David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University. We follow the debate, but also hear about their research process and from the people who have acted as their mentors.

At the end of a programme, a vote is taken, and the speakers are invited to reflect on the experience. Has it changed their established views?

The motion is: 'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'

Speaking for the motion is TV presenter John Leslie, and against is columnist and writer Toby Young.

In an increasingly celebrity-centric society, should stars who ultimately survive on the oxygen of publicity have the right to a private life? Is a lack of clear privacy laws eroding the freedom of the press, and are celebrities hypocritical when it comes to balancing privacy with publicity - or do they need protection?

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4. Show less