Radio Oldie

Stephen Frears is one of Britain’s most prolific and successful film and television directors. His 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette made his name and launched the careers of Daniel Day-Lewis and Tim Bevan of Working Title. Stephen talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his phenomenal career, from directing Dangerous Liaisons, written by Christopher Hampton in 1988 and starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer, to working with Martin Scorsese on Grifters and with Stephen Knight on Dirty Pretty Things (2002).  He also talks about his admiration for Hugh Grant who played Jeremy Thorpe in his 2018 mini-series A Very English Scandal and his enduring friendship Hanif Kureshi, who wrote the screenplay for My Beautiful Laundrette.

Jeremy King, the greatest restaurateur of the age, tells Harry Mount how he set up the Caprice, the Ivy and the Wolseley. He explains how he trains his waiters, how he spots when a diner is about to hit him and why he wrote his new book, Without Reservation - Lessons from a Life in Restaurants.

Mary Berry speaking about her new book, Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.

Jeremy King speaking about his new book, Without Reservation: Lessons from a Life in Restaurants, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.

John Davie speaking about his new book, Greek to Us: the Fascinating Ancient Greek that Shapes our World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.

Charlotte Metcalf talks to Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk - the best-selling story of how she dealt with the grief over her father's death by bringing up a goshawk in Cambridge. The book has just been made into a film, starring Claire Foy (pictured) as Helen - it comes out this Friday, January 23rd. 

As he turns 90, Hunter Davies tells Harry Mount about being the Beatles' only official biographer – the priceless, hand-written lyrics he picked up off the floor of Abbey Road Studios, John Lennon's disapproving Aunt Mimi and the swimming trunks Paul McCartney left at his Portugal house.

Beyond being one of the Pythons in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Michael Palin has had a varied career as an actor, writer and television presenter and is now known for his popular books and travel documentaries.  He was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture and geography.  He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his love of travel and art, how he began in comedy, stammering, as he did in a A Fish Called Wanda,  his ‘harmonious’ temperament and much more.

Lady Glenconner tells Harry Mount about life as Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting: how Fergie told her how much the Queen liked her book; and the royal waves, from the Queen's crisp wave to the Queen Mother's - like 'stirring a pudding'.

Matthew Bourne is widely hailed as Britain’s most popular and successful choreographer with a record number of prestigious awards.  He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about Red Shoes, currently playing at Sadlers Wells, and much more.  His 1995 Swan Lake, replacing female swans with male dancers, is the world’s longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway.  He was knighted in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the art of ballet.