Carte Blanche

In the first episode, in an exclusive interview for Radio 2, recorded at her home in St Tropez, Brigitte Bardot gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about her life and career. Passionate, outspoken and controversial, since her first public appearance in 1950, Brigitte's always been a trail blazer and ahead of time.

With dreams of becoming a ballerina, it was a modelling shoot when she was just 15 that caught the eye of film director Roger Vadim. She became an actress and was just 18 when she was cast in the film that would make her a star - And God Created Woman.

Brigitte was globally adored, the first Continental actress to achieve Hollywood-size fame.

A screen icon, she made over forty films, recorded over sixty songs, she popularised the bikini, the beehive and the pink gingham dress, and of course, there was ‘that' iconic pose.

As famous for her initials - B.B - as she was for her full name, in 1973, at just 39, at the height of her beauty and fame, she turned her back on stardom - and went off to start her real life as an animal rights activist and campaigner. And she's remained committed to her cause ever since.

Brigitte Bardot in an exclusive interview, talks openly about her life and career

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a second series of Carte Blanche, celebrating talented artists, celebrated and creative, independent and determined, who are beloved in France and around the world.

In the first episode, in an exclusive interview for Radio 2, recorded at her home in St Tropez, Brigitte Bardot gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about her life and career. Passionate, outspoken and controversial, since her first public appearance in 1950, Brigitte's always been a trail blazer and ahead of time.

With dreams of becoming a ballerina, it was a modelling shoot when she was just 15 that caught the eye of film director Roger Vadim. She became an actress and was just 18 when she was cast in the film that would make her a star – And God Created Woman.

Brigitte was globally adored, the first Continental actress to achieve Hollywood-size fame.

A screen icon, she made over forty films, recorded over sixty songs, she popularised the bikini, the beehive and the pink gingham dress, and of course, there was ‘that' iconic pose.

As famous for her initials – B.B - as she was for her full name, in 1973, at just 39, at the height of her beauty and fame, she turned her back on stardom – and went off to start her real life as an animal rights activist and campaigner. And she's remained committed to her cause ever since.

Brigitte Bardot in an exclusive interview, talks openly about her life and career

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

In part 3 Charles Dumont gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life and career. Charles came to music through jazz, originally playing the trumpet.

He became a songwriter, enjoying modest success until a chance meeting with France's greatest living chanteuse - Edith Piaf. Through a twist of fate, he created her most famous song – Je Ne Regrette Rien.

He went on to write a score of other songs for Edith Piaf. After her death, he became a respected singer in his own right, in the old French popular style, and he remains much loved in France, both as a writer and a touring performer.

Composer Charles Dumont gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk to him about his life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

French singer Vincent Niclo presents Carte Blanche, a brand new series, celebrating talented artists, celebrated and creative, independent and determined, who are beloved in France and around the world.

In part 3 Charles Dumont gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life and career. Charles came to music through jazz, originally playing the trumpet.

He became a songwriter, enjoying modest success until a chance meeting with France's greatest living chanteuse - Edith Piaf. Through a twist of fate, he created her most famous song - Je Ne Regrette Rien.

He went on to write a score of other songs for Edith Piaf. After her death, he became a respected singer in his own right, in the old French popular style, and he remains much loved in France, both as a writer and a touring performer.

Composer Charles Dumont gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk to him about his life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

In part 2, composer Michel Legrand, gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about his life and career. The French born composer, orchestrator, conductor and pianist has been writing, arranging and performing music for over half a century.

A child prodigy at the piano, he converted from classical to jazz under the nose of his disapproving teacher, the composer Nadia Boulanger. He started out as an orchestrator; his earliest triumph was I Love Paris, a set of jazz standards which sold seven million copies in two years.

Then for 10 years he composed for the Nouvelle Vague directors. Among his enduring works are musicals made for the screen. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg was an unexpected success in 1964, followed by Les Demoiselles de Rochefore three years later. He returned to form in Yentl and won an Oscar for the score - the film's only nomination.

Michel's collaborated widely with the likes of Miles Davis and Kiri Te Kanawa, Barbra Streisand and Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Demy and Gene Kelly, Joseph Losey and Edith Piaf.

He's won awards, plaudits and honours, including four Oscars.

Some of Michel's most famous compositions and collaborations created modern standards such as “The Windmills of Your Mind, ? “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? ? and “I Will Wait For You. ?

He talks candidly with Vincent about his music and his collaborations and explains why he never listens to his music.

Composer Michel Legrand gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life.

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

French singer Vincent Niclo presents Carte Blanche, a brand new series, celebrating talented artists, celebrated and creative, independent and determined, who are beloved in France and around the world.

