Mark Lawson Talks To

In a career spanning more than five decades, photographer David Bailey has captured many of the 20th century's most iconic faces. With his first major solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery currently on show, he talks frankly to Mark Lawson about his life, loves and illustrious career.

Mark Lawson talks to prolific writing duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais about their careers, from classic comedy The Likely Lads to recent drama Spies of Warsaw.

Mark Lawson talks to Python and globetrotting national treasure Michael Palin about his childhood and early career days. He recalls some of the highs and lows of the famous ensemble and regales Mark with a German rendition of the Lumberjack song. Palin has been a successful writer, comedian and broadcaster for nearly fifty years. After his early global success with Monty Python, he reinvented himself as our favourite Englishman abroad with his prolific travelogues, as well as an author of novels and diaries.

Mark Lawson talks to songwriter Mark Knopfler about his early life and influences, the years with Dire Straits and his quiet contempt for modern TV talent shows.

Mark Lawson talks to the astronomer and English eccentric Sir Patrick Moore about his early life, career and the future of space exploration in an interview that was recorded in 2007. The late Sir Patrick presented the BBC programme The Sky at Night for over 50 years, making him the longest-running host of the same television show ever. He presented the first edition of the programme on 24th April 1957 and last appeared in an episode broadcast in late 2012.

Mark Lawson talks to writer, actor and comedian Mark Gatiss about his life and career, including how his passion for horror and science fiction have influenced his success.

Mark Lawson talks to former Oasis lynchpin Noel Gallagher about his life, career and becoming one of the most successful songwriters of his generation.

Mark Lawson talks to celebrity interviewer and chat show host Graham Norton about growing up in Ireland, his sexuality and a near fatal mugging whilst he was at drama school.

Mark Lawson talks to legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan about his life and 50-year career, from his early years on Irish radio to his ever-popular Radio 2 show.

Mark Lawson talks to comedian Frank Skinner about a career that has involved stand-up, broadcasting, writing and pop music. Skinner also talks candidly about his personal life.

Mark Lawson talks to Dame Diana Rigg about her life and 50-year career, exploring her conflicted views on being a sex symbol and the pleasures of professional success in her 70s.

Mark Lawson talks to the comedian David Mitchell about his life and career, from his partnership with Robert Webb to panel show regular and co-host of the series 10 O'Clock Live.

In a candid interview, Anne Robinson reflects on the journey from finishing school to Fleet Street, alcoholism to America and print journalism to prime-time television.

Sculptor Sir Anthony Caro reflects on his time as Henry Moore's assistant, his groundbreaking shift from figurative to abstract sculpture and his position on public art.

Mark Lawson talks to the controversial artists and 'living sculptures' Gilbert and George about their lives and careers. Since meeting as students at St Martins School of Art in 1967, Gilbert Proesch and George Passmore have forged an extraordinary artistic partnership ranging from photo-pieces and dirty word pictures to their latest postcard exhibition. Their vivid, graphic work set out to challenge the elitist art world through universal themes of identity, sex, class and nationality.

Mark Lawson talks to the actress Julie Walters about her life and career, as she explores her working class roots, struggles with self-confidence and finding peace at 60.

Renowned broadcaster and satirist David Frost talks about his life and career.

Mark Lawson talks to Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave about her life and career. She reflects on her acting family, political activism and the loss of her daughter Natasha.

Mark Lawson talks to notorious literary bad boy Martin Amis ahead of the BBC dramatisation of his book Money. In this revealing interview Amis speaks candidly about his relationship with his father Kingsley Amis, which survived the breakup of his parents' marriage and his father's disinterest in reading Martin's books. Amis also reveals how his sister Sally was a 'victim of the sexual revolution' whose consequent struggles in life influenced his latest book The Pregnant Widow.

Mark Lawson talks to actor Timothy Spall about his life and career. Spall reflects on his working-class roots, on being a 'professional depicter' and his fight with leukaemia.

Claudia Roden, the cookery writer who brought us Middle Eastern recipes long before couscous and houmous were on every supermarket shelf, talks to Mark Lawson about her memories of growing up Jewish in Cairo in the 1930s, the true origins of pasta, and going kosher for her award-winning Book of Jewish Food.

Veteran 'home economist' Marguerite Patten reflects on nine decades of cookery. From learning to cook as a child, to being one of the first celebrity TV chefs to her performances at the Palladium, to writing over 170 books, she explains what has motivated her to keep going and how, in her early 90s, she shows little sign of slowing down.

