Profile

BBC Radio 4

4.1 (98)
Documentary
Updated Biweekly

An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines

2d ago

Claudia Winkleman

Presenter Claudia Winkleman, with her trademark fringe, is the host of The Celebrity Traitors season two. The London-born broadcaster has been a familiar face on television for more than three decades - but who is the woman behind the hair? The daughter of journalist Eve Pollard, known as ‘The First Lady of Fleet Street’, and book publisher Barry Winkleman, as a child Claudia was taken to the National Gallery on weekends by her father to look at one painting at a time for 40 minutes. This early exposure to the world of art helped secure her place at Cambridge University to study History of Art, while making a name for herself as the only student with a tanning bed in her bedroom. The start of her career saw her presenting the BBC’s Holiday programme, along with a host of late-night shows including ‘Liquid News’, ‘God’s Gift’ and even a stint on Good Morning with Anne and Nick as the resident dating guru. But it was moving to co-present Strictly Come Dancing, along with a primetime Radio 2 hosting slot, that led to her biggest role to date - presenting BBC One’s The Traitors, which cemented her status as a household name. Now, as the second season kicks off, Stephen Smith looks back at the life and career of the woman with the most avant-garde outfits on television. Production Producers: Ben Carter and Keiligh Baker Sound mix: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Editor: Justine Lang Archive: Elizabeth Day 'How to Fail' British Museum Bayeux Tapestry trailer
Sep 26

Alice Weidel

Mark Coles profiles Alice Weidel, the some say, unlikely joint leader and public face of the far right, nationalist AfD - the Alternative for Germany party. Weidel's a right wing populist and a self confessed fan of Margaret Thatcher. Yet in some respects, particularly when it comes to her private life is seemingly at odds with, almost the antithesis of what her party stands for. Her supporters don't seem to mind. Weidel and the AfD have notched up a series of big win in local elections this month, including Saxony Anhalt, causing huge headaches for beleaguered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s, Christian Democratic Union. With the AfD currently topping opinion polls, many are now wondering out loud if Weidel could become Germany’s first far right leader since the Second World War. Production team: Producers: Ben Carter and Bethan Ashmead Sound mix: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Editor: Justine Lang
Sep 18

Amy Hunt

Amy Hunt, 24, was born and grew up in Newark, Nottinghamshire. In the classroom, on the sports field, playing cello or tap dancing, she excelled at whatever she did. She wasn't always a quick runner though. Her teacher, Phil Shepherd, recalls that when she was nine or ten 'she had incredibly long legs and her body hadn't grown into it.' But it didn't take long. Aged 12, she joined Grantham Athletic Club, and at first she did middle distance running and triathlon. but after doing a rapid 200m her coaches suggested that she entered some championships. At the age of 20, she was selected to represent Great Britain at the Under 20 European Championships in Mannheim, Germany. She won in 22.42 seconds, which was the fastest time ever by someone under 18. But she was keen to prove that it's possible to be an 'academic badass and track goddess'. She attended Cambridge and obtained a BA in English. But sprinting called and she moved to Italy to work with coach, Marco Airale. Silver medals at the Olympics in Paris, and the World Championships in Tokyo followed by she became the first person in the history of the European Championships to win four gold medals in Birmingham this summer. Becky Milligan looks at Amy's life and career. Production team: Sound mix: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck Producers: Ben Carter and Bethan Ashmead Editor: Justine Lang Archive: Good Morning Britain, ITV Novig advert
Sep 12

Richard Osman

The writer, presenter and podcaster Richard Osman has released his latest novel – We Chase Shadows, the second book in his We Solve Murders series. The release follows the success of his Thursday Murder Club novels which have sold millions of copies since the first book was published in 2020. It has since been made into a film produced by Steven Spielberg. Known for his TV presenter role on the hit game shows Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games, Osman started his career in showbusiness as a producer, devising formats for TV game shows which he pitched to broadcasters. He became the creative director of the television company Endemol and landed his first on screen gig on Pointless after standing in as co-presenter during run-throughs for the BBC. With Alexander Armstrong he went on to present over a thousand episodes before stepping down in 2022 to concentrate on his writing. Growing up in Hayworth’s Heath, Sussex, he showed an early interest in games and quizzes as well as TV and radio programmes. When he was 15 year old, he wrote to BBC Radio Sussex’s Turn It Up youth music programme, securing a role behind the microphone. He went on to study politics and sociology at Cambridge University where he first met his presenting partner Alexander Armstrong. Today, Osman presents the Rest is Entertainment podcast with Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. PRODUCTION: Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Tom Gillett Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine Lang ARCHIVE: Pointless and Richard Osman's House of Games - Remarkable Entertainment Family Fortunes - ATV
Sep 5

