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Saturday Live: Michael Portillo

10/10/2020

Michael Portillo

BBC Radio 4 - Saturday Live, Michael Portillo

Actor Jude Akuwudike, prolific gig-goer Jeff Johns and listener Helen Lindsday.

Broadcaster and former MP Michael Portillo, actor Jude Akuwudike, prolific Bristol gig-goer Jeff Johns and listener Helen Lindsay whose family were monitored by MI5.

Broadcaster and former MP Michael Portillo joins Suzy Klein and Richard Coles to discuss his new book which celebrates ten years of Great British Railway Journeys. 

Actor Jude Akuwudike was born in Nigeria and lived there until he was six when a baffling illness lead to his parents, who were studying in London, to bring him to the UK for treatment. Jude recovered but the Civil War prevented his family returning to Nigeria and Jude went on become an actor, training at RADA and having successful career on stage and in film. He is now starring in his first ever Nigerian film, Eyimofe.

Listener Helen Lindsay emailed Saturday Live about her father Jack, who was a member of the Communist Party. Helen recently discovered that her father had actually been watched for decades by MI5. 

Jeff Johns aka “Big Jeff” has been to a gig almost every night of the week for the past 18 years. He is a well-known presence in Bristol and his face is used as the literal stamp of approval in his favourite local venue.

And Tori Amos shares her Inheritance Tracks.

Producer: Laura Northedge
Editor: Eleanor Garland

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