20 Questions With

20 Questions With Kate Mosse

Kate Mosse - not that Kate Moss - is a leading figure in women's literature. She co-founded the Women's Prize for Fiction in 1996 and has gone on to become a bestselling author herself. Her books have sold millions of copies, been translated into 38 languages and been published in more than 40 countries. Labyrinth is her best known work and she has just released The Ghost Ship, the third in a four book series, that can be read as a stand-alone. Here she discusses historical fiction, the untold stories of women, why she set up a prize for female writers, what it's like sharing her name phonetically with a supermodel, caring for her mother-in-law, Granny Rosie, who went viral during the pandemic, the undervaluing of carers in Britain, why miscarriages still aren't talked much about (her mother had miscarriages before she, Kate, was born very prematurely), the love story she shares with her husband, and the joys of being a grandmother. 

20 Questions With historian Charlotte Lydia Riley

The British Empire and its legacy have increasingly been close to the heart of public discourse, capturing the academic and popular imagination. What are the enduring impacts of Empire on Britain? How has decolonisation changed demographics? What is the relationship between British imperialism and racism? How have British attitudes to Empire changed? What do statues and their tearing down represent? What does the Commonwealth mean to Brits? Historian Charlotte Lydia Riley attempts to answer these questions and more in Episode 43 of 20 Questions as she prepares for the launch of her book, Imperial Island: A History of Empire in Modern Britain.

20 Questions With Knepp’s Isabella Tree

Isabella Tree is an award-winning author and travel writer who, together with her conservationist husband Charlie Burrell, has pioneered a rewilding project in West Sussex and turned an old family farm back into an environment from another era. Among the Longhorn Cattle, Exmoor Ponies and Tamworth Pigs that roam the landscape are Beavers, dozens of pairs of Nightingales, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Peregrine Falcons, Turtle Doves and Storks. In fact, the first pair of Storks to nest in a British chimney since 1416 made their home in Isabella's house. In this podcast she explains what rewilding is, discusses its scalability and its role in the UK's future, engages with criticism, discusses how to eat meat sustainably and reveals plans for a cafe on site to nourish walkers, campers and glampers. Isabella’s The Book Of Wilding is out now. 

20 Questions With James Comey

James Comey was the director of the FBI between 2013 and 2017, when he was fired by Donald Trump. He is perhaps most famous for his decision to go public with his re-opening of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails just days before the 2016 Presidential election. Here he reflects on that decision, says that Trump reminded him of a 'mob boss' and that the former President is a "really bad person, so bad that it's very, very difficult for people to conceptualise". Comey also discusses the United States' use of water-boarding on detainees, recalls his prosecution of the Gambino crime family, and gives his views on US law enforcement. His debut novel, Central Park West, is out now. 

20 Questions With Mike Brearley

Mike Brearley is considered England's greatest ever cricket captain with 18 wins and just four defeats. He masterminded the almost unimaginable turnaround in what became known as Botham's Ashes in 1981, creating legend in the process. With a first class degree in classics at Cambridge, he went on to become a psychoanalyst and here he talks about the psychology of cricket, explains his understanding of the subconscious, reveals how he got the best out of Sir Ian Botham, offers his prediction for this summer's first Bazball Ashes, and reflects on how he came to condemn Apartheid South Africa. Brearley is one of world cricket's most fascinating personalities and in this in-depth interview he gives a rare insight into how he thinks and acts. 

20 Questions With Niki Segnit

Niki Segnit, the multi award-winning author of The Flavour Thesaurus, which has sold 250,000 copies, has brought out the sequel, The Flavour Thesaurus, More Flavours. In this episode of 20 Questions, Niki takes us on a mesmerising tour of the myriad flavours she experiments with in her new book. She mixes up the mostly plant-based ingredients to create exciting and mouth-watering combinations. How do chocolate and aubergine go together? Or papaya and lime? Why are seeds important and what can you do with spices? How might you use miso and what's the story behind tofu? Whether you enjoy cooking or simply love food, Niki's passion for her subject might just inspire you to try new things. 

20 Questions With Jonathan Agnew

Jonathan Agnew, known to cricket lovers around the world as Aggers, leads the BBC's Test Match Special coverage. As BBC Radio's cricket correspondent, he covers all the big stories involving the sport, and his voice is familiar to many millions. Here he talks about his own playing days, bowling to Sir Viv Richards, injuring people with his fast bowling, his move into journalism and commentary, and his famous 'leg-over' moment with the legendary Brian Johnston when the two couldn't stop laughing live on air. He addresses the issue of racism in the game, discusses the importance of impartiality as a BBC journalist, explains why he gave up his Twitter account, and goes into bat for Test matches. In his view, Tests are facing a breaking point, and he believes that administrators and players are 'lazy' in their preference for the T20 brand over the oldest form of the international game. He doesn't hold back. 

20 Questions With Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar played 50 Tests for England, he took 167 Test wickets, helped his country become the number one side in the world, became the first English spinner to take five wickets in an innings at the WACA ground in Perth, rescued an Ashes Test with the bat, hit Muttiah Muralitharan for six, got Sachin Tendulkar out for his first Test wicket and became a fans' favourite. Here he explains his art with the ball, reveals how he coped in high pressure situations, talks about mental health, gives his views on racism in cricket and society, and shares the advice the late, great Shane Warne gave him. 

20 Questions With Jon Culshaw

Jon Culshaw is one of Britain's best loved impressionists. Here he explains his art and impersonates Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, George Bush, George W Bush, Russell Crowe, Les Dawson, Frank Bruno, Chris Eubank, Sir Michael Caine, Ann Widdecombe, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jordan Peterson, actor Brian Cox and Professor Brian Cox.

20 Questions With Simon Sebag-Montefiore

Simon Sebag-Montefiore is a bestselling and prize-winning writer of history and fiction. The descendent of a famous Jewish family and friends with King Charles, he is married to Santa Montefiore, herself a bestselling author. Here Sebag-Montefiore discusses his new book, 'The World, A Family History', and offers his insights into the future of America, India, China and Britain, as well as looking back at some of the great historical characters, whose stories he tells with such relish. He gives his verdict on Charles III, reveals the process of his working life as a writer, and shares his passion for the past.