Jon Ossoff

The Democrat Senator Jon Ossoff is suddenly the name on everyone's lips. With his careful oratory and intangible 'it factor' comparisons have been made with a young Barack Obama. But who is the 39-year-old from Atlanta? Born in 1987 Ossoff grew up in Georgia where he attended a private school in the wealthy neighbourhood of Druid Hills. While at school Ossoff wrote to the civil rights leader and U.S. representative John Lewis who offered Ossoff an internship. He attended Georgetown University before moving to London to study at the London School of Economics. While in London Ossoff founded a media company where he worked as an investigative journalist producing films about corruption and human rights abuses. In 2017 he made his first foray into politics when a seat became available in his native Georgia. Despite being a complete unknown Ossoff broke fundraising records for a U.S. House candidate and received a large share of the vote. He didn't win the first time instead securing a seat in 2021. As a Jewish Democrat in a state with strong Republican support many say that Ossoff has his work cut out. Yet he appears to have mass appeal. Having been vouched for by Congressman John Lewis Ossoff has won the trust of many of Georgia's black voters. He's also developed a reputation for forensic takedowns of his opponents in government recently hitting the headlines after taking a crack at Donald Trump and his assistant Natalie Harp. Ossoff has said he has no plans to run for president himself but as veteran Democrat strategist Hank Sheinkopf observes 'He would say that wouldn't he?' Production: Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Annabel Deas and Bethan Ashmead Production Coordinator: Sabine Schereck Sound: James Beard Editor: Justine Lang
Aug 29

Anneliese Midgley

Labour's new chief whip is a Liverpudlian with a broad cultural hinterland. Anneliese Midgley grew up in Knowsley on a housing estate. Her family struggled financially when she was growing up but their fortunes changed when her father got a job at the Halewood Ford factory. They moved to the more affluent area of Penny Lane and as a teenager Annaliese got a job at The Beatles Shop. Music became a huge part of her life. She hung out with DJs and musicians and was regularly seen behind the decks at cult Liverpool club night, Liquidation, which was run by her friend Daniel Hunt from the band Ladytron. Through him she met Saint Etienne founder Bob Stanley, who she married in 2000, and moved to London where Midgley became a music journalist. The couple later divorced but remain firm friends. Her first foray into politics was when she made some congestion charge badges for her friends and sent a few to then London Mayor Ken Livingstone who promptly employed her. She worked for him for five years before moving on to Unite union and then going on to work for Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer and TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak. In 2024 she ran for parliament as the Labour candidate for Knowsley. In her two years in the commons she has established a reputation for getting things done. She fought hard to secure Olivia's law, campaigned for the Hillsborough law and was a key part of getting the government to back down on welfare reform. But perhaps her biggest moment yet was helping to propel the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to power after running his by-election campaign with fellow Labour MP Louise Haigh. Production: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Annabel Deas and Bethan Ashmead Production Coordinator: Keshia Agyei Sound: Gareth Jones Editor: Justine Lang
Jul 18

James Purnell

The New Labour old boy was at one time a front runner to lead his Party. But after a scandalous resignation from Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, it seemed his political career was over…until now. James Purnell grew up between France and Guildford. Spending his teenage years at the fee-paying Royal Grammar School, he was known for his distinctive Parisian style and ‘Rupert the Bear’ trousers. A fan of the theatre, golf, and student politics, he began establishing a network that would prove fruitful for a high-flying career. This continued at Oxford - where he studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics - and spent summers interning with up-and-coming Labour politician, Tony Blair. His career took off early - serving as a councillor in Islingon, Head of Corporate Planning at the BBC, and then Special Advisor to the prime minister all in his 20s. In 2001, he was elected MP for the northern seat of Stalybridge and Hyde, and soon climbed the ranks of government, serving as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government. Purnell weathered storms and scrutiny, before generating a scandal of his own: a failed coup against the prime minister, resigning from the cabinet in 2009. Now, after decades out of Westminster - with top jobs at the BBC, University of the Arts London, and a corporate advisory and lobbying firm under his belt - he’s back. Andy Burnham, James Purnell’s former flatmate and football buddy, will become prime minister on Monday. And he’s invited his old friend back as his Chief of Staff. What will the so-called ‘Ant and Dec of New Labour’ do when they take the reigns of government next week? Production: Presenter: Becky Milligan Producers: Tom Gillett, Ellie House Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele, Siobhan Reed Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine Lang Archive: FA TV
Jul 11

Gianni Infantino

The FIFA president grew up in Switzerland as part of an Italian migrant family, and fell in love with football and its administration when he was just a teenager. Having qualified as a football lawyer and making a name for himself at the European football federation UEFA, Infantino ended up perfectly positioned to take over the presidency of the world body FIFA after the organisation was mired in corruption charges. His promise to give the member associations double the money sealed his bid. He’s now been president for over 10 years and has overseen FIFA’s expansion, with World Cups in Qatar, Russia and now North America; the growth of the women’s game; more competitions; more controversy - and of course more money. This week, his love affair with Donald Trump has been thrust into the spotlight after US player Folarin Balogun’s red card was suspended following Trump's appeal to Infantino. Will this latest controversy prove his undoing, or is it just another chapter in a new brazen age? Production: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Tom Gillett, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele, Siobhan Reed Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine Lang ARCHIVE: FIFA

See All (697)

4.1

out of 5

98 Ratings

Woke

07/22/2019

Mjpism_VII

You’ll look back on this and ask yourselves why you chose to highlight 2019’s Hitler—Omar.
Fun, Interesting Show

11/12/2018

Jack_McCoy

Fun, fast, entertaining, interesting. Like a better, more peppy version of A&E’s “Biography” series. Sometimes they go too soft on their subjects, but I guess that’s the nature of the beast — this is NOT meant to be an investigative show, merely an intro to different figures you may have seen in the news. I find it really addicting.
2016

02/10/2016

SuckeredByItunes

Has it been cancelled? No new ones have come out in a month now.
Seems good

11/06/2015

Bluthhousing

Listened to the Rand Paul profile, thought it was a bit biased but it was clear they did their research.