Desert Island Discs
Episodes
Frances Edmonds
09 Aug 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Frances Edmonds accompanied her husband Phil on two tours with the England cricket team and wrote books about the trips. In conversation with Michael ...
Maya Angelou
02 Aug 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Maya Angelou inherited her love of music from her grandmother, who used to sing to her as a child at the family home in the southern United States. Th...
Kenneth Williams
26 Jul 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is Kenneth Williams who, for 40 years, has occupied a unique place on stage, screen and radio. In conversation with Michael Par...
Elaine Paige
12 Jul 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is the actress-singer Elaine Paige who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, looks back on her career from her debut in the ...
Robert Maxwell
05 Jul 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Maxwell was born in Czechoslovakia, the son of a peasant farmer. He arrived in Britain in September 1940, one of the remnants of the Czech Army...
Terence Stamp
28 Jun 1987
Contributed by Lukas
When he made his film debut in Billy Budd, Terence Stamp was described as "the most beautiful man in the world". His portrayal of Sergeant Troy in Far...
Frank Bough
26 Apr 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Frank Bough has been described as "the most unassailable performer on British television". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on hi...
Michael Bogdanov
19 Apr 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Bogdanov's colourful, and sometimes controversial, career has included running a pub, a prosecution for his interpretation of Howard Brenton's...
Julian Critchley
12 Apr 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Julian Critchley is the Conservative MP for Aldershot and he's also a journalist and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he talks about his...
Anthony Andrews
05 Apr 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is the actor Anthony Andrews who, in 1981, won international acclaim for his portrayal of the doomed Sebastian Flyte in the tel...
Peter Alliss
29 Mar 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is the former Ryder Cup golfer Peter Alliss, who has become one of the game's best-known commentators. In conversation with Mic...
David Penhaligon
22 Mar 1987
Contributed by Lukas
A tribute to David Penhaligon, the Cornish Liberal MP who was killed in a road accident at the end of last year. In a conversation with Michael Parkin...
Dora Bryan
15 Mar 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is the actress Dora Bryan whose career, spanning more than 50 years, has ranged from musicals to Shakespeare, review to restora...
Johnny Mathis
08 Mar 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny Mathis has been making very popular records for some 30 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in a poor part ...
Sir Nicholas Goodison
01 Mar 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is the Chairman of the Stock Exchange Sir Nicholas Goodison. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he reflects on his career ...
Ken Russell
22 Feb 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Russell has directed many films, including Women in Love, The Music Lovers, The Boyfriend and Gothic, his latest. In conversation with Michael Par...
Sir Michael Hordern
15 Feb 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is Sir Michael Hordern who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, recalls a distinguished acting career spanning 50 years. He...
Victoria Wood
08 Feb 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Comedienne, musician and playwright are just three of the talents of Victoria Wood. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she outlines her career to...
Peter Fluck & Roger Law
01 Feb 1987
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Fluck and Roger Law are the creators of the successful satirical television series Spitting Image. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they ...
Baroness (Sue) Ryder of Warsaw
25 Jan 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The castaway this week is Baroness Ryder of Warsaw, who, in 1953, formed the Sue Ryder Foundation to provide homes and domiciliary care for the sick a...
Jeremy Lloyd
18 Jan 1987
Contributed by Lukas
As an actor, Jeremy Lloyd made his name playing the part of the archetypal English 'upper-class twit'. As a writer, his most recent success has been '...
James Prior
11 Jan 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The Rt Hon James Prior MP manages to combine his parliamentary work with being the Chairman of the General Electric Company. In conversation with Mich...
Tony Bennett
04 Jan 1987
Contributed by Lukas
The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants ...
Benny Green
14 Dec 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Benny Green makes a living as a columnist, broadcaster, lyricist, novelist, etc. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in L...
Jackie Collins
07 Dec 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie Collins lives in Beverley Hills, California, and writes novels, all of which appear in the bestseller lists, and many have been filmed. In conv...
Nigel Hawthorne
30 Nov 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Hawthorne is now very well-known as Secretary to the Cabinet in the television series Yes, Prime Minister. In conversation with Michael Parkinso...
John Ridgway
23 Nov 1986
Contributed by Lukas
John Ridgway's adventures first became public when, in 1966, he rowed across the Atlantic with Chay Blyth. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he ...
Hal Prince
16 Nov 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Hal Prince has just produced the musical The Phantom of the Opera in London. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life in the th...
Kingsley Amis
09 Nov 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Kingsley Amis won the 1986 Booker Prize for his novel The Old Devils. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in South Lo...
Jeremy Irons
02 Nov 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Irons first achieved international recognition as an actor for his performance in Brideshead Revisited on television. In conversation with Mich...
Albert & Michel Roux
26 Oct 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Albert and Michel Roux each have their own restaurants, which are among the best in this country. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they talk ab...
