talk to Anita about writing in Welsh, what home means to them, and being role models for young women – and they perform their latest single Miliwn live in the Woman’s Hour studio.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt


THU 11:00 This Cultural Life (m0026vsc)
Robert Harris

Having worked as a BBC television journalist, and as political editor for the Observer newspaper, Robert Harris published his debut novel Fatherland in 1992. A counterfactual story set in the 1960s that imagines Nazi Germany had won the Second World War, the book was a global bestseller. Since then Robert Harris has written 15 novels, mainly historical fiction which ranges from the ancient Roman politics of Pompeii and his Cicero trilogy, to the Restoration era manhunt of Act Of Oblivion, and Papal thriller Conclave. His most recent novel Precipice is about the romantic relationship between prime minister Herbert Asquith young socialite Venetia Stanley during the First World War.

Robert Harris tells John Wilson about how reading The Origins of the Second World War by the historian A. J. P. Taylor, as a teenager ignited his interest in looking at history from perspectives that challenge the accepted narratives. Later, reading both the fiction and non-fiction of George Orwell inspired him to attempt to make writing about politics into an art form, as Orwell had done in works including 1984.

Producer: Edwina Pitman

Archive used:
Did Hitler Cause The War?, BBC1, 9 July 1961
The Hitler Diaries, Newsnight, BBC2, 8 July 1985
Reading from Fatherland, Robert Harris
Reading from 1984, George Orwell, BBC Radio 4, 2 January 1984
Reading from The Ghost, Robert Harris


THU 11:45 The Ideas List (m0026vsf)
4. Breeding Robots

Thirty years ago years ago, in March 1995, a fresh-faced Claudia Hammond arrived at the BBC for a job interview as a trainee science producer. She put together a comprehensive list of science and health stories, ready to pitch at the interview. In this quirky, personal journey, Claudia revisits five ideas from her Ideas List to find out what happened next. She tracks each headline-grabbing story forward through the false-starts and dead ends, the surprises and successes. And she asks what each tale teaches us about the tortuous path of scientific progress.

In this episode, Claudia re-examines an ingenious experiment that applied Darwinian evolution to robotics and spawned a new academic field.

Claudia visits researcher Phil Husbands in his old robotics laboratory at Sussex University. As they explore a giant gantry robot, Phil shares the story of how a robot similar to this one was used in his original experiment that mimicked Darwinian natural selection. Over multiple generations of artificial DNA – essentially bits of randomised code – the robot learned how to complete a simple tasks.

At the time, the mainstream approach to artificial intelligence was logic-based and Phil’s work was part of a larger wave of newer, more adaptive methods. The experiment helped create the field of evolutionary robotics, but Phil’s approach didn’t go as far as he and his contemporaries believed it would. And it did not lead to the AI revolution we have seen in recent years.

Josh Bongard was a student of Phil’s at Sussex University and went on to have a career in evolutionary robotics, taking Phil’s method and developing it further. In the late 2010s, he embarked on a new project working with a group of biologists from another university. This collaboration led to the creation of Xenobots, biological robots made out of frog cells that can move around and even self-replicate.

Josh credits a lot of his success to Phil and to the time he spent at Sussex University as a student. Sometimes an idea can take on a life of its own.

Producers: Florian Bohr and Jeremy Grange


THU 12:00 News Summary (m0026vsh)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


THU 12:04 The Bottom Line (m0026vsk)
A Four Day Week: Less Work for More People?

Evan Davis explores if working the traditional five day week could be replaced by working four, eight hour days. Could working more efficiently benefit employees and bosses? With Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media and Jen Thompson, managing director of the Crate Brewery.


THU 12:32 Sliced Bread (m0026vsm)
Protein Powder

Listener Helen from Manchester got in touch to ask about Protein Powders, as she considered replenishing her supply that she’s been taking after long distance runs.

She wanted to know if Whey or Plant-based protein really can help her build and repair muscle, whether there’s a set amount she should be having, if one type is better than the other, or if she could just get the protein she needs from her food – and save on buying another bag?

Greg Foot brings back Professor of Human Physiology, Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool, John Moores University, Graeme Close to answer Helen’s questions, tell us what our body needs and uses protein for, and whether it really can deliver ‘Gainz’ (with a Z.)

As always, all of our investigations start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

PRESENTER: GREG FOOT

PRODUCER: KATE HOLDSWORTH & PHIL SANSOM


THU 12:57 Weather (m0026vsp)
The latest weather forecast


THU 13:00 World at One (m0026vsr)
Israel says Hamas is backtracking on ceasefire

A ceasefire deal is yet to be signed off. We speak to an influential voice within Hamas as well as a former deputy Foreign Minister of Israel about what will get the deal approved.


