This week’s castaway is the playwright Dennis Potter. Best known for his television series Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective, Potter worked as a journalist and television critic before turning to writing. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his childhood in the mining community of Forest of Dean, his career in Britain and Hollywood and talks about coping with psoriatic arthropathy. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Isl...
Feb 21, 1988•33 min
This week’s castaway is the author, columnist and broadcaster William Davis. The former editor of Punch started his career as a financial journalist and his many roles have included working for Lord Beaverbrook, presenting the World at One and founding a successful publishing company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he looks back over his childhood in wartime Germany and life in post-war Britain, and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme ...
Feb 14, 1988•35 min
This week’s castaway is the dancer and founder of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe, Margaret Kelly. An orphan born in Dublin, she started a career as a dancer at the age of twelve. As a teenager she worked in Germany in the late 1920s and 30s before moving to France. It was there that she formed The Bluebell Girls, a dance troupe which became synonymous with the high life of Paris. She spent the war working with them in Nazi-occupied Paris, hiding her Jewish husband in an attic. In conversation w...
Feb 07, 1988•30 min
Gemma Craven is one of our most versatile actresses. An award winning stage performer, she made her film debut opposite Richard Chamberlain in The Slipper and the Rose. On television her work has ranged from the part of Joan in Dennis Potter’s Pennies from Heaven to appearances on The Morecambe and Wise Show. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back over her life on stage and off, and chooses eight records to take to a desert island. [Taken from the original programme material for ...
Jan 24, 1988•32 min
The Right Honourable Michael Heseltine MP is often described as one of the new breed of Tory politicians and was widely tipped to be the next leader of the party. But that all changed dramatically in 1986 when he resigned his Cabinet post over the Westland affair. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in South Wales, schooldays at Shrewsbury, undergraduate life at Oxford and his subsequent career in politics. He also chooses the eight records to take with him to the i...
Jan 17, 1988•33 min
Of Adele Leigh, a critic once said that she put paid to the myth that to be good, a soprano had to look like a Hoffnung cartoon. The youngest principal of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden when she joined in 1948, she became a television star in the 1960s with the show All Kinds of Music and appearances on Eric Robinson’s Music For You. After leaving Covent Garden she married a diplomat and settled in Vienna where she began singing the operetta roles that were to bring her fame at the Volksope...
Jan 10, 1988•34 min
Lew Grade has been at the centre of British show business for more than 50 years. Now into his 80s, he still has a dominant role as film and television mogul. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his life and career and selects the music both to listen and dance to during his stay on the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Lo! Hear The Gentle Lark by Sir Henry Bishop Book: The Antiquary...
Dec 13, 1987•32 min
The actor Anthony Sher became well-known to television audiences when he took the lead in The History Man and has established a special talent for Shakespeare, in particular Richard the Third. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in South Africa and his subsequent career in the British theatre. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti Book: Blank sketchbook o...
Dec 06, 1987•34 min
Vernon Scannell's colourful career has included prize-fighting, a controversial spell in the Army, confinement to a mental institution for insisting on becoming a writer and a subsequent award of a civil list pension for his services to literature. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on these aspects of his life and also selects the eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourit...
Nov 29, 1987•33 min
Barry Cryer is one of our best-known comedy writers who has, for 30 years, survived the quick-fire world that he sums up with the phrase "We don't want it good - we want it Monday". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career, both as performer and writer, and he also selects eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Hoffnung by Hoffnung Book: The complete wor...
Nov 22, 1987•34 min
As a restaurateur, broadcaster and writer, Robert Carrier's name has become synonymous with good food. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on a 25 year career and chooses music to remind him of some of the places he has lived during that time, including his native America, Paris, England and Morocco. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi Book: The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence ...
Nov 15, 1987•34 min
Sue Lawley admits to being the kind of person whose tummy goes ping when she hears a certain tune and thinks "Ah yes, I remember that, it brings back lovely memories." In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her upbringing in Worcestershire, her early days as a journalist and subsequent career as one of our most popular television presenters. She also chooses her eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition o...
Nov 08, 1987•32 min
"My wife and I are great opera buffs" says Bamber Gascoigne, who became a household name when he first became the question master of BBC television's University Challenge some 25 years ago. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career as a writer and broadcaster and reveals a novel approach to assembling his package of records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Soave ...
