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Categories: Factual: Life Stories

  1. John Mortimer: A Life in Words

    The thoughts and observations of former QC, writer and raconteur, Sir John Mortimer.

    BBC Four

  2. David Hammond: A Time to Dream

    A celebration of the life and work of the late David Hammond, who passed away in 2008.

    BBC One Northern Ireland

  3. M Is for Maxwell Knight

    The story of the 1950s naturalist Maxwell Knight, who led a secret existence as an MI5 spy

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  4. City Messengers: Still Pedalling?

    How are the City of London's cycle couriers faring in the current recession?

    BBC Radio 4

  5. Obama: His Story

    Clive Myrie traces the life story of Barack Obama, America's first black president.

    BBC Two

  6. Bust

    Documentary following families as they struggle to cope with personal debts.

    BBC One

  7. Robert Burns: The People's Poet

    Andrew O'Hagan journeys to the places in Scotland that inspired poet Robert Burns.

    BBC Four

  8. Stash: The Dandy Aesthete of Swinging London

    Mark Paytress tracks down the mysterious Stash, friend to the stars of 60s London.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  9. Hoddinott's Hall of Music

    The opening of the new Hoddinott Hall in the Wales Millennium Centre.

    BBC Two Wales

  10. The Monsarrat Archive

    Barry Norman explores the archive of material amassed by author Nicholas Monsarrat.

    BBC Radio 4

  11. Forever 22

    Roger Daltrey explores the turbulent relationship between Buddy Holly and his manager.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  12. Maria Elena Holly: My Life With Buddy

    Maria Elena Holly talks to Don McLean about her life with Buddy before and since his death

    BBC Radio 2

  13. The Party's Over

    Sara Parker reports from the wealthy borough of Clapham.

    BBC Radio 4

  14. The Sarah Party

    The UK's first 'Sarah Party', inspired by two US women who wanted to celebrate the name.

    BBC Radio 4

  15.

    Blasted: The Life and Death of Sarah Kane

    Dan Rebellato explores the life and work of playwright Sarah Kane.

    BBC Radio 4

  16. Chinua Achebe: A Hero Returns

    African novelist Chinua Achebe returns to Nigeria for the first time in many years.

    BBC Radio 4

  17. Paparazzi: Next Generation

    Following three months in the lives of four young paparazzi hopefuls in London and LA.

    BBC Three

  18. California Schemin' - The Unlikely Story of Dundee's Superstar Rappers

    The story of Billy Boyd and Gavin Bain, who hatched an audacious scam.

    BBC Radio Scotland

  19. Gangs, Guns and Families

    Professor Jon Silverman takes a mother back to the notorious London estate she grew up on.

    BBC Radio 4

  20. Disco Babes

    Documentary providing an intimate insight into the competitive world of disco dancing.

    BBC One Northern Ireland

  21.

    Percy Edwards Showdown

    David Attenborough hosts a documentary game-show about the bird impersonator.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  22. Ymddeoliad Joe Calzaghe

    Joe Calzaghe yn ymddeol. Joe Calzaghe retires.

    BBC Radio Cymru

  23. Walls and Peace

    Gerry Anderson learns about the 'peace walls' that divide Belfast.

    BBC Radio 4

  24. Bush Fire Stories

    Stephen Nolan tells the stories of victims of the worst bushfires in Australia's history.

    BBC Radio 5 Live

  25. Maighstir Ailean

    The story of priest, poet and folklorist Father Allan MacDonald.

    BBC ALBA

  26. Lawrence Ferlinghetti: A Reluctant Beat

    Celebrating the poet, publisher and City Lights Bookstore co-founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti

    BBC Radio 4

  27. Phil Ochs: Still Marching

    Billy Bragg looks at the life of 1960s protest singer Phil Ochs.

    BBC Radio 2

  28.

    Ursula Le Guin at 80

    Writer China Mieville talks to American science fiction writer Ursula Le Guin.

    BBC Radio 4

  29. Case for the Defence

    Rugby defence coach Shaun Edwards reflects on his remarkable year.

    BBC Radio Wales

  30. Inside The Taj

    Naresh Fernandes visits one of the Mumbai hotels targeted in the 2008 terrorist attacks.

    BBC Radio 4

  31. The Accidental Volunteer

    Sian Pari Huws visits Rhayader in Mid Wales which seems to be run entirely by volunteers.

    BBC Radio 4

  32. Music to Drive to

    James May explores the idea that listening to music while driving can change lives.

    BBC Radio 4

  33. Deborah 13: Servant of God

    Documentary about Deborah Drapper, a teenager who has grown up in a Christian family.

    BBC Three

  34. Alan Garner: The Return to Brisingamen

    John Waite returns to his childhood home to meet his literary hero, Alan Garner.

    BBC Radio 4

  35.

    Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats: Benny Goodman

    Ken Clarke MP explores the life and music of Benny Goodman.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  36. Tom Driberg and Me: A Personal Portrait by William G Stewart

    William G Stewart tries to find out whether Labour politician Tom Driberg was a KGB spy.

    BBC Four

  37. Wendy Richard - A Tribute

    Alexander Armstrong narrates a special tribute to the actress.

    BBC One

  38. Darwin Songs

    Eight singer-songwriters write songs about the life and work of Charles Darwin.

    BBC Radio 4

  39. My Life in Movies with Chrissy Iley

    Chrissy Iley chats to British actor Michael Sheen about his life and career.

    BBC Radio 2

  40. 18 Pregnant Schoolgirls

    How and why a group of American teenagers at the same school came in for pregnancy tests.

    BBC Three

  41. Wendy Richard: To Tell You the Truth

    Wendy Richard decided to make a film to help other people with cancer.

    BBC One

  42. Days Like This

    Ernest Wilson remembers that as they ushered him into the hall a gasp went up.

    BBC Radio Ulster

  43. Gary: Young, Psychic and Possessed

    Documentary about Gary Mannion, a rising star in the world of spiritual healing.

    BBC Three

  44. The Price of a Pint of Milk

    44 years a milkman in Birmingham, Derrick Weaver gives a revealing insight into his job.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  45. Spoon, Jar, Jar, Spoon - The Two Sides of Tommy Cooper

    Rob Brydon's behind-the-scenes story of the bumbling, manic magician.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  46.

    Ludwig Koch and the Music of Nature

    Sean Street tells the story of Ludwig Koch, the David Attenborough of his day.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  47. The Broken Melody

    Musician George Kennaway recalls the life of the 19th-century cellist Auguste van Biene.

    BBC Radio 4

  48. Courage Brothers

    Anne Muir tells the story of blind Scottish preacher George Matheson.

    BBC Radio Scotland

  49. What's in Your Head

    How words or songs learned as a child have helped people in situations of extreme pressure

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  50. The Real Fairytale of New York

    Paul English tells the story of student nurse turned singer Emma Curran.

    BBC Radio Scotland

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