Saturday Live

Richard and Aasmah are joined by Dame Stephanie Shirley who arrived in the UK aged 5 as a refugee on the Kindertransport. She became a ground breaking IT entrepreneur who has since become a philanthropist and given over £60 million away. Her son inspired her to set up a school for children with Autism, and fund vital research. We also have Duff McKagan who joined Guns N' Roses as bass player aged 19 but only just survived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. He battled addiction by taking up martial arts and studied accountancy, writing books and his own music as well as touring again with the band. and Libby Page, who enjoyed water as a child but had become fearful of donning a swimsuit in her teens. She finally faced her fears and learnt to swim in her 20s and has discovered the meditative and therapeutic benefits of swimming, in particular, outdoors and it helped her get a publishing deal. and Paul Jacobs, a listener whose wife got in touch with us. A PE teacher in the same school for 29 years, he was

Patti Boulaye is a British-Nigerian singer, actress and artist. She recalls coming to London aged 16, and appearing on the west end stage in shows from HAIR to Carmen Jones, and talks about her new one woman show Aretha and Me. Creative movement director and choreographer Yami ‘Rowdy’ Lofvenberg won the UK Hip Hop Championships in 2010, and worked on the London 2012 opening ceremony. She was adopted from Colombia and grew up in Sweden, and she describes the difficulties growing up and returning to her birthplace. Landscape designer Adam Frost started his career with an apprenticeship with North Devon Parks Department. He has won seven Gold Medals at the Chelsea Flower Show and he explains how to build a garden from scratch. Christopher Somerville has written about his favourite cathedrals. He describes how his fascination with these great structures started while visiting Wells Cathedral at the age of six. Presented by Aasmah Mir and Luke Jones. Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Beverley Purcell

Photographer, publisher and film director Rankin joins Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir. He talks about swapping accountancy for photography, his career which includes photographing the Queen in 5 minutes, and the impact of having a child. Celebrating Record Store Day – we have Ashli Todd - owner of world’s oldest record store, Spillers in Cardiff. Journalist Babita Sharma recalls her experiences growing up in a corner shop. Alistair McGowan shares his Inheritance Tracks: Poem by Fibich performed by Alistair McGowan and Narcissus by Joyce Grenfell and Norman Wisdom. Writer and presenter Danny Wallace discusses family life, why he’s proud of ‘Join Me’ and random acts of kindness. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Beverley Purcell

Ben Elton is co-writer of The Young Ones and Blackadder, a bestselling novelist, playwright, director and writer of Upstart Crow. He talks about his new and timely novel about identity, politics, middle age and murder; his life as a semi-Australian empty-nester, and why he’s about to embark on his first UK stand up tour in 15 years. The shortest shepherd in England, Sally Urwin, reveals why she gave up her city life as a marketing manager to work on a sheep farm in Northumberland and the joys and challenges of the lambing season. Listener Chris Lockwood recalls playing football the unofficial England women’s team at the 1971 World Cup in Mexico – at the age of 16. Matt Bateman is playing in the British Quidditch Cup this weekend. He explains the game, his position as “beater”, and the difference between The Quaffle, Bludgers and The Snitch. Andy Bell, best known as frontman for the electropop duo Erasure, describes his life growing up in Peterborough with darts playing parents, how he likes to challeng

Singer-songwriter and Great British Menu guest judge Keisha Buchanan talks to Rev. Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir about finding success as a teenager in Sugababes, a band which had six number one singles and two number one albums in the UK. Lamin Deen talks about his duel career as a Grenadier Guard and GB bobsleigh Olympian. We launch My Sound, a new feature where we ask you to tell us about a sound that means something to you. Tim Eagling explains why the sound of his car is significant. Forager John Wright reveals what we should be looking out for in April and how you can find wild food in cities as well as the country. Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar shares his Inheritance Tracks. He has chosen Hear My Song Violetta, performed by Josef Locke and A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles. Alice Plunkett is a former jockey and three-day eventer who is now an ITV Racing presenter. Alice is the only woman to have ridden at both Badminton Horse Trials and the Grand National course at Aintree. She talks about the

Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir are joined by the milliner Stephen Jones whose passion for hats has led him from the catwalks of Dior to the Brighton Pavillion, the adventurer and extreme sleeper Phoebe Smith who sends people to sleep with her travel stories, historian David Olusoga whose TV programme explores the lives of all the people who lived in one house in Newcastle and Saturday Live listener, the crochetdermist Shauna Richardson whose creations include animal versions of Boris Johnson and Prince Harry and whose worked graced the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. We also have the Inheritance Tracks of comedian Gina Yashere who chooses Dancing Queen by Abba and Back to Life by Soul II Soul And listener Rosie Humphreys tells us about her mother's dress. Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Choirmaster Gareth Malone describes working with pupils from Kensington Aldridge Academy to help them create a concert to mark the return to their school building next to Grenfell Tower. Listener Rev'd Alan Dodds recalls his life before ordination - playing guitar in a band with David Bowie. Mya-Rose Craig, aka 'birdgirl', has seen 5,000 species of bird and explains how she spends her weekends bird ringing. Jane Hasell-McCosh reveals some of the strange varieties of marmalade at the Marmalade Awards and Festival in Cumbria. Saxophonist and MOBO winner YolanDa Brown on racing driving and her search for emerging young musical talent. And the Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick shares his Inheritance Tracks - Stairway to Heaven performed by Led Zeppelin and One by U2. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Eleanor Garland

