Inheritance Tracks

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne has, arguably, two of the best jobs in radio - 6 Music?s Breakfast Show and Radio 4?s Desert Island Discs.

Her career in entertainment began though as the lead singer and a guitarist in the band Kenickie and her love of performing and sharing music see's her takes Desert Island Discs to the London Palladium for a series of special live shows.

As someone who encourages people to share the music that shaped their lives we were fascinated to hear her Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Now Westlin Winds by Dick Gaughan Passed on: Hit or Miss by Odetta

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Natalie Cassidy has grown up in front of the nation. She was only ten years old when she joined the cast of Eastenders.

Over the last 30 years, her character - Sonia - has become one of the most popular residents of Albert Square, as she?s dealt with a teenage pregnancy, a cancer scare and bereavements.

Natalie had to have music lessons when her character famously took up the trumpet on Eastenders, so let?s see if that has influenced her choices as she selects her Inheritance Tracks.

Natalie is the co-host of the podcast, 'Off The Telly' which is available now.

Producer: Lowri Morgan

Strictly Come Dancing's longest serving professional dancer Karen Hauer was born in Valencia, Venezula where she lived until the age of eight before moving with her family to the Bronx in New York.

Dance allowed Karen to express herself and at the age of nine she won a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Contempoary Dance. On the show she has danced with the likes of Will Young and Eddie Kadi.

Music gives Karen inspiration for her dance routines and will be touring the UK with the 'Strictly Come Dancing the Professionals Tour' from May 2024.

Inherited: Don't Speak by No Doubt Pass on: Your Song by Elton John

Producer: Lowri Morgan

Alex Horne is the comedian and creator of the BAFTA winning Channel 4?s hit comedy game-show, Taskmaster.

On the show Alex is the Taskmaster?s assistant and this week, we?ve given him the task of assisting us with choosing our Inheritance Tracks.

He is a musician himself and he will be will be on tour around the country with ?The Horne Section? and their brand-new show from March 2024.

Inherited: In The Army Now by Status Quo. Passed on: Bang Bang by David Sanborn

Producer: Ribika Moktan

Tommy Tiernan is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and extraordinary talk show host, extraordinary because on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTE he doesn?t know who his guest is until they walk on, there?s no script or preparation, so the conversation can go anywhere, and it does!

As a comedian, he?s won the big award and even though his sense of humour has on occasions been controversial, he maintains there?s never malice intended.

Tommy also has a podcast and is famous for playing Da Gerry in Derry Girls

Although he was born in Ireland he had a peripatetic early life as you?ll hear in his Inheritance Tracks...

Inherited: Amhrán na bhFiann, the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland. Passed on: Maka Hannya Haramitta

Producer: Glyn Tansley

Adam Hills is a seriously funny man, and most well known as host of Channel 4?s hugely successful The Last Leg on Friday nights.

Born in Sydney without a right foot, he turned his disability to his advantage and often referred to it in his comedy. His first stand up show was in 1997, and he became a hit at the Melbourne International comedy festival and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Some alternative commentating on the 2012 London Summer Paralympics led to Channel 4 giving him his own series, which has now broadcast its 300th episode.

Inherited: Crying by Roy Orbison Passed on: One Day Like This by Elbow

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Morgan

The Grand Tour presenter and lover of high-speed adventures Richard Hammond, was born in Birmingham, the eldest of three boys, and describes himself growing up as ?a little fella? in a close-knit family.

His first broadcasting experience, and love, was not TV but local radio and as bass guitar player we wondered what his Inheritance Tracks might be.

Inherited: Call Me The Breeze by J.J. Cale Passed on: Memphis Soul Stew by King Curtis

Producer: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Morgan

Millions of cricket fans all over the world have grown up with Jonathan Agnew?s voice as he?s expertly guided us through the highs and lows of the best sport ever invented.

He?s joined Test Match Special in 1991 after a very successful career as a fast bowler for Leicestershire and a slightly less successful career as a fast bowler for England ? which he often jokes about on air.

He?s a keen flyer (he has a pilot?s licence), a keen dog owner (he has two) and also a lover of music. But what music? Let?s find out...

Inherited: You're a Lady by Peter Skellern Pass on: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free by Nina Simone

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Iain Stirling started doing stand-up while studying law at University in Edinburgh and quickly drew the attention of the comedy world. Soon after, his popularity grew, and now sells out venues all over the country.

