Advertise on podcast: Inheritance Tracks

From Shameless to X-Men, Atonement and His Dark Materials…James McAvoy seems to have mastered his craft in-front of the camera - so has decided to try his hand at calling the shots. His directorial debut, California Schemin', sees two chaps from Dundee in Scotland pretend to be American rappers to land a record deal. A story that sounds stranger than fiction - but is true. So now seemed like the perfect time to hear about the music that inspires him. Inherited: Maggie May by Rod Stewart Passing on: Ally Bally Bee sung by Mary Anne Paterson Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

Our Inheritance Tracks this week come from the actor Noah Wyle. From ER to The Pitt, Noah’s career on screen echoes that of his mother who worked as a nurse. But music was always a familial pastime. Inherited: We Belong Together by Rickie Lee Jones Passing on: Peter and the Wolf composed by Sergei Prokofiev and performed by the New York Philharmonic Producers: Anna Bailey and Ben Mitchell

This edition of Inheritance Tracks come from an actress with a strong claim for national treasure status – Lesley Joseph. With a career spanning over sixty years, she has entertained us as on the small screen in the likes of Birds of a Feather and on stage as Mother Superior in the Sister Act musical. Inherited: Marche Militaire composed by Franz Schubert and performed by the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra Passing on: What About Us by P!nk Producers: Lowri Morgan and Ben Mitchell

Our inheritance tracks this week come from Lisa Kudrow, no less. The Emmy Award-winning star from Friends returns to our screens in the latest series of The Comeback. As Phoebe Buffay her attempts at music-making were famously harrowing – but her Inheritance Tracks, predictably enough, are a real joy. Inherited: Downtown by Petula Clark Passing on: Wonderful Baby by Don McLean Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Dr Sian Williams is a chartered counselling psychologist working in the NHS. Sian presented BBC Breakfast for over a decade, as well as Saturday Live between 2012 and 2014. Radio 4 listeners will know her from her series Life Changing which returns in April. Her book on living well with anxiety called ‘The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave’ is out now. Inherited: Calon Lan by Cerys Matthews and The Fron Male Voice Choir Pass on: Better Together by Jack Johnson Producer: Catherine Powell

Adam Fleming is a familiar voice and face to many across the BBC. He is now the presenter on the daily news podcast, Newscast and also hosts AntiSocial on BBC Radio 4. Adam spends much of his time explaining the twists and turns of politics to the public. But, away from the world of breaking news, music has played its own part in his life. Inherited: Jump by Girls Aloud Passed on: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1, recomposed by Max Richter Producer: Ben Mitchell

Mike Wozniak is a comedian and writer who is perhaps best known for Man Down and as co-host of Junior Taskmaster. Along with his trusted trademark moustache he is returning to the comedy circuit with his new tour The Bench. But it was a childhood of bad violin and faking it with a guitar that sparked his love of music. Inherited: Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt and Quintette du Hot Club de France Passing on: Corpus Christi Carol by Jeff Buckley Producer: Ben Mitchell

When the cricket loving comedian Andy Zaltzman is not dotting balls and crossing fours off the Test Match Special stats sheet he can be found hosting The News Quiz on Radio 4 and on stage with his new stand-up tour Zaltgeist. But it was his father's love of blues that sparked his love of music...and bad trumpet playing. Inherited: Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters Passing on: My Very Best by The Big Moon Producer: Ben Mitchell

The Irish writer, Marian Keyes, has sold 35 million novels in 33 languages, and a new BBC series "The Walsh Sisters" is inspired by some of her most famous work. From her debut novel over 30 years ago to last year's "My Favourite Mistake", she’s championed women's stories and never shied away from discussing her own life and addiction to alcohol. Her Inheritance Tracks are both enjoyable and moving in equal measure. Inherited: Only Our Rivers Run Free by Christy Moore Passing on: The Bottle by Gil Scott-Heron Producers: Ben Mitchell and Jesse Edwards

Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson has two passions...music and games. He is the creator of the much played game Obama Lama and co-founded the boardgame company Format Games. Both music and games are important loves that he shares with his daughters… Inherited: I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys Passing on: Green Light by Lorde Producer: Ben Mitchell

The Oscar winning actor Riz Ahmed, whose new film sees him star alongside Timothy Spall as the tragic Prince of Denmark in a modern retelling of Hamlet, is a passionate music aficionado. His most critically acclaimed role perhaps came in the film a Sound of Metal where he played a drummer coming to terms with going deaf, a role which saw him become the first Muslim performer to be nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. But the music that runs deepest brings with it memories of his childhood and Pakistani heritage. Inherited: Aap Jaisa Koi by Nazia Hassan Passing on: Gabriel by Roy Davis Jr. Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Our inheritance tracks this week come from the musician and broadcaster Mika, who is back out on tour with his latest album Hyperlove. Mika was born in Lebanon, and raised in Cyprus, Paris and London, all of which feed into his intriguing new album and makes for a fascinating edition of Inheritance Tracks. Inherited: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana Passing on: Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba Producer: Ben Mitchell

Claire Foy is an actor who’s enjoyed great success playing two queens, one of whom enjoyed a significantly longer reign than the other, as Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth II. Before going to see her in her new film, an adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s fabulous memoir, H is for Hawk - what better way to understand the woman behind the camera lens that hearing the music most important to her. Inherited: When You Were Sweet 16 by Perry Como Passing on: Blóðberg by Sigur Rós Producers: Ben Mitchell and Anna Bailey

Mark Heap is one of the funniest actors on television - from Green Wing to Friday Night Dinner and his new series opposite Dawn French - Can You Keep a Secret. Born in India to the son of a Methodist minister Mark's early life featured eclectic and majestic music. Inherited: Were You There? by Tennessee Ernie Ford Passing on: L'Ascension: IV Prière du Christ montant vers son père, composed by Olivier Messiaen, performed by Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris Producer: Ben Mitchell

Justin Hawkins founded The Darkness, alongside his brother, bursting onto the scene in 2003 with their debut album Permission To Land. He found fame for his massive five octave vocal range, and the "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" singer now hosts his own online series "Justin Hawkins Rides Again" where he shares his love and passion for music. What then will he share as his Inheritance Tracks. Inherited: There Are More Questions Than Answers by Johnny Nash Passing on: Pancho and Lefty by Townes Van Zand Producer: Ben Mitchell