Loose Ends
Loose Ends is a British radio programme presented by Clive Anderson, featuring an eclectic blend of conversation with celebrity guests, live music, and comedy. It has been a staple of BBC Radio 4's Saturday schedule for decades, offering a relaxed and entertaining mix of interview, performance, and humour. The podcast edition brings this beloved broadcast to on-demand listeners.
Episodes
Alexander McCall Smith, Big Country Redux, Vicky Featherstone, Clive Anderson, Marc Jennings, Zoe Graham
Clive Anderson is joined by writer Alexander McCall Smith whose latest novel The Isle of Good Karma takes us on a life-changing trip from the Isle of Lewis to the Himalayas.Comedian Marc Jennings is on tour with If & When, diving in to some of the headlines that have kept us busy over the last year. A new production of Scottish classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is bringing the drama of Mar
Craig Revel Horwood, Roachford, Chloe Petts, Si King
Craig Revel Horwood on how his Strictly baddie persona earned him his pantomime villain break as well as being rammed by a trolley at the supermarket.
Comedian and Taskmaster competitor Chloe Petts on how playing in goal as a teenager set her up for a life in stand-up and how bean-eating is her superpower.
Si King on writing his first ever cookery book without his Hairy Biker partner and what Dav
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Tim Minchin, Kate Mosse, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Harriet Kemsley
Clive Anderson is joined by 'Modern Family' star Jesse Tyler Ferguson who is taking on the role of Truman Capote in Tru by Jay Presson Allen at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Tim Minchin on the 15th anniversary of the hit musical Matilda, novelist Kate Mosse on her new book celebrating the wonders of Autumn and comedian Harriet Kemsley who is currently on tour with her stand-up show Floozy. There's
John Cooper Clarke, Jackie Kay, Antony Szmierek, Hannah Maxwell
Stuart Maconie and guests are at the BBC's Contains Strong Language Festival in Salford. Baudelaire of the bus stop, local man made poetic, John Cooper Clarke reveals where he goes for inspiration.Multi-award winning poet and novelist Jackie Kay who began writing as a pre-teen and hasn't stopped since. Hannah Maxwell's acclaimed Edinburgh show is called Turn Your F**king Phones Off, but she's havi
Simon Brodkin, Elly Griffiths, Ahir Shah, Cara Dillon, Truthpaste
Stuart Maconie is joined by comedian Simon Brodkin, known for his character Lee Nelson and his stunts, slipping past security to prank the likes of Donald Trump, Seb Blatter and Theresa May. He's out on tour with a new show, Unleashed. Ahir Shah won the Edinburgh Comedy award in 2023 for his show Ends. His new show, Golden is inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche and Gerald Manley Hopkins. Best Selling
Jay Rayner, Sindhu Vee, Helen Rebanks, Laura Veirs, Arab Strap, Stuart Maconie
Stuart Maconie is joined in the Salford studio by the food critic and broadcaster Jay Rayner, who tells us about the worst thing he's ever done for money. Helen Rebanks, author of the best-selling book The Farmer's Wife, on not discussing bluetongue and Herdwicks with Whoopi Goldberg, and comedian Sindhu Vee on the perils of a four-a-day mango habit.There's music from Portland-based singer-songwr
Janet Street Porter, Isy Suttie, Christopher Chung, Altered Images, Jordan Rakei
Clive Anderson's guests include the broadcaster and journalist Janet Street-Porter who is celebrating her 80th birthday by hitting the road. In 'Janet Street Porter is Still of The Leash at 80', Street-Porter is revisiting the highs and lows of her long and unusual life and career, settling scores and telling truths.Comedian writer and actress Isy Suttie is the latest to take on the Taskmaster. A
Sophie Duker, John Kearns, Len Pennie and Paul Leonard-Morgan, Clive Anderson, Jenni Fagan, Kanan Gill, The Real Kyle McCarren
Join Clive Anderson for a party at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.Taskmaster winner Sophie Duker spins great comedy from terrible encounters in her latest show Hot Beef Injection.Comedian John Kearns brings Tilting at Windmills to the Fringe - monk cap, false teeth and all.One of India's biggest stand-ups Kanan Gill will be chatting about how his show Not This Again changes during world
Rosie Jones, One Man Musical, Damien Warren-Smith, Kirsty Mann, Legendary, Clive Anderson
Join Clive Anderson for a party at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.Rosie Jones will be chatting about some of her favourite things (like gravy) and her least favourite things (like internet trolls called Darren) in I Can't Tell What She's Saying.Garry Starr: Classic Penguins sees clown Damien Warren-Smith attempt to bring every single book in the collection to life like never before.And