THU 13:45 Human Intelligence (m0026vst)
Teachers: Peter Ramus

Naomi Alderman meets Peter Ramus – a teacher determined to simplify and systematise the teaching of difficult things. He spoke his mind and thrived on stirring up trouble.

Ramus was behind one of the most important learning devices in history. A system of organising knowledge that helped overthrow the primacy of Aristotle in medieval universities and allowed everyone to access ideas, regardless of birth or status. He was a fighter (literally on some occasions), a brilliant speaker and devoted to the idea that knowledge deserved to spread far beyond the cloistered walls of higher education.

Special thanks to Robert Goulding, Associate Professor in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Produced by BBC Studios Audio in partnership with The Open University.


THU 14:00 The Archers (m0026vsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Wednesday]


THU 14:15 Drama on 4 (m000sbfj)
The Elder Son (Part 2)

By Alexander Vampilov
Translated from Russian by Jan Butler
Adapted for radio by Tom Wainwright

The second part of Alexander Vampilov's witty and moving play that explores themes of family and belonging.

On a cold winter night, two young men miss their last train back home and find themselves stranded in the suburbs. To keep warm until morning, they talk themselves into the home of complete strangers by pretending that one of them is the illegitimate son of the head of the household, a kind-hearted but naïve musician. So far, so good. But the young men have arrived at a tumultuous time for their new-found family - the daughter is on the verge of marrying a dreadful bore and the son is in the midst of a self-esteem crisis. As morning rolls around, the visitors become so entangled in the family's drama that it will prove harder to leave than it was to concoct the lie in the first place.

Volodya . . . . . . Stewart Campbell
Silva . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr
Sarafanov . . . . . Tony Turner
Nina . . . . . Elinor Coleman
Vasya . . . . . Aaron Gelkoff
Natasha . . . . . Lauren Cornelius
Kudimov . . . . . Hasan Dixon

Music arranged and performed by Ian Dunnett Jnr.
Image by Ben Hollands.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.


THU 15:00 Ramblings (m0026vsy)
Trees in Winter near Abergavenny

This is Clare’s 25th year of making Ramblings and one thing she has always enjoyed is walking all year round, in any weather. No matter how windy, how cold or how wet she’ll be out recording in the company of an equally weatherproof interviewee. Winter is her favourite season for a stroll and today she’s found someone else who feels the same…

Richard Shimell’s book, Trees in Winter, is about the healing properties of nature and walking especially during the coldest season. When the inclination for so many is to stay indoors, he’s out drawing inspiration for his detailed and beautiful lino-cut prints of winter trees.

Although his book features many prints of Dartmoor trees, he now lives in Grosmont near Abergavenny in south Wales and this is where he leads Clare for a walk up the hill near his home. The Graig Syfyrddin, or just The Graig, is 423m/1388ft and is on the Three Castles walk. Clare and Richard had a wonderfully clear day with far-reaching views.

Find out more about Richard and his book on his website: https://richardshimell.co.uk

Presenter: Clare Balding
Producer: Karen Gregor


THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (m0026tzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:54 on Sunday]


THU 15:30 Word of Mouth (m0026vt0)
The Language of Genetics

Adam Rutherford joins Michael Rosen to make sense of the heavily-loaded and often unscientific language that we use to talk about genetics, inheritance, ancestry and race. Adam is a geneticist, science writer, and lecturer in Biology and Society at University College London. His work tries to make sense of what our genes do (or don't) tell us about our similarities and our differences. He writes about this stuff in many of his books, including ‘How To Argue With A Racist’ and ‘Where Are You Really From?’

Subscribe to the Word of Mouth podcast and never miss an episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qtnz

Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Becky Ripley


THU 16:00 Rethink (m0026vt2)
Rethink… political labels

At the last General Election Britain’s traditional parties of left and right, Labour and the Conservatives, collectively amassed their lowest vote share ever - well under 60%. Three out of seven Brits voted for Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party or one of Britain’s many regional or nationalist parties. Does this result suggest that British politics is now too complicated to be understood by the labels left and right?

In Europe, some new parties like the German Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance have been labelled both far left and far right. Many similar parties seem to be having success by suggesting that they’re throwing off old political labels and offering something radically new in their place.

Studies say voters struggle to place policies along a left/right spectrum, and many don’t define themselves along left/right lines. So how can we have a shared political sphere if we can’t agree on terms? Are our political labels of left and right outdated? Are they due a rethink?

