BBC Radio 4

Dame Jenni Murray, best known for presenting BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour from 1987 to 2020, has sadly died at the age of 75.

Mohit Bakaya, Controller, BBC Radio 4 and Director of BBC Speech Audio has paid tribute tribute to Dame Jenni.

“Jenni Murray was a formidable voice in British broadcasting who was warm, fearless and beloved by listeners,” he said.

“During her decades at Woman’s Hour, she helped shape the national conversation with intelligence, rigour and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. Jenni leaves an indelible legacy on generations of listeners.

“We are profoundly grateful for her outstanding contribution to Radio 4, and she will be deeply missed.”

Having presented well over 1,000 episodes of the much-loved BBC Radio 4 series, Melvyn Bragg has made the decision to step down from In Our Time following the series which aired earlier this year

Read more via @bbcpress ➡️ bbc.in/3K0J2RE

Remembering writer and producer, Bill Dare.

Julia McKenzie, Comedy Commissioner for BBC Radio 4: “ I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news and my thoughts are with Bill's wife, family and friends. Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows.
 
“Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing. He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you’d see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show. Dead Ringers was on air over many momentous political events, including several general elections and Brexit, which always necessitated writing overnight, and every time he nailed the comedy but also the emotional dimension which made a lot of his satire so powerful. He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky. I’ve known and worked with him for 18 years and like many I can’t believe he has gone, he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.” 
 
Richard Morris, Creative Director of Comedy and Entertainment at BBC Studios Audio: “Bill was a legendary figure in the comedy world and we, his friends and colleagues in radio will miss him hugely. Not only did he create and develop so many of Radio 4’s most popular comedy shows from The Now Show to Dead Ringers, but he was also a great source of creative encouragement to so many new writers and performers who he supported taking their first steps in the industry. We’ll miss the sharp wit and wisdom he brought to every production he worked on.”

Our thoughts are with Bill’s family and friends.

Bill Dare 1960-2025

As we wrap up our Shipping Forecast day, have you ever taken a wind down with the Sleeping Forecast instead?

Listen along to a soothing blend of classical and ambient music from BBC Introducing artists interspersed with excerpts of the iconic Shipping Forecast from Radio 4.

Have you ever wanted to know how we record the Shipping Forecast?

Well, Viji Alles, one of the many famous voices in the Radio 4 Continuity team, takes us behind the scenes and even lifts the lid about some of the funny things you'll find in the studio!