91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 will shine a light on cultural landmarks, comedy greats and screen legends in a series of insightful and entertaining documentaries to be broadcast over the next 12 months.

Bob Shennan, Controller of Radio 2 and 91Èȱ¬ 6 Music says: "Radio 2 is one of the 91Èȱ¬'s pillars of public service broadcasting, and I am immensely proud of our distinctive documentary output this year – which offers a rich and diverse menu across the cultural and creative spectrum.

"All of our documentaries will be highlighted within our daytime schedule, guaranteeing further exposure of these programmes to millions of listeners across the network."

Michael Sheen celebrates David Frost's role at the centre of popular culture in Sixties Britain and America in Hello, Good Evening, Welcome – The David Frost Story, which transmits on 9 June at 10pm as part of Radio 2's Sixties Season.

Frost talks to the British actor who portrayed him recently on the big screen and friends and former colleagues, including Sir Michael Parkinson, Ronnie Corbett and Robin Gibb, give their verdict on the great survivor of television.

On 15 June at 10pm, Radio 2's World Cup season kicks off with Ain't Gonna Play Sun City. Steven Van Zandt (guitarist in Springsteen's E Street Band, actor in hit show The Sopranos and composer of anti-apartheid song Sun City) looks back at the role music and musicians played in the anti-apartheid movement.

Sing When You're Winning, on 16 June at 10pm, features Barnsley FC's resident poet Ian McMillan, who explores the rich history – and wild variety – of chants and songs that have echoed around British football grounds since the late 19th century, in this fascinating one-hour documentary.

Contributors range from New Order's Peter Hook, Three Lions writer Ian Broudie and former poet laureate Andrew Motion, to former footballing legends Mark Lawrenson and Lee Dixon. Former referee Graham Poll – who famously booked a player three times during the 2006 World Cup – explains how it feels to receive personal abuse from a baying crowd and Liverpudlian star Gerry Marsden reveals why You'll Never Walk Alone was adopted at Anfield.

A two-part series telling the colourful story of Glam rock begins on 29 June at 10pm, hosted by Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet.

The Glory Of Glam explores the fascinating relationship between Marc Bolan and David Bowie, the leaders of the gang who fuelled the flamboyant creation of Glam, and discovers why their influence is still being heard in many of today's new bands.

Contributors include David Bowie, Tony Visconti, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Noddy Holder, Mike Chapman, Rick Wakeman, Angie Bowie, Steve Harley, Antony Price, Mick Rock, Iggy Pop and archive interviews with Marc Bolan.

Bill Kenwright's Golden Years gives one of the West End's most prolific theatre producers the opportunity to talk passionately about his favourite songs from the late-Fifties and early-Sixties. Opening on Tuesday 13 July at 11pm, this 10-part series takes a leisurely look at the best-loved singers of this glorious period.

Bill comments: "My Golden Years are from Bill Haley in 1955 to the Beatles in 1963. It was the first time we had music that we could call our own. I grabbed it and held it close to me and I've never let it go. I'm Radio 2's biggest fan and it's a privilege to be part of the network."

Revealing the stories behind generations of laughter, July's Comedy Season will explore the lives and careers of Peter Sellers, Bob Monkhouse and Tommy Cooper, rediscovering the distinctive humour of the comics who defined an era.

Independent production company Wise Buddah will explore the eventful life of Dave Allen and Made In Manchester will present Carry On Forever, a two-part history of the iconic and long-lasting British comedy film franchise, hosted by Leslie Phillips, who starred in Carry On Nurse, Carry On Teacher and Carry On Constable.

In July, award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood explores the musical influence and history of Route 66 with a trip down the great American Road, commemorating 25 years since it ceased to be an official US highway.

Driving from Chicago to LA, Hazlewood will tell the story in three parts in Route 66 – The Mother Road, meeting the people that live, work and drive it, and examining its musical iconography.

Radio 2's Movie Season puts the spotlight on screen sirens in August with the second series of Blonde On Blonde, presented by Mariella Frostrup. Ping Productions will produce a profile on Peggy Lee, while the 91Èȱ¬ will uncover the secrets of Lana Turner and Jayne Mansfield.

