SATURDAY 08 MARCH 2025

SAT 00:00 Soul Music (m000l0j1)
Series 30
Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte by Maurice Ravel
Ravel's beautiful Pavane For A Dead Princess touches many people.
While it is not actually about a dead princess it does evoke a sense loss. For Carla van Raay it symbolises the loss of innocence she experienced after sexual abuse as a child which led her to make some difficult life choices.
Deal Hudson played it to prisoners in Atlanta and was moved by their reaction. At an academy for troubled teenagers in California the Pavane had a similar effect.
Genevieve Monneris comes from the town where Ravel was born on the border with Spain. Her film Henri and Pat tells the story of three French airman who were stationed in York during World War Two. Just days before Henri's plane was shot down the three young men went to a concert of Ravel's music in York. So the piece has a strong emotional meaning for Genevieve whose own father was also stationed with the RAF in York.
Professor Barbara Kelly of the Royal Northern College of Music explains the background to the Pavane's composition and why it appeals to the emotions in such a powerful way.
Although it was written at the end of the 19th century it became more widely known in the 1920s. That was when a young woman called Lucia Joyce daughter of James Joyce danced to it with her avant garde dance group. The writer Annabel Abbs tells Lucia's tragic story of how her life ended in a mental asylum and how she almost became the imaginary 'dead princess'.
Versions used:
Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte
William Orbit
Julian Bream
James Rhodes
Maurice Ravel
Ravel Pavane arrangement for harp and cello
Producer: Maggie Ayre
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2020.
SAT 00:30 Fighting The Power of Pink (b010y39d)
Any parents of a little girl will tell you that they are strangely drawn to the colour pink.
But is it in their genes or is it all down to culture?
Kat Arney investigates, talking to parents, scientists, and the toy industry. She discovers that while women are more drawn than men to reddish shades of blue, boys and girls don't seem to develop different preferences until they are over the age of two. But long before then, they have very different preferences for toys.
So maybe we all just like different colours because we like the things that come in those colours.
Or maybe women really do prefer pink because in the distant past they needed to be able to see red berries against green leaves, while men needed to see brown bison against a blue sky?
Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.
SAT 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k297)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Noble Bachelor
A young man with severe injuries and a chilling tale arrives at Watson's surgery.
One of a collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the immortal Baker Street detective - first published in 1892.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams
Dramatised by Bert Coules.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr Watson .... Michael Williams
St Simon .... John Rye
Doran .... David Healey
Hatty .... Catherine Furshpan
Vicar .... Ian Lindsay
Flora .... Tara Dominick
Footman/Constable .... Andrew Wincott
Duchess .... Elizabeth Kelly
Mrs Hudson .... Mary Allen
Doorman/Sgt .... Danny Schiller
Lestrade .... Donald Gee
Moulton .... Stephen Garlick
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1991.
SAT 01:45 Whodunnits (b08l7szl)
DCI Alma Blair - Dead Pan
5. Relationships
The conclusion of Val McDermid's comic crime drama set in a fine dining restaurant - but when Alma and Jo finally get time alone to talk, it is the future of their personal relationship, more than the murder investigation, that is called in to question.
DCI Alma Blair ... Julie Hesmondhalgh
DS Jason Trotter .... John Hollingworth
CSM Jo Black .... Jane Hazlegrove
Narrator ... Jonathan Keeble
Mo ... Nitin Kundra
Michelle. .... Rosina Carbone
Richard .... Simeon Truby
All other parts played by members of the cast
Written by Val McDermid.
Produced and directed by Justine Potter.
A Savvy production made for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2017.
SAT 02:00 Bodgers, Banks and Sparkes (m0028l65)
Entertainment
The sketch show comedy gang start the series with the spotlight on entertainment.
Many of them would go on to create the celebrated late 1980s Channel 4 TV comedy, Absolutely.
With a history of great radio quiz shows, with such favourites as: 'What's the question?' 'What's the point?' 'Where's the cheque to go to?' 'How's Frank Muir?' 'Where's Frank Muir?' 'Here's Frank Muir'.
Starring The Bodgers:
Moray Hunter
Johnny NoName
Gordon Kennedy
Peter Baike
Morwenna Banks
John Sparkes
Music by Pete Baikie and The Jim Baikie Big Band.
Written by Moray Hunter, John Docherty, Morwenna Banks and John Sparkes.
Producer: Alan Nixon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1986.
SAT 02:30 Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead (b00h4lnm)
From 05/04/1971
An odd romantic tryst and the life of a great Englishman.
A sequential entertainment for radio starring Ronnie Barker.
With:
Terence Brady
Pauline Yates
Pianist: Gordon Langford
Written by John Graham, David Nobbs, David McKellar and Peter Vincent, Donald Monat and June Dixon, Miles Rudge and Ted Dicks, Pete Spence, Alan Scott and Chris Bryant, and Gerald Wiley.
Producer: John Fawcett-Wilson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1971.
SAT 03:00 Shush! (b08nq9wk)
Series 2
Dewey Decimal
When an International Librarians' Conference looms, Alice and Snoo have to resort to some rather unconventional methods to get hold of a passport - methods that include a thousand hummingbirds, some over-tight jeans and a hilarious anagram.
Meet Alice - a former child prodigy who won a place at Oxford aged 9 but, because Daddy went too, she never needed to have any friends. She's scared of everything. Everything that is except libraries and Snoo - a slightly confused individual with a have-a-go attitude to life, marriage, haircuts and reality. Snoo loves books, and fully intends to read one one day.
And forever popping into the library is Dr Cadogan - celebrity doctor to the stars and a man with his finger in every pie. Charming, indiscreet and quite possibly wanted by Interpol, if you want a discrete nip and tuck and then photos of it accidentally left on the photocopier, Dr Cadogan is your man.
Their happy life is interrupted by the arrival of Simon Nielson, a man with a mission - a mission to close down inefficient libraries. Fortunately, he hates his mission. What he really wants to do is once - just once - get even with his inexhaustible supply of high-achieving brothers.
Alice ...... Rebecca Front
Snoo ...... Morwenna Banks
Dr Cadogan ...... Michael Fenton-Stevens
Simon Nielson ...... Ben Willbond
Written by Morwenna Banks and Rebecca Front
Based on an idea developed with Armando Iannucci
Produced by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.
SAT 03:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028l68)
5. Paris
To escape Edinburgh, a kindly aunt takes Eilidh to Paris, where she has a surprise encounter.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
SAT 03:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007nfd7)
5. Tragedy
As a midsummer night draws to an end, some life-changing events await Richardson.
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Nancy......Clare Corbett
Alex.....Crispin Bonham-Carter
Mrs Sanderson....Helena Breck
Blackie...Robert Purdy
Tom.....Jamie Bamber
Bretherton.....Philip Fox
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
SAT 04:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m0016pk6)
Series 28
Episode 4
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies.
They compete against one another to see how many items of truth they're able to smuggle past their opponents.
The panellists are obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as scouting, hair, South Korea and Nicolas Cage.
With:
Lucy Porter
Holly Walsh
Tony Hawks
Alan Davies
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2022.
SAT 04:30 Meet Mr Mulliner by PG Wodehouse (m0028l6g)
Open House
Mr Mulliner's tale touches on a Mulliner whose callous dismissal of one young woman opens the door to vengeful neighbours, animal cruelty and exile.
Storyteller Mr Mulliner enlists regular tipplers of the Angler's Rest to tell his tales.
Richard Griffiths stars In Meet Mr Mulliner, first published in 1927, written by PG Wodehouse.
Dramatised in six parts by Roger Davenport.
Mr Mulliner .... Richard Griffiths
Miss Postlethwaite / Marcella .... Matilda Ziegler
A Light Ale / Eustice .... Martin Hyder
A Port / Orlando Wotherspoon .... Peter Acre
A Pint of Stout / Blenkinsopp .... David Timson
Lady Beazley-Beazley .... Marlene Sidaway
Director: Ned Chaillet
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
SAT 05:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028l6j)
5. Scarcely a Sacrifice
Daisy Bates pioneering journeys in Western Australia in the early 1900s, studying and working with Aboriginal people.
'The pioneers of Western Australia were noble men and women, and nearly all of them were above reproach and more than kindly in their treatment of the Aboriginal. But it was a kindness that killed as surely as cruelty would have done. The Australian native can withstand all the ravages of nature - fiendish droughts and sweeping floods, horrors of thirst and enforced starvation: but he cannot withstand civilisation.'
Stars Sinead Cusack as Daisy Bates. Narrated by Edward de Souza.
Fifth of seven true stories of travel and adventure by intrepid women, compiled, and written by Julia Keay.
Producer: John Powell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988.
SAT 05:45 Stories by Alasdair Gray (m0028l6l)
Mr Meikle - An Epilogue
A writer reflects on the profound debt he owes his English teacher and the connections between reading, writing and teaching.....
Collection of stories written by Alasdair Gray
Read by the author.
Producer Eilidh McCreadie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2004.
SAT 06:00 The Sacred Flame by W Somerset Maugham (m0028rzq)
June, 1929: Maurice Tabret has survived an air crash, but the injuries mean he's been invalided out of the air force.
He's determined to remain cheerful, but his condition affects all those close to him.
Starring Julian Glover and Wendy Hiller.
Written by W Somerset Maugham.
Maurice .... Julian Glover
Mrs Tabret .... Wendy Hiller
Nurse Wayland .... Hannah Gordon
Stella .... Janet Maw
Major Liconda .... Alan Wheatley
Dr Harvester .... Preston Lockwood
Colin .... David Goudge
Alice .... Melinda Walker
Director: Graham Gauld
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.
SAT 07:30 Other Minds: The Octopus and The Evolution of Intelligent Life (Omnibus) (m0028rzs)
What if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice?
The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?
Philosopher and scuba diver Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the startling evolutionary journey of the cephalopods.
It all started for him when he began scuba diving near Sydney.
Peter explores what we know about the intelligence of cephalopods, including the tricks they play on the scientists who try to study them.
He looks back 600 million years, to reveal the worm-like creature which was the last common ancestor connecting us with the octopus and visits an extraordinary site off the coast of Australia, Octopolis, where the animals have developed a kind of city under the sea.
He meditates on why the octopus, with such high intelligence, lives for such a short time. And he asks us to imagine what it feels like to be an octopus, raising big questions about the nature of animal consciousness.
Peter Godfrey-Smith is a professor in the School of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney.
Omnibus of five parts read by Tim McInnerny.
Abridged and produced by Elizabeth Burke.
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio.4. first broadcast in May 2021.
SAT 08:45 The Best of English (m0005p06)
Birth of a Spiv
Arthur English shares more reminisces about his life and career in showbusiness.
Recalling his beginnings as a stage comedian playing a stereotypical wartime "spiv" - he chats to Michael Pointon before a studio audience.
Arthur is best remembered as Mr Harman in BBC TV’s long-running sitcom 'Are You Being Served?' and as Slugger in Yorkshire TV's 'Follyfoot' shown on ITV.
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1988.
SAT 09:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007k0vq)
A Turn for the Nurse
Operations at a hospital turn sickly from the bungling civil servants' cure.
A weekly tribute to all those who work in government departments.
Written by Edward Taylor and John Graham.
Lennox-Brown …. Deryck Guyler
Lamb …. Richard Murdoch
Mildred/Nurse Todd…. Norma Ronald
Sir Gregory Pitkin …. Ronald Baddiley
Mr O’Toole/Dr Keane/Dr Campbell/Harold Hobhouse/James Simpleton …. John Graham
'The Men from the Ministry' ran for 14 series between 1962 and 1977. Deryck Guyler replaced Wilfrid Hyde-White from 1966
Producer: Edward Taylor
First broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 in August 1976.
SAT 09:30 Beyond Our Ken (m00016cp)
From 23/4/1959
Kenneth Horne takes in a new West End crime-musical and ‘Hornerama’ probes housing.
A madcap mix of sketches and songs written by Eric Merriman and Barry Took
Starring:
Kenneth Horne
Kenneth Williams
Hugh Paddick
Betty Marsden
Bill Pertwee
Music from Pat Lancaster, the Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet.
Announcer: Douglas Smith
Beyond Our Ken hit the airwaves in 1958 and ran to 1964 – featuring regulars like Arthur Fallowfield, Cecil Snaith and Rodney and Charles.
The precursor to ‘Round The Horne’ – sadly only 15 shows survive from the original run of 21 episodes in Series 2. Audio restored using both home and overseas (BBC Transcription Service) recordings.
Producer: Jacques Brown
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in April 1959.
SAT 10:00 Conversation Extra (m0028rzv)
Danny Kaye
Hollywood star Danny Kaye talks to Tony Thomas about his career acting in films like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, as well as campaigning for UNICEF.
The son of Ukrainian immigrants (then part of Russia), Danny Kaye was born in New York in 1913 – and died in Los Angeles in 1987 aged 76.
He was a multitalented actor, comedian, singer and dancer. He began his career as an entertainer in hotels. His quicksilver thinking led him to play multiple roles in the same film, as twins or look-alikes, including Wonder Man (1945), On the Riviera (1951) and On the Double (1961).
Danny Kaye’s best remembered for starring in the biopic Hans Christian Andersen (1952), and as song and dance double act with Bing Crosby in White Christmas (1954).
He toured his one man comedy and music show to brilliant reviews. Later in life he became known for his charity and humanitarian work with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
One of a series of classic in depth, long-form interviews unearthed by 4 Extra from tapes deep in the BBC archives.
This 24 minute version is all that survives in the archive of an original 40 minute interview.
Producer: Michael Raper
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1969.
SAT 10:30 Danny Kaye: Unicef's Jester (b008521m)
Michael Freedland tells the story of Danny Kaye.
One of the world's greatest entertainers, Kaye also became the first Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
Featuring:
David Puttenham
Roger Moore
Sylvia Fine
Larry Gelbart
Anton Mosimann
Alfred Marx
Danny died in 1987 aged 76.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2007.
SAT 11:00 The Sacred Flame by W Somerset Maugham (m0028rzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 12:30 Other Minds: The Octopus and The Evolution of Intelligent Life (Omnibus) (m0028rzs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 13:45 The Best of English (m0005p06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 14:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007k0vq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 14:30 Beyond Our Ken (m00016cp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 15:00 Conversation Extra (m0028rzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 15:30 Danny Kaye: Unicef's Jester (b008521m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SAT 16:00 The Lifted Veil by George Eliot (m0028rzy)
2. Fate
Disturbed by his clairvoyant powers, the death of his brother clears the way for Latimer to marry Bertha.
Starring Toby Stephens as Latimer.
Conclusion of George Eliot's 1859 novella.
Dramatised by Jonathan Holloway.
Latimer .... Toby Stephens
Father .... Tim Pigott Smith
Bertha .... Abigail Docherty
Charles Meunier .... Ian Hughes
Dr Black .... John Rowe
Mrs Archer .... Carolyn Jones
Housemaid .... Tracy Ann Oberman
Perry .... Christopher Wright
Director: Jane Morgan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1997.
SAT 17:00 The Sacred Flame by W Somerset Maugham (m0028rzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 18:30 Other Minds: The Octopus and The Evolution of Intelligent Life (Omnibus) (m0028rzs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SAT 19:45 The Best of English (m0005p06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
SAT 20:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007k0vq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 20:30 Beyond Our Ken (m00016cp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]
SAT 21:00 Conversation Extra (m0028rzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SAT 21:30 Danny Kaye: Unicef's Jester (b008521m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SAT 22:00 The Tim Vine Chat Show (b0938tnb)
Series 2
London
Tim Vine travels the length and breadth of this fair land to uncover the best stories of the Great British public.
And of course he takes every possible opportunity to tell a ridiculous joke and sing a preposterous song along the way.
Starting in London, Tim is confronted by a man with an interesting technique for warding off foxes.
And he meets an office worker who was inadvertently responsible for half of Welwyn Garden City being closed to the public.
There's also a song about allergies.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017.
SAT 22:30 Start/Stop (b039rwch)
Series 1
2. Weekend Away
Three couples sail off into the sunset. And sink.
Jack Docherty’s sitcom about love, marriage and despair.
With their marriages in various states of disrepair - the promise of a weekend away tests everyone's patience.
Starring:
Couple 1:
Barney ...... Jack Docherty
Cathy ...... Kerry Godliman
Couple 2:
Evan ...... John Thomson
Fiona ...... Fiona Allen
Couple 3:
David ...... Charlie Higson
Alice ...... Katherine Parkinson
Producer Steven Canny
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2013.
SAT 23:00 Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun (b007k1qh)
Belfast
Goldilocks, Robert the Bruce and body awareness.
Stewart Lee and Richard Herring’s mix of sharp sketches and situations, stand up topical gags and banter.
From Queen's University, Belfast.
With:
Peter Baynham
Ronni Ancona
John Thomson
Lee and Herring went to write and star in their successful TV transfer to BBC Two in 1995.
Cult BBC Radio 1 series first broadcast in October 1993.
SAT 23:30 The Simon Day Show (b01j6t0s)
Series 2
Tommy Cockles
Simon Day and his characters welcome you once again to The Mallard, a small provincial theatre somewhere in the UK.
Hear highlights of the stage show, plus all the backstage and front-of-house happenings.
Popular, blazered entertainer Tommy Cockles arrives to fine the theatre transformed.
There's a new Nigerian owner, soundman Goose has been replaced by an authoritarian ex-copper and receptionist Catherine has disappeared off to India to find herself.
Written by Simon Day.
Tommy Cockles ..... Simon Day
Catherine ..... Catherine Shepherd
Emanuel Akinyemi ..... Felix Dexter
Pat Bennet ..... Morwenna Banks
Ron Bone ..... Simon Greenall
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2012.

