Podcast Episodes

Victoria Wood

Actor and comedian Daniel Rigby chooses the creator of Acorn Antiques, As Seen on TV and Dinnerladies, Victoria Wood.

Victoria grew up in a bungalow h…

6 years ago

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in 1928. She was a mother, writer, dancer, director, performer, friend of presidents, and author of seven vo…

6 years, 1 month ago

Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables

Ursula le Guin was born in California, USA in 1929.

Her books - including A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness - have been described as…

6 years, 1 month ago

Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson

"One of the best things a children's writer can do is to implant sign posts in childhood to things that are good, and to the small pleasures that wil…

6 years, 1 month ago

Rick Stein on Jim Morrison

Chef , writer and presenter Rick Stein chooses the lead singer of The Doors, Jim Morrison.

As a 21 year old man travelling the world, a young Rick Ste…

6 years, 1 month ago

Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison

When Andi Oliver first read Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye' she felt as though someone climbed inside her head.

Morrison's books saved the chef and …

6 years, 4 months ago

Kurt Vonnegut

"I am a German American, a pure one, dating back to when German Americans were still marrying each other." Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis in …

6 years, 4 months ago

Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke

From Kansas City to New York, young Charlie Parker conquered the world of jazz.. He was famous during his life, and even more famous after he died ag…

6 years, 4 months ago

Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace

Bill Bailey has not just travelled in naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace's footsteps, he's crazy about him too. "I love him, I really do." Wallace is …

6 years, 5 months ago

Novelist Enid Blyton

Janice Turner recently wrote a sweet, sensitive article about packing up the contents of her parent’s house. “The experience was almost unbearable,” …

6 years, 5 months ago