Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2026-03-30T11:55:05.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Scott Mills confirmed to have left BBC Radio 2 following personal conduct allegations
items: MOBO Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners and nominees from Olivia Dean to Stephen Graham
items: Paul McCartney debuts brand new single on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Merseyside
items: How to watch the MOBO Awards 2026
items: The Radio Times Podcast
items: Tributes pour in for Dame Jenni Murray, BBC Radio presenter and former host of Woman's Hour, after she dies aged 75
items: Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness
items: The Wheel of Time and Young Sherlock favourite confirms new role in "gritty, visceral and darkly funny" take on historical icon
items: BBC tipped to fill Glastonbury void this year with charity tribute concert to David Bowie 10 years after death
items: Farewell, Liza Tarbuck – our Saturdays evenings have lost their light
items: The Pussycat Dolls confirm reunion as a trio for all-new single and world tour
items: BBC Radio 2 star and comedy legend confirms exit from radio show after 14 years
items: BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend line-up: Full list of confirmed stars for festival
items: John Tusa talks interviewing legends in their 90s for new podcast: "In the last 18 months we lost 5 people"
items: Keira Knightley transforms into iconic Harry Potter character in first clip of new audiobook
items: Stunning drama based on true story starring Derek Jacobi and Frances Barber wins Radio Times award
items: BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 confirms world-famous British DJ to headline Friday slot
items: BRIT Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners as Olivia Dean and Sam Fender take home gongs
items: Jack Whitehall talks presenting the BRITs and who wanted to be introduced as "the biggest rock star on the planet"
items: Comedian Slim on his Guide to Life: "I know how to navigate myself in this industry, that's why I've been in it for so long"
items: Love Island icon Chloe Burrows talks dream interviews in exciting new KISS Breakfast role - and talks best friend Millie's All Stars journey
items: Why Carry On icon Kenneth Williams's legacy in British entertainment continues to endure
items: The Archers favourites star in 75th anniversary photoshoot and talk THAT dramatic George whodunnit reveal
items: Reading is central to being human – and yet, it’s hard to miss the signs of decline
items: Has The Archers cheated listeners with George Grundy reveal?
items: Rick Astley takes poignant look back on his career, Bond songs and future hopes: "I'm just getting more emotional as I get older"
items: Young James Bond series based on beloved novels confirmed to launch later this year - as casting call announced
items: Britney Spears sells the rights to her entire music catalogue
items: 5 everyday household items that are toxic for you – from dishwasher tablets to air fresheners

Scott Mills confirmed to have left BBC Radio 2 following personal conduct allegations
type: item
date: 2026-03-30T11:55:05.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: BBC Radio 2
subject: News
description: The news was confirmed to BBC staff this morning.
encoded: Broadcaster Scott Mills has been sacked by the BBC following allegations over his 'personal conduct', and will no longer be hosting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. As reported by The Mirror, the radio DJ was taken off air last week while the BBC assessed the information. A spokesperson for the BBC said: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC." Mills rose to prominence presenting the Scott Mills show on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022, before making the move to BBC Radio 2. He took over Zoe Ball's Radio 2 breakfast show show earlier this year, moving from his afternoon show slot on the station. In an internal note to staff, Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC, said: "I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock. "Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity. "Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to. While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now." Mills is also a prominent figure in the Eurovision circuit, having been a commentator for the semi-finals over the years, although details on the BBC's presenting line-up for the contest this year is yet to be confirmed. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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MOBO Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners and nominees from Olivia Dean to Stephen Graham
type: item
date: 2026-03-27T08:35:15.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: News
description: It was a big night of musical celebration.
encoded: The 2026 MOBO Awards have crowned its winners at this year's ceremony, celebrating the very best of Black music and culture in the UK and beyond. Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean won big at the ceremony, while actor Stephen Graham took home an award for his performance in Adolescence. The ceremony also recognised outstanding cultural contributions across television and film, with several highly-lauded programmes and movies nominated. The annual event was held at Manchester's Co-op Live, with Olivia Dean, Aitch and Myles Smith just some of the stars who performed across the night. Here is the full list of nominees and winners at the MOBO Awards 2026. MOBO Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners and nominees Best male act in association with Prostate Cancer UK Central Cee Elmiene Jim Legxacy - WINNER Nemzzz Odeal Skepta Best female act in association with Got2b Flo Kwn Little Simz Olivia Dean - WINNER Pinkpantheress Sasha Keable Album of the year in association with Amazon Music Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness Ezra Collective – Dance, No Ones Watching Flo – Access All Areas Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down Little Simz – Lotus Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving - WINNER Song of the year AJ Tracey feat Jorja Smith – crush Donae’o feat Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – nights like this Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – victory lap Jim Legxacy & Dave – 3x Kwn – do what I say Myles Smith – nice to meet you Olivia Dean – man I need - WINNER Pinkpantheress – illegal Raye – where is my husband! Tim Duzit – kat slater Best newcomer Dc3 - WINNER Esdeekid Finessekid Jim Legxacy Kwn Namesbliss Nia Smith Sekou Skye Newman Yt Video of the year in association with Vevo Pozer – shanghigh noon (Directed By Bas Haselager) Fka Twigs – eusexua (Directed By Jordan Hemingway) Jim Legxacy – father (Directed By Lauzza) Little Simz – flood feat Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly (Directed By Salomon Ligthelm) Raye – where is my husband! (Directed By The Reids) - WINNER Skepta & Fred Again – back…

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Paul McCartney debuts brand new single on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Merseyside
type: item
date: 2026-03-26T16:46:50.000Z
creator: Phoebe Kowhai Barnes
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: BBC Radio 2
subject: News
description: The Beatles icon says the new song is about John Lennon and growing up in Liverpool.
encoded: Sir Paul McCartney has premiered his brand new single Days We Left Behind, marking his first musical release in six years. The new song debuted on Radio Merseyside today (26 March), meaning the people of Merseyside, where McCartney and the Beatles famously came from, heard the song before anyone else. Meanwhile, on The Afternoon Show with Trevor Nelson on BBC Radio 2, the Beatles icon also announced that the track is from a brand new studio album entitled The Boys of Dungeon Lane. The station exclusively broadcast a voice message from McCartney as he opened up about the inspiration for the new song, saying the lyrics were about the past – namely of growing up in Liverpool – and of John Lennon. "So this next song is very much a memory song for me," McCartney said. "I was doing an interview yesterday and I was thinking, well, songwriters, and writers in general, what else can you draw on, besides the past? I mean, you can do the present, but still a lot of the past in that. "So, anyway, this is the past. You know, it's just a lot of memories of Liverpool for me, and that involves a little bit in the middle about John, Forthlin Road, which is the street I used to live in." He continued: "I used to live in a place called Speke which is, you know, working class. It's only looking back on it, you think, yeah, we didn't have much at all. "But you know, as they always say, it didn't matter, because all the people were so great and you didn't notice you didn't have much." Listen to Days We Left Behind by Paul McCartney: View oEmbed on the source website McCartney found global fame in the Beatles, with whom he released 12 studio albums between 1963 and 1970. He'll soon be seen on the big screen... in a manner of speaking, as Hamnet star Paul Mescal will be playing McCartney in Sam Mendes's new Beatles films, alongside Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn as the other members of the Fab Four. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming …

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How to watch the MOBO Awards 2026
type: item
date: 2026-03-25T16:20:24.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
description: It's time to celebrate!
encoded: The MOBO Awards are returning for another spectacular night, celebrating the very best of Black music and culture from the past year. But this year is particularly special, as 2026 marks 30 years of the MOBO Organisation and on the night, audiences can expect an unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes and culture-shaping moments. Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: "As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades. Time and again, artists have taken the recognition of a MOBO Award and transformed it into fuel for lasting success. "This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in. Their voices matter — not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future. From sharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generation of artists is deeply connected to their communities." So when do all the celebrations begin? Read on to find out more about the MOBO Awards 2026. When are the MOBO Awards 2026? The MOBO Awards 2026 are taking place on Thursday 26 March at Manchester's Co-op Live. How to watch the MOBO Awards 2026 In a major change from its usual YouTube stream, the show will be live streamed via Amazon Music UK's official Twitch account from 8pm, following a collaboration with the streamer. On Friday 27 March, an Access all Areas programme will be available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer at 11:25pm. In the hour-long special, DJ Target takes viewers behind-the-scenes on the night, with performances, interviews and exclusive content. Who is hosting the MOBO Awards 2026? American rapper Eve and broadcaster Eddie Kadi are the hosts for this year's MOBO Awards, with this marking the second consecutive year for Kadi. He said in a statement: "To be back for the second year in a row co-hosting the MOBO Awards is an honour, especially for i…

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The Radio Times Podcast
type: item
date: 2026-03-23T12:00:30.000Z
subject: audio
subject: Podcasts
subject: Radio Times podcast
description: Join our editors Shem Law and Caroline Frost every Friday, for a lively chat about all the latest hits and misses.
encoded: Searching for something worth watching? We’ve all been there… Sat in front of the television, flicking through channels, getting increasingly frustrated – there’s so much on, but nothing to watch. The Radio Times Podcast has you covered. Every Friday, TV critics Caroline Frost and Shem Law serve up a weekly dose of TV wisdom, streaming gold and unfiltered opinions – all packed into one bitesize episode. No more asking: what's on TV? Or, what can I watch tonight? Stay in the know about the latest must-see series, wild plot twists, surprise gems and glorious flops – all debated, dissected and served with a side of wit. From all things terrestrial to what’s on the streaming sites – they cover the top picks across the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky to NOW, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV. Whether you’re craving your next costume drama, investigating the latest true crime documentary or in need of a new nail-biting thriller – we’ve taken the guesswork out of what’s actually worth watching. Bite-sized and binge-worthy New episodes drop every Friday, so you can stay in the know about the latest releases across TV and streaming. Short enough to squeeze into your work commute or lunch time walk, every episode is packed with enough entertainment insight to instantly upgrade your evening viewing. Where to listen Listen to the latest episode every Friday or catch up on previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Acast. Make sure to follow our Radio Times Podcast channel so you never miss an episode. Browse our available episodes here! Arty Crime Drama - Friday 24 October Lazarus, love triangles and a touch of Julia Roberts - Friday 17 October Caroline Frost is joined by guest host Gareth McLean for a fresh round-up of the week's best TV. On the list: Lazarus lands on Prime Video, while a reboot of The Forstye Saga comes to Channel 5 bringing period drama back to the forefront. They also spotlight Leonard and Hungry Paul one BBC Two, a gent…

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Tributes pour in for Dame Jenni Murray, BBC Radio presenter and former host of Woman's Hour, after she dies aged 75
type: item
date: 2026-03-21T10:53:56.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: News
description: "We all owe her."
encoded: Tributes have been paid to beloved broadcaster, Dame Jenni Murray, who has died at the age of 75. Murray had been the host of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour for over 30 years, having joined the programme in 1987 before her departure in 2020, making her its longest-serving presenter. BBC director-general Tim Davie led the tributes, describing Murray as "a broadcasting icon" who "created a safe space for her audiences thanks to her warmth, intelligence and courage". "We shall all miss her terribly," he said in a statement. "Her legacy endures in the countless conversations she started, the many issues she championed and the lives she touched." Mohit Bakaya, controller at BBC Radio 4 and director of BBC speech audio, echoed Davie's sentiments, describing Murray as "a formidable voice in British broadcasting who was warm, fearless and beloved by listeners". Bakaya added: "During her decades at Woman’s Hour, she helped shape the national conversation with intelligence, rigour and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. Jenni leaves an indelible legacy on generations of listeners. We are profoundly grateful for her outstanding contribution to Radio 4, and she will be deeply missed." Mark Urban, a columnist for The Sunday Times, shared on X: "Very sorry to see that Jenni Murray has died - as a trainee producer I was dispatched to BBC Southampton in 1984 and worked with her in the newsroom. "She was whip smart, always cut through the BS, and her journalism was guided by empathy." View oEmbed on the source website Former Labour Party deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman also paid tribute to the broadcaster, writing on X: "Impossible to overstate the importance of Jenni Murray to the movement of women that changed our politics, economy & our society; that changed our lives. She was the broadcasting wing of the women’s movement. We all owe her. RIP." View oEmbed on the source website Talent management firm Knight Ayton described Murray as a "true professional and a pionee…

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Zeb Soanes reveals why his stroke at age of 44 pushed him to star in play about Alec Guinness
type: item
date: 2026-03-16T17:00:17.000Z
creator: Caroline Frost
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
description: After a stroke in 2021, Classic FM’s Zeb Soanes has got his dream job — playing 33 roles in a show about Sir Alec Guinness.
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. On the first night of the revival of Mark Burgess’s play Two Halves of Guinness, Zeb Soanes sat backstage in his dressing room, preparing to spend the next two hours telling the life story of one of the 20th-century’s great theatrical knights, Sir Alec Guinness. Surrounded by good luck messages from friends and family, Soanes made sure to read one small card in particular: a rare reply to a fan, more than 30 years old, from the man himself. Soanes has one of the country’s most distinctive and beloved radio voices. For 25 years a BBC TV continuity announcer turned Radio 4 newsreader, with forays into The News Quiz, the Shipping Forecast and presenting the Proms on television, he now has the primetime evening slot presenting on Classic FM. But as a trained actor who gave up a job in repertory theatre for the lure of the BBC – “broadcasting was a diversion that somehow lasted for half my life” – Soanes grew up on a diet of classic British films, including all the Ealing comedies, and quickly marked Guinness as his favourite: “Other actors like Olivier used to project their personality outward, while I always felt that Guinness was quieter, inviting us in.” Aged 17, Soanes was even moved to write a letter to his idol, being careful to avoid any mention of Star Wars, which had famously become something of an (albeit lucrative) albatross for the versatile star. A week later, an envelope arrived at Soanes’s home in Suffolk, with a message short but sweet and eternally inspiring – “Good luck with your career.” Now here we are, with Soanes in the title role of Two Halves of Guinness, a witty, intimate one-man exploration of Guinness’s life, sharing his reflections on a dazzling career on stage and screen and the luminaries he encountered along the way. While Guinness famously opted to play all eight members of the D’Ascoyne family in 1949 caper Kind Hearts and Coronets, on stage Soanes delivers 33 characters in total – fro…