Presenter: Ben Ansell
Producer: Viv Jones
Editor: Clare Fordham
Contributors:
Sara Hobolt, Sutherland Chair of European Institutions at the London School of Economics and Political Science
Claire Ainsley, Director of the Project on Center-Left Renewal at the Progressive Policy Institute. and previously the Executive Director of Policy to Sir Keir Starmer
Giles Dilnot, Editor of Conservative Home and previously special advisor to James Cleverly at the Foreign Office and Home Office


THU 16:30 BBC Inside Science (m0026vt4)
UK AI & science-optimised pasta

Artificial intelligence is the big talking point of the week, with UK PM Sir Keir Starmer announcing a drive to unleash its full potential.

It’s already being used in healthcare, but recent studies have exposed both strengths and weaknesses.

We’re joined by Dr James Kinross, a surgeon and researcher at Imperial College London, to discuss the positives and the pitfalls.

Also this week, we talk all about what a Trump presidency might mean for science; why powerful winds are driving the deadly fires in LA – and anyone for science-optimised pasta? Marnie is helped by a physicist to make the perfect Cacio e Pepe.

Spoiler alert: Recipe below!

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Sophie Ormiston & Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth 

To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

Science-backed Cacio e Pepe:

For two servings:
- 240 g pasta
- Black pepper
- 160 g pecorino cheese
- 4g corn starch in 40ml water

Dissolve the corn starch in water and heat until it forms a gel. Let this cool before combining it with the cheese and black pepper. Cook the pasta, then drain, keeping some of the water. Let it cool then mix the pasta with the sauce. Enjoy!


THU 17:00 PM (m0026vt6)
US 'confident' Gaza ceasefire will begin on Sunday

The remaining issues holding up the approval of the Gaza ceasefire deal are reported to have been overcome, with the US saying it is 'confident' the deal will begin to be implemented on Sunday. Plus, we hear about the 'tech bro' billionaires in the US - and their politics. And, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes speaks to us about the state of the TV industry.


THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026vt8)
Yvette Cooper has announced a three-month review of gang-based child sexual exploitation


THU 18:30 Aurie Styla: Tech Talk (Omnibus) (m0026vtb)
2. Alexa, Make Me A Sandwich

Stand-up comedian Aurie Styla, a 90s nerd, takes an autobiographical journey through technology history. In this episode, we look at Laurie's life today - a life which is riled by Siri and her various strange sisters.

Aurie has been a technology lover since he got his first 13-inch television which only worked if asked very nicely, and he re-wired to show all the channels available - in total, four.

Since the days of his first gaming console, the Sega Master System – featuring the often frustrating Alex Kidd In Miracle World – Aurie has seen technology transform in a manner that would have been hard to believe in the 90s.

This show charts his personal relationship with machines, looking at the past (computer games that you had to load from cassette tapes), the present (houses that are lit and warmed via apps on your phone, cars that drive themselves without you) and the future (AIs that tell you how to dress and what to eat for dinner, and superior intelligences that command your every move whether you want to object or not).

Technology has moved on rapidly, from being a fun sideshow to the bedrock of our understanding of human life. Aurie guides us through this landscape with infectious wit, taking time to remember the awkward interface of MSN Messenger while also negotiating the modern culture of having to check with a virtual assistant before you turn your lights off. A warm, human show about the way the world has become less and less warm and human, celebrating the march of tech while being appropriately terrified of it.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4


THU 19:00 The Archers (m0026vtd)
Neil’s conflicted. Part of him feels he doesn’t need to know anything about his birth parents; his foster family were great and gave him everything. But he does acknowledge the genetic connection with his birth family. He’s torn between nature and nurture. Hearing this prompts Susan to ask Adam about finding his half-sister, Erin. Susan explains Neil’s vacillating mindset, and Adam confirms he’d be happy to chat with him. Later Adam’s story illustrating the pros and cons of reconnecting doesn’t put Neil off. He feels he’s got nothing to lose by pursuing this, and he and Susan agree they’ll start the search.

Rex reckons he’s too busy for Rochelle’s picnic – they’ve got the green light for the beaver scheme and he has lots to do. Even more reason to share her hamper, asserts Rochelle. Rex folds, and they enjoy their time together. But when Rochelle suggests they do it again sometime Rex obfuscates. Rochelle can’t understand it – they’re both feeling something aren’t they? Rex agrees they are. With difficulty he admits that Joy has warned him Rochelle is vulnerable. Shocked Rochelle confronts her mum, accusing her of humiliating her and effectively labelling her to Rex as damaged goods. Joy insists she can see Rochelle’s vulnerability, away from her children with no job or proper home. She needs to stop being distracted and focus on Harper and Noah. Rochelle retorts that Joy was a useless mother, and now she only cares about her grandkids. She accuses distraught Joy of letting her down, and orders her out.


