Inheritance Tracks

The inheritance tracks of actor, presenter and singer Robson Green are inspired by his love of Northumberland.

He made his name in TV with roles in the military drama "Soldier Soldier", and as clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill in "Wire in the Blood".

He and his "Soldier Soldier" co-star Jerome Flynn's version of "Unchained Melody" sold more than 1.9 million copies in the UK.

His inheritance tracks draw on his life in Hexham in Northumberland.

Inherited: "Run for Home" by Lindisfarne. Pass On: "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash.

Inheritance Tracks is a feature played in BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme.

This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from Broadway and West End singer Marisha Wallace.

Marisha’s earned Olivier nominations for her performances in Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma!

Her Inheritance Tracks draw on the gospel sounds of her childhood in North Carolina.

Inherited: At Last by Etta James Pass On: Here Comes The Sun by Nina Simone

Producer: Anna Bailey

This edition of Inheritance Tracks comes from Nigel Planer, the mention of that name brings straight to mind Neil from the Young Ones, but there’s a lot more to Nigel than that. And there’s plenty going on in his Inheritance Tracks too.

He'll be appearing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Monday 12 October to talk about his memoir – Young Once.

Inherited: Northern Sky by Nick Drake Pass On: Jupiter by Mozart

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Image credit:Carole Bargh

We’ve seen him in Ted Lasso, and as a Celebrity Traitor and now in Sky’s legal drama, War.

Here are the Tracks which mean most to him.

Inherited: Somewhere Only We Know by Keane Pass On: English Dances by Sir Malcolm Arnold

Producer: Catherine Powell

Image credit: David Vintiner

The comedian and writer chooses the music track that she has inherited from her mother and the track she would like to pass on to her children.

Inherited: These Foolish Things by Nat King Cole Pass On: Everything Is Everything by Lauryn Hill

This episode of Inheritance Tracks featured on Radio 4's Saturday Live on 26 September 2026.

Lucy's new book, 'Middle Aged Women' is out now.

Picture credit: Andy Robinson.

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

The Professor of Physics and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili chooses two tracks that have inspired him.

A familiar voice on BBC Radio 4, with programmes such as The Life Scientific, Jim's musical choices begin with a track that takes him back to his teeange years in Iraq.

Inherited track: Father and Son by Cat Stevens Pass on: Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton

Jim's book, On Time: The Physics That Makes the Universe Tick - is available now.

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

This edition of Inheritance Tracks are the choices of the actress Sian Brooke.

Sian features as one of the police officers in the Belfast based and BAFTA winning television drama, Blue Lights on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Inherited track: Dance Little Sister by Sananda Maitreya Pass on: Zorbing by Stornoway

Producer: Lowri Morgan

(picture credit:David Reiss)

Carlos was Karen Carney’s professional dancing partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 and together they lifted the glitterball trophy.

On the eve of the new series he shares the music tracks that have inspired his dancing and moments in his life.

Inherited track: Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were Pass on: Judy Garland - Over The Rainbow

Producer: Jesse Edwards

The actor Adrian Lester has had hearts a flutter from Stratford-upon-Avon to London in his latest role as Cyrano De Bergerac.

The Birmingham born Hustle star's first experience of performing was in the choir at St Chad's Cathedral, before going onto win the Laurence-Olivier-Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical', for his performance in Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Company'.

So with singing in his blood we decided to ask what his Inheritance Tracks would be...

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Inherited: Redemption Song by Bob Marley Passing on: Proud to be...

TV personality, chef and restaurateur behind Mowgli Street Food restaurants on the tracks that have shaped her.

Inherited: ABBA - The Day Before You Came Pass on: Leonard Cohen - Dance With Me to the End of Love

Producer: Lowri Morgan Researcher: Jesse Edwards

The Singer-Songwriter on the tracks that have inspired her work and life.

Inherited: Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson Pass on: Sara by Fleetwood Mac

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

The best selling crime author on the tracks that have inspired him.

Inherited: Have Mercy on the Criminal by Elton John Pass on: He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones

The Inheritance Tracks are the choice of the much-loved broadcaster Lorraine Kelly as featured in BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live on 20 June 2026.

Inherited: Jupiter from The Planet Suite by Holst Pass on: Starman by David Bowie

Producer: Anna Bailey

(Picture credit: Nicky Johnston)

Nat Sciver-Brunt is the captain of England's Women Cricket Team and one of the world’s leading all-round cricketers

In June 2026, Nat is presently engaged in trying to lead the side to triumph in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

With proven leadership at the highest level, she’s found the time to share with us her Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Robbie Williams - Angels Pass On: Extreme - More Than Words

The screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies.

From being best known to being the show-runner for the reboot of Dr Who, he’s looked at life in London during the 1980s with the series It’s A Sin and his latest TV drama is set in contemporary Manchester.

His Inheritance Tracks are inspired by his family and a lost loved one.

Inherited: Oh What A Beautiful Morning by Howard Keel Pass On: Americano by Lady GaGa

Producer: Anna Bailey

The journalist and broadcaster Katie Razzall is the BBC’s culture and media editor - and co-host of The Media Show.

She was formerly Newsnight’s UK editor and correspondent for Channel 4 News - but has long harboured a dream of being a WWII French resistance member.

