Inheritance Tracks
Celebrating the music that special guests cherish and would like to bestow to future generations.
Episodes
Robson Green
The inheritance tracks of actor, presenter and singer Robson Green are inspired by his love of Northumberland.He made his name in TV with roles in the military drama "Soldier Soldier", and as clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill in "Wire in the Blood".He and his "Soldier Soldier" co-star Jerome Flynn's version of "Unchained Melody" sold more than 1.9 million copies in the UK.His inheritance tracks
Marisha Wallace
Inheritance Tracks is a feature played in BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme. This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from Broadway and West End singer Marisha Wallace. Marisha’s earned Olivier nominations for her performances in Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma! Her Inheritance Tracks draw on the gospel sounds of her childhood in North Carolina. Inherited: At Last by Etta James
Pass On: Here Co
Nigel Planer
This edition of Inheritance Tracks comes from Nigel Planer, the mention of that name brings straight to mind Neil from the Young Ones, but there’s a lot more to Nigel than that. And there’s plenty going on in his Inheritance Tracks too. He'll be appearing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Monday 12 October to talk about his memoir – Young Once.Inherited: Northern Sky by Nick Drake
Pass On:
Nick Mohammed
We’ve seen him in Ted Lasso, and as a Celebrity Traitor and now in Sky’s legal drama, War.Here are the Tracks which mean most to him. Inherited: Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
Pass On: English Dances by Sir Malcolm Arnold Producer: Catherine PowellImage credit: David Vintiner
Lucy Porter
The comedian and writer chooses the music track that she has inherited from her mother and the track she would like to pass on to her children. Inherited: These Foolish Things by Nat King Cole
Pass On: Everything Is Everything by Lauryn Hill This episode of Inheritance Tracks featured on Radio 4's Saturday Live on 26 September 2026. Lucy's new book, 'Middle Aged Women' is out now. Picture credi
Jim Al-Khalili
The Professor of Physics and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili chooses two tracks that have inspired him. A familiar voice on BBC Radio 4, with programmes such as The Life Scientific, Jim's musical choices begin with a track that takes him back to his teeange years in Iraq. Inherited track: Father and Son by Cat Stevens
Pass on: Lovin’ You by Minnie RipertonJim's book, On Time: The Physics That Makes t
Sian Brooke
This edition of Inheritance Tracks are the choices of the actress Sian Brooke.Sian features as one of the police officers in the Belfast based and BAFTA winning television drama, Blue Lights on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.Inherited track: Dance Little Sister by Sananda Maitreya
Pass on: Zorbing by StornowayProducer: Lowri Morgan(picture credit:David Reiss)
Carlos Gu
Carlos was Karen Carney’s professional dancing partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 and together they lifted the glitterball trophy.On the eve of the new series he shares the music tracks that have inspired his dancing and moments in his life. Inherited track: Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were
Pass on: Judy Garland - Over The RainbowProducer: Jesse Edwards
Adrian Lester
The actor Adrian Lester has had hearts a flutter from Stratford-upon-Avon to London in his latest role as Cyrano De Bergerac.The Birmingham born Hustle star's first experience of performing was in the choir at St Chad's Cathedral, before going onto win the Laurence-Olivier-Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical', for his performance in Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Company'. So with singing in his blood
Nisha Katona
TV personality, chef and restaurateur behind Mowgli Street Food restaurants on the tracks that have shaped her.Inherited: ABBA - The Day Before You Came
Pass on: Leonard Cohen - Dance With Me to the End of Love Producer: Lowri Morgan
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
Clare Grogan
The Singer-Songwriter on the tracks that have inspired her work and life. Inherited: Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson
Pass on: Sara by Fleetwood MacProducer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Mark Billingham
The best selling crime author on the tracks that have inspired him. Inherited: Have Mercy on the Criminal by Elton John
Pass on: He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Lorraine Kelly
