Great Lives

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

Radio 4,609 episodes

Episodes

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Harry Enfield on Gerard Hoffnung
Comedian Harry Enfield chooses the cartoonist, musician and raconteur Gerard Hoffnung.
01 Apr 2024,28 mins
Alan Freeman picked by Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo picks his broadcasting hero, Pick of the Pops's Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.
23 Jan 2024,28 mins
Actor Niamh Cusack on the life of poet Mary Oliver
Actor Niamh Cusack chooses the American poet Mary Oliver.
16 Jan 2024,28 mins
Mr Motivator picks Harry Belafonte
Mr Motivator chooses the King of Calypso, whose hits include Day-O and Jump in the Line.
09 Jan 2024,28 mins
Jimmy Wales on Thomas Jefferson
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, picks the third President of the USA.
02 Jan 2024,28 mins
Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer
Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.
26 Dec 2023,28 mins
John Gray on JG Ballard
Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.
19 Dec 2023,28 mins
Iszi Lawrence on Diana Barnato Walker
Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker
12 Dec 2023,28 mins
Mohammad Mossadegh, PM of Iran ousted in a coup
Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.
05 Dec 2023,28 mins
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley.
26 Sep 2023,28 mins
Chi-chi Nwanoku on Jessye Norman
Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the global star of opera Jessye Norman.
19 Sep 2023,28 mins
Lady Eve Balfour
Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.
12 Sep 2023,28 mins
Ninette de Valois
‘The Godmother of English ballet’, Dame Ninette De Valois
05 Sep 2023,28 mins
Ludwig Koch
Chris Watson on Ludwig Koch
29 Aug 2023,28 mins
Kate Raworth on Donella Meadows
Economist Kate Raworth chooses the Environmental Scientist Donella 'Dana' Meadows
22 Aug 2023,28 mins
Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques
Neuroscientist Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend, Hattie Jacques
15 Aug 2023,28 mins
Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo
08 Aug 2023,28 mins
Susie Dent on Thomas Mann
Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann who wrote 'Death in Venice'.
01 Aug 2023,28 mins
Tony Benn
Ellie Gibson picks the Labour politician Tony Benn.
30 May 2023,28 mins
Jake Arnott on John Gay
The satirist and writer of The Beggar's Opera nominated by Jake Arnott. With Ian Hislop.
23 May 2023,27 mins
Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials
Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding
16 May 2023,28 mins
Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Jesse Norman picks lawyer and Parliamentarian Sir Edward Coke.
09 May 2023,28 mins
Kofi Annan
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
02 May 2023,28 mins
Frank Zappa
John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why
25 Apr 2023,28 mins
Matthew Henson, Arctic explorer and pioneer
Matthew Henson, who may have been the first person ever to set foot on the North Pole.
18 Apr 2023,28 mins
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
11 Apr 2023,28 mins
Arthur Ashe
Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.
04 Apr 2023,28 mins
Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
24 Jan 2023,28 mins
Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
17 Jan 2023,28 mins
Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
10 Jan 2023,28 mins