In a special recording for The Oldie, Maureen Lipman tells the sad tale of Elsa's Dad, based on a real story told to her by a fellow actress.

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

They gossip about her wild night in Manhattan with old friend Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City – and wonder why authors aren't as glamorous as they used to be.
What makes for the best book covers? Fruity talks about the joy of working for Virago, who made the glorious green jackets, with the ideal paintings to match. And why do all covers now seem to have a man in a suit loitering on a street corner or running down a dark alley?

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

Kathy Lette burst onto our scenes as the exuberant and hilariously outspoken Australian novelist with Puberty Blues when she was just 17. With 20 more novels to her name since then, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her move to Britain, her marriages, sex and relationships, raising an autistic son and her latest novel The Sisterhood Rules which is underpinned by her determination to boost older women’s confidence and encourage and promote female solidarity.

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

Pru Leith speaking about her new book, Being Old... and Learning to Love It!, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Irelands Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.

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

The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.

Robert Hardman speaking about his book, Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. Her Inside Story, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.

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

The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.

A N Wilson speaking about his book, The Wise and Their Works: The Great Exhibition of 1851, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.

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

The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.

Andrew Gailey speaking about his book, The Lost Imperialist: Lord Dufferin, Memory and Mythmaking in an Age of Celebrity, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.

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

Christopher Sykes, author of Hockney: The Biography, tells Harry Mount what the late, great painter was really like and why his pictures were quite so captivating.

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