Profile

This week, after serving seven years, without charge, in a British prison, a court ruled that he cannot be deported to Jordan where he's been convicted in his absence of involvement in terrorist activity.

But who is Abu Qatada, a serious intellectual leader who believes in violent Jihad and accordingly to former Home Secretary David Blunkett, ' a prime suspect' in the war on terror or as one friend tell us 'a changed man'?

Mark Coles profiles radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Nick Holland and Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Adam Kay is a Bafta-winning TV writer, author and comedian who used to work as a doctor.

Adam Kay is a TV writer, author and comedian who previously worked as a doctor. He's famous for using his medical experiences to highlight the pressures of working in the NHS.

On Profile this week, we're looking at Adam Schiff - the man tasked with finding out.

A leading Democrat Congressman and former lawyer, Schiff chairs the House Intelligence Committee and is leading the impeachment investigation.

President Trump calls him biased - ¦a - ?pencil neck, low life - who's conducting a - ?hoax witch-hunt - ?.

Mark Coles talks to Schiff's close friends, critics and former colleagues to find out what he's really like - ¦and why - before getting into politics - he wanted to be a Hollywood movie writer.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: May Cameron

A look at the life of Adam Schiff, chair of the US House Intelligence Committeee.

At just 21 years old, how did this 'ordinary girl' from North London conquer the charts?

Reporter - Colin Paterson

Producer - Gail Champion.

Singer-songwriter Adele's spectacular career is profiled by Colin Paterson.

This week she released her first new single in six years, offering her fans a first glimpse of her so-called ‘divorce album' entitled '30', due for release next month.

The 33 year old currently lives with her son in Los Angeles, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. She's come a long way from the working class upbringing with her single mother who once smuggled the toddler into a gig, hidden inside her coat. So how did this ‘ordinary girl' from North London conquer the popular music world? Mark Coles looks at her life and extraordinary career.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Nick Holland

Researcher: Bethan Head

Top-selling singer Adele has just released her first music for six years.

Reporter - Mary Ann Sieghart

Producer - Ben Crighton

(The programme includes material from Alison Klayman's documentary: Ai Weiwei - Never Sorry).

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei.

Salmond is a private man with a very public image. Passionate about horse racing and renewable energy, he a pragmatic nationalist, a leader who reshaped his party and then abruptly left as leader in 2000, only to return four years later.

So who is the real Alex Salmond and how serious is he about pursuing Scottish independence?

Jonathan Maitland profiles Alex Salmond, SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister.

She grew up in the Bronx but her parents worked hard to send her to a good school in the suburbs. Her father died when she was in her twenties, leaving her working at a taco restaurant to help her Puerto Rican mother pay the bills. She didn't let that stop her and campaigned for Bernie Sanders while waiting tables and serving Margaritas. Fast forward a year, this waitress is now billed as the future of the Democratic Party.

Mark Coles follows Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's journey to Congress, speaking to her friends, supporters, critics and those she's inspired.

Thank you to New York One TV news for the footage of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez winning the Primary.

He came to prominence as a leader during the anti-Putin demonstrations in Moscow last December, the biggest such rallies since the end of the Soviet Union.

He has also been fighting against corruption through a website that invites the public to report suspected cases to the police or prosecutors.

One of his tactics, was to become a minority shareholder in major Russian oil companies, banks, and ministries to ask awkward questions about holes in state finances. Those holes are huge. Last year Dmitri Medvedev - then President now PM - said that a trillion roubles-thirty-three billion dollars- disappears annually on government contracts.

Aleksey Navalny's anti graft campaign has won him popularity across a wide spectrum of Russian society, including nationalists with far right connections. This has unsettled many of more liberal supporters. And in a week when three other opposition activists have been charged with causing mass unrest, does he have what it takes to challenge the tough man in the Kremlin?

Producer Arlene Gregorius.

Lucy Ash profiles Alexei Navalny, the man leading Russian opposition to President Putin.

After three failed attempts to form a government the country now faces another election - and the far left coalition could well make further gains.

Tsipras has been described as a cool, mild-mannered politician who shuns neckties and likes to get around on his motorcycle. Born four days after the fall of Greece's military dictatorship in July 1974, his first political experiences were as part of Greece's school occupations in 1991.

Mr Tsipras became leader of Syriza in 2008 and was elected to parliament in 2009. He first emerged on the political scene when he came third in the Athens mayoral race.

The former communist youth activist has been accused by some of inciting violent protests and failing to condemn their actions. Others claim he is misleading voters by promising an economic future he cannot possibly deliver.

Presenter: Andy Denwood

Producer: Rob Cave.

The brash young leader of Greece's far left-wing bloc mobilising the anti-bailout vote.

Mark Coles talks to friends, family and career professionals to find out how the sports-loving six year-old was suddenly forced to adapt from running around a football pitch to being in a wheelchair. And how this life-changing event has shaped him into the player he is today.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researchers: Lauren Moore, Sowda Ali and Bethan Head

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Studio Engineer: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Alex Lewis

British wheelchair tennis champion, who's aiming for Wimbledon victory and Tokyo gold.

Mark Coles profiles Alisher Usmanov, just named Britain's richest man.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Becky Milligan profiles Alison Saunders, the new Director of Public Prosecutions.

An insight into the Chancellor, Alistair Darling.

An insight into the Chancellor, Alistair Darling.

Producers: Bethan Head and Sally Abrahams.

The former journalist, now Number 10's new White House-style spokesperson.

The first African-American to hold the office of New York District Attorney, Alvin Bragg is the single child of middle class parents. He was born and brought up in Harlem, although he attended an elite private school on New York's Upper West Side before going to Harvard to study Law. Despite his private education, Bragg was no stranger to the danger on the city's streets in the 1980s; he had guns pointed at him by both the police and a suspected drug dealer.

Adrian Goldberg speaks to friends and colleagues of Alvin Bragg about his rise to the job of district attorney in his home town, and how he'll manage the historic case against Donald Trump.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Production Team: Sally Abrahams, Julie Ball, Georgia Coan

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

The New York prosecutor bringing criminal charges against Donald Trump.

Produced by Rebecca Kesby and Arlene Gregorius.

London barrister Amal Alamuddin has become engaged to George Clooney. But who is she?

With her extensive Middle Eastern contacts book, Amanda Staveley isn't afraid of putting her, or other people's, money where her mouth is.

Although she doesn't always get what she wants.

Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn

The woman behind the Newcastle United deal.

Becky Milligan profiles the new home secretary, Amber Rudd.

A key pillar in cobbling together international legitimacy for the coalition mission in Libya was support from the League of Arab States. But after bombing runs began, Amr Moussa appeared to criticise the coalition strikes as beyond the scope of the United Nations mandate.

Is this apparent wavering a lack of consensus in the Arab League and does this limit its influence? How successful has the League been under the leadership of Amr Moussa?

As he prepares to depart as head of the League and stand for President of Egypt what are the challenges now facing both the League and him personally?

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Studio manager: Neil Churchill

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The former dentist who's just been elected the new leader of the Scottish Labour party.

Having cut his teeth in the family fashion business, Bestseller, and following a series of canny investments, Anders Povlsen has more recently become known for his ambitious plans to ‘rewild' large areas of Scotland To that end he has bought up hundreds of thousands of acres, now owning more land there than the Queen. He is determined to transform the landscape, turning it back into forest, through sometimes controversial means.

After kidnap attempts and family tragedy he has gained a reputation as a man of extreme privacy. So just who is Anders Holch Povlsen? Mark Coles tries find out the secrets of the eco-conscious online fashion supremo and CEO.

Producer: May Cameron

Researchers: Maia Lowerson & Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Mix: Nigel Appleton

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Danish billionaire, ASOS shareholder and Scotland's biggest private landowner.

This week he was awarded the Royal Society's Copley Medal, believed to be the world's oldest science prize, for his ground-breaking experiments using graphene - thought by many to be the miracle material of the 21st century.

He is also a winner of both the Ig Nobel Prize for improbable research and the real Nobel Prize in Physics.

What we should be doing with is Andre,' one former boss tells us, 'is just give him money to go and play, because by going and playing he's much more likely to come up with something revolutionary'.

Producer: Mark Savage.

Helen Grady profiles the prize-winning scientist Professor Sir Andre Geim.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Laura Gray and Sarah Shebbeare.

Mark Coles profiles Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom.

Producers: Eleanor Biggs and Rosamund Jones

The Bank of England's new governor starts his job amid economic chaos. How will he do?

Producer: Sandra Kanthal

Researcher: May Cameron

Editor: Ravin Sampat

Mark Coles profiles Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Becky Milligan profiles the man at the centre of the so-called 'Plebgate' scandal.

Thanks to the Varkey Foundation for footage of the Global Teacher Prize.

Producers: Viv Jones, Phoebe Keane

The primary school teacher at the centre of a row over LGBT rights.

James Silver examines the life of Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: Tural Ahmedzade

Editor: Richard Knight

Andy Evans will soon give evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry. He's waited a long time.

It has taken Murray grit and determination to get where he is. He has struggled with a fiery temper and his own demons as well as a problem with his knee which forced him to stop playing tennis for at least six months.

He has also faced difficulties in his personal life. When he was eight, he attended Dunblane Primary School where lone gunman Thomas Hamilton killed 16 children and their teacher. His parents separated when he was around ten and his promise as a young tennis player took him to a tennis academy in Spain far away from home.

Producers: Mark Savage and Arlene Gregorius.

Tennis champion Andy Murray, who has won Britain's first grand slam in 76 years.

Mark Coles speaks to friends, family and colleagues to find out more about the ‘no-nonsense', straight-talking scientist who loves theatre, birdwatching and campfires.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Georgia Coan

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinator: Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The UK government's new chief scientific adviser and the first woman to hold the post.

She has gone from being Helmut Kohl's 'little girl' to one of the world's most influential stateswomen. Forbes Magazine recently declared Ms Merkel to be the most powerful woman in the world for the fourth time. All the opinion polls indicate that she will remain as Chancellor after the latest elections.

So how did this physicist from a small town in East Germany become a world leader?

Producer: Chris Bowlby

Editor: Richard Knight.

Chris Bowlby profiles German chancellor Angela Merkel, as she campaigns for a third term.

Her back-story is, however, unusual for one who has risen so high, so quickly in British politics. Coming from an impoverished background, and leaving school at 16 with no qualifications and a baby on the way, she soon blazed a trail as a formidable union rep with Unison in the North West before being elected as an MP in 2015.

By speaking to close personal friends, well-known public figures and commons commentators, Mark Coles reveals the character, underlying motivations - and even the unexpected musical tastes - of the woman who many believe could be the first ever female leader of the Labour Party.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Stefania Okereke

Studio manager: Neil Churchill

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Paul Connolly

Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

We profile the life and career of Angela Rayner MP, deputy leader of the Labour Party.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Online hacking collective Anonymous has declared 'total war' on IS - but who are they?

When he opened the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, the 68 year old former Portuguese Prime Minister warned the world was in danger, 'in pieces' and needed putting back together again.

So, who is he and how does he plan to go about it ?

Mark Coles talks to childhood friends, political colleagues past and present - even Portugal's President - who help explain the events and personal tragedies that have shaped Guterres and led him to take on arguably the most difficult job on the planet.

Floods, cancer, Catholicism, chocolate and cheese...everything you need to know about new UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on Profile this week.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general.

Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues to find out more about the man whose father was an ambassador and whose stepfather survived Auschwitz.

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producers: Sally Abrahams, Natasha Fernandes, Kirsteen Knight

Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Janet Staples, Rosie Strawbridge, Gemma Ashman

Sound: James Beard

Editor: Bridget Harney

Credits:

Without Ya, Ablinken (Spotify)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who is facing huge challenges in the Middle East.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who faces a huge challenge as the crisis continues in Israel and Gaza. With years of diplomatic experience, this may be his toughest test.

Dragged into seemingly endless rows about gay clergy and women bishops, Williams has had to endure a great deal of abuse from some members of the world's 77 million strong Anglican Communion. His period of office has even been described as a crucifixion. Is he misrepresented by Britain's tabloid press or does he actively court controversy?

His opposition to the Iraq war, his call for reparations for the slave trade and his candid predictions that last summer's riots could easily be repeated have raised eyebrows among parts of the political establishment. In 2008, he provoked an outcry after saying the application of Sharia law in England under certain circumstances was unavoidable.

A former Religious Affairs Correspondent, Emily Buchanan speaks to those who know him well including the Bishop of London, his school friend John Walters, his biographer Rupert Shortt, and the satirist Ian Hislop. She discovers how Rowan Williams' warm and sympathetic character, with the ability to see all sides of a question, is both his great strength and his weakness.

Producer: Lucy Ash.

Emily Buchanan profiles the archbishop of Canterbury, poet and scholar Rowan Williams.

Mark Coles profiles the Queen of Soul.

Emma Jane Kirby profiles new media mogul Arianna Huffington.

Instead, she's found herself forced out of office.

It's got little to do with religion, constitution or the almost four THOUSAND people who've lost their lives during political conflict over the decades.

The DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister has had to step down in a bitter row over renewable energy subsidies.

On Profile, Mark Coles looks back at Arlene Foster's life and career and the reasons behind this week's political upheavals.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Jordan Dunbar.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Arlene Foster.

Producer Smita Patel

Editor Richard Vadon

Researcher Jordan Dunbar.

Mark Coles takes an updated look at leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster.

They joined forces three years ago to campaign against rape as a weapon of war, and jointly hosted an international conference in London last summer.

This week Mark Coles profiles the woman who brought them together; a refugee from Bosnia who has just taken her seat in the House of Lords. She is Arminka Helic, for ten years a special adviser to William Hague.

Hague himself tells us how in 2011 Helic brought Jolie's film 'In The Land of Blood and Honey' to him, a film that portrays the tactical use of mass rape against civilians. Helic told him it was a film he needed to watch.

Producers: Tim Mansel and Hannah Moor.

Mark Coles profiles the refugee from Bosnia as she takes her seat in the House of Lords.

Producer - Gail Champion.

Arsenal's once 'invincible' manager Arsene Wenger now facing growing criticism.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Tim Mansel.

Ashraf Ghani, president of Afghanistan, the anthropologist with the explosive temper.

Aung San Suu Kyi's political career, which began dramatically with the failed uprising of 1988, has been shaped by the memory of her father, General Aung San, who is regarded as the founder of modern Burma. Her life has been marked by loss: her father was assassinated when she was two, her older brother died six years later and her British husband, Michael Aris, died when she was under house arrest. How has Aung San Suu Kyi remained committed to her struggle to bring democracy to the country?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Katie Inman and Peter Snowdon.

Is Aung San Suu Kyi on the brink of power in Myanmar?

The Ayatollah owes his rise to power to two men - his predecessor as Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the previous president, Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Ayatollah Khamenei has been a cleric for most of his life, beginning as a religious scholar in the city of Mashhad at the tender age of 11. He served several terms in jail as a result of his religious convictions during the secular dictatorship of the Shah. His rise to power began with the revolution of 1979 that turned Iran into the Islamic Republic. Khamenei became, first president, a post with relatively little power, and his election as Supreme Leader after the death of Khomenei was a surprise to all. Many believe this was engineered by Rafsanjani to allow Rafsanjani himself to remain in control.

But Khamenei has gradually made himself the most powerful man in Iran - and he's done so by recruiting the Revolutionary Guard to his side. There are those who say that far from a religious dictatorship, Iran is in fact a military dictatorship.

But Ali Khamenei is 72 and with 70 per cent of the Iranian population having been born since the revolution, it's not clear that the post of Supreme Leader will survive his death.

Producer TIM MANSEL

Presenter JAMES REYNOLDS.

James Reynolds profiles Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.

James Silver profiles Baroness Catherine Ashton.

Producers: Smita Patel and Jordan Dundar

Researcher: Darin Graham

Baroness Hale, president of the Supreme Court, delivered a bombshell ruling this week.

In the past few weeks she's been stuck in a legal battle with the Government after refusing to withdraw her order for them to hand over unredacted material for her investigation.

The first female Chair of the Bar Council, Baroness Hallett didn't come from the usual privilege associated with the top tier of the legal profession. She grew up as the daughter of a policeman and a secretary, moving around a lot in her childhood and going to various state schools before getting a place at Oxford where she went on to specialise in criminal law.

Mark Coles speaks to friends and peers about her extraordinary legal career and why she will not sway over Government demands when the COVID inquiry starts next week.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Georgia Coan, Octavia Woodward and Samantha Haque

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The Chair of the Covid inquiry demanding the cabinet's WhatsApp messages.

After leaving school at 16, Baroness Stowell's journey to this position has been a discreet one. How will she negotiate the potentially testing times ahead as the government contemplates reform of the House of Lords?

Presenter: Edward Stourton.

Producers: Charlotte Pritchard and Peter Snowdon.

Edward Stourton profiles the leader of the House of Lords Baroness Tina Stowell.

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Edward Stourton profiles Baroness Trumpington, famous for flicking a V sign in the Lords.

Keoghan was so determined to succeed that he's often made his own audition tapes to send to studios. Praised by directors for his natural talent, Keoghan has risen from starring in the Irish drama series ‘Love/Hate' as a ‘cat killer' in 2013, to the current hit ‘The Banshees of Inisherin'. His moving performance as the comical yet heart-breaking Dominic is wowing critics.

So can Barry Keoghan take home all the awards this year? Mark Coles speaks to his friends, colleagues and teachers about his rise from the streets of Summerhill in Dublin to success in Hollywood.

Credits

Ireland Unfiltered with Dion Fanning

In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast

Director and writer: Martin McDonagh

Searchlight Pictures

Between the Canals

Director and writer: Mark O'Connor

High Fliers Films

Dunkirk

Director: Christopher Nolan

Warner Bros.

Hairspray

Director: Adam Shankman

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Diane Richardson, Beth Ashmead-Latham and Georgia Coan

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinator: Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The Oscar and Bafta nominee from one of the toughest districts in Dublin.

He came to power in 2000 on a wave of hope for political and economic reform. Under his leadership, the country underwent a degree of relaxation, with hundreds of political prisoners being released and a few tentative steps towards easing media restrictions.

But the pace of change has slowed - if not reversed - and President Assad has made clear his priority is economic rather than political reform. The Syrian leader's vocal opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq prompted US anger, but it was popular in Syria and in the region. His administration has also come under fire for its alleged support for Palestinian militants and insurgents in Iraq. For Syria's security services and army, the ruling Baath Party and the massive state bureaucracies, Mr Assad represents stability and continuity after the 30-year rule of his father, Hafez al-Assad. Some observers believe an old guard with entrenched interests may be holding back the young leader. Others say Mr Assad is firmly in the driving seat. So how much do we know about the real character of the man - is he reformer or autocrat?

Presenter: Simon Cox

Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane.

As President Assad battles to hold Syria, is he by nature a reformer or an autocrat?

Interviewees include Malcolm Rifkind MP, journalists Yossi Alfer, Gill Hoffman and friends and colleagues from Netanyahu's past.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister.

Timandra Harkness looks at the life of the man who has won six elections and who is known to his supporters as 'King Bibi'.

Credits:

The Hoover Institution: `Bibi: My Story,` Benjamin Netanyahu On His Life And Times

The 92nd Street Y: Benjamin Netanyahu and David Rubenstein in Conversation

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Production: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson, Alix Pickles

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: James Beard

Editor: Damon Rose

Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Producer Ian MuirCochrane.

~Profile of comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo, now a major force in Italian politics.

Described as a tough, straight northerner, he spent five years running the Merseyside police to 2009.

He introduced a zero tolerance approach to crime which he describes as 'total policing'. Under his leadership there were significant falls in crime and anti-social behaviour.

He is not afraid to court controversy and spoke out against judges for being soft on gun crime.

He adopted a high public profile with regular web-chats and appearances on radio phone-ins.

He has a love of horses and also made regular public appearances on horseback

Danny Shaw talks to former colleagues, politicians and criminologists and others and finds out what drives Bernard Hogan-Howe and what sort of Metropolitan Police Commissioner he might be.

A profile of the incoming Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: May Cameron

Some 20,000 people recently turned out to hear Sanders speak - the sort of crowd Barack Obama would have been proud of in 2008. He is, it seems, an increasingly viable contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Sanders has spent the last forty years attacking inequality and he is known for giving loud and impassioned speeches. But he can also be prickly with the media and he doesn't do small talk.

So could Bernie Sanders, the self-styled socialist and 'grumpy old guy', beat Hillary Clinton - and the Republicans - to become the next President of the United States? Chris Bowlby reports.

Producers: Keith Moore and Ben Crighton

The song 'Feel the Bern', used in this programme, was performed by Tony Tig and produced Corbett.

Chris Bowlby profiles self-styled socialist US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Diane Richardson

Mark Coles hears about the life of the man behind the Magnitsky Act, Bill Browder.

Producers: Ben Crighton, Chris Bowlby

Editor: Richard Knight.

Mark Coles profiles the radical New York mayor-elect, Bill de Blasio.

In this profile of the Glasgow welder who became a global star, Connolly's own performances and voice are mixed with the thoughts of those who know him well - including singer Barbara Dickson and producer John Lloyd.

Producers: Heba Ayoub, Chris Bowlby.

Mark Coles explores how comedian Billy Connolly has tackled adversity with humour.

Bishop Rosemarie was herself born into a situation shaped by slavery, in the then colony Barbados, before coming to the UK as a child. Now a senior cleric, she has co-authored a report on how the Church of England should make amends for its historic financial involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, which has attracted praise from some and criticism from others.

Stephen Smith talks to those who know Mallett best, exploring how her life has shaped her approach to music, ministry, and racial justice.

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producer: Nathan Gower

Production team: Debbie Richford, Drew Hyndman

Editor: Tom Bigwood

Programme Coordinators: Sabine Schereck, Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

Rosemarie Mallett, bishop of Croydon.

Stephen Smith looks at the life of one of the rising stars of the Church of England.

An insight into the character of an influential person making the news headlines

He was born in East London and started work on London Underground in 1978. He joined the National Union of Railwaymen and has never looked back. He was elected General Secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of Jimmy Knapp, with the biggest winning margin in the union's history.

With contributions from Tim O'Toole (former Managing Director of London Underground), Tom Winsor (former Rail Regulator), the Labour MP Ian Davidson and transport journalist Christian Wolmar.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Bob Crow, General Secretary of the transport union, the RMT.

Born and raised a Hindu, Jindal converted to Catholicism as a teenager. The former Rhodes Scholar has since made a name for himself as a conservative Republican, opposing abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research, while advocating the teaching of intelligent design in schools.

Claire hears from those who knew, and have tracked the career of, this rising star who has been tipped by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2012.

Claire Bolderson profiles the young Indian-American governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal.

But alongside his various careers as mayor, journalist, author and quiz show panellist, it seems his political prospects within the ranks of the Tory party also remain strong. Recent polls suggest a groundswell of support for him as a potential future leader of the party. James Silver charts the rise and rise of a unique politician.

Producer - Gail Champion.

As the Olympics come to London, Mayor Boris Johnson finds himself on the global stage.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Becky Milligan charts the bumpy ride to stardom for the creator of Mrs Brown's Boys.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: May Cameron

We explore the life and career of British artist Bridget Riley.

Paul Henley profiles troubled pop phenomenon Britney Spears.

Paul Henley profiles troubled pop phenomenon Britney Spears.

The BBC's Royal correspondent, Jonny Dymond, talks to friends and royal authors about her life so far.

Presenter: Jonny Dymond

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Diane Richardson

Researcher: Louise Byrne

Sound: James Beard

Editor: Simon Watts

The Queen Consort, Camilla, who will become Queen at the coronation of King Charles III.

The Parole Board was thrust into the spotlight when it ruled that John Worboys, the 'black cab rapist,' could be released from jail. Worboys' victims launched a legal challenge and The High Court ruled in their favour, forcing the parole board to perform a u-turn. The head stepped down and the new chair of the Parole Board is Caroline Corby. She'll have to oversee major changes, but she hasn't had a traditional route into criminal justice. She's written children's books and worked in the city. Mark Coles finds out how she travelled this unusual path.

The new chair of the Parole Board, which rules on releasing the most serious prisoners.

Over the past three decades, she's also run the Guardian Media Group, and brought her wisdom to the boardrooms of Lloyds TSB, Tesco, Burberry and New Look. Last year she was voted Britain's most admired business leader.

An only child, Dame Carolyn was brought up in Bangalore and Singapore, before moving to boarding school in Derbyshire, and later meeting her husband at Kent University.

Mark Coles finds out more about this high flyer from her school roommate, former colleagues Alan Rusbridger and Sir Michael Rake, and Easyjet pilot Captain Angus Hogg.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ruth Alexander and Sarah Shebbeare.

Mark Coles profiles easyJet's high-flying CEO, Dame Carolyn McCall.

She is a also a former special advisor, committed animal rights activist and Brexit supporter. And, not that long ago, she was director of communications for the Conservative Party.

It's that political experience that has fuelled questions about how much influence she has over decisions made in Downing Street. The Bow Group think tank this week called for an inquiry into her role.

Mark Coles profiles the woman who has been making waves, and headlines, in recent weeks.

Producer: Simon Maybin

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot

Production co-ordinator: Aretha Holmes

A think tank says she is playing a 'central role' in running the country, but who is she?

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Ben Crighton.

The story of Catherine Corless, who has been described as 'Ireland's Erin Brockovich'.

Going for Gold - Charles Van Commenee head coach to the GB athletics squad.

She's had a remarkably quick rise through the Conservative party, starting as an intern and ending up a special advisor to then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson - the man who recommended her peerage when he resigned.

Charlotte Owen has faced much scrutiny since her peerage was announced but those close to her say she has youth and energy on her side, and is ready to embrace her new role.

Mark Coles talks to her colleagues and friends to gain insight into the particularly private future baroness.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Daniel Gordon, Isobel Gough

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Nigel Appleton

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

The youngest person ever to receive a life peerage.

Just weeks before the general election he made it clear that he believed Jeremy Corbyn was unfit to become PM because of his record on dealing with anti-Semitism within the Labour party - though Mr Corbyn said the party had taken 'rapid and effective' action.

Edward Stourton traces the Chief Rabbi's story, which begins with a childhood in apartheid South Africa. His tenure as Chief Rabbi has been marked by a few liberalising initiatives, which have ruffled feathers and caused some disquiet within the wider Jewish community.

But observers might wonder if the initiatives have gone far enough. He is used to controversy within his own community, but unused to being in the wider public's gaze.

So what persuaded Ephraim Mirvis to enter the political fray and what does his intervention tell us about the man?

Producer: Rosamund Jones

What does Ephraim Mirvis' entry into the political fray this week tell us about the man?

On the subject of transgender people and feminism, Chimamanda Adichie has been criticised by some on social media for comments she made in a 2017 TV interview, in which she said 'my feeling is trans women are trans women'. She was branded transphobic and there were calls for her to be banned from book events.

This past week, she has hit back, writing a furious online essay slamming some of her critics and arguing that social media platforms have become too toxic.

Mark Coles talks to friends and family about the award-winning writer whose outspoken nature has seen her drawn into a social media firestorm.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Researcher: Matt Murphy and Sowda Ali

Editor: Alex Lewis

The award-winning author who has found herself at the heart of a social media firestorm

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer; Sally Abrahams

Mark Coles profiles transport secretary Chris Grayling.

Best known for his cult TV shows The Day Today and Brass Eye, he has tackled subjects considered taboo by many people, including paedophilia, incest and suicide. His latest offering, a film poking fun at jihadis, promises to be no different. But who is this intensely private individual, and where does his decidedly angry brand of humour come from?

