Broadcaster, Nihal Arthanayake will launch his brand-new BBC Radio 5 Live show on Sunday 15th September with an in-depth interview with comedian, Stewart Lee.
Arthanayake will front the new Sunday evening slot from 8pm till 10pm on the station, conducting weekly in-depth interviews with high-profile guests from the worlds of art, books, sport, music, film, comedy and TV.
He kicks his first show off with a bang, as comedian Stewart Lee tells all about his long career in comedy, sharing music with his kids, connecting with a new audience during lockdown and his new upcoming UK tour.
In a recorded interview, which will air on Sunday, Lee also spoke about the importance of an economy that supports creativity: “It’s about creating an economic situation in the country where people can afford to live and have interests, or go to stuff and be influenced by it…
“You can’t really have people forming bands or trying to be a certain sort of stand-up, or the things that take a while to master, if every day they’re worried about how to pay the rent.”
Arthanayake is considered one of the country’s most prolific interviewers, consistently creating the most engaging and fascinating conversations with some of the biggest names in arts and culture. These weekly long-form interviews will also form part of the weekly Headliners podcast on BBC Sounds.
Nihal said: “I’m incredibly excited to have been given my own space on BBC Radio 5 Live to purely do what I love most about broadcasting, in-depth interviews with fascinating people. I want to create something distinct and unique for a new audience on Sunday evenings as well as my podcast. I want both to become a time for my listeners to be inspired and celebrate creativity and culture in all its forms.”
Heidi Dawson, controller, BBC Radio 5 Live, added: “Nihal is an outstanding broadcaster and interviewer, and this new programme gives him the opportunity to showcase the best long form interviews that he is so good at.
“The brilliant Headliners podcast is also going to be supersized – packed with all the interviews from the show plus exclusive unheard extras from the guests.”
