Last Word
473 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago -Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently
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Episodes
Dr Richard Taylor, Jack Rowell, Claudia Williams, Christophe Deloire
July 12, 2024 15:24 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Dr Richard Taylor, the retired hospital consultant who became the independent MP for Wyre Forest. Jack Rowell, the rugby coach who transformed the fortunes of Bath and took England to the World Cup semi-finals. The artist Claudia Williams, who painted large scale canvases including images of women and children who lost their homes in the Welsh village of Tryweryn. Christophe Deloire, the French journalist who became director general of the organisation Reporters Wi...
Frank Duckworth, Leah Levin, Professor Mary-Lou Pardue, Joss Naylor
July 05, 2024 15:29 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Frank Duckworth, the statistician whose name will forever be associated with the Duckworth-Lewis method of calculating scores for rain affected cricket matches. Leah Levin, who campaigned to overturn miscarriages of justice and gain reparations for victims of torture. Professor Mary-Lou Pardue, the eminent biologist who fought against sexism at the American University, M.I.T. Joss Naylor, the fell runner who broke the Lake District 24-hour record three times and ra...
Sir Howard Bernstein, Joan Brady, Gene Nora Jessen, Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson
June 28, 2024 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Howard Bernstein, the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council credited with transforming the city after the IRA bomb of 1996. Joan Brady, the author and former ballet dancer who won the Whitbread Prize for her novel “The Theory of War”. Gene Nora Jessen, the American pilot who was part of a group of women known as the Mercury 13 – who were subjected to tests to see if they were fit to become astronauts. Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson, the vocalist with the two- ton...
Sir Oliver Popplewell, Lynn Conway, Tony Bramwell, Francoise Hardy
June 21, 2024 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBKirsty Lang on the Judge and cricketer Sir Oliver Popplewell. His godson Stephen Fry pays tribute. The computer pioneer and transgender advocate Lynn Conway. The music mogul and friend to the Fab Four Tony Bramwell. One of France’s best loved singer song-writers Francoise Hardy. Interviewee: Stephen Fry Interviewee: Charles Rogers Interviewee: Roag Best Interviewee: Laura Barton Producer: Catherine Powell Archive used: Get Carman: The Trials of George Carman QC BBC 2 5th April 2002; T...
Nora Cortiñas, Belinda Belville, John Burnside, Roger Corman
June 07, 2024 15:25 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBMatthew Bannister on Nora Cortiñas, a founding member of Argentina’s “Mothers of the Disappeared” campaign group. Her son Gustavo was 24 when he was arrested by the country’s right-wing dictatorship. He was never seen again. Belinda Bellville, the fashion designer who dressed every female member of the royal family apart from Queen Elizabeth. Her business partner David Sassoon shares his memories. The poet John Burnside whose acclaimed work reflected his troubled childhood in Cowdenbeath ...
Richard M Sherman, Professor Wendy James CBE , Morgan Spurlock, June Mendoza OBE
May 31, 2024 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Richard M Sherman who teamed up with his brother Robert to write some of Disney’s best loved songs. Professor Wendy James CBE, the anthropologist who studied the Uduk tribes of Sudan. June Mendoza OBE, the portrait painter whose subjects included members of the Royal Family, Prime Ministers and celebrities. Morgan Spurlock, the film maker best known for his Oscar nominated documentary about the fast food industry “Supersize Me”. Interviewee: Brian Sibley Interviewee...
Sir Tony O'Reilly, President Ebrahim Raisi, Penny Simkin, Professor Alasdair Geddes
May 24, 2024 15:24 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on The Irish rugby star and businessman Sir Tony O’Reilly. He made billions but ended up bankrupt. The hardline President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi. Penny Simkin, who championed the role of birth doulas to help mothers during and after labour. Professor Alasdair Geddes, the infectious diseases expert who diagnosed the world’s last ever case of smallpox – in Birmingham. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive used: Penny Simkin, YouTube upload, PSfromPenny, 27/10/2009; Penny Sim...
Dame Shirley Conran, Doreen Massey, Beverley LaHaye, Steve Albini
May 17, 2024 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Dame Shirley Conran, the journalist and author best known for her books “Superwoman” and “Lace”. Baroness Doreen Massey, the educator and former director of the Family Planning Association Beverly LaHaye the founder of Concerned Women of America who campaigned to stop the Equal Rights Amendment. Steve Albini, the controversial musician who worked many influential albums including Nirvava’s “In Utero”. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive used: National Women’s Coalitio...
