Ricki Lee Jones - A Conversation The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You Vegyn (feat. John Glacier) - A Dream Goes On Forever College - Can You Kiss Me First Siriusmo - Nights Off Vegyn - 4 Year Break Ricki Lee Jones - A Conversation Pt. 2 Stereolab - Come And Play In The Milky Night Unknown - Untitled Doris - Jerk Dean Blunt & Elias Rønnenfelt - Lucre Sonic Youth - Superstar Vegyn - Mystery Or Misery Red House Painters - Medicine Bottle Portraits Of Tracy - WIP Akira Yamaoka - The Day Of Night Unknown - Untitled Cinamon Chasers - Luv Deluxe Headache - The Beginning Of The End Lauren Duffus - N.U.M.T.E Lykke Li (feat. NATURE) - TЯAƎH ЯUOY OT YAWHӘIH Leyla Ebrahimi - U Can Keep The Fire
Back to back bangers, as we shake off the week with wall of sound and hurtle towards the Friday Guest Mix. We also celebrate our favourite music from the Near Future and take a moment to relax with our Hit Reset moment.
Kendrick Lamar - The Heart Part 5 [Polydor] ROSALÍA - SAOKO [Columbia] SHERELLE - 160 Down The A406 [SHERELLE] Kim Gordon - Dream Dollar [Matador] Deftones - Digital Bath [Maverick] Richie Culver - Slow Car [Richie Culver] Nils Frahm - Forever Changeless [Erased Tapes] Tom Waits - Such A Scream (Live In Milan, Italy 2008) [Tom Waits] PJ Harvey - Rid Of Me [Island] Aya - Off To The ESSO [Hyperdub] Pa Salieu - Betty [Warner Music UK] Kode9 & The Spaceape - Kingstown [Hyperdub] Lucrecia Dalt (feat. David Sylvian) - Cosa Rara Azu Tiwaline & Al Wootton - Nine Points [Livity Sound] Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart Blackhaine (feat. Iceboy Violet & Blood Orange) - Prayer [Fixed Abode] Moor Mother - After Images [Don Giovanni] Beyoncé - FORMATION [Parkwood] Paleman - Munch Doc Scott - Ghost 25 [Metalheadz]
With an ICONS mix from Adam F on the release of his new album Colours Revisited, a revision of Adam F's MOBO Award-winning 1997 debut album.
Marcus Intalex - Temperance [Soul:r] Adam F & Paul T - Aromatherapy Revisited (Adam F VIP & Paul T Reboot) [181] Adam F - Circles Revisited (Adam F VIP & ALIBI Reboot Bootleg) [181] MC Conrad & Total Science - Soul Patrol [CIA] LTJ Bukem - Music [Good Looking] MC Conrad & LTJ Bukem - Promised Land [Higher Land] Goldie & Nookie - Inner City Life (Nookie Remix) [London] Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Adam F VIP) [Polydor] L‐Side & Makoto & Frank H Carter III - What You Won't Do For Love [V] Motiv - Walkin' Jazz [Liquid V] MC Conrad & Makoto - Golden Girl [Good Looking] Adam F & LTJ Bukem - Atlantis & Music In My Mind Revisited (Adam F VIP) [181]
The weekend is almost within our reach, you dance towards it and we'll provide the tunes.
2Pac (feat. K‐Ci & Jojo) - How Do You Want It [Death Row] Pangaea - Router [Hessle Audio] Loraine James (feat. Eden Samara) - Running Like That [Hyperdub] David Bowie - Subterraneans [RCA] Nubya Garcia - Together Is A Beautiful Place (Nala Sinephro Remix) [Nubya Garcia] Savages - I Need Something New [Matador]
WALLY K DALY - THE CHILDREN OF WITCHWOOD (320kbs-m4a/325mb/2hrs21mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th to 13th August 2021
College student Jackie Lamont mysteriously goes missing. When she reappears, just as mysteriously, she seems to possess special telepathic powers.
Meanwhile, the Cranford Family have guarded a secret for hundreds of years - and Jackie Lamont is now a threat. B.Q. Brown, of the Ministry of Defence, investigates a possible link between the burning of six children as witches in the 17th century and Jackie's disappearance.
Starring Wendy Baxter.
