

Saturday Live
BBC Radio 4
Join Adrian Chiles for a Saturday morning full of remarkable people with extraordinary stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 24, 2015 • 1h 25min
George Clarke
"Restoration Man" and Amazing Spaces presenter George Clarke joins Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles to talk about leaving school at sixteen without any qualifications and his passion for bringing buildings back to life. Find out how a present from his Granddad set him on the road to becoming an architect.Sherika Sherard quit University to get a job. But it took her almost a year to get work and in that time she busked around London to earn some money. Now the song she wrote 'Give Me A Job' has gone viral and touched the hearts of thousands.Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill. The wartime leader's funeral was the largest state funeral in world history up to that point, with representatives from 112 nations present, along with many thousands of people who had camped out overnight to pay their respects. Among them was a 21 year old David Savage, who 50 years on reflects on that bitter cold night and historic day.Chris Bates was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for services as an unpaid Ambassador to the island of Tristan da Cunha.JP Devlin joins the crowds of well-wishers who attended the funeral of an RAF veteran who died without any family or friends.Actor Natascha McElhone picks her Inheritance TracksProducer: Maire Devine
Editor: Karen DalzielInheritance Tracks
"Jamming" by the reggae band Bob Marley & the Wailers from their 1977 album Exodus
"Lean on Me" written and recorded by singer-songwriter Bill Withers from his 1972 album Still Bill.

Jan 17, 2015 • 1h 25min
Sally Gunnell
Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles are joined by Olympic Gold medallist Sally Gunnell. Now an ambassador for Sport England, she discusses how she keeps fit, her role in her local community in Sussex and how her sons now outrun her!Saturday Live listener Alice Munro contacted the programme to tell us about the community in Wirksworth, Derbyshire and why it's a special place to live. Matt Barlow accepted her invitation to visit.
Matthew Engel describes his three year journey exploring England afresh by visiting 39 counties and the capital, what he discovered about their individual natures and traditions, and why he's adopted the county of Herefordshire as his home.Vlogger and creator of Vsauce, Michael Stevens, shares his passion for knowledge and how he makes videos relating to various scientific topics for an online community with 8 million subscribers.We hear the wonderful story of Pamela Rose - who gave up acting in her twenties to work at Bletchley Park and returned to the stage in her 80s.Crime writer Peter May explains how his real-life teenage experience of playing in a band and running away from Glasgow for London has inspired his latest book. He describes that journey, how life in the Outer Hebrides led to his Lewis Trilogy and why he is an honorary member of The Chinese Crime Writers Association.And actor Julie Hesmondhalgh shares her Inheritance Tracks - The Joy of Living by Ewan MacColl and Reach by S Club.Engel's England: Thirty-nine Counties, One Capital and One Man', is published by Profile Books.
Cucumber is on Channel 4 on Thursday at 9pm.
The Bletchley Girls: War, Secrecy, Love and Loss by Tessa Dunlop is published by Hodder and Stoughton.
Runway by Peter May is published by Quercus.Producer: Louise Corley.

Jan 10, 2015 • 1h 25min
Viv Groskop and Paul Sinton-Hewitt
Artistic Director and acclaimed comedian, Viv Groskop joins Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein to talk about the 'caw' of stand-up comedy and what it's like making tea for famous authors at the Bath Literature Festival.Ten years ago Paul Sinton-Hewitt was fired and then had a bad fall when training for a half marathon which ruptured his stomach. Not knowing what to do with himself and determined not to give up running, he set up a club with the aim of running 5k at 9 o'clock on a Saturday morning. 13 people joined him on his first run. Today, more than 1 million people across the world are part of the phenomenon Paul created that day - it's called Parkrun and it's happening as we speak, in more than 500 parks across the world.Seventy seven year-old Jill Stidever has been teaching children with disabilities to swim for over 50 years. Three of her swimmers have gone on to be paralympians - including her daughter Jane who won five gold medals. In December Jill won the 2014 BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award at the Sports Personality of the Year for her work in changing the perception of disabled sport.Interaction designer & aspiring astronaut Nelly Ben Hayoun works to bring the wonder of outer space into the comfort of the living room & creates chaos out of order.JP Devlin meets a group of pensioners in Gateshead who find that keeping hens helps stave off loneliness.Novelist, essayist, lyricist, and screenwriter Nick Hornby picks his Inheritance TracksProducer: Maire Devine
Editor: Karen DalzielI Laughed, I Cried: How One Woman Took on Stand-Up and (Almost) Ruined Her Life Paperback - Jun 2013 by Viv Groskop. Published by OrionInheritance Tracks:
Ring of Fire written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore sung by Johnny Cash, 1963 album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash.
(Do the) Mashed Potatoes recorded by James Brown with his band in 1959.