Anne Dagg, Ross Anderson, Cecil Murray, Kris Hallenga
May 10, 2024 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Anne Dagg, the Canadian biologist known as The Woman Who Loves Giraffes for her lifelong study of the animals. Professor Ross Anderson, the computer scientist who was a leading expert on data protection and online security. Reverend Cecil Murray, the pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles who played a pivotal role during the riots of 1992. Kris Hellenga, who was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 23 and set up the charity Coppafeel to enc...
C.J.Sansom, Olga Fikotová-Connolly, Dr Jenny Vaughan OBE, Sir Andrew Davies
May 03, 2024 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on an author, a campaigner, an Olympic medallist, a conductor
Terry Anderson, Trina Robbins, Lord Field, Ann Trevenen Jenkin
April 26, 2024 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on The American journalist Terry Anderson who was held captive in Lebanon for almost seven years. In an emotional interview, his daughter Sulome tells us how she followed in his footsteps as she tried to connect with a father she met for the first time when she was seven years old. Lord Field who, the Labour MP Frank Field who campaigned tirelessly for welfare reform. Trina Robbins the feminist cartoonist and writer who was the first woman to illustrate the Wonder Woman...
“I was born while my father was a hostage”
April 26, 2024 07:48 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBSulome Anderson first met her father – journalist Terry Anderson – at the American Embassy in Damascus. She was seven years old and he had just been released from nearly seven years as a hostage in Lebanon. She desperately wanted to build a relationship with him, even going so far as to become a war correspondent herself and tracking down and meeting one of his captors. But Terry’s traumatic experiences made the task very challenging. When she was nearly kidnapped in the Middle East herself,...
Sir Paul Fox, Lynne Reid Banks, Joan Hills, Amnon Weinstein
April 19, 2024 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on: Sir Paul Fox, the respected TV executive who commissioned some of the best loved programmes of the 1960s and 70s. We have a tribute from his former colleague Sir David Attenborough. Lynne Reid Banks, the author best known for her novel “The L Shaped Room.” Joan Hills, the artist who played a key role in the art world of the 1960s and, with her husband and two children, was part of the Boyle Family quartet. Amnon Weinstein, the luthier who collected and restored vio...
Peter Higgs, Trevor Griffiths, Hella Pick, Margaret Tynes
April 12, 2024 15:12 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBMatthew Bannister on Professor Peter Higgs, the physicist who won the Nobel prize for explaining why the building blocks of the universe have mass. Trevor Griffiths, the playwright whose stage and TV dramas focused on left wing politics and social issues. We have a tribute from the actor Jack Shepherd. Hella Pick, the long serving Guardian foreign correspondent who enjoyed the company of many world leaders. Margaret Tynes, the African-American soprano who sang leading operatic roles...
Joe Lieberman, Diana Baring, Lynn Kinnear, Kay Benbow
April 05, 2024 15:23 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Joe Lieberman, the US Democrat politician who fell out with his party over the Iraq War. Diana Baring, the respected literary agent. We have a tribute from her client Frederick Forsyth. Lynn Kinnear, who was one of the most influential landscape architects of her generation. Kay Benbow, who commissioned and made many acclaimed TV shows for children. Interviewee: Matt Lieberman Interviewee: Frederick Forsyth Interviewee: Caroline Dawnay Interviewee: Sean Griffi...
Richard Taylor, Lisa Lane, Rose Dugdale, Ian Green
March 29, 2024 16:21 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBJohn Wilson on Richard Taylor, who became a tireless campaigner against knife crime and supported disadvantaged young people. Lisa Lane, the chess champion who was the first player to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Rose Dugdale, the English heiress and debutante who went onto join the IRA. Ian Green, the Scottish folk music champion who started the record label Greentrax. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive used: Rose Dugdale – Mná an IRA, Sé Merry Doyle Loopline Film, ...
John Boyega on campaigner Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor
March 29, 2024 00:02 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBIn this special edition of Last Word, John Boyega pays tribute to campaigner Richard Taylor, the father of Damilola Taylor who was killed 24 years ago. Richard Taylor - a Nigerian civil servant - dedicated years to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the wake of his son's death via the Damilola Taylor Trust. Mr Taylor said he wanted his son to be remembered as a boy of hope and for his legacy to be a better life and opportunities for underprivileged young people. Boyega - best...
