Saturday Live

Countryfile, Woman’s Hour, and dazzling audiences on the Strictly Dancefloor – Anita Rani is a hugely popular and award-winning presenter whose Indian ancestry means a lot to her - and it was her experience on Who Do You Think You Are? that planted the seed for her debut novel “Baby Does a Runner". Max Dickins is a stand-up comedian and author who has performed thousands of gigs and 3 hour solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. His latest book ‘Billy No Mates’ is a memoir which touches on some really important and emotional issues about loneliness and why so many men are so bad at friendship. Nadeem Perera is a wildlife host and co-founder of the birdwatching collective “Flock Together”. He grew up in the London Docklands but was often taken back to Sri Lanka by his mother and it was the nature of her homeland that inspired him to become a naturalist. Plus the Inheritance Tracks of the mellifluous actor and musician Minnie Driver. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jason Mohammad Producer: Ben Mitchell

Dawn O’Porter reigned supreme in the area of TV that wanted the presenter ‘immersed’ in the subject; exploring the dangerous size-zero aesthetic, attitudes to nudity, mail order brides, geisha traditions and most personally perhaps, breast cancer, the disease to which she lost her mother. But since 2006 she’s refocused her attention to the written word having penned eight books, with two more on the way, her latest is Cat Lady. Believe it or not the new football season is just three weeks away. But Robert Kasanga is worlds away from the big money world of Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp. Having turned his life around from a world of inner-city gangs to founding Hackney Wick FC – a club that gives young people involved in gangs a way out through football. Nick Hounsfield began his career as an osteopath, following in the footsteps of his father, and set up his own practice alongside his wife. A passionate surfer since he was knee high to a grasshopper, Nick has since founded The Wave, a pioneering artificial s

Today we welcome the writer, broadcaster and journalist Jimi Famurewa. Martin Roberts, the broadcaster, property expert and host of BBC Television series Homes Under the Hammer. And the founder of the Tuneless Choir, Nadine Cooper. Plus, we’ll hear the Inheritance Tracks from 'kitchen disco queen' and singer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jason Mohammad. Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Today we welcome singer-songwriter, television presenter and sound healing practitioner, Charlotte Church. Reverend Eve Pitts, one of the first Black Caribbean Vicars in the Church of England and a campaigner for racial justice. Former police officer turned best-selling author Clare Mackintosh. And we’ll hear the Inheritance Tracks from actor, comedian and writer, Guz Khan. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jason Mohammad. Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Today we say 'kia ora' to Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, opera legend and Patron of the BBC Cardiff Singer of The World - which is in it's 40th anniversary year. With a story of ‘hidden roots’, singer Joe Jaquest Oteng reveals the huge family secrets he unearthed after the death of his father, which took his search to Ghana. And we’ll hear the Inheritance Tracks of the wonderful actor Tanya Moodie. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell

The actor, memoirist and ‘woman relishing Old Rage’ Dame Sheila Hancock looks back on her storied career having worked at the top of the game for seven decades. The multi-hyphenate Vogue Williams, model, podcaster, media star, business woman and mother of three describes what the podcast world has done for her. Engineering presenter Fran Scott, famous for her fiery TV demonstrations, reveals the secrets of how to build an F1 car. And we’ll hear the Inheritance Tracks of actor, rapper and writer Ben Bailey Smith. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell

Eoin Colfer, the international bestselling Artemis Fowl author reveals why he’s tackling climate change via a graphic novel and how you write subjects like this for children. Taking on the challenge of the great outdoors in a very personal way, is hairdresser Alan Bateson who's about to run 1,047 miles in 22 days...we’ll find out why! Tackling each other’s very different views, on the 75th anniversary of Windrush, we have squabbling couple Jennifer Beckford and Professor Robert Beckford. And we’ll hear the Inheritance Tracks of Supergrass frontman and solo singer Gaz Coombes. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell Details of support for addiction and child sexual abuse is available at BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Live from the Hay Festival Nikki and Huw are joined by the model, presenter and writer Lisa Snowdon whose book 'Just Getting Started' urges women, especially those who’re menopausing, to seize their power. Author, travel writer, broadcaster and local boy Horatio Clare has been asking ‘Does Psychiatry Work’ in his latest radio series and as someone who understands psychosis personally, he may have some good insights. More empowering guidance is at hand in the shape of the irrepressible TikTok star and funny woman Fats Timbo with her ten commandments to live with 'Main Character Energy'. And The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, shares his Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell

We’re all standing to attention, as the paragon of discipline, former SAS member Billy Billingham and chief instructor on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins talks about how he's gone from a life of crime to towing the line. Louise Minchin is a broadcaster who spent twenty years on the BBC Breakfast sofa, but did you know she is passionate about endurance sports? Her latest book "Fearless" sees her taking on physical challenges with inspirational women. And completing the Circle of Life are the leonine brothers and longest serving cast members of The Lion King, actors Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey. Former A & E doctor, Love Island star and mental health campaigner Dr Alex George shares his Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell

Multi-hyphenate Steve Jones, TV presenter, podcaster, novelist and librocubicularist, discusses his debut novel Call Time. Not one for lying in bed reading, Gardener's World gardener Rekha Mistry reveals what it takes to make great marmalade. Freya Bromley, author and podcaster of The Tidal Year, expounds upon the virtues of swimming in every tidal pool in the UK and how it helped her grief. Ghost and Horrible Histories star, Mathew Baynton, shares his Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens Producer: Ben Mitchell

Bestselling novelist AJ Pearce, whose work has been inspired by a personal collection of women’s magazines and journals dating back to 1761! Her new book, "Mrs Porter Calling", is the third in her Emmy Lake Chronicles, set in London during The Second World War. Ian Holloway, the celebrated football manager and pundit, whose post-match interviews do wonders for the English language, reveals what it was like balancing the abuse he received on the pitch with coming to terms with raising three children who were born profoundly deaf. The next big thing from Aardman Animations, Magdalena Osinska, charts how her journey from Warsaw to Bristol has led her to writing and directing her very own stop-motion Star Wars film - "I Am Your Mother". The Booker Prize winning author Douglas Stuart shares his Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran Producer: Ben Mitchell

Dr Chris Van Tulleken's new book, Ultra-Processed People: Why do we all eat stuff that isn’t food, untangles our relationship with fast food, bad food and maybe even your breakfast. The poet and artist Frieda Hughes, daughter of famed Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, has written about her experiences saving a wild Magpie, George, and why she now lives with 14 owls, two huskies, a Maltese terrier, five chinchillas, a ferret called 'Socks', a Royal python and her collection of motorbikes. Artist and animator Gary Andrews has worked for Disney and brought Fireman Sam to life - but possibly his most powerful work was created whilst he illustrated his way through the grief of loosing his wife. Alex Jones, broadcaster and host of The One Show and Reunion Hotel, shares her Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran Producer: Ben Mitchell Details of support with eating disorders is available at BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Ghosts, Steth Lets Flats and Ted Lasso star, Katy Wix, talks about her life through the medium of...cake. Her memoir Delicacy uses the sweet treat to frame the biggest moments of her life. Janina Ramirez, author of the bestselling Femina and President of the Gloucester History Festival, reveals why she gave up a career as a punk rocker to regale us all with stories of ancients civilisations. As a dark chapter in Ukraine's history continues to be written, Solomiya Znak from the Ukraine Opera and Ballet Company of Kyiv, describes how art is helping to cast a ray of hope. Sir Tony Robinson, actor, broadcaster and host of new podcast Cunningcast, shares his Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran Producer: Ben Mitchell Details of support with eating disorders is available at BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

The designer and business-woman Cath Kidston reveals the person beyond the patterns - and explains how she's moved away from drawing flowers to drawing on the natural properties of them for her new business venture. Stig Abell's career spans from running the Press Complaints commission, managing editor of The Sun and Times Radio breakfast show presenter. But, he can now add crime fiction novelist to his extensive CV with the publication of Death Under a Little Sky. Wheelchair rugby star and Olympic gold medallist Kylie Grimes discusses the sport's expansion and champions getting more women into sport of all kinds. Musician Rufus Wainwright shares his inheritance tracks.

