Saturday Live

The hypnotist and self-help author, Paul McKenna, has sold more than 10 million books worldwide. He describes his career, working with celebrity clients, and reveals his latest work on how to gain influence and charisma.Dr. Irving Finkel began collecting diaries as a hobby, before co-founding The Great Diary Project - a collection of more than 6,000 unpublished diaries. He explains the fascination and why he's on a mission to 'rescue' diaries.JP meets Bernie Clifton, star of Saturday night television in the 1970s and 1980s, to talk about the career, the ostrich and... The Voice.Sajeela Kershi was born in Pakistan but her parents moved to Germany and then to Britain. She ended up on stage as a comedian, drawing on her background, telling stories of disastrous attempts to sing the Pakistani national anthem and bringing pakoras to the harvest festival.Dr Mark Evans is the former RSPCA chief vet, an animal expert and natural history front man. He describes how he surgically removed the heart of a sperm whale and why he's been trying to track down yeti DNA in Nepal.And Patti Smith shares her Inheritance Tracks - Nightmare by Artie Shaw, and After the Goldrush by Neil Young.Instant Influence and Charisma, by Paul McKenna, is published by Bantam Press. The Great Diary Project is at the Bishopsgate Institute in London. The Voice is on BBC One tonight at 7.30pm. Sajeela Kershi will be performing The Immigrant Diaries at the Leicester Square Theatre, on 22 January and Shallow Halal on 23 January.

Actress and author Pauline McLynn talks about her varied career which includes Mrs Doyle in Father Ted and Nasty Nick Cotton's ex-wife in EastEnders. She also discusses being attracted to playing baddies and explains why she's knitting for chickens.Hollywood trainer Dalton Wong has worked with Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence and got Kit Harington into shape for Game of Thrones. Dalton talks about why he made a career out of fitness.Listener Teresa Verney-Brookes who used her redundancy money to become a Punch and Judy performer 'Professor Queen Bee'.JP Devlin meets former politician Lembit Opik who reflects on the impact of losing his seat as MP for Montgomeryshire and why he's determined to live life in the present and take opportunities.Natalie Imbruglia shares her Inheritance Tracks: Close to you by The Carpenters and Nick Cave: Into My Arms.Sportswriter Tony Evans talks about the significance of football as he was growing up in Liverpool, his time in the band 'The Farm,' and how he came to journalism late, leaving England for America after being in the crowds at Hillsborough.Cymbeline starring Pauline McLynn is at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London, until 21 April.The Feel Good Plan by Dalton Wong and Kate Faithfull-Williams is out on the 7th January.Natalie Imbruglia's latest album Male is out now.Two Tribes: Liverpool, Everton and a City on the Brink by Tony Evans is published in April.Producer Claire Bartleet Editor: Louise Corley.

