Profile
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Profile: Pep Guardiola 11 May 2013
This week the football world ascended dizzying heights of breathlessness over the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. But as one footballing titan steps down, another - a man who is, in some ways, the antithesis of Sir Alex - is about to step up to take on one of the highest-profile jobs in world football. Tim Franks profiles Pep Guardiola, and asks whether he could be Sir Alex's successor as perhaps the most successful manager in the game.
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Profile: Margaret Hodge 04 May 2013
As she wages war against tax avoidance, Margaret Hodge, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee is becoming one of the most high-profile women in British politics. Her latest role comes towards the end of a controversial career in which she has won admirers and detractors. And as Edward Stourton discovers, her political journey is set against the background of a turbulent personal life that began as the daughter of Jewish refugees in Egypt.
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Profile: Alisher Usmanov 27 April 2013
Alisher Usmanov has just been named the richest man in Britain. Making his fortune in the collapsing Soviet Union his business interests have stretched from plastic bags to minerals, telecoms, Facebook and Arsenal Football Club. As Mark Coles discovers, Usmanov's rise has not been straightforward, nor free of controversy.
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Profile: Robert Mueller 20 April 2013
Robert Mueller took on the job one week before the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Now, as he approaches retirement, the FBI is again dealing with the aftermath of an attack on American soil. Mark Coles profiles the long-serving and influential head of the FBI.
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Profile: Elizabeth Llewellyn 13 April 2013
Opera star Elizabeth Llewellyn had an obvious singing talent from and early age. Her school-teachers in south London encouraged her to take lessons and go to concerts, and she won a place at the Royal Northern College of Music.However ill-health forced her to drop out, her talent lying dormant. Years later, she joined an amateur choir, her new colleagues urged her to take her voice more seriously. She auditioned for the Glyndebourne chorus and from that point on her rise has been meteoric....
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Profile: Jeff Bezos 06 April 2013
The online retailer Amazon.com has revolutionised shopping as we know it. What began as a small start-up in a Seattle suburb has rapidly grown into arguably the most significant technology company on the planet, making its founder, Jeff Bezos, a billionaire many times over. Using his vast fortune to pursue a childhood dream of space exploration, he has built a secretive research programme in a remote part of Texas. But who exactly is Jeffrey Preston Bezos? Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane
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Profile: Lucy Winkett 30 March 2013
Lucy Winkett is a former Canon of St Paul's and a favourite to become the first female Bishop in the Church of England. Profile looks at her life and speaks to those close to her.
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Profile: Magnus Carlsen 23 March 2013
Magnus Carlsen is the world’s highest rated chess player at only 22 years old. He played chess legend Gary Kasparov when he was 13, and achieved a draw. Profile speaks to those closest to him and asks if this wunderkind will be the next world champion?
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Profile: Zhang Xin 16 March 2013
Powerful Chinese businesswoman Zhang Xin is the billionaire CEO of a property development business but she's also a philanthropist and is vocal about issues ranging from democracy to smog. So what’s behind the rise of one of the key figures in the new China?
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Profile: Justin Bieber 09 March 2013
Justin Bieber is an international pop phenomenon and internet sensation. He has 21 million followers on twitter and his first hit song was the most watched video on You Tube. Mark Coles profiles this multi-millionaire teenager who has upset his UK fans recently. Are the pressures of such huge fame beginning to show?
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Profile: Beppe Grillo 02 March 2013
A profile of Beppe Grillo the comedian-turned politician who has achieved a stunning success in the Italian elections with his protest movement founded on the internet.
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Profile: Mike Ashley 23 Feb 2013
Mike Ashley's sports shops make him millions. He bought Newcastle United and tried to become an ordinary fan. Chris Bowlby profiles the reclusive retailer defying the downturn.
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Profile: Tom Ford 16 Feb 2013
Tom Ford has become one of fashion's most influential designers. James Silver charts his rise and rise, ahead of an eagerly awaited catwalk show at London Fashion week.
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Profile: John Brennan 09 Feb 2013
John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency is a controversial choice. Jane Deith profiles Obama's most trusted security advisor.
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Profile: Sir Philip Green 08 Dec 2012
Lesley Curwen profiles the business tycoon Sir Philip Green, who this week sold a stake in his flagship fashion chain Topshop and Topman for a reported 500 million.
