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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:

Jessica Ennis-Hill on the moment she won Olympic gold Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

The Olympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2021.

She recalls pushing herself in her final event at the London 2012 Olympics, the 800-metre race, and how throwing her hands up in the air as she crossed the finish line had not been part of the plan.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Warwick Davis on his first role as an Ewok in Star Wars Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

The actor Warwick Davis was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016.

When his grandmother heard an advertisement on the radio looking for short people to play Ewoks in the next Star Wars film, she immediately thought of Warwick, but by the time his mother phoned the film studio, all the roles had been cast. Her powers of persuasion must have been quite something because, aged 11, Warwick found himself on set, dressed in a furry costume, and in the company of his on-screen heroes.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

How Lily Allen brought the house down with a Disney song aged 11 Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

The singer-songwriter Lily Allen was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2014.

Although her school reports painted a mixed picture of Lily's academic achievements, a singing teacher spotted her vocal talent and encouraged her to perform. She brought the house down with a song from the Disney film Dumbo.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

How hiding in a toilet helped Steven Spielberg get into the movie business Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

The film director Steven Spielberg was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

He gave the world Jaws, ET and Jurassic Park, but Steven Spielberg got his start in the film business when he went on a bus tour of Universal Studios. He also explains why the frequently malfunctioning mechanical shark in Jaws was really a blessing in disguise.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

The writer Malorie Blackman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2013.

Although she has published more than 70 books for children and young adults - among them her hugely popular Noughts and Crosses series - getting her start as a published author was hard - 82 rejection letters had thudded onto her door mat before she had her first manuscript accepted for publication. She still remembers the day that 83rd letter arrived.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

How snooker halls became Ronnie O'Sullivan's "creche" from a young age Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

The World Snooker Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.

He remembers being dropped off unaccompanied at snooker halls across East London by his father as a young boy and learning to play grown men at adult tables - and beating them.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Delia Smith on her catchphrase - "Let's be havin' you!" Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

The cookery writer Delia Smith was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.

She fell in love with her husband, the editor Michael Wynn-Jones, over a shared love of food and football and recalls how she came to be known for her catchphrase, "Let's be havin' you!"

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

How Kate Moss's modelling break came at an unexpected moment Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

The model Kate Moss was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

Her career began after a chance encounter with a model agent on a flight. She describes attending castings on her own as a teenager, which led to some inappropriate requests. Although unpleasant at the time, she says that they have sharpened her instincts, enabling her to "tell a wrong 'un a mile away".

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Keith Richards on writing "Satisfaction" in his sleep Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2015.

He recalls the moment he bumped into his primary school friend Mick Jagger at Dartford train station in 1961, years after losing touch with him. They bonded over a shared love of American blues, which came to define their own sound. Keith Richards laid down the guitar riff for one of the biggest hits, "Satisfaction", on a tape machine in his sleep.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Chaka Khan, singer and songwriter Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

Chaka Khan’s unmistakeable voice and musical versatility have made her one of the most influential musicians of the past six decades, with an estimated 70 million records sold. Whether fronting the band Rufus or performing as a solo artist, she's moved effortlessly between funk, soul, jazz, and pop, creating era-defining hits including I'm Every Woman, Ain't Nobody and I Feel For You.

She grew up in Chicago, in an artistic family where she was surrounded by music. As a teenager, she became involved with the Affro-Arts Theater, where she was given the Yoruba name Chaka, and a political awakening led her to join the Black Panther Party.

By her late teens, she had joined Rufus, whose breakthrough hit Tell Me Something Good launched the band to international success and marked the beginning of her recording career. She has since won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and collaborated with some of music’s modern greats, including Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Prince.

Chaka lives on a farm in Georgia, surrounded by family.

DISC ONE: What Is and What Should Never Be - Led Zeppelin DISC TWO: Good Times - Aretha Franklin DISC THREE: Tomaas - Miles Davis DISC FOUR: California - Joni Mitchell DISC FIVE: Tell Me Something Good - Rufus, Chaka Khan DISC SIX: A Woman in a Man's World - Chaka Khan DISC SEVEN: Cool Water - Joni Mitchell (duet with Willie Nelson) DISC EIGHT: Precious Is Your Name - Richard Smallwood featuring Chaka Khan BOOK CHOICE: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran LUXURY ITEM: A gigantic sandalwood and oud candle CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Precious Is Your Name - Richard Smallwood featuring Chaka Khan

Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Hannah Hufford & Tim Bano

Desert Island Discs has cast away other music legends to the island over the years including Nile Rogers and Cher. Chaka Khan’s records have been chosen by previous castaways including Simon Pegg and David Harewood. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.

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