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The Wheel of Time and Young Sherlock favourite confirms new role in "gritty, visceral and darkly funny" take on historical icon
type: item
date: 2026-03-13T17:00:22.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
subject: News
description: The new audio drama is “a bold, unexpected re-telling of Dick Turpin unlike anything you’ve heard before", producer Lizzie Worsdell teased.
encoded: The Wheel of Time star Dónal Finn is set to play the leading role in a new audio drama about the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin. Titled Turpin, the new audio series - which is being billed as a "gritty, visceral and darkly funny take on the legend" - is coming courtesy of Big Finish Productions this summer. Finn, who’s currently starring in Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock series on Prime Video, will star as the titular robber who abandons his stable life as a butcher to become a violent outlaw. The audio drama has been written by award-winning screenwriters Mat Braddy and Darren Rapier, and directed by Ken Bentley alongside Braddy and Rapier. Alongside Finn, the voice cast also features Jemima Rooper (Geek Girl, Atlantis) as Turpin’s sharp-witted wife Betty, and Greg Wise (Sense and Sensibility, The Buccaneers) as Captain Tom King, an elegant thief. Harry Myers also stars as the dogged lawman Mason, while Richard Goulding will voice James Smith, Turpin’s law-abiding former friend. The official synopsis for the audio drama reads: "Impatient butcher Richard Turpin wants his share of the emerging wealth of the new United Kingdom." It continues: "After poaching for easy profits, he finds himself on the run and falls in with the vicious Gregory Gang. As his comrades are sent to the gallows, Turpin evades the hangman and becomes the country’s most wanted man." Producer Lizzie Worsdell teased "a bold, unexpected re-telling of Dick Turpin unlike anything you’ve heard before." Writer and director Darren Rapier added: "Ever since discovering the real-life story of Richard Turpin, of which there are many factual accounts and reports of the time, I’ve been keen on telling this story – rather than the dashing highwayman cliché. When I discovered Mat was keen on doing the same, we started talking about creating something together." He continued: "The true story has more in common with the Kray twins than Robin Hood, and this is something we were eager to get across. Audio has allo…

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BBC tipped to fill Glastonbury void this year with charity tribute concert to David Bowie 10 years after death
type: item
date: 2026-03-13T13:11:02.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: News
description: The BBC hasn't yet confirmed this.
encoded: A televised tribute concert to the late David Bowie is reportedly in the works to mark the 10th anniversary of his death. A production company are booking acts for the concert, which are said to include the "world's greatest young artists", according to a report by The Mirror. A source claimed: "Organisers want the event to be seen as a thank you to David Bowie and a celebration of his continued influence among today's artists." It has been reported the BBC will televise this concert, aiming to "fill the void" left by Glastonbury's fallow year, though when approached by Radio Times, the BBC declined to comment. Radio Times understands plans for the BBC's music over the summer will be confirmed in due course. According to The Mirror, it is thought that all proceeds from the gig will go to various musical charities, including Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff and Robbins, a music therapy charity. David Bowie died in 2016 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Across his extraordinary career, Bowie released 25 albums, with his last live performance at a New York charity concert in 2006. A tribute concert at such a large scale hasn't been attempted before, though a smaller celebration of his life and music took place at Carnegie Hall in 2026. Read more: Remembering genius David Bowie and how he heralded 2016 - a year of exponential loss in showbiz history From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke: David Bowie albums in order Glastonbury is missing from this year's BBC schedules as the festival takes a break to "give the land a rest" and allow it to regrow. Though Emily Eavis has big plans for 2027 and beyond, previously telling Cosmopolitan: "I've just booked my first headliner for 2028. 2028! That’s how far ahead we are at the moment." Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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Farewell, Liza Tarbuck – our Saturdays evenings have lost their light
type: item
creator: David Crawford
subject: App
subject: App features
subject: Radio
subject: audio
subject: BBC Radio 2
subject: Comment
description: After the announcement that Liza Tarbuck is stepping down from her Saturday evening Radio 2 show, we pay tribute to her incomparable style.
encoded: If the murmuration, mohomes, Top Bird Trumpingtons and “Pauline!” mean nothing to you, then you’ve obviously never tuned in to Radio 2 at 6pm on a Saturday evening for two hours of the most joyous, slightly bonkers show on the airwaves. Now, sadly, you will never have that experience, as the host of that gem in the BBC’s crown, the incomparable Liza Tarbuck, has said that after some time off, she will not be returning to the show as she’d “like her weekend back”. This isn’t supposed to be an obituary, but you can bet that for her thousands of ardent listeners – aka the murmuration – a little light went out when they heard that their Saturday evening lodestar was disappearing. Before the news of her departure broke, and while it seemed she was only on a sabbatical, a colleague commented that there would be “uproar” if Radio 2 got rid of Liza. As it is, there will be plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth. For since she took up residence in 2012, up until what would turn out to be her final show on 17 January this year, she grew a devout community of followers all too willing to share their silly family sayings, elderly relatives’ confused malapropisms, tales of stupidity and woe, and most importantly, what they’re cooking for dinner and where they have parked the motorhome (mohome) for the night. The more outrageous of these tales could induce one of the most delightful sounds on the radio, as Liza struggled to hold it together while dissolving into a fit of giggles at the sheer madness of it all. Her approach often followed the Mel Brooks adage, “Stubbing your toe on the sidewalk is a tragedy; falling into an open sewer and dying is comedy,” with the more terrible the listener in the story’s personal anguish, the more guffaws it could elicit. Yet none of it was done with spite or malice; there was a genuine mutual feeling of love for her family of listeners – for beyond the mentions of “dad” and “Pauline!”, it was those who wrote in, took part in the weekly fancy d…

