SUSAN JEFFREYS’ Radio Week

And The Academy Award Goes To SATURDAY, 10.30AM, RADIO 4 The quest to turn The Lord Of The Rings into a film proved too great for many, but one man held fast. Paul Gambaccini tells the story behind the multi-Oscarwinning The Return Of The King.

Archive On 4: Bent Coppers SATURDAY, 8PM, RADIO 4 Harry Challoner was a war hero and a member of the Flying Squad, with a reputation for taking liberties with the law. In this archive programme about police corruption, Jake Arnott hears how Challoner’s career was destroyed by a brick.

Poetry Please SUNDAY, 4.30PM, RADIO 4 Gillian Clarke, the former National Poet of Wales, picks some fine poems by her countrymen Dylan Thomas and R.S. Thomas, as well as a powerful poem about mothers and daughters called The Pattern.

Curious Under The Stars MONDAY-FRIDAY, 10.45AM, 7.45PM, RADIO 4 A stranger arrives in the mysterious village of Glan Don, sited on the edge of reality, high on a Welsh cliff. Paul Rhys stars in this new series of the weird and funny sitcom.

Crash Course TUESDAY, 11PM, RADIO 4 Marcus Brigstocke, Josie Lawrence, Mark Watson and Kirsty Wark swot up on a given subject, then get a grilling on it, in a comedy panel show that pulls off the trick of being both funny and informative.

Fall Of The Shah WEDNESDAY, 1.30PM, 11.05PM, BBC WORLD SERVICE The Shah sits in his deserted palace while beyond its once magnificent gardens, his realm falls to pieces. This epic drama series tells the story of the last days of his reign and the rise of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Friday Night Is Music Night FRIDAY, 8PM, RADIO 2 Beverley Knight brings the audience at the London Palladium to their feet in this concert in which the sparkling star belts out some of Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits.

ARCHERS UPDATE

Some of us may have trudged unwillingly up the dismal path leading to The Laurels, but others have been skipping to the so-called ‘care home’ on other business. This week, Jill reveals to Peggy just what she was up to on her visits to Christine; then, Jill is shocked when she finds out a truth that’s been hidden from her.

There are more shocks to be had at the increasingly echoey Lower Loxley when Lily and Russ make an unexpected return, and Lily drops a bombshell. Over in Grundyland, the anniversary of Nic’s death casts a shadow, while Susan goes snooping round at the Aldridges’, and finds an emergency. Meanwhile, Alan wonders what Ambridge might give up for Lent. Perhaps dubious trips to The Laurels should top his list?