20 Questions With

Britain's most famous classicist, Dame Mary Beard, takes us on a journey through her life and career, offering insights and anecdotes along the way. What would the Romans have been like on X?  Should we pass moral judgements on those who lived thousands of years ago? Does being a classicist make you a better person? Does she see herself as an outsider? Who's her favourite Roman woman? Is it possible to touch the past? Does she empathise with those who died in Pompeii? What is civilisation? Over the course of almost an hour, Dame Mary reveals how she reacted to being insulted by AA Gill, reflects on being attacked on social media, gives her verdict on the rise of AI, discusses recovering the voices of the ordinary from ancient history, explains how she got into Classics, emphasises why the subject matters, and champions the ongoing translations of ancient texts. This is a chance to hear from a world famous figure who has managed to combine being a serious academic with an ability to communicate to millions. 

The veteran broadcaster reflects on a career that led him to become a presenter on the BBC's flagship Today programme, and one of Britain's most famous interviewers. He explores the impact growing up in a Cardiff slum had on his later life, reveals what has motivated him in his work, and shares his views on politicians. Humphrys also looks ahead to the BBC's future, predicts the end of the licence fee and, despite describing a "slight liberal bias" at the corporation, insists BBC News is to be trusted. 

Expert in bushcraft, TV presenter and writer Ray Mears explains his love of nature, his fascination for human history, and the ways in which he uses his skills to become at one with his environment in the wild - both in Britain and beyond. 

Impressionist, pianist, poet and star of The Big Impression Alistair McGowan takes us behind the scenes of his career. Along the way he does impressions of Louis Theroux, Harry Kane, Raymond Blanc, David Hockney, Alan Bennett, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Skinner, Richard Madeley, Alan Shearer, Jo Brand, Dara Ó Briain, Monty Don, Gareth Southgate, Ronnie Corbett, Sven-Göran Eriksson, John Bishop, David Beckham, Ian McKellen, Martin O'Neill, Alan Hansen, Philip Mould, John Major, John Smith, Paddy Ashdown, Gordon Brown, John Parrot and Mikel Arteta.

The Private Eye editor and star of Have I Got News For You on how to debate populists, the fluctuating fortunes of satire, the state of Britain, what he thinks of Keir Starmer, the role of social media in politics, the tone-setting of Donald Trump, the nature of the England Test team, life outside work, and the success of his wife, best-selling author, Victoria Hislop.