Best-selling singer-songwriter Dido on her new album Still On My Mind, fame, life growing up and working with her brother. Wendy Gould and John Sandford talk about being reunited after many years – Wendy was taken from her parents’ front garden and dumped on the side of the road 20 miles from her home and John was the man who found her. Jerick Hoffer talks about creating alter ego Jinkx Monsoon – and becoming the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, season 5. Comedian Al Murray shares his Inheritance Tracks. He has chosen Come Together by The Beatles and Follow You Follow Me by Genesis. The actor, writer and director Noel Clarke (Dr Who, Brotherhood, Bulletproof) is starring in new film Fisherman’s Friends, about the Cornish fisherman’s choir who got a record deal. He discusses the impact of being an only child and wanting to act from a young age. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland

Richard and Aasmah are joined by Jo Malone CBE, who left school aged 15 with no qualifications and became a scent supremo and one of the UKs best known entrepreneurs. We also have comedian aka 'Badman' Humza Arshad who made his success online, took it mainstream and has written his first children's book: Little Badman and the Killer Aunties. There is Ishbel Holmes whose difficult upbringing prompted her, aged 21, to cycle the world rescuing street dogs and Saturday Live listener Catherine Spencer who, as a holidaymaker, got caught up in a coup in Kenya and Robin Moffitt talks about how to rescue bats. Plus: the Inheritance Tracks of Shakin' Stevens who chooses Brother Can You Spare A Dime performed by Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance and We’ll Meet Again performed by Johnny Cash. Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Aasmah Mir and the Reverend Richard Coles are joined by the writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson. She discusses her heroine Tracy Beaker who is now grown up with a daughter of her own and why she prefers writing for children to adults. Steve Bland talks about his late wife Rachael, the journalist and broadcaster who co-presented You, Me and the Big C, an inspiring podcast about living with cancer. The podcast tackled her illness with courage and humour and changed our thinking about the disease. Before her death last year Rachael wrote a moving memoir for her young son Freddie. Born in Beirut, comedian Nemr Abour Nassar grew up in San Diego before returning to Lebanon. His stand-up routine addresses the differences between US and Lebanese culture and, closer to home, he pokes fun at his Arab family and their traditions. Julia Lee is the first female rugby league referee. She fell in love with the game when she was a child and when she was 17 she applied to become an official. She talks about being a woman i

The actor Shane Richie, star of East Enders talks about his latest role, in the West End show ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’. Chelcee Grimes describes how she combines her two careers, playing for Fulham Ladies and writing songs for the Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa and Kylie amongst others. Bethan Roberts grew up in the House of Elvis – not Graceland – but with a mum who loved The King so much that she had memorabilia and posters all over the house. Dr Jon Copley is a marine biologist and scientific advisor for the BBC series, Blue Planet. He explains his fascination with our oceans, what it feels like to explore them. And Dave Gorman shares his Inheritance Tracks. He chooses: When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman performed by Dr Hook; and Reasons to be Cheerful by Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Louise Corley Editor: John Goudie.

Aasmah and Richard are joined by: Patrick Grant - he bought and revived a failing tailors in Savile Row in 2005, since then he’s been awarded Menswear designer at the British Fashion Awards, become a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee and promotes sustainable fashion. Adam Kay used to be a junior doctor, and left to become a writer and comedian. His book This is Going to Hurt was based on diaries written as a junior doctor, exposed the highs and lows of the job and became a bestseller. Nichola McAvoy lost her hair age 11 and will tell us how finding a friend who also had alopecia was invaluable to her. Jess Herbert left her job as a trilingual assistant and retrained as an aborist - she's since won tree climbing competitions. We'll have your thank you and the Inheritance tracks of composer Mark Anthony Turnage who chooses Stravinsky's ‘The Fairy’s kiss’ conducted by Oliver Knussen with the Cleveland orchestra, and Miles Davis' ‘Blue in Green’. Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Scientist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili shares his experience of growing up in Iraq, his passion for music and his first novel, which will be published in April. Eboni Beckford-Chambers talks about combining a career in law with being an England netball player. As the new Biggin Hill Memorial Museum opens today, Geoff Greensmith recalls his childhood growing in the area during WW II. Listener Stephen 'Abs' Wisdom explains how Robin Hood inspired his career; and playwright and actress Natasha Gordon shares her Inheritance Tracks. She has chosen Midnight Train to Georgia sung by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla. Author Kimberley Chambers reveals how she became a bestselling author after deciding that life as a mini-cab driver wasn't for her. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland

The actress, Brenda Blethyn, star of Vera; Monisha Rajesh recounts travelling around the world by train; Mo Gawdat on his happiness algorithm, and rugby international James Haskell shares his Inheritance Tracks. Brenda Blethyn, star of Vera, recalls working for British Rail, before launching her acting career. Mo Gawdat, Former Chief Business Officer, Google (X), explains his algorithm for happiness and how it helped him after the death of his son Ali. Saturday Live listener, Deborah Gould, shares her love of skydiving. Monisha Rajesh describes her 45,000 mile journey around the globe on 80 trains. And Harry Bibring recalls his escape from Vienna on the Kindertransport. And rugby international James Haskell shares his Inheritance Tracks. He chooses Billie Jean performed by Michael Jackson and Wagon Wheel performed by Darius Rucker. Presented by Aasmah Mir and the Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Eleanor Garland.