Phil Edmonds
19 Oct 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Phil Edmonds, the cricketer, "has the reputation for being awkward and arrogant, mainly because he is awkward and arrogant", wrote his wife. In conver...
Sir Fred Hoyle
12 Oct 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Fred Hoyle has been described as "unquestionably one of the most gifted astronomers and mathematicians of our times", and "the maverick genius of ...
Sir Ian MacGregor
05 Oct 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Ian McGregor was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when he was asked to create a more efficient steel industry in this country. In conversation w...
Richard Condon
28 Sep 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Condon has written 23 novels since becoming a full-time writer at the age of 42. These include The Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honour. I...
Suzi Quatro
21 Sep 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Suzi Quatro is an enormous success in her first acting role in the theatre, the lead in Annie Get Your Gun. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, sh...
James Herbert
14 Sep 1986
Contributed by Lukas
James Herbert has now sold more than 16 million copies of his novels. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in the East End...
Andrew Davis
07 Sep 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Davis, who has been the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 1975, was born in England and studied music at King's College, C...
Auberon Waugh
31 Aug 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Auberon Waugh, now the Editor of the Literary Review, has gained a reputation as a controversial journalist. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, h...
Stan Barstow
24 Aug 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Stan Barstow made his name as a novelist in 1960 with A Kind of Loving. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in Yorks...
Jane Lapotaire
17 Aug 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Lapotaire's first great success as an actress was with her portrayal of Edith Piaf. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her diffi...
Virginia Holgate
10 Aug 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Virginia Holgate has won two medals in the Olympic Games as a horse trials rider. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her childhood tr...
Norman Lewis
03 Aug 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Norman Lewis has spent a lifetime travelling the world and writing about it. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his curious upbringing...
Roger Vadim
27 Jul 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Roger Vadim, the French writer and director, sprang to fame with his first film And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot. In conversation with ...
Sir Geoffrey Howe
20 Jul 1986
Contributed by Lukas
The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, was brought up in the Labour stronghold of Port Talbot. In ...
Sir David Wilson
13 Jul 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Sir David Wilson, who is the Director of the British Museum, first became interested in archaeology when his family moved to the Isle of Man and he di...
Brian Redhead
06 Jul 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Redhead has presented the Today programme for the last 10 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his appearance on Childr...
Anne-Sophie Mutter
29 Jun 1986
Contributed by Lukas
The violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who is 23 years old today, has been in great demand around the world since she became Herbert von Karajan's protégé...
Jackie Stewart
22 Jun 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie Stewart was world champion in Formula One motor racing before he retired in 1973. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbrin...
Max Hastings
15 Jun 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Max Hastings is the new editor of the Daily Telegraph. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the influence of his father, MacDonald H...
Ismail Merchant
08 Jun 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Ismail Merchant, the film producer, went into partnership with the director James Ivory 24 years ago. During those years, their films have included Sh...
Elton John
01 Jun 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Elton John began his career as a tea-boy for a music publisher. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his first band, Bluesology, abo...
Bobby Robson
25 May 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby Robson is the manager of the England football team, who are about to go to Mexico for the World Cup. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he ...
Arthur Hailey
06 Apr 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Arthur Hailey's novels, which include Hotel and Airport, have made him one of the world's best-selling authors. He was born in England, but emigrated;...
Jane Glover
30 Mar 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Glover, who is the Artistic Director of the London Mozart Players, first became interested in conducting when she was reading music at Oxford Uni...
Rt Hon Shirley Williams
23 Mar 1986
Contributed by Lukas
The Rt Hon Shirley Williams is President of the Social Democratic Party. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her mother Vera Britt...
Ron Pickering
16 Mar 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Pickering, the sports commentator, used to coach athletes for the Olympics. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career, abo...
Beryl Bainbridge
09 Mar 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Beryl Bainbridge began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Liverpool Playhouse, and went on to become a writer. In conversation with Micha...
John Dankworth
02 Mar 1986
Contributed by Lukas
John Dankworth studied music at the Royal Academy when jazz was not an approved subject - "I used to pretend my saxophone was a bassoon when I put it ...
Selina Scott
23 Feb 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Selina Scott's first job was as a journalist in Dundee. Her move into television came after a three-year stint promoting the island of Bute. In conver...
Ben Kingsley
16 Feb 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Kingsley became a star almost overnight when he took the title role in the film Gandhi. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the...
Bruce Oldfield
09 Feb 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Oldfield has achieved an international reputation as a fashion designer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing, ...
Dennis Taylor
02 Feb 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Dennis Taylor became the world snooker champion in a dramatic match against Steve Davis last April. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he describ...
Roy Hattersley
26 Jan 1986
Contributed by Lukas
The Rt Hon Roy Hattersley MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, talks to Michael Parkinson about his upbringin...
Maureen Lipman
19 Jan 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Maureen Lipman is perhaps best known for her role in the television series Agony, but much of her work has been in the theatre. In conversation with M...
