Private Passions has proved one of Radio 3’s most consistently popular programmes, both with listeners and critics. Since Private Passions started in April 1995, Michael Berkeley has talked to over 700 distinguished guests from all walks of life, including writers, actors, artists, sculptors, jewellers, politicians, scientists, doctors, philosophers, psychoanalysts, and people from the worlds of business and the media. The 700th edition was broadcast in January 2011.

Private Passions has proved one of Radio 3’s most consistently popular programmes, both with listeners and critics.

A book celebrating the first decade of the programme was published in autumn 2005 by Faber & Faber.