Danielle Steel is one of the world’s most popular and highly acclaimed authors, with over ninety international bestselling novels in print and more than 600 million copies of her novels sold. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; and Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved. 
 
To discover more about Danielle Steel and her books visit her website at www.daniellesteel.com 
 
You can also connect with Danielle on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial or on Twitter: @daniellesteel

Danielle Steel

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BBC Radio Comedy

A finely matured selection of episodes from the long-running topical Radio 4 panel show, chaired by Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig and Miles Jupp. 
 
These fourteen archive editions, all published for the first time, span the decades from 1978 to 2017 and recall the headline-grabbing issues, incidents and individuals of yesteryear. 
 
Joining regular panellists Alan Coren, Richard Ingrams, Francis Wheen, Jeremy Hardy and Andy Hamilton are a plethora of guest players including Clive James, Angela Rippon, Jeffrey Archer, Peter Cook, Clive Anderson, Ian Hislop, Kate Adie, John Sergeant, Jack Dee, Mark Steel, Phill Jupitus, Sarah Millican, Sarah Kendall, Lucy Porter and many more. A special Tribute to Alan Coren is included. 
 
Also making appearances on the panel are future News Quiz chairs Sandi Toskvig and Miles Jupp, and none other than the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - at that time editor of The Spectator - Boris Johnson. 
 
Hold the front page! 
 
22/07/1978 chaired by Barry Norman with Alan Coren, Peter Hillmore, Clive James, Angela Rippon 
 
28/06/1986 chaired by Barry Took with Alan Coren, Julian Critchley, Angela Gordon, Richard Ingrams 
 
28/03/1987 chaired by Barry Took with Jeffrey Archer, Alan Coren, Richard Ingrams, John Wells 
 
11/11/1989 chaired by Barry Took with Clive Anderson, Peter Cook, Richard Ingrams, Donald MacCormick 
 
30/06/1990 chaired by Barry Took with Kate Adie, Alan Coren, Ian Hislop, Richard Ingrams 
 
24/10/1992 chaired by Barry Took with Alan Coren, Nick Clarke, Bill Deedes, Richard Ingrams 
 
19/04/1997 chaired by Simon Hoggart with Alan Coren, Jeremy Hardy, Sandi Toksvig, Francis Wheen 
 
08/10/1999 chaired by Simon Hoggart with Jeremy Hardy, Boris Johnson, John Sergeant, Linda Smith 
 
26/10/2007 (Tribute to Alan Coren) with Sandi Toksvig, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy 
 
22/02/2008 chaired by Sandi Toksvig with Jack Dee, Fred MacAuley, Carrie Quinlan, Mark Steel 
 
29/10/2010 chaired by Sandi Toskvig with Jeremy Hardy, Phill Jupitus, Ava Vidal, Francis Wheen 
 
07/01/2011 chaired by Sandi Toksvig with Justin Edwards, Jeremy Hardy, Phill Jupitus, Miles Jupp 
 
07/09/2012 chaired by Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Fred McAulay, Sarah Millican 
 
22/09/2017 chaired by Miles Jupp with Daniel Finkelstein, Jeremy Hardy, Sarah Kendall, Lucy Porter 
 
Chaired by Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig, Miles Jupp 
 
Featuring Clive James, Angela Rippon, Alan Coren, Peter Hillmore, Richard Ingrams, Angela Gordon, Julian Critchley, John Wells, Jeffrey Archer, Peter Cook, Clive Anderson, Donald MacCormick, Ian Hislop, Kate Adie, Bill Deedes, Nick Clarke, Francis Wheen, Linda Smith, Jeremy Hardy, John Sergeant, Boris Johnson, Andy Hamilton, Jack Dee, Fred MacAuley, Mark Steel, Carrie Quinlan, Phill Jupitus, Justin Edwards, Ava Vidal, Sarah Millican, Daniel Finkelstein, Sarah Kendall, Lucy Porter 
 
Newsreaders: John Marsh, Brian Perkins, Bryan Martin, Charlotte Green, Peter Donaldson, Neal Sleat,Corrie Corfield, Zeb Soames 
 
Produced by John Lloyd, Danny Greenstone, Harry Thompson, Armando Iannuncci, Colin Walsh, Aled Evans, Lucy Armitage, Ed Morrish, Victoria Lloyd, Sam Bryant, Lyndsay Fenner, Joe Nunnery 
 
Written by John Langdon, Iain Pattinson, Robert Fraser Steele, Hugh Ryecroft, David Spicer, Dave Cohen, Tom Jamieson, George Poles, Simon Littlefield, Lucy Cox, Paul Carenza, James Sherwood, Steven Carling, Lucy Clarke, Rhodri Crooks, John Luke Roberts, John Hunter, Toby Wilson, Andy Walton, Gareth Gwynn, Kevin Caull, Tom Neenan, Madeleine Brettingham, Max Davis, James Kettle, Danielle Grufferty, Jenny Lavelle 
Episode selection by Michael Stevens 
Contains adult language and references that reflect the era in which it was first broadcast. 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The News Quiz: Through the Years

Vintage highlights from the topical Radio 4 comedy panel show

Marcus Brigstocke

Marcus Brigstocke persuades his reluctant guests to try new experiences: things that they've perhaps always meant to try but haven't had the time, the courage or possibly the inclination. 
 
Enjoy hearing some famous names embrace new challenges, such as Phill Jupitus drinking absinthe, Mark Steel constructing flat-pack furniture, Esther Rantzen finally joining Facebook, Kelly Holmes trying her first deep-fried Mars bar, Giles Coren having a go at being vegan, and Frank Skinner getting a spray tan. 
 
