Saturday Live

Aasmah Mir and the Reverend Richard Coles are joined by the writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson. She discusses her heroine Tracy Beaker who is now grown up with a daughter of her own and why she prefers writing for children to adults.Steve Bland talks about his late wife Rachael, the journalist and broadcaster who co-presented You, Me and the Big C, an inspiring podcast about living with cancer. The podcast tackled her illness with courage and humour and changed our thinking about the disease. Before her death last year Rachael wrote a moving memoir for her young son Freddie.Born in Beirut, comedian Nemr Abour Nassar grew up in San Diego before returning to Lebanon. His stand-up routine addresses the differences between US and Lebanese culture and, closer to home, he pokes fun at his Arab family and their traditions.Julia Lee is the first female rugby league referee. She fell in love with the game when she was a child and when she was 17 she applied to become an official. She talks about being a woman in a man's world and the new play Ref! - a fictionalised account of her life.With Inheritance Tracks from former designer and sculptor Nicole Farhi. She chooses Kol Nidrei sung by Cantor Yitz Meir Helfgot and Casta Diva sung by Maria Callas from the opera Norma by Bellini.Producer: Paula McGinley. Editor: Beverley Purcell

The actor Shane Richie, star of East Enders talks about his latest role, in the West End show ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’. Chelcee Grimes describes how she combines her two careers, playing for Fulham Ladies and writing songs for the Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa and Kylie amongst others. Bethan Roberts grew up in the House of Elvis – not Graceland – but with a mum who loved The King so much that she had memorabilia and posters all over the house. Dr Jon Copley is a marine biologist and scientific advisor for the BBC series, Blue Planet. He explains his fascination with our oceans, what it feels like to explore them. And Dave Gorman shares his Inheritance Tracks. He chooses: When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman performed by Dr Hook; and Reasons to be Cheerful by Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: John Goudie.

Aasmah and Richard are joined by: Patrick Grant - he bought and revived a failing tailors in Savile Row in 2005, since then he’s been awarded Menswear designer at the British Fashion Awards, become a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee and promotes sustainable fashion. Adam Kay used to be a junior doctor, and left to become a writer and comedian. His book This is Going to Hurt was based on diaries written as a junior doctor, exposed the highs and lows of the job and became a bestseller. Nichola McAvoy lost her hair age 11 and will tell us how finding a friend who also had alopecia was invaluable to her. Jess Herbert left her job as a trilingual assistant and retrained as an aborist - she's since won tree climbing competitions. We'll have your thank you and the Inheritance tracks of composer Mark Anthony Turnage who chooses Stravinsky's ‘The Fairy’s kiss’ conducted by Oliver Knussen with the Cleveland orchestra, and Miles Davis' ‘Blue in Green’.Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Scientist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili shares his experience of growing up in Iraq, his passion for music and his first novel, which will be published in April. Eboni Beckford-Chambers talks about combining a career in law with being an England netball player. As the new Biggin Hill Memorial Museum opens today, Geoff Greensmith recalls his childhood growing in the area during WW II. Listener Stephen 'Abs' Wisdom explains how Robin Hood inspired his career; and playwright and actress Natasha Gordon shares her Inheritance Tracks. She has chosen Midnight Train to Georgia sung by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla. Author Kimberley Chambers reveals how she became a bestselling author after deciding that life as a mini-cab driver wasn't for her.Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland

The actress, Brenda Blethyn, star of Vera; Monisha Rajesh recounts travelling around the world by train; Mo Gawdat on his happiness algorithm, and rugby international James Haskell shares his Inheritance Tracks. Brenda Blethyn, star of Vera, recalls working for British Rail, before launching her acting career. Mo Gawdat, Former Chief Business Officer, Google (X), explains his algorithm for happiness and how it helped him after the death of his son Ali. Saturday Live listener, Deborah Gould, shares her love of skydiving. Monisha Rajesh describes her 45,000 mile journey around the globe on 80 trains. And Harry Bibring recalls his escape from Vienna on the Kindertransport. And rugby international James Haskell shares his Inheritance Tracks. He chooses Billie Jean performed by Michael Jackson and Wagon Wheel performed by Darius Rucker.Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Eleanor Garland.

