TODAY’S RADIO

Simon Mayo

5PM, RADIO 2

Wildlife expert Chris Packham has written the foreword for a new book called Natural Wonders Of The World. It’s stuffed full of amazing photographs of volcanoes, ice sheets, coral reefs and other such phenomena, and includes an account of the geology that caused these wonders to form, as well as the strange flora and fauna that live in their extreme conditions. Chris joins Simon to talk about the book and his adventures.

The Moral Maze

8PM, RADIO 4

Abortion is still a crime, under the 1967 Abortion Act, unless certain conditions are met. The British Medical Association wants to decriminalise all abortions, whatever the circumstances, while anti-abortion groups campaign for the repeal of the 1967 Act. A debate on the matter will be held in front of an audience of students; listeners will be able to continue the debate on the Radio 4 website.

The Road To Rock ’n’ Roll

10PM, RADIO 2

Bing Crosby liked money, and insisted on being paid upfront and in cash. In all other matters, he was an easy-going guy who had, in Louis Armstrong’s words, a voice ‘like gold being poured out of a cup’. The newly-perfected condenser microphone, which brought about the rise of ‘crooners’, suited Bing’s relaxed bass-baritone perfectly. Elizabeth McGovern, a lifelong Crosby fan, presents this programme on the singer.

The Strangeness Of Memory

10.45PM, RADIO 3

Claire had the nightmare experience of waking up one day without a functioning memory. A viral infection had caused this profound loss. In this programme, part of a week-long series on memory, neuropsychologist Catherine Loveday, who has helped Claire with this ongoing trauma, talks about what life is like when you can only live in the present.

The Chitlin’ Circuit

11PM, RADIO 2

Cerys Matthews concludes her series on the venues that black artistes, including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, could perform in during the years of segregation in America.

Elizabeth McGovern (10pm, R2)