RAF pilot: 'utterly horrific' drone warfare gave me PTSD

Hollyoaks fan John from Cheshire has opened up to Ashley Taylor Dawson, the actor who plays Darren Osborne in Hollyoaks, on BBC Radio 5 Live about how a suicide storyline in the soap saved their life. Speaking on 5 Live Drive, 32-year-old John thanked Ashley and said: “If that storyline hadn’t happened I would not be here. I’d be dead. That’s the reality of it. You have saved my life.” John was struggling with suicidal thoughts in lockdown last year. After watching the friends and family’s reaction of character Kyle ending his life in the soap, it “hit home” and encouraged John to open up about their feelings and seek mental health support. If you, or someone you know needs help, you can find details about how to access support by searching for ‘BBC Action Line’ or go to www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

1 Helmi 202128min

James Comey, former Director of the FBI, reveals that President Trump told him an ‘off colour’ anecdote about Russian prostitutes in their first Oval Office conversation and his concern that the “drama” of a Federal Trial for President Trump could cause problems for incoming President Joe Biden.

15 Tammi 202126min

From tighter restrictions, to operations, to schools - England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, answers callers’ questions on the current coronavirus situation. This was a simulcast on the morning of 11 January, presented by Nicky Campbell for 5 Live and Reeta Chakrabarti for the BBC News channel.

11 Tammi 202127min

Father Christmas answers the big Christmas questions from children on 5 live Breakfast.Santa, exclusively live in 5 live's Salford studio, spoke to callers including 8-year-old Esme in Somerset, who saved her mum’s life before Christmas last year, plus he explained how he and the North Pole elves have coped with Coronavirus.You'll also hear from 5 live Breakfast's Rachel Burden and Nicky Campbell.

17 Joulu 202018min

What do you want to know about the new Covid-19 vaccines that are being rolled out? From vaccine priority, to length of immunity, to when you can hug relatives again - we put your questions to England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam - a familiar speaker at the Downing Street press conferences. Co-presented by 5 Live's Rachel Burden and BBC News' Annita McVeigh. Information correct at the time of broadcasting: 0900 UK time on December 3 2020.

3 Joulu 202034min

It is almost a year since Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt were killed in an attack at Fishmongers Hall in London. They were among five people who were stabbed by a prisoner who had been released on license during an event being held to celebrate five years of the Learning Together Programme, which helps prisoners gain qualifications alongside students from Cambridge University.Now, one of Jack Merritt's close friends, Rosca Onya, has released a song in his memory. Rosca grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he had survived the horror of war. He settled in the UK but struggled at school and became involved in crime. He was serving a prison sentence for delivering a firearm when he met Jack, a 25 year old course co-ordinator for Learning Together and the two became good friends. Rosca explains how he and Jack developed an incredibly close bond, and why he has now come to know Jack’s father as ‘Dad’.Warning: This audio contains descriptions from Rosca about his experience of racism when settling in the UK, and includes racists words and language.

27 Marras 202044min

Ministers are looking at how to relax coronavirus restrictions so families can celebrate Christmas together.The government's medical adviser on Covid, Susan Hopkins, said they were working on a plan and wanted Christmas to be "as close to normal as possible".5 Live's Nicky Campbell talks to listeners about what they think should be allowed, and whether they are willing to put the festive period on hold to keep cases down.

18 Marras 202047min

Richard McCann was five years old when his 28-year-old mum Wilma was murdered by Peter Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe, who became known as the Yorkshire Ripper, killed 13 women across Yorkshire and Manchester during a five year period in the late 1970s. Wilma was his first victim.Speaking to 5 Live's Adrian Chiles on the day of Sutcliffe's death, Richard described the search for his mum and the moment he learned she had died. He also talks about discussing her death with his own children, and why he had chosen to forgive Sutcliffe for his mum's murder.

13 Marras 202016min