Trevor Nelson talks about how he became one of the country's leading R&B DJs; pigeon fancier Ian Evans sets the scene from The British Homing World Show of the Year in Blackpoool. Man Like Mobeen star and creator Guz Khan, who until recently was a Humanities teacher in the Midlands. Sharon D. Clarke shares her Inheritance Tracks. She has chosen Sweet Jamaica by Clancy Eccles and What’s Goin’ On by Marvin Gaye. Anatomist, author and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts discusses her career and how she digs the UK with a spade and a campervan. Presented by Aasmah Mir and Suzy Klein. Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Eleanor Garland

Aasmah Mir and Konnie Huq are joined by Dame Kelly Holmes, double gold winner at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She talks about her life in the army, pursuing her dream of becoming an Olympian and adjusting to life after retiring from athletics. Jacquie Davis is one of the world's top female bodyguards. During her career she has protected royals and celebrities, rescued hostages and carried out undercover surveillance. She talks about the qualities required for the job and the power of being a chameleon. The Reverend Ravi Holy was ordained in 2005 after turning his back on his previous life as a dissolute youth. He is also a stand-up comedian and explains how the comedy gets them laughing in the aisles. Jasper Winn is writer in residence for the Canal and River Trust who advocates slow travel - taking time to appreciate the world around us as an antidote to our busy, high tech lives. Marion Grave, owner of the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston, talks about the magic of their partnership and her fa

Aasmah Mir and Mobeen Azhar are joined by the actor and TV presenter Bradley Walsh. Currently starring in Doctor Who, he talks about going on a father and son road trip in the US, where he was pushed to his limits with cowboy training and sky diving! Former professional footballer and teacher, Len Johnrose, describes his small victories, silver linings and making the most of living with motor-neurone disease. Gary Budd is a chimney sweep and also the founder, head coach and chief coxswain of The Pilot Gig Club in Lewes, East Sussex. He explains why he started the club and how it’s brought the community together. Julia Georgallis gives advice on how to eat your Christmas Tree. She turns hers into everything from fir jam, spruce ice-cream, pine smoked cauliflower and juniper gin! And supermodel and petrolhead turned pub landlady, Jodie Kidd, describes turning 40 and how she’s now living a healthier, more anchored life. With Inheritance Tracks from Simon Williams. He chooses: I Whistle a Happy T

Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles are joined by Gabrielle, THE pop star of the 90s – inspiring lyrics, cool image, intriguing eye patch, hit after hit, and then she went quiet. After time out as a mum of two she has just released her first album for 11 years, and she is back. Will Farmer’s life seems only to exist on a summer’s day surrounded by beautiful objects in the garden of an English stately home, for he is an expert on Antiques Roadshow. He’s joining us in the midst of winter to talk about auctioneering and his passion for the past. Emma Rosen spent a year trying 25 careers before turning 25 including: archaeology in Transylvania; being an extra in a major movie; alpaca farming in Cornwall and assisting a crisis team during the terror attack on Parliament in March 2017. Emma now works as a writer and speaker, focusing on millennials in the workforce. Saturday Live listener Gary Horrocks joins us to talk about being a fan of Judy Garland – he heads the international fan club. JP meets Philip Pittack a

David Gower talks about his life in cricket and how spending his early years in Africa inspired his passion for wildlife. Anne Atkins has been inspired to write about her son Alex, who has Asperger's. They discuss their relationship and how Alex has learnt how to read people. Clive Collins explains why Christmas trees are so important to him. Singer Lily Allen shares her Inheritance Tracks - she has chosen I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall, performed by Merle Haggard and Fix You by Coldplay. And from the courtroom to the kitchen- Nisha Katona tells her story. Presented by Aasmah Mir and Rev. Richard Coles. Producer: Claire Bartleet Editor: Eleanor Garland

The comedian and actor Hugh Dennis talks about being the son of a Bishop and his latest role in The Messiah. Former nurse, Christie Watson, recalls lessons of kindness and hospital Christmasses. Listener Stephanie Bouckley shares her Thank You story pegged to the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie disaster. JP Devlin meets Arthur Spencer, a former teacher and WWII navigator, who has been recognised with the award of a Legion d’honneur from the French government. Jan Blake describes the timeless appeal of storytelling and her first visit to her grandmother in Jamaica. Firefighter Gary Bankhead explains how he became an amateur underwater archaeologist, finding gold and silver from Durham Cathedral in the Wear. He is now an expert on lead cloth seals. And Eric Idle chooses his Inheritance Tracks: Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison; and Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Eleanor Garland