The curious guests include: Phill Jupitus, Paul Daniels, Mark Steel, Esther Rantzen, Suggs, Sandi Toksvig, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jon Culshaw, Jenni Eclair, Ardal O’Hanlon, Kate Adie, Ian Hislop, Frank Skinner, Alan Davies, Kathy Burke, Sarah Millican, Meera Syal, Dave Gorman, Benjamin Zephaniah, Rebecca Front, Reece Shearsmith and Kelly Holmes. 
 
Whether the experiences are banal or profound, the show is all about getting out of our comfort zones and embracing the new.

I’ve Never Seen Star Wars: The Complete Series 1-6

The BBC Radio 4 comedy show

Proving that yesterday's news is every bit as entertaining as today's, these 14 archive episodes of the long-running BBC Radio 4 panel show are chaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig. 
 
Spanning the years from 1979 to 2011, this latest selection of sharp and funny editions take in three governments, five Prime Ministers, several Royal Weddings, six US Presidents, and countless column inches of amusing cuttings sent in by listeners. 
 
Joining regular panellists Alan Coren, Richard Ingrams, Jeremy Hardy and Andy Hamilton are a newsworthy collection of guest players including Clive James, Gillian Reynolds, Claire Rayner, Sue Cook, Ian Hislop, John Wells, Roy Hattersley, Miles Kington, Barry Cryer, Peter Cook, David Aaronovitch, Francis Wheen, Tony Hawks, Linda Smith, John Sergeant, Nigella Lawson, Jeremy Vine, Hugo Rifkind, Paul Sinha, Miles Jupp, Milton Jones, Susan Calman and many more. 
 
Included among the programmes is a bonus-length seasonal News Quiz of the Year from 1979 and the debut appearance of much-loved panellist Linda Smith. The original transmission dates are 23/12/1979, 25/07/1981, 24/01/1987, 20/05/1989, 20/10/1990, 16/05/1992, 17/05/1997, 21/02/1998, 21/05/1999, 09/06/2000, 04/02/2005, 30/10/2009, 12/02/2010 and 08/10/2011. 
 
Cast and credits 
Chaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig 
 
Featuring David Aaronovitch, Tony Banks, Susan Calman, Bob Chesshyre, Peter Cook, Sue Cook, Alan Coren, Barry Cryer, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Roy Hattersley, Tony Hawks, Ian Hislop, Richard Ingrams, Clive James, Milton Jones, Miles Jupp, Miles Kington, Nigella Lawson, Bob Mills, Stan McMurtry, Claire Rayner, Gillian Reynolds, Hugo Rifkind, John Sergeant, Paul Sinha, Linda Smith, Will Smith, Jeremy Vine, John Wells, Francis Wheen, Martin Young 
 
Newsreaders: Carolyn Brown, Peter Donaldson, Eugene Fraser, Charlotte Green, John Marsh, Brian Perkins, Rory Morrison, David Simons, Catriona Young 
 
Produced by Lucy Armitage, Sam Bryant, Aled Evans, Danny Greenstone, Victoria Lloyd, Diane Messias, Jon Rolph, Colin Swash, Harry Thompson, Katie Tyrrell 
 
Written by Angela Barnes, Lucy Clarke, Dave Cohen, Rhodri Crooks, Miriam Ella, Gareth Gwynn, Tom Jamieson, Paul Kerensa, John Langdon, Simon Littlefield, Alan Nixon, Matthew Norton, Iain Pattinson, Benjamin Partridge, George Poles, John-Luke Roberts, Hugh Ryecroft, David Spicer, Robert Fraser Steele, Danielle Ward 
 
Episode selection by Michael Stevens 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The News Quiz: Another Classic Collection

Highlights from the topical Radio 4 comedy panel show

All 24 episodes of the flagship comedy show from 2022 
 
The radio precursor to Have I Got News for You, The News Quiz has been serving up sizzling satire and sardonic commentary since 1977. In these three series, Andy Zaltzman brings together some of Britain’s finest comedians, journalists and commentators to chew over the headlines of 2022. 
 
Starting with a ‘Best of 2021’ episode in which he raids the archive to remember events such as the Capitol riots, petrol panic-buying and goats on Zoom, he goes on to grill the panel on topics including Partygate, the war in Ukraine, the end of Covid restrictions in England, the Platinum Jubilee, Liz Truss’s brief tenure as PM, whether climate change is making people shrink – and why a brain in a petri dish is playing video games. There’s also a headline-book-newsfest broadcast live from the Hay Literature Festival, and a special edition of the show reflecting on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. 
 
Facing up to this barrage of news stories are Shaparak Khorsandi, Lucy Porter, Paul Sinha, Steve Punt, Angela Barnes, Simon Evans, Alice Fraser, Celya AB, Anuvab Pal, Nish Kumar, Hugo Rifkind, Anand Menon, Zoe Lyons and News Quiz debutant Ed Balls. 
 