In part 2, composer Michel Legrand, gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about his life and career. The French born composer, orchestrator, conductor and pianist has been writing, arranging and performing music for over half a century.

A child prodigy at the piano, he converted from classical to jazz under the nose of his disapproving teacher, the composer Nadia Boulanger. He started out as an orchestrator; his earliest triumph was I Love Paris, a set of jazz standards which sold seven million copies in two years.

Then for 10 years he composed for the Nouvelle Vague directors. Among his enduring works are musicals made for the screen. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg was an unexpected success in 1964, followed by Les Demoiselles de Rochefore three years later. He returned to form in Yentl and won an Oscar for the score - the film's only nomination.

Michel's collaborated widely with the likes of Miles Davis and Kiri Te Kanawa, Barbra Streisand and Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Demy and Gene Kelly, Joseph Losey and Edith Piaf.

He's won awards, plaudits and honours, including four Oscars.

Some of Michel's most famous compositions and collaborations created modern standards such as `The Windmills of Your Mind,` `What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?` and `I Will Wait For You.`

He talks candidly with Vincent about his music and his collaborations and explains why he never listens to his music.

Composer Michel Legrand gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life.

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

In this episode, British born Parisienne Jane Birkin, gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about her life and career. It was in 1968, when she was just 22, that this shy English girl left London for an audition in France, little realising it would change her life and become her home.

A world famous singer who's released more than 24 albums and a single that's sold in excess of 6 million copies; an actress in over 70 films; the designer of one of the world's most desirable handbags.

A mother, a grandmother and a humanitarian.

This particular British girl went on to become a French national icon, and is a much loved national treasure in her adopted country.

In the second part of Carte Blanche, Jane talks about her career in music, her relationship with her daughters and her humanitarian work.

Actress and singer Jane Birkin gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about her life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

In part one, British born Parisienne Jane Birkin, gives Vincent carte blanche to talk about her life and career. It was in 1968, when she was just 22, that this shy English girl left London for an audition in France, little realising it would change her life and become her home.

A world famous singer who's released more than 24 albums and a single that's sold in excess of 6 million copies; an actress in over 70 films; the designer of one of the world's most desirable handbags.

A mother, a grandmother and a humanitarian.

This particular British girl went on to become a French national icon, and is a much loved national treasure in her adopted country.

In this episode Jane talks about her early career in film, her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg and becoming a mother for the first time.

Actress and singer Jane Birkin gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about her life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

In the final part of the series Jean Paul Gaultier gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life and career.

Jean Paul Gaultier is a man who's illustrious bad boy reputation has earned him a loyal following both amongst fashion's most prominent figures and the wider public.

From designing bespoke corsets for Madonna's world tour to crafting haute couture to launching a fragrance line, not forgetting that ‘man skirt,' his accolades are well earned and well deserved.

From his very first show in Paris in 1976 to his role as creative director at Herm耀s to launching a line like Fashion and Ice, this Enfant Terrible turned Parisian couture on its head by incorporating unexpected materials, pop culture iconography, and a fearless attitude toward society's taboos into a type of fashion that has traded on spectacle and good-natured irreverance.

He once said, `I like to look at things from a different perspective and question what's expected.`

Jean Paul Gaultier invites Radio 2 into his studio in Paris where he's preparing for his next venture - Fashion Freak Show - to talk openly and with his trademark humour about his transformation from enfant terrible to French national treasure.

Designer Jean Paul Gaultier gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France

French singer Vincent Niclo presents Carte Blanche, a brand new series, celebrating talented artists, celebrated and creative, independent and determined, who are beloved in France and around the world.

In the final part of the series Jean Paul Gaultier gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life and career.

Jean Paul Gaultier is a man who's illustrious 'bad boy' reputation has earned him a loyal following both amongst fashion's most prominent figures and the wider public.

From designing bespoke corsets for Madonna's world tour to crafting haute couture to launching a fragrance line, not forgetting that ‘man skirt,' his accolades are well earned and well deserved.

From his very first show in Paris in 1976 to his role as creative director at Hermès to launching a line like Fashion and Ice, this Enfant Terrible turned Parisian couture on its head by incorporating unexpected materials, pop culture iconography, and a fearless attitude toward society's taboos into a type of fashion that has traded on spectacle and good-natured irreverance.

He once said, “I like to look at things from a different perspective and question what's expected. ?

Jean Paul Gaultier invites Radio 2 into his studio in Paris where he's preparing for his next venture - Fashion Freak Show - to talk openly and with his trademark humour about his transformation from enfant terrible to French national treasure.

Designer Jean Paul Gaultier gives Vincent Niclo carte blanche to talk about his life

French singer Vincent Niclo presents a series celebrating talented beloved in France