Radio Oldie

Editor Harry Mount and Supplements Editor Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf discuss the new issue of the Oldie. In his book, Idle in Provence, Eric Idle looks back at 55 years in his French hideaway. In his interview with Harry Mount, he mourns the terrible loss of 29 nearby houses in the forest fires this summer. And he still doesn't know why the other Pythons aren't talking to him any more. Fruity is much moved by Rachael Stirling's new book about her mother, Diana Rigg, and the actor Simon Williams's review of the book. And they discuss the theory coined by Oldie rock columnist Mark Ellen - that stars are frozen at the age they become famous. Nigel Planer - Neil in The Young Ones - is much taken with the theory in his article in the new issue. All in the thrilling October issue! This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

We're not at war, says John - so why waste money that could go to African aid? Russian attacks are increasing - and the Far Right is on the march - across Europe. So we must pay to keep them at bay, says Matthew. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Ian La Frenais tells Harry Mount about his extraordinary writing partnership with Dick Clement that has lasted over 60 years. Starting with The Likely Lads in 1964, they have written Porridge, Lovejoy, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - and The Commitments. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Mary Beard speaking about his new book, Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Julian Lloyd-Webber speaking about his new book, Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Matthew Sweet speaking about his new book, The Great Dictator: A Life of Barbara Cartland , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Natalie Livingstone is a writer whose book, The Nuremberg Women , published earlier this year, became an instant bestseller. She’s also chairs the Cliveden Literary Festival, now in its ninth year and coming up in October. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the festival and about extraordinary women involved in the Nuremberg trials. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Robert Harris tells Harry Mount about his new historical novel, Agrippa. Agrippa, Emperor Augustus's righthand man, built the Pantheon and won the Battle of Actium. But he was a plebeian - and the ultimate insider-outsider of the Roman Empire. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Nigel Havers is the well-known actor, renowned for his numerous movies from Passage to India with David Lean to Chariots of Fire alongside his television work. He’s been in The Charmer and acted for long stints in Coronation Street , Don’t Wait Up and the very popular The Bidding Room . He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest one-man show Talking Bollocks , being in the annual pantomime at the Palladium and much more. This week’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Harry Mount, Oldie editor, talks to Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf, Supplements Editor, about the new issue. They discuss Mary Kenny's article on what it means to be bohemian. They salute Geoff Roberts, 101, the last British survivor of Operation Market Garden in Arnhem in 1944. And they swap their favourite hymns as they read the article by Sarah Sands, publisher of Hymns Ancient & Modern, who's campaigning to revive those glorious songs.

Michael Rosen is the multi award-winning and prolific children’s author and poet and the former Children’s Laureate. He’s also the presenter of BBC Radio Four’s Word of Mouth , a hugely successful You Tuber and Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmith’s College. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book Where are You Eddie? Exploring his feelings around his son’s tragic death from Meningitis, as well as about his own near death from Covid and his life and work. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

John Humphrys talks to Matthew Norman about the death of Rod Liddle, 66, his dear friend and old producer at the Today programme. John also salutes his old Today colleague, the late Ed Stourton, and analyses the art of the perfect interview. Recorded at Yamaha Studios This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf pays tribute to her dear Cambridge friend, the BBC broadcaster Ed Stourton, who has died at 68. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Amanda Craig is a critic, award-winning journalist and author. She’s one of our only female state-of-the-nation novelists and has been compared with Balzac, Trollope and Dickens. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her latest novel High and Low . This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Titus Mills is a headmaster - and an expert on Operation Market Garden, the doomed Allied landings in Holland in 1944, recalled in A Bridge Too Far (1977). As we approach the 82nd anniversary, Titus took a group of Oldie readers to Arnhem. There, he told Harry Mount about the many veterans he got to know and their epic, heroic actions.

Editor Harry Mount chats to Supplements Editor Charlotte Metcalf about the new issue. They admire the article on David Hockney by his friend, biographer and fellow Yorkshireman, Christopher Sykes. And they're moved and abused by Anne Sebba's distress at all the condolence letters on her husband's premature death. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

It will be his last book, he says. As England play the semi-final against Argentina, he recalls the 1996 Euro semi-final against Germany and the 1998 World Cup, and how he consoled David Beckham after losing. He doesn’t really miss football because he was never really a fan. Rather, he admired the qualities of individual players from different teams. And he did all he could wish for in his career. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Tony Adams speaking about his new book, 1996 - Reflections on the Year that Changed My Life , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Rowan Williams speaking about his new book, Solidarity - The Work of Recognition , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

A N Wilson speaking about his new book, The Wise and their Works - The Great Exhibition of 1851 , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026. This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.