The Inheritance Tracks are the choice of the much-loved broadcaster Lorraine Kelly as featured in BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live on 20 June 2026.Inherited: Jupiter from The Planet Suite by Holst
Pass on: Starman by David Bowie Producer: Anna Bailey(Picture credit: Nicky Johnston)
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt is the captain of England's Women Cricket Team and one of the world’s leading all-round cricketersIn June 2026, Nat is presently engaged in trying to lead the side to triumph in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. With proven leadership at the highest level, she’s found the time to share with us her Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: Robbie Williams - Angels
Pass On: Extreme - More Th
Russell T Davies
The screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies.From being best known to being the show-runner for the reboot of Dr Who, he’s looked at life in London during the 1980s with the series It’s A Sin and his latest TV drama is set in contemporary Manchester.His Inheritance Tracks are inspired by his family and a lost loved one.Inherited: Oh What A Beautiful Morning by Howard Keel
Pass On: Ame
Katie Razzall
The journalist and broadcaster Katie Razzall is the BBC’s culture and media editor - and co-host of The Media Show.She was formerly Newsnight’s UK editor and correspondent for Channel 4 News - but has long harboured a dream of being a WWII French resistance member.Her Inheritance Tracks are incredibly moving…Inherited: Petite Fleur by Sidney Bechet
Passing on: Long Time Coming by DelaysProducer: B
Prue Leith
Dame Prue Leith has written more than a dozen cookery books, seven novels, and her new memoir - "Being Old...and learning to love it!" - she explores the trials and taboos of growing older.She's no stranger to a kitchen disco with her roles on the Great British Menu and Bake Off - but has always been too afraid to sing.That is until an appearance on ITV's hit show, The Masked Singer.Let's see if h
Jason Watkins
This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from stage and screen actor, Jason Watkins. Jason has been in brilliant in TV productions as various as the Crown, W1A and the The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries for which he won a BAFTA. Inherited: Al Bowlly - Love is the Sweetest Thing
Pass on: Human League – Together in Electric DreamsProducer: Ribika Moktan
Nick Robinson
This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from Presenter and Journalist, Nick Robinson. Nick is the BBC’s and ITV former political editor and he started as a presenter on Today (Radio 4) in November 2015.Here are the two tracks most dear to him:Inherited: The Carpet Crawlers by Genesis taken from the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
Pass On: Beethoven's Fidelio quartet - Mir ist so wunderbar
Produc
Liz Earle
Entrepreneur Liz Earle inherits 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' by Nancy Sinatra and 'One Love' by David Guetta with Estelle.
Laura Mvula
Singer-songwriter Laura Mvula chooses 'Golden Brown' by Omar and 'The World Is Yours' by Nas.
James McAvoy
Actor James McAvoy chooses 'Maggie May' by Rod Stewart and 'Ally Bally Bee' sung by Mary Anne Paterson.
Noah Wyle
ER actor Noah Wyle chooses ‘We Belong Together’ by Rickie Lee Jones and ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by Sergei Prokofiev.
Lesley Joseph
This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from an actress with a strong claim for national treasure status – Lesley Joseph.With a career spanning over sixty years, she has entertained us as on the small screen in the likes of Birds of a Feather and on stage as Mother Superior in the Sister Act musical.Inherited: Marche Militaire composed by Franz Schubert and performed by the Philharmonic Wind Orche
Lisa Kudrow
Our inheritance tracks this week come from Lisa Kudrow, no less. The Emmy Award-winning star from Friends returns to our screens in the latest series of The Comeback.As Phoebe Buffay her attempts at music-making were famously harrowing – but her Inheritance Tracks, predictably enough, are a real joy.Inherited: Downtown by Petula Clark
Passing on: Wonderful Baby by Don McLeanProducers: Ben Mitchell
Dr Sian Williams
Dr Sian Williams is a chartered counselling psychologist working in the NHS.
Sian presented BBC Breakfast for over a decade, as well as Saturday Live between 2012 and 2014.
Radio 4 listeners will know her from her series Life Changing which returns in April. Her book on living well with anxiety called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ is out now. Inherited: Calon Lan by Cerys Ma
Adam Fleming
BBC News presenter Adam Fleming with Girls Aloud’s ‘Jump’ and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, ‘Spring 1’, recomposed by Max Richter.