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Profile: Lynton Crosby 24 Nov 2012
Mary Ann Sieghart on the colourful and controversial political strategist Lynton Crosby, the architect of Boris Johnson's mayoral campaign, who has been signed up by David Cameron.
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Profile: Abu Qatada 17 Nov 2012
Mark Coles profiles Abu Qatada, the radical Islamic cleric described by the Home Secretary as a "dangerous man, a suspected terrorist, who is accused of serious crimes in Jordan".
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Profile: MP Nadine Dorries
Mark Coles profiles the controversial Conservative MP Nadine Dorries.
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Profile: Xi Jinping 03 Nov 12
Tim Franks profiles the Chinese leader-in-waiting, Xi Jinping.
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Profile: Alexei Navalny 27 Oct 12
Lucy Ash profiles Russian anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, who this week topped a ballot to elect leaders of the opposition to President Putin.
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Profile: Sam Mendes 20 Oct 12
Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the director of the latest James Bond film - Sam Mendes, a man who wanted to play cricket for England but became a theatre supremo.
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Profile: Paul Ryan 13 Oct 12
Claire Bolderson profiles US Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
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Profile: Psy 6 Oct 12
Chris Bowlby profiles the South Korean pop star Psy, whose song Gangnam Style has topped the UK singles charts, and whose video is the most popular video ever on Youtube.
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Profile: Justin Welby 29 Sept 12
Edward Stourton profiles Justin Welby, former oil executive and now Bishop of Durham, emerging as one of the most striking candidates for the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.
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Profile: Andy Murray 15 Sept 12
Mary Ann Sieghart profiles Andy Murray after his epic victory over Novak Djokovic in the US Open Final.
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Profile: Pete Cashmore 22 Sept 12
Edward Stourton profiles Pete Cashmore, one of the worlds most popular bloggers who founded the social media news blog Mashable.
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Profile: Grant Shapps 8 Sep 2012
Conservative party co-chairman Grant Shapps showed an interest in politics from an early age, is related to a punk rock legend, and has nearly died twice. Geeta Guru-Murthy profiles the man who will play an important role for the Tory party come the next general election.
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Profile: Frances O'Grady 1st Sept 2012
The first woman to lead the TUC, France O'Grady comes from a family of trade unionists. Presenter Clare Bolderson hears from colleagues and close observers of the trade union scene about O'Grady's rise and how she has dealt with the macho traditions of union leadership.
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Profile: Lee Pearson 25 Aug 2012
Gerry Northam profiles dressage champion and nine-times gold medallist Lee Pearson who is on track to be one of the most successful ever Paralympians.
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Profile: Helen Ghosh 18 Aug 12
After a 33 year civil service career, Dame Helen Ghosh is leaving to become director general of the National Trust. Chris Bowlby asks what qualities she will bring.
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Profile: David Brailsford 11 Aug 12
British cycling is enjoying unprecedented success and cyclists are now household names. Ruth Alexander profiles David Brailsford, the man credited with Britain’s rise to the top.
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Profile: Boris Johnson 4 Aug 12
All eyes are on London for the Olympics, putting the city's colourful Mayor on the world stage. James Silver asks whether Boris Johnson can go all the way to Number 10.
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Profile: Jay Hunt 19 May 12
Channel 4's controller Jay Hunt is in the spotlight as audiences continue to fall. Andy Denwood profiles one of the most powerful women in broadcasting.
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Profile: Alexis Tsipras 12 May 12
The brash young leader of the far left-wing bloc 'Syriza', now Greece's second largest party. Andy Denwood profiles Alexis Tsipras, who with his populist anti-austerity message, has become a force that's hard to ignore.
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Profile: Roy Hodgson 05 May 12
The new England Football Manager is multi-lingual, bookish and the surprise choice for arguably the biggest job in British sport. Gerry Northam profiles Roy Hodgson the man with a 36 year coaching career.
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Profile: Jeremy Hunt 28 Apr 2012
Mary Ann Sieghart examines a man under pressure, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt.
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Profile: Ralf Hutter, Kraftwerk 21 Apr 2012
Chris Bowlby profiles Ralf Hutter, a founding member of the highly influential German electronic band Kraftwerk, who are credited with influencing a host of other musicians.