Production credits 
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman 
With additional material by Celya AB, Simon Alcock, Ray Badran, Rebecca Bain, Davina Bentley, Catherine Brinkworth, Stephen Buchanan, Carl Carzana, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Ken Cheng, Max Davis, Tasha Dhanraj, Nathan D'Arcy Roberts, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Alice Fraser, Jade Gebbie, Rajiv Karia, Alex Kealy, Stephanie Kemp, Cameron Loxdale, Eleri Morgan, Benjamin Partridge, Sam Picone, Hannah Platt, Heidi Regan, Rhiannon Shaw, Mike Shephard, Sean Stoakes, Peter Tellouche, Zoë Tomalin 
 
Produced by Richard Morris, Gwyn Rhys Davies, James Robinson, Georgia Keating and Sam Holmes 
Executive producer: James Robinson and Pete Strauss 
Production Co-ordinators: Katie Baum, Caroline Barlow and Ryan Walker-Edwards 
Sound Editors: Marc Willcox 
 
Series 107 featuring: Ed Balls, Angela Barnes, Desiree Burch, Daliso Chaponda, Neil Delamere, Simon Evans, Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Finkelstein, Alice Fraser, Isabel Hardman, Ayesha Hazarika, Elis James, Shaparak Khorsandi, Olga Koch, Athena Kugblenu, Nish Kumar, Ola Labib, Zoe Lyons, Chris McCausland, Geoff Norcott, Katie Perrior, Lucy Porter, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Hugo Rifkind, Ahir Shah, Tim Shipman, Paul Sinha, Ian Smith, Mark Steel, Sindhu Vee, Jackie Weaver 
 
Series 108 featuring: Celya AB, Maisie Adam, Angela Barnes, Scott Bennett, Daliso Chaponda, Des Clarke, Michael Deacon, Diona Doherty, Simon Evans, Alice Fraser, Amy Gledhill, Andy Hamilton, Isabel Hardman, Ayesha Hazarika, Athena Kugblenu, Ria Lina, Chris McCausland, Anand Menon, Robin Morgan, Shaparak Khorsandi, Susie McCabe, Tudur Owen, Anuvab Pal, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind, Paul Sinha, Ian Smith, Mark Steel, Eleanor Tiernan, Felicity Ward 
 
Series 109 featuring: Celya AB, Stephen Bailey, Katy Balls, Simon Evans, Jessica Fostekew, Alice Fraser, Ayesha Hazarika, Athena Kugblenu, Ria Lina, Zoe Lyons, Esther Manito, Alex Massie, Susie McCabe, Anand Menon, Glenn Moore, Anuvab Pal, Lucy Porter, Steve Punt, Hugo Rifkind, Adam Rowe, Ian Smith, Sonia Sodha, Eleanor Tiernan 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 31 December 2021-4 March 2022 (Series 107), 22 April-10 June 2022 (Series 108), 16 September-21 October 2022 (Series 109) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The News Quiz 2022: The Complete Series 107, 108 and 109

The topical BBC Radio 4 panel show

Mark Steel

Radical comedian Mark Steel profiles sixteen historical figures who shaped their era 
 
Sony Award-winning satirist and stand-up comedian Mark Steel takes us through the life stories of some of his favourite historical characters in this acclaimed radio series, which ran for three series on BBC Radio 4 before transferring to TV in 2003. From Oliver Cromwell to Ludvig van Beethoven, Mark’s chosen personalities are all passionate, driven – and more than a little eccentric... 
 
Among the inspirational people he profiles are W. G. Grace, one of cricket’s greatest players and the first modern celebrity; Mary Shelley, a radical’s daughter who married a poet and invented science fiction; Che Guevara, who became a left-wing hero despite chronic asthma; and Aristotle, who deserves to be remembered for much more than a line in a Monty Python song. 
 
In addition, he delves into the lives of Renaissance genius (and absent-minded buffoon) Leonardo da Vinci; Carthaginian elephant-wrangler and scourge of the Romans, Hannibal; jazz singer Billie Holiday, whose trademark song ‘Strange Fruit’ was so inflammatory that Columbia refused to record it; and gravity-defining mathematician Isaac Newton, who was obsessed with alchemy and tried to turn lead into gold. 
 
Illustrated with idiosyncratic sketches featuring Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt, these informative, accessible and hugely entertaining lectures celebrate the remarkable men and women whose ideas and enthusiasm changed the world. 
 
 
Written and performed by Mark Steel 
With Melanie Hudson, Martin Hyder, Kim Wall, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt 
Produced by Phil Clarke (Series 1) and Lucy Armitage (Series 2 & 3) 
Executive producer: Paul Schlesinger 
 
Contents: 
 
Series 1 
Oliver Cromwell 
W. G. Grace 
Charlie Chaplin 
Thomas Paine 
 
Series 2 
Lord Byron 
Aristotle 
Leonardo da Vinci 
Che Guevara 
Billie Holiday 
Karl Marx 
 
Series 3 
Ludwig van Beethoven 
Hannibal 
Isaac Newton 
Mary Shelley 
Muhammad Ali 
Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-30 August 1999 (Series 1), 13 March – 17 April 2001 (Series 2), 18 September – 23 October 2002 (Series 3) 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Mark Steel Lectures

The BBC Radio Comedy Series

Mark Steel uses his unique logic to propose subversive solutions to society's problems 
 
What if the Royal Family was chosen by weekly lottery? 
Why should giving to charity be illegal? 
Could government economic policy be decided by sport? 
 
Award-winning writer and comedian Mark Steel aims to put the world to rights in these 15 episodes, as he comes up with radical proposals to improve our lives and sort out our social ills. 
 
From the economy to transport, housing, crime and our current age of pessimism, Mark’s got a brilliant idea that’s sure to fix the problem. Each show sees him using witty, persuasive arguments and short, sharp sketches to present his case, as he contends that having a job should be illegal, everyone should have to be gay for two years, and nobody should have to go to school until they’re 36. 
 
