The Crown stars Eileen Atkins and Alex Jennings reunite for BBC Radio 4 drama
The two stars worked together on biographical drama Hope Bourne for the first time since their roles as Queen Mary and her son the Duke of Windsor in The Crown
Hope Bourne (1918–2010) was a writer and artist who lived for several decades alone on the remote moorlands of Exmoor, without electricity, surviving by hunting, growing her own food and maintaining a fiercely independent way of life. Despite her geographical isolation, Bourne was an accomplished intellectual and artist who was once offered a place at the prestigious Slade art school at the age of eleven. Writer Zalie Burrow has taken a pivotal period in Bourne's life as inspiration for her radio play, Hope Bourne, which she wrote specifically for Dame Eileen Atkins. It concerns Bourne's relationship with the publisher Anthony Dent, played by Alex Jennings, who becomes intrigued when she sends him an untidy but compelling draft of her journals, illustrated with striking drawings. His subsequent visits to Exmoor to discuss publishing lead to an unlikely friendship that develops over several years, during which time Dent’s assumptions about society, success and fulfilment are gradually challenged. The publication of these works led to Bourne becoming quite a celebrity later in life. Burrow describes the genesis for the play as coming from an epiphany in a library: "Hope Bourne first came into my life on a visit to the Exmoor Library in Dulverton, Somerset. Her face, radiant and weathered, shone out from the front of a book perched on a low shelf, and I swiftly devoured all of her wonderful nature books and visited the Exmoor Society, where her amazing little watercolour paintings, adorning receipts and old ripped envelopes, had found a safe home. I researched and quickly became infatuated with this incredibly resilient woman who lived off of one pound a week, a woman who filled her boots with straw in winter to ward off the cold, who lived almost entirely self-sufficiently in the wilds of Exmoor for decades with no hot water or central heating." Yet that initial encounter with Bourne led to a rather long gestation period for the play, as Burrow delved deeper into the life of a woman who played by her own rules, but had a multifaceted personality hidden beneath the surface eccentricity: "Over the months that followed I learnt so much more about Hope; she was not just this wild eccentric woman of the moor who didn’t fit in, she was an incredible individual oozing with talent who had led a very challenging and interesting life layered with deep friendships, heartache and unfulfilled dreams. And so, I wrote a play… a very long play… over two hours in fact, which covered her life from her first memory of being pushed in a pram on Armistice Day down Oxford High Street to her final days of living in a small bungalow in Withypool surrounded by her beloved bantams." However, the challenge for a writer is always to get a commission and so Burrow's producer, Cherry Cookson, suggested that she write the role of Hope specifically for Eileen Atkins and aim for the much shorter afternoon drama slot on Radio 4. With that in mind, Burrow read Dame Eileen’s autobiography: "I discovered many similarities between these two remarkable women – both are humble and straightforward, delicate yet feisty and both are extremely resilient. With thoughts of Hope and Eileen intermingling in my mind the play very quickly found its way onto the page." And the end result justified that decision, as Burrow explains: "Watching Eileen Atkins inhabit Hope Bourne in the recording studio was just such a wonderful experience. There was such an honestly and simplicity to her delivery that quietly lifted Hope off the page and brought her back to life." Dame Eileen is swift to return the compliment to Burrow about her writing: 'This had everything going for it, a very unusual and interesting play, about a woman who was very tough and determined who lived her life her own way." On working again with her co-star from The Crown, Alex Jennings, Atkins belies her status as a grand dame of stage and screen in her praise, " It was simply lovely to be acting with Alex again. He's not only a great actor, but he was wonderfully patient with me." And in a nod to the old adage abut being nice to people on the way up as you may need them on the way down (not that's likely in Dame Eileen's case), the star of Hope Bourne is certain to mention as many people involved as possible, "There was Cherry Cookson, a director I had worked happily with many times. And the sound engineer, Jon Calver, without whom I probably couldn't have done it." A humble and straightforward woman, just like Hope Bourne herself. 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.
The Archers favourites star in 75th anniversary photoshoot and talk THAT dramatic George whodunnit reveal
Radio Times heads to Ambridge to take a deep dive into the latest plot twist.
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.” But as George walked to his parents’ house in the dark that night, someone followed him, whacked him on the head with a wine bottle and left him for dead. Thankfully George recovered, and for weeks listeners heard characters suspecting one another of the attempted murder: Jolene the landlady; Fallon the pub cook and her policeman lover; George’s sister Keira; Alice’s dad Brian; Joy and her boyfriend Mick; and Amber’s roughneck father. Now we learn it was actually – shock! – Alice’s illegitimate half-brother Ruairi, who aspires to take over the family farm. Will Brian, in his 80s with angina, continue to pretend it was him to save his son? Will Ruairi confess? Will George lose his rag again? We asked Chapman, Stobie and some of the other actors who play these key figures how they feel about the dramatic revelation and what it means for the future of their characters in Ambridge. "There are a lot of ways this could play out. Not necessarily criminal justice, but village justice – the people themselves might deal with it!" Chapman reveals. She wasn't the first to learn of the latest Ambridge twist - that honour was bestowed on Brian star Charles Collingwood. "I was let in on the secret about Ruairi before everybody else, and sworn to secrecy," he explains. "Everyone was saying it would be me who did it. But really! Brian could barely lift a bottle – except up to his lips! I loved the great scene with George, when Brian decides to cover for Ruairi. And then the one with Ruairi! "Alice is Brian’s favourite child, he adores her. But remember, he has daughters and a stepdaughter and always longed for a son. Ruairi is the apple of his eye." He continues: "Back in the 1980s, they nearly wrote out the Aldridges for being a happy, wealthy family with no problems. But then they gave Brian a romantic wandering eye and the affair with Siobhan, from which Ruairi was born. Crises are an actor’s dream: the hard scenes to play are the ones where you’re walking across a field of not-quite-ripe oilseed rape." Arthur Hughes, who has voiced Ruairi since 2018, says that keeping the plot's outcome a secret what somewhat akin to the Beeb's reality TV show hit The Traitors. "It was very exciting, the clandestine nature of the whodunnit. I was taken aside in November and told it was my character, when The Celebrity Traitors was at its height. "I had to be careful in the studio not to give it away. Luckily, there was an ordinary plot to focus on, about wanting the farm…" Sunny Ormonde, better known to listeners as Ruairi's step-aunt Lillian Bellamy, adds: "Would she agree to protect Ruairi? Interesting one. She might, you know! Blood is thicker than water, though he’s just her step-nephew-in-law." Read more: The Archers confirmed for live 75th anniversary tour as fans can celebrate beloved radio drama Bridge Farm to be brought to life at new RHS show to celebrate The Archers' 75th anniversary Read our interviews with George, Ruairi, Alice, Brian and Lilian – or the actors who play them – in tomorrow's edition of Radio Times – subscribe here. 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.
Rum Punch's Travis Jay: "I've got a right to grab the attention of someone who's like me"
Having cut his teeth in the world of comedy, Travis Jay chats to Pass the Mic about returning to BBC Radio 4 for a full season of award-winning sitcom Rum Punch.
After the success of his pilot episode of Rum Punch last year, comedian Travis Jay is back for a fully fledged series of his radio sitcom – and it's only set to be the start of something greater, should the stars align for Jay who also has dreams for Rum Punch beyond the airwaves. As we speak before the release of the BBC Radio 4 series and even ahead of the live recording of his second batch of episodes, Jay is admittedly "super excited" for the release of the full season. "I think the response to the pilot was definitely eye opening. It was a real surprise because it's an audience I'm not familiar with, on a platform I'm also not familiar with. While I listen to podcasts, the idea of being on Radio 4 was just like, 'Okay, everybody speaks so positively about this'. It's just something I still didn't know. So, the response has been far bigger than I imagined," he says. And a positive reaction was definitely recieved around Rum Punch's initial episode, with the pilot going on to scoop up the award for Best Comedy Sitcom at BBC's 2025 Audio Drama Awards. Winning that was "something else", Jay beams, with it proving that the positive feedback "is not in my head and it really did connect". "I genuinely didn't know that we'd be in the running for something like that. When you start writing, it's the furthest thing from my mind. Then it's like – bam, nominations are in," he laughs. He continues: "It's my first comedy award, and I've been doing this for 16 years. I'm just grateful the people are enjoying the project. I think it's a powerful story to tell and I think the feeling it leaves is the thing I really aim for. "I'm one of these stand up comics – I do touch on serious things. Previous specials I've done, I've touched on grief, losing my grandfather. It would seem like, how did you make that funny? But I know that there's value in real life and authentic stories. "The comedy will come, I trust my bones to find comedy. But dealing with real subjects is also quite a powerful thing. The fact that a story like this could connect like that and we go to a full series in an audience I'm not familiar with in that way, it made me feel really, really proud." Describing Rum Punch as a "multigenerational family sitcom", the series follows Jay in the lead role as Marley, an aspiring boxer who has dreams outside of working in his family's Caribbean restaurant. Set in Lewisham, the family comedy follows the Campbell family as they come together to keep the business afloat but also, pursue their own individual ambitions. Upon first listening to it, many will likely be warmly reminded of other Black-led sitcoms that have aired alongside many of us growing older. Desmond's, My Wife and Kids and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air were all shows that were staple to Jay's experience growing up, he tells me. "It's a nod to the legacy of Black sitcoms," Jay says, with those shows remaining so iconic all these years on for a variety of reasons. The studio sitcom format gives viewers "a deeper connection" to many lead characters, Jay says. "The connection runs so deep, it's that real life experience. You're in the room laughing with them and I really wanted to touch on that because it's just things I grew up loving," he says. In reality, the laughter you hear dotted throughout the episodes is all real, recorded live in front of an audience. It's a part of the series that was special to Jay, he admits, but is was always part of the plan when a stand-up comedian is at the helm of the series. "I think if we're going to call it a comedy, it belongs in front of the audience. I think the fact it's real laughter, it lets you know in the moment whether this worked or it didn't. These are stakes that I like, that I'm used to having." The embracing of Rum Punch as an outright comedy is something that Jay says he's doing unashamedly. "I think sometimes we take a shot at comedy but we might fall a bit short so we might say, 'Hey, it's a comedy drama'. "Whereas, I'm like – nah, it's a comedy. We're going to shoot for comedy and if it doesn't hit, that means I didn't do my job. These are the stakes that I think comedy belongs in so I really embrace that challenge." Having