Inheritance Tracks

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James May Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

When he’s not working on his own gin brand, or his latest book, or guest editing the Today programme former petrol head James May is perhaps best known as the thinking man’s car guy from Top Gear and Grand Tour.

His trademark wry humour and self-deprecation make him an interesting TV presenter, no matter what he turns his attention to and he’s an excellent travel guide on the various James May Our Man In... series.

Born in Bristol, one of four children, he spent his teenage years in South Yorkshire and as someone who studied music at university and who’s apparently a rather accomplished musician.

We asked James what his Inheritance Tracks might be.

Inherited: Dream Darling Dream by McGuinness Flint Passed On: Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Producer: Ribika Moktan

Wynne Evans Dec 30, 2023

Show notes

Opera singer Wynne Evans was indelibly etched into the UK’s collective TV watching consciousness when he played Gio Compario - the moustachioed opera singer in those famous comparison site adverts.

Born in South-West Wales, Wynne is a professionally trained opera star and his operatic roles have seen him onstage at major opera houses here in the UK and across the globe, with his debut album ‘A Song in My Heart’ went to Number 1 in the classical charts.

This year, he won Celebrity MasterChef with a starter of Carmarthen-Japanese Tuna Tartare and a main course of Welsh lamb on samphire.

We asked Wynne to share his equally delicious Inheritance Tracks with us...

Inherited: Be My Love by Mario Lanza Passed on: Laudate Dominum - Vesperae Solennes de Confessore by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Sandi Toksvig Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

Writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig was born in Denmark to a Danish father and English mother and was brought up in Europe, Africa and the United States.

She’s done it all; politics, children's books, theatre plays, the great British Bake Off, and taken part in pretty much every panel show worth its salt, including of course hosting QI, the much loved and quite interesting panel show she’s hosted on television since 2016.

She was one of the members of the first all female comedy groups at Cambridge’s Footlights whilst gaining a first class degree, and in 2015 she co founded the Women's Equality Party. President of the Writers Guild of Great Britain, her writing credits take in radio, television and the stage.

Inherited: Secret Love by The Oscar Peterson Trio Passed on: Don't Rain on my Parade by Barbara Streisand

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Kelvin Fletcher Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

Kelvin Fletcher is best known for his portrayal of Andy Sugden in Emmerdale, a role he played for twenty years, and for which he won Best Actor at the British Soap awards for his portrayal.

When he was just six years old he went to Oldham Theatre Workshop where, before getting his big break in 1996.

He’s a father of four and a keen motor racer, and documented his buying of a 120 acre farm in the Peak District in a BBC documentary and in 2019 he won Strictly Come Dancing with his dancing partner Oti Mabuse.

Inherited: Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) by Frank Wilson Passed on: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Lucy Worsley Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

Before Lucy Worsley became a fixture on our TV screens as a trusted architectural and social historian she wanted to be either a spy, a witch or a nun.

But her father was a geologist and he wanted Lucy to be a scientist, so when she switched from the sciences to the humanities he was unimpressed and told her she’d never earn a living with a history degree!

It was a visit to Mompesson House, a National Trust property in Salisbury, when she was 18 that made her realise that keeping a historical place going was an actual job and one that spoke to her - she’s now Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces with an office in Hampton Court Palace.

So who, what and when will her Inheritance Tracks come from?

Inherited: Mozart Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major played by Maria João Pires Passed on: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis: The Seventh Service sung by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Romesh Ranganathan Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

This edition of Inheritance Tracks are chosen by Jonathan Ranganathan – better known, of course, by his middle name, Romesh.

The comedian, presenter and DJ was born in West Sussex in the late 1970s to Sri Lankan parents.

When he was 11, a friend left a cassette-tape at his house – labelled Public Enemy. Romesh listened – and that day, his love of hip-hop music began.

But not just hip-hop. Music has been a huge part of his family’s story...across the generations.

Inherited: Love Come Down by Evelyn "Champagne" King Passed on: Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Adam Henson Nov 25, 2023

Show notes

If farmer, TV presenter and writer Adam Henson was a stick of rock the word Cotswolds would be sweetly written through him.

He’s loved by millions of Countryfile viewers and probably a lot of lambs, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Highland cattle and horses too.

And he knows a thing or two about how food gets from farm to fork being an ambassador for British farming.

But will his Inheritance Tracks be pastorales, reflecting the bucolic nature of his life?

Inherited: Too Much Pressure by The Specials Passed on: Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Miles Jupp Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

The actor, writer, comedian and Radio 4 treasure, Miles Jupp has been delighting audiences for decades; from Balamory to The News Quiz and Rev.

Miles recently shared the news that he’d suffered a brain seizure - requiring complex neurosurgery.

Happily, he’s has made a good recovery, and he's about to go on tour...no doubt with his favourite music playing in the car as he criss-crosses the country.

Inherited: Just an Old Fashioned Girl by Eartha Kit Passing on: Wherever You Roam by The Proclaimers

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Derren Brown Nov 11, 2023

Show notes

Derren Brown amazes audiences with his extraordinary illusions and showmanship, as a mentalist and magic creator.

He captivates with his charm and is also disarmingly forthright and emotionally eloquent which is evident in his writing, podcast Bootcamp and painting.

Born in London and brought up in Purley, which he describes as the epitome of middle-class suburbia, Derren studied law and German at Bristol University which is where his Inheritance Tracks begin...

Inherited: The Prelude to the 1st Cello Suite by J S Bach Passed on: Debussy's Brier played by Vikingur Olafsson

Producer: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Tim Peake Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

From the moment he became a cub scout in Sussex in the 1970s, Tim Peake wanted to have adventures.

He joined the army...became an Apache helicopter pilot...and then set his sights even higher...A LOT higher.

As an astronaut, he became the first Brit to walk in space during a voyage to the International Space Station.

But what kind of music did he listen to while he was up there?

Inherited: It Must be Love by Labi Siffre Passed on: Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses

Producer: Ben Mitchell

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