The Art of Artists

In this episode, Russell is in conversation with singer Nana Mouskouri. Born on the island of Crete in Greece, Nana began singing at the age of 12 inspired by jazz legends such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. She has gone on to become one of the most famous singers in music history, selling over 300 million records in multiple languages.

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. This episode sees Russell meet British actress Julie Walters. Julie rose to fame with the 1983 film "Educating Rita". Since winning the BAFTA and Golden Globe for her performance she has become a fixture on the big screen, starring in the likes of "Calendar Girls", "Mamma Mia!", "Billy Elliot", and the "Harry Potter" franchise. She has also performed in numerous TV dramas and theatre productions throughout her career.

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull. Faithfull began her music career in 1964 performing folk music at local coffee houses. Her career soon escalated after releasing "As Tears Go By", taking on acting roles, as well as working with The Rolling Stones, but her personal life became fraught with addiction. It wasn't until 1979 that she released her most critically acclaimed album to date, "Broken English". She has since gone on to release numerous albums over the course of her fifty-year career.

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with actor and singer John Barrowman. John's first break came starring as Billy Crocker in Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" opposite Elaine Paige in 1989. Since then he has starred in countless West End productions including "Miss Saigon", "Phantom of the Opera" and "Sunset Boulevard". As well as a successful solo recording career, Barrowman has also made a name for himself on the small screen, playing Captain Jack Harkness in "Doctor Who" as well as the internationally successful "Torchwood".

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with British actress Dame Diana Rigg. Starting her career on the stage as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Diana went on to become a feminist icon of the 1960s when she played the role of Emma Peel in TV series "The Avengers". The same decade also saw her star on the silver screen as a Bond girl in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". She has had continued success throughout her career, winning a BAFTA, a Tony Award and an Emmy, and has most recently featured in hit shows "Doctor Who" and "Game of Thrones".

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with singer Sandie Shaw. Growing up in Dagenham, Essex, Shaw made a name for herself at the tender age of 17 with her first UK No. 1 hit, "(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me". The 1960s saw her tour the world, represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest and even start her own fashion label. Having retired from music in the 1970s, Sandie Shaw returned to recording in the early 1980s and continued to release music and tour in a career spanning over forty years.

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with singer Dame Vera Lynn. Dame Vera Lynn began singing at the tender age of seven and most famously became known as "The Forces Sweetheart" during the Second World War when she performed for British troops with some of her most iconic songs, including "We'll Meet Again" and "The White Cliffs of Dover". She has since enjoyed immeasurable success as she became the first British performer to top the US charts with "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart", had three entries in the first ever UK Singles Chart and became the oldest living artist to reach No. 1 in the UK Album Chart when she reached the top spot at the age of 92 in 2009.

Russell Davies interviews A-list legends of music, art, comedy and film. In this episode, Russell is in conversation with musician Chrissie Hynde. Chrissie is best known as lead singer and songwriter for The Pretenders. They gained critical acclaim with their debut single "Stop Your Sobbing" and went on to have chart success with "Brass In Pocket". From starting her music career writing for the NME, hanging out with members of the Sex Pistols in her spare time, to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde is one of rock's finest front women.