Chris Patten speaking about his memoir, The Hong Kong Diaries, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London's National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.Radio Oldie

Robert Bathurst, star of Cold Feet and Toast of London, is playing Jeff Bernard in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell in Jeff’s old haunt, the Coach & Horses. He tells Harry Mount what a sublime writer Bernard was.Radio Oldie

Edward Stourton has worked in broadcasting for over 40 years and was a presenter on Today for many years. He continues to present BBC Radio 4 programmes like Sunday and The World at One. He’s also been a foreign correspondent for Channel Four, ITN and the BBC and has written several books, including his recent memoir, Confessions, is now out in pap…

Kenneth Cranham CBE is a Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor. His most notable screen roles were in Oliver!, Up Pompeii, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Chocolat, Layer Cake, Gangster No. 1, Hot Fuzz, Maleficent and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.Radio Oldie

William Boyd is a British novelist, short story, writer and screenwriter. Between 1980 and 1983, Boyd was a lecturer in English at St. Hilda's College, Oxford and it was while he was there that his first novel, A Good Man in Africa (1981) was published. He was also a television critic for the New Statesman between 1981 and 1983. Boyd was appointed …

Sir John Ronald Leon, 4th Baronet (born 16 August 1934), known professionally as John Standing, is an English actor. Standing is best known for roles in the 1955 production of Titus Andronicus starring Laurence Olivier and his wife Vivien Leigh, and for leading parts in many plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Private Lives with Maggi…

Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder. Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succ…

Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder. Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succ…

Listen to Sam Leith on The Haunted Wood, A History of Childhood Reading. Sam was speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 10th December 2024. Sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.Radio Oldie

Gyles Brandreth: Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries & 7 Secrets of Happiness & Prose & Cons: The English Language in Just a Minute.Radio Oldie

Stephen Fry speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 10th December on his latest book Odyssey. The lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.Radio Oldie

Thomas Pakenham, 91, tells Harry Mount about his new book, The Tree Hunters. From the 17th century to the 19th century, British daredevils headed across the world to bring back seeds for arboretums back home. Among them was David Douglas, who brought back the Douglas Fir - and was gored to death by a wild bull in Hawaii in 1834. Thomas also recalls…

John Suchet is an English author, television news journalist and presenter of classical music on Classic FM. He is a huge fan of Beethoven, writing 8 books on the composer. Suchet's journalistic career began when he worked as a graduate trainee at the Reuters news agency in 1967 and later joined the BBC News a sub-editor for the Nine O'Clock News f…

​Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie. Don Black is one of England's best-known lyricists, famous for Diamonds Are Forever and other James Bond theme tunes that he wrote with John Barry.…

Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry – Oldie Lead in his Pencil Award. By Quentin Letts Cartoonist Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry says that, during his decades on Fleet Street, his duty has been to make news pages brighter ‘by putting in a laugh’. Ever-modest Mac, 88, undersells his genius. His drawings in the Daily Sketch, Daily Mail and, to this day, the Mail on Sunday have…

Nanette: "I had my 90th a few weeks ago. I woke up one morning and I didn’t feel 90 at all... I felt more like 104! It was one of those awful mornings with bills and all those terrible things that come in the mail. One of the other things in the mail was a letter from Gyles saying I was going to get this award. I was thrilled. I’m a big fan of the …

Manette Baillie, Oldie Flying Angel of the Year By Harry Mount This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver. At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 13,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk. Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do we…

"Short speech. Short script. Act 1. Old. Act 2. Old fart. Act 3. Dead. Somewhere lurking between the acts The Oldie magazine, these awards... What an honour, thank you. I’m really overwhelmed. It’s great. Cut." Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Photos by Neil Spence PhotographyRadio Oldie

"I just want to say thank you for the remarkable account of what I’ve done and so on and so forth and how marvellous are all the people here." Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Photo by Neil Spence PhotographyRadio Oldie

"I’ve got a little thing written down... I feel very embarrassed. I’m very honoured to receive this but it's also strange to me to be here, as a poor working class kid from South London. I can only thank my grandma. She taught me everything. She taught me to write a diary, to scrapbook, the art of collecting things, to say the alphabet backwards. A…

Hugo Vickers speaks to Harry Mount about his latest book on Clarissa: Muse to Power, The Untold Story of Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon. Our podcasts are sponsored by Baillie Gifford.Radio Oldie

Dame Jacqueline Wilson tells The Oldie Literary Lunch how she wrote her first-ever sex scene. Think Again is her first adult book. The Oldie Literary Lunch took place on 12th November 2024 at The National Liberal Club, sponsored by Kirker Holidays and photos by Neil Spence photography.Radio Oldie

Beethoven expert John Suchet tells The Oldie why he has written his eighth book on Beethoven and why this story is personal to him. The Oldie Literary lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on 12th November 2024, sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence.Radio Oldie

