TODAY’S RADIO

PIANO PILGRIMAGE 2.30PM, RADIO 4 EXTRA HHHH

London’s Camden Town, at the turn of the last century, was full of piano-makers. In this first of a fascinating three-part series, Jamie Cullum joins a piano historian for a walk around the old piano quarter. There’s also a chance to hear an archive recording from Chas and Dave, with the late Chas Hodges – that maestro of ‘rockney’ boogiewoogie – thumping away on the old Joanna for a sing-along.

SIDEWAYS 4PM, RADIO 4 HHHH

The US fighter pilot and military strategist John Boyd based his life-and-death decisions on a process called OODA , which stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. It served Boyd well,

Jamie Cullum (2.30pm, R4 Extra) giving him the ability to defeat any opponent in air combat manoeuvring in just 40 seconds. The Prime Minister’s former adviser Dominic Cummings is an admirer of Boyd’s system, but, as Matthew Syed asks in this programme, is this a useful tactic in processes that require co-operation, not annihilation?

FREE THINKING: BREAKDOWN 10PM, RADIO 3 HHH

Horatio Clare was sectioned, committed to hospital and held in a locked ward. The writer and broadcaster has written a memoir called Heavy Light: A Journey Through Madness, Mania & Healing. In this programme, he looks at his difficult journey and the collateral damage his illness inflicted on his family.

TOM MAYHEW IS BENEFIT SCUM 11PM, RADIO 4 HHHH

The comedian Tom Mayhew has a diffident, shambling stage manner, so his gags, which are good, creep up on you. Tonight, in this four-part series that draws on his own experiences, Tom takes us on a rocky journey through the benefits system, starting with an interview at the Jobcentre Plus.