Whatever the issue, Mark’s got the answer – whether it’s dealing with immigration by deporting everyone born in England, or healing religious divisions by making everyone change their faith every Monday. Lend him your ears and he’ll convince you of anything, as he sets about proving that the ridiculous is really very sensible indeed – and that changing the world is easy, if you’re willing to listen to his advice... 
 
Written and performed by Mark Steel and Spitting Image writer Pete Sinclair, this funny, thought-provoking series also features Maria McErlane and Kim Wall. 
 
 
Written by Mark Steel and Pete Sinclair 
Starring Mark Steel, Pete Sinclair, Maria McErlane and Kim Wall 
Produced by Turan Ali (Series 1) and Phil Clarke (Series 2-4) 
 
Contents: 
 
Series 1 
The Family: ‘No-one should live in the same family for more than one year’ 
Judges: ‘Ex-convicts should be recruited as High Court judges’ 
The Economy: ‘Government economic policy should be decided by sport’ 
 
Series 2 
Unemployment: ‘Having a job should be illegal’ 
Transport: ‘Transport should only be paid for by people who don’t use it’ 
Housing: ‘Everyone in Britain should be re-housed at random’ 
The Royal Family: ‘The Royal Family should be chosen by weekly lottery’ 
 
Series 3 
Sexual Politics: ‘Everyone should have to be gay for two years’ 
Charity : ‘Anybody who gives to charity should be jailed’ 
Crime: ‘Criminals should decide their own punishment’ 
Immigration: ‘Anyone born in England should be deported’ 
 
Series 4 
Religion: ‘People should have to change their religion every Monday’ 
The Media: ‘Anyone in charge of the media should be sacked after thirty minutes’ 
Education: ‘Nobody should go to school until they are 36’ 
Pessimism: ‘Pessimists should be persecuted by law’ 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 5 from 16 Oct-13 Nov 1992 (Series 1), 15 July-5 Aug 1994 (Series 2), 4 Aug-25 Aug 1995 (Series 3), 16 Aug-6 Sept 1996 (Series 4) 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Mark Steel Solution

The complete Series 11 and 12 of Mark Steel's comedy travel show 
 
'Consistently the funniest programme on the radio' The Independent 
 
Mark Steel is back with two more series of his award-winning show, in which he explores nine weird and wonderful places around the UK and beyond. After thoroughly researching each town's history, people and idiosyncrasies, he goes on to write and perform a tailor-made evening of stand-up for the residents. 
 
Series 11 takes him to the former mining town of Blyth, Northumberland, where he finds a fascinating industrial legacy, a posh pub, and a very nice beach; Walthamstow, where he's joined by local MP Stella Creasey for a discussion about the controversial 'mini-Holland' cycling scheme; and Whitby; where he dodges the seagulls to present his findings on the Dracula origin story, chip shops and the resort's whaling history. 
 
In Series 12, Mark tours the contrarian city of Nottingham to learn about local legends Robin Hood and Frank the xylophone player; and travels to Tring's Natural History Museum to take in the exhibit of fleas dressed as Mexicans. He also sets out to the Isles of Scilly, Salisbury and Newport, and pops over to Paris, where he performs two versions of his show: one in English and one in French... 
 
With just the right blend of affection and rudeness, he celebrates the curious stories, quirky characters and regional eccentricities that make these areas unique. Whether you're a local or an out-of-towner, his hilarious observations will have you roaring with laughter. 
 
Written by and starring Mark Steel 
Additional material by Pete Sinclair 
Produced by Julia McKenzie and Carl Cooper 
Production co-ordinators: Beverly Tagg, Sarah Sharpe and Katie Baum 
Sound Manager: Jerry Peal 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 1-15 December 2021 (Series 11), 22 August-26 September 2022 (Series 12) 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mark Steel’s In Town: Series 11 & 12

A BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Stephen Cole

When the TARDIS lands on Orkney in the near future, the Doctor and Amy arrive to find a large demonstration in progress over the construction of new electricity pylons. The Doctor tries to break things up peacefully - but suddenly the road splits open without warning and swallows police, security guards and protestors alike. Separated from the Doctor, Amy takes charge of transporting the wounded to hospital - but the rescue mission becomes a terrifying ride as the pylons come to life and begin to walk and the road rears up, erupting with boiling tarmac... The Doctor, meanwhile, has even more than metal monsters and rebellious roads to deal with. Who is sucking the life out of the power company's employees - and just what is lurking inside the Astra-Gen headquarters? Written specially for audio by Stephen Cole and read by Arthur Darvill, who plays Rory in Doctor Who, The Ring of Steel features the Doctor as played by Matt Smith in the acclaimed hit series from BBC Television.

Doctor Who: The Ring Of Steel

Darren Jones

Hired assassin Doom is on a mission to save her own life before Death catches up with her. If she can find the Doctor they might be able to help her - but where in Time and Space are they? 
 
These four missions - The Steel Cascade, The Martian Dilemma, An Ood Halloween and Dark Space - take Doom to a Mediterranean cruise ship in 1966, the planet Mars in the distant past, San Francisco in 1999, and finally a desolate planet in a dying solar system. 
 
Along the way she meets former TARDIS travellers Ian and Barbara, the mighty Ice Warriors, and Brian the Ood. But when a mysterious stranger with silver hair and sunglasses turns up, will he be Doom's salvation? 
 
Written by Darren Jones and read by Sooz Kempner, Jaye Griffiths and Silas Carson, these four original stories form part of the multi-platform Doom's Day adventure to celebrate Doctor Who's 60th anniversary. 
 