Andrew Hunter Murray, Dilly Carter, Hannah Byczkowski, David Eagle, Chris Brain, Daisy Peacock, Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Kiri Pritchard-McLean presents Loose Ends from the Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield. She's joined by author and broadcaster Andrew Hunter Murray who tells us how to write novels with the aid of a spreadsheet. Professional organiser Dilly Carter on unboxing a skull, comedian and Traitors star Hannah Byczkowski on crying into Claudia Winkleman's arms, and comedian David Eagle on negotiating a c
Liam Ó Maonlaí, Michael Fry, Emma Southon, Olivia McVeigh, Dónal O'Connor, Neil Martin, Clare Sands
Stuart Maconie finds himself "i lár an aonaigh" - at the heart of craic, ceol, and much more at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Fleadh), as Belfast hosts the festival celebrating Irish music and culture for the very first time.The Fleadh comes second nature to frontman and lead singer of Hothouse Flowers Liam Ó Maonlaí, who was brought up in a household full of traditional Irish music a
Mari Wilson, Fiona Allen, Olly Smith, Natalie Wildgoose, Tristan Gooley
TV presenter and wine expert Olly Smith's written a novel - Death by Noir - a crisp murder mystery set among the vineyards of Sussex. Smack the Pony star Fiona Allen's taking a solo show - White Lies - to the Edinburgh Fringe, all about the fibs people tell to get out of socialising...and their dire consequences.Tristan Gooley, author of The Hidden Seasons, tells us about 'shooting star' season, w
Chris Chibnall, Ayoade Bamgboye, Wendi Peters, The Anchoress, Later Youth
Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined in Salford by writer and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall who has turned his hand to crime novels, first with Death at the White Hart and now The Parkwood Murders.Comedian Ayoade Bamgboye is fresh off the first season of Saturday Night Live UK and she's wrapping up the tour of her hit Edinburgh show Swings and Roundabouts, which earned her the best newcomer award
Ruthie Henshall, Tez Ilyas, Mica Millar, Joe Pasquale, Dave McCabe
West End star and Olivier Award winner Ruthie Henshall has a new memoir and as you might expect it's very glamorous and full of tales about the cast of Cats, Les Mis and Crazy for You. It also tells the story of her secret five year relationship with a young Prince Edward, how the now-King of England mixed her first martini and Princess Diana encouraged her to belt out a show tune after dinner.Per
Nigel Harman, Daliso Chaponda, Nikki Smith, Liana Flores, Ibibio Sound Machine
Stuart Maconie is joined by Nigel Harman, best known for playing lovable rogue Dennis Rickman in Eastenders, he's also much in demand as a panto villian. Trained in musical theatre, he also started in Shrek the Musical and his latest stage role is playing Bruce Bechdel in a musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's memoir 'Fun Home' at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Daliso Chaponda describ
Adrian Lester, Kathy Lette, Alexandra Burke, Sir Grayson Perry, Katie Norris
Adrian Lester on the art of simultaneously sword-fighting while reciting poetry in his starring role in the RSC's acclaimed Cyrano de Bergerac. Alexandra Burke pays tribute to Chaka Khan in her new show I'm Every Woman and sings a beautiful Loose Ends special version of Ain't Nobody.Sir Grayson Perry is putting the fun into dysfunctional with a comedy musical about his life, he describes it as t
Harry Shearer, Bella Hull, Joanna Cannon, Gabriella Cilmi, Gina Birch
Harry Shearer is a comedy legend. He’s the voice of Mr Burns in the Simpsons (and many other characters), he’s Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, and he’s over here with a brand new musical about J Edgar Hoover. Bella Hull first performed stand up a decade ago at the age of 17. In her new show ‘Mad Cow Disease’ she looks back on her decade in comedy. She also spills secrets from the writing room of Satur
Daniel Sloss, Horse McDonald, Helen Watson, Stuart Maconie, Dan Richards, Darren Brownlie
Stuart Maconie sets up camp at Borders Book Festival in the Scottish Borders.Comedian Daniel Sloss continues his world domination with his latest show Bitter which is helping him tick off 60 different countries.She perhaps can't claim 60, but Helen Watson visited an incredible list of countries when she cycled 15,000km from Glasgow to China along the Silk Road in 2009. Her book Tea and Grit dives
Robert Thorogood, Emma Doran, Tim Foley, Alexis Taylor, Creepy Crawly
Cosy crime, Mams and other people's Mam's and the joy of space travel are all explored on this week's Loose Ends. Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood reveals his Aunty Jess, a woman who thought two vegetables of the same colour on a place was "common", inspired his Marlow mysteries ace-investigator Judith Potts. Dublin comedian Emma Doran is heading to Edinburgh Festival, but she's not conv
Nish Kumar, Holly Jackson, Rachel Parris, Haircut 100, Liam Bailey