Vince Power CBE, Olga Murray, Akira Toriyama, Cecilia Eckelmann-Battistello
March 22, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBMatthew Bannister on Vince Power, the live music promoter whose Mean Fiddler group operated a string of London venues and built up the Reading and Leeds festivals. Olga Murray, the American lawyer who devoted her later life to helping the children of Nepal. Cecilia Eckelmann-Battistello, the Italian businesswoman who ran a major container shipping company. Akira Toriyama, the Japanese manga artist who created the Dragon Ball series which has millions of fans around the world. Interv...
Audrey Adams, Nicola Trahan, Edward Bond, Eric Carmen
March 15, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBMatthew Bannister on Audrey Adams who became a tireless campaigner for the rights of black people after her son was stabbed to death in a racist attack. Nicola Trahan, who joined the French Resistance as a teenager and was later awarded the Croix de Guerre. Edward Bond, the controversial playwright who played a key role in the abolition of censorship in British theatre. The singer and songwriter Eric Carmen whose biggest hit “All By Myself” was based on a Rachmaninov piano concerto. In...
Iris Apfel, Colin Murray Parkes, Baroness Henig, Jim Lawrence
March 08, 2024 16:27 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Iris Apfel the colourful fashion and interior designer whose own dress sense made an impact until her death aged 102. Dr Colin Murray Parkes, the psychiatrist once described as “the David Attenborough of the bereavement world.” Baroness Henig, the deputy House of Lords Speaker who was a historian and expert on the security industry. Jim Lawrence who became skipper of a Thames sailing barge aged eighteen and went on to set up a successful sail making business in Essex...
Nicholas Dimbleby, Lord Patrick Cormack, Wendy Mitchell, Eleanor Fazan
March 01, 2024 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBJohn Wilson on the celebrated sculptor Nicholas Dimbleby, responsible for numerous well known commissions around the country. Lord Patrick Cormack the politician, historian and prolific author. Wendy Mitchell, the author and blogger who was diagnosed with young onset dementia and worked tirelessly to help improve the understanding of the condition. Eleanor Fazan, the theatre director, choreographer and actor. Her career spanned almost 70 years and saw her working with some of the bigges...
Alexei Navalny, Dr Brooke Ellison, Gertrude Wright, Steve Brown
February 23, 2024 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBJohn Wilson on Alexei Navalny, the anti-corruption campaigner and leading opponent of President Vladimir Putin, who has died in a Russian state prison. Dr Brooke Ellison, an American academic and disabilities rights advocate who drew on her own experience of living with quadriplegia. Gertrude Wright, who survived the bombing of her German home city during World War Two and went on to become a translator for Field Marshall Montgomery. And Steve Brown, the music composer who worked on com...
Steve Wright, Baroness Flather, Alan Mills, Angela Peberdy
February 16, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on The much-loved Radio 1 and 2 DJ Steve Wright. We have a tribute from his former colleague Simon Mayo. Baroness Flather, who was the first Asian woman to sit in the House of Lords. Alan Mills, the Wimbledon tennis referee who had to deal with tantrums on court. Angela Peberdy, the train announcer known as “the golden voice of British Rail”. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive Used The Six o’clock News, BBC 1, 25/06/1985; Network East: Big Talk, Asia 2 BBC 2, 14/11/1998...
Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, Ian Lavender, Robie Harris, Barry John
February 09, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue who overcame a traumatic childhood to become one of Australia’s leading campaigners for the rights of indigenous people. Ian Lavender, the actor best known for playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army. Robie Harris, whose book explaining sex to children made her one of America’s most banned authors. Barry John, the Welsh and British and Irish Lions fly-half known simply as “The King”. Interviewee: Stuart Rintoul Interviewee: Paul Abbandonato Intervi...
Frank Farian, Caroline Richmond, Phil Baines, Norma Izard
February 02, 2024 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Frank Farian, the German music producer behind the hugely successful group Boney M, who caused controversy when it was revealed that his duo Milli Vanilli had been miming at all their live shows. We hear from Boney M singer Liz Mitchell. Medical journalist Caroline Richmond who founded the Campaign Against Health Fraud, now known as HealthSense. Professor Phil Baines, the respected typographer who designed many book covers and public signs as well as the memorial to t...