gone to one of the live recordings myself, it seemed far from a challenge for Jay to leave the audience in hysterics. Just like the series itself, the audience was made up of all different ages, with jokes landing seamlessly across the auditorium. Just from the material itself, you wouldn't think that Jay wasn't the biggest consumer of audio dramas or really, a listener of BBC Radio 4 ahead of penning Rum Punch. It's refreshing to hear, I tell the comedian once he admits that, but the lack of a personal connection to the form or the platform was a challenge that Jay wholeheartedly embraced. "I thought that if I'm not familiar with this platform and consuming this type of content like this, I've got a right to grab the attention of someone who's like me. It was a real good challenge as a writer, to write blind," he says. "There's no visual aid, your script is setting the tone of the imagination that you try to capture." Jay describes himself as a "very competitive guy", saying that once he sets a goal then he becomes "laser-focused" on it, which is something that the wider Rum Punch team fully supported him in. When it came to sitting down to writing Rum Punch's full series, Jay said one thing was at the forefront of his mind: "Alright, I've got to write for someone like me." He adds: "Because if we're going to drag these new ears to this space, we've got to do it with a big bang. That's why with the pilot, we went full-fledged into it. It was a nice challenge, I'm glad that the response is positive." Riding that high of positive feedback going into the full series must be a lovely feeling for any writer, with Jay saying that many remarked that listening to the pilot felt like watching a TV show due to the excellent visual storytelling at the heart of it. "A lot of people were just like, 'We need this on TV' or 'I haven't seen a family like this in so long'. So, I'm really grateful for that," Jay smiles. Part of the family appeal of the show comes down to the family at the heart of Rum Punch, a cast that Jay couldn't be more proud to work alongside. As well as his own mother, comedian Angie Le Mar, starring as his mother in Rum Punch, the cast also includes The Real McCoy legend Eddie Nestor, Jay's real-life best friend Kevin 'KG' Harry (Ted Lasso), comedian Kyrah Gray, 3 Non-Blondes star Ninia Benjamin and more. Describing them as "a cast of dreams", Jay says that transferring his stand-up comedy writing skills to Rum Punch really underlined the importance of teamwork, both in the realms of crafting narratives for a group of people and not himself, but also ensuring that every cast member felt supported and as though they can shine on stage. Although his mother couldn't make the pilot, she's now in the series and it's a role that Jay had written for her, describing working with her as a "phenomenal experience". "There's a lifetime of memories with this person and they're side by side with you," he says. He recalls one thing his comedian mother had taught him over the years and that's that if you have to explain the joke, it simply isn't funny. "The rules of comedy have been embedded in me from early," he smiles. When it came to crafting the story at the heart of Rum Punch, Jay also credits another anecdote from his mother, who told him to write what he knows. Simply put, the show is the life that I've lived, Jay remarks. "This is the community that I'm from. So, I know the textures and the nuances like the back of my hand." Jay says that most people can likely think of a cultural community hub, like the restaurant in Rum Punch. While he wanted to touch on those elements of relatability, Jay couldn't shy away from the fact that more serious topics do crop up. "Black sitcom has always been impactful," he says. "There's something that it does that just leaves people with a feeling. I think today, there is a little bit of a gap in terms of where we might see that on TV." When it comes to resonating with so many people, Jay also highlights the important of sticking true to the story you want to tell. "I always like to be in that pocket of authenticity all the time. That's why I'm quite stubborn, I'm quite a difficult person to work with because if I feel like we're straying away from authenticity, I'll dig my heels in," he admits. It's an admirable quality to have for any writer, I tell Jay, with the Rum Punch creator saying: "A lot of time we do focus on – especially when shows come out and it's created by a Black person – it's about, 'Okay, explain the Black experience'. Well no, it doesn't need to be explained actually because if I explain myself, it suggests that I have to explain myself. "With this show, it's not a case of anybody explaining why or how they are. Everybody's just living their lives. That's what I really wanted to capture." When it comes to the future of Rum Punch, Jay – as previously mentioned – is thinking big and would love to take the idea for the show to the screen. "I'm incredibly grateful for the radio opportunity we have, because what it's done for my pen has just been ... writing without visual has made my pen a lot stronger. So I think, if TV was available, I'd be ready for it," he says. No stranger to the screen himself with a recent notable role in Netflix's Supacell, Jay says that starring in such a hit Netflix series and working with Rapman opened up his eyes to how much he "really fought for the authentic capture of South London within a superhero show". It was inspiring to witness and was something that Jay took into Rum Punch, further proving that authenticity really can achieve what people think it does. In terms of what he hopes listeners get from Rum Punch, Jay says first and foremost that he wants people to laugh – it is a comedy, after all. "Outside of that, I hope that you see a family that you can connect with. I would love for somebody in the show to almost speak to your experience in some kind of way." He adds: "It's always nice when you've got somebody fighting for your perspective in a conversation. So, I hope that somebody feels represented in the show. We all come from different families, have different networks. That's really what I hope for – that connection is what comes when you listen to Rum Punch." Rum Punch airs on Thursday 27th November at 6:30pm on Radio 4, and is also available to listen to on BBC Sounds. 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.
BBC Radio Christmas 2025 line-up confirmed – with Hollywood legend set as guest editor for the Today programme
Six festive guest editors for BBC Radio 4's Today programme have been announced.
The BBC has unveiled its Christmas 2025 radio line-up, with Cate Blanchett, Baroness Theresa May and acclaimed historian Tom Holland among the celebrities set to guest edit BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this festive season. They will be joined by broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, inventor Sir James Dyson and AI entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman, and each be curating an episode between 24th December and 31st December. The festive takeover kicks off on Christmas Eve, with a special guest edit from Bragg, where he will be exploring the origins of the nativity story. Dyson will use his episode on Boxing Day to explore how Britain can get its inventive streak back, while Blanchett’s guest edit, which will broadcast on 27th December, will examine a range of topics including the impact of AI technology on women in the film industry and beyond. Suleyman’s guest edit on 29th December will ask how we can navigate the realities of a post-superintelligence world. Holland will edit the programme on 30th December, hosting an early celebration for England’s 1100th birthday and examining the impact of AI on academic research. Finally, May will explore the themes of domestic violence, trust in politics and modern slavery in her guest edit on 31st December. Owenna Griffiths, Editor of the Today programme, said: "Every Christmas on Today, a new set of guest editors take up residence and bring with them a wonderful range of new stories, fresh ideas and, hopefully, a sprinkling of joy." She continued: "This year is no exception. In a rapidly changing world, this year's guest editors will help bring illumination and understanding and I'm enormously grateful to all of them for giving up the time to take part." Elsewhere on the BBC radio Christmas line-up, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly is set to make her Radio 2 debut. Kelly is set to take over Jeremy Vine’s slot during the festive period, while the station will also host a Jane McDonald special and a celebration of the music of Stevie Wonder presented by Trevor Nelson. Over on Radio 4, fans can expect a festive edition of Desert Island Discs with Kate Winslet, as well as a celebration of 75 years of The Archers, a new adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s Joy in the Morning, and a new performance of T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. Radio 1 will present the exclusive reveal of the official Christmas No. 1, while the return of the Presenter Takeover will give brand new DJs an opportunity to front some of the network’s most recognised programmes. Meanwhile, Radio 3 will aim to "blend tradition, reflection and celebration" with Carols Across The Country, live broadcasts from dawn to dusk, and a landmark Advent service from St John’s College, Cambridge. Read more: 'Lust is a great creative force': David Bowie reveals what drove him in exclusive interview Silent Witness star Emilia Fox on new true crime series: 'It's left up to the listener to decide' The BBC’s Orchestras and Choirs will also be presenting concerts on the stations throughout the Christmas period. Over on Radio 5 Live, fans can look forward to a packed schedule of live sport and special shows, including Elis James and John Robins celebrating their 500th episode, Roman Kemp and Tom Grennan’s festive You About?, and The Wayne Rooney Show. On Radio 6 Music, Jarvis Cocker and Bill Nighy sit in for Iggy Pop, Beth Ditto will curate indie disco hits, Nick Grimshaw will look back on the year, and Craig Charles will deliver funk and soul. 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.
Coronation Street fan favourite pulls out of The Archers after landing major new TV role
Former Coronation Street star Charlotte Jordan has quit her second soap role in a year. The actress, who joined the flagship ITV show as Daisy Midgeley in 2020, departed in May. Daisy drove out of Weatherfield for a new life in Bali with 60k-worth of her stepmother Jenny Bradley's (Sally Ann Matthews) cash in her back pocket. Just days afterwards, Jordan announced her first role post-cobbles action would be on the BBC's long-running radio drama The Archers. However, just months after her debut as mysterious Amber Gordon, she is bowing out and the role will be recast. A spokesperson for The Archers told RadioTimes.com: “After a brilliant performance as Amber, Charlotte Jordan is taking time to pursue other projects and so we are delighted to be welcoming Olivia Bernstone to the cast, who will play the role of Amber going forward." The publication also reports that Jordan has signed on the dotted line for a major part in period drama The Hairdresser Mysteries, alongside Sally Phillips and Charlotte Hope. The '70s-based series follows stylist Lily Petal (Phillips), who moves to a small village and unearths the residents' secrets. It has been penned by playwright Jim Cartwright, who is the father of Coronation Street newbie James Cartwright, who plays Theo Silverton. Read more Coronation Street star Daon Broni reveals "massive risk" to Costello's family after Becky Swain threat Coronation Street icon Amanda Barrie believes creator Tony Warren would be "delighted" with soap's LGBTQ+ representation 5 Coronation Street spoilers next week: David and Shona Platt receive heart-wrenching news about their baby in special episode Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley was asked to return to ITV soap before Coronation Street winter preview: Driscoll family drama, Swarla "explosions" and Theo shows his true colours Coronation Street boss gives exciting update on Corriedale crossover Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add Coronation Street to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Greg James on his Radio 1 future – and meeting childhood hero Michael Palin
From shows on Radio 1 and Radio 4 via podcasts, Greg James continues to add to his CV — but who inspired all that enthusiasm and curiosity?
