Main content

Categories: Factual: Life Stories

  1. Welsh Greats

    Documentary series looking at the lives of famous faces from Wales.

    BBC One Wales

    Show available episodes

  2. William Burroughs: Nothing Is True, Everything Is Permitted

    Laurie Anderson profiles one of the most original writers and thinkers of the 20th century

    BBC Radio 4

  3. Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats

    Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  4. The Sound Makers

    Paul Gambaccini meets sound engineers James Lock and Geoff Emerick.

    BBC Radio 4

  5. Soul Music

    Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  6. Belief

    Programme that talks to artists, scientists and thinkers about what they believe and why

    BBC Radio 3

    Show available episodes

  7. Einstein's Fiddle

    Einstein said the most joy in his life came from his violin. Brian Foster investigates.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  8.

    Between Rock and a Good Cause

    The music promoter Bill Graham is remembered by Bob Geldof, Ronnie Wood and others.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  9. Taking a Stand

    Interview series with Fergal Keane in which he talks to individuals who have taken a stand

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  10. Garibaldi's Grand Scheme

    Misha Glenny traces the career of Italian nationalist hero Giuseppe Garibaldi

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Show available episodes

  11. More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy

    Dawn French interviews famous comedians about their lives and careers.

    BBC Four

    Show available episodes

  12. Roy Noble

    Music, guests and chat for Sunday, plus listener requests in Roy's Golden Postbag.

    BBC Radio Wales

    Show available episodes

  13. Beti a'i Phobol

    Sgyrsiau gyda phobl diddorol. Interviews with interesting people

    BBC Radio Cymru

    Show available episodes

  14. City Limits

    Two-part series looking at the fringes where suburbia meets the countryside

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  15. The Choice

    Series featuring people who have made life-altering decisions

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  16. The House I Grew Up In

    Series revisiting the childhood homes of influential Britons

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  17. Children of the Olympic Bid

    Series following the youngsters who went to Singapore in support of London's Olympic bid

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  18. Between Ourselves

    Series bringing together people who have had profound and similar experiences

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  19. Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom

    Finance guru Alvin Hall charts the rise of rap music entrepreneur Jay-Z.

    BBC Radio 4

  20.

    For Nature, Not Humans

    Alan Leith tells the story of the eccentric recluse who purchased Brownsea Island in 1927.

    BBC Radio 4

  21.

    Linnaeus and the Immorality of Bluebells

    Anna Pavord explores the life and legacy of the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.

    BBC Radio 4

  22. It's My Story

    Stories about the lives of everyday people

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Show available episodes

  23. On the Ropes

    Exploring the lives of successful people who have weathered storms in their careers

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  24. Philip Pullman and Miss Jones

    Best-selling author Philip Pullman talks to his former schoolteacher Enid Jones.

    BBC Radio 4

  25. Crossing Continents

    Stories from around the world and the people at the heart of them.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  26. Wainwright: The Man Who Loved the Lakes

    Documentary recalling the life of eccentric Lancastrian Alfred Wainwright.

    BBC Four

  27.

    Freak Out! The Frank Zappa Story

    Germaine Greer presents a profile of eccentric 1970s rock icon Frank Zappa.

    BBC Radio 4

  28. In Touch

    News, views and information for people who are blind or partially sighted

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  29. Prescott at Your Service

    Exploring a strange coincidence from 1957, when John Prescott was a cruise ship waiter.

    BBC Radio 4

  30. A Point of View

    A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  31. Last Word

    Radio 4's weekly obituary programme

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  32. Saturday Live

    Radio 4's Saturday morning show brings you extraordinary stories and remarkable people.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  33. Stephen Nolan

    The day's main news stories, topical debate and interviews.

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Show available episodes

  34. Lives in a Landscape

    Documentary series telling original stories about real lives in Britain today

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  35. Mark Lawson Talks To...

    Mark Lawson in conversation with famous personalities from all walks of life

    BBC Four

    Show available episodes

  36. Rain in My Heart

    Paul Watson's documentary on four alcoholics from the Medway towns in Kent. (2006)

    BBC

  37. The Reunion

    Series which reunites a group of people intimately involved in a moment of modern history

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  38. Who Do You Think You Are?

    Celebrities trace their family trees, discovering surprises from their pasts.

    BBC One

    Show available episodes

  39. Legends

    A look at some true legends from the world of music.

    BBC Four

    Show available episodes

  40. Making History

    Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  41. Roy Lichtenstein: Pop Idol

    Roy Lichtenstein revolutionised art with his cartoon images of American culture. (2004)

    BBC

  42. Taking Note

    Familiar pieces of classical music re-examined.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  43. Living Famously

    Documentary series looking at the lives of enduring icons

    BBC Two

    Show available episodes

  44. Great Lives

    Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

    BBC Radio 4

    Show available episodes

  45. Profile

    Weekly portraits of those in the news and others who ought to be

    BBC Four

    Show available episodes

  46. The People Detective

    Daru Rooke helps people investigate the life of a remarkable ancestor.

    BBC Two

    Show available episodes

  47. The John Tusa Interviews

    John Tusa discusses the creative process with major practitioners in the arts.

    BBC Radio 3

    Show available episodes

  48. The Armstrong Tapes

    The life of Louis Armstrong as told through his archive of tape recordings.

    BBC Radio 4

  49. Funny Women

    Series looking at the careers of women who have made their mark in comedy.

    BBC Two

    Show available episodes

  50. Reputations

    Documentary profiles examining well-known figures from the world of entertainment.

    BBC Two

    Show available episodes
  2. 1
  3. …
  4. 9
  5. 10
  6. 11
  7. 12
  8. 13
  9. …
  10. 16