Headliners
497 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★ - 30 ratingsBBC Radio 5 Live brings you in-depth interviews with the biggest names in sport, entertainment, culture and politics. With Nihal Arthanayake, Gordon Smart, Adrian Chiles and Naga Munchetty.
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Episodes
Martin Compston
March 07, 2022 14:37 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBThe actor talks to Nihal about his latest ITV drama Our House, how to perfect an accent, and his life in Las Vegas.
Johnny Marr
February 24, 2022 16:35 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MB"There's still lots of mystery in it for me, I still want to get better." Musician and former The Smiths member, Johnny Marr on still being besotted with the guitar, changing attitudes and the structure of his new album, Fever Dream Parts 1-4.
Tears For Fears
February 23, 2022 15:56 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MB"That gave me the idea that men, God even, is impotent, is unreliable." 80s pop icons Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears talk through what they learned growing up, their musical career span and their latest album, The Tipping Point.
Tim Key
February 22, 2022 16:54 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MB"That's the most starstruck I've ever been." The comedian on learning to speak Russian, working with his comedy hero Steve Coogan, and his new anthology of surrealist poetry and musings.
Frank Turner
February 17, 2022 17:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MB"There's quite a lot of stuff in it that I can't believe I've said out loud." The singer-songwriter on new album FTHC, grieving loss to suicide and reconciling with his estranged father.
James Morrison
February 15, 2022 16:03 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MB“Even when I had a no.1 album, I bought myself a second-hand Toyota and I thought I was winning because it smelt new." The singer-songwriter on money and success.
Lou Sanders
February 14, 2022 15:21 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBThe comedian and writer on her new stand-up show and why she’s wary of Canterbury.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
February 10, 2022 15:58 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MB"The greatest asset of the arts is empathy... to be inside the brain of someone who thinks nothing like you." Broadway musical genius behind 'In the Heights' and 'Hamilton' Lin-Manuel Miranda on his film directorial debut, 'Tick, Tick... Boom!', how his creativity started and how art can enact change in the world.
Dan from Bastille
February 08, 2022 16:09 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThe Bastille singer Dan Smith on their new album, and being back on tour.
Dara O Briain
February 02, 2022 15:59 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MB"I've lived here for 20 years, you'd think I would've done something about it." The comedian and broadcaster on why he can’t speak slowly and the joys of touring.
Dara O’Briain
February 02, 2022 15:59 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MB"I've lived here for 20 years, you'd think I would've done something about it." The comedian and broadcaster on why he can’t speak slowly and the joys of touring.
Kerry Godliman
February 01, 2022 15:17 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB“It’s meant to be affectionate banter, but you do occasionally get it wrong.” The comedian and After Life actor on the dangers of using family experiences in an act.
Sam Fender
January 31, 2022 11:49 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MB“I’ve learnt to go a bit more personal with the Lyrics.” Sam talks To Nihal about song-writing.
Benedict Cumberbatch
January 26, 2022 10:54 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBThe Sherlock and Doctor Strange star on going Method for his latest role as a 1920s Montana rancher in The Power of the Dog.
Elvis Costello
January 18, 2022 13:58 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBThe singer-songwriter on making music, mortality and his comic run-in with Frida from Abba and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Hugh Dennis
January 03, 2022 15:43 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBThe satirist and actor on why he’s taken his interest in archaeology to the small screen and the joy of a “quiet” New Year’s Eve.
Eddie Hearn
December 23, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB“I had a great leg up, but I had to do a lot on the way as well.” The boxing promoter on following in his father’s footsteps.
Jamie Cullum
December 16, 2021 16:43 - 43 minutes - 40 MBThe jazz pianist and presenter on making a Christmas album and working with producer Quincy Jones.
Ben Elton
December 13, 2021 15:35 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB'I've never ruined my appreciation of art by attempting to analyse it.' The comedian, novelist and scriptwriter on making a return to stand-up.
Mark Steel
December 08, 2021 16:15 - 51 minutes - 47 MB"If there's a British Squid Game, this is going to be in it... it was just horrible." The comedian and author on British Bulldog, growing up in the 1970s and the decision to track down his biological parents.
Munya Chawawa
December 07, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB“Send me a pigeon messenger man.” The comedian and presenter schools Nihal in slang and talks about his creation of “Unknown P”.
Tim Vine
December 06, 2021 16:23 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB“I put my back out doing a move too many.” The comedian on his Elvis tribute stage show and memorabilia collection.
Thom Yorke & Stanley Donwood
December 01, 2021 16:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB“I don’t just sit there bashing out chords and sweating out words.“ The Radiohead frontman and his collaborator on the band’s artwork discuss the creative process.
Mark Cavendish
November 30, 2021 16:35 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MB“I knew I’d done damage before I stopped rolling.” The Manx Missile talks about his Ghent crash, mental health and stunning 2021 Tour de France.
Reggie Yates
November 25, 2021 14:41 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MB“It had its own language - its own dress code - its own holiday destination." The writer and broadcaster on the influence of UK garage music on his directorial debut Pirates.
