Reeta Chakrabarti has presented the news for years. Now she is making it herself with her debut novel. Deana Luchia is ready to read When Reeta Chakrabarti walks into a café next to Broadcasting House, the historic BBC headquarters on London’s Portland Place, I recognize her at once. No wonder. She has, after all, been presenting news bulletins on our screens since 2014. We’ve chosen the cafe for its proximity to the studios. After we’ve finished chatting about her debut nove

What on earth are men for? Marcus Brigstocke’s latest tour, which calls in at Twickenham this month, is about to reveal the answer. Here the funny, fast-talking comedian gives Deana Luchia a few hints Who were your male heroes growing up? Depending on the day of the week or the month or my age, sometimes my dad, but also sometimes specifically not my dad. Which is normal and healthy and right. He’s a great guy. The Fonz was very influential growing up. A man in his 40s who hu

Music lessons shouldn’t be a chore. Deana Luchia salutes a school that hits the right note I'm standing inside the vault of the old Barclays bank in the middle of Twickenham. Soon, this iconic building will be one of the rehearsal rooms for Britain’s first School of Rock. Guitar riffs, drumbeats and punchy vocals will be the currency that fills this vast space. I’m being shown around by Matias Puga Hamilton, School of Rock’s master franchise owner (and sometime drummer). He’s

★★★★ (4 out of 5) In a modern-day adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Emma, playwright Ava Pickett and director Christopher Haydon go big on laughs in this hilarious, crowd-pleasing rom-com, playing at Kingston’s Rose Theatre until October 11 th . Pickett, an award-winning playwright and this season’s Writer in Residence at The National, adheres to Austen’s depiction of Emma Woodhouse as a meddling matchmaker, prone to boldly giving blunt and unkind critiques of her fam

Headteacher Leanne Barrett tells Deana Luchia why her school isn’t just an inside job Visiting the Liberty Woodland School in Morden, my first thought is what a perfect setting it is for a picnic or a game of rounders. The 3.5-acre site, leased from the National Trust, is flower-filled and lushly green, with trees to climb and a meadow to run through. The only signs that this is an educational establishment are the large bell tents containing desks and the children on logs re

It’s time to talk at RBG Kew. As part of a four-day feast of outdoor conversation, Alexander Armstrong reunites with Richard Osman for The Best Quiz Ever. Deana Luchia has some questions too... What can people expect from The Best Quiz Ever? Some unusual quizzes that Richard [Osman] and I have devised. The idea is that they’ll be amusing as well as testing. One round I’m really looking forward to is a music round where people have to see if they can identify which chart hit

Historian Hallie Rubenhold has given voice to the women surrounding a notorious villain. Deana Luchia listens in After the huge success of The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, author and social historian Hallie Rubenhold is back with another intriguing tale. Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Doctor Crippen explores the killing of music hall singer Belle Elmore by her husband, the eponymous doctor – a crime that gripped Edwardian Engl

Addiction need not ruin your life. Deana Luchia meets the man driving people from drink Before devising his own recovery programme, Sober in Seven, Andy Smith had tried quitting alcohol numerous times. “I did AA, hypnotherapy, SMART Recovery, saw my doctor, went to rehab,” he says. “Nothing worked. I assumed I was unfixable. I couldn’t see a way out.” Surrounded by alcohol from a young age – his parents ran a pub on Shetland – he grew up, he says, in a culture which equated d

London Wetland Centre is 25 years old. Deana Luchia meets warblers, otters and a couple of managers too I’ve just spent a fabulous morning at the WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes. This is my first visit and I’m astonished at the beauty and scale of this 105-acre site. Birds call to each other across the lake, marshlands and meadows; fluttering in the sunlight are dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies; two little otters play in a pond. This is on my doorstep. Why haven’t

Sharlene Spiteri has spent four decades fronting Texas. And she's still loving it. Deana Luchia finds her frank and funny. Interviewing...

Deana Luchia meets the volunteers at our animal shelter and rescue charities who are working hard to ensure every dog has its day. There are currently around 100,000 dogs in shelters and rescue organisations across the UK. From playful puppies to loyal old-timers, from who knows-what varieties to pure breeds, these dogs come in all different shapes, sizes and personalities. What they all have in common, however, is the need to find a good home – whether that’s a loving foreve

Deana Luchia finds the musical memories flooding back in conversation with Sir Tim Rice. In the week before my interview with the...

Mastering the horn can take years. But Ben Goldscheider finds the whole thing a blast. Deana Luchia hears him tune up for the Barnes...

Friday morning and the moves are fun. Deana Luchia is impressed by a class for the over 50s The instruction is crystal clear. “Give it...

Serious about sonnets? Desperate to knock out an ode? Now is the time to give it a go. Adam Gary, Surrey's inaugural Poet Laureate tells...

Deana Luchia talks to one of Britain’s best-loved composers about carols, choirs and the need to get music into schools. I'm glad to...

Maureen Lipman talks to Deana Luchia about plim roles, late love and learning to sing in her seventies I'm not sure what to expect when I...

Improv is fun, collaborative and gives your confidence a boost. Deana Luchia enjoys a watching brief. It’s a warm summer evening in...

Richmond Theatre hosts acting classes for the over 50s. Deana Luchia takes to the stage. Wednesday morning and I’m already in the bar. At...

Deana Luchia finds out what inspired four self-confessed foodies to start their own businesses Passion, imagination, determination and...