Loose Ends

After a series of best-selling books focussing on girls and women Caitlin Moran turns her attention to the lads in ‘What About Men?’. Find out if comedian Laura Smyth is indeed living her best life on the ‘Living My Best Life’ tour and Alex Lowe tells us what makes his Clinton Baptise character so popular. John Hopkins on playing Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady at the Leeds Playhouse and we have music from Dexys - formely Dexy's Midnight Runners. Presenter: Stuart Maconie Producer: Jessica Treen

Stephen Merchant - the BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor, comedian and writer behind hits like The Office and Extras - joins Clive Anderson and Athena Kugblenu to talk about a new series of The Outlaws, a hugely popular crime caper set on a Bristol community service project; the Vogue journalist and author Plum Sykes will discuss her new novel, Wives Like Us, billed as "desperate housewives in the Cotswalds"; Award-winning actor Adeel Akhtar of Sherwood, Fool Me Once and Four Lions fame on returning to the stage for the first time in almost a decade in Chekov's The Cherry Orchard and the writer and broadcaster Kate Bradbury on taking a stand against climate change in our own back gardens. Plus music by jazz singer songwriter Madeleine Peyroux and Irish pop sensation LYRA - who managed to knock Beyonce off the number one slot in the Irish album charts.Presented by Clive Anderson Produced by Olive Clancy

Clive is joined by impressionist Jan Ravens (who brings along Liz Truss and Theresa May) chatting about the challenge of developing an impersonation and what happens when the politician who forms part of your act gets the boot... Award-winning novelist Tiffany Murray describes her unusually starry childhood at the residential recording studio Rockfield. It includes a childhood visit from David Bowie and being woken by Freddie Mercury singing "Galileo" - as revealed in her new book My Family and Other Rock Stars. Viv Groskop chats about her One Ukrainian Summer a memoir about falling in love and coming of age in the former USSR. The Will Barnes Quartet and Aleighcia Scott provide the music. Presented by Clive Anderson Produced by Kevin Core

Joining Stuart Maconie in our Salford studio are the comedians Frank Skinner and Rachael Fairburn. In Frank's latest stand up show '30 years of Dirt' he has his comedic eye firmly on the dirty joke, while Rachel Fairburn's showgirl finds her moving away from boozing and towards crystals - will it last?Maxine Peake stars in Robin/Red/Breast at Manchester's Factory International. Based on John Bowen's cult TV play Robin Redbreast, Maxine plays Norah, a woman who has escaped the city for village life. But it is not exactly the idyll she dreamed off... The movement director is Imogen Knight, the writer is Daisy Johnson, and it is directed by Sarah Frankcom and features music from Gazelle Twin. In her latest book the biographer and historian Kathryn Hughes tells the story of how we fell in love with cats, and illuminates the life of the man who did so much to change their image, the artist Louis Wain.Music is from Willy Vlautin, novelist, songwriter and musician who was the lead singer in Richmond Fontaine. Willy also chats about his new novel 'The Horse', his most personal book yet, it examines the trials of a life on the road. And we also hear from BBC Introducing Rising Star Phoebe Green.Presenter: Stuart Maconie Producer: Jessica Treen

Stuart Maconie is joined by Sacha Lord who offers some Tales from the Dancefloor, Julie Hesmondhalgh talks about the impact of a single punch which is considered in a new play by James Graham at the Nottingham Playhouse. Dr Benji Waterhouse, a frontline NHS psychiatrist, discusses his new book You Don't Have to be Mad to Work Here and there's music and chat from Fairground Attraction and Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand.

The comedian Rhod Gilbert gave up touring and TV appearances last year when he got cancer. Now he's back - a newly focussed man - with a show called 'Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit', all about the big bitter diagnosis he had to swallow; the best-selling novelist Kathy Lette's latest book is called The Revenge Club and is based on a real life career setback - we want to hear all; Poet and stand up comic Luke Wright on managing to combine humour and pathos on the page and on the stage and 25 years on from her breakout role in Queer as Folk, the actor Carla Henry tells Stuart about her latest role in the gritty and prescient drama Sweat. Plus music from The Zutons and Bryony Jarman Pinto.

