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BBC Radio 4


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


Inheritance Tracks

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

Davina McCall is a hugely successful TV presenter who’s hosted some of the biggest shows with the biggest stars. 

She’s also made her mark, as a broadcaster and writer, in the field of women’s health - all whilst battling a brain tumour.

Rarely has anyone talked about their Inheritance Tracks with such passion, eloquence, and sheer raw emotion. 

Inherited: State of Independence by Donna Summer
Passed on: You Can Do It by Caribou

Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Davina McCall

From Swansea to Barry Island Joanna Page has been a friendly face in millions of houses for almost two decades.

But by her own admission, despite her Welsh roots, music is not her forte...although it clear plays an important part in her life.

Inherited: Northern Sky by Nick Drake
Passed on: Chic Mystique by Chic

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Joanna Page

Mark Kermode is a brilliant Film critic, writer, broadcaster and co-host of podcasts Kermode and Mayo's Take - and Screenshot.

In his book, Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music, Mark and fellow author Jenny Nelson, discuss the power that music has on screen.

With that in mind, what music will he choose as the soundtrack to his life?

Inherited: 2002 Zarathustrevisited by Stan Kenton & His Orchestra
Passed on: Top of the World by Shonen Knife

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Mark Kermode

The chances of writing a novel which sells more than 80 million copies are about as remote as a lad from Stockport making it to the NBA, but Dan Brown pulled it off with The Da Vinci Code. 

That book, like his new novel, delves into literature, symbology, secret societies and so on. None of which were his first passion. 

Dan Brown’s first passion was music - as he reveals in his Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Todo a Pulmón by Miguel Ríos
Passed on: Morning Mood by Edvard Grieg

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Dan Brown

Oti Mabuse was the first professional dancer to win the Strictly Glitterball two years in a row with her partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey.

But prior to her success on the Stricktly ballroom Oti had already become South African Latin American Champion no fewer than eight times. 

Music remains massively important to her, both professionally and personally, as she tells us in her Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Modimo by Sowetto Gospel Choir
Pass on: I was here by Beyoncé

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Oti Mabuse

TV presenter, and Paralympian, Ade Adepitan chooses ‘One Drop’ by Bob Marley and ‘Optimistic’ by Sounds of Blackness.

Clare Balding

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