Mark Lawson talks to the enfant terrible of the British art world, Tracey Emin, famed for her unmade bed and the tent embroidered with the names of everyone she had ever slept with. The 1990s wild child talks in detail about her unconventional childhood and the traumatic adolescent experiences which inspired much of her controversial work.

Mark Lawson talks to Brian Cox, ahead of his lead role in the BBC4 Westminster drama, On Expenses. In this candid interview, Cox talks about his passion for portraying complex and difficult characters, but also about his personal psychological battles and the low point in his career when he almost gave up acting.

Mark Lawson talks to explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes about his life's work, as Fiennes reveals the ingredients behind his incredible determination and exploits.

Mark Lawson talks to the actor and director Richard Wilson, best known for playing Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, about his life and work.

Author and screenwriter William Boyd talks about his life and work, reflecting on how his upbringing has shaped his writing's themes, which include identity and its loss.

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop discusses his role as a satirist with Mark Lawson. He talks about the importance of Christianity to him and his years in Have I Got News For You?

Film director Mike Leigh talks to Mark Lawson about his life and career. He talks about collaborative creative processes and why he doesn't want to work with Hollywood stars.

Antony Sher is a renowned actor, writer and artist. He chats to Mark Lawson about growing up as a white South African, working with his partner Gregory Doran, and failing drama school auditions.

Anglophile travel writer Bill Bryson, whose books include The Lost Continent and Notes From a Small Island, chats to Mark Lawson about how a boy from Iowa who dropped out of college has ended up as Chancellor of Durham University. He also discusses how he shares the British sense of humour, his techniques for tackling litter louts and his childhood superpowers.

Actress and writer Maureen Lipman talks to Mark Lawson about life after the death of her screen-writer husband Jack Rosenthal, working with Roman Polanski, being the face of BT, and how she has been banned from Woking shopping centre.

Phil Collins made his name as the drummer and then the lead singer of Genesis, before embarking on a successful solo career with hits including In the Air Tonight. In the 1980s he took on the role of one of the great train robbers in the film Buster and has recently had success with scoring for films such as Disney's Tarzan. Collins talks frankly to Mark Lawson about his three marriages and the various myths that surround him, including that he divorced his second wife by fax.

Melvyn Bragg divides his time between broadcasting and writing. He has presented The South Bank Show since 1978 and his best-selling books include A Time To Dance, The Routes of English and the semi-autobiographical Remember Me. He discusses growing up in Cumbria, the death of his first wife, and the state of arts television, with Mark Lawson.

Writer GF Newman discusses his life and career with Mark Lawson. Responsible for the classic drama serial Law and Order and more recently Judge John Deed, Newman also discusses his belief in reincarnation and vegetarianism.

Writer and television performer Jonathan Meades discusses his life and career with Mark Lawson. In his unmistakable dark suits and sunglasses, Meades has presented many opinionated and sometimes controversial documentaries on architecture, culture and food. Meades talks about the secrets of his distinctive presenting style, gaining weight as restaurant critic for The Times and his Humanist beliefs.

Mark Lawson talks to the actress Liz Smith about her life and career. She reflects on her lonely childhood, her days as a single mother and her determination to become an actress.

Comedy writer and raconteur Barry Cryer in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Actor George Cole, best known as Arthur Daley in the long-running TV series Minder, in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Galton and Simpson talk about their famous creations Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son, how they met each other in hospital, and why they stopped working together.

Journalist and broadcaster Lionel Blue, the first openly gay British rabbi, in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Just a Minute host and raconteur Nicholas Parsons in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Top scriptwriter Russell T Davies in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Interview with the TV editor and producer who brought Blue Peter to the screen.

Luvvie actor Nicholas Craig chews the fat with Mark Lawson. Craig discusses his prolific 35-year career and reveals how the relationship with his mother heavily influenced his decision to become an actor.

Bestselling author Ian Rankin in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Mark Lawson in conversation with satirist Armando Ianucci.

Interview with the writer and comedian.

Interview with the comic and naturalist. Bill delves into his past, from his early passion for wildlife to his varied TV career and the repercussions of his mother's mental illness.

Environmental thinker James Lovelock recalls his long career as a scientist and inventor. He discusses his development of the Gaia theory explaining how life and the earth have survived in a self-regulating system, and his warning that human civilisation is threatened by an overheating planet due to our burning of fossil fuels.

