BBC Radio 5 Live

Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake

Society EN ↓ 621 episodes

Nihal Arthanayake presents in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.

Author

BBC Radio 5 Live

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.bbc.co.uk

Latest episode

Aug 3, 2025

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Episodes

Flo & Joan 09.11.2021

Sisters Nicola and Rosie tell Nihal about the pitfalls of living abroad and their on-tour eating habits

James Haskell 08.11.2021

“I wore tweed, there weren’t even pheasants over there….they called me Lord Farquar.” The former England back row tells Nihal about hunting in New Zealand and other stories.

Bear Grylls 04.11.2021

“That’s not happening.” What the Secret Service made of the adventurer's plan to feed President Obama “bear kill” on his show Running Wild.

Rick Astley 02.11.2021

“It’s a new world.” Rick tells Nihal how video games and film soundtracks are introducing his music to younger generations and why it’s important to have an afternoon nap.

Freddie Flintoff 01.11.2021

"We call it the Andros moment." The former England all-rounder and presenter tells Nihal how Andros Townsend helped him loosen up on camera.

Jack Dee 28.10.2021

The comedian gives Nihal a therapy session including advice on pronunciation, hobbies and career choices

Tinie 27.10.2021

The rapper and presenter reveals his passion for property – and how it inspired his new TV show.

Sir Elton John & Charlie Puth. 21.10.2021

“I basically became the session musician I was 54 years ago.” Sir Elton and Charlie talk about collaborating for the new album The Lockdown Sessions.

Rob Beckett 19.10.2021

“This story will be told amongst my family as a funny story - but whenever I’ve told middle class people they find it horrifying.” The stand-up on class, comedy and whether Mango chutney is jam.

Sir Lenny Henry 19.10.2021

“I was writing the book I would’ve wanted to read as a 12 year old kid.” Comedian Sir Lenny Henry tells Nihal about his new book for children.

Tom Daley 13.10.2021

“The hardest part was not having your family there.” The gold medal winning diver on keeping his focus in Tokyo, coming out and body image.

Sir Billy Connolly 12.10.2021

“Just barge merrily forward.” Sir Billy tells Nihal how to be “windswept and interesting”, what to take on a beach holiday in Aberdeen and what makes him happiest now.

Candice Carty-Williams 07.10.2021

“You find your tribe when you find your fellow outsiders.” The writer of Queenie tells Nihal about her new young adult fiction book, Empress and Aniya, which looks at friendship between teenage girls.

Dave Grohl 05.10.2021

“The last piece I wrote was the one I was afraid of writing, which was losing Kurt and Nirvana ending.” The Foo Fighters frontman tells Nihal about his new memoir.

Natalie Imbruglia 01.10.2021

“You can leave the critic out of the room.” The singer-songwriter tells Nihal about her new album, Firebird, and why she’s now more relaxed writing songs.

The Specials 29.09.2021

“They’ve all got different stories and messages.” Terry Hall and Horace Panter on recording an album of protest songs chosen by the band.

Anne-Marie 27.09.2021

“I have had such a massive issue with believing people when they say nice things about me.” The 2002 singer on learning to love herself and how getting into reading again inspired her to write a book.

Richard Osman 22.09.2021

“I’d be shocked if there weren’t a Dame in there somewhere.” Richard muses on who Steven Spielberg will cast in the film of The Thursday Murder Club.

Ramla Ali 20.09.2021

The boxer, model and activist talks to Nihal about becoming the first Somali fighter to compete in the Olympics and her memoir Not Without A Fight.

Paul Merson 16.09.2021

'I wanted to break my fingers so I couldn't bet.' The former England footballer on his experience of addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.

John Lydon 10.09.2021

“I was doing my absolute best for her, but I was really denying her the privilege of conversation with other women.” John tells Nihal about the highs and lows of being the total carer for his partner Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.

Phil Wang 09.09.2021

The comedian tries to explain to Nihal where he is from and why British desserts are the best in the world.

Ainsley Harriott 08.09.2021

“I don’t know how the words came out of my mouth.” The chef and TV presenter on his first TV appearance, cooking at Lord's and how he’s learnt to communicate.

Sharleen Spiteri 07.09.2021

The lead singer of Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, talks to Nihal about their new single, “You Can Call Me”, from the latest album “Hi” – and also about Thai massages and climate change.

Shaun Ryder 02.09.2021

The Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder joined Nihal Arthanayake to talk about his career in music, his struggles with school and his new album, Visits from Future Technology.

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