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The Pussycat Dolls confirm reunion as a trio for all-new single and world tour
type: item
date: 2026-03-12T13:24:44.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
subject: News
description: The new single is the group’s first since 2020’s React.
encoded: The Pussycat Dolls have announced they are reuniting as a trio to release their first new music in seven years and for a world tour. The group – now comprising Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt – released Club Song on Thursday (12 March). Though there were six members of the original Pussycat Dolls, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar, and Melody Thornton won’t be taking part. Club Song is the group’s first single since 2020’s React. It has been co-written by Scherzinger and Mike Sabath, who's best known for his work with pop stars including Lizzo and Raye. It will be followed by a series of live shows on the 53-date PCD Forever tour, which will begin in North America in June before moving to Europe and the UK, including a show at the O2 Arena in London. Listen to Club Song here: View oEmbed on the source website The group had announced a reunion in 2019 with plans to tour in 2020, but this was derailed by the Covid pandemic. The Pussycat Dolls burst onto the music scene in 2005 with Don’t Cha and released three top 10 albums during the 2000s. Since leaving the group, Scherzinger has enjoyed plenty of career success, serving as a judge on The X Factor over a number of years. She also won the Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for her performance in the 2023 revival of Sunset Boulevard on the West End, and went on to win a Tony award for best actress in the US the following year in a Broadway transfer of the production. Meanwhile, Roberts and Wyatt have both starred in numerous reality TV shows since performing in The Pussycat Dolls, while Roberts is also a presenter on Heart Radio. Fans in the UK and Europe can sign up for early access to tickets for the tour at pcdforever.com by 16 March, while tickets will become available 20 March. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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Farewell, Liza Tarbuck – our Saturdays evenings have lost their light
type: item
date: 2026-03-12T10:41:59.000Z
creator: David Crawford
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: BBC Radio 2
subject: Comment
description: After the announcement that Liza Tarbuck is stepping down from her Saturday evening Radio 2 show, we pay tribute to her incomparable style.
encoded: If the murmuration, mohomes, Top Bird Trumpingtons and “Pauline!” mean nothing to you, then you’ve obviously never tuned in to Radio 2 at 6pm on a Saturday evening for two hours of the most joyous, slightly bonkers show on the airwaves. Now, sadly, you will never have that experience, as the host of that gem in the BBC’s crown, the incomparable Liza Tarbuck, has said that after some time off, she will not be returning to the show as she’d “like her weekend back”. This isn’t supposed to be an obituary, but you can bet that for her thousands of ardent listeners – aka the murmuration – a little light went out when they heard that their Saturday evening lodestar was disappearing. Before the news of her departure broke, and while it seemed she was only on a sabbatical, a colleague commented that there would be “uproar” if Radio 2 got rid of Liza. As it is, there will be plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth. For since she took up residence in 2012, up until what would turn out to be her final show on 17 January this year, she grew a devout community of followers all too willing to share their silly family sayings, elderly relatives’ confused malapropisms, tales of stupidity and woe, and most importantly, what they’re cooking for dinner and where they have parked the motorhome (mohome) for the night. The more outrageous of these tales could induce one of the most delightful sounds on the radio, as Liza struggled to hold it together while dissolving into a fit of giggles at the sheer madness of it all. Her approach often followed the Mel Brooks adage, “Stubbing your toe on the sidewalk is a tragedy; falling into an open sewer and dying is comedy,” with the more terrible the listener in the story’s personal anguish, the more guffaws it could elicit. Yet none of it was done with spite or malice; there was a genuine mutual feeling of love for her family of listeners – for beyond the mentions of “dad” and “Pauline!”, it was those who wrote in, took part in the weekly fancy d…

BBC Radio 2 star and comedy legend confirms exit from radio show after 14 years
type: item
date: 2026-03-12T10:31:59.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
subject: BBC Radio 2
subject: News
description: "It's been a privilege," Tarbuck said of the role.
encoded: Liza Tarbuck has announced she is stepping down from her Saturday evening BBC Radio 2 show after 14 years. The 61-year-old broadcaster, who has presented the 6pm to 8pm show every Saturday evening since 2012, said she is quitting the programme as she’d like her weekends back. Shaun Keaveny, host of The Rock Show, will present the slot until the end of March, but the BBC said they will announce "further plans" in due course. Posting on Instagram, Tarbuck said: "We made 2 hrs of radio feel like a private members club, that's the stuff of dreams. Thousands of people enjoyed each other's company like great friends... Thank you for letting me in, it's been a privilege." Commenting on the post, Keaveny wrote: "Liza, you stand among the greats. You're my hero shoulder to shoulder with Terry, Steve, all that lot. "You did it best. I'm keeping my battered bowler hat under the table in case you grace us with another round of radio brilliance. All my love xxx." Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas praised Tarbuck for creating "a truly magical, fantastical world" every Saturday evening. She continued: "She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners, and the door at Radio 2 will always be open for her. Liza will be hugely missed and we wish her the very best of luck for the future." Tarbuck, who is the daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, got her first big break on TV in 1987 when she landed a role in comedy series Watching. She went on to appear in the first of the six Victoria Wood-penned anthology comedy plays Mens Sana in Thingummy Doodah in 1989, and also guest-starred in Extras, the Ricky Gervais comedy. Later, she appeared as Mrs Jellyby in the BBC One adaptation of Bleak House (2005). Tarbuck also co-hosted The Big Breakfast in 1998 alongside JohnnyVaughn, before stepping down from the Channel 4 show after a year in the role. More recently, she has appeared in Channel 4's comedy-drama The Change and BBC Two comedy series Upstart Crow. Read more: Emma Willis to host…

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BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend line-up: Full list of confirmed stars for festival
type: item
date: 2026-03-11T10:29:10.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
description: Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson and Lola Young have joined the line-up.
encoded: More big names have been added to the line-up for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. The annual musical festival will return to Herrington Country Park for three days of music from Friday 22 May-Sunday 24 May. The first wave of names were announced last week, with music legend Fatboy Slim set to headline the opening night. Other acts on the line-up for Friday include Sonny Fodera, Danny Howard and Ewan McVicar. The schedule for Saturday was then announced, with the likes of Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson and Lola Young set to perform on the main stage on Saturday. They'll be joined by Nothing But Thieves, Skye Newman and Ellie Goulding. Now, the line-up for Sunday has been announced, with the likes of Olivia Dean, CMAT and Niall Horan joining the bill. Dean has had a huge 2026 so far following the release of her The Art of Loving album, which saw her become the first solo British female to simultaneously claim the Number One album and Number One single spots on the UK Official Charts since Adele in 2021. The singer was also a big winner at the Brit Awards 2026, bagging awards for artist of the year, pop act, song of the year for her Sam Fender duet Rein Me In, and album of the year for The Art of Loving. CMAT, meanwhile, released her third album, Euro-Country, last year to critical acclaim, while Niall Horan recently revealed that he’s finished his new album and shared snippets of the new music. Tickets for the Friday Dance Party went on sale on Friday, while tickets for Saturday and Sunday will go on sale at 5pm on Wednesday (11 March), with ticket allocation being geographically weighted, as in previous years. But who else is set to perform at the festival this year? Read on for all the names confirmed as part of the line-up so far. BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026 line-up: Full list of confirmed stars for festival Friday 22 May Radio 1 Main Stage Fatboy Slim Clementine Douglas FISHER Sonny Fodera MK Radio 1 New Music Stage Ahadadream B2B Arthi horsegiirL LP Rhythm Ewan McVica…