Jan 3, 2015 • 1h 25min
Marcus Wareing and Alison Hammond
Chef, restaurateur and Masterchef judge Marcus Wareing joins Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles.Actor, presenter and reality TV star Alison Hammond talks celebrity, 'Strictly' and allotments.We hear the extraordinary story of the woman who fell in love with her sperm donor. Aminah Hart's daughter was born two years ago following IVF using an anonymous donor, but she tracked down the donor and is now engaged to dad Scott Anderson.Michael Parker reveals how best to sell yourself. He shares lessons learnt from fifty years as an advertising exec and the two Olympic Games where he competed in the hurdles.JP Devlin meets Des O'Connor.And writer, director, actor and comedian John Waters picks his Inheritance Tracks.Producer: Joe Kent
Editor: Alex Lewis'Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America' is published by FSG Macmillan'It's Not What You Say It's The Way You Say It' by Michael Parker is published by Vermilion'Laughter Lines' by Des O'Connor is published Panmacmillan.

Dec 27, 2014 • 1h 25min
Anton du Beke; Stephanie Hirst
Anton du Beke of Strictly Come Dancing joins Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein.Anton has been with Strictly from the beginning, having famously partnered Ann Widdecombe, Nancy Dell'Olio, and most recently Judy Murray. As he is about to go on tour with his dance partner, Erin Boag, he explains how he became involved in ballroom dancing and why his favourite dance is the Foxtrot.The poet Mr. Gee shares seasonal poems.The award winning broadcaster Stephanie Hirst, formerly Simon Hirst, describes her lifelong passion for radio, her musical influences, the events that have led her to change gender and live as a woman, and how her family have supported her.Vicki Brewer shares the story of her favourite Christmas present - a personalised board game from her daughter and son in law, in which the content was tailored to stories from the family's life.JP Devlin meets John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, lead singer of the iconic 1970s punk band The Sex Pistols. John talks frankly about Christmas, his childhood illness, trains and his relationship with his parents.Glyn Johns talks about his career as a sound engineer/producer with bands from The Rolling Stones and The Eagles to The Who and Led Zeppelin.And Grayson Perry shares his Inheritance Tracks: It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones and I'd Rather Ride Around With You by Reba McIntyre.Anton and Erin's new production That's Entertainment is on a nationwide tour from 22 January - 29 March 2015.Sound Man, by Glyn Johns, is published by Blue Rider Press.Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored by John LydonGrayson Perry: Who Are You? can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery until 15 March 2015.Produced by Louise Corley.

Dec 20, 2014 • 1h 25min
Jon Snow
Journalist Jon Snow joins Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles to discuss 25 years of being the face of Channel 4 News.Also on the programme, Luke Simon was living in Thailand when the 2004 Tsunami struck. He lost his brother when the low lying island of Ko Phi Phi was subsumed by sea water. He tells us how life has moved on, about the power of sibling relationships and the charity he set up in his brother's name. The Oscar-winning song Let It Go (from the animated film Frozen) has captivated millions worldwide. It has already been translated into 41 foreign-language versions but not Welsh. 14 yr old Rebekah West set about righting that wrong. And in this season of goodwill we meet a man who was inspired to carry out one good deed a day for 2014. After losing a close family friend, Luke Cameron has spent the last year helping others which has inspired him to move away from a career in fashion to working for a charity.We also hear from some of the cast of RSC's 'The Christmas Truce' on the football coaching they received from Aston Villa's Sean Verity as they re-enact the infamous Christmas Day football match between the Allies and the Germans. Plus the inheritance tracks of Alan Johnson MP, a Christmas Cracker from Miranda Hart and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy gives us taster of her Christmas Poem.Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Dec 13, 2014 • 1h 25min
Suzi Perry
The BBC's Formula 1 presenter, Suzi Perry, joins Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir to discuss life on the road, her passion for speed, her rock and roll childhood and time spent working backstage at her local theatre.Ben Collins, ex-"The Stig" from the BBC's Top Gear, takes Richard on a circuit of Rockingham Racetrack.With more than 30 years' experience Mark Thompson shares his passion for "amateur astronomy", gives simple steps on how you can get started without spending a fortune and explains what is happening with The Geminid meteor shower this weekend.Hermen, an outreach worker for The Connection at St. Martin's, supported by the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal, recalls his time living on the street.Robin Ollington describes how his suggestion led to Buckingham Palace displaying a welcoming Christmas Tree.Katie Rogers shares her story of how, as a city executive, she followed her childhood passion to run away to become a circus ringmaster.And actress Wendi Peters chooses her Inheritance Tracks - I Won't Last A Day Without You by Carpenters, and Hello Dolly by Barbra Streisand.Stargazing - The Essential Guide to Astronomy, by Mark Thompson, is published by Philips.Wendi Peters is appearing as Martha in White Christmas at London's Dominion Theatre.The Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin in-the-Fields. This is the 88th Appeal for St. Martin's work to support homeless and vulnerable people across the UK. You can give to the Christmas Appeal online by going to the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal website.Produced by Louise Corley.

