Headliners
497 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 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
Ramla Ali
September 20, 2021 16:07 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThe boxer, model and activist talks to Nihal about becoming the first Somali fighter to compete in the Olympics and her memoir Not Without A Fight.
RAMLA ALI
September 20, 2021 16:07 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThe boxer, model and activist talks to Nihal about becoming the first Somali fighter to compete in the Olympics and her memoir Not Without A Fight.
Paul Merson
September 16, 2021 15:24 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MB'I wanted to break my fingers so I couldn't bet.' The former England footballer on his experience of addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.
Public Service Broadcasting
September 14, 2021 15:08 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBJ. Willgoose, Esq. on being drawn to Berlin to make the band’s new album and the “spiritual” feeling he got visiting the city’s famous Hansa Tonstudio.
John Lydon
September 10, 2021 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MB“I was doing my absolute best for her, but I was really denying her the privilege of conversation with other women.” John tells Nihal about the highs and lows of being the total carer for his partner Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.
Phil Wang
September 09, 2021 14:53 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBThe comedian tries to explain to Nihal where he is from and why British desserts are the best in the world.
Ainsley Harriott
September 08, 2021 14:53 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB“I don’t know how the words came out of my mouth.” The chef and TV presenter on his first TV appearance, cooking at Lord's and how he’s learnt to communicate.
Sharleen Spiteri
September 07, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBThe lead singer of Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, talks to Nihal about their new single, “You Can Call Me”, from the latest album “Hi” – and also about Thai massages and climate change.
Shaun Ryder
September 02, 2021 15:42 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder joined Nihal Arthanayake to talk about his career in music, his struggles with school and his new album, Visits from Future Technology.
Mo Gilligan
September 02, 2021 15:35 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBThe comedian and presenter Mo Gilligan told Nihal about his new book, That Moment When - which takes us through some of his biggest life stories. They spoke about his upbringing, his dyslexia and cooking!
Ed Balls
August 24, 2021 15:00 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBThe former shadow Chancellor Ed Balls talks to Nihal about his new book, a mixture of cookery and memoir; his time on Strictly Come Dancing, his football career and campanology.
Rachel Fairburn
August 18, 2021 14:47 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBRachel tells Nihal about getting nervous before performances, why her mother encouraged her to become a stand-up and how All Killa No Filla became a must listen podcast.
Richard Hammond
July 28, 2021 16:24 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBThe presenter and motoring journalist chats to Nick Bright about the latest edition of the Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video with Jeremy Clarkson and James May. In ‘The Grand Tour presents: Lochdown’ the boys go on a tour across Scotland to explore the American cars from the 70s that they saw on TV shows as kids – and to find out why these amazing vehicles never took off in Britain.
Bella Mackie
July 21, 2021 15:12 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MB“The thing is to make sure the reader is rooting for her.” The journalist and podcaster podcaster tells Mobeen about the challenge of creating a likeable baddie for her first novel.
Ellie Taylor
July 14, 2021 15:28 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB"I couldn't resist her sheer magnetic force"; Comedian Ellie Taylor on why a well known TV personality found out about her pregnancy before her parents, breastfeeding in public and the joy of playdough.
Matt Haig
July 13, 2021 15:10 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBThe author talks to Nihal about his new book, overcoming anxiety and why we should all watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Laura Mvula
June 23, 2021 14:38 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBI had to pretend I was at some 80’s inspired party.” Laura tells Nihal about the challenges of making her new album during lockdown.
Karin Slaughter
June 22, 2021 15:34 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBThe bestselling crime writer tells Nihal about the inspiration behind her new novel.
Garbage
June 10, 2021 15:22 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBThe band’s singer Shirley Manson tells Nihal about their new album and a long awaited return to touring.
Big Zuu
June 03, 2021 14:44 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBThe grime artist, podcaster and TV presenter on how his love of food from around the world inspired his new cook book and his thoughts on taking the knee at sporting events.
Cush Jumbo
May 26, 2021 15:43 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThe Good Wife star on why she needed therapy while making her new drama The Beast Must Die and how it kept her going being able to have her son with her on set.
Paul Weller
May 19, 2021 15:39 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBPaul tells Nihal about his 16th solo album, changing musical styles, parenting methods and how he deals with superstardom.
Tony Bellew
May 13, 2021 15:19 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBFormer WBC world cruiserweight champion tells Nihal about the anger that fuelled his determination to succeed, why he cringes when he thinks of some of his past antics (and outfits) – and issues a warning to Youtubers who consider themselves serious boxers.
St. Vincent
May 13, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBNihal talks to St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) about her new album Daddy’s Home, where she finds musical inspiration and why she’s using her poetry and music to take ownership of a difficult event in her family’s past. Photo: Zackery Michael.
Geoff Norcott
May 12, 2021 09:00 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB“I didn’t eat an olive until I was in my mid-twenties.” The comedian tells Nihal about discovering “middle class” food and his memoir "Where Did I Go Right?."