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Profile: Kim Jong-un 14 Apr 2012
After North Korea's controversial rocket launch, David Torrance profiles the country's new young leader, Kim Jong-un, as he assumes his nation's top political offices.
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Profile: Suzanne Collins 07 Apr 12
The Hunger Games is based on a best –selling book trilogy. Gerry Northam profiles its author, Suzanne Collins. Her trilogy, set in post-apocalypse America, is said to have been inspired by a combination of Greek myth and reality television as well as Collins’ own upbringing as the daughter of an air-force officer who served in Vietnam. So how much do we know about the woman behind the phenomenon now being described as the US equivalent of Harry Potter?
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Profile: Len McCluskey 31 Mar 2012
As the threat of possible strike action by fuel tanker drivers looms, Mukul Devichand profiles Len McCluskey, general secretary of their union Unite, the UK's biggest union.
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Profile: Dame Edna Everage 24 Mar 2012
Rosie Goldsmith profiles one of entertainment's most colourful characters, Dame Edna Everage, who is soon to retire from showbusiness.
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Profile: Jimmy Wales 17 Mar 2012
Claire Bolderson profiles the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, who is working as an unpaid advisor to the UK Government, to help open up policy making to the public.
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Profile: Francois Hollande 10 Mar 2012
Chris Bowlby profiles the French Socialist Party presidential candidate Francois Hollande.
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Profile: Imran Khan 07 Jan 12
As two men begin life sentences for the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, Andy Denwood profiles Imran Khan the lawyer who helped the teenager's family in their fight for justice.
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Profile: Michael Acton-Smith 31 Dec 2011
The children's website Moshi Monsters has 50 million members worldwide. The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones profiles its founder, 37-year-old Michael Acton Smith.
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Profile: Rowan Williams 24 Dec 2011
Emily Buchanan profiles Rowan Williams, poet and scholar, thought by some to be the most talented and intellectual Archbishop of Canterbury for the past 1000 years.
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Profile Extra: Vaclav Havel 20 Dec 11
As tributes are paid to Vaclav Havel, who has died, the BBC's former Prague correspondent Chris Bowlby looks back at the life of the Czech playwright turned politican who led his country's revolution against communism. We hope you enjoy this Profile Extra podcast.
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Profile: Prof Peter Higgs 17 Dec 11
The physicist Peter Higgs, who in the 1960s postulated the existence of the so-called 'God Particle' which may have been glimpsed recently by scientists at Cern, is the subject of this week's Profile. Presented by Samira Ahmed.
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Profile: Newt Gingrich 10 Dec 2011
Newt Gingrich, former adversary of Bill Clinton, now a leading contender for the Republican nomination for the US presidential election, is the subject of this week's Profile. Presented by Samira Ahmed.
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Profile: Youssou N'Dour 03 Dec 2011
Youssou N'Dour has announced he is to put his music career on hold to concentrate on politics. Edward Stourton profiles the Senegalese singer and asks if he has what it takes to make the transition from pop to politics.
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Profile: Mohamed Hussein Tantawi 26 Nov 2011
Chris Bowlby charts the career of 76 year old Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the key figure in Egypt's new political crisis.
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Profile: Meryl Streep 19 Nov 2011
As Meryl Streep prepares to star as a determined Margaret Thatcher in a new star studded biopic, Andy Denwood explores her own single minded dedication to her chosen profession.
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Profile: Tom Watson MP 12 Nov 2011
He's been described as the man who's driven the media empire of Rupert Murdoch to the brink with his relentless campaign on phone hacking. Edward Stourton profiles MP Tom Watson.
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Profile: Mario Draghi 05 Nov 2011
Mario Draghi takes on one of the most important jobs in Europe, head of its Central Bank. Lesley Curwen profiles the un-Italian Italian now centre stage in the Euro crisis.
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Profile: Umberto Bossi 29 Oct 2011
Geeta Guru-Murthy profiles Umberto Bossi, the controversial leader of Italy's Northern League, who has been accused of holding up Italy's economic reform.
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Profile: 'Ian Brown Stone Roses 22 Oct 2011
Legendary band The Stone Roses announced this week that they are reforming. Liam Gallagher, John Leckie and John Robb speak to Linda Pressly as she profiles lead singer Ian Brown.
