Inheritance Tracks

Adrian Lester 18.07.2026 5min

The actor Adrian Lester has had hearts a flutter from Stratford-upon-Avon to London in his latest role as Cyrano De Bergerac.The Birmingham born Hustle star's first experience of performing was in the choir at St Chad's Cathedral, before going onto win the Laurence-Olivier-Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical', for his performance in Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Company'. So with singing in his blood we decided to ask what his Inheritance Tracks would be...Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna BaileyInherited: Redemption Song by Bob Marley Passing on: Proud to be a Dread by Des'ree

Nisha Katona 11.07.2026 5min

TV personality, chef and restaurateur behind Mowgli Street Food restaurants on the tracks that have shaped her.Inherited: ABBA - The Day Before You Came Pass on: Leonard Cohen - Dance With Me to the End of Love Producer: Lowri Morgan Researcher: Jesse Edwards

Clare Grogan 04.07.2026 6min

The Singer-Songwriter on the tracks that have inspired her work and life. Inherited: Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson Pass on: Sara by Fleetwood MacProducer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Mark Billingham 27.06.2026 4min

The best selling crime author on the tracks that have inspired him. Inherited: Have Mercy on the Criminal by Elton John Pass on: He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones

Lorraine Kelly 20.06.2026 6min

The Inheritance Tracks are the choice of the much-loved broadcaster Lorraine Kelly as featured in BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live on 20 June 2026.Inherited: Jupiter from The Planet Suite by Holst Pass on: Starman by David Bowie Producer: Anna Bailey(Picture credit: Nicky Johnston)

Nat Sciver-Brunt 13.06.2026 3min

Nat Sciver-Brunt is the captain of England's Women Cricket Team and one of the world’s leading all-round cricketersIn June 2026, Nat is presently engaged in trying to lead the side to triumph in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. With proven leadership at the highest level, she’s found the time to share with us her Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: Robbie Williams - Angels Pass On: Extreme - More Than Words

Russell T Davies 06.06.2026 5min

The screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies.From being best known to being the show-runner for the reboot of Dr Who, he’s looked at life in London during the 1980s with the series It’s A Sin and his latest TV drama is set in contemporary Manchester.His Inheritance Tracks are inspired by his family and a lost loved one.Inherited: Oh What A Beautiful Morning by Howard Keel Pass On: Americano by Lady GaGaProducer: Anna Bailey

Katie Razzall 30.05.2026 5min

The journalist and broadcaster Katie Razzall is the BBC’s culture and media editor - and co-host of The Media Show.She was formerly Newsnight’s UK editor and correspondent for Channel 4 News - but has long harboured a dream of being a WWII French resistance member.Her Inheritance Tracks are incredibly moving…Inherited: Petite Fleur by Sidney Bechet Passing on: Long Time Coming by DelaysProducer: Ben Mitchell

Prue Leith 23.05.2026 5min

Dame Prue Leith has written more than a dozen cookery books, seven novels, and her new memoir - "Being Old...and learning to love it!" - she explores the trials and taboos of growing older.She's no stranger to a kitchen disco with her roles on the Great British Menu and Bake Off - but has always been too afraid to sing.That is until an appearance on ITV's hit show, The Masked Singer.Let's see if her Inheritance Tracks can cook up a storm.Inherited: The Ugly Duckling by Danny Kaye Passing on: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' by Gordon MacRae (The Masked Singer, Bandicoot Productions, ITV)Producer: Ben Mitchell

Jason Watkins 16.05.2026 5min

This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from stage and screen actor, Jason Watkins. Jason has been in brilliant in TV productions as various as the Crown, W1A and the The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries for which he won a BAFTA. Inherited: Al Bowlly - Love is the Sweetest Thing Pass on: Human League – Together in Electric DreamsProducer: Ribika Moktan

Nick Robinson 09.05.2026 5min

This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from Presenter and Journalist, Nick Robinson. Nick is the BBC’s and ITV former political editor and he started as a presenter on Today (Radio 4) in November 2015.Here are the two tracks most dear to him:Inherited: The Carpet Crawlers by Genesis taken from the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Pass On: Beethoven's Fidelio quartet - Mir ist so wunderbar Producers: Lowri Morgan and Jesse Edwards.