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John Tusa talks interviewing legends in their 90s for new podcast: "In the last 18 months we lost 5 people"
type: item
date: 2026-03-09T17:00:58.000Z
creator: Catherine Pepinster
subject: audio
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
description: Podcasting newcomer Sir John Tusa says his former show Newsnight is an "empty shell".
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. “We had to move fast. In the last 18 months we lost five people. And who knows how much longer I will be here?” So says Sir John Tusa about his new podcast, The Best Is Yet to Come. It’s a comment that someone might make about the high turnover of managers at Premier League football clubs, but Tusa is talking about something far more inevitable, the march of time – although his guests, and indeed Tusa himself, have managed to evade it for a very long time. For The Best Is Yet to Come is all about great survivors – people who have reached their 90s. Some of his first choices didn’t make it. The Times’s former Washington correspondent Fred Emery, who covered Watergate, and the BBC’s veteran India expert Mark Tully died before recording. But talking to people in their 90s turns out to be a far from gloomy exercise. Listening in to Tusa recording his podcast with architect Nick Thompson – a creator of fine theatre spaces, including Sheffield’s Crucible – is an hour of entertaining conversation full of rich anecdotes and humour. It’s also an hour of listening to a masterclass in journalism. Tusa, who turned 90 on 2 March (the podcast’s launch date), has lost none of the curiosity, attentive listening and charm that made him so compelling as a founding presenter of Newsnight and a Radio 4 interviewer of people in the arts. He was prompted to create the podcast, he says, after thinking about the extraordinary lives of people he knows in their 90s. His guests include Lord Michael Heseltine, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, economist and happiness guru Sir Richard Layard and novelist Dame Penelope Lively. “These are people who aren’t just existing. They’re finding life can still be exciting. Why stop until you have to?” He admits, though, that living so long can be hard when people you have known all your life die, such as his wife Ann and their friends from university. But he doesn’t focus on death on the podcast, he says, …

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Keira Knightley transforms into iconic Harry Potter character in first clip of new audiobook
type: item
date: 2026-03-09T16:54:10.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: audio
subject: Audiobooks
subject: Audible
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: Knightley plays Dolores Umbridge in the Full-Cast Audio Edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
encoded: As the Full-Cast Audio Editions of the Harry Potter books continue to be released on Audible, Radio Times has got an exclusive clip from the next instalment – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The clip features Keira Knightley, who in this instalment will be taking on the role of Dolores Umbridge for the first time. She is heard giving her first address to the Hogwarts staff and students, with Cush Jumbo also featuring in the clip, as she continues to serve as the narrator of the audio dramas. You can listen to the clip right below. Audible · Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Full-Cast Audio Edition) Excerpt The Harry Potter Full-Cast Audio Editions first started releasing in November 2025, with a new instalment debuting on Audible each month. The fifth novel will be released tomorrow (Tuesday 10 March), while the sixth and seventh will be released on Tuesday 14 April and Tuesday 12 May. Also featuring in the cast for The Order of the Phoenix are Jaxon Knopf as Harry Potter, Rhys Mulligan as Ron Weasley, Nina Barker-Francis as Hermione Granger, Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall and Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort. Meanwhile, James McAvoy plays Alastor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody, Kit Harington plays Gilderoy Lockhart, Ruth Wilson plays Bellatrix Lestrange, Simon Pegg plays Arthur Weasley, Leo Woodall plays Bill Weasley, Ambika Mod plays Nymphadora Tonks, Alex Hassell plays Lucius Malfoy and David Holmes plays Stan Shunpike. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “…

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Stunning drama based on true story starring Derek Jacobi and Frances Barber wins Radio Times award
type: item
date: 2026-03-06T15:30:52.000Z
creator: David Crawford
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: TV
subject: News
description: The stars played two giant figures of 20th century life in the radio drama voted the best this year by Radio Times readers.
encoded: On Sunday 1 March at the BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House, London, the inaugural Radio Times Readers’ Drama Award was presented at the BBC Audio Drama Awards ceremony. The Radio Times award was one of three external awards presented on the night, alongside the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, run by the Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, for the best original script by a writer new to audio drama and for best original script, respectively. Radio Times has been around since almost when the first radio drama was aired in the UK, but we missed Phyllis Twigg’s The Truth about Father Christmas 1922 play for children by several months. Ever since RT has been championing a form that remains beloved by our readers. This year, we decided to give them the chance to tell us what they really like with the Radio Times Readers' Drama Award. From a list of 30 dramas drawn up by a panel of our esteemed critics, which ranged from pacy podcast series to theatrical single dramas, readers could vote online for their favourite. Here’s what they picked as their winner… A play that imagines the meeting between two diametrically opposed giants of 20th century life, played by two giants of the acting profession, its witty and thought-provoking approach to a little-known historical event clearly struck a chord. The winner of the inaugural Radio Times Readers' Drama Award is When Maggie Met Larry by Tim Walker, directed by Richard Clifford for Catherine Bailey Productions. Tim Walker says of winning the award: "My heartfelt thanks to the readers of Radio Times for choosing my play When Maggie Met Larry – focusing on the real-life acting class that Laurence Olivier gave to Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s – as the winner of the magazine's inaugural drama award." As a seasoned, award-winning journalist for The Daily Telegraph and The Observer, Walker knows it’s never a solo effort to get a story out in the world, "Any writer who thinks a drama wins solely on account o…

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BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 confirms world-famous British DJ to headline Friday slot
type: item
date: 2026-03-06T12:14:04.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
subject: News
description: Other names on the bill so far include Sonny Fodera, Danny Howard and Ewan McVicar.
encoded: The first acts to perform at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 have been revealed, with music legend Fatboy Slim set to headline the opening night. Radio 1’s flagship live musical festival will return to Herrington Country Park for three days of music from Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May, marking its first appearance on Wearside in 21 years. Other acts on the line-up for 22 May include Sonny Fodera, Danny Howard and Ewan McVicar. The Friday line-up in alphabetical order is as follows: Ahadadream B2B Arthi Arielle Free Charlie Hedges Clementine Douglas Danny Howard Ewan McVicar Fatboy Slim FISHER horsegiirL LP Rhythm Marlon Hoffstadt MK NOTION Sarah Story Tickets for the Friday Dance Party, which are for over 18s only, go on sale at 9am on Friday 6 March, and cost £34.50. As with previous Big Weekends, ticket allocation is geographically weighted, with 30 per cent of tickets reserved for Sunderland residents, 60 per cent of tickets reserved for the wider North East, and 10 per cent available to the rest of the UK. The star-studded line-ups for the Saturday and Sunday are due to be announced on Monday (9 March) on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James, with tickets for both days set to go on sale at 5pm on Wednesday. BBC Radio 1 will provide live coverage from the festival site across the weekend, with performances available live and on demand across BBC Sounds and Radio 1’s iPlayer channel. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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BRIT Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners as Olivia Dean and Sam Fender take home gongs
type: item
date: 2026-03-01T09:45:34.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: ITV
subject: ITVX
subject: Music
subject: News
description: It was a thrilling night!
encoded: The BRIT Awards 2026 ceremony finally arrived after weeks of exciting performance announcements and highly-anticipated nominations. The ceremony was hosted by Jack Whitehall, and featured a flurry of performances from the likes of Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Mark Ronson. Ronson, who won the outstanding contribution to music award, performed a career-spanning medley, in which he was joined by Dua Lipa and Ghostface Killah with Serge Pizzorno and Amy Winehouse's band, with a special tribute made to the late star. It was certainly a big night for Olivia Dean, who won four awards, including artist of the year, album of the year and pop act. Other winners included Sam Fender, Wolf Alice, Rosalía, Noel Gallagher and Lola Young. Here are all the artists who took home awards at the BRIT Awards 2026. BRIT Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners Artist of the year Dave Fred again.. JADE Lily Allen Little Simz Lola Young Olivia Dean - WINNER PinkPantheress Sam Fender Self Esteem Group of the year The Last Dinner Party Pulp Sleep Token Wet Leg Wolf Alice - WINNER Album of the year Dave - The Boy Who Played The Harp Lily Allen - West End Girl Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving - WINNER Sam Fender - People Watching Wolf Alice - The Clearing Song of the year Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas - Blessings Chrystal & Notion - The Days (Notion Remix) Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) - Defying Gravity Ed Sheeran - Azizam Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax - Victory Lap Lewis Capaldi - Survive Lola Young - Messy Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You Olivia Dean - Man I Need Raye - Where Is My Husband! Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) - Rein Me In - WINNER Skye Newman - Family Matters International artist of the year Bad Bunny Chappell Roan CMAT Doechii Lady Gaga Rosalía - WINNER Sabrina Carpenter Sombr Taylor Swift Tyler, The Creator International group of the year Geese - WINNER Haim Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami Tame Impala Turnstile International song of the year Alex Warren - Ord…