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Profile: Jeremy Heywood 15 Oct 2011
He's long been one of the most powerful figures in government, but few outside Whitehall have heard of him. Chris Bowlby profiles the next Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood.
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Profile: Lord Justice Leveson 08 Oct 2011
Lord Justice Leveson is leading the public inquiry into the phone hacking scandal, and relationships between politicians, journalists and police officers. Claire Bolderson profiles this son of a psychiatrist from Liverpool, and explores his career from the bar to the bench.
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Profile: Stelios Haji-Ioannou 01 Oct 2011
Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, has just set up Fastjet.com to rival his old company. Rosie Goldsmith finds out about the entrepreneurial son of a shipping magnate.
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Profile: Warren Buffett 24 Sep 11
Mary Ann Sieghart presents a profile of US investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett.
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Profile: Bernard Hogan-Howe 17 Sep 2011
The BBC's Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw looks at the life and career of the new London Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe.
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Profile: Rick Perry 10 Sep 2011
Chris Bowlby looks at Texas Governor Rick Perry, one of those vying to become the Republican Party's Presidential candidate.
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Profile: Vanessa Redgrave 02 Sep 11
Edward Stourton profiles Vanessa Redgrave, political activist and award-winning actress.
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Profile: Mustafa Abdul Jalil 27 Aug 11
Mustafa Abdul Jalil who defected when Justice Minister for the Libyan regime and now heads the rebel National Transitional Council.
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Profile: Arsene Wenger 20 Aug 2011
The Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is credited with turning around the fortunes of his club and forging a new approach to football management. Known as the 'Professor' and lauded as a genius, he now faces criticism from some of his own loyal fans. Andy Denwood profiles the Frenchman at the heart of English football.
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Profile: Theresa May 13 Aug 11
After the worst riots in England for a generation, Simon Cox profiles Home Secretary, Theresa May, known for her Thatcheresque work ethic, sense of duty and a passion for shoes.
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Profile: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 06 Aug 2011
James Reynolds profiles Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the religious leader of Iran, the cleric who, despite appearances, wields true power in the Islamic Republic.
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Profile: John Armitt 30 July 11
The London Olympics project is on time and under budget. John Armitt, head of the Olympic Delivery Authority, deserves much of the credit. Presented by Shari Vahl.
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Profile: Elizabeth Filkin, 23 July 11
Elizabeth Filkin appointed this week to clean up the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the media, to cheers and jeers in the House. As Parliamentary Commissioner a decade ago she was the first to question MPs expenses before being - some say - hounded out of office. Shari Vahl profiles this fearless public servant now takling press and police ethics.
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Profile: Rupert Murdoch 16 July 11
Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corp, at the centre of a storm of protest over illegal phone hacking. Steve Hewlett reveals the character of the man behind the story, who at the age of 80 faces the biggest challenge of his extraordinary career.
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Profile: Nick Davies, 2 July 11
Jonathan Maitland looks at the life and career of Nick Davies, the investigative journalist. Davies broke the phone hacking story which led to the announcement this week of the closure of the News of the World newspaper.
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Profile: Christine Lagarde 2 July 11
New head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, becomes the first female to hold the post and one of the world's most powerful women. Adrian Goldberg profiles the jam making, yoga loving lawyer who was once a synchronised swimmer and thinks too much testosterone in a board room is a bad thing.
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Profile: Bashar al-Assad 25 Jun 11
Reformer or autocrat? As President Assad of Syria battles to remain in power, Simon Cox examines how a doctor trained in London with a British wife became an Arab head of state.
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Profile: Martin Amis 23 Apr 11
In the week that novelist Martin Amis criticised the Royal Family and bemoaned the 'moral decrepitude' of Britain, Rosie Goldsmith looks at the life and career of the 'bad boy of British fiction'.
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Profile: Rebekah Brooks 16 Apr 11
In the week that the News of the World has come under intense scrutiny over phone hacking allegations, Ed Stourton profiles Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of the media group News International, and asks how she has become one of the most powerful women in Britain today.
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Profile: Ai Weiwei 09 Apr 2011
Ai Weiwei this week became the most high-profile figure to be detained by the Chinese authorities. Mary Ann Sieghart looks at the life and career of the controversial artist, philosopher and political activist.
