Radio Oldie

Lucy Moore speaking about her new book, Christopher Gibbs: His World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.

Oldie columnist and Irish writer, Mary Kenny, tells Harry Mount about her 60 years in journalism. She salutes her old boss, the novelist Edna O'Brien, and remembers her time leading the Irish Women's Liberation Movement. And she reflects on her biography of Lord Haw-Haw, the Nazi propagandist.

On Radio Oldie, writer, designer and singer Nicky Haslam does a perfect Truman Capote impression. He recalls meeting Marilyn Monroe and Cole Porter. He reveals Diana Cooper's recipe for a good party – 'Too much to drink and a chocolate pudding.' And he explains why the Sistine Chapel is common.

As we head towards the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13th July, Charlotte Metcalf talks to the writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen, then a hugely successful editor of magazines like New Musical Express and Time Out, Mark was plucked from The Old Grey Whistle Test to be one of the main television anchors on the concert.  He looks back at a phenomenal event and how it changed our attitudes to rock music and its role forever.

Tracy Chevalier speaking about her new book, The Glassmaker, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.

Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Saint Petersburg: Sacrifice & Redemption in the City that Defied Hitler, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.

Anne Sebba speaking about her new book, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.

Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, has lived at Belvoir Castle for nearly 25 years, transforming it into a going commercial concern and a comfortable home for her five children. On the eve of her oldest daughter’s wedding, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her book, The Accidental Duchess, her podcast and her sense of duty and commitment to keeping Belvoir a thriving concern for the next generation.

James Holland is an eminent historian who specialises in the Second World War and has numerous books, television programmes and a podcast to his name.  He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the forthcoming Chalke History Festival, which he co-founded in 2011, originally to raise money for a cricket pavilion.  Chalke is now the biggest history festival in the world and James tells us what to expect from this year’s exciting line-up at a dangerous time when he believes learning lessons from history is more important than ever.

Bruce Beresford, director of Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy, tells Harry Mount why films have got too long - and what made his great friend Barry Humphries such a comic genius