BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Tuesday 21 October 2025

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—21/10/2025
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry—1. Sugared doughnuts and circus tricks
  
  1/5 Sarah Perry's powerful memoir about the last days of her father-in-law David's life.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/10/2025
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/10/2025
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—21/10/2025
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—21/10/2025
  
  Susan Hulme reports as the culture secretary condemns the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/10/2025
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Kindness without Applause
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Saarah Hamayun.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—21/10/25 Welfare report on CO2 and the slaughter of pigs; producing cider
  
  Animal welfare experts call for halt to slaughter of pigs with carbon dioxide.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—21/10/2025
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  The Life Scientific—AP De Silva on building molecular fluorescence sensors for healthcare
  
  Photochemist AP De Silva on engineering molecular sensors to help revolutionise healthcare
3. 09:30
  
  All in the Mind—Are there multiple subtypes of autism, and how vivid are your memories?
  
  A new study suggests that autism’s genetic profile differs with age at diagnosis.
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Grooming gangs, Eve Muirhead, Lily King, Menopause
  
  Why did two sexual abuse survivors resign from the national inquiry into grooming gangs?
5. 10:55
  
  A Carnival of Animals—The Snake
  
  Katherine Rundell explores wonderful stories of 20 astonishing but endangered animals.
6. 11:00
  
  Screenshot—Translation
  
  Ellen and Mark read between the lines, and find out what can get lost in translation.
7. 11:45
  
  Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry—2. A trip to the GP
  
  2/5 As concern for David health grows, Rob persuades him to see a doctor.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—21/10/2025
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  You and Yours—Call You and Yours - How has your social life changed?
  
  How has your social life changed?
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—21/10/2025
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  World at One—Survivors quit grooming gangs advisory panel
  
  The government is accused of 'gaslighting' victims over the scope of the abuse inquiry.
5. 13:45
  
  The History Podcast—The House at Number 48, 2. The Secret Suitcase
  
  2/10 Antony opens his deceased father's secret suitcase. What will he find?
6. 14:00
  
  The Archers—20/10/2025
  
  There's confusion for the Aldridges.
7. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—monday
  
  By debbie tucker green. One day - 4 lives. 4 different accounts of what they did and saw.
8. 15:00
  
  History's Heroes—History's Toughest Heroes, Robert Smalls: Last Chance for Freedom
  
  3/10 Can an enslaved man commandeer a Confederate ship and escape to freedom?
9. 15:30
  
  Heart and Soul—Searching for hope as a hostage in Gaza
  
  How being held captive in Gaza tested Israeli hostages and their families.
10. 16:00
  
  Artworks—When Kevin Met Sadie
  
  Chris Page explores the influence of Joan Lingard’s Kevin & Sadie novels on young readers.
11. 16:30
  
  What's Up Docs?—Should you take naps?
  
  Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know whether napping is good for us.
12. 17:00
  
  PM—Third resignation in grooming gang inquiry
  
  A third abuse victim resigns from the survivors panel.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Senior politicians add to the mounting scrutiny of Prince Andrew
  
  There have been calls for him to give up his mansion in Windsor
2. 18:30
  
  Mark Steel's in Town—Series 14, 3. Lewisham
  
  3/6 Mark Steel visits Lewisham in south London and creates a show for the local audience.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—21/10/2025
  
  Reality sets in for Alice
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Steve Martin and Alison Brown talk bluegrass and banjos
  
  Comedy giant Steve Martin on bluegrass music with pioneering banjo player Alison Brown.
5. 20:00
  
  File on 4 Investigates—Abused for Our Food
  
  Georgie Styles investigates evidence of exploitation and abuse in our food system.
6. 20:40
  
  In Touch—Changes at the Macular Society; Prima Implants
  
  Changes at the Macular Society and hope of progress in treating macular disease.
7. 21:00
  
  How to Play—Max Richter's Four Seasons Recomposed with Elena Urioste and Odyssey Ensemble
  
  Musicians invite us to eavesdrop on rehearsals for a modern-day classic.
8. 21:30
  
  The Bottom Line—Human Resources: Is HR Out of Control?
  
  From payslips to policy, how HR now plays a central role in how businesses are run.
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Pressure mounts on Prince Andrew over rent deal
  
  Senior MPs say Prince Andrew has questions to answer about his living arrangements.
10. 22:45
  
  North Woods by Daniel Mason—Episode 2
  
  2/10 Concerning the Osgood family and the planting of the great apple orchard.
11. 23:00
  
  Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics—Series 10, Tacitus
  
  The great historian of imperial Rome, Tacitus can persuade you of just about anything.
12. 23:30
  
  Today in Parliament—21/10/2025
  
  Sean Curran report as MPs question ministers about the rape gangs scandal inquiry.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—22/10/2025
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry—2. A trip to the GP
  
  2/5 As concern for David health grows, Rob persuades him to see a doctor.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—22/10/2025
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—22/10/2025
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—22/10/2025
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—22/10/2025
  
  Susan Hulme reports as MPs debate the controversy over the inquiry into grooming gangs.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—22/10/2025
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—The Art of Flying a Kite
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Saarah Hamayun.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—22/10/25 Water Grid, Perry Pears, Sugar Beet Prices
  
  Could a network of new ponds built on farms prevent floods and top up drought hit rivers?

Wednesday 22 October 2025