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Perched on a deckchair outside Sheffield City Hall, Greg James is enthusing about having just been on stage with his childhood hero and favourite son of the city, Michael Palin. “Michael massively inspired me. I must have been about eight or nine when I watched Around the World in 80 Days, and I just saw him as this wonderful travel presenter, but then I went on this voyage of discovery and realised this very funny man was also part of the greatest comedy group of all time, and a scriptwriter, an actor, a director and an author.” The pair were recording a live episode of James’s Radio 4 series, Rewinder, at the Crossed Wires podcast festival, which featured a trove of archive clips linked to the former Python’s life and career – from his first screen performance in a saucy Ken Dodd sketch to his old geography teacher reminiscing about Palin’s school days. The previous evening James hosted another show at the festival, Nobody Expects the Michael Palin Podcast, in which ostensibly he tried to persuade Palin – surely one of the few famous people not to have a podcast – that he needs one. “One thing I love about him is that he is endlessly curious – he loves meeting new people, experiencing new things and finding out about stuff, and I think finding out about podcasts is an extension of everything else that he does.” But the podcast wheeze was really a red herring: “It was an excuse to interview him about his life in Sheffield. That was the magic.” An endless curiosity is perhaps something that could also be attributed to the 39-year-old Radio 1 Breakfast presenter, Radio 4 archivist, Tailenders cricket podcast host, children’s author and, from this year, creative director of Crossed Wires. When asked where that drive comes from, he returns to the influence of Michael Palin, “He approaches everything he does with such enthusiasm and genuine passion – I try to do that as well. You need role models and I don’t think there’s a better one than him. He’s a great example of ‘nobody is just one thing’.” Yet one does wonder whether the multiple strands of James’s career are in fact a strategy for a man about to bid farewell to his 30s, whose main job for the past 18 years has been on a pop radio station famous for sidelining presenters when they don’t fit its young demographic. Is his Radio 4 work, Tailenders and the podcast festival an insurance against the time when Radio 1 bosses decide he’s outgrown his audience? “No, I don’t look at it like that. I take on too many things because I enjoy them, not because I won’t have any work. I love Radio 1 with my whole heart, it’s all I’ve listened to since I was a kid, and actually I didn’t think I’d still want to be on it, but I’m still finding new challenges with it. It’s fantastic, I still find the listeners endlessly fascinating and funny.” James says he has a good relationship with his bosses, who he checks in with every year to make sure they still want him to continue in the job and that, if in that annual review they decided it was enough, “I would have no regrets. I would go, ‘OK, I’ve got more to give but I’m cool with it.’” As he’s being given an extra 30 minutes each morning over the summer, that day isn’t quite here yet, and there are hints an early exit would not be greeted quite so coolly. “I feel incredibly lucky to still be on Radio 1, it’s a real privilege to be there so I don’t want to go too soon. It takes a long time to get to the breakfast show, so I want to make sure that when I leave, it’s the exact right time.” When that time does come, James will no doubt be emulating his hero and boarding a train for a new adventure. The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. 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.
Unforgotten's Nicola Walker and Blackadder star's paranormal drama is airing again on BBC Radio 4
The audio drama comes from Doctor Who director Julian Simpson.
Unforgotten favourite Nicola Walker stars alongside Blackadder and Notting Hill actor Tim McInnerny in three-part sardonically humorous paranormal audio drama Mythos. It's written and director by Julian Simpson, whose credits include episodes of Doctor Who as well as BBC Radio 4's The Lovecraft Investigations. Mythos is described as a series that looks at British folklore through a quasi-scientific prism. It centres on a secretive government agency which investigates supernatural and otherworldly threats. Walker stars as the ghost of a nun, while McInnerny plays her boss. In the first episode, her character searches for a spell book in a remote village. Mythos also stars Wicked and Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey, as well as Van der Valk's Emma Fielding and Underworld actor Steven Mackintosh. It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 back in 2017 but the 45-minute first episode, titled Mythos, will be airing again on the station tomorrow, Sunday 1st June, at 4pm. The second episode, Glamis, airs the following Sunday (8th June) at the same time and the third, Albion, is broadcast a week later at 4pm on Sunday 15th June. Mythos starts Sunday 1st June at 4pm on BBC Radio 4.
Coronation Street star confirms The Archers role before leaving the cobbles
Charlotte Jordan is swapping one iconic soap for another.
Charlotte Jordan may be set to depart Coronation Street after five years on the cobbles – but the Daisy Midgeley star has already lined up a role in another iconic soap. Jordan is set to swap ITV for Radio 4 by joining the cast of legendary radio drama The Archers, news she confirmed during an appearance on This Morning on Wednesday 30th April. "I am joining The Archers, which is really fun," she said, before adding that she starts "very soon". She continued: "I can't say much about it, but the character will ruffle some feathers. That's what I can say." Jordan's departure from Coronation Street was first announced towards the start of this year, and since then her character Daisy has been through multiple dramatic and traumatic storylines. Her exit will air in May, and a few details regarding her exit storyline were revealed alongside a dramatic teaser earlier in April. According to ITV, Daisy will be seen planning to embark on a new chapter on the other side of the world – but will do so leaving a void in the heart of Weatherfield and devastation in her wake. Read more: Coronation Street villain set to return after being killed off Coronation Street legend Thelma Barlow explains how new film lured her out of retirement Meanwhile, Jenny will be seen desperately pleading with Daisy to reconsider her decision, while a heartfelt conversation with Daniel will play a crucial role in her final moments on the street. Recently, Jordan hinted that the door might remain open for a return to Weatherfield at some point later down the line, explaining: "Coronation Street is a very special building, and I have loved it. And it's just goodbye for now, not goodbye forever." She also described Daisy's departure as "bittersweet" and further explained: "Weatherfield has been her home for a while now and, early on, was giving her all the things she wanted – family, community, stability, people to love more than she perhaps loves herself – but it’s also been the source of so much trauma for her." Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Café Hope host Rachel Burden: 'Bad news drives clicks – but people still want uplifting stories too'
The BBC Radio 4 show is a virtual coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make the world a better place.
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. "April Fools' Day is cancelled this year because no made-up prank could match [what's] going on in the world right now." You probably saw the meme last month and, rather than laugh, just silently acknowledged the sad truth at the heart of it. Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the re-election of a man to the top job in the White House that comedian John Mulaney famously compared to a horse being allowed into a hospital, followed shortly by $1 trillion wiped off the stock market amid a seemingly random tariff war certainly make the world look like an unfunny joke. And these are just some of the events Rachel Burden could be talking about when she says, "Anyone who works in news media these days, whether that’s radio, digital or TV, is aware that there's only so much that an audience can take." In a fine case of nominative determinism, the Radio 5 Live weekday breakfast show presenter has frequently found herself breaking bad news to the nation as it has woken up over the last 14 years. She feels the despair. "People are turning off the news because it's overwhelming. They feel they’ve no agency and are curating their own universe in terms of the media they consume." For all the reasons above, that may well now include Café Hope, a Radio 4 show she has also been hosting since last year. In keeping with a slew of recent books such as Utopia for Realists and Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong about the World – and Why Things Are Better than You Think and other initiatives like The Uplift on the CBS News app, Radio 4 "wanted to do something around finding a bit of hope and optimism in a very dark world", explains Burden. "I jumped at the chance to be involved because it’s just so different to what I do every day." Although she is careful to stress that, alongside the rolling news, her 5 Live show also tries to make “the audience smile or give them opportunities to feel hopeful”, the format for Café Hope revolves around a virtual coffee shop where guests drop by to talk about positive things they have done or are trying to achieve in their lives. "It’s such a simple concept," she explains. "It’s a space where you’re sitting down, taking time out in a little community of people who all have very different backgrounds and life experiences but are joined together by doing really lovely things for other people. "They’re not already well-known or successful, or have big established charities, they’re people who have the day-to-day pressures that everyone has but they do something extra and it is usually prompted by what we call a ‘sofa moment’ – ie the thing that took them from sitting on the sofa, frustrated with the way the world works, to getting off the sofa and doing something about it. And that’s a reason to celebrate them." But is it the job of journalists to search out good news stories? Didn’t TV anchor and newsreader Martyn Lewis run into a wall of criticism when he suggested having more positive stories in news bulletins in 1993? "That was years ago," replies Burden, a touch defensively. "Local radio, where I started in journalism, has always done this kind of thing brilliantly, so I see what we do as an extension of stuff that’s been going on for years. "I don’t think there’s a huge difference between what I do on the 5 Live breakfast show and here, other than leaving behind the cynicism you need on a news programme. You can take this show entirely at face value but that’s not to say we don’t ask questions like, ‘How do you deal with conflicts of interest?’ or whatever." Read more: Radio 3's Michael Berkeley on the 30th anniversary of Private Passions – and how the format has plenty left to give Radio 2 is a religion, says DJ Trevor Nelson Guests who have dropped in for a virtual coffee have included a woman who lost her child and set up an organisation called Emily’s Star to provide boxes of the special kit parents need when a baby is born prematurely, a group of volunteers who use drones to track lost pets, a man with Down's syndrome who runs his own business, homeless people who have become tour guides, and a woman who rescues chickens. "Yes, bad news, conflict and division drive clicks,” she says, “but there is a space and there is an appetite for stuff that people find uplifting and reassuring, and Café Hope is a place where they can come and find that." The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Café Hope continues Monday at 9:45am on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, where previous episodes are available on catch-up. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Archers announces VE Day prequel special in tribute to Peggy Woolley
The "heartfelt" two-parter is available from next month.
A special two-part prequel to The Archers will premiere on BBC Radio 4 next month, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day – and pay tribute to one of the show's late stars. Victory at Ambridge takes place six years before the long-running radio drama began, giving us a glimpse into life in rural England during the final year of World War II, leading up to VE Day. The Archers writer Tim Stimpson has adapted the story from Catherine Miller's novel of the same name, which gives particular attention to the character of Peggy Woolley (née Archer), who was a major part of the show for seven decades. The character was portrayed by late actor June Spencer, who passed away last year aged 105, making this a celebration of her contribution as well as a commemoration of the landmark VE Day anniversary. Producer Kim Greengrass said: "Victory at Ambridge is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, community, and the triumphs and tribulations of everyday life during World War II. "This special prequel takes listeners on a thrilling, wartime adventure, and gives Archers fans a unique glimpse into the hidden history which shaped modern-day Ambridge." Victory at Ambridge will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4, with episode 1 premiering at 3pm on Sunday 4th May and episode 2 airing at the same time the following week. Alternatively, both parts will be available to stream on BBC Sounds from 4th May. The synopsis, courtesy of the BBC, reads: "At Brookfield Farm, Dan and Doris Archer (Timothy Bentinck and Felicity Finch) worry about their eldest son Jack’s pregnant wife, Peggy (Emerald O’Hanrahan), stuck in bomb-stricken London, whilst Jack is away at war. "Is inviting her to live with them in Ambridge the right thing to do? And how will a city girl like Peggy cope with life in the sticks? "The Brookfield land girl, Wanda Lafromboise (Madeleine Leslay), is embracing rural life, especially when dashing RAF officer and war hero Max Gilpin (Angus Stobie) arrives in the village. "Bob Little (Ryan Kelly), publican at The Bull, is mired in grief at the death of his son in action and offers a home to Roza (Susie Riddell), a Polish refugee. Local scoundrel Walter Gabriel (Nick Barber) makes sure that there is a thriving black market." It concludes: "And at Lower Loxley, which has been requisitioned as a care home for wounded RAF officers, Pamela Pargetter (also played by Susie Riddell) struggles to keep up with the ever-changing plans of her easily-led son, Gerald (also played by Nick Barber)." Victory at Ambridge premieres on Sunday 4th May at 3pm on BBC Radio 4, and concludes the following week. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Archers icon: 'Wendy Richard and Angela Rippon thought I was the sexiest man in showbusiness'
Libby Purves celebrates Charles Collingwood's half-century not out as Ambridge's rogue with a heart, Brian Aldridge.
