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
Margaret Keane, Keith Smith, Mario Fiorentini, Brenda Fisher
August 26, 2022 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBMatthew Bannister on Margaret Keane (pictured), the American artist whose paintings of children with 'Big Eyes' became hugely popular in the 1960s. Her identity as the painter was kept secret by her husband who claimed the works as his own. Keith Smith, the market trader who co-founded the Poundland chain of shops. Mario Fiorentini, Italy’s most decorated partisan, who risked torture and death to fight the German occupation of his country. Brenda Fisher, the long distance swimmer from G...
Lamont Dozier, Joan Lingard, Issey Miyake, Edana Minghella
August 19, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJohn Wilson on Lamont Dozier (pictured), who wrote dozens of hits for Motown Records. Joan Lingard, the author of the popular Kevin and Sadie books set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Issey Miyake, the Japanese fashion designer who survived the atomic bomb. Edana Minghella, the mental health researcher and jazz singer. Producer: Emily Finch Interviewed guest: Eddie Holland Interviewed guest: Adam White Interviewed guest: Shelly Clark Interviewed guest: Lindsey Fraser Interview...
James Lovelock, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Roy Hackett MBE, Dame Olivia Newton-John
August 12, 2022 16:24 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBKirsty Lang on James Lovelock (pictured), the scientist and inventor who came up with the Gaia theory. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. Roy Hackett MBE, who led the Bristol bus boycott in 1963. Dame Olivia Newton-John, the singer and actor who starred in Grease. Producer: Emily Finch Interviewed guest: Bryan Appleyard CBE Interviewed guest: Paul Martin Interviewed guest: Lynn Mareno Interviewed guest: Professor Kehinde Andrews Interviewed guest: Holly Thom...
Bernard Cribbins OBE (pictured), Diana Kennedy MBE, Sir Colin Blakemore, Nichelle Nichols
August 05, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Bernard Cribbins OBE, the much-loved actor known for appearances in The Railway Children and Doctor Who as well as reading countless stories on Jackanory. Diana Kennedy MBE, the British-born food writer who dedicated her life to promoting the diversity of Mexican cuisine. Sir Colin Blakemore, the neuroscientist who received death threats after speaking out in defence of experiments on animals. Nichelle Nichols, the trailblazing African American actor who played Lieut...
Lord David Trimble (pictured), Susie Steiner, Uwe Seeler
July 29, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJohn Wilson on Lord David Trimble, Northern Irish politician who was an architect of the Good Friday Agreement and won a Nobel Peace Prize. Susie Steiner, a British crime author who shared her experience of living with a brain tumour. Uwe Seeler, captain of the West German football team in 1966 and a hero for his home team of Hamburg. Producer: Sofie Vilcins Interviewed guest: Lord Dean Godson Interviewed guest: Val McDermid Interviewed guest: Alan Mullery MBE Interviewed guest: Derek ...
Tony Sirico (pictured), José Eduardo dos Santos, Ann Shulgin, Ivana Trump
July 22, 2022 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBJohn Wilson on Tony Sirico, the former armed robber turned actor who found fame playing the role of mobster Paulie Walnuts in ground-breaking television series The Sopranos. José Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled Angola as president for 37 years, steering the country through a bloody civil war, and reaping the benefits of an oil boom while being accused of huge levels of corruption. Ann Shulgin, a therapist who pioneered the use of psychedelics and MDMA in therapy together with her chemist hu...
Shinzo Abe (pictured), Mona Hammond OBE, Lorna de Smidt, Monty Norman
July 15, 2022 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBKirsty Lang on Shinzo Abe - Japan’s longest-serving prime minister who sought to end a wartime legacy of defeat and occupation and to tackle the economy through ‘Abenomics’. Actor Mona Hammond is best known for her TV role in Eastenders. Lorna de Smidt, the anti-apartheid and anti-racist activist who cut her political teeth in the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa in the late 1960s. And Monty Norman - Composer and singer who wrote the James Bond main theme and a string of succ...
Baroness Greengross OBE (pictured), Sonny Barger, Technoblade, Qin Yi
July 08, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Baroness Greengross, who championed the rights of older people as Director General of the charity Age Concern. Sonny Barger, the leading American Hell’s Angel who was arrested 21 times and spent 13 years in prison. Technoblade, the young Youtuber who amassed millions of followers for his commentaries on the video game Minecraft. Qin Yi, the leading Chinese film star whose career spanned eight decades. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Gail Perry Interviewed ...
Dame Deborah James (pictured), Yves Coppens, Revel Guest OBE, Samuel Bhima
July 01, 2022 15:25 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on Dame Deborah James who raised millions of pounds for cancer research by talking openly about living with - and dying from - bowel cancer. Yves Coppens, the charismatic French palaeontologist who led the team that discovered hominid remains estimated to be 3.2 million years old. Revel Guest OBE, the documentary film producer who became chair of the Hay Literary Festival. Samuel Bhima, the first Malawian to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gyn...