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Jack Whitehall talks presenting the BRITs and who wanted to be introduced as "the biggest rock star on the planet"
type: item
date: 2026-02-23T17:00:46.000Z
creator: Craig McLean
subject: audio
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
description: The comedian on crying over Take That, smuggling surprise jokes into the BRIT Awards – and becoming a Hollywood star.
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. What’s the view from your sofa? It’s now a television that has Peppa Pig or Bluey on all the time on rotation in a kitchen/living area that is just absolute carnage because we have a toddler [two-year-old Elsie]. Dolls and toys are strewn hither and thither. It’s like watching television in a brightly coloured, sensory overloading war zone. What have you been enjoying watching amid the carnage recently? I’m away from my family [filming The Fifth Wheel and launching The ‘Burbs in Los Angeles] so last night I binge-watched the Netflix documentary Take That, which I really enjoyed. On my own, in America, tired and jetlagged, I was getting rather glassy-eyed about Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams falling out. It’s still raw, it still hurts. Who controls the remote control at home in London? My fiancée [model Roxy Horner]. I start a lot of series with her and then get pulled away for work and travel. I’ve seen one episode of [Apple TV’s] Pluribus and the first four episodes of The Traitors. It’s quite a contentious issue in our house – she has absolutely no patience and just goes behind my back and finishes all of these series. When did you realise that leaning into your poshness was comedy gold? For the first few years, I used the fact that I was young as my USP. A few comedians pointed out that eventually that well would run dry. Until that point, I’d been trying to hide the fact that I was posh, but I don’t think I was fooling anyone. Then I decided it could be a funny thing to send up. So I just became closer to my authentic self – and then probably pushed it even further the other way. You recently played a baddie in the Amazon Prime thriller Malice. Was it a challenge to land a dramatic role – and play such a dodgy character? It was a bit of a journey to get there, and definitely something I had aspirations to do. That’s why I’ve tried to be a bit more selective in the amount of entertainment stuff that I do in th…

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Comedian Slim on his Guide to Life: "I know how to navigate myself in this industry, that's why I've been in it for so long"
type: item
date: 2026-02-18T15:00:33.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: Exclusive
subject: Interview
subject: Pass the Mic
description: Comedian Slim sits down with Pass the Mic to chat about his brand new BBC Radio 4 show and how he's seen the industry evolve over the years.
encoded: It's not often that people sit down and look back on their entire life for the purpose of bringing about laughter, but that's exactly what comedian Slim has done for his latest venture for BBC Radio 4. His new six-part series, Slim's Guide to Life, is just another string to his impressive career bow, having been the first Black British comedian to sell out the London Palladium with a solo show and now widely celebrated as the Godfather of the Black British comedy scene. Having performed to audiences all around the globe, Slim now reflects on his life and career in his trademark comedic way, telling stories about being a teenage father to working as a London bus driver. Chatting to Radio Times for Pass the Mic, he admits that he's "happy and excited with anticipation to see it all come together, to see the final result". He remarks: "It's a nice experience because you're evaluating your life. I think we do it as humans every 10 years anyway. Every 10 years from 30, you look back on the decade before and think, 'How have I done? Have I advanced? Am I any further? My dreams, have they come true?' So, it was nice to go back, especially the early years." But how has it been penning a script based all around your life for a brand new radio audience? As Slim explains below, it's been a cathartic experience and is also an opportunity to expand his fanbase further in an industry that he has grown confident in navigating over his years of experience. How did you go about crafting Slim's Guide to Life – what was the writing process like? I had material that was written anyway but I had to go and write for the first few decades, as I realised I didn't really have any material. All my material's after 20 years old so that was nice revisiting that, sitting down and writing that on top of stuff I already had. I enjoyed happily sitting down and doing the project. Was it cathartic to revisit those early years of your life? Absolutely. We're adults now... I had a happy childhood so i…

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Love Island icon Chloe Burrows talks dream interviews in exciting new KISS Breakfast role - and talks best friend Millie's All Stars journey
type: item
date: 2026-02-17T17:38:44.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
description: It's been years in the making.
encoded: Ever since she burst onto screens via an interesting voice note on Love Island in 2021, Chloe Burrows has remained a frequent face across television and the audio waves, and she isn't showing signs of slowing down. Earlier this year Burrows, alongside Tyler West, took over the reins from Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely on KISS Breakfast, and it's been something Burrows has been working towards ever since she stepped out of the villa. "This has been a four year stint, so I actually started demoing radio straight after Love Island. I was very bad," she told Radio Times. "So I took a break and then I always, always, always wanted to do radio, more specifically KISS, hence why I have done so much with them over the years because I would not let them leave me alone." Burrows, who also hosts her own podcast, explained she was always first to ask whenever KISS had something going, having worked with them on a red carpet for the BRIT Awards as well as their Haunted House Party. But as for the actual breakfast show, Burrows says it has been "months" in the making, with her and West often "pretending to do breakfast shows" before getting the gig. Burrows and West kicked off their show at the start of the month and have already done some impressive interviews, from Halle Berry to Margot Robbie, but there is a long list forming of dream guests the presenter would love on the show. "I think I would love Amelia Dimoldenberg because I think everything she touches, I think she's incredible," Burrows told Radio Times. "Maya Jama, obviously, because who doesn't love Maya Jama? I would also love Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) or JWoww (Jennifer Lynn Farley) from Jersey Shore. "I think they would be iconic. Any Kardashian, obviously. I love Ru Paul as well, like there are so many people that I think are amazing." View Green Video on the source website Soon, our conversation turns to Love Island. Millie Court, Chloe's best friend whom she met on the show in 2021, is currently back in the villa on…