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. The summons to Ambridge – actually a studio up a concrete tower in Birmingham – set me happily gossiping with Charles Collingwood. He's celebrating 50 years since his first broadcast as Brian Aldridge, farmer and charmer, straying husband and tolerant patriarch, on 25 March 1975. He actually goes back a year earlier: "I was a crooked decorator, Dave Escott, who had a flirtation with Peggy. Producer Tony Shryane said, 'We'll get you back!' and three weeks later my wife [Judy Bennett, who played Shula] came home and said, 'You're in!' "I was overjoyed. Got the first episode, went for lunch, ran into Jack Holloway who played Ralph Bellamy. He was in a bad mood, saying, 'I've just been written out of the bloody programme!' Then back in the studio the others said, 'Oh yes. You’ve bought his farm.' No wonder he wasn’t pleased to see my ugly face!" In 1976, Brian married Jennifer, and took on her children by two fathers (she was the serial's first scandal, a gesture to the free-love 1960s). "It was interesting, because in real life, I had proudly taken on Judy’s two little boys, Toby and Barney. Her real first husband was a Brian, and my first wife a Jennifer. How about that?" Collingwood is the jolliest company, and relishes his character's adventures, which go beyond the tweed-capped practicality of farming. After a couple of years, the new editor, William Smethurst, told him he’d decided to turn Brian into a womaniser. "I suppose because it was me, he spotted a little bit of – er – Leslie Phillips naughtiness" (cue a stagey twinkle). "He wanted a bit of daring humour. Well, it kept me in the show for 50 years." Hence Brian’s fling with posh Caroline Bone and flirtation with the flame-haired Pony Club temptress Mandy Beesborough. Another new editor, Vanessa Whitburn, told him, "Women of a certain age always ask me, 'When will Brian have an affair?'" That became his explosive love affair with Siobhan Donovan, who died young and whose son with Brian, Ruairi, was taken on, heroically, by wife Jennifer. Collingwood loved it. "The joy of continuing drama on the radio is that we play to real time: this affair lasted jolly nearly three years." Passionate scenes with Caroline Lennon had their problems: "At the peak I was just out from a hip replacement. There I was, wincing from post-op, manipulating reading glasses and a script, and there’s somebody beside me rustling the sheets. Taxing." It had its effect, though. At Wendy Richard’s 40-years-in-showbiz lunch, she told him, "Angela Rippon and I think you are the sexiest b*****d in showbusiness!" "I went home after a few glasses of wine – Judy was ironing – and proudly repeated the line. Her reply was: 'Only in showbusiness!' That’s a good marriage." Brian twinkled on, with more plotlines: criminally charged with polluting the River Am, he had to downshift from the grand farmhouse, while (with unaccountable devotion) letting his woo-woo stepdaughter Kate keep her "spiritual wellness" yurt field. His scenes with Hollie Chapman, as Brian took his alcoholic daughter Alice to rehab, were genuinely wrenching, all fatherly fear and gentle humility. "I hope so. When Brian turned into a real womaniser I said, 'Delighted! Yes, there are men like that. But please don’t make him a one-dimensional dirty old man. Make him a good father, see the charm in him. And with scenes like that, or the death of Jennifer, you’re aware that a lot of people are going through it, so it’s important to get it right." I do wonder how, after five decades, Collingwood feels about the ever-loosening sexual mores of Ambridge: from Brian’s adulteries to Ruairi’s foray into sex work. “Yes, the world changed. I remember David Blunkett in the 90s first going on about all this, and thinking, ‘Well, we’ve changed and we’re quite successful. Time the Labour Party changed and it might be successful, too.’ Then along came Tony Blair!” The Siobhan affair did create a long, intense scene – when Brian’s stepdaughter Debbie discovered his betrayal of Jennifer – that Ned Sherrin once said was “like Chekhov”. That scene was special to Collingwood because Debbie’s played by Tamsin Greig, now rarely heard in The Archers (“she’s got so famous Debbie had to move to Hungary”). “We had many scenes together. I find her a remarkable actress and human being.” Collingwood’s a veteran, worked in rep and shared a study at school with Richard Eyre. He’s especially intrigued by widower Brian’s latest conquest. “I am having a brief encounter with Miranda. Lucy Fleming who plays her is the daughter of Celia Johnson from Brief Encounter – how about that! She sounds like her, too!” He gets on fine with Brian’s rival, Justin, played by Simon Williams: "Wonderful hair. I said, ‘If I had silver hair like yours I’d be a major film star’. He said, ‘Mmm… takes more than the hair, darling!'" In his private life in Hampshire, does he mix with Brian’s real-life equivalents – harrumphers of mature years? "Hordes of them. It's very naval down there, so it helps that I’m related to Nelson’s Admiral Collingwood. One plummy chap asked if I’d come down to retire? I said, 'No, darling, I’ve been semi-retired ever since I left RADA!' I think it was the first time any man had called him darling." The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. You can listen to The Archers on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
BBC Radio presenter Janice Forsyth quits, announcing Alzheimer's diagnosis
The presenter said the diagnosis came as a "huge blow".
BBC Radio Scotland presenter Janice Forsyth has stepped down from her role after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The radio presenter has worked across the likes of BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Four and BBC Radio Three for over 30 years, and in her career she has presented the Culture Show on BBC Radio Scotland, which was later named the Janice Forsyth Show, and the Afternoon Show from 2013 until 2024. Announcing the news in a statement today (17th February), Forsyth said (via BBC News): "I'd hoped that I was simply worn out by my many years as a freelance broadcaster and perhaps exhausted following the loss of our dear mother, Patricia, the previous Christmas, but sadly, I now have a firm diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease. "It's been a huge blow, but I'm also feeling some relief that I finally have an explanation for lapses I'd been experiencing, and I'm managing to remain buoyant most of the time." Beyond her work on the radio, Forsyth co-founded a podcast production company and also worked as a columnist and is the chair of the Rothesay Pavilion charity. Her statement continued: "Much as I have loved seeking out and sharing the best of music/literature/theatre/cinema with you, I'm happy now to have the time and freedom to enjoy all of these simply for my own pleasure. "Call it living in the moment, and you won't be far off! I never took my role lightly and hope I always gave my best, both for your sake and that of my interviewees. "It's been a blast, and I send a high five to everyone who tuned in on Saturday mornings or on more recent weekday afternoons and heard something interesting." Read more: Sir Stephen Hough: 'Radio 3 remains an incredibly important platform for music' Roy Williams on revamping The Great Gatsby with Ncuti Gatwa: 'I didn't want to repeat the same story' Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, said: "Janice has been a hugely popular personality on our airwaves for many years. "The many production teams she has collaborated with have appreciated her outstanding skill as a presenter on radio and television. "Her warmth, relaxed interviewing style, and peerless knowledge of arts, music, and culture in Scotland and beyond have made her a firm favourite with audiences over the decades. "Everyone at BBC Scotland wishes Janice all the very best and we'll be pleased to continue to explore suitable opportunities where we can work together." Check out more of our Radio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
June Spencer, long-time star of The Archers, dies aged 105
Spencer retired from playing her fan-favourite character Peggy in 2022, at the age of 103.
June Spencer, the actress best known for playing Peggy Woolley on Radio 4's audio drama The Archers, has died at the age of 105. Spencer's death was announced by her family in a statement, which said that she died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Friday 8th November 2024. The statement said: "Her family would like to pay particular tribute and thanks to the staff team at Liberham Lodge, who so lovingly cared for her in the last two years." Spencer was born in Nottingham in 1919, and first started playing Peggy in the very first episode of The Archers, which was recorded in 1950 and aired in 1951. She left the show briefly in 1953 to look after her family, at which point Thelma Rogers took over the role of Peggy. Spencer later returned to play another character called Rita Flynn between 1956 and 1958, and again in 1961, before Rogers left The Archers, and Spencer returned to playing Peggy. She then remained with the drama until 2022, when she retired at the age of 103. She said at the time: "In 1950, I helped to plant an acorn. It took root, and in January 1951 it was planted out and called The Archers. "Over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches. But now this old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe, so I decided it was high time she 'boughed' out, so I have duly lopped her." In 2021, Spencer attended a celebration of The Archers' 70th anniversary at Clarence House, which was hosted by Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla called Peggy "a true national treasure who has been part of my life, and millions of others, for as long as I can remember". As well as her role in The Archers, Spencer appeared on shows including daytime drama Doctors and Songs of Praise. She was appointed OBE in 1991 and CBE in 2017, for services to drama and charity. In June 2010 she also received the Freedom of the City of London. Among those paying tribute to Spencer following news of her death was comedian Angela Barnes, who wrote in a post on Twitter, which has been rebranded as X: "I mean there’s a good innings, and a good innings. What a life! RIP June Spencer, Peggy Woolley might have got on my nerves, but that’s largely due to how beautifully you played her. Goodnight."
The Archers' Angus Stobie on George's fate: 'Prison might make him worse'
George Grundy made a terrible mistake and is now paying the price. Actor Angus Stobie reflects on being Ambridge's bad boy.