Guy Garvey
November 23, 2021 16:14 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MB"If you're being coached by a 3 year old, then you really shouldn't be on the road." The Elbow frontman speaks to Nihal about being a bad driver, writing an album remotely, and his late mother-in-law, Dame Diana Rigg.
Miriam Margolyes
November 22, 2021 12:09 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB"Some people seem to be able to retain their wind almost indefinitely. I cannot do that, I have to let it go." The actor speaks to Nihal about breaking wind and accidentally going commando during a driving test.
Sting
November 18, 2021 16:02 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MB“I’m quite a shy person.” The 100 million selling artist on family, fame and the art of songwriting.
Sir Rod Stewart
November 17, 2021 15:09 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MB“They never called me back.” The 250 million selling singer-songwriter on football, family and why his new album includes a tribute to Marc Bolan. This episode contains some moderate swearing.
Kylie Minogue
November 15, 2021 15:24 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MB“If it’s the right song, I’m there.” The princess of pop on partying, daggy dancing and the precise whereabouts of her famous gold hotpants.
Adam Peaty
November 11, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MB“In the water it’s war.” The world record breaking swimmer talks Strictly, stoicism, social media and the dedication it takes to be the best.
Glenn Hoddle
November 10, 2021 15:51 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB“I knew I was closer to a continental player.” The former England and Spurs star tells Nihal why his footballing style was inspired by watching Johan Cruyff.
Flo & Joan
November 09, 2021 15:58 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBSisters Nicola and Rosie tell Nihal about the pitfalls of living abroad and their on-tour eating habits
James Haskell
November 08, 2021 16:30 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MB“I wore tweed, there weren’t even pheasants over there….they called me Lord Farquar.” The former England back row tells Nihal about hunting in New Zealand and other stories.
Bear Grylls
November 04, 2021 12:18 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MB“That’s not happening.” What the Secret Service made of the adventurer's plan to feed President Obama “bear kill” on his show Running Wild.
Rick Astley
November 02, 2021 15:54 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MB“It’s a new world.” Rick tells Nihal how video games and film soundtracks are introducing his music to younger generations and why it’s important to have an afternoon nap.
Freddie Flintoff
November 01, 2021 12:47 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MB"We call it the Andros moment." The former England all-rounder and presenter tells Nihal how Andros Townsend helped him loosen up on camera.
Jack Dee
October 28, 2021 15:19 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBThe comedian gives Nihal a therapy session including advice on pronunciation, hobbies and career choices
Tinie
October 27, 2021 15:26 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBThe rapper and presenter reveals his passion for property – and how it inspired his new TV show.
Sir Elton John & Charlie Puth.
October 21, 2021 13:45 - 20 minutes - 19 MB“I basically became the session musician I was 54 years ago.” Sir Elton and Charlie talk about collaborating for the new album The Lockdown Sessions.
Rob Beckett
October 19, 2021 15:54 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MB“This story will be told amongst my family as a funny story - but whenever I’ve told middle class people they find it horrifying.” The stand-up on class, comedy and whether Mango chutney is jam.
Tom Daley
October 13, 2021 15:05 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB“The hardest part was not having your family there.” The gold medal winning diver on keeping his focus in Tokyo, coming out and body image.
Sir Billy Connolly
October 12, 2021 13:25 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MB“Just barge merrily forward.” Sir Billy tells Nihal how to be “windswept and interesting”, what to take on a beach holiday in Aberdeen and what makes him happiest now.
Candice Carty-Williams
October 07, 2021 10:23 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MB“You find your tribe when you find your fellow outsiders.” The writer of Queenie tells Nihal about her new young adult fiction book, Empress and Aniya, which looks at friendship between teenage girls.
Dave Grohl
October 05, 2021 14:04 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MB“The last piece I wrote was the one I was afraid of writing, which was losing Kurt and Nirvana ending.” The Foo Fighters frontman tells Nihal about his new memoir.
Peter Schmeichel
October 04, 2021 15:39 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBThe former Manchester United keeper tells Nihal how he felt when Alex Ferguson signed him and the impact Eric Cantona had on Old Trafford.
Natalie Imbruglia
October 01, 2021 10:59 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MB“You can leave the critic out of the room.” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal about her new album, Firebird, and why she’s now more relaxed writing songs.
The Specials
September 29, 2021 14:59 - 44 minutes - 41 MB“They’ve all got different stories and messages.” Terry Hall and Horace Panter on recording an album of protest songs chosen by the band.
Anne-Marie
September 27, 2021 15:26 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB“I have had such a massive issue with believing people when they say nice things about me.” The 2002 singer on learning to love herself and how getting into reading again inspired her to write a book.
RICHARD OSMAN
September 22, 2021 15:52 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MB“I’d be shocked if there weren’t a Dame in there somewhere.” Richard muses on who Steven Spielberg will cast in the film of The Thursday Murder Club.