The last drama series which Wally K Daly wrote for radio.
Directed at BBC Birmingham by Jenny Stephens.
Made for BBC7 and first broadcast in September 2005.
Jackie Lamont .... Wendy Baxter Mandy Lamont .... Emily Chennery Sion Lamont .... Scott Gray Jason Cranford .... Laurence Saunders Cheever Cranford .... Jez Thomas Becky Cranford .... Becky Wright DC Danny Sparks .... Daniel Settatree WPC Polly Bell .... Lorraine Coady Mother .... Jilly Bond Sergeant .... Michael Cochrane
College student Jackie Lamont mysteriously went missing, but she's reappeared with some very strange powers.
This has come to the attention of BQ Brown, of the Ministry of Defence, who investigates a possible link to a set of grisly murders in the 17th century...
Jackie Lamont .... Wendy Baxter Many Lamont .... Emily Chennery Sion Lamont .... Scott Gray Jason Cranford .... Laurence Saunders Cheever Cranford .... Jez Thomas Becky Cranford .... Becky Wright DC Danny Sparks .... Daniel Settatree WPC Polly Bell .... Lorraine Cody Mother .... Jilly Bond B.Q. Brown/Sergeant .... Michael Cochrane Iron Peter/Dentist .... Robert Lister
More is revealed about the mysterious Cranford family who have inhabited the village for years.
And the mystery surrounding Jackie's earlier disappearance deepens as the strength of her powers becomes apparent...
Jackie Lamont .... Wendy Baxter Mandy Lamont .... Emily Chennery Sion Lamont .... Scott Gray Jason Cranford .... Laurence Saunders Cheever Cranford .... Jez Thomas Becky Cranford .... Becky Wright DC Danny Sparks .... Daniel Settatree WPC Polly Bell .... Lorraine Coady Mother/Minister .... Jilly Bond B.Q. Brown Michael .... Cochrane Iron Peter .... Robert Lister
After her mystery disappearance, Jackie Lamont has gained strange powers of telepathy.
BQ Brown of the Ministry of Defence continues his investigation linking this to sinister events back in the 17th century...
Jackie Lamont .... Wendy Baxter Mandy Lamont .... Emily Chennery Sion Lamont .... Scott Gray Jason Cranford .... Laurence Saunders Cheever Cranford .... Jez Thomas Becky Cranford .... Becky Wright DC Danny Sparks .... Daniel Settatree WPC Polly Bell .... Lorraine Coady Mother/Minister .... Jilly Bond B.Q. Brown .... Michael Cochrane Iron Peter .... Robert Lister
BQ Brown of the Ministry of Defence pays a visit to the Cranford family council – as many secrets are finally revealed...
B.Q. Brown .... Michael Cochrane Jackie Lamont .... Wendy Baxter Mandy Lamont .... Emily Chennery Sion Lamont .... Scott Gray Jason Cranford .... Laurence Saunders Cheever Cranford .... Jez Thomas Becky Cranford .... Becky Wright DC Danny Sparks .... Daniel Settatree WPC Polly Bell .... Lorraine Coady Mother .... Jilly Bond Iron Peter .... Robert Lister
WALLY K DALY - 625Y (320kbs-m4a/135mb/59mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadast: 14th & 15th April 2021
Starring Amanda Root and Geoffrey Whitehead.
Wally K Daly's intriguing two-part sci-fi drama.
Kate Brown .... Amanda Root Professor Slingsby .... Geoffrey Whitehead Joe Barnard .... Jon Strickland Reporter .... Elizabeth Conboy Prime Minister .... Chris Tranchell Minister of Defence .... Ian Masters Major Peters .... Brett Usher Danny Flowers .... Stuart Milligan Lab Technician .... Harry Myers Minister of Health .... Sandra Clark
Director: Gordon House.
First broadcast as a one hour drama on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.
Under fire, Mike, Janey and Peter end up in the midst of war, pursued by a deadly enemy.
Mike ...... Judy Bennett Janey ...... Abigail Docherty Peter ...... Simon Radford Uncle Brian ...... Frank Windsor Auntie Vi ...... Jo Manning Wilson Grandfather ...... Edward Kelsey
With Tariq Alibai, Amerjit Deu and David Bannerman.