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Sign up for a soap and you never know what to expect. Two years ago, Angus Stobie, a quiet, thoughtful 24-year-old from Edinburgh, took a modest radio part as young George Grundy in The Archers and found himself in a melodrama of heroism, panic, lies, betrayals and a court appearance with five million listeners glued to the radio and social media aflame with anxious tweets. When he auditioned for the mud-stained jewel in Radio 4’s crown, he was fresh out of Manchester drama school – a year of that spent over Zoom during Covid, "doing animal impressions alone in my living room". The Archers editor needed to introduce two rarely heard figures into the Ambridge landscape. "I had a commendation from the Carleton Hobbs radio bursary," remembers Stobie. "I suppose that’s how I got an audition. Lots of boys my age were there, and it was actually for the part of Brad Horrobin. I only read one short bit of George at the end but then Taylor [Uttley] got Brad, and I got George! I was surprised, but excited." Not a lifelong listener, he was briefed: "The editor Jeremy Howe filled me in on all the different storylines George was involved in, and how they might have shaped him. You have a duty to get it right in a show with such a rich history. You have to be grounded and truthful because it’s belonged to a lot of people, for years. After a sedate urban upbringing – "I’m a city boy" – how did he set about evoking earthy rural life? "You don’t have to know a great detail, but you do ask questions whenever you’re vocalising your actions. For instance, this particular sheep, how heavy is it? How fast will it move?" Was there ever any ferret-training for the traditional Grundy hobby? "No. Never handled one at all, they’re all imaginary." But, he adds wistfully, "I’d love to have some ferrets in the studio." He worked carefully on the accent, far from his elegant Scottish tones. "I suppose it’s a sort of West Country/Midlands blend, not super-specific. But I listened a lot to Trevor [Harrison], who plays Eddie, he’s brilliant. And George is a teenager, so you have to modernise it slightly: he’s into social media, TikTok, American slang." The other radio skill is finding a voice distinct from the other village lads, and he worked on this with Uttley’s Brad. "We naturally found places to position ourselves – he does this lovely, ever-so-slightly whingey, kind voice. I love their relationship. It started with George picking on him and getting him into trouble, but now he would admit a respect for Brad, going to his new life, university..." Indeed, before George’s trial there was a memorably sweet conversation between the two that will have moved anyone with teenage sons. It was for that sort of scene that Stobie was hired. Jeremy Howe spotted his capacity for nuanced, emotional voice work, so the biggest Ambridge scenes for years have fallen to one of the newest and youngest cast members, and a non-Archer, too. Since George has now brought uproar, distress, confusion and fallings-out to nearly everyone in the fictional village, I should briefly remind less attentive listeners where he fits in. He’s the natural son of Will Grundy, but raised in his uncle Ed’s home after Emma Carter left one brother for the other. He's rich in cousins, grandparents and half-siblings, with just an aunt-by-marriage in the dominant Archer clan because Alice, daughter of Jennifer, broke the class barrier long ago by marrying the local farrier, George’s uncle Chris. It was the divorced, intermittently recovering alcoholic Alice who set the ball rolling downhill. George found her drunk in her car and offered to drive her home (good chance to try such a fancy motor). On the way she drunkenly tried to climb out to be sick, distracting him into knocking a taxi-full of villagers into the river. He rescued three of them ("buckets of water, soaked bathmats to make squelching riverbank noises", says Stobie happily). But in a panic, he then dragged the somnolent Alice into the driving seat. "A great day – looking through the script I saw that and I was shocked!" And disgusted? "No, as an actor you always ask, why? I mean, he’s done a half-decent thing to drive her, then put his life at risk amazingly. But then... well, I suppose being used to receiving blame and having fingers pointed at him, George’s visceral reaction is to remove blame for the crash from himself." After weeks of being uneasily hailed as a hero, George confessed the truth to his mother – a big scene – and was arrested. But during his weeks of lies, the rescued Fallon lost her baby and Alice hit the bottle again out of supposed guilt, losing custody of three-year-old Martha. So everyone was furious with him, and there were more big scenes: with mother, father, uncle, grandparents, unforgiving Archers, Brad’s mum Tracy, Fallon’s vengeful policeman partner Harrison and Alice herself. It must have been quite a challenge, playing a surly 19-year-old with an uneasy conscience followed by big confrontations? "I just tried to get into the head of a teenager experiencing all these things. He’s just a boy, it’s monumental, there’s weights and layers, he knew what he did was wrong, but he’s someone who lives from moment to moment." Did he question why George didn’t, like some hard-hearted listeners, blame the spoilt and sozzled Alice for making him crash in the first place? "No, family means a lot to him. Not blood family, but she’s his aunt. He’s got a good conscience. I loved the scenes with her." She memorably confronted him with her victim-impact statement. "It’s powerful and devastating, as she calmly tells him the impact on her and Chris and especially the infant Martha. In that moment he realises what he caused; he’s got younger sisters himself. That’s the final piece of the puzzle for him." It’s perceptive: even the most rough-cut teenage boys often have special tenderness for small children. Now we know the sentence. Unlike the aristocratic Freddie Pargeter, who got sent to a Young Offenders institution for drug dealing, George gets adult prison, and was last heard breaking off a phone call home. The current regime means he can’t be out till haymaking 2025. How does Stobie think George will fare inside? And will the scriptwriters manage to create some interesting prison scenes? "Nobody has told me! I’m partially relieved, but sad it’s over for now, I’ve very much enjoyed it. Prison will have an interesting effect on George in one of two ways – either completely reformed, or bad influences worsening his issues and making him resentful. It could be interesting. Change is always exciting to play." Would he prefer to be a reformed character or a villain, like his occasionally heard Bad Uncle Clive? "You never know. It’s always fun to play parts when your character’s not at ease." In the long term, might George find love? Stobie smiles: there is a girl George fancies, often mentioned but not yet heard. "That’s the question – will Tilly Button ever show up on the radio? Guess we’ll see." Bring it on, scriptwriters! Somewhere there’s a gifted female drama graduate needing work and able to do a Borsetshire twang. Let her visit George in prison then crowdfund in the Bull for an appeal against his sentence. Just to upset the whole village again. Well, we all have our private Archers fantasies, don’t we? The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. The Archers airs Sunday-Friday at 7pm on BBC Radio 4. Check out more of our Radio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Jason Watkins, David Morrissey and more join BBC Radio 4's Dickensian season
The new season of audio dramas kicks off later this month.
A cast of familiar faces are assembling to bring us brand new audio drama versions of some beloved Dickensian classics for the BBC, it has now been announced. For BBC Radio 4's upcoming season of Dickensian dramas, three versions of some of Charles Dickens's tales will be released in order to celebrate one of history's most recognised writers. Launching later this month, the audio dramas will include Hard Times, Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend, and all three boast some very recognisable names. Hard Times is described as a "satire of a target-driven society that stifles art, wonder and imagination" and will star Sherwood's David Morrissey and Changing Ends's Shaun Dooley, as well as Rachel Harper, Jan Ravens, Ike Bennett and more. Based on Dickens's 11th novel, Little Dorrit, the new audio drama "satirises the institutions of government and society, in particular the Circumlocution Office, a department run purely for the benefit of its incompetent officials, and the prisons where debtors were incarcerated, unable to work, until they had repaid their debts," according to its synopsis. Jason Watkins (McDonald & Dodds) will be leading the cast of Little Dorrit as Charles Dickens/Rigaud, also being joined by Samuel Barnett, Kitty Archer and Paul Bradley. Read more: All Creatures Great and Small introduces Ted Lasso star's Mr Bosworth in teaser Mr Bates vs The Post Office honoured with Sky Arts Award for Television The final audio drama, Our Mutual Friend, is also based on the final novel of Dickens, which has been described as "a brilliantly funny, sharp depiction of Londoners aspiring to and managing without money, featuring multiple deaths, economic ruins, money and filth, fraud and deception, honesty and survival, and a happy ending". This new production of the tale marks the 160th year since it was written and it features the likes of Bukky Bakray (The Strays), Sule Rimi (Andor) and Gordon Kennedy (Robin Hood), to name a few. On the announcement of the new dramas, director of speech and Radio 4 controller, Mohit Bakaya, said: “As the world’s biggest commissioner of original audio drama, the BBC is delighted to breathe new life into these much-loved works for Radio 4 listeners. "Alongside his fiction and journalism, Dickens was also a keen actor who regularly performed his works for fans on hugely popular public reading tours – his novels are written as much for the ear as for the eye. "That may help explain why these stories are so well suited to the medium of audio drama, a format which we at the BBC know is immensely popular with our listeners, and which we are committed to continuing to invest in, so that everyone can enjoy brilliant works of classic literature like Dickens – as well as the very best new writing.” Hard Times will be released on BBC Radio 4 on 29th September. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on today. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Lost episodes of radio classic The Clitheroe Kid will return to the airwaves
Radio 4 Extra are set to broadcast episodes which haven’t been heard on our airwaves for over 60 years.
A version of this article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. "Monday at Eight, on the Light". These might have been the words spoken by the Light Programme’s duty announcer to promote The Clitheroe Kid, the popular radio comedy which occupied this slot for most of its 290 episodes. Its place in the schedules may owe something to the idea that listeners, up to 10 million of them at the show’s peak, needed a few laughs after the first day of the working week. The show starred comedian Jimmy Clitheroe, who was actually 35 when he started playing the part of the cheeky schoolboy, but because he had not physically grown beyond the age of 11, he could pass for a child of that age, complete with a convincing high-pitched voice. Clitheroe’s first billing in Radio Times was in January 1952 as Wishee-Washee in Aladdin. Listeners heard a 30-minute excerpt from the pantomime production at the London Casino starring Julie Andrews as the Princess. From 1955, Clitheroe started making regular appearances in radio variety shows, notably the Northern Variety Parade series in which he was soon given his own show, Jimmy Clitheroe as the Call Boy. In it, he took listeners backstage to meet the stars of radio music hall but, in one edition, he was given a sketch in which his Clitheroe Kid character was introduced to listeners. The audience reaction was very positive and in 1957 The Clitheroe Kid was commissioned as series in its own right, albeit limited to the Home Service in the north. Only in May 1958 did The Clitheroe Kid move to the Light Programme for transmission across the country. The show became immensely popular and would run for a total of 14 years, finishing in 1972, only 7 months before Jimmy Clitheroe died. Most of the early episodes of The Clitheroe Kid were missing from the BBC archives, but many have been recovered in recent years thanks to our friends at the Radio Circle. Radio 4 Extra is now scheduling another six which haven’t been heard on our airwaves for over 60 years. As is often the case, these episodes have been reassembled from multiple sources, which explains why the sound quality sometimes changes mid-way through a programme. The sources include off-air recordings from Clitheroe aficionado Stephen Poppitt and the late broadcaster Ed Doolan, together with transcription copies (edited recordings put on vinyl discs for overseas sales). The first episode due for rebroadcast is Jimmy the Kid, in which the star develops a cowboy obsession. By the time this was aired on 2 April 1962, the show was in its fifth series and hugely popular. "Do come and join us in radio's happiest family circle, a family circle which is set spinning into a merry-go-round every week by The Clitheroe Kid," said RT. "Besides Jimmy, waiting to welcome you into the Clitheroe home each Monday will be Grandad (Peter Sinclair), Mother (Patricia Burke), Susan (Diana Day), Alfie Hall (Danny Ross), and those two friends of the family Theodore Craythorpe and Harry Whittle (both played by Leonard Williams)." Episodes lined up for the subsequent weeks are: What a good boy am I, What a Guy, Sorry You've Been Troubled, Smile Please and When Grandad Papered The Parlour, all from 1962. Many others remain on the wanted list but may yet turn up as the Radio Circle continues to be offered old radio recordings. The work involved in replaying the tapes on different machines to make digital copies, and then identifying the contents, all takes time, but sometimes gems like these emerge. If you have any tapes or films of old TV or radio programmes dating from the 1980s or before, please contact us at the Radio Times Treasure Hunt at treasurehunt@radiotimes.com, giving details of what you have. The Clitheroe Kid will broadcast on Sunday 8th September at 10am on Radio 4 Extra. Check out more of our Radio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
BBC presenter Lauren Laverne shares cancer diagnosis – thanks colleagues for support
She revealed the news on social media this morning.