? 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
Readings produced by Neil Gardner/Ladbroke Audio. 
Sound design by David Roocroft. Project editor: John Ainsworth. Doom's Day Project Manager: James Page. 
Executive producer for BBC Audio: Michael Stevens.

Doctor Who: Four from Doom's Day

Doom's Day Audio Original

Mark Steel’s award-winning comedy travel show is back, with extended episodes! 
 
Listen to two more series of Mark Steel’s award-winning show, in which he explores weird and wonderful towns around the UK and beyond. Mark writes and performs a tailor-made evening of stand-up for local residents, after thoroughly researching their history, people and idiosyncrasies. These towns have nothing in common other than their uniqueness. Listen to this joyful exploration of the UK and discover there’s a lot more to places than meets the eye! 
 
Mark’s destinations for Series 13 include Margate, Stoke-on-Trent, Malvern, East Grinstead, Nether Edge and Coleraine in Northern Ireland. He samples the local honey, visits the shops, cafes, a rum keg and the bowls club that once threw out Ronnie Wood for inappropriate behaviour. He listens for the ghost of Elgar, and discovers the magical places where T.S Eliot wrote a verse of The Wasteland, J.M.W Turner painted views of the Harbour, Tracy Emin spent her formative years and Pete Doherty has his name on a wall of fame for eating a "mega breakfast" in under 20 minutes… 
 
In Series 14 Mark pops into Oakham, Wrexham, Cambridge, Lewisham, Lerwick and Unst in Shetland. Joining Mark in Series 14 is Clare Balding, who’s also in town to take him on a ramble around Rutland. He finds himself in a village that's proudly twinned with Paris (even if the Parisians don’t know), finds Europe’s largest man-made lake (which required flooding a local village) and hangs horseshoes the other way round (so the devil falls out, obviously). He travels up the country to the farthest north where Viking heritage meets oil rigs and knitting patterns, where the winter fire festival Up Helly Aa lights up the darkness, and where the locals are masters of making their own fun. 
 
Written and performed by Mark Steel 
Additional material by Pete Sinclair 
Produced by Carl Cooper 
Production co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum 
Sound Manager: Jerry Peal 
 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24th Jun - 29th Jul 2024 (series 13) & 7th Oct - 10th Nov 2025 (series 14). 
 
©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mark Steel’s in Town: Series 13 & 14

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Series

Radical comedian Mark Steel takes a sideways look at some of the most tumultuous moments in history 
 
Mark Steel turns his analytical mind to the theme of revolutions in these six entertaining lectures, examining some of the major historical forces at work and holding up a mirror to our own age. 
 
In these entertaining lectures, he reinterprets the French Revolution, examining everything from the storming of the Bastille to the guillotine; looks at the politics of the sexual revolution (taking in the pill, the women’s movement and the Stonewall riots); and assesses the motivating factors and key players in the Russian Revolution – including the Romanovs, Rasputin and the Red Guard. 
 
He also explores how the Industrial Revolution transformed our perception of time, work and money; argues that the American Civil War was not just a rebellion but a full-blown revolution; and shows how Darwin’s revolutionary theory of natural selection was so shocking, he kept it quiet for 20 years for fear of a backlash... 
 
With readings by Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça and witty comic sketches, this amusing, informative series is packed with fantastic stories, extraordinary characters and fascinating historical facts. 
 
Written and presented by Mark Steel 
With Martin Hyder and Carla Mendonça 
Produced by Phil Clarke 
 
Contents: 
The French Revolution 
The Sexual Revolution 
The Russian Revolution 
The Industrial Revolution 
The American Civil War 
The Theory of Evolution 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 June – 4 August 1998 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Mark Steel Revolution

James Casey

25 episodes from the long-running BBC comedy series starring the legendary Les Dawson 
 
For over a decade between 1974 and 1985, lugubrious funnyman Les Dawson had radio audiences in stitches with his hit comedy show Listen to Les. 
 
Included in this collection are 25 vintage episodes, showcasing the gravel-voiced master of mirth at his very best. All your favourite characters are here, including gossip-loving housewives Cissie and Ada; chat show host Cosmo Smallpiece; the elegant Sophisticates and the hilariously dismal Desponds - as well as Wotan, Man of Steel; the debut appearance of comic discovery Justin Jest; and a rare interview with boxer Sugar Albert Ackroyd. 
 
You'll hear tales of 1920s gangsters, Britain's first space hero, and Leonard Shufflebottom: a man so thin, he was once used as a dipstick. Les also pays tribute to a feisty barber and a sheep-headed publican, presents his very own versions of Dallas and Columbo, reflects on the British sense of humour - and reveals how the mother-in-law joke was invented... 
 
Packed with deadpan one-liners, melancholic monologues, side-splitting sketches and unforgettable piano sing-alongs, these classic shows are sure to have your tear ducts prickling with laughter. 
 
NB: Some of the humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast 
 
Production credits 
Performed by Les Dawson 
With Roy Barraclough, Colin Edwynn, Daphne Oxenford and Eli Woods 
Written and produced by James Casey 
Music by Brian Fitzgerald 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 11 August 1974-17 March 1985 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Listen to Les

A BBC Radio 4 vintage comedy

Kevin Anderson

Jo Caulfield

She came, she saw, she criticised. Yes, this is the complete 4-part series where Jo Caulfield, 'the funniest female stand-up on Radio 4' presents her glorious mixture of bitchy friendliness, waspish likeability and foot-in-mouth populism - but always with charm. In the series, Jo is, as ever, failing to Shut Up about - love, marriage, dating, celebrity, newspapers, money, cats, sex, pubs, parties and quite possibly Scotland.  'A wit so sharp it could slice through steel' – Scotsman.  'One of the funniest woman on the airwaves' – Herald.