THU 19:15 Front Row (m0026vtg)
Review: Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, TS Eliot prize poetry, Italian wartime film Vermiglio

Lemn Sissay and Rhianna Dhillon review the new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet, the TS Eliot Prize-winning poetry collection Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi and the Italian language film, Vermiglio set in a remote Alpine village during World War Two.

We pay homage to David Lynch, director of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive. Plus Mark Savage gives the latest on the feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake

Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham


THU 20:00 The Media Show (m0026vtj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Wednesday]


THU 21:00 Loose Ends (m0026tvw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Saturday]


THU 21:45 Strong Message Here (m0026vs7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 today]


THU 22:00 The World Tonight (m0026vtl)
Gaza ceasefire deal delayed

There's been a delay to agreeing the ceasefire deal in Gaza - as Israel's far-right Security Minister tonight threatens to quit its government if the deal goes ahead. Another Israeli member of parliament tells us why his party could also quit the government over the deal.

Also tonight:

There's been relief for some survivors of grooming gangs as the home secretary announces new inquiries. But will a national review, and five local investigations, go far enough?

And the legendary director David Lynch has died. We get a tribute from the Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage.


THU 22:45 Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban (m0026vtn)
Episode 4

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts’ and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 50 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I’m in a better mood.”

"This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement." John Fowles

"Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy." John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban
Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4


THU 23:00 The Today Podcast (m0026vtq)
Going for Growth: Rachel Reeves v the markets

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she will go ‘further and faster’ in the search for economic growth after a week of market turbulence that pushed up the cost of government borrowing.

Nick and Amol are joined by Today business presenter Sean Farrington to explain what bonds and gilts are and why they matter so much. They also talk to Paul Mason, former economics editor and Labour Party supporter, about what Rachel Reeves could do next.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH:
* Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346
* Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.


THU 23:30 Today in Parliament (m0026vts)
Sean Curran reports as the foreign secretary answers MPs' questions about the ceasefire deal in Gaza.

FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2025

FRI 00:00 Midnight News (m0026vtv)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


FRI 00:30 The Ideas List (m0026vsf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Thursday]


FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m0026vtx)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m0026vtz)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m0026vv1)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


FRI 05:30 News Briefing (m0026vv3)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4


FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m0026vv5)
Travelling with an Open Heart

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Fleur Dorrell

Good Morning.

Whether we’re walking, driving or commuting, there’s always something that can surprise us along the way. It might be the weather, a person, an incident or changed route due to traffic delays or transport cancellations.

On one train journey I made recently, I suddenly noticed a set of dentures lying in the aisle nearby my seat. So I picked them up with a tissue and diplomatically began to ask various passengers if they had lost their teeth. When I found the owner, they were delighted since they were in a wheelchair and had managed to lose them when wrestling with a lot of luggage. I was both pleased they were returned but saddened by how difficult for some of us travelling can be.

Life is challenging regardless of our age, health or mobility. Choices, decisions and outcomes are not always within our grasp or of our making, but the kindness of strangers or a thoughtful act can help us navigate the world a little easier.

As we get older, our life journey will call us to question the many paths we have taken:

Where have I found freedom when I was stifled by fear and weakness?
When have I accepted my mortality when facing my own ageing?
When have I lived my dreams even when experiencing failure and self-doubt?
When have I shared my gifts with others and allowed others to share theirs with me?

I pray that we may respond to these questions with gentle honesty, enabling us to accept ourselves and our experiences. To travel with an open heart and along the way, help those who need our care.

Amen.


FRI 05:45 Farming Today (m0026vv7)
17/01/25 - CCC changes advice on eating meat, report finds environmental targets off track, adapting farm machinery

The Climate Change Committee is revising its advice on eating meat. In 2020 the Committee, which is the Government's advisor on climate change, recommended people cut their intake of beef, lamb and dairy produce by 20% by 2030 and by 35% by 2050, to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by livestock in the UK. But the Interim Chair Professor Piers Forster tells us that in light of new technologies, this is being looked at again.

Farmers have to drive change if we're to meet legally binding targets on improving the environment. So says the Office for Environmental Protection in a new report looking at the last government's progress on meeting targets on water quality, air pollution and stopping biodiversity loss. It says England remains largely off track as progress 'slowed' and 'very substantial' challenges remain if targets are to be reached by 2030.

We hear about the workarounds which farmers come up with to keep older machines going.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.


