Sir David Jason turned 80 this year and spent lockdown writing his new book A Del of a Life: Lessons I’ve Learned which describes how, despite beginning his career as an electrician, he went on to play some of the UK's best-loved characters including Granville, Pa Larkin, Detective Inspector Jack Frost, Danger Mouse and, of course, Derek Trotter. He explains to Richard Coles and Nikki Bedi how he achieved the title of Britain’s 4th most hard working actor.
Journalist and television presenter Steph McGovern is currently hosting Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4, but before that she worked for the BBC as the main business presenter for BBC Breakfast. She describes herself as a hustler, persuading the BBC to take her on after doing work experience and becoming Robert Peston’s producer before moving in front of the camera.
Paul Stone (aka ‘My Dog Sighs’) gave up his teaching job to pursue his dream of being an artist. Rejected by every gallery he approached, he returned to his former career resigned to the fact that his dream would never become a reality. His desire to make art never left, and so inspired by graffiti artists (but not wanting to get in trouble with the law), he began secretly painting on discarded items of rubbish and leaving them for people to find.
Wendy Mason-Smith was 19 years old when her father decided to sell his newsagent in Hayle, Cornwall and hand build a catamaran to sail his family to Australia. Despite having very little sailing experience and being known for his terrible DIY skills, Wendy, her two younger siblings and parents, set off in the summer of 1976.
Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Eleanor Garland