Edith Bowman is joined by best-selling author Holly Jackson, whose Young Adult mystery crime series A Good Girl's Guide to Murder has been adapted into a TV series staring Emma Myers as the straight-laced amateur detective Pip. Comedian Nish Kumar is heading out on a new tour later this year 'Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy', he joins Edith to tell her what makes him angry, (hopefully whilst b
Ben Elton, Sarah Jane Morris & band, Suzi Ruffell, Keith Brymer Jones, Barns Courtney
Comedy writer Ben Elton's autobiography What Have I Done? tells the story of a career of comedy firsts, writing hit shows like Blackadder, The Young Ones and Upstart Crow. His love of words is legendary - as a small child his mother wouldn't let him speak til she was on her second cup of tea to braving the "Oxbridge tutorial" vibe of the Blackadder rehearsal room with Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and
Hay Festival, Athena Kugblenu, James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Keith Cameron, Robin Morgan, Georgina Hayden, Cerys Hafna
Recorded in front of an audience at this year's Hay Festival, Clive Anderson is joined by comedian Athena Kugblenu, celebrating failure with her second history book for children, History's Most Epic Fails. Comedian Robin Morgan bears all in his latest stand-up hour, Let's Overshare. Food writer Georgina Hayden's new book is Medesque: Everyday Recipes with Mediterranean Roots. Keith Cameron is the
Conn Iggulden, Bank of Dave musical, Cally Beaton, Guvna B, Emma Kenny
Best-selling historical novelist Conn Iggulden on influencers in the Roman Empire, why Emperor Nero wasn't entirely a baddie and why we have far more in common with ancient Romans than we think. The stand-up comedian Cally Beaton didn't get into comedy until she was in her 40s, but after a chance conversation with Joan Rivers, she left the boardroom for evenings telling funny stories from sticky s
Ardal O'Hanlon, Ella Risbridger, Kathy Maniura, Jasmine Jethwa, Jim Moray
Ardal O'Hanlon's new book 'A Plot to Die For' is the first in a series of crime novels starring Finn O'Leary, the celebrity gardener who comes back to his small home town where it turns out things aren't quite so cosy. Ella Risbridger tells us why the maxim 'never met your heroes' absolutely does not apply to Nigella Lawson and comedian Kathy Maniura skewers a specific kind of male midlfe crisis i
Tracy Borman, Phil Wang, Anna Haugh, Pulman and Stilgoe, Finn Forster
Its food, glorious food week on Loose Ends as new Masterchef host - the Irish restaurateur and chef Anna Haugh - joins Clive to talk about her chemistry with co-host Grace Dent, kitchen etiquette and the hierarchy of carbohydrates (spuds on top, of course).Potatoes just don't cut it for the comedian Phil Wang, who will always be a noodles-man. He's going on tour but has a number of foodie side hus
Cammy Barnes, Chris Forbes, Edith Bowman, Danielle Jam, Alys Williams, Ant Thomaz
Comedian Chris Forbes is better known to many as Duncan AKA the other Murray brother, whose sketches with Judy Murray have tickled the nation. And thankfully they seem to have amused his fictional brothers too. Danielle Jam will be telling us what's the story in Balamory - she's joined the cast in the new series and is the nepobaby of the island, following in her dad's footsteps as village's lates
Alfie Boe, Paul Black, Hannah Lavery, Clive Anderson, Amanda Dwyer, Alice Faye
Alfie Boe's album Face Myself is his most personal yet, packed with original songs which let us get to know the man behind the music. He shares one of his new tracks. Comedian Paul Black has become a star of Scottish social media, with his viral videos reminding us that dads on holiday are all much the same no matter where they're from. His tour Cash Cow brings us more of the characters that peopl
Ralf Little, Nina Gilligan, Sam Riley, Janet Devlin, Will Brown, Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Kiri Pritchard-McLean welcomes the actor and writer Ralf Little as he tours the country with the first ever stage adaptation of John le Carré's classic book The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.Comedian Nina Gilligan joins us to talk about her new Radio 4 comedy special and her upcoming stand-up tour, Lemoncake.Actor Sam Riley is about to star in the new BBC romantic crime drama Mint.And we've music
Jen Brister, Angelique Kidjo, Giles Terera, Jojo Moyes, Tessa Rose Jackson
Clive Anderson is joined by comedian Jen Brister, currentl touring her show 'Reactive', she's on a mission to see if she can chill out. Actor Giles Terera is starring in a new production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest at the Old Vic and best-selling novelist Jojo Moyes' latest book is 'We All Live Here'.Angélique Kidjo is back with her first new album in five years, inspired by her mother, it'
Derren Brown, Maria Shehata, Alison Larkin, Peter's Field, Dilettante
