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Profile

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

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Sir Ridley Scott

    From television commercials in the 1970s, to today’s toga-ripping, chariot-flipping sequel to Gladiator. Sir Ridley Scott is one of Britain’s greatest film directors. The grammar school boy, born in South Shields, spent part of his childhood in Germany before pursuing his passion for art at school in Hartlepool and then the Royal College of Art. But the camera appealed to Scott as much as the canvas, and Stephen Smith has been talking with the Hollywood titan’s friends, family and peers to find out more about him - and his work. Production Team Producers: Nathan Gower and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele Credits Alien (1979): 20th Century-Fox, Brandywine Productions Gladiator (2000): DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment Napoleon (2023): Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions, Columbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing) Gladiator II (2024): Scott Free Productions, Lucy Fisher/Douglas Wick Productions, Paramount Pictures

    15 min

  2. 16 NOV

    Sahra Wagenknecht

    Born in communist East Germany, to a German mother and Iranian father, Sahra Wagenknecht has long been the face of the country’s hard left. But her own breakaway political movement, supporting a higher minimum wage as well as an end to weapons deliveries to Ukraine, appears to be gaining further support. And with Germany set to hold elections early next year, following the collapse of the governing coalition, some think the 54-year-old will play a pivotal role in the future politics of the EU's largest economy. In this edition of Profile, Mark Coles takes a closer look at the leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). Production team Producers: Emma Close and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Janet Staples Credits DW

    15 min

  3. 9 NOV

    Yvette Cooper

    She is one of the highest-ranking women in the Labour Party, now holding the position of home secretary. Yvette Cooper, born in Inverness in 1969, grew up in Hampshire and went on to forge a career in politics full of firsts. She served as the first female chief secretary to the Treasury. She also became the first minister to take maternity leave, and she was one half of the first married couple in the cabinet - alongside Ed Balls. But not everyone is convinced Yvette Cooper has the answers to the big problems in her in-tray, particularly on the small boats issue. Stephen Smith talks to friends and political allies, to understand the views and events that have shaped this veteran Labour politician. Production team Producers: Emma Close and Nathan Gower Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele Credits Political Thinking with Nick Robinson (BBC) 1991 Harvard Commencement Address 1992 Bill Clinton Campaign Speech Tony Blair 1997 Election Victory Speech 2015 Election Exit Poll (BBC)

    15 min

  4. 2 NOV

    Bidzina Ivanishvili

    From his hilltop glass mansion in ancient Tbilisi, he’s accused of cultivating Georgia’s shift from the west over the past decade. And, with his political party’s recent victory in the parliamentary elections, that trajectory appears set to continue for some time yet. Bidzina Ivanishvili is the guiding force behind the Georgian Dream party, but what else do we know about the mysterious billionaire? In this edition of Profile, Mark Coles takes a closer look at the man who keeps animals, collects rare trees, and who spent much of the 1990s in Russia founding companies. Production team Producers: Ben Cooper, Marianna Brain, Kirsteen Knight Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Credits IMEDI TV

    14 min

  5. 26 OCT

    Chris McCausland

    The Liverpool-born comedian, known for his razor-sharp wit, has traded in his stand-up routines for some serious dance moves of late. Chris McCausland is the first blind contestant to take part in the BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing - and he's being tipped as a possible winner. In his 20s, Chris lost most of his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. But that didn’t slow down his career. He's been lighting up the comedy scene since 2003, with regular appearances on hit programmes like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Would I Lie to You. He's also taken to the iconic stage of Live at the Apollo. In this edition of Profile, Stephen Smith talks to some of his closest friends, fellow comedians and former colleagues about his life, Strictly success - and the time he attended a job interview in the wrong trousers. Production team Producers: Caroline Bayley, Julie Ball, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele Credits Live at the Apollo, Open Mike Production, 04/01/2018

    14 min

  6. 19 OCT

    Morgan McSweeney

    He's the man who masterminded Labour's general election campaign, and now holds one of the most important positions in Downing Street. Morgan McSweeney was recently appointed the prime minister's chief of staff, after Sue Gray quit the role. But what do we know about him? Born in Macroom, County Cork, he moved to London aged 17. He soon joined the Labour party under Tony Blair, working in a junior role at their headquarters. He rose through the ranks, forging a reputation as a skilled campaign strategist, and has been credited with being the brains behind this year's landslide victory. Mark Coles speaks to the people who know him - from school friends back home in Ireland, to others who've worked with him. Production team Producers: Bob Howard, Caroline Bayley, Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele

    15 min

  7. 12 OCT

    Gaga

    She’s a girl from New York's Lower East Side whom grew up to a life of stardom and is now known by just one name. Gaga, a classically trained pianist, has secured Grammy-winning songs like Poker Face and Rain on Me. While her performance in A Star Is Born was Oscar-nominated. Along the way, there’s been a meat dress, a high-profile stance against US military policy, and a collaborative album with Tony Bennett. Her latest work, Harlequin, is a companion album to her new big screen performance in Joker: Folie à Deux. From all-conquering song thrush to screen favourite, Stephen Smith has been find out about the life of Gaga. Production team Producers: Diane Richardson, Kirsteen Knight and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele Credits Joker: Folie à Deux (Official Trailer) - Writer/director/producer Todd Phillips. Warner Bros. A Star is Born (Official Trailer) - Director Bradley Cooper. Warner Bros. The inauguration of Joe Biden, 2021, CSPAN. The Late Show, RTE. 2016 Academy Awards.

    14 min

  8. 5 OCT

    David Lammy

    He’s not yet completed a hundred days in his new job, but David Lammy finds himself overseeing the UK’s response to rising tensions in the Middle East. Born to Guyanese parents in north London, and raised by his mother from the age of 12 after his father left them, the foreign secretary is known for his advocacy for social justice, equality, and human rights. His journey to the top of British politics began with a legal career – becoming the first black Briton to study a masters in law at Harvard. At 27, David Lammy became Parliament’s youngest MP when he was elected in Tottenham, and he went on to become a junior minister under Sir Tony Blair. In opposition, he spent some of his time on Labour’s back benches – though now finds himself front and centre, facing countless fast-moving global challenges. Mark Coles meets some of the people who know David Lammy best - from childhood friends, to his beloved 'Aunty May'. Contributors Decca Aitkenhead - Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times Paul Waugh - Labour MP for Rochdale Ben Rhodes - Political commentator Mayfield Griffith - Godmother of David Lammy Production team Producers: Di Richardson, Michaela Graichen and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Janet Staples Archive United Nations General Assembly Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, 11 May 2018 Channel 4 News

    15 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2007 - 2024
  • Episodes
    612
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    Profile

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