From Calendar Girls to Cranford, Celia Imrie has been a familiar face on both TV and film for more than four decades. The actress talks to Mark Lawson about her life and career.

Mark Lawson talks to Tony and triple Olivier award-winning actress Frances de la Tour about her life and career, from Miss Jones in Rising Damp to Madame Maxime in Harry Potter.

Michael Morpurgo reflects on the success of his novel War Horse and the theme of war in his books, and discusses his relationship with his father and friendship with Ted Hughes.

Mark Lawson talks to comedian, writer and actress Jo Brand about the 1980s alternative comedy scene, her approach to hecklers and taboos, and her experiences as a TV personality.

Booker Prize-winning novelist Julian Barnes, whose Levels of Life is a memoir of bereavement following the loss of his wife to cancer, talks about love, death, memory and grief.

As she publishes her eighteenth novel, Joanna Trollope talks to Mark Lawson about creativity, divorce and the inescapable drama of domestic life.

Photographer David Bailey, who has captured many of the 20th century's most iconic faces, talks frankly to Mark Lawson about his life, loves and illustrious career.

Mark Lawson talks to the writer, comedian, actor and producer Steve Coogan about his life and career, from comic characters Paul Calf and Alan Partridge to straight acting roles.

Sir Bob Geldof talks candidly to Mark Lawson about his career in music with the Boomtown Rats, his activism, his family and his very public personal traumas.

Mark Lawson talks to musical theatre star and recording artist Michael Ball about his early career, Eurovision and having a foot in both the Sondheim and Lloyd Webber camps.

Mark Lawson talks to character actress and voice artist Miriam Margolyes about her passion for acting, her lively schooldays and her inexorable self-confidence.

Mark Lawson talks to prolific writing duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais about their careers, from classic comedy The Likely Lads to recent drama Spies of Warsaw.

Mark Lawson talks to songwriter Mark Knopfler about his early life and influences, the years with Dire Straits and his quiet contempt for modern TV talent shows.

Mark Lawson talks to the astronomer and English eccentric Sir Patrick Moore about his early life, career and the future of space exploration in an interview recorded in 2007.

Mark Lawson talks to actress Zoe Wanamaker about her life and career. Wanamaker reveals insecurities about her looks and talents, and how her father Sam was a hard act to follow.

Mark Lawson meets the award-winning journalist and filmmaker Sean Langan, whose kidnap by the Taliban in 2008 inspired BBC Four's hostage drama The Kidnap Diaries.

Mark Lawson talks to Felicity Kendal about her childhood in India and returning to the UK in the 1960s to become one of the best-loved actors of her generation.

Mark Lawson talks to actor Mark Rylance about his life and career, including his lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and how he prepares for his role in the play Jerusalem.

Mark Lawson talks to writer, actor and comedian Mark Gatiss about his life and career, including how his passion for horror and science fiction have influenced his success.

Mark Lawson talks to former Oasis lynchpin Noel Gallagher about his life, career and becoming one of the most successful songwriters of his generation.

Mark Lawson talks to celebrity interviewer and chat show host Graham Norton about growing up in Ireland, his sexuality and a near fatal mugging whilst he was at drama school.

Mark Lawson talks to legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan about his life and 50-year career, from his early years on Irish radio to his ever-popular Radio 2 show.

Mark Lawson talks to comedian Frank Skinner about a career that has involved stand-up, broadcasting, writing and pop music. Skinner also talks candidly about his personal life.

Mark Lawson talks to Alice Cooper about his life and 45-year career as a musician and actor, including his memories of his Detroit childhood and the perils of addiction.

Mark Lawson talks to Michael Frayn about his life and 50-year career writing novels, plays, philosophy, memoirs, screenplays, translations, farce, tragedy, verse and drama.

Mark Lawson talks to actor and comedian Rob Brydon about his life and career in entertainment, including writing and performing for radio, film, television, stand-up and theatre.

Mark Lawson talks to Dame Diana Rigg about her life and 50-year career, exploring her conflicted views on being a sex symbol and the pleasures of professional success in her 70s.

Mark Lawson talks to the artist Sir Peter Blake about his life and 60-year career, including how he became an 'accidental artist' and his reputation as the godfather of Pop Art.