In 2015 he became the voice of ITV2's dating show Love Island.

He also clearly loves music so we asked him to share with us the song that have changed his life.

Inherited: Africa, Toto Passed on: The Modern Leper, Frightened Rabbit

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The London born ceramic artist Keith Brymer-Jones, who regularly wells up when he?s moved by beauty and effort on The Great Pottery Throw Down, was eleven years old when he made his first pottery object.

After a brief stint in the punk band The Wigs, he got an apprenticeship at Harefield Pottery in London and learned to make modern ceramics.

We asked him to turn his hand to this week's Inheritance Tracks...

Inherited: Fantasy by Earth, Wind and Fire Passed on: I Feel Love by Donna Summer

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Owain Wyn Evans has been working in broadcasting since he was 18. He's an accomplished television and radio presenter and shot to superstardom during the pandemic in 2020 as the drumming weather presenter playing along to the BBC News Theme.

He became a viral sensation and in 2021 he raised an extraordinary £3million for Children in Need by drumming non-stop for 24 hours.

This week he took a break from warming up for Zoe Ball on Radio 2?s Early Breakfast Show to reflect on his inheritance tracks...

Inherited: The Masquerade by the Carpenters Passed on: This Hell by Reena Sawayama

Producer: Ben Mitchell

When he?s not working on his own gin brand, or his latest book, or guest editing the Today programme former petrol head James May is perhaps best known as the thinking man?s car guy from Top Gear and Grand Tour.

His trademark wry humour and self-deprecation make him an interesting TV presenter, no matter what he turns his attention to and he?s an excellent travel guide on the various James May Our Man In... series.

Born in Bristol, one of four children, he spent his teenage years in South Yorkshire and as someone who studied music at university and who?s apparently a rather accomplished musician.

We asked James what his Inheritance Tracks might be.

Inherited: Dream Darling Dream by McGuinness Flint Passed On: Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Producer: Ribika Moktan

Opera singer Wynne Evans was indelibly etched into the UK?s collective TV watching consciousness when he played Gio Compario - the moustachioed opera singer in those famous comparison site adverts.

Born in South-West Wales, Wynne is a professionally trained opera star and his operatic roles have seen him onstage at major opera houses here in the UK and across the globe, with his debut album ?A Song in My Heart? went to Number 1 in the classical charts.

This year, he won Celebrity MasterChef with a starter of Carmarthen-Japanese Tuna Tartare and a main course of Welsh lamb on samphire.

We asked Wynne to share his equally delicious Inheritance Tracks with us...

Inherited: Be My Love by Mario Lanza Passed on: Laudate Dominum - Vesperae Solennes de Confessore by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig was born in Denmark to a Danish father and English mother and was brought up in Europe, Africa and the United States.

She?s done it all; politics, children's books, theatre plays, the great British Bake Off, and taken part in pretty much every panel show worth its salt, including of course hosting QI, the much loved and quite interesting panel show she?s hosted on television since 2016.

She was one of the members of the first all female comedy groups at Cambridge?s Footlights whilst gaining a first class degree, and in 2015 she co founded the Women's Equality Party. President of the Writers Guild of Great Britain, her writing credits take in radio, television and the stage.

Inherited: Secret Love by The Oscar Peterson Trio Passed on: Don't Rain on my Parade by Barbara Streisand

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Kelvin Fletcher is best known for his portrayal of Andy Sugden in Emmerdale, a role he played for twenty years, and for which he won Best Actor at the British Soap awards for his portrayal.

When he was just six years old he went to Oldham Theatre Workshop where, before getting his big break in 1996.

He?s a father of four and a keen motor racer, and documented his buying of a 120 acre farm in the Peak District in a BBC documentary and in 2019 he won Strictly Come Dancing with his dancing partner Oti Mabuse.

Inherited: Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) by Frank Wilson Passed on: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Before Lucy Worsley became a fixture on our TV screens as a trusted architectural and social historian she wanted to be either a spy, a witch or a nun.

But her father was a geologist and he wanted Lucy to be a scientist, so when she switched from the sciences to the humanities he was unimpressed and told her she?d never earn a living with a history degree!

It was a visit to Mompesson House, a National Trust property in Salisbury, when she was 18 that made her realise that keeping a historical place going was an actual job and one that spoke to her - she?s now Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces with an office in Hampton Court Palace.

