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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:

Jackie Collins Dec 07, 1986

Show notes

Jackie Collins lives in Beverley Hills, California, and writes novels, all of which appear in the bestseller lists, and many have been filmed. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her childhood in England, joining her sister Joan in Hollywood at the age of 15, her brief acting career, and her writing. She also selects the eight records she would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Luxury: Photograph of family

Nigel Hawthorne Nov 30, 1986

Show notes

Nigel Hawthorne is now very well-known as Secretary to the Cabinet in the television series Yes, Prime Minister. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in South Africa, dropping out of Cape Town University to become an actor, the move to England, the Theatre Royal, Stratford East with Joan Littlewood and eventual fame.

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

Favourite track: Her Holle Rache (The Magic Flute) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Teach yourself French Luxury: Pencil and paper

John Ridgway Nov 23, 1986

Show notes

John Ridgway's adventures first became public when, in 1966, he rowed across the Atlantic with Chay Blyth. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls canoeing down the Amazon, sailing twice round the world, as well as exploits in Peru and the Himalayas, and he talks about his School of Adventure in Scotland. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy Book: Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Luxury: Shaving kit

Hal Prince Nov 16, 1986

Show notes

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 theatre which he began as a stage manager in New York for the legendary George Abbott. He went on to produce West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret and the musicals of Stephen Sondheim. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Act II of Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner Book: Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe Luxury: Bouillabaisse with langouste and wine

Kingsley Amis Nov 09, 1986

Show notes

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 London, the success of his first published novel Lucky Jim, which he wrote when a lecturer at Swansea University, and his subsequent career as a don at Cambridge and then as a full-time novelist.

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

Favourite track: Runnin' Wild by Wild Bill Davison Book: Oxford English Dictionary Luxury: Scotch whiskey

Jeremy Irons Nov 02, 1986

Show notes

Jeremy Irons first achieved international recognition as an actor for his performance in Brideshead Revisited on television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood on the Isle of Wight, his London debut in Godspell, his appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and his films, which include The French Lieutenant's Woman, Swann In Love and The Mission.

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

Favourite track: Irish Boy by Mark Knopfler Book: Construction manual Luxury: Camera and film

Albert & Michel Roux Oct 26, 1986

Show notes

Albert and Michel Roux each have their own restaurants, which are among the best in this country. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they talk about their upbringing in France and their period as pastry cooks in the British Embassy in Paris. Then Albert became commis de cuisine to Lady Astor, and Michel chef to the Rothschilds, before they opened a restaurant together in England.

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

Favourite track: Non, je ne regrette rien by Edith Piaf Book: Cookery books Luxury: Book on how to manage people and ivory carving

Phil Edmonds Oct 19, 1986

Show notes

Phil Edmonds, the cricketer, "has the reputation for being awkward and arrogant, mainly because he is awkward and arrogant", wrote his wife. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in Zambia, public school in England, Cambridge University, playing cricket for Middlesex and the controversies that abound in his career.

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

Favourite track: Suite No 3 in D - Air On A G String by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Book on flora & fauna on the island Luxury: Royal Jamaica cigars

Sir Fred Hoyle Oct 12, 1986

Show notes

Sir Fred Hoyle has been described as "unquestionably one of the most gifted astronomers and mathematicians of our times", and "the maverick genius of British science". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and talks about his career as a scientist and as a writer - he has produced some 15 novels, a pantomime and the libretto for an opera.

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

Favourite track: String Quartet No 16 in F, Opus 135 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Handbook of physics Luxury: Portable telescope

Sir Ian MacGregor Oct 05, 1986

Show notes

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 with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in Scotland, his move to America to further his career, and the problems he faced in managing first the steel, and then the coal industries in Britain.

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

Favourite track: The Hebrides - Overture (Fingles Cave) by Felix Mendelssohn Book: Encyclopaedia Britannica Luxury: Thermos jug

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