Editor Harry Mount and Supplements Editor Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf discuss the new issue of the Oldie.

In his book, Idle in Provence, Eric Idle looks back at 55 years in his French hideaway. In his interview with Harry Mount, he mourns the terrible loss of 29 nearby houses in the forest fires this summer. And he still doesn't know why the other Pythons aren't talking to him any more. 

Fruity is much moved by Rachael Stirling's new book about her mother, Diana Rigg, and the actor Simon Williams's review of the book. 

And they discuss the theory coined by Oldie rock columnist Mark Ellen - that stars are frozen at the age they become famous. Nigel Planer - Neil in The Young Ones - is much taken with the theory in his article in the new issue.

All in the thrilling October issue!

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

We're not at war, says John - so why waste money that could go to African aid? Russian attacks are increasing - and the Far Right is on the march - across Europe. So we must pay to keep them at bay, says Matthew.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Ian La Frenais tells Harry Mount about his extraordinary writing partnership with Dick Clement that has lasted over 60 years. Starting with The Likely Lads in 1964, they have written Porridge, Lovejoy, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - and The Commitments.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Mary Beard speaking about his new book, Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Julian Lloyd-Webber speaking about his new book, Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Matthew Sweet speaking about his new book, The Great Dictator: A Life of Barbara Cartland, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 8th 2026.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Natalie Livingstone is a writer whose book, The Nuremberg Women, published earlier this year, became an instant bestseller. She’s also chairs the Cliveden Literary Festival, now in its ninth year and coming up in October.  She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the festival and about extraordinary women involved in the Nuremberg trials.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Robert Harris tells Harry Mount about his new historical novel, Agrippa. Agrippa, Emperor Augustus's righthand man, built the Pantheon and won the Battle of Actium. But he was a plebeian - and the ultimate insider-outsider of the Roman Empire.

This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.

Nigel Havers is the well-known actor, renowned for his numerous movies from Passage to India with David Lean to Chariots of Fire alongside his television work.   

He’s been in The Charmer and acted for long stints in Coronation Street, Don’t Wait Up and the very popular The Bidding Room. 

He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest one-man show Talking Bollocks, being in the annual pantomime at the Palladium and much more.

This week’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.