BBC Radio 4 Extra Schedule Friday 23 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Great Lives—Malcolm McLaren
  
  Public relations expert Mark Borkowski discusses the life of the Sex Pistols' manager.
2. 00:30
  
  A Short History of the Fork
  
  Four curved prongs from a fat ridge, joined to a handle. Joe Farrell investigates forks.
3. 01:00
  
  Whodunnits—Baldi - Series 1, 5. Death Cap
  
  5/6 A sudden death at a monastic retreat causes sleuth Paolo Baldi to suspect foul play.
4. 01:45
  
  Decameron Nights: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio—Love Lies Sleeping
  
  9/10 Beppo’s wife wakes him up to tell him a story. But the night has only just begun.
5. 02:00
  
  Yes Minister—Series 1, Doing the Honours
  
  7/8 Jim Hacker is outwitted by Sir Humphrey during an economy drive.
6. 02:30
  
  Give Or Take—Episode 4
  
  4/8 Sam and Annabel are off to London to collect their pools cheque and celebrate.
7. 03:00
  
  All Those Women—Series 1, Episode 2
  
  2/4 Jen is driven to compete with Stuart in the parenting stakes.
8. 03:30
  
  Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth—7. The Wake
  
  7/8 Faithful castle retainer Old Thady recalls his service to the Rackrents: the wake.
9. 03:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters.com, 4. Contractions
  
  4/10 Following a falling-out with Vera, Irene's off to Australia to see her pregnant daughter.
10. 04:00
  
  Say the Word—Episode 4
  
  4/6 Frank Delaney's language game includes a comic turn from The Nimmo Twins.
11. 04:30
  
  HR—Series 2, Dogging
  
  2/6 Sam hopes a rescue dog can soothe grumpy Peter's retirement.
12. 05:00
  
  From Lagos With Love by Janice Okoh
  
  A London lawyer uncovers fraud in a Nigerian oil company.
13. 05:45
  
  Short Works—Series 1, Pork Cooked with Prunes in Vouvray by Tessa Hadley
  
  In the 1970s, Alison meets Mia - a glamorous and beautiful woman. But is she happy?
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Whodunnits—Baldi - Series 1, 6. Devil Take the Hindmost
  
  6/6 The priest probes a student's death. Is a devil-worshipping campus gang to blame?
2. 06:45
  
  Decameron Nights: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio—A Quiet Night in Naples
  
  10/10 Country boy Andreuccio wants to buy a horse in Naples, but it's not as easy as it seems.
3. 07:00
  
  Taking It Up the Octave—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade.
4. 07:30
  
  Steptoe and Son—Series 3, TB or Not TB
  
  4/8 Sixty years of smoking takes its toll on Albert. Adapted from TV with Wilfrid Brambell.
5. 08:00
  
  The Break—Series 1, Sunday, Flipping Sunday
  
  4/6 Jeff and Andy are on a quest - Jeff for spiritual solace, Andy for a proper roast dinner.
6. 08:30
  
  Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth—8. A hundred golden guineas to a sixpence
  
  8/8 Faithful castle retainer Old Thady recalls his service to the Rackrents: sixpence.
7. 08:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters.com, 5. The Stalker
  
  5/10 Irene emails about her grandchild's early arrival, but Vera's getting impatient.
8. 09:00
  
  Dan Does Dating—Series 1, Madeline
  
  1/4 Can Dan get through a date without arguing?
9. 09:30
  
  Encounters with Victoria—10. The Sinking of a Great Ship
  
  10/10 Lucy Worsley explores the relationship between Queen Victoria and Bishop Randall Davidson.
10. 09:45
  
  Daily Service—United in Communion
  
  Christian reflection and music with Fr John McLuckie of Old St Paul's Church, Edinburgh
11. 10:00
  
  Soul Music—Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns
  
  Ae Fond Kiss: one of Robert Burns' most famous poems set to music.
12. 10:30
  
  Best Friends Forever: Robert Burns and Mrs Dunlop
  
  Novelist Louise Welsh explores the unlikeliest best friends in Scottish letters.
13. 11:00
  
  Whodunnits—Baldi - Series 1, 6. Devil Take the Hindmost
  
  6/6 The priest probes a student's death. Is a devil-worshipping campus gang to blame?
14. 11:45
  
  Decameron Nights: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio—A Quiet Night in Naples
  
  10/10 Country boy Andreuccio wants to buy a horse in Naples, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  Taking It Up the Octave—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade.
2. 12:30
  
  Steptoe and Son—Series 3, TB or Not TB
  
  4/8 Sixty years of smoking takes its toll on Albert. Adapted from TV with Wilfrid Brambell.
3. 13:00
  
  The Break—Series 1, Sunday, Flipping Sunday
  
  4/6 Jeff and Andy are on a quest - Jeff for spiritual solace, Andy for a proper roast dinner.
4. 13:30
  
  Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth—8. A hundred golden guineas to a sixpence
  
  8/8 Faithful castle retainer Old Thady recalls his service to the Rackrents: sixpence.
5. 13:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters.com, 5. The Stalker
  
  5/10 Irene emails about her grandchild's early arrival, but Vera's getting impatient.
6. 14:00
  
