On the Radio Seven days Today

Breakthrough: The Race For The Covid Vaccine

World Service, 9am

Dr Kevin Fong speaks to the scientists who created a coronavirus vaccine in a matter of months. He looks at what their efforts mean for people all around the world, and asks when our lives will finally be able to return to normal.

Monday Vanessa Feltz Radio 2, 4am

New Year, new start. Vanessa kicks off 2021 at the earlier time of 4am, meaning there’s an extra hour of her early-breakfast show. There’s Pause For Thought, Postcards From The Road and plenty of great music.

Tuesday

Free Thinking

Radio 3, 10pm

Tartan Noir author Denise Mina joins American literature expert Sarah Churchwell and presenter Matthew Sweet to discuss Mildred Pierce, James M Cain’s 1941 novel, and its successful adaptations as a film noir and 2011 TV mini-series.

Wednesday

Rylan Clark-neal

Radio 2, 2pm

Rylan sits in for Steve Wright all week. He’ll be playing great music old and new, chatting to guests and bringing the latest showbiz news.

Thursday

Elephant In The Room Radio 4, 6.30pm

Sarah Millican’s hit panel show returns, using surveys on subjects from childhood to cheese to discover who is the most Maverick Matilda. Guests include Susan Calman, Shazia Mirza, Kirsten O’brien and Nick Mohammed.

Friday

Iggy Confidential

6 Music, 7pm

The Stooges front man spins tracks from acts including Idles, Jimi Tenor and The Vacant Lots, as well as cuts from his featured album by The Gun Club.

Saturday

Sounds Of The 60s

Radio 2, 6am

Veteran presenter Tony Blackburn presents tracks from the Swinging Sixties.