Matthew Bannister on Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope who was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle. Paddy Higson, the TV and film producer once described as “the mother of the Scottish film industry”. Jed Mercurio and Clare Grogan pay tribute. And David Sassoon, the fashion designer who dressed royalty and film stars. Dame Zandra …

Matthew Bannister on Anne Scargill, who founded the Women Against Pit Closures group when her husband Arthur was leading the Miners Strike of the 1980s. The actor Maxine Peake pays tribute. Ronnie Appleton who was Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles. Cecil Wright, the Jamaican born cricketer who made his ma…

Rogue One: A Star Wars Science Fiction Movie (2016): Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Forest Whitaker, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jimmy Smits, Genevieve O'Reilly. Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/b…

Matthew Bannister on Lord Kalms, who turned his family’s camera shop into the multi-million-pound Dixons electronics chain. Melissa Llewellyn-Davies, the anthropologist who made an acclaimed TV series about Kenya’s Masai tribe before turning her camera on the UK. Rex Cowan, the lawyer who changed career to become one of the world’s most successful …

Andor (2022 Star Wars TV Show): Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard, Genevieve O'Reilly, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis, Kyle Soiler, Fiona Shaw. Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblem…

Matthew Bannister on The Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors. Jane Reed, the media executive who made Woman’s Own magazine a powerful voice for its readers at a time of changing roles for women in society. Sir Torquil Norman, who used the proceeds from the sale of his successful toy business…

Matthew Bannister on Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB agent who defected to Britain and became a valued source of secret intelligence during the 1970s and 80s. Renee Goddard, the actress and TV commissioner who fled Nazi persecution only to be interned in Britain. Professor Richard Fortey, the palaeontologist who used his expertise in trilobites to tell st…

Daredevil: Born Again (2025): Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://cr…

Matthew Bannister on: Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC , the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain during the second world war. Dame Julie Kenny, the successful businesswoman from Rotherham who led the regeneration of one of Britain’s largest stately homes. Tuppy Owens, who campaigned for greater openness about sex…

Kirsty Lang on: Athol Fugard, the playwright whose art became synonymous with exposing the inequities of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Janet Pharaoh, the dancer from Yorkshire who became the artistic director at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Alison Halford who rose through the ranks to become the first female Assistant Chief Constable. Johnny …

The Omega Man (1971): Charlton Heston Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Podcast cover art by Rodney Holmes with Vecteezy. …

Matthew Bannister on Bill Dare, the writer and producer behind some of Radio 4’s best loved comedies, including “The Now Show” and “Dead Ringers”. Jan Ravens pays tribute. Clint Hill, the American Secret Service agent who threw himself across President John F. Kennedy’s body after he was shot in Dallas. Valérie André, the first woman General in the…

The Last of Us (2023 TV Series): Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Podcast cover art by Rodney …

John Wilson on: Musician Roberta Flack, best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. Dr David Hessayon, the author of a series of gardening books known as The Expert guides. His one word advice to keen gardeners was 'mulch'. Keith Dewhurst whose work for television and stage included the National’s unconventional adapta…

StocktonCon Winter (February 16, 2025) C. Andrew Nelson: Darth Vader -Adventurous Ideas www.adventurousideas.com Teren Clan Northern California [email protected] Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1…

John Wilson on Rick Buckley, the drummer in The Jam, one of the most popular and influential British bands of the 70s and 80s. Margaret Miles-Bramwell who founded Slimming World in response to what she saw as humiliation tactics by weight loss groups. World War Two fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr, part of the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen who…

DunDraCon 48 (February 15, 2025) Gaming Convention Amtgard SCA Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Podcast cover art by Rodn…

Matthew Bannister on Nigel McCrery, the former police officer who created the popular TV series “Silent Witness” and “New Tricks”. Andrée Dumon, who rescued many allied service men during the Second World War by escorting them along “The Comet Line” from Brussels to Paris. Lord Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru and the first Presiding O…

Highlander (1986) Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Podcast …

Matthew Bannister on Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a burglar and started a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves. Pete Wilkinson, the co-founder of Greenpeace UK, known for his high-profile direct-action campaigns. Loretta Ford, who pioneered the role of nurse practitioner in American health care. Mar…

East Bay Comic Con (February 2, 2025) Brandon McKinney : Lower Decks, Batman Beyond, Harley Quinn, Scooby-Doo Christopher Schenek: Batman Beyond, The Lord of the Rings, G.I. Joe, Ultimate Spider-Man, Strange E. Strange Ben Ferrari: Red 5 comics: Carriers Alex De Luca: Red 5 comics: Dragon Whisperer Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed…

Matthew Bannister on The Reverend Don Cupitt, the controversial theologian whose TV series “The Sea of Faith” asked in what form - if any - is Christian faith possible for us today? Phyllis Dalton, the Oscar winning costume designer who worked on classic films, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago” and “Oliver!”. Cecile Richards, the Ame…

Matthew Bannister on Dame Joan Plowright, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation who was married to Laurence Olivier. Dame Judi Dench pays tribute. Sir Jim Walker, who built up his family business from a small bakery in the North of Scotland to become a global food exporter. Barbara Clegg, the first woman to write a story for Dr Who.…

Matthew Bannister on The comedian and actor Tony Slattery. Sir Stephen Fry reflects on his friend’s talent – and struggle with addiction and poor mental health. Dame Rosalind Savill, the respected director who brought new audiences to the Wallace Collection in London. Paddy Hill, one of six men wrongly convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birm…

Tony Slattery was known for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards. He also played comedic and serious roles in films such as crime thriller The Crying Game, Peter's Friends and the dark comedy How to Get Ahead in Advertising. Tony died on 14th January 2025. For Last Word, Matthew B…

Castlevania (2017 TV series): James Callis Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Alejandra Reynosa Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-…

