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Radio 4
Radio 4

Radio 4

Inquisitive speech radio to make sense of your world.

Evening

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20:00 BST

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Comps

FT columnist turned teacher Lucy Kellaway takes a journey through the education revolution launched fifty years ago to replace grammars and secondary moderns with comprehensives.

FT columnist turned teacher Lucy Kellaway takes a journey through the education revolution launched fifty years ago to replace grammars and secondary moderns with comprehensives.

21:00 BST

Moral Maze

How should we respond to rising mental distress?

Michael Buerk chairs a live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. With panellsists: Ash Sarkar, Giles Fraser, Anne McElvoy and Carmody Grey.

Michael Buerk chairs a live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. With panellsists: Ash Sarkar, Giles Fraser, Anne McElvoy and Carmody Grey.

22:00 BST

News

05/09/2026

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

22:15 BST

The Food Programme

What the Normans did for our diet

Food Historian Dr Annie Gray considers how the Norman Conquest changed what we eat and drink.

Food Historian Dr Annie Gray considers how the Norman Conquest changed what we eat and drink.

23:00 BST

Your Mum

1. Sara Barron and Nish Kumar

Laura Smyth is joined by comedians Sara Barron and Nish Kumar to hear about the indelible mark their mothers left on them.

Laura Smyth is joined by comedians Sara Barron and Nish Kumar to hear about the indelible mark their mothers left on them.

23:30 BST

Brain of Britain

Brain of Britain - Heat 6, 2026

Nationwide general knowledge competition for the title Brain of Britain. Spotlights on Angela Merkel, the Inca Empire, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and mustard.

Nationwide general knowledge competition for the title Brain of Britain. Spotlights on Angela Merkel, the Inca Empire, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and mustard.

00:00 BST

Midnight News

06/09/2026

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

00:15 BST

Take Four Books

Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead speaks to Take Four Books about his novel, Cool Machine, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works of fiction.

Colson Whitehead speaks to Take Four Books about his novel, Cool Machine, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works of fiction.

00:48 BST

Shipping Forecast

06/09/2026

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.