1. The Ginger Gene

Dr Kat Arney finds out what we are made of one gene at a time.

Redheads - famed and feared throughout history. From strawberry blonde to sultry auburn, red hair always stands out in a crowd.

But where does the redhead gene come from? Does it really affect the way we feel pain? And are redheads really endangered?

Dr Kat Arney finds out with the help of:

* Jacky Colliss Harvey, author of "Red: A History of the Redhead"
* Ginger gene expert Professor Ian Jackson from the University of Edinburgh
* Some spicy mice.

Presenter: Kat Arney

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2020.