Norma Barzman, Lord Saye and Sele, Jim Hobson, Susan Campbell
January 26, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Norma Barzman, the screenwriter from the Golden Age of Hollywood who fled to Europe after facing being blacklisted from the House Un-American Activities Committee for her Communist views. Lord Saye and Sele, the aristocrat who served in the army during the Second World War, then worked to restore the historic family seat Broughton Castle. James 'Jim' Hobson, the Assistant Chief Constable of West Yorkshire who was in charge of the Yorkshire Ripper enquiry when Peter S...
Annie Nightingale, Isca Salzberger-Wittenberg, Bryan Ansell, Charlie Allan
January 19, 2024 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on Annie Nightingale who was Radio 1’s first female presenter and its longest serving DJ. Her son remembers meeting Jimi Hendrix over breakfast in her kitchen and the 72-hour-party at her home featuring some of the biggest names of the dance music scene. Isca Salzberger-Wittenberg, the psychoanalyst who changed the approach to treating young people’s mental health. Bryan Ansell, the games designer who co-created Warhammer and helped led the growth of the Games Workshop c...
Camila Batmanghelidjh, Sir Roy Calne, Glynis Johns, J.P.R. Williams
January 12, 2024 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Camila Batmanghelidjh who founded the charity Kids Company to help disadvantaged children. The charity collapsed amidst controversy, although she was later cleared of any wrongdoing. Sir Roy Calne, the surgeon who carried out the UK’s first successful liver transplant operation. He was also a talented artist. Glynis Johns, the actor best known for playing the suffragette Winifred Banks in the film of Mary Poppins. JPR Williams, one of the greatest full backs in rugb...
John Pilger, KM Peyton, Paula Murphy, Michael Blakemore
January 05, 2024 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on John Pilger, the campaigning journalist who made award winning films about human rights abuses and was an outspoken critic of British and US foreign policy. K.M. Peyton, the author of many “pony” books for children and adolescents, including the “Flambards” trilogy. Paula Murphy, the American racing driver once described as “the fastest woman on wheels”. Michael Blakemore, the versatile theatre director who was the only person to win Tony Awards for Best Play and Bes...
Jacques Delors, Nancy Pearce, Elinor Otto, Tony Allen
December 29, 2023 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBKirsty Lang on Jacques Delors, the politician and architect of the modern EU. Nancy Pearce, the founder of a charity to help people with eating disorders. Elinor Otto, the American factory worker who was one of the original 'Rosie the Riveters'. Tony Allen, one of the pioneers of the alternative comedy scene. Producer: Ed Prendeville
Maureen Sweeney, Sir Tim Brighouse, Shirley Anne Field, Juanita Castro
December 22, 2023 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Maureen Sweeney, the postmistress from the west of Ireland whose weather forecast postponed D-Day by 24 hours. Sir Tim Brighouse, the educationalist credited with transforming the performance of London’s schools. Shirley Anne Field, the actor who appeared in classic 1960s films like The Entertainer, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and Alfie. Juanita Castro, younger sister of the Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who became a CIA informer. Interviewee: Fergus Sweeney Int...
Benjamin Zephaniah, Laura Lean, Stacy Marking, Eric Freeman
December 15, 2023 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on The dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah who overcame childhood trauma to become an acclaimed performer and writer. Laura Lean, who volunteered for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, helping to support distressed families after The Grenfell Tower fire and greeting Afghan evacuees. Stacy Marking, one of the first women directors in documentary television whose work focused on social issues. Eric Freeman, the Gloucestershire farmer who played a key role in saving the county’s rar...
Shane MacGowan, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Lord Darling, Joan Jara
December 08, 2023 16:22 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Shane MacGowan the lead singer of The Pogues who was famous for his song writing but also his abuse of drugs and alcohol. His sister joins us to discuss the roots of his talent and his excesses. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court. Lord Darling, the Labour politician who was Chancellor during the financial crash of 2008. Joan Jara, whose husband, the singer Victor Jara was killed by the Pinochet regime in Chile. She c...
Henry Kissinger, Terry Venables, Paul Watson, Rachel Heller
December 01, 2023 16:24 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in international diplomacy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize but was condemned by some as a war criminal. Also, Terry Venables, the colourful manager who took the England Football team to the semi-finals of Euro 96. Paul Watson, the pioneer of reality TV whose “fly on the wall” techniques caused controversy. Sir Peter Bazalgette pays tribute. And Rachel Heller the artist who was born with Down’s Syndrome and whose work was collected b...
