News
CS Lewis, author of the Narnia Chronicles, chosen by historian Suzannah Lipscomb. Read more
now playing
Suzannah Lipscomb on CS Lewis
CS Lewis, author of the Narnia Chronicles, chosen by historian Suzannah Lipscomb.
Akram Khan on Srinivasa Ramanujan
One of the UK's leading choreographers nominates the Indian mathematician Ramanujan.
Len Goodman on Lionel Bart
Len Goodman champions Lionel Bart, the man who created the musical Oliver, as his hero.
Chris Patten on Pope John XXIII
Chris Patten nominates Pope John XXIII. With Professor Eamon Duffy and Matthew Parris.
Gary Kemp on EW Godwin
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet chooses architect-designer, Edward William Godwin.
Germaine Greer on Dame Elizabeth Frink
Germaine Greer nominates sculptor Dame Elizabeth Frink. Presented by Matthew Parris.
Ermonela Jaho on Mother Teresa
The Albanian opera singer Ermonela Jaho chooses the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Anton Du Beke on Arnold Palmer
Anton Du Beke chooses the golfer Arnold Palmer to discuss with Matthew Parris.
Peaches Golding on Shirley Chisholm
Peaches Golding OBE, nominates African American politician Shirley Chisholm.
Steven Knight on Sitting Bull
Steven Knight, creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’, nominates Sitting Bull.
Sue Cameron on Emma of Normandy
Twice queen of England and mother of two kings, but have you heard of Emma of Normandy?
Peter Williams of Jack Wills chooses Steve Jobs
Peter Williams of Jack Wills champions the abrasive Steve Jobs, founder of Apple.
Iain Lee on Andy Kaufman
Cult legend Andy Kaufman chosen by Iain Lee as his great life.
Maxine Peake on Ellen Wilkinson
Maxine Peake nominates her working class hero the MP Ellen Wilkinson as her great life.
Stephen Fry on PG Wodehouse
Stephen Fry nominates his hero, PG Wodehouse, who just simply cheers him up.
Sathnam Sanghera on Alexander Gardner
Writer Sathnam Sanghera nominates adventurer Alexander Gardner
Don McCullin on Norman Lewis
Don McCullin chooses his old travel companion Norman Lewis for Great Lives.
Tracy Chevalier on Mary Anning
Novelist Tracy Chevalier chooses the fossil hunter Mary Anning as her great life.
Helen Sharman on Elsie Widdowson
British spacewoman Helen Sharman chooses scientist Elsie Widdowson as her great life.
Nicholas Stern on Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is economist Nicholas Stern's great life as he tells Matthew Parris.
Andrea Catherwood on Constance Markievicz
Constance Markievicz, Irish rebel countess and the first woman elected to Parliament.
Helena Morrissey on Rachael Heyhoe Flint
City boss Helena Morrissey champions the life of Rachael Heyhoe Flint as her great life.
Agustin Barrios Mangore
John Williams discusses the life of Paraguayan guitarist Agustin Barrios Mangore.
Will Gregory on Flann O'Brien
Goldfrapp's Will Gregory takes the stage to nominate Irish writer Flann O'Brien.
Cornelia Parker on Marcel Duchamp
Marcel Duchamp, father of conceptual art, is fellow artist Cornelia Parker's great life.
Louise Richardson on Daniel O'Connell
Louise Richardson nominates Daniel O'Connell, hero of Catholic emancipation in 1829.
Nazir Afzal on Gandhi
Nazir Afzal chooses Mahatma Gandhi as his great life.
Hertha Ayrton
Helen Arney, scientist and geek songstress, nominates pioneer physicist Hertha Ayrton.
Gisela Stuart on Joseph Chamberlain
Gisela Stuart nominates Joseph Chamberlain as her great life.
Justin Marozzi on Herodotus
Herodotus - father of history or father of lies? Matthew Parris presents.
Liza Tarbuck on Nikola Tesla
Liza Tarbuck nominates Nikola Tesla as her great life. Matthew Parris presents.
