Dr Pamela Cox, Pam Ayres, John Taylor and Sean Hughes

Midweek

Hardeep Singh Kohli meets social historian Dr Pamela Cox, Pam Ayres, John Taylor of Duran Duran and comedian Sean Hughes.

Social historian Dr Pamela Cox presents a new three part series, Servants - The True Story of Life Below Stairs, which uncovers the reality of servants' lives from the Victorian era through to the Second World War. Pam herself is the great-granddaughter of servants. Servants - The True Story of Life Below Stairs will be broadcast on BBC Two.

Pam Ayres is a writer and broadcaster who has been entertaining audiences for over 35 years since winning the talent show Opportunity Knocks, with her take on the comic detail of everyday life. Her autobiography, 'The Necessary Aptitude' is published by Ebury. She is also touring the UK and will be presenting the fourth series of 'Ayres on the Air' on Radio 4 Extra and later on Radio 4.

John Taylor is the bass player and a founding member of the band Duran Duran. His autobiography, 'In The Pleasure Groove' recounts the bands thirty year history, his addiction to drugs and alcohol and tells stories of his times hanging out with Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, and Bryan Ferry. 'In The Pleasure Groove' is published by Little Brown.

Comedian Sean Hughes' was the youngest ever winner of the Perrier Award and has also won a Fringe First for his short plays, 'Dehydrated' and 'Travellin' Light'. His latest show, 'Life Becomes Noises' deals with the death of his father and their relationship using puppetry and costumes, in front of a theatrical set. 'Life Becomes Noises' is touring the UK from October.

Producer: Paula McGinley.