Best Jimmy Baxter Podcasts (2026)

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Antony Price, Sister Stan Kennedy, Ena Collymore Woodstock, John Carey 27:47

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1h ago27:47

27:47

Jon Kay on Fashion designer Antony Price who fused together the worlds of fashion and music in the 70s and 80s Sister Stan Kennedy, the nun who founded one of Ireland’s largest homelessness charities Ena Collymore Woodstock, the Jamaican barrister and magistrate who throughout her career broke many barriers for women John Carey, the academic and fo…

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Rob Reiner, Joanna Trollope, Stanley Baxter, Sophie Kinsella 27:46

6d ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Rob Reiner, the film director, screenwriter and actor behind pictures like “This Is Spinal Tap”, “Stand By Me” and “When Harry Met Sally”. Stanley Baxter, the Scottish comedian best known for his impersonations of Hollywood stars and royalty. The actor Bill Paterson pays tribute. And Joanna Trollope and Sophie Kinsella, two bes…

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Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Vera Weisfeld, Frank Gehry, Martin Parr 27:52

13d ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the zoologist who devoted his life to the study and conservation of African elephants. Vera Weisfeld, the businesswoman whose chain of What Every Woman Wants stores offered fashion designs at bargain prices. Frank Gehry, the architect best known for his flamboyant designs for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilb…

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Sir Tom Stoppard, Pam Hogg, Yanxin He, Jack Shepherd 27:46

20d ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister has a star-studded cast on this week’s Last Word: Sir David Hare pays tribute to his friend and fellow playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. Boy George recalls the flamboyant fashion designer Pam Hogg. Sir Mark Rylance gives an insight into the many talents of the actor, director and writer Jack Shepherd. We also remember Yanxin He, one of…

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Jimmy Cliff, Charlotte Bingham, Skye Gyngell, David Bellos 27:36

27d ago27:36

27:36

Kirsty Lang on: Jimmy Cliff, who took reggae music onto the global stage. His former record producer and founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell pays tribute. Charlotte Bingham, the writer who mined the experience of her upbringing and relationships to pen dozens of novels and screenplays. Skye Gyngell, the Australian born chef whose devotion to…

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Baroness Newlove, Zoe Wicomb, Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, Professor Roland Paxton 27:42

1M ago27:42

27:42

Matthew Bannister on: Baroness Newlove, who turned a tragic event in her own life into a powerful campaign for victims’ rights. Zoe Wicomb, the South Africa-born author whose novels are set against the backdrop of the apartheid regime. Sir Geoffrey Bindman, the lawyer who helped to shape equality legislation, represented Labour politicians and foug…

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James Watson, Pauline Collins, Judith Vidal-Hall, Dugald Ross 27:45

1M ago27:45

27:45

Matthew Bannister on James Watson who shared the Nobel Prize for identifying the structure of DNA, but was widely condemned later in life for his racist and sexist views. Pauline Collins, the comic actor who triumphed in the role of Shirley Valentine on stage and screen. The play’s director Simon Callow pays tribute. Judith Vidal-Hall, who edited t…

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Dick Cheney, Yvonne Brewster, Mary McGee, Peter Watkins 27:55

2M ago27:55

27:55

Matthew Bannister on Dick Cheney, the Republican politician who was Vice President under George W Bush and played key roles in both Gulf Wars. Yvonne Brewster, the Jamaican-born director and actor who founded the Black British Theatre Company Talawa. Mary ‘May’ McGee, the Irish woman who brought s successful legal challenge against the country’s ba…

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Prunella Scales CBE, Gillian Tindall, Roger Smith, Anthony Grey 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Matthew Bannister on The actor Prunella Scales, best known for playing Sybil in the TV comedy Fawlty Towers. Her son Samuel West reflects on her long career and happy marriage to fellow actor Timothy West. Gillian Tindall, the writer who pioneered the technique of exploring history through the portal of a particular house or area. Roger Smith, who …

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SPECIAL EDITION: Prunella Scales 21:23

2M ago21:23

21:23

In this special edition of Last Word, Matthew Bannister talks to the actor Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales. Prunella died on the 27th October, aged 93. Known for her work on stage and screen over many decades – Prunella was particularly renowned for her role as Sybil on Fawlty Towers. In addition to countless other roles, she appeared …