Stuart Maconie is joined in Salford by master of mind control and psychological illusion Derren Brown who is currently touring his latest show 'Only Human'. Stand up Maria Shehata moved to the UK for love, but the course of true love did not run smoothly and the relationship ended soon after. She explores her decision in a new Radio 4 stand up special 'Maria Shehata is Wisdomless'. Alison Larkin t
Sam Lake, One Day: The Musical, Alana Jackson, Candice Chung, Stuart Maconie, Vitamin String Quartet
Stuart Maconie soaks up Glasgow International Comedy Festival.He is joined by comedian Alana Jackson who went viral with her stories of Glasgow funerals, took home the prestigious So You Think You're Funny? award in 2024, and took time out of her line dancing schedule last year to enjoy a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival. Plus stand-up Sam Lake, who asks guests on his podcast - I've Had A Ro
Chris McCausland, Flo and Joan, The Orielles, Dallas Campbell, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Dorothy Koomson
Comic, Strictly winner and Live Comedy Day ambassador Chris McCausland joins Kiri Pritchard-McLean for a chat about siblings. Chris remembers pitched battles aged 11 with his then four year old sister over TV rights. Comedy cabaret duo Flo and Joan are sisters Rosie and Nicola Dempsey who do perform songs about slipping each other poison in their tea. But we think that's a joke.The Orielles too ar
Mischa Barton, Squeeze, Emmanual Sonubi, Ava Glass, Samantha Crain
Clive Anderson is joined by The O.C star Mischa Barton who is in a new production of Double Indemity. And it's a double dose of murder and intrigue as we're also joined by best-selling crime writer Ava Glass with her new book 'The Hiding Season'. And from death to life, since we're very grateful comedian Emmanuel Sonibu survived his near fatal heart attack and is here to tell the tale in his stand
Joanna Scanlan, Adèle Anderson, Faye Tozer, Elles Bailey, ERNIE
Stuart Maconie talks to the Riot Women and In The Thick Of It actress Joanna Scanlan on her lastest project, Mercy - a dark comic thriller.Faye Tozer is perhaps best known as part of the crowd pleasing, hearts and flowers pop band Steps, but now she's joining the cast of Mean Girls the musical - what does she make of the world of queen bees and "plastics". Fascinating Aïda's Adèle Anderson on sta
Lucy Beaumont, Gizzi Erskine, Alasdair Beckett-King, Jonny Balchandani, Jesca Hoop & Lail Arad with The Songs of Joni Mitchell
Joining Stuart for this week's Loose Ends are...Comedian and actress Lucy Beaumont on the play that, 40 years ago, inspired her mum to become a writer. It also features a chip-eating Alsatian.Chef and broadcaster Gizzi Erskine with tales of members of The Damned being left with Courtney Love's baby.Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King on the good old days of landline phones and pop tarts.Jonny Balchand
Tim Firth, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Operation Mincemeat, Lois, Stuart Maconie, Tom Hodgkinson
Stuart talks to the award winning writer and composer of Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots - Tim Firth - about his latest stage creation, The Ladies Football Club. Can the man who got his break with a play about two yucca plants strike fresh gold with this tale of the women who began to play football whist working in Sheffield's munitions factories during World War I and end up playing to many thousa
Beverley Knight, Keala Settle, Michaela Strachan, Ross Noble, Melvyn Hayes
Joining Clive this week are the actress and singer Keala Settle, who's starring in a newly re-imagined production of John Ransom Phillips' Mrs President.Presenter Michaela Strachan is heading off across the country with her show Not Just A Wild Life, to celebrate 40 years of her career in television.Comedian Ross Noble joins us mid-tour to delve into his Cranium of Curiosities.Star of stage and sc
Marcus Brigstocke, Ashley Storrie, Louise Welsh, Stuart Maconie, Rum Ragged, Hen Hoose Collective
Stuart Maconie is in Glasgow for the city's annual folk, roots and world music festival - Celtic Connections.He's joined by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, whose tour Vitruvian Mango sees him trying to figure out what it is to be a man, and why he feels like more of one when his wife asks him to reach something from a high shelf. Ashley Storrie will be chatting all about the new series of her award-
Nigel Havers, Rosalie Minnitt, Mike Wozniak, Dan Gillespie Sells, Stealing Sheep
Joining Stuart for this week's Loose Ends are actor Nigel Havers, who tells us about his remarkable shepherd's pies and the sex appeal of Mrs Thatcher.Comedy writer and performer Rosalie Minnitt on how dreaming of cows and seeing moonlit owls doesn't bode terribly well.Comedian Mike Wozniak on how a luxuriant moustache can help balance out an underdeveloped lower face.And there's music from Dan Gi
The Charlatans, Stuart Maconie, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Smith, Jess Robinson
