Desert Island Discs

2:39

Tanni Grey-Thompson on winning four Olympic golds in...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/10/06

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.

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3:49

Greta Gerwig on her childhood enthusiasm for putting...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/10/05

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.

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3:11

James Graham on his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/10/02

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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2:43

Jessica Ennis-Hill on the moment she won Olympic gold

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/10/01

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.

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3:31

Warwick Davis on his first role as an Ewok in Star Wars

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/30

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

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2:46

How Lily Allen brought the house down with a Disney...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/29

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.

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3:33

How hiding in a toilet helped Steven Spielberg get...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/28

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.

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3:07

Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/25

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.

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2:59

How snooker halls became Ronnie O'Sullivan's "creche"...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/24

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.

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3:09

Delia Smith on her catchphrase - "Let's be havin' you!"

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/23

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.

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3:06

How Kate Moss's modelling break came at an unexpected...

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/22

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.

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4:05

Keith Richards on writing "Satisfaction" in his sleep

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/21

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.

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51:13

Chaka Khan, singer and songwriter

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/13

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

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52:10

Professor Dame Pamela Shaw

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/09/06

Professor Dame Pamela Shaw is a pioneering Neurologists and a leading figure in tackling motor neurone disease or MND. She is the founder and Director of SITran – the World leading Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, which is slowly but surely unlocking the secrets of MND and other devastating neurological conditions. Pam was born in Rothbury, Northumberland, in 1955, and at three moved to Kuwait when her father took up the position of harbour master. She lived there until she was

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51:53

Emma Grede, businesswoman

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/08/29

Emma Grede is the businesswoman behind major fashion brands including Skims and Good American, which she co-founded with Kim Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian, respectively. Last year Forbes included her on their list of America's Richest Self-Made Women, with an estimated net worth of $405 million.She grew up in Plaistow, East London, the eldest of four daughters. Her parents separated when she was five and she was raised by her mum, who worked long hours as a trader at an investment bank. Emma took

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50:53

Sir Roger Deakins, cinematographer

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/08/23

Sir Roger Deakins is an acclaimed cinematographer who is known for his visual artistry on films including The Shawshank Redemption, 1917, Fargo, Skyfall and Blade Runner 2049. His talents have been acknowledged with a knighthood, five BAFTAs and two Oscars. Roger was born in Torquay, Devon in 1949. In 1968 he attended the Bath Academy of Art where he was inspired by one of his tutors, the street photographer Roger Mayne, to go out with his camera and capture what he saw. Roger Deakins followed

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50:14

Shania Twain, musician

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/08/16

Shania Twain is a singer and songwriter and one of only two artists in history to have three consecutive diamond albums. By the time she was eight years old, she had a repertoire of one hundred songs which she would sing in bars. She began to write her own songs at the age of ten. Her mother was convinced that she was going to be a star and took her to perform in smoky clubs. Off stage, all was not well in the family home and Shania grew up in a turbulent household where there was much

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50:29

Paul Farmer, charity leader

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/08/08

Paul Farmer is a charity leader who has spent his life campaigning, fundraising and changing the national conversation around some of the most challenging issues in our society. Currently at the helm of Age UK, he previously spent 16 years as the CEO of Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity. Paul was born in Oxford, the son of a former Benedictine monk and a former nun. He read history at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he met his future wife, Claire. After graduating, he found a role

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51:14

Professor Liz Morris, glaciologist

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/08/02

Professor Liz Morris is a glaciologist whose work in some of the earth’s most inhospitable environments has broadened humanity’s understanding of climate change and polar science. Her accolades include the prestigious Polar Medal and an OBE for services to Polar Science.Liz was born in London in 1946 and family legend has it that she fell in love with snow and ice the following year during what was known as the Big Freeze - one of the most severe and punishing winters in British history. She

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51:21

Norman Cook, DJ and musician

Desert Island Discs ·

2026/07/25

Norman Cook, DJ and musician, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would take with him if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

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