The South Bank Show (Season 30)

Armando Iannucci (Episode 1)

Air date: 2006-02-12

Runtime: 60 min

Manga Mania (Episode 2)

Air date: 2006-02-19

Runtime: 60 min

Overview: The iconic Dusty Springfield remains the 'white lady of soul' and in this compelling South Bank Show, her moving and dramatic story is told in its entirety for the first time. An array of intimate friends, lovers and show business talents go on record to describe the intense highs and lows of Dusty's swinging life, before her untimely death in 1999. Born Mary O'Brien in London as war began in 1939, in the 60's as Dusty Springfield, she came to represent renewed British optimism and modernity, epitomising swinging London. A plain convent educated girl, Dusty's transformation of herself into a blonde glamour icon was a remarkable act of will. A lesbian with a great deal to lose and a great deal to hide, Dusty hid for many years behind the mask of the Girl Singer. The unique qualities of her voice attracted the creme de la creme of songwriters and producers; she had close relationships with Burt Bacharach, Carole King, and Gamble and Huff, the men who created the sound of Philadelphia Soul. Dusty made herself an expert on black American soul music after she fell in love with Motown. Her career waned in the seventies and she fled to America, where she floundered in variety shows. She moved to Los Angeles where she struggled with drink, drugs and self harming. She later returned to Britain to critical acclaim when she re-invented herself in partnership with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe better known as the Pet Shop Boys. Dusty's life is nothing if not dramatic, although this can never obscure her remarkable gifts as a musician and performer, which have continued to be rediscovered by new generations. A soul searching South Bank Show, on arguably Britain's greatest ever Pop Diva, Dusty Springfield.

John Rutter (Episode 3)

Air date: 2006-03-12

Runtime: 60 min

PD James (Episode 4)

Air date: 2006-03-26

Runtime: 60 min

Dusty Springfield (Episode 5)

Air date: 2006-04-09

Runtime: 60 min

Seu Jorge (Episode 6)

Air date: 2006-06-04

Runtime: 60 min

Romeo and Juliet (Episode 7)

Air date: 2006-06-11

Runtime: 60 min

George Michael: I'm Your Man (Episode 8)

Air date: 2006-11-17

Runtime: 60 min

Overview: Melvyn Bragg interviews George Michael regarding Michael's return to touring on the "25 Live" tour, as well as George Michael performs in the studio rehearsing songs for the tour.

Peter Blake (Episode 9)

Air date: 2006-11-19

Runtime: 60 min

Nick Park & Aardman Animations (Episode 10)

Air date: 2006-11-26

Runtime: 60 min

Steve Reich (Episode 11)

Air date: 2006-12-10

Runtime: 60 min