Jo Caulfield Won't Shut Up Series 1

Eoin McNamee

A collection of suspenseful dramas from award-winning Northern Irish writer Eoin McNameeEoin McNamee is the author of 19 novels, two trilogies for young adults and three thrillers written under the pseudonym John Creed, one of which won him the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award. He has also written several screenplays and TV scripts, as well as numerous plays for Radio 4. Included here are eight of his acclaimed thrillers, exploring hard-hitting issues such as human trafficking, racism and nationalism through compelling stories of murder, revenge and intrigue. Among the star casts are Adrian Dunbar, Niamh McGrady, Denise Gough, Frances Tomelty, Bronagh Gallagher, Amybeth McNulty, David Caves and Claire Dunne.The Haunted Road sees police camera operator Leslie Burden assisting in the hunt for a young Polish woman – but his interest in this missing persons case soon spirals into obsession. In the Imison Award-winning The Road Wife, a truck driver gives a lift to a female Asian hitchhiker, but gets more than he bargained for when his truck is stopped by immigration officers. Intends to Take Action, co-written by Jimmie Potter and Eoin McNamee, revolves around a Belfast man who is forced to uproot his family for their protection, following a police warning that he has been targeted by a paramilitary organisation. Belfast is also the setting for No Trampy Immigrants, a shocking tale of rioting and racist violence inspired by events which took place in the city in the summer of 2009.North of Riga is a contemporary fairytale of magic and myth set in a Northern Irish fishing port, where a lonely 13-year-old girl befriends a mysterious hairdresser whom the locals believe to be a Latvian witch. In The Comets, 11-year-old Kirstie goes missing shortly after her mother’s death – but what does a story about an old and fragile pair of wings have to do with her disappearance? The Lights centres on a retired policewoman diagnosed with MS, who finds herself in the midst of a migrant trafficking ring – and the gangmaster is someone a little too close to home. And in Swans, it’s a race against time to locate a young child being smuggled through Dublin airport. But is it an inside job?Cast and creditsWritten by Eoin McNameeContentsThe Haunted RoadThe Road WifeIntends to Take ActionNo Trampy ImmigrantsNorth of RigaThe CometsThe LightsSwans© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Haunted Road & more

Eight Full-Cast BBC Crime & Mystery Dramas

Sarah Daniels

Chloe has cerebral palsy and is certain she will lose her adored carer Rose, when Rose falls for an apparently perfect man. First broadcast in BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Drama slot. Starring Lesley Manville as Rose, Amy Golden as Chloe, Alex Tregear as Chloe's voice and Jelena Budimir as Alex. Written by Sarah Daniels. Director: Sally Avens.

But If You Try Sometimes

A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Ruth Rendell

Love and death are the principal players in these two BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations of chilling Ruth Rendell stories.   In 'The Bridesmaid', when Philip embarks on an affair with Senta, his sister's bridesmaid, she reminds him of the stone statue he adored as a child. Yet Senta is married, and Philip's overwhelming aversion to violence leads indirectly to murder and horror as he is drawn into erotic but murderous complicity. Starring Jamie Glover and Rachel Lewis.   In 'Going Wrong', natural born villain Guy Curran has youth, good looks and charm, but not the one thing he longs for: Leonora, the sophisticated girl he has loved since childhood. When Guy learns that she's about to get married, his growing obsession convinces him that if Leonora can't be his, nor can she be anyone else's - ever. Starring Peter Wingfield and Oona Beeson.

The Bridesmaid / Going Wrong

Stephen Baxter

David Troughton reads this gripping adventure by award-winning author Stephen Baxter, featuring the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. 
 
The Wheel. A ring of ice and steel turning around a moon of Saturn, and home to a mining colony supplying a resource-hungry Earth. 
It's a bad place to grow up. The colony has been plagued by problems. Maybe it's just gremlins, just bad luck. But the equipment failures and thefts of resources have been increasing, and there have been stories among the children of mysterious creatures glimpsed aboard the Wheel. Many of the younger workers refuse to go down the warren-like mines anymore. 
And then sixteen-year-old Phee Laws, surfing Saturn's rings, saves an enigmatic blue box from destruction. Aboard the Wheel, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe find a critical situation - and they are suspected by some as the source of the sabotage. They soon find themselves caught in a mystery that goes right back to the creation of the solar system. A mystery that could kill them all. 
 
? 2012, 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2012, 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
Text © Stephen Baxter 2012

Doctor Who: The Wheel of Ice

2nd Doctor Novel

Doug Lucie

Doug Lucie's satirical sequel to 'Hitched' revisits the bride and groom, Emma and Richard, two years after their big day. The honeymoon is well and truly over and wedded bliss hasn't turned out to be, well, blissful. With their relationship at crisis point, Emma returns from America with her young daughter to discover her life isn't the only one that has changed. But just what has happened between Emma and Richard, and why has she returned home without him? When Richard in turn flies back to the UK, the stage is set for another unforgettable family encounter. With sparks sure to fly at a family reunion no one wants to attend, Emma and Richard must finally decide what the future holds for their marriage. Will it be Hitched or Ditched? Starring Harry Lloyd and Lydia Leonard as Richard and Emma, with Stephen Moore, Frances Barber, David Schofield, Cheryl Campbell, Adrian Lukis, Brendan Patricks, Alison Pettit and Lynn Farleigh.