Stuart Maconie's tiptoeing the line between dark and light in this week's Loose Ends. When she won Strictly Jill Halfpenny got the highest ever score for her sequin studded jive, but there's not a glitterball to be seen in her latest role as the traumatised mum Eve in the dark psychological thriller Girl Taken, which also stars Alfie Allen as the creepiest teacher you'd never hope to meet. Ian Smi
Alice Roberts, Amir El-Masry, Rob Auton, Esther Manito, Cast
Joining Stuart Maconie for this week's Loose Ends are Professor Alice Roberts with her book Domination, which takes a deep dig into the heart of the Roman Empire.Comedian and poet Rob Auton is about to tour with his show CAN: The Story of a Man Called Can...he's here to tell us all he can about that.Actor Amir El-Masry is starring in the new film Giant as the boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, and he join
Sally Magnusson, Ray Bradshaw, Grado, Clive Anderson, Nathan Evans x SAINT PHNX, Mairi Campbell
Clive Anderson is joined in Glasgow by broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, whose latest novel breathes new life into stories told to her as a child by her Icelandic father. She brings together modern day Orkney and the Norse myth of Hel in The Shapeshifter's Daughter.In 2017 Ray Bradshaw became the first comedian to perform simultaneously in English and in sign language. In his upcoming tour C
Maisie Adam; Elizabeth Alker; Jing Lusi; Stuart Maconie; Thea Gilmore; Singing In the Rain
There's plenty of festive energy left with Stuart Maconie and guests in the Loose Ends twixtmas studio:Taskmaster champion Maisie Adams tells us how she got in touch with her previously hidden competition-demon on the show, her highly-flammable competition outfit and that nailbiting finish, as well as revving up for a new tour in 2026. ITV's hit drama Red Eye is back for a second season on New Y
Gyles Brandreth, Carrie Grant, Simon Evans, Lisa Faulkner, The Unthanks
Stuart Maconie presents the Loose Ends festive Christmas special, recorded in front of an audience in the BBC's Philharmonic Studio at MediaCity. King of the Christmas jumper, Gyles Brandreth brings his book 'Somewhere, A Boy And A Bear' - a biography of AA Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh. He regales us with stories of Christopher Robin and of a surprising encounter with a Rolling Stone.Carrie Grant t
Sharon Rooney, Jonathan Watson, Clive Anderson, Banjo Beale, Flora Shedden, Malin Lewis, Ballad Lines
Clive Anderson is joined in Glasgow by My Mad Fat Diary actor Sharon Rooney. In her latest thriller series The Revenge Club she joins Martin Compston and Meera Syal in a cast of motley divorcees who want to get back at their exes. Jonathan Watson is back on the telly this Christmas when Two Doors Down returns. The neighbours of Latimer Crescent reunite for a special episode, as Beth and Eric dare
Omid Djalili, Neil Morrissey, Elizabeth Day, Clive Anderson, Ania Magliano, Dracapella
Making lemonade from the lemons of life is the theme to this week's Loose Ends.The comedian Omid Djalili was so incensed by having his shows cancelled after 9/11 due to his Middle Eastern heritage that he devised a stand up tour called Namaste so he could let off steam as well as make us laugh. Elizabeth Day's How to Fail podcast is, ironically, a massive success but she says her latest novel - a
Stuart Maconie, Angie Le Mar, Phil Ellis, Nabil Elouahabi, Seb Lowe, Goodnight Louisa
Stuart Maconie welcomes Angie Le Mar to talk about appearing in her son Travis Jay's Radio 4 comedy Rum Punch. The actor Nabil Elouahabi talks about his role as the veteran explosives officer in the TV drama Trigger Point and comedian Phil Ellis is about to tour the country with his new show Bath Mat. He joins us to tell us why he's about to wipe the floor with his new show.And we've music from
Ben Fogle; Sarah Hall; Terry Deary; Stuart Maconie; Holly Brooke; Smith and Liddle
Loose Ends is cavorting among the snow-caps of Cumbria at the Kendal Mountain Festival this week. Chef d'Equipe Stuart Maconie reaches for the summit of chat with navigation from the adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle - celebrating twenty five years since he was Castaway on a remote Scottish island for the BBC reality TV show that he says is more relevant today than ever. The award-winning write
John Lloyd, Valene Kane, Kit Green, Luvcat, Jessica Swale
What's a Kentucky? Comedy legend John Lloyd is here to reveal all, in honour of the 42nd anniversary of his cult dictionary 'The Meaning of Liff', co-written with the much missed Douglas Adams, Jessica Swale is the writer behind the new Paddington musical and she tells us about her emotional first meeting with the bear. Jessica Valene stars as a woman on the edge in a new drama series, Summerwater
John Cleese, Sue Perkins, Clive Anderson, Judi Love, Tom Smith, Hugh Dennis, Natalie Duncan Trio
