BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 24 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—24/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Katie Kitamura
  
  On her Booker-shortlisted novel, Audition, and how it connects to three other works.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—24/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—24/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—Probing the SEND Reforms, RNIB Newsagent Service
  
  We discuss concerns about the SEND reforms and the recent RNIB Newsagent outage.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—24/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Beyond Belief—The Gospel according to Bob
  
  Giles and his guests discuss the faith of Bob Dylan.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—The Last Generation to Farm?
  
  After four generations, Tom Clarke must decide whether to keep his struggling family farm.
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—24/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—DRC Ebola; Jain Manuscripts; Heritage funding
  
  William Crawley takes a look at the ethical and religious issues of the week.
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Reprieve
  
  Actor Adjoa Andoh makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Reprieve.
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—24/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Pentecost
  
  A service for Pentecost Sunday with Volney Morgan & New-Ye from Alive City Church.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—The Irish priest who built an airport
  
  In 1986, a priest raised millions to open an airport at Knock in Ireland.
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Juliet Vickery on the Woodcock
  
  Head of the BTO Juliet Vickery on watching a patrolling male woodcock in Scotland.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—Is Keir Starmer's plan working? Can the PM survive?
  
  Is the Prime Minister's plan for the UK working? Can Keir Starmer stay in Downing Street?
14. 10:00
  
  Desert Island Discs—Emily Watson, actor
  
  Emily Watson, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—24/05/2026
  
  The week's events in Ambridge.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Rhun ap Iorwerth
  
  The new Welsh first minister.
2. 12:30
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 33, 4. Advertising, The Beatles, Theatre and Underwear
  
  4/6 Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh, Miles Jupp and Lucy Porter try to find the hidden truths.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—The state of Israel
  
  Increasing condemnation from the West prompts soul searching in Israel.
5. 13:30
  
  Currently—When Shiraz Calls
  
  Intimate conversations of two Iranian sisters - one in the UK, the other in Iran.
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - Postbag
  
  Kathy Clugston, Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel are at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
7. 14:45
  
  One to One—Faces of Fame: Janet Ellis and Sophie Ellis Bextor
  
  The former Blue Peter presenter talks to her pop singer daughter about fame then and now
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Milady, Part 4
  
  4/4 Milady de Winter, one of literature’s greatest villains, is out for revenge.
9. 16:00
  
  Take Four Books—Deborah Levy
  
  On her new novel - My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein - and its three key influences.
10. 16:30
  
  Round Britain Quiz—8. Northern Ireland and England - Final
  
  It’s the final in the contest of lateral thinking, chaired by Kirsty Lang.
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits
  
  In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits
12. 17:10
  
  The Verb—Dark nights of the Soul, Brian Bilston, JH Prynne, Daljit Nagra, William Blake and Martha Sprackland
  
  Ian McMillan, Brian Bilston, Daljit Nagra, William Blake, JH Prynne and Martha Sprackland.
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—24/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—'Appalling' teenage rape case
  
  Sir Keir Starmer welcomes urgent review of sentences
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Matthew Sweet
  
  Matthew Sweet presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—24/05/2026
  
  Kate takes the bull by the horns
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—My Sister’s Daughter
  
  Love by other means. A kinship care story.
5. 19:45
  
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Swim
  
  Why going for a swim is so good for your blood vessels, your joints and mental agility!
6. 20:00
  
  Word of Mouth—The World of Words: editing, typography and print
  
  Michael Rosen finds out about fascinating literary errors from editor Rebecca Lee.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Michael Pennington, Cynthia Shange, Scott Hastings, Beverley Martyn
  
  Kirsty Lang on an actor, an activist, a rugby player and a singer.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—Carers' Pensions and Face-to-Face Banking
  
  How caring for a loved one can impact your pension.
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Reprieve
  
  Actor Adjoa Andoh makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Reprieve.
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Afghanistan: Shaiqa's story
  
  A father makes an unenviable decision in order to fund his daughter's medical treatment.
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—Nick Eardley and guests on the Labour leadership and the true meaning of "centrism"
  
  Nick Eardley and guests on sentencing policy, Neets and finding common ground in politics.
12. 23:00
  
  In Our Time—The Levellers
  
  The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
13. 23:45
  
  Short Works—Lane Seven by Emily Koch
  
  At his local swimming pool, Jack is confused to see his ex-girlfriend in the next lane.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—25/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—Victim or Accomplice? The Story of Jeffrey Epstein’s Pilot Girlfriend
  
  Victim or Accomplice? The Story of Jeffrey Epstein’s Pilot Girlfriend.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—25/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—25/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—25/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—Michael Pennington, Cynthia Shange, Scott Hastings, Beverley Martyn
  
  Kirsty Lang on an actor, an activist, a rugby player and a singer.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—25/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—The saddest word
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Mark Oakley.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
  
  Richard Baynes explores the history of crofting.
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—25/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 25 May 2026