With Professor Gordon Graham.

Presented by Anna Hill.

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie.
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News With Steve May.
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament With Susan Hulme and David Wilby.
7.48 Thought for the Day With the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres.
8.31 Yesterday in Parliament

Diverse and lively conversation with Libby Purves and ner guests. Producer Chris Paling Shortened repeat at 9.30pm

John Carter visits the ultimate Christmas workshop in Huddersfield, where a family firm dispenses high-tech festive decorations to all corners of the globe, including Dubai and Hong Kong. But now they face the most challenging deadline of them all: their largest installation ever. Producer Sarah Cuddon

1/6. Does it seem that the media is run by idiots, lying charlatans and moronic 12-year-olds? Welcome to the world of Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, and master of the abusive email. By Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.

Presented by Sheila McCiennon and John Waite

National and international news, with Stephen Sackur.

5'6. John Simpson presents a geographical panel game, with insights into fascinating places and cultures. This week's guests are Sue Perkins, David Spicer and Crispin Swayne. Producer Liz Anstee

Repeated from yesterday at 7pm

Richard E Grant plays Harry, a novelist who knows nothing about life itself, and needs to get in touch with the real world if his books are to sell. Then his luck changes. Into his flat walk two actual hardened criminals.
Producer/Director Peter Kavanagh

John Cushnie , Bob Flowerdew and Carol Klein answer questions posed by Camden allotment gardeners.
Peter Gibbs is in the chair. Including at 3.25 Gardening Weather Forecast.
Shortened

315. Poinsettia. Marion is not enjoying the Christmas Party, but then she has just had an argument with her escort that resulted in a frosty silence - if such a thing is Possible in the Caribbean. Written by Candy Neubert and read by Kim Hicks. For details see Monday 19 December

3/5. Michael Crick visits the Penzance Arts Club, founded in 1993 by textile designer Belinda Rushworth-Lund . Producer Josie Barnard For more details see Monday 19 December

The last ten years have seen an astounding growth in "chick lit" - a genre of writing, aimed at women, that claims to have rewritten the contemporary romance. How, then, do these novels portray femininity and masculinity? How, if at all, are they positioned in relation to feminist ideas and concerns? Laurie Taylor looks at the popularity of chick lit and finds out what this says about contemporary culture. Producer Gavin Heard

4/6. The latest from the worlds of psychiatry, psychology and mental health, with Raj Persaud. Repeat of yesterday at 9pm

News and analysis, presented by Eddie Mair.

3/4. A one-off performance by the great Mort Sahl , pioneering political comic of the 1950s and 60s, who proves that his grip on events is as sharp and biting today as ever. Hosted by Mark Thomas. Producer Paul Bajoria

Will revels in a triumph.
For cast see page 217 Repeated tomorrow at 2pm

With John Wilson , including a look ahead to the best radio programmes over the festive season. Producer Sally spurring

13/20. Betsey and Mr Dick visit David unexpectedly, bringing with them some bad news. By Charles Dickens. For cast and details see Monday 19 December Repeated from 10.45am

1/2. All Special Terrorism Laws Should be Abolished
Conor Gearty , a professor of human rights law, argues a provocative thesis before an audience and a panel of critics whose role is to interrogate and find flaws in his case. Recorded at the Royal United Services Institute in Whitehall and presented by Evan Davis. Producer Michael Blastland

2/3. In a series about politically controversial legal cases, Clive Anderson looks at the dramatic case of the "Shrewsbury Pickets", jailed in 1973 for conspiracy to organise violent picketing. One of the pickets was the actor Ricky Tomlinson.
Producer Jane Ashley Repeated from Sunday 18 December at 10.45pm

1/6. Quentin Cooper reflects on the latest technology in mirrors. He visits the Steward Mirror Lab in Arizona to look at some of the problems faced and solutions sought in creating giant-sized mirrors for the world's largest telescopes. And how the enormous parabolic mirrors in the French Pyrenees are helping scientists to harness and focus the intensity Of the sun.

Shortened repeat from 9am

With Robin Lustig.

3/10. The five guests have arrived at the inn. By Alice Thomas Ellis. For details see Monday 19 December

2/6. Simon Smug and the Crap Factory. Simon welcomes three golden Meal Ticket winners into his factory, where all the sugary sweet, sickly pop music you've ever heard, is made. Starring Richie Webb , Dave Lamb , Melanie Hudson and Alex Lowe. Written by Richie Webb , Dave Cohen and David Ouantick. Music by Richie Webb. Producer Katie Tyrrell

6/6. Tony Parsons. The story Tony Parsons concocts with Clover transports the author 35 years into the future to his 85th birthday, where he meets his daughter, who has a thing or two to say about his over-protective upbringing and womanising ways. Producer Gary Reich

Writer and conservationist Roger Deakin paddles his canoe, Cigarette, from the source of the River Waveney at Redgrave Fen in Suffolk to Geldeston Locks in Norfolk, reflecting on the changing mood of the river, its rich history and wildlife. Producer Sarah Blunt

3/5. By Michael Bywater. Repeated from 9.45am

Shipping (3/3)

After the Wave (4/5)