Desert Island Discs

Joanna Trollope

11 Sep 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the novelist Joanna Trollope. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how she made the move from writin...

Rabbi Hugo Gryn

10 Jul 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Rabbi Hugo Gryn. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how his happy and secure childhood in Czechoslo...

Derek Jameson

03 Jul 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the journalist and broadcaster Derek Jameson. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his early poverty-...

John Drummond

26 Jun 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Director of the Promenade Concerts John Drummond. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his years ...

Brian Sewell

19 Jun 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the controversial art critic Brian Sewell. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how he did not go to ...

Zoe Wanamaker

12 Jun 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the actress Zoe Wanamaker. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the roles she has taken on in theatr...

Milton Shulman

05 Jun 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Milton Shulman. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how he came to Britain from Toronto as an Intell...

Peter Scudamore

29 May 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the jockey Peter Scudamore. The son of a jockey who had won the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gol...

Britt Ekland

22 May 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the actress Britt Ekland. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her miraculous transformation from an...

Kate Adie

15 May 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the BBC's Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the pleasures and...

Sir John Wilson

08 May 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is a man who has devoted his life to helping those who share his own disability - blindness. Sir John Wi...

Garrison Keillor

01 May 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the American writer and broadcaster Garrison Keillor. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his childh...

Trevor McDonald

24 Apr 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week has recently topped the polls as the country's most popular newscaster. He is ITN's Trevor McDonald, and...

Alan Hacker

17 Apr 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is a musician who started his professional career as a clarinettist with the London Philharmonic Orchest...

Roger McGough

10 Apr 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the poet Roger McGough. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his boyhood in Liverpool where he showed...

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

03 Apr 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Over the last 23 years, he has navigated the White Nile in a hoverc...

Conrad Black

27 Mar 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week owns the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator - amongst two or three hundred other newspapers and magazines...

Christina Dodwell

06 Mar 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs is the explorer Christina Dodwell. Born in West Africa, she spent her early years running wild in the Bush. When h...

Frances Partridge

27 Feb 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is as old as this century and is said to be the last survivor of the much written-about Bloomsbury set. ...

Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke MP

20 Feb 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kenneth Clarke. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his reputation a...

Rosemary Verey

13 Feb 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the gardener Rosemary Verey. Passionate about planting and growing flowers and herbs as a child in th...

Douglas Adams

06 Feb 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Douglas Adams, creator of the anarchic world conjured up by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He'...

Dame Cicely Saunders

30 Jan 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the founder of the Hospice Movement Dame Cicely Saunders. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her s...

Willy Russell

23 Jan 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the playwright Willy Russell. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the route his career has taken - f...

Sir Harrison Birtwistle

16 Jan 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the internationally-acclaimed composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about ...

Ian Hislop

09 Jan 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Ian Hislop. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the seven turbulent years of his editorship of Priva...

Oliver Sacks

02 Jan 1994

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Dr Oliver Sacks. Now a distinguished Professor of Neurology, he was immortalised by Robin Williams in...

Lord Ashley

26 Dec 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Twenty-six years ago, the then Labour MP Jack Ashley entered a world of silence - a minor operation on his ears went disastrously wrong and he lost hi...

Phil Collins

19 Dec 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the rock star Phil Collins. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his rise to fame as the lead singer ...

Taki

28 Nov 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is proud to describe himself as a playboy - he is Taki Theodoracopulos - the millionaire journalist who ...

Doris Lessing

21 Nov 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week has been described by some critics as Britain's greatest living writer. Doris Lessing will be talking to...

Shirley Anne Field

14 Nov 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the actress Shirley-Anne Field. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her Dickensian upbringing in di...

Sybil Marshall

07 Nov 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week has just produced her first novel in her 80th year. Sybil Marshall will be talking to Sue Lawley about t...

Judge Stephen Tumin

31 Oct 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Stephen Tumim. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about m...

Kenny Everett

24 Oct 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the disc jockey Kenny Everett. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his Merseyside childhood, his dis...

Raymond Seitz

17 Oct 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the present American Ambassador in London, Raymond Seitz. The first career diplomat ever to be appoin...

Lesley Garrett

10 Oct 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the opera singer Lesley Garrett. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her musical Yorkshire family -...

Rt Hon Virginia Bottomley MP

03 Oct 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Secretary of State for Health, Virginia Bottomley. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the stre...

Lord Palumbo

26 Sep 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Chairman of the Arts Council Lord Palumbo. Property developer and long-time patron of the arts, h...

Paul Merton

19 Sep 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Paul Merton. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his enduring but secret ambition to be a comedian a...

