BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 19/12/2008

19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 19/12/2008Close menu

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

News Briefing

News Briefing: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 19/12/2008Close menu

Test Match Special

India v England 
Commentary continues from last night. 
For commentators and details see yesterday at 3.50am 
Also on 5 Live Sports Extra *approximate times_

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 19/12/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with the Venerable Dr John Holdsworth.

Pause for reflection with the Ven John Holdsworth.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 19/12/2008

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Producer Fran Barnes

Today

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including Thought for the Day

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including religious reflections from Thought for the Day at 0748

Today: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 19/12/2008

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague.

Gavin Lee discusses his interview with the son of a man who was jailed for raping his two daughters. 

Robert Walker examines the size of the supply chain that relies on cars being made.

Sir Andrew Wood says it is very important economically for Britain to work with Russia.

Iraqi businessman Raad Rassak and Michael Wareing, Britain's economic ambassador to southern Iraq, discuss how the situation in the country has changed.

Aleem Maqbool reports on his walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, retracing the steps of Joseph and Mary.

Thought for the day with Sir Jonathan Sacks.

Derek Simpson, of the union Unite, and Richard Lambert, of the Confederation of British Industry, discuss if the government should assist the motor industry.

William Clegg, barrister for Colin Stagg, and Peter Neyroud, CEO of the National Policing Improvement Agency, discuss lessons learned after Rachel Nickell's death.

The widow of Hunter S. Thompson and his friend Ralph Steadman discuss how the writer blurred the lines between truth and fiction. 

Mike Thomson talks to rebel soldiers in the Central African Republic.

The FBI official who became known as Deep Throat in the Watergate scandal has died. Catherine Meyer explains how Watergate changed the political landscape for ever.

Music journalist Stephen Plaistow discusses what makes pianist Alfred Brendel extra special. 

Tim Harford, the 'undercover economist' for the Financial Times, discusses if it really matters whether we know our contagion from our credit derivatives.

Jeff Edwards, former chief crime correspondent of The Mirror, and Clarence Mitchell, official spokesman for Kate and Gerry McCann, discuss if the media acts responsibly enough in high profile cases.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament With Rachel Hooper and Robert Orchard. 
7.48 Thought for the Day With the Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks. 
8.31 L W only Yesterday in Parliament Editor of Today Ceri Thomas

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Michael Deeley

14/12/2008

Michael Deeley

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Michael Deeley

Kirsty Young's castaway is film producer Michael Deeley.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the Oscar-winning film producer Michael Deeley. Over the past 40 years he's been involved in some of the most highly acclaimed movies we've seen, including Don't Look Now, The Deer Hunter and The Italian Job. Yet his job is one that's barely understood. Neither the artistic visionary nor the star player the producer, he says, is the person who is the ramrod-figure who causes a film to be made - buying the rights to stories, hiring actors, finding locations and overseeing the production. He fell into it - he'd always thought he'd be a diplomat or a lawyer - but a casual job ended up being a career of many decades standing. He says rather modestly, "I just found I had the knack".

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) by Meat Loaf
Book: Decent translation of the Koran
Luxury: Two hundred cases of vintage wine.

Film producer Michael Deeley, whose movies include Blade Runner and The Deer Hunter, talks to Kirsty Young and selects eight favourite records to take to the mythical island.

(Repeated from Sunday at 11.15am)

Book of the Week

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

Book of the Week: Nella Last's Peace

Book of the Week: Nella Last's Peace: Episode 5

Episode 5

Nella Last's Peace

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Nella Last's Peace, Episode 5

Nella wonders what the future holds for the next generation.

Imelda Staunton reads from the postwar diaries of 'Housewife, 49'. Nella wonders what the future holds for the next generation.

Imelda Staunton reads from the postwar diaries of 'Housewife, 49', Nella Last, which give a frank account of the difficulties of adapting to life in Britain after the end of WWII. 

Nella reflects on her experience of two world wars and compares the peacetime optimism of 1918 with the mood of the late 1940s. What, she wonders, does the future hold for the next generation?