Gary Henderson and old man Jenkins head up a mountain road to Hill House every November 13th. But on their ascent this year, the mountain begins to shake like hell on earth. And Gary? He meets himself coming back...
As a worldwide power failure brings chaos and terror to Earth, one town in every country undergoes a curious and startling transformation.
Wally K Daly's sci-fi thriller stars James Laurenson, Nigel Anthony, Peter Jeffrey and Geoffrey Whitehead.
Gary Henderson ...... James Laurenson Jenkins ...... Nigel Anthony AP Smith ...... Peter Jeffrey Prime Minister ...... Geoffrey Whitehead Venables ...... Joe Dunlop Kate ...... Melinda Walker Captain ...... Christopher Scott Co Pilot ...... Christopher Good Chief Scientific Officer ...... John Warner Controller ...... Dominic Rickhards Colonel ...... Nicholas Courtney Soldier ...... Ian Michie Lorna ...... Cara Kelly Joker ...... Ken Cumberlidge Billy ...... Sue Sheridan Pamela ...... Jo Kendall Jumbo Child ...... Joanna Mackie
Director: David Hitchinson
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in March 1989.
Marcovaldo is a poor rural man now living with his growing family in a big city in northern Italy.
Italo Calvino's enchanting collection of five short stories.
Omnibus of dramatisations by Toby Jones.
From a translation by William Weaver.
* MUSHROOMS IN THE CITY - Marcovaldo finds mushrooms growing by the tram stop, but is dismayed to find that he isn't the only one who has spotted them.
* MOON AND THE GNAC - A neon sign thwarts Marcovaldo's efforts to teach his children about the night sky.
* THE RAIN AND THE LEAVES - Marcovaldo's increasing obsession with nurturing a plant brings surprising results.
* THE WRONG STOP - Marcovaldo gets lost in thick fog after a night at the cinema.
* SMOKE, WIND AND SOAP-BUBBLES - Marcovaldo’s children attempt to make money selling detergent samples.
Secret Service agent Charlie is a survivor. He needs to be.
His own Department is out to get him and so, it seems, are the KGB.
But one way or another, Charlie's determined to come out of it alive and rich.
Brian Freemantle's spy thriller, first published in 1977.
Starring Philip Jackson and Sandor Eles.
Dramatised by Geoffrey M Matthews.
Charlie .... Philip Jackson Kalenin .... Sandor Eles Willoughby .... Peter Howell Gunther .... David Learner Snare .... Andrew Branch Harrison .... Stephen Rashbrook Alexei Berenkov .... Peter Woodthorpe Janet .... Marcia King Wilberforce .... Manning Wilson Cuthbertson .... Barrie Cookson Ruttgers .... Don Fellows Keys .... John Church Brayley .... Richard Durden Edith .... Jennifer Piercey
The story of the magical English nanny - poised, punctilious and practically perfect in every way.
Starring Juliet Stevenson as Mary Poppins, who's set to transform the lives of Jane and Michael Banks.
After the Banks family's last nanny walks out in disgust, Mary blows in to number 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London. She's given a week's trial by the children's father, George - but says she'll only stay until the wind changes.
Dramatised by Hazel Marshall, this was the first ever radio adaptation - based on several Mary Poppins stories written by PL Travers.
Juliet Stevenson .... Mary Poppins Jonathan Bee .... Michael Sophie Stuckey .... Jane Deborah Berlin .... Mrs Banks David Timson .... Mr Banks Andrew Sachs .... Mr Turvy Phyllida Law .... Katie Nana Chris Moran .... Mr Smart Laura Doddington .... Polly
Dorian Gray ...... Jamie Glover Lord Henry Wotton ...... Ian McDiarmid Basil Hallward ...... Steven Pacey Sybil Vane ...... Tilly Gaunt Jim Vane ...... Harry Myers Mrs Vane ...... Elizabeth Mansfield Lord Fermor ...... Brett Usher Aunt Agatha ...... Mary Wimbush Butler ...... Gavin Muir Mrs Vandelaur ...... Elizabeth Bell Lady Harley ...... Tessa Worsley Servant ...... Tom George
Aristocrat Dorian Gray is living a life of selfish pleasure. But is retribution on the horizon?
