BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 3 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—03/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Gwendoline Riley
  
  The award-winning writer on her new novel, The Palm House, and its three key influences.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—03/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—03/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—St Swithin Clunbury, Shropshire
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Swithin Clunbury in Shropshire.
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—Barriers at the Ballot
  
  The latest news on enabling secret and independent voting for blind people.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—03/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Beyond Belief—War and Peace
  
  How do different faiths define a 'just war'?
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—New to Dairy Farming
  
  Sarah Swadling meets a young farmer aiming to beat the odds in the dairy industry
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—03/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—Sunday special: One year of Pope Leo XIV
  
  Edward Stourton marks a year since the election of the first US Pope.
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—RNID
  
  KT Tunstall makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of RNID
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—03/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Sing to the Lord a new song
  
  A service hosted by Swarzy Shire from Maida Vale with Philippa Hanna and Israel Houghton.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa
  
  In 2001, the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened to the public after an 11-year closure.
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—George McGavin on the Swift
  
  Every year entomologist George McGavin looks forward to the return of swifts.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—Help for airlines in case of fuel shortages
  
  The government will give carriers extra flexibility. And the glory of the dawn chorus.
14. 10:00
  
  The Reunion—Women's Ashes Winners 2005
  
  Kirsty Warks reunites a pioneering group of women cricketers.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—03/05/2026
  
  Kirsty steels herself, while Adam presses for answers.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Emily Thornberry
  
  Dame Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
2. 12:30
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 33, 1. Hats, Drugs, Germany and the BBC
  
  1/6 Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh, Miles Jupp and Lucy Porter play The Unbelievable Truth.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—Strait talk from Keir Starmer
  
  The PM calls economic fallout from Iran war a generation-defining moment for the UK.
5. 13:30
  
  The Documentary—How to Spend Billions – Fast: Carney’s Defence Deadline
  
  Inside Canada's sprint to hit NATO’s 2% by 31 March 2026
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—From The Archives: Summer Colour
  
  A look back through the GQT archives on how to deliver dazzling displays of summer colour.
7. 14:45
  
  Opening Lines—Don Quixote - Episode One
  
  John Yorke explores Miguel de Cervantes’ seminal epic, Don Quixote.
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Don Quixote, Episode 1
  
  1/2 Jason Watkins and Mackenzie Crook star in Cervantes’ classic story dramatised for radio.
9. 16:00
  
  Bookclub—Nicola Barker
  
  The award-winning writer on her 2007 Booker-shortlisted novel, Darkmans.
10. 16:30
  
  Round Britain Quiz—5. England v Wales
  
  England face Wales in the contest of lateral thinking, chaired by Kirsty Lang.
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—Elvis visits Scotland
  
  In 1960, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll made an unexpected stop at Prestwick Airport
12. 17:10
  
  Understand—How Reading Made Us, 1. How Reading Made Our Brains
  
  1/3 Did learning to read rewire your brain? With James Marriott.
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—03/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Green Party leader says policing language won't protect Jewish people in the UK
  
  The Prime Minister has called for action against antisemitic chants during marches.
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Jon Harvey
  
  Jon Harvey presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—03/05/2026
  
  Brad has something on his mind.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Strong Women
  
  World champion Strongwomen redefine power and what it really means to be strong.
5. 19:45
  
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Deep Calm - with Michael Mosley, Deep Calm - Episode 5: Using Music
  
  5/5 Sit back and unwind with Dr Michael Mosley as he reveals the sound of relaxation.
6. 20:00
  
  Feedback—Fergal Keane, Doing Death Differently, and Visualisation
  
  Andrea Catherwood talks to Foreign Correspondent Fergal Keane as he leaves the BBC.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Xia De-hong, Lord Hunt of Chesterton, Joan Burstein, Bill Leader
  
  Matthew Bannister on a mother, a meteorologist, a retail pioneer and a recording engineer.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—NS&I Delays and Youth Unemployment
  
  Bereaved listeners face serious delays in accessing money from NS&I.
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—RNID
  
  KT Tunstall makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of RNID
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—President Trump, the King, and a special relationship
  
  Donald Trump welcomed the King and Queen to DC for a diplomatically sensitive visit.
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—Taking stock of Starmer's premiership and the local elections in London
  
  Facing up to the costs of the Middle East conflict and the local elections in London.
12. 23:00
  
  In Our Time—Cybernetics
  
  The origins and lasting influences of the study of communication in animals and machines.
13. 23:45
  
  Short Works—Now That Summer's Coming by Deirdre Anna Rose Kelly
  
  On the 1st May, a classroom assistant in Belfast celebrates the beginning of the summer.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—04/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—Driving Against Net Zero
  
  How populists are driving against the politics of Net Zero.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—St Swithin Clunbury, Shropshire
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Swithin Clunbury in Shropshire.
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—04/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—04/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—04/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—Xia De-hong, Lord Hunt of Chesterton, Joan Burstein, Bill Leader
  
  Matthew Bannister on a mother, a meteorologist, a retail pioneer and a recording engineer.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—04/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—All ye that are heavy-laden
  
  Spiritual reflection with Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melrose.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—04/05/26 Neolithic Farming and Feasting
  
  What Neolithic people on the Isle of Lewis foraged and ate.
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—04/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 4 May 2026