Programme Index

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 8^th May 2015, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 10^th May 2015, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch, novelist Baroness Rendell, motorcyclist Geoff Duke, drama professor Katharine Worth and Hot Chocolate's Errol Brown. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Peter Duke
Interviewed Guest:: Elizabeth Schafer
Interviewed Guest:: Tim Pigott-Smith
Interviewed Guest:: Lauren Cohen
Interviewed Guest:: Paul Gambaccini
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Raine, Countess Spencer, James "Jimmy" Perry, Stylianos Pattakos, Howard Davies, Bobby Vee

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 28^th Oct 2016, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 30^th Oct 2016, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on Raine, Countess Spencer, comedy writer Jimmy Perry, Greek general Stylianos Pattakos, theatre director Howard Davies and singer Bobby Vee. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George
Interviewed Guest:: Angela Rippon
Interviewed Guest:: David Vincent
Interviewed Guest:: Simon Morgan-Russell
Interviewed Guest:: Alexandros Nafpliotis
Interviewed Guest:: Daniel Rosenthal

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Ueli Steck, Lord Williams of Baglan, Sylvia Moy, Captain James Dickson MBE, Jon Prinz

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 12^th May 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 14^th May 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on climber Ueli Steck, diplomat Lord Williams, songwriter Sylvia Moy, mariner James Dickson, food scientist Jon Prinz. Show more

Contributors

Interviewed Guest:: Billi Bierling
Interviewed Guest:: Edward Douglas
Interviewed Guest:: Alan Philps
Interviewed Guest:: Jack Straw
Interviewed Guest:: Adam White
Interviewed Guest:: George Sutherland
Interviewed Guest:: Florian Wulfert
Interviewed Guest:: Leah Hyslop
Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Jean Alexander, Trinh Thi Ngo, Ian Mercer, Joseph Harmatz, Joan Marie Johnson

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 21^st Oct 2016, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 23^rd Oct 2016, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Obituary series. Matthew Bannister remembers actress Jean Alexander, broadcaster Trinh Thi Ngo, naturalist Ian Mercer, 'Avenger' Joseph Harmatz and singer Joan Marie Johnson. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Ronel Harmatz
Interviewed Guest:: Peter Grant
Interviewed Guest:: Don North
Interviewed Guest:: Kate Ashbrook
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Hot House Kids

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 19^th Jan 2009, 11:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sat 23^rd Feb 2019, 01:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Dancer Deborah Bull investigates elite training for children, with ideas of success and achieving perfection. From January 2009. Show more

Contributors

Producer:: Neil George

Genres

Series

Hot House Kids

Last Word

Robert Vaughn, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Carolyn Hardy OBE, Ewen Whitaker, Claude 'Curly' Putman

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 18^th Nov 2016, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 20^th Nov 2016, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on actor Robert Vaughn, astronomer Ewen Whitaker, gardener Carolyn Hardy, philanthropist Sir Sigmund Sternberg, singer Claude "Curly" Putman. Show more

Contributors

Interviewed Guest:: Robert Glenister
Interviewed Guest:: Angie Errigo
Interviewed Guest:: Charles Wood
Interviewed Guest:: Steve Connor
Interviewed Guest:: Prunella Scarlett
Interviewed Guest:: Jim Buttress
Interviewed Guest:: Marcus Braybrooke
Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Stan Tracey, General Alfonso Armada, Mary Eyre, Bob George, Mary Riggans

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 13^th Dec 2013, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 15^th Dec 2013, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on jazz pianist and composer Stan Tracey, Spanish general Alfonso Armada, hockey and tennis player Mary Eyre, flea expert Bob George, and actress Mary Riggans. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Clark Tracey
Interviewed Guest:: James Pearson
Interviewed Guest:: Annie Shaw
Interviewed Guest:: Helen Roy
Interviewed Guest:: Di Giles
Interviewed Guest:: Sheila Davson
Interviewed Guest:: Gregorio Alonso
Interviewed Guest:: Alasdair Fotheringham
Interviewed Guest:: Miles Jupp
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

