Podcasts & Specials

The Lady Haig Poppy Factory is staffed entirely by injured veterans who between them produce every Scottish poppy plus wreaths for remembrance events around the world. On Wednesday 30th October Mark McKenzie joined the staff to present the BFBS Scotland Breakfast Show live from the factory, hearing many of the stories from the staff and the importance of the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Former RAF Regiment Gunner, Corporal Stuart Robinson MBE is representing Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby.

Stu found wheelchair rugby after sustaining life changing injuries, when his vehicle hit an IED on a routine patrol near Camp Bastion with 15 Squadron, RAF Regiment.

His team won Gold at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, and now he is Vice Captain of the team for this Paralympics.

George Ryland had a chat to him before he headed to Paris, about his journey and how much the RAF Benevolent Fund, of which he is now an Ambassador, has supported him.

Kam and Danni chat to Joe Thomas, star of the Inbetweeners, about his experiences with the forces, his stag and hen do helpline PLUS find out what happened to him when he was on Simon Bird's, Will from the Inbetweeners, stag do!

SAS Rock star Chris Ryan’s is a No1 Bestselling author and he’s got a new book out called Traitor.

For those who don’t know story ….. Chris became an SAS legend after taking part in the infamous Bravo 2 Zero mission during the Gulf War in 1991.

He was the only member of that unit to escape from Iraq the rest were all either captured or killed. For his part - he was awarded the military medal and a place forever in the regiments Hall of Fame…..

Mark McKenzie caught up with England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson in depth about his mental health struggles plus he gives advice for those looking to start a career in rugby and touches on how he feels about that World Cup winning moment!
If you or anyone you know is suffering with mental health then help is available, check out bfbs.com/mentalhealth

Wing Commander Jacqui Wilkinson is a survivor of sexual abuse and has written a book called ‘Turning the Tables on Trauma' which is about how she overcame the trauma in an attempt to help others who have been through a similar situation.

She is also a part of the Defence Mental Health Wellbeing Network and chats to Natasha Reneaux about how it helps the military and also about her new book.

If you’ve been affected by this story you can visit our website bfbs.com/audience-support  

Richard Hatch speaks to Mark 'Billy' Billingham MBE, ex SAS Sergeant Major, and DS of Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Find out about his time in the Forces together with his experience as a personal bodyguard to some high rated celebrities and of course making the must watched TV show.

Billy chooses the tunes that have meant something to him over his career, and you'll find out what makes him tick. 

Richard Hatch speaks to Mark 'Billy' Billingham MBE, ex SAS Sergeant Major, and DS of Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Find out about his time in the Forces together with his experience as a personal bodyguard to some high rated celebrities and of course making the must watched TV show.

Billy chooses the tunes that have meant something to him over his career, and you'll find out what makes him tick. 

George Ryland chats to Andy McNab about the new online community we-served.com and also his career as a bestselling author.

Professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing Judge Anton Du Beke is on tour with his new show 'An Evening with Anton De Beke and Friends' and Natasha Reneaux caught up with him to find out what we can expect, with some laughs along the way...

Returning for its 5th year and set against the backdrop of the iconic Silverstone racetrack, the National Transition Event held by the charity Mission Motorsport is an annual Armed Forces community movement; a coming-together of service leavers, veterans and family members that features the UK’s largest Armed Forces transition event and the Troops’ Track Day.

Captain Dale Dye is a decorated Marine who served in the Vietnam War and is now a military film advisor. He's worked on Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Platoon and, of course, Masters of the Air to name a few.

Natasha Reneaux spoke with him about his military career, getting into the film industry, his approach on set and more!

Listen again to our Burns Night special on BFBS Radio as Jess Bracey and Gemma-Leigh share stories from around the forces world, are joined by some special guests, play Scottish quizzes and more! PLUS, can you get a vegetarian option for haggis?

It’s safe to say that Alan Turing was a genius; his codebreaking brain saved the lives of around 14 million people in WW2. We’ve already had a movie about Alan’s life called ‘The Imitation Game’, but now we’ve got a musical! 

George & Ben talked to the composer and producer of ‘Alan Turing: A Musical Biography’, Joel Goodman.  

Danni G and Simon Hunter chat to comedian Jimmy Carr. Listen as Jimmy talks about planning his shows, military audiences, heckling at shows, the effects of AI and more PLUS, find out if there are any topics he will shy away from!

Double gold Olympic medallist Dame Kelly Holmes has opened up about hiding her sexuality for more than 30 years in her new book.

‘Unique – A Memoir’. In this BFBS interview with presenter Amy Casey, Dame Kelly also shares her thoughts following the UK Government's apology to LGBT veterans and of bringing change.

Listen again to the highlights from our Halloween special which sees a team from BFBS get involved in a paranormal investigation at Sulgrave Manor in Banbury - the ancestral home of George Washington!

Ed Boon is an American video game programmer, voice actor, director and creator of the Mortal Kombat games which span more than 30 years!

Danni G, from BFBS, spoke to Ed about the brand new game, the franchise, nostalgic gaming and more!

Danni G chats with music comedian Jonny Awsum - an award winning comedian, Britain's Got Talent semi finalist and host of the Podcast 'The Blue Coat Diaries'.

James Wharton speaks with Luke Turner, the author of Men at War. The book looks beyond the increasingly retrogressive and jingoistic ideal of a Britain that never was to recognise men of war as creatures of love, fear, hope and desire. From writers, filmmakers, artists and ordinary men – including those in his own family – Turner assembles a broad cast of characters to bring the war to life.