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Categories: Factual: Life Stories

  1. The Big B at 70

    A look at the life and work of Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest star in Bollywood

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  2. China: As History Is My Witness

    Carrie Gracie presents a series exploring ten great lives from Chinese history

    BBC Radio 4

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  3. Tehrangeles

    A journey into the triumphs and struggles of the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  4.

    The Reluctant Lama

    The Spanish toddler who was chosen by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnated Tibetan lama.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  5.

    The Island

    Sheppey, landscape of cars, caravans and morose marshland - the place they call The Island

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  6.

    Tony Hancock

    Comedy actor Tony Hancock epitomised the little man's struggle against the world.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  7.

    Staff No Fee: The Other Life of Brian

    Barry Johnston explores the early career of the legendary commentator Brian Johnston.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  8. The New Elizabethans

    James Naughtie profiles 60 public figures nominated to mark the diamond jubilee

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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  9. The Perfumed Mountaineer

    Hayden Lorimer explores the double life of Walter Poucher: photographer and perfumer.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  10.

    Conjuring Halie

    Cerys Matthews celebrates one of her musical heroines, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  11. Wireless Nights

    Jarvis Cocker explores the human condition after dark, with stories of night people

    BBC Radio 4

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  12. The London Chronicles Archive

    The sounds of the historic and influential city, through its music, life, noise and people

    BBC World Service

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  13. Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered

    David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of entertainer Vic Oliver.

    BBC Radio 4

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  14. My London Archive

    A series of interviews offering an intimate view of a city people have made their home.

    BBC World Service

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  15. The Fifth Floor

    At the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world

    BBC World Service

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  16. Short Cuts

    Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.

    BBC Radio 4

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  17. Songs for Madame Vasnier

    Richard Langham Smith on the songs Debussy wrote for his muse Madame Vasnier.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  18. Dear Professor Hawking

    BBC Radio 4 pays tribute to scientist Professor Stephen Hawking

    BBC Radio 4

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  19. Don't Log Off

    Alan Dein connects with strangers across the world via social media.

    BBC Radio 4

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  20. Make Me A National Treasure

    Gyles Brandreth discovers what it takes to become a national treasure.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  21.

    Jack Jackson: Rhythm and Radio Fun Remembered

    Exploring the legacy of musician and broadcaster Jack Jackson.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  22. The Life Scientific

    Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.

    BBC Radio 4

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  23. The Man with Many Names

    Peter Day explores the wayward genius of Irish writer Flann O'Brien on his centenary

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  24. The Paper Round

    Public figures revisit their paper round route and reveal how it influenced their lives

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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  25. Talking About Jane Austen in Baghdad

    Story of the email friendship between a British journalist and an Iraq-based academic

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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  26. Hemingway Days

    Wayne Hemingway celebrates the lives of 1950s designers, Robin and Lucienne Day.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  27.

    Opening the Boxes: a Soprano's Secrets

    Michael White uncovers the life of the soprano singer Jennifer Vyvyan.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  28.

    Slums 101

    Paul Mason visits Manila to assess the benefits of life in the world's poorest slums.

    BBC Radio 4

  29.

    Composer Joseph Horovitz: No Ordinary Joe

    Debbie Wiseman tells the fascinating story of the composer of Captain Noah and Rumpole

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  30.

    The Mousetrap and Me

    Louise Elliot meets Terry O'Neill whose case inspired Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

    BBC Radio Wales

  31.

    James Joyce - Blind Date With Bloomsday

    A literary landmark and it's effect on a city. How Dublin has embraced Ulysses.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  32. The Rattigan Versions

    Memories of playwright Terence Rattigan from people who had a close connection to him

    BBC Radio 4

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  33. Boy Racers

    Two young racing drivers battle it out on the track. Aasmah Mir follows their fortunes.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  34.

    When Hollywood Met Halifax

    How Jayne Mansfield shook up the northern club scene before she died.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  35.

    The Swedish Invasion

    Comedian Danny Robins explores the global Swedish cultural explosion conquering the world.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  36.

    Sylvie Simmons: The Rock Chick

    Islington-born Sylvie Simmons talks to Nick Barraclough about her life as a rock writer.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  37.

    Loud Organs His Glory

    The story of the great Victorian organ builder 'Father' Henry Willis.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  38. Desert Island Discs Revisited

    Selected castaway gems from the BBC Desert Island Discs archive.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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  39. Inheritance Tracks

    Guests on songs inherited from their parents and songs they'd pass on to their children.

    BBC Radio 4

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  40. Not Just Funny Animal Voices

    The life of Johnny Morris, told by his friend and former co-presenter Terry Nutkins.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  41.

    Mandela in His Own Words

    Fergal Keane takes a journey through the private notebooks and letters of Nelson Mandela.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  42.

    Heel, Toe, Step Together

    The story of an octogenarian dancer teaching a 28-year-old how to waltz.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  43.

    The Long Walk

    Tim Whewell explores truth and myth in one of the great tales of adventure and endurance.

    BBC Radio 4

  44.

    Arise Black Man: The Peter Tosh Story

    Grammy Award winning filmmaker Don Letts explores the life of reggae singer Peter Tosh

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  45. Desi Stories

    British Asian community stories, topics and discussion from across local BBC radio.

    BBC Local Radio

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  46. UK Black

    UK African and Caribbean stories, topics and discussion from across local BBC radio.

    BBC Local Radio

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  47. Star Spangled Hendrix

    Tom Robinson explores Jimi Hendrix and the guitarist's political beliefs and outlook.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  48.

    Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth

    How the British-born singer Vince Taylor inspired David Bowie's mythical rock star.

    BBC Radio 4

  49. The First Time With...

    Interviews with major artists revealing the moments and songs that shaped their careers.

    BBC Radio 6 Music

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  50. Who Do You Think You Are? USA

    Lost connections and unknown histories are revealed as US stars trace their family trees.

    BBC One

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