SUNDAY 09 MARCH 2025

SUN 00:00 The Lifted Veil by George Eliot (m0028rzy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Saturday]
SUN 01:00 The Sacred Flame by W Somerset Maugham (m0028rzq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]
SUN 02:30 Other Minds: The Octopus and The Evolution of Intelligent Life (Omnibus) (m0028rzs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]
SUN 03:45 The Best of English (m0005p06)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Saturday]
SUN 04:00 The Men from the Ministry (b007k0vq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]
SUN 04:30 Beyond Our Ken (m00016cp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]
SUN 05:00 Conversation Extra (m0028rzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]
SUN 05:30 Danny Kaye: Unicef's Jester (b008521m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Saturday]
SUN 06:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0028tkm)
TV's History Castaways
Alice Roberts
Professor Alice Roberts is castaway by Lauren Laverne.
She is one of the most popular science communicators in Britain today. As the presenter of the BBC archaeology programme Digging for Britain, Alice reveals the underground mysteries of our collective past to millions of viewers.
Alice was born in Bristol and developed an interest in science from an early age – examining insects under her microscope in order to draw them and digging up bits of pottery in her parents’ vegetable patch. At the age of eight she was entranced as she watched a live feed which showed researchers at Bristol University unwrapping an Egyptian Mummy.
Alice studied medicine in Cardiff and worked as a house officer doing paediatric surgery and then taught anatomy to students at Bristol University. She followed this up with a PhD in paleopathology, the study of disease in old bones, which led to her first television appearance as a bone expert on the Channel 4 series Time Team.
Alice has written several books that explore human evolution and history and in 2012 she was appointed the first Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham.
DISC ONE: Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
DISC TWO: Temple of Love - Sisters of Mercy
DISC THREE: Apotheosis - Austin Wintory
DISC FOUR: Cherub Rock (2011 Remaster) - The Smashing Pumpkins
DISC FIVE: Times Like These (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge) - Live Lounge Allstars
DISC SIX: Sugar - System Of A Down
DISC SEVEN: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. Composed by Ryuichi Sakomoto and performed by Phoebe Stevens
DISC EIGHT: Coins for the Eyes - Johnny Flynn & Robert Macfarlane
BOOK CHOICE: Middlemarch by George Eliot
LUXURY ITEM: A kayak
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. Composed by Ryuichi Sakomoto and performed by Phoebe Stevens
Producer: Paula McGinley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2024.
SUN 06:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b011vjj0)
Series 2
Waterton
Squire Waterton of Walton Hall was an eccentric Englishman and gentleman who made many visits to South America and wrote about his travels.
His travel books are "amongst the oddest I know" Sir David Attenborough tells us, written in an odd, almost biblical style. But nevertheless, they are accounts of natural history 200 years ago.
Attenborough argues that Waterton shouldn't be just remembered for his writing. He should be credited with establishing the first nature reserve in this country.
Appalled by the ravages of the industrial revolution's impact on the landscape, he built a wall around his estate to protect the wildlife - and free of charge allowed people to visit, which they did in their masses.
Written and presented by David Attenborough
Producer: Julian Hector
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011.
SUN 07:00 Poetry Extra (m0028tkq)
Poetry Please - Helen Mort
Poet Daljit Nagra selects Poetry Please - Helen Mort. We join the fell running and Trustee poet in Sheffield as she chooses her favourite poems. Including works by Wordsworth, Norman MacCaig and Karen McCarthy Woolf.
Producer Sally Heaven
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2020.
SUN 07:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (Omnibus) (m0028tks)
Episode 1
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches piano. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down French villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
SUN 08:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0028tkw)
Josh Widdicombe
Comedian and podcaster Josh Widdecombe chooses ‘All Things Must Pass’ by George Harrison and ‘Mis-Shapes’ by Pulp.
SUN 08:50 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (Omnibus) (b007jvl9)
Episode 1
Winter has come to Evensford. As the first snowflakes of 1931 settle, Lydia Aspen has come to live with her two aunts.
Richardson, a young reporter on the local paper, watches as the shy heiress passes by in a Daimler. His editor tells him "go and get the story"...
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel, first published in 1952.
Omnibus of the first five of ten parts.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Miss Bertie …… Margaret Tyzack
Miss Juliana …… Angela Thorne
Bretherton …… Philip Fox
Tom …… Jamie Bamber
Blackie....Robert Purdy
Old Johnson....Don McCorkindale
Nancy......Clare Corbett
Alex.....Crispin Bonham-Carter
Mrs Sanderson.....Helena Breck
Written by HE Bates
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
SUN 10:00 Frankie Howerd (m000hpjb)
Series 2
Episode 6
The King of Titters goes for a medical and recalls ‘special’ lessons he learned in London's Soho.
Ably assisted by June Whitfield and Ray Fell, Francis titters and teeters through his eventful life and illustrious career as he writes his memoirs.
Written by David McKellar and David Nobbs.
Music from the Bill McGuffie Quartet.
Producer: David Hatch.
First broadcast in BBC Radio 2 in July 1973.
SUN 10:30 Take It From Here (b011vffg)
From 14/01/1954
Dick Bentley asks Jimmy Edwards for help with a speech - and Ron and Eth ponder eloping in 'The Glums'.
Long-running classic comedy written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden.
Starring:
Professor Jimmy Edwards
Dick Bentley
June Whitfield
Alma Cogan
Wallas Eaton
Herbert Mostyn – a bit-part persona adopted, when necessary, by both Frank and Denis.
Music from The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Charles Maxwell
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in January 1954.
SUN 11:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0028tkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 11:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b011vjj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 12:00 Poetry Extra (m0028tkq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 12:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (Omnibus) (m0028tks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 13:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0028tkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 13:50 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (Omnibus) (b007jvl9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 15:00 Frankie Howerd (m000hpjb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 15:30 Take It From Here (b011vffg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 16:00 Fear on 4 (b007jmgn)
Series 1
Mind Well The Tree
When a couple inherit a mansion, the wife is strangely captivated.
The Man in Black sets the scene.
Fear on 4 brings you more in a series of nerve-tinglers.
Stars Edward de Souza and Nicola Pagett.
Written by William Ingram.
The Man in Black …. Edward de Souza
Helen............................Nicola Pagett
David............................Phillip Bond
Gwen ........................... Myfanwy Talog
Solicitor .......................Dillwyn Owen
Director: Adrian Mourby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1988.
SUN 16:30 Terry Pratchett (b007lzwx)
Wyrd Sisters
2. Three Wishes
The new monarch has a troubled conscience and a wife like Lucrezia Borgia.
The three witches have decisions to make...
Starring Sheila Hancock, Lynda Baron and Deborah Berlin.
Terry Pratchett's popular tale dramatised by Vince Foxall.
Granny Weatherwax …. Sheila Hancock
Nanny Ogg …. Lynda Baron
Magrat Garlick …. Deborah Berlin
Duke Felmet …. Ian Masters
Lady Felmet …. Kristin Milward
King Verence …. John Hartley
Mrs Vitoller …. Natasha Pyne
Vitoller …. Gavin Muir
The Fool …. Andrew Branch
Hwel …. Brian Hibbard
Director: Claire Grove
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1995.
SUN 17:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0028tkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SUN 17:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b011vjj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
SUN 18:00 Poetry Extra (m0028tkq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
SUN 18:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (Omnibus) (m0028tks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
SUN 19:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0028tkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 today]
SUN 19:50 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (Omnibus) (b007jvl9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]
SUN 21:00 Frankie Howerd (m000hpjb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
SUN 21:30 Take It From Here (b011vffg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
SUN 22:00 Elvenquest (b00w7f23)
Series 2
Episode 3
The Quest for the Sword of Asnagar continues.
Vidar and his team are outside the Citadel of Gondola which is being laid siege to by the amassed hordes of the evil Lord Darkness. But when they get searched on their way into the Citadel - there's been a lot of trouble with 'suicide fairies' - Sam comes across a love potion in Vidar's belongings.
Unsurprisingly his mind turns from defending the citadel to making his move on Penthiselea.
But the path of true love is never a steady one and Sam's plans for marital bliss soon fall apart when he discovers time with an amorous Penthiselea isn't all it's cracked up to be, and Vidar drinks the love potion by mistake.
Fantasy-based sitcom set in Lower Earth written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto.
Sam …. Stephen Mangan
Lord Darkness …. Alistair McGowan
The High Priestess of Gondola …. Christine Kavanagh
Dean/Kreech …. Kevin Eldon
Vidar …. Darren Boyd
Amis – The Chosen One …. Dave Lamb
Penthiselea …. Sophie Winkleman
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
SUN 22:30 Pick Ups (b008w3xx)
Series 1
Episode 5
A sticky DIY mishap for cabbie Dave, and Mike's first job is with the menacing Jess.
Comedy set in in a run-down taxi office in Manchester.
Written by Ian Kershaw.
Lind ... Sally Lindsay
Mike / Taffy / Timmy ... John Thomson
Dave ... Philip Rowson
Alan/Rebel / Brad ... Ash Tandon
Andrew ...... Paul Warriner
Pat ...... Andrew Grose
Jess .... Fiona Clarke
Producer: Paul Hardy
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008.
SUN 23:00 Mark Watson's Live Address to the Nation (b016x241)
Faith
Mark Watson continues his quest to improve the world.
As broadcast live in November 2011 - he invites the audience to join in via tweets and messages to work out how we can all make the world a better place.
He's nimbly assisted by:
Tim Key
Tom Basden.
Asking the big questions crucial to our understanding of ourselves and society - this time Mark asks - What is faith?
Its one of the most used, and feared, words of modern times. Yet these days, it's often used derisively about religious beliefs and so on.
Mark looks at odd things done in the name of 'faith', versus the obvious merits of having faith (belief that England will eventually win World Cup, ability to ride out difficult marriages).
Should we be more credulous and believe people like estate agents? Or LESS credulous and destroy our TV sets altogether in case we accidentally absorb lies?
Producer: Lianne Coop.
First broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
SUN 23:30 Safety Catch (b0178ncg)
Series 2
Brothers in Arms
Darren Boyd is back as reluctant arms dealer Simon McGrath.
He's generally a nice chap - he just happens to work as an arms dealer, or 'Defence and security equipment system solutions broker' as he prefers to call it.
Whilst battling with his conscience he justifies to himself why five years on he's still in a job he just fell into - after all, what he really wants is to pursue is his career in electronic music. But until that takes off he'll stay where he is, and as his mother so eloquently puts it, "any job where you get your own desk and a hot dinner can't be all bad".