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Why Carry On icon Kenneth Williams's legacy in British entertainment continues to endure
type: item
date: 2026-02-16T17:01:04.000Z
creator: David McGillivray
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: TV
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
description: Radio presenter and dedicated Williams fan Wes Butters spoke to Radio Times about the legendary performer.
encoded: Say the name Kenneth Williams and immediately you’re reminded of a rubber face, elongated vowels, a camp persona and a master of comic timing, as demonstrated in the Carry On films and radio programmes that are still popular today. But for radio presenter and dedicated Williams fan Wes Butters, the comic luminary remains much more than a "cartoon character". Butters says, "He transcended all age groups, all levels of society, all BBC networks." In a book, a radio documentary and now a film to be released later this year, Butters has been at pains to stress the star’s qualities as a person, something Williams would have appreciated, having often referred to the supposed ignominy of the creative artist required to perform low comedy. When Butters was planning a celebration of Williams’s centenary – a whole day of programmes on Radio 4 Extra this Saturday to mark exactly 100 years since Williams’s birth on 22 February 1926 – he had the same aim, to remind us of his idol’s dedication and versatility. Featured highlights include The Streets of London (1980) in which Williams proudly showed off his neighbourhood to Johnny Morris and Percy Edwards, and panel show The Law Game (1988), one of his last appearances. For Butters, this recording is bittersweet: "He’s so buoyant, at his best just months before he died." Butters, 46, was still a boy when Williams died. "He was ubiquitous in my childhood," Butters recalls of a time when Williams’s cross-generational appeal extended to frequent storytelling duties on Jackanory. "Everything about him was amusing to me," says the presenter, who was confused when he read the star’s celebrated Diaries, posthumously revealing a much darker side. "I couldn’t reconcile that happy joyous character with the man who would not allow himself to feel joy." One night in 2005, Butters bought a photo on eBay reportedly once owned by Williams. Butters contacted the seller, Williams’s godson Robert Chidell, who said he was selling everything, a colle…

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The Archers favourites star in 75th anniversary photoshoot and talk THAT dramatic George whodunnit reveal
type: item
date: 2026-02-16T17:00:39.000Z
creator: Libby Purves
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: TV
subject: BBC Radio 4
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
subject: News
description: Radio Times heads to Ambridge to take a deep dive into the latest plot twist.
encoded: This article originally appeared in Radio Times magazine. It began in 2024 when Alice Carter, an intermittently recovering alcoholic from the prosperous Aldridge family, fell asleep drunk in the passenger seat of her car. Her nephew-in-law George Grundy, a farmworker’s son, couldn’t resist offering to drive her home (it was a flash car). But Alice half-woke and clawed drunkenly for the door: it made George swerve and knock another car, bearing Mick, Joy and Fallon, from the bridge into the River Am. George dived in for a heroic rescue but afterwards panicked and moved the blotto Alice into the driver’s seat. Fallon lost the baby she didn’t know she was expecting, and everyone’s trauma rolled on for weeks. Alice was riven by guilt, though she couldn’t remember driving. George finally admitted the truth: when his grandparents Neil and Susan reported it, he got sent to prison for eight months. On release, he found most of Ambridge pretty unforgiving. Jobless and barred from the Bull, he ranted at all of them on New Year’s Eve. Following a conversation with the now saintly, forgiving Alice however, he resolved to put the past behind him and make good. Hollie Chapman, who plays Alice, explains, “The tables turned, and when she went from being the drunk to someone giving George wise advice, the scene felt really emotional, and I nearly lost it.” Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Angus Stobie who voices George and joined Chapman on RT’s photoshoot to mark the dramatic storyline for the soap’s 75th anniversary, agrees that something changed in the characters’ dynamic. “I think George is slightly in awe of Alice and how she handled the whole situation. He also then means to change, family is at the centre of it all, and he wants to work and give back and provide.” …

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Reading is central to being human – and yet, it’s hard to miss the signs of decline
type: item
date: 2026-02-16T17:00:13.000Z
creator: Dominic Sandbrook
subject: audio
subject: Comment
subject: Magazine
description: Children's appetite for reading is in alarming freefall, says historian Dominic Sandbrook.
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Few days have shaped our cultural lives more than the one in 1439 when German inventor Johannes Gutenberg loaded up his new press, inked the movable type, operated the mechanism, hung up the sheet – and gazed at the first page of printed text ever produced in Europe. Ever since that moment, our imaginative lives have been shaped by the printed word. Generations have read for instruction, for enlightenment and, above all, for pleasure. Our minds are inhabited by fictional characters, from Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet and Charles Dickens’s Ebenezer Scrooge to modern-day heroes such as Harry Potter and James Bond. It’s impossible to imagine Englishness without the plays of William Shakespeare, Scottishness without the novels of Sir Walter Scott, Frenchness without the melodrama of Victor Hugo, Russia without the epics of Leo Tolstoy. Reading is central to being human. And yet, it’s hard to miss the signs of decline. Surveys show that children’s appetite for reading is in free-fall: fewer than one in five British youngsters between eight and 18 read every day, with the decline sharpest among teenage boys. View oEmbed on the source website Another recent survey found that half of all adults don’t read books for pleasure at all, with many turning to the bright lights of social media instead. Some critics warn we’re heading into a dark age of post-literacy. Does this matter? Perhaps not. After all, tens of billions of people have lived and died without reading a word. When Gutenberg invented his printing press, probably one out of ten people in England could read. When the pioneers of the novel, such as Henry Fielding and Samuel Richardson, were writing in the mid-18th century, many people thought fiction was a dangerous innovation, corrupting the minds of its largely female audience. And as late as 1813, when Austen published Pride and Prejudice, almost half of all men and perhaps two-thirds of women were illiterate. …

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Has The Archers cheated listeners with George Grundy reveal?
type: item
date: 2026-02-16T12:53:24.000Z
creator: David Crawford
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: Comment
description: The identity of the Ambridge resident who attacked George Grundy came as a shock to most fans.
encoded: So we now know who lamped poor George Grundy (played by Angus Stobie) with a bottle of well-oaked Chardonnay on New Year’s Eve as he walked to make amends with his mother, Emma (Emerald O'Hanrahan). But I doubt whether any Ambridge addict who placed a bet on whodunnit is now sitting pretty after their hunch paid off. None of the main suspects who were in the frame turned out to be guilty – from one of Marky’s henchmen getting even for George grassing him up in prison to the improbable notion it was George’s younger half-sister Keira, fed up with the disruption he caused in the family. Add in the long list of others with potential motives, including Brad (Taylor Uttley), Jazzer (Ryan Kelly), Fallon (Joanna Van Kampen), Harrison (James Cartwright), Mick (Martin Barrass), Chris (Wilf Scolding), Lilian (Sunny Ormonde), Brian (Charles Collingwood) and Amber’s dad, and the scripts were a masterclass in misdirection. Yet when it was revealed in last Friday’s episode that it was Brian’s beloved son Ruairi (Arthur Hughes) who had done the dastardly deed, listeners couldn’t help but be surprised. Not that there’s no logic behind Ruairi being the attacker. He is the half-brother of Alice (Hollie Chapman) after all, and she almost went to prison after George placed her – blind drunk – at the wheel of her car, following the crash back in 2024 that saw Mick, Joy (Jackie Lye) and Fallon career off the road and into the icy waters of the Am. Fallon lost her unborn child after the crash and the guilt almost overwhelmed the hoodwinked Alice, who couldn’t remember what happened that fateful night, and saw her turning back to her old, destructive friend, the bottle. So it’s feasible that Ruairi has harboured a long-simmering grudge against George and that on a drunken New Year’s Eve in the Bull at which he saw George square up to his elderly father Brian, whose angina seems to strike whenever he gets het up or over-exerts himself, he would grab one of the bottles of fancy wine that he …

