Mike Batt

Mike Batt

Author: Global June 2, 2026 Duration: 1:19:07

“HELLO, public!”

An extraordinary conversation with one of the most versatile, brilliant, and fiercely independent forces in British music history. Mike Batt, LVO is offering up his five guests this week on the pod, bringing his five-time Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter, conductor, and producer FIVE-DECADE career to bear on all things ‘fantasy dinner’ - one decade for each guest. Mike's melodies are woven directly into the fabric of global pop culture, from Katy Melua ('Closest Thing to Crazy’), through Art Garfunkel (‘Bright Eyes’), right back to the British establishment that is…The Wombles (‘Remember you’re a…’).

Now he’s back in the classical music fray with a moving and timely new work, The Ukraine Symphony recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. In the course of the episode, Tim Lihoreau touches on SO much - not least upping sticks and sailing around the world just as success struck AND…exactly what it was that Sir Paul McCartney said to him, that time! But will he take The Gatecrasher, chosen for him by Tim?

Find out by listening to the full fabulous episode Global Player.

Follow on Instagram:

@classicfm

@timlihoreau

@guesswhoscomingtodinner_pod


Ever wondered who you'd really want at your table for the perfect conversation? That's the delicious premise behind Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?, hosted by Classic FM's Tim Lihoreau. This isn't just about listing famous names; it's a deep dive into the personalities and histories that fascinate us. Each episode, a different notable guest constructs their ultimate fantasy guest list, choosing five figures from any time or realm-be they historical icons, fictional characters, or controversial modern minds. The discussions reveal as much about the selector's own passions and curiosities as they do about their chosen invitees. Just when the menu seems set, Tim introduces his signature twist: an unexpected 'gatecrasher' for the party. The resulting debate-whether to welcome this interloper or show them the door-adds a layer of spontaneous and often hilarious tension. Listening feels like eavesdropping on the most engaging pre-dinner drinks you can imagine, where the stakes are low but the ideas are enormous. This podcast seamlessly blends elements of society, culture, and entertainment, turning a simple question into a revealing exploration of human connection and intellectual curiosity. You'll come for the fascinating guest lists and stay for the witty, unpredictable conversation that follows.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Podcast Episodes
Danielle de Niese [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:57
“Anna 1, Anna 2.”Opera megastar Danielle de Niese is lighting up the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner studios with her trademark effervescence. She’s talking everything from Timothee Chalamet to International Rescue, not to…
Lloyd Griffith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:48
“Let’s have it…in the chapter house of Wells Cathedral”Star of Ted Lasso, stand-up legend and actor extraordinaire (see Return to Paradise, Bad Education, etc) LLOYD GRIFFITH is the VIP on the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinne…
Myleene Klass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:35
“Patrick Moore’s bathroom!”Make way for a very special episode. Myleene Klass shares the soundtrack of her life, from her pop-music days to her powerful activism. She sits down for a lively chat about her ultimate fantas…
Eric Whitacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:16
“I am Chief Nerd”.Award-winning composer, salsa-fiend and general all-round legend Eric Whitacre brings his five fantasy dinner guest to the table with host Tim Lihoreau. It’s a fabulous list and the conversation is free…
Julian Lloyd Webber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:44
“Oh, I’d love a ’Scrambled Egg-Off’ - what ever that is!”An unmissable episode of the Global Original Podcast Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner as host Tim Lihoreau sits down with the legendary Julian Lloyd Webber for a conve…
MC Hammersmith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:19
“We’re all snowflake, woke cucks!”It’s an amazing week on the podcast as comedian, rapper and Harry Potter lookalikeMC HAMMERSMITH comes into the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? studios.This fast-talking, long-form improvv…
Mark Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:27
“Trouser round his ankles...listening to Chopin!”Anything can happen and actually does when comedy legend Mark Thomas comes into the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? podcast studios. He’s talking influences, funeral songs,…
Al Murray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:27
“He was always the familial… elephant in the room!"It’s Fringe season and Tim Lihoreau has legendary comedians in the pod studio. This week it’s the name-slating, punter-bating landlord Al Murray, joining for a lively co…
Miranda Raison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:41
“…I do dabble in YOOO tube!"This week on the pod, an actor who became familiar to a generation as Jo from Spooks. More recently she has received rave reviews alongside Ralph Fiennes as Dame Ellen Terry in the West End sm…
Rob Auton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:07
“Do you wan’t to come on your with me?”Writer, comedian and, let’s face it, philosopher Rob Auton brings his unique look on life to the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? pod studio. He’s chose his UNIQUE line of fantasy gues…