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Raila Odinga, Bill Colley, Baroness Rosalind Howells, Sister Marion Irvine 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Matthew Bannister on The influential Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, who was detained for his pro-democracy campaigns, but went on to be the country’s Prime Minister. Bill Colley, who designed and built traditional wooden racing boats. Baroness Rosalind Howells of St Davids, who campaigned for racial equality and supported the family of Stephen Law…

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Peter Gurney, Diane Keaton, Peter Hall, Angela Bond 27:45

2M ago27:45

27:45

Matthew Bannister on Peter Gurney, the George Medal winning bomb disposal expert who regularly risked his life to defuse explosive devices, including the mortars that were fired at 10 Downing Street by the IRA in 1991. Diane Keaton, the actor best known for her collaboration with Woody Allen in Annie Hall and Manhattan. Peter Hall, the pioneering E…

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Patrick Bradley, Dame Jilly Cooper, Sara Jane Moore, Dame Patricia Routledge 27:46

3M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Patrick Bradley, the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles. Dame Jilly Cooper, the best-selling author of the racy “Rutshire Chronicles”. Sara Jane Moore, the political extremist who tried to assassinate US President Gerald Ford. Dame Patricia Routledge, the actor best known for her portraya…

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Dame Jane Goodall, Tony Harrison, Lord Menzies Campbell, Danny Thompson 27:46

3M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Dame Jane Goodall, the primatologist and environmental campaigner who changed our understanding of animal behaviour. Chris Packham pays tribute. Tony Harrison, the Yorkshire born poet who took his writing to new audiences through theatre and TV. Michael Rosen assesses his work. Lord Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Li…

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Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, John Stapleton, Mary Elizabeth Dodd, Claudia Cardinale 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

Matthew Bannister on Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect who designed the international terminal at London’s Waterloo Station and the Eden Project. John Stapleton, the TV presenter who fronted Watchdog with his wife and ITV’s breakfast and daytime shows. His friend Greg Dyke pays tribute. Mary Elizabeth Dodd, the physiotherapist who pioneered new …

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Robert Redford, Barbara Harvey, Rosa Roisinblit, Stuart Craig 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

Matthew Bannister on: Robert Redford, the film star who believed his striking good looks could be a curse as well as a blessing. Barbara Harvey, the mediaeval historian who revealed fascinating details of the lives of the monks of Westminster Abbey. Rosa Roisinblit, one of Argentina’s Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo who finally tracked down the g…

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The Duchess of Kent, Giorgio Armani, Valerie Pearlman, Rick Davies 27:31

3M ago27:31

27:31

John Wilson on: The Duchess of Kent, who stepped back from royal duties to teach music in primary schools. Giorgio Armani whose suit designs help define the look of the 1980s and beyond. Valerie Pearlman who made legal history by being the first judge in the UK finish a trial via fax machine and video link from her hospital bed. Rick Davies, who so…

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Joe Bugner, Ann McManus, Angela Mortimer Barrett, Frank Strang 27:52

4M ago27:52

27:52

John Wilson on Joe Bugner, the heavyweight boxer who fought the titans of the sport from Henry Cooper, Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier. Ann McManus, the writer for Coronation Street who went on to be one of the founders of Shed Productions that created hit drama series such as Bad Girls, Footballer Wives and Waterloo Road. Angela Mortimer Barrett, the…

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David Richardson, Doris Lockhart Saatchi, Dame Annette Brooke, Byron Rogers 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

John Wilson on: Broadcaster David Richardson who was for over 60 years a leading voice in the farming community Doris Lockhart Saatchi, the Art collector who along with her former husband Charles Saatchi transformed the UK art scene in the 80s and 90s Dame Annette Brooke who for 14 years was the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole By…

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Terence Stamp, Stephanie Shirley, Kay Dunbar, Eric Midwinter 27:37

4M ago27:37

27:37

John Wilson on: Actor Terence Stamp, the Oscar nominated 60s screen icon who went onto play many villains in his later film career Baroness Stephanie Shirley, the pioneering computer scientist and founder of her own software company Kay Dunbar who founded the Ways with Words literary festival which ran in Devon for 30 years Eric Midwinter was one o…