Trevor Nelson talks about how he became one of the country's leading R&B DJs; pigeon fancier Ian Evans sets the scene from The British Homing World Show of the Year in Blackpoool. Man Like Mobeen star and creator Guz Khan, who until recently was a Humanities teacher in the Midlands. Sharon D. Clarke shares her Inheritance Tracks. She has chosen Sweet Jamaica by Clancy Eccles and What’s Goin’ On by Marvin Gaye. Anatomist, author and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts discusses her career and how she digs the UK with a spade and a campervan.Presented by Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein.Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Aasmah Mir and Konnie Huq are joined by Dame Kelly Holmes, double gold winner at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She talks about her life in the army, pursuing her dream of becoming an Olympian and adjusting to life after retiring from athletics. Jacquie Davis is one of the world's top female bodyguards. During her career she has protected royals and celebrities, rescued hostages and carried out undercover surveillance. She talks about the qualities required for the job and the power of being a chameleon.The Reverend Ravi Holy was ordained in 2005 after turning his back on his previous life as a dissolute youth. He is also a stand-up comedian and explains how the comedy gets them laughing in the aisles.Jasper Winn is writer in residence for the Canal and River Trust who advocates slow travel - taking time to appreciate the world around us as an antidote to our busy, high tech lives.Marion Grave, owner of the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston, talks about the magic of their partnership and her favourite objects among the exhibits.With Inheritance Tracks from musician Rick Wakeman. He chooses Woodman, Spare That Tree by Phil Harris and Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.Producer: Paula McGinley Editor: Eleanor Garland

Aasmah Mir and Mobeen Azhar are joined by the actor and TV presenter Bradley Walsh. Currently starring in Doctor Who, he talks about going on a father and son road trip in the US, where he was pushed to his limits with cowboy training and sky diving! Former professional footballer and teacher, Len Johnrose, describes his small victories, silver linings and making the most of living with motor-neurone disease. Gary Budd is a chimney sweep and also the founder, head coach and chief coxswain of The Pilot Gig Club in Lewes, East Sussex. He explains why he started the club and how it’s brought the community together. Julia Georgallis gives advice on how to eat your Christmas Tree. She turns hers into everything from fir jam, spruce ice-cream, pine smoked cauliflower and juniper gin! And supermodel and petrolhead turned pub landlady, Jodie Kidd, describes turning 40 and how she’s now living a healthier, more anchored life. With Inheritance Tracks from Simon Williams. He chooses: I Whistle a Happy Tune from The King and I and Lullabye, sung by Billy Joel.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Eleanor Garland

Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles are joined by Gabrielle, THE pop star of the 90s – inspiring lyrics, cool image, intriguing eye patch, hit after hit, and then she went quiet. After time out as a mum of two she has just released her first album for 11 years, and she is back. Will Farmer’s life seems only to exist on a summer’s day surrounded by beautiful objects in the garden of an English stately home, for he is an expert on Antiques Roadshow. He’s joining us in the midst of winter to talk about auctioneering and his passion for the past. Emma Rosen spent a year trying 25 careers before turning 25 including: archaeology in Transylvania; being an extra in a major movie; alpaca farming in Cornwall and assisting a crisis team during the terror attack on Parliament in March 2017. Emma now works as a writer and speaker, focusing on millennials in the workforce. Saturday Live listener Gary Horrocks joins us to talk about being a fan of Judy Garland – he heads the international fan club. JP meets Philip Pittack and Martin White who run the last surviving Spitalfields cloth merchants. and Brian Conley tells us his inheritance tracks. He chooses Elvis Presley performing Jailhouse Rock and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons performing Who Loves You.Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

David Gower talks about his life in cricket and how spending his early years in Africa inspired his passion for wildlife. Anne Atkins has been inspired to write about her son Alex, who has Asperger's. They discuss their relationship and how Alex has learnt how to read people. Clive Collins explains why Christmas trees are so important to him. Singer Lily Allen shares her Inheritance Tracks - she has chosen I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall, performed by Merle Haggard and Fix You by Coldplay. And from the courtroom to the kitchen- Nisha Katona tells her story.Presented by Aasmah Mir and Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland