PODCAST

Inheritance Tracks

BBC Radio 4

Celebrating the music that special guests cherish and would like to bestow to future generations.

music

All Episodes

4:29

Noah Wyle

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/04/11

Our Inheritance Tracks this week come from the actor Noah Wyle.From ER to The Pitt, Noah’s career on screen echoes that of his mother who worked as a nurse.But music was always a familial pastime. Inherited: We Belong Together by Rickie Lee Jones Passing on: Peter and the Wolf composed by Sergei Prokofiev and performed by the New York PhilharmonicProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

4:32

Lesley Joseph

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/04/04

This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from an actress with a strong claim for national treasure status – Lesley Joseph.With a career spanning over sixty years, she has entertained us as on the small screen in the likes of Birds of a Feather and on stage as Mother Superior in the Sister Act musical.Inherited: Marche Militaire composed by Franz Schubert and performed by the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra Passing on: What About Us by P!nkProducers: Lowri Morgan and Ben Mitchell

5:06

Lisa Kudrow

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/03/28

Our inheritance tracks this week come from Lisa Kudrow, no less. The Emmy Award-winning star from Friends returns to our screens in the latest series of The Comeback.As Phoebe Buffay her attempts at music-making were famously harrowing – but her Inheritance Tracks, predictably enough, are a real joy.Inherited: Downtown by Petula ClarkPassing on: Wonderful Baby by Don McLeanProducers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

6:56

Dr Sian Williams

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/03/21

Dr Sian Williams is a chartered counselling psychologist working in the NHS. Sian presented BBC Breakfast for over a decade, as well as Saturday Live between 2012 and 2014. Radio 4 listeners will know her from her series Life Changing which returns in April. Her book on living well with anxiety called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ is out now. Inherited: Calon Lan by Cerys Matthews and The Fon Male Voice Choir Pass on: Better Together by Jack Johnson Producer: Catherine

5:10

Adam Fleming

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/03/14

Adam Fleming is a familiar voice and face to many across the BBC. He is now the presenter on the daily news podcast, Newscast and also hosts Antisocial on BBC Radio 4.Adam spends much of his time explaining the twists and turns of politics to the public. But, away from the world of breaking news, music has played its own part in his life.Inherited: Jump by Girls AloudPassed on: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1, recomposed by Max RichterProducer: Ben Mithcell

4:41

Mike Wozniak

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/03/07

Mike Wozniak is a comedian and writer who is perhaps best known for Man Down and as co-host of Junior Taskmaster. Along with his trusted trademark moustache he is returning to the comedy circuit with his new tour The Bench.But it was a childhood of bad violin and faking it with a guitar that sparked his love of music.Inherited: Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt and Quintette du Hot Club de FrancePassing on: Corpus Christi Carol by Jeff BuckleyProducer: Ben Mitchell

5:53

Andy Zaltzman

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/02/28

When the cricket loving comedian Andy Zaltzman is not dotting balls and crossing fours off the Test Match Special stats sheet he can be found hosting The News Quiz on Radio 4 and on stage with his new stand-up tour Zaltgeist.But it was his father's love of blues that sparked his love of music...and bad trumpet playing. Inherited: Got My Mojo Working by Muddy WatersPassing on: My Very Best by The Big MoonProducer: Ben Mitchell

5:22

Marian Keyes

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/02/21

The Irish writer, Marian Keyes, has sold 35 million novels in 33 languages, and a new BBC series "The Walsh Sisters" is inspired by some of her most famous work.From her debut novel over 30 years ago to last year's "My Favourite Mistake", she’s championed women's stories and never shied away from discussing her own life and addiction to alcohol.Her Inheritance Tracks are both enjoyable and moving in equal measure.Inherited: Only Our Rivers Run Free by Christy MoorePassing on: The Bottle by Gil

5:04

Matt Edmondson

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/02/14

Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson has two passions...music and games.He is the creator of the much played game Obama Lama and co-founded the boardgame company Format Games.Both music and games are important loves that he shares with his daughters…Inherited: I Want It That Way by Backstreet BoysPassing on: Green Light by LordeProducer: Ben Mitchell

5:50

Riz Ahmed

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/02/07

The Oscar winning actor Riz Ahmed, whose new film sees him star alongside Timothy Spall as the tragic Prince of Denmark in a modern retelling of Hamlet, is a passionate music aficionado. His most critically acclaimed role perhaps came in the film a Sound of Metal where he played a drummer coming to terms with going deaf, a role which saw him become the first Muslim performer to be nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.But the music that runs deepest brings with it memories of his childhood

5:36

Mika

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/01/31

Our inheritance tracks this week come from the musician and broadcaster Mika, who is back out on tour with his latest album Hyperlove. Mika was born in Lebanon, and raised in Cyprus, Paris and London, all of which feed into his intriguing new album and makes for a fascinating edition of Inheritance Tracks. Inherited: Smells Like Teen Spirit by NirvanaPassing on: Pata Pata by Miriam MakebaProducer: Ben Mitchell

5:24

Claire Foy

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/01/24

Claire Foy is an actor who’s enjoyed great success playing two queens, one of whom enjoyed a significantly longer reign than the other, as Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth II. Before going to see her in her new film, an adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s fabulous memoir, H is for Hawk - what better way to understand the woman behind the camera lens that hearing the music most important to her.Inherited: When You Were Sweet 16 by Perry ComoPassing on: Blóðberg by Sigur RósProducers: Ben Mitchell and

4:48

Mark Heap

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/01/17

Mark Heap is one of the funniest actors on television - from Green Wing to Friday Night Dinner and his new series opposite Dawn French - Can You Keep a Secret.Born in India to the son of a Methodist minister Mark's early life featured eclectic and majestic music.Inherited: Were You There? by Tennessee Ernie FordPassing on: L'Ascension: IV Prière du Christ montant vers son père, composed by Olivier Messiaen, performed by Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris Producer: Ben Mitchell

5:48

Justin Hawkins

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/01/10

Justin Hawkins founded The Darkness, alongside his brother, bursting onto the scene in 2003 with their debut album Permission To Land.He found fame for his massive five octave vocal range, and the "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" singer now hosts his own online series "Justin Hawkins Rides Again" where he shares his love and passion for music.What then will he share as his Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: There Are More Questions Than Answers by Johnny NashPassing on: Pancho and Lefty by Townes Van

5:32

Emily Watson

Inheritance Tracks ·

2026/01/03

Our Inheritance Tracks this week are the choice of an actor with an astonishing list of theatre, film and television credits to her name, and an array of awards and nominations to match.Here are the Inheritance tracks of Emily Watson. Inherited: Puccini's La Boheme sung by Luciano PavarottiPassing on: Ghost Town by The Specials Producer: Anna Bailey

5:20

Paul Bettany

Inheritance Tracks ·

2025/12/13

You will recognise the BAFTA nominated actor Paul Bettany best as the superhero Vision, the trudging Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale, or maybe as the long suffering surgeon opposite Russell Crow in Master and Commander…a role which saw him learn to play a period accurate cello.But, his familial lineage is full of musical stars and Paul himself was even a busker on the London Underground for a time.What then will he choose for his Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: The Eton Rifles by The JamPassing

6:06

Jacinda Ardern

Inheritance Tracks ·

2025/12/06

Jacinda Ardern, became the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37, she was the youngest female head of government in the world. Since her resignation from the role she has shared her learnings on how the integrate empathy into leadership, written an autobiography, become a DJ, and is part of a new documentary film, 'Prime Minister', charting her time in office. But what will she choose as her Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: Under the Boardwalk by The DriftersPassing on: Hope by Fat

7:13

Chris and Xand van Tulleken

Inheritance Tracks ·

2025/11/29

The identical twins and broadcasting doctors, Chris and Xand van Tulleken, have been helping guide us through the world of medicine for years.From mums and dads on Radio 4's "What's Up Docs?" to children on their hugely popular "Operation Ouch!"What then will they prescribe us to listen to with their Inheritance Tracks.Inherited: Sabre Dance composed by Aram KhachaturianXand - Passing on: Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses Chris - Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert HolmesProducer: Ben

4:58

Jason Donovan

Inheritance Tracks ·

2025/11/22

Jason Donovan first captured hearts our hearts in Neighbours, becoming a household name worldwide, before breaking into the charts and onto the West End stage.What then will he choose as his Inheritance tracks?Inherited: It's Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy JoelPassing on: Life’s What You Make It by Talk TalkProducers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Morgan

6:05

Richard E. Grant

Inheritance Tracks ·

2025/11/15

Richard E. Grant is an the academy award nominated actor and Barbra Streisand obsessive.Growing up in Southern Africa, he harboured a desire to become and actor having seen a resemblance of himself in Donald Sutherland......that is until he first saw Barbra in a cinema in Rome - and she changed his life.Inherited: Who Will Buy performed by Barbra Streisand Passing on: Don't Rain on My Parade by Barbra StreisandProducers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

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