So who, what and when will her Inheritance Tracks come from?

Inherited: Mozart Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major played by Maria João Pires Passed on: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis: The Seventh Service sung by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal

Producer: Ben Mitchell

This edition of Inheritance Tracks are chosen by Jonathan Ranganathan ? better known, of course, by his middle name, Romesh.

The comedian, presenter and DJ was born in West Sussex in the late 1970s to Sri Lankan parents.

When he was 11, a friend left a cassette-tape at his house ? labelled Public Enemy. Romesh listened ? and that day, his love of hip-hop music began.

But not just hip-hop. Music has been a huge part of his family?s story...across the generations.

Inherited: Love Come Down by Evelyn "Champagne" King Passed on: Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

If farmer, TV presenter and writer Adam Henson was a stick of rock the word Cotswolds would be sweetly written through him.

He?s loved by millions of Countryfile viewers and probably a lot of lambs, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Highland cattle and horses too.

And he knows a thing or two about how food gets from farm to fork being an ambassador for British farming.

But will his Inheritance Tracks be pastorales, reflecting the bucolic nature of his life?

Inherited: Too Much Pressure by The Specials Passed on: Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

The actor, writer, comedian and Radio 4 treasure, Miles Jupp has been delighting audiences for decades; from Balamory to The News Quiz and Rev.

Miles recently shared the news that he?d suffered a brain seizure - requiring complex neurosurgery.

Happily, he?s has made a good recovery, and he's about to go on tour...no doubt with his favourite music playing in the car as he criss-crosses the country.

Inherited: Just an Old Fashioned Girl by Eartha Kit Passing on: Wherever You Roam by The Proclaimers

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Derren Brown amazes audiences with his extraordinary illusions and showmanship, as a mentalist and magic creator.

He captivates with his charm and is also disarmingly forthright and emotionally eloquent which is evident in his writing, podcast Bootcamp and painting.

Born in London and brought up in Purley, which he describes as the epitome of middle-class suburbia, Derren studied law and German at Bristol University which is where his Inheritance Tracks begin...

Inherited: The Prelude to the 1st Cello Suite by J S Bach Passed on: Debussy's Brier played by Vikingur Olafsson

Producer: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

From the moment he became a cub scout in Sussex in the 1970s, Tim Peake wanted to have adventures.

He joined the army...became an Apache helicopter pilot...and then set his sights even higher...A LOT higher.

As an astronaut, he became the first Brit to walk in space during a voyage to the International Space Station.

But what kind of music did he listen to while he was up there?

Inherited: It Must be Love by Labi Siffre Passed on: Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The Reverend Kate Bottley is a not your run of the mill vicar...

...since rising to fame on Channel 4?s Gogglebox she?s gone on to become a writer and broadcaster on the likes of Songs of Praise, and you can hear her every Sunday with Jason Mohammad (formerly of this parish) on Radio 2?s Good Morning Sunday.

Kate?s latest book, Have a Little Faith, isn?t out to convert, quite the opposite, it?s a guidebook on how to navigate life?s ups and downs, be kind, and face your own challenges armed with hope...and plenty of lasagne.

So, with all that in mind, I?m praying for a miraculous set of Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley Pass on: Come Healing by Leonard Cohen

Simon Farnaby is famed for his parts in Ghosts, Horrible Histories and Detectorists, but it's his starring role in that iconic sketch from the Diamond Jubilee, seen over 30 million times on YouTube, in which he served the late Queen tea with Paddington Bear.

Indeed, he was one of the writers of Paddington 2 ? and his latest screenplay, Wonka, is actually a musical origin story of Roald Dahl?s eccentric chocolatier.

But Simon's Inheritance Tracks are not necessarily the golden ticket he'd have hoped for.

Inherited: Little Town by Cliff Richard Passed on: Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

She?s cycled to the South Pole, ran the Namibia ultra-marathon, kayaked the entire length of the River Amazon, solo, yet competing on Strictly made TV presenter and adventurer, Helen Skelton feel most vulnerable.

Helen began her presenting career at Newsround and has been a household name since 2008, when she became a Blue Peter presenter and graduated to Countryfile.

Her new memoir In My Stride charts her life from being raised on a dairy farm outside Cumbria to becoming a household name on Blue Peter and Countryfile.

What then, will she choose for her Inheritance Tracks?