Nov 01, 1987•33 min
"Music would be absolutely essential on my desert island" says Bernard Levin, "I don't know what my life would be without music". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career as a journalist and critic and, in narrowing his choice of music to eight records, reveals a penchant for opera. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Book: The Michelin Guide to France Luxury: Laptop computer
Oct 25, 1987•35 min
Sir James Callaghan has the distinction of being the only politician to have held the four highest offices in the state. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, before becoming Prime Minister in 1976. In an interview with Michael Parkinson recorded in April 1987, he looks back on his career and chooses the eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Ju...
Oct 18, 1987•34 min
Lord Killanin's career has embraced journalism, the Army, film-making and writing books. He was also, from 1972 to 1980, President of the International Olympic Committee. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his varied life and also chooses the eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Polonaise No 3 in A by Frédéric Chopin Book: A Vanished Arcadia by Robert Bonti...
Oct 11, 1987•31 min
The castaway this week is Lulu, who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, recalls her upbringing in a Glasgow tenement and her subsequent career as a singer and actress. In choosing her eight records to take to the island, she reveals an admiration for the vocal styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Greatest Love Of All by Whitney Houston Book: Where Are You Going? by Swami M...
Oct 04, 1987•31 min
The pianist Jacques Loussier has won fame and fortune with a style that blends jazz with the music of J S Bach. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back at a career of some 30 years, and also selects his eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in D Major by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Beasts, Men and Gods by Ferdinand Ossendowski Luxury: Piano...
Sep 27, 1987•33 min
Peter West is one of our most versatile broadcasters; his television career has ranged from Come Dancing to specialist sports, particularly cricket. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career in broadcasting and journalism and, in choosing his records to take to the mythical island, reveals a Catholic taste in music. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Spartacus by Aram Khachaturian Book: Oxford Bo...
Sep 20, 1987•33 min
"The music of Rossini came into my life very early", says actress Joanna Lumley, "I loved him because his music is so happy". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her upbringing in the Far East, a convent education and her subsequent theatrical career. She also chooses the other music to accompany Rossini on her sojourn to the desert island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Eroica (First Movement) by Ludw...
Sep 13, 1987•36 min
In the 1920s, Kitty Godfree established a list of sporting achievements that will never be surpassed: she won two Ladies' Championships at Wimbledon, won six Olympic medals playing tennis, she represented her country at Lacrosse and was a four-times winner of the All-England Badminton Championships. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back over her long life and selects the eight records she would take to her desert island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archi...
Sep 06, 1987•32 min
"Music is one of my great passions" says Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, "my taste is wide-ranging; from Wagner to Jazz". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career, focusing particularly on running the stately home, organising jazz festivals and being Chairman of English Heritage. He also undergoes the agonising task of narrowing his musical choice to eight records. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: S...
Aug 30, 1987•34 min
The castaway this week is the Irish writer Edna O'Brien, whose first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 to great acclaim. She's also become well-known for her appearances on radio and television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her career and, in her choice of music, reveals a wide taste ranging from Elvis Presley to Carl Orff. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Canon In D by Johann ...
Aug 23, 1987•34 min
The actress Susan George began her career as a child appearing in television plays and series; her subsequent film career stretches back some 20 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her roles on stage and screen and also her latest involvement in production and writing. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye by Ella Fitzgerald Book: Will You Be My Friend? by James Kavanaugh Luxu...
Aug 16, 1987•32 min
Frances Edmonds accompanied her husband Phil on two tours with the England cricket team and wrote books about the trips. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about the reaction she got from the chauvinistic world of cricketers and cricket writers, and also looks back on her schooldays at an Ursuline convent and at her career as an interpreter. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Panis Angelicus by César Franck...
Aug 09, 1987•33 min
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. The first volume of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was a bestseller, describing her life as singer, actress, stripper, dancer and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on a remarkable career and chooses eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for th...
Aug 02, 1987•29 min
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 Parkinson, he recalls his long career which has ranged from working on radio classics like Hancock's Half Hour and Round the Horne to being a regular member of the cast in the Carry On films. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: 1st Movement from Spring Sonata by Ludwig van Beeth...
Jul 26, 1987•36 min
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 chorus of Hair, through the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease, to becoming an international star in the part of Eva Peron in Evita. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles Book: The complete works by Charles Dickens Luxury: Piano...
Jul 12, 1987•33 min
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 that had escaped from occupied France. He subsequently became an MP and is now recognised as one of Britain's most formidable businessmen, his activities ranging from publishing to managing a first-division football team. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his remarkable career. [Taken from the original programme material for this ...
Jul 05, 1987•33 min
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 From the Madding Crowd brought him further fame, yet he has plotted a somewhat lonely and mysterious path through life. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his early life in the East End of London, and also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archiv...
Jun 28, 1987•30 min