And so as we renew our acquaintance with Simon we find him, using his 'flair for original ideas' to go to extreme lengths to prove to everyone just how badly he feels about doing the job he does.
The return of Laurence Howarth's black comedy of modern morality.
Simon McGrath ...... Darren Boyd
Anna Grieg ...... Joanna Page
Boris Kemal ...... Lewis Macleod
Judith McGrath ...... Sarah Smart
Angela McGrath ...... Brigit Forsyth
Madeleine Turnbull ...... Rachel Atkins
Peter ...... Gus Brown
Paramedic ...... Philip Fox
Producer: Dawn Ellis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2009.

MONDAY 10 MARCH 2025

MON 00:00 Fear on 4 (b007jmgn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]
MON 00:30 Terry Pratchett (b007lzwx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Sunday]
MON 01:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m0028tkm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]
MON 01:45 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b011vjj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Sunday]
MON 02:00 Poetry Extra (m0028tkq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Sunday]
MON 02:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (Omnibus) (m0028tks)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Sunday]
MON 03:40 Inheritance Tracks (m0028tkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:40 on Sunday]
MON 03:50 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (Omnibus) (b007jvl9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Sunday]
MON 05:00 Frankie Howerd (m000hpjb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]
MON 05:30 Take It From Here (b011vffg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]
MON 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2cy)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Beryl Coronet
Who has stolen jewels from one of the treasures of the Empire? The detective investigates snowy Streatham.
One of a collection of short stories by Sir Artur Conan Doyle about the immortal Baker Street detective - first published in 1892.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams
Dramatised by Vincent McInerney.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr John Watson .... Michael Williams
Alexander Holder …. Anthony Newlands
Arthur Holder …. Angus Wright
Mary Holder …. Petra Markham
The Mysterious Visitor/Jawney …. Ian Lindsay
Sir George Burnwell …. Timothy Carlton
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1990.
MON 06:45 May and June by Ruth Rendell (m0028tk6)
May is head over heels in love with handsome Walter Symonds. They become engaged, but then Walter meets June, May's beautiful sister...
Story by Ruth Rendell
Read by Julie T Wallace
Producer Rosemary Watts
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1995.
MON 07:00 Like They've Never Been Gone (b00c7d1c)
Series 3
Episode 5
Will hard-up Tommy and Sheila's trip to Australia ever get off the ground?
Ageing showbiz couple Tommy Franklin and Sheila Parr continue their second stab at fame.
Series 3 of Mike Coleman’s six-part sitcom stars June Whitfield and Roy Hudd.
CAST:
Tommy Franklin …. Roy Hudd
Sheila Parr …. June Whitfield
Hetty Stark …. Pat Coombes
Murray Franklin …. Julian Eardley
Louis Elstein …. Edward Halsted
Hostess …. Tracy-Ann Oberman
Producer: Steve Doherty
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.
MON 07:30 The Likely Lads (m0028tk8)
Series 1
8. Anchors Aweigh
Bob persuades Terry to go on a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads.
But will he be pleased when Terry finds romance?
Starring James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
Created and written for BBC TV by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
Adapted for BBC Radio by James Bolam.
Terry Collier .... James Bolam
Bob Ferris .... Rodney Bewes
Mum .... Julie May
Sally .... Sara Kestelman
Denise .... Madeleine Mills
Sam .... Wilfrid Carter
Producer: John Browell
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme in September 1967.
MON 08:00 Cleaning Up (b0543k0g)
3. Getting Stuck
Julie and Nobby find themselves in a sticky situation.
Every night, as time is called and people are spat out onto the streets and squeezed into rides home to dream-tossed beds - others are hard at work.
Teams of cleaners are in office spaces scrubbing, vacuuming and cleaning up.
And right at the bottom of the food chain we find our gang - Spit n' Polish tackling the floors of a plush tower block in Manchester city centre.
Written by Ian Kershaw.
Julie ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Nobby ..... Paul Barber
Dave ..... John Thompson
Shiv ..... Lauren Socha
Nita ..... Bhavna Limbachia
Our Bri ..... Jack Deam
Produced at BBC Salford by Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.
MON 08:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tkb)
6. Portable Domesticity
Eilidh and Colin eke out a living on the Mediterranean coast of France.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
MON 08:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlf)
6. Recluse
After the death of his friend, Richardson cuts himself off from the group and their familiar surroundings.
But while out walking one day he comes across a figure he recognises...
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel - first published in 1952.
Dramatised in ten parts by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Tom …… Jamie Bamber
Nancy …… Clare Corbett
McKechnie …… Tom Mannion.
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
MON 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0028tkd)
Susan Hulme reports as MPs raise concerns about the use of smartphones in schools. Also in the programme - what's the role of the opposition when there's an international crisis?
MON 09:30 Charisma: Pinning Down the Butterfly (b066vbl1)
1. Gifts to the Corinthians
From St Paul's coining of the word to the commodification of charisma in the 21st century - an overview of this equivocal gift.
Francine Stock attempts to pin down the alluring yet elusive quality of charisma
St Paul coined the word "charisma" in his letters to the Corinthians, defining it as a divine gift, such as prophecy or speaking in tongues. Francine starts her exploration by learning about the volatile world in which St Paul was writing, and the many strange mystery religions and hero cults which abounded at the time. She brings the religious meaning of the word right up to date by exploring why these more flamboyant gifts do not suit all worshippers in today's Church of England.
Far from a celebration of celebrity, Pinning Down the Butterfly is a very contemporary study. From the start, Francine explores the idea that charisma is an amoral quality, deeply implicated in the 2008 banking crisis, Britain's ambivalent relationship with politics and royalty, and the seductive draw of Osama Bin Laden and the new "digital caliphate" of the so-called Islamic State.
Contributors include John Adair (Professor of Leadership at the UN), Moeletsi Mbeki, Derren Brown, Professor Lucy Riall, Kenneth Branagh, Peter Day, Elesa Zehndorfer, Professor Michael Kenny, Professor Patricia Fara, Helen Castor and Abdel Bari Atwan.
Readings by Simon Russell Beale
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
MON 09:45 Daily Service (m0028tkg)
Nicene Creed - One Lord Jesus Christ
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Nicene Creed - One Lord Jesus Christ
Presenter: Ann Easter
Reading: John 20: 26-31
Music:
When morning guilds the skys - St Chads Cathedral Birmingham
Lord Jesus Christ - Daily Service Singers
The Church's one foundation - Kings College Choir
MON 10:00 Comic to Comic (b00807sb)
Series 2
Andy Zaltzman
Inventive political comedian, Andy Zaltzman tells Bruce Morton why being a stand-up is the best job in the world.
From early days at the Edinburgh Festival, supporting Joan Rivers to pushing the comedy envelope and being a ‘constant thorn in the side of the oppressor’.
Series in which Bruce Morton talks to top stand-up comedians about life, the universe and comedy.
Producer: Carol Purcell
First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in January 2006.
MON 10:30 Bus Lines (b06vmw29)
First Bus company run a writing competition for their drivers.
David from Glasgow won the annual Company Short Story Competition with his moving tale of a homeless man, inspired by the tramp he spotted whilst driving through the city centre one Christmas.
Sue loves the freedom of driving a bus around Bristol and writes poems and stories for her family to show them how much she loves them, while Lou wants to write a novel based on her experiences as a bus driver "You have a lot of weird and wonderful experiences driving a bus" she says "I even had passengers come to my wedding."
Hop on board to meet those who have taken part.
Producer: Maggie Ayre
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2016.
MON 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 11:45 May and June by Ruth Rendell (m0028tk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 12:00 Like They've Never Been Gone (b00c7d1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 12:30 The Likely Lads (m0028tk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 13:00 Cleaning Up (b0543k0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 13:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tkb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 13:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 14:00 Just a Minute (b00rb1xp)
Series 56
Episode 11
Nicholas Parsons presides over the devious game where panellists are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition.
With:
Paul Merton
Jenny Eclair
Pam Ayres
Gyles Brandreth
Subjects include: Sitting on The Throne, A Brass Neck, Chintz, Just Desserts, After Midnight, My Diary, Three Uses For An Elastic Band and Property Prices
Created by Ian Messiter.
Producer: Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2010.
MON 14:30 The Small World of Dominic Holland (b007tm46)
Domesticity
Comedian Dominic Holland looks at the ups and downs of domesticity.
Series of stand-up and sketches illustrating the Domedic minutiae of life.
With:
Simon Greenall
Sally Grace
Dave Lamb
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2000.
MON 15:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tkk)
6. Highly Respected Miss Kate
In 1891, Victorian nurse and campaigner Kate Marsden journeyed across Siberia to care for those suffering with leprosy.
'When a tourist undertakes a journey, it is certainly to satisfy his own curiosity. But when a woman decides to visit a distant country, thousands of miles from her own land; when she willingly submits to all the inconveniences of the journey in the hope of alleviating the sufferings of that most terrible of diseases - leprosy - then not only does the journey of such a woman merit the sympathies of scientists and philanthropists, but the person herself inspires their respect and admiration'.
Stars Jill Balcon as Kate Marsden. Narrated by Richard Bebb.
Sixth of seven true stories of travel and adventure by intrepid women, compiled, and written by Julia Keay.
Producer: John Powell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988.
MON 15:45 Short Works (m000qyww)
This Sunday by Jade Anouka
Sundays at our house are always loud. There’s all this noise, but somehow it feels quiet today. Lonely.
An original short story for radio, written and performed by Jade Anouka.
Produced by Becky Ripley.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2021.
MON 16:00 Comic to Comic (b00807sb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
MON 16:30 Bus Lines (b06vmw29)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
MON 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
MON 17:45 May and June by Ruth Rendell (m0028tk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
MON 18:00 Like They've Never Been Gone (b00c7d1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
MON 18:30 The Likely Lads (m0028tk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
MON 19:00 Cleaning Up (b0543k0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
MON 19:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tkb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
MON 19:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
MON 20:00 Just a Minute (b00rb1xp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
MON 20:30 The Small World of Dominic Holland (b007tm46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
MON 21:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
MON 21:45 Short Works (m000qyww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
MON 22:00 One Person Found This Helpful (m0028jrc)
Series 2
1. Happy Sleepy Sauce
Frank & guests Laura Smyth, Sunil Patel, Simon Evans & Kyrah Gray discuss googling, goggling, groping, gropping and the correct way to punch yourself in the face.