Listen and watch Bendor Grosvenor talking about The Invention of British Art at The Oldie Literary Lunch 12th November 2024. The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence Photography.Radio Oldie

Craig Brown, the funniest man alive, tells Harry Mount about his latest book A Voyage Around The Queen. Listen here. The Oldie podcast is sponsored by Baillie GiffordRadio Oldie

Listen to Leslie Caron, aged 93, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf. Multi-award winner Leslie Caron was born in 1931 and is a French and American actress and dancer. Leslie is best known for her role in Gigi.Radio Oldie

As Americans go to the polls, listen to Antonia Fraser on taking a dip in the White House pool with President Kennedy – in Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume. In March 1962, Antonia Fraser and her husband, Conservative MP Hugh Fraser, dropped in on President Kennedy at the White House. They joined him for a dip in the White House pool - and Antonia …

Listen to Griff Rhys Jones in conversation with Harry Mount. Regular contributor to The Oldie, Griff Rhys Jones is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and television presenter. He starred in a number of television series with his comedy partner, Mel Smith.Radio Oldie

War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie. Listen to Kenneth reciting Disabled by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944. Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Layer Cake in 20…

War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie. Listen to Kenneth reciting Dulce Et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944. Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Laye…

50 years after the Lord Lucan murder, click here to listen to Algy Cluff talk about his memories of Lucan – and the grisly truth about who killed the family nanny, Sandra Rivett. On 7 November 1974, Lord Lucan vanished without a trace. Listen here to Algy Cluff in conversation with Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie. Algy, whose real name is John Gor…

Pam Ayres recounted poetry that slipped off her tongue. It is no wonder that she is one of Britain's most famous poets. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.Radio Oldie

Our most loved and famous cricket commentator tells The Oldie Literary Lunch on 22nd October 2024 about his love of the game and his worry for the future of cricket and the T20 franchise. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography…

Headlines were made as ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman aged 88 broke into tears as he remembered foraging for food in the war. The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.Radio Oldie

The Oldie magazine sponsored The Dorchester Literary Festival which ran for several days in the beautiful and historic market town. Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, interviewed Giles Wood and Mary Killen, Britain's most favourite couple. Listen here to what they had to say.Radio Oldie

At 92, the Oldie's new columnist, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, has written a new book, Patchwork Pieces. She tells Harry Mount all about Guy Fawkes – and the sex life of Louis XVI and Marie AntoinetteRadio Oldie

At 80, Anne Robinson tells Harry Mount about facelifts, drinking and Robert MaxwellRadio Oldie

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Nature guru Philippa Forester spent years in America with bears and wolves. She now returns to the UK writing about Wild Woman and told The Oldie Literary Lunch about her journey. The Literary Lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on Tuesday 13th August, kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne. Recordings b…

Architect Paul Davis known as Mr Chelsea addressed The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 13th August 2024 at The National Liberal Club about his latest book, available to buy at RIBA, called 'Mr Chelsea: A Life in Rock n' Roll & Architecture From The Kings Road To Toyko'. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Am…

Absolutely Fabulous Helen Lederer spoke The Oldie Literary Lunch on 13th August 2024 about her biography Not That I'm Bitter. The audience was in stitches as she spoke candidly about sex, fame and being a woman. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne and recordings by Tom Assheton.…

Dame Zandra Rhodes brought colour to The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 speaking to the audience about her biography Iconic. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Neil Spence and recordings by Tom Assheton.Radio Oldie

Ingrid Seward, Royal biographer and Editor-in-chief at Majesty magazine, addressed The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 about King Charles III and his mother, with royal scoops and revelations, revealing that Princess Diana and Charles HAD been in love. Listen here! The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photograph…

Helen McGinn, wine host of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One, speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 about her latest novel Island of Dreams and all things wine. Photographs by Neil Spence Photography and the lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Recordings by Tom Assheton.…

Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie. Pattie Boyd was the instantly recognisable ingenue face of the Sixties, photographed by David Bailey, Terence Donovan and many more. She was catapul…

The Oldie hosted a Literary Lunch in Salisbury at The Guildhall on Tuesday 11th June to raise money for the Salisbury Samaritans, a charity we closely support. The lunch was sponsored by our friends at Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Our guest speakers were Katie Hickman, Linda McDougall and Rev Richard Coles. Richard Coles is an English writer, rad…

The Oldie hosted a Literary Lunch in Salisbury at The Guildhall on Tuesday 11th June to raise money for the Salisbury Samaritans, a charity we closely support. The lunch was sponsored by our friends at Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Our guest speakers were Katie Hickman, Linda McDougall and Rev Richard Coles. Linda McDougall is a New Zealand-born j…