Dorian Gray ...... Jamie Glover Lord Henry Wotton ...... Ian McDiarmid Basil Hallward ...... Steven Pacey Woman ...... Tilly Gaunt Jim ...... Harry Myers Duke Geoffrey ...... Edward de Souza Thornton ...... Stephen Critchlow Campbell ...... Geoffrey Beevers Lord ...... Gavin Muir Woman in Opium Den ...... Elizabeth Bell Lady Narborough ...... Tessa Worsley Francis ...... Tom George Duke John ...... Brett Usher Duchess ...... Alice Arnold
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth The Top ...... William Hootkins Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power Deacon ...... Peter Marinker Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio Jude ...... Bruce McGregor Cop 1 ...... Clive Rowe
Heroic agent X-9 takes on the law to pursue his arch enemy in the heart of 1930s New York.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth The Top ...... William Hootkins Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power Deacon ...... Peter Marinker Steward ...... Michael John Paliotti Bartholomew ...... John Guerrasio Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
The all-American hero battles to save gold bullion and solve Evelyn's disappearance.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth The Top ...... William Hootkins Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power Deacon ...... Peter Marinker Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale Waitress ...... Miranda Pleasance
Heroic agent X-9 finally confronts his nemesis at the top of a 1930s New York landmark.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth The Top ...... William Hootkins Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power Alden Powers ...... Peter Marinker Luke ...... Michael John Paliotti Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale Sister Agnes ...... Miranda Pleasance
PAUL BARNHILL & NEIL WARHURST - THE SPACESHIP (320kbs-m4a/331mb/2hrs24mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 10th to 14th October 2022
In the year 2104, a fleet of research cruisers were launched into space, with every moment aboard the Really Invincible III, Macclesfield Division preserved by wall-to-wall monitoring, and transmitted back to Earth.
What you hear took place live, four years ago, 70,000 light years from home...
A five-part sci-fi comedy written by Paul Barnhill and Neil Warhurst.
An alien princess proves to be problematic for the crew of the Really Invincible III, Macclesfield Division.
Captain Gordon Taylor .... James Fleet Melissa Patterson .... Emily Joyce Karen .... Rose Cavaliero Stuart .... Paul Barnhill Clive .... Neil Warhurst Princess Urrgh .... Stephen Hogan Urrgh Emperor .... Jason Chan Narrator .... Nicholas Boulton
Ship's doctor Clive 55 meets his identical cloned twin brother, Clive 88.
Captain Gordon Taylor .... James Fleet Melissa Patterson .... Emily Joyce Karen .... Rose Cavaliero Stuart .... Paul Barnhill Clive .... Neil Warhurst Captain Ponter .... Stephen Hogan Narrator .... Nicholas Boulton
What are the strange noises coming from the hold? Karen and Melissa investigate.
Captain Gordon Taylor .... James Fleet Melissa Patterson .... Emily Joyce Karen .... Rose Cavaliero Stuart .... Paul Barnhill Clive .... Neil Warhurst Trevor .... Rob Hastie Narrator .... Nicholas Boulton
Destruction aboard the ship when Clive 55's thirst for scientific experiment goes wrong.
Captain Gordon Taylor .... James Fleet Melissa Patterson .... Emily Joyce Karen .... Rose Cavaliero Stuart .... Paul Barnhill Clive .... Neil Warhurst Narrator .... Nicholas Boulton
The crew at last make contact with another race, but not before a minor rebellion on board.
Captain Gordon Taylor .... James Fleet Melissa Patterson .... Emily Joyce Karen .... Rose Cavaliero Stuart .... Paul Barnhill Clive .... Neil Warhurst Ion .... Jason Chan The King of the Dwapeye .... Stephen Hogan Narrator .... Nicholas Boulton
ANNE HOWELL & COLIN COOPER - HOST PLANET EARTH (320kbs-m4a/389mb/2hrs49mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th March to 6th April 2020
On the eve of Britain's first manned space shot, the death toll among those involved causes alarm.
'Host Planet Earth' is a sci-fi serial in six parts originally broadcast between July and September 1967. At that time, concerns were being raised about microbes being brought back to Earth by the American and Russian space programmes. Set in England, the British space programme is eager to compete and has gained an advantage with the invention of a propulsion system that enables exploration of distant regions of the universe within weeks instead of years.
