Saturday Live

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

Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles are joined by comedian Geoff Norcott who has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Mash Report, Mock the Week and Question Time, had sell-out Edinburgh runs and two national tours. He is also a rare breed in comedy – a “right wing comedian”. We also have singer and actor Marisha Wallace who is a Broadway and West End sensation. Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, Marisha has done it all, from tap dancing at the Tonys to nannying for Philip Seymour Hoffman to performing at the Queen at the Royal Variety Show.Hilary Wynter was a child when, in 1972, she was involved in a terrible accident at the Big dipper in Battersea park where five children died, she tells us of her memories.Shay Doyle worked as an undercover police officer, tackling some of the criminals he grew up with in Manchester, he joins us.Columnist and broadcaster Grace Dent chooses her Inheritance Tracks: Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood's Jackson, and Human League, Being Boiled.Producer: Corinna Jones

Kate Nash joins Richard Coles and Nikki Bedi. The singer and actress talks about why going back on tour is so important, the steps taken to achieve longevity in the music industry, the 15th anniversary of her debut album Made of Bricks and life in LA.Anna Kilpatrick's life changed dramatically after her husband had a stroke age 38. She's now an advocate for making the best of what you have, and living well with less.Matt Whyman has trouble saying no. When asked to be an agony uncle, he said yes, despite having no experience whatsoever. Matt’s stint as Bliss Magazine’s Love Doctor lasted 18 years. His inability to say no also led to his garden being destroyed by pet pigs and his time consumed with the desire to run ultramarathons.Dan Gillespie Sells shares his Inheritance Tracks: City of Dreams by Talking Heads and Together Again by Janet Jackson.Emma Kennedy is a best-selling author and TV writer, actor and presenter. Following the death of her mother, Emma found letters that her mother Brenda had written to her. They helped Emma understand her mother better – someone she had always had a complicated relationship with.Kate Nash's UK tour starts on May 23rd in Brighton and then continues at various venues until the 1st June, in Birmingham. More details at katenash.com Failure is an Option by Matt Whyman is out now. The Feelings’ new album, Love. Hope. Loss is released on 6th May. They are touring the UK in October this year. Letters From Brenda by Emma Kennedy is published on the 12th May.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper

Sara Davies MBE joins Richard Coles and Nikki Bedi. The Dragons' Den investor started her multi-million pound business as a student and topped the leaderboard during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. Sara talks about her path to success and passion for crafting.Five years ago Jonny Cotsen decided to explore his deaf identity, after a life of adapting to be part of the hearing world. A qualified graphic designer and teacher, Jonny also changed careers to pursue his childhood ambition of performing.Catherine Carr and her siblings were separated as children. Now, with relationships repaired and large bodies of water having passed under the bridge, Catherine is still fascinated by sibling relationships of all shapes and sizes. Gary Wilmot shares his Inheritance Tracks: Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin and Summer Breeze performed by The Isley Brothers.Tayshan Hayden-Smith was nicknamed 'the English Neymar' as a talented teenage footballer. But becoming a dad at 17, losing his mum in his early 20s and the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire have all played a part in him taking a completely different path. Now, at the age of 24, he is a garden designer and soon to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show.We Can All Make It by Sara Davies is out now. Jonny Cotsen's film Born Deaf Raised Hearing is on BBC One on May 6th at 7.30pm (8pm in Wales), and then available via the BBC iPlayer. Catherine Carr's Relatively Podcast is available now. Gary Wilmot is in Wicked which is booking until 27 November 2022 at the Victoria Apollo Theatre in London. Tayshan Hayden-Smith is making his debut at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, with Grow2Know.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Richard Hooper

Will Young joins Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles. The singer, writer and podcaster shot to fame 20 years ago after winning the first series of Pop Idol. Seven albums, four Number One’s, 10 million record sales and two Brit Awards later, he is now a leading voice in mental health awareness, particularly in the LGBTQ community. Steve Thompson MBE is a 2003 World Cup winner and has been England’s most capped hooker in the sport of rugby union. He was recently diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Harriet Atkinson received an email out of the blue from a stranger, Bridget Mckenzie, to say that she owned a photograph album that she thought belonged to Harriet’s family. Jess Gillam shares her Inheritance Tracks: Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys and Stars by Nina Simone Live at Montreux 1976. Paul Hunter is a life-long Aston Villa fan. Back in 1982, Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich to win the European Cup. Around the same time, 16 year old Paul was told he wouldn’t amount to anything by one of his teachers. It’s the tale of two underdogs triumphing. Will’s book Be Yourself and Happier – The A-Z of Wellbeing – is published by Ebury Spotlight. His album of Greatest Hits is out in May and a UK tour in the autumn.  Steve’s book, Unforgettable: Rugby, dementia and the fight of my life is published by Blink Publishing. Would You Bet Against Us? – written and performed by Paul and Told By An Idiot theatre company is at The Birmingham Rep from 19th May until 4th June 2022.Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Alice Feinstein

Paul Sinha joins Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens. The former doctor turned stand-up comedian is also a star quizzer on The Chase. He talks about his life, career and recent Parkinson’s diagnosis.Listener Cheryl Underhill got in touch to tell us about discovering a box of her parents’ wartime love letters soon after her mother died in 2013, and why it took her seven years to look at them.Hannah Bourne-Taylor let a bronze-winged mannikin finch nest in her hair for 84 days. The process of caring for the rescued baby bird also helped Hannah's mental health.Milton Jones shares his Inheritance Tracks: London Calling by The Clash and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2.Carrie Hope Fletcher is a Grammy nominated singer, actress, author and vlogger. After discovering a love of theatre age 3, she made her professional debut age 5 and is currently starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella.Paul Sinha’s Perfect Pub Quiz starts at 18:30 on Thursday 21 April on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.The Box of Beautiful Letters by Cheryl Underhill is out now.Fledgling by Hannah Bourne-Taylor is out now.Milton Jones' Milton Impossible tour travels around the UK from 17th May. Photo Credit: Aemen Sukkar@JiksawWith This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher is out now. Carrie is also currently starring in Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London.Producer: Tim Bano Editor: Richard Hooper

Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles are joined by Al Murray, best known as The Pub Landlord, he’s also a history buff with a super successful World War II podcast, and he plays the drums. Alexandra Heminsley found life shifted following a difficult pregnancy, sexual assault and her partner telling her she was going to transition. She joins us.We also have Saturday Live listener, Doris Remnant, who was seven years old when her family were forced to flee Cairo in 1957 during the Suez conflict. They arrived in France as refugees, with little belongings, to start a new life. Justin Webb is the longest serving presenter of the Today programme. In his almost 4 decades of journalism he has worked as Europe correspondent, war correspondent and chief correspondent in Washington DC. He reveals his complicated and unconventional childhood. Patrick Gale chooses his Inheritance Tracks: Kathleen Ferrier singing The Keel Row & Mendelssohn piano trio in C minor. and your thank you!Producer Corinna Jones