392: Andrew Lownie in conversation with Harry Mount
On Radio Oldie, Prince Andrew's biographer, Andrew Lownie, talks to Harry Mount. His new book Entitled - The Rise and Fall of the House of York is a number one bestseller. It reveals how Prince Andrew, the late Queen's favourite, was disgraced by his greed for money and sex.
36m Aug 23, 2025
36m
391: Fay Maschler in conversation with Harry Mount
Fay Maschler, the restaurant critic, tells Harry Mount about 53 years of reviewing restaurants. The Evening Standard critic for 48 years, she is now Tatler's critic. She reveals London's greatest restaurant - and explains why 1987 was the year that changed the British eating landscape for ever.
38m Aug 15, 2025
38m
390: John Lloyd in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
John Lloyd is a multi-award-winning television and radio producer. He is the creator of Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder,  Spitting Image, QI, The Museum of Curiosity and much more.  In 2011 was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting.
40m Jul 31, 2025
40m
389: Rachel Kelly in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Rachel Kelly is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and mental health advocate, who has just published her new book The Gift of Teenagers, recently serialised in the Daily Mail.  A former Times journalist, Rachel has been named one of the UK’s top five mental health influencers and is an official ambassador for the mental health charities Rethink Mental Illness and SANE.
30m Jul 31, 2025
30m
388: Helen Lederer in conversation with Harry Mount
Helen Lederer tells Harry Mount about a life in comedy. A stand-up comedian at the Comedy Store, she has starred with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ben Elton and the late Rik Mayall, . And she excelled as Catriona, the dim Sloane in Absolutely Fabulous.
40m Jul 28, 2025
40m
387: Sarah Sands in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Sarah Sands is a well-known journalist. She edited Readers’ Digest, the Sunday Telegraph and the Evening Standard before becoming editor of Today, BBC Four’s flagship news programme. Recently she abandoned her career in exchange for a quieter, more fluid life and has written three books about monasticism, faith and inner peace.  She also now organises pilgrimages. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf...
30m Jul 21, 2025
30m
386: Philippa Langley at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Philippa Langley speaking about her new book, The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
13m Jul 16, 2025
13m
385: David Hepworth at the Oldie Literary Lunch
David Hepworth speaking about his new book, Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
14m Jul 16, 2025
14m
384: Lucy Moore at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Lucy Moore speaking about her new book, Christopher Gibbs: His World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
12m Jul 16, 2025
12m
383: Mary Kenny in conversation with Harry Mount
Oldie columnist and Irish writer, Mary Kenny, tells Harry Mount about her 60 years in journalism. She salutes her old boss, the novelist Edna O'Brien, and remembers her time leading the Irish Women's Liberation Movement. And she reflects on her biography of Lord Haw-Haw, the Nazi propagandist.
50m Jul 14, 2025
50m
382: Nicky Haslam in conversation with Harry Mount
On Radio Oldie, writer, designer and singer Nicky Haslam does a perfect Truman Capote impression. He recalls meeting Marilyn Monroe and Cole Porter. He reveals Diana Cooper's recipe for a good party – 'Too much to drink and a chocolate pudding.' And he explains why the Sistine Chapel is common.
37m Jul 07, 2025
37m
381: Mark Ellen in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
As we head towards the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13th July, Charlotte Metcalf talks to the writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen, then a hugely successful editor of magazines like New Musical Express and Time Out, Mark was plucked from The Old Grey Whistle Test to be one of the main television anchors on the concert.  He looks back at a phenomenal event and how it changed our attitudes to roc...
40m Jun 30, 2025
40m
380: Tracy Chevalier at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Tracy Chevalier speaking about her new book, The Glassmaker, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
15m Jun 26, 2025
15m
379: Sinclair McKay at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Saint Petersburg: Sacrifice & Redemption in the City that Defied Hitler, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
10m Jun 26, 2025
10m
378: Anne Sebba at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Anne Sebba speaking about her new book, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
13m Jun 26, 2025
13m
377: Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, has lived at Belvoir Castle for nearly 25 years, transforming it into a going commercial concern and a comfortable home for her five children. On the eve of her oldest daughter’s wedding, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her book, The Accidental Duchess, her podcast and her sense of duty and commitment to keeping Belvoir a thriving concern for the next generation.
35m Jun 23, 2025
35m
376: James Holland in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
James Holland is an eminent historian who specialises in the Second World War and has numerous books, television programmes and a podcast to his name.  He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the forthcoming Chalke History Festival, which he co-founded in 2011, originally to raise money for a cricket pavilion.  Chalke is now the biggest history festival in the world and James tells us what to expec...
34m Jun 16, 2025
34m
375: Bruce Beresford in conversation with Harry Mount
Bruce Beresford, director of Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy, tells Harry Mount why films have got too long - and what made his great friend Barry Humphries such a comic genius
30m Jun 09, 2025
30m
374: Nicholas Coleridge in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Nicholas Coleridge, awarded a Knighthood in 2022 for services to Museums, Publishing and the Creative Industries, has had a long career at the helm of Condé Nast, followed by ten years at the Victoria and Albert Musuem. Recently installed as Provost of Eton, Charlotte Metcalf talks to him about his new role and they look back over his extraordinary career in fashion, publishing and journalism d...
40m Jun 02, 2025
40m
373: Graydon Carter in conversation with Harry Mount
Graydon Carter, editor of Air Mail and former editor of Vanity Fair, tells Harry Mount about his memoir, When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines. He talks about his greatest scoop – revealing who the real Deep Throat was in the Watergate scandal – and how he nicknamed Donald Trump the 'short-fingered vulgarian'.
34m May 23, 2025
34m
372: Marks & Gran in conversation with Harry Mount
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are one of our finest TV screenwriting partnerships. They tell Harry Mount about their shows Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart - and why Donald Trump would be perfect for an American version of The New Statesman.
35m May 19, 2025
35m
371: Theo Fennell in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Theo Fennell is one of Britain’s most renowned jewellers, having made his name in the eighties by attracting a new generation, including numerous rockstars and celebrities, to his colourful jewellery and witty silver pieces like the silver Marmite lid.  Following a 2007 exhibition of his jewellery at the Museum of Mankind on Burlington Gardens, Theo became a champion of and spokesperson for his...
47m May 12, 2025
47m
370: Sir Trevor McDonald at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Sir Trevor McDonald speaking about his new memoir, On Cricket, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
14m May 08, 2025
14m
369: Adam Nicolson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Adam Nicolson speaking about his new book, Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
12m May 08, 2025
12m
368: Angela V John at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Angela V John speaking about her new book, Behind the Scenes: the Dramatic Lives of Philip Burton, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
11m May 07, 2025
11m
367: Tom Hodgkinson in conversation with Harry Mount
Tom Hodgkinson tells Harry Mount about his industrious 32 years as editor of The Idler magazine. He talks about idling, his hero, Dr Johnson, and his upcoming books on the Stoics and Socrates.
35m May 02, 2025
35m
366: Kate Summerscale at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Kate Summerscale speaking about her new book, The Peepshow: the Murders at 10 Rillington Place, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
13m Apr 28, 2025
13m
365: Andrew Pierce at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Andrew Pierce speaking about his new book, Finding Margaret: Solving the Mystery of my Birth Mother, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
13m Apr 28, 2025
13m
364: Sandy Nairne at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Sandy Nairne speaking about his new book, Titan of the Thames: the Life of Lord Desborough, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
8m Apr 28, 2025
8m
363: Loyd Grossman in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Loyd Grossman is the writer, author, broadcaster, television presenter and cultural campaigner. He has served on and chairs numerous boards including the Royal Society of Arts, the organisation he currently chairs, which he sees as pivotal in restoring a sense of enlightened optimism to Britain. He tells Charlotte about his upbringing in America, his career in television and magazines, his book...
28m Apr 21, 2025
28m
362: Nicole Farhi in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Nicole Farhi is a household name as a fashion designer, having helped found French Connection with Stephen Marks before setting up her eponymous fashion and homeware brand with a popular concept store at 202 Westbourne Grove.  Now she’s turned her back on fashion to sculpt and has a new exhibition, J’Accuse, at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing.  It comprises 24 of her signature small painted busts, o...
24m Apr 08, 2025
24m
361: Lynn Barber in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Lynn Barber, frequently nicknamed ‘the Demon Barber’, is one of the most multiple award-winning, respected and formidable interviewers and writers of her generation.  She tells Charlotte Metcalf about her upbringing, which was the subject of the 2009 film An Education starring Carey Mulligan as Lynn, and how it shaped her ability to ask those probing - sometimes combative - questions for which ...
