Living the Life

Two of the UK's most respected entertainers, Stephen Fry and Bill Wyman discuss their creative influences, Stephen's time in prison, Bill's childhood living through the London Blitz, and their mutual love of music and cricket.

In a highly personal and unusually intimate interview, Melvyn Bragg reveals his struggles with crippling anxiety which led to two nervous breakdowns before his thirties. The two share experiences of forging a political presence later in life.

The quintessential English actor Leslie Phillips discusses a career that has lasted for over 75 years, both the successes and tragedies he has faced in his life Robin recounts the story of the global phenomenon of the Bee Gees, one of the most successful bands in history.

Dylan Jones, the editor of GQ, and George Lamb, TV presenter, discuss their uneasy relationship with celebrity and their search to find their niche in a challenging media industry.

The flamboyant Times journalist Caitlin Moran, fresh from the launch of her successful debut novel How to Be A Woman, discusses feminism, sexism and comedy with the acclaimed writer, best-selling novelist, essayist and professor Fay Weldon. This intimate conversation portrays two women as they examine their shared passion for feminism, and the changing voice of female consciousness in the UK.

The two formidable blondes, who have stolen the hearts of some of the world's most successful actors, discuss in frank detail their difficult marriages, and how they managed to forge their own careers away from their husbands' limelight. They discuss how Britt married Peter Sellers within ten days of meeting him, and how she handled his manic depression. Brigitte speaks frankly of her battles with drink and drugs and how she engineered a Playboy photo shoot to continue dating Sylvester Stallone.

This episode unties renowned cricketing icon, sports commentator and prodigious fundraiser, Sir Ian Botham with Sir Tim Rice the famed lyricist, musical impresario and Golden Globe winner. Discussing their shared love of cricket, Sir Tim reveals the stories behind his success with Disney and Sir Ian describes the hardships endured in the early stages of his career that inspired his determination to achieve.

This episode brings together double Olympic champion and figurehead of the 2012 Olympic Games, Lord Sebastian Coe with Gary Newbon, one of Britain's best loved and longest serving television sports reporters. The two discuss the changing landscape of British sport, while Lord Coe describes the aftermath of losing the 800m in Moscow to his rival Steve Ovett, and Gary describes his experiences when caught between the police and the terrorists at the tragedy of the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Sir Peter Blake, the noted British artist best known for his work with the Beatles , discusses his career beginning with his unexpected entry into the art world, and his encounters with his first models for life-drawing class , a young Quentin Crisp. Ken Russell, the award-winning film director discusses his childhood and describes in heart-breaking the death of his cousin who trod on a land mine whilst they were both playing in the fields of war torn Britain.

This episode brings together distinguished actor and director Charles Dance whose notable credits include the hugely successful ‘Jewel in the Crown', with Paul McGann, the famed actor and film star, much loved for cult roles including the hit Withnail and I