Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer confirmed Kirsty Young’s first podcast as part of a raft of new commissions for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds during a speech at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer conference, with shows hosted by some of the country’s best known names.

The distinctive, wide ranging content led by Kirsty Young, Helena Bonham-Carter, Mary Beard and Martha Kearney will add to the unique mix of programming offered by Radio 4, Network Station of the Year, to its ten million listeners, both on air and on demand on BBC Sounds.

From ancient Rome to an ambitious partnership with The National Portrait Gallery and stories from the unsung war heroes of the Second World War, the content will inform, delight and captivate audiences.

In her brand new podcast Kirsty Young asks; if we knew then what we know now, what would we tell our younger selves? The legendary broadcaster will explore the life stories of some of the world’s most prominent figures through a series of in-depth conversations. The podcast is due to launch on BBC Sounds in the coming year and is produced by BBC Audio, and will be broadcast on Radio 4.

Kirsty Young says: “Conversation is at the heart of being human and this extraordinary new era of podcasting is its perfect home. I’m really looking forward to in depth exchanges with my guests, exploring the landscape of their early lives and how it’s shaped the person they’ve become. From the turning points to the tragedies and triumphs… What happened to us is why we are who we are. I’m looking forward enormously to sharing those life stories with listeners.”

Charlotte Moore says: “I’m so delighted to welcome Kirsty back with her debut podcast for BBC Sounds and Radio 4. What a treat this will be, and such a fascinating way to understand more about the people who shape our world. It’s our audiences that ultimately benefit from us having more opportunities to create world class content through podcasts, which can also enhance our on air schedules, allowing us to tap into the best creative ideas and work with the best talent.

“Nowhere other than Radio 4 would listeners find such a range of distinctive speech audio. Our commitment to building rich live schedules as well as a captivating on demand offer is evidenced by these ambitious commissions, fronted by this esteemed line up of brilliant talent who will each bring their passion and expertise to our listeners in their own unique way.”

The National Portrait Gallery and BBC Radio 4 are coming together to mark the re-opening of the transformed Gallery this summer. Presented by Martha Kearney, ten significant British figures including Arlo Parks, Edward Enninful, Dame Katherine Grainger, and Sir Paul Smith will come face to face with ten portraits they have chosen from the Gallery's extensive collection that mean something to them personally, to explore both the sitter and the painting. And they’ll sit for their own portrait, too. A ten part series from BBC Audio Production.

Mary Beard re-creates the lives of six people to give us a vivid portrait of the world of the Roman Empire in BBC Radio 4’s Being Roman. The series unearths some of the lesser known voices and stories of Ancient Rome as well as shedding new light on a couple of big names, offering a rich understanding of 'being Roman' and revealing some surprising connections with our own world. A six part series from BBC Audio Bristol.

Narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, new BBC Radio 4 podcast History’s Secret Heroes recounts the extraordinary stories of some of the most fascinating unsung heroes from the Second World War. Their tales may not have always made the headlines or the history books, but their bravery and courage helped defeat fascism. A ten part series from BBC Studios.