With Denis Nowlan.

Producer Sarah Tempest

With Sue MacGregor and James Naughtie.
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News
7.45 Thought for the Day With Canon David Winter.

Marianne Elliott uncovers the history of the Ulster Catholics when she joins Jeremy Paxman and guests, including the BBC's political editor John Simpson. Producer Ariane Koek. Shortened repeated at 9.30pm

With Martha Kearney and guests. Drama: The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve. Part 1 of 10. Editor Ruth Gardiner. E-MAIL: womanshour@bbc.co.uk Drama repeated at 7.45pm

Historian Peter Jones presents a series about how the Roman Empire worked.
2: Trajan - the Perfect Public Servant. The I ife of Trajan, an emperor who had great skill in controlling an empire that stretched from North Africa to Scandinavia. Producer John Byrne (R)

Evelyn Waugh's biting satire of class, prewar politics and the appalling nature of the newspaper industry is adapted in four parts by Giles Havergal.
"We at the Daily Beast think it a very promising little war," says Lord Copper. But who should cover it? Boot is the man, but which Boot?
Deja view with Mark Lewisohn: page 15

Trixie Rawlinson and John Waite.

With Nick Clarke.

Robert Robinson chairs the nationwide general knowledge contest, including Beat the Brains, in which listeners put their own questions to contestants. First round - Wales and Northern
Ireland. Producer Richard Edis. Repeated Saturday llpm

Repeated from yesterday 7pm

When a group of travellers are forced to take shelterfrom a storm in a motorway service station, they soon discover that everyone has a remarkable story to tell. Throughout the week 21 writers pay tribute on the 600th anniversary of Chaucer's death in a major new series of dramas.

Prologue
By Sebastian Baczkiewicz.
A man returns from Andalucia to attend a funeral in Northumberland.
Breaking his journey at the Four Seasons Services, he encounters a waitress who relates the story of a strange and stormy night. She finds herself thrown into a crisis when the motorway is closed due to a terrible storm. Drenched motorists descend on her and she proposes that they tell stories to lighten their spirits.

The Funeral Orator's Tale
By Christina Reid.
A professional storyteller relates a tale of two young lovers who are murdered by their warring families.

The Fisherman's Tale
By Nick Darke.
The tale of a foolish rich man who loses his second home in Cornwall after being duped by some of the canny locals.
Fisherman Carl Grose

The Disc Jockey Who Used to Be a Nun's Tale - Prologue
By Marcy Kahan.
A New Yorker tells of her search for quiet in the city- and her triumph when she becomes the first radio DJ to broadcast silence.

With Paul Lewis and guests. LINES OPEN from 1.30pm

Five stories from League of Gentleman writer Jeremy Dyson, read by Stephen Critchlow.

Johnson, a student, is hired for work by the enigmatic magician Trapido.

In five programmes Philip Sweeney travels the Paris Metro to explore the city's love affair with the underground. Part 1. Producer Sara Davies (R)

Extended repeat from yesterday 12.30pm

With Jenni Murray and guests. Producer Phil pegum

With Clare English and Carolyn Quinn.

Joining Nigel Rees to exchange quotations and anecdotes this week are Alison Mitchell , Arabella Weir , Michael Coveney and Robin Oakley. Reader Patricia Hughes.
Producer Carol Smith. E-MAIL: quote.unquote@bbc.co.uk Repeated Sunday 12 noon

A clean break is not so easy for Kathy. Repeated tomorrow 2pm

John Wilson looks at the result of the prestigious Turner Prize for contemporary art.

By Anita Shreve , dramatised in ten parts by Beatrice Colin. During the night of 5 March 1873, two women - both Norwegian immigrants -were murdered on the Isles of Shoals. In the present day, Jean, a newspaper photographer, discovers a cache of papers that appears to give an account of the murders by an eyewitness. Part 1.
Director Gaynor MacFarlane. Repeated from 10.45am

Peter Hennessy presents a series examining the challenges that have faced British prime ministers. 2: King of the Beasts. As Tony Blair is discovering, no prime minister, however popular, can survive without the confidence of the cabinet. What is the elusive recipe for taming the beasts of the political jungle and running a united team? Producer Zareer Masani

John McCarthy reaches the end of his series and tries to draw conclusions from the diverse people and beliefs he has met along the way - -all inspired by the Bible. He reflects on his own spiritual journey, which, he suspects, still has some way to go. Producer Abigail Saxon. Series producer Roger Childs (R)

A Dayin the Masai Mara. Mark Carwardine joins naturalist and photographer Jonathan Scottto witness the wildlife in Kenya's national reserve. Producer Sheena Duncan. Repeated tomorrow 11am

Shortened repeat from 9am

With Claire Bolderson.

By Charles Dickens , abridged in 15 parts by Neville Teller and read by Ian McDiarmid. Part 11. Producer Jeremy Mortimer

Shortened repeat from Saturday 9am

Forty years ago Francis Gary Powers, the pilot of an American U2 spy plane, was shot down over the Soviet Union. His capture and trial became one of the most infamous events of the Cold War. William Hope reads five extracts from Powers's account of the incident. (R)