Reputations

The first of six profiles of controversial figures features the sporting legend who changed the image of woman's tennis for ever. As well as a rare interview with King herself, there are contributions from Virginia Wade, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau was the first man to reveal the undersea world to a mass audience. But his rise was punctuated by controversy, as revealed by the first biographical account of Cousteau since his death last year.

The biographical series continues with a two-part profile of one of Britain's best-loved comics, whose death ten years ago ended a 30-year radio, television and cinema career.

Concluding the two-part profile of Kenneth Williams , one of Britain's best-loved comics. Tonight's programme picks up the story in the mid-sixties, when Williams's presence on stage, screen and radio had made him a household name. But, as his chat-show appearances demonstrate, his greatest comic creation was his own persona, as gradually he began turning his own character into part of his act.

Kitchenerwas renowned as the great avenger of the British Empire, leading successful military campaigns and persuading a generation of young men to fight in the First World War. But, as tonight's film shows, the real Kitchener had a delicate side which belied his aggressively masculine image.

Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's foreign minister, was a former champagne salesman who became infatuated with the British. He thought that his connections with the British aristocracy and the royal family would bring an alliance with the Nazis. But when he failed, his love for Britain turned to hatred and he did all he could to bring about war. Reputations tells the story of the Nazi diplomat who became Hitler's devoted standard-bearer.

Glamorous, volatile and passionate, Maria Callas was possibly the greatest opera star of the 20th century. Reputations analyses what qualities guaranteed her legendary status.