Dec 6, 2014 • 1h 25min
Matthew Bourne and Sam Bailey
The choreographer Matthew Bourne and X Factor 2013 winner Sam Bailey join Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles.We meet the friends of Malala Yousafzai who were shot by the Taliban in Pakistan two years ago and are now studying in rural Wales. They will be reunited with Malala this week as she receives the Nobel Peace Prize.Tim Wootton was told he wouldn't live long enough to finish school because of a genetic disease. Now in his 40s he explains what impact that's had on his outlook on life, and what others can learn from him.Listener James Showers also shares lessons from his life, a life spent constantly re-inventing himself; head hunter, carpenter, rain forest resident, hermit, and now undertaker.Plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of Michael Morpurgo.Matthew Bourne's production of 'Edward Scissorhands' is on until January 11th at Sadler's Wells.
Sam Bailey's autobiography 'Daring to Dream' is published by Blink Publishing.Producer: Joe Kent
Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Nov 29, 2014 • 1h 25min
Listener Week with Steve Backshall
In a special programme for Saturday Live's Listener Week, wildlife presenter Steve Backshall joins Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles to talk intricate animal communities, how he earned his nickname 'manure boy' and whether his sequined onesie is to be retired forever.Also with us are listener Simon Digby who got in touch about a series of stories about things he got up to when he was young that he never told his mother. David Heydecker told us that he usually spends his Saturday mornings listening to Saturday Live whilst elbow deep in bread dough. This week he's sharing with us the fruits of his labour and also how his community benefits. Martin Greenough also wrote to us about how his Saturday mornings, evangelising about his local ParkRun meet. We sent reporter Geoff Bird off to see if he would be similarly inspired.JP Devlin has been to visit the extraordinary Pembrokeshire community of Llangwm who have come together to create and perform an opera to celebrate the centenary of WW1. As a military wife Cat Williams has lived in countless different communities and countries. As well as being a listener she is also a trained counsellor.Su Chard is an independent celebrant who is passionate about encouraging fellow listeners to pass down family stories to get the send-off you want. We also have an Inheritance Tracks from listener Ailsa Harris. She chooses Que sera sera by Doris Day and Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder.Deadly Pole to Pole with Steve Backshall returns to your screens Saturday on BBC 2 between 10-11am.Producer: Alex Lew
Editor: Karen Dalzie.

Nov 22, 2014 • 1h 25min
Carrie Grant
Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles are joined by vocal coach, singer and television presenter, Carrie Grant.
Best known for her role as the vocal coach on the hit talent show, Fame Academy, she has also worked on Pop Idol and The One Show, where she conducted 500 viewers in the life-affirming "virtual choir".Rebecca Root explains how she helps transsexual and transgendered people, like herself, to discover their voice.The first photographer to capture on film the incomparable Kate Bush - we hear from her brother John Carder Bush on how he rescued the negatives from a skip to make a collection of photographs.JP Devlin visits a tattoo convention in Bournemouth.Jockie Reid reveals why he has taken up motorcycling at the age of eighty one.The palaeobiologist, Dr. Victoria Herridge, on her passion for Ice Age mammals and the trip of a lifetime - to take part in an autopsy of a 40,000 year old woolly mammoth.And the writer, Jung Chang, chooses her Inheritance Tracks: God Bless the Child, by Billie Holliday and The Sweetest Embrace by Barry Adamson.**Please send us your questions for wildlife presenter and recent Strictly contestant Steve Backshall for next week's programme via: saturdaylive@bbc.co.uk**Cathy, by John Carder Bush.Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang.Woolly Mammoth: The Autopsy - on Channel 4 on Sunday 23 November at 8pm.


