I work from home most of the time. There are many advantages to this, of course, such as not having to travel every day, but there are also some disadvantages. In particular, it can be quite lonely sitting at my desk all day with nothing but a computer for company. And that’s why I love my constant companion, Radio 4.

Not only does it provide a soothing background voice when I’m concentrating particularly hard but, in the moments when I’m able to actually listen to what’s going on, it entertains, amuses and informs. I often find myself beginning a conversation with, “There was a great programme on Radio 4 the other day…” As a result of hearing about them on the radio I’ve read some great books recently, too. I’m currently working my way through The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow, for example, which is a very readable work on randomness and probability and to which my attention was drawn by Radio 4.

I know it’s a bit of a cliché but it’s true that Radio 4 is worth the licence fee on it’s own.