Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake

Olympic gold medallist diver Tom Daley on his return to the sport after two years out, looking ahead to his fifth Olympic Games in Paris this summer, how his adorable six-year-old son behaves like a ‘pushy parent’ during competition, and finding a balance between regimented training and enjoying himself. Tom also gets into his passion for knitting, learning journalism for his podcast Made With Love, life in Los Angeles, and the ideas and inspiration behind his brand new children’s book Jack Splash.The pair also touch on aspects of ageing, body image, the power of manifestation, self-belief and perspective; and reflect on how a loving family takes the pressure off and allows you to perform at your best.

“I relish being myself, even if it is the complete opposite of everyone else” Singer, actress and Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Cynthia Erivo chats to Nihal Arthanayake about her new film ‘Drift’ and her upcoming role as Elphaba in the Hollywood blockbuster film version of the ‘Wicked’ musical.

Screenwriter and novelist Daisy Goodwin joins Gordon Smart as the two turn their attention to the subject of Daisy’s new book Diva; the infamous Maria Callas. The pair discuss the opera sensation’s career, life and legacy, and why she remains a huge inspiration to modern women. Born in 1923, Maria was “what you might call a girl boss today, she always knew her own value and that is something I think very few women do.” “Wherever she played in the world, people would queue up for weeks to get tickets, she was an event, like a Taylor Swift.”

In May 1997, Eric Cantona stunned Manchester United and their fans by announcing his retirement from football at the age of 30. Alongside the 82 goals he scored for them, he’s remembered for the now infamous kung-fu kick he aimed at a Crystal Palace fan who racially abused him. His post-football career has taken in acting, painting, writing poetry and photography. For his latest creative incarnation, Eric has turned to performing live music.

BAFTA-winning Glaswegian actor Tony Curran on learning about the real King James I, shooting intimate, nude scenes, and working with Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine for new show Mary & George. Tony and Gordon also get into some hilarious stories of their mutual pal, Martin Compston, plus Tony’s career-high roles including his turn as Vincent Van Gogh in Doctor Who’s most replayed scene of all time, and working with the late, great Sean Connery (who had some jokes for Tony’s mum!) Oh, and should we wash our legs in the shower?!

“I’m not telling them how you should think about John Galliano […] it’s a very complex picture that emerges” Award winning director Kevin Macdonald chats to Nihal Arthanayake about his new documentary ‘High & Low: John Galliano’ – that examines the designer’s rapid ascent, fall from grace after an antisemitic tirade, and rehabilitation

The platinum selling artist tells Nihal Arthanayake about her love of animals and how it has inspired her series of books for young adults.

Comedian and writer Frank Skinner on unexpected signs of ageing, nicknames, bringing back shouting at cinema screens, graffiti he’s seen on his tour posters, and why he doesn’t run his stand up material by anyone before he performs.

“The more important the issue the less it is discussed.” The Vermont Senator talks to Nihal Arthanayake about the future of capitalism - and offers his thoughts on the upcoming presidential election.

Nihal Arthanayake chats to the CEO of Timpsons about his new book ‘The Happy Index’ and why he believes his employees’ wellbeing is the secret to running a successful company.

“I didn’t watch the [Oscars] announcements, because I didn’t want to have to repair any screen damage if the news wasn’t to my liking!”American actor Jeffrey Wright talks to Nihal about his new film ‘American Fiction’ and explains how it feels to get an Oscar nomination.

“Movie stars, sadly, are a dying breed”. Matthew Vaughn, director, producer, and writer - known for the Kingsman franchise, KickAss, and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - is back with a new movie - a spy action comedy film called Argylle. He tells Nihal Arthanayake that he thinks that times are changing in the movie industry - and you can no longer guarantee that a film will be a massive hit in the box office - just because you have a big name star in it.

'I just really enjoyed the idea of this tiny, dishevelled, half pint Luther....popping about the place trying to solve crimes.' Actor Adeel Akhtar talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his role as DS Sami Kierce in the new smash hit Netflix show 'Fool Me Once'.

‘It’s about progress not perfection’ Dr Rangan Chatterjee talks to Nihal Arthanayale about keeping a journal, things to be grateful for, and how to make every day just a little bit better.

“Just when I thought I knew where it was going, and what kind of a show it was, it would just do a one-eighty” - Actor Jamie Dornan in conversation with Nihal Arthanayake about the new series of The Tourist and his lifelong love for Manchester United.

Someone like me can't turn down a part like Charles. He's so interesting. He's so complex.” Dominic West, who played Prince Charles in the last two seasons of The Crown, and Jonathan Pryce who portrayed Prince Philip – tell Nihal Arthanayake about the success of the show, how they prepared for their respective roles, and where they were when they learned of the death of Princess Diana.