Imelda Staunton reads from the postwar diaries of 'Housewife, 49', Nella Last

Imelda Staunton reads from the postwar diaries of 'Housewife, 49', Nella Last, which give a frank account of the difficulties of adapting to life in Britain after the end of WWII

Act of Worship

Book of the Week:Nella Last's Peace

5/5. It's now the bitterly cold winter of 1947 and Britain faces power cuts and continuing food shortages. Nella reflects on her experience of both world wars and compares the peacetime optimism of 1918 with the mood of the late 1940s. What, she wonders does the future hold for the next generation? For details see Monday Repeated at 12.30am

Woman's Hour

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

Woman's Hour: Children in care; Singer Alice Russell

Children in care; Singer Alice Russell

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Children in care; Singer Alice Russell

How do we help children in care to cope? Singer Alice Russell performs live.

How do we help children in care to cope? Plus making the best of the long-distance visit, and singer Alice Russell performs live.

Presented by Jenni Murray. 
10.45 A Small Town Murder 5/5 The Woman's Hour drama.  Editor Jill Burridge For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

Wah! Wah! Wah! Waaaaah! The Comedy Scores

BBC Radio 4 - Wah! Wah! Wah! Waaaaah! The Comedy Scores

Huw Williams appraises classic comedy music written for film, television and radio.

Wahl Wah! Wah! Waaaaa!The Comedy Scores

Cuethetrombones-Huw Williams appraises the riffs and toe-curling cliches of classic comedy music written for film, TV and radio. producer Geoff Ballinger

Fags, Mags and Bags

Sitcom written by Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary, set in a Glasgow corner shop

Sitcom written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary, set in a Glasgow corner shop

Fags, Mags and Bags: Series 2

Fags, Mags and Bags: Series 2: Episode 6: Confectionary McEnroe

Episode 6

Episode 6: Confectionary McEnroe

Series 2

Confectionary McEnroe

BBC Radio 4 - Fags, Mags and Bags, Series 2, Confectionary McEnroe

Tensions run high as Ramesh gears up for the Shopkeeper of the Year award.

Sitcom set in a Glasgow corner shop. Tensions run high as Ramesh gears up for the Shopkeeper of the Year award.

Comedy set in a Scottish corner shop. Tensions run high as Ramesh gears up for the Shopkeeper of the Year award.

Written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary.

Ramesh ... Sanjeev Kohli
Dave ... Donald McLeary
Alok ... Susheel Kumar
Sanjay ... Omar Raza
Father Henderson ... Gerard Kelly
Mrs Armstrong ... Maureen Carr
Ted ... Gavin Mitchell
Mr Finegan ... Tom Urie
Elton ... Manjot Sumal
Keenan's mum ... Michele Gallagher

Director:   Iain Davidson
Producer:  Gus Beattie

A Comedy Unit Production for BBC Radio 4.

6/6. Confectionery MacEnroe. Tensions run h gh as Ramesh gears up for a shopkeeper of the year award. Comedy, written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary. 
Gavin Mltchell   
PmducerGusBeattle; Director lain Davidson

You and Yours

You and Yours: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 19/12/2008

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

Presented by Peter White.

Newquay Airport has been closed since December 1st 2008 because when Cornwall County Council took over the airfield from the RAF it failed to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations.

Coldplay fans have missed out as the tickets they bought via a website have not arrived. Shari Vahl finds out more.

Henrietta Harrison reports on what the music industry can do to persuade people to stop downloading music for free and pay for it instead.

Peter talks to the new chief executive of Remploy, Tim Matthews, about what he sees as the future of the organisation.

There are 200,000 oil paintings owned by the public gracing the walls of hospitals, council buildings and fire stations. The Public Catalogue Foundation has begun to catalogue them so ordinary members of the public can ask to see them.

Phil Hudson, chief horticultural advisor of the National Farmers' Union, discusses the changes to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme.

What would be your perfect weekend? Chairman of Lloyd's of London Lord Levene tells us his ideas.

Consumer affairs with Peter White. Series editor Andrew Smith

Weather

Weather: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 19/12/2008Close menu

World at One

Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.

World at One: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 19/12/2008

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

News and analysis, presented by Shaun Ley.

More or Less

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life

Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life

More or Less: Strictly Voting Fiasco - Imperial Measures - Childhood Obesity - Knife-Crime Statistics 

Strictly Voting Fiasco - Imperial Measures - Childhood Obesity - Knife-Crime Statistics 

BBC Radio 4 - More or Less, Strictly Voting Fiasco - Imperial Measures - Childhood Obesity - Knife-Crime Statistics

Tim Harford explores the voting system of Strictly Come Dancing.