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Profile: Adele 02 Apr 11
Adele's unique voice has won both critical acclaim and sold millions of albums - and she's still just 21. BBC Entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson asks how she's done it.
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Profile: Amr Moussa 26 Mar 11
The Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa - the man who represents the uncertain position of its members over military action in Libya - is profiled by Morland Sanders .
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Profile: Marine Le Pen 19 Mar 11
Marine Le Pen is the new leader of the far right Front Nationale party in France. She has done well in recent opinion polls and her party now looks set to have a fresh influence on French politics as the country looks forward to elections in 2012.
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Profile: William Hague 12 Mar 11
The foreign secretary William Hague has been criticised this week for his handling of the crisis in Libya. Chris Bowlby examines this latest twist in a career of dramatic highs and lows.
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Profile: John Galliano 05 Mar 11
Chris Bowlby looks at the turbulent career of John Galliano, one of the most successful British designers, who has been sacked by Dior for allegedly making anti-Semitic comments.
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Profile: Lord Patten 26 Feb 11
Mary Ann Sieghart looks at the life and career of Lord Patten, who is expected to become the next Chairman of the BBC Trust.
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Profile: Sachin Tendulkar 19 Feb 11
This week Profile takes a look at Sachin Tendulkar, possibly the most worshipped cricketer in the world. Rob Bonnet discovers how Tendulkar has become India's cricket god.
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Profile: Arianna Huffington 12 Feb 11
Emma Jane Kirby looks at the life and times of Arianna Huffington, who this week sold her internet newspaper, The Huffington Post, to media giants AOL.
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Profile: Craig Oliver 05 Feb 11
What makes Craig Oliver the best choice for David Cameron's Director of Communications? Jane Dodge profiles the career journalist taking over at the Number 10 press office.
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Profile: Baroness Sayeeda Warsi 29 JAN 11
Gerry Northam profiles Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, co chair of the Conservative party and the first female Muslim government cabinet minister.
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Profile: Andy Coulson 22 Jan 11
After Andy Coulson's resignation as the Prime Minister's Communications Director, James Silver profiles his life and career.
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Profile: Colin Firth 15 Jan 11
As Colin Firth is honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Jonathan Maitland profiles the actor tipped to receive an Oscar for his performance in The King's Speech.
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Profile: Mark Zuckerberg 08 Jan 11
At 26, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg is now thought to be the world's youngest billionaire. Is he really the character portrayed in the film, The Social Network? At 26, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg is now thought to be the world's youngest billionaire. Is he really the character portrayed in the film, The Social Network?
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Profile: Prince William 1 Jan 2011
As Prince William prepares to marry, Chris Bowlby asks who and what has shaped him and his royal role?
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Profile: Lady Gaga 25 Dec 10
Steven Smith profiles the extraordinary pop phenomenon, Lady Gaga.
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Profile: Glenn Beck 23 Oct 10
Mary Anne Sieghart profiles the contoversial American radio and talkshow host, Glenn Beck
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Profile: Iain Duncan Smith 16 Oct 10
A Profile of Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, presented by Mary Ann Sieghart.
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Profile: Yvette Cooper 09 Oct 10
Mary Ann Sieghart profiles the new Shadow Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper
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Profile: Dilma Rousseff 2 Oct 10
Dilma Rousseff looks likely to become the next President of Brazil and, as a result, one of the most powerful women in international politics.
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Profile: Eric Daniels 25 Sep 10
The CEO of Lloyds, Britain's biggest retail bank, who will retire with an estimated 13 million pay off package. Eric Daniels is the last survivor of the big banking beasts who were at the helm when the banking crisis struck. Known as an unlikely risk taker, he is still being pursued by angry shareholders who saw their stake plummet after the takeover of HBOS. Morland Sanders profiles Eric Daniels whose departure was announced this week.
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Profile: Danny Alexander 18 Sep 10
Jonathan Maitland looks at Danny Alexander, former Lib Dem back bencher, now Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
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Profile: Pope Benedict XVI 4th September 2010
Who is Pope Benedict XVI? Ahead of his visit to the UK in September, Jane Little delves into his background and paints a portrait of a man many people know little about.
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