In 1858 Charles Dickens separated from his wife, Catherine. Catherine moved out of the family home, but her sister remained living with Charles.

Spurious gossip soon followed, accusing Dickens of having an affair with his own sister-in-law, and even that she had been forced to give birth to three illegitimate children.

So what was happening in the Dickens household? Who was this enigmatic sister-in-law? And what role did she play in the break down of the Dickenses marriage.

For this episode, Jordan Evans-Hill was joined by Christine Skelton, author of 'Charles Dickens and Georgina Hogarth: A Curious and Enduring Relationship.'

On 12th March 1851 Charles Dickens was introduced to a man who would become one of the most significant figures in his life and career; Wilkie Collins.

To celebrate the current exhibition 'Mutual Friends: The Adventures of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins,' Jordan Evans-Hill chats to Emma Harper about this dynamic, fruitful and at times challenging friendship.

With special thanks to Simon Callow and Mark Gatiss.

Charles Dickens loved to write about food, which features heavily in all of his stories. A Christmas Carol is no different, and is resplendent with descriptions of roast goose, mince pies, smoking bishop and an enormous, festive turkey.

So why was food so important to Dickens? How did he use food in his writing to tell us about his characters? What does his descriptions tell us about Charles Dickens himself?

Inimitable is produced and presented by Jordan Evans-Hill. Speakers include Dr Cindy Sughrue, Director of the Charles Dickens Museum, Dr Frankie Kubicki, deputy director and Emma Harper, curator. Guest speakers include Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, Dr Lee Jackson, Pen Vogler, Simon Callow and Miriam Margolyes.