Clive Anderson is joined by a giggle of comics or should that be a brace of jokers in the Loose Ends studio this week. Fawlty Towers creator John Cleese recalls being told his nascent sitcom - 50 years old this year - would fail if they didn't "get it out of the hotel more". Sue Perkins describes the urge to get out on a stand up tour again after a decade presenting shows from Great British Bake O
Danny Robins, Garth Marenghi, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Donna Thompson, The New Eves
It's a particulary spooky edition of Loose Ends as we're joined by Danny Robins - host of Uncanny and writer of 2.22 a Ghost Story and cult horror author Garth Marenghi. But which of them is the real king of horror? Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem brings us her literary debut, A Complicated Woman and there's music from The New Eves with a song from their debut album 'The New Eve is Rising' an
Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden; Jake Arnott; Kerry Godliman; India Knight; Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Kiri Pritchard-McLean loves a bit of crime - so much so that she hosts a podcast about serial killers. So she's right at home on Loose Ends this week talking cosy crime and laminating machines with actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, who stars as the charming private detective and oyster-shucking restaurateur Pearl Nolan in TV drama Whitstable Pearl. Then things take a dark turn with The Long Firm
Brian Bilston, Chris Smither, Teresa Livingstone, Jolene O'Hara, Stick in the Wheel, AOIBHA
Clive kicks off in Belfast's Black Box as the Belfast International Arts Festival begins to light up venues around the city. Poet Brian Bilston is in town after putting some of his poetry to music with the help of The Catenary Wires. US folk and blues musician Chris Smither tells all about his musical journey spanning over six decades. Someone else who knows a lot about blues as of recent is opera
Dom Joly, Lauren Lyle, Lorn Macdonald, Sarah Rankin, Tide Lines, Cara Rose
Clive Anderson is joined in Glasgow by comedian Dom Joly who first introduced the world to the concept of a very loud man yelling in to a giant mobile phone 25 years ago. He’s celebrating Trigger Happy TV on a national tour. Lauren Lyle is used to an investigation in her role as Val McDermid's Karen Pirie, and in new psychological thriller The Ridge she embarks on another kind of search for the tr
Joanna Lumley; James Graham; Esther Walker; Bret McKenzie; Nxdia; Clive Anderson
There's plenty of treasures, national and otherwise in this week's Loose Ends. Joanna Lumley describes selecting from a lifetime's worth of lists, poems and anecdotes to create a thoughtful, moving and often hilarious anthology that she says describes the workings of her mind perfectly. Playwright James Graham on updating his play Dear England to send it touring the country and why the story of En
Nigel Planer; Rowan McCabe; Bryony Kimmings; Emma-Jean Thackray; Studio Electrophonique
Loose Ends this week is full of people who aren't afraid to say or do difficult things in the name of entertainment. The actor Nigel Planer will forever be associated with the character Neil from The Young Ones, so much so that Nigel's Mum thought he was vegetarian because Neil was, though Nigel definitely isn't. At least, he says, she remembered his name. His autobiography - Young Once - reflects
Neil Hannon & The Divine Comedy, Mark Gatiss, Kate Fox, AA Dhand, Edith Bowman
Edith Bowman is your host for a special Loose Ends live at the BBC's Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford. Guests include the celebrated actor - from Sherlock to Mission Impossible - and writer - from Dr Who to Bookish - Mark Gatiss. He's at the festival starring in a Radio 4 comedy drama written by his League of Gentlemen colleague Jeremy Dyson. We'll hear from Amit Dhand, who credits wo
Moira Buffini, Josh Jones, George Egg, Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Black Country, New Road
Stuart Maconie's guests in Salford include comedian Josh Jones on his new tour 'I Haven't Won The Lottery So here's Another Show'. We find out what happens if he wins the lottery mid-run. Actor and writer Moira Buffini has just won the YA Book Prize for her debut novel Songlight. George Egg is the Snack Hacker, brining us goodies from his kitchen and Urielle Klein-Mekongo is the author of a new mu
Robert Webb, Cecelia Ahern, Patrick Marber, Curtis Stigers, Nova Twins
Clive Anderson is joined by the multi-platinum selling American Jazz singer Curtis Stigers, Rob Webb on Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping, best-selling Irish novelist Cecila Ahern, author of P.S I Love you, on her new book Paper Heart, director Patrick Marber discusses his spin on Mel Brook's musical The Producers and Mercury prize shortlisted rock duo Nova Twins.Presenter: Clive Anderson
Produc
Mark Radcliffe, Andi Osho, Adele Parks, Amy Webber, The 7:45s
