

Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake
BBC Radio 5 Live
Nihal Arthanayake presents in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 23, 2023 • 22min
Emeli Sandé
“Finding your own unique voice is usually the biggest challenge”. Singer songwriter Emeli Sandé talks to Nihal Arthanayek about new music, writing about love and how her life has changed since she first hit the top of the charts in 2012.

Nov 16, 2023 • 26min
Keanu Reeves & Jenson Button
“When I was a little, I wanted to be a race car driver” Keanu Reeves and Jenson Button talk to Nihal Arthanayake about their new documentary ‘Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story’ - and how they'd rate each other's chances of a job swap.

Nov 3, 2023 • 52min
Duran Duran
“Glastonbury, I want to play Glastonbury… and it’s got to be the pyramid stage.” Simon Le Bon tells Nihal about what he loves about being in a band, how to manage being a rock star and having some sort of balance in life… and the things he still wants to accomplish with Duran Duran.

Oct 26, 2023 • 47min
Kerry Washington
‘I’m interested in meeting my donor’. The Scandal star reveals to Nihal Arthanayake how she reacted upon learning that she was conceived using a sperm donor.

Oct 19, 2023 • 39min
Geri Halliwell-Horner
"I've always loved the power of words". The Spice Girls star talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her literary career.

Oct 12, 2023 • 28min
Laura Linney
“I don’t think it’s about winning or losing.” The American star talks to Nihal about the Hollywood actor’s strike and her new film Miracle Club.

Oct 5, 2023 • 31min
Big Zuu
"When do you ever get three Muslim brothers cooking for Jonathan Ross?" The TV chef tells Nihal his success is down to good timing and other people "creating that lane" for him.

Sep 28, 2023 • 45min
Michael Palin
“I hope he had a sense of humour.” The Monty Python star and documentary maker chats to Nihal Arthanayake about his great-uncle Harry.

Sep 21, 2023 • 52min
Corinne Bailey Rae
“Music doesn’t have to stay in genres or boxes.” The singer songwriter on why Chicago and grunge inspired her new album.

Sep 14, 2023 • 50min
Clive Myrie
“I have been known to rant, but I don’t do it on the telly and that’s the point.” The BBC presenter chats to Nihal Arthanayake about his years as a foreign correspondent and news anchor.