Matthew Bannister on Jean-Marie Le Pen, who built up the French right wing National Front Party before being ejected from it by his daughter. Catherine Brown, the food writer who championed traditional Scottish cuisine. Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, the parliamentarian who fought for consumer rights. And the radio DJ Johnnie Walker, known for his pass…

The Martian (2015): Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Mackenzie Davis, Benedict Wong, Donald Glover, Chen Shu, Eddy Ko, Chiwetel Ejiofor Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License…

Kirsty Lang on Former US President Jimmy Carter whose time in office between 1976 and 1980 was beset by economic and diplomatic crises. Caroline Miller OBE, the former Chief Executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet who commissioned bold and experimental productions to great acclaim. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – considered to be the arc…

Lost in Space (1965): Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Jonathan Harris, Bob May, Dick Tufeld Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-februa…

John Wilson on Nikki Giovanni, a leading poet in the 1960s Black Arts Movement who is hailed as one of the most important artist-intellectuals of the 20th century. Gerd Heidemann, the German journalist who found himself at the centre of one of the greatest journalist scandals of the 20th century, the Hitler diaries hoax. Cherry Hill, the award-winn…

Matthew Bannister on Baroness Wilkins who became a wheelchair user after an accident aged 19 and went on to present TV programmes on disability issues and to campaign for the rights of disabled people. Charles Handy, the social philosopher and management theorist who predicted many changes to the world of work. Renee Bornstein who, as a child, surv…

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro. Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com…

Matthew Bannister on Wolfgang Stange, the director and choreographer who founded the Amici Dance Theatre Company which integrates able bodied and disabled performers. Sir Ben Kingsley pays tribute. Lord Renfrew, the leading archaeologist who used scientific techniques to challenge the received wisdom in his chosen discipline. Julie Stevens, the act…

Star Trek: The Original Series: The Doomsday Machine (1967): William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelly, William Windom Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://crea…

Matthew Bannister on Vicky Stone, the film maker who travelled to the remotest parts of Africa to make her award winning wildlife documentaries. Penny Chuter the medal winning rower who became coach of the GB team. Clifton Wharton Junior, the first black chancellor of a primarily white US university, the first African American to run a Fortune 500 …

Archane (2021 TV Series): Hailee Steinfield, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung, Toks Olagundoye, Harry Lloyd, Jason Spisak, JB Blanc, Reed Shannon, Mick Wingert, Ellen Thomas, Brett Tucker, Amirah Vann. Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocs…

Matthew Bannister on Madeleine Riffaud, the French resistance fighter who was tortured by the Gestapo, became a journalist and was embedded with the Vietcong in Vietnam. Chris Topp, the blacksmith who restored ironwork at Buckingham Palace, York Minster and St Paul’s Cathedral. Barbara Taylor Bradford, the best-selling author of A Woman of Substanc…

Terminator Zero (2024): Rosario Dawson, Timothy Olyphant, Andre Hollar, Sonoya Mizuno, Sumalee Montano, Armani Jackson, Gideon Adlon, Carter Rockwood Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-febr…

Matthew Bannister on Lord Prescott, the working-class lad who became Deputy Prime Minister. Stephanie Collie, whose costume designs for “Peaky Blinders” and “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” inspired street fashion. Dame Janet “Jinty” Nelson, the leading mediaeval historian who wrote an acclaimed biography of the Frankish King Charlemagne. Frank…

Phenomenon (1996) John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker, Brent Spiner Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Podcast co…

Matthew Bannister on the versatile actor Timothy West whose roles ranged from Shakespeare to soap operas. Sir Ian McKellen pays tribute. Sir John Nott, the Conservative politician who was Defence Secretary at the time of the Falklands War. June Spencer who played the matriarch of Ambridge, Peggy Wooley. She was the last original cast member. Nadia …

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 2: Is the Legend of Riker's Beard True? Patrick Stewart, Johnathon Frakes, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sertis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscom…

Matthew Bannister on Quincy Jones, the music producer, composer and arranger who worked with artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson. Janey Godley, the comedian who used her challenging childhood and youth in Glasgow as material for her shows. Lyudmila Trut, the Russian geneticist who dedicated her life to a revolutionary – and evolut…

Passengers (2016) : Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calendar-girl-february-mumblemix http://creativecommons.org/licenses/…

Matthew Bannister on Dick Pope, the cinematographer who worked closely with Director Mike Leigh on films like “Secrets and Lies” and “Mr Turner”. Mike pays tribute. Sister Sally Butler, the American nun who blew the whistle on historic child sex abuse in her New York parish. Professor Tim Darvill OBE, the archaeologist best known for his work on th…

John Carpenter's The Thing (1982): Kurt Russel, Keith David, Wilford Brimley, David Clen, T.K Carter, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat, Bill Lancaster, Larry Franco, Joel Polis, Thomas G. Waites, Charles Hallahan Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsoni…

Matthew Bannister on General Sir Mike Jackson, the Chief of the General Staff at the time of the Iraq War. Lily Ledbetter, whose campaign for equal pay led to an Act of Congress. Safeya Binzagr, the pioneering Saudi Arabian artist whose career flourished despite the cultural restrictions on women in her society Steve Piotrowski, the ornithologist w…

The Princess Bride (1987): Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the giant, Robin Wright, Peter Faulk, Billy Crystal, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest Music: February (mumblemix) this track is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commerical 3.0 Unported License. https://blocsonic.com/releases/track/bscomp0007-disc-1-6-calen…

Kirsty Lang on Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland. Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert F Kennedy who went onto become a campaigner for Human Rights. Ratan Tata, the businessman who led the Tata Group for more than two decades. Fleur Adcock, the poet who's conversational, irreverent style made her one of the most popular voices in British…