Tim Harford explores whether the Strictly Come Dancing results were really due to a set of "exceptional circumstances"? Plus, imperial measures.

Strictly Voting Fiasco 
Saturday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing was thrown into chaos. The TV show's producers realised that it was mathematically impossible for a public telephone vote to influence the contest. 

This came after the marks the studio judges awarded put two of the contestants in joint first place. The BBC executive in charge of the programme put the problem down to "exceptional circumstances". 

More or Less listener Dirk Nachbar disagrees. From his hospital bed, he ran a computer simulation, based on past scores, and concluded that the chance of such a problem was 1 in 8. 

Our reporter, former computer programmer Oliver Hawkins, has run his own simulation and come up with a similar result. Watch him explain it. 


More Credit Crunch Maths 
Financial mathematics guru Paul Wilmott continues with his More or Less series explaining how mathematical blunders contributed to the credit crunch. 

This week, he talks us through the maths error that might have contributed to the mispricing of financial derivatives and thus to the travails of the banks, the credit crunch, and the recession. 


Imperial Measures 
Tim Harford talks pounds and kilos with Derek Pollard. Pints, miles, pounds and inches. They are fiendishly complicated and politicians have tried to ban their use, but for some reason imperial measures have proved impossible to kill off. 

This week, the European Parliament voted to allow UK consumers to use both metric and imperial measures. It marks the end of a long campaign to make Britain fully metric. 

Warwick Cairns, author of About the Size of It explains the appeal of imperial whilst Derek Pollard, Secretary of the Metric Association vows to carry on the fight for a "single rational system". 


Childhood Obesity 
The Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, this week reiterated his appeal for urgent action on childhood obesity, claiming in an online article for BBC News that "the obesity epidemic" is a national crisis and that to do nothing was not an option. 

According to the Health Survey for England, a quarter of 5 year olds are obese or overweight. Simon Cox, presenter of our sister programme The Investigation explains why the figures exaggerate the extent of the problem. 


Knife-Crime Statistics 
"Fewer teenagers are being wounded by knives" claimed a Home Office press release issued last week. How accurate are the latest government figures on knife crime? 

Figures in the document purported to show that the government's Tackling Knives Action Plan had been a great success. The head of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir Michael Scholar, disagreed. 

On Friday he condemned the government for releasing "unchecked" and "selective" numbers against the advice of professional statisticians. So why might an apparent fall crime be not all it seems? It could be something to do with a concept called "regression to the mean".

3/8. Author, economist and Financial Times journalist Tim Harford presents the show which investigates the numbers that are everywhere - in the news, in politics and in life generally. Producer Innes Bowen Repeated on Sunday at 8pm

The Archers

An intense and gripping week of events unfolds in Ambridge. Listen to all the drama here.

The Archers: 18/12/2008

18/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 18/12/2008

Ed has popped in to see Clarrie. She convinces him to stay for a while on Christmas day when he and Emma collect George from Will. Joe is reflective as he ponders having the whole family together on Christmas day. He decides he wants to visit his other son Alf. Eddie insists that Alf is no good, but Joe is adamant.

When milking at Grange Farm Eddie and Joe argue about playing country music to the cows and Eddie's CD player ends up smashed. Ed isn't happy to find them arguing - their shouting won't help the cows keep calm.

Alice and Chris are hoping to take advantage of an empty Home Farm when Jennifer unexpectedly comes home. Alice decides to go over to Chris's house where they can be alone. 

Later Alice receives a phone call from Sebastian Streatfield asking her out. Jennifer gave him her number. Chris is incensed and confesses that he thinks he'll never be good enough for her, but Alice is quick to put him straight - she loves him.

Back at Home Farm, Alice berates Jennifer for giving Bastie her phone number. She and Chris are together and that's the way it's going to stay.

Episode written by Tim Stimpson.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: The Switch

The Switch

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Switch

The story of George, a young electrician, told in a sequence of songs.

By Ali Smith, told in a sequence of songs. The story of George, a young electrician from the north of England who moves with his French wife to Scotland in the 1960s.

By Ali Smith, partly inspired by the romantic film musicals of Jacques Demy and told in a sequence of songs.

Accompanied by his French bride, young English electrician George heads for the Scottish Highlands in the optimistic 1960s to set up in business. Forty years later, their daughter Genevieve remembers her parents and her childhood as she journeys by train from London back to Scotland.

George ...... Nick Farr 
Sidonie ...... Lucy Paterson 
Genevieve ...... Gabriel Quigley 

With James Bryce, Richard Conlon, Monica Gibb, Dougal Lee, Joanna Tope and Anita Vettesse as the Chorus of Townspeople. 

Directed by David Jackson Young.

Afternoon Play: The Switch

Partly inspired by the exuberant film musicals of Jacques Demy , Ali Smith 's play tells the story - in song - of a young electrician who heads north with his new 
French bride to set up shop in the Highlands of Scotland. Forty years later, their daughter looks back on her magical 1960s childhood - and the rise and fall of her parents' business.  
Other roles played by James Bryce. Richard Conlon , 
Monica Glbb , Dougal Lee , Joanna Tope and Anita Vettesse Producer/Director David Jackson Young

Ramblings

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Ramblings: Series 11

Ramblings: Series 11: Episode 6: Forvie Dunes

Episode 6: Forvie Dunes

Series 11

Forvie Dunes

BBC Radio 4 - Ramblings, Series 11, Forvie Dunes

Clare Balding walks along the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire to the Forvie dunes.

Clare Balding walks along the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire to the Forvie dunes in the company of local naturalists.

Clare Balding walks to connect people to place, past, nature and to each other

Ramblings: Forvie Dunes

6/8. In the company of local naturalists, Clare Balding visits Forvie in Aberdeenshire and walks along the River Ythan to the spectacular dunes.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Tapertime

Afternoon Reading: Tapertime: Episode 5: Adam Thorpe

Episode 5: Adam Thorpe

Tapertime

Adam Thorpe

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Tapertime, Adam ThorpeSearch BBC

An old woman seats herself in a remote part of Lincolnshire and paints the dusk.

By Adam Thorpe. In remotest Lincolnshire she always paints the gloaming, but something aside from darkened tones is revealed in her pictures.

'Tapertime'

The above is an old Edwardian word meaning dusk, and this series of commissioned stories take place as the light fades. What happens to the visual world as dusk emerges? What happens to make people behave differently, often strangely, as the world starts to blur? 
The Very Last Leave by Adam Thorpe

In remote Lincolnshire she always paints the gloaming, but something aside from darkened tones is revealed in her pictures...

Reader David Horovitch
Producer Duncan Minshull.

Series of five short stories that take dusk as a central theme or feature

Series of five specially-commissioned short stories that take dusk as a central theme or feature

5/5. The Very Last Leave. In remote 
Lincolnshire she always paints the gloaming, but something aside from darkened tones is revealed in her pictures. Adam Thorpe 's story is read by David Horovitch. For details see Monday

Blind Man Seeks Work

Blind Man Seeks Work: Episode 5: Spy

Episode 5: Spy

BBC Radio 4 - Blind Man Seeks Work, Spy

Peter investigates his chances of becoming a spy with crime writer Frederick Forsyth.

Peter White looks at some of the jobs he was told he could not do because he was blind. Peter investigates his chances of becoming a spy with crime writer Frederick Forsyth.

Peter White looks at some of the jobs he was told he could not do because he was blind. 

Peter investigates his chances of becoming a spy and is given training and his first undercover assignment by crime writer Frederick Forsyth.

Peter White looks at some of the jobs he was told he could not do because he was blind

5/5. Spy. Crime writer Frederick Forsyth secretly meets Peter White and gives him his first undercover assignment in his bid to become a blind Spy. For details see Monday

Last Word

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

Last Word: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 19/12/2008

John Wilson presents the obituary series.

John Wilson presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died.

John Wilson presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.

Obituary series with Matthew Bannister. 
Producer Julia Johnson Repeated on Sunday at 8.30pm

The Film Programme

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights from the film world

The Film Programme: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 19/12/2008

Francine Stock talks to the director Baz Luhrman about his latest film, Australia.

The latest movie news and reviews. Francine Stock talks to Baz Luhrmann, the director of Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom about his latest film, Australia.

The Film Programme: Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann, the director of Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom talks to Francine Stock about his latest epic, Australia, which stars Nicole Kidman.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines

PM: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 19/12/2008

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.

News and analysis, presented by Eddie Mair. Editor Nick Sutting

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 19/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 19/12/2008

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

19/12/2008

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Test Match Special

Weather

19/12/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

19/12/2008

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

20/12/2008

Genres

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