For great food, get on your bike!

 Too many cooks… goes the saying. But it seems we can’t get enough of celebrity chefs these days. And two of the most enthusiastic at getting their message across to the nation are Simon King and Dave Myers – who have just been touring the country putting together a new TV series... this time on British food. So what gets their juices flowing?

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Satish Kumar: "unity, not uniformity"

 Jayne Warren interviews Satish Kumar, perhaps best described as a modern day Ghandhi inspired by Betrand Russell and the internationally renowned speaker on Ecological issues, author and Editor of Resurgence magazine. A regular contributor to Thought for the Day on Radio 4, he recently appeared on Desert Island Discs with Sue Lawley. His new book "Spiritual Compass" explores themes he has been developing throughout his life on the issue of spirituality in an increasingly materialistic world.



The Bill: walking the beat for over 23 years

 It started life as a one-off drama entitled “Woodentop” in 1984. It has turned out to be one of television’s most enduring programmes, still running after 23 years and regularly reaching the Top Ten in the UK ratings war.

 

“The Bill”, set in the fictitious Sun Hill police station, follows the professional and personal lives of patrol and response officers as well as the work of the CID. Jayne Warren talks to two of the actors that made it so popular: Eric Richard (Sgt Cryer) and Trudie Goodwin (WPC Ackland).

Journey to the Centre of Rick Wakeman

 Rick Wakeman is many things to many people: a prolific maker of music, quiz panellist and bona fide grumpy old man. He has also just released a fascinating new CD and DVD featuring… some of his favourite hymns. Tony Watts talks to him.

Back to the Goodie Old Days

 All over the country, audiences are packing in to watch the return of one of the nation’s favourite comedy series of the last 30 years. And, as one of the triumvirate responsible explains, it’s largely thanks to their fans in Australia that the show is making its return. Tony Watts talks to Graeme Garden.

Being Anne Widdecombe

 What are the adjectives that spring to mind when you think of Anne Widdecombe? Redoubtable? Yes. Opinionated? Quite possibly. Outspoken? Absolutely. But whether or not you agree with her, at a time when our politicians are increasingly afraid to speak off message, she remains one of the few conviction politicians prepared to speak her mind on issues that really matter to her. Tony Watts went to meet her.

Raymond Blanc: still cooking up a Gallic storm

 British cuisine has come a long way since the dark days of the 70s – and few people have done more than Raymond Blanc to make that happen.

 

Tony Watts meets the man who puts the French in French cuisine.

Dick Francis: the master rides again!

 Dick Francis is one of our best loved crime writers. And, after a self-imposed creative break following the death of his wife, has got firmly back in the saddle with "Under Orders".

 

Tony Watts goes to meet him.

Music, sweet music

 Martha Reeves will forever be remembered for her sixties anthem “Dancing in the Streets”.

And as Tony Watts discovers, it’s a song she is still proud to sing, and hold up as one of the tracks that not only defined an era but also played a part in generating inter-racial harmony.

Is this the way to a new UK career?

 His was the biggest single selling single of 2005 – after years of being a neglected act in the UK.

Tony Watts talks to Tony Christie, the man who now finds himself on the cusp of a big new tour and his first UK album for 30 years.

No regrets for Bill Wyman

 As bass player in the ‘greatest rock and roll band in the world’ for over thirty years, Bill Wyman, along with the other members of The Rolling Stones, helped shape popular culture during the 1960s.

But “Leaving the band was the best thing I ever did,” ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman tells Dale Lovell.

From garden gloves to stockings!

 So what is it about Alan Titchmarsh? Gardener extraordinary. Author, All round nice guy. And, much to his own surprise, many ladies’ “thinking women’s crumpet”.

 

Tony Watts went to find out.

 

Lulu’s still in town!

 A lot has changed since 1964 when a pretty, petite Glaswegian schoolgirl launched herself into the charts with a bold-as-brass cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout!”.

 

We meet the lady behind millions of records - and catalogue covers! - and very much in the public eye again having recently completed a tour with Elton John and now touring with Jools Holland.

Jack’s still on song

 Tony Watts puts a transAtlantic call in to Jack Jones, who may not have the single hits he once enjoyed, but who's still touring and still playing to big audiences around the world keen to hear his old material - and new albums.

Ride Sally, ride

 Without Sally Boazman’s finger on the pulse and sultry tones on the radio, Britain might be one long traffic jam – all of the time rather than just some of it. Mature Times editor Tony Watts went to meet her and, as he discovers, she intends to age as disgracefully as possible and “go out” on a motorbike going at 80 on the motorway.