Designer and broadcaster, Anna Ryder Richardson, reveals why she gave up her celebrity life and go full "Matt Damon" when she bought a zoo and moved her family to rural Wales. During the first lockdown with all his performances cancelled, the writer and opera star Peter Brathwaite, began researching his Barbadian roots, uncovering both enslaved and enslaver ancestors. Lee Skeet had to give up his dream after a hit and run accident saw him forced out of the kitchen for over three years. The former head chef at a Michelin starred restaurant, who trained under Gordan Ramsey and Marcus Wareing, has just opened his new restaurant named after his son who also survived the incident that changed his life. Broadcaster Sophie Raworth shares her Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran Producer: Ben Mitchell

Harlan Coben joins Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles. The multiple award-winning thriller writer has sold over 80 million books, many of which have been adapted for TV. The Netflix adaption of Fool Me Once is currently being filmed. A New Jersey native, Harlan's latest book I Will Find You explores the darker side of suburban living. Fergus Durrant and Romy Dixon found something unexpected in his father’s effects, a discovery that was to lead them on a journey made 125 years earlier. James Phillips won the ARIAS Best New Presenter Gold award for 2022 and a Bronze award for his National Prison Radio programme, The Rock Show. James talks about the events that led him to prison and his life now, after serving his sentence. Matthew Modine shares his Inheritance Tracks: Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto and On My Feelings by Ruby Modine. Dr Sian Williams has been an anchor of some of the BBC’s biggest shows, including BBC Breakfast. During her career she's also presented Saturday Live, and most recently Life Changing on Rad

Broadcaster and biological anthropologist Alice Roberts reveals the secret behind the UK's fascination with castles. Chris Howard, one of the creators of David Attenborough's Wild Isles, discusses the trials and tribulations of filming the elusive beaver. Scottish-Egyptian musicians The Ayoub Sisters perform their revival of an old Arabic folk song; live in the studio. Author and Broadcaster Elizabeth Day shares her Inheritance Tracks. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran Producer: Ben Mitchell

Nikki Bedi and Shaun Keaveny are joined by Spencer Matthews, who gained fame in the reality tv series Made In Chelsea. Now an entrepreneur and broadcaster, Spencer has made a documentary which shows him looking for his brother who went missing on Mount Everest over 20 years ago. Comedian Rachel Parris joins us, talking about the power of seeking advice and how it has influenced her life. Dilly Carter is a straight-talking organiser who can be seen on TV as a decluttering expert. After spending her early years in a Sri Lankan orphanage Dilly was adopted and brought to England where her household was chaotic, inspiring her need to tidy. She'll tell her story. How many of us have sat around thinking of an app that would make us millions? That’s what Dhiraj Mukherjee did - with the help of friends, when they came up with the idea of Shazam, the music identification service. He joins us to tell us how he got there, and how it wasn’t quite as simple as it might seem. We also have the inheritance tracks of

Nikki Bedi and Shaun Keaveny are joined by Prue Leith, GBBO judge, restaurateur, novelist and now with a one woman show. Sarah Raven on her journey from inauspicious school career to training as a doctor to purveyor of plants and writer - her latest book is A Year Full of Veg. Jenny Radcliffe has made a successful living from breaking into people’s homes and businesses, testing out security systems. She joins us to explain how she got into it. and Michelle Elman on showing her scars after years of operations as a child and reframing being selfish as loving yourself. Lily James chooses her Inheritance Tracks: Eric Bibb: The Cape, and Leanne Lehavas: Green Papya. And your Thank you. Producer: Corinna Jones

Lang Lang joins Nikki Bedi and Danny Wallace. The internationally renowned pianist has sold millions of albums and performed around the world. He started playing the piano age three and to follow his dreams his family made significant sacrifices. Lang Lang talks about his path to success, and why he wants to encourage others to perform. You can watch Lang Lang on The Piano, Channel 4 and his Disney Book album is out now. Until recently, Zainab Alema was working as a neonatal nurse. However, in 2021, she decided to follow her dream of becoming the first black Muslim woman to play rugby for England. Since then, she’s been committing to her life on the pitch whilst balancing the raising of three young children at the same time. Francis Bourgeois aka The Train Guy began making videos on trainspotting in early 2021 and quickly became an internet sensation. Since then he has achieved cult status, and millions of followers, championing unadulterated joy and the importance of embracing your passions. You can read