  The Personality Test—Series 1, Gyles Brandreth
  
  3/4 The broadcaster, author and ex-MP quizzes a panel about himself.
7. 14:30
  
  A Whole 'Nother Story—Series 1, Velvet Pants and Padded Bras
  
  2/4 Cassie is upset after her dating agency rejection. Can Pete cheer her up?
8. 15:00
  
  The Middle by Amelia Bullmore
  
  A close family is brought to its knees by one momentary indiscretion. Stars Emma Cunniffe.
9. 16:00
  
  Soul Music—Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns
  
  Ae Fond Kiss: one of Robert Burns' most famous poems set to music.
10. 16:30
  
  Best Friends Forever: Robert Burns and Mrs Dunlop
  
  Novelist Louise Welsh explores the unlikeliest best friends in Scottish letters.
11. 17:00
  
  Whodunnits—Baldi - Series 1, 6. Devil Take the Hindmost
  
  6/6 The priest probes a student's death. Is a devil-worshipping campus gang to blame?
12. 17:45
  
  Decameron Nights: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio—A Quiet Night in Naples
  
  10/10 Country boy Andreuccio wants to buy a horse in Naples, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Taking It Up the Octave—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade.
2. 18:30
  
  Steptoe and Son—Series 3, TB or Not TB
  
  4/8 Sixty years of smoking takes its toll on Albert. Adapted from TV with Wilfrid Brambell.
3. 19:00
  
  The Break—Series 1, Sunday, Flipping Sunday
  
  4/6 Jeff and Andy are on a quest - Jeff for spiritual solace, Andy for a proper roast dinner.
4. 19:30
  
  Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth—8. A hundred golden guineas to a sixpence
  
  8/8 Faithful castle retainer Old Thady recalls his service to the Rackrents: sixpence.
5. 19:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters.com, 5. The Stalker
  
  5/10 Irene emails about her grandchild's early arrival, but Vera's getting impatient.
6. 20:00
  
  The Personality Test—Series 1, Gyles Brandreth
  
  3/4 The broadcaster, author and ex-MP quizzes a panel about himself.
7. 20:30
  
  A Whole 'Nother Story—Series 1, Velvet Pants and Padded Bras
  
  2/4 Cassie is upset after her dating agency rejection. Can Pete cheer her up?
8. 21:00
  
  The Middle by Amelia Bullmore
  
  A close family is brought to its knees by one momentary indiscretion. Stars Emma Cunniffe.
9. 22:00
  
  Dan Does Dating—Series 1, Madeline
  
  1/4 Can Dan get through a date without arguing?
10. 22:30
  
  Four Sleepless Knights—1. Sir David's Quest for Sheep, Sorry, Sleep
  
  1/4 David thinks he is a tree. But he still can't sleep....
11. 22:45
  
  Life With Lederer—Series 1, 1. The Body Beautiful
  
  1/5 Helen Lederer reveals her recipes for coping with life, beginning with losing weight.
12. 23:00
  
  The Masterson Inheritance—Series 2, The Gangrene of the Mastersons
  
  5/6 The Masterson’s epic Crimean War struggle of carnage, carnality and cads.
13. 23:30
  
  Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking—Series 1, Episode 4
  
  4/6 Sketches from the award-winning comedian, including a day in the life of a lock keeper.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Soul Music—Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns
  
  Ae Fond Kiss: one of Robert Burns' most famous poems set to music.
2. 00:30
  
  Best Friends Forever: Robert Burns and Mrs Dunlop
  
  Novelist Louise Welsh explores the unlikeliest best friends in Scottish letters.
3. 01:00
  
  Whodunnits—Baldi - Series 1, 6. Devil Take the Hindmost
  
  6/6 The priest probes a student's death. Is a devil-worshipping campus gang to blame?
4. 01:45
  
  Decameron Nights: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio—A Quiet Night in Naples
  
  10/10 Country boy Andreuccio wants to buy a horse in Naples, but it's not as easy as it seems.
5. 02:00
  
  Taking It Up the Octave—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade.
6. 02:30
  
  Steptoe and Son—Series 3, TB or Not TB
  
  4/8 Sixty years of smoking takes its toll on Albert. Adapted from TV with Wilfrid Brambell.
7. 03:00
  
  The Break—Series 1, Sunday, Flipping Sunday
  
  4/6 Jeff and Andy are on a quest - Jeff for spiritual solace, Andy for a proper roast dinner.
8. 03:30
  
  Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth—8. A hundred golden guineas to a sixpence
  
  8/8 Faithful castle retainer Old Thady recalls his service to the Rackrents: sixpence.
9. 03:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters.com, 5. The Stalker
  
  5/10 Irene emails about her grandchild's early arrival, but Vera's getting impatient.
10. 04:00
  
  The Personality Test—Series 1, Gyles Brandreth
  
  3/4 The broadcaster, author and ex-MP quizzes a panel about himself.
11. 04:30
  
  A Whole 'Nother Story—Series 1, Velvet Pants and Padded Bras
  
  2/4 Cassie is upset after her dating agency rejection. Can Pete cheer her up?
12. 05:00
  
  The Middle by Amelia Bullmore
  
  A close family is brought to its knees by one momentary indiscretion. Stars Emma Cunniffe.

Saturday 24 January 2026