Nigel Kennedy
12 Jan 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Kennedy, who achieved international success as a violinist in his early 20s, talks to Michael Parkinson about his musical education at the Menuh...
Alan Parker
05 Jan 1986
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Parkinson's first guest is the film director Alan Parker, who, besides choosing the eight records he would take to the mythical island, talks ...
Sheila Steafel
11 May 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television series The Fros...
Rt Hon David Steel MP
04 May 1985
Contributed by Lukas
The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Liberal Party...
Barbara Taylor Bradford
27 Apr 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In conversation...
Robert Burchfield
20 Apr 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy during the ...
Joseph Allen
13 Apr 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy training as an a...
Doris Stokes
06 Apr 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her experience...
Richard Eyre
23 Mar 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about so...
Gordon Beningfield
16 Mar 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Gordon Beningfield's designs for postage stamps include a butterfly set and the recently-issued insect set. He is also well-known for his paintings of...
Alison Lurie
09 Mar 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Lurie is not only a part-time professor of English at Cornell University where she teaches creative writing and children's literature, but she ...
Jorge Bolet
02 Mar 1985
Contributed by Lukas
The pianist Jorge Bolet, who was born in Havana, Cuba, was given lessons first by his sister. He went on to study at the Curtis Institute in Philadelp...
Anthony Hopkins
23 Feb 1985
Contributed by Lukas
The actor Anthony Hopkins has recently returned to this country after 10 years in California.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his upbr...
Michael Elkins
16 Feb 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New York, where ...
Elly Ameling
09 Feb 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Elly Ameling's career as a singer took off when she won the first prizes in two competitions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she explains why she d...
Julie Walters
02 Feb 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Walters had a variety of jobs, including nursing, before she took up acting. An early London appearance was the result of Funny Peculiar, transf...
Madhur Jaffrey
26 Jan 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Madhur Jaffrey is an actress who has now become as well-known as a writer and broadcaster on Indian and Far Eastern cooking. In conversation with Roy ...
John Harvey-Jones
19 Jan 1985
Contributed by Lukas
John Harvey-Jones, who is Chairman of the giant company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), began his career in the Royal Navy and was a lieutenant-co...
Tom Stoppard
12 Jan 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Stoppard, the playwright, began his career as a journalist on a local newspaper in Bristol. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his w...
Sir Michael Tippett
05 Jan 1985
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this century. As he ...
Ray Cooney
15 Dec 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Ray Cooney, who is the Artistic Director of the very successful Theatre of Comedy, began his career as an actor. Before long, he started directing pla...
Sir John Burgh
08 Dec 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, ...
Miklos Rozsa
01 Dec 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Miklos Rozsa is best known for his many film scores, including those for The Thief of Baghdad, Ben-Hur and Spellbound, but he has also written several...
Robin Hanbury-Tenison
24 Nov 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Hanbury-Tenison divides his time between farming in Cornwall and exploring the remote corners of the world. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he...
David Puttnam
17 Nov 1984
Contributed by Lukas
David Puttnam, now a very successful film producer, began his career as a messenger boy. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how he worked ...
Vernon Handley
10 Nov 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Vernon Handley, Associate Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, has made his name through his devotion to British music. In conversation wit...
Tom Sharpe
03 Nov 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Sharpe spent much of his early career in South Africa doing social work, teaching and finally running a photographic studio, until he was deported...
David Rendall
27 Oct 1984
Contributed by Lukas
David Rendall, the tenor, is singing in the new production of Madame Butterfly at the Coliseum in London, just one of the many engagements around the ...
Jonathan Lynn
20 Oct 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Lynn began his acting career in the Footlights at Cambridge University. From 1970 he also began directing plays and, for a while, he ran the ...
Michael Ffolkes
19 Oct 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Ffolkes, the cartoonist, works principally for the Daily Telegraph and Punch, which first published one of his cartoons when he was only 17 ye...
John Surman
06 Oct 1984
Contributed by Lukas
John Surman, who plays the baritone saxophone, has acquired an international reputation as a jazz musician and so spends much of his time abroad.In co...
John Hurt
29 Sep 1984
Contributed by Lukas
John Hurt has built up a tremendous reputation as an actor, particularly for his performances in The Elephant Man, The Naked Civil Servant and Champio...
Alfred Eisenstadt
22 Sep 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Alfred Eisenstadt gave up being a belt-and-button salesman in 1929 to become a professional photographer, concentrating on what is now called 'photojo...
Gerry Cottle
15 Sep 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Gerry Cottle's latest circus is a fast-moving show with no ring-master and no animals, but it is very popular. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he re...
Catherine Cookson
08 Sep 1984
Contributed by Lukas
Catherine Cookson is a very successful writer with 61 novels, all in print, to her name. But she was brought up in very poor circumstances on Tyneside...