Today’s radio choice

Tales from the Caspian Sea RADIO 3, 6.45PM

Historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes takes us into the rich and mystical history of the region around the Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed body of water on Earth, which borders five countries (Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan). She considers the area as the home of Zoroastrianism, explores the history of Azerbaijan, and travels to archaeological sites in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains, where new discoveries are being made which may reshape our understanding of ancient cultures and religions.

Mrs Hudson’s Radio Show RADIO 4, 7.15PM

Barry Cryer and his son Bob present a two-part comedy inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories at 221b Baker Street. Based on the book Mrs Hudson’s Diaries, written jointly by Cryers junior and senior, it’s a “portrait of life below stairs” at Baker Street, which entertainingly fleshes out the character of Mr Holmes’s housekeeper with silliness, slapstick and even some help with the business of solving mysteries. Mrs Hudson is played by Patricia Hodge, while Bob Cryer is Lestrade, Miriam Margoyles is Mrs Brayley, and Barry Cryer is… “Harry Fryer”.