This is the panel game based on what we all sit down and do at least once a day - shop online and leave a review, as an all-star panel celebrate the good, the bad & the baffling.

Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own... and more... So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!


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

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

A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4
MON 22:30 The Right Time (b007xw0h)
Series 1
Episode 3
A sketch show about modern life, written and performed by Baby Boomers who have lived a bit of it.
With:
Eleanor Bron
Graeme Garden
Clive Swift
Paula Wilcox
Neil Innes
Roger Blake
Live music by Ronnie and The Rex.
Written by Bob Sinfield, Peter Spence, John Pidgeon, Graeme Garden, Michael Fitch, Jack Etherington and Colin Bostock-Smith.
Producer: Helen Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001.
MON 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00297lh)
Jess Robinson 1/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of the funny stuff. And tonight, Stephen Bailey chats to Dead Ringers impressionist, Jess Robinson.
MON 23:00 The Naked Week (m0028l36)
Series 2
Episode 1: Oval arguments, awful algorithms, and a game of Top (Donald) Trumps.
The Naked Week team are back to place satirical news-tariffs on current events with a mix of correspondents, guests and, occasionally, live animals. This week we fail to wear a suit, dance around the problems with Tik Tok like no-one's watching, and guest correspondent Rosie Holt radicalises some children.
From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.
With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
Sarah Dempster
Investigations Team:
Cat Neilan
Louis Mian
Freya Shaw
Matt Brown
Guests: Rosie Holt, Dr Nussaibah Younis, Laura Windsor.
Production Team: Katie Sayer, Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Phoebe Butler.
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
This episode of The Naked Week is dedicated to our colleague and friend Bill Dare.
MON 23:30 Absolute Power (b019dqxr)
Series 4
Episode 4
The spin doctor firm is offered the chance to cross the pond and help with the presidential campaign.
Charles can't resist the challenge of spinning in the land of the dirty trick, but Martin decides to stay at home.
Could this be the end of a beautiful friendship?
Stephen Fry and John Bird star in Mark Tavener's biting satire.
Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations.
Charles Prentiss …. Stephen Fry
Martin McCabe …. John Bird
Archie …. Alex Lowe
Clive …. Tom George
Alex …. Beth Chalmers
Music by Matthew Scott.
Producer: Dawn Ellis
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2004.

TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2025

TUE 00:00 Comic to Comic (b00807sb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Monday]
TUE 00:30 Bus Lines (b06vmw29)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Monday]
TUE 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2cy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]
TUE 01:45 May and June by Ruth Rendell (m0028tk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Monday]
TUE 02:00 Like They've Never Been Gone (b00c7d1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]
TUE 02:30 The Likely Lads (m0028tk8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:00 Cleaning Up (b0543k0g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]
TUE 03:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tkb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]
TUE 03:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Monday]
TUE 04:00 Just a Minute (b00rb1xp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Monday]
TUE 04:30 The Small World of Dominic Holland (b007tm46)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Monday]
TUE 05:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Monday]
TUE 05:45 Short Works (m000qyww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Monday]
TUE 06:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2fc)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Copper Beeches
A young governess consults the detective in a most sinister case.
Last of a collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the immortal Baker Street detective - first published in 1892.
Starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams
Dramatised by Peter Mackie.
Sherlock Holmes .... Clive Merrison
Dr John Watson .... Michael Williams
Jephro Rucastle …. Roger Hammond
Violet Hunter …. Imogen Stubbs
Miss Stoper …. Jenny Howe
Mrs Rucastle …. Joanna Myers
Mrs Toller …. Elizabeth Kelly
Violinist: Leonard Friedman
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1991.
TUE 06:45 The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell (m0028tqp)
"Never accept lifts from strangers."
But a young boy does - with far-reaching consequences.
Ruth Rendell's short story read by Peter Meakin.
Producer Rosemary Watts
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1994.
TUE 07:00 Girlies (b08pw3f2)
Series 2
Episode 1
Vinny arrives home with a bundle of joy whilst Samina is furious with Saleem.
The ups and downs of five 30-something Asian women living in South West London.
Return of the comedy serial written by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan.
Samina …. Sakuntala Ramanee
Jabeen …. Shaheen Khan
Sonal …. Sudha Bhuchar
Vinny …. Bharti Patel
Tula …. Zita Sattar
Masi …. Charubala Chokshi
Jo …. Cal McCrystal
Ali …. Burt Caesar
Salim …. Shiv Grewal
Nurse …. Alice Arnold
Karan …. Christopher Trenfield
Jade …. Holly McGoldrick
Amber …. Lannah McAdam
Directed at BBC Pebble Mill by Kristine Landon-Smith.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1998.
TUE 07:30 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
Series 7
The Mystery of the Fake Neddie Seagoons
With the revelation that Neddie Seagoon was once mass-produced, can the original be found?
Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.
Starring:
Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan
First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.
With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.
Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.
Announcer: Wallace Greenslade
Producer: Pat Dixon
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1956.
TUE 08:00 Fags, Mags and Bags (m0013zrx)
Series 10
1. Racismpallooza
Ramesh tries to help Mrs Birkett who is being pursued by the immigration services.
More shop based shenanigans and over the counter philosophy, courtesy of Ramesh Mahju and his trusty sidekick Dave.
Set in a Scots-Asian corner shop, the staff continue their tireless quest to bring nice-price custard creams and cans of coke with Arabic writing on them to an ungrateful nation. Ramesh Mahju has built it up over the course of over 30 years and is a firmly entrenched, friendly presence in the local area.
Written by and starring Donald Mcleary and Sanjeev Kohli.
Ramesh ...... Sanjeev Kohli
Dave ...... Donald Mcleary
Sanjay ...... Omar Raza
Alok ...... Susheel Kumar
Bishop Briggs ...... Michael Redmond
Malcolm ...... Mina Anwar
Mrs Birkett ...... Stewart Cairns
Bishop Briggs ...... Michael Redmond
Mrs Begg ...... Marjory Hogarth
Producer: Gus Beattie for Gusman Productions
A Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2022.
TUE 08:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tqr)
7. A Wrong Turning
Colin proposes to Eilidh. But once dazzled by the light of southern France, her feelings start to fade.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
TUE 08:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlh)
7. Storm
After the death of his friend, Richardson cuts himself off from the group and their familiar surroundings.
Richardson decides he has to move on. Tom is happy, but storm clouds are gathering.
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Tom …… Jamie Bamber
Nancy …… Clare Corbett
McKechnie …… Tom Mannion.
Phely...............Isabelle Joss
Bretherton...............Philip Fox
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
TUE 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0028tqt)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
TUE 09:30 Charisma: Pinning Down the Butterfly (b066vyyf)
2. The Power of Presence
Divine grace as experienced by medieval mystics Margery Kempe and Joan of Arc.
Francine Stock attempts to pin down the alluring yet elusive quality of charisma.
After the early apostolic era, the Church hierarchy preferred to channel divine communication through its own bishops, but Medieval Europe features a surprising number of women mystics who - risking charges of heresy - claimed that they experienced direct interaction with God.
Francine Stock learns about the extraordinary story of the Norfolk housewife Margery Kempe, who wept her way across Europe to Jerusalem. She compares her story with that of the more public-spirited Joan of Arc, whose divine calling led to her military defence of France. The charismatic presence of both is evoked by historians Anthony Beale - who calls Margery Kempe a "contemporary Kardashian" - and Helen Castor, author of a new biography of Joan of Arc.
Meanwhile, the quality of presence in charismatic individuals is anatomised by film and stage actor, Kenneth Branagh.
With readings by Simon Russell Beale.
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
TUE 09:45 Daily Service (m0028tqw)
Nicene Creed - The only son of God
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Nicene Creed - The only son of God
Presenter: Steve Williams
Reading: Matthew 16: 13-19
Music:
Son of God eternal Saviour - Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
This is the record of John (Gibbons) - Choir of John's College
Rock of Ages - Eilidh Patterson
TUE 10:00 A Good Read (b0b9ws9z)
Samira Ahmed and Elis James
Journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed and comedian Elis James join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Arnold Bennett, Dylan Thomas and Daniyal Mueenuddin.
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
Publisher: Bloomsbury
The Card by Arnold Bennett
Publisher: Penguin
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog by Dylan Thomas
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicholson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2018.
TUE 10:30 Invisible Belfast (b06z4w86)
When Danielle, an American visitor to Belfast, stumbles upon a mysterious handwritten note in a 2nd hand copy of Ciaran Carson's novel The Star Factory - she finds herself on a labyrinthine journey through his prose and through the hidden side-roads and alleyways of the city.
As she searches for the elusive Irish author and poet, it soon becomes clear that there's much more to Belfast than meets the eye. This is a city that regenerates itself through layers of history and memory where the main protagonists are want to disappear at any time.
Between the adjuncts and intervening avenues of Belfast and Carson's narrative, Danielle realises she can't read the city like a book as it will always exceed the confines of the pages...
Produced by Conor Garrett.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in Febuary 2016.
TUE 11:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2fc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 11:45 The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell (m0028tqp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 12:00 Girlies (b08pw3f2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 12:30 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 13:00 Fags, Mags and Bags (m0013zrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 13:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 13:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 14:00 Booked (b0075lrs)
Series 3
Episode 3
New beginnings and endings for classic stories – plus a surprising new job for Miss Jean Brodie!
Outrageous parody, biting wit and bizarre couplings from:
Miles Kington
Dillie Keane
Mark Thomas
Roger McGough
Ian McMillan chairs the irreverent literary game.
Producer: Marc Jobst
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1997.
TUE 14:30 Bookcases (m0005gy3)
Series 2
Merger Most Foul
As Spavin and Spavin's fortunes decline, Edith's success as a writer increases.
But her refusal to let the firm publish her books leads to desperate plans for a merger...
Starring Michael Cochrane and Maggie Steed.
Martyn Wade’s sitcom set in a Victorian publishing house.
Primus …… Michael Cochrane
Cordelia …… Maggie Steed
Gerald …… David Horovitch
Edith …… Elizabeth Spriggs
Mrs Quirk …… Joan Sims
Simeon …… Charles Simpson
Prince Albert/Smiles …… Ioan Meredith
John …… Stephen Critchlow
Mrs Beeton …… Rachel Atkins
Lizzie Siddal …… Becky Hindley
Forster …… Gerard McDermott
Director: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.
TUE 15:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tqz)
7. Never Send a Son to India, My Dear
Emily Eden journeyed across British Imperial India in the mid-1800s. She was the sister and companion to Lord Auckland, Governor General of India.
'We travel half the way on elephant and the other half on horseback, and we are followed by eight hundred and fifty camels, a hundred and forty elephants, several hundred horses, George's official bodyguard, a full regiment as escort, and a whole host of camp followers. Thus we are about 12,000 people in all. On occasions the front of the column arrives at the new camp before the rear of it has left the old.'
Stars Sarah Badel as Emily Eden. Narrated by Richard Pasco.
The last of seven true stories of travel and adventure by intrepid women, compiled, and written by Julia Keay.
Producer: John Powell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988.
TUE 15:45 Short Works (m000rccc)
Island by Nina Allan
In a world not unlike ours, Janet flees the city after a devastating loss.
An original short work for radio by Nina Allan, award-winning writer of speculative fiction, including The Good Neighbours.
Read by Alexandra Mathie.
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2021.
TUE 16:00 A Good Read (b0b9ws9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
TUE 16:30 Invisible Belfast (b06z4w86)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
TUE 17:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2fc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
TUE 17:45 The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell (m0028tqp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 today]
TUE 18:00 Girlies (b08pw3f2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
TUE 18:30 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
TUE 19:00 Fags, Mags and Bags (m0013zrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
TUE 19:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
TUE 19:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
TUE 20:00 Booked (b0075lrs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
TUE 20:30 Bookcases (m0005gy3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
TUE 21:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
TUE 21:45 Short Works (m000rccc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 today]
TUE 22:00 Heresy (m0028jm3)
Series 13
Episode 3
Victoria Coren Mitchell is joined by Jo Bunting, Phil Wang and David Mitchell to discuss prime ministers, believing what you read and whether the grass is always greener.
Written and presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell with additional material from Dan Gaster and Charlie Skelton
Produced by Victoria Coren Mitchell and Daisy Knight
Series created by David Baddiel
Sound Design - David Thomas
Broadcast Assistant - Jenny Recaldin
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 22:30 The Penny Dreadfuls (b00gpbcs)
More Brothers Faversham
Titus Faversham
The story of Victorian Britain's greatest sporting hero. - Titus Faversham.
The comedy trio return with more tales in their swashbuckling family romp.
Written by and starring The Penny Dreadfuls:
Humphrey Ker
David Reed
Thom Tuck
With:
Miles Jupp
Ingrid Oliver
Script edited by Richard Turner.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2008.
TUE 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00297lt)
Jess Robinson 2/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of the funny stuff. And tonight, Stephen Bailey has another chat with multi-award-winning comedy impressionist and classically trained singer, Jess Robinson.
TUE 23:00 Date With Fate (b0090x8s)
Nice Little Number
Vernon Hedges sets out to disprove the existence of Lady Luck
Harold Wing Pinero is your host
Another comic close encounter with fate
Written by Gary Parker and Phil Whelans
Vernon ...... Philip Jackson
Harold Wing Pinero ...... Charles Gray
Arthur ...... Michael Troughton
Dory/Shelley ...... Tracy Wiles
All other parts played by Toby Longworth
Producer: Paul Schlesinger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1996.
TUE 23:15 Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea (b007zh10)
Series 1
Romance in the Glen
Hamish finds a rival in the Laird after falling head over heels for society beauty Lady Caroline Fitz-Neatleigh.
Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden star as the two Scotsmen famed for their appearances on BBC Radio’s I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
With Alison Steadman as their cleaning-lady-cum-housekeeper, and Jeremy Hardy as the local Laird.
Hamish ...... Barry Cryer
Dougal ...... Graeme Garden
Mrs Naughtie ...... Alison Steadman
The Laird ...... Jeremy Hardy
Producer: Jon Naismith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.
TUE 23:30 The Curried Goat Show (b007nf6d)
Episode 8
It's Bath Night - plus jam.
Sketch-bonanza written by and starring:
Dan Gaster
Will Ing
Ben Silburn
With special guest: Imelda Staunton
Music from The Big Buzzard Boogie Band.
Producer: Maria Esposito.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in February 1998.

WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025

WED 00:00 A Good Read (b0b9ws9z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Tuesday]
WED 00:30 Invisible Belfast (b06z4w86)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Tuesday]
WED 01:00 Sherlock Holmes (b007k2fc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]
WED 01:45 The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell (m0028tqp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:45 on Tuesday]
WED 02:00 Girlies (b08pw3f2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]
WED 02:30 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:00 Fags, Mags and Bags (m0013zrx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]
WED 03:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028tqr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]
WED 03:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvlh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Tuesday]
WED 04:00 Booked (b0075lrs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Tuesday]
WED 04:30 Bookcases (m0005gy3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Tuesday]
WED 05:00 With Passport and Parasol (m0028tqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Tuesday]
WED 05:45 Short Works (m000rccc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:45 on Tuesday]
WED 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qngn)
1. Tip-Off
Andy is an ecology journalist who receives a curious tip-off about a gold raid...
Starring Nick Chilvers.
John Fletcher's six-part thriller serial taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Sir Jack ... Conrad Phillips
Grey ... Rex Holdsworth
Kite ... Gregory de Polnay
Julian ... Clive Francis
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Mike Monk ... Christian Rodska
Lizzie ... Sheila Grant
Director: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
WED 06:30 Whodunnits (b01b9h75)
Agatha Christie - Sparkling Cyanide
1. Rosemary
21 year old Rosemary dies at her birthday party after drinking from a glass of cyanide-laced champagne.
The small group of friends and family who were present struggle to understand - was it suicide, or could one of them possibly have murdered her?
An ex-lover, a younger sister who stood to inherit, a jealous husband?
It seems almost all the guests had a motive...
Agatha Christie's deadly mystery, first published in 1945, stars Naomi Frederick, Jasmine Hyde and Peter Wright.
Dramatised in three parts by Joy Wilkinson.
Iris ..... Naomi Frederick
Rosemary ..... Jasmine Hyde
George ..... Peter Wight
Anthony ..... Colin Tierney
Ruth ..... Amanda Drew
Stephen ..... James Lailey
Sandra ..... Tracy Wiles
Victor ..... Simon Bubb
Director: Mary Peate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.
WED 07:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k1q4)
5. Uprising
Edgar Finchley goes on a crusade, Master Finchley plays truant and a barber gets a close shave.
Victor Canning's novel about the adventures of a man and his horse-drawn caravan touring the 1930s countryside of Kent.
Mr Finchley …. Richard Griffiths
Mr Blain …. John Bird
Turk …. Peter Vaughan
Robert Finchley …. Robert Gill
Mr Harbottle …. Piers Gibbon
Miss Slater …. Kate Binchy
Sir Simon Penickle …. Alan Thompson
The Mechanic …. David Howarth
Narrated by James Villiers.
Adapted in six parts by Andy and Eric Merriman.
Producer: Gareth Edwards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in May 1993.
WED 07:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k4d6)
Series 4
Back From Holiday
On his return from a disastrous break, the Lad discovers that Sid's rented his house out.
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.
Starring Tony Hancock.
With:
Sidney James
Bill Kerr
Kenneth Williams
Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.
Music recorded by the BBC Augmented Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.
Producer: Dennis Main Wilson
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1956.
WED 08:00 Women Talking About Cars (b0939zyf)
Series 2
Jo Brand
Victoria Coren Mitchell interviews comedian and actress, Jo Brand about cars.
Discover how Jo's rally-driving past was ended by romance and how her car became an impromptu counselling couch for comedians
Learn the vital importance of the right kind of snacks; and when you shouldn't risk a roadside wee.
Series in which famous women look at their lives from the perspective of the cars they have known, the journeys they've been on and the things they keep in their boot for emergencies.
With contributions from our studio audience and tongue-in-cheek readings from Morwenna Banks
Producer: Gareth Edwards
A BBC Studios Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017.
WED 08:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028stb)
8. Marseille
A chance encounter in Marseille raises doubts about Eilidh’s life.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
WED 08:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvln)
8. Discovery
After the death of his friend, Richardson cuts himself off from the group and their familiar surroundings.
When Richardson finally returns home, a startling discovery awaits him.
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Helen Longworth......
Margaret Tyzack.......
Phely...............Isabelle Joss
Bretherton...............Philip Fox
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
WED 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0028stj)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
WED 09:30 Charisma: Pinning Down the Butterfly (b066wcy2)
3. The Queen's Touch
The “Royal Touch” as practised by Elizabeth I and our royals today.
Francine Stock attempts to pin down the alluring yet elusive quality of charisma.
In the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth, a belief prevailed in the "royal touch" - the ability of the queen to heal subjects of scrofula by the laying on of hands. This power was seen as a charismatic gift, bestowed by God at her coronation. But this is not entirely a thing of the distant past. Francine Stock is surprised to learn that even at the coronation of our own Queen Elizabeth in 1953, the moment of anointing - when divine power is believed to be bestowed upon royalty - was not shown on camera.
Francine explores this idea of what the German sociologist Max Weber called "charisma of office" with historian Anna Whitelock and John Adair, Professor of Leadership at the UN. She also hears from teenage sea cadet, Sophie, who is proud to have attended on the Queen - and even folded the royal blanket!
Francine explores with Anna Whitelock how a version of the royal touch seems to persist even today, and wonders whether it will continue among the new-look, younger royals of the 21st century.
Reader: Simon Russell Beale
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
WED 09:45 Daily Service (m0028stq)
Nicene Creed - God from God, Light from Light
A space for spiritual reflection with Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Nicene Creed - God from God, Light from Light
Presenter: Shermara Fletcher
Reading: John 8: 12-19
Music:
Great are you Lord - Rivers and Robots
He's my light - Mahalia Jackson
You are the everlasting God - Melodees from Heaven
WED 10:00 Archive on 4 (m0011bgt)
Viral
Move over fake news, welcome fake history.
False historical memes are being widely shared on social media.
Jolyon Jenkins investigates a few - an elephant in Belfast, a bear in the second world war, some stunning first world war aerial dog fight photos, and a photo of a "colonial master" being carried on an Asian woman's back.
Plus, the widespread sharing of "inspirational" quotes by Winston Churchill which the man never said.
If we're all so internet-savvy, why are we also so internet-credulous?
Produced and presented by Jolyon Jenkins.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2021.
WED 11:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qngn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 11:30 Whodunnits (b01b9h75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 12:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k1q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 12:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k4d6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 13:00 Women Talking About Cars (b0939zyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 13:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028stb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 13:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 14:00 It's Your Round (b00z5zyh)
Series 1
Episode 4
Angus Deayton hosts the comedy panel show with no format.
Battling it out to see who can beat each other at their own games:
Russell Kane
Josie Long
Alun Cochrane
Milton Jones
How will they fare at Russell Kane's "Mood News" round?
What superhero would Milton Jones like to be?
And what is Josie Long's "Nine Previous Convictions" all about?
Find out the answers to these questions and more in this show.
Writers: Angus Deayton, Ged Parsons and Paul Powell
Devised by Benjamin Partridge.
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2011.
WED 14:30 All the Young Dudes (b019m2ys)
Series 2
Still Crazy
Patrick wonders who Green Day are and Joe turns into a doting daddy.
The lives of Patrick and wife Helen after returning to the town where he was born.
Comedy drama written by and starring Jim Sweeney.
Patrick .... Jim Sweeney
Helen .... Cathryn Harrison
Billy .... Steve Steen
Moira .... Sadie Shimmin
Joe .... Stephen Frost
Maria .... Flaminia Cinque
Charlie .... Izzy de Rosario
Also starring Michael Fenton Stevens
Producer: Steve Doherty
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2002.
WED 15:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k05d)
1. Attraction
From the moment their eyes meet across a packed gaming room, Daniel Deronda is as drawn to Gwendolen Harleth as she is to him.
George Eliot's 1876 classic novel of love and idealism.
Starring Anna Chancellor and Michael Perceval-Maxwell.
Dramatised in three parts by Robert Forrest.
Gwendolen Harleth ...... Anna Chancellor
Deronda ...... Michael Perceval-Maxwell
Grandcourt ...... James Bryce
Mrs Davilow ...... Joanna Tope
Klesmer ...... Finlay Welsh
Mirah ...... Lucy Patterson
Baroness Langen ...... Sarah Collier
Sir Hugo ...... Sandy Neilson
Catherine ...... Katherine Igoe
Lydia ...... Noreen Leighton
Lush ...... Simon Tait
Rex ...... Gregor Powrie
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1999.
WED 16:00 Archive on 4 (m0011bgt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
WED 17:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qngn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
WED 17:30 Whodunnits (b01b9h75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
WED 18:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k1q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
WED 18:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k4d6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
WED 19:00 Women Talking About Cars (b0939zyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
WED 19:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028stb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
WED 19:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
WED 20:00 It's Your Round (b00z5zyh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
WED 20:30 All the Young Dudes (b019m2ys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
WED 21:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k05d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
WED 22:00 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (m0028kwg)
Series 5
1. The Sense of an Abrupt Ending
Alexei Sayle returns for a new series of stand-up, philosophy and memoir as he welcomes made-up customers to buy illusory snacks in his imaginary sandwich bar
In this first episode, Alexei reflects on changes of government, global power struggles and the time he made up gossip for a living.
Written and performed by Alexei Sayle
Producer - Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
WED 22:30 Alice's Wunderland (b03m7zn1)
Series 2
The Future
A trip to Wunderland, a poundland of magical realms.
This time, the Wunderlanders' thoughts turn to the future and all that it could bring.
Sketch show written by and starring Alice Lowe.
With:
Richard Glover
Simon Greenall
Rachel Stubbings
Clare Thompson
Marcia Warren
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
WED 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m00297lw)
Jess Robinson 3/3
From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of the funny stuff. And tonight, Jon Holmes once again chats to Dead Ringers impressionist and classically trained singer, Jess Robinson.
WED 23:00 Arthur Smith's Balham Bash (b00ryl05)
Series 2
Episode 1
Arthur Smith invites us back to his Balham flat in south London for more comedy, music and entertainment.
With his guests:
John Hegley
Barbara Nice
Andrew Lawrence
Scouting For Girls
Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2010
WED 23:30 Masala FM (b007jyfv)
Episode 2
Maz Mazoo gets an offer from rival Radio Fun FM, while Madoona, the Asian Madonna is intent on making her mark on Masala FM.
Shanta is sick of the pair of them.
Asian radio station sitcom written by Meera Syal.
Starring:
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Nitin Sawheny
Meera Syal
Nina Wadia
Music by Nitin Sawhney.
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1996.

