Dame Sheila Hancock, respected actor and writer, discusses her extraordinary life in this interview. From her childhood experiences during war, dealing with stage fright, to her success in the acting industry. She also emphasizes the importance of action and storytelling in the world.

It's 18 years since James Blunt released his hit single, You’re Beautiful which reached No.1 around the world. It helped James's debut album, Back to Bedlam sell 12 million copies and become the UK’s best-selling album of the 2000s. But his global success was met with an immediate backlash that saw him ridiculed by the press and pop establishment. James responded to his critics by moving to Ibiza, where he partied hard and joined Twitter. Since Back to Bedlam, he has released a further succession of successful albums, every one of them a Top 10 hit. His new album Who We Used To Be is out now.

Nick Wallis was presenting the breakfast show for BBC Radio Surrey in 2010 when he was contacted by a listener with a story he’s been investigating ever since. Nick helped expose one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history – the Post Office Horizon IT scandal that has devastated the lives of hundreds of innocent hardworking people across the country. His work has been published in Private Eye and broadcast on BBC Panorama, The One Show and BBC Radio 4. It is also the basis of his first book, The Great Post Office Scandal. Tickets for his show, Post Office Scandal - the Inside Story are available at postofficescandal.uk

Stephanie Beacham, known for her roles in Dynasty and The Colbys, talks about her childhood, escaping societal expectations, and her early experience in acting. She discusses being fired as an au pair, memories from the Liverpool Everyman Theater, living with mice, low earnings, and her time at Rada. She also shares a humorous story about Marlon Brando's inconvenient calls and Hollywood blacklisting. The podcast concludes with an exploration of the internal experience and ambitions of the speaker.

The podcast is taking a break for Christmas but will return with exceptional guests in January 2024. Notable guests this year included Hugh Laurie, Dawn Butler, and Chris Packham. Catch up on missed episodes on Global Player. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Former javelin world champion, Fatima Whitbread, discusses her childhood in care homes, her adoption by Margaret Whitbread, her traumatic experiences, and her passion for javelin. She also highlights the emotional neglect in children's homes and advocates for collaboration to improve outcomes. Whitbread reflects on her difficult relationship with a teacher, finding love and security with the Whitbreads, and her dedication to empowering children in the care system through sports and arts programs.

Former Conservative MP Dominic Grieve, a strong opponent of Brexit, reflects on his transition from politics to broadcasting. He discusses the lack of representation of his perspective within the conservative party and how his father's experiences in World War II influenced his political views. Grieve also shares his strategies for coping with difficult times in his adolescence and reflects on his journey to becoming a Member of Parliament. He explores the challenges faced by new Conservative MPs in 1997 and discusses the fallout from his departure as Attorney General in 2014. Grieve concludes by expressing concerns about the current state of the parliamentary conservative party.

Chris Packham, Wildlife TV presenter and conservationist, discusses his childhood fascination with insects and birds, his experiences with autism, embracing difference through punk rock, the decline in conservation efforts and the need for urgent action, and the importance of effective communication and personal creativity in his career.

We're dropping into your feed to share another Global Player Original podcast with you. Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host a daily news podcast: The News Agents. They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed. If you're not already following or subscribed, search for The News Agents to hear more. Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. Find the latest episode of The News Agents here on Global Player: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuVj/

Royal biographer Omid Scobie was thrust into the spotlight when he began writing about Prince Harry and Meghan. His first book Finding Freedom, about the Sussexes’ and their split from the Royal Family, made headlines across the world. And – his stories about the Royals are once again dominating the front pages following the release of his new book Endgame. Omid tells James how he came to write the biggest story in town - and why he has become part of the story.