Join Adrian Chiles for a Saturday morning full of remarkable people with extraordinary stories.
Join Adrian Chiles for a Saturday morning full of remarkable people with extraordinary stories.
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have worked together for three decades on the likes of The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9. But, despite creating some of television's most twisted characters the pair are, as far as we can tell, relatively normal off-screen - Reece is a keen home-baker and Steve loves a good cryptic crossword.
Today John Amaechi is a psychologist and leadership consultant, but in a previous life he was an NBA star. But, John spent most of his childhood in Stockport feeling lonely, bullied for his height and weight, he hated sport. But a chance encounter with a basketball coach in the street that saw this 6'10" teenager stars align.
One of Molly Earl's earliest memories as a child is rescuing bees with her amateur beeping father. Today she rescues swarms of bees destined for extermination for a living and has given refuge to millions of bees creating 250 established hives around St Austell - where she turns their efforts into award-winning honey.
All that, plus the Inheritance Tracks of The Da Vinci Code author, Dan Brown.
Presenter: Adrian Chiles Producer: Ben Mitchell
Former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, shares his guide to hope and happiness during troubling times in the world and after his battle against Covid-19 during the pandemic - plus he reveals the joy of returning to work with "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" illustrator, Helen Oxenbury, for the first time in more than 30 years with "Oh Dear, Look What I Got!".
Kristie De Garis is a writer, photographer and one of the few female dry stone wallers in the UK. Based in Perthshire, she fixes the cracks in both the countryside and at home, as she lives with her two children and two ex-husbands.
Journalist and professional ghost-writer, Zoë Apostolides, creates memoirs for those who are old or dying to pass down to their family - but it was the creation of her own grandmothers memoirs during lockdown that revealed more than she thought.
All that, plus former Strictly star Oti Mabuse shares her Inheritance Tracks.
Presenter: Adrian Chiles Producer: Ben Mitchell
Adam Kay from delivering babies to delivering punchlines, the former obs and gynae doctor turned BAFTA-winning writer and comedian, now stitches together stories in his bestselling books.
The beloved voice of Dexys Midnight Runners and Dexys - the singer-songwriter Kevin Rowland. He’s traded melodies for memories in his raw and revealing memoir.
And penning stories, teaching other writers and also throwing punches - the author Anna Whitwham proves she’s as fierce a pugilist as she is a wordsmith.
Plus, the Inheritance Tracks from the journalist, writer and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter.
Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Award-winning historian, broadcaster, and author Bettany Hughes wrote her first book when she was just five years old. Now she's written her first ever children's book, as part of her mission to make history accessible to all.
Jay McGuiness swapped the glittery Strictly ballroom and The Wanted tour bus for the West End stage - and now has written a fantasy trilogy!
And Dave Fishwick - the real Dave behind the hit Netflix film 'The Bank of Dave' - shares his inspiring life story, which all started with a chip butty...
All that plus, the Inheritance Tracks of much-loved TV presenter Ade Adepitan.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens. Producer: Lowri Morgan.
Mother of champions and former tennis star and coach herself... Judy Murray has swapped a killer forehand for the mighty pen.
Richard Turner is a cult survivor who knows a thing or two about love bombing, gaslighting and the prosperity gospel, but it was his autism diagnosis that opened his eyes to the truth.
Defne Suman, is an acclaimed Turkish author, and hatha yoga teacher, whose novels unearth forgotten histories and turn memory into literature with sociological insight.
All that plus the Inheritance Tracks of the 5Live presenter and noughties teen tv icon…Rick Edwards.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Lowri Rhiannon Morgan
Dudley’s finest, Sir Lenny Henry, has always used his comedic and acting talents to infuse characters with humour and heart - his Comic Relief work turned laughter into social impact and he now has a list of ‘brilliant things’ to share.
Violinist and Daughter of Dublin Aoife Ní Bhriain has, through her music, blended traditional Irish sounds with modern innovation, turning cultural roots into contemporary expressions.
And, hailing from Nottingham, former refuse worker turned screenwriter William Ivory’s discusses a cannon of films, which include Made in Dagenham, and lifts the curtain on how he elevates the mundane and gives voice to the overlooked.
All that plus, to get into the festival mood, the Inheritance Tracks of 6 Music’s Breakfast presenter Nick Grimshaw.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Kiri Pritchard-McLean Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Double BAFTA winning and shapeshifting actor Adeel Akhtar has been seen on screen in Murdered by My Father, Sherwood and Fool Me Once and on stage he’s currently playing a politician in The Estate.
Terry Deary is the bestselling author of Horrible Histories and has now written his first adult crime thriller…Actually, I’m A Murderer.