BBC presenter Lauren Laverne, who currently presents Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, has revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer. In an Instagram post shared today (21st August), Laverne announced the news, letting her followers know the cancer was "caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test" and that she is "expected to make a full recovery". "I'm in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you," she wrote. "Firstly to the medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness. To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way - I am so very grateful and love you so much. "And of course thank you to my colleagues - including those at @itg_ltd, @bbc6music, @bbctheoneshow and #DesertIslandDiscs for their support - and for giving me the time off that I need to get better." She also used the moment to urge people to get themselves "checked out" if they find themselves "avoiding a test or putting off an appointment". "Please do it today," she wrote. "Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything. It's usually my job to bring the good vibes on air but any you have to spare are very much welcome here. Sending loads of love to anyone in a similar boat, or who has made it back to shore." Colleagues and friends alike have been sharing their well wishes in the comments of her post, with football pundit Ian Wright commenting a number of heart emojis in the comment section. Journalist Bryony Gordon commented she was "sending all the healing vibes", along with Myleene Klass, who wrote: "You are incredible and have been every step of the way. Love you Lala." Fellow presenter Gabby Logan wrote, "Sending you all the love and positive healing Lauren," with BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Dermot O'Leary sharing a heart emoji beneath the post. Laverne is best known for her TV and radio presenting work, and has hosted the likes of The One Show, Late Night Woman's Hour and this year's Ivor Novello Awards. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Julian Rhind-Tutt on his new detective drama role and Green Wing return
The Green Wing actor chatted to Radio Times magazine about leading the cast of BBC Radio 4's Death at La Fenice.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. What drew Julian Rhind-Tutt to his role in Radio 4’s new detective drama? "Well, I’m desperate," he says. That seems unlikely – recent appearances in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, Sexy Beast on Paramount+, and a reprise of his breakout role as surgeon 'Mac' Macartney in Green Wing (more of which later) have kept the 57-year-old actor as busy as ever. But, grudgingly, and with frequent stops for self-effacing asides ("I’m playing a detective whose name I’ve forgotten"), Rhind-Tutt concedes there were other attractions to starring in Death at La Fenice. "It’s an adaptation of the first in a set of excellent novels and I’m playing this gentle, inquisitive commissario [Guido Brunetti], based in Venice, whose principal characteristic is that he doesn’t have any of the hang-ups that detectives tend to have, like marital issues or functional alcoholism. He’s just a rather nice man who’s curious and feels that the truth matters." So is Rhind-Tutt bothered that he doesn’t get to punch any walls? "It’s true that plumbing the darker depths of a character can be interesting, but it’s also been a wonderful challenge to mine what drives this intelligent man with his nice marriage. He’s self-educated and he gets his passion for truth and justice from his reading. He’s got this quiet, niggling persistence – it reminds me in a bonkers way of Columbo – and that’s the quality I find most attractive in him." Perhaps another draw is the setting. The bestselling novels, by American-expat-in-Venice Donna Leon, all take place in her watery new home town (Death at La Fenice concerns a conductor found dead in his dressing room between acts at the eponymous opera house). "That might be part of the appeal if we were making this thing for telly," sighs Rhind-Tutt, "but when you’re making radio, it doesn’t matter if the story’s set in Venice, you’re still in a studio in Acton. There were light-hearted comments along the lines of a team-building trip to Venice, but I think with the BBC budget I won’t be holding my breath." Rhind-Tutt, meanwhile, could easily take his own research trip, as he splits his time between London and a house in Slovenia ("Two hours' drive from Venice on a good day"). His wife is Slovenian, she "likes the weather there, and – weirdly – doesn’t want to hang out in traffic jams in south London. People usually think I’ve got some catastrophic marriage or divorce [because he’s often in London] but we just flip-flop between the two countries." That doesn’t stop him eyeing Venice up enviously, though: "I say to my wife, 'For God’s sake, if you had only been born 100 kilometres further west, I could be learning the most beautiful language in the world and eating pasta, instead of learning an impenetrable, mind-bending Slavic jigsaw I’ll never conquer and eating stuffed peppers.'" Meanwhile, Death at La Fenice is not the only chance for listeners to hear Rhind-Tutt’s voice this year. 20 years after its original run on Channel 4, cult comedy Green Wing suddenly reappeared on Audible in April, complete with original cast members including Olivia Colman, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig. "Apparently it wasn’t worthy of a proper TV series," he deadpans, "but we got back together and made a podcast continuing the story. "I haven’t listened to it in its fullest yet, but when we were recording it I thought it was rather entertaining: well-written and funny. They had some of the original writers and they’ve done some really clever stuff, seeing where all the characters have ended up, 20 years on. "My character, Mac, is working for a charity, while wotsisname, Steve Mangan’s character [Guy Secretan] has become a sort of greedy, money-grabbing celebrity TV doctor, which I thought was perfect.” So can we expect them to continue with this rhythm, and deliver another update in 2044? "Ha, that would be brilliant. No one’s said anything about it, but I’ll be there. I’d be the first to sign up," he says, self-effacement bubbling up again, "I need all the work and money I can get." The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is available to buy now – subscribe here. Death at La Fenice debuts on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 4th August. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
BBC Radio 4's Today programme drops daily feature after 40 years
Presenter Amol Rajan announced the news today.
BBC Radio 4's Today programme has confirmed it will no longer air its daily racing tips, a big part of the show that has been airing for the last 40 years. Presenter Amol Rajan announced the news on air this morning (24th June), telling listeners that the programme has decided to "break tradition of having racing tips every day of the year", and will instead "reserve the tips for the biggest days in the racing calendar". He continued: "We will very much continue to cover horse racing, as we do so many other sports, not least through interviews with leading lights in the racing world. "And we will sometimes continue to broadcast from the big-ticket events like the Grand National festival or Cheltenham Gold Cup week." Read more: Martha Kearney on leaving Today: 'There's no radio programme quite like it' Rosamund Pike on winning a BBC Audio Drama Award, her love for the medium – and why you won't hear her in The Archers Former BBC correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said the the removal of the daily tips was a "pity", with others sharing similar opinions, claiming it was "a real shame". In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Lysaght wrote: "A pity @BBCRadio4 @BBCr4today dropping (without real explanation) the tips that have been enjoyable part of prog since 1977; say that just as much (maybe more) as a fan of #Today than #horseracing; the tips (that continue on big days) provided smiles & priceless moments of levity." View oEmbed on the source website Following the BBC's decision, a spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said (via Racing Post): "Racing is the second-best attended sport in Britain and enjoys considerable media coverage as a result. "Through ITV Racing, the sport is live on free-to-air television on almost 120 days, as well as enjoying further coverage from two dedicated racing channels in Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV. "From Royal Ascot to the Derby, Cheltenham to the Grand National, British racing is internationally unrivalled in its prestige and tradition. "It is why British racing is broadcast around the world, and the consistently high-quality coverage of our sport reflects its continuing importance as a cornerstone of our national sporting culture and heritage." Check out more of our Radio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Good Omens star Michael Sheen joins award-winning BBC Radio 4 podcast
Buried: The Last Witness uncovers some of the UK’s darkest environmental secrets.
BBC Radio 4’s award-winning environmental podcast Buried is set to return next month with a shocking new story – and Good Omens star Michael Sheen is set to feature. Hosted once again by filmmakers and investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor, Buried: The Last Witness will explore the enduring impact of ‘forever chemicals’. When Ashby and Taylor discover a box of unseen evidence from a deceased witness, they soon find themselves uncovering the terrifying legacy that PCB chemicals are having on the environment, our food chain and our communities. And, in an unexpected twist, the podcast hosts discover that actor Michael Sheen recorded the witness’s final testimony. Buried: The Last Witness will "reveal the results of a one-year investigation involving dossiers of evidence, unseen documents and exclusive testing of British soil, supermarket food and even human blood," according to the BBC. Ashby said: "Most true-crime series have a victim, who we all feel empathy for. But in this one, we know the poison, we know the culprits, but the scary question is this: are we all the victims? I've never recorded an investigation that is at once so universal, and so deeply personal." Taylor added: "Every day, sometimes every hour, we have obsessed over the life of one man. He was brilliant, polymathic and eccentric. He is the most unlikely environmental hero. "But who really was he, and what did he see? Could that one field, in 1967, change all of our lives? Once you see what he saw, Buried: The Last Witness becomes necessary listening." Sheen said: "It's hard to get your head around. This story is about the first of the forever chemicals. And there are so many of them since then. We want people to understand what they are doing right now." View Green Video on the source website Buried: The Last Witness will be broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4 from 24 June. It will also be available as a box set on BBC Sounds. Visit our TV Guide, Radio Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Archers spoilers following horrific crash for Alice and George
Monday night's episode saw George making a shock decision.
