Saturday Live

With Aasmah Mir and the Rev Richard ColesActor and writer David Mitchell talks about playing William Shakespeare in new series Upstart Crow, his comedy partnership with Robert Webb, and being unable to read people, despite getting a lot of practice as team Captain on Would I Lie to You.As the football season comes to an end, listener Angela Hallam talks about the craft of making football mascots, and her experiences of wearing the costume.Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour reflects on his career, which included signing for Fulham aged 9 and cleaning boots as an apprentice.Njambi McGrath is a comedian and antenatal teacher. She talks about finding her voice as a performer, growing up in Kenya and the difficult relationship with her father - which she talks about in her latest show.Amanda Holden shares her inheritance Track: Meat Loaf's Dead Ringer for Love and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5.Chester Town Crier David Mitchell talks about spending over two decades in the role, and explains why he's chosen an 18th century outfit.Upstart Crow staring David Mitchell continues on Monday on BBC 2 at 10pm, except in Northern Ireland where it's on at 11.35pm. Ray Parlour's autobiography The Romford Pele is out now Amanda Holden can be seen on Britain's Got Talent at 8pm on ITV.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir are joined by Mark Haddon.Best known for writing multi prize winning novel The Curious Incident of the dog in the Nighttime, author and illustrator Mark Haddon will discuss his first book of short stories and getting writers block.Since 2009 a third of our public libraries have closed. Poet and model Greta Bellamacina joins us to talk about a film she's made in support of The Library.Listener Sanjeen Payne-Kumar contacted us about an extraordinary meeting he had with Mother Teresa. We thought we'd better get him on the programme to tell us more, and it turns out it's not the only interesting story he has...Sophie Scott is a neuroscientist who has a particular interest in laughter. No surprise, then that she also does Stand up comedy. She'll be in the studio with Aasmah and Richard.We'll hear the inheritance tracks Katherine Jenkins who chooses We are Family by Sister Sledge and Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra.JP meets Peter Pullon, model maker to the stars and we have your Thank You.Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Karen DalzielMark Haddon's book of short stories, The Pier Falls is out on 5th May The Safe House: A Decline of Ideas has its premiere at The Gate cinema in Notting Hill on May 23 and will appear at a selection of independent cinemas. Katherine Jenkins' new album Celebration is out now and her UK tour continues on June 10th in Poole.

With Aasmah Mir and the Rev Richard Coles Lenny Henry talks about his new album of Blues music and his hugely successful career in show business. Following the news that he will receive a special BAFTA award at this year's ceremony, Lenny discusses how his career has moved from TV comedian to Shakespearean actor and scriptwriter. Lenny is also one of the founders of the charity Comic Relief which has raised over a billion pounds since it started.Soprano Pumeza Matshikiza was brought up in the townships of South Africa and made the giant leap into a professional operatic career and a major label recording contract. Pumeza first heard opera on the radio aged 14 and despite being unable to read music she dedicated herself to studying the art form.Jack Cooke tells us why he gave up his office job for a life climbing trees. Jack has climbed over 80 trees for his new book and reveals the unusual things he's found up trees and some of the more surreal arboreal adventures he's had.Ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater shares her Inheritance Tracks: Le Premier Bonheur du Jour by Francoise Hardy and Gulf Coast Highway by Emmylou Harris & Willie Nelson.Ana Matronic from the Scissor Sisters talks to reporter Anna Bailey about her love of robots. And former hang gliding world champion Ron Freeman explains how he was first inspired to take up the sport after watching Peter Pan. Producer: Steven Williams Editor: Karen Dalziel.