Inherited: One Way or Another by Blondie Passing on: Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Chef Tom Kerridge is more than just a Michelin-starred foodie ? he's a TV presenter, author and entrepreneur. Married to sculptor?Beth Cullen-Kerridge, Tom?s new book ?Pub Kitchen: The Ultimate Modern British Food Bible? was recently published and we asked him to serve up his Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: English Rose by The Jam Passed on: Proof by I Am Kloot

As featured on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live on 07/10/2023. Presented by Olly Mann and Nikki Bedi.

Producer: Ben Mitchell/Gareth Nelson-Davies

Casual, fun, yet competent and assuring Alan Fletcher's character, Dr Karl Kennedy, along with his on-screen wife Susan, was a genuine tea-time idol to a generation.

What you might not know is that the actor is a country music aficionado, part of a burgeoning Australian Americana scene, and at the age of 65, he's just released his first solo album.

As Neighbours returns to our screens we asked him to share his inheritance tracks.

Inherited: Going up the Country by Canned Heat Passed on: If We Were Vampires by Jason Isbell

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The actor, comedian and writer Mawaan Rizwan, recently told the NME, ?In every job I do, I want to smash the box that people put me in?.

Born in Pakistan, Mawaan?s family moved to the UK when he was three, he grew up in East London, with a mother who?d been a child star in Pakistan so if the performance gene were a thing, he very much has it it.

As an actor he?s played roles in Simon Amstell?s Benjamin and Carnage, he wrote for the hit Netflix series Sex Education, and you can see his new surreal BBC Three series Juice on iPlayer.

What then, will his Inheritance Tracks be?

Inherited: Mera Laung Gawacha by Musarrat Nazir Pass on: Paper Planes by MIA

Producer: Ben Mitchell

If you type ?right wing comedian? into a search engine the top answer will be Geoff Norcott.

Amazingly...the second, third and fourth results would also be the comedian and podcaster.

He's certainly cornered his niche making us laugh on Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and his own stand-up special for Radio 4 Geoff-erendum.

But, ironically, it seems Geoff doesn't necessarily skew right, when it comes to at least one of his musical heroes ? as we discovered, when we asked him to share his Inheritance Tracks.

Inherited: Itchycoo Park by Small Faces Pass on: Zoo Station by U2

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Born in Billericay, Richard Osman got his first taste for broadcasting on BBC Radio Sussex, when he was still at school. He read Politics and Sociology at Cambridge and then worked behind the scenes in TV before creating and co-presenting the BBC quiz show, Pointless.

His own show, Richard Osman?s House of Games followed, another huge success, and along the way he?s managed to become an international best-selling crime fiction author!

It all began with The Thursday Murder Club in 2020 and with the fourth book in the wildly popular series on the horizon we asked him to put down that feather quill and share his Inheritance Tracks with us.

Inherited: Life on Mars by David Bowie Pass on: Being Boring by Pet Shop Boys

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Johnny Flynn - actor, poet, musician - he can do pretty much anything.

On stage and screen, he?s played Albert Einstein, Richard Burton and David Bowie - and in the studio he?s recorded albums of classic folk as well as the title track for The Detectorists.

Johnny took a break from playing a political broadcaster in his new show The Lovers to tell us about the musicians who have inspired him throughout his life.

Inherited: Joe Hill by Paul Robeson Passing on: Close My Eyes by Arthur Russell

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Comedian, writer and actor Rose Matafeo grew up in New Zealand, the daughter of a Samoan father and a mother with Scottish/Croatian heritage. In 2018 she won the prestigious ?Best Show? at The Edinburgh Fringe for ?Horndog' - only the second woman, and the first person of colour, to win it. As an actor, she was brilliant in the New Zealand movie Baby Done and she?s soon to be back on our screens in season three of her hit BBC series Starstruck.

We asked her to take a break from writing her new stand-up show and share her Inheritance Tracks with us.

Inherited: Ramblin' Rose by Nat King Cole Passed on: Where am I going? by Barbra Streisand

Producer: Ben Mitchell

You?ll no doubt have seen the comedian Lou Sanders on pretty much every tv comedy show; from Live at the Apollo, to 8 out of 10 Cats and she was even champion on Taskmaster.

Her memoir "What's that Lady Doing?" charts a life of mistakes with funny look at what happens when we work through our issues and come out the other side.

The songs she has chosen to cherish from her past and to pass on to the next generation might surprise you?in fact, they seem to have surprised her!