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Rick Astley takes poignant look back on his career, Bond songs and future hopes: "I'm just getting more emotional as I get older"
type: item
date: 2026-02-12T15:44:10.000Z
creator: Lewis Knight
subject: audio
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Interview
subject: Music
description: Performing is "still the most special thing".
encoded: There are a few candidates to be the nicest guy in music, but Rick Astley is surely up there. The Lancashire-born singer-songwriter is a quintessential voice of the 1980s, and the immortality of his biggest song Never Gonna Give You Up will forever guarantee him a place in the annals of pop history. Following years of hiatus, Astley returned for the 21st century with a renewed sparkle, killer vocals and still one fantastic head of hair, winning legions of new fans. Whether it's taking Glastonbury by storm or heading out on acclaimed tours and still producing new records, Astley is now a confirmed national sweetheart. Now, Astley has sat down for an emotional instalment of Dermot O'Leary's Reel Stories, looking back at footage of his career, and it left him feeling sentimental. Speaking with Radio Times for the release of Reel Stories and ahead of his much-anticipated 2026 live tour in the UK and Ireland, Astley discussed his career, aspirations for the future, and, of course, what he's watching on TV. So, Rick, you took part in Dermot O'Leary's Reel Stories. Have you managed to see it yet? "I was there on the day! I don't know whether I want to see it again. It was a really enjoyable thing to do, but it was a bit emotional as well. And I think that didn't completely catch me by surprise. Have you seen George Clooney's new movie [Jay Kelly]? Some similarities with that, where someone plonks you down in a cinema and then just goes like, 'These are some of the best bits of your life.' "So it was pretty emotional. I think I'm more emotional about the last few years than I was when I was young, to be honest; when it was all kind of kicking off. Because it's a long time, for one thing, and my memories of it are pretty strong in certain ways, but they're also probably filtered for the good and the bad. So, whereas the most recent stuff is kind of a bit easier to relate to, I'm just getting more emotional as I get older. It's as simple as that." Do you think that's also bec…

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Young James Bond series based on beloved novels confirmed to launch later this year - as casting call announced
type: item
date: 2026-02-11T16:00:10.000Z
creator: Morgan Jeffery
subject: audio
subject: TV
subject: News
description: Big Finish has announced Young Bond, a new full-cast audio drama series exploring the teenage years of 007.
encoded: Big Finish Productions has announced a brand-new audio drama range inspired by the early years of one of fiction’s most famous spies. In partnership with Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, the UK audio drama producer has unveiled Young Bond, a new series of full-cast audio dramas exploring the teenage years of James Bond – long before the tuxedos, martinis and licence to kill. The range will launch in September 2026, beginning with an adaptation of SilverFin, the first novel in the Young Bond book series. Originally published in 2005, SilverFin introduced readers to Bond as a 13-year-old schoolboy at Eton, uncovering a mystery during a holiday in Scotland. The new audio version will retell that story across 16 half-hour episodes. Author Charlie Higson, who wrote the original Young Bond novels, is consulting on the audio series. "I'm very excited that my Young Bond books will be given fresh life as fully dramatised audio adventures," said Higson. "As we eagerly anticipate the new film, James Bond returns in audio, hopefully introducing him to a new generation." Jason Haigh-Ellery, chairman of Big Finish Productions, said: "I first came across James Bond at the age of eight at a re-release double-bill of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds are Forever at my local cinema on a wet Saturday afternoon. I was probably too young to be there, but the bored usher didn’t seem to care, and I was instantly swept up into the magic of these phenomenal movies and the glamorous, adventurous, and exciting world of James Bond. "Eager to discover more, I found that my father had all the books and devoured them. How I would have loved to have had a Young Bond series to read – and now listen to – when I was a boy. Fifty years later I am delighted and honoured that Ian Fleming Publications has entrusted these stories with Big Finish to tell. Let the adventures begin!" Amanda Douglas, managing director, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, said: "At Ian Fleming Publications, we’re incredibly …

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Britney Spears sells the rights to her entire music catalogue
type: item
date: 2026-02-11T12:35:25.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: audio
subject: News
description: The deal includes the rights to iconic hits such as ...Baby One More Time and Toxic.
encoded: Britney Spears has reportedly sold the rights to her entire music catalogue. The pop star is said to have sold her music rights to independent publisher Primary Wave on 30th December, TMZ reported on Tuesday, citing new legal documents. The deal includes the rights to iconic hits such as ...Baby One More Time, Toxic, Oops!... I Did It Again, (You Drive Me) Crazy, Womanizer, I’m a Slave 4 U, I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, Lucky and more. The exact amount that Spears sold her music rights for are currently unknown, but the publication said it was a “landmark deal”. High-profile artists such as Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen and Shakira have also sold their catalogues in recent years in lucrative deals. In 2023, Bieber sold his share of the rights to his music to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for a reported $200m (£162m), while Springsteen sold his entire song catalogue to Sony in 2021 for $500m (£375m). Spears is one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Since her debut in 1999, the singer has released nine studio albums, many of which have gone on to achieve multi-platinum status. View oEmbed on the source website But her status as global pop icon for nearly two decades led to intense scrutiny of her personal life and struggles. The star spent nearly 14 years under a conservatorship before a judge ordered its dissolution in November 2021. In her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears wrote about how the conservatorship shaped her life, from decisions about her finances and career, to personal matters such as diet and birth control, and claimed it “stripped me of my womanhood, made me into a child”. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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5 everyday household items that are toxic for you – from dishwasher tablets to air fresheners
type: item
date: 2026-02-09T17:01:44.000Z
creator: Mark Miodownik
subject: audio
subject: Radio
subject: Magazine
description: Scientist and broadcaster Mark Miodownik reveals the toxins that lurk in our homes.
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Modern technology has allowed us to create homes of unparalleled comfort and convenience, but in doing so we have unwittingly exposed ourselves to invisible dangers through some of the products we buy. These dangers originate from the chemicals created by talented scientists trying to solve human problems and deliver miracle materials, some of which have been shown to be dangerous to human health and the biodiversity of the planet. Here are five everyday household items to look out for: Dishwasher tablets Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are chemicals with carbon–fluorine bonds, which give them properties such as non-stick, water-proofing and stain resistance in products like cookware, clothing, packaging and even dishwasher tablets. They gain these properties because the carbon-fluorine bonds are so strong that they do not chemically react with almost anything. But they are so stable and inert it’s hard to get rid of them as there are few micro-organisms that can break them down – hence why they are called forever chemicals. Their prevalence means they end up in our food and water. Evidence is mounting that as the concentration in our organs increases, they can cause illnesses and even cancers. Plastic food containers Plastics are wonderful and versatile materials. In the form of packaging they make food last longer and so prevent food waste and reduce prices. However, during the manufacturing of plastics, additives are added to give them strength and durability. Many of these chemicals have been shown to have a detrimental impact on human health. These include Bisphenol A (BPA), which interferes with the body’s hormones, affecting reproductive and metabolic systems. BPA acts like the hormone oestrogen, affecting the immune system – it’s also been linked to many other disorders. The EU has now banned BPA in all food-contact plastics, but in the UK it has only been banned for use in babies’ bottles. Avoi…

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