Mark Lawson talks to the comedian David Mitchell about his life and career, from his partnership with Robert Webb to panel show regular and co-host of the series 10 O'Clock Live.

In a candid interview, Anne Robinson reflects on the journey from finishing school to Fleet Street, alcoholism to America and print journalism to prime-time television.

Sculptor Sir Anthony Caro reflects on his time as Henry Moore's assistant, his groundbreaking shift from figurative to abstract sculpture and his position on public art.

Mark Lawson talks to the controversial artists and 'living sculptures' Gilbert and George, who met as students at St Martins School of Art in 1967, about their lives and careers.

Mark Lawson talks to the actor Simon Russell Beale about his life on and off stage. He offers insights into how he approaches his diverse roles and his recent career changes.

Mark Lawson talks to screenwriter Jimmy McGovern about his life and career in television drama, his memories of working-class Liverpool and the impact of Catholicism on his work.

Mark Lawson talks to Tom Jones about his life in and out of the limelight. Jones reflects on his upbringing in a coal mining community, early pub tours and international acclaim.

Mark Lawson talks to actress Alison Steadman about her life and career, as she explores her gift for mimicry, passion for improvisation and joy of working with great dramatists.

Mark Lawson talks to the actress Julie Walters about her life and career, as she explores her working class roots, struggles with self-confidence and finding peace at 60.

Renowned broadcaster and satirist David Frost talks about his life and career.

Mark Lawson talks to Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave about her life and career. She reflects on her acting family, political activism and the loss of her daughter Natasha.

Mark Lawson talks to notorious literary bad boy Martin Amis, who speaks candidly about his relationship with his father Kingsley and the death of his sister Sally.

Mark Lawson talks to actor Timothy Spall about his life and career. Spall reflects on his working-class roots, on being a 'professional depicter' and his fight with leukaemia.

Mark Lawson talks to the enfant terrible of the British art world, Tracey Emin, famed for her unmade bed and a tent embroidered with the names of everyone she had ever slept with.

Brian Cox talks about his passion for portraying complex and difficult characters, his personal psychological battles and the low point in his career when he almost gave up acting.

The author and critic, who won the Booker Prize in 1990 for her novel Possession, talks about her career, revealing how she has managed to combine family life with the solitary world of a writer.

The Alan Bennett tribute continues as the playwright and author discusses some of his well-known works, including The History Boys, Beyond the Fringe and the Talking Heads series.

The journalist talks to the Bafta-winning actress about her career in film, theatre and television, which has included roles in Cranford, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Vera Drake.

The actress reflects on her work, explaining how she stays focused while working on stage and revealing how age and gender can hinder a performer's longevity.

An interview with the British RT CHOICE adventurer who this year added reaching the summit of Everest to a list of achievements that includes first man to walk to both the North and South Poles, crossing Antarctica on foot. and authoring numerous books.

Journalist Mark Lawson interviews Richard Wilson about his life and work, as the actor reflects on the success and drawbacks of his most popular role as Victor Meldrew in BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave.

The author and screenwriter discusses his life and work, reflecting on how his childhood in West Africa and attendance at a Scottish boarding school has influenced his work.

Private Eye editor and Have I Got News for You captain Ian Hislop discusses his role as a satirist, in addition to his private life, including how boarding school became a second home after his father's death, and Christianity's influence on his life.

The British director discusses his life and career, from his first venture into acting with the local Jewish youth group in his home town of Salford, to becoming an acclaimed scriptwriter for stage and screen.

Interview with the actor, who has starred in acclaimed TV dramas The History Man and The Jury, and who was one of the first gay celebrities to form a civil partnership.

The presenter talks to the American travel writer and humorist about his experiences documenting lives in foreign lands and his love of the British countryside and character

The actress talks about her life and career as one of Britain's best-loved performers and her collaborations with husband Jack Rosenthal. She also discusses her bereavement since his death.

The musician discusses his life and work, including his success with Genesis and as a solo artist. He also talks about his three marriages and tackles the myths that surround him.

The Australian TV star discusses his success as a junior swimming champion and his work on Animal Hospital.

The journalist interviews British cartoonist, illustrator and children's book author Quentin Blake, most famous for his work on Roald Dahl 's stories.

The veteran chat-show host becomes an interviewee and talks about his career.

Author John le Carre discusses his life and work. Now famous for his espionage thrillers, the writer started as a real-life spy working for MI6.

The broadcaster discusses his life and career.

