Inheritance Tracks

Russell T Davies 06.06.2026 5мин

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 5мин

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 5мин

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 5мин

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 5мин

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 5мин

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 5мин

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 4мин

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 4мин

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 4мин

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 5мин

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 6мин

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 5мин

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 4мин

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

Andy Zaltzman 28.02.2026 5мин

When the cricket loving comedian Andy Zaltzman is not dotting balls and crossing fours off the Test Match Special stats sheet he can be found hosting The News Quiz on Radio 4 and on stage with his new stand-up tour Zaltgeist.But it was his father's love of blues that sparked his love of music...and bad trumpet playing. Inherited: Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters Passing on: My Very Best by The Big MoonProducer: Ben Mitchell

Marian Keyes 21.02.2026 5мин

The Irish writer, Marian Keyes, has sold 35 million novels in 33 languages, and a new BBC series "The Walsh Sisters" is inspired by some of her most famous work.From her debut novel over 30 years ago to last year's "My Favourite Mistake", she’s championed women's stories and never shied away from discussing her own life and addiction to alcohol.Her Inheritance Tracks are both enjoyable and moving in equal measure.Inherited: Only Our Rivers Run Free by Christy Moore Passing on: The Bottle by Gil Scott-HeronProducers: Ben Mitchell and Jesse Edwards

Matt Edmondson 14.02.2026 5мин

Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson has two passions...music and games.He is the creator of the much played game Obama Lama and co-founded the boardgame company Format Games.Both music and games are important loves that he shares with his daughters…Inherited: I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys Passing on: Green Light by LordeProducer: Ben Mitchell

Riz Ahmed 07.02.2026 5мин

The Oscar winning actor Riz Ahmed, whose new film sees him star alongside Timothy Spall as the tragic Prince of Denmark in a modern retelling of Hamlet, is a passionate music aficionado. His most critically acclaimed role perhaps came in the film a Sound of Metal where he played a drummer coming to terms with going deaf, a role which saw him become the first Muslim performer to be nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.But the music that runs deepest brings with it memories of his childhood and Pakistani heritage.Inherited: Aap Jaisa Koi by Nazia Hassan Passing on: Gabriel by Roy Davis Jr.Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Mika 31.01.2026 5мин

Our inheritance tracks this week come from the musician and broadcaster Mika, who is back out on tour with his latest album Hyperlove. Mika was born in Lebanon, and raised in Cyprus, Paris and London, all of which feed into his intriguing new album and makes for a fascinating edition of Inheritance Tracks. Inherited: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana Passing on: Pata Pata by Miriam MakebaProducer: Ben Mitchell

Claire Foy 24.01.2026 5мин

Claire Foy is an actor who’s enjoyed great success playing two queens, one of whom enjoyed a significantly longer reign than the other, as Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth II. Before going to see her in her new film, an adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s fabulous memoir, H is for Hawk - what better way to understand the woman behind the camera lens that hearing the music most important to her.Inherited: When You Were Sweet 16 by Perry Como Passing on: Blóðberg by Sigur RósProducers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey