BBC Radio 4 Extra Schedule Monday 5 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Terry Pratchett—Small Gods, 1. Voices
  
  1/4 Set in a complex state of beliefs, the Great God Om appears before a novice monk.
2. 00:30
  
  The Heart of Hark'un—1. Sword and Sorcery
  
  1/6 A menacing assignment awaits a student sorcerer.
3. 01:00
  
  Desert Island Discs Revisited—Soap Stars, Patricia Greene
  
  Archers actress Patricia Greene is castaway by Kirsty Young.
4. 01:45
  
  David Attenborough's Life Stories—Series 2, Rats
  
  David Attenborough hates rats, but in a personal way explains why they should be respected
5. 02:00
  
  Poetry Extra—Between the Ears - Capturing Light
  
  Daljit Nagra selects a new year highlight about light from the BBC's poetry archive.
6. 02:30
  
  Sorry, Boys, You Failed the Audition by Ray Connolly
  
  What would have happened to The Beatles if George Martin had turned them down?
7. 03:15
  
  Beardyman and the Mimics
  
  Beatboxer "Beardyman" aka Darren Foreman goes in search of nature's best sound-mimics.
8. 03:40
  
  Inheritance Tracks—Clare Balding
  
  Presenter and author Clare Balding, chooses tracks by Neil Diamond and Billy Joel.
9. 03:50
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of Letters (Omnibus)
  
  Irene and Vera begin corresponding. Stars Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge.
10. 05:00
  
  Stilgoe's Around—City of London
  
  Richard Stilgoe ponders money-making in Britain's financial heartland.
11. 05:30
  
  Take It From Here—From 03/03/1955
  
  Ron Glum is emigrating. How far will he get?
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Sherlock Holmes—The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 2, The Crooked Man
  
  1/5 With the honour of the Royal Mallows at stake, an officer's death is investigated.
2. 06:45
  
  The Pillow Book—Series 1, 1. The Palace
  
  1/5 10th century Japan. Within the Palace walls, a series of disturbing crimes creates unrest
3. 07:00
  
  In the Chair—Episode 1
  
  1/6 Maverick reporter George Cragge's retirement is cut short.
4. 07:30
  
  Dad's Army—Series 2, If the Cap Fits
  
  2/20 Captain Mainwaring promotes fractious Frazer with unexpected results.
5. 08:00
  
  Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully—Series 2, Ctrl-Alt-Del
  
  4/6 The computer catches a very common virus, making the invasion doomed in more ways than one
6. 08:30
  
  Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear—1. Beginnings
  
  1/5 The family history and early years of beloved author, Beatrix Potter.
7. 08:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of More Letters, 1. Funeral
  
  1/10 Vera and Irene are reunited at a funeral.
8. 09:00
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 32, 2. Jane Austen, Berries, The Netherlands and School
  
  2/6 Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game.
9. 09:30
  
  Naturebang—Starlings and Social Networks
  
  What can the patterns in a starling murmuration tell us about the way our ideas spread?
10. 09:45
  
  Daily Service—Epiphany – Desiring Wisdom
  
  A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and hymns.
11. 10:00
  
  The Tingle Factor—George Martin
  
  Beatles producer and composer George Martin talks about music which stirs his emotions.
12. 10:30
  
  Shakespeare: Lord of Misrule
  
  Jerry Brotton looks back at the power of Shakespearian mischief.
13. 11:00
  
  Sherlock Holmes—The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 2, The Crooked Man
  
  1/5 With the honour of the Royal Mallows at stake, an officer's death is investigated.
14. 11:45
  
  The Pillow Book—Series 1, 1. The Palace
  
  1/5 10th century Japan. Within the Palace walls, a series of disturbing crimes creates unrest
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  In the Chair—Episode 1
  
  1/6 Maverick reporter George Cragge's retirement is cut short.
2. 12:30
  
  Dad's Army—Series 2, If the Cap Fits
  
  2/20 Captain Mainwaring promotes fractious Frazer with unexpected results.
3. 13:00
  
  Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully—Series 2, Ctrl-Alt-Del
  
  4/6 The computer catches a very common virus, making the invasion doomed in more ways than one
4. 13:30
  
  Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear—1. Beginnings
  
  1/5 The family history and early years of beloved author, Beatrix Potter.
5. 13:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of More Letters, 1. Funeral
  
  1/10 Vera and Irene are reunited at a funeral.
6. 14:00
  
  Just a Minute—Series 59, Episode 8
  
  8/8 Nicholas Parsons challenges Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Graham Norton and Terry Wogan.
7. 14:30
  
  Smelling of Roses—Series 4, Episode 3
  
  3/6 Rosie sets up an environmental conference, but how green is the sponsor?
8. 15:00
  
  Mademoiselle Pearl by Guy de Maupassant
  
  Paris, 1860. A baby left on a doorstep on Twelfth Night generates untold love.
9. 15:45
  
  Short Works—Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes
  
  After the death of her husband, Betty drives to the Arizona desert.
10. 16:00
  
  The Tingle Factor—George Martin
  
  Beatles producer and composer George Martin talks about music which stirs his emotions.
11. 16:30
  
  Shakespeare: Lord of Misrule
  
  Jerry Brotton looks back at the power of Shakespearian mischief.
12. 17:00
  
  Sherlock Holmes—The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 2, The Crooked Man
  
  1/5 With the honour of the Royal Mallows at stake, an officer's death is investigated.
13. 17:45
  
  The Pillow Book—Series 1, 1. The Palace
  
  1/5 10th century Japan. Within the Palace walls, a series of disturbing crimes creates unrest
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00
  
  In the Chair—Episode 1
  
  1/6 Maverick reporter George Cragge's retirement is cut short.
2. 18:30
  
  Dad's Army—Series 2, If the Cap Fits
  
  2/20 Captain Mainwaring promotes fractious Frazer with unexpected results.
3. 19:00
  
  Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully—Series 2, Ctrl-Alt-Del
  
  4/6 The computer catches a very common virus, making the invasion doomed in more ways than one
4. 19:30
  
  Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear—1. Beginnings
  
  1/5 The family history and early years of beloved author, Beatrix Potter.
5. 19:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of More Letters, 1. Funeral
  
  1/10 Vera and Irene are reunited at a funeral.
6. 20:00
  
  Just a Minute—Series 59, Episode 8
  
  8/8 Nicholas Parsons challenges Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Graham Norton and Terry Wogan.
7. 20:30
  
  Smelling of Roses—Series 4, Episode 3
  
  3/6 Rosie sets up an environmental conference, but how green is the sponsor?
8. 21:00
  
  Mademoiselle Pearl by Guy de Maupassant
  
  Paris, 1860. A baby left on a doorstep on Twelfth Night generates untold love.
9. 21:45
  
  Short Works—Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes
  
  After the death of her husband, Betty drives to the Arizona desert.
10. 22:00
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 32, 2. Jane Austen, Berries, The Netherlands and School
  
  2/6 Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game.
11. 22:30
  
  The Right Time—Series 4, Episode 6
  
  6/6 The wine police are called in the sketch show by people who have lived a bit.
12. 23:00
  
  The News Quiz—Best of The News Quiz 2025
  
  A satirical smorgasbord of the best of 2025
13. 23:30
  
  Nigel and Earl Sort Out the World—09/07/1992
  
  Can the surreal duo solve a problem at Buckingham Palace?
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  The Tingle Factor—George Martin
  
  Beatles producer and composer George Martin talks about music which stirs his emotions.
2. 00:30
  
  Shakespeare: Lord of Misrule
  
  Jerry Brotton looks back at the power of Shakespearian mischief.
3. 01:00
  
  Sherlock Holmes—The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Series 2, The Crooked Man
  
  1/5 With the honour of the Royal Mallows at stake, an officer's death is investigated.
4. 01:45
  
  The Pillow Book—Series 1, 1. The Palace
  
  1/5 10th century Japan. Within the Palace walls, a series of disturbing crimes creates unrest
5. 02:00
  
  In the Chair—Episode 1
  
  1/6 Maverick reporter George Cragge's retirement is cut short.
6. 02:30
  
  Dad's Army—Series 2, If the Cap Fits
  
  2/20 Captain Mainwaring promotes fractious Frazer with unexpected results.
7. 03:00
  
  Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully—Series 2, Ctrl-Alt-Del
  
  4/6 The computer catches a very common virus, making the invasion doomed in more ways than one
8. 03:30
  
  Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear—1. Beginnings
  
  1/5 The family history and early years of beloved author, Beatrix Potter.
9. 03:45
  
  Ladies of Letters—Ladies of More Letters, 1. Funeral
  
  1/10 Vera and Irene are reunited at a funeral.
10. 04:00
  
  Just a Minute—Series 59, Episode 8
  
  8/8 Nicholas Parsons challenges Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Graham Norton and Terry Wogan.
11. 04:30
  
  Smelling of Roses—Series 4, Episode 3
  
  3/6 Rosie sets up an environmental conference, but how green is the sponsor?
12. 05:00
  
  Mademoiselle Pearl by Guy de Maupassant
  
  Paris, 1860. A baby left on a doorstep on Twelfth Night generates untold love.
13. 05:45
  
  Short Works—Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes
  
  After the death of her husband, Betty drives to the Arizona desert.

Tuesday 6 January 2026