Profile

The Liverpool-born comedian, known for his razor-sharp wit, has traded in his stand-up routines for some serious dance moves of late.Chris McCausland is the first blind contestant to take part in the BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing - and he's being tipped as a possible winner. In his 20s, Chris lost most of his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. But that didn’t slow down his career. He's been lighting up the comedy scene since 2003, with regular appearances on hit programmes like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Would I Lie to You. He's also taken to the iconic stage of Live at the Apollo.In this edition of Profile, Stephen Smith talks to some of his closest friends, fellow comedians and former colleagues about his life, Strictly success - and the time he attended a job interview in the wrong trousers.Contributors Kevin Mathews - childhood friend Neil Churchill - childhood friend Justin Moorhouse - Comedian, Radio DJ and Actor Jimmy Tarbuck - Comedian Jane McCarry - Actress Sasha Boback - Producer of You Heard It Here FirstProduction Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Caroline Bayley, Julie Ball, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Coordinator: Maria OgundeleCredits Live at the Apollo, Open Mike Production, 04/01/2018

He's the man who masterminded Labour's general election campaign, and now holds one of the most important positions in Downing Street.Morgan McSweeney was recently appointed the prime minister's chief of staff, after Sue Gray quit the role. But what do we know about him? Born in Macroom, County Cork, he moved to London aged 17. He soon joined the Labour party under Tony Blair, working in a junior role at their headquarters.He rose through the ranks, forging a reputation as a skilled campaign strategist, and has been credited with being the brains behind this year's landslide victory.Mark Coles speaks to the people who know him - from school friends back home in Ireland, to others who've worked with him.Contributors Jon Cruddas - MP for Dagenham and Rainham. Ann Murphy - Journalist at Irish Examiner Katy Balls - Political Editor at The Spectator Liam O’Brien - childhood friend Nick Forbes - former boss at LGA Patrick Maguire - Journalist at The Times Donal Mulcahy - friendProduction Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Bob Howard, Caroline Bayley, Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

She’s a girl from New York's Lower East Side whom grew up to a life of stardom and is now known by just one name.Gaga, a classically trained pianist, has secured Grammy-winning songs like Poker Face and Rain on Me. While her performance in A Star Is Born was Oscar-nominated.Along the way, there’s been a meat dress, a high-profile stance against US military policy, and a collaborative album with Tony Bennett.Her latest work, Harlequin, is a companion album to her new big screen performance in Joker: Folie à Deux.From all-conquering song thrush to screen favourite, Stephen Smith has been find out about the life of Gaga.Contributors Annie Zalesk - Music Journalist Wendy Starland - Singer-Songwriter Giles Hattersley - Features Director at British Vogue Jonathan Van Meter - Journalist writing for US VogueProduction Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Diane Richardson, Kirsteen Knight, Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Maria OgundeleCredits Joker: Folie à Deux (Official Trailer) - Writer/director/producer Todd Phillips. Warner Bros A Star is Born (Official Trailer) - Director Bradley Cooper. Warner Bros The inauguration of Joe Biden, 2021, CSPAN The Late Show, RTE 2016 Academy Awards

He’s not yet completed a hundred days in his new job, but David Lammy finds himself overseeing the UK’s response to rising tensions in the Middle East.Born to Guyanese parents in north London, and raised by his mother from the age of 12 after his father left them, the foreign secretary is known for his advocacy for social justice, equality, and human rights. His journey to the top of British politics began with a legal career – becoming the first black Briton to study a masters in law at Harvard. At 27, David Lammy became Parliament’s youngest MP when he was elected in Tottenham, and he went on to become a junior minister under Sir Tony Blair.In opposition, he spent some of his time on Labour’s back benches – though now finds himself front and centre, facing countless fast-moving global challenges.Mark Coles meets some of the people who know David Lammy best - from childhood friends, to his beloved 'Aunty May'. Contributors Decca Aitkenhead - Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times Paul Waugh - Labour MP for Rochdale Ben Rhodes - Political Commentator Mayfield Griffith - David Lammy's godmother Production Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Di Richardson, Michaela Graichen and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Janet StaplesArchive United Nations General Assembly Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, 11 May 2018 Channel 4 News

Eben Upton, co-founder of Raspberry Pi and a driving force behind making computing affordable for learners. He recalls childhood hacks that led to designing a low‑cost Python-friendly computer. The conversation covers the Pi’s design-for-value, its manufacturing shift to Wales, classroom and space projects, and the surprising commercial and educational impact worldwide.