Isabel Allende

12 Sep 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the novelist Isabel Allende. One of the most widely-read Latin American writers, she'll be talking to...

Nicholas Hytner

11 Jul 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the theatre director Nicholas Hytner. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his string of directorial ...

Peter Mayle

04 Jul 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the writer Peter Mayle. Renowned for his best-selling books about life as an Englishman in France, he...

Sir Leon Brittan

27 Jun 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Sir Leon Brittan. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about life as one of Britain's European Commissioner...

Joan Baez

20 Jun 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is musician and campaigner Joan Baez.Favourite track: Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure by Charles Gounod Book: Diary by Anne Frank ...

Rt Hon Betty Boothroyd MP

13 Jun 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her Yorks...

Frank Bruno

06 Jun 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the boxer Frank Bruno.He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how he got into trouble as a young boy for...

Kaye Webb

30 May 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is a publisher.Kaye Webb was made editor of Puffin Books in the 1960s, and held the job for nearly 20 ye...

Lord Weinstock

23 May 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is a businessman.Born into a family of Polish-Jewish immigrants, he was orphaned at the age of nine and ...

Eva Burrows

16 May 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is General of the Salvation Army Eva Burrows.Favourite track: St Matthew Passion Konnen Tranen Meiner Wangen by Johann Sebastian...

John Cole

09 May 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is journalist and broadcaster John Cole.Favourite track: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A La Reche...

John Boorman

02 May 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is film director John Boorman.Favourite track: Symphony No 7 Second Movement by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Memories, Dreams and ...

Baroness Blackstone

25 Apr 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Baroness Blackstone.She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her political radicalisation at the London ...

Anton Edelmann

18 Apr 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is chef Anton Edelmann.Favourite track: Clarinet Concerto in A by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Tibetan Book of Living and Dying...

Lord Oaksey

11 Apr 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the jockey and racing journalist Lord Oaksey. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how he decided to ...

Richard Gregory

04 Apr 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Professor Richard Gregory. He is a scientist who comes from a long line of academics - his father was...

David Croft

14 Mar 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer David Croft.Favourite track: Not While I'm Around by Cleo Laine Book: Collected Poems by Sir John Betjeman Luxury: Pia...

Ken Livingstone MP

07 Mar 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is politician Ken Livingstone.Favourite track: Joe Hill by Paul Robeson Book: The Myths of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley Luxur...

Elijah Moshinsky

28 Feb 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is director Elijah Moshinsky.Favourite track: Requiem: Agnes Dei by Giuseppe Verdi Book: Michael Frayn translation of Complete P...

Sir Robin Butler

21 Feb 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is civil servant Sir Robin Butler.Favourite track: Messiah I Know That My Redeemer Liveth by George Frideric Handel Book: Rise a...

Anthony Storr

31 Jan 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is psychiatrist Anthony Storr.Favourite track: String Quintet No 3 in G Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A La Recherche Du...

Evelyn Glennie

24 Jan 1993

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the musician Evelyn Glennie. Profoundly deaf since the age of 12, her extraordinary talent as a virtu...

Dervla Murphy

17 Jan 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is cyclist and writer Dervla Murphy.Favourite track: Triple Concerto in C Major by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Diary by Samuel Pe...

Barbara Mills QC

10 Jan 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is QC Barbara Mills.Favourite track: Un Ballo In Maschera: E Scherzo Od E Follia by Giuseppe Verdi Book: History of the Crusades...

Elizabeth Jennings

03 Jan 1993

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is poet Elizabeth Jennings.Favourite track: Horn Concerto No 4 In E Flat Major K 495 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: The New Ox...

Stephen Hawking

25 Dec 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway this week in a special extended edition of the programme is Stephen Hawking, author of the best-selling A Brief History of Time and Lucas...

Paul Smith

20 Dec 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is designer Paul Smith.Favourite track: Queen of the Slipstream by Van Morrison Book: Beano Annual 1974 Luxury: Notebook and pen...

Professor Ghillean Prance

13 Dec 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is botanist Professor Ghillean Prance.Favourite track: Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Book: The Natural History...

Carmen Callil

06 Dec 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is publisher and writer Carmen Callil.Favourite track: Adagio In E Flat by Franz Schubert Book: Maurice Guest by Henry Handel Ri...

Lord Tebbit

29 Nov 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is politician Lord Tebbit.Favourite track: Chorus Of Hebrew Slaves by Giuseppe Verdi Book: History of the English-Speaking Peopl...

John Eliot Gardiner

22 Nov 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is conductor John Eliot Gardiner.Favourite track: Peter's Denial (St. Matthew Passion) by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Memoirs by...