Join Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein for a live Boxing Day Saturday Live.Russell Grant has been synonymous with astrology ever since he interpreted the stars on breakfast TV in the 1980s. But if you remember his flamboyant outfits and presenting style, it wasn't hard to see where his real love lay. In 2011 he joined the cast of Strictly and it catapulted him back into the world of theatre, a passion which had started some years earlier at drama school. He joins Aasmah and Suzy to talk about his glittering career and his new project, an astrology themed colouring book.Bay City Rollers leader singer Les McKeown takes time out of their revival tour to tell us about how different it is now from their 1970's heyday. We'll check out if he's still wearing tartan.Chinelo Bally's passion for sewing was fuelled when she appeared on the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee programme in 2014. Despite only being in sewing for a couple of years and never having used a pattern, she was encouraged to make her passion her profession. Four years on from starting sewing she's made it her business as a designer and seamstress. She'll join be talking about the Nigerian technique of free sewing, outfit embellishment and the joy of African prints.In February this year, Sean O'Brien was body-shamed after photos of him dancing were posted online. After his story went viral, an LA woman launched a global online search to find the person they dubbed "Dancing Man" in order to invite him to a big dance party in California. He joins Aasmah and Suzy to talk about his extraordinary year, and how he has used the attention to support anti bullying charities.We'll touch base with the Coxless Crew, a team of women who will be achieving a world first by rowing 8,446 miles unsupported across the Pacific Ocean in 2015, from America to Australia, and in the process aim to raise quarter of a million pounds for their two charities Walking With the Wounded and Breast Cancer Care.We've the inheritance tracks of Jon Culshaw. He chooses Memories performed by Elvis Presley and The Boy with the Thorn in his side by The Smiths.JP meets Ken Dodd to talk about Christmas's past and we have your thank yous.Russell Grant's Art of Astrology is out on December 31st Freehand Fashion by Chinelo Bally is out now A Christmas Shang-A-Lang: The Bay City Rollers Album is out now and their next gig is in Edinburgh on 27th December Ken Dodd is doing two shows in his home city of Liverpool at the Philharmonic Hall on December 28th and 29thProducer: Corinna Jones Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Game show regular and former MP Gyles Brandreth discusses the wonders and curiosities of the English language. Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins reveals how she overcame childhood shyness, how conducting music turned her adult life around, and where she hides smelly cheese.Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth shares his Inheritance Tracks and why he feels that Frank Sinatra followed his lead to New York, New York.Star Wars obsessive Jamie Stangroom searches for the iconic characters and actors that the current episode forgot - Greedo, Jar Jar, the man inside Jabba the Hut's tail. Where are they and can Jamie get them back into Star Wars? And which role did Michael Jackson want to play? We also hear from a professional Christmas tree decorator to the stars of football, music and film. He also does Bethlehem. And when Britain faced rationing after World War Two, Care parcels from America brightened up the lives and diets of many families. Decades later, we bring together a sender and a recipient.Word Play, by Gyles Brandreth, is published by Coronet Hardback books. Spectacles a memoir, by Sue Perkins, is published by Penguin Michael Joseph books.Producer: Paul Waters Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Michael Morpurgo joins Aasmah Mir and the Reverend Richard Coles. He describes how stories from his mother, and a decorated soldier from WWI, have inspired his latest novel; the importance of daydreaming and his reimagining of the Nativity. Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space in 1991. She recalls how that experience affected the rest of her life as we countdown the days to Tim Peake's launch. Tony talks about his experience of being homeless for nine months, before being helped by The Connection at St. Martins. We have tracked down last week's mystery muralist: Ron Brocklehurst tells us about his painting in listener Philip Farmer's house. The photographer Derek Ridgers on documenting British youth tribes - from punks to skinheads and new romantics. JP Devlin chats on the sofa with Steph and Dom from Gogglebox. And Hayley Mills shares her Inheritance Tracks. Blue Skies by Willie Nelson, and the theme from the soundtrack to the film Whistle Down the Wind.Horizon: Tim Peake Special: How to Be an Astronaut BBC Two, 8.00pm (Scotland, 10.00pm) on Sunday 13 December. Tuesday 15 December - Blast Off Live: a Stargazing Special, BBC One, from 10.30am-11.15am and Stargazing Live: Brit in Space, BBC Two, from 7.00pm with Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain talking to him live from the ISS. An Eagle in the Snow, by Michael Morpurgo, is published by Harper Collins Children's Books. The Dark Carnival - Portraits from the Endless Night by Derek Ridgers is published by Carpet Bombing Culture. Steph and Dom's Guide to Life, published by Coronet Books, is out now. Gogglebox is on Channel 4 on Fridays at 9pm. Hayley Mills is appearing as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Richmond Theatre.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Karen Dalziel.