With Aasmah Mir and the Rev Richard ColesJames Nesbitt talks about going back to his childhood home to play Colin Howell in real life drama The Secret, the return of Cold Feet and his Shakespearean roles.Edward Wilson-Lee has just published the book Shakespeare in Swahililand, he talks about growing up in Kenya and the bard's legacy in parts of Africa.Composer and musician William Lyons will be bringing Shakespearean music to life- bringing the shawm, bass dulcian, recorder and renaissance flute and bagpipes to play live in the studio.Listener Paul Kynaston is Assistant Head Teacher at Malvern Primary School in Liverpool. He invited JP Devlin to meet the schoolchildren in the drama club to hear what they think about Shakespeare.And offering a distinctive celebration of Shakespeare from Stratford-upon-Avon, JP Devlin will be hearing listener stories about their Shakespearean triumphs and tragedies, and talking to a Codpiece expert Victoria Bartels. She'll be explaining why this particular pouch was de rigueur in the 15th and 16th centuries and why it went out of fashion. Actor Kingsley Glover takes centre stage to be our codpiece model.BBC 6 Music breakfast presenter Shaun Keaveny shares his Inheritance Tracks: The Isley Brothers, This Old Heart of Mine and Purple Rain by Prince.The Secret staring James Nesbitt begins on April 29 on ITV at 9pm. Shakespeare in Swahililand is out now.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles talk to the actress Michelle Collins about her love of markets and clothes, her singing and acting career from EastEnders to Coronation Street, and her latest role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Wayne Hemingway shares his passion for classic cars, boot sales and his vast collection of vintage vinyl.The 'natural navigator' Tristan Gooley, explains how to read water - drawing on his own pioneering journeys to reveal the clues, signs and patterns in ponds, puddles, oceans and even in the bath. And Tom Gregory remembers swimming the Channel at the age of 11.JP Devlin meets Pat Stewart aka "The Girl in the Spotty Dress" to hear about the iconic 1950s photograph taken of her and friend Wendy Clarke on Blackpool Promendade, her association with Laurel and Hardy and the significance of song her husband left her.And the film director, Peter Greenaway, shares his Inheritance Tracks: An Elephant Never Forgets, performed by Henry Hall and the BBC Dance Band, and Concerto in A minor for Bassoon, composed by Antonio Vivaldi and performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Neville Marriner.Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently playing at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend and is then on tour around the country. How to Read Water, by Tristan Gooley is out now. The Classic Car Boot Sale is at Lewis Cubitt Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4UZ, today and tomorrow, 16 / 17 April. Peter Greenaway's latest film 'Eisenstein in Guanajuato' is in cinemas now.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Beverley Purcell.

Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir are joined by DJ and writer Stuart Maconie.Stuart's new paperback 'The Pie at Night', is an exploration of "what the North does for fun" and a defence of northerners who make the effort to get dressed up for a glam night out. Stuart reveals the little-known corners of northern towns and countryside where old or quirky customs still live on.Saba Douglas-Hamilton met her first wild elephant at the age of six weeks. She's now a conservationist and raising her own children amidst wild elephants in Kenya. She's also a wildlife documentary maker and presenter of 'This Wild Life' and 'Big Cat Diaries'. She talks about waking up with a bull elephant looming over her and coping with a spitting cobra in the bathroom.Radzi Chinyanganya is the classic adrenalin-fulled 'Blue Peter' presenter and has competed in karate and skeleton bob. But perhaps his most dangerous stunt was running on custard. (Listen to find out why.) In a change from the usual content, Radzi has made a special programme called 'The Walk That Changed The World', in which he retraces the route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march led by his hero Martin Luther King Jr.Bestselling thriller writer Frederick Forsyth shares his Inheritance Tracks. He inherits 'Ol' Man River' sung by Paul Robeson and passes on 'Fallen Soldier' sung by Melissa.Following on from last week's thank you to Deirdre, a cabin crew member who saved a child in a hijacking, and then disregarded her own safety to reboard the plane - we hear from Deirdre herself.Listeners tell us how they spend their Saturdays working as Special Constables. And we're live from the jockeys' weighing room at Aintree ahead of the Grand National.Producer: Paul Waters.

Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir are joined by Paul Young.His music was the sound of the 80's, with a multitude of chart topping hits, he won Best British Male at the Brit awards, toured Europe and America, and sang the opening lines of 'Do they know it's Christmas' for Band Aid in 1984. Paul Young talks about his passion for music, performing, 'Tex Mex' and Soul, the theme of the first solo album he's released for 20 years.Deta Hedman is ranked number one by the World Darts Federation. An unexpected achievement given that she was born in Jamaica and works full time for Royal Mail. She'll join us in the studio to talk about the competitive spirit that has seen her become a legend in darts.Growing up in Fleetwood, Lancashire, almost surrounded by water, Neil Howard Pritchard was fascinated with the sea. Then, a near-death experience on the lifeboat slip when he was eight years old triggered an interest in boat making, and he's been crafting intricate model boats ever since. He'll join us from Liverpool to talk about his work and passion for lifeboats. Today is Get Creative day with hundreds of events happening all over the country and if you want to find out what is happening in your area there is a link at the bottom right of this web page, together with a link for more information about Fleetwood lifeboats.James Massiah is a spoken word artist who is fronting the BBC Turn it Up campaign. He joins us to talk about the power of radio and expression.Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actor Amanda Abbington chooses her inheritance tracks. She inherits Dear Prudence by The Beatles and passes on Furious by Joan as Police Woman.Peter Shilton talks about his love of oysters and how he met his fiancée.And we'll have your thank yous.Paul Young's album is 'Good Thing' and will be released on 15 April.