Stuart Maconie is joined by his 6Music weekend breakfast co-host Mark Radcliffe who's here to talk about his new book Et Tu, Cavapoo - all about Mark’s springtime sojourn to Rome alongside his dog Arlo. Andi Osho is taking on the role of Tedra in the RSC's production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham and prolific novelist Adele Parks is with us to talk about the twists and turns of famil
Jon Culshaw, Harriet Dyer, Jon Watts, Nadia Reid, Yazmin Lacey
Stuart is joined by Jon Culshaw, the star of the much loved comedy series Dead Ringers, which is about to hit the road for its 25th anniversary tour. Harriet Dyer is Easily Distra.... so let's hope she doesn't wander off halfway through the show. Jon Watts discovered his love of cooking in custody. After being taken under the wing of Jamie Oliver he's now a culinary star in his own right, about to
Ruth Jones, Jordan Gray, Jamie MacDonald, Dylan Adler, Hot Mess, James Emmanuel
Clive Anderson hosts a Loose Ends party with some of the many musicians, comedians, writers and stars of the stage lighting up the Edinburgh Festivals.Ruth Jones’ latest book By Your Side is partly set in Scotland, and she’ll be in the capital sharing some of her pet peeves that have found their way on to its pages. Comedian and actor Jordan Gray is having a busy summer, her new sitcom Transaction
Tom Rosenthal, Thanyia Moore, Karine Polwart, Michael Elsener, Niall Moorjani, Couplet
Clive Anderson hosts a Loose Ends party with some of the many musicians, comedians, writers and stars of the stage lighting up the Edinburgh Festivals.Tom Rosenthal is a comedian best known as Jonny on Friday Night Dinner, though I suppose you can describe him however you’d like as his new show is Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am. Thanyia Moore is back at the Edinburgh Fringe for her fir
Bertie Carvel; Jo Wood; Lost Chimes; Tori Allen-Martin; Rajiv Karia; RIYA
Listen up as Nihal unfolds the Beyoncé/Destiny's Child theme he's spotted in this weeks' Loose Ends. He's humming "Irreplaceable" for the heroine of author Jo Wood’s debut novel - The Resurrection of Flo - who's left her cheating husband Max (“To the left, to the left”). It's "I'm a Survivor" for the actor Bertie Carvel who is playing King Leontes in Shakespeare's intense psychological drama The
Tiff Stevenson, Sam Palladio, Ella Al-Shamahi, Chris Grace, The Miki Berenyi Trio
Clive Anderson is joined in Salford by a Post-Coital (that's the name of her new show) Tiff Stevenson and by Sam Palladio is finally acting in his own accent in 'The Couple Next Door' after playing Texan Gunnar Scott in 'Nashville' for six seasons. Ella Al-Shamahi has been in search of what makes us 'Human' for her new BBC Two series. American actor and comedian Chris Grace is attempting to write
Simon Armitage, Paula Hawkins, Ria Lina, Bill Ryder Jones, Stuart Maconie
Loose Ends is the guest of Durham Brass Festival this week, providing flugelhorns, euphoniums and an enthusiastic audience at the newly refurbished 110 year old Redhills Miners Hall, once known as "the Pitman's Parliament". Far from brassed off to be with him is the poet laureate Simon Armitage who finds exactly the right words to describe the magic of brass music but then admits to never having w
Tim Key, Lucy Porter, Leonie Elliott, Shabaz Ali, Billy Nomates, Bruno Berle
This week Stuart is joined by comedian and poet Tim Key who takes us to LA Baby in his new book, Lucy Porter who is learning to let go in her new stand up show, and Shabaz Ali: the Tik Tok sensation with his takedowns of the super-rich. Eastenders and Call the Midwife star Leonie Elliott is starring in a new play, Liberation. There's music from Billy Nomates, performing from her new album Metalhor
Mel Giedroyc, Debbie Wiseman, Mike Gayle, Rachel Parris, Clive Anderson
It's mostly lollipops, ribbons and cakes for Clive Anderson this week as he meets Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, Jane Austen improviser Rachel Parris and Romantic Novelist Mike Gayle (the only man to win the Romantic Writers Association's top award). But not all....Mel Giedroyc's new podcast - and she emphasises it's a comedy one - is taking over from Kathy Burke on Where There's a Will There's a Wak
Dawn French, Fern Britton, Edward Rowe, Gwenno
This week Loose Ends is coming from the Homecoming festival at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. Clive Anderson is joined by comedian, actor and writer Dawn French, who moved to Cornwall to give her more space to write and Fern Britton, who has written eleven novels set in Cornwall, and has lived here on and off since starting her career in regional television here in 1980. He also chats to
Jenny Colgan, Douglas Maxwell, Zara Gladman, Michael Mullen, James Yorkston, Rachel Newton
It's 20 years since Jenny Colgan became a published author and since then her books have been translated across the globe, from Brazil to Bulgaria. Her latest novel is Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages.Playwright Douglas Maxwell is back at the Tron in Glasgow, a theatre that kickstarted his professional career 25 years ago. His one-man show Man’s Best Friend explores isolation and dogwalking. Zara G
