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Alan Bleasdale, the Liverpudlian screenwriter and playwright, is in the spotlight this week as a stage version of his iconic 1980's TV series 'Boys from the Blackstuff' opened at the National Theatre. Born in Liverpool, an only child who first went into teaching, his first public work was 'Scully' for Radio Merseyside, a kind of Liverpudlian Adrian Mole, which he wrote whilst he was still teaching. But it was 'Boys from the Blackstuff' that made him a household name with one of the characters, Yosser Hughes' line 'Gissa job' providing a chant on the stands of his beloved Liverpool Football Club. His work has courted controversy with successive governments, although he says he's not political, only voting for the first time at the age of 38. Now in his late 70's and 40 years on from the original television series, he's back in the spotlight. Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues about his work, phobias and how to tell if you're having a heart attack. CONTRIBUTORS Peter Ansorge, former Script Producer, BBC Drama and Commissioning Editor James Graham, Playwright and Screenwriter Robert Lindsay, Actor Sir Michael Palin, Actor and Author Tony Schumacher, Author and Screenwriter Trevor Stent, former teaching colleague PRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleCREDITS Boys from the Blackstuff, BBC Drama GBH, Channel 4 Scully's New Years Eve, BBC

Ann-Marie Powell, is the exuberant and colourful, garden designer, whose' Octavia Hill 'Garden was one of the eight main gardens in competition at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. After dropping out of college she spent six months travelling in India, Nepal and New Zealand, which inspired her to take up gardening. Attending Capel Manor horticultural college her first job was working in sales for a large nursery. But Ann-Marie's colourful personal style and outgoing personality led her employer to encourage her to apply for a job as a presenter on a TV gardening show. She soon blossomed into a popular gardening show host working with fellow gardeners like Carol Klein, Joe Swift and gardening supremo, Monty Don. In addition to running her own successful garden design business from the home she shares with her husband and two boys, on the Hampshire borders, she feels it's important that everyone should have access to green spaces, no matter where they live. During lockdown her Instagram page 'My Real Garden' was a big hit broadcasting garden tips and advice everyday. CONTRIBUTORS Julian Bundy, Husband Angela Halksworth, Co-owner of Tendercare Nurseries Janet Morgan, Friend Jane Owen, Garden Designer Mark Straver, Founder of Hortus Loci Cleve West, Award-winning Garden Designer Tamsin Westhorpe, Gardener and Horticulture WriterPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson Editor: Bridget Harney Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound: David CracklesCREDITS Gardens, Weeds and Words Podcast - Presented by Andrew O'Brien Real Gardens - Channel 4 RHS National Trust My Real Garden - Ann-Marie Powell's Instagram

You may know her from Play School, Bafta or the House of Lords, Baroness Floella Benjamin doesn’t sit still, she’s even appeared in panto.Stephen Smith hears about the remarkable life of the Trinidad-born actress, TV presenter and author, who campaigns passionately for children and the Windrush generation.CONTRIBUTORS Colin Webb, Publisher, 'Coming to England' Nero Ughwujabo, Senior Strategy Adviser - Equality Diversity and Inclusion, The Prince's Trust Lord Simon Woolley, Principal at Homerton College, Cambridge University Johnny Ball, Children's TV presenter Paul Nicholas, Actor Linzi Beuselinck, Actress Jeremy Swan, Children's TV producer Ros Edwards, TV producerPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Diane Richardso, Drew Hyndman Editor: Tom Bigwood Programme Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound: Neil ChurchillCREDITS BAFTA Aladdin and The Forty Thieves, BBC 1984