The writer who created Judge John Deed and Law and Order discusses his life and career.

A chat with the British writer known for his work as The Times restaurant critic as well as documentaries on architecture.

An interview with the actress who starred in The Royle Family and The Vicar of Dibley.

An interview with the comedian who has written for a number of noted performers.

Interview with the veteran actor, who played Arthur Daley in TV series Minder.

Interview with the writers who created Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half Hour.

Featuring an interview with the journalist, broadcaster and Britain's first openly-gay rabbi.

Interview with the actor and former game show host.

Interview with the Doctor Who producer.

The TV writer talks to Mark Lawson about his career.

Wide-ranging interview with the comedian, actor and writer.

The first in an evening of programmes celebrating the 50th birthday of Stephen Fry , including programmes chosen by Fry himself. Here, Stephen discusses his life, career and personal demons.

An interview with the former editor of Blue Peter who designed the show's famous badge and introduced the annual appeals.

The presenter talks to the creators of the children's programme.

Former Young Ones star Nigel Planer appears in character as classical actor Nicholas Craig. He talks to Mark Lawson about his prolific 35-year career, and how his relationship with his mother heavily influenced his decision to become a performer.

Interview with the Scottish novelist and regular Newsnight Review contributor best known for his Inspector John Rebus novels.

The interviewer meets writer, performer and producer Armando Iannucci.

Interview with the renowned horror author, known for popular and influential novels such as Carrie and The Shining.

Interview with the author who has sold over 40 million books worldwide and is best known for the Discworld series.

The author discusses his influences and inspirations.

The food writer discusses her passion for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours.

The director of Alien, Blade Runner and the Oscar-winning Gladiator discusses his life and career.

The food writer and broadcaster reflects on her 1947 TV series and her OBE for "services to the art of cookery".

An interview with the straight-talking comedian renowned for his Marxist political views.

A lively chat with the sardonic comic kicks off Jack Dee Night.

The author of Polo and other "bonkbusters" in conversation.

The creator of The Sopranos in conversation.

The Leicester love god and crooner is captured in conversation.

The multi-talented Aussie in conversation.

In conversation with the film-maker and animator.

The star of The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Fantasy Football League and Heresy, and author of Time for Bed discusses his career.

In a provocative interview, one of the most powerful voices in modern American fiction discusses his disillusionment with the Bush administration.

The nature-loving broadcaster reflects on his varied career and his mother's absence as a child.

The environmental thinker issues a stark warning concerning our consumption of fossil fuels and climate change.

The actor, director and Oscar-winning writer of Gosford Park on his career.

The writer, actor and director recalls his time on Not the Nine o'Clock News, and considers how his generation have gone on to dominate the British media.

The author discusses his foreign correspondent years, his politics, and the thrillers that made him famous.

The detective novelist discusses her need to write, the World Wars, religion, and death.

Winston discusses his work, as a fertility treatment pioneer, and a TV presenter.

The BBC's world affairs editor tells Lawson about life on both sides of the camera.

The inventor of the CHOICE worldwide web discusses how he conceived the device that helped to transform the planet.

An evening of Michael Palin programmes begins with an interview about his life and work - from his childhood in Sheffield to his globetrotting of today. New.

The former US secretary of state speaks frankly about her life and career. Topics covered in BBC4's exclusive interview include her take on the Bush administration and America's place in the world, her affinity with Condoleezza Rice and, bizarrely, Dame Judi Dench.

The investigative reporter in conversation.

The inspiration for Evelyn Waugh 's "Boot" in Scoop and the "Bill" of Private Eye's "Dear Bill", Lord Deedes is a national institution. He was Minister for Information under Harold Macmillan , and later editor of The Daily Telegraph. Mark Lawson finds out what makes him tick.

The man behind The Blue Planet and much more in conversation.

The charismatic Muslim leader discusses Islam and his concerns about President Bush's "war on terror".

The Human Genome Project strove to make information about DNA free to everyone. Its head, Sir John Sulston, talks about what makes him tick.

St Lucian poet Walcott discusses his Caribbean childhood and career.

An interview with the controversial bio-ethicist.

Interviewing the US politician who lost out in the Democratic presidential nomination battle back in February.

An interview with Professor Colin Blakemore, who has been at the forefront of UK scientific research for over 30 years.

The director of Cold Mountain, released on Boxing Day, and The English Patient in conversation.