Inherited: Dido Bendigo by The Watersons Passing On: Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The BBC?s News Analysis Editor, Ros Atkins, knew he wanted to be a journalist when he was ten years old.

He grew up in Cornwall and the Caribbean and read history at Cambridge.

He?s now a trusted broadcaster and a man synonymous with news and, he became a bit of a social media sensation with his explainer videos.

As he once dabbled as a drum?n?bass DJ we wondered what his Inheritance Tracks might be.

Inherited: The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett Passed on: Suite - Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills and Nash

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Jesse Edwards

Award-winning author, illustrator and screen-writer Alice Oseman created the hugely popular ?Heartstopper? series about two teenage boys, Nick and Charlie, falling in love at a British school. The story has been a sensation going from online-comic to printed book to blockbuster Netflix show.

Inherited: Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac Pass On: Dance with me by Beabadoobe

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The Megadeth frontman on the tracks that inspire him both personally and his music.

The barrister turned broadcaster reveals the music that is most important to him.

Actor and musician Minnie Driver's breakout film roles include Circle of Friends, Grosse Pointe Blank and the hugely successful 1997 movie, Good Will Hunting, for which she was Oscar nominated.

You may have recently seen her in the movies Cinderella or Chevalier - and on TV in the US sitcom Speechless or in Rose Matafeo?s Starstruck here on the BBC.

Minnie?s side-hustles are equally successful, she?s a podcaster, essayist and memoirist with her ?tell most memoir? Managing Expectations; which is a collection of essays about her life.

She lives in California and is a passionate surfer and a doting mother to her teenage son Henry

We asked mellifluous Minnie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us...

Inherited: Save Your Love for Me by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley Passing on: Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Annie MacManus, known professionally as Annie Mac, is the DJ turned author whose new book ?The Mess We're In? is a story about how music can break you down and build you back up again.

Annie presented shows on BBC Radio 1 for seventeen years and, as well as writing, performs at music festivals all over the world and at some of the biggest clubs.

Inherited: A Rainy Night in Soho by The Pogues Pass On: No one knows me like the piano by Sampha

Producer: Ben Mitchell

After the indie rock band, The Audience, disbanded in the late 90?s, their lead singer began her solo career. Sophie Ellis-Bextor had early solo hits like Murder on the Dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain't Love). Sophie has now released her seventh studio album, Hana. BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live asked Sophie to share her Inheritance Tracks with us.

Inherited: Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd Passing on: Harmony Hall by Vampire Weekend.

Producers: Lowri Rhiannon Morgan and Leni Hatcher.

Actor, writer and stand-up comedian Guz Khan was born in Birmingham and raised in Coventry. The former humanities teacher quit his job to pursue a career in comedy after his social media videos gained a following.

He went on to create the hit BBC television series Man Like Mobeen, and the fourth series is currently streaming via the BBC iPlayer.

Inherited: Tumhein Dillagi Bhool Jani Paray Gi by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Passing on: Do For Love by Tupac Shakur

Producer: Ben Mitchell and Melanie Pearson

On her Instagram profile, actor Tanya Moodie describes herself as Buddhist, actor, Willow?s mum, Mini Bull terrier mum.

Born in Canada to Jamaican parents Tanya came to England at the age of 17 and got a place at RADA.

She?s since worked with the RSC and The National Theatre and on TV is known for her award-winning work on the BBC series Motherland and for the RTE show The Clinic

Inherited: Duppy Gunman by Ernie Smith Passing on: Freeman in Paris by Joni Mitchell

Producer: Ben Mitchell

You might know Ben Bailey Smith better as Doc Brown, an actor, comedian, rapper and screen writer. Ben was born to a Jamaican mother and English father in Willesden, north west London, his older sister is the celebrated writer Zadie Smith.

He started rapping when he was 15, competing in Rap Battles in the early 2000?s, and became a successful stand up comedian. His acting talents have appeared in huge tv series like Channel 4?s Inbetweeners and Derek, to BBC?s Doctor Who, The Split and Damilola, Our Loved Boy to name but a handful. Often his comedy, music and acting talents overlap; he?s very good at all of these things so why wouldn?t he often combine them.

In his podcast Shrink the Box, Ben and psychotherapist Sasha Bates analyse fictional tv characters like Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends, trying to figure out why they are as they are.