Mike Wozniak
Comedian, writer and actor Mike Wozniak chooses ‘Minor Swing’ by Django Reinhardt and ‘Corpus Christi Carol’ by Jeff Buckley.
Andy Zaltzman
Andy Zaltzman inherits 'Got my Mojo Working' by Muddy Waters and passes on 'My Very Best' by The Big Moon.
Marian Keyes
Popular Irish novelist Marian Keyes, inherits 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' by Christy Moore and 'The Bottle' by Gil Scott-Heron.
Matt Edmondson
BBC Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson chooses ‘I Want It That Way’ by Backstreet Boys and ‘Green Light’ by Lorde.
Riz Ahmed
Oscar winning actor Riz Ahmed chooses ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ by Nazia Hassan and ‘Gabriel’ by Roy Davis Jr.
Mika
Lebanese-born musician Mika, inherits ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana and passes on ‘Pata Pata’ by Miriam Makeba.
Claire Foy
Claire Foy is an actor who’s enjoyed great success playing two queens, one of whom enjoyed a significantly longer reign than the other, as Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth II.And stars in the film adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s memoir, H is for Hawk. Inherited: When You Were Sweet 16 by Perry Como
Passing on: Blóðberg by Sigur RósProducers: Ben Mitchell and Anna BaileyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio
Mark Heap
Actor Mark Heap chooses ‘Were You There?’ by Tennessee Ernie Ford and ‘L'Ascension’ composed by Olivier Messiaen.
Justin Hawkins
Musician Justin Hawkins chooses There Are More Questions Than Answers by Johnny Nash and Pancho and Lefty by Townes Van Zandt.
Emily Watson
Actor Emily Watson chooses ‘La Boheme’ by Giacomo Puccini and ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials.
Paul Bettany
Actor Paul Bettany chooses ‘The Eton Rifles’ by The Jam and ‘Hollow Ponds’ by Damon Albarn.
Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern chooses Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters and Hope by Fat Freddy's Drop.
Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken with tracks by Khachaturian, Guns N' Roses and Rupert Holmes.
Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan first captured hearts our hearts in Neighbours, becoming a household name worldwide, before breaking into the charts and onto the West End stage.What then will he choose as his Inheritance tracks?Inherited: It's Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel
Passing on: Life’s What You Make It by Talk TalkProducers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri MorganFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 202
Richard E. Grant
Actor Richard E. Grant chooses 'Who Will Buy?' (Oliver!) and 'Don't Rain On My Parade' (Funny Girl), sung by Barbra Streisand.
Peter and Dan Snow
Broadcasters Peter Snow and his son Dan choose Sibelius’s ‘Finlandia’ and ‘Remember The Alamo’ by Tex Ritter.
Miranda Hart
Comedian and author Miranda Hart chooses ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ by INXS and ‘That I Would Be Good’ by Alanis Morissette.
Clare Balding
Broadcast journalist and author Clare Balding inherits 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond and passes on 'Vienna' by Billy Joel.
Philippa Gregory
Author Philippa Gregory chooses the Mazurka from the ballet Coppélia, and Swing Low Sweet Chariot by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Dame Joanna Lumley
Actress and author Dame Joanna Lumley chooses ‘In the Mood’ by Glenn Miller and ‘Pata Pata’ by Miriam Makeba.
Davina McCall
TV presenter Davina McCall inherits 'State of Independence' by Donna Summer and passes on 'You Can Do It' by Caribou.
Joanna Page
Joanna Page - the star of BBC TV's Gavin and Stacey - inherits 'Northern Sky' by Nick Drake and passes on 'Chic Mystique' by Chic.
Mark Kermode
Film critic Mark Kermode picks ‘2002 Zarathustrevisited’ by Stan Kenton & His Orchestra and ‘Top Of The World’ by Shonen Knife.
Dan Brown
The chances of writing a novel which sells more than 80 million copies are about as remote as a lad from Stockport making it to the NBA, but Dan Brown pulled it off with The Da Vinci Code. That book, like his new novel, delves into literature, symbology, secret societies and so on. None of which were his first passion. Dan Brown’s first passion was music - as he reveals in his Inheritance Tracks.
