… In Confidence Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 1, 8pm, from Monday 5 March (10 x 60 minutes)
 

Sky Arts invites some of today’s leading writers, artists, actors, and thinkers into the studio this spring, for the return of …In Confidence - a probing series of extended interviews that set out to discover what motivates and inspires ten of Britain’s most culturally expressive personalities.

Michael Winner, David Attenborough, Joan Bakewell, Keith Allen, Uri Geller, John Lydon, John McVicar, Nigel Kennedy, Howard Jacobson and Ann Leslie subject themselves to the unwavering scrutiny of Professor Laurie Taylor. Delving beneath the public façade of his guests, Laurie encourages them to talk about their personal philosophy, and to reveal the moments of joy and tragedy, the mistakes and the successes, and the flaws and strengths that have defined their lives.

Uri Geller discusses with frank honesty his search for fame and fortune, his relationship with Michael Jackson and the struggle with bulimia which threatened to overwhelm him. Singer John Lydon describes his troubled relationship with his Catholic upbringing and how the meningitis he contracted as a boy has haunted him throughout his life. Joan Bakewell discusses her affair with Harold Pinter and reveals how her successful career was propelled by her mother’s depression. In the final interview Michael Winner discusses his film career and his regrets over the relationships in his life and admits he doesn’t know much about food.

“In Confidence is the perfect antidote to the current plague of conventional interview programmes,” says presenter Laurie Taylor. “My guests are not chosen so that they can 'chat' about their latest work or answer stock questions from the cuttings about their life and times. They are there to take part in an intellectually (and emotionally) rigorous conversation which like all such conversations generates surprising revelations and unexpected insights. This is television for people who don't like their meat cut up for them.”

 “In Confidence has been called the best talk show on television, and we’re delighted that we have such an impressive line-up for the third series,” comments James Hunt, channel director of Sky Arts. “Always insightful, always gripping, Laurie Taylor’s unique interviews get to the heart of some of the most fascinating personalities from across the arts, television and journalism.”     

                         
…In Confidence Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 1, Mondays 10pm

5^th March: David Attenborough

12^th March: Keith Allen

19^th March: Nigel Kennedy

26^th March: Dame Ann Leslie

2^nd April: Uri Geller

9^th April: Howard Jacobson

16^th April: Joan Bakwell

23^rd April: John McVicar

30^th April: John Lydon

7^th May: Michael Winner

…In Confidence has been produced by Associated Rediffusion for Sky Arts

**Transcripts of the interviews are available**

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Katherine Solomon PR Manager, Sky Press Office
T: 0207 032 0599
E:

Dominic Collett Sky Arts Publicist, Sky Press Office
T: 0207 032 4892
E:

NOTES TO EDITOR

**Transcripts of the interviews are available**

About Sky Arts

Sky is the only broadcaster in the UK and Ireland with channels dedicated solely to the arts, with 48 hours of the best arts content from around the world across Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 2 daily. Recent highlights include the latest season of the Met Opera, Chekhov Comedy Shorts, a season of brand new plays starring the cream of British comedic talent, Tim Marlow on Sculpture 3D and The South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

Sky Arts also seeks to connect with culture on the ground; creating and collaborating with the best of the arts in the UK and Ireland to bring new experiences to life. The flagship show, The Book Show, now goes to four literary festivals including Hay and Cheltenham. Sky Arts Creative Wish is part of Sky Arts Ignition Series which launched in in 2011 to invest in the arts landscape of the UK. The Series will seek to collaborate with six arts organisations over the next three years in the creation of brand new works; Sky Arts Ignition Series: Futures Fund will support five young artists with a bursary of £30,000 each, enabling Sky Arts to back the creation of new works of art as well as nurture emerging talent. Sky Arts also encourages new formats and methods for accessing opera; beaming the world’s first live opera in 3D to cinemas across the UK and Ireland from ENO. Follow us on twitter @skyarts. See sky.com/arts