40m Apr 07, 2025
40m
360: Roger Lewis in conversation with Harry Mount
Roger Lewis tells Harry Mount about his new book on Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor – and about the genius and sheer oddness of Peter Sellers, on his centenary.
31m Mar 31, 2025
31m
359: Elisabeth Luard, Oldie Cookery Correspondent, on Substack, a new way to publish your articles and make money
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Elisabeth Luard, The Oldie's cookery correspondent, shows how you can make money out of your own Substack column.
48m Mar 27, 2025
48m
358: How to write a travel feature with William Cook, Oldie Theatre Critic
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, William Cook, The Oldie's theatre critic, gives you the ideal essay plan for a travel feature.
59m Mar 27, 2025
59m
357: How to write a review with Sam Leith, the Spectator’s literary editor
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Sam Leith, Literary Editor of The Spectator, talks about how to get a book review and how to write it properly.
57m Mar 27, 2025
57m
356: How to write a column with Mary Kenny, Oldie columnist
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Mary Kenny, Oldie columnist and a journalist for 60 years, explains how to make columns fresh and gripping.
40m Mar 27, 2025
40m
355: Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, on the Do’s and Don’ts of journalism
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library on 13th March 2025, Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, reveals his tips on how to pitch articles to magazines and newspapers.
37m Mar 27, 2025
37m
354: Simon Williams in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Simon Williams tells Charlotte Metcalf about playing Major Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs, and starring in The Archers. He and his wife, Lucy Fleming, play her parents, Peter Fleming and Celia Johnson, in Posting Letters to the Moon
32m Mar 24, 2025
32m
353: Roger McGough in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Roger McGough was one of the Liverpool or Mersey Poets alongside Brian Patten and the late Adrian Henry.  Today he’s known as the ‘godfather of modern poetry’ and continues to present BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please, a role he’s held since 1979. He’s an OBE and CBE, the last awarded in 2004 for Services to Literature. On Radio Oldie he talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book of The Collect...
30m Mar 17, 2025
30m
352: Ben MacIntyre at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Ben MacIntyre speaking about his new book, The Siege: the Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
14m Mar 13, 2025
14m
351: A. N. Wilson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
A. N. Wilson speaking about his new book, Goethe: His Faustian Life - the Extraordinary Story of Modern Germany, a Troubled Genius and the Poem that Made our World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
9m Mar 13, 2025
9m
350: Hugo Vickers at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Hugo Vickers speaking about his new book, Muse to Power: the Untold Story of Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
11m Mar 13, 2025
11m
349: Charles Moore in conversation with Harry Mount
Charles Moore tells Harry Mount how Margaret Thatcher became Conservative leader 50 years ago - and how she got on with the Queen. Lady Thatcher would have been 100 on October 13th this year. In September, Charles Moore will publish The Authorised Biography of Margaret Thatcher: Single-volume Centenary Edition.
39m Mar 09, 2025
39m
348: Matthew Norman in conversation with Harry Mount
Matthew Norman, the Oldie’s Grumpy Old Man columnist, tells Harry Mount about creating the nickname ‘Mandy’ for Peter Mandelson – and Mandy’s outraged reaction. And he recalls meeting Bernard Manning – and his favourite Bernard Manning gag.
37m Mar 03, 2025
37m
347: A. N. Wilson in conversation with Harry Mount
Britain’s greatest man of letters, A. N. Wilson, tells Harry Mount about the genius of Goethe, the decline of the Church of England and his addiction to journalism.
43m Feb 24, 2025
43m
346: Ben Okri in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Sir Ben Okri, the Booker Prize-winning author and poet, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book, Madame Sosotris and the Festival for The Broken Hearted, and his collection of African stories for Everyman.  He talks to her about being broken hearted, how the Booker Prize changed his life, being homeless and the acclaimed poem he wrote in response to the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as ...
28m Feb 15, 2025
28m
345: Victoria Hislop at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Victoria Hislop speaking about her new book, The Figurine, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.
13m Feb 12, 2025
13m
344: James Stourton at the Oldie Literary Lunch
James Stourton speaking about his new book, Rogues & Scholars: Boom and Bust in the London Art Market, 1945-2000, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”
8m Feb 12, 2025
8m
343: Liz Hodgkinson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Liz Hodgkinson speaking about her new book, A Mink Coat in St Neots, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”
7m Feb 11, 2025
7m