Dom Phillips (pictured), Stephen S. Thompson, Caroline Drummond, Maureen Hiron
June 24, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Dom Phillips, the freelance journalist who was ambushed and shot dead on a trip into the Amazon rain forest. Stephen S. Thompson, the novelist and screenwriter who won a BAFTA for his TV drama telling the story of his brother’s experiences during the Windrush scandal. Caroline Drummond, who campaigned for greater links between farming and environmental protection – and oversaw the launch of Open Farm Sunday. Maureen Hiron, the top-class bridge player who invented ma...
Dame Paula Rego (pictured), Bruce Kent, Hilary Devey CBE
June 17, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Dame Paula Rego, the acclaimed Portuguese-born artist who later made her home in the UK and was renowned for making vivid and disturbing work focussing on the subjugation of women. We talk to her son Nick Willing. Bruce Kent, the Catholic priest who became a leader of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Hilary Devey CBE, who founded a multi-million pound freight distribution business and was one of the Dragons on the TV show Dragons Den. Producer: Neil George ...
Amanda Claridge, Sidhu Moose Wala (pictured), Mark Sykes, Paul Vance
June 10, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Amanda Claridge, the archaeologist who was a leading expert on ancient Rome. Sidhu Moose Wala, the acclaimed Indian rapper who was shot dead at the age of 28. Mark Sykes, the upper-class gambler, con man, gun smuggler and playboy. Paul Vance, who wrote the song 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' and whose death was announced prematurely in 2006. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Richard Hodges Interviewed guest: Professor Richard Alston Inte...
Dervla Murphy, Lester Piggott (pictured), Anne Howells
June 03, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Dervla Murphy, the intrepid travel writer who cycled from her native Ireland to India. Lester Piggott, the jockey who rode thousands of winners and broke many records, including winning the Derby 9 times. Anne Howells, the acclaimed mezzo soprano known for her beautiful voice and sense of mischief. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Antonia Quirke Interviewed guest: Hilary Bradt MBE Interviewed guest: Susan Griffiths Interviewed guest: Frank Keogh Interviewed...
Baroness Haleh Afshar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kay Mellor, Vangelis (Pictured)
May 27, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Baroness Haleh Afshar, the Iranian-born academic and activist who made her home in the UK and campaigned for women’s rights. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates who led the transformation of his country and was a key ally of the West. Kay Mellor, the TV writer best known for series like 'Band of Gold', 'Fat Friends' and 'The Syndicate'. Vangelis, the prolific composer who won an Oscar for the soundtrack ...
Shireen Abu Akleh, Robert Gillmor, Leonid Kravchuk (pictured), Carrie White
May 20, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Shireen Abu Akleh, the respected Al Jazeera reporter who was shot dead while covering an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Robert Gillmor, the wildlife artist best known for his striking paintings of birds. Leonid Kravchuk who oversaw Ukraine’s transition to independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union and became its President. Carrie White, the hairdresser who styled some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and became addicted to drink and dr...
Kathy Boudin, Dennis Waterman (pictured), Sidney Altman, Régine Zylberberg
May 13, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Kathy Boudin, the American radical activist who was sent to prison for her part in the killing of a security guard and two police officers during a robbery. While serving her sentence she became a campaigner for penal reform. Dennis Waterman, the actor best known for his roles in TV series 'The Sweeney', 'Minder' and 'New Tricks'. Sidney Altman, the American biologist who won the Nobel prize for his work on the function of RNA... And Régine Zylberberg, the French nig...
Colonel Alan Jenkins, Mary Monson, Elspeth Barker, Art Rupe (pictured)
May 06, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Colonel Alan Jenkins, the Gurhka officer who was the last living Westerner to have travelled to independent Tibet. Mary Monson, the solicitor who devoted her career to helping the poor and disadvantaged. Elspeth Barker, the novelist and critic who lived a colourful life surrounded by animals in a Norfolk farmhouse. Art Rupe, the American record producer who helped to launch the careers of Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Nigel ...
Yvonne Blenkinsop (pictured), Dr Margaret Carswell, Mikhail Vasenkov, Denise Coffey
April 29, 2022 15:28 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on Yvonne Blenkinsop, one of the four so-called 'Headscarf Revolutionaries' from Hull who campaigned for better safety regulations on fishing trawlers after three were lost at sea in 1968. Margaret Carswell, the doctor and ornithologist who treated survivors of the Ugandan civil war and in her spare time compiled the definitive guide to the country’s bird population. Mikhail Vasenkov, the Russian spy who assumed a South American identity and lived undercover in the Unite...
