20 Questions With John Sergeant

Legendary broadcaster John Sergeant tells the often hilarious stories that knit together to form a career that has straddled both the deadly serious and the comic and absurd. From Northern Ireland to the shiny floors of Strictly Come Dancing via Vietnam and Westminster, Sergeant has spent a life in the limelight. He reveals the background to his famous ambush of Margaret Thatcher on the steps of the British Embassy in Paris, and the truth behind the photograph of the young girl fleeing a napalm strike in what was then South Vietnam. Even as a small child, Sergeant was in the thick of the story and he lived in a refugee camp in Gaza as a two year-old. This is an unmissable chance to hear from a national figure of stage and screen whose sense of humour and gravelly voice are unmistakable. 

Britain's most famous classicist, Dame Mary Beard, takes us on a journey through her life and career, offering insights and anecdotes along the way. What would the Romans have been like on X?  Should we pass moral judgements on those who lived thousands of years ago? Does being a classicist make you a better person? Does she see herself as an outsider? Who's her favourite Roman woman? Is it possible to touch the past? Does she empathise with those who died in Pompeii? What is civilisation? Over the course of almost an hour, Dame Mary reveals how she reacted to being insulted by AA Gill, reflects on being attacked on social media, gives her verdict on the rise of AI, discusses recovering the voices of the ordinary from ancient history, explains how she got into Classics, emphasises why the subject matters, and champions the ongoing translations of ancient texts. This is a chance to hear from a world famous figure who has managed to combine being a serious academic with an ability to communicate to millions. 

The veteran broadcaster reflects on a career that led him to become a presenter on the BBC's flagship Today programme, and one of Britain's most famous interviewers. He explores the impact growing up in a Cardiff slum had on his later life, reveals what has motivated him in his work, and shares his views on politicians. Humphrys also looks ahead to the BBC's future, predicts the end of the licence fee and, despite describing a "slight liberal bias" at the corporation, insists BBC News is to be trusted. 

Expert in bushcraft, TV presenter and writer Ray Mears explains his love of nature, his fascination for human history, and the ways in which he uses his skills to become at one with his environment in the wild - both in Britain and beyond. 

Impressionist, pianist, poet and star of The Big Impression Alistair McGowan takes us behind the scenes of his career. Along the way he does impressions of Louis Theroux, Harry Kane, Raymond Blanc, David Hockney, Alan Bennett, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Skinner, Richard Madeley, Alan Shearer, Jo Brand, Dara Ó Briain, Monty Don, Gareth Southgate, Ronnie Corbett, Sven-Göran Eriksson, John Bishop, David Beckham, Ian McKellen, Martin O'Neill, Alan Hansen, Philip Mould, John Major, John Smith, Paddy Ashdown, Gordon Brown, John Parrot and Mikel Arteta.

The Private Eye editor and star of Have I Got News For You on how to debate populists, the fluctuating fortunes of satire, the state of Britain, what he thinks of Keir Starmer, the role of social media in politics, the tone-setting of Donald Trump, the nature of the England Test team, life outside work, and the success of his wife, best-selling author, Victoria Hislop. 

Newspaper columnist Sir Simon Jenkins discusses his new history of America, reflects on the unpredictable state of British politics, looks back on his career in the media - including his time as editor of The Times - and offers a warning about what he sees as a threat to the British countryside. He also gives his view on the challenges to the union of the United Kingdom, laments what he sees as the loss of Ireland, and gives his verdict on the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Best-selling author and populariser of the power of geography Tim Marshall looks at the role geography plays in conflicts and international relations - past and present - from Britain to Japan, via the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Middle East. 

Popular philosopher Alain de Botton on life, death, the role of philosophy in contemporary life, love, anger, decision-making, pleasure, happiness, success, and ignorance. 

Steven Finn is a triple Ashes winner. A 6"8 fast bowler with 257 international wickets to his name, he was part of a side that won Test series in Australia, India and South Africa. He got Steve Smith out twice in one game, and also counts Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers amongst his Test victims. Middlesex's youngest debutant at 16, he came of age bowling at Lord's, and would end his playing career at Sussex, 19 seasons later. Still only 36, he has already established himself as a voice on the BBC's Test Match Special and will be covering this winter's hotly anticipated Ashes series for TNT Sports. His new book, The Ashes Files, charts some of the highs and lows of his own time as a professional cricketer, and in this episode of 20 Questions With he explores the psychology of bowling, the thrill of success, the single-mindedness of his commitment to a sport he grew up playing, the challenges of balancing personal life with professionalism, the skillset required for his new roles in commentary and punditry, England's chances Down Under, and the importance of Ben Stokes to the project of winning back the urn.