“When do I tell them I can’t swim”. The award winning film, tv and stage actor Sheridan Smith, talks to Nihal Arthanayake about being a parent, her new role in a show about being cast away on a desert island, and why she never learned to swim.

“I’m offended” is quite meaningless’. The comedian and actor talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his new stand-up special, Armageddon, the nature of offence, and why he’s going to stop explaining his jokes to people who don’t like them.

“The experience for women and men in music is very, very different”The singer talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her successful musical career, and using her voice to speak out about exploitation in the music industry.

“If you didn’t like it, you listened to it ‘til you liked it”Singer-songwriter and Lightning Seeds frontman, Ian Broudie, chats to Nihal Arthanayake his lifelong love of music, his memoir, and being back on tour. As well as his memories of how ‘Three Lions’ was first received by the England Squad of the time.

“Finding your own unique voice is usually the biggest challenge”. Singer songwriter Emeli Sandé talks to Nihal Arthanayek about new music, writing about love and how her life has changed since she first hit the top of the charts in 2012.

“When I was a little, I wanted to be a race car driver” Keanu Reeves and Jenson Button talk to Nihal Arthanayake about their new documentary ‘Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story’ - and how they'd rate each other's chances of a job swap.

“Glastonbury, I want to play Glastonbury… and it’s got to be the pyramid stage.” Simon Le Bon tells Nihal about what he loves about being in a band, how to manage being a rock star and having some sort of balance in life… and the things he still wants to accomplish with Duran Duran.

‘I’m interested in meeting my donor’. The Scandal star reveals to Nihal Arthanayake how she reacted upon learning that she was conceived using a sperm donor.

"I've always loved the power of words". The Spice Girls star talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her literary career.

“I don’t think it’s about winning or losing.” The American star talks to Nihal about the Hollywood actor’s strike and her new film Miracle Club.

"When do you ever get three Muslim brothers cooking for Jonathan Ross?" The TV chef tells Nihal his success is down to good timing and other people "creating that lane" for him.

“I hope he had a sense of humour.” The Monty Python star and documentary maker chats to Nihal Arthanayake about his great-uncle Harry.

“Music doesn’t have to stay in genres or boxes.” The singer songwriter on why Chicago and grunge inspired her new album.

“I have been known to rant, but I don’t do it on the telly and that’s the point.” The BBC presenter chats to Nihal Arthanayake about his years as a foreign correspondent and news anchor.

“I realised that the person I ended up despising most, was myself”. Former Conservative MP, writer, and broadcaster Rory Stewart lifts the lid on what working in Westminster is really like. With Nihal Arthanayake.

"I'm still in this dreamy space of thinking - did I really get that lucky?" The Duran Duran guitarist on the ground-breaking treatment he is undergoing for prostate cancer.

“I’m just enthusiastic about being free to do what I want.” The co-creator of Starstruck on the final series and why she’s enjoying doing stand-up comedy

“This album's about acceptance, accepting life". The singer-songwriter joins Nihal to talk about her new music.

The presenter on taking over University Challenge, family, fame and the source of his ambition.

"One day I just sang 'oobedoo' and she just instantly stopped crying." The former footballer on life after losing his daughter.

“There’s a beautiful ripple effect that comes with self-love.” Elliot talks to Nihal about living an authentic life, queerness in Hollywood, and having the strength to fight a ‘crisis’ of hate in society.

“Thanks to football for the opportunity to represent my country”, The Premier League player on Ukraine, football and staying focussed. Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko talks about his love for Ukraine and how football focussed his mind.

“I live and breathe this stuff… and I want to win.” Tom tells Nihal what drives his music.

"I dance better in a club when I have a cheeky tequila.” Louise tells Nihal it’s time for her to get back on the dancefloor.

“It made me look really stupid.” Judy talks to Nihal about the media, mentoring and being a “grammar geek.”

: “I’m almost in tears now talking about it.” The Simply Red singer remembers Miles Davis, Tina Turner and George Harrison.

“People say you shouldn’t exist, well I do exist” The gender fluid actor, also known as Suzy talks to Nihal being a ‘serious’ actor, getting into politics and dyslexia.

"Seemingly I'm just a lot more emotional than other people." The US superstar talks to Nihal about her new album.

“Snooker made me want to get myself sorted.” Ronnie talks to Nihal about the game, fame and family.

The comedian and TV star on sharing bathrooms, leaving home and Ray Mears.

“Live is not something we intend to do.” Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt on the duo’s first album since 1999.

“We don’t just want the shirt, we want the trousers as well.” The Hobbit and Spooks actor on his new drama Obsession.

“I kicked the racoon in my sleep.....” The author on how he uses real life in his plots.

“I want to look 10 out of 10.” The UK’s Eurovision entry tells Nihal how she’s preparing for the competition.