*Warning: Contains spoilers Monday 6th May's episode of The Archers* Monday's (6th May 2024) episode of The Archers ended on a dramatic note, after Alice and George found themselves involved in a horrific car crash at the end of Sunday's instalment. It wasn't just them – Mick, Joy and Fallon were also involved in the crash, which happened as George was driving a drunk Alice home. When she tried to open the door to be sick, the car swerved and hit the trio, who were in a car together, which fell into the river. In Monday's episode, Alastair and Denise found them, and while Mick pulled Joy from the river, Fallon was rescued by George and Denise. However, there was a sting in the tail for hero George, as at the last minute he pulled Alice into the driver’s seat of the car, implicating her as a drunk driver who caused the accident, and clearing himself of responsibility. It was a shocking twist which is sure to set the stage for episodes to come, as George tries to hide his deception and Alice likely ends up in legal hot water. View oEmbed on the source website Looking ahead to the rest of the week, fans can expect the drama to continue, as it has already been revealed that future episodes will see "life-changing news" being revealed at the hospital, and "heartbreak in store for Chris". Read more: The Archers recasts Robert Snell after death of actor Graham Blockey Emmerdale special to reveal 'dark and terrifying' reality of Belle and Tom's relationship Meanwhile, Thursday 9th May's episode is said to see "suspicions" being raised "about recent events" – could this be related to the crash and George's deception? Fans have been reacting to the shocking developments on Twitter, which has been re-branded as X, with one noting that a voice message George left could prove "vital to the plot". This is referencing a message George left for his dad Will telling him that he was driving Alice home. Will this indeed come back to bite him? Another fan posted: "A great episode. It’s all so wonderfully messy. Can’t wait for someone to ask why Denise and Alistair happened to arrive together." Denise and Alastair had been driving to a hotel to spend the night together when they found the accident, something which is also likely to come out sooner or later. View Green Video on the source website Visit our dedicated Soaps page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Christopher Eccleston: "I've never been a huge fan of sci-fi"
The former Doctor is fronting Radio 4's adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Sure, it may not be the type of confession you'd expect from a former Doctor Who lead, but Christopher Eccleston admits that he's "never been a huge fan" of sci-fi. The candid admission comes in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine in which the actor sat down to chat about starring in BBC Radio 4's latest adaptation of iconic sci-fi tale, The Man Who Fell to Earth. In the interview, Eccleston said: “I’ve never been a huge fan of sci-fi, with the exception of The Leftovers [the US sci-fi drama series in which he appeared] and Blade Runner. As a 17-year-old, I enjoyed the stories of HG Wells.” Even so, Eccleston is complimentary about the genre, saying: “It offers the opportunity for parallels, satires, to examine what it is to be human. It gives us an opportunity to look at ourselves through a different lens, which is always welcome.” The adaptation is based on the classic sci-fi novel by Walter Tevis and was first published in 1963 but has been the basis of plenty of adaptations since. The novel inspired the acclaimed 1976 movie which featured David Bowie, as well as Prime Video's 2022 series of the same name which starred Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris. The premise follows an alien in a human disguise, Thomas Newton (voiced by Harry Treadaway) who arrives in Kentucky with a very specific mission to save the handful of survivors of his own dying planet and also, "save humanity from itself". While the novel has been the subject of previous adaptations, Eccleston admits that this brand new one is an especially timely one. He said: “He’s coming from a planet exhausted by a series of nuclear wars, and no doubt by exploitation of the planet’s natural resources, which we’re dealing with now with the climate crisis and global warming. There are huge painful parallels there.” Speaking about the original novel also, Eccleston said: “It’s dealing with man’s inhumanity to an alien, and man’s inhumanity to a man,” he reflects. “He’s assumed all our trappings, and he’s destroyed by our curiosity, callousness and insensitivity.” Eccleston features in the audio drama as Treadaway's only friend, scientist Nathan Bryce, with Eccleston donning an American accent for the role. Speaking about the preparation for the job, he explained: “I was made aware of the job on a Friday and recorded it on a Monday. "There was not much time to prepare, but I just went in and did my best. I’m not somebody who’s going to look for inspiration – like everybody else I steal, but I do it unconsciously, go with my instincts and my imagination.” Of course, True Detective fans will know that Eccleston is a dab hand at an American accent after having used one for his role in the latest instalment of Night Country, where he starred as police captain Ted Connelly alongside Jodie Foster. Read more: Doctor Who reveals new pics teasing Steven Moffat's episode Boom Colin Farrell breaks down Sugar's crazy episode 6 twist The official synopsis for Radio 4's The Man Who Fell to Earth reads: "[Treadaway's] plan is to use his race's advanced technology to make millions, and then build a spaceship to bring the last of his people to live on Earth. "But Newton begins to doubt his purpose, and finds himself unable to cope with the emotional weight of being human. He finds solace with two fellow outsiders – cheery functioning alcoholic Betty-Jo, who falls quietly in love with him, and widowed scientist Nathan Bryce, who tracks him down after recognising his tech as impossible. Little do they realise that the Government are watching." Read the full interview with Christopher Eccleston in this week's Radio Times magazine - out Tuesday 7th May. The Man Who Fell to Earth will broadcast on Radio 4 on Sunday 12th May at 3pm. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston to star in iconic sci-fi adaptation
Christopher Eccleston is set to star alongside Harry Treadaway (Penny Dreadful) in a new Radio 4 adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth. The 1963 Walter Tevis novel went on to inspire the acclaimed 1976 movie which starred David Bowie. More recently, it was also the basis of Prime Video's 2022 series of the same name which starred Chiwetel Ejiofor, Bill Nighy and Naomie Harris. Well now it's getting the audio treatment and will be released this May. Treadaway will voice the role of the alien (known as Thomas Newton) who arrives in Kentucky with a very specific mission. He has "five years to save the handful of survivors of his dying planet, and to save humanity from itself", according to the official synopsis. It continues: "His plan is to use his race's advanced technology to make millions, and then build a spaceship to bring the last of his people to live on Earth. "But Newton begins to doubt his purpose, and finds himself unable to cope with the emotional weight of being human. He finds solace with two fellow outsiders – cheery functioning alcoholic Betty-Jo, who falls quietly in love with him, and widowed scientist Nathan Bryce, who tracks him down after recognising his tech as impossible. Little do they realise that the Government are watching." Eccleston will star as Nathan Bryce, while Laura Aikman – who has more recently starred in ITV's Archie – will star as Betty-Jo. The rest of the cast includes Stuart Milligan, Glen McCready, Ako Mitchell, André Refig, Fiona Sheehan and Alix Dunmore. The new audio drama has been written by Stephen Keyworth, who is known for his work on Doctors, as well as EastEnders and Casualty. The 1976 film retains its cult status today so it'll undoubtedly be an interesting listen for any fans of the movie or the original novel. The science fantasy drama was lauded for its surreal imagery, as well as being Bowie's first starring film role. Bowie starred as Thomas Newton in the film, which was directed by Nicolas Roeg and adapted by Paul Mayersberg. Read more: Doctor Who star Billie Piper would "love to make another appearance" Bluey and Doctor Who fans react to Easter egg in new episode While Eccleston is best known for his role as the Ninth Doctor in Doctor Who, he has most recently been seen on our screens in True Detective: Night Country and is also set to cross over into the documentary space in Sky History's The Guilty Innocent. The new series sees Eccleston dig deep into the evidence in the trials of George Davis and James Hanratty, examining how these two cases of controversial convictions captured public attention at the time. View Green Video on the source website The Man Who Fell to Earth will broadcast on Radio 4 on Sunday 12th May at 3pm. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Archers recasts Robert Snell after death of actor Graham Blockey
Michael Bertenshaw will join the soap later next month.
BBC Radio 4 has announced the recasting of Robert Snell in its soap, The Archers. The character, who was previously played by the late Graham Blockey, will now be portrayed by Michael Bertenshaw. Bertenshaw will make his debut on Sunday 17th March, and some viewers will recognise him from his roles in The Da Vinci Code, Doctor Who and, more recently, The Crown and We Hunt Together. "I'm so excited to be joining this iconic national treasure of a programme," Bertenshaw said of his casting. "The Archers family has been wonderfully welcoming, and I'm looking forward to getting embroiled in the Ambridge goings-on, and to striving to be a worthy foil to dear Lyndy. "She's not always the easiest of people to get along with, but fortunately Carole Boyd, who plays Lynda, is unmanaged joy. "It's going to be such fun." Fans of the show will know that Robert Snell moved to Ambridge with his wife Lynda in 1986 when they bought Ambridge Hall. Despite a series of ups and downs between the pair, Robert and Lynda remain devoted to each other, and opened their B&B at Ambridge Hall in 2006. Nowadays, Robert does odds jobs or tackles the occasional IT project for a client - but is never happier when out birdwatching. Archers editor Jeremy Howe said: "We are delighted that Michael Bertenshaw, a truly fine stage, screen and radio actor, and one of the best panto dames in the land, has joined the cast of The Archers to play Robert Snell, Ernie Wise to wife Lynda Snell's Eric Morecambe. "In November 2022, everyone at The Archers was heartbroken when Graham Blockey, who had played Robert Snell for over 20 years, died. "There is no one better to prepare breakfast once more under Lynda's watchful and ever-critical gaze at Ambridge’s most celebrated B&B than Michael. Welcome to The Archers, Michael." View Green Video on the source website Visit our dedicated Soaps page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Archers celebrates 20,000th episode: 'It's just the beginning!'
The Archers is the world’s longest running daily radio drama serial, having been on the air since the '50s and today, is set to hit a major milestone. This evening's (Friday 9th June 2023) episode, which will be broadcast at 7pm on BBC Radio 4, will be the programme's 20,000th episode, and it seems as though it's only the beginning for the long-running drama. Speaking about the milestone, The Archers editor Jeremy Howe said: “When we despatched the scripts for the 20,000th episode of The Archers I wrote a note to the cast saying this milestone is both exhilarating and humbling. "In that time, we have lived whole lifespans with our characters, seen births and deaths, marriages and break-ups, farms prosper and farms go to the wall. "It is like life with its sorrows and happiness, but unlike life, the 20,000th episode of the Archers is just the beginning. Here’s to the next 20,000 episodes.” The show was created by Godfrey Baseley and is set in the fictional county of Borsetshire, where the titular Archer family work on their farm and the drama giving us a window into the daily life of Britain’s favourite village. It's safe to say that The Archers continues to enthral audiences as much today as it did when it was first heard back in 1951. Read more: Coronation Street casts The Archers and Hollyoaks favourites as fiery new duo The Archers welcomes Rylan Clark to Ambridge for Eurovision special Over the years, the drama has tackled multiple thought-provoking storylines, so there's no guessing what could be in store for listeners in the future. It's become known for its authenticity and knack for delving into the gritty side of things, with some of The Archers' most talked-about moments including Helen Archer and Rob Titchener's domestic abuse storyline. The plot ran between 2013 and 2016 and culminated in Helen stabbing Rob and giving birth to their son Jack while on remand in prison. The story led to the ‘Solidari-tea’ campaign and made national news headlines but of course, Rob’s return just this past April is still a pressing storyline today. Other notable storylines include Jim Lloyd’s historic sexual abuse and his recovery in 2019, as well as the modern day slavery plot which featured Philip Moss and his son, Gavin, from 2019 through to 2021. Lest we forget the more recent "off-screen" death of Jennifer Aldridge (played by Angela Piper) that left many fans devastated by the development. While the series has historically been dedicated to reflect the realities of agricultural matters, more recently The Archers still employs a Farming and Countryside Advisor (Sybil Ruscoe) to ensure that the farming community and its concerns, both locally and nationally, remain at the heart of the show, with many of the storylines continuing to reflect this. Of course, the show has also been home to a famous voice or two with the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Queen Camilla having appeared, as well as more recently, Rylan Clark to mark Eurovision 2023. View Green Video on the source website The Archers is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 7pm Sundays to Fridays, with an Omnibus edition on Sundays at 10am, and is available to listen on BBC Sounds. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
David Tennant to make debut as Macbeth in BBC Radio 4 adaptation
The latest take on the dark play will premiere later this month.
David Tennant will portray Macbeth in an audio adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 later this month. The actor, best known for his television projects including the likes of Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Good Omens, has also worked extensively on the stage. He has previously played the title roles in Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet and Richard II, while he has also starred in radio versions of romantic comedy Twelfth Night and legendary tragedy Romeo and Juliet. All this to say Tennant is very well-acquainted with the past work of the Bard, meaning there will be much anticipation to see what he does with the role of tyrannical King Macbeth. Alison Hindell, Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction, said: “Macbeth is a part of great significance for any actor, but particularly so for Scottish players. "As David Tennant makes a welcome return to Radio 4 audio drama we look forward to this performance with great anticipation." Other Scottish actors who have played Macbeth before him include His Dark Materials star James McAvoy, as well as Alan Cumming and the late Nicol Williamson. The cast of this latest adaptation includes BAFTA winner Daniela Nardini as Lady Macbeth, Stuart McQuarrie as Banquo, Alec Newman as Macduff and Naana Agyei-Ampadu as Lady Macduff. The first half of the adaptation will be broadcast on 23rd April, the date that William Shakespeare's birthday is traditionally celebrated, with the second half set to hit the airwaves the following day. Macbeth airs on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April, between 3pm and 4pm, on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Check out more of our Radio coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Our Friends in the North writer revives series for BBC Radio 4
The classic 1996 drama will return as a 10-part audio production.
