BBC Radio 2 has announced a series of programmes fronted by leading female performers including Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Sheila Hancock and Ana Matronic.

Bruni will share her favourite French songs in Carla Bruni's Postcards From Paris (May 15), Matronic presents an hour of disco on April 16, and Sheila Hancock's Music With A Message (May 5) provides an hour of thought-provoking songs. A two hour Dolly Parton interview will also be broadcast April 21.