A priest, Walt Disney's daughter, a centenarian Labour campaigner, a footballer, an actor

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 29^th Nov 2013, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 1^st Dec 2013, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister remembers N Ireland peacemaker Fr Alec Reid, Diane Disney Miller (daughter of Walt), 108-year-old Labour campaigner Hetty Bower and Busby Babe Bill Foulkes. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Harold Good
Interviewed Guest:: Mark Devenport
Interviewed Guest:: Brian Sibley
Interviewed Guest:: Margaret Dolan
Interviewed Guest:: Bernard Miller
Interviewed Guest:: Yvette Cooper
Interviewed Guest:: David Meeks
Interviewed Guest:: Ian Sharp
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Mark Shand, Mrs Pilkington Garimara, Derek Cooper, Wally Olins, Julian Wilson

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 25^th Apr 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 27^th Apr 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister recalls conservationist Mark Shand, writer Mrs Pilkington Garimara, broadcaster Derek Cooper, brand consultant Wally Olins and racing correspondent Julian Wilson. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Dan Bucknall
Interviewed Guest:: Belinda Wright
Interviewed Guest:: Ian Henderson
Interviewed Guest:: Phillip Noyce
Interviewed Guest:: John Miller
Interviewed Guest:: Patrick Burgoyne
Interviewed Guest:: Jamie Camplin
Interviewed Guest:: Martin Sorrell
Interviewed Guest:: John McCririck
Interviewed Guest:: William Haggas
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Oleg Ivanovsky, Jim Petrie, Dame Julia Polak and Bob Crewe

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 26^th Sep 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 28^th Sep 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Julian Worricker remembers the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, scientists Dame Julia Polak and Oleg Ivanovsky, illustrator Jim Petrie and songwriter Bob Crewe. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Julian Worricker
Interviewed Guest:: Susan Hill
Interviewed Guest:: Peter Mandler
Interviewed Guest:: Bridget Flemming
Interviewed Guest:: Asif Siddiqi
Interviewed Guest:: Ian McMillan
Interviewed Guest:: Rosemary Friedman
Interviewed Guest:: Sarah Ranking
Interviewed Guest:: Spencer Leigh
Interviewed Guest:: Bob Gaudio
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Gerald Kaufman, Dick Bruna, Desmond Connell, Rita Barberá, Frank Delaney

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 3^rd Mar 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 5^th Mar 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Julian Worricker on Labour MP Gerald Kaufman; illustrator Dick Bruna; Cardinal Desmond Connell, former Archbishop of Dublin; mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera; writer Frank Delaney. Show more

Contributors

Interviewed Guest:: Roy Hattersley
Interviewed Guest:: Brian Selby
Interviewed Guest:: Rosie Millard
Interviewed Guest:: John Horgan
Interviewed Guest:: James Badcock
Interviewed Guest:: Ruth McCarthy
Interviewed Guest:: Simon Kovesi
Presenter:: Julian Worricker
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Stanley Bard, Norma McCorvey, Michael Ember, Peter Skellern

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 24^th Feb 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 26^th Feb 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Kate Silverton on hotelier Stanley Bard, campaigner Norma McCorvey, radio producer Michael Ember and singer-songwriter Peter Skellern. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Kate Silverton
Interviewed Guest:: James Lough
Interviewed Guest:: Susan Swan
Interviewed Guest:: Sarah Weddington
Interviewed Guest:: Laurie Taylor
Interviewed Guest:: Ian Gardhouse
Interviewed Guest:: Richard Stilgoe
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Dario Fo, Jean Bloxam, Andrew Vicari, Don Buchla

