Discover 11,128,835 listings and 279,800 playable programmes from the BBC
15 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra
Available for over a year
4 Extra Debut. From the Clyde shipyards to being one of the UK's favourite comedians. James Naughtie considers Billy Connolly. From 2012. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie profiles Tony Blair, the Labour Prime Minister who swept to power in 1997 but will be most remembered for the war in Iraq. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie examines the legacy of the banker Fred Goodwin. Now bereft of his knighthood does 'Fred the Shred' deserve his reputation? Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie profiles Rupert Murdoch, the global media magnate. Despite the phone-hacking scandal, his political influence and business skills elicit both fear and admiration. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie profiles Simon Cowell, the man who made his name and fortune on talent shows. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie profiles Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her diamond jubilee in 2012 and witnessed tremendous social, political and cultural changes in the course of her reign. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM
Available for over a year
James Naughtie assesses the mountaineer whose most famous achievement, conquering Mount Everest, was announced on the day of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie brings a flavour of the food writer who brought European cuisine to British tables. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Graham Green was among the foremost novelists of the age, a master chronicler of moral guilt and cold war intrigue, with novels such as The Quiet American and Brighton Rock. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie looks at the energetic and innovative founder of Which?, the Consumers' Association and the Open University. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie sees how Vladimir Raitz pioneered the package holiday. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie peers down the microscope at the Nobel prize-winning molecular biologist who helped discover the structure of DNA. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM
Available for over a year
A spirited, straight-talking Nobel Laureate who has been praised for her ability to inhabit different fictional worlds. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LWLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM
Available for over a year
James Naughtie considers the champion of the self-service supermarket. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
With films like Psycho and North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock proved himself a master of suspense, obsession and terror. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM
Available for over a year
First artistic director of the National Theatre, Laurence Olivier's theatre and stage career spanned more than 60 years with 12 Oscar nominations. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
One of the most successful chemists of the 20th century, discovering the structures of penicillin, insulin, and vitamin B12 through her ground-breaking approach to crystallography. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie considers one of modern Britain's most influential dramatists, whose works include The Birthday Party and The Caretaker. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
James Naughtie on the man who first linked tobacco and lung cancer. His efforts prompted governments worldwide to challenge a powerful industry. Show more
12 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra
Available for over a year
James Naughtie profiles Benjamin Britten, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. A conductor and pianist of gifted brilliance he also founded the Aldeburgh Festival. Show more