Some call it one of the trickiest jobs in the country. How do you stop the small boats trying to cross the English Channel and smash the smuggling gangs? The government has appointed Martin Hewitt to the role- he’s leading the UK’s new border security command. It’s a tough job, so can he do it? Martin Hewitt is a former senior police officer and chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council. He is also the man who oversaw the policing of Covid lockdowns.Mark Coles has been speaking to some of his colleagues, former colleagues and the journalists who reported on him. Contributors Tim Smith - Chief Constable, Kent Police Danny Shaw - former BBC Correspondent Festus Akinbusoye - former Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire Ruth Turner - Senior Director at the Forward Institute Dal Babu - former Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Vikram Dodd - Guardian Police and Crime Correspondent Production Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Farhana Haider, Ben Morris, Ben Cooper, Michaela Graichen Editor: Richard Vadon Sound: Gareth Jones Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

This week we delve into the life of the First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan, the first woman to hold the position. Morgan was introduced to politics at a very young age by her parents, who were both councillors. Her early career was spent working in broadcasting before her political career began at the age of 27, elected as the youngest Member of the European Parliament in 1994. She went on to take up a seat in the House of Lords and was Welsh Health Secretary during the Covid pandemic. Stephen Smith talks to friends and political figures, hearing how a girl from a deprived part of Cardiff, became the most powerful person in Wales. Contributors Lord Neil Kinnock - former Labour Leader Gloria Yates - Neighbour Ruth Mosalski - Political Editor of Wales Online Ceri Innes Parry- Childhood Friend Claudia Velez – School Friend Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Diane Richardson, Julie Ball, Ben Morris Editors: Ben Mundy, Alex Lewis Sound: James Beard Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Some of world football's biggest names have been linked to England's top job since Gareth Southgate hung up his waistcoat. But, for now at least, it is Lee Carsley who takes over as England's interim manager.The modest, methodical and quietly spoken coach started his footballing journey at Derby County – before making his name at Everton.Family and charity work are Lee Carsley’s other priorities. He’s a patron of the Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group – after they helped his middle child, Connor following his diagnosis. Lee also volunteers at the Solihull Moors Foundation. Some say this collection bucket rattler has all the attributes required to lead England to glory, so Mark Coles speaks to his friends, and colleagues to find out more.Contributors Becci Fox - CEO, Solihull Moors Foundation Kevin Turner - former PE Teacher, Cockshut Hill School Kevin Kilbane - former footballer, Everton Football Club Jack Gaughan - Northern Football Reporter, Daily MailProduction Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Di Richardson, Farhana Haider, Drew Hyndman and Ben Morris Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: John Scott Production Coordinator: Maria OgundeleArchive RAMS TV The Football Association Match of The Day 11/12/04 (BBC) BBC Radio 5 Live

James Graham’s writing obsession started at the age of six in the shadow of Nottinghamshire's former coalmines. Equipped with a typewriter from his mother he created hundreds of stories from the family home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Accelerating through university in Hull and a writing residency in west London, Graham’s work started to attract wider audiences following a break at the National Theatre in 2012. Building on his thrilling political drama This House, he went on to write plays and TV series including Sherwood, Dear England, Quiz, Best of Enemies and Brexit: The Uncivil War.During this year’s MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he called for more working-class people in TV. But what next for this prolific playwright? Stephen Smith speaks to his family, friends and colleagues to find out more. Contributors Anne Ellis - Mother David Morrissey - Actor Kate Wasserberg - Artistic Director, Theatr Clwyd Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson - Senior Lecturer, University of Hull Martin Humphrey - Former Head of Creative Arts, Ashfield School, Nottingham Susannah Clapp - Theatre Critic for The ObserverProduction Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Julie Ball, Ben Cooper, Miriam Quayyam Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: John Scott Production Coordinator: Maria OgundeleArchive 2012 National Theatre production of This House written by James Graham and directed by Jeremy Herrin. The cast in the extract features Phil Daniels playing Bob Mellish, Philip Glenister playing Walter Harrison and Lauren O’Neil playing Ann Taylor.Picture BBC/PA Media

JD Vance, from 'hillbilly' roots to potential VP nominee for Trump. Raised by grandparents in Rust Belt town amid mother's drug addiction. Discusses his evolution from Trump critic to supporter, exploring personal journey and political aspirations.