Inherited: Looks is Deceiving by The Gladiators Passing on: Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill

Producer: Ben Mitchell

The frontman of one of the biggest music acts of the 90?s, Supergrass, Gaz was born in Oxford to a food scientist father and an English teaching mother.

The family moved to San Francisco for a few of Gaz?s formative years, before returning to Oxford and at 13, he met 15-year-old Danny Goffey on the school playing field and that was the beginning of musical history.

Supergrass released six studio albums in their 17 years and famously turned down an offer from Stephen Spielberg for the band to do a Monkees style TV series.

The band broke up in 2010 and although they reformed, and played Glastonbury last year, Gaz has been making critically acclaimed solo records and has just released his fourth album Turn the Car Around.

Inherited: My Father?s Name Is Dad by Fire Passing on: Land by Patti Smith

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Sadiq Khan was born in 1970 in Tooting, south London. He became a solicitor in the early 90?s specializing in Human rights issues, and an MP in 2005. He was first elected as London Mayor in 2016, becoming the third mayor of the city and its first Muslim mayor. In his new book 'Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency' he describes his reaction to being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma.

He reveals the music that was the soundtrack to the mad house he grew up in - and the inspirational song that politicised him.

Inherited: Our House by Madness Passing on: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Alex George was an A & E doctor in London when he entered the nation?s consciousness by appearing on the fourth series of Love Island.

Although he initially returned to work on the ward, the media clamour for his talent eventually lured him away. Using his medical expertise, he hosted a podcast, made appearances on many of the nation?s favourite TV shows and then, in 2020, his youngest brother took his own life.

Alex then launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents and he?s been focusing on Youth Mental Health ever since, writing two books and using his huge social media following to affect change.

He describes how he remembers his mother singing and dancing to Elton John, and reveals how the power of listening Ben Howard helped him through grief.

Inherited: Your Song by Elton John Passing on: Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Mathew Baynton is an actor, writer, comedian and musician ? who shot to fame as part of the troop who brought us the historical and hysterical sketch show Horrible Histories on CBBC.

Since then, along with his fellow co-stars, he has gone on to create, write and star in the critically acclaimed BBC series ? Ghosts.

He describes how he finds inspiration in both the light and shade of Leonard Cohen's songs, and takes great solace in Big Thief's lyrics when thinking of his children.

Music Inherited - Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen Pass on - Change by Big Thief

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Douglas Stuart?s debut novel Shuggie Bain won him The Booker Prize in 2020.

It centres around an alcoholic single mother and her gay son navigating life on a Glasgow estate and it reflects Douglas? own troubled upbringing.

After near homelessness he earned a place at The Royal College of Art?and went on to land in the epicentre of New York fashion, working for huge brands.

In this edition of the podcast Douglas discusses how the music of Nick Drake helped spark romance between him and his now husband, and why Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" keeps the spirit of his late brother alive.

Music Inherited - Pink Moon by Nick Drake Pass on - Sunny by Bobby Hebb

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Alex Jones, is a broadcaster possibly best known and host of The One Show on BBC One.

But her new show Reunion Hotel sees her give people a unique chance to reunite with one person from your past in one-of-a-kind hotel.

In this edition of the podcast Alex reunites with the sound of Elton John playing on vinyl in the woodchip walls of her childhood home, and remembers the joy of the birth of her son thanks to Jason Mraz.

Music: Inherited: Tiny Dancer by Elton John Pass on: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Rhiannon Morgan

Sir Tony Robinson is a multi-hyphenate; an actor, comedian, broadcaster and author whose career has, so far, spanned 50 years.

He?s probably best-known for playing turnip-brained Baldrick (who always had 'a cunning plan) in the iconic TV show Blackadder, and his twenty-year stint fronting Channel 4?s Time Team, a series inspired by own his passion for digging deep into the past, to understand the present.

His new podcast series ?Cunningcast?, which sees him take the long view on the big stories of the day, is available now.

Music: Inherited: The Man I Love by Billie Holiday Pass on: Short People by Randy Newman

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

In this edition of Inheritance Tracks Rufus Wainwright reveals the stories behind the music that continues to inspire him; from the highlands of Scotland to a powerful song gifted to his peers and contemporary gay men.

Rufus will be performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on April 29th.

Music: Inherited: Wild Mountain Thyme - Judy Collins Pass on: Heading for Home by Peggy Seeger