Ditched

Mark Michalowski

For Donna Noble, the Andromeda galaxy is a long, long way from home. But even two-and-a-half-million light years from Earth, danger lurks around every corner... A visit to an art gallery turns into a race across space to uncover the secret behind a shadowy organization. From the desert world of Karris to the interplanetary scrapyard of Junk, the Doctor and Donna discover that appearances can be deceptive, that enemies are lurking around every corner, and that the centuries-long peace between humans and machines may be about to come to an end. Because waiting in the wings to bring chaos to the galaxy is The Cult of Shining Darkness. Featuring the Doctor and Donna as played by David Tennant and Catherine Tate in the hit TV series from BBC Television, Shining Darkness is read by Debbie Chazen, who played Foof Van Hoff in the TV episode Voyage of the Damned.

Doctor Who: Shining Darkness

Amelia Bullmore

Clare is the golden middle sister in a family headed by a formidable matriarch, Luca. Clare meets and quickly marries Martin, who falls just as much in love with her fun, sparky family. But Martin makes a mistake and sets in train a series of events which brings the family to its knees. Starring Emma Cunniffe, Ben Miles, Anna Madeley, Eve Matheson, Paola Dionisotti, Nigel Pilkington, Baxter Willis, John Biggins, Piers Wehner and Melissa Advani. Written by Amelia Bullmore. Directed by Mary Peate.

The Middle

J B Priestley

Time and the Conways follows the fortunes of one family over a period of years, and offers a moving perspective on the abstract nature of the past, present and future. It is 1919, the War is over and the Conway family are celebrating their daughter Kay's 21st birthday. But her sudden premonition of their lives in 1937 casts a shadow over their dreams and expectations. This BBC Radio production features a distinguished cast including Marcia Warren, Stella Gonet, Belinda Sinclair, Amanda Redman and Toby Stephens.

Time And The Conways (Classic Radio Theatre)

Jane Austen

In this BBC radio full-cast dramatisation of one of Jane Austen's most beloved works, Mrs Bennet is determined to see her five daughters married off and secure a future for them all. 
 
When the wealthy Mr Bingley arrives in the neighbourhood, Mrs Bennet wastes no time in making his acquaintance. His friend Mr Darcy, however, discourages Mr Bingley from marrying Jane Bennet, and also appears to snub her sister Elizabeth. 
 
When Elizabeth hears that Mr Darcy himself is of poor character, her innate prejudice of him is reinforced, and she roundly refuses his unexpected proposal of marriage. But then, when she discovers that she was misinformed, Elizabeth wonders if she can ever hope to see Mr Darcy again.... 
 
Published over 200 years ago, Pride and Prejudice remains one of the British nation's favourite novels. Among the star cast in this radio production are Amanda Root, Pippa Nixon, Samantha Spiro and David Troughton. 
 
This title is part of the BBC's Jane Austen collection. 
 
© 2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Pride and Prejudice

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Clara Glynn

A BBC Radio 4 drama in which a Children's Hearing has to decide if Nicole (13) and Scott (4) should be taken into care or be allowed to return to live with their mother. But is she fit to look after them now? 'Care' was originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 8 March 2011.   Michelle has been in drug rehab for the last few months, Dad has disappeared and the kids have been under a supervision order. But now Michelle is coming out of rehab, clean and determined to make a fresh start. The three members of the Children's Hearing panel have to decide what is best for the children.  The panel - all trained volunteers - hear reports from experts and from the family, and face difficult choices as their perception of what should happen to the children is constantly challenged. Would you know what is best for the children?   Starring Iain Agnew as Edward (the chairman), Carol Ann Crawford as Fiona Henson, Kim Gerard as Mary Branwich, Natasha Watson as Nicole, Lisa Nicoll as Michelle, Anne Downie as the Gran, Colin McCredie as Charlie Fleming and John Kielty as Mr McEwan.

Care

Ali Taylor

A pacy BBC Radio 4 comedy drama by Ali Taylor, lifting the lid on the ethics of publishing war-torn misery memoirs. Emma discovers a brilliant new talent in the unsolicited pile... Originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 20 May 2010.  When a heartbreaking memoir about life in war-torn Kabul lands on her desk, Emma thinks she's discovered a new literary sensation. Her colleagues, though, are deeply sceptical. ‘Cinders’ is a new comedy about drawing the line.  Emma is played by Claudie Blakley (‘Lark Rise to Candleford’, ‘Pride and Prejudice’). Also starring in the cast are Michael Shelford, Vineeta Rishi, Lizzy Watts, Sam Dale, Alison Pettitt, Imran Khan and David Seddon. Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

Cinders

Stephanie Dale

A BBC Radio 4 drama by Stephanie Dale, originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 10 January 2011.  When art teacher Rachel, walking home festooned with end-of-term gifts from her pupils, bumps into Tyrone on his first day in London it is the beginning of a passionate love affair. Soon it makes sense for Tyrone, now working as a chef in a local up-market cafe, to move into Rachel's flat. But it's not long before there are tiny bits of grit starting to despoil the love oyster. As things get more serious, issues of control, jealousy, trust and violence rise to the surface in this thriller exploring a lesser-known side of domestic abuse.  'Believe Me' stars Naomi Frederick as Rachel and Alex Lanipekun as Tyrone. Also included in the cast are Leah Brotherhead, Sally Orrock, Lloyd Thomas and Sean Baker. Directed by David Hunter.

Believe Me

Jeremy Front

Series 3 of the much-loved BBC Radio comedy, starring Jeremy and Rebecca Front. 
 