Presented by Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein. Dexter Fletcher's big break came as a child actor when he was cast a BabyFace in Bugsby Malone. He talks about his acting career, move into directing and the technical challenges of making his latest film Eddie the Eagle. Shazia Mirza is an award winning stand-up comedian, a writer and columnist. Brought up in a strict Muslim household, she trained as a science teacher, while honing her stand-up act in secret. Toby Little and his mother Sabine talk about his mission to write a letter to every country in the world. JP Devlin meets Saturday Live listener Ann Ward, to hear how a letter about the great-great grandfather inspired her to volunteer for the lambing season in his home village. Tim Birkhead describes why a bird's egg is the most perfect thing. And businessman Theo Paphitis shares his Inheritance Tracks: Nobody Does it Better, sung by Carly Simon; and Over the Rainbow, performed by Eva Cassidy.Eddie the Eagle is out on 1 April. Shazia Mirza is on tour with her show The Kardsahians Made Me Do It. Dear World, How Are You? by Toby Little is out now. The Most Perfect Thing, by Tim Birkhead is published on 7 April.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Karen Dalziel.

With the Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah MirMel Giedroyc is taking on her most serious acting role, playing an American mother dealing with the potentially troubling actions of her son, in the play Luce. Mel also discusses the importance of her name, her relationship with Sue Perkins and The Great British Bake Off.Chinese sportswoman Lijia Xu left her parents to become a full time sailor aged ten and in 2012 became an Olympic Gold medallist. She talks about her path to success- and the obstacles she had to overcome.Listener Richie Tattersall played the ukulele on Labi Siffre's It must be Love, chosen as one of David Troughton's Inheritance Tracks. Richie reveals that whilst he was an experienced session musician, he had never previously played the ukulele.As part of the Sport Relief weekend, reporter JP Devlin has been to Jamie's farm, which encourages children at risk of social and academic exclusion to re-engage and thrive.Singer Will Young shares his Inheritance Tracks: Taxman by The Beatles and Joan Armatrading- Love and Affection.The financial crash in 2008 meant Dinah Jefferies was unable to complete her plan of retiring in Spain. To make money she turned to writing and is now a best-selling author.Luce runs at the Southwark Playhouse in London until the 2nd April. Golden Lily by Lijia Xu is out now. Will Young's latest album 85% Proof is out now. The Silk Merchant's Daughter by Dinah Jefferies is out now.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Anita Dobson's acting career spans more than forty years. She found fame in the 1980s playing pub landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders. She has starred in television, film and theatre productions as diverse as Hamlet, Follies and London Road. She talks about her career and growing up in the East End.Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer who has cycled around the world and walked a lap of the M25. He pioneered the concept of micro-adventures (adventures close to home) but has now turned his attention to 'grand adventures'. He explains how adventures great or small are within everyone's grasp.Fifty years ago, a group of boys from the Kettering Grammar School Satellite Tracking Group discovered a new and undiscovered soviet space launch site. To celebrate, Leicester's National Space Centre is holding an exhibition. Mike Sinnett, a former pupil talks about the discovery and how it catapulted the boys into the media spotlight.Bookshop owner Stephen Foster has a licence to fill shelves. He has provided books for film sets such as James Bond's 'Spectre' and 'Skyfall', 'The Danish Girl' and 'Mr Holmes'. He talks about his love for old and rare books and explains how he chooses the books to fit the character's personality.The inheritance tracks of the actress Rachael Stirling who chose Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay' and Ella Fitzgerald's 'Too Darn Hot'.Kate Recordon has been finding out about how the interaction with our dogs can be life-changing.Anita Dobson is in conversation at St James theatre, London on 20th March at 3pm. Alastair Humphreys book 'Grand Adventures' is out now. Rachael Stirling stars in 'The Winter's Tale' at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London.Producer: Dianne McGregor Editor: Karen Dalziel.