Liz Earle 02.05.2026 5min

The Inheritance Tracks featured on this week's Saturday Live with Adrian Chiles, come from the skincare entrepreneur Liz Earle whose eponymous beauty brand has been going strong for more than thirty years. Liz has no fewer than 35 books to her name and her latest, How to Age, is out now. Inherited: These Boots Are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra Passing on: One Love by David Guetta featuring EstelleProducer: Anna Bailey

Laura Mvula 25.04.2026 5min

Our Inheritance Tracks this week come from the singer-songwriter Laura Mvula.From hits such as Green Garden, to Sing To The Moon, and to live stage performances at the BBC Promos, Laura’s music is a mix of jazz, classical and Rhythm and Blues. Growing up in Birmingham, Laura went on to study composition at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, before releasing her Mercury Prize-nominated debut album 'Sing to the Moon' in 2013. She has been nominated for the prestigious award three timesInherited: Golden Brown by Omar Passing on: The World Is Yours by Nas Producer: Anna Bailey

James McAvoy 18.04.2026 4min

From Shameless to X-Men, Atonement and His Dark Materials…James McAvoy seems to have mastered his craft in-front of the camera - so has decided to try his hand at calling the shots.His directorial debut, California Schemin', sees two chaps from Dundee in Scotland pretend to be American rappers to land a record deal.A story that sounds stranger than fiction - but is true.So now seemed like the perfect time to hear about the music that inspires him.Inherited: Maggie May by Rod Stewart Passing on: Ally Bally Bee sung by Mary Anne PatersonProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Noah Wyle 11.04.2026 4min

Our Inheritance Tracks this week come from the actor Noah Wyle.From ER to The Pitt, Noah’s career on screen echoes that of his mother who worked as a nurse.But music was always a familial pastime. Inherited: We Belong Together by Rickie Lee Jones Passing on: Peter and the Wolf composed by Sergei Prokofiev and performed by the New York PhilharmonicProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Lesley Joseph 04.04.2026 4min

This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from an actress with a strong claim for national treasure status – Lesley Joseph.With a career spanning over sixty years, she has entertained us as on the small screen in the likes of Birds of a Feather and on stage as Mother Superior in the Sister Act musical.Inherited: Marche Militaire composed by Franz Schubert and performed by the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra Passing on: What About Us by P!nkProducers: Lowri Morgan and Ben Mitchell

Lisa Kudrow 28.03.2026 5min

Our inheritance tracks this week come from Lisa Kudrow, no less. The Emmy Award-winning star from Friends returns to our screens in the latest series of The Comeback.As Phoebe Buffay her attempts at music-making were famously harrowing – but her Inheritance Tracks, predictably enough, are a real joy.Inherited: Downtown by Petula Clark Passing on: Wonderful Baby by Don McLeanProducers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Dr Sian Williams 21.03.2026 6min

Dr Sian Williams is a chartered counselling psychologist working in the NHS. Sian presented BBC Breakfast for over a decade, as well as Saturday Live between 2012 and 2014. Radio 4 listeners will know her from her series Life Changing which returns in April. Her book on living well with anxiety called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ is out now. Inherited: Calon Lan by Cerys Matthews and The Fron Male Voice Choir Pass on: Better Together by Jack Johnson Producer: Catherine Powell

Adam Fleming 14.03.2026 5min

Adam Fleming is a familiar voice and face to many across the BBC. He is now the presenter on the daily news podcast, Newscast and also hosts AntiSocial on BBC Radio 4.Adam spends much of his time explaining the twists and turns of politics to the public. But, away from the world of breaking news, music has played its own part in his life.Inherited: Jump by Girls Aloud Passed on: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1, recomposed by Max RichterProducer: Ben Mitchell

Mike Wozniak 07.03.2026 4min

Mike Wozniak is a comedian and writer who is perhaps best known for Man Down and as co-host of Junior Taskmaster. Along with his trusted trademark moustache he is returning to the comedy circuit with his new tour The Bench.But it was a childhood of bad violin and faking it with a guitar that sparked his love of music.Inherited: Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt and Quintette du Hot Club de France Passing on: Corpus Christi Carol by Jeff BuckleyProducer: Ben Mitchell