Written by Anne Howell and Colin Cooper.
Music and FX by the Radiophonic Workshop.
Producer: Nesta Pain
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August/September 1967.
The danger of invading - or invasive - alien species is only being realised very slowly, following some bizarre and seemingly unconnected events. Has that realisation come too late?
Harold Benson .... Ian Thompson Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce Professor Tate .... Rolf Lefebvre Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton David Holland .... Alexander John Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson Dr Edwards .... Heron Carvic Sister .... Beth Boyd Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony Editor .... Antony Viccars Policeman .... Preston Lockwood
Britain's first manned space mission has blasted off.
A new discovery means distant regions of the universe can be reached within weeks instead of years.
But the sudden death of a scientist opposing the project sparks fears of unexpected dangers...
David Holland .... Alexander John Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce Mrs. Tate .... Marjorie Westbury Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton Doctor Edwards .... Heron Carvic Doctor Harries .... Carleton Hobbs Doctor Kellaway .... Douglas Hankin Guard .... Preston Lockwood Receptionist .... Rosalind Shanks Harold Benson .... Ian Thompson
In Earth orbit, the Starfarer prepares for deep space.
Meanwhile one of the victims of the mysterious illness attacking scientists is now in a coma.
His brain rhythms are no longer conforming with any human pattern...
Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony Bill Cape .... Ian Thompson Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce David Holland .... Alexander John Joseph Banks .... Peter Tuddenham Mrs Heming .... Betty Hardy Rosemary Manning .... Barbara Mitchell Technician .... Preston Lockwood Schoolboys .... Spencer Shires Schoolboys .... David Auker
David Holland deduces that twins may be immune to the alien influence. The Starfarer returns to Earth orbit.
Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson Police Sergeant .... Antony Viccars Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce David Holland .... Alexander John Police Superintendent .... Duncan Carse Doctor Harries .... Carleton Hobbs Chris Johnson .... Tommy Eytle Peter Johnson .... Bari Jonson Technician .... Preston Lockwood
David Holland urges the Minister of Defence to destroy the Starfarer before it can return to Earth.
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce Minister of Defence .... Rolf Lefebvre Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton David Holland .... Alexander John Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson First Woman .... Beth Boyd Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony Police Inspector .... Preston Lockwood Commentator .... Audrey Russell Doctor/Commissionaire .... Ronald Herdman Second Woman .... Betty Hardy
The Starfarer has returned from space, but the men inside it are dead.
The creatures which have killed them and the obscene horror which threatens to overwhelm the earth have at last been made plain...
Chris Johnson .... Tommy Eytle Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce David Holland .... Alexander John Ian .... Preston Lockwood Don Wells .... Nigel Anthony Guard .... Humphrey Morton Woman .... Beth Boyd Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton Announcer .... Rolf Lefebvre
KATY WIX - BIRD ISLAND: SERIES 2 (320kbs-m4a/128mb/56mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 28th March to 18th April 2021
Atmospheric comedy about a cheery scientist based in Sub-Antarctica by Katy Wix.
It's Ben's trip of a lifetime, but in a vast icy landscape with dodgy internet. Feeling lonely, he shares his thoughts via an audio 'log' on his dictaphone.
Graham is a fellow nerdy scientist so their exchanges are mumbled. Ben's even more awkward around new arrival Jane, though he's not entirely sure why.
KATY WIX - BIRD ISLAND: SERIES 1 (320kbs-m4a/129mb/56mins) BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd to 24th April 2020
An atmospheric comedy about a cheery scientist based in Sub-Antarctica. Starring Reece Shearsmith, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Alison Steadman and Katy Wix.
On the one hand, Ben is on the trip of a lifetime. On the other, he's trapped in a vast icy landscape with a dodgy internet connection and a dictaphone. Loneliness is something of a problem. So, Ben shares his thoughts with us in the form of an audio 'log'.
His fellow scientist Graham should alleviate this sense of isolation, but the tragi-comic fact is, they are nerdy blokes, so they stumble through yet another mumbled exchange. Not to mention the new arrival Jane, who Ben is even more awkward around, for reasons that aren't entirely clear to him.