Her Inheritance Tracks are incredibly moving…

Inherited: Petite Fleur by Sidney Bechet Passing on: Long Time Coming by Delays

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Dame Prue Leith has written more than a dozen cookery books, seven novels, and her new memoir - "Being Old...and learning to love it!" - she explores the trials and taboos of growing older.

She's no stranger to a kitchen disco with her roles on the Great British Menu and Bake Off - but has always been too afraid to sing.

That is until an appearance on ITV's hit show, The Masked Singer.

Let's see if her Inheritance Tracks can cook up a storm.

Inherited: The Ugly Duckling by Danny...

This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from stage and screen actor, Jason Watkins.

Jason has been in brilliant in TV productions as various as the Crown, W1A and the The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries for which he won a BAFTA.

Inherited: Al Bowlly - Love is the Sweetest Thing Pass on: Human League – Together in Electric Dreams

Producer: Ribika Moktan

This week’s Inheritance Tracks come from Presenter and Journalist, Nick Robinson.

Nick is the BBC’s and ITV former political editor and he started as a presenter on Today (Radio 4) in November 2015.

Here are the two tracks most dear to him:

Inherited: The Carpet Crawlers by Genesis taken from the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Pass On: Beethoven's Fidelio quartet - Mir ist so wunderbar Producers: Lowri Morgan and Jesse Edwards.

Entrepreneur Liz Earle inherits 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' by Nancy Sinatra and 'One Love' by David Guetta with Estelle.

Singer-songwriter Laura Mvula chooses 'Golden Brown' by Omar and 'The World Is Yours' by Nas.

Actor James McAvoy chooses 'Maggie May' by Rod Stewart and 'Ally Bally Bee' sung by Mary Anne Paterson.

ER actor Noah Wyle chooses ‘We Belong Together’ by Rickie Lee Jones and ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by Sergei Prokofiev.

This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from an actress with a strong claim for national treasure status – Lesley Joseph.

With a career spanning over sixty years, she has entertained us as on the small screen in the likes of Birds of a Feather and on stage as Mother Superior in the Sister Act musical.

Inherited: Marche Militaire composed by Franz Schubert and performed by the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra Passing on: What About Us by P!nk

Producers: Lowri Morgan and Ben Mitchell

Our inheritance tracks this week come from Lisa Kudrow, no less.

The Emmy Award-winning star from Friends returns to our screens in the latest series of The Comeback.

As Phoebe Buffay her attempts at music-making were famously harrowing – but her Inheritance Tracks, predictably enough, are a real joy.

Inherited: Downtown by Petula Clark Passing on: Wonderful Baby by Don McLean

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Dr Sian Williams is a chartered counselling psychologist working in the NHS. Sian presented BBC Breakfast for over a decade, as well as Saturday Live between 2012 and 2014. Radio 4 listeners will know her from her series Life Changing which returns in April. Her book on living well with anxiety called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ is out now.

Inherited: Calon Lan by Cerys Matthews and The Fron Male Voice Choir Pass on: Better Together by Jack Johnson Producer: Catherine Powell

BBC News presenter Adam Fleming with Girls Aloud’s ‘Jump’ and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, ‘Spring 1’, recomposed by Max Richter.

Comedian, writer and actor Mike Wozniak chooses ‘Minor Swing’ by Django Reinhardt and ‘Corpus Christi Carol’ by Jeff Buckley.

Andy Zaltzman inherits 'Got my Mojo Working' by Muddy Waters and passes on 'My Very Best' by The Big Moon.

Popular Irish novelist Marian Keyes, inherits 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' by Christy Moore and 'The Bottle' by Gil Scott-Heron.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson chooses ‘I Want It That Way’ by Backstreet Boys and ‘Green Light’ by Lorde.

Oscar winning actor Riz Ahmed chooses ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ by Nazia Hassan and ‘Gabriel’ by Roy Davis Jr.

Lebanese-born musician Mika, inherits ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana and passes on ‘Pata Pata’ by Miriam Makeba.

Our inheritance tracks this week come from the musician and broadcaster Mika, who is back out on tour with his latest album Hyperlove.

Mika was born in Lebanon, and raised in Cyprus, Paris and London, all of which feed into his intriguing new album and makes for a fascinating edition of Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana Passing on: Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Claire Foy is an actor who’s enjoyed great success playing two queens, one of whom enjoyed a significantly longer reign than the other, as Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth II.

And stars in the film adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s memoir, H is for Hawk.

Inherited: When You Were Sweet 16 by Perry Como Passing on: Blóðberg by Sigur Rós

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2026.

Actor Mark Heap chooses ‘Were You There?’ by Tennessee Ernie Ford and ‘L'Ascension’ composed by Olivier Messiaen.

Musician Justin Hawkins chooses There Are More Questions Than Answers by Johnny Nash and Pancho and Lefty by Townes Van Zandt.

Actor Emily Watson chooses ‘La Boheme’ by Giacomo Puccini and ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials.

Actor Paul Bettany chooses ‘The Eton Rifles’ by The Jam and ‘Hollow Ponds’ by Damon Albarn.

New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern chooses Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters and Hope by Fat Freddy's Drop.