The BBC has announced the return of acclaimed 1996 series Our Friends in the North - but not as you know it. The hit series' creator Peter Flannery has rewritten the nine-episode series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4, with a new 10th episode to be written by Adam Usden, which will bring the story to modern times. It is set to begin on 17th March at 2:15pm. Our Friends in the North originally covered three decades, four friends and the world that shaped their lives, beginning in 1964 and ending in 1995. Broadcast on BBC Two in 1996, it gave breakout roles to Bond actor Daniel Craig, Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston, Line of Duty's Gina McKee and Temple actor Mark Strong, all of whom were up-and-coming actors at the time. The roles have been recast for the new audio drama, with the hope of finding the A-listers of tomorrow once again. Stepping into the roles of Nicky, Mary, Tosker and Geordie are James Baxter (Alma’s Not Normal), Norah Lopez Holden, Philip Correia and Luke MacGregor (The Archers) respectively. Meanwhile original cast members Tracey Wilkinson and Trevor Fox will be back for Radio 4’s version, but they will be in new roles, and Tom Goodman-Hill, Eve Shotton, James Gaddas, Tony Hirst, Des Yankson and Maanuv Thiara also join for this new series. Of the audio revival, Peter Flannery said: “You can tell any story you want to if the characters are interesting. The personal and the political are connected. It’s all one world.” The drama will once again chart the decades as it explores corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners’ Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. However, the new 10th episode will see the drama shifted forward to 2020, as Manchester-born writer Adam Usden picks up with the characters to tackle topics such as housing conditions, young people’s engagement with politics and father/son relationships. Usden explained that what drew him to the series was how "defiantly, wonderfully unsentimental" it was. "One of the things I loved was that even when people failed in the immediate moment, very often we saw how flashes of kindness, warmth and moral courage redeem them in surprising ways, sometimes decades later, even if the people never realised the impact their actions had on others,” he said. Our Friends in the North begins on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds at 2:15pm on Thursday 17th March. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
BBC Radio 4 temporarily drops off air during Today Programme
The show was off air for around 20 minutes due to an alarm.
The BBC’s Today programme on Radio 4 temporarily dropped off air on Monday morning after an alarm interrupted the broadcast. The news bulletin was interrupted by an alarm just after 7:30am, which could be heard announcing: "Please leave the building immediately by the nearest exit." “You may be able to hear we have a little alarm going on here,” broadcaster Nick Robinson told listeners as the sound continued in the background. His fellow presenter, Martha Kearney, said that they would try to “carry on for a little bit” before a loud alarm started whirring. “Well, maybe it’s going to be quite hard to carry on with this alarm going on in the background,” she said, adding that she once had to leave the building during a show due to a fire. Robinson introduced a pre-recorded report as the alarm continued whirring in the background and then the broadcast dropped off air until 7:55am. Robinson tweeted a picture of himself and Martha Kearney to confirm staff were back inside the studio, alongside the caption: "Well that was interesting. Emergency over. If there was one… we’re now back in the studio.” View oEmbed on the source website Kearney then returned on air and announced: “As the world news fades down, Nick and I are back in the studio.” Robinson went on: "Despite that noise you may have heard saying there was an emergency, as far as we can tell there wasn't actually an emergency. We have to follow procedures and we did, and we were outside in the cold for a little while but we are relieved to be back on the Today programme. "Normal service is being resumed." Kearney then moved on to the regular segment, Thought for the Day, and the normal broadcast resumed. The alarm also disrupted output on the BBC’s World Service, as well as BBC Sounds, with the mobile app having difficulties playing live shows this morning. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
Emma Barnett named new host of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour
Jane Garvey and Dame Jenni Murray are both stepping down.
Emma Barnett will be one of the new presenters of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, it has been announced today. The broadcaster is known for her roles on current affairs show Newsnight and BBC Radio 5 Live weekdays, as well as hosting a late night Woman's Hour spin-off. Radio 4 have been on the lookout for a new presenter since the current hosts Jane Garvey and Woman's Hour's Dame Jenni Murray announced that they were both planning to leave the show. For Dame Jenni, it's the end of a historic run that saw her become the station's longest-serving presenter, fronting Woman's Hour for 33 years in total. "I’ve spent nearly half my life with Woman’s Hour and it’s been a privilege ‎and delight to inform, educate and entertain a loyal and growing audience of women and men," she said in a statement. "Saying goodbye will be very hard to do, but it’s time to move on." BBC media editor Amol Rajan first reported the news and claims that "no decision" has been made just yet on a second presenter. Launched in 1946, Woman's Hour tackles a wide range of topics and has featured prolific special guests, ranging from Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Auschwitz survivor Dr Edith Eger. In a recent Twitter post, Barnett described Woman's Hour as her "new radio home" and revealed she would be there from January of next year. View oEmbed on the source website Jane announced that she would be leaving Woman's Hour last week, saying: "It's been a real privilege to play a small part in the history of this very special radio programme. "On one unforgettable day, I interviewed David Cameron in the morning, and Mary J Blige in the afternoon. There's no other job like it. But famous people are not the reason people engage with Woman's Hour. "It's because the programme still talks about the subjects and challenges no one else goes near. I'm very proud of our relationship with the audience and the trust they place in us." BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour is broadcast Monday-Thursday at 10am. If you're looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide.
Stuart Maconie: Your Desert Island Discs proves that music can offer the ultimate comfort in challenging times
As Desert Island Discs breaks from its usual format this week, Stuart Maconie considers how music has filled the gaps in everyday life and provided some solace during lockdown.
Late one night in 1941, as he padded in his pyjamas around his cottage in Bushey, Hertfordshire, stirring his cocoa and desperately thinking of new work avenues, jobbing actor and recently out of work commercial radio presenter Roy Plomley had an idea for a radio programme. In those gentler times – before "commissioning rounds", "pilots" or "focus groups" – all it took was a couple of letters to Broadcasting House and Desert Island Discs, one of the UK’s longest-running radio programmes, was born. (Interestingly, the longest-running radio show in the US is country and western stalwart Grand Ole Opry, which also has music at its heart, but rather more Stetsons.) We’ve all been castaways of late, marooned on our own desert islands – albeit ones where it’s rather easier to get the essentials of life as well as the luxuries. Plomley’s island has always assumed "a gramophone and an inexhaustible supply of needles" and, in 1951, when the show introduced the idea of allowing guests to take a luxury with them, the first chosen (by actress Sally Ann Howes) was, surprisingly, garlic. We can have both gramophone needles and garlic delivered to our desert islands within hours of course, as well as all the music we could ever wish to hear, not just on eight gramophone records but plucked from the air at will, like magic. Thanks to Spotify, Amazon, YouTube and DAB, as Caliban in The Tempest said, our "isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not… sometimes a thousand twangling instruments… and sometimes voices". This week — Friday 5 June — Desert Island Discs breaks from its usual format of celebrity castaways to ask Radio 4 listeners which one piece of music they have turned to for solace or uplift during lockdown. We have all been realising that, to borrow from poet William Congreve, "music has charms to soothe the savage breast". From the singing balconies of Rome to the Hacienda club’s 12-hour online raves, it’s been music – more, it seems, than comedy, drama or certainly the news – that we’ve used to give shape to things and fill the gaps in everyday life. There has surely been a palpable sigh of relief this week when Radio 3 began broadcasting live music from Wigmore Hall in London (Monday-Friday, 1pm), albeit to a Bundesliga-style empty auditorium, and in solo and duo recitals only. Even if your breast hasn’t felt particularly savage these past two months, you’ve probably felt anxious, unsettled, possibly bored, and there will have been times when not even the amiably studious face of Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Oficer for England, has provided enough distraction and reassurance. The work of another professor points up the subjectivity in all this. Rupert Till, professor of music at Huddersfield University, a global leader in the study of pop music who DJs as "Professor Chill" (I know, but let it pass), has drawn up a series of playlists that aim to "lighten the lockdown and soothe self-isolation". That one man’s balm is another’s bane is clearly evidenced by the fact that at least two of the tracks, John Lennon’s glutinous Imagine and the meaninglessly shouty Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen (or, as I like to think of them, "The One Show Led Zeppelin”", would have me begging to be locked in the shed in darkness and silence until October. Containing also Pharrell Williams’s Happy and Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, Prof Till’s list is determinedly literal, but I’ve found that I’m eschewing songs with positive "messages", preferring chamber music, jazz and, naturally, 1970s Turkish psychedelia. But many people seem to be finding comfort in the familiar. At the risk of letting light in on magic, I can confirm that even the hippest radio stations have relaxed their usual playlists to allow for more "bangers". Gold Soundz from noon on 6 Music is an uninterrupted daily hour of indie, dance and alternative rock classics. On Radio 2, Ken Bruce’s PopMaster (9:30am Monday-Friday) is now, for some of us, a more crucial and unmissable daily appointment than the Downing Street Covid-19 briefing. Patterns are beginning to emerge – there’s always a Steely Dan track at the end of it. (PopMaster, not the briefing, although I’d like to see Dominic Raab walking off to Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.) When Desert Island Discs tried this before, asking for the nation’s castaway choices in 2011, the results were fairly predictable — Beethoven’s Fifth, Elgar, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Vaughan Williams’s two biggies, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and The Lark Ascending. Weirdly though, Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb was also in the top ten, a grim dirge about a medicated rock star’s feelings of self-loathing and isolation. It’ll be interesting to see whether the nation has turned to such suddenly topical choices or prefers to "push pineapple, shake a tree" with those crazy bon vivants, Black Lace. Finally, here comes the science bit. Studies show that music has a direct effect on mood. Bradt & Dileo (US sociologists, not a '70s soft rock duo) cite 26 studies covering almost 1,500 heart patients, which found that listening to music reduced heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety. And a 2009 study found that a short blast of happy music made participants perceive other’s faces as happier; the opposite being true for a snippet of sad music. The biggest effect was seen when people looked at faces with a neutral expression. In other words: people projected the mood of the music they were listening to on to other people’s faces. So, next time you think that Matt Hancock looks unnervingly like a man who thinks he might have left the gas on, try blasting out Black Lace’s Agadoo and imagine that he’s just psyching himself up for the dance moves. Listen to Your Desert Island Discs from 9am on Friday 5th June on Radio 4. Stuart Maconie presents The Freak Zone on Sundays at 8pm on 6 Music. He co-presents Radcliffe and Maconie on Saturdays and Sundays at 8am on 6 Music, and the quiz show My Generation at 3pm on Mondays (repeated 11pm Saturdays) on Radio 4.