The 10 best podcasts chosen by Saga Magazine readers

Its amazing to think that podcasts were only invented 22 years ago, and the term only coined a year later in an article in The Guardian. Now more than 20 million people in the UK listen to podcasts, whether its dedicated shows or classic BBC radio programmes on demand.

They have transformed our listening and taken us from being hostages to radio schedules to being able to listen to our favourite shows wherever and whenever we want - whether its at home, in the car or on holiday.

But have podcasts captured the imagination of Saga Magazine readers and what are they listening to? We ran a poll of more than 500,000 of our newsletter subscribers to find out the favourites in 2025.

The results weren't a huge surprise. BBC podcasts dominated our top 10, demonstrating that most of our readers still love the classic radio programmes, but now at a time that suits them. However two other popular podcasts won top spots, on politics and history.

The favourite podcasts of Saga Magazine readers

From science to celebrities and politics to health. These are the favourite podcasts of Saga Magazine readers in 2025.

1. Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4's timeless and long-running series is classic listening. Eight music tracks, a book and a luxury item - what would you choose to take to a desert island? Celebrities have been revealing the tracks of their lives for an incredible 83 years - the show was first broadcast on 29 January, 1942.

Desert Island Discs is available on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify and others.

2. The Rest is Politics

This double-act political podcast is the biggest podcast in the UK. Featuring former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and author, lecturer and former politician Rory Stewart, its part of the Goalhanger podcasts stable. The duo discuss the latest developments in politics at home and abroad and often agree to agreeably disagree.

You can listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon and others.

3. Newscast

The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories and features some of the corporation's best known journalists and correspondents.

You can find it on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify and others.

4. The Rest is History

This ever-popular history podcast hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland, dissects some of the biggest moments from history. Launched in 2020, this is one of the biggest podcasts, not just in the UK, but globally.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon and others.

5. Infinite Monkey Cage

For more than 10 years Brian Cox and Robin Ince have hosted this witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes. They are joined by a panel of experts and celebrity science enthusiasts each time to investigate life, the universe and everything in between.

You can listen on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and others.

6. Americast

Another of the BBC's most popular podcasts which really came into its own during last year's US elections. It is hosted by BBC journalists including North America editor Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter Justin Webb and the BBC's disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring.

It provides analysis, on-the-ground observations and insights about the stories defining America.

Listen on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify and others.

7. Inside Health

This BBC series promises to demystify health issues, separate fact from fiction and bring clarity to conflicting health advice. It's popular with our readers for tackling some of the thorniest topics, including assisted dying, sugar addiction, dementia and bird flu.

Listen on BBC Sounds, Spotify, Apple and others.

8. The News Agents

It may not be produced by the BBC, but The News Agents is fronted by three former BBC big names - Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall. The daily podcast sets out not just to report the days news but to analyse and explain events too. Now free of their corporation shackles the language can sometimes be colourful!

Available on Global Player, Apple, Spotify and others.

9. It's a Fair Cop

Policeman turned stand-up comedian Alfie Moore gets his audience to make the policing decisions as he takes them through real-life crime scenarios in this BBC podcast. After almost 20 years on the beat, Alfie really has seen it all and has a wealth of stories to share from his police notebook.

Available on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and others.

10. You're Dead to Me

This BBC Radio 4 show brings together the biggest names in comedy and history to learn and laugh about the past. Host Greg Jenner reminds us that history isn't just about dates and facts, but about characters, amazing events and more.

Was Catherine the Great really that great? How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid and why did it take so long for Joan of Arc to become a saint?

Listen on BBC Sounds, Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more.

While our poll revealed what Saga Magazine readers love listening to, a survey by Saga last year dispelled the myths that podcasts are only a young person's medium. We found that 58% of Saga customers have listened to a podcast, while 38% are regular listeners and it's split fairly evenly between men and women.

Some 84% of respondents listen at home, while 16% also listen out walking and 14% out travelling

Celebs we like the sound of

Favourite podcast personalities include Alistair Campbelll, Brian Cox, David Attenborough, Hannah Fry, Joanna Lumley, Kathy Burke, Rory Stewart and Stephen Fry.

5 podcasts to try

Want to add some new podcasts to your library? Saga Magazine's podcast reviewer Sarah Shannon has these suggestions.

The Gift,

What happens when casual research into your family tree reveals a serious secret? The Gift talks to people who tapped into the global DNA database available through heritage companies and got far more than they bargained for.

Lives Less Ordinary,

BBC Sounds BBC World Service’s episode descriptions for Lives Less Ordinary read like movie plots. The Australian who realised his dad was a heroin smuggler and his babysitter was a convicted murderer; the Brazilian football fan who became his club’s president; and the Norwegian fisherman who saved a Russian ‘spy’ whale.

These stories are proof that truth is often stranger than fiction.

This Cultural Life 

Presenter John Wilson began this Radio 4 series and podcast after a reshuffle saw him shifted off Front Row. This long interview format is well-suited to Wilson’s somewhat old-school charm and respectful questions. No hammering interrogations or interruptions here. Wilson gives his guests time to speak, and his charm audibly relaxes even the nerviest interviewee.

Past guests have included Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Margaret Drabble.

A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand 

As identical twins who both became doctors and presenters, Chris and Xand van Tulleken were vastly similar in almost every way. Yet Xand found himself overweight and struggling with his health. What went wrong?

The podcast examines the benefits of even a modest dose of exercise, the global inactivity crisis, and the perils of exercise addiction.

To Catch a Scorpion 

Barzan Majeed – aka Scorpion – is a ruthless people trafficker with a reputation for violence. He’s the sort of person you’d want to avoid, but in this gripping BBC series, To Catch a Scorpion, reporter Sue Mitchell and ex-soldier turned aid worker Rob Lawrie try to track him down.

One of the most exciting and insightful podcasts of recent times.