Profile

By her own admission, Liz Truss is not always known as being diplomatic. As she takes on the role of Foreign Secretary, Profile investigates the influences and events that have taken her to one of the great offices of state, and finds that the journey has been far from usual. Mark Coles hears from Liz Truss’s brother, her student friend and keen watchers of her political career, and asks how this former Liberal Democrat, karaoke-lover and child of CND campaigners came to sit almost at the top of the Conservative party.Producer: Nathan Gower Researcher: Bethan Head

Sir Ed Davey is a mallet wielding, man on a mission. That mission is to demolish the Conservative 'blue wall' which he's already made a hole in after the surprise Liberal Democrat victory at the Chesham and Amersham by-election in June this year. With a First class degree from Oxford, he could have ended up as a spy, but instead chose the path well trodden for a PPE graduate, politics, taking a job as Economics Researcher to the then leader, Paddy Ashdown. He's committed to renewable energy and brought us wind farms during a stint as Energy Secretary in the Coalition Government in 2012, but can he keep the lights on for the Liberal Democrats? Presenter: Mark ColesProducers: Julie Ball Bob Howard Editor: Richard Vadon

The seminal rapper and billionaire fashion mogul Kanye West's new album Donda is named after his late mother, who was an influential figure in his life. It's gone straight to number one in many countries, it's the most successful album of the year already, clocking up over 180 million streams in just 24 hours. Some consider Kanye West - who also calls himself Ye - a creative genius. Others have been put off by controversial behaviour. President Obama called him a "jackass", after Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for a video music award to say Beyoncé "had one of the best videos of all time", implying she should have won instead. He apologised later. The hip hop artist doesn't lack self-belief. He has called himself a "God", and compared himself to the likes of Picasso and Shakespeare. But could he have a point? Even Barack Obama admitted that Kanye is "very talented" too. And experts say he has changed the genre, both as rapper and as producer. There is "hip hop before Kanye West, and hip hop after Kanye West". And then there is fashion - his designs of popular trainers and clothes have made him a billionaire. So what drives the controversial yet highly successful artist? Mark Coles dives into Kanye West's life and work to find out. Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Following a sometimes ugly campaign, Britain's second largest trade union, Unite, has elected its first woman leader, Sharon Graham. But who exactly is she? Jealously guarding her privacy, Unite's new 52 year-old head represents a significant break with the union's retiring chief, Len McCluskey and, it would seem, his close political links with the Labour Party. Instead, centering her campaign on bringing the union "back to the workplace", Sharon Graham has emphasised her own focus on jobs, pay and conditions. She has called for "an obsession" with the Labour Party to stop and instead for "bad bosses" to be held to account. She claims to have won fifteen disputes without a defeat. But her policies are not without their critics. The strategy she has pioneered for "leveraging" disputes with employers by applying pressure across company activities has been attacked as "chilling". And within the union itself - where two-thirds of the members are men - accusations of misogyny have been levelled. Edward Stourton discovers how Sharon Graham has made it to the top of Unite, what makes her tick and what the union's members, employers, politicians and the public at large can expect from her. Among those taking part: Roz Foyer of the Scottish TUC; John Cooper of Unite; Gail Cartmail, President of the TUC; and Sebastian Payne of the Financial Times. Producer Simon Coates

With the fall of Kabul and the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, this week Mark Coles profiles the man who’s become the public face of the strict Islamist movement - its political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Baradar was one of those who founded the Taliban almost thirty years ago. Now, after spending eight years in a Pakistani jail, many are tipping him to be Afghanistan’s next President.Mark Coles speaks to some of the world’s leading experts on the Taliban to try to find out more about Mullah Baradar’s background, his upbringing and what he really believes in. Producer Smita Patel Researcher Di Richardson

By the end of July this year, more than 80 million vaccinations had been administered in the UK.Mark Coles takes a look at the talented and determined scientist leading the Oxford University vaccine team, Professor Sarah Gilbert. Producers: Ben Crighton and Soila Apparicio.

George Mpanga, better known as George the Poet, is a British spoken word poet, podcaster and advocate for social change. Born in north London after his parents fled Uganda in the 1980s, he’s become an increasingly significant voice in the debate on race and class in the UK. His innovative style mixes music and poetry. It has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator, playing to a wide range of audiences, from the Cheltenham Literature Festival to 1Xtra. His award-winning podcast ‘Have You Heard George’s Podcast?’ blends fiction, news and music to depict inner city life.Mark Coles speaks to friends, family, and colleagues to find out more.Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Jim Frank Researchers: Soila Apparicio and Sowda Ali Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Studio Engineer: Nigel Appleton Editor: Alex Lewis

Last October, British sprint cyclist, Mark Cavendish, broke down on TV, fearing he’d cycled the last race of his career. Now the 36 year-old is making sporting history, against the odds. After illness and injury, the man dubbed the Manx Missile has now equalled the record – set by cycling legend Eddie Merckx - for the most Tour de France stage wins. And, if things go well for him on this last weekend of the Tour, he could even top that tally of 34. And yet, Cavendish only secured a place in the team at the absolute last minute. Few expected him to take part, never mind secure win after win. Mark Coles talks to friends and family of the sportsman who says he’s addicted to winning.Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Sally Abrahams Researcher: Soila Apparicio Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Studio Engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon Commentary of Tour de France 2021 Stage 4 win courtesy of Eurosport.

For almost a decade Raheem Sterling has been one of English football’s most talked about players. Born in Jamacia and raised in the shadow of the Wembley arch, he burst onto the scene as a precocious 17 year old talent at Liverpool. But for all his talent on the pitch, Sterling has been just as defined by his battles off it. He has had frequent tussles with the tabloid press and has become one of the most outspoken voices against the racist abuse suffered by black players.Edward Stourton gets behind the headlines and speaks to those that know him best to find out how the quiet young boy from Brent become one of English football’s most talismanic figures.Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Matt Murphy Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Mix: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Richard Vadon

He's 23, with 16 Grand Slam titles to his name and focused on winning his first Wimbledon singles title. Yet British wheelchair tennis champion, Alfie Hewett, is facing the end of his career because of a change in rules. The elite sportsman, from Norwich, Norfolk, is currently ineligible to compete beyond 2021 after being told by the International Tennis Federation that his disability is not severe enough. Mark Coles talks to friends, family and career professionals to find out how the sports-loving six year-old was suddenly forced to adapt from running around a football pitch to being in a wheelchair. And how this life-changing event has shaped him into the player he is today. Presenter: Mark Coles Researchers: Lauren Moore, Sowda Ali and Bethan Head Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Sally Abrahams Studio Engineer: Rod Farquhar Editor: Alex Lewis