Christabel Bielenberg

08 Nov 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Christabel Bielenberg.Favourite track: Deep River by Paul Robeson Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Luxury: A comfort...

General H Norman Schwarzkopf

01 Nov 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is the Gulf War General H Norman Schwarzkopf.Favourite track: Battle Hymn Of The Republic by Howe-Steffe Book: The Prophet by Ka...

Gavin Laird

25 Oct 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is trade unionist Gavin Laird.Favourite track: Symphony No 3 in C Minor (Organ Symphony) by Camille Saint-Saëns Book: Diary by ...

Julie Andrews

18 Oct 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Julie Andrews, the star of such film favourites as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews...

Rt Hon Lord Sainsbury

11 Oct 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is businessman and politician Lord Sainsbury.Favourite track: String Quintet In C Second Movement by Franz Schubert Book: The Ne...

Juliet Stevenson

04 Oct 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Juliet Stevenson.Favourite track: Sonata No 3 in G Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Complete Works by W B Yeats L...

Chad Varah

27 Sep 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is founder of the Samaritans Chad Varah.Favourite track: Aria: Dulcis Amor by George Frideric Handel Book: The New Oxford Book o...

Raymond Blanc

20 Sep 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is chef Raymond Blanc.Favourite track: Hungarian Dance No 1 in G Minor by Johannes Brahms Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de ...

Penelope Leach

13 Sep 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is psychologist Penelope Leach.Favourite track: Prelude No 6 In D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Complete Works by Sigmund...

Bob Geldof

06 Sep 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is musician Bob Geldof.Favourite track: In The Garden by Van Morrison Book: Diary by Samuel Pepys Luxury: The Metropolitan Museu...

Rt Hon David Mellor MP

26 Jul 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is politician David Mellor.Favourite track: Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod by Richard Wagner Book: The Mayor of Casterbridge by ...

Sir Peregrine Worsthorne

19 Jul 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is newspaper columnist Sir Peregrine Worsthorne. Outspoken and flamboyant, he believes that the columnis...

Mohamed Amin

12 Jul 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is photo-journalist Mohamed Amin.Favourite track: My Way by Frank Sinatra Book: Life of John F Kennedy Luxury: Satellite dish an...

Clare Short MP

05 Jul 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is politician Clare Short.Favourite track: Nun Sag Ich Dir Zum Ersten Mal by Arnold Schoenberg Book: Geometry Tutor Luxury: Pian...

Vivienne Westwood

28 Jun 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Avant-garde, surprising and often shocking, Vivienne first drew m...

Terry Waite

21 Jun 1992

Contributed by Lukas

In 1987, as an Ambassador of the Anglican Church trying to engineer the freedom of men held in Lebanon, Terry Waite was taken hostage himself. Nearly ...

Robert Lindsay

14 Jun 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is actor Robert Lindsay. Born in Derbyshire 42 years ago, he's recognised today as one of Britain's most...

Duncan Goodhew

07 Jun 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the swimmer Duncan Goodhew. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his early life, which was dogged by ...

Prunella Scales

31 May 1992

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Lawley's castaway is one of the country's favourite actresses Prunella Scales. She's most easily recognised as Sybil Fawlty, wife of John Cleese, ...

Lord Chief Justice Taylor

24 May 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the country's most senior serving judge Lord Taylor of Gosforth. Recently appointed the Lord Chief Ju...

Michael Grade

17 May 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is television executive Michael Grade. As a member of the famous Grade dynasty, he grew up in the showbi...

Will Carling

10 May 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is rugby player Will Carling. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how, as a six year old, he dreamed of...

Henrietta, Marchioness Of Tavistock

03 May 1992

Contributed by Lukas

This week's castaway in Desert Island Discs is Henrietta, Marchioness of Tavistock. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about, amongst other things, her i...

Anthony Rolfe Johnson

26 Apr 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the distinguished tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his Methodist upb...

Sir Ernst Gombrich

05 Apr 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is art historian Sir Ernst Gombrich. His most famous book, The Story of Art, was written more than 40 ye...

Lady Soames

22 Mar 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Lady Soames, historian and only surviving child of Winston Churchill. A distinguished author and now ...

Sir Isaiah Berlin

15 Mar 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is philosopher and historian Sir Isaiah Berlin. Born in Latvia 80 years ago, he was brought to England b...

Jocelyn Stevens

08 Mar 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is entrepreneur, newspaperman and public servant Jocelyn Stevens. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about h...

Dr Steve Jones

01 Mar 1992

Contributed by Lukas

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is geneticist Dr Steve Jones. Eminent in his field, he's made a lifelong study of the evolution of the s...