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Jim Lovell, Biddy Baxter, Razia Jan, Iris Williams 27:53

4M ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Jim Lovell, the astronaut who commanded the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. Biddy Baxter, the editor who left an indelible stamp on the children’s TV show Blue Peter. Sarah Greene pays tribute. Razia Jan, the Afghan/American who founded a school for girls in Afghanistan after 9/11. Iris Williams, the Welsh born singer whose career…

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Dame Stella Rimington, Sylvia Young, Sir Jamie McGrigor, Joan Anderson 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Dame Stella Rimington, the first woman to be Director General of MI5, who made the service more open and accountable. Sylvia Young, whose drama school turned out countless stars of stage, screen and music. Sir Jamie McGrigor, the Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands, who introduced a bill…

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Dame Cleo Laine, Hulk Hogan, Margaret Boden, Tom Lehrer 27:46

5M ago27:46

27:46

Matthew Bannister on Dame Cleo Laine, whose glorious voice was equally at home singing jazz, pop and classical music. Her daughter Jacqui Dankworth shares her memories. Hulk Hogan, who spearheaded the transformation of American wrestling from niche activity to global phenomenon. Professor Margaret Boden, whose expertise in cognitive science helped …

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Ozzy Osbourne, Connie Francis, Jacqui Browne, Douglas Chamberlain 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath lead singer known for his outrageous antics, many while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Jacqui Browne, the Thalidomide survivor who campaigned for the rights of disabled people in Ireland. Professor Douglas Chamberlain, the cardiologist who pioneered the use of defibrillators by ambula…

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Sir Ian Blair, Jennie Street, Dr Anna Ornstein, Muhammadu Buhari 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Lord Blair the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Jennie Street who helped to rehabilitate people on her suburban farm. Dr Anna Ornstein, a psychoanalyst and survivor of the Holocaust. Muhammudu Buhari, the former President of Nigeria. Interviewee: Sean O’Neill Interviewee: Anita OllerenshawInterviewee: Dr Sharone …

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Lord Tebbit, Daphne Boden, James Leprino, Sir Francis Graham-Smith 27:53

6M ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Lord Tebbit, who as Norman Tebbit was a member of Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, introducing trade union reform and privatisation. Daphne Boden, the harpist who played for the Queen and taught for more than fifty years at the Royal College of Music. James Leprino who built a multi-billion-dollar business by supplying cheese to pi…

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Courtney Griffiths KC, Sara Venn, Nina Kuscik, Mohammad Hussain 27:50

6M ago27:50

27:50

Matthew Bannister on Courtney Griffiths, one of the first black lawyers to become a Queen’s Counsel. Sara Venn, who turned unloved spaces in Bristol into community gardens growing food for low-income families. Nina Kuscik, the American marathon runner who broke down barriers to women participating in long distance running. Sergeant Mohammed Hussain…

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Michael Lachmann, Pik-sen Lim, Leon Krier, David 'Syd' Lawrence 27:50

6M ago27:50

27:50

Matthew Bannister on The TV director Michael Lachmann who made some of the most acclaimed documentaries about science. Professor Brian Cox and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock pays tribute. Pik-sen Lim who became one of the most recognisable East Asian actors on British TV. Leon Krier, the master planner behind King Charles’s controversial Poundbury devel…

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Sir Geoff Palmer, Barbara Holdridge, Kim Woodburn, Sly Stone 27:43

6M ago27:43

27:43

John Wilson on Sir Godfrey “Geoff” Palmer, the scientist whose discovery of a new brewing method revolutionized the industry and saved them millions of pounds Barbara Holdridge, the entrepreneur who co-founded a new record label that paved the way for the audiobook industry Kim Woodburn, the reality TV Star who made gained popular recognition throu…

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Brian Wilson, Frederick Forsyth, Uriah Rennie, Edmund White 27:52