Apart from his research studying the Albatross on the Island, Ben attempts to continue normal life with an earnestness and enthusiasm which is ultimately very endearing. We eavesdrop as he chats awkwardly with Graham or Jane, phones his mother or talks to himself, as he often does. We also hear the Squawks and screeches of the birds and the vast expanse outside. Oh, and ice. Lots of ice.
Bird Island is written by Katy Wix, half of sketch comedy Duo 'Anna and Katy'. Katy is also an actress who stars in 'Miranda', 'Outnumbered' and as Daisy in 'Not Going Out'.
Ben and Graham encounter a seal cub that's been attacked. He takes it home and carefully nurses it back to life and share the pup's progress with his mum and Dad.
Ben ...... Reece Shearsmith Graham ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt Beverley ...... Alison Steadman Robin ...... Gerard Mcdermott
Alexei considers the role of the police force, discusses his own involvement in the 'spy cops' scandal, draws comparisons between President Assad and a beloved British comedian and details his seven stages of grief post the 2019 general election.
Alexei explores the place that repetition holds in our culture, discusses his time as an author on the arts centre circuit and debuts a new slam poem entitled "I Hate Keir Starmer".
Alexei offers his thoughts on Jeremy Corbyn and the Left, laments the decline of small business and explains what the 1997 film Starship Troopers can teach us all.
Alexei tells the story of a long lost tin of pâté, offers his thoughts on the gig economy and reveals what he believes to be the secret war being waged by the old on the young.
Alexei considers the roots of his rage and resentment, explores the dangers of magical thinking and contemplates what the philosophies of Bertholt Brecht could offer Premier League football.
Alexei outlines his problem Morecambe and Wise, discusses his issues with the Trade Unions and offers a fable taught by the Zen Master Wudang mountains in China.
Alexei considers Britain's place in the world and discusses his return to stand-up comedy after a 17 year hiatus.
Along the way he reveals where all of the Millets shops have gone, discloses the key to reworking old material for a modern audience and offers a compelling argument for Britain losing a war - and soon.
Alexei considers travel to places both real and imaginary.
Along the way he reveals why BBC Radio 4 is a staple for Merchant seamen, how to get a cheap drink in the centre of Paris and the impulses he must fight when on holiday.
Alexei considers how one might live an ethical life, recounts the difficulties he faced when tracking down his lost cat and pays penance for a feud with another performer.
Alexei Sayle explores his impulse to pretend and love of sandwiches.
Along the way he reveals the little known origin of the prawn cocktail, debunks the myth that the Earl of Sandwich was the first person to put a bit of meat between two slices of bread and discusses the hidden depths of Taylor Swift.
Alexei explores his political beliefs system, looking back at his childhood in a communist household, his career as a drug-dealer and his physical attraction to Boris Johnson.
Alexei reveals the surprising reason he disappeared from our TV screens in the 1990's, recounts a chance meeting with Ed Miliband, discusses rampant nepotism in most coveted careers and draws a striking comparison between capitalism and all you can eat buffets.
Alexei explores the role of the entertainer. Along the way he explains why he will never go on Strictly Come Dancing, the reason Newsnight needs to be 11 hours long and questions why TV comedy panel shows help rehabilitate the careers of 'war criminals'.
Starring Alexei Sayle, Jake Yapp, Nicholas Parsons and Paul Merton
Return of the Saint star Ian Ogilvy tells the story of Lew Grade's ITC company, which revolutionised British television in the 1960s and 70s. From espionage on the Riviera to surrealist thrillers filmed in Wales, and talking to actors, historians, producers and composers, this is a joyous celebration of ITC's undoubtedly suave place in the history of pop culture.
Originally formed to produce upscale adventure, crime, espionage and sci-fi drama series for commercial British TV and syndication around the world – shot in luxurious 35mm film and moving to full colour years before BBC television - ITC produced an incredible catalogue of shows from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. They were stylishly produced, location driven, beautifully scored and often slightly surreal. Beginning in 1955 with the fantastically successful Adventures of Robin Hood (which employed Left-leaning American writers blacklisted by the McCarthy trials in the States), by the late 1950s ITC moved to modern Cold War espionage and crime drama, producing Danger Man two years before the James Bond film franchise was launched. Ian Fleming himself was an early consultant for the series.
