This revealing and trailblazing biography show allows two well-known celebrities per episode to open up about their private and professional lives to each other.
 
Thanks to the series’ innovative style, audiences are given a rare chance to witness some of the world’s most talented entertainers talking face-to-face – with no studio audience or chat-show host, conversations are more honest and uninhibited than ever before. From the much loved Stephen Fry talking with Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, to a heart-to-heart between illusionist Derren Brown and film composer Hans Zimmer, Living the Life offers personal access to celebrities on the top of their game for surprisingly intimate one-on-one conversations.

Tales from childhood, early careers, successes and failures all combine to reveal how their journeys through wealth and fame have shaped their lives. Breaking from the conventional interview style, Living the Life grants unparalleled access to some of the world’s most popular and lively personalities across the arts, cinema, theatre, literature, music, sports, fashion and politics.

Series 1

Episode 1: Stephen Fry & Bill Wyman
Steven Fry, much loved actor, presenter, writer and activist speaks to Rolling Stones rock legend, the bassist Bill Wyman.

Episode 2: Lord Melvyn Bragg & Joanna Lumley
Lord Melvyn Bragg, British broadcaster, author and close friend of Tony Blair speaks with the Absolutely Fabulous and Wolf of Wallstreet actress and human rights campaigner Joanna Lumley.

Episode 3: Leslie Phillips & Robin Gibb
Leslie Phillips, an actor well known for his roles in the classic Carry On films has a heart to heart with the late Bee Gees vocalist Robin Gibb.

Episode 4: Dylan Jones & George Lamb
Dylan Jones, editor of the fashion magazine GQ joins English actor and radio talk-show presenter Larry Lamb to talk showbiz and Shakespeare.

Episode 5: Fay Weldon & Caitlin Moran
The 80-year-old trailblazing author Fay Weldon talks to the 36-year-old feminist columnist Caitlin Moran about men, women and work.

Episode 6: Brigitte Nelson & Britt Ekland
This episode brings together the Danish 80s actress and music star Brigitte Nielsen (Beverley Hills Cop, Rocky Series) with Britt Ekland, Swedish actress, Bond girl and former wife of Peter Sellers.

Episode 7: Sir Ian Botham & Sir Tim Rice
Renowned cricketing icon, sports commentator and fundraiser, Sir Ian Botham sits down with Sir Tim Rice, the famed lyricist behind The Lion King, Jesus Christ Super Star and Aida as well as his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Elton John.

Episode 8: Lord Sebastian Coe & Gary Newbon
Olympic champion and figurehead of the 2012 Olympic Games, Lord Sebastian Coe speaks with Gary Newbon, one of Britain’s best loved sports reporters.

Episode 9: Sir Peter Blake  & Ken Russell
Film director Ken Russell, who worked with British rockers The Who on Tommy and directed the acclaimed Women in Love. He speaks to Sir Peter Blake, the British pop artist and album cover creator for Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band.

Episode 10: Charles Dance & Paul McGann
This epsode features two cult classics! Prodigious actor Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Jewel in the Crown) has a one-on-one with Paul McGann of Doctor Who and Withnail and I.

Episode 11: Cilla Black & Daniel O'Donnell
Liverpool actress, 60’s singing sensation and adored TV presenter (Blind Date, The Moment of Truth) Cilla Black speaks to Daniel O’Donnell, the Irish singing phenomenon and philanthropist.

Episode 12: Howard Marks & Peter Stringfellow
Two dashing businessmen from the world of Britain’s glamous nightlife: Oxford-educated international drug smuggler and author Howard Marks sits down with Peter Stringfellow, sucessful nightclub owner and ‘King of Clubs’.

Series 2

Episode 1: Nicholas Evans & James Nesbitt
Eminent writer of The Horse Whisperer, Nicholas Evans, shares animated stories of his childhood with the television and movie star James Nesbitt (The Hobbit, Millions, Jekyll)

Episode 2: Anna Friel & Brenda Fricker
Award-winning actresses Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) talks with Oscar winner Brenda Fricker (Home Alone 2) in this poignant and rewarding episode.

Episode 3: Timothy West CBE & Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone shares stories about the ‘speech of his life’ in the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings. Timothy West, star of numerous Shakespeare productions and acclaimed director, describes his theatrical childhood.

Episode 4: Dame Monica Mason OBE & Sir Derek Jacobi CBE
These two heavyweights of the arts reveal intimate stories interwoven around legends such as Rudolph Nureyev and Richard Burton.

Episode 5: John Hurt CBE & Sir Alan Parker CBE
Praised for his recent role in the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, John Hurt talks candidly to the renowned director, writer and actor Alan Parker.

Episode 6: Steven Berkoff & Martin Kemp
Controversial East-end Jewish actor Steven Berkoff has a passionate and hard-line talk with 80s pop legend and actor, Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp.

Episode 7: Des O'Connor CBE & Alan Davies
In this episode, veteran entertainer Des O’Connor and BAFTA-winning comedian Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek) share their common ground.

Episode 8: Mary Quant OBE and Alexandra Shulman OBE
Fashion legend Mary Quant and respected writer and long-term editor of Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, share stories of lives spent at the forefront of the fashion world.

Episode 9: Alan Yentob & Sir Salman Rushdie
BBC executive and producer Alan Yentob sits down with uncompromising Indian novelist Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses, Midnight Children and many other astonishing works.

Episode 10: David Bailey CBE & Tim Marlow
The photographer David Bailey, renouned for his portraits of Mick Jagger and Kate Moss talks with art historian Tim Marlow, director of exhibitions at The White Cube gallery, discuss creative influences.

Series 3

Episode 1: Dave Stewart and Elliot Gould
53 years after Elliott Gould made his Hollywood debut and acted in over 160 films he sits down with music marvel, Dave Stewart.

Episode 2: Susan George & Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay has proven time after time that he can conquer any role from famous BBC sitcom My Family to Shakespeare. He sits down in this episode with acclaimed British actress Susan George.

Episode 3: Gareth Edwards & Matthew Rhys
Matthew Rhys’ acting career spans the globe. He recently returned to the UK for the BBC series Death Comes to Pemberly. He interviews with legendary rugby player and commentator Gareth Edwards.

Episode 4: Hans Zimmer & Derren Brown
This conversation brings together the acclaimed, Oscar award winning German composer of over one hundred popular  films, Hans Zimmer, with the illusionist Derren Brown.

Episode 5: Marianne Faithful & Ian La Frenais
Marianne Faithful, ex-girlfriend of Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, singer, songwriter and actress talks with acclaimed comedy writer Ian La Frenais (The Likely Lads and Porridge).

Episode 6: Lord Jeffery Archer & Sir Donald Sinden
Lord Jeffery Howard Archer, former politician and best-selling author sits down with Shakespearean actor Sir Donald Sinden.

Episode 7: Andrew Lloyd Webber & A.R. Rahman
Composer and producer A.R. Rahman is known worldwide for his unique sound and multicultural style. He joins Andrew Lloyd Webber, the world’s most successful composer of musical theatre.

Episode 8: Elaine Paige & Twiggy
Elaine Paige is known for her powerful musical voice. Having stormed the West-End and toured the world, Elaine shares laughter and memories with style icon Twiggy, the world’s first supermodel and ‘The Face of 66’.