TODAY’S RADIO

The Supercalculators

11AM, RADIO 4

Robert Fountain is a supercalculator who can do complex problems in his head. He won the first-ever Mental Calculation World Cup in 2004, winning it again in 2006. Robert was at this year’s contest, held in Wolfsburg in Germany, to see some of his fellow big-brainers in action. Alex Bellos – who is no slouch when it comes to the sums – met Robert there, and they talked about the way their brains deal with problems. Countdown’s Rachel Riley is also on the programme to share tips on how you can beat the Countdown clock.

With My Little Eye

2.15PM, RADIO 4

Siobhan Redmond plays a Prime Minister who has only just taken office, but knows enough not to trust the British spy network. Concerned that a vulnerable Russian dissident is not getting enough protection, she appoints a veteran spook, Bob

A Good Read

4.30PM, RADIO 4

The comedian and actor Ben Miller and the comedy writer Danny Wallace pick two suitably amusing books to discuss with Harriett Gilbert: A.A. Milne’s Winnie-ThePooh, and George and Weedon Grossmith’s The Diary Of A Nobody.

Gossip From

The Garden Pond

4.30PM, RADIO 4 EXTRA

Julian Rhind-Tutt plays a tadpole – known by his mates as ‘the Tadmeister’ – who has a great time of it, hanging around in a garden pond and refusing to grow up. Alison Steadman plays a dragonfly, sure of her beauty and in need of a mate, who hovers over the same pond. They share their metamorphic thoughts in this first of three tales, written and introduced by Lynne Truss.

Jo Whiley & Simon Mayo

5PM, RADIO 2

Richard Ashcroft, the former guitarist and lead singer of The Verve, is on today’s drivetime show. Richard, who now has a successful solo career, will be talking about his new album, Natural Rebel. He will also play a live session of songs from the album, as well as a Back To Where It Began track.

Rachel Riley (11am, Radio 4) Trench (Pip Torrens), to the job. But Trench finds himself in a dilemma that could cost him his career.