THURSDAY 13 MARCH 2025

THU 00:00 Archive on 4 (m0011bgt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qngn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Whodunnits (b01b9h75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Wednesday]
THU 02:00 Mr Finchley Takes the Road (b007k1q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Wednesday]
THU 02:30 Hancock's Half Hour (b007k4d6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:00 Women Talking About Cars (b0939zyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Wednesday]
THU 03:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028stb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Wednesday]
THU 03:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007jvln)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Wednesday]
THU 04:00 It's Your Round (b00z5zyh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Wednesday]
THU 04:30 All the Young Dudes (b019m2ys)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Wednesday]
THU 05:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k05d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Wednesday]
THU 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
2. Mixed Up
Can ecology journalist Andy escape the impact of a big business take-over battle?
Starring Nick Chilvers.
John Fletcher's thriller serial taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium.
Andy ... Nick Chilvers
Girl ,,, Aryon Mellor
Nigel ... Cornelius Garrett
Julian ... Clive Francis
Shirley ... Diane Fletcher
Mike Monk ... Christian Rodska
BD ... Pavel Douglas
Director: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
THU 06:30 Whodunnits (b01bldpv)
Agatha Christie - Sparkling Cyanide
2. All Souls' Day
It's a year since Rosemary died horribly at her 21st birthday party after drinking from a glass of cyanide-laced champagne.
Convinced that the coroner's verdict of suicide is wrong, her widower George is hatching a plan to discover the truth...
Agatha Christie's deadly mystery.
Dramatised by Joy Wilkinson.
Iris ..... Naomi Frederick
George ..... Peter Wight
Lucilla …. Adjoa Andoh
Anthony ..... Colin Tierney
Ruth ..... Amanda Drew
Stephen ..... James Lailey
Sandra ..... Tracy Wiles
Colonel Race ..... Sean Baker
Giuseppe ..... Gerard McDermott
Director: Mary Peate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
THU 07:00 Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit (m0028t32)
A Man's Best Friend is His Cosh
With all their plans gone awry, can Jeeves come to Bertie and Aunt Dahlia’s rescue?
PG Wodehouse's romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.
Adapted in six parts by Richard Usborne.
Jeeves ...... Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster ..... Richard Briers
Stilton Cheesewright ..... James Villiers
Aunt Dahlia …. Vivien Pickles
Percy Gorringe …. Jonathan Cecil
Uncle Tom .... Ballard Berkeley
LG Trotter …. Norman Bird
Daphne Dolores Morehead…. Ann Davies
Seppings / Secretary …. David Tate
Producer: David Hatch
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1979.
THU 07:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jtc1)
Series 1
The Pick Up
Gerald reveals he's happy to pick up hitchhikers in his car
But Diana is not impressed...
The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic author who's married to a more successful writer.
Starring Ian Carmichael and Charlotte Mitchell.
Written by Basil Boothroyd.
Gerald C Potter ...... Ian Carmichael
Diana Potter ...... Charlotte Mitchell
With Jo Manning Wilson.
Producer: Bobby Jaye
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1976.
THU 08:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m0009t1y)
Series 1
Voices
The sisters are getting to grips with clearing their father’s radio ham equipment, but Lesley switches it on and, out of the static, a voice is heard saying, ‘I wouldn’t trust that feller as far as I could throw him!’ – one of Dad’s catch phrases.
En passant, Lesley confesses that Maureen’s ex-husband Ed once tried it on with her.
David arrives and Maureen tries to get rid of him by inventing an old friend who is going to buy the house. David moves the goalposts by saying that he has found alternative accommodation anyway. But does this get him out of their hair? No.
Now the sisters unite in trying to find out exactly who this David Johnson is.
Maureen ...... Alison Steadman
Lesley ...... Morwenna Banks
David ...... Nigel Planer
Written by Sue Limb
Produced and Directed by Jamie Rix
A Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2019.
THU 08:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028t34)
9. The Iles d'Or
Colin’s long-standing desire to visit the Iles d’Or has devastating consequences.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
THU 08:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007qgdn)
9. Catch-up
Visiting Lydia in the sanatorium, Richardson catches up on events with Blackie.
HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Blackie......Robert Purdy
Dr Baird......Tom Calder
Nurse......Ndidi Del Fatti
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
THU 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0028t36)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
THU 09:30 Charisma: Pinning Down the Butterfly (b066zp9z)
4. Animal Magnetism
Franz Mesmer and the charismatic healing power of suggestibility.
Francine Stock attempts to pin down the alluring yet elusive quality of charisma.
The 18th century medical doctor, Franz Mesmer, was a European celebrity in his day. Francine Stock hears from historian of science Patricia Fara about Mesmer's use of so-called "animal magnetism" to heal - and wonders about Mesmer's erotic input. Meanwhile, the actor Simon Russel Beale reads some truly extraordinary contemporary accounts of Mesmer's impact in Britain and France.
Attempting further to understand Mesmer's healing powers, Francine also explores the charismatic power of the mesmeric or hypnotic gaze. The distinguished art historian, Richard Cork, shares his memories of the gaze of Pablo Picasso, while the illusionist, Derren Brown, frankly shares some professional secrets with Francine.
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
THU 09:45 Daily Service (m0028t38)
Nicene Creed - Begotten not made
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Nicene Creed - Begotten not made
Presenter: Sharon Grenham-Thompson
Reading: Luke 1: 30-35
THU 10:00 Great Lives (b0076p53)
Sir Edward Elgar
The man whose portrait appears on the £20 note claimed that his pet rabbit wrote songs with him and sent a little girl out with a butterfly net to catch notes for his next composition.
Marjorie Wallace, founder of the campaigning charity 'SANE', loves Elgar's music but suggests that to achieve its sublime beauty he had to struggle all his life against depression and despair.
Also joining Humphrey Carpenter for this investigation of the 'Enigma' man is Elgar's biographer Jerrold Northrop-Moore.
Producer: Peter Everett
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
THU 10:30 Roger's Rabbits (b016k6xl)
In his spare time, satirist Roger Law used to breed rabbits, but sadly none of them ever came up to the exacting standards of the British Rabbit Council. Now he's determined to find out the secret of breeding the perfect English rabbit.
A portrait of this bunny underworld is long overdue. Roger will be looking at his favourite, the Old English Spot, one of the country's oldest breeds. A drawing of the perfect English Rabbit was made by Victorian artist Robert Wippell circa 1838. To breed pedigree Old English for exhibition, their spots must accord with Wippell's drawing as closely as possible. The judges mark the spots to a total of 100 points. Unfortunately some judges like small spots, others large ones. Famous breeder of English rabbits, Fred Haslam, commented on the process, "Only he who attempts the absurd is capable of achieving the impossible." The perfect English Rabbit is yet to be born.
Roger will be visiting Thirsk in Yorkshire and Sandringham in Norfolk to talk to the best breeders. He'll find out what drives someone to set up hutches for a mind boggling 100 rabbits in their back garden, and how some people live, breathe and dream rabbits. The ultimate dream is the ultimate rabbit: a perfect English Spot.
But is it really possible? Roger burrows into the facts.
Producer: Mark Rickards
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2011.
THU 11:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 11:30 Whodunnits (b01bldpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 12:00 Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit (m0028t32)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 12:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 13:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m0009t1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 13:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028t34)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 13:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007qgdn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 14:00 Who Goes There? (b00fks6r)
Series 3
Episode 3
Martin Young chairs the quiz which looks at the noteworthy and the notorious from history.
Tackling the biographical teasers are team captains Francis Wheen and Fred Housego.
With guests:
Carol Sarler
Rachel Holmes
Producer: Liz Anstee
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2000.
THU 14:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b008h4qy)
Series 2
About Some Boys
Derek is over the moon when his ex-wife needs an operation and his two sons come to stay. Meanwhile Robin gets hot hot hot and he doesn't like it.
Sitcom about a couple, Robin and Wendy, and their friends and neighbours
Written by and starring Kay Stonham and Simon Greenall
Robin ...... Simon Greenall
Wendy ...... Kay Stonham
Maureen ...... Amelia Bullmore
Derek ...... Martin Trenaman
Exhibitor ...... Ewan Bailey
Matthew ...... Anil Douglas
Alex ...... Buster Stonham
Exhibitor ...... Chris Pavlo
With Paul Putner
Producer: Mario Stylianides
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2003.
THU 15:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k06p)
2. Marriage
Gwendolen is now trapped in a cruel and loveless marriage with the philandering Grandcourt.
George Eliot's 1876 classic novel of love and idealism.
Starring Anna Chancellor and Michael Perceval-Maxwell.
Dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Gwendolen Harleth ...... Anna Chancellor
Deronda ...... Michael Perceval-Maxwell
Grandcourt ...... James Bryce
Mrs Davilow ...... Joanna Tope
Klesmer ...... Finlay Welsh
Mirah ...... Lucy Patterson
Mrs Arrowpoint ...... Sarah Collier
Sir Hugo ...... Sandy Neilson
Mordecai ...... Mark McDonnell
Mrs Meyrick ...... Gerda Stevenson
Ezra Cohen ...... Steven McNicoll
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1999.
THU 16:00 Great Lives (b0076p53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
THU 16:30 Roger's Rabbits (b016k6xl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
THU 17:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
THU 17:30 Whodunnits (b01bldpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
THU 18:00 Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit (m0028t32)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
THU 18:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
THU 19:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m0009t1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
THU 19:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028t34)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
THU 19:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007qgdn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
THU 20:00 Who Goes There? (b00fks6r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
THU 20:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b008h4qy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
THU 21:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k06p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
THU 22:00 P.O.V. (m0028jw2)
Series 1
6. Invest in English football!
The internet's best comedy creators bring you a sketch show that features every Oasis song ever, some dedicated professionals at work, an ad break, and why you should invest in English football.
Written and performed by Daniel Foxx, Ms. Frazzled, Kyron Hamilton, Charlene Kaye, Larry & Paul, Tom Lawrinson, Morton Burke & Fry, Kelechi Okafor, Will Sebag-Montefiore, The Squid, Ryan Wentz and Ali Woods
Recorded in London, Los Angeles, New York, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Edited by Rich Evans at Syncbox Post
Produced by Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
THU 22:30 The Problem With Adam Bloom (b007m94n)
Series 1
Restaurants
Adam Bloom investigates bad service in restaurants with stand-up and reconstructions. It's comedy with a mission.
Helping Adam transform service culture are Sarah Kennedy, Brendon Burns and Rob Rouse
Written by Adam Bloom.
Producer: Adam Bromley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2003.
THU 22:45 Knocker (b00890vp)
Privinvasionacy
He's armed with a broken clipboard, puny incentives, inappropriate footwear and an unflagging commitment to the Market Researcher's Code of Conduct!
Ian Dunn seeks out the precious opinions of a hostile public in a wealth of ridiculous situations.
Six-part comedy series written by and starring Neil Edmond.
Ian Dunn …. Neil Edmond
Mary/Mrs Rapidis …. Paula Wilcox
Mrs Worth …. Julia Deakin
Ms Shape …. Tina Gray
Mr Bluff …. Simone Treves
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in November 2007.
THU 23:00 The Million Pound Radio Show (b009xxv3)
Series 3
Episode 5
Eavesdropping on animals and Planet Dull.
Sharp-edged topical humour in the most expensive show on radio.
Written by and starring Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell.
With:
Felicity Montagu
Harry Enfield
Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1987.
THU 23:30 The Hudson and Pepperdine Show (b00762ck)
Series 2
Episode 4
Mel and Vicki encounter a computer flight simulator with more to offer than flying lessons, while Mel confesses to being a bit too recreational with her pharmaceuticals.
Plus more from the Gory Nuns, the Dirty Sloanes and the Goatee Beard Men's Group.
Variety meets sitcom meets sketch show - written and performed by Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine.
With:
Martin Hyder
Jim North
Peter Serafinowicz
Additional material by Martin Hyder and Jim North
Script editor: Graeme Garden
Music by Richard Webb
Producers: Helen Williams and Claire Jones
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.

FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025

FRI 00:00 Great Lives (b0076p53)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Thursday]
FRI 00:30 Roger's Rabbits (b016k6xl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Thursday]
FRI 01:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qydh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Thursday]
FRI 01:30 Whodunnits (b01bldpv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Thursday]
FRI 02:00 Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit (m0028t32)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Thursday]
FRI 02:30 The Small, Intricate Life of Gerald C Potter (b007jtc1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:00 Skeletons in the Cupboard (m0009t1y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Thursday]
FRI 03:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028t34)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Thursday]
FRI 03:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007qgdn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 on Thursday]
FRI 04:00 Who Goes There? (b00fks6r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 on Thursday]
FRI 04:30 Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends (b008h4qy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 on Thursday]
FRI 05:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k06p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 on Thursday]
FRI 06:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
3. Quiz
Can ecology journalist Andy Smith discover who is smuggling refined uranium out of Britain?
Now he must quiz his former colleague, Nigel, about what goes on in Natural International ...
Starring Nick Chilvers.
John Fletcher's thriller serial taking in global power struggles, smuggling and the dangers of uranium.
Andy …… Nick Chilvers
Nigel …… Cornelius Garrett
Anne …… Caroline Blakiston
Julian …… Clive Francis
Kite …… Gregory de Polnay
Sir Jack …… Conrad Phillips
Grey …… Rex Holdsworth
BD …… Pavel Douglas
Shirley …… Diane Fletcher
Mike Monk …… Christian Rodska
Lizzie …… Sheila Grant
Director: Brian Miller
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.
FRI 06:30 Whodunnits (b01bwfy6)
Agatha Christie - Sparkling Cyanide
3. Iris
George Barton has died in exactly the same way as his wife did a year earlier, by drinking cyanide-laced champagne.
The second death throws the first verdict of suicide into question.
Now Colonel Race steps in to investigate...
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's deadly mystery.
Dramatised by Joy Wilkinson.
Iris ..... Naomi Frederick
Lucilla …. Adjoa Andoh
Anthony ..... Colin Tierney
Ruth ..... Amanda Drew
Stephen ..... James Lailey
Sandra ..... Tracy Wiles
Colonel Race ..... Sean Baker
Giuseppe ..... Gerard McDermott
Chloe …. Alex Rivers
Director: Mary Peate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012.
FRI 07:00 Bodgers, Banks and Sparkes (m0028v1c)
Mr Hargreaves Did It by RG Reaves
Sketch show comedy from the team that created TV's Absolutely. The theme is murder mystery.
Featuring many of the team that would go on to create the celebrated late 80s Channel 4 TV comedy, Absolutely.
Stars:
Moray Hunter
Gordon Kennedy
Peter Baikie
John Steele
Morwenna Banks
John Sparkes
Music by Pete Baikie and The Jim Baikie Big Band.
Written by Moray Hunter, John Docherty, Morwenna Banks and John Sparkes.
Producer: Alan Nixon
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1986.
FRI 07:25 Leonard Rossiter - In a Nutshell (b00sj9r3)
Hold the Back Page
"The paper's policy was to identify with the man in the street - and unfortunately, our man in the street seemed to have escaped from some sort of asylum."
A disastrous foray into journalism is recounted in embarrassment by Leonard Rossiter.
Written by Barry Pilton.
Producer: Louise Purslow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in March 1981.
FRI 07:30 The Ken Dodd Show (m0028v1f)
From 29/09/1963
The King of Knotty Ash is joined by Gerry and the Pacemakers performing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
Starring Ken Dodd.
Recovered episode back in the BBC archive.
Sketch show comedy - including what's it like to be a VIP....
With:
John Laurie
Judith Chalmers
Percy Edwards
Ray Fell
Wallas Eaton
Music from Gerry and the Pacemakers.
BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Lockyer
Written by Ken Dodd and Eddie Braben.
Producer: Bill Worsley
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1963.
FRI 08:00 Shush! (b08pfnqg)
Series 2
Ticks & Foibles
When Snoo makes an unexpected purchase, Alice has to face an old rival, some electrical cables and a very dusty dictionary.
Meet Alice - a former child prodigy who won a place at Oxford aged 9 but, because Daddy went too, she never needed to have any friends. She's scared of everything. Everything that is except libraries and Snoo - a slightly confused individual with a have-a-go attitude to life, marriage, haircuts and reality. Snoo loves books, and fully intends to read one one day.
And forever popping into the library is Dr Cadogan - celebrity doctor to the stars and a man with his finger in every pie. Charming, indiscreet and quite possibly wanted by Interpol, if you want a discrete nip and tuck and then photos of it accidentally left on the photocopier, Dr Cadogan is your man.
Their happy life is interrupted by the arrival of Simon Nielson, a man with a mission - a mission to close down inefficient libraries. Fortunately, he hates his mission. What he really wants to do is once - just once - get even with his inexhaustible supply of high-achieving brothers.
Alice ...... Rebecca Front
Snoo ...... Morwenna Banks
Dr Cadogan ...... Michael Fenton-Stevens
Simon Nielson ...... Ben Willbond
Written by Morwenna Banks and Rebecca Front
Based on an idea developed with Armando Iannucci
Produced by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.
FRI 08:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028v1h)
10. Endings
Driven by curiosity, Eilidh learns more from Colin’s confidante.
Eilidh Brogan reflects on love and art as she looks back on her life with the Scottish artist, Colin Brogan. The story begins with her childhood in Scotland.
Eilidh now leads a secluded life in Cassis in the South of France, where she teaches art. Forty years previously, her young artist husband Colin Brogan died just as his career was taking off. Now, at the turn of the millennium, he is being hailed as a great Scottish artist.
With the re-discovery of Colin’s work, the comes prurient interest into the Brogans’ lives. From her run-down villa, Eilidh reflects on their life together.
Ronald Frame’s novel was first published in 2002.
Abridged in ten parts by Alison Joseph.
Read by Eileen McCallum.
Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2002.
FRI 08:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007q99p)
10. Recovery
As he helps her recovery, Richardson must face up to what love for Lydia really means.
Conclusion of HE Bates's semi-autobiographical novel.
Dramatised by Vivienne Allen.
Older Richardson …… Tim Pigott-Smith
Richardson …… Jordan Frieda
Lydia …… Juliet Aubrey
Blackie......Robert Purdy
Dr Baird......Tom Calder
Director: Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2004.
FRI 09:00 Yesterday in Parliament (m0028vq8)
The latest news from Westminster - and beyond.
FRI 09:30 Charisma: Pinning Down the Butterfly (b067003h)
5. Red Shirts and Black Shirts
Exploring charismatic nationalist leadership.
Francine Stock attempts to pin down the alluring yet elusive quality of charisma.
In the 1860s, Giuseppe Garibaldi was the most famous man in Europe. A correspondent from the London Times encountered him at a public rally in Palermo, and described how men threw themselves forward to touch the hem of his garment, while mothers offered their babies up to be blessed by him.
With the help of historian Professor Lucy Riall, Francine explores the creation of the charismatic national commander who would lead the Risorgimento and establish Rome as the capital of a newly united Italy. She hears about his natural charm, his physical appearance and clothes, but also about his protean ability to be different things to different people and to exploit new technology to spread his image and his message.
Francine then moves on to a more recent example of radical leadership. She hears from the writer and broadcaster, Abdel Bari Atwan, about his secret visit to Osma Bin Laden in the Tora Bora caves of Afghanistan and about how, in turn, the publicity machine of Al Quaeda used contemporary new technology to advance their cause.
Finally, Francine investigates the dangers of this type of nationalist leadership, and hears from Lucy Riall about how Garibaldi's Red Shirts were to be a direct inspiration for the Black Shirts of Mussolini.
Readings by Simon Russell Beale.
Producer: Beaty Rubens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.
FRI 09:45 Daily Service (m0028v1k)
Nicene Creed - of one being with the father
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.
Theme: Nicene Creed - of one being with the father
Presenter: Leslie Griffiths
Reading: John 14: 8-12
Music:
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Daily Service Singers
Love of the father, love of God the son (Gibbons) - Collegiate Church of St Mary Warwick Choir
Abba Father - Lou Fellingham
FRI 10:00 Soul Music (b037hmxd)
Series 16
Elgar's Dream of Gerontius
How the choral work The Dream of Gerontius, by Edward Elgar, has touched and changed people's lives.
For Terry Waite, it was the first piece of music he heard as a hostage in the Lebanon, after four years in solitary confinement.
Writer and broadcaster Stephen Johnson describes how Elgar's own fragile emotional state is written into the music, which describes the journey taken by a dying man.
Singer Catherine Wyn-Rogers explains how Elgar's music helped her come to terms with the loss of her parents.
Martin Firth recalls a life-enhancing performance of the piece in Bristol cathedral.
Jude Kelly, artistic director of the South Bank Centre, explains how she experienced the choir in this piece as a 'spiritual army' when she performed it at university.
Martyn Marsh describes how the music brought him to a realisation about how he would like to end his days.
And Robin Self recalls a life-changing performance of this piece, which enabled him to grieve for his son.
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact.
Producer: Melvin Rickarby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2013.
FRI 10:30 Camel Train (b0076yyp)
The Danakil Depression in northern Ethiopia is one of the lowest, hottest places on the surface of the Earth.
Yet every year thousands of traders from the Ethiopian Highlands make the arduous and exhausting journey into this vast super-heated bowl, their long camel trains tied nose-to-tail with rough rope. What draws them into this desolate, alien landscape is salt.
Blocks of salt are cut from the ground, loaded onto the camels and transported using methods unchanged for at least 2,000 years.
Matthew Parris joins the traders and their camels to follow the ancient salt route.
Producer: Jeremy Grange
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2006.
FRI 11:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 11:30 Whodunnits (b01bwfy6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 12:00 Bodgers, Banks and Sparkes (m0028v1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 12:25 Leonard Rossiter - In a Nutshell (b00sj9r3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:25 today]
FRI 12:30 The Ken Dodd Show (m0028v1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 13:00 Shush! (b08pfnqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 13:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028v1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 13:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007q99p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 14:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m0016x99)
Series 28
Episode 5
David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies.
They compete against one another to see how many items of truth they're able to smuggle past their opponents.
The panellists are obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as colours, ice cream, apples and alcoholic spirits.
With:
Henning Wehn
Zoe Lyons
Sindhu Vee
Marcus Brigstocke
Producer: Jon Naismith
A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2022.
FRI 14:30 Meet Mr Mulliner by PG Wodehouse (m0028v1m)
Came The Dawn
Mr Mulliner’s tale about his relative Lancelot is a story of love, poetry, parental obstruction and unexpected opportunities.
Storyteller Mr Mulliner enlists regular tipplers of the Angler's Rest to tell his tales.
Richard Griffiths stars as Mr Mulliner, first published in 1927, written by PG Wodehouse.
Dramatised in six parts by Roger Davenport.
Miss Postlethwaite / Annabel .... Matilda Ziegler
A Small Bitter / Lancelot .... Tom George
A Light Ale / Isadore Zinzinheimer / Bewstridge .... Martin Hyder
A Port / Mr Briggs/ Fotheringay .... Peter Acre
A Pint of Stout / Lord Biddlecombe .... David Timson
Director: Ned Chaillet
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
FRI 15:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k07z)
3. Tensions
In the sun-drenched port of Genoa, Gwendolen and Daniel's fates become eternally and tragically entwined.
Conclusion of George Eliot's classic novel of love and idealism.
Starring Anna Chancellor and Michael Perceval-Maxwell.
Dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Gwendolen Harleth ...... Anna Chancellor
Deronda ...... Michael Perceval-Maxwell
Grandcourt ...... James Bryce
Mrs Davilow ...... Joanna Tope
Klesmer ...... Finlay Welsh
Mirah ...... Lucy Patterson
Lydia ...... Noreen Leighton
Lush ...... Simon Tait
Leonara ...... Vivienne Dixon
Mordecai ...... Mark McDonnell
Director: Patrick Rayner
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1999.
FRI 16:00 Soul Music (b037hmxd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]
FRI 16:30 Camel Train (b0076yyp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]
FRI 17:00 Some Mother's Son (m000qykx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
FRI 17:30 Whodunnits (b01bwfy6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]
FRI 18:00 Bodgers, Banks and Sparkes (m0028v1c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]
FRI 18:25 Leonard Rossiter - In a Nutshell (b00sj9r3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:25 today]
FRI 18:30 The Ken Dodd Show (m0028v1f)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]
FRI 19:00 Shush! (b08pfnqg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
FRI 19:30 Permanent Violet by Ronald Frame (m0028v1h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]
FRI 19:45 Love for Lydia by HE Bates (b007q99p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:45 today]
FRI 20:00 The Unbelievable Truth (m0016x99)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:00 today]
FRI 20:30 Meet Mr Mulliner by PG Wodehouse (m0028v1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:30 today]
FRI 21:00 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (b007k07z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 15:00 today]
FRI 22:00 Les Kelly's Britain (b01753jn)
Episode 2
Les Kelly hosts a magazine show from hell. Les is a cross between Jeremy Kyle and a slap in the face. He claims this is the only radio show for 'normal, decent people'.
Les is meeting Britain's first firm of emergency yodelers, a woman whose claim to fame is that she can walk backwards, and a man with such an embarrassing medical condition that Les refuses to have him on the show.
Kevin Bishop stars as Les Kelly.
With:
Alan Francis
Pippa Evans
Laurence Howarth
Anthony Spargo
Written by Bill Dare and Julian Dutton.
Producer: Bill Dare
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.
FRI 22:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00mdz9v)
Series 2
Episode 2
Sports agent Trevor tries to cope with some nightmare clients, Yorkshiremen, and a dog with a difference.
Stars Neil Pearson.
Andy Hamilton's comedy about an honourable sports agent in a dishonourable world.
Trevor …. Neil Pearson
Sammy …. Paul Reynolds
Ralph …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Theresa …. Rosalind Ayres
Heidrun …. Cosima Shaw
Barry …. Abdul Salis
Carrie …. Hattie Morahan
Dean …. Jake Wood
Written and produced by Andy Hamilton.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.
FRI 23:00 Mark Steel's in Town (b018xs8f)
Series 3
Bungay
Mark Steel performs for the residents of Bungay.
He's talking about non-existent castles, haunted pubs and chicken roundabouts.
During his visit to the Suffolk town, he investigates the rich tapestry of remarkable events and people.
Series in which the comedian visits towns across the UK and creates a stand-up show for the locals.
Written by Mark Steel with additional material by Pete Sinclair.
Producer: Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.
FRI 23:30 Life on Egg (m00035qr)
Series 2
Self-destruct
A self-destruct button is found on The Egg, meaning sweaty palms and an itchy finger or two.
Meanwhile, an outbreak of imaginary nits amongst the prisoners leads to increasingly desperate measures...
Governor Harry ...... Harry Hill
Anne ...... Karen Bartke
Peter ...... Marek Larwood
Prisoner Birtwistle ...... Paul Putner
Prisoner Brandreth ...... Gyles Brandreth
Tim the Helicopter Pilot ...... Daniel Maier
Written by Dan Maier
Producer: Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2019.
FRI 23:45 The In Crowd (b008g2dl)
Series 1
Episode 6
Sketch show from Manchester's Comedy Store with Robin Ince, Helen Moon, Smug Roberts and Kate Ward.
A couple air their grievances to the Marriage Guidance Counsellor - including killing Auntie Beryl and Claustrophics Anonymous have moved to smaller premises.
Additional material by Carl Cooper, Susan Vale, Stan Vernon, Lavinia Murray, Robin Ince, Sandy Gort, Alex Boardman, Howard Reed.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2001.