Didi Conn: Frenchy from Grease, Church of England abuse review

Didi Conn: Frenchy from Grease, Church of England abuse review

Author: BBC Radio 4 July 24, 2026 Duration: 56:27

As an immersive version of Grease opens for the summer in London, Anita Rani welcomes Didi Conn, who played 'Beauty School Dropout' Frenchy in the original 1978 film.

Can you imagine running an entire country on just a few hours of sleep? Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who has referred to herself as 'Japan’s Iron Lady', says she often functions on zero to three hours a night. Whether it's long work hours, caring responsibilities, new born babies, pain, anxiety or hormones, women can struggle to get sleep, so we wanted to look at how much is enough? And does it differ between men and women? Anita is joined by Dr Kat Lederle, sleep scientist and chronobiologist.

The Church of England's Interim Commissioner for Independent Reviews, which investigates cases of historic sex abuse, has published their first report and it's about one woman’s experience and how her case was handled, or rather mishandled, by those in charge at the time. Jane Chevous has waived her anonymity to speak to Woman's Hour. She alleges that she experienced rape, plus spiritual and psychological abuse by two clergymen. Anita speaks to Jane and the BBC’s Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool.

The Commonwealth Games netball tournament gets underway next week, with all four UK nations set to be involved. England will be hoping to challenge for the medals once again, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will all be looking to make their mark on one of the sport's biggest stages. Anna Carter, a former player and coach for England, who now runs Elite Netball Academy, gives Anita her take.

This weekend, all around the world, thousands will congregate to recreate Kate Bush's iconic debut single music video. Known as The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, for those who take part, it's a truly special occasion. But how did it start and why is it so important for those who take part? Anita speaks to Georgie Sworder, one of the women who originally inspired the event, and Belinda Burton, who will be organising her own 'mass wuther' in Sydney.


For decades, Woman's Hour from BBC Radio 4 has been a fixture in British life, creating a unique space where the experiences of women are centered and explored in full. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's a daily conversation that feels both urgent and timeless, tackling everything from front-page news and political shifts to intimate personal stories and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a diverse range of voices-activists, artists, scientists, politicians, and everyday people-to dissect the issues that shape society. You'll hear nuanced debates on health, family, work, and identity, alongside insightful discussions on books, music, and ideas that are defining our moment. The podcast captures all of this, offering a thoughtful and often challenging listen that refuses to simplify the complexities of modern life. It’s where a headline is unpacked with depth, a personal struggle is given context, and inspiration is found in unexpected places. Tuning into this podcast means joining a long-running dialogue that consistently informs, provokes thought, and connects the personal to the political, all through the lens of women's lives and perspectives.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Woman's Hour
Podcast Episodes
Weekend Woman's Hour: Midwives, prenups, Egyptian warrior princesses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Last month, two reports into maternity services in England were published. Donna Ockenden’s review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Baroness Valerie Amos’s investigation into materni…
Autism & cervical screening,  FIFA, The Kiss, The play Cleansed, Chess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:11
There's been a lot of opposition to FIFA's plans to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe, have said they would boycott Fifa events if the plans go ahead. Th…
Jared Leto accused, prenups, author Scarlett Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:14
A BBC investigation has uncovered allegations of sexual assault against the Hollywood star and musician Jared Leto. Four women who've spoken to the BBC were all teenagers at the time of the alleged offences, between 2002…
Actor Helen Hunt, Midwives, Early release of prisoners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:14
Academy Award-winning actor Helen Hunt is currently performing in the RSC’s production of The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss what it’s like being back on a UK stage in her latest rol…