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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:

Maureen Lipman Jan 19, 1986

Show notes

Maureen Lipman is perhaps best known for her role in the television series Agony, but much of her work has been in the theatre. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her upbringing in Hull, talks about her penchant for acting in comedy and chooses 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: Triple Concerto in D - 1st Movement by Ludwig van Beethoven

Nigel Kennedy Jan 12, 1986

Show notes

Nigel Kennedy, who achieved international success as a violinist in his early 20s, talks to Michael Parkinson about his musical education at the Menuhin School and in New York, his active interest in jazz and Aston Villa Football Club, and he 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: Inbetweenies by Ian Dury and The Blockheads Book: Wisden Almanack Luxury: Violin

Alan Parker Jan 05, 1986

Show notes

Michael Parkinson's first guest is the film director Alan Parker, who, besides choosing the eight records he would take to the mythical island, talks about his early career in advertising and his very successful feature films, including Bugsy Malone, Midnight Express and Birdy.

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

Favourite track: A Day In The Life by The Beatles Book: Collection of poems by Sir John Betjeman Luxury: Suntan lotion

Sheila Steafel May 11, 1985

Show notes

Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television series The Frost Report. Since then, as she tells Roy Plomley, her career has been extremely varied, including music hall, opera, theatre, a one-woman show and a long spell on Radio 4's Week Ending programme.

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

Favourite track: Concerto in D Minor For Violin, Oboe & Strings by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Dictionary Luxury: Artist's equipment

Rt Hon David Steel MP May 04, 1985

Show notes

The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Liberal Party as Assistant Secretary. In 1965, he won a seat in the Borders and became the youngest member of that parliament. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and 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: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Do-it-yourself manual Luxury: Cathedral organ

Barbara Taylor Bradford Apr 27, 1985

Show notes

Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she recalls her childhood in Leeds, her first job as a reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post at the age of 16, becoming a Fleet Street journalist, and her eventual move to New York.

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

Favourite track: Jerusalem by Blake/Parry Book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Luxury: Family photograph album

Robert Burchfield Apr 20, 1985

Show notes

Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy during the war, he came to England to complete his education and stayed on to be a lecturer at Oxford University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and discusses the many problems associated with compiling dictionaries.

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

Joseph Allen Apr 13, 1985

Show notes

Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy training as an astronaut, the problems of space flight, and he describes his recent trip in the space shuttle to recover two satellites, which necessitated an unfettered walk in space.

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

Favourite track: Minor Blue by David Darling Book: A number of Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Luxury: Family pocket watch

Doris Stokes Apr 06, 1985

Show notes

Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her experiences which include a brief visit to the spirit world, and she explains how she uses her gift to help others by putting them in touch with relations who have passed over.

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

Favourite track: One Day At A Time by Lena Martell Book: The complete Andy Capp Luxury: Photograph album of family, friends and pets

Richard Eyre Mar 23, 1985

Show notes

Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about some of his successes which have included Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre, the films Laughterhouse and The Ploughman's Lunch, and his period as producer of Play for Today with BBC television.

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

Favourite track: El Cant Dels Ocells by Pablo Casals Book: Partridge's Dictionary of Slang Luxury: Saxophone

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