Gerard O'Donovan

Gerry O’Donovan recommends a week of radio programmes and podcasts spanning music, football, drama, history, comedy writing, science, technology, classical performance and pets. Highlights include coverage of the Isle of Wight festivals on The Reunion, a drama of Midnight Cowboy, programmes about Sally Beamish and Mitsuko Uchida, an exploration of synthetic biology, and a discussion of digital money and cryptocurrencies. The selection also features live music from Malta and the BBC Proms, including performances by Altın Gün and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

A weekly guide recommends radio programmes and podcasts spanning political comedy, classical music, crime statistics, international affairs, celebrity interviews, travel, rehabilitation, literature, food culture and artificial intelligence. Highlights include an alternate-history comedy about Cherie and Tony Blair, Berlioz and Elgar performances at the BBC Proms, investigations into falling crime and the decline of Pride events, Amy Poehler’s interview podcast, a Route 66 road trip, and programmes featuring Sebastian Faulks and Pope Leo XIV’s views on AI.

A day-by-day guide recommends notable BBC radio programmes, podcasts, concerts and special broadcasts for the week of 25–31 July 2026. Highlights include Michael Sheen presenting The Folk Show, Roger Deakins appearing on Desert Island Discs, a documentary about Glasgow’s Govanhill Baths, programmes on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the international rules-based order, medical research at Guy’s Hospital, the geopolitics of space, climate change as a national-security threat, and a celebration of The Strokes’ album Is This It.