Matthew Parris discovers that Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at King’s College, London, has a surprising nomination for a Great Life – that of Lucille Ball, the vivacious redhead who in the 1950s and 1960s was one of the best-known and best-loved actresses on television, both in the United States and here.

What makes a professor of Greek and Roman writing such a great fan of a zany American actress? What was Lucy like behind the television persona? Matthew finds out in the company of Carole Cook, Lucy’s long-time friend and protégée.

Producer Christine Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.