Paul Merson was one of English football’s brightest stars in the 1990s. He was capped for England 21 times and scored 99 goals for Arsenal before transferring to Middlesborough for the then highest fee ever paid by a first division team. But throughout his career, Paul waged a very public battle with addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling, as depicted in his new memoir Hooked. He talks to Richard Coles and Nikki Bedi.
Jamie Laing grew up in Oxfordshire and Knightsbridge, attending prestigious public schools and moving in exclusive social circles. Despite never having had a “proper job”, Jamie has found fame in Made in Chelsea, made it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing, launched a successful confectionary brand and describes his journey in his new memoir I Can Explain.
Sue Tilley was once Lucian Freud’s favoured life model and his painting of her have broken auction house records - one sold for £35 million in 2015 and another belongs to Roman Abramovich after it was snapped up for a cool £17 million. But how did a long-time manager at a central London JobCentre light up the art world? And have the millions changed Sue’s perception of her own body and life?
The chance return of a box of family artefacts led listener Corinna Edwards-Colledge to trace the extraordinary history of her father Paul and uncle Roy. They were both involved the Surrealist art scene of the 50s and 60s, with her uncle living in Farley House with Roland Penrose and Lee Miller. She reveals how recovering their paintings and poetry has changed her understanding of them.
And we hear the Inheritance Tracks of comedian Tez Ilyas.
Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Richard Hooper