Midweek: Diverse Conversation

Libby Purves is joined by Linda Hope, daughter of comedian Bob, parfumeur Jean-Claude Ellena, entrepreneur Dave Fishwick, who set up his own bank, and Ken Rijock, a former money launderer who now helps banks and governments to find money launderers.

Libby Purves is joined by Frank Partnoy who is a former Wall Street trader who is currently Professor of Law and Finance at the University of San Diego. A self-confessed procrastinator, he reveals in his new book Wait- The Useful Art of Procrastination the science behind our decision-making disasters and successes; the former British javelin thrower and multiple medal winner Fatima Whitbread who has just published 'Survivor' an autobiography; Dr Chris Bird who is a journalist-turned-paediatrician and composer Mark-Anthony Turnage who has teamed up with the charity Music in Prisons to create a piece of music with inmates from HMP Lowdham Grange.

Libby Purves meets artist Derek Boshier; writer/curator Rachel Lichtenstein; film maker Rebecca Thomas and garden designer Matthew Childs who survived the 7/7 London bombings.

This week Libby Purves is joined by 60s singer Frank Ifield, Alistair Campbell, Tommy Robert - Mr Freedom, and the Diva of Magic, Romany.

This week Libby Purves is joined by seahorse expert Amanda Vincent, Carmen Bugan, who grew up under the Ceausescu regime in Romania, theatre director Lucien Bourjeily and author Lynda La Plante.

This week Libby Purves is joined by actor Samantha Spiro, urban bee-keeper Steve Benbow, record producer Robin Millar and businessman Simon Jordan.

This week Libby Purves is joined by actor Jack Lowden; Bernard Lynch, a former Catholic Priest; Bobby Teale, a former associate of The Krays; and sculptor Sophie Dickens.

This week Libby Purves is joined by actor and comedian Omid Djalili; 'Chyna' who was in a girl gang but now helps others to escape that life; travel writer Brian Jackman; and folk musician Tim Edey.

Libby Purves is joined by journalist Angela Rippon; fashion photographer Jim Lee; Marian Partington whose sister Lucy was found to one of the victims of Rosemary and Fred West and In her book, ‘If You Sit Very Still’, she explores the territory of traumatic loss, and the restoration of the human spirit and musician & song writer Vusi Mahlasela.

This week Libby Purves is joined by bat expert Dr Rodrigo Medellin; filmmaker Hannah Rothschild; playwright Michael Ashton; and former diplomat Sir Roger Carrick.

This week Libby Purves is joined by food writer Ruth Joseph; musical theatre star Maria Friedman; BBC documentary maker Michael Cockerell; and grandson of Agatha Christie Mathew Prichard.

This week Libby Purves is joined by Olympian turned adventurer, James Cracknell; actor and children's author, Susannah Corbett; lawyer Nick Freeman aka Mr Loophole; and chef Gennaro Contaldo.

This week Libby Purves is joined by Dacre Stoker, great great grand-nephew of Bram Stoker; Barry Briggs, former 4 time World Speedway champion; actors Roberta Taylor and Peter Guinness; and bridge maker Richard La Trobe-Bateman.

Libby Purves is joined by Dick Robinson who has published his great aunt's diaries from the First World War;Greg Doran who is the RSC's Artistic Director designate;broadcaster and presenter Sir Trevor McDonald and Lord and Lady Fitzalan Howard who live at Carlton Towers, near Selby in Yorkshire and feature in a new series about stately home owners who open their doors as a corporate and wedding venue.

This week Libby Purves is joined by composer and arranger Barbara Moore; Falklands veteran Tony Banks; writer and journalist Donald McRae; and artists Gavin Turk and Deborah Curtis.