And Charlotte Philby is the investigative journalist, author of spy thrillers, and has uncovered the women behind her grandfather's double life as one of the Cambridge Five.
All that...plus the “Never Ending” Inheritance Tracks of Kajagoogoo star and singer Limahl.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Catherine Powell
Actor, director and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah on the big decisions he’s faced from changing his name to the Herculean task of writing a super-hero musical.
Mohammed Belal... Who became England's first paralysed surgeon after a cycling accident. He faced years of rehabilitation to return to work.
George Egg who mixes comedy and cooking and says good nosh doesn’t have to be posh and how cooking helped him after the death of his father.
Inheritance Tracks are picked by DJ-turned-novelist Fearne Cotton...
Presenters: Kiri Pritchard-MCLean and Jon Kay Producer: Catherine Powell
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Ashley Walters, the powerhouse actor, producer and rapper, who’s delivered unforgettable performances in Top Boy and the recent global Netflix hit Adolescence, his memoir unveils a tapestry of his inner workings, woven with candour and introspection.
Rhys Darby is one of New Zealand’s finest comedy exports. Famous for his boundless curiosity and for blending quirky wit and brilliance he’ll tell us about being a real-life soldier and on-screen pirate. Plus his current stand-up tour.
And Helen Lederer joins us. The actor-writer-comedian who is busy rehearsing for her performance in Fawlty Towers on stage.
Plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of the broadcaster and writer Georgia Mann.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jon Kay
Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Fresh from her recent BAFTA success – the award-winning actress, writer and producer - Ruth Jones is with us. Ruth’s latest book of fiction is a story where the main character embarks on one last investigation for a council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit... and along the way, the character discovers the importance of holding onto friendship and community.
He's the architectural alchemist who has guided us through communities around the UK, where people who turn their creative dreams into homes. The TV presenter and writer - Kevin McCloud – is with us under the canvas of this delightful Hay Festival tent.
And GT Karber is the mastermind behind the phenomenon – Murdle – a series of murder mystery puzzle books. Greg is the son of a judge and a civil rights attorney who grew up in the community of Arkansas in the United States. But he’s taken a break from conjuring up his puzzling and logical creations to join us in the Hay-on-Wye countryside.
Plus the Inheritance Tracks of the comedian Ivo Graham.
Presenters: Huw Stephens and Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who disappointingly didn't make his way to the studio on a penny farthing is here in his capacity as an Agatha Christie loving author.
Poppy Okotcha, the model-turned-horticulturist, has swapped Vivienne Westwood runways for an edible and medicinal garden.
Dr. Jack Mosley, son of the late Michael Mosley, has shut out the food noise to continue his father's legacy.
All that plus the Inheritance Tracks of Nigel Havers.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell
This programme has been changed for music rights reasons.
One of Britain's best former art forgers, ‘brushstroke alchemist’ David Henty, has been called a Master Craftsman of his art with over 30 years' experience, producing near original copies.
Sophie Pierce didn’t think she’d live to thirty but has just become the first person with cystic fibrosis to complete a world record breaking rowing challenge across the Atlantic.
The writer and illustrator Nick Butterworth, who was raised above a corner shop in Essex full of sweets, wasn't able to read until he was 8 - 70 years later and his Percy the Park Keeper book series has sold almost 9 million copies worldwide.
All that, plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of Archers icon Charles Collingwood as he celebrates 50 years in Ambridge.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Adrian Chiles Producer: Ben Mitchell
Oscar award winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, the man behind some of the world's most beloved musicals. From Evita to The Lion King, he's currently on tour bringing his own life stories and hit-filled career to a stage near you.
Novelist Sareeta Domingo joins Saturday Live, she faced her own life altering plot-twist, when she was diagnosed with cancer. It proved to be more than a chapter to endure, it became a catalyst to re-examine who she is.
And Alan Toyne joins the programme, a former zookeeper and now writer with a gorilla-sized love for primates. He discusses his passion for understanding them and what it is like to live with one.
Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Lowri Morgan
The writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth discusses his love of words and language.
Lorna Tucker is the fearless and celebrated filmmaker who rose from homelessness and a life of crime on the streets of Soho to Sundance glory.
And Paul Lamb the wagon-living-hedge-laying wizard, who weaves living masterpieces from nature’s tangle, restoring ancient countryside hedgerows and keeping alive a vanishing ancient craft.
Plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of the stand-up comedian and writer Sophie Duker.
Presenters: Nikki Beddi and Huw Stephens Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
And if you’ve been affected by any of the things discussed in our conversation...there's information, help and support available at bbc.co.uk/actionline
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.