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Desert Island Discs — Personal Journals
Desert Island Discs

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

James Burke Mar 06, 1988

Show notes

The castaway this week is James Burke, whose broadcasting style has been described as "turning science into show-biz". But, paradoxically, he admits to being immensely impractical and reveals to Michael Parkinson, while choosing his eight records to take to the island, that he at one time planned to make music his career.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Suite No 1 in G Major For Solo Cello by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Works by Homer Luxury: Guitar and strings

Stephanie Beacham Feb 28, 1988

Show notes

Until recently, the actress Stephanie Beacham played the glamorous 'rich bitch' Sable in the American soap opera The Colbys. She has also appeared in the television saga Tenko. She's now returned to London to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her life and career.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez Book: The Ascent of Man by Dr Jacob Bronowski Luxury: Photograph of children

Dennis Potter Feb 21, 1988

Show notes

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 Island Discs]

Favourite track: My Happiness by The Pied Pipers Book: Spycatcher by Peter Wright Luxury: Train set

William Davis Feb 14, 1988

Show notes

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 material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: The Dictionary by Dr Samuel Johnson Luxury: Telescope

Margaret Kelly - Miss Bluebell Feb 07, 1988

Show notes

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 with Michael Parkinson she looks back over her eventful life and career, and chooses her eight favourite records.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: There's No Business Like Show Business by Ethel Merman Book: History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill Luxury: Her first dress worn on stage

Gemma Craven Jan 24, 1988

Show notes

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 this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Boil The Breakfast Early by The Chieftans Book: Floyd on Fish by Keith Floyd Luxury: Manicure set

Rt. Hon. Michael Heseltine Jan 17, 1988

Show notes

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 island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: We'll Keep A Welcome in the Hillsides by Morriston Orpheus Choir Book: The Dictionary of Trees and Shrubs Luxury: Mosquito net

Adele Leigh Jan 10, 1988

Show notes

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 Volksoper there. In conversation with Michael Parkinson she looks back over her life and her career in music.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Let's Do It by Noel Coward Book: Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Luxury: Loofah

Lew Grade Dec 13, 1987

Show notes

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 by Walter Scott Luxury: Crate of Montecristo cigars

Antony Sher Dec 06, 1987

Show notes

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 or journal Luxury: Pens, charcoal, paints

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