Oti Mabuse
Oti Mabuse was the first professional dancer to win the Strictly Glitterball two years in a row with her partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey.But prior to her success on the Stricktly ballroom Oti had already become South African Latin American Champion no fewer than eight times. Music remains massively important to her, both professionally and personally, as she tells us in her Inheritance Tr
Janet Street-Porter
Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter with the ‘Mad Scene’ from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and ‘Enjoy Yourself’ by Prince Buster.
Ade Adepitan
TV presenter, and Paralympian, Ade Adepitan chooses ‘One Drop’ by Bob Marley and ‘Optimistic’ by Sounds of Blackness.
Rick Edwards
Presenter Rick Edwards chooses 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses and 'Witness (1 Hope)' by Roots Manuva.
Nick Grimshaw
BBC 6's presenter Nick Grimshaw chooses 'She's Lost Control’ by Joy Division and 'Subterraneans’ by David Bowie.
Limahl
Actor and singer Limahl chooses ‘Move Over Darling’ by Doris Day and ‘Four Brothers’ by Manhattan Transfer.After a short spell as a punk rocker, Limahl found fame with the band Kajagoogoo after responding to an advert in a music magazine in 1982, where the then named Art Noveau were looking for a new lead singer.The following year he left the band – but quickly went onto find his own success as a
Fearne Cotton
Broadcaster Fearne Cotton chooses ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘Campfire Day Four’ by Ludovico Einaudi.
Suzi Ruffell
Actor, writer and stand-up Suzi Ruffell chooses ‘You Can't Hurry Love’ by The Supremes and ‘Heart's Content’ by Brandi Carlile.
Georgia Mann
Broadcaster Georgia Mann chooses Gabriel Fauré’s ‘Pie Jesu’ and ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ by Bonnie Tyler.
Ivo Graham
Comedian and writer Ivo Graham chooses ‘Glastonbury Song’ by The Waterboys and ‘Funky Town’ by Lipps Inc.
Robert Macfarlane
Nature writer Robert Macfarlane chooses River Man by Nick Drake and Monkey Gone to Heaven by Pixies.
Rory Kinnear
The actor Rory Kinnear has won two Olivier Awards, played Bill Tanner (M’s chief of staff) in four Bond Movies and his wide acting range has also seen him play Frankenstein’s monster and a fictional British Prime Minister. Born in London, educated at Oxford and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, if there is such a thing as an inherited performer’s gene, Rory got it. Both his parents we
Jason Mantzoukas
Comedian, actor, screen-writer, voice-artist, podcaster - Jason Mantzoukas can do it all. He’s gone from improvised stand-up to starring in films and shows including Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The League. Born into a family of Greek-Americans in the early 1970s, he studied religion at college, drummed in a marching band, riffed in jazz clubs and moved to Morrocco to immerse hims
Nigel Havers
The actor and presenter Nigel Havers was born in Middlesex in 1951 to a barrister father and an author mother. His screen roles have been varied, from His portrayal of Lord Andrew Lindsay in the film Chariots of Fire in 1981 which earned him a BAFTA nomination, to Lewis Archer in Coronation Street for over a decade and a guest spot in Downton Abbey amongst other. He was the face of Nescafe for man
Charles Collingwood
Archers actor Charles Collingwood chooses ‘My Blue Heaven’ by Frank Sinatra and ‘The Hungry Years’ by Neil Sedaka.
Penelope Wilton
Actor Dame Penelope Wilton chooses ‘Que Reste-t-il de nos Amours? by Charles Trenet and ‘I'll Remember April’ by Erroll Garner.