Contributors include Morris's writing partner David Quantick, former boss Trevor Dann and Michael Grade.

After rising to prominence in the 1980s as a presenter on the BBC children's TV programme The Really Wild Show, Chris Packham has spent nearly four decades exploring and explaining the natural world on our screens. Along the way he's written books, fronted numerous environmental campaigns, and also raised awareness of living with Asperger's Syndrome.

Mark Coles hears from Chris Packham's family, friends and colleagues about his life and career.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Cooper

Researchers: Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

The naturalist, broadcaster, author and campaigner.

Now the Staten Island warehouse where Chris used to be based has made history, becoming the first Amazon workplace in the United States to vote for union representation, a serious defeat for Amazon which has been fighting against unionisation.

Timandra Harkness hears about the man behind this historic vote, speaking to some of the family, friends and team who've supported him along the way.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Janet Staples

Sound: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Damon Rose

The man who defeated Amazon, President of the Amazon Labor Union, Christian Smalls.

Adrian Goldberg profiles Christine Lagarde, newly elected head of the IMF.

Featuring contributions from designer Zandra Rhodes, the editor in chief of the American edition of Marie Claire magazine Joanna Coles, his teacher and a student friend from his early art school days in Dewsbury.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles fashion designer Christopher Bailey.

Producer: Ben Carter.

The Hollywood film director Christopher Nolan is profiled by Mark Coles.

Mark Coles finds out what's driven this unique mission - and what his family think.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researchers: Benita Barden & Beth Sagar-Fenton

The billionaire who has given away his fortune. With Mark Coles.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The first female british chef to win 3 Michelin stars at her own restaurant.

The Supreme Court Justice at the centre of overturning the right to abortion in the US.

Colin Firth is famous for his eclectic roles and campaigning zeal. He first came to prominence in the BBC adaption of Pride & Prejudice. He played Mr Darcy, a performance he claims never to have watched in full. But his break was as a public schoolboy in Another Country. His real life was very different, he went to a state school in Winchester. At home, books and theatre were highly valued. His grandparents were missionaries which might help to explain his involvement in a number of charitable and campaigning organisations. He is particularly interested in supporting indigenous people, fair trade and foreign development. In the past he has supported Labour and came out - briefly - last year for the Lib Dems.

His career has mixed serious roles in Tom Ford's A Single Man and Michael Winterbottom's Genoa with Phyllida Lloyd's Mamma Mia and the reprisal of Mr Darcy in the Bridget Jones films.

~Profile talks to his parents, Shirley and David Firth, the actor, David Morrissey and director Sir Richard Eyre.

Producer: Rosamund Jones.

Jonathan Maitland profiles the star of The King's Speech, actor & campaigner, Colin Firth.

The small-town Texan turned hit novelist is a TikTok sensation. Young women film themselves sobbing as they read her books, and queue for hours to meet her. Her meteoric rise to fame, from a small trailer on the family farm, reads like one of her stories. And now, her hit novel - ‘It Ends With Us' - is set to hit the silver screen.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ellie House and Diane Richardson

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Manager: Neil Churchill

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele, Katie Morrison, and Janet Staples

The bestselling romance novelist and TikTok sensation.

Colleen Hoover, the bestselling author and TikTok sensation, whose hit novel It Ends With Us is set to hit the silver screen soon.

Conrad Black is back. Michael Cockerell asks: will the fallen press baron slay his foes?

Mark Coles profiles artist Cornelia Parker, 2017's official election artist.

This week, he started a new job at the Department for International Trade....in charge of negotiating UK trade deals with the rest of the world once Britain leaves the EU. Friends and former colleagues shed light on his government career in New Zealand as well as his time chairing talks at the World Trade Organisation.

We also hear why he can't drive, loves running, rugby and rummaging for cardoons in French fields. And why he once tried to sell his younger sister to some South Korean fishermen.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Crawford Falconer, who could prove key to Britain's post-Brexit future

Producer: Ben Carter.

Mark Coles profiles the first woman to lead the Metropolitan Police.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Kate Lamble

Editor Richard Vadon.

Mark Coles looks at the life of Mohammed Bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

This week the Crown Prince broke his silence and denounced the killing. But with Donald Trump calling it `the worst cover up ever` and Western leaders threatening sanctions, will his path to the Saudi throne be blocked?

Helen Grady finds out how the young prince - now aged 33 - came to power so quickly.

A Washington-based analyst tells us why he'd argue the Crown Prince is a reformer, but not the kind the West thought he'd be.

And we talk to a Middle East expert about whether she thinks the Khashoggi killing has damaged Mohammed bin Salman's reputation.

Producers Smita Patel & Oliver Jones

Editor Penny Murphy

Helen Grady looks at the life of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It hasn't been plain sailing for Cush Jumbo, who worked a long list of jobs - including door to door sales and waitressing in a strip bar - to support herself as an aspiring actress, and came close to quitting altogether. But, as Mark Coles hears, she wrote her way out of the doldrums and became a star on both sides of the Atlantic.

Celebrity mates Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) and Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) help tell her story, and spill some great anecdotes along the way.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Researchers: Zoe Gelber, Soila Apparicio, Bethan Head

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Mix: Neil Churchill

British star of The Good Wife taking on the role of Hamlet. With Mark Coles.

Martin Plaut profiles Nelson Mandela's former number two, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: Darin Graham

Editor Hugh Levinson.

Becky Milligan looks at the life of South Africa's new president.

He started generating his own power with a homemade windmill before setting up green energy provider, Ecotricity in the 1990s. He's since commissioned a record-breaking electric car and added a football club and lab-grown diamonds to his sustainable businesses.

Mark Coles looks at the life of the eco-entrepreneur who says that the disruption caused by Just Stop Oil protesters is nothing compared to the havoc caused by climate change.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson, Alix Pickles

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Richard Vadon

The multi-millionaire entrepreneur and Just Stop Oil donor Dale Vince.

Producers:

John Murphy

Anna Meisel.

Rosie Goldsmith profiles one of entertainment's best known characters - Dame Edna Everage.

Dame Helen Ghosh - who has led the department since January 2011 - will take up the role of director general of the National Trust.

She is one of a number of permanent secretaries who have left the civil service this year. She said she was 'torn about leaving' but the chance to work for the National Trust was 'a rare opportunity'.

Dame Helen Ghosh has worked in Government since 1979 for both Conservative and Labour Ministers. Her tenure included controversy at Defra over the Rural Payments Agency and more recently at the Home Office with concerns over the Border Agency.

Chris Bowlby assesses her career and the qualities that propelled her to the senior ranks in Whitehall and asks what they tell us about the approach she is likely to bring to her new role.

Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane.

Chris Bowlby profiles Dame Helen Ghosh, who is to take over as head of the National Trust.

Sheena McDonald profiles Dame Liz Forgan, the first woman to chair the Arts Council.

It's rare for us to profile someone so iconic. But courtesy of a mention by the Queen in her recent address to the nation, at 103 years old Vera Lynn is trending again. She even has a number one single on the UK iTunes chart. Mark Coles talks to her family and close friends to find out what she makes of all the attention. And, perhaps more importantly, why - 80 years on - her best known song 'We'll Meet Again' is striking a chord during the coronavirus crisis.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Bethan Head

Mark Coles looks at the life of Dame Vera Lynn.

This week 35-year-old Daniel Ek became very, very rich when his company Spotify floated on the New York Stock Exchange - with an initial value of more than $26 billion.

It's a long way from his home in a working-class suburb of Stockholm where Daniel's interest in both music and computers was piqued at an early age.

He started his first businesses while a teenager, in between starring in school musicals, and earned his first fortune in his early 20s.

He launched Spotify in 2006 with business partner Martin Lorentzon, with a goal to 'save the music industry' at a time when illegal downloads were eating into profits.

Today Spotify has revolutionised the way we listen to music and last year Daniel Ek was named the most-powerful person in the music industry by Billboard magazine - but what does the future hold in store for the tech industry's latest billionaire?

CONTRIBUTORS

Tony Kinberg, Daniel Ek's former music teacher

Kina Zeidler, journalist and author of Det Svenska Techundret (The Swedish Tech Miracle)

Jonas Nordlander, co-founder & CEO of Avito and founder and former owner of Tradera.

Pelle Lidell, founder of EKKO Music Rights Europe and former executive at Universal Music

D.A. Wallach - musician, tech investor and former artists services lead at Spotify

Diego Planas, former Spotify employee.

Mark Coles tracks the life of Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek.

Raised by his Ugandan mother, who remains an inspiration, Kaluuya grew up on a council estate in North London. He first came to public attention as a teenager, when he wrote and performed in the hit television series, Skins. But he's been acting and writing from an early age, having won a play-writing competition when he was nine and impressed talent spotters when he was still at school.

Mark Coles talks to those who recognised and nurtured the young Kaluuya's talents, including his A level drama teacher Jo Fenton, the co-creator of Skins Bryan Elsley, playwright Roy Williams and the director of his forthcoming film Widows, Steve McQueen.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius.

Mark Coles profiles the Oscar-nominated star of Get Out and Black Panther, Daniel Kaluuya.

Jonathan Maitland profiles Danny Alexander, Lib Dem MP and Treasury Chief Secretary.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles tries to find out why.

Friends and colleagues talk about the footballer's formative years, his remarkable premiership debut against arch-rivals Arsenal and how a knee injury sparked depression and introspection.

But it's racism that dominates his story.

A black player representing England in international matches, he's been subjected to racist chanting and abuse.

After last month's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro, he said , enough is enough - ¦ it's time for football's governing bodies to stamp it out.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Tural Ahmedzade

Editor Emma Rippon

Marks Coles looks at the life of Tottenham Hotspur footballer, Danny Rose

Presenter Ruth Alexander

Producer Ben Crighton.

Ruth Alexander profiles Dave Brailsford, the mastermind behind the British cycling team.

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Presenter: Mark Coles

Mark Coles profiles the British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye.

Mark Coles explores the life and career of the man who goes by the name DC Grumpy on social media, has a profile picture of Darth Vader and once sported a David Cassidy-style haircut.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Bob Howard, Natasha Fernandes, Brenda Brown

Sound: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Richard Vadon

Boris Johnson's election strategist, brought in to help the Conservatives win another term

Producer: Smita Patel

Researchers: Sarah Shebbeare & Serena Tarling

Editor: Penny Murphy.

Chris Bowlby profiles David Davis - the man in charge of Brexit.

Now David Frost has arguably one of the most challenging jobs in British politics. How has he made it to the top?

Presenter: Edward Stourton

Producers: Eleanor Biggs, Kate Lamble, Olga Smirnova, and Phoebe Keane

Producers: Darin Graham and Smita Patel

Edward Stourton looks at the life of an unlikely rebel.

Born in North London to Guyanese parents, Lammy grew up in Tottenham but moved to Peterborough aged 11 after winning a council scholarship to the city's cathedral boarding school. He went on to study law in London and at Harvard. Then, after a brief spell as a barrister, he became MP for his home borough of Tottenham at the age of just 27. His political career soon took off, with Tony Blair making him a minister in the New Labour government and Lammy was quickly hailed as 'the Black Blair' or 'Britain's Obama'. But not everything went smoothly for the junior minister.

Since Labour went into opposition, Lammy has spent his time on the back benches. There, he's found his political voice and passion as a defender of those he feels have been failed by the system - from the Grenfell fire victims, to working-class young people struggling to get into top universities, and now the Windrush immigrants. Alastair Campbell calls him 'a good old-fashioned class warrior, in the best possible sense'.

Mark Coles meets some of the people who know Lammy best - from childhood friends, former teachers and his beloved 'Aunty May' who firmly believes that, one day, her godson will be Britain's first black Prime Minister.

Presenter: Mark Coles.

Producers: Diane Richardson and Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Helen Grady.

The life and career of Windrush champion and Tottenham MP, David Lammy.

Obsessed with drawing and painting from an early age, Lynch's mother didn't even allow him colouring books in case they halted his artistic development. Despite dropping out of art school, Lynch first made his name with surreal short films before directing the cult hit Eraserhead. There was further success with The Elephant Man and Blue Velvet before Twin Peaks brought his work to a mainstream TV audience.

Alongside his film work, Lynch has also produced paintings, photographs of abandoned factories, musical collaborations, and even designed nightclubs. A continual stream of creative output fuelled by Transcendental Meditation.

Mark Coles profiles the director David Lynch.

It has been an unconventional and bumpy rise to the top. Martindale went to jail in 2006, doing time for his involvement in organised crime, Mark Coles talks to his family, friends and football colleagues about his past, his leadership style and what the future may hold. Will his chequered history thwart his ambition?

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar

How the football manager with a criminal past has turned his life around. With Mark Coles.

All three teams - mixed, male and female - have qualified and hopes are high this former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist can inspire the teams to victory.

Mark Coles finds out what makes the Lockerbie-born sports nerd tick.

Producers: Diane Richardson and Lucy Proctor

Editor: Penny Murphy

The British curling coach hoping for golds in Beijing.

She's been open about overcoming addiction, taking drugs with her mum and surviving an overdose in her twenties. Now, with a long list of presenting credits under her belt, she's turned to making documentaries raising awareness about the symptoms of the menopause and looking at contraception in the UK.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the fitness fanatic who has even starred in a Kylie Minogue music video.

Credits:

My Mum, Your Dad, ITV.

Big Brother, Channel 4.

God's Gift, ITV.

Streetmate, Channel 4.

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production: Alix Pickles, Diane Richardson, Phoebe Keane

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

TV presenter and former Big Brother host who has been on our screens for decades.

Producers: Ben Crighton, Viv Jones

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The chess prodigy and video game designer behind a breakthrough that could change medicine

Producer: Smita Patel

Editor: Emma Rippon.

How a gambling hunch made the elusive Denise Coates Britain's best paid boss.

Dido Harding started out on a pig farm in Dorset, and has spent most of her adult life splitting her time between the corporate world and her beloved horses. Married to Conservative MP John Penrose, she's spent the last three years working in the public sector, and recently been a regular feature at Number 10's daily coronavirus briefings. Mark Coles speaks to her best friend and former boss, amongst others, to find out more.

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Researcher: May Cameron

Editor: Kirsty Reid

Who is the horse-loving peer now in charge of our public health? With Mark Coles

She is now seen as Lula's successor, nicknamed 'The Iron Lady', though there are questions about her own public charisma and in which direction she will take this booming country of 200 million people. If she wins, she could become one of the world's most powerful leaders.

Producer: Smita Patel

Dippy the dinosaur has left the building.

Gifted to King Edward VII in 1905, a 70 foot long cast of a fossilised dinosaur skeleton discovered in America has been on display at London's Natural History Museum for more than a century.

It's become the country's most recognisable museum exhibit - seen by an estimated 90 million people.

Now it's being replaced by the real skeleton of a giant blue whale...Dippy's 292 plaster cast bones setting off instead on a nationwide tour.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles examines how Dippy the replica Diplodocus has become a national treasure.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Mark Coles profiles Dippy the Diplodocus.

Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou.

Becky Milligan profiles Italy's famous couture couple Dolce & Gabbana.

Presented by Becky Milligan

Produced by Jordan Dunbar

Researched by Kirsteen Knight and Eleanor Biggs

Becky Milligan takes a look at the life of Dominic Cummings.

Grieve was called the modern day grand old Duke of York - accused of marching the troops to the top of the hill, only to march them down again.

His wife Caroline tells Mark Coles he has been misunderstood, and describes how he agonised over this week's vote. She also outlines some of the quirkier aspects of her husband's character.

Producer: Smita Patel and Clare Spencer

Researcher: Bethan Head

Editor: Penny Murphy.

Labelled 'the rebel who forgot to rebel', who is Dominic Grieve? Mark Coles finds out.

The 44-year-old was tipped for high office from the moment he was elected to the safe Conservative seat of Esher and Walton in 2010.

His rise through the ministerial ranks has not been without controversy, with Theresa May accusing him of fuelling gender warfare by describing some feminists as 'obnoxious bigots'.

With just months to go to broker a deal with EU negotiators, not to mention steering Brexit through a divided Commons, the amateur boxer and karate black belt has got a real fight on his hands.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Crighton, Clare Spencer.

Mark Coles profiles the new Brexit secretary, boxer and karate black belt Dominic Raab.

The 46-year-old Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, asked to deputise `where necessary` for Boris Johnson while he recovers from coronavirus.

A staunch Brexiteer and a karate black belt, he's perhaps not the best-known member of the Cabinet.

So, who is he and - more importantly - is he up to the job?

A former lawyer, Raab has experience in international justice - but his hard-line on Brexit as well as past comments about feminism, welfare and Britain's work ethic have angered his critics.

Mark Coles hears from political colleagues, Westminster journalists - even Dominic Raab's boxing coach.

Producer Smita Patel

Editor Ravin Sampat

Researcher Bethan Head

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Dominic Raab.

When Dominique Strauss-Kahn, DSK as he is known, took charge of the IMF in 2007 many thought his political career was finished. A man described variously as a 21st century Metternich, a champagne socialist and a dilettante, DSK had failed in a bid to become the Socialist party's candidate for the 2007 French Presidential election. But his response to the global financial crisis in which he has skillfully positioned the IMF as a key player, has earned him European and international accolades. And in recent months he has played a crucial role in using IMF clout to help stabilize the failing Greek economy. Along the way the man nicknamed 'chaud lapin' (hot rabbit) has survived a sex scandal and a very public divorce. Now many commentators, who had written him off politically, are seeing DSK as a strong candidiate to emerge as President when France goes to the polls in 2012.

Chris Bowlby profiles Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Director of the International Monetary Fund.

Mark Coles profiles Donald Glover, the multi-talented American comedian, record producer, songwriter, rapper and DJ who is forcing the world to confront racism, violence and societies contradictions.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Estelle Doyle and Diane Richardson

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Childish Gambino, the creator of viral video hit This is America.

Best known in the UK as a former President of the European Council, Donald Tusk is a political survivor, forged in the struggle and resistance against communist-era Poland in the 1980s, but who then went on to scale political heights at home and abroad again and again. So how did this son of Gdansk and self-confessed former football hooligan become one of Europe's most enduring politicians?

Paul Connolly speaks to those who watched his ascent first hand.

Presenter: Paul Connolly

Producer: Natasha Fernandes

Assistant Producer: Nathan Gower

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: James Beard

Archive:

Speech by Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, 14th October 2016

Interview with Donald Tusk on the website of the European Council

Speech by Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, 6th February 2019

The veteran Polish politician on the brink of a remarkable political comeback.

We explore the life of one of Europe's most enduring politicians, from resistance in Communist-era Poland, to becoming prime minister of Poland, and then one of the EU's top jobs.

Programme Coordinator: Sabine Schereck

Ed Stourton profiles Douglas Carswell, the first elected UKIP MP.

First broadcast on Saturday 4th April 2020.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Bethan Head

Mark Coles profiles America's top immunologist.

Over the past 25 years Dr Dre has made an indelible mark on popular culture. After NWA he founded a record label and turned producer - making global stars of artists like Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

And he's a hugely successful businessman. His Beats brand - whose headphones have become a ubiquitous fashion accessory - was sold last year to Apple for $3bn (£1.8bn).

It's all a long way from his start in life as a poor child to a teenage mother in Los Angeles. But, as Mark Coles hears, there's a dark side to Dr Dre's story of almost unimaginable success.

Producers: Keith Moore and James Melley.

Dr Dre has made an indelible mark on popular culture. Mark Coles tells his story.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Photo Credit: Martin Lever/Core Periphery

Gail Bradbrook is behind the environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion.

Producers: Viv Jones, Ben Crighton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Dr June Raine, the UK's top medical regulator, makes the call on approving Covid vaccines.

A Profile of former nuclear weapons inspector Dr Muhammad ElBaradei.

In her new role, Nicola Fox will be responsible for hundreds of NASA projects, including returning humans to the Moon and exploring Mars. Outside of work, she enjoys karaoke... and fashion with a space theme.

Mark Coles speaks to Nicola Fox's friends, family and fellow scientists about how she landed ‘the best job on the planet'.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Diane Richardson and Georgia Coan

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The Hertfordshire-born physicist who's NASA's new science chief.

Producer: Jim Frank

Researcher: Vivien Jones

Editor: Penny Murphy

Mark Coles profiles Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation.

Little more than a year later he'd turned into a national villain. England had surrendered the Ashes in the most humiliating fashion, beaten 5-0 Down Under. Then they looked utterly lost in the one-day series that followed, as they suffered defeat after defeat.

But suddenly the team turned the cricket world on its head by defeating Australia in the finals to win the one-day tournament in Sydney, and raised hopes that they would mount a decent challenge in the World Cup in March. It could be Fletcher's last tour as England coach.

Christopher Martin-Jenkins profiles the Zimbabwean who's presided over both one of England's greatest triumphs and humiliating defeats.

Christopher Martin-Jenkins profiles Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher, England's cricket coach.

A farmer from the outskirts of Lisburn, not far from Belfast. Mr Poots entered political life in 1997 - and, since then, he's slowly but steadily risen to the top. He's held four Ministeries including health and agriculture and is viewed across the sectarian divide as a shrewd political strategist.

A devoutly religious and committed member of the Free Presbyterian church, Mr Poots's ultra-conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage have attracted heavy criticism over the years, as has his strongly held belief that the earth is approx. 6,000 years old.

His supporters, however, insist that his personal beliefs have no bearing on his ability to do his job - and to lead the DUP into a new era.

Via in-depth interviews with family, close personal friends and political commentators, Becky Milligan reveals the character behind the caricature sketched by media, the real person behind the public persona of Edwin Poots.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Researcher: Stefania Okereke

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Paul Connolly

Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

A profile of the newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

Not tourists as the Kremlin maintains - but highly decorated members of Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU.

Higgins - isn't your typical journalist. A former video gamer, in the past he's worked for a bank, an oil rig company even a lingerie firm.

Unlike old-school foreign correspondents, he uses ‘armchair analytics' - what he calls ‘open source' materials like Facebook, twitter and Google earth to try to uncover what's really going on in far away conflicts.

Chemical weapons in Syria, the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine and most recently the attempted poisoning of Sergei and Julia Skripal in Salisbury, he's had one scoop after another.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles tries to discover more about the man.

His brother Ross Higgins, gives us his first ever broadcast interview.

Guardian journalist Luke Harding explains why he thinks Higgins is a pioneer, in digital investigative journalism.

And we hear from those who suspect Eliot Higgins is being used as a front

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Oliver Jones

Editor Emma Rippon

Mark Coles looks at the man behind the investigative website Bellingcat.

Producer: Chris Bowlby.

A profile of Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, head of a major new enquiry into abuse allegations.

As former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards she challenged vested interests at Westminster, until she was 'hounded out' by MPs in 2002 after questioning the probity of some of their number. She took on Keith Vaz - who this week chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee's questioning of recently resigned Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - during her investigation into his links with the Hinduja family and accused him of deliberately trying to thwart her enquiries.

Supporters describe her as 'fair but firm... someone who cannot be bribed, bought or bullied.

Filkin doesn't come with the typical background for a Government-appointed inquisitor. She is a former community worker, having worked in the London Borough of Brent back in the 1970s. She went on to to be an academic, as well as Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Now over 70, in recent years Elizabeth Filkin may have been out of the limelight, but as Shari Vahl reports, her antecedence suggests she's someone who wants to get at the truth - and isn't too concerned who she upsets along the way.

Elizabeth Filkin appointed to clean up the relationship between the Met and the media.

Mary Ann Seighart profiles Elizabeth Llewellyn, the late-blossoming opera star.

Elizabeth Warren has had a rapid rise to prominence since her election as Senator for Massachusetts in 2012. Her interrogation of key figures from the banking sector during the financial crisis earned her nicknames such as the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' and the 'Matriarch of Mayhem'.

On Profile this week Chris Bowlby looks at the life and character of the woman who is said to make many Wall Street executives shiver.

Producer: Charlotte Pritchard.

Could Elizabeth Warren be the next president of the United States of America?

Producers: Smita Patel and Sally Abrahams.

Mark Coles profiles the billionaire business magnate and inventor Elon Musk.

Producers: Charlotte Pritchard and Phoebe Keane.

Mark Coles profiles the billionaire business magnate and inventor Elon Musk.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Researchers: Matt Murphy and Stefania Okereke

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Linda Pressly

Editor: Richard Vadon

Who is Emerald Fennell - the first UK woman to be nominated for an Oscar as Best Director?

Hailing from a border town in Northern Ireland, County Armagh, she grew up during the Troubles. Her house was damaged in a bomb attack. Having held several positions in Stormont and Westminster, Little-Pengelly has now taken up her new role opposite Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill.

Co-opted to the position, rather than elected, she is facing new scrutiny in Northern Ireland. Who is the trained barrister turned DUP rising star?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ellie House and Madeleine Drury

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Manager: James Beard

The new Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister.

The new Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister and former barrister. Emma Little-Pengelly is the first unionist to hold the position.

We profile Emma Walmsley, set to become Britain's most powerful business woman.

Emmanuel Macron is France's youngest-ever President. How did he rise so far so fast?

Presenter: Edward Stourton

Producers: Kate Lamble and Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Edward Stourton profiles the man hotly tipped to become the next president of Zimbabwe.

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Researcher: Nick Raikes.

England women's football player - and FA whistleblower - Eniola Aluko.

A heavy smoking, cricket-loving American, of Chinese/German parentage, Eric Daniels won a reputation as the quiet man, a safe pair of hands, risk averse: the archetypal boring banker. That was before Gordon Brown persuaded him and his chairman at Lloyds to take on HBOS at the height of the banking crisis. Triumph rapidly turned to disaster. As the Independent Banking Commission this week reveals its plans to re-shape the banking sector, Morland Sanders profiles a respected City figure, and through Daniels' story, throws a revealing light on Britain's recent banking culture and crisis.

Producer: Andy Denwood

Presenter: Morland Sanders.

Eric Daniels, CEO of Lloyds, to leave with a reputed 13m pound pay off.

Mark Coles profiles University Challenge contestant and Twitter sensation Eric Monkman.

Producer Andy Denwood.

What makes Tory political heavyweight Eric Pickles tick? Gerry Northam reports.

Manchester City's Norwegian star striker, who has scored 20 goals in 13 games.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions knows all about financial struggle, starting out in life as a foster child.

Mark Coles finds out how the former presenter has gone from a breakfast TV sofa to the front benches of the House of Commons.

In a rare interview, Esther's father Jim tells us why he decided to put his daughter into care, and how he helped kick-start her on-screen career.

We find out what a former producer really thinks of her, and her partner Conservative MP Philip Davies reveals what made him fall for Esther.

Mark Coles profiles Esther McVey, the minister defending universal credit.

His life-long love of fly fishing has led to a deep knowledge of the chalk streams of Southern England, and now Sharkey finds himself being quoted with approval in parliament by MP's and peers.

Adrian Goldberg talks to those who know him well, and hears about cigarette smuggling, stag dos - and a decidedly PRIVATE private life.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Producer: Ben Crighton

The former punk rocker taking on the water companies over pollution.

Known as 'The Strongman', Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar comes from a family of soldiers and as a young man admired his fellow army student Muammar Gaddafi, who would later denounce him after their disastrous defeat in a war in Chad.

He was given refuge by the Americans and ended up living for twenty years in Langley, Virginia, home of the CIA, before returning to Libya, with the self-proclaimed aim of saving the country from extremists.

Producers Smita Patel & Tural Ahmedzade

Editor Andrew Smith

Becky Milligan looks at the life of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

A young military officer at the time of Suez, Tantawi went on to fight against the Israelis in the wars of 1967 and 1973.

Rising through the military ranks, he was appointed Defence Minister by President Hosni Mubarak in 1991.

Known as a courteous but inscrutable figure, Tantawi came to be viewed as the loyal heir apparent to President Mubarak.

But when the democracy demonstrators of Tahrir Square demanded the President's resignation earlier this year, it was his right hand man Mohamed Tantawi who told the longstanding premier that his time was up.

Nine months later the demonstrators are back, frustrated by the slow pace of political change. And this time they are demanding Tantawi's resignation.

Producer: Kate O'Hara

How Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi rose to become the key figure in the Egyptian crisis.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles Theresa May's influential chiefs of staff.

Producers: Chris Bowlby and Anna Meisel.

Claire Bolderson profiles Frances O'Grady, soon to the the first woman to lead the TUC.

Among his proposals is a 75% tax rate for French euro millionaires and a re-negotiation of the EU's plan to save the Euro. Francois Hollande's challenge is personal not just political. A man once known as 'Mr Pudding', who rides around Paris on a moped, he says he'll be 'president normal', after the bling of the Sarkozy era.

Producer:

Lesley McAlpine.

Chris Bowlby profiles the French Socialist Party presidential candidate Francois Hollande.

He has developed a reputation as a recluse - rarely giving interviews, or even attending his own exhibitions. Now, his wartime art 'The Charcoal Heads' is on display in London. Who is the 92-year-old artist still working seven days a week? Stephen Smith gets beneath the paint layers to learn more about one of our greatest living artists.

CONTRIBUTORS

Dale Berning Sawa, Journalist and Commissioning Editor

William Feaver, Art Critic, Author

Catherine Lampert, Curator and Art Historian

Barnaby Wright, Deputy Head, The Courtauld Gallery

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producers: Ellie House and Julie Ball

Studio Manager: Neil Churchill

Editor: Matt Willis

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

CREDITS:

Omnibus, BBC TV, 2001. Jake Auerbach Films

This Cultural Life, BBC R4, January 2024

Artist Frank Auerbach, as a new exhibition, The Charcoal Heads, opens in London.

Artist Frank Auerbach, as a new exhibition, The Charcoal Heads, opens in London. Stephen Smith finds out more about the 92-year-old and his work.

Variously described as 'independent-minded' and a 'free thinker' Field has been in Parliament for more than 30 years, representing Birkenhead, which contains some of the most deprived wards in the country.

He had to fight off a hard left challenge from Militant at the beginning of his career and he has long been a campaigner against poverty. His radical views on welfare haven't always endeared him to his Labour colleagues but he is famous for the friends he has made across the political divide.

Most remarkably, perhaps, he was one of those who told Margaret Thatcher, shortly before she resigned, that it was time for her to go. We'll hear from friends, both Labour and Conservative, who speak warmly of a man of dogged determination and great personal integrity. But we'll also hear from critics who say he's not a natural team player who was failed in his brief period as a member of Tony Blair's first government.

Producer: Tim Mansel.

Chris Bowlby profiles the anti-poverty campaigner and veteran Labour MP Frank Field.

The populist, right-wing AfD has, under her controversial leadership, jumped from winning just a few percent of the vote at the 2013 federal elections, to more than 20 percent in some parts of Germany in last weekend's regional elections. The results surprised many.

But is her brand of politics sincere, or - as some say - pure opportunism? And how far could she take the AfD? Ed Stourton finds out.

Producer: Wesley Stephenson.

Edward Stourton profiles the leader of Germany's Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party.

The child of film producers, at one stage it looked like he was bound for a career in entertainment.

Instead, Gabriel Attal has become the youngest PM in modern French history and he hopes to revive President Macron's government.

One of his first tasks will be to lead the French government into the European Parliament elections in June.

Contributors

Marisol Touraine, former French Minister of Health, chair of Unitaid.

Mireille Clapot, National Assembly member for Drôme.

Philippe Marliere, Professor of French and European Politics, University College London.

Dominic Gould, Actor.

Sophie Pedder, Paris Bureau Chief, the Economist.

Credits

France 24

TF1, France.

La Belle Personne, directed by Christophe Honoré

Institut National de l'Audiovisuel

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Production: Daniel Gordon, Leontine Gallois, Diane Richardson

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: Andrew Fell

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele, Katie Morrison, and Janet Staples

Youthful, charming and popular, who is the new French PM Gabriel Attal?

Youthful, charming and popular, who is the new French PM promising 'action, action, action' as he seeks to revitalise Macron's government? Stephen Smith profiles Gabriel Attal.

Born in Cardiff in 1989, Gareth was first spotted at the age of nine by Southampton. He become their second-youngest player of all time when he broke into the first-team aged 16, and enjoyed two seasons with the south coast club before moving to the Premier League with Tottenham.

It was in North London that Bale announced himself on the European stage, eventually securing a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid for a then world record fee. After nearly a decade in Spain, where he won some of football's biggest prizes, he surprised many by moving to the MLS to play for Los Angeles FC earlier this year.

Gareth Bale's meteoric rise also coincided with a renaissance of the Welsh national team's fortunes - they'd regularly struggled to qualify for major tournaments in the decades before he broke onto the scene. With their World Cup campaign kicking off against the USA on Monday, Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the man who'll be leading Wales out.

Producers: Ben Cooper and Matt Toulson

Researcher: Kirsteen Knight

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Editor: Simon Watts

Studio Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

The footballing superstar leading Wales into their first World Cup since 1958.

Even when he went on honeymoon to Bali a Buddhist monk reminded him of that miss.

Now he has a chance to make amends - this time as England manager at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

His path to the top job has not followed the conventional route, being sacked from his only other management role.

But commentators say he has the attributes of a great leader.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Smita Patel and Clare Spencer

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles England football manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

In Wales, Thomas is a legend.

In 2005, he led the national team to its first Six Nations grand slam title for 27 years - ¦became the first Welsh player to be capped 100 times for his country.

Mark Coles talks his friends and former colleagues. We hear about his early days as a postman, his success on the field and how he became one of the first sporting superstars to come out as gay.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Darin Graham

Editor Penny Murphy

Mark Coles looks at the life of former rugby player Gareth Thomas.

But who is Gavin Williamson? Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the Yorkshire man who knows about pottery, loves hedgehogs and keeps an eight legged pet on his desk in parliament. And some say, has his sights set on higher political office.

Mark Coles on the life and career of Gavin Williamson, chief whip of the House of Commons.

General al-Sisi was appointed Defence Minister and Head of the Army by President Morsi in August 2012, and he was thought by many to be sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood.

But he was instrumental in Morsi's downfall in July and oversaw the subsequent violent suppression of Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

His former teacher from the US Army War College is among those who tell us more about this elusive former military intelligence chief.

Producer: Helena Merriman.

Edward Stourton profiles the head of Egypt's Armed Forces, General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

A decorated Marine General, an Iraq war veteran, who is adored by his troops and known for making tough decisions, General John Francis Kelly has come a long way from his beginnings born to an Irish Catholic family in the working class Brighton neighbourhood of Boston.

From his first mission delivering 10'000 tonnes of beer to troops in Vietnam to overseeing President Trump's controversial immigration policies as head of Homeland Security, he's described as being a straight talker who isn't afraid to 'speak truth to power'.

Mark Coles talks to friends and colleagues about about his distinguished career - and how he might fare in Trump's White House.

General John Kelly, from a working class Boston neighbourhood to the White House.

He's spoken candidly about experiencing depression following a tour in Iraq, having lost a number of his own infantry regiment, encouraging others to seek help.

Most recently General Sanders has ignited debate about the size of the army, suggesting that the 'pre-war generation' should be prepared for the possibility of a potential land war, stating 'Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them.

As he prepares to leave the post of Chief of the General Staff (CGS), Mark Coles looks at the life and career of General Sir Patrick Sanders, speaking to some of the family, friends and colleagues who know him best.

Credits

The Benedictine Monks of Worth Abbey

Centre For Army Leadership Podcast

British Army Time to Talk

BFBS Sitrep Podcast

GB News

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production: Ellie House and Diane Richardson

Production Co-ordinators: Sabine Schereck and Maria Ogundele

Sound: Neil Churchill

Editors: Richard Vadon and Matt Willis

The British military chief calling for a 'citizen army'.

The head of the army warning that UK citizens should be trained and ready to fight a potential land war. Mark Coles looks at the life and career of General Sir Patrick Sanders.

Producers: Phoebe Keane and Diane Richardson

Editor: Richard Knight

The Attorney General who told MPs to 'grow up' and 'get real.

Interviewees include Baroness Kinnock and Papandreou's brother, Nikos.

Jonathan Maitland profiles the Greek prime minister George Papandreou.

Soros was born into a Hungarian Jewish family, and later took on a false identity to survive the Nazi occupation in 1944. It was an experience that shaped his life and his outlook and he went on to escape to the West via his knowledge of the international language Esperanto.

Beginning his career as a tobacco salesman, Soros went on to fund one of the most successful hedge funds in US history. Known for his high risk and brazen approach, he is infamous for his involvement in the devaluation of the British pound, known as Black Wednesday.

But his career as a financial investor was not limited to the markets - he went on to use his money to promote non-violent democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. More recently he has proved a controversial figure, providing funding for the pro-Remain campaign in the UK Brexit debate and is now the subject of vilification by the leaders of his native Hungary.

Presenter: Ed Stourton

Producer: Clare Spencer and Serena Tarling.

Ed Stourton profiles the billionaire philanthropist and investor George Soros.

His innovative style mixes music and poetry. It has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator, playing to a wide range of audiences, from the Cheltenham Literature Festival to 1Xtra. His award-winning podcast ‘Have You Heard George's Podcast?' blends fiction, news and music to depict inner city life.

Mark Coles speaks to friends, family, and colleagues to find out more.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Jim Frank

Researchers: Soila Apparicio and Sowda Ali

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Engineer: Nigel Appleton

Editor: Alex Lewis

The innovative spoken word artist George the Poet.

Producer: Ben Carter

Researcher: Siobhan O'Connell.

Edward Stourton profiles the football legend who has become president of Liberia.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Becky Milligan profiles the tiny British Overseas Territory making headlines this week.

Friends and colleagues reveal how coming of age in Liverpool during the 1980s shaped her political views, leading her to a successful international career in business before entering politics.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

The new Education secretary, Gillian Keegan

Gina Haspel describes herself as a typical middle-class American but the testimony of former colleagues reveals a skilled intelligence operative with an empirical mind, a taste for adventure and a talent for infiltrating terrorist cells.

At her confirmation hearing this week she was commended as an intelligence professional with unwavering honesty but was also grilled about the use of 'enhanced interrogation' techniques, the waterboarding of terrorist suspects at a CIA base she ran and the subsequent destruction of evidence. The interrogation issue could block her confirmation by the Senate.

Mark Coles talks to former colleagues and security experts about the agent who's spent 30 years trying not to be noticed but who now needs to convince US Senators that she's right for the top job.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Estelle Doyle and Diane Richardson

Editor: Helen Grady.

Mark Coles profiles Gina Haspel, Donald Trump's controversial choice for CIA director.

Well, she has certainly had an interesting life. Born in Guyana, this thrice-married 51-year-old now runs an investment firm, by way of modelling and plentiful philanthropy. Never one to duck a scrap, she has picked fights in the lofty world of high finance and the altogether milder waters of the third sector.

At the end of a week that has seen her become the target of both fulminating newspaper headlines and online abuse, we learn about the formative years that thickened up Gina Miller's skin before the onslaught. School friends, Britain's richest plumber and husbands number two and three are among our witnesses; the future of the country is at stake. Mark Coles profiles Gina Miller.

Mark Coles profiles the woman behind a court case that could stymie Brexit, Gina Miller.

Producers: Ben Crighton and Chloe Hadjimatheou.

Mark Coles profiles the controversial Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

Meloni was born in a working-class neighbourhood of Rome, and got into politics aged 15. She rose through the ranks of her local far-right party, often being sent into schools to counteract left-wing activism.

She made history in 2008 when she was appointed Youth Minister by then prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, becoming Italy's youngest ever minister.

Four years later, aged 35, she split from Berlusconi and started her own political party, the Brothers of Italy, where she has been President since 2014.

In recent years, Fratelli d'Italia has boosted its appeal and looks set to become the largest party. But with Italy's fast turnover of prime ministers, can Giorgia Meloni stay the course and deliver what Italy wants?

CREDITS

AP Archive, Fratelli d'Italia rally, Oct 2019.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

The right-wing leader who's on the verge of becoming Italy's first female prime minister.

President Sergio Mattarella approved his nomination as prime minister after a deadlock which had seen Italy without a government for 11 weeks.

The surprise candidate is a law professor in Florence and has no political experience. Even people close to him said he had never mentioned politics.

In the first few days of new-found fame he was accused of embellishing his CV, which he denied.

But as PM he could now become a key player influencing the future of the European Union.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Estelle Doyle, Clare Spencer

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles the prospective new Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Beck doesn't shy away from controversy, recently describing progressivism as 'the cancer in America eating our Constitution' and referring to President Obama as having 'a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture'. Along with Sarah Palin, he's often invoked as a spiritual leader by the Tea Party Movement

Mary Ann Sieghart looks at the man who grew up in small town America as a Catholic, became a disc jockey in his home town of Mount Vernon at the age of 13, converted to mormonism and now runs a multimedia empire.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles provocative US talk show host, Glenn Beck.

Jo Fidgen profiles Grace Mugabe, the first lady of Zimbabwe.

Producer: Chris Bowlby.

Geeta Guru-Murthy profiles Grant Shapps, the new Conservative party co-chairman.

A married father of three and a cousin of The Clash guitarist Mick Jones, he survived a car crash at the age of 20, which put him in a coma for a week, and also made a full recovery after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the cabinet veteran who is a spreadsheet whizz, enthusiastic TikToker and licensed pilot.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production: Alix Pickles, Diane Richardson

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps.

The ship, the predecessor to Nelson's Victory, sank in 1744 with the loss of over 1000 lives. Stemm and his company, Odyssey, have already recovered two rare bronze cannon and are seeking permission from the British authorities to raise the rest of the cargo, which may include valuable treasure. Stephen talks to crew members from Stemm's exploration team, as well as marine archaeologists, about the man who started off as Bob Hope's assistant but always dreamt of underwater exploration.

Stephen Sackur profiles Greg Stemm, the American behind the exploration of HMS Victory.

Mary Ann Sieghart charts the rise of the doctor's son from Baghdad, who gained a doctorate in electrical engineering in the UK, leading to him forming a company servicing lifts for clients including the BBC. She talks to fellow Shiite Dawa Party members, a member of the Sunni opposition and a former US diplomat to ask whether Dr al-Abadi has the qualities to fix his country's problems.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's prime minister-designate.

Haifaa Al-Mansour directed the recently-released Wadjda, the first film entirely shot in Saudi Arabia. The film follows the dreams of an 11-year-old girl who is desperate to own a bike, and was partly inspired by Al-Mansour's early years, growing up in a small town near Riyadh.

After working for an oil company, Haifaa al-Mansour decided to become a film-maker, using some of her 11 willing siblings to help her with her first short films. Her very first short film, 'Who', was about a serial killer disguised as a woman in a burka.

She says she doesn't think women can change things in Saudi Arabia if they are 'aggressive', but it's better to 'have a career and pursue a dream.

Producer: Helena Merriman.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Saudi Arabia's first female film director.

Karzai is in a difficult position, though; he has to appeal to Western powers embroiled in military efforts to extend his authority across his country, but also to war-weary Afghans, who resent foreign interference and want a return to ancient tribal traditions and values. It is a complex balancing act requiring courage, leadership and character. Lucy Ash asks if he is up to it.

Featuring contributions from Christina Lamb, Rory Stewart, Jason Amerine, Afghan friends of Karzai, Elizabeth Rubin, Jawed Ludin and Christopher Alexander.

Lucy Ash profiles Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan.

In lockdown at home because of the coronavirus, presenter Mark Coles has turned to music to help get him through the past few days - ¦captivated by an album he bought by chance in a London record store a couple of weeks ago.

It's called - ?Esja'- the debut album from a little-known 29 year old Polish pianist, Hania Rani.

The music is sublime and minimalist - ¦solo acoustic piano inspired in part by the mountains and countryside of Iceland where some of it was recorded.

For Mark, it's become his sanctuary - ¦.his headspace - a much needed nightly respite from the cacophony of coronavirus news bulletins and press conferences.

But who is the mystery woman behind the music?

Producer: Smita Patel

Photo of Hania Rani by Kinga Karpati

Marks Coles looks at the life and music of the Polish pianist.

Born in suburban Bromley to an English mother and a Pakistani father, Hanif Kureishi turned to the arts to escape his everyday surroundings growing up. He became one of the most celebrated writers of his generation.

Mark Coles hears from Kureishi's friends, family and old colleagues, as he explores the life and career of the man whose works include The Buddha of Suburbia and My Beautiful Laundrette.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

The writer whose updates from his hospital bed are captivating the world.

He is certainly a change from his abrasive anti-Western predecessor. Rouhani studied in Britain, loves Bogart films and Thomas Hardy novels and is fond of designer clerical robes.

So, Mary Ann Sieghart asks, is all that merely a matter of presentation? Or is he a completely new kind of Iranian leader?

Producer: Heba Ayoub

Editor: Richard Knight.

Mary Ann Sieghart asks, is Hassan Rouhani a completely new kind of Iranian leader?

A decisive and forceful former head of investment bank Goldman Sachs, he only took the Treasury job on the condition that he could make his own decisions. He grew up on a farm, and has loved the outdoors and animals ever since. Even though, as his mother reveals, he once had an encounter with a family of baby skunks, that didn't quite go according to plan.

~Profile looks at US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

He's worked his way up the party ranks from councillor in Ealing, to MP for Leeds Central and then the Cabinet. But this relatively quiet and unassuming politician has rarely, till now, been thought of as leadership material. With his speech this week, that's changed.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Crighton and Katie Inman.

Mark Coles profiles Labour's shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn.

Now he has set his sights on Britain's leading retailers, launching a self-declared 'war on waste' in the industry, while also encouraging shoppers to change their habits. Are there limits to what he can achieve as a television personality? Where will his campaigning lead to next?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Sonia Rothwell and Peter Snowdon.

Mark Coles profiles the TV chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

The Glaswegian showed community spirit from a young age, fundraising for charity and broadcasting for community station Radio Ramadan, before a political awakening that led to a speedy rise up the ranks of his party and into office.

Humza Yousaf has taken on some difficult government briefs, as well as some flak, but now he faces the challenge of a political lifetime: healing divisions in the SNP, improving public services and trying to deliver the party's dream of independence.

Mark Coles talks to friends, family and colleagues to try to find out more about the first ethnic-minority leader of a devolved government.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production Team: Nathan Gower, Julie Ball, Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound: James Beard

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Humza Yousaf, new SNP leader and first minister of Scotland.

Iain Duncan Smith started out briefly in industry after leaving the army where he served twice in Northern Ireland. His father was a famous World War II flying ace & his mother a ballerina.

In the 1990s, he was best-known as one of the Tory party's most strident euro-sceptic MPs. His short two year leadership of the Conservative party was mostly unsuccessful. The 'quiet man' was unable to unite his party. But it was during this time that Iain Duncan Smith began to see the need for welfare reform. After he was ousted from the leadership he set up the Centre for Social Justice and is credited with forming much of David Cameron's social agenda.

Mary Ann Sieghart talks to his political allies & foes, long-standing friends and the people who began to change his political direction.

Producer : Rosamund Jones.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith

Producer: Wesley Stephenson.

Linda Pressly profiles Stone Roses lead singer Ian Brown.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Chris Bowlby profiles actor Idris Elba, who plays Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom.

Thank you to Norah Shapiro for use of clips from her documentary 'Time for Ilhan'.

Researchers: Khadidja Ndiaye and Kirsteen Knight

Producer: Phoebe Keane

The Somali-born US congresswoman who's become a thorn in President Trump's side.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1964, his family emigrated to England four years later. But life in 70's and 80's east London was tough. They were the only Asian family on their street and Khan would often get into fights at school. These early experiences are thought to have motivated him to fight against racism and injustice. They also shaped his political views and he stood in the 1997 general election for East Ham, representing Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party.

Producer: Samantha Fenwick

NB This programme has been edited from the original broadcast in which we wrongly described the Socialist Labour Party as 'defunct'.

What drives Imran Khan, the lawyer who led the fight for justice for Stephen Lawrence?

A champion for diversity in the workplace, Beale has overseen big cultural and technological changes at the insurance market - some controversial. A drinking ban for Lloyd's employees during working hours made the headlines in 2017, as did a loosening of the famously conservative dress code.

She has faced other challenges during her leadership, notably Brexit and a 'disastrous' 2017, which was one of the worst ever years for natural disasters globally. Big insurance pay-outs led to Lloyd's reporting a £2bn loss that year.

Inga Beale, one of the UK's few openly bisexual senior business leaders, did not follow a typical route to the top. She dropped out of financial services for a year to go back-packing in Asia and Australia, and is a former competitive rugby player.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Clare Spencer, Elisabeth Mahy and Bethan Head.

One of the most powerful women in the city with Mark Coles.

Producer: Phoebe Keane

(Jacinda Ardern DJing audio courtesy of Marty Duda and The 13th Floor)

The New Zealand PM was widely praised for her response to the Christchurch attacks.

The BBC's business editor Kamal Ahmed looks at the man behind the online retail giant Alibaba Group - a company described as a mix between Amazon and Ebay - which is due to list on the New York Stock Exchange later this month, making Alibaba one of the most valuable internet companies in the world.

Jack Ma is no ordinary business leader. How many other global tycoons like to fill a stadium with their employees only to step on stage, be-wigged, to deliver not bland corporate messages, but Lion King songs?

Producer: Ben Crighton

Presenter: Kamal Ahmed

Archive clips from the film 'Crocodile in the Yangtze: The Alibaba Story' (by Porter Erisman).

How did Jack Ma become one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs?

A regular on TV and social media, talking benefits and food banks, Jack Monroe has attracted the wrath of some right-wing commentators. She successfully sued former newspaper columnist, Katie Hopkins, for comments made online. Now, she's threatening legal action against a Conservative MP who's accused her of profiteering from the poor.

Mark Coles finds out what inspires Monroe's love of cooking, how growing up with foster children influenced her outlook and why she's determined to speak out for the poorest in society.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Natasha Fernandes and Janet Staples

Sound: Andy Garratt

Editor: Richard Vadon

Food writer and anti-poverty activist, who rose to fame with her blog 'A Girl Called Jack

In the last week, he made a very rare public appearance announcing his charges against Trump, unsurprisingly leading to a volley of criticism from the man he will face down in court.

A young man from upstate New York, made his way first to Harvard Law School and then, New York City, 250 miles away from his home town. Here he embarked on the impressive legal career that has led to his appointment as Special Counsel.

Mark Coles speaks to his old sports teacher and colleagues about his distinguished career so far and why he will not let anything get in his way of presenting the strongest possible case against President Trump.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Georgia Coan, Kirsteen Knight and Isobel Gough

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: James Beard

The federal prosecutor taking on former President Trump in a classified documents case.

Music industry titan Quincy Jones described him as an absolute genius and asked to work with him.

But Jacob declined his invitation and suggested instead if they could just be friends.

He wanted to make his first album on his own terms. The gamble paid off as he went on to win two Grammy awards.

And now, at just 23 years old, he is performing his own Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Crighton and Clare Spencer.

Hailed 'jazz's new messiah', who is 23-year-old Jacob Collier? Mark Coles finds out.

The Leader of the House of Commons has described himself as a man of the people. Others have referred to him as the honourable member for the 18th century.

Mark Coles asks what now drives the man who as a monocle wearing child was chauffeured in a Bentley.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton

The distinctive and divisive Leader of the House of Commons.

Chris Bowlby profiles ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

The novelist lived through a difficult childhood and her own marriage ended in divorce. But, after decades as a writer, she finally hit the big time in her middle age. Now 76, she has a wife, a fandom and a string of TV and stage adaptations under her belt.

Mark Coles profiles the former Children's Laureate, who's sold over 40 million books worldwide.

Produced by: Sally Abrahams and Ellie House

Editor: Damon Rose

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The award-winning children's author who's just published her 114th novel.

Jair Bolsonaro grew up in a poor village in Sao Paolo and came of age during Brazil's long military dictatorship. He paid his way through school by selling fish he caught with friends in the local river then joined the army, where he made a name for himself as a campaigner for better pay. After leaving the military, he entered politics, winning a seat in Congress. There, he moved between nine different political parties before standing as a candidate for the Presidency.

Edward Stourton traces Jair Bolsonaro's journey to the top of Brazilian politics, speaking to his supporters, to those who have studied his rise and to one of his many critics.

Producer: Oliver Jones

Research and translation: Laura Gozzi

Editor: Richard Vadon

Edward Stourton looks at the life and career of Brazil's president-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

Jake Wood, founder of Team Rubicon, the disaster relief group staffed by veterans.

Presenter: Paul Connolly

Producers: Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight, Julie Ball

Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: James Beard

Editor: Bridget Harney

The new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, who's tasked with stopping small boats.

The new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, whose job is to stop small boats from crossing the Channel.

He is an unusual business giant; he is young, has an interest in green issues and was the founder of a rap music studio, launching new acts onto the New York scene. But his biggest contribution to popular culture has been his development of the satellite broadcaster BSkyB, which now boasts a 40 per cent share of the UK television market.

Clive Coleman profiles the media mogul James Murdoch.

After being impressed by a prisoner in 2002, and offering him a job on release, James Timpson has worked to develop employment schemes for ex-offenders and campaigns for prison reform. Now, ten percent of the Timpson workforce is made up of ex-offenders.

He has recently published a new book on his unusual approach to business: 'The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management'.

With a passion for dance music and old cars, who is this businessman turned philanthropist?

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Producers: Ellie House and Diane Richardson

Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Editors: Richard Vadon and Matt Willis

The businessman known for hiring ex-offenders and championing prison reform.

The CEO of Timpson - best known for key cutting and shoe repair. Who is the businessman turned philanthropist, known for hiring ex-offenders and championing prison reform?

Rejected by Sheffield Wednesday while a member of their youth team for being too short, Vardy spent years working in a factory in Sheffield, his recent success nothing short of a Hollywood fairy-tale. Indeed, a Hollywood film is in the pipeline. But his rise hasn't been problem free - in 2007 he was convicted of assault after an altercation outside a pub, and last year he was fined £40,000, by his own club, for reportedly making a racist comment in a casino.

Mark Coles speaks to Vardy's childhood friend Liam Muirhead, his former teacher Dr Chris Wall and one of his first football coaches Gary Marrow, about what has made him the player he is today.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of star footballer Jamie Vardy.

Producer: David Edmonds.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Janet Yellen, Obama's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve.

With looks more reminiscent of a seventies rock star, will this unconventional economist be able to solve the hyperinflation that is crippling Argentina's economy once more. Or will his lack of experience and support in government cause this self-professed anarcho-capitalist to have to change tack?

Contributors

Juan Luis González, author, El Loco.

Lilia Lemoine, Vice president of the Libertarian Party in Argentina.

Ana Lankes, Latin America Correspondent, The Economist.

Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos, Professor of Comparative and Judicial Politics, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford.

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producers: Diane Richardson, Julie Ball

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound: James Beard

Editor: Bridget Harney

The new president of Argentina. Unconventional economist, Javier Milei.

The new president of Argentina, Javier Milei. Chainsaw-wielding, rock-singing, dog loving, unconventional economist and now president-elect, takes charge in a few weeks.

Since arriving at the publicly owned broadcaster last year, Hunt has promised to take creative risks and bring a sense of mischief. There have been new commissions - The Undateables and Make Bradford British - but changes to the flagship Channel 4 News programme with additional presenters and new reporters has ruffled feathers in the newsroom. The younger audience is falling and Ofcom have asked for its strategy of how to re-engage viewers.

Jay Hunt - who began life in Australia as Jacquiline - had a meteoric rise from a young researcher at the BBC. Despite ructions over her changes to the Six O'Clock News and accusations of dumming down, by the age of 40 she was controller of BBC1 steering the Corporation's premier channel through controversies: the Jonathan Ross affair, the sacking of Carol Thatcher and the charge of ageism against former Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly.

Now at Channel 4 her ability to attract a strong team and build a successful network is being put to the test.

With mixed news in its Annual Report, Channel 4's controller Jay Hunt is in the spotlight.

One of the longest serving democratically elected leaders in the world, Juncker was Prime Minister of Luxembourg for eighteen years. A workaholic, with a famously informal greeting style that sometimes involves affectionately slapping world leaders, Juncker has developed a political reputation as a negotiator, skilled at finding compromises between two sides.

But in his spare time, he's a pinball wizard.

Mark Coles profiles the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

Bezos rarely makes public pronouncements and avoids media interviews. Those who have worked with him describe him as a hands-on manager, who plans the grand strategy as a well as the tiny details. His wealth has given him the opportunity to pursue a passion for space travel. He has been building research facilities in a remote part of Texas for a secretive space programme. But who exactly is Jeffrey Preston Bezos?

Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane.

Amazon has changed the world. Now its founder Jeff Bezos has his sights on the stars.

Clarification: In 2018 a federal court confirmed that the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the Broad Institute, MIT and Harvard concerning CRISPR editing of eukaryotic genomes do not interfere with patent claims filed by the University of California, Berkeley where Jennifer Doudna is based. A new decision in February 2019 has granted Jennifer Doudna and her team the patent at the heart of this intellectual property dispute. Jennifer Doudna and her team have been granted several substantial patents for CRISPR technology.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Viv Jones, Tural Ahmedzade

Jennifer Doudna co-created the revolutionary gene editing technology CRISPR.

Presenter - Becky Milligan

Producer- Shabnam Grewal and Elizabeth Cassin.

Becky Milligan on costume designer Jenny Beavan, winner at the 2016 Baftas and Oscars.

Norway's former prime minister gained international renown for his stoic response to the 2011 terror attacks. Described by NATO colleagues as the ‘Trump whisperer', he is known for being cool, calm and collected under pressure. Does he have what it takes for this latest challenge?

Mark Coles profiles the longest serving NATO chief in a generation.

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Ellie House

Editor: Damon Rose

Credits:

Professor John J Mearsheimer, courtesy of King's College, Cambridge Politics department

‘No Harm' by Smerz

Nato secretary general tasked with preventing a third world war.

Norway's former prime minister gained international renown for his stoic response to the 2011 terror attacks. Described by NATO colleagues as the ‘Trump whisperer', he is known for being cool, calm and collected under pressure. Does he have what it takes for this latest challenge?

‘No Harm' by Smerz

What sort of Labour leader would Jeremy Corbyn be?

Producer: Smita Patel.

Chris Bowlby profiles Jeremy Heywood who is to become the new Cabinet Secretary.

Producers:

John Murphy

Anna Meisel.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Jeremy Hunt, the under-fire culture secretary.

Researchers: Alice Struthers, Ellie House, Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: James Beard

Editor: Bridget Harney

From the border town of Oswestry, Shropshire to the toast of Manhattan and LA, Jesse Armstrong has had an extraordinary journey.

Mark Coles hears from his family, friends and colleagues (including Chris Morris, Isy Suttie, Paterson Joseph, David Mitchell and Susan Soon He Stanton), finding out how Armstrong was able to write such rich worlds that bring the pain and absurdity of life in such a colourful fashion.

Credits

The Hollywood Reporter

Created by Jesse Armstrong

HBO

Objective Productions/Channel 4

BBC Comedy

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Jordan Dunbar, Georgia Coan and Nathan Gower

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Design: James Beard

The creator of the critically acclaimed and multi-award winning Succession TV series.

Mark Coles profiles Killarney actress and singer Jessie Buckley, speaking to some of the family, friends and mentors who've helped her along the way.

Credits

• Wild Rose, Universal Pictures, Directed by Tom Harper.

• Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner, A Somethin' Else / Jay Rayner production with Sony Music Entertainment.

• Olivier Awards 2022.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Julie Ball, Matt Toulson, Diane Richardson and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Richard Vadon

Irish actress, singer and 2022 Mercury Prize nominee Jessie Buckley.

• Wild Rose, Universal Pictures, Directed by Tom Harper.

• Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner, A Somethin' Else / Jay Rayner production with Sony Music Entertainment.

• Olivier Awards 2022.

Jo Fidgen profiles Jim Ratcliffe, billionaire boss of the Grangemouth petrochemical plant.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Joe Kent

Researcher: Drew Miller Hyndman

Editor: Damon Rose

Comedian Jimmy Carr provoked outrage after a joke about Roma victims of the Holocaust.

Producers:

Lesley McAlpine

Anna Meisel.

Claire Bolderson profiles the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales.

Liverpool-born and bred, the 50 year-old single mum only became a Labour councillor in 2019. But she was encouraged to stand as mayor when her predecessor, Joe Anderson (no relation) stood down after being arrested over claims relating to bribery, which he strongly denies.

Growing up on a council estate east of the city centre, community activism is in Joanne Anderson's blood. She was barely out of nappies when her mum took her along to protest against poor housing conditions. She's spent most of her career helping companies, charities and councils improve diversity and promote equal opportunities.

Now she's got the top job at Liverpool city council and is promising a fresh start. So who is Joanne Anderson? And how did a woman who until recently, was outside the city's political inner circle, come to be its Mayor? Talking to close friends, family and colleagues, Adrian Goldberg charts Joanne Anderson's rise from council flat to council leader.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Intake producer: Matt Toulson

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Alex Lewis

The new Mayor of Liverpool and the first black woman to lead a major UK city.

Producer: Phoebe Keane

One of the world's most dangerous and powerful men is on trial in New York.

He's experienced terrible tragedies in his life, when his first wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident in 1972, and the death from cancer of his elder son, Beau, in 2015.

Yet he bounced back, serving two terms as vice president under Barack Obama, and finally making it to President in 2021. As he makes another run at the White House, Mark Coles charts his life from the blue-collar town of Scranton, Philadelphia to Washington DC and hears how family plays a very important role in his life.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Diane Richardson, Alix Pickles, Sally Abrahams

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Richard Vadon

US President, Joe Biden, who's seeking re-election in 2024

He didn't really do it - but it's the latest in a series of stunts that have become the comedian's calling card.

Friends, relatives and colleagues reveal how Joe Lycett went from drama-loving schoolboy to 'Esther Rantzen in a sparkly jumpsuit'.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Lucy Proctor and Diane Richardson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Editor: Simon Watts

Studio Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The comedian who threatened to shred \u00a310K in David Beckham Qatar ambassador protest.

Joe Rogan hosts a variety of guests who discuss their views on a range of issues - but some episodes have featured false and misleading claims.

Big names from the music industry, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, have asked Spotify to remove their music from the platform. They have criticised the music streaming service for publishing a podcast that spreads Covid misinformation.

Mark Coles traces the life and career of the controversial former martial arts fighter and comedian.

Researcher: Drew Miller Hyndman

Producer: Ben Crighton

Editor: Damon Rose

Mark Coles profiles Joe Rogan, the host of Spotify's most popular podcast.

Producer: Bob Howard

Researcher: Natasha Fernandes

Sound: James Beard

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Editor: Hugh Levinson

It's already led one Conservative backbencher to table a motion of no confidence in him.

John Bercow is no stranger to controversy. His brutal put downs of MPs and ministers in the Commons have often grabbed the headlines.

Bullied at school because he was short, he began his political career on the far right - a member of the notorious Monday Club.

But over the years, in his own words, his political views have 'mellowed' - to the point where many Tories now regard him as a traitor and plot to unseat him.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles examines the highs and lows of Speaker Bercow's life and career.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Beth Sagar-Fenton.

John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Mark Coles talks to friends, colleagues and critics of Speaker Bercow - hearing about his long political journey which started on the far right - and how he wooed his now wife with feats of rhetoric. And with his thunderous shouts of ‘Order Order' now mimicked and memed around the world, we hear how for some, he has become an unlikely social media superstar.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Darin Graham

The life story of the most controversial Commons speaker of modern times.

A Catholic basketball player, turned academic and fluent Arabic speaker, Brennan has risen through the CIA ranks and has recently been involved in 'virtually all major national security issues' alongside the President. As the Senate asks him to justify some of the agency's most controversial decisions, Jane Deith asks how he will lead the agency as it faces ever new security challenges.

Reporter - Jane Deith

Producer - Gail Champion.

President Obama's choice to head the CIA is John Brennan. Is he the right man for the job?

As President Obama said when he nominated him for Secretary of State, 'Kerry's entire life prepared him for this role.

One of his childhood friends tells us that Secretary Kerry has kept the same principles he held as a young man at Yale. But others see him as a man of contradictions: a Vietnam veteran who lead the anti-war movement, then voted for war in Iraq.

What are his guiding principles and motivations? Is he ready to handle the unfolding crisis in Syria?

Producer: Helena Merriman.

Mark Coles explores the life and motivations of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

The shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell - former hard man of the left this week playing peacemaker in a row between Jewish groups and Labour over the party's stance on anti-Semitism.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles goes in search of the real John McDonnell.

A journey which takes us from his working class Liverpudlian roots, his time fighting Thatcher at the GLC and into parliament where his hard left politics reviled New Labour and where two decades on he's got his revenge...reshaping the party in his own image after he helped elect Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

From bingo to making marmalade....we get the lowdown on John McDonnell.

Producers Smita Patel & Darin Graham

Editor Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Labour shadow chancellor, John McDonnell.

Stephen Sackur profiles John McFall, chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Committee.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

Producer: Samantha Fenwick

Presenter: Nick Ravenscroft.

John Yates, senior Met Police officer responsible for the phone hacking investigation.

A 60-year-old veteran of the hard left, Lansman has been credited with helping get Jeremy Corbyn elected as Labour leader and to successfully rallying thousands of activists behind the Momentum movement.

But his critics say he can be a dogmatic, even bullying, leader, quick to crush dissent.

On this week's 'Profile', Mark Coles speaks to relatives, friends, colleagues and analysts about Lansman's triumphs and tragedies.

Producer: Ben Carter

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Momentum leader Jon Lansman.

But what is it that makes this TV show so popular, and how is a comedian being talked about as one of the most trusted men in America, and what does his success tell us about US politics and mainstream media?

Ahead of the US party conventions and as the presidential race intensifies, Chris Bowlby considers the man who's brought satire to the centre of US political life.

Chris Bowlby looks at Jon Stewart, who has brought satire to the centre of US politics.

But what is it that makes this TV show so popular, and how is a comedian being talked about as one of the most trusted men in America, and what does his success tell us about US politics and mainstream media?

Ahead of the US party conventions and as the presidential race intensifies, Chris Bowlby considers the man who's brought satire to the centre of US political life.

Chris Bowlby looks at Jon Stewart, who has brought satire to the centre of US politics.

He has won league titles in all of the countries he's worked in. But he is also divisive; famous for igniting rows with opponents and provoking referees.

Mourinho was born into football. His father was a goalkeeper who once played for Portugal. The young Jose wanted to be a player too but after short spells in minor clubs he realised coaching offered him a brighter future.

Fast forward 25 years and this week Mourinho has been named Manchester United's new manager.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Wesley Stephenson.

Mark Coles profiles Jose Mourinho, the 'special one'.

Joshua Wong has gone from schoolboy protester to Hong Kong's leading activist.

US President Donald Trump has recognised Guaid　 as the country's legitimate leader - as has Canada, Brazil, Australia and the European parliament - but, for now, Nicolကs Maduro is showing no signs of giving way.

In this edition of Profile Edward Stourton traces Guaid　's life and hears from his family, friends and those who have followed his career. Guaid　 grew up in the beachside state of Vargas where his family survived the horrendous 1999 mudslide tragedy. Juan's mother, Norka Marquez, tells Edward how her family lost everything in that disaster.

Producer: Darin Graham

Edward Stourton profiles Venezuela's self-declared interim president, Juan Guaido.

Should conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh be given a seat on the US Supreme Court ?

Opponents fear his appointment - if confirmed later this month - will shift the country's most powerful legislative body further right and turn the clock back on decades of civil and human rights reforms.

Others argue he's only been nominated by President Trump to ensure he can't be prosecuted for any perceived wrongdoing in the Russia collusion investigation.

Nonsense, say his supporters. Kavanaugh, they insist, is a fair and decent man driven by law rather than politics.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles looks at Kavanaugh's life and career. .

We hear from former college friends, colleagues who worked with him trying to get President Clinton impeached in the 1990s as well as young law students he mentors today.

From abortion to gun ownership, basketball, rap and spaghetti with ketchup... we get the lowdown on why Brett Kavanaugh is such a polarising figure.

Producers Smita Patel & Darin Graham

Editor Penny Murphy.

Mark Coles looks at Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's nominee for the US Supreme Court.

A person of profound faith, Ketanji Brown Jackson poured her soul into her studies. She excelled at Miami Palmetto Senior High School where she was a champion debater, star performer and the president of her class.

She graduated from Harvard University where she met her husband Patrick Jackson and formed life-long friendships. From there, she rose up the legal ranks, fast becoming a public defender, Vice Chair of the US Sentencing Commission and finally a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Mark Coles profiles the indefatigable Judge on the brink of becoming the 116th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Diane Richardson

Researcher: Imogen Serwotka

Production: Coordinator

Editor: Damon Rose

Joe Biden's nominee for the US Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

An Australian, Julian Assange first gained notoriety in the 1990s when he was charged with dozens of computer hacking offences. Little is known about his upbringing, but his parents ran a puppet theatre and he's believed to have moved school dozens of times. The organisation he founded in 2006 has no headquarters, no offices and little formal structure. Assange again leads a nomadic lifestyle moving around Europe, saying he fears arrest if he returns to America - in April, the website released graphic, classified footage of an American helicopter gunship killing Iraqis in a Baghdad, and had previously revealed a classified US manual from Guantanamo Bay.

Admired by some for protecting whistle-blowers and puncturing state secrecy, Assange has been attacked by others for an irresponsible attitude, driven by ideology and prepared to accept 'collateral damage'.

With insights from friends, colleagues and critics, Nigel Thompson profiles the man behind Wikileaks.

Nigel Thompson profiles Julian Assange, controversial public face of the WikiLeaks website

Producer: Oliver Jones

Presenter: Mark Coles

The government's chief whip, charged with getting the PM's Brexit deal through Parliament.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Julius Malema, president of the ANC Youth League.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producers: Phoebe Keane and Eleanor Biggs

Thanks to BBC 5 Live podcast: At Home With Colin Murray and SWR.

The manager who's put Liverpool Football Club on the path to winning the treble.

As he announces his departure from Liverpool FC after nine years, Timandra Harkness looks at the life of Jurgen Klopp, from his childhood in the Black Forest to the young player who could run like the wind, before hanging up his boots to become a coach.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness and Becky Milligan

Production: Ellie House, Phoebe Keane, Diane Richardson

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele

Editor: Richard Vadon

The charismatic German manager who has just announced his resignation from Liverpool FC.

As he announces his departure from Liverpool, Timandra Harkness profiles Jurgen Klopp. The German manager who brought the glory days back to the club.

He has upset fans on his UK tour by keeping them waiting before taking the stage, prompting some to suggest that the pressure of such extraordinary fame, experienced at such a young age, is beginning to show.

Although Justin Bieber came to fame as a musical prodigy, who found his audience through the internet, these days his power as a global brand overshadows his reputation as an artist.

Business is playing a growing part in his activities as he branches into venture capitalism by buying stakes in tech start-ups like Spotify.

Mark Coles on Canadian pop phenomenon Justin Bieber, who upset British fans on his UK tour

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Charlotte Pritchard and David Rhodes.

He was a boxer, a bouncer and a bungee jump coach - now he is prime minister of Canada.

Producers:Smita Patel and Chris Bowlby.

Edward Stourton profiles Justin Welby, former oil executive, now leading Anglican bishop.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Beth Sagar-Fenton

The woman who, come November, could be 'just a heartbeat away' from the US presidency.

Raised in poverty in 1960s Bradford, Kamlesh Patel was targeted by skinheads - and sought solace playing cricket in a field with other south Asian friends.

Almost 50 years later - now a peer - Lord Patel is tasked with trying to repair the reputation of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which has been accused of systemic racism.

As MPs begin their own investigation, Mark Coles follows Kamlesh Patel's remarkable journey from schoolboy cricketer and one time ambulance driver to social worker, academic, the House of Lords and now chair of the club he always dreamed of playing for.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton

The former ambulance driver trying to save Yorkshire County Cricket Club from collapse.

Some consider Kanye West - who also calls himself Ye - a creative genius. Others have been put off by controversial behaviour. President Obama called him a 'jackass', after Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for a video music award to say Beyonc退 'had one of the best videos of all time', implying she should have won instead. He apologised later.

The hip hop artist doesn't lack self-belief. He has called himself a 'God', and compared himself to the likes of Picasso and Shakespeare. But could he have a point?

Even Barack Obama admitted that Kanye is 'very talented' too. And experts say he has changed the genre, both as rapper and as producer. There is 'hip hop before Kanye West, and hip hop after Kanye West'.

And then there is fashion - his designs of popular trainers and clothes have made him a billionaire.

So what drives the controversial yet highly successful artist? Mark Coles dives into Kanye West's life and work to find out.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

What drives the influential rapper and fashion mogul Kanye West, asks Mark Coles.

Friends and colleagues alike are struck by her glamorous and colourful sense of style. This includes high heels, to the dismay of her security detail in places like Afghanistan, who fear her footwear could impede a swift exit. We hear how she tackles meetings fearlessly, and has been known to reduce a roomful of shouting men to silence, without raising her voice.

Becky Milligan looks at the life of an unusual diplomat, who may now be facing her biggest challenge yet.

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Ros Jones.

Karen Pierce is the UK's new ambassador at the UN in New York.

Producer: Chris Bowlby

Editor: Innes Bowen.

The life and times of Karren Brady, successful in business and now rising political star.

Described by many as 'a force of nature' she defied critics and sceptics and successfully secured 350 million doses of six different vaccines which started going into people's arms at the end of last year. The number of doses administered in the UK has now past 60 million and everyone over the age of 30 is being offered the jab.

Via in depth interviews with close friends and colleagues from throughout her life and commentators, Mark Coles reveals the character behind the woman responsible for securing a pipe-line of Covid vaccines for the UK population.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Stefania Okereke

Studio manager: James Beard

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Jim Frank and Caroline Bayley

Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

Photo Credit: Tom Kates

The life and career of Kate Bingham, former head of the UK's Vaccine Taskforce

Born to Jamaican and Guyanese immigrants, Katharine Birbalsingh first rose to prominence at the 2010 Tory party conference. Her speech about Britain's `broken` education system received a standing ovation, but it also made her one of the most controversial figures in British education, and for a while she couldn't even get a teaching job.

Then, in 2014, she founded the Michaela free school in north-west London, which has a zero tolerance behaviour policy. Pupils are penalised for forgetting to bring a pencil, or even for talking in corridors between lessons. The school has been deemed `outstanding` in all areas by Ofsted inspectors.

Edward Stourton examines the life and career of Katharine Birbalsingh, and asks if her forthright personality and achievements as a headteacher will equip her to address issues of entrenched inequality.

Producer: Nick Holland

Researcher: Bethan Head

Katharine Birbalsingh has been named the government's new Social Mobility Commissioner.

Producer: Viv Jones

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Penny Murphy

Mark Coles profiles former NASA astronaut and oceanographer, Dr Kathy Sullivan

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Researchers: Maia Lowerson & Matt Murphy

Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot

Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The lead prosecutor in the trial for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Becky Milligan profiles the former editor of The Sun, Kelvin MacKenzie.

Kemi Badenoch surprised some in Westminster when she reached the fourth round of the Conservative leadership election this summer. Her forthright views on British colonialism and trans issues have won her admirers on the political right, but also been heavily criticised by LGBTQ campaigners.

So who is Kemi Badenoch? How has her childhood in Nigeria influenced her political outlook? And how does she like to unwind? Mark Coles investigates.

Researcher: Alice Struthers

Producers: Ben Cooper and Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Simon Watts

Is the controversial trade secretary and equalities minister a future PM?

Lamar won the award for his latest album Damn, which also collected five Grammy awards in January and is praised for lyrics which reveal the complexity of modern African-American life.

Growing up in the deprived city of Compton, California, Lamar credits his father with keeping him on the right path and providing the balance that some of his peers were missing. His album good kid, m.A.A.d city tells the stories of young black men trying to escape the negative influences surrounding them.

Lamar's lyrical journey explores violence, depression, religion and also the limits of fame and fortune, he's the rapper who says that helping the next generation find positivity and God is where it's at.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Diane Richardson

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar.

There have been protests and rioting in cities across the US, following the death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody in Minneapolis.

In Atlanta, at the height of the demonstrations, the rapper Killer Mike - the son of an Atlanta policeman - addressed protesters calling for calm and urging them to go home.

His speech went viral around the world.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles looks at his life and career.

He talks to close friends, community activists and the rapper's manager, to find out what led to his impassioned, and at times tearful, plea for peace.

Producer Smita Patel

Research Vivien Jones

Editor Kirsty Reid

Mark Coles looks at the life of American rapper and activist Killer Mike.

Producers: John Murphy, Chris Bowlby.

David Torrance profiles the new North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Speculation was rife as to who would succeed him.

The most likely candidate is his closest confidant. A young woman whose always by his side.

Becky Milligan pieces together the mystery of Kim Yo-jong. Politician and sister of Kim Jong-un.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Darin Graham

Editor Ravin Sampat

Becky Milligan looks at the life of North Korean politician Kim Yo-jong.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kwasi Kwarteng excelled academically – he was an Eton scholar, got a double first from Cambridge University and a scholarship to Harvard.

He's worked as a newspaper columnist, a financial analyst and has written several books on history and politics.

Kwasi Kwarteng is a long-time friend and close political ally of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who's just promoted him to the top post in the Treasury. At a time of high inflation, rising energy costs and a looming recession. So is he up to the challenge?

Mark Coles charts the life and career of the man with one of the most powerful jobs in the UK.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams and Matt Toulson, Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Richard Vadon

Credit: Sky News – Anna Jones interview with Kwasi Kwarteng, 5 August 2022

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, tasked with tackling the cost of living crisis.

Described as `incredibly bright, borderline eccentric and very Thatcherite`, Kwasi Kwarteng has been MP for Spelthorne in Surrey, since 2010.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kwasi Kwarteng excelled academically - he was an Eton scholar, got a double first from Cambridge University and a scholarship to Harvard.

Credit: Sky News - Anna Jones interview with Kwasi Kwarteng, 5 August 2022

At one point Lachlan's younger brother James was favourite for the top job but it didn't go his way. So, who is Lachlan Murdoch, how did he win his father's approval and what impact will he make? Timandra Harkness pieces together what we know about him through interviews he's given and by speaking to people who've worked for and observed the Murdochs.

Guest:

Paddy Manning, Author, The Successor: The High-Stakes Life of Lachlan Murdoch.

Michael Wolff, Author, The Fall: The End of the Murdoch Empire.

Sarah Ellison, Washington Journal National Enterprise Reporter, Author, War at the Wall Street Journal.

Kelvin MacKenzie, Former Editor, The Sun.

Claire Enders, Founder, Enders Analysis.

Credits: ABC Dynasties

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Producer: Nick Holland

Researcher: Diane Richardson

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: James Beard

Born in Yorkshire, she was an outstanding student, passing the 11 plus exam a year early. She took a different route into the judiciary, having pursued a career as a legal academic first, rather than spend years working as a barrister.

After becoming a part time judge while working for the Law Commission - the body which promotes law reform - she then went quickly through the ranks sitting in the Court of Appeal and then the House of Lords. She became the first female justice at the Supreme Court and then its first female deputy president - and will take on role of President in October.

Mark Coles talks to friends, family and colleagues about about her distinguished career - and early love for Cliff Richard.

Producer: Jordan Dunbar.

Mark Coles profiles Lady Brenda Hale, the new President of the UK Supreme Court.

But Lady Butler-Sloss had not taken the usual path to legal eminence. She never went to university. Instead, she took a secretarial course and then worked her way up to the top of the judiciary becoming the first woman Justice of the Court of Appeal.

Next week, she comes out of retirement to preside over the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.

A profile of Lady Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the first woman Justice of the Court of Appeal.

Stephen Smith profiles Lady Gaga and her dizzying dash to global pop music dominance.

Producer: Gemma Newby.

Mark Coles profiles the Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: Rod Farquhar

Production: Viv Jones, Diane Richardson, Alix Pickles

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Outspoken Red Wall MP and prominent voice in the New Conservatives movement.

This week Samsung was forced to stop production of its new Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after a number of them apparently exploded or caught fire.

Samsung's chairman Lee Kun-Hee - son of the firm's founder - saw the value of his company plummet. You'd think he'd be fuming. But he hasn't been seen since he suffered a heart attack in 2014. Some in South Korea think he could be dead.

Mark Coles tells the story of Lee Kun-Hee - one of the world's most enigmatic and fascinating business leaders.

Researcher: Kirsteen Knight

Producer: Smita Patel.

Mark Coles tells the story of one of the world's most enigmatic business leaders.

Dressage champion Pearson was born with a condition called arthrogryposis which twisted his limbs.

He won a Children of Courage medal in 1980 aged six, with Margaret Thatcher insisting on carrying him up the stairs of number 10.

An outspoken character on various issues, including the levels of funding in disabled sport and the recognition that goes with it, Pearson has a 100% record in his field, having won gold in every event at every Games he has ever competed in.

So what drives him? And how will he cope with the pressure knowing that if he continues his winning streak in London in the coming weeks, he will be one of the most successful Paralympians in history?

Presenter: Gerry Northam

Producer: Kate O'Hara.

A profile of nine-times paralympic gold medallist, Lee Pearson.

Presenter: Mukul Devichand

Producer: Phillip Kemp.

Mukul Devichand profiles union leader Len McCluskey, who leads the fuel tanker drivers.

Varadkar has made history in Irish politics. The country's first openly gay leader and at 38, its youngest ever. He's the son of an Indian GP and Irish nurse, who followed in family footsteps to become a doctor. Aged just eight, he expressed his desire to become health minister, a position he would come to hold in his early political career.

Interviews include: his oldest friend Andy Garvey, close friend Nollaig Crowley, former teacher John Rafter, Noel Whelan, a political columnist with the Irish Times & the Irish politician Paschal Donohoe.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Sarah Shebbeare

Editor Penny Murphy.

Mark Coles looks at the life of Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.

On the way, Paterson competed in extreme off-road triathlons, winning five world titles and putting the prize money towards the adaptation rights for the novel. Now the movie is winning awards and provoking debate among critics.

Timandra Harkness talks to family, friends and colleagues about Paterson's childhood going to ballet classes with knees still muddy from rugby, her journey from Stirling to Hollywood, and how her drive to win has got her through every challenge.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Georgia Coan and Nathan Gower

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound engineer: Neva Missirian

Triathlete and screenwriter whose debut film is nominated for nine Oscars.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researchers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Benita Barden

The first and only black Formula 1 driver stands on the brink of a world record.

Alexander 'Lex' Greensill, grew up on his family's sugar cane and melon farm in Queensland, Australia. After moving to the UK, he went into investment banking, founded a supply chain finance empire - complete with private jets - and, under David Cameron, secured a role in Britain's Conservative-led Coalition government. After leaving office, the ex-PM became an adviser to the firm - Greensill Capital - which went bust last month, putting at risk 50,000 jobs worldwide.

Mark Coles charts the rise and fall of the farmer's son who, so the story goes, began his finance company to help small firms get paid more quickly by big businesses.

Researchers: Matt Murphy and Stefania Okereke

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Richard Vadon

The billionaire banker, whose financial firm has gone bust, threatening thousands of jobs

Lt Gen Petraeus - described as a unique combination of warrior and intellectual - has just been appointed the US military's most senior man in Iraq. Robert Fox assesses why Bush has picked him to do what's been described as one of the toughest assignments since Vietnam.

~Profile shines the spotlight on an individual who is making the headlines.

Mark Coles speaks to Lin-Manuel Miranda's old teacher, old friends, the chief theatre critic of the New York Times, and even his auntie to find out more about him.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, of award-winning hip-hop musical Hamilton.

Her efforts have attracted international attention, with Clegg being invited to discuss her work in the US. Her admirers in the UK include the actress Juliet Stevenson.

Becky Milligan speaks to Liz Clegg's daughter Inca, her childhood friend Rufus Norris and others to reveal how she became a surrogate mother to so many.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Becky Milligan profiles Liz Clegg, volunteer in the so-called Calais Jungle.

The shadow care minister was virtually unknown outside Westminster until the last week or so. Now she's one of the bookmakers' favourites to take the party's top job. So what's she really like?

'Zesty.'

That's how her best friend sums her up.

But, as Profile discovered this week, figuring out what really makes Liz Kendall tick isn't easy.

Producers: Hannah Barnes and Joe Kent.

Becky Milligan talks to Liz Truss's brother, former boss and political supporters and opponents - and hears about her toughness, determination and love of karaoke.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producers: Smita Patel and Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Becky Milligan profiles the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss.

Mark Coles hears from Liz Truss's brother, her student friend and keen watchers of her political career, and asks how this former Liberal Democrat, karaoke-lover and child of CND campaigners came to sit almost at the top of the Conservative party.

Producer: Nathan Gower

Researcher: Bethan Head

The new foreign secretary with an unusual political trajectory.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Producers: Bob Howard and Ben Cooper

The foreign secretary in the running to be the next prime minister.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Phoebe Keane and May Cameron

The American rapper and singer nominated for eight Grammy Awards.

Lloyd Blankfein looks like a classic American success story, rising from a tough upbringing to head the top Goldman Sachs bank. But the economic crisis and allegations of fraud have challenged the bank's mythical reputation. Edward Stourton profiles the man at the centre of that storm.

Edward Stourton profiles Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Born in 1932, Alfred Dubs came to the UK as a 6 year old, from Czechoslovakia on the 'Kindertransport'.

He studied at the London School of Economics and had a career in marketing, before working as a local councillor. He was elected as an MP in 1979.

This spring he introduced an amendment, in the House of Lords, to the government's immigration bill. He called on David Cameron to allow 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children into the UK from Europe. This week, the Prime Minister agreed to allow some children to enter.

Friends and political opponents describe Lord Dubs as persuasive and determined. The programme speaks to friends, tennis partners and those who've been dragged up mountains by him.

Produced by Ruth Alexander and Sarah Shebbeare.

~Profiles of people making headlines. Mark Coles profiles Labour politician Lord Dubs.

Once lauded as Britain's ethical banker, the ordained Church of England minister now finds himself under fire from the press and politicians.

Producers: Keith Moore and James Melley.

Mark Coles profiles the former HSBC boss and trade minister Lord Green.

Contributors

Judge Henry Globe

Dominic Carman

Sasha Wass QC

Producers:

Rosamund Jones

Linda Pressly.

Claire Bolderson profiles Lord Justice Leveson.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Lord Patten.

British judges have been under attack like never before in recent years, described as `enemies of the people` by one newspaper. The Supreme Court was accused by Downing Street of making `a serious mistake` in its ruling on the prorogation of Parliament.

The Conservative Party's election manifesto promised ominously to look at `the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts`.

The role of the country's most senior judge has arguably never been more important.

So who is Lord Reed? Mark Coles investigates.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

The judge taking up the Supreme Court presidency as tensions with the government simmer.

When Tony Blair announced the inquiry in 1998, 36 years after the killings on the streets of Londonderry (or Derry as nationalists call it), Lord Saville seemed a natural chairman. In this programme friends and colleagues recall his meteoric rise through the ranks of the judiciary while earning himself a reputation as a Bond-like action man, hang-gliding, dinghy sailing and earning his pilot's licence.

He was called to the Bar in 1962, became a Queen's Counsel in 1975 and a Bencher of his Inn in 1983. He was appointed a High Court judge in 1985 and went on to become Lord Justice of Appeal and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. He was considered to be young for a judge at the time (aged 61) and a keen advocate of new technology.

But the Saville Inquiry has been bogged down in one delay after another, becoming the longest-running and most expensive public inquiry in British history, and Lord Saville himself has come in for considerable criticism.

The report from the inquiry is due to be handed to the government shortly but it is still not known when the results are likely to be made public.

Edward Stourton profiles Lord Saville of Newdigate.

He discovers how this one-time trade union leader, General Secretary of the Labour Party and fanatical Tottenham Hotspur supporter is now trying to curb the excesses of professional football. He has already clashed with the Premier League over players' commitments, and is now warning that even the biggest clubs could be overtaken by debt.

Rob Bonnet profiles Lord David Triesman, Chairman of the Football Association.

Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou.

Edward Stourton profiles Loretta Lynch, newly appointed to the job of US attorney general.

In a report published last month, Louise Casey argued that victims and witnesses are the 'poor relation' in the criminal justice system. During her inaugural speech, Louise Casey argued that victims and witnesses enter a criminal justice system that is complicated, haphazard and often frightening, and where they have no guarantee of help.

During her career as a civil servant Louise Casey has frequently been outspoken about the rights of victims. She first came to prominence as 'Homelessness Czar' and followed that with 'Asbo Czar' and 'Respect Czar.

Her sometimes forthright comments have not always been welcomed and, on occasion, have landed her in hot water. But her friends and many of those who have worked with her display great loyalty towards her and describe her as a 'breath of fresh air' in Whitehall.

Rosie Goldsmith profiles Louise Casey, the first Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses.

In a report published last month, Louise Casey argued that victims and witnesses are the 'poor relation' in the criminal justice system. During her inaugural speech, Louise Casey argued that victims and witnesses enter a criminal justice system that is complicated, haphazard and often frightening, and where they have no guarantee of help.

During her career as a civil servant Louise Casey has frequently been outspoken about the rights of victims. She first came to prominence as 'Homelessness Czar' and followed that with 'Asbo Czar' and 'Respect Czar.

Her sometimes forthright comments have not always been welcomed and, on occasion, have landed her in hot water. But her friends and many of those who have worked with her display great loyalty towards her and describe her as a 'breath of fresh air' in Whitehall.

Rosie Goldsmith profiles Louise Casey, the first Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses.

Casey is now a cross-bench peer and go-to troubleshooter for governments of all stripes, but her route to the top of public life has been unconventional.

~Profile speaks to close friends and colleagues of a civil servant known for her fearlessness and no-nonsense style.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams and Nathan Gower

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

The author of hard-hitting social policy reviews, most recently on the Met Police.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: Tural Ahmedzade

Editor: Richard Knight

Mark Coles profiles the British hip hop artist Loyle Carner.

She's become recognised as one of the most powerful political voices in British contemporary art, creating works about black identity, as well as championing the work of young black British female artists. Mark Coles speaks to those who know her.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Chris Flynn

Artist Lubaina Himid is currently enjoying a retrospective at London's Tate Modern.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Viv Jones, Tural Ahmedzade

Editor: Penny Murphy

Becky Milligan profiles MP Luciana Berger of the newly formed Independent Group.

Lucy Winkett read history at Cambridge before studying theology, and then trained as a soprano at the Royal College of Music for a year, even though she'd already decided to enter the priesthood. She uses her musical and creative side in her ministry, too, and has been known to burst into a rendition of Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman while playing the piano after morning service.

Her appointment to St Paul's was controversial at the time and was initially tough for Lucy Winkett. Some couldn't accept the presence of a woman priest, and refused to take communion from her. But today her supporters are, it seems, many.

Producer Fiona Leach.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Lucy Winkett, a favourite to become the first female bishop.

Brian Hanrahan looks at Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court

Brian Hanrahan looks at Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court

Researchers: Octavia Woodward & Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound engineer: James Beard

The left wing, working class Brazilian aiming to become president once again.

Lynsey Addario - who reported on the Taliban before most of the western world knew who they were - has borne witness to war, humanitarian disaster and the worst effects of climate change. She has been kidnapped twice, but still keeps returning to conflict zones.

Mark Coles profiles the award-winning photographer whose images continue to make the front pages.

Credits:

Lynsey Addario, talking to CBS Evening News' Norah O'Donnell

Sky News' Stuart Ramsay and his team being attacked in Ukraine

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Ellie House

Editor: Damon Rose

Studio Manager: Neil Churchill

The photo-journalist documenting suspected war crimes in Ukraine.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles presents a profile of the co-founder of counter-extremism think tank Quilliam.

Producer: Smita Patel

Photo credit: 'Downton Abbey' / Carnival Films.

Chris Bowlby looks at the life and career of actress Maggie Smith.

He is currently in London playing the tournament that will determine which top player gets to challenge the reigning world champion, Vishy Anand, for that title.

Carlsen has been amazing the world of chess since he was a child. He became a Grandmaster after just four years of playing, when he was thirteen. He also achieved a draw against chess legend Gary Kasparov at that age.

His talent and achievements later caught the attention of the fashion world, and he was asked to model for denim brand G-Star Raw, giving the image of chess a make-over in the process.

He is said to have a photographic memory, but uses it to remember sports results and trivia more than chess openings. An instinctive and fast player, he also has extraordinary staying power and can change a game five hours in, when his opponents start to flag.

Can this chess wunderkind now become world champion? And what is he actually like? Lesley Curwen talks to those who know him best, from his dad and his first coach, to famous chess players like Nigel Short.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius.

Chris Bowlby looks at the highest-rated chess player ever, 22-year old Magnus Carlsen.

The former Children's Laureate has been called a `phenomenal author and a childhood hero` by rapper Stormzy and name checked on Tiny Tempah's hit Written In The Stars.

She has written over 60 books for children and young adults, plays the drums, speaks several languages and apparently Klingon.

Producers: Diane Richardson, Smita Patel and Jade Thompson.

Editor: Emma Rippon

Mark Coles profiles children's author and former children's laureate Malorie Blackman.

Born in Wythenshawe and raised by a single mum, Marcus Rashford caught the eye of professional clubs at an early age. At first training with both Manchester City and Manchester United, he decided to dedicate himself to the Reds, and rapidly rose through the ranks.

He debuted for the senior squad at 17 years of age, scoring twice, and scored again when he was first called up for England.

A regular fixture for both United and England, he is now gaining attention for his philanthropic work, which is said to be inspired by the struggles he and his family faced when he was growing up.

Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith

The Manchester United forward who is credited with forcing a government U-turn this week.

Edward Stourton on Margaret Hodge, who is enjoying an Indian summer in her political life.

Born into an Armenian family in Krasnodar in Southern Russia, Simonyan grew up in poverty, but her academic achievements helped her win a place on a prestigious exchange program to the United States. Arriving in New Hampshire just four years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the experience changed her life. Initially shocked by the excesses of Western capitalism, Simonyan soon found her feet and was even crowned 'Carnival Queen' of her All-American high school.

After returning to Russia, Simonyan started a career in journalism, becoming a household name after reporting from the carnage of the Beslan school siege. Shortly after, when she was just 25, she was handpicked to create the new Kremlin-funded international news network Russia Today. Controversy has dogged the channel, with allegations of pro-Kremlin propaganda and biased reporting, but all agree that under Simonyan's leadership the channel has given Russia a far bigger - and stronger - voice abroad.

Married with two children, Simonyan is known by her friends for her love of disco, Cossack folk music and traditional cooking - including boiled beaver's head. Mark Coles asks some of those who know her best what drives her - including her best friend and the American woman who offered to adopt her as a teenager.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Jordan Dunbar

Researcher: Sylvie Carlos.

The life story of Margarita Simonyan, head of the controversial Russian news network RT.

Spain is facing its biggest political crisis for years....the autonomous region of Catalonia considering breaking away from the rest of the country.

Mark Coles profiles Spain's right wing Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, as he goes head to head with the Catalan President to try to stop it happening.

The programme examines his Galician roots and his grandfather's role in wresting power from the Spanish state back in the 1930s.

We follow Rajoy's rise to power, hear about the setbacks - two accidents that nearly that nearly claimed his life - and why the 2004 Madrid terror attacks came close to

ending his political career.

Producer Smita Patel.

Researcher Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor Penny Murphy.

Mark Coles profiles Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain.

Claire Bolderson profiles far right French politician Marine Le Pen.

Mark Coles charts Marine Le Pen's life and political career, which began alongside her father Jean-Marie Le Pen - founder of the far right Front National party.

Today she has sought to soften her image by playing down her party's past policies by taking on issues such as the cost of living crisis, as she challenges for the French presidency for a third time.

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Diane Richardson.

Credits: Marine Le Pen ‘Une Intimate Ambition' interview with Karine Le Marchand, Channel M6.

The National Rally leader hoping to be the next president of France.

Credits: Marine Le Pen ‘Une Intimate Ambition' interview with Karine Le Marchand, Channel M6.

The appointment of an Italian to this key role, from a country no stranger to inflation and which is itself at risk of defaulting may have raised some eyebrows, but Draghi was once dubbed 'Super Mario' for his combination of financial and diplomatic intelligence.

Lesley Curwen profiles the urbane economist and charts his path to the top of European banking.

Reporter: Lesley Curwen

Producer: Gail Champion.

New President of the European Central Bank, Italian Mario Draghi, enters the Euro crisis.

Heralded as 'the outstanding central banker of his generation' by George Osborne, Mr Carney now faces the task of guiding the UK's economy towards full recovery. Since arriving in London he has caused a stir by arriving to work on his first day by tube and unveiling Jane Austen as the face on the new £10 notes.

He has come a long way from his roots in the remoteness of Canada's Northern Territories, a journey which included time at Harvard and Oxford Universities and a successful career at Goldman Sachs.

Producer: Lucy Proctor.

Chris Bowlby profiles the new governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney.

Mark Coles talks to friends and family of the sportsman who says he's addicted to winning.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Researcher: Soila Apparicio

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Engineer: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

Commentary of Tour de France 2021 Stage 4 win courtesy of Eurosport.

The British sprint cyclist making history, against the odds, in the Tour de France.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Sonia Rothwell.

Mark Coles profiles the so-called 'Tatler Tory', Mark Clarke.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Luke Radcliff and Ben Carter

Mark Coles explores the life and career of the First Minister of Wales.

That changed when it was reported that Fullbrook had been questioned as a witness in an FBI inquiry into alleged electoral bribery in Puerto Rico. Then, this week, he became headline news when it was revealed his Downing Street salary was being paid through his own lobbying firm. The publicity comes at a bad time for Prime Minister Liz Truss who is facing economic turmoil following the Chancellor's mini-budget.

So, who is Mark Fullbrook and why do we know so little about him? Mark Coles looks at the life of an influential, yet unheard-of, political figure.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Diane Richardson and Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

The little-known political consultant taking on the role of No. 10's chief of staff.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton

Sir Mark Sedwill is Cabinet secretary and the UK's national security adviser.

He is perceived by some as an outdated trade union firebrand but he is committed to protecting the public sector from cuts to the kinds of job he did for nearly twenty years - a benefits officer in the south Wales valley of Aberdare.

Producer - Ian Muir-Cochrane.

Profiling Mark Serwotka, the PCS union leader on a collision course with the government.

Reporter: Morland Sanders

Producer: Rob Cave.

Morland Sanders profiles Facebook Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg.

Rosie Goldsmith profiles the notorious literary bad boy Martin Amis.

He grew up in a Jewish family in Cheshire. He lost his mother in an accident just before his 12th birthday, an event that had a lasting influence on him. He later became a journalist and financial campaigner, motivated by wanting to help others save money. The success of MoneySavingExpert made him a multi-millionaire. But the only thing that's flamboyant about him is his dancing style. He also loves Scrabble, even proposed to his wife over a game of it. He's obsessed with his daily step count, and has been known to hold meetings while on a treadmill. He's said to be the most trusted man in Britain - a heavy responsibility.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Researcher: Imogen Serwotka

Sound: James Beard

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Damon Rose

What drives the MoneySavingExpert who wants to help millions save money?

Just what impact is the passionate European having on the process of Britain leaving the EU? And does he deserve his reputation as the 'Monster at the Berlaymont'?

Mark Coles profiles the man who some say really runs Europe, Martin Selmayr.

In a referendum, voters in the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly to overturn the abortion ban.

The campaign also increased the profile of Ms McDonald who took over as the leader of Sinn F退in in February.

Her personal story is very different from other leading Sinn F退in politicians.

Growing up in a middle class suburb of Dublin - a world away from the tough areas of Northern Ireland most Sinn F退in leaders knew during the years of the Troubles - insiders asked whether her untypical background would work for or against her.

Presenter: Ed Stourton

Producers: Estelle Doyle, Clare Spencer.

Ed Stourton profiles the leader of Sinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald.

Producer Smita Patel

Editor Ravin Sampat

Researcher Bethan Head

Mark Coles profiles Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care for England

Producer: Chris Bowlby.

Edward Stourton asks if Matteo Renzi, Italy's dynamic new PM, can fulfil his promises.

The press have dubbed him the European Donald Trump and commentators say he could pose a threat to the existence of the European Union as we know it.

This week he was in the news again, for refusing to allow another migrant rescue ship to dock in Italy and for his radical proposals to crack down on migration.

But his perfect day would be a much quieter one, in the Italian mountains with his TV host partner and a fishing rod in hand.

Presenter: Helen Grady

Producer: Clare Spencer

Researchers: Bethan Head and Francesca Marchese

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Helen Grady profiles the Italian interior minister, Matteo Salvini.

Mahmood has long been a controversial figure. His investigations, many for News of the World, have exposed serious wrongdoing. But he is accused of provoking people to commit criminal acts, in pursuit of a lurid newspaper headline. Edward Stourton presents.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Edward Stourton profiles journalist Mazher Mahmood, the so-called 'fake sheikh'.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Viv Jones

Megan Rapinoe's US national team has made it to the Women's World Cup final.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Ben Crighton

Photo by Stane Jerko

Becky Milligan profiles America's First Lady.

The young Meryl Streep tasted early success in landmark films such as 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Kramer vs Kramer'. Going on to star in the harrowing 'Sophie's Choice', she picked up the Academy Award for Best Actress and garnered critical acclaim for her mastery of a Polish accent.

The box office hit 'The Devil Wears Prada,' where she played a ruthless magazine editor cemented her position as one of Hollywood's most bankable female stars. The 2008 hit musical 'Mamma Mia!' allowed her to indulge her first love of singing and once again demonstrated her remarkable versatility.

Now as she takes on the role of another famous woman, former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, Andy Denwood charts her extraordinary career.

Reporter - Andy Denwood

Producer - Gail Champion.

How has Meryl Streep become one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood history?

She's packed a lot in to the past few weeks: taking her seat in Parliament; sitting the final exam of her politics degree (dissertation subject: the rise of the SNP); attending her graduation ceremony; and making her maiden speech, in which she attacked the Conservative budget with the observation that she was the only 20-year-old in the whole of the UK who the Chancellor was prepared to help with housing support. The seven minute speech has been viewed online an astonishing 10 million times.

Mhairi Black emerged as a political starlet during the referendum campaign on Scottish independence in 2014. She caught the eye of the former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars, who invited her to play a central role in the Yes Campaign, and who also advised her to stand for Parliament. She was expected to give Douglas Alexander a run for his money, but the real target was Holyrood in 2016.

Now she's at Westminster, where an eager press is watching her every move. Her candid teenage tweets have been exhumed and her eating habits have been put under the microscope (even her best friends worry about her appetite for chips and Irn Bru). And she'll have less time to use her Partick Thistle season ticket. But Mhairi Black has her sights set for the top. 'She will be a significant leader of a left-wing position in Scottish politics,' says Jim Sillars.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producer: Tim Mansel.

Britain's youngest MP, whose maiden speech has been watched 10 million times.

Stephen Sackur profiles MIA, the British-born Tamil singer and artist.

Producer: Kate Dixon.

Rory Cellan-Jones profiles Moshi Monsters founder Michael Acton Smith.

As more than 100,000 revellers descend upon Worthy Farm in Somerset, Mark Coles profiles this complex individual. Through his early battles with authority, financial setbacks and personal tragedy, we learn what drove Eavis to turn the land his family have owned for 150 years into the home of an iconic music festival. We hear from his GP son, the best man at his wedding and a host of famous DJs and musicians who have known him. From naked morning swims on the farm - every day of the year - to a ferociously competitive table tennis tournaments, we get beneath this skin of this individual and learn what makes him tick. World famous bands have graced his property and David Bowie's stayed in his farmhouse; yet at home Eavis is more likely to listen to Methodist Hymns or Elvis Presley (the latter for his gospel songs) than the many household names to have played Glastonbury.

We speak as well to one of Mr Eavis's opponents over the years. We hear how his politics and commitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament have shaped both his life and the festival itself. And at 81 years old - with Glastonbury Festival still going strong - we learn whether this driven workaholic is likely to retire any time soon.

Methodist, dairy farmer - oh, and he runs a festival. Mark Coles profiles Michael Eavis.

But why has he become such a significant figure in modern Conservatism? And how easy has the transition been from commentating and debating to running a Whitehall department? With education potentially one of the most radical areas of new government activity, Gove's own fate in the next few months and years will be central to the fate of the government as a whole. Chris Bowlby discovers what has shaped this distinctive and unusual political career.

The making of Michael Gove, the education revolutionary facing a political storm.

But why has he become such a significant figure in modern Conservatism? And how easy has the transition been from commentating and debating to running a Whitehall department? With education potentially one of the most radical areas of new government activity, Gove's own fate in the next few months and years will be central to the fate of the government as a whole. Chris Bowlby discovers what has shaped this distinctive and unusual political career.

The making of Michael Gove, the education revolutionary facing a political storm.

During that time he has provoked controversy from many areas - from teachers, lawyers, landlords for the policies he has championed. But he has also attracted friends and enemies in his own party due to his decisions over Brexit, leadership bids and party politics.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Charlotte McDonald and Debbie Richford

Editor: Tom Bigwood

Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

Sound Engineer: James Beard

Credits

Sky News

ITV

The Levelling Up Secretary - the ultimate political survivor?

The Levelling Up Secretary - the ultimate political survivor? Michael Gove has served in the cabinet of four prime ministers.

Michael Morpurgo has written 180 books over the past half century.

Over Christmas, he narrated a new BBC TV film adaptation of his 2014 children's story ‘Mimi And The Mountain Dragon'.

Morpurgo is best known for ‘War Horse' - a book about a horse bought by the British army to serve in the First World War and its young owner's attempts to bring it home to safety.

Turned into a National Theatre play, then a Hollywood movie - it's made him a household name.

Mark Coles hears from Morpurgo's wife, brother, biographer and close friends talk about what inspired his writing - the profound impact war had on him as a child and the father he didn't know for years.

We hear about his time in the army, the charity he set up to give city children experience of the countryside - and why now in his mid 70s, he's taken up his love of singing again.

Producer Smita Patel

Editor Penny Murphy

The programme contains music from the BBC TV Film, 'Mimi & the Mountain Dragon', composed by Rachel Portman

Mark Coles looks at one of Britain's most celebrated storytellers, Michael Morpurgo

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, 33 year-old Michaela Coel grew up with her single mum and older sister on a council estate in London's East End. At eighteen, she became a Christian. Her conversion kick-started her writing career as she began penning and performing poems praising Jesus.

After winning a scholarship to the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, her graduation piece - unusually- featured her own work, a play called ‘Chewing Gum Dreams'. It was about life on her estate and a girl desperate to lose her virginity. She later developed that into the award-winning Channel 4 comedy, Chewing Gum.

Now Michaela Coel has been dubbed 'Queen of British TV' after her latest BAFTA success for her drama, 'I May Destroy You'. Mark Coles tells the story of her life, by talking to those who spotted her talents from a very young age, including friends from school, the church and the world of theatre.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Intake producer: Matt Toulson

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Alex Lewis

The multi-talented performer making BAFTA history with awards for 'I May Destroy You'.

But we do know who will represent the EU in those negotiations: the French politician Michel Barnier, who met his counterpart David Davis this week.

Born in the Savoie region in south-east France, Barnier has been a committed Gaullist since he was a teenager. At 27 he made history in France by becoming the youngest MP ever elected. And in 1992 he took great pride in bringing the Winter Olympics to his region.

His allies say he is a reasonable, sensitive negotiator. His critics tell us he can be self-important and cold. Everyone agrees he will be fiercely committed to defending the EU's interests in the complex Brexit negotiations ahead.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producers: Smita Patel and Alex Burton.

Becky Milligan profiles the man chosen to represent the EU in Brexit negotiations.

Bachelet's family were victims of the coup in Chile under General Pinochet in 1973. Her father, an Air Force general who refused to go along with the actions of his brother officers, died after being tortured. The regime also tortured Bachelet herself - and her mother - before allowing them to go into exile, first to Australia and then to East Germany, where they joined many of their compatriots.

~Profile talks to a fellow Chilean exile who knew Bachelet when she was a student in the GDR, the speechwriter who helped her to victory seven years ago and a British diplomat who helped to sell Chile some second hand frigates and was impressed by Bachelet's plain-dealing.

Producer: Mark Savage.

Edward Stourton profiles Michelle Bachelet, former and perhaps future president of Chile.

Clever use of PR has helped make Michelle Mone one of Britain's most recognisable businesswomen. Now she has been made the government's new entrepreneurship tsar and is tipped for a place in the House of Lords.

Presenter Mark Coles charts her journey from childhood poverty in Glasgow to a City penthouse overlooking the Thames.

Producers: Keith Moore and Katie Inman.

Michelle Mone, the government's new start-up tsar, is profiled by Mark Coles.

40 year old Michelle O'Neill is Sinn Fein's new leader in the north. She was appointed in January after Martin McGuinness stood down, but has yet to make her debut leading her party in the Northern Ireland Assembly because power sharing has been suspended. This week, Sinn Fein and the rival DUP both blamed each other for the impasse - rejecting each others terms for getting talks re-started.

Mark Coles hears from Michelle O'Neill's friends, colleagues and the occasional political foe to try to understand what makes her tick.

And discovers why, in a new play about her and DUP leader Arlene Foster, they're really good friends who enjoy clubbing and drinking in Ibiza.

Producers Smita Patel & Sandie Kanthal

Editor Richard Vadon.

Michelle O'Neill, leader of Sinn Fein.

From local councillor to would-be leader of the power sharing executive, Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Michelle O'Neill, the IRA man's daughter, changing the image and appeal of nationalist party, Sinn Féin.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Janet Staples

Sound: Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

Northern Ireland's first minister designate, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill

She wants to be a first minister for all, having led her party to a historic election win. Sinn F退in now hold the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, entitling them to the position of first minister.

From local councillor to would-be leader of the power sharing executive, Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Michelle O'Neill, the IRA man's daughter, changing the image and appeal of nationalist party, Sinn F退in.

Train guards have begun what they say will be 27 days of strike action across the entire South Western Railway region in December.

More than 600,000 journeys a day are being affected.

The aim, says 59 year old Mick Cash, is to prevent SWR introducing new driver-only controlled trains next year.

Mark Coles tries to find out more about the man.

Mark Coles profiles the head of the RMT union, Mick Cash.

The rise of Mike Ashley, reclusive owner of Sports Direct and Newcastle United.

This programme contains material from a previous episode of Profile about Mike Ashley first broadcast on Saturday 23 Feb 2013.

Producer: Laura Gray.

Edward Stourton profiles Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Luke Radcliff

Mike Pompeo has a lot on his plate. He's at the centre of the impeachment investigation into US President Donald Trump, who's accused of breaking the law by pressuring Ukraine's president to dig up damaging information on a political rival. He's pressuring the UK government to look again at its decision to give Chinese company Huawei a role in its 5G mobile phone network. And he's facing criticism for refusing an extradition request relating to the death of British teenager Harry Dunn. In the week Mike Pompeo visits both the UK and Ukraine, Edward Stourton investigates the life and record of America's top diplomat.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

Editor: Penny Murphy

Presenter: MR MARK COLES

Producer: Nick Holland

Researcher: Ellie House and Diane Richardson

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Editor: Richard Vadon

Miriam Margolyes is at the peak of her career, even though she's been acting for decades.

This week he became the first British man - and only second man ever - to hold the Olympic and World 10,000m and 5,000m titles.

He was born in Somalia and moved to Britain as a young boy, where his athletic journey began. But it was an unusual one for such a successful athlete - he needed cajoling, ran the wrong way in cross-country races and enjoyed playing to the crowd.

Mo Farah was born to run. But he wasn't destined to win.

Producer: Helena Merriman.

Jane Deith profiles the double Olympic and World champion, Mo Farah.

Mark Coles profiles the spin-bowler and batsman - who grew up in the Midlands, started playing the sport at a young age, and who has inspired today's England fans to chant about his facial hair.

Producers: Nina Robinson and Hannah Sander.

Mark Coles profiles the England cricketer, Moeen Ali.

Our subject this week - Saudi interior minister Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef - is right in the thick of it. Mark Coles profiles the man who is a crucial counter-terrorism partner for Britain and United States, and a hardliner who is next in line to the Saudi throne.

Producers: Chloe Hadjimatheou and Katie Inman.

Mark Coles profiles the Saudi interior minister Mohammed Bin Nayef.

Notoriously private, the brothers became national news last year after buying the supermarket giant, Asda. Last week they added the fast-food chain, Leon, to their portfolio. And now they're rumoured to have their eye on Caff退 Nero.

Talking to family, friends and business associates, Mark Coles discovers how different the brothers are, what fuels their passion for petrol stations and how they cope with media attention.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Richard Vadon

The billionaire brothers who bought Asda after making a fortune from petrol stations.

The No 10 adviser's appointment on a race inequality commission has caused controversy.

Known as a man of integrity and a stickler for the law, he defected in February after visiting the city of Bengazi, and saw peaceful protestors being shot. In May Mr Abdul Jalil did the rounds of European capitals calling on their governments to support the rebel National Transitional Council. But as Nick Ravenscroft reports there are doubts as to whether he has the leadership qualities to manage the disparate groups and steer the country toward democracy.

Producer: Rob Cave.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil, recent defector who now leads Libya's National Transitional Council.

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Researchers: Maia Lowerson and May Cameron

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Mix: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The fascinating life of Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi, with Mark Coles.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight

Editor: Richard Vadon

The new chancellor of the exchequer, promoted by Boris Johnson this week.

Dorries - a self-proclaimed council estate Scouser not afraid of speaking her mind - left school with few qualifications but went on to become a hospital nurse before setting up a successful company providing childcare services to working parents. Then she astonished her mother by entering politics.

In the House of Commons Dorries has clashed with the Opposition and many within her own party over the issues of abortion and sex education. She has sparred with David Cameron, who she regards as a 'posh boy', and been criticised - even by those who like her - of being too outspoken.

According to Ian Birrell, a former Cameron speechwriter, the celebrity jungle will make or break Dorries.

She'll either do very very well at getting across the fact she is unusual for a politician,' he says, 'or she will rub everyone up the wrong way and be ejected within about 20 seconds. She will be a great success or a great failure - which I think is possibly the story of Nadine.'.

Mark Coles profiles the controversial Conservative MP Nadine Dorries.

The right-wing, nationalist, supporter of Jewish settlement in the West Bank has formed an unlikely alliance of left and right, secular and religious, Jewish and Arab. Once the chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett brought an end to his old boss's 12 years in power.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Sowda Ali

Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Joe Kent

Editor: Alex Lewis

ARCHIVE

I24NEWS English: 'Kingmaker' Naftali Bennett Hopes to Become Israel's Next Prime Minister - February 2021

Zionist Federation of Australia: Lockdown Learning 15 with Naftali Bennett. June 2020

ABC News: The ABC Evening Newscast - July 1976

Brookings Institution: Saban Forum 2014 - A Conversation with Naftali Bennett. December 2014

The military commando turned tech entrepreneur who is now prime minister of Israel.

CORRECTION: In this edition of Profile we said Nan Goldin has protested on the steps of the Museum of Modern Art. In fact she has protested on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Producers: Viv Jones and Tural Ahmedzade

Protest audio courtesy of Mike Quinn

Photographer Nan Goldin has been grabbing headlines not for her art but for her activism.

Mark Coles looks at the life of the acclaimed artist, whose addiction to prescription opioids made her determined to hold Purdue Pharma and their owners the Sackler family accountable for the US Opioid addiction crisis. The campaign resulted in galleries and museums around the world cutting financial ties with the Sacklers, because of their link to the prescription opioid OxyContin.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Viv Jones, Tural Ahmedzade and Ben Cooper

Editor: Richard Vadon

The renowned photographer, film-maker and activist against the US opioid addiction crisis.

It's a remarkable comeback for her - ¦it puts her third in line to the Presidency itself.

Having first done the job back in 2007 when George W Bush was Commander in Chief - now 78, many thought Pelosi was too old this time round.

But only a week into the role, she's already engaged in a bitter war of words with President Trump over his demand for Congress to fund his Mexico border wall.

For many, with the Democrats now controlling Congress, Nancy Pelosi is set to become the face of opposition to the President for the next two years.

We hear from childhood friends, former colleagues and those who've followed her career down the decades.

From campaigning for her dad when he was Mayor of Baltimore back in the 1940s to helping President Obama reform American health care, we examine Nancy Pelosi's life and career and - in these turbulent times - look at the challenges that lie ahead for her.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher: Darin Graham

Editor: Penny Murphy

Mark Coles looks at the most powerful woman in American politics.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Mix: Rod Farquhar

The activist tennis star set to light up the Tokyo Olympics - featuring Billie Jean King.

Edward Stourton profiles the Oscar-nominated actress from north London.

Producer: Laura Gray

Presenter: Ritula Shah.

Ritula Shah presents a profile of Indian prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Stefania Okereke

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou

Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

Can Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi survive his country's current coronavirus wave?

Producer: Chris Bowlby.

Mark Coles profiles the Green leader Natalie Bennett after her rocky campaign launch.

According to the President, Neil Gorsuch has 'outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind' and an 'extraordinary r退sum退.' But what do his friends, former class-mates and colleagues have to say about him?

Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton and Joe Kent

Editor: Richard Vadon.

He captured a global market with Bob the Builder and invested his money in property, with rather less success. As his latest play, Rain Man, opens in Bath, he has found himself having to promise his creditors that he will avoid bankruptcy in order to pay them back.

Featuring contributions from Martin Clunes, his business partner Richard Fox and the producers of Men Behaving Badly and Bob The Builder.

Jonathan Maitland profiles the actor Neil Morrissey.

Earlier this year he was largely written off as a presidential contender when many of his staff left his campaign. But now he has made a dramatic comeback.

In the 1990s he was one of the Republicans who led the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton for perjury over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Yet at the same time Mr Gingrich was engaged in his own extra-marital affair with the woman who became his third wife.

Samira Ahmed talks to people who have known and worked with Newt Gingrich throughout his career. She hears of similarities between Gingrich and Clinton: both had difficult relationships with their step-fathers, dominating mothers, and both wanted to be transformational figures. But Gingrich appears to lack Clinton's personal charm.

Gingrich is both attacked and admired as an ideological politician, although some say he is driven by pragmatism and has an acute sense of what will play well with his supporters.

With a controversial past - he was fined $300,000 for ethics breaches in Congress - how has he turned things round?

Who is the real Newt Gingrich, and would he make a good president?

Producers:

Ben Crighton and Arlene Gregorius.

Samira Ahmed profiles Newt Gingrich, leading Republican contender for the US election.

It's not just her career that sets her apart. As a child she lived through the Biafran War. Years later she faced another crisis: the kidnapping of her elderly mother. But her friends say she does find time for a laugh and the occasional boogie.

Becky Milligan hears about her fascinating life and career from close family, friends and colleagues.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Maia Lowerson

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The first African and first woman elected head of the World Trade Organisation.

Sir Nicholas Macpherson, treasury supremo and key figure in the Scots independence debate.

Researcher: Darin Graham

Producer: Smita Patel

Editor: Richard Knight

Becky Milligan profiles Conservative MP Nick Boles.

Nick Davies decided to become an investigative journalist after he saw the film All the President's Men, about the US journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein who revealed the Watergate story that brought down president Richard Nixon. Thirty-five years later, Nick Davies is considered one of Britain's top investigative journalists.

He has broken numerous stories, mostly for the Guardian newspaper. His scoops include the story about the nurse turned serial child murderer, Beverley Allitt, and the recent Wikileaks revelations.

He has written several books, including Flat Earth News. In this book he accuses many British newspapers of what he calls 'churnalism', churning out stories based entirely on PR, press releases or wire copy, without further fact-checking. This did not make him the most popular man in Fleet Street, but he is one of the most respected.

He is a passionate, driven, and obsessive journalist. Where did these traits come from? Jonathan Maitland finds out what makes Nick Davies tick.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius.

Jonathan Maitland profiles Nick Davies, the journalist who broke the phone-hacking story.

Last week a US court ordered the site to pay Hulk Hogan $140 million in damages, after Gawker ran a clip from a sex tape involving the wrestling star.

Mark Coles profiles the man friends describe as being 'ahead of his time' and a 'visionary'.

But Mark also discovers how, as a journalist, Nick Denton reveals other people's secrets, while carefully guarding his own.

Producers: Katie Inman and David Rhodes.

Mark Coles profiles the British journalist whose website has been sued for $140 million.

Researchers: Matt Toulson and Alice Struthers

Producers: Ben Cooper and Bob Howard

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Simon Watts

The classical violinist taking on her biggest gig yet - director of the Edinburgh Festival

She's deputy to Alex Salmond but is central to the party's campaign, and she's playing a major but perhaps under-reported role in negotiating with London too.

How did she achieve such a rapid rise to political prominence? And why is she so obsessed with the TV drama Borgen?

Presenter: Lesley Curwen

Producer: Chris Bowlby.

Lesley Curwen profiles Nicola Sturgeon, a key figure in Scotland's push for independence.

Producer: Alex Burton.

The life and times of embattled Venezuelan president and radical icon Nicolas Maduro.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Nigel Dodds, the DUP's leader at Westminster, is a possible post-election kingmaker.

Rosie Goldsmith profiles the leader of the UK Independence Party, Nigel Farage.

He was born in 1962 into a world of privilege. Schooled at Eton, his father was a Major in the Irish Guards and once captained the British Ski Team at the Winter Olympics. Once Nigel hit London he began a music career even releasing a single.

But it was the move into marketing that set him on the path to success, we hear how mobile discos, the Royal Family and the smell of golf all played a part in the story of the man who can allegedly help win elections and end wars.

Big data, psychological warfare and mobile discos in the life of Nigel Oakes.

Mark Coles takes a look at the life of Nigella Lawson, the daughter of a famous Chancellor of the Exchequer who became the Queen of Christmas cooking.

Friends recall their favourite memories, many of them culinary. And journalist Gilly Smith, author of Taste and the TV Chef, explains why Nigella has become a global food star.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Lucy Proctor and Matt Toulson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The TV chef who told us to relax in the kitchen - especially at Christmas.

Producers: Smita Patel & Bob Howard

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Nikki Haley - why the US ambassador to the UN is such an intriguing figure.

We hear about him practicing in the streets of Belgrade as a child during the war in the former Yugoslavia, how his views on health and medicine were shaped and how he became the formidable and resilient competitor that he is today.

Programme Credits

In Depth with Graham Bensinger

ABC News

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Diane Richardson

Editor: Penny Murphy

Adrian Goldberg profiles World No.1 tennis star and Serbian hero, Novak Djokovic.

Presenter Mark Coles discovers the family stories and personal challenges which have brought Oksana's charisma and talent from Western Ukraine to classical music's world stage.

Picture Credit: Tristram Kenton, Royal Opera House.

Programme Credits:

UATV

The Ukrainian Institute in London

DW Classical Music

MDR Television

Choir and Orchestra of the Bayreuther Festspiele

US-Ukraine Foundation

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Diane Richardson

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the Ukrainian conductor who's making history.

The Ukrainian first lady has also addressed the US Congress and appeared on the cover of Vogue but stepping into the limelight has not been easy for the comedy writer, who is more comfortable behind the camera.

Adrian Goldberg profiles Olena Zelenska, speaking to some of the friends and colleagues who know her best.

Contributors

Irina Pikalova, 'Kvartal 95' executive producer.

Stylist Natalya Kamenska.

Rachel Donadio, Journalist, Vogue.

Iuliia Mendel, Author The Fight of Our Lives.

Ukrainian Chef, Levgen Klopotenko.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Producers: Diane Richardson and Natasha Fernandes

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Editor: Simon Watts

Studio Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The first lady of Ukraine.

As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, some might argue Oliver Dowden is now the second most powerful person in government. He's been given the key job of organising the government response to the current wave of strike action.

Away from work, Dowden is a patriot, a monarchist and a man who enjoys pub lunches and walks in the countryside with his family and pet dog, Betsy.

Adrian Goldberg speaks to friends and colleagues who give us an insight into a man whose nicknames run from Olive to The Undertaker.

Contributors

George Osborne, Chair, British Museum; Former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings.

Annabelle Dickson, Political Correspondent, Politico.

Andrew Gimson, Biographer, Boris Johnson.

Sir Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman, Victoria and Albert Museum.

Sean Worth, Director, WPI Strategy, Communications Consultancy.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Producers: Diane Richardson and Julie Ball

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Production: Neil Churchill

The minister organising the government response to the current wave of strikes.

He had a meteoric rise, becoming Tony Blair's Principal Private Secretary, the most senior civil servant at Number 10, aged only 31. He is almost universally admired by those who've come across him for being able to distil huge amounts of information quickly, keeping calm under pressure, and having a sense of humour. He is popular in Brussels, where his interlocutors appreciate that he is straight with them, and that he 'doesn't lie'. The consummate mandarin and public servant, not even long-term friends know where he actually stands on politics or Brexit. And he's managed to keep a low profile, despite his role.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius.

He has been called the government's 'real Mr Brexit', but who is Oliver Robbins?

Olivia Colman first came to public attention as a comedy actress in 'That Mitchell and Webb Look' and then 'Peep Show' but she always felt she could do more. It was being cast in the British film 'Tyrannosaur' that brought her to the attention of Hollywood. Now she's on her way to National Treasure status with the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren.

CONTRIBUTORS

Paterson Joseph, Actor, Producer, Writer. Screen Credits, Boat Story, Vigil.

Paul Hands, Former Director of Drama, Gresham's School.

Anna Smith, Film Critic, Broadcaster and host of 'Girls on Film' podcast.

Catherine Shoard, Film Critic, The Guardian.

Peep Show, Channel 4

Wonka, Warner Bros. Pictures

L'Orchestre Cinematique, Pure Imagination (Newley/Bricusse)

Oscars Award Ceremony 2019 - Best Actress Award

The Crown, Netflix , Writer: Peter Morgan

Life in Stages, Episode 1 Olivia Colman, National Theatre

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Diane Richardson, Julie Ball

Editor: Bridget Harney

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Olivia Colman, the Oscar-winning actor appearing in the new film, Wonka.

Olivia Colman, the Oscar-winning actor. Stephen Smith charts her career from a school nativity play at the age of four to her latest role as Mrs Scrubbit in the film Wonka.

Producers: Diane Richardson, Julie Ball

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

With calls urging Winfrey to run for President, close friends and former colleagues recount their favourite moments with her on-set and at home. We learn about the woman behind the screen and her remarkable tale of rags to riches, from clothes made out of potato sacks to one of the richest black women in the world.

Producer: Ben Carter

Editor: Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles profiles Oprah Winfrey following her speech at the Golden Globes.

MP for Pontypridd since 2010, Mr Smith is challenging Jeremy Corbyn, saying that he's not up to the job.

A former colleague at BBC Wales - where Mr Smith worked as a journalist - describes him as bright and ambitious, sometimes exasperating, and someone who 'didn't know their place'.

And an old family friend tells us his character is firmly rooted in the culture of the South Wales valleys.

Producers: Charlotte Pritchard and Laura Gray.

Edward Stourton profiles Labour leadership contender, Owen Smith.

The oldest of four boys, Pascal Soriot grew up in a working class area of Paris. He took the helm at AZ in 2012 after years in top jobs across the world. One of his first challenges was to fight off a takeover from Pfizer. The AZ vaccine, currently not-for-profit, was hailed as a life saver for millions. But with accusations of confusing drug trial data, dishonest dealings with the EU and safety fears, has the AstraZeneca CEO lost his shine?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Matt Murphy

Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot

Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Producer: Linda Pressly

Editor: Rosamund Jones

AstraZeneca's CEO faces scrutiny as his company's vaccine comes under fire.

Born in Northern Ireland, Pat Cullen was inspired by her older sisters to train as a nurse during the Troubles. After roles at Northern Ireland's Department of Health, and Public Health Agency, Cullen joined the RCN's Northern Ireland branch in 2016. Three years later, she led the union's first-ever strike, seeking pay parity for Northern Irish nurses with those working elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Since 2021, Pat Cullen has been the interim leader of the RCN at national level. Drawing on her experiences in Northern Ireland, she's now campaigning for better wages and conditions for nurses across the UK.

Timandra Harkness takes a look at Pat Cullen's life and career.

Producer: Ben Cooper

Researcher: Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Editor: Simon Watts

Studio Engineer: John Scott

The General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing.

Pat McGrath met Kim Bowen at the Wag Club and not the Blitz Club as is suggested at the beginning of this programme.

Producer: Sharon Hemans

Researcher: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Mix: Neil Churchill

Editor: Rosamund Jones

The famed make-up artist and entrepreneur is the first in her industry to be made a dame.

Presenter: Edward Stourton

Researcher: Drew Miller Hyndman

Producer: Ben Crighton

Editor: Richard Vadon

The academic who left GlaxoSmithKline to become the government's chief scientific adviser.

Producer, Samantha Fenwick.

Rwanda is an economic success story, but is President Paul Kagame also a brutal dictator?

Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Siobhan O'Connell.

Nowak, who's from Merseyside, has spent his entire adult life fighting for workers' rights. How will the TUC negotiate with a government which says pay rises are unaffordable and inflationary, and which now plans to tighten the rules on strike action?

Adrian Goldberg investigates Paul Nowak's life - which includes a career off the picket line as an amateur musician.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The new general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Paul Nowak.

Hadow, a self-confessed 'tortured soul', has been criticised by some in the past for his so-called reckless behaviour. But his current trip, he insists, is not about exploration, but about gathering scientific data that could be crucial to our understanding of climate change. Mary Ann hears from friends and family of this enigmatic explorer.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the Polar explorer Pen Hadow.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Carter

Penny Mordaunt is the UK's first female defence secretary.

Tim Franks profiles Pep Guardiola, about to step up to one of the biggest jobs in football

After the prime minister declared his love for her in front of the UK's leading business people, Mark Coles explores how Peppa Pig has become one the most recognisable characters on television.

Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn

Mark Coles profiles the PM's favourite fictional pig.

He started it as a teenager in his bedroom in Scotland seven years ago and hired his first writer two years later. His company is now based in the US and employs 80 staff. His website attract millions of readers, and three million follow him on Twitter. The 27 year old has been described as 'the Brad Pitt of the blogosphere'.

Cashmore is also one of the founders of the Social Good Summit, which takes place in New York this weekend to coincide with UN Week. The conference aims to connect people from all over the globe via social media.

So will Pete Cashmore become a billionaire web entrepreneur and philanthropist? And what does he mean when he says he has been a 'lifelong fan of unicorns'?

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Hannah Barnes.

Edward Stourton profiles leading social media blogger Pete Cashmore.

Clive hears from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Irish President Mary Robinson and Peter Gabriel's mother about what makes him tick.

Clive Coleman profiles the musician Peter Gabriel.

The Higgs boson - which has so excited the scientific community this week - is a subatomic particle which gives mass to all matter and the quest to find it has been described as the holy grail of physics.

Peter Higgs made his prediction in the mid-1960s when he was a relatively young scientist, adding a crucial element to the Standard Model of the universe. At the time the significance of his work was not widely recognised or understood, and one leading scientific journal even turned down one of his early papers setting out his groundbreaking theory.

Higgs, now in his 80s, is very much a theoretical scientist. Colleagues say he has never excelled at practical experiments, and to this day he doesn't get on with computers.

What kind of man is he? Samira Ahmed talks to those who know the scientist, and asks what makes him tick.

Producers:

Ben Crighton and Arlene Gregorius.

Samira Ahmed profiles the physicist Peter Higgs, the man behind the 'God Particle'.

David McKittrick looks at the life and career of the DUP's deputy leader Peter Robinson.

David McKittrick looks at the life and career of the DUP's deputy leader Peter Robinson.

The crisis now coming to a head has been in the making ever since Ukraine declared its independence from Moscow in the summer of 1990.

Edward Stourton profiles the Ukrainian leader, Petro Poroshenko, who must now face the challenge of war - and who came of age and flourished during his country's first turbulent two and a half decades as a modern independent nation.

Producer: Bob Howard.

Edward Stourton profiles the Ukrainian president.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Crighton and Chris Flynn

But who is the man behind the headlines? Mark Coles finds out.

Producer: China Collins.

Mark Coles profiles the chancellor, Philip Hammond.

Jonathan Maitland profiles the writer Philip Pullman.

He has moved from teaching theology in Cumbria to telling the Tories to abandon free market idolatry and do more for the poor. Chris hears how the man who calls himself a 'Red Tory' hopes to change political debate.

~Profile of Philip Blond, the theologian who has become an influence on the Conservatives.

On Profile, Mark Coles examines the life of the show's creator - the actor and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

From childhood poetry about frogs to mooning on stage and ‘Fleabag' - her award winning TV show about a sex obsessed singleton, we find out why Waller-Bridge seems determined to shock her audience.

We hear from her close friend & writing partner, her former English teacher and the author of the book ‘Killing Eve'is based on.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the woman behind BBC drama Killing Eve is profiled by Mark Coles.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Researcher: Matt Murphy

Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Rosamund Jones:

Journalist, controversialist, celebrity - what's next for the man who craves headlines?

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Bob Howard

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: Graham Puddifoot

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Polly Neate, CEO of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

Polly Neate, CEO of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter. Recently rescued in a dramatic cliff top drama, Neate was determined to fight social injustice from an early age.

Who is Pope Benedict XVI? Jane Little delves into his background to find out.

Thousands of protestors in more than twenty towns and cities taking to the streets to demand economic and political change.

On the programme this week, we update a profile we did of Hassan Rouhani when he first became President of Iran back in 2013.

Regarded as more liberal than some of his predecessors - and now in his second term as President - he faces the unenviable task of trying to balance the demands of the Iranian people who want better living conditions with the religious establishment which still wields ultimate power.

Meanwhile, lurking in the wings, is US President Donald Trump - threatening to tear up a 2015 deal that waived sanctions in return for Iran reigning in its nuclear programme.

Mark Coles hears from Iranian journalists, political analysts and some of the President's former colleagues as we get to grips with where he's come from and what his future may be.

Producer Smita Patel

Editor Emma Rippon.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of President Hassan Rouhani.

Growing up in the small rural town of Mpumalanga, Yende's passion for opera began when she saw a British Airways advertisement featuring the Flower Duet by Delibes. She asked her teacher about it, who advised her to join the school choir.

Abandoning her initial plans to become an accountant, Pretty Yende went on to study at La Scala in Milan before making her Metropolitan Opera debut in New York in 2013, in the role of Ad耀le in Rossini's Le Comte Ory. A last-minute substitute, Yende had only weeks to prepare for the part. She tripped as she went out on stage, but picked herself up and carried on, going on to receive a standing ovation.

Mark Coles talks to family and friends about one of the rising stars of opera.

Credits:

Title: I Feel Pretty (from the musical West Side Story)

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Music by Leonard Bernstein.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production Team: Georgia Coan, Julie Ball, Osman Iqbal

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

The South African opera star performing at the coronation.

In this week's Profile, Chris Bowlby considers the mix of family duty, personal choice and careful PR that has gone into the making of Prince William.

Producer: Daniel Tetlow.

As Prince William prepares to marry, who and what has shaped him and his royal role?

Presenter: Luke Jones

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Producer: Siobhan O'Connell.

Priti Patel, the ambitious right wing cabinet minister, forced to resign.

The Cabinet Office is investigating several allegations about Ms Patel's behaviour, all of which she denies.

Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office's most senior official, resigned on 29 February, alleging Ms Patel's conduct towards staff included 'swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands'. Since then, similar allegations have emerged from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for International Development.

Mark Coles delves into the life and times of the ambitious daughter of Indian newsagents, who wants to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher.

Producer: Ruth Alexander

The home secretary facing allegations of bullying.

Researcher Kirsteen Knight

Producer Smita Patel.

Mark Coles profiles the chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.

First broadcast on Saturday 14th March 2020.

Producers: Ruth Alexander and Eleanor Biggs.

The coronavirus epidemic is a crisis for England's chief medical officer. How will he do?

In this programme, though, we'll focus on the man himself. Who is David Thouless and how did he spend his time when he wasn't thinking about equations? We'll hear about the treats he liked as a school boy during the war, about family holidays from his son, Michael Thouless, himself a Professor of Engineering and we'll also hear that things in the real world didn't often go as smoothly as planned...

Audio from the Hubbard Theory Consortium 50th Anniversary Lecture used, with thanks.

Producer Smita Patel & Researcher Phoebe Keane.

Becky Milligan profiles the 2016 Nobel prize winner for Physics.

Born in South Africa, it was time spent in Paris which sparked Prue Leith's love of food. Transferring to London, she started a food empire in her bedsit, going on to open a catering college and a Michelin star restaurant.

She took on public roles too, becoming the first woman on the board of British Rail, charged with fixing the network's food which had become a laughing stock.

Prue built her media profile alongside roles in the arts, charity sector and education. Then after controversial team-changes in The Great British Bake Off, she's now become a bona fide celebrity, helping the hit programme reach record audiences.

Producers: Richard Fenton-Smith & Ben Crighton

Editor: Ros jones

The business woman and Bake Off judge now working to improve NHS hospital food.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Chris Bowlby on South Korean pop star Psy, creator of the most popular Youtube video ever.

Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou

Editor: Richard Knight.

Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, possibly the most powerful operative in the Middle East.

But for all his talent on the pitch, Sterling has been just as defined by his battles off it. He has had frequent tussles with the tabloid press and has become one of the most outspoken voices against the racist abuse suffered by black players.

Edward Stourton gets behind the headlines and speaks to those that know him best to find out how the quiet young boy from Brent become one of English football's most talismanic figures.

Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Matt Murphy

Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Mix: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Richard Vadon

From Wembley schoolboy to playing for England in a final at Wembley.

As the head of the UN's climate change panel, he is coming under increasing fire for a glaring error in the IPCC reporting on glaciers. Pachauri's critics also claim that his business interests - as a consultant to energy industry giants - could represent a conflict of interest. But his supporters say he's a tireless champion in alerting people to the impact of climate change on developing nations.

Jonathan Maitland profiles Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the UN's climate change panel.

Notoriously uncommunicative with the outside world, Kraftwerk used to only have a fax machine as a point of contact at their studio though Ralf Hutter says even that has now gone.

Krafwerk have just completed a major series of concerts in New York and are promising that they will be releasing a new album 'very soon' - the first in nearly a decade.

Producer:

John Murphy.

Chris Bowlby profiles Ralf Hutter, founding member of the influential band Kraftwerk.

Rand is part of a political dynasty although hardly from the Republican Party establishment.

His father Ron - also a physician turned politician - ran as a Libertarian for the US Presidency twice on a platform championing free markets, small government and a ferocious determination to keep the state out of individuals lives. Rand shares many of his father's ideas but his challenge now is making them palatable to a majority of the Republican party and a majority of people in the country. Many ask if he could pose a serious threat to Hilary Clinton by greatly expanding the Republicans' appeal and reaching out to African Americans and young voters. Some praise Rand Paul for his unconventional yet pragmatic approach - TIME magazine recently called him 'the most interesting man in US politics.' But some see him as a wolf in sheep's clothing and a dangerous isolationist.

In this edition of Mark Coles asks who exactly is Rand Paul - the man who eschews small talk but embraces loud shirts and turtle neck sweaters?

Mark Coles profiles Senator Rand Paul, a likely Republican challenger for the White House.

Producer: Smita Patel

Researcher Sarah Shebbeare

Editor: Richard Knight.

Marks Coles profiles the author and illustrator Raymond Briggs.

Mark Coles hears from Turkish and British guests who know Recep Tayyip Erdogan well. And for more on the Turkish leader, the two part series, Empire of Erdogan, is available on BBC iPlayer.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Jordan Dunbar

Researcher: Olivia Woodward

Sound Engineer: Rod Farqhuar

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

How the son of a Black Sea coastguard became the controversial president of Turkey.

The president of Turkey who has sent troops into northern Syria.

It's Christmas and for many that means settling in to watch seasonal TV. But traditional broadcasters have a big rival: Netflix. With 125 million subscribers worldwide it's changed television. So who is Reed Hastings, the man behind the seismic shift in broadcasting, and how did he do it?

Thanks to CBS/60 Minutes for audio of Reed Hastings.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Phoebe Keane

He flew to Moscow this week to urge Russia to abandon its support for Syria's President Assad following the chemical weapons on a town in northern Syria earlier this month.

It seems he came away empty handed, with Donald Trump warning that relations between Russia and the US were now at 'an all-time low'.

So who is Rex Tillerson ?

Mark Coles gets to grips with Tillerson's past : his formative years in the Scouts, his time as a drummer at university, the four decades spent at oil and gas giant ExxonMobil where he ended up as CEO and his controversial business ties with Russia which now hang over his new role as America's top diplomat.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of the American secretary of state, Rex Tillerson.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Becky Milligan on Richard Flanagan, the fourth Australian to win the Man Booker Prize.

He has a reputation for getting results, and from Asia to the Balkans, and from Germany to Wall Street, he has spurned old-style diplomacy, provoking praise and fury in equal measure. In his current role he is tasked with leading President Obama's new strategy for the war-torn region and seeking an exit plan for western troops.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the American diplomat Richard Holbrooke.

Dubbed a 'bad boy of Brexit', who is the businessman turned politician leading this charge from the right?

Presenter: Paul Connolly

Producers: Ellie House, Diane Richardson, Julie Ball

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Manager: James Beard

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

The former Brexit campaigner and leader of Reform UK preparing for the general election.

The former Brexit campaigner and leader of Reform UK - a right wing party polling at 10% ahead of the next general election.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

The story of Ricky Tomlinson, top TV actor with a controversial trade union past.

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer within just five years of becoming an MP.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper

Editor: Richard Vadon

The former chancellor in the running to be the next prime minister.

Producers: Smita Patel and Kate Lamble.

Who is Rob Goldstone, the man at the centre of the Donald Trump junior/Russia saga?

The squared-jawed Princeton graduate was decorated for bravery during the Vietnam War before training as a lawyer. Dissatisfied with private practice, he found a government job as assistant US attorney in San Francisco - a move which marked the beginning of a steady climb to the top of law enforcement in America.

He transformed the FBI from an organisation that solves crimes into one that also seeks to prevent terrorist attacks. He's now the longest-serving FBI director since J Edgar Hoover. Yet surprisingly little is known about him.

Mark Coles profiles Robert Mueller, the long-serving and influential director of the FBI.

The squared-jawed Princeton graduate was decorated for bravery during the Vietnam War before training as a lawyer. Dissatisfied with private practice, he found a government job as assistant US attorney in San Francisco - a move which marked the beginning of a steady climb to the top of law enforcement in America.

Robert Mueller became FBI director one week before the 2001 World Trade Center attacks and over the next twelve years transformed the organisation, moving thousands of staff from criminal investigations into counter terrorism and security. Yet surprisingly little is known about him personally.

Mark Coles profiles Robert Mueller, special counsel leading the Trump-Russia investigation

Presenter: Edward Stourton

Producer: Phoebe Keane and Micaela Papa

Edward Stourton profiles the controversial new leader of the Philippines.

Stone was convicted of lying to congress and witness tampering in 2019 but his sentence was commuted by President Trump, days before he was due to report to prison.

This programme contains clips from Netflix Film Get Me Roger Stone. The writers are Morgan Pehme, Daniel DiMauro and Dylan Bank.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Di Richardson

Mark Coles profiles President Trump's political strategist and confidante Roger Stone.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Smita Patel

Mark Coles profiles Greggs' CEO Roger Whiteside.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Hannah Barnes and Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles snooker legend Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan.

Producer: Anna Meisel

Researcher: Vivien Jones

Mark Coles profiles Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP.

Hodgson has coached football teams in eight different countries during a career which has lasted 36 years. He is said to have revolutionised the techniques of some players - he took Switzerland to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup. He's much better known in Italy than the UK after his time at Internationale Milan.

At Fulham he was regarded as an eccentric but clever choice as they avoided relegation before reaching the 2010 Europa League Final.

Hodgson is not into mind games and isn't known for saying things for impact - like some other Premier League managers. Some say he is bereft of ego and a gentleman, others that he can be as passionate and defensive as the rest. He has a rigorous approach to preparation - players at Liverpool complained about the complexity of his training schedules.

A great lover of literature he is said to have read the works of nearly every Nobel prize winner - not intimidated by taking on the works of foreign authors.

Gerry Northam profiles the man friends say has a complex character - on the one hand obsessed with football, on the other never happier than when away from the beautiful game.

Producer: Samantha Fenwick.

Multi-lingual, intelligent and a surprise choice for the biggest job in sport, Roy Hodgson

The Rt Rev John Broadhurst, the Bishop of Fulham and chairman of Forward in Faith.

Mary Ann Sieghart presents a biographical sketch of British theatre director Rufus Norris.

Producer: Chris Bowlby

Editor: Richard Knight.

Ahead of the budget, a profile of Rupert Harrison, the man some call the 'real chancellor

Producer: Nicola Dowling.

Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corporation, at the centre of the phone hacking scandal.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researchers: Maia Lowerson and May Cameron

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio manager: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Mark Coles on the life of the screenwriter behind some of the most popular TV series.

This month she's led a Conservative resurgence in Scotland. The Scottish Conservatives are now the largest opposition party in Holyrood, kicking Labour into third place. David Cameron has tipped her as a potential successor.

At just 37 her rise has been meteoric. She joined the Conservative Party only 7 years ago after a career in broadcasting. How has she done it? Mark Coles finds out.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles Ruth Davidson, who has detoxified the Conservatives in Scotland.

Producer: Emma Rippon

Presenter: Rob Bonnet.

As the Cricket World Cup gets underway, Rob Bonnet profiles Indian star Sachin Tendulkar.

Tim Franks profiles the man who embodied the Indian dream, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

Producer: Ben Carter

The man Donald Trump described this week as a 'stone cold loser'.

Despite these humble beginnings, Javid quickly achieved success, wealth and power. After studying at Exeter University, where he gained a reputation as a committed Thatcherite, he became an investment banker and a multi-millionaire. Javid then moved into politics, becoming a Minister in just four years.

His journey to the top of British politics has not always been smooth - as Business Secretary he was criticised for appearing to be caught unawares by Tata Steel's plans to close its Port Talbot plant at the cost of thousands of jobs.

He now faces his biggest challenge yet as, in the wake of the Windrush controversy, he takes over a Home Office that has been accused of institutional racism.

Mark Coles speaks to friends, colleagues and opponents to find out more about this driven high-flyer.

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Diane Richardson

Editor: Helen Grady.

Mark Coles profiles Sajid Javid, the first British Asian to be made home secretary.

Sam Altman is now back as CEO of Open AI, and those who ousted him are no longer on the board. But who is this relatively young tech entrepreneur who founded an AI company with Elon Musk and ran one of the most successful tech incubators in Silicon Valley? Timandra Harkness finds out.

CONTRIBUTORS

Andy Abbott, Head of School, John Burroughs School, St. Louis, Missouri

Elizabeth Weil, journalist, New York magazine

Mike Isaacs, Tech reporter, New York Times

Madhumita Murgia, AI journalist, Financial Times

Kate Bevan, Writer and Broadcaster, Technology

Archive

ABC World Tonight

CBS News

Open AI Development Day Nov 2023

CSPAN - 16th May 2023

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson

Editor: Bridget Harney

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

It has been a turbulent few weeks for Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, owners of ChatGPT.

A year ago, Sam Altman was largely unknown outside of Silicon Valley. Until his company launched its AI chatbot, ChatGPT. Timandra Harkness uncovers the man behind the bot.

Born in Reading and brought up by a single mother, Sam Mendes was educated at Magdalen College School in Oxford, where he demonstrated a competitive streak as captain on the cricket pitch, and Cambridge University where he won critical acclaim for a production of 'Cyrano de Bergerac'. At just twenty four, he directed Judi Dench in Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard' and as she tells Profile ' one day when we were rehearsing, I said Sam, I would like to try this another way, can I show you? And he said to me, well you can but it won't work and so during the filming of Skyfall, he asked me to do something and so, I thought I'd complete the circle and I said, well I'll do it but it won't work and he roared with laughter. So we have closed the circle on it.

Later he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company where he forged a life long collaboration with actor Simon Russell Beale. He remembers how Sam would bring humour into the rehearsal room. 'We had a fart machine in Twelfth Night. I cannot tell you what pleasure it gave him. It was only used once in the play. Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek were sitting on the sofa having a talk after a night on the town and they had a sort of farting competition. I would be in the middle of some very complicated Malvolio bit, something emotionally precise and then this fart would go off. And he loved all that. That was absolutely Sam the schoolboy.

But it was as artistic director to the Donmar Theatre in London that Mendes made his mark, winning five Olivier Awards. Moving into Hollywood, he sealed his success with five Oscars for his first film 'American Beauty' starring Kevin Spacey. And now, Mendes has chosen to direct a British classic, a James Bond film 'Skyfall'.

As the new Bond film opens next week, Mary Ann Sieghart profiles its director, Sam Mendes.

Producer: Ben Carter

Mark Coles profiles the Grammy-winning performer of the new James Bond theme, Sam Smith

The daughter of a baronet with a family estate in Lincolnshire, Samantha Cameron was born Samantha Sheffield. She grew up in Oxfordshire but moved to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she took her A' Levels before studying Art at Camberwell College and Bristol Polytechnic.

She met David Cameron through his sister - a close schoolfriend - and they married the same year that she started her career at the British luxury accessories brand, Smythson. She has been credited with reinventing the brand by introducing a popular line of handbags.

Three years into her role as Prime Minister's wife, how is she handling life in Number 10?

Edward Stourton profiles the Prime Minister's wife, Samantha Cameron.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Mark Coles profiles Sanjeev Gupta, the potential saviour of Britain's steel industry.

The first to graduate in her family, Sanna Marin entered politics at the age of 20 and rose quickly through the ranks of the Social Democratic (SDP) party becoming an MP in 2015. She now leads a five-party governing coalition.

Mark Coles asks colleagues and friends what drives the world's youngest Prime Minister.

Mark Coles profiles Finland's new Prime Minister, Sanna Marin.

Sara Khan is the co-founder of Inspire - a counter-extremism and human rights organisation engaging with Muslim women, which has also engaged with the government's Prevent scheme. The counter-extremism programme has proved controversial, with critics claiming it unfairly 'spies' on the Muslim community - but Sara Khan has been a vocal supporter, saying it is vital tool in tackling terrorism at its root.

This has put her at odds with some British Muslim organisations, and has also led to vicious online abuse and accusations that she is a 'house Muslim' and a government stooge.

This criticism has re-emerged in light of her new appointment, with questions about her experience and whether she really qualifies for the role.

Becky Milligan charts Sara Khan's life growing up in Bradford, speaking to old friends who worked alongside her in her early advocacy work as a leader in a prominent British Muslim youth group and charts the road which has taken her to a prominent role in central government.

The new lead commissioner for countering extremism has provoked criticism - why?

Chris Bowlby profiles Sara Payne, who has been appointed to the role of Victims' Champion.

But is she simply a 'first lady' who owes her influence to her husband's political status, or is she successfully carving out a career behind the scenes, working on her many charities and restoring some of the political ground that the Labour Party has lost?

We talk to childhood friends, former colleagues and those who know her now.

From musicals to soaps to hit drama series, Sarah Lancashire has had a long and varied career on her way to becoming one of the Britain's best loved actors.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Lucy Proctor and Matt Toulson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The actor behind some of our favourite female leads.

A former nurse and senior civil servant, she was ordained in 2001. Her surprise appointment followed a brief spell as Bishop of Devon in Crediton.

She's expected to attract criticism from more conservative elements of the Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical elements of the church.

Mark Coles profiles the most senior woman in the Anglican Church.

Produced by Helen Grady and Siobhan O'Connell.

Sarah Mullally, a former chief nurse, is appointed as London's first woman Bishop.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper

Editor: Richard Vadon

The Dutch football manager tasked with leading England's women to Euros glory on home soil

Claire Bolderson on newly elected Republican senator for Massachusetts, Scott Brown.

Pilloried for holidaying in Hawaii while his homeland burned, then heckled on camera by angry victims, Scott Morrison has been making international headlines for all the wrong reasons. It's not been good PR for someone with a background in marketing and tourism. Mark Coles unpicks the character of Australia's man of the moment.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

Editor: Hugh Levinson

The Australian prime minister criticised over his response to the bushfire crisis.

Clive Coleman hears from Coe's geography teacher, Ken Livingstone and his former boss and judo partner William Hague about what kind of man Sebastian Coe really is.

Clive Coleman hears about what kind of man Sebastian Coe really is.

In September 2017, Serena Williams nearly died in childbirth. Ten months on she's back on Wimbledon's Centre Court hoping for her 8th title at the All England Club.

Becky Milligan speaks to Serena's first tennis coach and hears how tennis has been in her blood since a young age.

But this Williams sister doesn't just put on a performance on the court, as you'll hear she's partial to karaoke.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producer: Clare Spencer

Researcher: Bethan Head.

Becky Milligan profiles the tennis superstar Serena Williams.

Those who've dealt with him tell us just why he's such a formidable opponent, and how he survived the collapse of the Soviet Union to put Russian diplomacy back at the centre of world affairs.

Producers: Chris Bowlby and Smita Patel.

Mark Coles profiles Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Timandra Harkness looks at the life and career of the former construction engineer, who once headed Russia's disaster relief programme, becoming a minister under Boris Yeltsin.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: Neil Churchill

Producers: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu.

Sergey Kislyak - Russia's convivial Ambassador to Washington - has been in the eye of a media storm since it emerged that members of the Trump administration had undisclosed meetings with him in the run up to the 2016 US election. Kislyak is a career diplomat, having spent 35 years working for the Soviet and Russian governments.

He has previously kept a low profile, favouring lavish dinners over media appearances to get his message across. But the recent controversy over the Trump administration's relationship with Russia has forced him into the spotlight.

Mark Coles speaks to people who have worked with him and followed his career to get under his skin and find out where his career might go now that he's become such a controversial figure.

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Who is Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador at the heart of a global controversy?

The appointment wasn't without controversy. Milne has been labelled a Stalinist by David Cameron and caused division at The Guardian for chairing an event with President Putin. Jeremy Corbyn has chosen a hard-left thinker as his right-hand man.

As the Labour Party hustings come to a close this week, Adam Fleming speaks to friends and colleagues to find out about the man who's at the heart of the Corbyn project.

Producer: Smita Patel.

Adam Fleming profiles Jeremy Corbyn's spin doctor Seumas Milne.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer is one of the world's most famous investigative reporters. He exposed both the My Lai massacre, when US soldiers killed hundreds of civilians during the Vietnam war, and the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison.

To some he is a hero - a tenacious investigator of uncomfortable truths. To others he is a fantasist - a gullible journalist who sees conspiracy and cover-up wherever he looks.

At 78 he shows no sign of slowing down. Now Mark Coles investigates the investigator.

Producers: Hannah Barnes and Joe Kent.

Mark Coles profiles veteran American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh.

Mark Coles looks at the life of one of the founders of Vice, a man whose motto is: 'We like our stories to punch you in the face.

His company is the fast-growing enfant terrible of digital media. Renowned for its often controversial reports aimed at a young audience disillusioned with mainstream media, it seems that no subject is taboo.

Scoops include an interview with a former Liberian warlord and cannibal, as well as a trip to North Korea with former basketball player Dennis Rodman to meet Kim Jong-un.

Among Vice's often controversial documentaries from war zones was this summer's eye-opening report from inside the Islamic State.

Vice may have been accused of 'daredevil' journalism but that hasn't stopped the likes of Rupert Murdoch heralding Vice a 'global success' and buying a 5% stake in the company. Could Vice become the next CNN, as Shane Smith hopes?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles Shane Smith, Ottawa punk rocker-turned-media mogul.

Jealously guarding her privacy, Unite's new 52 year-old head represents a significant break with the union's retiring chief, Len McCluskey and, it would seem, his close political links with the Labour Party.

Instead, centering her campaign on bringing the union 'back to the workplace', Sharon Graham has emphasised her own focus on jobs, pay and conditions.

She has called for 'an obsession' with the Labour Party to stop and instead for 'bad bosses' to be held to account. She claims to have won fifteen disputes without a defeat.

But her policies are not without their critics. The strategy she has pioneered for 'leveraging' disputes with employers by applying pressure across company activities has been attacked as 'chilling'. And within the union itself - where two-thirds of the members are men - accusations of misogyny have been levelled.

Edward Stourton discovers how Sharon Graham has made it to the top of Unite, what makes her tick and what the union's members, employers, politicians and the public at large can expect from her.

Among those taking part: Roz Foyer of the Scottish TUC; John Cooper of Unite; Gail Cartmail, President of the TUC; and Sebastian Payne of the Financial Times.

Producer Simon Coates

New, private, socialist, back-to-the-workplace leader of the Unite union, Sharon Graham.

The daughter of immigrant parents who came to Britain from Jamaica in the 1950s, she rose rapidly through the ranks of the civil service to become one of the most powerful women in Whitehall.

In March 2015, she became chief executive of the communications regulator, Ofcom.

The watchdog is in the news this week for trying to force BT to legally separate from Open Reach which runs the country's broadband network.

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of Sharon White, Ofcom's chief executive.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason was the first ever black winner of the BBC's Young Musician of the Year. He performed with the eyes of the world looking on at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. And now he's become the first ever cellist to reach the UK's top 10 album chart. Who is the 20-year-old making classical accessible? Mark Coles finds out from those who know him best.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

Editor: Penny Murphy

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Georgia Coan

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinator: Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: James Beard

One of Britain's top composers, chosen to write new music for King Charles' coronation.

Jonathan Maitland profiles Silvio Berlusconi.

Simon Byrne, who's 57, is a policeman through and through. He joined the Metropolitan police as a teenager, straight out of school. Rising through the ranks, he took on senior roles in Merseyside, Manchester, London and Cheshire. He's now head of police in Northern Ireland, a post which many regard as the most difficult policing job in the UK, if not the world. Less than two years in post, and with the added challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, Simon Byrne finds himself in a situation where policing and politics have collided.

Becky Milligan talks to friends and colleagues about the man with a reputation for getting things done, a love of steam trains and a commitment to public service.

Researcher: Stefania Okereke

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Richard Vadon

Chief Constable at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who's facing calls to resign.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Crighton & Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor: Penny Murphy

Who is the man newly promoted to head up the Civil Service?

Colin Patterson talks to associates and family of X-Factor supremo Simon Cowell.

Now, after the shock resignation of former Taioseach, Leo Varadkar in late March, he was elected unopposed as leader of the Fine Gael party and now is expected to be confirmed as the new Taoiseach when the parliament returns after the Easter break. With a new nickname, 'The Tik Tok Taoiseach' because of his use of social media he's on track to break another record, set by his predecessor as the youngest Taoiseach in history to date.

Kate Lamble finds out what makes him tick outside of Tik Tok and his rapid rise to the top job in Irish politics.

PRESENTER: Kate Lamble

CONTRIBUTORS

Frances Fitzgerald, MEP, Dublin, Ireland

Councillor Ray McAdam, Fine Gael

Alice O'Donnell, Triple A Alliance

Jennifer O'Leary, BBC Ireland Correspondent

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, The Irish Independent

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producers: Julie Ball & Madeleine Drury

Researcher: Jay Gardner

Editor: Tom Bigwood

Production Co-ordinators: Katie Morrison & Sabine Schereck

Sound: Nigel Appleton

Ireland's youngest and newest Taioseach in waiting.

Simon Harris is set to become Ireland's newest and youngest Taioseach on Tuesday. With less than a year to make his mark, due to a general election, how will he do?

Alan Ayckbourn is a celebrated comedy playwright. But what is behind his acerbic wit?

Producer: Laura Gray.

Migration Watch UK founder Sir Andrew Green's elevation to the House of Lords.

Presented by Mark Coles

Produced by Jordan Dunbar and Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Cycling hero Bradley Wiggins, who MPs have accused of 'crossing an ethical line'.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Joe Kent and Charlotte Pritchard.

Mark Coles profiles Sir Christopher Geidt, private secretary to the Queen.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Julie Ball

Bob Howard

Editor: Richard Vadon

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats. On the weekend of their 'virtual' party conference.

A former alarms company executive, Edward Lister's political career began in the London Borough of Wandsworth which was at the forefront of Thatcherism at the turn of the 1980s.

A council leader for nearly two decades, he made the leap to City Hall when Boris Johnson made him his deputy - and he's been a trusted aide and fixer ever since.

Despite his position, Sir Edward has kept a low public profile, working behind the scenes resolving recent Brexit stalemates.

This week he's been the go-between in the negotiations between the government and city mayors in the North of England in the debate over the financial cost of Covid-19.

Mark Coles profiles the life of the man described as the 'grown-up' at Number 10 who thrives on solving problems.

Producers: Richard Fenton-Smith & Ben Crighton

The chief strategic advisor to PM Boris Johnson who thrives on solving political problems.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell.

Reporter - Gerry Northam, Producer - Paul Grant.

Gerry Northam profiles Sir Hugh Orde, head of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Producer: Viv Jones

Becky Milligan looks at the life of actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen.

It's only in recent years, since he was asked in 2009 to lead the inquiry into the Iraq War, that his name has come to the attention of the wider public.

Now - nearly six years after he started - the Chilcot Report has yet to be published, and Sir John has come under increasing pressure from politicians, media and the families of soldiers who lost their lives.

Adam Fleming profiles a private man who has had to get used to the spotlight.

Producers: Keith Moore and Joe Kent.

The delayed inquiry into the Iraq War bears his name, but who is Sir John Chilcot?

Presenter: Steve Smith

Producers: Nick Holland and Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Timandra Harkness charts his life from impersonator and stand-up comedian, to Shakespearean actor, scriptwriter and campaigner for diversity in the media. She discovers how his talent as an entertainer was first discovered as a teenager on the disco floor in Dudley, in the West Midlands. Timandra talks to family, friends and colleagues to find out what drives Sir Lenny to keep trying new things.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Producer: Sally Abrahams and Natasha Fernandes

Sound: James Beard

Editor: Simon Watts

Archive credits:

Three Little Birds ITV - Douglas Road and Tiger Aspect Productions under Banijay UK

Graham Norton Show

New Faces - Associated Television (1973-1978), ITV Central (1986-1988)

BBC Seaside Special

BBC Comic Relief 1988

Northern Broadsides Othello on Radio 4

BAFTAs Guru 2014 Speech

Comedian, actor and screenwriter Sir Lenny Henry who's spent nearly 50 years in showbiz.

Comedian, actor and screenwriter Sir Lenny Henry has spent nearly 50 years in showbiz. His new TV drama series Three Little Birds draws on his own family's life.

The Met was heavily criticised following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman and the sharing of racist and sexist group chat messages by officers at Charing Cross police station. Public trust in the force was strained even further last week when an unarmed black man, Chris Kaba, was fatally shot in Streatham.

Born in Birmingham, Mark Rowley attended Handsworth Grammar School before studying mathematics at Cambridge. After university he joined the West Midlands Police force, rising through the ranks to become the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, overseeing the response to the terrorist attacks in 2017.

He retired from the Met in 2018, and co-authored a crime thriller.

Now Sir Mark Rowley aims to restore public confidence in the force. So, what kind of leader will he be?

CREDITS

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Diane Richardson and Matt Toulson

Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Manager: James Beard

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley.

Sir Martin was born in Wales and educated at Cambridge. His career has spanned nearly five decades after being called to the Bar in 1969.

As a lawyer, he specialised in commercial law which involved dealing with disputes relating to maritime and land transport of goods.

He was a judge for more than twenty years in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal until his retirement in 2016.

Producers: Smita Patel and Jordan Dunbar.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who is leading the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.

His meteoric rise is not without controversy. He is known for his relentless work ethic, punishing schedule, and ruthless approach to business. He has engaged in bitterly hostile takeovers, falling out with his competitors along the way.

The business has made Sorrell a wealthy man. This year his salary is expected to hit £70m, a sum which he has no qualms defending. Sir Martin believes he is 'worth every penny'.

Mark Coles speaks to Sir Martin Sorrell's childhood friend Simon Schama, his wife Cristiana Falcone and his colleagues and competitors, to reveal how he became the world's most powerful ad man.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles Sir Martin Sorrell, the Don Draper of the 21st century.

New government ways of monitoring progress, show almost half the top twenty achieving schools in the country are run by Star.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Bob Howard

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel, chief executive of education trust Star Academies.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel, chief executive of education trust Star Academies, which runs schools, often in deprived areas, many of which have achieved outstanding results.

He was nicknamed Calamity Clegg but now the papers are calling him Master of the Metaverse. The former deputy prime minister has turned his fortunes around from a bashing at the ballot box, to becoming Silicon valley's latest top dog.

Mark Coles profiles the man hired to fight Facebook's fires.

The former deputy prime minister who's landed a top job in Silicon Valley.

After an eclectic career spent mostly in the background, from philanthropic work to high-powered finance, Sir Paul seems to be increasingly exerting his influence on the media and politics. He already backs GB News and UnHerd and is reported to be preparing a bid for the Telegraph and Spectator.

Stephen Smith asks what shaped and drives Paul Marshall, by talking to those who know him best.

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producer: Nathan Gower

Assistant Producer: Debbie Richford

Editor: Matt Willis

Programme Coordinator: Sabine Schereck

Sound Engineer: James Beard

Archive:

Speech by Paul Marshall to the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference 2023

Citizen Kane, RKO Radio Pictures

The millionaire hedge fund manager backing GB News.

After a hugely successful career in finance and a political metamorphosis, Sir Paul Marshall is now amassing influence in the media. Where does he come from, and what drives him?

Producers: Ben Crighton and Hannah Barnes.

Lesley Curwen explores the colourful life of business tycoon Sir Philip Green.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Sir Roderic Lyne, the Iraq Inquiry panellist.

Chris Bowlby takes a look at the man at the centre of a political storm on MPs expenses.

From pastels to a cappella, Mark Coles profiles the life and career of Sonia Boyce, winner of this year's Venice Biennale, international art exhibition.

Sonia Boyce's winning entry entitled 'Feeling Her Way' features the improvisations of five black female musicians, Poppy Ajudha, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Sofia Jernberg, Tanita Tikaram and composer Errollyn Wallen CBE.

Credit: Feeling Her Way by Sonia Boyce.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Janet Staples

Sound: Rod Farquhar

Editor: Richard Vadon

Winner of the prestigious Golden Lion award at Venice Biennale, British artist Sonia Boyce

Her first job interview was with Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright in their kitchen. She got the job.

She's a consummate deal-maker and is able to persuade writers and performers from JK Rowling to Mark Rylance and Benedict Cumberbatch to work with her.

Mark Coles talks to family, friends and colleagues to discover more about her life and career.

Producers: Charlotte Prichard and Sarah Shebbeare.

Mark Coles profiles the life and career of theatre producer Sonia Friedman.

Okonedo has a career encompassing stage, screeen and television, with parts as diverse as a future Queen Elizabeth (Liz Ten) in Doctor Who, to playing Winne Mandela. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Hotel Rwanda.

Director Dominic Cooke, fellow actor Adjoa Andoh and writer Peter Moffat tell us why they describe Okonedo as a trailblazer.

Producers: Smita Patel and Phoebe Keane.

Mark Coles profiles the actress Sophie Okonedo, star of new BBC drama Undercover.

Born in Stockholm to a Swedish mother and an Italian father, de Mistura went to primary school on the island of Capri, where he was taught by Catholic nuns who instilled in him a strong faith and a desire to help other people.

Growing up in a privileged and aristocratic family, he went on to attend a prestigious Catholic secondary school in Rome, where friends say he knew from an early age that he wanted to work for the United Nations.

His diplomatic career includes stints in some of the world's trickiest war zones - from Sudan to Kosovo, Iraq to Afghanistan, and now Syria. He has a distinctive sense of style and is known for his charm and love of the finer things of life. We also hear about the 'linguistic acrobatics' and the wry sense of humour that have helped him survive in hostile situations.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius.

Edward Stourton examines the life of Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria.

Producer: Lucy Proctor.

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the easyJet entrepreneur, is profiled by Rosie Goldsmith.

A former US Navy engineer, investment banker and Hollywood producer, for the past four years he's been the driving force behind Breitbart News - a populist, at times deliberately provocative right wing news website.

In August, he was drafted in to oversee Donald Trump's then faltering presidential campaign.

Now, with Trump heading to the White House, he's been appointed the President Elect's new Chief Strategist.

Democrats and civil rights groups are appalled. They accuse Bannon of creating a platform for far right views, fostering racism and anti-semitism.

Nonsense, say his supporters. He's simply a patriot, fed up with the way his country has been governed in the past by progressive liberal elites.

Stephen Bannon, chief strategist and senior counsellor for president-elect Donald Trump.

Producers Smita Patel & Ed Davey.

Series of profiles of people who are currently making headlines. Pianist Stephen Hough.

Can this rugby-loving sky-diver rise to the challenge? Adrian Goldberg talks to family and friends to find out why some Whitehall officials tremble under his forensic questioning - and why he's been likened to popular TV detective, Columbo.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Beth Ashmead-Latham

Production co-ordinator: Sabine Schereck

Studio engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Penny Murphy

The health secretary and former fusilier facing the flak over the NHS pay disputes.

The son of Hungarian immigrants, the former Saatchi ad man and marketing expert is known for shunning the limelight and being more at home in jeans than a suit. Interviewees including Tim Allan, a friend and former adversary as an adviser to Tony Blair, consider what lies behind his influence.

~Profile looks at Steve Hilton, David Cameron's director of strategy.

The son of Hungarian immigrants, the former Saatchi ad man and marketing expert is known for shunning the limelight and being more at home in jeans than a suit. Interviewees including Tim Allan, a friend and former adversary as an adviser to Tony Blair, consider what lies behind his influence.

~Profile looks at Steve Hilton, David Cameron's director of strategy.

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researcher: Luke Radcliff

Producers: Jordan Dunbar and Diane Richardson.

Mark Coles explores the life of the adult film actress who is taking on President Trump.

Producer: Oliver Jones

Presenter: Mark Coles

The rise of a south London grime artist to global stardom.

Gray has been described as 'the most powerful person you've never heard of'. Mark Coles finds out more about the woman who joined the civil service straight from school, and has risen to occupy a pivotal position right at the heart of government.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Sue Gray is in the spotlight this week for her investigation into minister Damian Green.

The mystery woman leading the investigation into Downing Street parties during lockdown.

Producer: Sandra Kanthal, Vivien Jones

Editor: Penny Murphy

Edward Stourton profiles the attorney general for England and Wales, Suella Braverman.

After a row over a speeding fine, and data showing record levels of net migration on her watch, her poll ratings have dipped. However, she is still a popular figure among many in her party, and despite losing out on the last leadership contest in 2022, she appears to still have her sights on the top job. Some Conservative MPs have accused her of undermining Rishi Sunak's authority and making a bid for future leadership of the party during the National Conservatism conference.

Presenter Edward Stourton finds out about the life and career of Suella Braverman, the Harrow born barrister who came from first generation migrants.

Credits

Dallas

Created by David Jacobs

Warner Horizon Television, a subsidiary of Warner Bros

James O'Brien/LBC Radio

Producers: Georgia Coan and Octavia Woodward

Editor: China Collins

Sound Design: Rod Farquhar

Suella Braverman, the home secretary and former attorney general.

Mishal Husain looks at Susan Rice, a rising star in Barack Obama's inner circle.

Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane.

Gerry Northam profiles Suzanne Collins, best-selling author of The Hunger Games.

Taylor Swift is a multi award winning, platinum selling American singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, before moving to Nashville, Tennessee at age 14 to pursue a career in country music. There, she was signed by an independent record label. Her second album released in 2008 when she was just 19 years of age, became the best-selling album of 2009 in the United States. The album won four Grammy Awards, cementing Taylor Swift's success which continues to go from strength to strength.

Produced by Nina Robinson and Beth Sagar-Fenton.

Becky Milligan profiles pop superstar Taylor Swift.

We hear from early backers and political opponents, those who shared Ted Cruz's school days and witnessed his early legal triumphs. With make-or-break Republican primaries coming thick and fast - and Super Tuesday having transformed the competition - how has a politician with almost as many enemies on his own side as among the Democrats come within sight of the White House? What impact has his Christian faith had on his politics? And can Senator Cruz become - as he dreamed as a teenager - the most powerful man in the world?

Does Ted Cruz have what it takes to derail Donald Trump's bid to become US president?

In this week's Profile, we hear from his former scouting buddies in the small village of Paint Creek where he was raised that 'there are only three things to do in Paint Creek: school, church and scouting'. They describe the simple farming background that influenced his life and informed his politics. We also hear from Retired Lt General Joseph Weber Marine, a contemporary of Perry at Texas A+M University. The Governor's father was a B17 Gunner in WW2 and flew missions out of the U.K. 'I know Rick visited where he'd been and was very interested in looking at the airfields and the history of the U.S. air force working with the RAF.' says Weber.

Other contributors to this profile of a possible contender for the next Commander-in-Chief include musician Ted 'the Nuge' Nugent who believes Rick Perry is the best hope of making the whole of the United States more like Nugent's adopted home of Texas which has: 'the greatest hunting the world, no income tax plus I can carry a machine gun in my trunk'. We also hear from Christy Hoppe, Bureau chief of the 'Dallas News' who has known Rick Perry for over twenty years about the real story behind the 'economic miracle' that some claim Texas has achieved under Perry.

Presenter: Chris Bowlby.

Rick Perry, Governor of Texas who is seeking the Republican Party Presidential nomination.

Mark Coles profiles the pair who - over 25 years in politics - have soared from Merseyside to the heart of Westminster.

Producers: Hannah Barnes and Chloe Hadjimatheou.

Mark Coles profile the new shadow cabinet's twin sisters, Maria and Angela Eagle.

Produced by Rebecca Kesby.

Jo Fidgen profiles the Glazer family, American owners of Manchester United.

Kathmandu correspondent Charles Haviland examines the history and culture of the Gurkhas.

Kathmandu correspondent Charles Haviland examines the history and culture of the Gurkhas.

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Producers: Ben Crighton and Hannah Barnes.

The four brightly coloured, furry children's television stars who are making a comeback.

Mark Coles profiles rescue workers in Syria said to have saved thousands of lives.

This week it was announced they'd made a fortune from Bitcoin.

They're former Olympic rowers, and also rowed for Oxford in the 2010 Boat Race.

Becky Milligan explores their early life, including talking to their Dad, to discover what drives their ambition.

Producers: Smita Patel and Beth Sagar-Fenton.

The 'Bitcoin billionaires' and Olympic rowers, the Winklevoss twins.

May is a politician who's not afraid to challenge the existing order - and speak the unspeakable. Last year, she told the police that they need to cut their spending and re-organise the way they work. As the chair of the Conservatives in the early 2000s, she said the party was perceived by the public as the 'nasty party.' It was a start of the rebranding of the Conservatives.

The daughter of a clergyman, she attended an independent convent and a number of state schools before going to Oxford. After graduating, she joined the City - working for a time at the Bank of England. She took the hard route into politics - starting off stuffing envelopes in a constituency office before being elected as a councillor in the London Borough of Merton where she spent the best part of a decade.

She has a reputation for being focussed on the job and having a Thatcheresque work ethic with few outside interests. Simon Cox profiles Theresa May, one of only four women to hold the key offices in British politics.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, dealing with the aftermath of riots across England.

Producer: Smita Patel and Laura Gray.

Mark Coles profiles the new prime minister, Theresa May.

Mark Coles speaks to those who have known him throughout his career as well as to an old fencing opponent. 'His style wasn't elegant', he says, 'but it was effective'.

A look at the life of Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee.

He is the first black person to head a FTSE 100 company and describes himself as 'African, francophone and 6ft 4ins'. Others describe him as 'the most interesting man in insurance'. This week he brokered a deal which could make his company the biggest insurer in South East Asia.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Tidjane Thiam, the chief executive of Prudential.

That's how US journalists reacted to golfer Tiger Woods winning the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta last weekend.

Having struggled with injury and the fall-out from marital infidelity, Woods hadn't won for five years.

Many thought he was finished.

This weekend, as the comeback kid joins the US Ryder Cup team in Paris, Mark Coles looks back on Tiger Woods' life and career.

We hear from former friends and associates, his first ever golf coach as well as the man who taught him to dive.

There's archive of the young Tiger Woods making his first ever TV appearance age two and his late father, Earl - the man credited with turning his son into one of golf's greatest ever players.

And ‘the Voice of Golf' - the veteran BBC commentator and player Peter Alliss gives us his unique take on the man many call the greatest athlete of the early twenty first century.

Producers Smita Patel & Darin Graham

Editor Emma Rippon

Mark Coles looks at the life of one of the most successful golfers, Tiger Woods

British Olympic diver Tom Daley has lived his life in the public eye since first attracting attention aged ten, when he became Britain's youngest diver to win the national championships.

Tom Daley is in the media spotlight more than ever this week after announcing on YouTube that he is dating a man, provoking much discussion not only of the announcement but of the public's reaction to it. Mark Coles tells his story.

Producer: Charlotte Pritchard.

Mark Coles profiles British Olympic diver Tom Daley.

Now as he prepares his first full scale catwalk show for London Fashion Week, he's credited with attracting record interest and unprecedented numbers of US buyers to the event.

In the 1990s he turned around the fortunes of Gucci, the luxury fashion house and revolutionised the luxury brand market. Despite controversial advertising campaigns his unique designs attracted celebrity clients and financial success.

With his collections under his own label now eagerly anticipated, James Silver looks for the secret of his success.

Producer: Gail Champion.

What is the secret of designer Tom Ford's legendary success? James Silver charts his rise.

The most powerful black person you've never heard of, entrepreneur Tom Ilube.

While many of his Labour colleagues regard him as a hero for his role in taking on the Murdoch empire, Watson wasn't always so popular. A close ally of Gordon Brown, he called for Tony Blair to resign in 2006, although he denied Brown conspired with him to bring down the Prime Minister.

Edward Stourton profiles the pioneer blogger and populist campaigner, who is unafraid to take on powerful figures in and out of politics.

Producer Bill Law.

Edward Stourton profiles Tom Watson, the MP who took on the Murdoch media empire.

Mark Coles speaks to colleagues, critics and even Abbott's sister to find out what drives the so-called 'Mad Monk', and whether he'll make a success of the job.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Ben Crighton

Researchers: Charlotte McDonald & Beth Sagar-Fenton

Editor: Penny Murphy

Why is Tony Abbott, former Australian PM, such a controversial choice for trade adviser?

It was a surprise to many that a relative unknown was set to take on one of America's leading talk shows, but Noah's star has been rising fast in recent years.

Already a well-known face on British TV and radio, thanks to his award-winning Edinburgh Fringe show back in 2012, the 31-year-old has certainly shown the confidence to take on one of TV's biggest jobs - critics might call it arrogance.

Young, good looking, mixed race - Noah is said to be an ad-man's dream, and it's said Comedy Central will be looking to cash in on his global appeal. However, his reputation has already been slightly tarnished as the media began to dig into his Twitter feed and found some distasteful jokes.

Noah said he shouldn't be judged on gags which didn't land, and his new bosses backed him up - but whether those same execs will be quite as forgiving once he takes the hotseat is yet to be seen.

Trevor Noah says he is a fan of rollercoaster rides. He loves them so much, he often builds his comedy tours around cities that have the biggest rides. His fantasy is a chair that spins while doing a 360 degree loop and a backwards somersault.

Stepping into Jon Stewart's shoes just might provide his scariest ride yet.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith.

The South African comedian set to take over from Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show.

He was born in California and from the age of six was brought up by his father after his mother left the family home. Tucker Carlson followed in his father's footsteps when he left college and took up a career in journalism. He's worked for CNN, MSNBC and Fox News from which he was 'let go' in April this year.

As he launches his own streaming website 'Tucker Carlson Network', Stephen Smith finds out about the man who has been described as one of the most influential people in American media in recent years.

CONTRIBUTORS

Neil Patel, Co-founder and CEO of Tucker Carlson Network

Chadwick Moore , Journalist and Author of 'Tucker' a biography of Tucker Carlson

Alex Shephard, Senior Editor, 'The New Republic

Heather Hendershot, Professor of Communications and Journalism, Northwestern University

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producers: Diane Richardson, Julie Ball

Editor: Bridget Harney

Sound: James Beard

Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

CREDITS

Network, MGM 1976, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway-

Tucker Carlson Network, Last Country Inc

Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Dreamworks Pictures

Tucker Carlson, the former Fox newscaster, launching his own streaming network this week.

Tucker Carlson, the American conservative political commentator, who launches his own network, Tucker Carlson Network, this week. Presented by Stephen Smith.

Producer: Katie Inman.

Chris Bowlby profiles the outspoken world heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury.

The vaccine had been developed by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech and was one of 11 vaccines that had reached the final stages of testing.

Mark Coles explores the lives and careers of Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci - the little known Turkish-German husband-and-wife team responsible for the development of the vaccine.

First broadcast on Saturday 14th November 2020.

Producers: Sally Abrahams and Ben Carter

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Mark Coles explores the lives and careers of the two doctors behind the Covid-19 vaccine.

Producers: Emma Rippon and Anna Meisel.

Geeta Guru-Murthy profiles Umberto Bossi, leader of Italy's Northern League.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Editor: Alex Lewis

The European Commission President who says she was left standing because she is a woman.

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Harbinder Minhas.

Edward Stourton profiles Vanessa Redgrave, political activist and award-winning actress.

No stranger to breaking barriers, this employment lawyer rose apace to the top of student and trades unions alike, before election to the Welsh Senedd and ministerial office, charged with overseeing first health and then the economy.

Mark Coles looks back at how a cricket-mad schoolboy became First Minister of the land of his father - a journey from Zambia to Cardiff by way of rural Dorset - and finds out what drives him from those who know him best.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producer: Nathan Gower

Production Team: Debbie Richford, Drew Hyndman, Julie Ball

Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison

Editor: Tom Bigwood

Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

Wales's new First Minister and leader of Welsh Labour.

Vaughan Gething is Wales' new First Minister and the first black leader of a national government in Europe. Mark Coles charts the life of the ‘Welshman born in Zambia'.

An insight into the character of an influential person making the news headlines

A sticker on the cover of Jamaican born writer Victor Headley's 1992 novel 'Yardie' said 'soon to be made into a major movie'.

A quarter of a century on, it finally has.

Directed by British actor Idris Elba, the film - about violent Jamaican drug gangs operating in London in the 1980s - opens this weekend.

On Profile this week, Mark Coles finds out more about the man who wrote the original story.

Described by a friend, as an 'enigma wrapped in a mystery'. We hear from friends who grew up with him in Jamaica, from his daughter Sol - who was just eight when her father wrote the book.

And we find out why at the height of his success he fled to Africa for ten years. And what he makes of the new movie.

Producer Smita Patel

Researcher Darin Graham.

Mark Coles profiles Victor Headley, author of Yardie.

Interviewees include Clifford Longley, whose daughter's wedding he officiated, and Austin Ivereigh, former press secretary to his predecessor, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.

Born on her grandmother's farm, a former slave plantation in South Carolina. Davis was raised on the East Coast - in Providence, Rhode Island. As a child growing up in poverty, acting became a means of escape.

After a decades-long career as a respected theatre actor, she was propelled to international attention in 2008, when she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in a single scene; alongside Meryl Streep in the film Doubt. Since then, she's starred in a great many films and TV series; becoming widely recognised as one of the greatest actors of stage and screen this century.

Becky Milligan explores her life and career and talks to her sister, Deloris, to find out what motivates an actor whose meteoric rise is symbolic of a deeper shift in how the film industry values black artists.

Producers: Tom Wright and Ben Crighton

Editor: Rosamund Jones

Becky Milligan profiles the first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award.

Producers: Chris Bowlby, Laura Gray.

Mark Coles profiles world boxing champion turned Ukrainian politician, Vitali Klitschko.

He was poisoned in Russia, and almost died, twice, in 2015 and 2017, suffering long-term health consequences. Yet he returned to Moscow from the US last year, because he didn't think he had any right to call people onto the streets into action in Russia if he was sitting safely in America.

He was arrested soon after his return, and this week was sentenced to 25 years in a Russian penal colony.

But as he wrote from prison: 'the night is darkest before the dawn, but what do you know, the dawn may be just around the corner.' His friends however fear for his life.

Presenter Mark Coles speaks to some of those who know him best: Bill Browder, the head of the global Magnitsky Justice Campaign; University of Cambridge historians Dr Clare Jackson and Prof Hubertus Jahn; fellow Russian opposition figure Vladimir Milov, and the BBC's former Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford.

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Georgia Coan

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

The Russian-British Putin critic and opposition activist sentenced to 25 years in jail.

In this week's Profile, Mary Ann Sieghart speaks to those who've watched him closely to explore how his life has shaped his view of the world, and Russia's place in it.

We hear about his life as KGB agent, his volatile temper, and the role religion now plays in his life and politics.

Producer: Chris Bowlby

Editor: Richard Knight.

Mary Ann Sieghart explores what has shaped Vladimir Putin's view of the world.

The Ukrainian comedian turned president facing the threat of Russian invasion.

Already the winner of 25 awards, including a BAFTA, the documentary is now in the running for an Oscar.

Mark Coles reveals the extraordinary life of the Syrian student compelled to capture the daily lives of citizens trapped in the terror of civil war.

Producers: Phoebe Keane & Diane Richardson

The Syrian filmmaker exposing the horrors of life and death in war-torn Aleppo.

At 81 years of age, he's one of the richest men in the world closing in on a personal fortune of nearly 40 billion dollars. Recently Buffett decided to do a small tax survey in his Omaha office to find out what proportion of everybody's salary was being taxed. He discovered that he was paying a much lower share of his income in tax than his staff. So he proposed that that America's tax laws be changed so that he and his 'mega-rich friends' pay more income tax.

President Obama took the call.

Mary Ann Sieghart talks to family, friends and Buffett experts to get an insight into the man known as the 'Oracle of Omaha' who many say has inspired a new American tax system.

Producer Deiniol Buxton.

Mary Ann Sieghart profiles billionaire investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett.

Friend and colleagues reveal how childhood poverty and a cancer diagnosis have shaped the views and aspirations of the man tipped to be a future leader of the Labour party.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane Richardson

Editor: Simon Watts

Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar

The Shadow Health Secretary, tipped by many as a future Labour leader.

One straight-talking resident - Deirdre Kelly, also known as 'White Dee' - became the standout star of the show. Many of the headlines were negative and the mother-of-two found herself vilified, accused of being a scrounger and worse.

But she received a warmer welcome on Celebrity Big Brother this summer and more recently this week at the Conservative Party Conference where she spoke at a fringe event hosted by a think-tank.

So how did an ordinary woman from Birmingham, who has spent the last several years living off benefits, become so famous - and, potentially, influential? Mark Coles travels to Birmingham to find out.

Presenter Mark Coles

Producer Ben Crighton.

Mark Coles profiles White Dee, the controversial star of Channel 4's Benefits Street.

As Tory leader in 2001, he led his party to a crushing defeat and announced his resignation the day after the election. Over the next few years, he enjoyed a rise in popularity, probably helped by appearances on the TV show, 'Have I Got News for You'. Now, back at the top of the political game, he's again facing challenges which are testing his mettle.

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, who's been criticised over Libya this week.

Producer: Kai Wang.

Tim Franks profiles the Chinese leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping.

Producer: Chris Bowlby

Editor: Richard Knight.

Mark Coles profiles the flamboyant and hugely important Greek finance minister.

This week on Profile we look at the man accused of funding the St Petersburg troll factory which has produced so much pro-Russian material online. Yevgeny Prigozhin has moved from jail to restaurateur and close friend of President Putin, but precious little is known about his personal life.

Becky Milligan looks at the Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin.

One of the most powerful figures you may not have heard of - Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Once a hotdog seller in St Petersburg, this former prisoner has risen to become a friend of Putin and his private army is now one of the main Russian players in the invasion of Ukraine.

Along the way he has catered to celebrities at his top end restaurant, allegedly run a centre for internet trolls, been accused of meddling in the US elections and financed a mercenary army - the Wagner group - based worldwide.

But is his time up? As the situation for his mercenaries gets worse in Ukraine, Prigozhin has started lashing out publicly at the Russian state.

Could this be the last course for the man once named 'Putin's Chef'?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Jordan Dunbar, Georgia Coan

Editor: Richard Vadon

Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Producers: Ben Crighton and Hannah Barnes.

Edward Stourton profiles the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour.

Yulia Navalnaya has risen to the spotlight in recent weeks following her husband's death in a Siberian prison. The wife of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has until now remained in the background. Navalnaya chose to focus on bringing up their children, supporting his political work from behind the scenes. When her husband was poisoned in 2020, she fought the authorities to release him to a German hospital for treatment. Navalny said she saved his life.

Now, Yulia Navalnaya has taken on the role of the defiant widow in their tragic love story. Making speeches to the European Parliament, meeting with world leaders, and launching her social media profile, Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her late husband. Who is the woman taking on Putin?

Presenter: Mark Coles

Producers: Ellie House and Madeleine Drury

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Editor: Damon Rose

Following her husband's death, is Yulia Navalnaya the new face of Russian opposition?

Mother, widow, and now the face of Russian opposition? Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her late husband, Alexei Navalny. Who is the woman taking on Putin?

Yvette Cooper became an MP in 1997 and became politically close to Gordon Brown. She's held a number of Ministerial roles, introducing sometimes controversial legislation and facing controversy herself during the MPs' expenses investigation. She has juggled high profile jobs with bringing up three young children and she won this week's shadow cabinet elections - by a large margin.

So how did Yvette Cooper manage to become so popular so quickly? And with this latest promotion, where might her political future take her in Ed Miliband's new Labour Party?

Yvette Cooper, the new Shadow Foreign Secretary, comes under the spotlight.

Workers have begun installing the roof on the Aquatics Centre for the 2012 London Olympics, the boldest British design yet by Hadid. But like the rest of Hadid's career, the wave-shaped building has not been without controversy - and it's projected to cost three times its original budget.

Iraq-born Hadid is known around the world, yet in Britain she is perhaps better known for designs that haven't been built - such as the Cardiff Bay Opera House.

Zhang Xin stands out as the high-profile CEO of the prominent, upmarket property developer SoHoChina, which she founded with her husband. Unusually for Chinese billionaires, she is also a philanthropist and speaks out about issues ranging from democracy to smog, in the international media and on her micro-blog.

A rags to riches story, she grew up in very modest circumstances, particularly after her Chinese-Burmese translator parents split up, and her mother moved her from Beijing to a tiny room in Hong Kong, where she worked in a factory.

After saving up for the airfare to the UK, she was then educated at Sussex and Cambridge universities, worked for Goldman Sachs, and returned to China where she built up her business with her husband.

What motivates this billionaire mother-of-two to carry on working, particularly as property developers are often reviled in China?

Chris Bowlby profiles the British-educated Chinese property billionaire Zhang Xin.