Captain Don Walsh, Dame A.S. Byatt, Rosalynn Carter, Dr Finlay Macleod
November 24, 2023 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Captain Don Walsh, the American submariner who made the first descent to the deepest place in the ocean – the Mariana Trench. His friend and fellow deep sea explorer Victor Vescovo relives the experience for us. Dame A.S. Byatt, the author best known for her Booker Prize winning novel “Possession”. Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady of the USA. Dr Finlay Macleod, the historian from the Isle of Lewis who fought to preserve the Gaelic language. Robert Macfarlane pa...
Peter Betts, Audrey Salkeld, Heather Rogers KC, Louise Meriwether
November 17, 2023 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Peter Betts, who was the UK’s lead negotiator at international climate change summits. Audrey Salkeld, the mountaineering historian best known for her work on the ill-fated Mallory and Irvine expedition. Heather Rogers KC, the lawyer who championed freedom of speech in many high profile cases Louise Meriwether, the author and journalist whose acclaimed novel “Daddy was a Number Runner” told the story of her childhood during the depression in Harlem. Interviewee: Fion...
Ken Mattingly, Anne Wright, Mary Gallacher, David Kirke
November 10, 2023 16:20 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Ken Mattingly, the astronaut who missed flying into space on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission because he had been exposed to German measles. We have a tribute from Fred Haise who did take part in that hazardous flight. Anne Wright, who devoted her life to conserving the wild animals of India. Mary “Tiny” Gallacher who worked behind the scenes at Rangers Football Club in Glasgow for over 50 years. David Kirke, the co-founder of the Dangerous Sports Club who took part i...
Matthew Perry, Benedict Birnberg, Field Marshall Muthoni Wa Kirima, Professor Jose Harris
November 03, 2023 16:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Benedict Birnberg, the radical lawyer who fought the cases of the far-left Angry Brigade and the Mangrove Nine and got the murder conviction of Derek Bentley quashed. Professor Jose Harris, the historian best known for her acclaimed biography of William Beveridge. Field Marshall Muthoni Wa Kirima, the last Mau Mau fighter to lay down her arms after the rebellion against British rule in Kenya. Matthew Perry, the actor best known for playing Chandler Bing in the TV si...
Sir Bobby Charlton, Dr Evelyn Fox Keller, Julian Bahula, Haydn Gwynne
October 30, 2023 15:15 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Bobby Charlton, who is hailed as England’s greatest ever footballer. Dr. Evelyn Fox Keller, who explored the effects of gender on the study of science. Julian Bahula, the South African musician and anti- apartheid activist And Haydn Gwynne, the versatile actor known for her roles in Billy Elliott and The Audience on stage and The Windsors and Drop the Dead Donkey on screen. Andy Hamilton pays tribute. Producer: Ed Prendeville
Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney, Phyllis ‘Pippa’ Latour, Florence Fisher, Dr Nicholas Arnold
October 20, 2023 15:15 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBKirsty Lang on Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney, the secret billionaire who gave most of his money away to good causes. Phyllis ‘Pippa’ Latour, the fearless secret agent who was parachuted into Nazi occupied Normandy a month before D-Day. Florence Fisher, who was adopted as a child and later led a movement to help millions of others find their birth parents. Dr Nicholas Arnold, one of the world’s leading experts on reptiles. Interviewee: Conor O'Clery Interviewee: Clare Mulley Interview...
Kirsty Smitten, Kat Anderson, Beverly Willis, Tony Wade
October 13, 2023 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBKirsty Lang on The talented young scientist Kirsty Smitten who did pioneering work developing a new generation of antibiotics. Singer Kat Anderson who made pop history with Motown’s first Number One hit: Please Mr Postman. The architect Beverly Willis who devoted much of her career to promoting her female peers. Tony Wade who helped built Britain’s first black owned multi-million-pound business selling hair and beauty products to Afro Caribbean women. Producer: Ed Prendeville
Michael Gambon, Pat Arrowsmith, Treleven Haysom, Dianne Feinstein
October 06, 2023 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on the acclaimed actor Sir Michael Gambon. His son Fergus reveals his love of cars, antique firearms – and lying to journalists. The peace campaigner Pat Arrowsmith, who went to prison a number of times for direct action protests. Treleven Haysom, the stone mason who devoted his life to working, quarrying and telling the history of Purbeck stone. Dianne Feinstein, the US Senator who campaigned for women’s rights and gun control and revealed the CIA’s use of torture. P...
