"Taking the time to look back at some of the extraordinary things that have happened in my life for In My Own Words has been really enjoyable and thought-provoking.

"Some of the archive I’d not seen before and watching snippets of those past times, places, styles and struggles brought home how lucky I am.

"Being able to spend the day in the first house I ever owned brought back so many memories… I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it!" — Tom Jones

Published: May 22, 2025 -- Ranging from Britain’s biggest voice Sir Tom Jones, to novelist, journalist and author of The Day of the Jackal, Frederick Forsyth, visual artist Yinka Shonibare, celebrated crime writer Val McDermid and contemporary artist Cornelia Parker, the series will bring BBC audiences closer than ever before to the careers and life stories of some of the country’s leading cultural figures.

Made up of intimate first-person testimony and archive, the series of single films showcases great arts stories combined with real psychological revelation.

Tom Jones said: “Taking the time to look back at some of the extraordinary things that have happened in my life for In My Own Words has been really enjoyable and thought-provoking. Some of the archive I’d not seen before and watching snippets of those past times, places, styles and struggles brought home how lucky I am. Being able to spend the day in the first house I ever owned brought back so many memories… I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it!”

Yinka Shonibare said: “I found seeing the images of my past life amusing, surprising and emotional. The past is never quite as one imagines it to be.”

Val McDermid said: “I’m so accustomed to living my life forwards — the next book, the next festival, the next gig, the next holiday — so this opportunity to look back was a welcome change. It recalled people and places with an unexpected vividness that I hope communicates itself to the viewers.”

Frederick Forsyth said: “Having spent my career telling other people's stories, I now find myself in the unusual position of subject rather than storyteller. It has reminded me of the incredible luck I have had, the fork in the road moments, and the deep gratitude I feel for having been part of it.”

Cornelia Parker said: "Looking back at my younger self was at times comic and surreal. My voice was posher, I was undaunted, intrepid even, better looking and somewhat thinner….."

Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor for BBC Arts, said: “I’m delighted that we are coming back with a second series of a strand that has firmly established itself, celebrating some of the country’s greatest cultural figures. In My Own Words shows us the myriad paths that the creative life can follow – from a farming childhood to conceptual art, cold war journalism to blockbuster thriller writing, the Welsh Valleys to superstardom – and the remarkable combination of talent and tenacity that goes into making art.”

• Britain’s biggest voice, Sir Tom Jones, reflects on his extraordinary life and stellar career in song in this intimate and heartfelt interview. Featuring rare, unseen archive footage and visits to places that play a big part in his story, it’s a moving portrait of a national treasure as Tom looks back on the joy and pain of life and loss.

• A rare insight into British Nigerian multi-disciplinary visual artist Yinka Shonibare’s life and work, this thought-provoking and often emotional documentary takes the viewer deep into Yinka’s world. Through extensive personal testimony and archive footage, much of which Yinka has never seen before, the film explores his inspirations and influences, as well as the events and forces which have shaped his life.

• The "Queen of Crime" Val McDermid reflects on her colourful writing career with unapologetic honesty and a black sense of humour. Opening up about the real-life inspirations behind her award-winning novels, which have sold twenty million copies around the world, Val looks back at some of her most iconic characters - from the psychological profiler Tony Hill to the tenacious cold case cop Karen Pirie.

• In this candid and compelling film, legendary British thriller writer Frederick Forsyth looks back on his extraordinary life as a witness to history and a master storyteller, whose truth is often just as gripping as his fiction. Author of such iconic novels as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File and The Dogs of War, Frederick revisits becoming the youngest ever RAF pilot, a foreign correspondent, BBC reporter, and MI6 informant.

• One of Britain's best loved and most acclaimed contemporary artists, Cornelia Parker, reveals herself as a painter for the first time as she works towards a new exhibition. Through personal archive, alongside her masterpieces, this intimate film explores Cornelia’s own emotional and unconventional journey to becoming an artist.

Production credits:

In My Own Words: Tom Jones is a BBC Studios Music production for BBC Arts. It was directed by Andy Dunn and executive produced by Alison Howe. The commissioning Editor for BBC Arts is Mark Bell.

In My Own Words: Yinka Shonibare is a Cheshire Cat Productions film for BBC Arts. It was Directed by Suzannah Wander, and the Director of Production was Cathy Haslam. The commissioning editor for BBC Arts is Mark Bell.

In My Own Words: Frederick Forsyth is an Orchard Studios production for BBC Arts. It was Directed by four-time BAFTA winner Ben Anthony, Edited by Toby Clarkson and Executive Produced by Nat Lippiett and Dan Grabiner. The commissioning editor for BBC Arts is Mark Bell.

In My Own Words: Val McDermid is a Firecrest Films production for BBC Arts. It was Produced and Directed by Linda Sands, Edited by Jude Suggett and Executive Produced by Mick McAvoy. The commissioning editor for BBC Arts is Mark Bell

In My Own Words: Cornelia Parker is a Chalk Productions production for BBC Arts. It is directed by Charlie Melville and Executive Produced by Victoria Holden and Kira Phillips. The commissioning editor for BBC Arts is Mark Bell.

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