Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes:

Meera Syal on holding up a mirror to British society in Goodness Gracious Me Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

The actor and writer Meera Syal was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2003.

She was awarded a Damehood earlier this year, but Meera Syal rose to prominence as one of the writers of the TV series Goodness Gracious Me. It came at a time in the 1990s when the perception of the British Asian experience was changing and, she says, held a mirror up to British society.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Why Lyse Doucet doesn't want to be called a war reporter Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

She has reported from many war-torn countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, but says she doesn't want to be defined by war. Instead, she is interested in the human cost of conflict. When she arrives in a place, she embeds herself in the lives of the local people; discovering what she calls the “heat and dust” of a society helps her to tell their stories.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Gareth Southgate on putting on the England shirt for the first time Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

The former England manager Gareth Southgate was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024.

He was 25 when he made his debut for the England team. By the time he retired from international football, he had been capped 57 times. As England manager, he led the team to two finals in the European Championships, further than they had come in more than five decades since 1966.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Michael Sheen on his father's time as a Jack Nicholson impersonator Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

The actor Michael Sheen was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025.

He has portrayed many real people on stage including Tony Blair, Brian Clough and David Frost, though never Jack Nicholson. That was his father's department, who had a second career impersonating the actor, which started around the time Nicholson played the Joker in the 1989 Batman film.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Rick Rubin on finding the magic in music Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Record producer Rick Rubin was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

He is responsible for shaping the sound of artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys and is credited with reinvigorating the career of Johnny Cash in the 1990s, but you're more likely to see him reclining on a sofa than hunched over a mixing desk when he's hard at work. He explains what he listens for in a piece of music.

You can hear the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Caitlin Moran on the smells that defined her childhood Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

The writer and journalist Caitlin Moran was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.

Her journey took her from a three-bedroom council house in Wolverhampton, where she lived with her parents and seven siblings, to becoming a columnist for The Times newspaper and writing her own sitcom. She explains why she feels it's important to highlight the experience of those raised on benefits like herself.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Romesh Ranganathan on finding his comedy sweet spot Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

The comedian Romesh Ranganathan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025.

He’s a BAFTA-winning broadcaster, standup, actor and writer who has been a fixture on British TV screens for the past decade. He talks about finding the sweet spot in his comedy and how discussing the perils of parenting on stage has resulted in cult hero status for his middle son.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Tanni Grey-Thompson on winning four Olympic golds in Sydney Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

The wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2001.

She recalls the pressure to do well at the Sydney Olympics and the relief when she managed to clinch four gold medals, but the long-distance phone call home to live-stream the medal ceremony nearly broke the bank.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Greta Gerwig on her childhood enthusiasm for putting on plays Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

The film director Greta Gerwig was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.

Growing up in what she calls a "culturally ravenous" family, the young Greta was inspired by her parents' record collection as much as trips to concert halls and theatres, but although she was always putting on shows to entertain friends and family, she never expected to have a professional career in the arts.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

James Graham on his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

The playwright James Graham was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024.

He was a shy and quiet child who enjoyed nothing more than watching soap operas on TV. So what was he doing taking his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine on tour?

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

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