Inheritance Tracks

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 StreisandProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

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! OrchestraProducers: Lowri Morgan and Josie Hardy

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 MorissetteProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

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 JoelProducer: Ben Mitchell

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

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 MakebaProducer: Ben Mitchell

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 CaribouProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

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 ChicProducer: Ben Mitchell

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 KnifeProducer: Ben Mitchell

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 GriegProducer: Ben Mitchell

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 BeyoncéProducers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter with the ‘Mad Scene’ from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and ‘Enjoy Yourself’ by Prince Buster.

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

Presenter Rick Edwards chooses 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses and 'Witness (1 Hope)' by Roots Manuva.

BBC 6's presenter Nick Grimshaw chooses 'She's Lost Control’ by Joy Division and 'Subterraneans’ by David Bowie.

Actor and singer Limahl chooses ‘Move Over Darling’ by Doris Day and ‘Four Brothers’ by Manhattan Transfer.After a short spell as a punk rocker, Limahl found fame with the band Kajagoogoo after responding to an advert in a music magazine in 1982, where the then named Art Noveau were looking for a new lead singer.The following year he left the band – but quickly went onto find his own success as a solo artist with his hit “The Never Ending Story”. His early ambitions, growing up in Wigan, were for a career as an actor and he even toured in production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.Inherited: Move Over Darling by Doris Day Passed on: Four Brothers by Manhattan TransferProducers: Catherine Powell and Anna BaileyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2025.

Broadcaster Fearne Cotton chooses ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘Campfire Day Four’ by Ludovico Einaudi.

Actor, writer and stand-up Suzi Ruffe chooses ‘You Can't Hurry Love’ by The Supremes and ‘Heart's Content’ by Brandi Carlile.

Broadcaster Georgia Mann chooses Gabriel Fauré’s ‘Pie Jesu’ and ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ by Bonnie Tyler.

Comedian and writer Ivo Graham chooses ‘Glastonbury Song’ by The Waterboys and ‘Funky Town’ by Lipps Inc.