

Profile
BBC Radio 4
An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2022 • 16min
Liz Truss
Despite finishing second in the vote amongst her Conservative parliamentary colleagues, Liz Truss is seen by many as the favourite to win the leadership contest when party members have their say. But who is the woman bidding to become the UK’s third female Prime Minister? Timandra Harkness follows her unconventional journey in British politics - from child of CND campaigners to preferred candidate of the political right.Presenter: Timandra Harkness
Producers: Bob Howard and Ben Cooper

Jul 23, 2022 • 15min
Rishi Sunak
Just seven years after first entering Parliament as Conservative MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, Rishi Sunak is now one vote away from becoming Prime Minister. From replacing party grandee William Hague to managing the country’s finances through the coronavirus pandemic, Mark Coles follows his journey in British politics and talks to those who know him outside the political world of Westminster.Presenter: Mark Coles
Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper
Editor: Richard Vadon

Jul 16, 2022 • 14min
Sarina Wiegman
Born in the Netherlands, the England women's football manager had a successful playing career both at home and in the US, before hanging up her boots. Mark Coles tracks her journey from playing alongside boys at the age of six to the England dugout.Presenter: Mark Coles
Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper
Editor: Richard Vadon

Jul 9, 2022 • 14min
Nadhim Zahawi
The new Chancellor who came to the UK as a child refugee, began a business selling Teletubbies merchandise and is now tipped by some to become Prime Minister. Mark Coles charts the meteoric rise to power of the man who's been in the cabinet less than a year. Presenter: Mark Coles
Production team: Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Richard Vadon

Jul 2, 2022 • 15min
Clarence Thomas
Timandra Harkness tells the story of the the US Supreme Court Justice at the centre of overturning the right to abortion in America. How did he go from poverty in Georgia to highest court in the land? And why did his politics change from campaigning for black rights to anti-affirmative action conservatism?

Jun 25, 2022 • 14min
Mick Lynch
As national rail strikes disrupt train travel across the UK, what makes RMT leader Mick Lynch tick? And how did he become the leader of one of Britain's most powerful unions? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard

Jun 18, 2022 • 14min
Kate Bush
Kate Bush, whose song Running up that Hill is storming the charts across the world. The singer exploded onto the music scene at the end of the 1970s with Wuthering Heights, the first UK number one song performed and written by a female artist. Kate Bush has experimented throughout her career, sometimes being in the public eye and at other times composing at home while bringing up her son. With Timandra Harkness. Produced by Bob Howard

Jun 11, 2022 • 15min
Johan Lundgren
Johan Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer of Easyjet, one of Europe's biggest airlines. The carrier has been faced customer fury after cancelling hundreds of flights. Johan Lundgren has dealt with extremely trying personal and professional situations at different times in his life. Mark Coles hears about his youthful career ambition - to become a trombonist.
Producer: Bob Howard
Researcher: Natasha Fernandes
Sound: James Beard
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Jun 4, 2022 • 14min
Ben Stokes
What makes Ben Stokes, the New Zealand born poster boy of English cricket and England's new captain tick? He has at times courted controversy but was the hero in England's world cup triumph. With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard

May 28, 2022 • 15min
David Canzini
Boris Johnson’s Mr Fixit - a Deputy Chief of Staff - brought in to steady the ship at the height of the "Partygate" allegations. Described as politically astute and determined for the Conservatives to win the next election, Canzini's career in the Tory party began in the 1980s. He's a long-standing Brexiteer who's worked alongside former Conservative leader, William Hague, and is a close ally of the Tories’ election guru, Sir Lynton Crosby. His critics worry he is pushing the Prime Minister further right on things like asylum seekers and trans issues.Mark Coles explores the life and career of the man who goes by the name DC Grumpy on social media, has a profile picture of Darth Vader and once sported a David Cassidy-style haircut.Presenter: Mark Coles
Production team: Bob Howard, Natasha Fernandes, Brenda Brown
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Editor: Richard Vadon