Saturday Live

Robert Peston joins Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran. Whilst keeping very busy as ITV News' Political Editor, Robert Peston has written his debut novel. He talks about the memories it triggered, career highlights and passions outside work.Listener Gerry Wright got in touch to talk about the significance of sailing for her family, and a particularly poignant bedside trip with her mother.Ben Aldridge used to suffer from severe anxiety until he used the ancient Greek philosophy of stoicism to get outside his comfort zone – challenges he set himself included running a marathon in his garden and climbing Everest on his stairs during lockdown. Noma Dumezweni shares her Inheritance Tracks: Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba and O-o-h Child by Five Stairsteps. Michael Spicer is best known as the cynical and world-weary political advisor character in ‘The Room Next Door’ sketches. Michael spent decades writing in his spare time whilst doing unfulfilling jobs to pay the bills, leading to a double life when he got internet fame.The Whistleblower by Robert Peston is out now. How To Control The Uncontrollable by Ben Aldridge is out now. Noma Dumezweni is in A Doll’s House, Part 2 which runs at London’s Donmar Warehouse until the 6 August. Michael Spicer's Edinburgh show The Room Next Door runs from the 19th to the 28th of August at Assembly George Square Studios - Studio One. Producer: Claire Bartleet

Nikki Bedi and Adil Ray are joined by Delia Smith CH CBE, first known for teaching cookery skills on TV and in her books in a no-nonsense style. 50 years worth of recipes later, she is now sharing her thoughts on spirituality. Liv Thorne wanted a baby, but she was single. Instead of hanging around waiting for Mr Right, she took things into her own hands and bought some sperm, having her son in 2018. Keen to reduce stigma surrounding such choices, she documented her experience and found that revisiting her past, in particular the loss of both her parents when she was a teen, helped her understand why she had struggled maintaining a relationship. She joins us.A passion for Grime has fuelled Roony “risky” Keefe’s career, first making documentaries about the subject and then music videos for Skepta amongst others, picking up praise from Drake on the way. He also works as a London cabbie, doing the infamous “knowledge” in less than the requisite 4 years. He joins us.We also have Ed Patrick - NHS doctor by day, comedian by night and author wherever he can find the time. He uses comedy to help find balance in his life as an anaesthetist. We have the Inheritance Tracks of actor James Buckley who chooses God Only Knows by the Beach Boys and Time For Heroes by The Libertines and your thank you.Producer: Corinna Jones

Eddie Hearn joins Nikki Bedi and Rev. Richard Coles. One of the biggest boxing promoters in the world, Eddie represents some of the biggest names in the sport, including Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor. He talks about what drives him to succeed and the biggest challenges he’s faced.This weekend is the Llangollen Eisteddfod, an international music and dance festival in North Wales, which has been running since 1949. In 1956, when she was 15, Myron Lloyd entered the Welsh singing competition in a traditional costume and had her photograph taken. She thought nothing of it, until a few years later, when she discovered she’d become famous all over Wales, and beyond.Hip Hop educator Breis grew up in London and Lagos. Music helped him readjust after moving countries. Rather than entering the corporate world after gaining a maths degree, Breis has continued to pursue his passions, creating music and publishing books, including Diary of a Creative Mind.Louis Theroux chooses his Inheritance Tracks: Janie Jones by The Clash and Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) by Al Green.Harpreet Chandi MBE, also known as ‘Polar Preet,’ talks about creating history by becoming the first woman of colour to complete an unsupported solo expedition to the South Pole.Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev are meeting for a second time for a boxing rematch at The O2 on Saturday 9 July 2022. Theroux the Keyhole by Louis Theroux is out now.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper

Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles meet Baroness Floella Benjamin - who became a household name in the mid 70s and 80s as the host of Playschool. She came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation from Trinidad and as well as TV presenting, she is a successful actor, writer and producer, a working peer and advocate for the welfare and education of Children, she is also a Dame and an OBE.We also have Aled Haydn Jones - the current head of radio 1 - who has spoken out about his rollercoaster journey to be a Dad, via a surrogate.Vashti Bunyan was an aspiring pop musician in the late 60s when she walked away from potential fame, and took a horse and cart to Scotland. Years later she searched online to realise she had a cult following. She joins us.Daniel Biddle was the most seriously injured survivor of the 7/7 terror attacks in London in 2015. He tells us of his journey since, physically back to the site of the attack, but also in developing opportunities for disabled people in the workplace.For her Inheritance Tracks, crime writer Karin Slaughter chooses You May be Right by Billy Joel and We Got the Beat by the Go-Gos, and we have your Thank you.Producer: Corinna Jones

Barbara Charone joins Nikki Bedi and Rev. Richard Coles. Barbara has been called the UK’s most powerful music PR and has launched the careers of artists including Madonna. She talks about growing up in Chicago, her role in the music industry and also finding time for football.Listener and writer Isabel Wolff got in touch to talk about the day her family saved Harold Wilson from drowning.Labi Siffre shares his Inheritance Tracks: Sail Away by Randy Newman and Il Canto sung by Luciano Pavarotti.Pope Lonergan is a stand-up comedian who spent ten years looking after the elderly. He talks about his experiences as a care worker and why he decided to bring his tour to care homes.Access All Areas by Barbara Charone is out now. Photo credit: Richard Young. I’ll Die After Bingo by Pope Lonergan is out now.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper

Gyles Brandreth joins Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles. The writer, broadcaster and former MP talks about his life, varied career and why he’s still trying to please his parents.Felicity Cloake shares her experiences of cycling around the UK sampling breakfasts.Actor James Nesbitt chooses his Inheritance Tracks: Stardust by Nat King Cole and Star of the County Down by Van Morrison and The Chieftains.Ronnie Archer-Morgan discovered a love of objects when he was a boy; his passions helped him when growing up and led to him becoming an expert on Antiques Roadshow.Odd Boy Out by Gyles Brandreth is out now.Red Sauce Brown Sauce by Felicity Cloake is out now.Would It Surprise You To Know...? by Ronnie Archer-Morgan with Janet Gleeson is out the 23rd June.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper

Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles are joined by actor Minnie Driver who talks about her life, career and the lesson’s she’s learnt from her life so far.We also have Pearl Lowe, the former singer, ex-party girl and recovered addict on her regrets and living in the moment. Actor, director and writer Denis Lawson is perhaps best known for his appearances in classic films such the original “Star Wars” trilogy, but he has years of experience in the West End as a musical theatre actor, winning an Olivier Award for his performance in “Mr Cinders”. He joins us.Listener Michael Pincher contacted Saturday Live about his brush with a whale bigger than his boat in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, and the eventual return of the log book from the life changing sailing trip he took 47 years before. Technology pioneer, businesswoman and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley chooses her Inheritance Tracks: Carl Davis, Last Train to Tomorrow and Bach Brandenburg concerto, Number 5. And your Thank you.Producer: Corinna Jones

Nikki Bedi and Adil Ray are joined by actor and comedian Ardal O'Hanlon. After finding fame playing dimwitted Father Dougal in Father Ted, Ardal went on to star in many more successful series including My Hero and Death in Paradise. Meanwhile he found time to write a critically acclaimed novel while continuing to tour his stand up comedy. Now he has written a new novel, Brouhaha, set in a small border town in Ireland.With the Jubilee weekend celebrations well underway, Shabnam Russo talks to Nikki and Adil about her creation for the pudding competition, a rose falooda cake, which made it through to the finals. Penny Harrison's husband was struggling to find a flight back home for the birth of his son Paul, until none other than the Queen offered him a lift on her private flight. He made it back in time, and many years later Paul had a chance to thank the Queen in person. Penny and Paul join us in the studio.And Mark Constantine tells us about his extraordinary journey from homelessness aged 16 to founding cosmetics company Lush.Actor Dame Sheila Hancock chooses her Inheritance Tracks - Dame Vera Lynn's White Cliffs of Dover and Nina Simone's Feeling Good - plus we have a thank you from one of our listeners.(Photo credit: Mark Nixon)Producer: Tim Bano

Nikki Bedi and Mobeen Azhar are joined by DJ Fat Tony, who first found fame in the 80s and has played for everyone from Prince and Madonna to Royalty. After 28 years of hedonism, Tony found himself homeless and dying from addiction but he’s now over 15 years sober, in demand as a DJ and working to help others. We also have Angela Hartnett MBE, the Michelin starred chef who's written cookbooks, judged on BBC’s Best Home Cook and a has passion for good, honest food with the best ingredients possible.Football manager and former player Carlo Ancelotti has navigated Real Madrid to the face Liverpool in the Champions League final tonight. So what’s his secret?Spring is in the air and so is birdsong. But how many of us know what we are listening to? We are joined by self taught birdsong expert Lucy “lapwing” Hodson who set up youtube tutorials in lockdown, she also makes props for Springwatch and knows something about Larks. She joins us. Opera singer Brindley Sherratt chooses his Inheritance Tracks: Beethoven: Fidelio, Mir ist so wunderbar and The Carpenters: We’ve Only Just Begun (photo credit Gerard Collett). And your Thank you.Producer: Corinna Jones

Tom Felton joins Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles. After acting in a local theatre group aged 6, Tom gained worldwide fame as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series and has recently made his West End stage debut.After surviving cancer and a stroke, listener Briony Maclean got in touch to talk about how she became a model, gaining a new lease of life and a confidence boost.Wynne Evans’ childhood was the focus of the film Save the Cinema, starring Tom Felton. He’s a professional opera singer with over 25 years’ experience but it was an advert that turned out to be life-changing.Shobna Gulati chooses her Inheritance Tracks: Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi and To Zion by Lauryn Hill.Broadcaster, screenwriter and author Tom Bradby talks about his life and career, the inspiration behind his fiction and his obsession with history.Tom Felton is currently in 2:22: A Ghost Story which runs at the criterion theatre until 4th September. He's also playing Guy Fawkes in The Gunpowder Plot which opens on the 20th May in Tower Vaults at the Tower of London. And the film Burrial will be released later this year. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice starring Shobna Gulati is touring the UK until the 16th July. Yesterday’s Spy by Tom Bradby is out now.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper