The Tingle Factor

Exploring the neurological basis of musically generated moments of peak emotion.

Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn talks to Robin Ray about the music which stirs his emotions.

In between his music choices, Alan remembers his musical father, recounts some of his successes and flops - and how he became the owner of a special cat.

Recorded in Scarborough.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1992.

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn talks about music that makes him emotional.

Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn talks to Robin Ray about the music which stirs his emotions. Recorded in Scarborough. From 1989.

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn talks to Robin Ray about the music that makes him emotional.

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The humorist talks about the music that stirs his emotions, including Louis Armstrong.

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The novelist shares with Robin Ray her memories of listening to the family wireless.

The novelist tells Robin Ray about early memories of listening to the family wireless.

Novelist Beryl Bainbridge shares early memories of listening to the wireless.

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Recalling his life and career highlights, Bryan's selection includes the work of Puccini, John Barry and Elton John.

Producer: Emma Kingsley

Bryan Forbes CBE was born: 1926 and died 2013.

The film director, actor, screenwriter and novelist Bryan Forbes talks to Robin Ray.

Film producer and educator David Puttnam talks to Robin Ray about the sounds which stirs his emotions.

Recalling his upbringing and looking back over his career, David's selection includes speeches by Robert de Niro and Teddy Kennedy.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

David Puttnam talks with Robin Ray about the sounds which stir his emotions.

Film producer and educator David Puttnam talks to Robin Ray about the sounds which stir his emotions.

Film producer and educator David Puttnam talks with Robin Ray about those sounds which stir his emotions. From September 1990.

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The comedian talks to Jeremy Nicholas about the music that stirs his emotions.

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Beatles record producer and composer Sir George Martin, talks to Jeremy Nicholas about the music which stirs his emotions.

In between his music choices, George looks back over his wide-ranging career.

From early classical music record making, through comedy records to signing The Beatles in 1962 - he reveals what it was like to work with John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Born in 1926, Sir George Martin died in 2016.

Beatles producer and composer George Martin talks about music which stirs his emotions.

Beatles record producer and composer George Martin talks to Jeremy Nicholas about music which stirs his emotions. From 1992.

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Broadcaster Joan Bakewell shares the music that makes her emotional.

The broadcaster talks about the music that makes her emotional.

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The actress and writer talks to Robin Ray about the music that stirs her emotions.

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Recalling his life and career - the composer, musical director and saxophonist's selection ranges from Ravel to Jacqui Dankworth,

Sir John Dankworth CBE (1927 -2010)

Producer: Caroline Adams

From Ravel to Jacqui Dankworth, John shares those examples of music which move him.

Recalling his life and career - Jonathan's selection ranges from Tchaikovsky to the gripping theme from Dick Barton - Special Agent.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1992.

Sir Jonathan Miller explains why certain moments in music send a shiver down his spine.

Film director Ken Russell talks about the music that makes him emotional.

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In between his music choices, Leslie recalls becoming orphaned and life in a children's home, his national service and how he became a journalist and novelist.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

Author of The Virgin Soldiers talks to Robin Ray about music which stirs strong emotions.

TV and radio presenter Michael Aspel talks to Jeremy Nicholas about the music that moves him.

Recalling his life and precarious career path - including the strain of hosting Miss World - Michael's selection is very film-based and includes the theme from Gone With The Wind.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

TV and radio presenter Michael Aspel talks to Jeremy Nicholas about the music that moves him. From August 1992.

Recalling his life and precarious career path - including the strain of host Miss World - Michael's selection is very film-based and includes the theme from Gone With The Wind.

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The comic actor explains why certain tracks have the power to send tingles down his spine.

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'I'm word-oriented rather than music-oriented.'

Ned Sherrin shares those moments in performance which send a shiver down the spine with Jeremy Nicholas.

From Cleo Laine to The Kinks, the writer/producer/director/broadcaster also looks back over his life and career.

Producer: Ray Abbott

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1993.

The showbiz all-rounder talks about the moments which stir his emotions.

Showbiz all-rounder Ned Sherrin tells Jeremy Nicholas about the moments, many word-oriented, which stir his emotions. From September 1995.

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Recalling his life and career, Peter's selection includes Ketty Lester, Phil Harris and commentary from a legendary Apollo spaceflight.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

Peter Skellern talks with Robin Ray about those sounds which stir his emotions.

Recalling his life, career and the perils of lampooning the rich and famous, Richards selection includes Mozart, Delius and Bach.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

Richard Ingrams shares with Robin Ray the music that stirs his emotions.

Recalling his life and career highlights, including The Dresser, his selection includes Stravinsky, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

Ronald Harwood tells Robin Ray about moments in music which send a shiver down his spine.

Spike Milligan explains to Robin Ray why musical moments enrich his life.

Comedian, writer and jazz musician Spike Milligan explains to Robin Ray why certain musical moments enrich his life.

It's a rare opportunity to hear Spike talk about influential pieces of music ranging from jazz to opera.

He includes a performance (The Queen Of The Night's Aria) which he thoroughly enjoys because it's so 'awful'.

Milligan started out as a band musician in order to earn money. Music ran in his family and he played the guitar and the trumpet, before war interrupted his musical career.

Producer: Andrew Mussett

Writer, poet and entertainer Spike Milligan explains to Robin Ray why certain musical moments enrich his life. From July 1989.

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Milligan started out as a band musician in order to earn money. Music ran in his family and he played the guitar and the trumpet, before war interrupted his musical career.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1989.

Spike Milligan explains to Robin Ray why musical moments enrich his life. From July 1989.

Thora Hird shares the evocative sounds, music and singing that move her to tears.

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