20 Questions With

Legendary broadcaster John Sergeant tells the often hilarious stories that knit together to form a career that has straddled both the deadly serious and the comic and absurd. From Northern Ireland to the shiny floors of Strictly Come Dancing via Vietnam and Westminster, Sergeant has spent a life in the limelight. He reveals the background to his famous ambush of Margaret Thatcher on the steps of the British Embassy in Paris, and the truth behind the photograph of the young girl fleeing a napalm strike in what was then South Vietnam. Even as a small child, Sergeant was in the thick of the story and he lived in a refugee camp in Gaza as a two year-old. This is an unmissable chance to hear from a national figure of stage and screen whose sense of humour and gravelly voice are unmistakable. 

Britain's most famous classicist, Dame Mary Beard, takes us on a journey through her life and career, offering insights and anecdotes along the way. What would the Romans have been like on X?  Should we pass moral judgements on those who lived thousands of years ago? Does being a classicist make you a better person? Does she see herself as an outsider? Who's her favourite Roman woman? Is it possible to touch the past? Does she empathise with those who died in Pompeii? What is civilisation? Over the course of almost an hour, Dame Mary reveals how she reacted to being insulted by AA Gill, reflects on being attacked on social media, gives her verdict on the rise of AI, discusses recovering the voices of the ordinary from ancient history, explains how she got into Classics, emphasises why the subject matters, and champions the ongoing translations of ancient texts. This is a chance to hear from a world famous figure who has managed to combine being a serious academic with an ability to communicate to millions.

The veteran broadcaster reflects on a career that led him to become a presenter on the BBC's flagship Today programme, and one of Britain's most famous interviewers. He explores the impact growing up in a Cardiff slum had on his later life, reveals what has motivated him in his work, and shares his views on politicians. Humphrys also looks ahead to the BBC's future, predicts the end of the licence fee and, despite describing a "slight liberal bias" at the corporation, insists BBC News is to be trusted. 

Expert in bushcraft, TV presenter and writer Ray Mears explains his love of nature, his fascination for human history, and the ways in which he uses his skills to become at one with his environment in the wild - both in Britain and beyond. 

Impressionist, pianist, poet and star of The Big Impression Alistair McGowan takes us behind the scenes of his career. Along the way he does impressions of Louis Theroux, Harry Kane, Raymond Blanc, David Hockney, Alan Bennett, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Skinner, Richard Madeley, Alan Shearer, Jo Brand, Dara Ó Briain, Monty Don, Gareth Southgate, Ronnie Corbett, Sven-Göran Eriksson, John Bishop, David Beckham, Ian McKellen, Martin O'Neill, Alan Hansen, Philip Mould, John Major, John Smith, Paddy Ashdown, Gordon Brown, John Parrot and Mikel Arteta.

The Private Eye editor and star of Have I Got News For You on how to debate populists, the fluctuating fortunes of satire, the state of Britain, what he thinks of Keir Starmer, the role of social media in politics, the tone-setting of Donald Trump, the nature of the England Test team, life outside work, and the success of his wife, best-selling author, Victoria Hislop. 

Newspaper columnist Sir Simon Jenkins discusses his new history of America, reflects on the unpredictable state of British politics, looks back on his career in the media - including his time as editor of The Times - and offers a warning about what he sees as a threat to the British countryside. He also gives his view on the challenges to the union of the United Kingdom, laments what he sees as the loss of Ireland, and gives his verdict on the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Best-selling author and populariser of the power of geography Tim Marshall looks at the role geography plays in conflicts and international relations - past and present - from Britain to Japan, via the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Middle East. 

Popular philosopher Alain de Botton on life, death, the role of philosophy in contemporary life, love, anger, decision-making, pleasure, happiness, success, and ignorance. 

Steven Finn is a triple Ashes winner. A 6"8 fast bowler with 257 international wickets to his name, he was part of a side that won Test series in Australia, India and South Africa. He got Steve Smith out twice in one game, and also counts Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers amongst his Test victims. Middlesex's youngest debutant at 16, he came of age bowling at Lord's, and would end his playing career at Sussex, 19 seasons later. Still only 36, he has already established himself as a voice on the BBC's Test Match Special and will be covering this winter's hotly anticipated Ashes series for TNT Sports. His new book, The Ashes Files, charts some of the highs and lows of his own time as a professional cricketer, and in this episode of 20 Questions With he explores the psychology of bowling, the thrill of success, the single-mindedness of his commitment to a sport he grew up playing, the challenges of balancing personal life with professionalism, the skillset required for his new roles in commentary and punditry, England's chances Down Under, and the importance of Ben Stokes to the project of winning back the urn. 

Mariella Frostrup, broadcaster, writer and campaigner, on women, the erotic, culture, radio, TV, upbringing, the loss of her father when she was a teenager, parenthood, career, being in the public eye, worrying, interviewing, equality, food, the menopause, and her new book, Menolicious. 

Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and astrobiologist, who won The Templeton Prize in 1995. Here he reflects on the centenary of quantum mechanics, the future of quantum physics, the progress of AI, the potential for colonising Mars, the compatibility of God and quantum mechanics, theories of the Universe, the meaning of life, the history of scientific discovery, and coming up against intellectual brick walls. Paul's latest book, Quantum 2.0, is available to pre-order. 

Times Columnist and food critic Giles Coren talks about food, dieting, restaurants, sport, fatherhood, performance, writing, money, TV, death, anger, self-harm, and causing offence. He also opens up about the lasting impact on him of being hit as a child by his father, the late broadcaster and satirist, Alan Coren. This is a conversation that oscillates between humour and seriousness and offers an insight into the man behind the headlines.  (Includes very strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in the podcast, you can call the Samaritans in the UK on 116,123.)

Arguably England's greatest prop since World Cup winner Trevor Woodman, Alex Corbisiero has a fascinating life story. Born in New York and raised in Surrey, he went on to represent England at the highest level, before retiring in his late 20s after a long injury history. In 2020 he received treatment for testicular cancer. Now a TV personality, DJ, and rugby coach, Corbisiero is still only 37. Here he reflects on his days as a prop when he fluctuated between 18 and 19 stone and could deadlift 260kg. What were the one on one battles like on the field? How did he improve? What was it like playing through injury? He played a key role in helping the British and Irish Lions win the decisive Test against Australia in 2013. The year before he was in the England side that beat the All Blacks at Twickenham. Corbisiero also reflects on his experience of cancer, reveals his commitment to Christianity, offers his take on brain injuries in rugby, discusses political polarisation, and gives thanks to the strength of his family. 

Chris Hadfield has made three trips to space, observed Earth from afar, spacewalked, flown fighter jets, made music and become a novelist. Here he explores ideas he hasn't articulated before and takes us into parts of the universe most of us will never experience for ourselves. Hadfield introduces his latest book, Final Orbit, explains how he became an astronaut, thrillingly reveals what our planet looks like from space, describes what it's like heading towards the moon in a rocket, talks about the precariousness of spacewalks, reflects on what space travel has taught him about himself and humanity, and spells out his attitude to risk. 

The best-selling author of This Is Going To Hurt, Adam Kay, introduces his first novel, A Particularly Nasty Case, and takes us behind the scenes of his life as a comedian, while also reflecting on his career as a doctor in Obs and gynae. Stand-up, life, death, and a clarion call for the NHS.

Award-winning Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland explores themes from his new, Nazi era book, The Traitors Circle, including how human beings react to evil in their midst; considers what he sees as the growing threat of authoritarianism in the UK, the Tommy Robinson rally, and the involvement of Elon Musk; ponders whether or not participation on X is the best way to combat populist, and extreme, views projected from the platform; rejects the blaming of Israeli government policies on Jews while acknowledging the connection many Jewish people feel to the state of Israel; calls out what he sees as the injustice of Israel's response to the atrocities of October 7th; reveals the role his father played in his becoming a journalist, and explains why he became an Arsenal fan. 

The former Labour leader gives his views on patriotism, Keir Starmer, the upcoming Budget, inequality, child poverty, raising taxes, the left behind, the future of British manufacturing, charisma in politics, the survival of the Tory Party, Nigel Farage, populism, Donald Trump, proportional representation, the legacy of Thatcherism, and what it was like facing Margaret Thatcher at the despatch box. In an emotional moment towards the end, Kinnock weeps as he remembers his late wife, Glenys, Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead.  (Note in reference to mention of Nigel Farage's plans for mass deportations, there was uncertainty about exactly which people illegally in Britain the Reform leader was referring to, and he made clear he didn't want a repeat of the Windrush scandal). 

Wow! What an extraordinary story Huey Morgan has to tell. Brought up on the rough side of New York by his mother, Huey got into trouble with the law before joining the US Marines. After leaving the military, he fell back into the criminal underworld before helping to establish the rap rock band, Fun Lovin' Criminals. His memoirs, Fun Lovin' Criminal, lift the lid on his journey towards stardom and the challenges he faced along the way. Here Huey offers insights into his life on and off the stage and the road from criminality to married life in Bath, with a dog and two children, and his own BBC 6 Music radio show.  (Explicit language)

Steve Richards gives his views on the state of British politics, some of the challenges facing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - including the vital importance of communication skills - the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK, the shift towards a multi party landscape, and the urgent need, as he sees it, to improve public services. Richards has been a political journalist for decades and, during their time in government, regularly met both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. His new book, Tony Blair, is about to be published and in this podcast he also gives his verdict on the Blair years and compares him to Starmer. Whether you're a Westminster nerd or more loosely interested in the world around you, this is a riveting and insightful take on power, people and politics.