Gyles Brandreth, Sue Perkins

Published: Dec. 19, 2015, 11:14 a.m.

Game show regular and former MP Gyles Brandreth discusses the wonders and curiosities of the English language. Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins reveals how she overcame childhood shyness, how conducting music turned her adult life around, and where she hides smelly cheese. Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth shares his Inheritance Tracks and why he feels that Frank Sinatra followed his lead to New York, New York. Star Wars obsessive Jamie Stangroom searches for the iconic characters and actors that the current episode forgot - Greedo, Jar Jar, the man inside Jabba the Hut's tail. Where are they and can Jamie get them back into Star Wars? And which role did Michael Jackson want to play? We also hear from a professional Christmas tree decorator to the stars of football, music and film. He also does Bethlehem. And when Britain faced rationing after World War Two, Care parcels from America brightened up the lives and diets of many families. Decades later, we bring together a sender and a recipient. Word Play, by Gyles Brandreth, is published by Coronet Hardback books. Spectacles a memoir, by Sue Perkins, is published by Penguin Michael Joseph books. Producer: Paul Waters Editor: Karen Dalziel.