FRI 06:00 Today (m0026w76)
17/01/25 - Nick Robinson and Dharshini David

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (m0026v03)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]


FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (m0026w78)
AI and IVF, Cousin marriage, Sugarcane documentary, What is 'masculine energy' and how does it affect the workplace?

Can AI improve the success rates of women undergoing fertility treatment? Anita Rani discusses the impact of AI on IVF with Dr Cristina Hickman, an embryologist, co-founder of Avenues, and Chair of the Global AI Fertility Society, and Dr Ali Abbara, a Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London, and Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

The second reading is due today of a private members bill that seeks to ban first-cousin marriage. It’s particularly prevalent among Pakistani and Muslim communities. But what would this mean for women? And how would genetic testing to enforce the ban work? Anita Rani speaks to CEO of Karma Nirvana Natasha Rattu and Emeritus Professor of Health Research at Bradford University, Neil Small.

The award winning documentary Sugarcane follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian residential school system, and the attempts of survivors and their descendants to try to understand what happened in them. Emily Kassie is the film's producer and co-director and joins Anita on Woman's Hour.

Mark Zuckerberg says companies need to embrace more “masculine energy”. The Meta boss told a podcast that instead of trying to get away from it, corporate culture should celebrate the positive side of things like “aggression”. But what even is ‘masculine energy’? And do we really need more of it? Anita talks to Josh Smith, contributing editor of Glamour magazine and Becky Hewitt, Chief Exec of culture change company Kin&Co.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge


FRI 11:00 The Food Programme (m0026w7b)
What's this emulsifier doing in my food?

Emulsifiers are among the most common food additives found in ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a much-discussed category of foods commonly defined as those made using manufactured ingredients. They are often packaged and have a long shelf life. Research examining the impact of diets high in UPFs suggests higher rates of obesity and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

However, discussions about labeling these foods as "ultra-processed" have also sparked debates about whether their negative effects are primarily due to their high fat, sugar, and salt content, or whether they stem from the effects of processing itself, particularly the additives they contain.

In this episode, Jaega Wise explores one of the most commonly used additives in UPFs—emulsifiers. She investigates how they work, what they do, their history, associated health concerns, and their potential future developments.

Featuring: Nicola Lando and Ross Brown from the online specialty cooking supplies company Sous Chef; Tim Spector, professor of epidemiology at King’s College London and co-founder of the personalized health app Zoe; food historian Annie Gray; John Ruff, Chief Science Advisor at the Institute of Food Technologists; Professor Barry Smith at the University of London’s Centre for the Study of the Senses; Professor Anwesha Sarkar, an expert in colloids and surfaces at Leeds University’s School of Food Science and Nutrition; and Dr. Benoit Chassaing, a research director at The Institut Pasteur in Paris, who studies microbiota and the health impacts of certain emulsifiers.

Presented by Jaega Wise
Produced in Bristol for BBC Audio by Natalie Donovan


FRI 11:45 The Ideas List (m0026w7d)
5. Fingerprints

Thirty years ago years ago, in March 1995, a fresh-faced Claudia Hammond arrived at the BBC for a job interview as a trainee science producer. It was a big opportunity so she prepared meticulously. She put together a comprehensive list of science and health stories, ready to pitch at the interview to show that she knew a good science story and would be perfect for the role.

Fast forward thirty years and Claudia, now an award-winning broadcaster and presenter of Radio 4’s All in the Mind, is sorting through the drawer of recycled scripts, briefs and notes she keeps to re-use in her printer. Right at the bottom of the inches-thick pile she comes across the list of stories she’d prepared to pitch at that interview three decades earlier.

In this quirky, personal journey, Claudia revisits five ideas from her Ideas List to find out what happened next. She tracks each headline-grabbing story forward through the false-starts and dead ends, the surprises and successes. And she asks what each tale teaches us about the tortuous path of scientific progress.

In this episode Claudia picks up on a story about the FBI, the United States’ domestic intelligence and security service. By the mid-1990s the FBI had 200 million fingerprint records, all kept on individual cards and stored in filing cabinets which took up an acre of floor space. Searching through these records could take so long that police were forced to release suspects before a match could be found.

The FBI’s fingerprint system was clearly - and urgently - in need of digitisation so that it could be kept as computer records. But because each individual record needed a lot of computer memory, an acre of filing cabinets would simply be replaced by an acre of computer servers!

Enter Chris Brislawn from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico who devised a radical new data-compression system. He tells Claudia how he made the breakthrough using the mathematical theory of wavelets. This allowed the important information about a fingerprint to be separated from the unimportant information and, as a result, vastly reduce the file size.

