RADIO CHOICE

BORN in Wisconsin in 1919 and christened Wladziu Valentino, Liberace was the son of musicians — his father played French horn, but took labouring jobs to make ends meet, and his mother was once a concert pianist. At the age of 20, Liberace (pictured) made his debut as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and went on to become the highest-paid performer in the world. His style — in clothes, in interior design and in piano playing — was lavish and exuberant. The archive programme A HANDFUL OF KEYS (RADIO 4 EXTRA, 6.30AM, 1.30PM, 8.30PM) gets an airing on the centenary of Liberace’s birth.

DO YOU know what to do to help someone who is having an anxiety attack? JEREMY VINE (RADIO 2, 12 NOON) will be sharing advice and taking calls

from those who suffer from anxiety attacks, as well as from their friends, families or partners. Relationships expert Barbara Want is also on hand for this special show marking Mental Health Awareness Week.

TOWARDS the end of her reign, Victoria increasingly depended on her attendant Abdul Karim. She considered Abdul a friend, but his influence caused resentment at court. For today’s instalment of her intriguing series ENCOUNTERS WITH VICTORIA (RADIO 4, 1.45PM), Lucy Worsley looks at ‘the Munshi’ and the Queen.