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

Penn Badgley 09.03.2023

Nihal speaks to the star of Netflix’s smash hit series ‘You’.

Michael Rosen 28.02.2023

The children's author Michael Rosen on how he's 'getting better' after nearly dying of coronavirus

Bernie Sanders 23.02.2023

The Vermont senator and former Presidential candidate on inequality and “uber-capitalism.”

Hugh Jackman 22.02.2023

“I could not have been worse.” The Hollywood star reveals his most embarrassing audition.

All Quiet on the Western Front 21.02.2023

“I hope to inspire folks that they can do this” Two of the driving forces behind the BAFTA winning film, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, producer Malte Grunert and screenwriter Lesley Paterson share the challenges they faced in making the film, and why they felt the story should be told.

Macklemore 20.02.2023

“I’m selling music but that’s not the spiritual core of my job”. The rapper and songwriter on fatherhood, art and addiction.

Tony King 09.02.2023

“I’m in the studio, dressed as the Queen, doing a commercial for John Lennon.” The music industry insider on Elton John, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison.

Adam Curtis 03.02.2023

"This showed the extraordinary complexity of what millions of people went through." The multi-BAFTA winning filmmaker, Adam Curtis on how he pieced together the fall of the Soviet Union, using never-before-seen archive footage.

Jay Shetty 02.02.2023

“If I want a compliment from someone else to feel good, I’m actually going to find that good in myself first”. The bestselling author, former monk and social media star on why he wants us all to write a love letter to our younger selves.

KSI 30.01.2023

"I was terrified. For me to come to them and say I'd failed, it was traumatic." YouTuber, rapper and boxer tells Nihal how a past failure drives his thirst for success.

Darren Harriott 24.01.2023

"I've got two bruised hips; whiplash and my partners blade sliced my arm open." The comedian tells Nihal about the challenges of doing Dancing On Ice.

Rick Rubin 17.01.2023

“You never know where that peak is until you go past it.” The producer and Def Jam co-founder on making records.

Stephen Mangan 11.01.2023

“They look at the world with a sensitivity that I don’t.” The actor and writer on the “magic” of art.

Terry Hall 20.12.2022

Another chance to listen to Nihal speak to Terry Hall in 2019. Tributes have been paid to The Specials lead singer, after his death at the age of 63.

Romesh Ranganathan 08.12.2022

The comedian and presenter tells Nihal why he’s no role model for Asian footballers.

Ricky Gervais 07.12.2022

“The joke is a magic trick – every word matters.” Ricky Gervais tells Nihal there are no off-limit topics in comedy, as long as you craft the joke in the right way.

Joan Armatrading 15.11.2022

“I can’t claim credit for what I do – it’s a god given talent.” Joan Armatrading tells Nihal why she keeps making music, after 22 albums and five decades.

Micah Richards 08.11.2022

As a player, he won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup when he was playing at Manchester City. Now, he is a fan favourite pundit on 5 Live, Match of the Day and Sky Sports. Micah Richards joined Nihal to talk about his memoir.

Greta Thunberg 02.11.2022

“Our societies are still very much in denial.” The climate campaigner on the media, greenwashing and her favourite veg.

Rob Delaney 19.10.2022

“I don’t have to get to a finish line with grief”. The actor, comedian and writer talks about his memoir of loss

Gary Lineker 17.10.2022

“If I were an actor and needed to cry, I’d just think of that” The MotD presenter on Leicester City, Qatar and referee abuse.

Hugh Bonneville 12.10.2022

Hugh Bonneville, the star of Downton Abbey, Paddington and W1A talks early roles, embarrassing correspondence, and the sound of his mother's footsteps.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott 10.10.2022

The singers, who are former bandmates in The Beautiful South, have released their fifth studio album as a duo. They joined Nihal to talk about singing, football and photography.

Rita Wilson 06.10.2022

Rita Wilson is best known as an actress in films like Sleepless in Seattle, and as a producer on My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Mamma Mia. She’s also a country singer, and has released an album of duets with the likes of Smokey Robinson and Elvis Costello. She spoke to Nihal about her love of music.

Craig David 04.10.2022

“In my case it was: you move to Miami” The singer-songwriter and DJ on dealing with bullying.

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