Ore Oduba, Amy Macdonald, Kim Blythe, Tom Newlands, Rose Room
Ore Oduba switched broadcasting for the stage after his 2016 Strictly win. His latest production is the adaptation of Peter James’ Picture You Dead book which is on tour across the country. Tom Newlands' debut novel Only Here, Only set in a fictional Fife town has received many plaudits in the UK and beyond. It's coming out in paperback later in June. Comedian Kim Blythe continues to go from stren
Adam Buxton, Tanita Tikaram, Jimi Famurewa, Kiran Landa and Honeyglaze
This week Clive Anderson is talking playing with toys, settling scores and saying goodbyes with OG podcaster Adam Buxton. Tanita Tikaram has finally recorded the follow up to her multi-millions selling 1988 album 'Ancient Heart', called 'LIAR'Jimi Famurewa tells us how you go from stuffing mashed potato in your pocket to appearing on Masterchef.Kiran Landa stars in 'Marriage Material', based on th
Patrick Grant, Jason Donovan, Sophie McCartney, The Young'Uns, Mychelle, Stuart Maconie
Jason Donovan won the hearts of millions alongside Kylie Minogue in the Australian soap Neighbours; then his debut album was the biggest seller of 1989 and he topped the UK singles chart 4 times. In the 1990s he reinvented himself in musical theatre with acclaimed roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and now he's playing Frank-n-furter in the Rocky H
Paloma Faith, Mike Bubbins, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Helen Carr, Euros Childs, Kizzy Crawford
Clive Anderson brings us Loose Ends from the Hay Festival. Joining Clive in front of a Hay audience are singer Paloma Faith who last year released her most personal album 'The Glorification of Sadness'. She also published her first book 'MILF' (no, not that one), a rousing call to arms for women to take up space, based on her experiences in the music industry, and as a mother. Welsh comedian Mike
Jess Gillam, Stevie Martin, Georgia Ruth, Emma Jane Unsworth, Ben Aitken, Stuart Maconie
The comedian and podcaster Stevie Martin is currently battling it out in the latest series of Channel 4’s award winning show Taskmaster - you might have enjoyed her "most snooty possession" which was a portrait of her pet tortoise in military uniform. She'll be here to tell us all about getting "the call" and her favourite games...sorry... tasks. Its also tricky-book-titles week on Loose Ends. The
Gruff Rhys, Phina Oruche, Kate Mossman, Divina De Campo, Joe Kent-Walters
Joining Stuart Maconie in the Salford studio are the actress Phina Oruche who began her career modelling in America. She's best known for playing Liberty Baker in Footballers Wives. Phina is currently on stage at the Liverpool Everyman in Nathan Powell's new play 'Takeaway', where she stars as Carol, the matriach behind Hyltons Caribbean takeaway. Kate Mossman is facinated by 'Men of A Certain Ag
Alex Horne and The Horne Section, Susie Dent, Anoushka Shankar, Kate Wiliams, Callum Scott Howells, Clive Anderson
Taskmaster star, comic and sitcom actor Alex Horne joins Clive Anderson to talk about season two of his sitcom, to introduce his comedic band The Horne Section and tell us why he's never running out of taskmaster tasks. The lexicographer and broadcaster Susie Dent is now a mystery thriller writer too, she'll be with us to talk about twisty word clues and her all-encompassing love of the English la
Rachel Joyce, Matilda Mann, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Levison Wood, Maya Delilah, Stuart Maconie
Rachel Joyce’s debut novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a bestseller in 30 languages, became a much-loved film with Jim Broadbent and is about to become a stage musical. She's also got a new novel, a sun-soaked family drama called The Homemade God which has already been hailed by one critic as "the perfect holiday read". Levison Wood has travelled to 150 countries but holiday reading
Kieran Hodgson, Julie Lin, Lewis Gribben, Selali Fiamanya, Skerryvore, Mike McKenzie
Clive Anderson will be joined by comedian and star of Two Doors Down Kieran Hodgson ahead of his upcoming show Voice Of America.Chef Julie Lin's cookery book Sama Sama celebrates all parts of her Malaysian, Chinese and Scottish identity and mixes tradition with innovation. Lewis Gribben stars in the new series of Charlie Brooker's multi award-winning dystopian drama Black Mirror. Selali Fiamanya's
Karen Dunbar, Mollie Hughes, Rosco McClelland, Kirsty MacLaren, NATI., Lewis McLaughlin
Stuart Maconie will be joined by comedian Karen Dunbar, star of sketch comedy show Chewin’ The Fat, ahead of her nationwide tour. Restless Natives: The Musical is the new stage adaptation of the Scottish cult classic. Actor Kirsty MacLaren stars in the show which brings some of Big Country's greatest hits to life. Rosco McClelland celebrates his recent win, having taken home the Sir Billy Connolly