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 14^th Oct 2016, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 16^th Oct 2016, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on the king of Thailand, playwright Dario Fo, racing driver Jean Bloxam, painter Andrew Vicari and musical inventor Don Buchla. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Paul Handley
Interviewed Guest:: Griff Rhys Jones
Interviewed Guest:: Dan Rebellato
Interviewed Guest:: Nick Tassoni
Interviewed Guest:: Michael Scott
Interviewed Guest:: Andrew Vaccari
Interviewed Guest:: Georgina Adam
Interviewed Guest:: Mark Vail
Interviewed Guest:: Geeta Dyal
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Sir Adrian Cadbury, Rico Rodriguez, Ieng Thirith, Margaret Harrison, Judy Carne

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 11^th Sep 2015, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 13^th Sep 2015, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on businessman Sir Adrian Cadbury, ska trombonist Rico Rodriguez, Khmer Rouge minister Ieng Thirith, Home Start founder Margaret Harrison and actress Judy Carne. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George
Interviewed Guest:: David Katz
Interviewed Guest:: Robert Carmichael
Interviewed Guest:: Raj Gill-Harrison
Interviewed Guest:: Dominic Cadbury

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Lynda Bellingham, Ben Bradlee, Geoffrey Perry, John Holt

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 24^th Oct 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 26^th Oct 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Obituary series. Andrea Catherwood remembers actress Lynda Bellingham, war veteran Geoffrey Perry, reggae star John Holt and Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. Show more

Last Word

Tam Dalyell MP, Victor Lownes, Babette Cole, Zhou Youguang, Gorden Kaye

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 27^th Jan 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 29^th Jan 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on MP Tam Dalyell, playboy Victor Lownes, children's author Babette Cole, linguist Zhou Youguang, actor Gorden Kaye. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George
Interviewed Guest:: Brian Taylor
Interviewed Guest:: Kenny Lynch
Interviewed Guest:: Russell Miller
Interviewed Guest:: Julia Eccleshare
Interviewed Guest:: Endymion Wilkinson
Interviewed Guest:: Yan Jiang

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Lord Joffe, Michael Bond, Ann Louise Gilligan, Carla Fendi, John Avildsen

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 30^th Jun 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 2^nd Jul 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on lawyer and humanitarian Lord Joffe, writer Michael Bond, campaigner Ann Louise Gilligan, businesswoman Carla Fendi and film director John Avildsen. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Adelaide Joseph
Interviewed Guest:: Paul Joseph
Interviewed Guest:: Julia Eccleshare
Interviewed Guest:: Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop
Interviewed Guest:: Suzy Menkes
Interviewed Guest:: Angie Errigo
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Sir Nigel Rodley, Sir Cosmo Haskard, Louise Hulton, Pete Overend Watts

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 10^th Mar 2017, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 12^th Mar 2017, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on human rights lawyer Sir Nigel Rodley, bass player Pete Overend Watts, maternal health expert Louise Hulton and Falklands Governor Sir Cosmo Haskard. Show more

Contributors

Interviewed Guest:: Geoffrey Robertson
Interviewed Guest:: Tracy Ulltveit Moe
Interviewed Guest:: Clara Sandoval
Interviewed Guest:: Andrew Marston
Interviewed Guest:: Jimmy Innes
Interviewed Guest:: Zoe Matthews
Interviewed Guest:: Patrick Watts
Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Bruce Tulloh, Emma Smith, Professor Peter Waddington, Dowager Countess of Harewood, Ronald Chesney

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 11^th May 2018, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 13^th May 2018, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on runner Bruce Tulloh, author Emma Smith, sociologist Peter Waddington, The Dowager Countess of Harewood and comedy writer Ronald Chesney. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Jojo Tulloh
Interviewed Guest:: Frank Gardner
Interviewed Guest:: Barney Jones
Interviewed Guest:: Valerie Groves
Interviewed Guest:: Kate Moss
Interviewed Guest:: David Lascelles
Interviewed Guest:: Anthony Hayward
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Sir David Willcocks, Merv Adelson, Mariem Hassan, Brian Close, Beryl Renwick

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 18^th Sep 2015, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 20^th Sep 2015, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on choirmaster David Willcocks, TV producer Merv Adelson, singer Mariem Hassan, cricketer Brian Close and radio presenter Beryl Renwick. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Neil George

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand