

Profile
BBC Radio 4
An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 15, 2022 • 14min
Novak Djokovic
Adrian Goldberg profiles the life and career of World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic. We hear about him practicing in the streets of Belgrade as a child during the war in the former Yugoslavia, how his views on health and medicine were shaped and how he became the formidable and resilient competitor that he is today.Programme Credits
In Depth with Graham Bensinger
ABC NewsProducer: Ben Crighton
Researcher: Diane Richardson
Editor: Penny Murphy

Jan 8, 2022 • 14min
Oksana Lyniv
It’s been quite a year for proudly Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv, becoming the first female conductor at the 145-year-old Bayreuth Festival in August and now embarking on a new role as Teatro Comunale di Bologna's first female Music Director.Presenter Mark Coles discovers the family stories and personal challenges which have brought Oksana’s charisma and talent from Western Ukraine to classical music's world stage.Picture Credit: Tristram Kenton, Royal Opera House.Programme Credits:
Teatro Comunale di Bologna
UATV
The Ukrainian Institute in London
DW Classical Music
MDR Television
Choir and Orchestra of the Bayreuther Festspiele
US-Ukraine Foundation Producer: Ben Crighton
Researcher: Diane Richardson

Jan 4, 2022 • 14min
David Murdoch
British curling is looking forward to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - and all eyes are on head coach David Murdoch, the man in charge of bringing home some medals.All three teams - mixed, male and female - have qualified and hopes are high this former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist can inspire the teams to victory.Mark Coles finds out what makes the Lockerbie-born sports nerd tick.Producers: Diane Richardson and Lucy Proctor
Editor: Penny Murphy

Dec 25, 2021 • 14min
Pharoah Sanders
Pharoah Sanders’s 2021 album Promises has been called a spiritual album for the dark ages. Mark Coles hears how Sanders helped invent a new style of music, after his birth in the southern United States, and time spent sleeping rough in New York City.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn

Dec 18, 2021 • 14min
Patrick Vallance
The pandemic has thrust the Government Chief Scientific Adviser into the middle of the clash between politics and science. He’s faced criticism from MPs, the press, and the public. Edward Stourton finds out about the man behind the pedestal, Sir Patrick Vallance. From fixing caravans on his parents’ site in Cornwall to breakfast with an mentor and a stint in industry with GlaxoSmithKline, who is the man advising our leaders on the pandemic?
Presenter: Edward Stourton
Researcher: Drew Miller Hyndman
Producer: Ben Crighton
Editor: Richard Vadon

Dec 11, 2021 • 13min
Éric Zemmour
He’s twice been convicted of hate speech, believes foreign names should be banned, and has been accused of being a Holocaust denier. Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the journalist turned politician who hopes to be the next leader of France.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Chris Flynn

Dec 4, 2021 • 15min
Lubaina Himid
After becoming the first Black woman – and the oldest person – ever to win the Turner Prize, British artist Lubaina Himid is now enjoying a retrospective at London's Tate Modern.She’s become recognised as one of the most powerful political voices in British contemporary art, creating works about black identity, as well as championing the work of young black British female artists. Mark Coles speaks to those who know her. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Chris Flynn

Nov 27, 2021 • 14min
Peppa Pig
The idea for the four year old pigchild was dreamt up in a London pub by three out of work mates in the 90s. She’s now the inspiration for theme parks across the world, and they are worth millions.
After the prime minister declared his love for her in front of the UK’s leading business people, Mark Coles explores how Peppa Pig has become one the most recognisable characters on television.Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn

Nov 20, 2021 • 14min
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Boris Johnson says he "crashed the car" in his handling of the case of the party's former MP Owen Paterson. But if the prime minister was at the wheel, Jacob Rees-Mogg was the backseat driver.
The Leader of the House of Commons has described himself as a man of the people. Others have referred to him as the honourable member for the 18th century.
Mark Coles asks what now drives the man who as a monocle wearing child was chauffeured in a Bentley.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Ben Crighton

Nov 13, 2021 • 13min
Kamlesh Patel
He came to Britain as a toddler - one of several thousand Indian immigrants from Kenya.Raised in poverty in 1960s Bradford, Kamlesh Patel was targeted by skinheads – and sought solace playing cricket in a field with other south Asian friends.Almost 50 years later - now a peer - Lord Patel is tasked with trying to repair the reputation of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which has been accused of systemic racism. As MPs begin their own investigation, Mark Coles follows Kamlesh Patel's remarkable journey from schoolboy cricketer and one time ambulance driver to social worker, academic, the House of Lords and now chair of the club he always dreamed of playing for. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Ben Crighton