7M ago27:52

27:52

Kirsty Lang on Brian Wilson, the driving force behind The Beach Boys who were one of the most successful bands of the 1960s. Fredrick Forsyth, the writer and former Mi6 agent who books included The Day of the Jackal and The Fourth Protocol. Uriah Rennie who made history as the Premier League’s first black referee. And the author Edmund White whose …

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Valmik Thapar, Nancy Blaik, Norma Meras Swenson, Dr Stuart Farrimond 27:50

7M ago27:50

27:50

Kirsty Lang on Wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar who spent five decades trying to protect India’s tigers Nancy Blaik, the driving force behind the creation of Scotland’s first children’s hospice Norma Meras Swenson, the co-author of the influential book ‘Our Bodies, Ourselves’ Doctor Stuart Farrimond who became a popular science writer after b…

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Alan Yentob, Richard Garwin, Dr Joy Schaverien, Anne Merriman 27:58

7M ago27:58

27:58

Matthew Bannister on Alan Yentob, the BBC’s only Creative Director, who commissioned many successful TV programmes, was known as an impresario of talent and also presented Imagine. Richard Garwin, the American physicist who developed the Hydrogen bomb, but then devoted his life to nuclear disarmament. Dr. Joy Shaverien, the psychoanalyst who identi…

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Hannah Deacon, Andrew Norfolk, Dame June Clark, Martin Graham 27:51

7M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Hannah Deacon who ran a successful campaign to allow her son – and many others – to be treated with cannabis after he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. Andrew Norfolk, the journalist who exposed the Rotherham grooming gang scandal. Dame June Clark, the President of the Royal College of Nursing who argued for more educ…

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Sir Tom Farmer, Elaine Wynn, Sue Stapely, Joseph Nye 27:42

8M ago27:42

27:42

Matthew Bannister on: Sir Tom Farmer, the Edinburgh born businessman who built up the tyre and exhaust company Kwik Fit. Elaine Wynn, who worked with her husband Steve to create a casino empire in Las Vegas. Sue Stapely, who transformed the way the legal profession communicates with the public and the media. Joseph Nye, the American political analy…

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Jane Gardam, Sir Roger Birch, Mike Peters, Francoise Hampson 27:53

8M ago27:53

27:53

Kirsty Lang on The author Jane Gardam, whose works included The Queen of the Tambourine and Old Filth. Sir Roger Birch, the former Chief Constable of Sussex Police who oversaw the investigation following the IRAs' Brighton bomb attack in 1984. Mike Peters, the lead singer of the band The Alarm, whose own battle with cancer saw him become a campaign…

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Virginia Giuffre, Rosy Bremer, LJ Smith, Wizz Jones 27:37

8M ago27:37

27:37

Matthew Bannister on Virginia Giuffre, who waived her anonymity to accuse the billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and his friend Ghislaine Maxwell of sex abuse and trafficking. Rosy Bremer, a leading campaigner against nuclear weapons at the women’s protest at Greenham Common airbase. LJ Smith, author of the best-selling “Vampire Diaries” series of novels …

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Pope Francis, Paddy Higson, David Sassoon 27:49

8M ago27:49

27:49

Matthew Bannister on Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope who was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle. Paddy Higson, the TV and film producer once described as “the mother of the Scottish film industry”. Jed Mercurio and Clare Grogan pay tribute. And David Sassoon, the fashion designer who dressed royalty and film stars. Dame Zandra …

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Anne Scargill, Ronnie Appleton, Cecil Wright, Mario Vargas Llosa 27:52

8M ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on Anne Scargill, who founded the Women Against Pit Closures group when her husband Arthur was leading the Miners Strike of the 1980s. The actor Maxine Peake pays tribute. Ronnie Appleton who was Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles. Cecil Wright, the Jamaican born cricketer who made his ma…

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Lord Kalms, Melissa Llewallyn-Davies, Rex Cowan, Wilma Finla 27:57

9M ago27:57

27:57

Matthew Bannister on Lord Kalms, who turned his family’s camera shop into the multi-million-pound Dixons electronics chain. Melissa Llewellyn-Davies, the anthropologist who made an acclaimed TV series about Kenya’s Masai tribe before turning her camera on the UK. Rex Cowan, the lawyer who changed career to become one of the world’s most successful …

