Nigel Planer; Rowan McCabe; Bryony Kimmings; Emma-Jean Thackray; Studio Electrophonique

Loose Ends this week is full of people who aren't afraid to say or do difficult things in the name of entertainment. The actor Nigel Planer will forever be associated with the character Neil from The Young Ones, so much so that Nigel's Mum thought he was vegetarian because Neil was, though Nigel definitely isn't. At least, he says, she remembered his name. His autobiography - Young Once - reflects the fact that brilliant though Neil is, Nigel has done far, far more than that as a poet, author and performer. Life merges with art, or at least comedy in Bryony Kimmings' new show - Bog Witch - too. It's all about what happened when she moved to the country, had an eco-conversion and found out the difference between a frog and a toad. Rowan McCabe's written about being a doorstep poet, who knocks on the doors of perfect strangers and offers to write them a poem about the things that mean most to them. Find out how many ways that can go wrong. Plus music from Mercury Music Prize nominee Emma-Jean Thackray's album Weirdo and from Studio Electrophonique aka Sheffield singer songwriter James Leesley.

Hosted by Stuart Maconie Produced in Salford by Olive Clancy