And the system Chris invented is still used by the FBI today As Craig Watson from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology attests, it was an example of the right idea at exactly the right time.

Producers: Florian Bohr and Jeremy Grange


FRI 12:00 News Summary (m0026w7g)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


FRI 12:04 AntiSocial (m0026w7j)
"Masculine energy": Does the workplace need more of it?

When Mark Zuckerberg appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast last week he said that the corporate world has moved away from masculine energy and is “pretty culturally neutered.” A culture that "celebrates aggression" can be positive, he claimed.

Does the workplace need more masculine energy? Do businesses need aggression and competitiveness to succeed?

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Josephine Casserly, Simon Tulett, Emma Close
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy


FRI 12:57 Weather (m0026w7l)
The latest weather forecast


FRI 13:00 World at One (m0026w7n)
Israel's security cabinet agrees to the ceasefire deal

We get the latest from Jerusalem and speak to Rory Stewart about Gaza's future. And playwright David Hare reflects on Dame Joan Plowright's life.


FRI 13:45 Human Intelligence (m0026w7q)
Teachers: Diogenes

Naomi Alderman investigates the eccentric brilliance of Diogenes. He was a ‘cynic’ philosopher, which originally meant ‘dog-like’, and wanted to teach us that humans could learn from dogs and the simple authentic manner in which they went about their lives. Diogenes was sharp, hilarious, downright rude and a menace in the market place.

Special thanks to Dr Robert Cromarty, Classics Master at Wellington College.

Produced by BBC Studios Audio in partnership with The Open University.

Presenter: Naomi Alderman
Executive editor: James Cook
Assistant producer: Sarah Goodman
Researcher: Harry Burton
Production coordinator: Amelia Paul
Script consultant: Sara Joyner


FRI 14:00 The Archers (m0026vtd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Thursday]


FRI 14:15 Limelight (m0026w7s)
Don't Listen to This

Episode 4

By Anthony Del Col

Gripping psychological thriller, set in the world of competitive gaming (esports).

Cressida Yang is forced into hiding when she is blamed for a string of murders which has sent shockwaves through the esports community. Determined to locate the Poka Yoke server and shut down the killer cutscene forever, Cressida embarks on a dangerous journey. But help comes just in time from an unexpected source.

Cressida Yang ..... Sophie Wu
Blu_Devil ..... Thaddea Graham
Park ..... Nikesh Patel
Rooftop ..... Jonny Weldon
Soji Sanada.....Togo Igawa
Gerald Lee ...... David K. S. Tse
Beckett Knox ....... Samuel James
Warstrm ..... Ian Dunnett Jnr

Production co-ordinator- Pippa Day
Assistant Technical Producer- Mike Etherden
Technical Producer and Sound Designer- Sharon Hughes
Director- Nadia Molinari
Co-Producers- Nadia Molinari, Jessica Mitic, Lorna Newman
Writer - Anthony Del Col

Thanks to Nimitt Mankad, Anthony Wastella and Geoff Moore.

A BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 14:45 Something to Declare (m0026w7v)
How to Laugh It Off

In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the Irish concept of "Craic"—a unique blend of humour, storytelling, and community that brings joy and resilience to everyday life.

Joining Jack is stand-up comedian Cat Anderson, who unpacks the elusive essence of Craic. Is it simply about having fun, or does it hold a deeper significance in Irish culture? She explains how Craic is woven into Ireland's rich history, serving as a way to find levity and connection even during the hardest times. Whether in a lively pub or a quiet gathering, Craic is about elevating shared moments with laughter and lightheartedness.

Jack also visits an Irish pub, microphone in hand, to hear firsthand from locals. Through stories and banter, the pub’s patrons reveal how Craic fosters connections, builds community, and even helps navigate life’s challenges with a smile.

This episode highlights how humour, vulnerability, and the art of storytelling can transform our social experiences, offering not only joy but also comfort during difficult times. Whether you're Irish or not, Craic offers a universal lesson - life is better shared with laughter.

Host: Jack Boswell
Producer: Emma Crampton
Senior Producer: Harry Stott
Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari
Production Coordinator: James Cox
Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle
Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews

A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m0026w7x)
Postbag Edition: Barbican

What vegetables could I grown that aren't native to the UK? Are there any punk-ish plants that thrive in a hot and humid room? Which plant would make a great building structure?

Peter Gibbs and a team of gardening experts explore the various locations of the beautifully brutalist Barbican Centre in London, all while digging into the GQT postbag to answer your gardening conundrums.