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Val Kilmer, Jane Reed, Sir Torquil Norman, Dr Marika Sherwood 27:51

9M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on The Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors. Jane Reed, the media executive who made Woman’s Own magazine a powerful voice for its readers at a time of changing roles for women in society. Sir Torquil Norman, who used the proceeds from the sale of his successful toy business…

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Oleg Gordievsky, Renee Goddard, Professor Richard Fortey, Sofia Gubaidulina 27:53

9M ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB agent who defected to Britain and became a valued source of secret intelligence during the 1970s and 80s. Renee Goddard, the actress and TV commissioner who fled Nazi persecution only to be interned in Britain. Professor Richard Fortey, the palaeontologist who used his expertise in trilobites to tell st…

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Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC, Dame Julie Kenny, Tuppy Owens, Dick McTaggart 27:52

9M ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on: Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC , the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain during the second world war. Dame Julie Kenny, the successful businesswoman from Rotherham who led the regeneration of one of Britain’s largest stately homes. Tuppy Owens, who campaigned for greater openness about sex…

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Athol Fugard, Janet Pharaoh, Alison Halford, Johnny Green 27:51

10M ago27:51

27:51

Kirsty Lang on: Athol Fugard, the playwright whose art became synonymous with exposing the inequities of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Janet Pharaoh, the dancer from Yorkshire who became the artistic director at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Alison Halford who rose through the ranks to become the first female Assistant Chief Constable. Johnny …

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Bill Dare, Clint Hill, Valérie André, Gene Hackman 27:51

10M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Bill Dare, the writer and producer behind some of Radio 4’s best loved comedies, including “The Now Show” and “Dead Ringers”. Jan Ravens pays tribute. Clint Hill, the American Secret Service agent who threw himself across President John F. Kennedy’s body after he was shot in Dallas. Valérie André, the first woman General in the…

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Roberta Flack, Dr D G Hessayon, Keith Dewhurst, Rose Hanks 27:50

10M ago27:50

27:50

John Wilson on: Musician Roberta Flack, best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. Dr David Hessayon, the author of a series of gardening books known as The Expert guides. His one word advice to keen gardeners was 'mulch'. Keith Dewhurst whose work for television and stage included the National’s unconventional adapta…

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Rick Buckler, Margaret Miles-Bramwell, Harry Stewart Jr, Maureen Halton 27:44

10M ago27:44

27:44

John Wilson on Rick Buckley, the drummer in The Jam, one of the most popular and influential British bands of the 70s and 80s. Margaret Miles-Bramwell who founded Slimming World in response to what she saw as humiliation tactics by weight loss groups. World War Two fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr, part of the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen who…

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Nigel McCrery, Andrée Dumon, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Diana Melly 27:50

11M ago27:50

27:50

Matthew Bannister on Nigel McCrery, the former police officer who created the popular TV series “Silent Witness” and “New Tricks”. Andrée Dumon, who rescued many allied service men during the Second World War by escorting them along “The Comet Line” from Brussels to Paris. Lord Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru and the first Presiding O…

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Tony Martin, Pete Wilkinson, Loretta Ford, Marianne Faithfull 27:53

11M ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a burglar and started a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves. Pete Wilkinson, the co-founder of Greenpeace UK, known for his high-profile direct-action campaigns. Loretta Ford, who pioneered the role of nurse practitioner in American health care. Mar…

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Rev Don Cupitt, Phyllis Dalton, Cecile Richards, Michael Longley 27:41

11M ago27:41

27:41

Matthew Bannister on The Reverend Don Cupitt, the controversial theologian whose TV series “The Sea of Faith” asked in what form - if any - is Christian faith possible for us today? Phyllis Dalton, the Oscar winning costume designer who worked on classic films, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago” and “Oliver!”. Cecile Richards, the Ame…

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Dame Joan Plowright, Sir Jim Walker, Barbara Clegg, Denis Law 27:51

11M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Dame Joan Plowright, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation who was married to Laurence Olivier. Dame Judi Dench pays tribute. Sir Jim Walker, who built up his family business from a small bakery in the North of Scotland to become a global food exporter. Barbara Clegg, the first woman to write a story for Dr Who.…