

Saturday Live
BBC Radio 4
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 13, 2024 • 1h
Adele Roberts, Ben Elton, David Duke, Angela Hartnett
The broadcaster, marathon runner, and proud parent to her life saving stoma Audrey, Adele Roberts reveals how she overcame cancer wrote a book and danced on ice.Writer and comedian Ben Elton whose new stand-up tour highlights his trademark incisive social commentary by exploring authentic stupidity. David Duke went from sleeping rough and living in hostels to playing football in the Homeless World Cup and founding the Street Soccer Scotland charity helping thousands of other homeless people through the power of football. All that, plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of chef, restaurateur and podcaster Angela Hartnett.And if you’ve been affected by anything we’ve spoken about today details of organisations offering information and support with addiction are available on the BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionlinePresenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Apr 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
Kate Silverton, Tom Shakespeare, Rebecca Ginger, John Robins
The irrepressible Tom Shakespeare shares how the boy nicknamed 'The Blob' at school went on to become a bioethicist, disability rights advocate, and now a debut novelist. Kate Silverton has swapped the newsroom for the therapists couch having retrained as a child counsellor. She has also become a bestselling author and her latest book maintains that there's still no such thing as being naughty.Did you struggle at maths with school? Having been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia as a child Rebecca Ginger did too. She has recently given up a successful career in the tv industry to create her own method of making learning maths fun after seeing her daughter struggle with the subject herself.All that, plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of comedian, presenter and latest Taskmaster contestant, John Robins.Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Mar 30, 2024 • 59min
Gaynor Faye, Tommy Blaize, Christian Lewis, Liz Bonnin
One of Yorkshire’s finest, the actor famous for Fat Friends, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, Gaynor Faye. She’s making her directorial debut with the stage adaptation of The Syndicate, written by her mother; the late, great Kay Mellor. Tommy Blaize is the voice of Strictly. He’s been singing on the show since the very first episode. But today he reveals the family DNA secret that unlocked the story behind his musical talents. What do you get when you walk the UK’s 19,000-mile coastline, apart from blisters? For former paratrooper Christian Lewis, it was a dog, a partner, a baby and a renewed sense of purpose.All that, plus we have the joyous Inheritance Tracks of natural history presenter Liz Bonin.And if you’ve been affected by anything we’ve spoken about today details of organisations offering information and support with addiction are available on the BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionlinePresenters: Nikki Bedi and Jon Kay
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Mar 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
Rear Admiral Jude Terry, Ashley Blaker, Sara Cox, Lauren Laverne
Rear Admiral Jude Terry, the first woman to hold flag rank in The Royal Navy, keeps us ship shape and shares how a rebellious teenager became the highest ranking female member of the Navy. Ready to send us to the sin bin Sara Cox, not that one, reveals how she "walked through stinging nettles" to become the world's first professional female rugby union referee and inspire a whole generation of officials.And the professionally ‘shattered’ comedian and writer Ashley Blaker, father of six children tells us why some of them are Coldplays and others, Zappas. Plus, we have the Inheritance Tracks of musician, broadcaster and voice of Desert Island Discs Lauren Laverne. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jon Kay
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Mar 23, 2024 • 59min
Julian Clary, Christopher Samuel, Zak Addae-Kodua and Jules Rowan, Natalie Cassidy
Entertainer, actor, comedian, author and very clever man, Julian Clary joins us, he makes disdain and innuendo hilarious and he’s back onstage playing Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar.When Christopher Samuel picked up a biro and drew a picture of himself, it changed his life. He’ll tell us how he’s now using art to challenge the perceptions of disability.And having both served time, the award-winning hosts of the ‘Life After Prison’ podcast Zak Addae-Kodua and Jules Rowan tell us how they aim to reduce post-prison stigma and help people figure out ‘what’s next’.Plus, we have the Inheritance Tracks of Eastenders’ actor and ‘Off the Telly’ podcast host Natalie Cassidy.Presenters: Nikki Bedi & Jon Kay
Producer: Lowri Morgan

Mar 23, 2024 • 58min
Adam Richman, Christie Watson, Dereck Gow, Karen Hauer
Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.

Mar 2, 2024 • 60min
Jennie Gow, Sarah Marsh, Ken Fowler, Alex Horne
Jennie Gow, the journalist and BBC motor racing presenter who is navigating her post-stroke life and plans to be back on air for the Formula 1 this season. Sarah Marsh, the deaf author who has written a debut novel about a deaf woman finding her identity in a hearing world. And sailor Ken Fowler who circumnavigated every island in England and Wales, solo, in a 4m dinghy called Yoda.And don't miss the Inheritance Tracks of the comedian Alex Horne who is on Channel 4’s hit comedy game-show and this week, we’ve given him the task of assisting us with choosing his musical choices. Presenters: Jon Kay and Nikki BediProducer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Feb 24, 2024 • 58min
Daisy Goodwin, Chris Anderson, Jane Cholmeley, Tommy Tiernan
Chris Anderson, an entrepreneur with a unique background as the son of missionaries and now the head of the TED organization, advocates for the power of Infectious Generosity as the ultimate idea worth spreading.Jane Cholmeley, once a feminist bookseller and now an author, shares her journey of running Europe's largest women's bookstore amidst challenges of homophobia and misogyny.Daisy Goodwin, a prolific television producer, screenwriter, and bestselling novelist, known for bringing iconic shows like Grand Designs and Victoria to the world, delves into her latest book exploring the life of the legendary Diva, Maria Callas.And don't miss the Inheritance Tracks of 'Da Gerry' from Derry Girls, as we hear from the witty comedian and talk show host Tommy Tiernan.Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jon Kay
Producer: Glyn Tansley

Feb 17, 2024 • 59min
Marianna Spring, James Timpson, Callum Scott Howells, Adam Hills
Today - our guests inhabit very different worlds...One exists in kindness, James Timpson, the businessman and philanthropist - whose new book The Happy Index - puts happiness at the top of his business plans.Marianna Spring on the other hand, spends much of her life in a world filled with nastiness and trolls, and asks Why Do You Hate Me? in her new podcast.And Callum Scott Howells inhabits and interprets other people’s lives for our pleasure, currently starring in A View from the Bridge on the stage and The Way on the small screen.Plus, we have the Inheritance Tracks of Antipodean comedian, TV presenter and para-standing tennis player Adam Hills.Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Feb 10, 2024 • 58min
Joe Lycett, Alison Lapper, Russell T Davies, Richard Hammond
National sweetheart, and very silly boy, Joe Lycett adds some pizazz to proceedings...as he talks art, Queen's Heath and his special brand of public service vigilantism as he sets his sights on the water companies.The writer, producer and creator behind landmark TV series; Queer as Folk, It’s A Sin, Years and Doctor Who, Russell T Davies, looks back on a ground-breaking career.So much has happened in the life of Alison Lapper since that beautiful Mark Quinn sculpture, ‘Alison Lapper Pregnant’, sat proudly on The Fourth Plinth. She reveals how she processed the grief of the loss of her son into her latest exhibition. And we have the Inheritance Tracks of The Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond as he embarks on the trios penultimate outing.Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Greg James
Producer: Ben MitchellIf you’ve been affected by any of the issues we discuss in this programme – you can find links to organisations that can help here: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline