Matthew Bannister on The TV director Michael Lachmann who made some of the most acclaimed documentaries about science. Professor Brian Cox and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock pays tribute. Pik-sen Lim who became one of the most recognisable East Asian actors on British TV. Leon Krier, the master planner behind King Charles’s controversial Poundbury development. David “Syd” Lawrence, the fast bowler who was the first British-born black cricketer to play for England. Interviewee: Professor Brian Cox Dam...
Jun 27, 2025•28 min
John Wilson on Sir Godfrey “Geoff” Palmer, the scientist whose discovery of a new brewing method revolutionized the industry and saved them millions of pounds Barbara Holdridge, the entrepreneur who co-founded a new record label that paved the way for the audiobook industry Kim Woodburn, the reality TV Star who made gained popular recognition through the TV show How Clean Is Your House? Sly Stone the American genre-bending musician who fronted the band Sly and the Family Stone. Interviewee: Cath...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min
Kirsty Lang on Brian Wilson, the driving force behind The Beach Boys who were one of the most successful bands of the 1960s. Fredrick Forsyth, the writer and former Mi6 agent who books included The Day of the Jackal and The Fourth Protocol. Uriah Rennie who made history as the Premier League’s first black referee. And the author Edmund White whose semi-autobiographical books A Boys Own Life and The Beautiful Room is Empty chronicled his experiences as a young gay man in America. Interviewee: Cha...
Jun 13, 2025•28 min
Kirsty Lang on Wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar who spent five decades trying to protect India’s tigers Nancy Blaik, the driving force behind the creation of Scotland’s first children’s hospice Norma Meras Swenson, the co-author of the influential book ‘Our Bodies, Ourselves’ Doctor Stuart Farrimond who became a popular science writer after being diagnosed with a brain tumour Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive used: Tony Livesey – Steffan Powell sitting in, BBC Radio 5 Live, 28/04/2025; Tige...
Jun 06, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Alan Yentob, the BBC’s only Creative Director, who commissioned many successful TV programmes, was known as an impresario of talent and also presented Imagine. Richard Garwin, the American physicist who developed the Hydrogen bomb, but then devoted his life to nuclear disarmament. Dr. Joy Shaverien, the psychoanalyst who identified “boarding school syndrome” suffered by some who were sent away to school at an early age. Dr Anne Merriman, the former nun who made it her life’s...
May 30, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Hannah Deacon who ran a successful campaign to allow her son – and many others – to be treated with cannabis after he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. Andrew Norfolk, the journalist who exposed the Rotherham grooming gang scandal. Dame June Clark, the President of the Royal College of Nursing who argued for more education to increase the skills of the nursing profession. Martin Graham the businessman who built his own opera house in the Cotswolds so he could stage...
May 23, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on: Sir Tom Farmer, the Edinburgh born businessman who built up the tyre and exhaust company Kwik Fit. Elaine Wynn, who worked with her husband Steve to create a casino empire in Las Vegas. Sue Stapely, who transformed the way the legal profession communicates with the public and the media. Joseph Nye, the American political analyst who came up with the concept of “soft power” in international relations Interviewee: Michael Welch Interviewee: Douglas Fraser Interviewee: David S...
May 16, 2025•28 min
Kirsty Lang on The author Jane Gardam, whose works included The Queen of the Tambourine and Old Filth. Sir Roger Birch, the former Chief Constable of Sussex Police who oversaw the investigation following the IRAs' Brighton bomb attack in 1984. Mike Peters, the lead singer of the band The Alarm, whose own battle with cancer saw him become a campaigner and fundraiser for cancer treatment. Professor Francoise Hampson, a lawyer who specialised in human rights in conflict zones. Producer: Ed Prendevi...
May 09, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Virginia Giuffre, who waived her anonymity to accuse the billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and his friend Ghislaine Maxwell of sex abuse and trafficking. Rosy Bremer, a leading campaigner against nuclear weapons at the women’s protest at Greenham Common airbase. LJ Smith, author of the best-selling “Vampire Diaries” series of novels And the influential folk and blues guitarist Wizz Jones. His friend Ralph McTell pays tribute. If you have been affected by the issues reflected in tt...
May 02, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope who was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle. Paddy Higson, the TV and film producer once described as “the mother of the Scottish film industry”. Jed Mercurio and Clare Grogan pay tribute. And David Sassoon, the fashion designer who dressed royalty and film stars. Dame Zandra Rhodes tells us about his life. Interviewee: David Willey Interviewee: Rogelio Pfirter Interviewee: Frances Higson Interviewee: Clare Grogan Interview...
Apr 25, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Anne Scargill, who founded the Women Against Pit Closures group when her husband Arthur was leading the Miners Strike of the 1980s. The actor Maxine Peake pays tribute. Ronnie Appleton who was Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles. Cecil Wright, the Jamaican born cricketer who made his mark playing alongside some of his countrymen in the Lancashire league. Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel prize winning novelist who was a candidate for the...
Apr 18, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Lord Kalms, who turned his family’s camera shop into the multi-million-pound Dixons electronics chain. Melissa Llewellyn-Davies, the anthropologist who made an acclaimed TV series about Kenya’s Masai tribe before turning her camera on the UK. Rex Cowan, the lawyer who changed career to become one of the world’s most successful shipwreck hunters. Wilma Finlay, who worked with her husband David to introduce what they saw as more ethical animal husbandry on their farm in the Sc...
Apr 11, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on The Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors. Jane Reed, the media executive who made Woman’s Own magazine a powerful voice for its readers at a time of changing roles for women in society. Sir Torquil Norman, who used the proceeds from the sale of his successful toy business to restore the fortunes of the Roundhouse Arts Centre in London. Dr Marika Sherwood, the Hungarian-born academic who wrote groundbreaking books on th...
Apr 04, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB agent who defected to Britain and became a valued source of secret intelligence during the 1970s and 80s. Renee Goddard, the actress and TV commissioner who fled Nazi persecution only to be interned in Britain. Professor Richard Fortey, the palaeontologist who used his expertise in trilobites to tell stories about the origins of life on earth. Bill Bryson pays tribute. Sofia Gubaidulina, the composer whose large scale religious works attracted critic...
Mar 28, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on: Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC , the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain during the second world war. Dame Julie Kenny, the successful businesswoman from Rotherham who led the regeneration of one of Britain’s largest stately homes. Tuppy Owens, who campaigned for greater openness about sex – and set up charities to help disabled people enjoy fulfilling relationships. Dick McTaggart, the only Scottish boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. ...
Mar 21, 2025•28 min
Kirsty Lang on: Athol Fugard, the playwright whose art became synonymous with exposing the inequities of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Janet Pharaoh, the dancer from Yorkshire who became the artistic director at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Alison Halford who rose through the ranks to become the first female Assistant Chief Constable. Johnny Green, the former roadie and tour manager for The Clash. His friend, the poet John Cooper Clarke pays tribute. Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies Archive ...
Mar 14, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Bill Dare, the writer and producer behind some of Radio 4’s best loved comedies, including “The Now Show” and “Dead Ringers”. Jan Ravens pays tribute. Clint Hill, the American Secret Service agent who threw himself across President John F. Kennedy’s body after he was shot in Dallas. Valérie André, the first woman General in the French military who was also a field surgeon and an accomplished helicopter rescue pilot. And Gene Hackman, the Oscar winning actor best known for hi...
Mar 07, 2025•28 min
John Wilson on: Musician Roberta Flack, best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. Dr David Hessayon, the author of a series of gardening books known as The Expert guides. His one word advice to keen gardeners was 'mulch'. Keith Dewhurst whose work for television and stage included the National’s unconventional adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford. And Rose Hanks the motorcycle sidecar passenger who became the first woman to stand on the winner’s podium at the Isl...
Feb 28, 2025•28 min
John Wilson on Rick Buckley, the drummer in The Jam, one of the most popular and influential British bands of the 70s and 80s. Margaret Miles-Bramwell who founded Slimming World in response to what she saw as humiliation tactics by weight loss groups. World War Two fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr, part of the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen who despite huge successes in aerial combat, faced discrimination and segregation on the ground. Maureen Halton, the biology lecturer who introduced and ...
Feb 21, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Nigel McCrery, the former police officer who created the popular TV series “Silent Witness” and “New Tricks”. Andrée Dumon, who rescued many allied service men during the Second World War by escorting them along “The Comet Line” from Brussels to Paris. Lord Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru and the first Presiding Officer of the National Assembly. Diana Melly, the author known for her unconventional marriage to the jazz singer and art expert George Melly. Intervi...
Feb 14, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a burglar and started a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves. Pete Wilkinson, the co-founder of Greenpeace UK, known for his high-profile direct-action campaigns. Loretta Ford, who pioneered the role of nurse practitioner in American health care. Marianne Faithfull, the singer and actress who came to fame in the 1960s and overcame drug addiction and ill health to continue performing. Producer: Ed ...
Feb 07, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on The Reverend Don Cupitt, the controversial theologian whose TV series “The Sea of Faith” asked in what form - if any - is Christian faith possible for us today? Phyllis Dalton, the Oscar winning costume designer who worked on classic films, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago” and “Oliver!”. Cecile Richards, the American activist who campaigned for women’s right to have abortions. Michael Longley, the Northern Irish poet whose subjects included love, war and the ...
Jan 31, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Dame Joan Plowright, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation who was married to Laurence Olivier. Dame Judi Dench pays tribute. Sir Jim Walker, who built up his family business from a small bakery in the North of Scotland to become a global food exporter. Barbara Clegg, the first woman to write a story for Dr Who. Denis Law – the Scottish born footballer who was part of Manchester United’s “Holy Trinity” alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best. Producer: Ed Pr...
Jan 24, 2025•28 min
Matthew Bannister on The comedian and actor Tony Slattery. Sir Stephen Fry reflects on his friend’s talent – and struggle with addiction and poor mental health. Dame Rosalind Savill, the respected director who brought new audiences to the Wallace Collection in London. Paddy Hill, one of six men wrongly convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974. Noreen Riols, who helped to train S.O.E. agents for undercover work during the Second World War Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive: Birm...
Jan 17, 2025•28 min
Tony Slattery was known for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards. He also played comedic and serious roles in films such as crime thriller The Crying Game, Peter's Friends and the dark comedy How to Get Ahead in Advertising. Tony died on 14th January 2025. For Last Word, Matthew Bannister talks to Sir Stephen Fry about his friend. Stephen and Tony met at Cambridge University and would go on to perform in the Footlights group to...
Jan 17, 2025•24 min
Matthew Bannister on Jean-Marie Le Pen, who built up the French right wing National Front Party before being ejected from it by his daughter. Catherine Brown, the food writer who championed traditional Scottish cuisine. Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, the parliamentarian who fought for consumer rights. And the radio DJ Johnnie Walker, known for his passion for music and his rebellious attitude. Bob Harris pays tribute. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive: Birmingham Six Case Reopens, BBC News, 1990; Rel...
Jan 10, 2025•28 min
Kirsty Lang on Former US President Jimmy Carter whose time in office between 1976 and 1980 was beset by economic and diplomatic crises. Caroline Miller OBE, the former Chief Executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet who commissioned bold and experimental productions to great acclaim. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – considered to be the architect of the country’s economic liberalisation. Children’s author and illustrator Jean Adamson, whose Topsy and Tim books sold over 25 million copies...
Jan 03, 2025•28 min
John Wilson on Nikki Giovanni, a leading poet in the 1960s Black Arts Movement who is hailed as one of the most important artist-intellectuals of the 20th century. Gerd Heidemann, the German journalist who found himself at the centre of one of the greatest journalist scandals of the 20th century, the Hitler diaries hoax. Cherry Hill, the award-winning model engineer who created detailed, functioning scaled-down models of Victorian traction engines. Sir Richard Carew Pole, the aristocrat who was ...
Dec 27, 2024•28 min
Matthew Bannister on Baroness Wilkins who became a wheelchair user after an accident aged 19 and went on to present TV programmes on disability issues and to campaign for the rights of disabled people. Charles Handy, the social philosopher and management theorist who predicted many changes to the world of work. Renee Bornstein who, as a child, survived being imprisoned by the Nazis. Tony Brignull, the acclaimed copywriter behind famous ads for Cinzano, Fiat Cars and Parker Pens. Producer: Ed Pre...
Dec 20, 2024•27 min
Matthew Bannister on Wolfgang Stange, the director and choreographer who founded the Amici Dance Theatre Company which integrates able bodied and disabled performers. Sir Ben Kingsley pays tribute. Lord Renfrew, the leading archaeologist who used scientific techniques to challenge the received wisdom in his chosen discipline. Julie Stevens, the actor who was also one of the earliest presenters of Play School. Johnny Ball shares his memories of working with her. And Mary McGee, the American motor...
Dec 13, 2024•28 min
