Ruth Madeley was born in Westhoughton, near Bolton, and studied English and creative writing at university. She always wanted to work in the entertainment industry and thought that her path lay in scriptwriting. She was born with spina bifida and, as an ambulatory wheelchair user, Ruth just didn’t see herself represented on screen

However, a work experience placement at the BBC led to an unexpected audition. And Ruth fell in love with acting, the moment she joined the set. 

In 2016, she was BAFTA nominated for her leading role in Don’t Take My Baby, a factual drama about a disabled couple’s fight to keep custody of their newborn daughter. And the stage and television roles that followed, include the Russell T Davies drama Years and Years.

Most recently, Ruth is back on our screens in the BBC’s biggest drama, Doctor Who. A show that’s just celebrated its 60th anniversary, with three special shows.

In this conversation, Ruth chats to Jon about her unexpected move into acting, the roles and the writers who've had a big impact on her career, and her own role as a spokesperson for inclusivity.

Related links:

Whizz Kidz

Ruth's documentary for Channel 4: Disability & Abortion

Jack Thorne's Snowcast interview

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Dan Schreiber was born in Hong Kong, grew up in Sydney, and moved to England at the age of 19.

Once here, Dan was hired as a researcher on the BBC panel show QI. And it was a job that Dan was born to do - one that combined his love for facts and comedy.

In 2008, Dan launched The Museum of Curiosity on BBC Radio 4 and, after that, came No Such Thing As A Fish - a hugely popular podcast that's clocked up more than 500 episodes and been downloaded 470 million times.

Last year, Dan turned his forensic brain to the fringes of history - taking a voyage into the world of the weird with his book The Theory Of Everything Else. He believes that, if you dig deep enough, nearly everyone holds a batshit belief. And he now encourages people to open up, and share their own, in We Can Be Weirdos. A chart-topping new podcast in which Dan speaks to scientists and historians, as well as guests from the world of entertainment.

In this fun and freewheeling conversation, he chats to Jon about his unconventional childhood, the mentors who helped shape his career, and the weird stories that get his brain whizzing.

Related links:

Kary B Mullis

The Ghostbuster: Dan Aykroyd and His Close Encounters 

Dan's forthcoming children's book

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Liz was born in France, grew up in Ireland, and studied biochemistry and wildlife biology at university.

She has since travelled the world studying animal behaviour. And her documentaries include Drowning in Plastic, Galapagos and Should We Close Our Zoos? Liz is also part of Our Changing Planet, a seven-year-project for the BBC, visiting vulnerable habitats - to chart changes and the fight to save our most threatened ecosystems.

Her latest BBC series - Liz Bonnin’s Wild Caribbean - returns to the region that shaped her childhood, and inspired Liz to explore the natural world. Along the way, we meet rare dolphins, enormous crocodiles, brightly coloured birds, and giant spiders. As well as the conservationists showing ingenuity and determination in their efforts to protect native species and habitats.

In this interview, Liz chats to Jon about how she ended up with her "dream of a job", some of the incredible - and endangered - wildlife she has encountered along the way, and the conservationists whose passion and work help her remain positive.

Related links:

Liz pictured at the Caroni Swamp & with the Union Island Gecko

Liz's website

COP28

What Planet Are We On? with Liz Bonnin (a podcast series)

Secrets Of The Jurassic Dinosaurs (another documentary available on the BBCiPlayer)

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