Other action titles followed featuring gentleman adventurers and lone wolf agents from The Saint (Roger Moore) and The Baron (Steve Forrest) to Man in a Suitcase, Randal and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Champions, The Persuaders (Tony Curtis, Roger Moore) and finally Ian Ogilvy's Return of the Saint, produced in 1978 and filmed across Italy and the South of France. A jewel in the ITC crown was Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner (1967) - a strange, psychedelic and psychologically intense series still hotly debated by fans.
Lew Grade was also the champion of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's Supermarionation series of the 1960s – Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray and others – a huge success for ITC and beloved by generations of children. The Muppets followed a decade later, as Lew gave Jim Henson his first break after Sesame Street. As ITC shifted focus towards film and away from television, the company took a slightly stranger turn in the early 1970s with live action sci-fi – including UFO and Space 1999 - before commissioning the genuinely eerie titles of the late 70s which marked the end of ITC's great television era, distributing Sapphire and Steel (David McCallum and Joanna Lumley) and finally a partnership with Hammer Studios, the genuinely nasty Hammer House of Horror which substituted the Carpathian mountains for present day England.
The story of ITC is crucial to the story of television in Britain and the arrival of commercial TV as a challenge to the BBC's monopoly. While the BBC's Reithian mission focused on British audiences, Lew Grade understood the new medium as a truly international one, and through sales to foreign markets ITC could command huge budgets to be reinvested in high-production values, art direction and rich, cinematic scoring.
With contributions from Lew's nephew Lord Michael Grade, ITC actors Annette Andre and Jane Merrow, ITC composer John Cameron, conductor Gavin Sutherland, daughter of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson Dee Anderson, cultural historian Matthew Sweet, television writer and former Dr Who show-runner Steven Moffat, founder of Trunk Records and curator Jonny Trunk, BFI television historian Dick Fiddy and Jaz Wiseman, author of ITC Entertained the World.
Daniel sits in for Mary Anne Hobbs with tunes from Marie Davidson, Ossia & Bitstream. Plus there's an exclusive first spin of a Mor Elian remix of one of his own tracks 'Stereo L'.
PSSU - 307309 Aleksi Perälä - UK74R1825010 Andrea - Leaf Penelope Trappes - Connector (Aasthma Remix) Marie Davidson - Lara Isorinne - Ödemark [Northern Electronics] Lawrence English & Alessandro Cortini - Immediate Horizon 2 [LED] Berlinist - Mae Bitstream - Screens [Frustrated Funk] Daniel Avery - Stereo L Ossia - Dub Hell [Blackest Ever Black] Inga Mauer & Hellboi - B9
He's sold tens of millions of records - but his influence goes far beyond music. He's one of the most recognisable faces on Earth - but how much do you know the man behind the smile?
As the world celebrates 80 years of Bob Marley, Trevor Nelson sits down with Cedella and Skip Marley to hear their personal takes on the enduring legend of Reggae's first and greatest superstar.
Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae's first and greatest superstar.
In the final chapter of Eras: Bob Marley, Bob's incredible life comes to end. But his Legend is immortal.
Friends, fans and collaborators celebrate his legacy of activism, his potent spirituality and his undeniable musical accomplishments, which left the world so much richer than he found it.
A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley
Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae's first and greatest superstar.
In Episode 3 of Eras: Bob Marley, it's an election year - and Jamaica is rocked by political turmoil. Bob is living peacefully at his home in Kingston, but when violence comes to 56 Hope Road, his days in the city are numbered.
The next chapter of his story will cement his legacy as the King of Reggae - an icon whose impact goes far beyond music alone.
Featuring brand new interviews with friends, fans and collaborators, plus rare BBC archive.
A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley
Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae's first and greatest superstar.
In the second episode of Eras: Bob Marley, it's 1972, and The Wailers find themselves in London. When a strange twist of fate puts them in front of Island Records' Chris Blackwell, a new chapter begins for Bob, Peter and Bunny.
But under the pressure of life on the road, tensions grow between the old friends - and something has to give.
As the eyes of the world turn to Bob Marley, a golden age of Reggae begins.
Featuring brand new interviews with friends, fans and collaborators, plus rare BBC archive.
A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley
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