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BBC Radio 4


Celebrating the music that special guests cherish and would like to bestow to future generations.


Inheritance Tracks

You will recognise the BAFTA nominated actor Paul Bettany best as the superhero Vision, the trudging Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale, or maybe as the long suffering surgeon opposite Russell Crow in Master and Commander…a role which saw him learn to play a period accurate cello.

But, his familial lineage is full of musical stars and Paul himself was even a busker on the London Underground for a time.

What then will he choose for his Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: The Eton Rifles by The Jam
Passing on: Hollow Ponds by Damon Albarn

Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Paul Bettany

Jacinda Ardern, became the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37, she was the youngest female head of government in the world.

Since her resignation from the role, she has shared her learnings on how to integrate empathy into leadership, written an autobiography and is part of a new documentary film, 'Prime Minister', charting her time in office.

But what will she choose as her Inheritance Tracks?

Inherited: Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters
Passing on: Hope by Fat Freddy's Drop

Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Jacinda Ardern

The identical twins and broadcasting doctors, Chris and Xand van Tulleken, have been helping guide us through the world of medicine for years.

From mums and dads on Radio 4's "What's Up Docs?" to children on their hugely popular "Operation Ouch!"

What then will they prescribe us to listen to with their Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Sabre Dance composed by Aram Khachaturian
Xand - Passing on: Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
Chris - Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Chris and Xand van Tulleken

Jason Donovan first captured hearts our hearts in Neighbours, becoming a household name worldwide, before breaking into the charts and onto the West End stage.

What then will he choose as his Inheritance tracks?

Inherited: It's Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel
Passing on: Life’s What You Make It by Talk Talk

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Morgan

Jason Donovan

Richard E. Grant is an the academy award nominated actor and Barbra Streisand obsessive.

Growing up in Southern Africa, he harboured a desire to become and actor having seen a resemblance of himself in Donald Sutherland...
...that is until he first saw Barbra in a cinema in Rome - and she changed his life.

Inherited: Who Will Buy performed by Barbra Streisand
Passing on: Don't Rain on My Parade by Barbra Streisand

Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Richard E. Grant

Two wonderful broadcasters - the Snows, Peter and Dan. 

Peter's peerless work on general election nights popularised the infamous swingometer, and Dan's infectious fascination with history has inspired countless others...and together they’ve enjoyed many an adventure. 

What then will they choose as their shared Inheritance Tracks?

Peter: Remember the Alamo by Tex Ritter
Dan: Finlandia composed by Jean Sibelius performed by Chineke! Orchestra

Producers: Lowri Morgan and Josie Hardy

Peter and Dan Snow

Miranda Hart has kept us entertained for several decades, from her hit sitcom Miranda to Call the Midwife.

Her new book, "The Christmas Tree that Loved to Dance", tells the story of a Christmas tree that refuses to be discarded and forgotten.

In her Inheritance Tracks, Miranda reveals the song that kept her going during one of the lowest points of her life.

Inherited: Never Tear us Apart by INXS
Passing on: That I Would be Good by Alanis Morissette

Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Miranda Hart

Clare Balding is a broadcaster, author...and Faithful! 

From her early career on Grandstand to hosting Olympic and Wimbledon coverage, Clare has been a fixture of our sporting screens for many years.

But in her debut fiction novel Clare is experiencing "Pastures New".

Sport is in her blood, and one of her choices goes back a long way - long before it became the sporting anthem it is today. 

Inherited: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Passing on: Vienna by Billy Joel

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Clare Balding

Philippa Gregory is the bestselling historical fiction who, amongst other things, has been bringing the Tudor period back to life; through the eyes of the women oft forgotten by the textbooks.

In her latest book, The Boleyn Traitor, Philippa tells the story of how Jane Boleyn ​survived watching from the shadows of the Tudor court, using the only weapon she has; her voice.

If you’re listening to this in a half-snooze state...you won’t be for much longer, because Philippa's first choices are stirring stuff indeed.

Inherited: Coppélia, Act I, Mazurka performed by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Passing on: Swing Low Sweet Chariot performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft. China Black 

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Philippa Gregory

You may know her best as the icons — Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, Purdey in The New Avengers, or Hester Frump in Wednesday...but away from the stage and screen, Joanna Lumley's life is surrounded by music.

Inherited: In the Mood by Glenn Miller
Passing on: Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Joanna Lumley

Actress Emma Thompson chooses Unsquare Dance by Dave Brubeck as the song she has inherited and Te Recuerdo Amanda by Víctor Jara as the track she’d like to pass on to future generations.

Emma Thompson

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