Joining Peter are ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Juliet Sargeant and Head Gardener Matthew Pottage. Leading them around various locations is the Barbican Centre's Head Gardener Marta Lowcewicz.

Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 15:45 Short Works (m0026w7z)
My Mother Said My Name by Luiza Sauma

An original short story specially commissioned by BBC Radio 4 from the author Luiza Sauma. Read by Thalissa Teixeira.

The Author
Luiza Sauma was born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in London. She is the author of two novels ‘Flesh and Bone and Water’ (2017) and ‘Everything You Ever Wanted’ (2019), both published by Viking. ‘Everything You Ever Wanted’ was shortlisted for the Encore Award and recommended by Florence Welch’s book club Between Two Books. Luiza’s writing has been published in the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Independent and many others. She has an MA in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths, where she won the Pat Kavanagh Award.

Writer: Luiza Sauma
Reader: Thalissa Teixeira
Producer: Michael Shannon

A BBC Audio Northern Ireland Production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 16:00 Last Word (m0026w81)
Tony Slattery, Rosalind Savill, Paddy Hill, Noreen Riols

Matthew Bannister on

The comedian and actor Tony Slattery. Sir Stephen Fry reflects on his friend’s talent – and struggle with addiction and poor mental health.

Dame Rosalind Savill, the respected director who brought new audiences to the Wallace Collection in London.

Paddy Hill, one of six men wrongly convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974.

Noreen Riols, who helped to train S.O.E. agents for undercover work during the Second World War

Producer: Ed Prendeville

Archive:
Birmingham Six Case Reopens, BBC News, 1990; Release of the Birmingham Six, BBC News, 1991; Hard Talk, BBC, 2000; BBC Radio 4, 1974; Anti-IRA Marches, BBC News,1974; Whose Line Is It Anyway? Theme Tune composed by Philip Pope; Whose line is it Anyway?, Season6 Episode 6, A Hatrick Production, C4 Television Corporation; Whose line is it Anyway?, Season7 Episode 1, A Hatrick Production, C4 Television Corporation; The Cambridge Footlights Revue, 20/05/1982; STEPHEN FRY:THE SECRET LIFE OF THE MANIC DEPRESSIVE, 23/08/2007; What's the Matter with Tony Slattery, 05/06/2020!; Saturday Live, 31/08/2013; History: Secret Agent, 08/01/2001; Witness History, Secret Operations Executive. 05/09/2013; Masterclass Sèvres Porcelain, with Dame Rosalind Savill, Colnaghi Foundation, YouTube upload, 15/05/2020; The Wallace Collection, YouTube, upload, 01/10/2009; A Beautiful Thing: A Passion for Porcelain, BBC, 18/06/2013


FRI 16:30 Sideways (m0026vvc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


FRI 17:00 PM (m0026w83)
Will Trump overturn TikTok ban?

The Supreme Court upholds a ban on TikTok, but president-elect Donald Trump may thwart it. Plus, regulators open the door to better mortgage terms for first-time buyers.


FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m0026w85)
The Israeli cabinet is voting on whether to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.


FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (m0026w87)
Series 116

Unconditional Discharge in Charge

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Nish Kumar, Sara Barron, Glenn Moore and Zing Tsjeng to unpack the week's new stories. The panel look into Donald Trump's unconditional discharge and his looming inauguration, as well as Keir Starmer's unleashing of AI, and Tulip Siddiq's resignation.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Christina Riggs, Mike Shephard and Ben Pope.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production


FRI 19:00 The Archers (m0026w89)
Writer: Liz John
Director: Jessica Bunch
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler


FRI 19:15 Screenshot (m0026w8c)
Time Travel

How does film and TV make time travel real? Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode take a quantum leap into the world of time travel and time loops on screen, from Back To The Future to Groundhog Day.

Mark speaks to theoretical physicist Sean Carroll about how movies like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Interstellar have handled the science of time travel - and whether it really is just the stuff of fantasy. And he talks to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Knives Out director Rian Johnson about the dramatic allure of playing with time, and about Rian's 2012 film Looper, which starred Bruce Willis as a criminal sent back to the past to be eliminated by his younger self.

Meanwhile, Ellen explores a sub-genre less concerned with mechanics and physics, and more with emotion and moral dilemmas - the time loop story. She speaks to Black Doves screenwriter Joe Barton about his time loop TV series The Lazarus Project. And film critic Anne Billson runs her through some examples of the genre she finds most - and least - captivating, from Palm Springs to About Time.