Jack & Millie is the brainchild of Jeremy Front who, with his sister Rebecca Front had been improvising these two characters for years - and now they’ve been brought to life in a new show... 
 
The third series of this new comedy show is written by Jeremy Front (writer of the Charles Paris mysteries for BBC Radio 4) and stars Jeremy Front and Rebecca Front as Jack & Millie Lemman - an older couple who are fully engaged with contemporary life whilst being at war with the absurdities of the modern world... 
 
The show also features Millie’s frenemy Shirley - played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, Jack’s all-too-easygoing friend Harry (Nigel Lindsay), their high-pressure son Melvin (Tim Downie) and their high-maintenance (and Catholic) (and French) daughter-in-law Delphine (Jenny Bede). 
 
The show comes from Pozzitive, proud producers of Cabin Pressure, Thanks A Lot, Milton Jones!, Agendum, Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation, The Brig Society, The Castle, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, Shush! & Kevin Eldon Will See You Now... 
 
 
Jeremy Front, Rebecca Front, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nigel Lindsay, Tim Downie, Jenny Bede and Debbie Chazen star in the first episode of the new series – “Out of Town” - Jack & Millie decide to improve Mel’s mental health by taking him to the wilds of Chigwell for the weekend, but a rogue mosquito net, and an unwanted rendition of Fiddler On The Roof don’t seem to be helping... 
 
In Episode 2, entitled “Matters of Life & Death” and starring Jeremy Front, Rebecca Front, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nigel Lindsay, Tim Downie, Jenny Bede, Bhasker Patel, Tony Way and Katy Wix, Millie deliberately makes Jack ask Harry something serious while Shirley accidentally makes Millie watch Harvey wearing a Virtual Reality suit… 
 
Show 3, and Jeremy Front, Rebecca Front, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nigel Lindsay, Tim Downie, Jenny Bede, and Joseph May star in “The Moth Whisperer” - Jack and Millie have an encounter with an unexpected bean-to-cup coffee grinder, whilst Harry has an encounter with an unexpected son 
 
Episode 4 stars Jeremy Front, Rebecca Front, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nigel Lindsay, Tim Downie, Jenny Bede, Joseph May and Imogen Front in “Sunrise, Sunset”. Whilst Mel & Del’s daughter Scarlette is arrested for locking on to a TV celebrity, a combination of fake superfood and mispronounced turmeric lead to a wellness disaster 
 
©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jack & Millie: Series 3

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy

DJ Britton

As Chief Executive of her local council, Robyn has just days to stop recycling being wiped from her ambitious environmental plans. But the credit crunch continues to put pressure on other priorities. Meanwhile, her daughter Afrah provides a safe house for a fiercely committed environmentalist from Eastern Europe.  Written by D. J. Britton and starring Lesley Sharp, Anamaria Marinca, Lizzy Watts, Sam Dale, Ben Askew, Stephen Hogan and Philip Fox. Produced by Pam Marshall.

Welcome To The Wasteland

Peter Jukes

A BBC Radio 4 drama looking at the impact on a divorcing couple of recent changes to British prenuptial law. Originally broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 21 January 2011.  Two academics, British Paul (Sam Dale) and American Amy (Sally Orrock), have married in the US with a prenuptial agreement. They did so because Paul's previous marriage ended in a messy divorce, making him wary of future commitment.  Paul loves Amy and was relieved to hear that, like him, she doesn't want children. Access issues round his daughter, Iona, have greatly complicated his life in recent years; and because the loss of his house has been traumatic, Amy also generously suggested a 'prenup' to allay his fears of losing more of his property and pension.  But now things have gone wrong and Amy has filed for divorce. She has done so in Britain, believing that the agreement they signed before marriage will not take effect. However, the law is about to change...  Starring Sam Dale as Paul and Sally Orrock as Amy, Peter Jukes' 'Prenup' also features Christine Kavanagh, Claire Harry, Adeel Akhtar and Deeivya Meir.

Prenup

Charles Dickens

The youngest child of debtor William Dorrit, Amy is born in Marshalsea prison. She and her father are befriended by Arthur Clennam, whose mother employs 'little Dorrit' as a seamstress. The fortunes of the Dorrits undergo an extreme change when Williams inherits a fortune, and the family move to Italy. Back in England, Arthur Clennam finds himself the victim of a massive fraud and ends up in Marshalsea. There he is found by Little Dorrit, whose fortune has had no effect on her generosity and humility. Arthur realises that she loves him, but it is not until the Dorrit fortune is lost that the two of them can be united at last. Peopled with Dickens' usual host of memorable characters, this mix of satire and genuine sentiment has made this one of his best-loved works. Hailed by George Bernard Shaw as Dickens's 'masterpiece among masterpieces' for its social indictment and sense of humanity, Little Dorrit is both an examination of Victorian England and a surprising love story. This thrilling adaptation recreates the author's mid-19th Century London, in particular the East London area of Marshalsea. Drawing upon his own father's imprisonment in Marshalsea Debtors' Prison, Dickens placed the institution firmly in the heart of the novel when telling the story of Amy Dorrit.

Little Dorrit

Bob Larbey

Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star as old flames Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle. Their love story was all set for a happy ending in the 1950s when Jean was a student nurse and Lionel, a young army officer. But he was posted abroad and they lost touch. Thirty-eight years later, Lionel has returned to London to publish his autobiography and, through a strange coincidence, he is reunited with Jean who has set up a secretarial agency. Specially adapted in six episodes for BBC Radio 2, this hugely popular BBC1 bittersweet comedy about the reunited lovers asks the burning question: 'Can the flame of passion still flicker in middle age?'

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