Gita Mehta, Matteo Messina Denaro, Irma Brenman Pick, John Stevenson
September 29, 2023 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Gita Mehta, the author who set out to reveal the truth about India to the West. Her friend the theatre director Sir Richard Eyre pays tribute. Matteo Messina Denaro, the Italian mafia boss who boasted he could “fill a cemetery” with his murder victims. Irma Brenman Pick, the psychoanalyst who investigated the emotional reactions between patient and therapist. John Stevenson, who wrote some of the best loved episodes of Coronation Street. Sally Wainwright shares her m...
Sir Horace Ové, Su Gorman, Roger Whittaker, Jean Combes
September 22, 2023 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Horace Ové, the director whose films told stories of the experiences of black people in Britain. Su Gorman, who campaigned for justice for the victims of the contaminated blood scandal, after her own husband was infected with hepatitis C. Roger Whittaker, the singer best known for his hits Durham Town and The Last Farewell, and his skill at whistling. Jean Combes, the naturalist whose meticulous records of the moment when trees came into leaf in the spring cast l...
Mike Yarwood, Ada Deer, Sir Ian Wilmut, Dorothy Purdew
September 15, 2023 15:15 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Mike Yarwood, whose impressions of famous people made him one of TV’s biggest stars in the 1970s and 80s. Ada Deer, the Native American campaigner who became head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under President Clinton. Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, the embryologist who led the team that created Dolly the Sheep – the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. Dorothy Purdew, who left school at fourteen but went on to build up the Champneys chain of health farms and sp...
Mohamed Al-Fayed, Dorothy Goodman, Professor Anthony Bryceson, Denyse Plummer
September 08, 2023 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Mohamed Al-Fayed, the controversial businessman who owned Harrods department store and Fulham Football Club. His son Dodi died in the car crash that killed Princess Diana. Dorothy Goodman, the educationalist who helped to found the consumer affairs magazine that became known as “Which?”. Professor Anthony Bryceson, the tropical medicine expert who was kidnapped by guerrilla forces in Laos. Denyse Plummer, the singer who overcame prejudice to be crowned Calypso Monarc...
Julian Haviland, Johaar Mosaval, Tricia Tyler, Matyelok Gibbs
September 01, 2023 15:26 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on: Julian Haviland who was political editor at ITN and then the Times, covering key events at Westminster in the 1970s and 80s. Johaar Mosaval, the South African dancer who overcame racial prejudice to fulfil his dream of becoming a ballet star. Tricia Tyler, who edited the Nursing Times. Matyelok Gibbs, the actor and director who secured the future of London’s famous Unicorn Children’s Theatre. Interviewee: Philip Webster Interviewee: Sharon Paulson Interviewee: Jan...
Michael Parkinson, Renata Scotto, John Brierly, Isobel Crook
August 25, 2023 15:30 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBJohn Wilson on: The journalist and broadcaster who became synonymous with the British chat show, Sir Michael Parkinson. Italian soprano Renata Scotto, one of the biggest stars of opera in the 1960s and 70s John Brierly, the author of bestselling guidebooks to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route The teacher, anthropologist and communist Isobel Crook who lived and worked in China for most of her life. Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive used Isabel Crook: We belonged and this is why we ...
SPECIAL EDITION: Michael Parkinson
August 24, 2023 16:45 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBSir Michael Parkinson was a journalist, broadcaster, and arguably Britain’s greatest television chat show host. During a TV career than spanned six decades, Parky interviewed hundreds of the world's most famous stars. Sir Michael died on 16th August 2023. For Last Word, John Wilson talks to Sir Michael's son Mike about his father's life and career. Starting with his upbringing in a council house in Cudworth, near Barnsley, discussing his relationship with his parents, and later with his wi...
Nick Kaiser, Angela Flowers, Robbie Shepherd, Doreen Mantle.
August 18, 2023 15:20 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBKirsty Lang on: Nick Kaiser, an internationally renowned British scientist who reached not just for the stars but the entire cosmos.... A gallerist who championed British contemporary art: Angela Flowers opened her first exhibition space in a Soho attic in 1970 A fixture of Scottish cultural life, the legendary broadcaster Robbie Shepherd, who presented BBC Scotland’s Dance music programme, Take the Floor, for 35 years The actress, Doreen Mantle - best remembered for her role in the po...