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Categories: Factual: Life Stories

  1. Freedom Song

    The story behind African-American singer Marian Anderson's 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  2. Lost for Words

    Noel Thompson follows the remarkable recovery of stroke victim Nicola Harkin.

    BBC One

  3. The Choir Revisited

    A catch up with Gareth Malone and the choir he took to the World Choir Games in 2006.

    BBC Two

  4. John Curwen and His Moveable Doh

    The story of John Curwen, who devised the tonic sol-fa method of musical annotation.

    BBC Radio 4

  5.

    The Sound Makers

    Paul Gambaccini meets sound engineers James Lock and Geoff Emerick.

    BBC Radio 4

  6. Re-United

    The life story of the late Harry Gregg, former footballing legend.

    BBC One

  7. Ray Gravell: A Wonderful Life

    The story of Ray Gravell, one of Wales' most-loved and colourful personalities.

    BBC Two Wales

  8. Last Days of Tower

    Documentary about the closing of the single remaining deep coal mine in Wales.

    BBC One Wales

  9. Lady Bountiful and the Bluecoat Boys

    Two men attempt to discover more about the woman who bankrolled their secondary education.

    BBC Radio 4

  10. The King of Light Music

    Alasdair Molloy on the composer of the Desert Island Discs theme, Eric Coates.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  11. Jac a Wil

    Rhaglen yn olrhain hanes Jac a Wil Davies. The history of Jac and Wil Davies.

    BBC Radio Cymru

  12. John McDouall Stuart: The Scot Who Opened Up Australia

    Documentary celebrating Australia's greatest inland explorer.

    BBC Two

  13.

    William Burroughs: Nothing Is True, Everything Is Permitted

    Laurie Anderson profiles one of the most original writers and thinkers of the 20th century

    BBC Radio 4

  14. Surviving Suicide

    Sensitive documentary about those whose lives have been affected by suicide.

    BBC One

  15. The Muse of Rose Street

    The story of Stella Cartwright, the muse who bewitched a generation of Scottish poets.

    BBC Radio 4

  16. A Blunt Instrument

    Michael Rosen remembers Wilfred Scawen Blunt, atheist, libertine, adventurer and poet.

    BBC Radio 4

  17. The Egg and I: Betty MacDonald Had a Farm

    Lynne Truss celebrates the centenary of comic genius Betty MacDonald.

    BBC Radio 4

  18. Hovis Has Left the Building

    Mark Radcliffe celebrates the unique and much-loved Bolton poet and comedian Hovis Presley

    BBC Radio 4

  19. How Robin Ince Got His Groove Back

    Comedian Robin Ince asks if his was the last generation of truly obsessed pop fans.

    BBC Radio 4

  20. The Polish Welsh

    Polish people who have moved to Wales tell their stories.

    BBC Two

  21. Scotland's Saint in Waiting

    Denise Mina tells the story of Margaret Sinclair who may become the second Scottish saint.

    BBC Radio Scotland

  22. David Ogilvy: Original Mad Man

    Documentary about pioneering ad executive and self-proclaimed genius, David Ogilvy.

    BBC Four

  23. Martin Luther King: American Prophet

    Oona King goes in search of the real Martin Luther King.

    BBC Two

  24. Abandoned Projects by Alan Plater (Omnibus)

    Playwright Alan Plater talks about the career moves he never made.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  25. Welsh Eye: Philip Jones Griffiths

    The late Magnum photographer Philip Jones Griffiths on locations taht influenced his art.

    BBC Two

  26. The Best Years of His Life

    Patrick Humphries explores the life and career of author Paul Brickhill.

    BBC Radio 4

  27. Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press

    Stephen Fry examines the story behind printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg.

    BBC Four

  28.

    I Don't Know What to Say

    Nick Clarke's widow Barbara Want investigates how we as a society deal with bereavement.

    BBC Radio 4

  29. Nigel Balchin: The Small Back Room Boy

    DBC Pierre reassesses the work of writer and scientist Nigel Balchin.

    BBC Radio 4

  30. Ex-Forces and Homeless

    Ken Hames takes to the streets to find out why so many ex-soldiers are homeless.

    BBC One

  31. The Holy Show

    Documentary using unseen footage to tell the story of Father Michael Cleary.

    BBC One Northern Ireland

  32. Amy: My Body for Bucks

    Documentary which follows Amy Hall, a full-time drama student, single mum and lap dancer.

    BBC Three

  33. Child Stars

    Documentary which follows three youngsters who want to see their names in lights.

    BBC Three

  34. Page Three Teens

    Documentary following Chelsea White, a teenager considering a career as a Page 3 girl.

    BBC Three

  35. The Bard of Salford

    Paul Morley profiles Manchester punk poet John Cooper Clarke.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  36. Fever: The Music of Peggy Lee

    With contibutions from k.d.lang, Nancy Sinatra, Leiber and Stoller and Quincy Jones.

    BBC Four

  37. Armando Iannucci

    Dave Batchelor plays sketches from TV comedian Armando Iannucci's time at the station.

    BBC Radio Scotland

  38. Virgin Memories

    Celebrities and members of the public recall the truth about the moment they lost it.

    BBC Two

  39.

    The Bond Correspondence

    Lucy Fleming embarks upon a quest to discover more about her mysterious uncle Ian.

    BBC Radio 4

  40. Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go

    Documentary about a school for children with extreme behavioural and emotional problems.

    BBC Four

  41. Abortion: The Choice

    An uncompromising, timely and honest look at modern abortion.

    BBC Two

  42. The Homecoming

    The story of a Kosovan immigrant who has chosen to return home after nine years in the UK.

    BBC Radio 4

  43. When Doddy Met Ricky

    Tattyfilarious comic Ken Dodd chats to actor Ricky Tomlinson about his life and times.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  44. The Wall of a Million Bricks

    David Holmes puts music to the stories of people across the divide in Northern Ireland.

    BBC Radio Ulster

  45. Class of '62

    Film-maker Marilyn Gaunt meets up with her classmates from secondary school.

    BBC Two

  46. With A Little Help From My Friends

    The story of Brian Epstein during his hectic, turbulent years of managing The Beatles.

    BBC Radio 4 Extra

  47. Painted Babies: Growing Up

    A look at what happened to two girls from a 1995 documentary about child beauty pageants.

    BBC Four

  48. Graham Hill: Driven

    Portrait of the eccentric, charismatic British motor racing legend, Graham Hill.

    BBC Four

  49. Tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton

    A tribute to the late jazz great and broadcasting legend, Humphrey Lyttelton.

    BBC Radio 2

  50. Boxing Is Fighting Back

    The story of a wayward teenager whose life was straightened out through boxing.

    BBC Radio Wales

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