I have listened to the Today Programme since the days of Jack de Manio in the late 1960s, but have become less loyal over the past year since the loss of Mishal Husain, preferring to listen to podcasts than to the rantings of politicians arm wrestling with Nick Robinson, Amol Rajan, or, god help us, Emma Barnett. The bright spark is the recently arrived Anna Foster, who brings empathy, a broad knowledge and achieves an intimacy with her guests who respond with an openness that can make radio sparkle.
Today, she interviewed Sir Bradley Wiggins, and he revealed the trauma of his youth, the highs and lows of cycling and Olympic medals, and his addictions with eloquence, good humour, and self-reflection. Her questions and demeanour relaxed him, and the genie came out of the bottle. Brilliant radio, you even sensed that Bradley had shed the traumas of his past and found a new tempo that he was comfortable with.