It's listener week on Saturday Live with Reverend Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir.We've accepted Philip Farmer's invitation to come to his house in Wolverhampton. Philip, his wife Sarah and daughter Hannah discuss their city.BBC Formula 1 presenter Suzi Perry, recently nominated as one of the Wolverhampton's Famous Daughters, will be talking about her connection to the city, Wolverhampton Wanderers and working behind the scenes at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.Sharing their undiscovered claims to fame will be Bob Saunders the man who makes The Phantom of the Opera Masks. Roy Perry reveals himself as the man who mapped Guernsey and James Bond boat driver John Pleace talks about his experiences.Listener Rob Hawkins wanted to swap Inheritance Tracks for his Inheritance Snacks. He's chosen Spaghetti Carbonara and Liver, Bacon and Mushrooms on Toast.Gemma Cairney will be talking to local people including sculptor and medallist Ron Dutton. He's behind a 1999 £2 coin design, the plaque for Wolverhampton's Famous Sons and Daughters, and his portrait is about to be unveiled at City Art Gallery. Gwen Sanchirico discusses her journey from New York IT worker to Wolverhampton brewer. Sham Sharma explains how locals helped him rebuild his business after the 2011 riots and why he's now running a fusion café.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Richard Coles and Aasmar Mir are joined by Caroline Quentin. She became a national treasure as the long suffering Dorothy on Men Behaving Badly, followed by lead roles in Jonathan Creek, Blue Murder and Life of Riley. She has presented documentary series on Cornwall and India, and Restoration Home. More recently she's performed at Bristol Old Vic and in the West End. She joins us ahead of a new BBC one drama Dickensian in which she stars as Mrs Bumble, where an assortment of Dickens' characters meet in a seasonal tale.Now the colder weather has finally come it seems a good time to talk about wood, more precisely, firewood. Lars Mytting has created a best seller with his book Norwegian Wood which details the art of chopping, stacking, drying and burning this ancient source of heat. He joins us to share his technical know how and cultural folklore.Listener Alistair Kean wrote to us about his experience of almost becoming a cosmonaught. He tell us how he has no regrets...Caroline Taggart is a word obsessive who has produced 20 books on the origin and meaning of words. She joins us to talk about her latest which focuses on the evolution of words and the phenomenon of the portmanteau.Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta CBE tells us about his inheritance tracks. He chooses Ng la Banda's Echale Limon and Polo Montanez's Un Millon de Estrellas.We have your Thank you's and our reporter Anna Bailey meets Alan Ayckbourn.Dickensian, a drama in 20 parts for BBC1, begins over Christmas. Norwegian Wood by Lars Mytting is out now. New Words for Old by Caroline Taggart is out now. Carlos Acosta returns to the London Coliseum for a limited run from 8 - 13 December 2015, with A Classical Selection, presenting highlights from Carlos' career in celebration of his 26 years as a dancer on the international stage. Alan Ayckbourn has two plays touring the UK currently: Confusions and Hero's Welcome, until 5th March 2016.Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Griff Rhys Jones joins the Reverend Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir, to share tales about his long association with historic buildings, hosting quizzes in museums, his great Welsh adventures and dressing as a Dame. JP Devlin meets Paul Hendy and his family to find out about their passion for making bespoke pantomimes. Saturday Live listener Polly Wright describes finding a stash of letters between her grandmother and an Italian prisoner of war who worked on the family farm in Wales during WWII, and how she has used them to trace his family. Tracey Ford discusses the loss of her son, Andre, and the foundation she launched in his memory. The singer Beverley Knight talks about the influence of gospel and Memphis on her song writing, and her latest transition into Grizabella in CATS. And the Inheritance Tracks of Kellie Maloney. She chooses New York, New York by Frank Sinatra and Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed.Landmark - A History of Britain in 50 Buildings by Anna Keay and Caroline Stanford - Foreword by Griff Rhys Jones, is published by Frances Lincoln. CATS the musical is at The London Palladium. The Quizeum is on BBC Four on Mondays at 8.30pm. Frankly Kellie: Becoming a Woman in a Man's World is out now, published by Blink Produced by Louise Corley Edited by Karen Dalziel.

Anne Reid joins Aasmah Mir and the Reverend Richard Coles. After becoming a household name as Coronation Street's Valerie Barlow, Anne's varied career has seen her seducing Daniel Craig in The Mother, and playing Celia in Last Tango in Halifax. Now Anne talks about fulfilling another ambition, by singing in her one women show.JP Devlin meets listener Jayne Moore who set up Greensted Hedgehog Rescue in Norfolk.Listener Andrew Morris talks about his science discussion group, which aims to show science is for everyone.Ros Hubbard gives us a glimpse into the world of casting. Ros's first big success came with The Commitments and she has gone on to discover stars including Orlando Bloom.Wildlife film-maker Gordon Buchanan has come face to face with many of the planet's biggest predators. He shares his Inheritance Tracks: DIVORCE sung by Tammy Wynette and Tusk by Fleetwood Mac.Listener Ade Clewlow explains why he traced scientist Sandor Görög, who was hidden by his father in a monastery in Hungary to avoid being rounded up by the Nazis in 1944.Anne Reid will be appearing in Kings of Broadway at the Palace Theatre in London on 29th November.Producer Claire Bartleet Editor Karen Dalziel.

Crime writer Ian Rankin joined Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir.Saturday Live hosted a special auction, offering listeners the chance to bid for some amazing prize packages to raise money for BBC Children in Need. LINES ARE NOW CLOSED - PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR TRY TO BID.There was a Just a Minute VIP Experience, a Today Programme VIP Experience, a Saturday Live VIP Experience and The Infinite Monkey Cage VIP Experience.To tell us about what the lucky winners might experience, Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir were joined by Nicholas Parsons from Just a Minute, Mishal Husain from the Today programme and Robin Ince from The Infinite Monkey cage.They were also joined in the studio by Ian Rankin OBE, award-winning writer of crime fiction and the creator of the Scottish detective John Rebus who he has featured in 20 novels to date. His latest book is Even Dogs in the Wild.We also heard from the Ty Hafan centre near Cardiff, where young people shared their personal experiences of how they have benefitted from projects funded by BBC Children in Need and Jess Davies was in the studio discussing her role in the 450 mile Rickshaw Challenge which she completed in 2014, which raised 2.7 million in a week.Antiques Roadshow auctioneer, Will Farmer, kept us updated on the bids and JP was manning the phones.We heard the inheritance tracks of Leona Lewis. She chose The first time ever I saw your face performed by Roberta Flack and One Love by Bob Marley.