09/11/2011

This week Libby Purves is joined by Arlene Phillips, Max Zachs, Antonio Carluccio and Simon Clothier. Ukulele player Simon Clothier worked in construction on sites including the iconic Wembley Stadium and Olympic 2012 until his musical talent was recognized by his fellow workers. Construction has now been put on hold as he goes on tour with his band in the new year and has a new album out, 'Songs from a Small Guitar', and a single 'Over and Done', which is in aid of the Children's Society. Max Zachs is appearing in the Channel 4 series 'My Transsexual Summer' which follows seven transgender men and women as they come together to share their intimate and on-going experiences of changing gender. Max was born female and three years ago began his physical transition to becoming male. He is also a Reform Jew, attends synagogue regularly, and hopes to enter Rabbinical School to fulfil his goal of becoming Britain's first trans-gender Rabbi. Antonio Carluccio is the much loved and respected Italian food writer, chef and restaurateur. He is appearing in a new series of the campaigning food series 'The Great British Food Revival' on BBC Two and his mission is to revive the fortunes of the British beetroot. Arlene Phillips created the dance group Hot Gossip in the seventies and went on to become a world renowned choreographer for theatre, film, pop concerts and music videos. She was also a judge on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing for six series. She has just published the book 'Dance to the Musicals - the fun way to fitness' and is published by Kyle. Producer: Lucinda Montefiore.