David Hockney is arguably Britain’s most loved living artist. He's known as a colourful character, not only because of his vibrant, colour rich paintings of Californian landscapes, glittering blue pools, and thick Yorkshire woodlands, but also his own carefully curated image from the 1960s- bright blond hair and oversized thick black round glasses.
He was born in Bradford in 1937, and knew by the age of 10 he wanted to be an artist. He studied at the Royal College of Art, and by his mid 20s he was key player in London’s bohemian pop-art scene. He then moved to LA in pursuit of sunshine and inspiration. He delights in using new technology to create; from the polaroid, to the fax machine, and his iPad. Now, more than 60 years into his career, aged 88, David Hockney is not slowing down. His image has recently been depicted by drones in a light-show in the skies above Bradford, in a colourful tribute to the city’s most famous son. Becky Milligan speaks to his muse, the textile designer Celia Birtwell, art historian Marco Livingstone, dancer and contemporary Wayne Sleep and art critic Waldemar Januszczak. Production
Presenter: Becky Milligan
Producers: Ben Crighton, Mhairi MacKenzie and Marie Lennon
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Gareth JonesArchive
BBC Imagine…Summer 2009: David Hockney – A Bigger Picture (Coluga Pictures)
BBC The Interview: David Hockney - A Life in Art (2025)
“Joie de Vivre” clip courtesy of Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (2011)
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Afua Kyei
Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England, has been named Britain's most influential black person. She grew up in South London, reading copious numbers of Enid Blyton books and listening to Boyzone, got 6 A levels and went to university a year early. She studied chemistry at Oxford and Princeton, but then had a change of heart . She became a chartered accountant and - in 2019 at the age of just 36 - she was appointed Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England, the Bank's youngest and first ever black executive officer in its 325 year history. Mark Coles looks back at the life of this year’s most influential Black Briton talking to Afua's friends, family and colleagues to discover how she combines parenting four children under the age of nine with balancing the books at the Bank of England. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Adele Armstrong and Mhairi MacKenzie
Production coordinators: Sabine Schereck and Maria Ogundele
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound engineer: Gareth JonesPhoto credit: Nick Moorhead
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Andy Burnham
As Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour party comes under increasing pressure and criticism, we profile a man who may well be waiting in the wings.
Andy Burnham, a Labour stalwart who started his political career in the Blair and Brown era, seems determined to have his say in the party’s future too. Last month, he caused a political storm when he was widely interpreted as openly challenging Sir Keir Starmer’s authority during the party conference, confirming that MPs had contacted him about returning to Westminster to run for the party leadership.
It’s not his first brush with the Labour leadership - he lost two contests in the 2010s before leaving Westminster to win the Greater Manchester mayoralty, a role which has further increased his profile and earned him the nickname ‘King of the North’, a nod to his popularity within the region.
Stephen Smith speaks to his friends, family and political peers to find out what shaped one of the most influential figures in today’s Labour party, and whether his criticism of the government could propel him to the top job, or keep him from it.
Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Ben Crighton, Nathan Gower, Alex Loftus and Mhairi MacKenzie
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Gareth Jones and Duncan Hannant
Production Coordinator: Sabine Schereck and Maria OgundeleArchive:
Perisher: Million Pound Captains (BBC)
Boys from the Blackstuff (BBC)
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Sanae Takaichi
Sanae Takaichi is the first female prime minister of Japan. Once the drummer in a heavy metal band, she is now a staunch conservative, tough on immigration and against same sex marriage. More Iron Lady than Iron Maiden, the 64-year-old models her strong leadership style on Margaret Thatcher. She entered politics in 1993, the same year as future prime minister Shinzo Abe. A loyal ally, she quickly rose the ranks in his cabinet. After several unsuccessful leadership attempts, she finally became prime minister on October 21st 2025. To some this is a victory for women in Japan, but others see her conservative views as evidence there is still a long way to go.
Mark Coles voyages into the world of Japanese politics to find out. Production
Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Crighton, Mhairi MacKenzie and Alex Loftus
Japanese fixer: Ryuzo Tsutsui
Editor: Justine Lang
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Editor: Duncan Hannant
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Luke Littler
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts star, is already one of the most famous people in British sport. This week he won yet another title, the World Grand Prix. Born in Warrington, he started throwing arrows while he was still wearing nappies. By the time he was 10, Littler was competing in under-21 competitions and would win his first senior title at 14. He shot to national fame in early 2024 when he reached the world championship final aged 16. Despite losing the match, he sparked ‘Littlermania’, drawing huge crowds and introducing a whole new generation to the sport. Earlier this year, he managed to do one better and became the youngest ever World Darts Champion. Stephen Smith traces his meteoric rise. Production
Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Ben Crighton, Mhairi MacKenzie and Alex Loftus
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Neil Churchill
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