Podcast Episodes

Dinner for One: How an English comedy became a German tradition

Every New Year’s Eve, millions of Germans turn on their TVs to rewatch an old favourite – the comedy Dinner for One.

The black and white sketch is in English and features a British cast but is virtual…

Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago

'Kimchi war'

In the run-up to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, in the United States, a row broke out between Japan and South Korea over who would supply the athletes' village with kimchi.

The two countries also …

Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Chef to five presidents

Cristeta Comerford has cooked for some of the most powerful people in the world. She spent almost three decades as a chef in the White House, serving five presidents from Bill Clinton to Joe Biden.

O…

Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago

When instant noodles came to India

The arrival of instant noodles in India was a turning point in culinary history.

In 1983, before Maggi 2-Minute Noodles launched, the country’s food culture centred around chapati, lentils and rice a…

Published on 1 year ago

'I created MasterChef'

In 1990, a cookery programme launched on BBC TV that would become a global phenomenon.

Today, MasterChef airs in 70 countries around the world and has an estimated audience of one billion people.

Brit…

Published on 1 year ago

Australian republic referendum

On 6 November 1999, voters in Australia were asked if they wanted to break ties with the British monarchy and become a republic.

The No campaign won with 55% of the vote.

Rachel Naylor speaks to former…

Published on 1 year ago

Poland's bleak Christmas

In 1981, the communist government of Poland declared martial law in an attempt to suppress rising protests and strikes.

The civil unrest had been sparked by Solidarity, a trade union which became a so…

Published on 1 year ago

Ceefax: the start of interactive television

In 1974, the BBC launched the world's first teletext service.

It provided information, like news and weather, through our TV screens, whenever users wanted, at the push of a button.

Rachel Naylor speak…

Published on 1 year ago

Surviving Andes plane crash

When a plane carrying a team of young rugby players crashed into the Andes mountains in 1972, search teams soon gave up hope.

But two months later, 16 passengers of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 eme…

Published on 1 year ago

Peshawar school massacre

Ten years ago, the Taliban killed more than 140 people at Peshawar Army School on 16 December 2014.

It’s one of the worst terror attacks in Pakistan’s history. Chemistry teacher Andaleeb Aftab survive…

Published on 1 year ago