Sophie Duker
The stand-up comedian and writer Sophie Duker has appeared in venues around the UK and she’s also been seen on TV, popping up on the likes of 'Taskmaster', ‘Live at the Apollo’ and 'Celebrity Mastermind'. She has also hosted programmes for BBC Sounds including the ‘Obsessed’ strands – which accompany hit television shows – ‘I May Destroy You’ and ‘Everything I Know About Love.’ And there’s stil
Gina McKee
The BAFTA award winning actor Gina McKee, in a career spanning over three decades, has showcased her range in dramas, comedies and thrillers. Born in Durham, she grew up the daughter of a coal miner, but has gone onto become perhaps best known for her work in The Lost Prince, Our Friends in the North, Brass Eye and Notting Hill.Gina focuses on the craft rather than the fame and that’s so evident
Rachel Burden
Rachel Burden is a familiar voice on the BBC airwaves, she’s been a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast programme, regularly brings us the news on the television, and hosts Cafe Hope - Radio 4’s virtual coffee shop where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make the world a better place. Born in Buckinghamshire, she graduated from Trinity College Dublin and stu
Christina Trevanion
Time for some radio gold...or silver? Christina Trevanion is an internationally-recognised jewellery expert whose work as an auctioneer has led her to a sparkling role presenting TV antiques shows like Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt and Flog It. After studying Fine Art at University, Christina worked at Christies in London before setting up her own auction house in her home county of Shropshire.
Carrie Hope Fletcher
Carrie Hope Fletcher is a true triple threat: a powerhouse performer, a bestselling writer and an inspiring voice off stage too.She’s been in the spotlight since she was seven years old and has made her name as a West End star playing iconic roles…Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables, Veronica Sawyer in the original West End production of Heathers: The Musical, and she originated the role of Cind
Jared Harris
From playing Lane Price in Mad Men to King George VI in the Crown, and now Claudius in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet, performing is in Jared Harris' blood.His earliest memory is being in Hawaii while his late father – the actor Richard Harris – was filming a movie with Julie Andrews. But as a child, he wanted to be an astronaut...which might explain his Inheritance Tracks.I
Steph McGovern
The journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern is one of the most recognisable faces and voices and is currently on the run from Bear Grylls in new Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt.She grew up in Middlesbrough and went to a truly egalitarian school which believed that all children have skills, whatever their family’s background. A classic swot but also the class clown, she just wanted people to lik
Olly Alexander
Musician Olly Alexander was born in Harrogate, and discovered a love of acting at school, where tread the boards in Guys and Dolls and the bug had bitten. His role as Ritchie in Russel T Davies' acclaimed Channel 4 drama It's a Sin, bringing to life the horrors of HIV/Aids in the Gay community in the 1980's, brought him serious attention and plaudits, earning him a Bafta TV nomination in the Best
Jesse Eisenberg
The acclaimed actor Jesse Eisenberg was born in New York, and raised in New Jersey, in a secular Jewish home, by his parents and two sisters. His latest film A Real Pain, honours that heritage, and alongside Succession's Kieran Culkin they play Jewish American cousins who travel to former Nazi German-occupied Poland to honour their late grandmother. The film is tipped to do well at this years Os
Felicity Jones
For some of you, before Wicked's Elphaba and Glinda entered our consciousness...there was Felicity Jones in the TV series The Worst Witch...the double Oscar nominee's first starring role before spending a decade as Emma Carter in The Archers. Born in Birmingham, down the road from Ambridge, it was in a galaxy far, far, away that she cemented her place in Hollywood in Rogue One: A Stars War Story
DJ Spoony
Jonathan Joseph, DJ Spoony to his friends, is someone who spends his life selecting music – and has just taken over the late-night slot on Radio 2. Born in Hackney in the early 1970s to British West Indian parents, he loved music from an early age and quickly moved from underground pirate radio stations in the 90's before bringing garage music to Radio 1. At Christmas he revealed that he’d recen
Eve Myles
The double BAFTA Cymru winning Welsh actor Eve Myles was born to a Scottish father and a Welsh mother and grew up in Powys.Choosing three films from the video shop on a Saturday and watching them on repeat all week is how young Eve fell in love with the possibilities and escapism of acting. Her compelling role in Keeping Faith saw her not only having to learn Welsh, act alongside her real-life hus
Alice Roberts
Professor Alice Roberts is an anatomist, broadcaster and author famous for making science accessible and captivating. Initially she wanted to be a doctor and studied medicine and anatomy at Cardiff University and developed an interest in biological anthropology, looking at what ancient skeletons can tell us about human evolution…getting human remains to give up their secrets. The clavicle is her f