Produced by Jane Long
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (m0026w8f)
Dr Luke Evans MP, Helen Morgan MP, Karin Smyth MP, Alex Wilson AM

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Codsall Village Hall in South Staffordshire, with Conservative shadow health minister Dr Luke Evans; Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan; Labour's Karin Smyth who is a minister in the department for health and social care; and the Reform Party's Alex Wilson, a member of the London Assembly.

Producer: Paul Martin
Lead broadcast engineer: Phil Booth


FRI 20:50 A Point of View (m0026w8h)
Trump, Washington and America First

As Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, Mark Damazer reflects on America's leadership in the world.

Eavesdropping on a focus group recently, Mark tells us that the country's leadership was seen as 'a burden and a luxury - and a luxury they wanted to do without.'

'There was a time when large chunks of the world were grateful for American involvement...but gratitude is now more thinly expressed', he says. 'And Donald Trump well understands that.'

In this new world order, Mark argues, 'we have our work cut out to find a response.'

Producer: Adele Armstrong
Sound: Peter Bosher
Production coordinator: Liam Morrey
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith


FRI 21:00 Free Thinking (m0026w8k)
Common Sense

What do we mean by 'common sense'?
In 1925 the philosopher GE Moore wrote a Defence of Common Sense which argued against philosophical idealism, on the grounds that it seemed to deny a set of propositions that he claimed were indisputably true. His colleague Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote a detailed response to Moore's paper, and its influence extended into the work of contemporaries like Susan Stebbing. How do we understand common sense now? What role does common sense play in politics? Matthew Sweet's guests are the philosopher Dr Rachel Wiseman, the politician Ann Widdecombe, the historian of emotion Dr Tiffany Watt Smith and the journalist and scholar of post colonial culture Dr Sarah Jilani.

Producer: Luke Mulhall


FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (m0026w8m)
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective.


FRI 22:45 Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban (m0026w8p)
Episode 5

In a tank of golden-green water at London Zoo, three giant sea turtles swim in futile circles. They are born to navigate, by some mysterious instinct, across thousands of miles of ocean - but these turtles are going nowhere.

Two isolated single people in their early 40s are both beset by ‘turtle thoughts’ and separately begin to conceive of a plan to return them to the sea.

William G is a divorced father, a junior assistant in a bookshop, he lives in a bedsit in Putney and has no idea where his two daughters are. Neaera H is a children's author and illustrator who has run out of ideas for her next book. Their diaries reveal the quiet sadnesses and dramas of their parallel lives and the shared enterprise that brings them together.

It's a story about hope and despair, loneliness and the heroic eccentricity of two individuals who feel compelled to act in a world which feels to both of them as if it is careering towards madness.

Turtle Diary is a modern classic, first published exactly 50 years ago. 2025 also marks the centenary of Russell Hoban's birth. One cover review calls Turtle Diary “life-saving”; novelist Max Porter said that it “has medicinal qualities. I only need to think about it and I’m in a better mood.”

"This lovely human fable seems to me one of the best things of its kind - a fine and touching achievement." John Fowles

"Worth rejoicing in ... a banquet of whimsical delights. Each Russell Hoban book is surprising ... but you also know what you're getting, which is curiosity, wonder and a world-encompassing empathy." John Self, The Guardian

Russell Hoban was an American writer born in 1925. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London from 1969 until his death in 2011.

Written by Russell Hoban
Read by Daniel Weyman and Katherine Parkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4


FRI 23:00 Americast (m0026w8r)
Goodbye, Joe: Biden’s Legacy (Part 2)

Joe Biden has given his final address setting out the list of achievements that he would like to define his four years in the White House.

Sarah and Anthony unpack at the 46th president’s domestic successes and failures. They’re joined by his former senior advisor, and friend, Anita Dunn. She tells us what the president is really like behind closed doors, how he’ll be remembered, and whether he was just too old for the job.

This episode was made by George Dabby, with Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm


FRI 23:30 Today in Parliament (m0026w8t)
Susan Hulme reports from Westminster where MPs and peers spent Friday debating private members' bills.
In the Commons there was an attempt to change the law to force housebuilders to install new solar panels on every new home. But a cloud threatened the so called Sunshine Bill. The Government said it wouldn't support the proposals because it wanted to bring in its own changes later this year.
Over in the House of Lords, peers debated proposals for a new law which would require people who worked with children to report suspected child sexual abuse to the authorities.
This week Susan was watching from the dug out by the side of the pitch as the House of Lords debated the Football Governance Bill. We have post match analysis from the BBC's Sports Editor and some of the leading players.
And there's nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Susan reports from the tow path as an MP takes to the Thames to publicise a private members bill that will be debated in the Commons later this month.