Broadcaster and author Clare Balding, 55, is set to present a fresh BBC Radio 4 books quiz programme titled Bookmarks. The show will feature two teams competing in a challenge that tests their general knowledge of both fiction and non-fiction works.
Balding Expresses Excitement
Balding said: "I'm thrilled to be hosting Bookmarks on Radio 4 – reading is one of life's great pleasures and I can't wait to play along and celebrate the joy of books with listeners all across the country." The programme, produced by the team behind the game show QI, will broadcast on May 31 and June 7 at 4.30pm.
Sunday Afternoon Quiz Pilots
Bookmarks is part of a collection of quiz pilots scheduled for Sunday afternoons on BBC Radio 4 throughout the summer. Other new shows include Deja News, a historical quiz presented by actress and comedian Lucy Porter, where two teams tackle questions sourced from a century of BBC archive news material. Porter said the show, broadcasting on June 14 and June 21, brings together two of her passions: "quizzing and treasures of the BBC archive."
Comedian Max Fosh will host Your Number's Up on June 28 and July 5, where participants face general knowledge questions, brain-teasers, and calculation conundrums. Fosh joked: "I have no maths skills whatsoever and I suspect that I've only been asked to host... because I wear glasses and people think I'm much smarter than I am."
Simon Reeve presents Around The World In 80 Ways, a globe-trotting quiz airing on July 12 and July 19. Two teams compete in a virtual race around the planet, answering questions on national anthems, local cakes, nature, and global sport and politics.
Commissioner's Vision
Julia McKenzie, commissioner for comedy and entertainment at BBC Radio 4, said: "Quizzes are one of the things Radio 4 does best and I know how much our listeners value them. I hope this new season of pilots will bring listeners even more of what they love by bringing fresh ideas, distinctive new formats and a brilliant line-up of presenters."
Balding, author of the award-winning memoir My Animals And Other Family and a collection of children's books, continues to expand her broadcasting portfolio with this literary quiz.