Suggs
May 11, 2021 11:32 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBThe Madness frontman talks to Nihal about a new documentary charting the band’s history. Plus the joys of being a grandfather, how they dealt with hooligans at gigs, and why he’s working on a new song with Paul Weller.
AC Grayling
May 10, 2021 11:42 - 42 minutes - 39 MBThe philosopher and writer talks to Nihal about Science, History and the frontiers of human knowledge.
Imelda May
May 06, 2021 13:19 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Irish singer-songwriter tells Nihal about her latest album, 11 Past The Hour and why she had to take drastic action to catch a Miles Kane concert.
Rag'n'Bone Man
April 28, 2021 15:38 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MB“All the tracks you hear are like one take, start to finish” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal how his new album had to be recorded live in Nashville over just 6 days because of quarantine rules.
Jane Fallon
April 27, 2021 15:13 - 39 minutes - 36 MBThe best-selling author on being a cat lover and why insincere friendships are at the heart of her new novel.
Drew McIntyre
April 22, 2021 12:58 - 45 minutes - 41.2 MBThe two time WWE Champion tells Nihal about his personal and career highs and lows and his hopes to be involved in a “Battle of Britain” pay per view fight with Tyson Fury.
London Grammar
April 21, 2021 09:44 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBHannah and Dot tell Nihal why their third album “Californian Soil” took over four years to make and consider which of the band members is the most annoying. (Picture: Alex Waespi)
The Secret DJ
April 15, 2021 10:16 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBThe self –styled “Balearic Silverback” talks to Nihal about Marathon DJ sets and the changing face of the dance music industry.
Tez IIyas
April 08, 2021 16:13 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBThe comedian talks about his memoir “The Secret Diary of a British Muslim” and teaches Nihal some Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi phrases.
Wunmi Mosaku
April 07, 2021 16:10 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBThe Bafta winning actor on her latest movie “His House”, screen idols and self-heating canned drinks.
Mel Giedroyc
March 31, 2021 16:24 - 46 minutes - 42.1 MBThe comedian, actor, former Great British Bake-Off Presenter and of course half of ‘Mel & Sue talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her debut novel ’The Best Things’.
Carlo Rovelli
March 25, 2021 15:49 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBThe theoretical physicist and author of Helgoland talks to Nihal Arthanayake about the fascinating, confusing world of quantum mechanics – and its intersection with philosophy. Photo: Christopher Wahl
Aaron Sorkin
March 24, 2021 15:41 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBThe Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his latest movie for Netflix, The Trial of the Chicago 7, which has been nominated for six Academy Awards. Picture: Matt Winkelmeye
Andi Osho
March 23, 2021 17:13 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBThe actress, author and comedian talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her new novel, Asking For a Friend, starring in the current season of Line of Duty and why she decided to stop doing stand-up.
Kings of Leon
March 17, 2021 15:57 - 31 minutes - 29 MB"The day where you're not a little scared of walking on stage... you should probably find something else to do." Drummer Nathan Followill on the band’s new album and why he can’t wait to get back on the road.
Edgar Ramirez
March 11, 2021 15:48 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MBThe Venezuelan star of Carlos and The Assassination of Gianni Versace talks to Nihal about his new Netflix comedy “Yes Day”, growing up in Colombia at a time when Pablo Escobar’s influence was at its height and making the switch from his first career as a journalist to acting. Picture: Matt Kennedy.
Gareth Thomas
March 09, 2021 16:13 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBGareth tells Nihal about life after rugby, his experience of coming out and how the experience of his “dear friend” Prince Harry reminds him of his own treatment by some newspapers.
Frank Bruno
March 08, 2021 14:46 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MB“You don’t go in the ring to play tiddlywinks” Frank tells Nihal about his two fights with Mike Tyson and why he likes getting up early to keep fit.
Delroy Lindo
March 03, 2021 16:17 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBThe British stage and screen star talks to Nihal about his starring role in Da 5 Bloods and his thoughts on being tipped for Oscar success.
Gordon Ramsay
February 24, 2021 16:48 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBThe last twelve months have been the most difficult of my career”; The chef and TV presenter talks to Nihal about reviving the restaurant industry and his new BBC game show.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
February 09, 2021 15:26 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBNihal talks to the actress and singer about her life on and off screen, her huge social media following and her new memoir Unfinished.
David Baddiel
February 05, 2021 10:37 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBThe comedian and writer talks to Nihal about anti-Semitism and his new book “Jews Don’t Count”.
Warwick Davis
February 04, 2021 15:19 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBThe Star Wars and Harry Potter star talks to Nihal about the secrets of success in business and why he’s never been a fan of football.
Ruth Coker Burks
February 03, 2021 16:51 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThe caregiver talks to Nihal about dedicating her life to comforting the men dying of AIDS in Arkansas in the 1980s against a backdrop of stigma and fear.
Sathnam Sanghera
January 27, 2021 15:45 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MB“The legacies of empire…are things we live with on a daily basis.” The journalist and author talks to Nihal about how the experience of empire has changed Britain.