Stuart is joined by multi instrumentalist and singer of hits like Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant; comic-turned-author Natalie Haynes on putting the feminisim into Greek mythology; actress Adelayo Adedayo on her upcoming second series playing the rookie cop in the hit BBC police drama The Responder and Comedian Richard Herring on finding the humour in his testicular cancer diagnosis. Plus performance from the only band fronted by the poet laureate Simon Armitage - LYR and the soul singer Nectar Woode.Presenter: Stuart Maconie Producer: Olive Clancy

The astronaut Tim Peake joins Clive to talk about life on and off Earth, and he's joined by the acclaimed guitarist Phil Manzanera who tells us about the astonishing life he led en route to joining Roxy Music.Helen Lederer discusses her new memoir and recalls formative days in The Comedy Store and Jess Fostekew talks footie in her new podcast.We've music from Michele Stodart and Geejay.Presented by Clive Anderson Produced by Kevin Core

Stand up comic Al Murray on 30 years of his outspoken stage persona The Pub Landlord and his more recent side-hustle as a history podcaster; Actor Lesley Sharp on playing a spy in her high octane thriller set on a London to Beijing flight and called Red Eye; Historian Bettany Hughes on her new series of Treasures of the World, this time heading along the Silk Route to Estonia, Bulgaria, Georgia and beyond; Restauranteur Nisha Katona on giving up being a barrister only to end up being a judge - on the Great British Menu and Guy Chambers on co-writing some of pop's greatest hits like Angels and Milennium with Robbie Williams and getting back together to record with his band The Lemon Trees. Plus performance from rising stars of British Country The Wandering Hearts.Presented by Clive Anderson Produced by Olive Clancy

Ruby Wax defined an interview style which many of us now take for granted. She discusses her hugely popular books on mindfulness and her new book which sees her undertake a series of journeys designed to aid her recovery from depression. Paul Hartnoll of the dance act Orbital is another genre definer, looking back at the history of electronic music - and his soundtrack work - ahead of a new tour marking three decades since the seminal "green album". Anuvab Pal is one of India's top English speaking comics and has some words for Brits who think the Indian language is complicated but have no problem saying Siobhan. Jessica Gunning is known to a host of fans from the series The Outlaws, she talks to us about her role in the new, dark Netflix series Baby Reindeer. We've music from Nerina Pallot ahead of her Palladium show and singer songwriter Tiger Braun-White performs, telling us how he's done with session work... aged 19. Presented by Clive Anderson Produced by Kevin Core

Clive Anderson and Emma Freud are joined by Daniel Mays, Cush Jumbo, Janey Godley and Marc Wootton for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Ride and Georgia.

Clive Anderson and Sara Cox are joined by Gemma Whelan, Mark Watson, Shaznay Lewis and Mr Motivator for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from The Mary Wallopers and Sahra.

Clive Anderson and Bidisha Mamata are joined by Jonny Lee Miller, Ade Adepitan, Kimberley Chambers and Gary Stevenson for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Kat Eaton and Blondeting.

Clive Anderson and Arthur Smith are joined by Armistead Maupin, Ophelia Lovibond, Toheeb Jimoh and Emmanuel Sonubi for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Amelia Coburn.

Clive Anderson and Rachel Parris are joined by Bruce Dickinson, Noomi Rapace, Siobhán McSweeney and Travis Jay for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from MT Jones and OneDa.

Clive Anderson and Anneka Rice are joined by George Clarke, Lindsay Duncan and Charithra Chandran for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Caity Baser and Ministry of Desire.

Clive Anderson and Jayde Adams are joined by Sylvester McCoy, Peter Lord, Lucy Porter and Nancy Medina for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Diane Birch and Gardna, recorded at Beacon Hall, Bristol.

Clive Anderson and Richie Anderson are joined by Andy Nyman, Stella Graham, Luisa Omielan and Bernie Kavi Pujara for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Liam Bailey and Ffion Rebecca, recorded live at Curve Theatre, Leicester.

Clive Anderson and Athena Kugblenu are joined by Sir David Jason and Jay Blades, Sir Tim Rice, Denise Welch and Jodie Mitchell for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Future Islands and Rosie Frater-Taylor.

Clive Anderson and Richie Anderson are joined by Tracy-Ann Oberman, Daliso Chaponda, Annette Badland and Mathew Baynton for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from BenObi and Gaby Kettle, recorded at Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Clive Anderson and Janey Godley are joined by Stuart Murdoch, Tony Singh and Joanne Clifton for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Belle and Sebastian, Wayward Jane and Joy Dunlop, recorded at BBC Scotland, Glasgow.

Clive Anderson and YolanDa Brown are joined by Matt Lucas & Elis James, Trinny Woodall, Urooj Ashfaq and Martin Jarvis for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Bill Ryder Jones and Marika Hackman.

Clive Anderson and Ellie Simmonds are joined by Helen George, Frances Barber, Kevin McCloud and Dom Joly for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Al Lewis and Laville.

Clive Anderson and Danny Wallace are joined by Timothy Spall, Miles Jupp, Isabella Pappas and Iain Stirling for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Mica Paris and Maiya Quansah-Breed and Rumer.

Clive Anderson and Anneka Rice are joined by Brian Cox, Toby Jones, Mary Beard and Richard Coles for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Katherine Jenkins and Marisha Wallace, recorded in the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Clive Anderson and Arthur Smith are joined by Janine Harouni, Morfydd Clark and Jared Harris for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Guvna B and Deniece Pearson.

Clive Anderson and Emma Freud are joined by Elvis Costello and Conor McPherson, Suranne Jones, Martin Kemp and Michelle McManus for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Roachford and Ify Iwobi.

Clive Anderson and Kiri Pritchard-McLean are joined by Max Boyce, Non Evans, AJ and Curtis Pritchard and Caryl Lewis for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Angharad Jenkins & Huw Warren and Aisha Kigs, recorded at Swansea Grand Theatre.

Clive Anderson and Athena Kugblenu are joined by Madness, Daisy Haggard, Karen Gibson and Charlie Stemp for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Madness and Soft Lad.

Clive Anderson and Soweto Kinch are joined by Tony Iommi, Steven Knight and Ellie Simmonds for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Emeli Sandé and Nathan Queeley-Dennis, recorded at The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham.

Clive Anderson and Sara Cox are joined by Alfie Boe, Paul Rhys, Sabrina Bartlett and Andi Osho for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Passenger and Gaby Moreno.

Clive Anderson and Kofi Smiles are joined by Barrie Rutter, Richard Bean, Leah Brotherhead and Kat Hudson for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Eliza Carthy and Chiedu Oraka, recorded at Wrecking Ball Music & Books in Hull.

Clive Anderson and Anneka Rice are joined by Caroline Quentin, Paul Whitehouse, Tom Walker AKA Jonathan Pie and Sam Quek for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Roberto Cacciapaglia and Gemma Rogers.

Clive Anderson and George Egg are joined by Miriam Margolyes, Beverley Knight, Nick Frost and Paul Sinha for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Emily Breeze and Beverley Knight.

Clive Anderson and Kate Robbins are joined by Jimmy McGovern, Lady Anne Dodd, Ian Broudie and Andy McCluskey for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from OMD and Martha Goddard, recorded at Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

Clive Anderson is joined by Jeremy Dyson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lucy Beaumont and Bob Cryer for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy at The Holbeck in Leeds. With music from Corinne Bailey Rae.

Clive Anderson and Kiri Pritchard-McLean are joined by John Whaite, Henry Normal, Bronté Barbé and Cath Staincliffe for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Swing Out Sister and Badly Drawn Boy.

Danny Wallace and Janey Godley are joined by Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Abir Mukherjee and Jenny Colgan for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Blue Rose Code and Sophie Penman.

Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.

Clive Anderson and Arthur Smith are joined by John Lydon, Jamie Lee O'Donnell, Isabel Adomakoh Young and Simon Reeve for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Polly Paulusma & Kathryn Williams, and Beautiful Landing.

Clive Anderson and Michelle McManus are joined by Eddi Reader, Sumayya Usmani, Ben Hart and Kieran Hodgson for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.

Clive Anderson and Anneka Rice are joined by by comedians Josie Long, Darren Harriott, David O'Doherty and Ria Lina for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Kitti and David O'Doherty.

Clive Anderson and Andrew O' Neill are joined by Paul Merton, Gail Porter, Levi Roots and Anu Vaidyanathan for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Pictish Trail and Leila Navabi.

Anneka Rice and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.

Clive Anderson and Sara Cox are joined by Freema Agyeman, John O'Farrell, Dr Xand van Tulleken and Ravinder Bhogal for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Lady Nade and Saramaccan Sound (Suriname)

Danny Wallace and Emma Freud are joined by Danny Robins, Michelle de Swarte, Helen Czerski and Michael Akadiri for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy at Latitude Festival in Suffolk. With music from Connie Constance and Jerub.

Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.

Anneka Rice and Arthur Smith are joined by Kate Nash, Guvna B, Alex Wheatle and Issy van Randwyck for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Reuben James. With music from The Coral and Reuben James.

Clive Anderson and Andrew O' Neill are joined by Lesley Sharp, DJ Fat Tony, Vivian Oparah and Ravneet Gill for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Keaton Henson and Lilo.

Danny Wallace and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.