Michael Sheen follows the journey of movie legend Richard Burton from the small Welsh village of Port Talbot (also Michael's birthplace) to the Hollywood hills, in a documentary about his life.

In the autumn, Radio 2 will visit Jazz Junctions, a landmark series exploring the development of jazz. The 10-part series is told through the heartfelt, tragic, inspiring and often hilarious stories of the characters and geniuses who helped to shape the journey from musical junction to junction over the last 100 years.

The Musical will raise the curtain on the enduring appeal of the Broadway and West End musical. In an eight-part series, the 80-year history of musicals will be explored from its early days of the combination of dance, spoken word and music, to the current lure of the British West End to American movie stars.

Come To The Cabaret will be a vibrant two-part series, produced by Wise Buddah. Having started his career on the cabaret circuit, master of ceremonies Paul O'Grady will tell listeners about the magic of cabaret from its Parisian origins in 1881, via New York, Berlin, London in the Swinging Sixties to its present-day resurgence.

Paul remembers his cabaret times fondly: "The audience should be slightly threatened and intimidated by cabaret. You should think that this creature on stage could turn on a sixpence at any minute. There should be that element of fear.

It's not an easy life. From the minute you set foot out the door, it's hassle. Getting there, getting ready, getting on, getting home. I loved it. Some of the best nights ever.

"It's a social commentary about what's going on. Doesn't matter if it's taboo, you have to bring it up. Cabaret should never be safe – even if it ends in a police raid. I've been in the wagon many a time to the police station – full Lily regalia, handbag on me knee. The police raided the Vauxhall one night. I belted a copper that time in the dressing room and got carted off – it's a badge of honour."

Paul Gambaccini reflects on the impact of the airwaves, presenting The History Of Music Radio. Over six hours, former 91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 DJ and current Radio 2 broadcaster Gambaccini will explore the presentation of popular music from the Twenties to the present in his six-part series on music radio, to be produced by Howlett Media Productions.

The London Palladium Story is a two-part documentary series telling the story of the nation's most famous theatre. Hosted by Michael Grade, the programme will chart the buildings history, from performances by Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr and Ella Fitzgerald, to the legendary Sunday Night At The Palladium show.

Legends Of Light Music will celebrate the work of composers like Eric Coates and Robert Farnon, masters of the style that contributed so much to broadcasting for many years, and authors of instrumental favourites like London Suite, Calling All Workers, Dambusters March, Portrait Of A Flirt and Jumping Bean.

The series, produced by Roy Oakshott for Wise Buddah, will also feature David Rose, Percy Faith, Ray Martin and others who topped the charts with orchestral hits like Swedish Rhapsody and Holiday For Strings – plus Charles Williams, Sidney Torch and those who provided the musical background to our lives with signature tunes such as Dick Barton.

In 2011, the music and stars of the Fifties are the subjects of Desmond Carrington's six-part series Icons Of The Fifties. Each hour-long programme will feature the career of a star performer along with reminiscences from friends and radio DJs of the day, interspersed with a cross-section of popular music from the decade.

Following his 2008 series Brass Britain, Brassed Off star Stephen Tompkinson presents World Class Brass – taking the audience on journey through a world of brass that starts in the deserts of Rajasthan and ends in the heady carnival atmosphere of Trinidad.

This distinctive line-up follows Radio 2's recent rich mix of documentaries, including 60s Season programmes Jagger's Jukebox, fronted by Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, The British Invasion, hosted by Alice Cooper, and Eyewitness To History with Vicki Wickham, editor of cult Sixties TV show Ready, Steady, Go!

Radio 2 documentaries Angel Of Harlem – The Billie Holiday Story and The Woodstock 40th Anniversary were recently recognised with Sony Radio Awards, winning silver and bronze respectively in their category.

Radio 2's documentaries can all be listened to for up to seven days after broadcast on the Radio 2 website: bbc.co.uk/radio2.

Each documentary has its own webpage which often features extra content and tracklistings from the programme.

Radio 2 Publicity