20 Questions With

Polly Toynbee on a fair society, Labour's Budget, public services, the importance of growth, and the pressure of writing her Guardian columns. 

A star of musical theatre, an icon and heartthrob of the 1980s, and a man with four UK Number Ones to his name, Jason Donovan takes us behind the scenes of a career in the spotlight. 

Continuously a minister for the 18 years of Tory rule that stretched from 1979 to 1997, Sir Malcolm Rifkind offers insights from his time in and out of power. What was it like being the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary? As a former Defence Secretary, does he think Britain needs to spend more on defence? How should political leaders do business with despots or those they may otherwise hold in contempt? At a time of crisis for the Conservative Party, what really is Conservatism? And what are his top tips for public speaking? A rare insight into the life of one of the UK's leading political figures. 

Britain's greatest living opera singer, Bryn Terfel, tells us of the magic in the Welsh water and how he began life as a farmer's son, recounts his rise to fame, explains the secrets to his success as a bass baritone, reflects on performing with his wife, the harpist, Hannah Jones, remembers listening to Pavarotti in his dressing room and appearing with José Carerras, and chooses the role and opera house he'd take with him to Heaven.

Tech entrepreneur and crime writer Ajay Chowdhury on the ways in which Generative AI is changing the world, the exciting possibilities it presents and the extreme risks it poses. 

Broadcaster and columnist Adrian Chiles on fame, drinking, mental health, football, presenting, writing, grief, national cuisine, barbecues, dad jokes and books on display.

On the cusp of turning 75, Robert Lindsay, star of stage and screen, reflects on his award-winning career and offers insights into his life behind the scenes.  

One of the biggest names in British broadcasting since the 1990s, Vanessa Feltz is about to launch her autobiography, Vanessa Bares All. Here she offers intimate insights into a life lived in the public gaze, analyses her career trajectory, discusses ancient Greek theatre, and reveals why she doesn't feel embarrassed talking about sex. 

The most prolific run-scorer in professional cricket history, Graham Gooch shares some of the secrets of his success as a player and a coach. From his 333 against India at Lord's to his 154 not out against the might of the West Indies at Headingley in bowler friendly conditions, what was it that made England's captain such a brilliant player? And how did he later help drive an England team containing Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook to become the number one Test side in the world? Who is the greatest bowler he ever faced? Did he find the spin of Shane Warne or the speed of Malcolm Marshall more challenging? Four decades on from the rebel tour to South Africa that he led on the field, does he regret his decision to travel to a country still under the yolk of Apartheid? And after his rehabilitation in the national side following.a three year ban, why did the England captaincy bring the best out of him? This is a rare chance to hear from one of England's greatest ever players. 

First Minister of Scotland until May of this year, Humza Yousaf is a major figure in Scottish and British politics. Here he makes the case for Scottish independence, argues in favour of wealth taxes, makes the case for immigration, champions multiculturalism and has some tough words for Elon Musk. 

A pioneer of arts broadcasting and an icon of Britain's cultural scene for decades, Dame Joan Bakewell here reflects on her career so far. At 91 she looks back on her work in television, shares her passion for art and music and literature, and explains her affair with Harold Pinter. This is a rare insight into the winner of a BAFTA Fellowship who helped transform the way the arts were covered on TV. 

The longest serving of the current crop of Today Programme presenters on Radio 4, Justin Webb gives rare insights into life behind the scenes at the BBC's flagship news show, discusses how the corporation covers politics, addresses allegations of liberal bias levelled against the national broadcaster, explains the challenges of reporting on Donald Trump for his podcast, Americast, and describes the childhood he chronicles in his memoir, The Gift Of A Radio.

Test Match Special commentator Daniel Norcross sheds a tear as he describes his elevation from founder of internet cricket commentary provider, Test Match Sofa, to one of the BBC's best loved and most enduring products. He explains the joy of cricket, reveals the secrets of his trade, and makes the case for the longest form of the game. Whether or not you like the sport, Norcross shows that in the case of TMS's coverage, it's as much about the commentary as it is about the cricket. 

Multi award-winning comedian Omid Djalili on comedy, causing offence, making a difference, his solidarity with Iranian women, expressing himself on social media, his upcoming tour and the meaning of life.  (In this episode, Djalili mentions comedian Louis CK, who expressed remorse for masturbating in front of women, but said that he had never revealed himself without first asking permission). 

Louis de Bernières, author of novels including Captain Corelli's Mandolin, on the meaning of life. 

One of football's best loved pundits, Guillem Balagué is the author of 10 books, including on Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona and Guardiola. Here he gives his verdict on the the greatest player of all time, how he fell out with Ronaldo, what he thinks of the foreign ownership of clubs, highlights the scourge of racism in the game, explains the difference between football in England and Spain, predicts who will win the Euros, offers support to Gareth Southgate, and reveals that his real passion is story-telling, not football. A rare insight into the man behind the headlines. 

One of the very top names in British food, Tom Kerridge is the only chef in the country with a two Michelin star pub. He runs multiple establishments, writes cook books and fronts TV series. Here he reveals the secrets to his stardom, describes his journey from a working class, single-parent childhood, talks about his triumph over alcoholism and losing 12 stone in weight, recounts his experience of cooking for Liam Gallagher, and outlines why a happy work force is essential to a successful business. 

World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Kriss Akabusi reveals the trauma he experienced as a child and the impact that had on his rise to international stardom. Known for his infectious enthusiasm, he tells the story of the sadness he felt when his Nigerian parents left him behind in London as a boy so that he could experience a British education. He learned to play the clown to fit in and then the army and sport brought structure. The rest is athletics history, and Akabusi describes in charismatic detail the experience of anchoring the GB 4x400m men's relay team to gold in 1991. 

A legend of stage and screen, Steven Berkoff is an actor, director and playwright, known for his roles in Bond, Beverley Hills Cop and Rambo as well as for having given his name to Berkovian theatre. Here he discusses his techniques, why theatre matters and why he's so passionate about his work. 

How did the East India Company come about and how did it become the largest corporation in the world? How did the English compare to the Spanish and Dutch as a naval power, and how did they manage to gain a foothold in the Indian subcontinent? What were the obstacles to success, and what motivated the mercantile adventurers who risked their lives on the high seas? How did the British Empire in India emerge from the foundations set by the Company? And at what cost? How should we look back at our highly controversial colonial role on the global stage? Historian and Emeritus Professor David Howarth helps to answer these questions at a time when imperialism is under the spotlight like never before. Drawing on his book Adventurers: The Improbable Rise of the East India Company, he takes us back to the 17th and 18th centuries as the English began to establish themselves as a major world force. And he reveals the influence on his career of his own father, Tom Howarth, who was friends with Field Marshal Montgomery and won the Military Cross for bravery in World War II. What was it like being shown round Rommel's caravan by 'Monty' as a young boy? An unmissable insight into the importance of history, which, as Howarth says, is very far from dead.