Mimi Reinhardt, Sir Harrison Birtwistle (pictured), Sylvia Lancaster OBE, Letizia Battaglia
April 22, 2022 15:28 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJohn Wilson on Mimi Reinhardt, the Holocaust survivor who typed Oskar Schindler’s famous list and later turned down an offer from Steven Spielberg. Sir Harrison Birtwistle, the uncompromising British composer of contemporary classical music who once caused panic at the Proms. Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of Sophie Lancaster who was brutally murdered in 2007, Sylvia set up a foundation with the aim of promoting tolerance and inclusivity among young people... And Letizia Battaglia, who d...
Mimi Reinhard, Sir Harrison Birtwistle (pictured), Sylvia Lancaster OBE, Letizia Battaglia
April 22, 2022 15:28 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJohn Wilson on Mimi Reinhard, the Holocaust survivor who typed Oskar Schindler’s famous list and later turned down an offer from Steven Spielberg. Sir Harrison Birtwistle, the uncompromising British composer of contemporary classical music who once caused panic at the Proms. Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of Sophie Lancaster who was brutally murdered in 2007. Sylvia set up a foundation with the aim of promoting tolerance and inclusivity among young people... And Letizia Battaglia, who def...
Jordan Mooney (pictured), Jack Higgins, Robert Ashe, David McKee
April 15, 2022 15:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJohn Wilson remembers the lives of those who have recently died including Jordan Mooney the punk icon known as ‘the original Sex Pistol’ who ended up as a veterinary nurse. Jack Higgins, the thriller writer who hit the jackpot with The Eagle Has Landed, and sold more than 250 million books. Robert Ashe, an aid worker who spent most of his working life supporting refugees all over the world. And David McKee - author and illustrator who created timeless childhood favourites including Mr ...
Derek Mack (pictured), June Brown, Doris Derby, Dave Sales
April 08, 2022 15:28 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on Derek Mack, the rocket engineer who helped Britain enter the space age June Brown, the actor best known as Dot Cotton in Eastenders Dr Doris A. Derby, the American civil rights activist and photographer who took historic pictures of the struggle for equality Dave Sales, the Dorset fisherman who fought a 23 year campaign to protect the sea bed in Lyme Bay. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Dion Mack Interviewed guest: Ken MacTaggart Interviewed guest: Bob ...
Madeleine Albright (pictured), Peter Padfield, Christina Smith, Sheila Paine
April 01, 2022 17:36 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBMatthew Bannister on The first female US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who was a leading advocate of the NATO bombing campaign aimed at stopping ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. Peter Padfield, the naval historian who as a young man took part in the reconstruction of the voyage of the Mayflower from the UK to the USA. Christina Smith, the colourful entrepreneur known as “the queen of Covent Garden” for her property and business development in that area of London. Sheila Paine, w...
Bruce Page, Dottie Frazier, Josephine Veasey (pictured), Maynard Davies
March 25, 2022 16:28 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Bruce Page, the investigative journalist best known for leading the Sunday Times Insight team’s expose of the Thalidomide scandal. Dottie Frazier, the pioneering American scuba diver who kept a boa constrictor as a pet and rode a motorcycle until she was in her nineties. Josephine Veasey, the British mezzo-soprano acclaimed for her performances in works by Wagner and Berlioz. And Maynard Davies, who left school unable to read and write, went on to become a well-known...
Mary Coombs, Paul Farmer, Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper, William Hurt (pictured)
March 18, 2022 16:28 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBJohn Wilson on Mary Coombs, the world's first female computer programmer in the commercial sector; Paul Farmer, a medical anthropologist who saved millions of lives in the world's poorest countries; Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper, who had a run-in with General Eisenhower and later went on to translate the comic book Tintin; and William Hurt, Oscar-winning actor. Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Fred Frank Land OBE Interviewed guest: Georgina Ferry Interviewed guest: Sheila Davis Interviewe...
Shirley Hughes (pictured), Roger Graef, Shane Warne
March 11, 2022 16:25 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Shirley Hughes, the children’s author and illustrator whose books created a welcoming and recognisable picture of family life. Roger Graef, the documentary filmmaker who revealed the inner workings of the criminal justice system, the planning authorities and the treatment of children in care. Shane Warne, the Australian spin bowler hailed as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, but also known for his off the pitch party lifestyle. Producer: Neil George Int...
Sonny Ramadhin (pictured), Sister Catherine Wybourne, Captain Raymond Savage, Anna Karen
March 04, 2022 16:28 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Sonny Ramadhin, the West Indian bowler who was one of the heroes of the side that scored a famous victory over England in 1950. Sister Catherine Wybourne, who was known as the 'digital nun' for her use of blogs and social media to communicate the messages of her order. Captain Raymond Savage, one of the last surviving prisoners of war who worked on the notorious Burma railway in the 1940s. Anna Karen, the actor best known for her appearances in the TV sitcom 'On The ...
Jamal Edwards MBE, P.J. O'Rourke (pictured), Romaine Hart OBE, Ronnie Campbell
February 25, 2022 16:02 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Jamal Edwards, the young music entrepreneur whose YouTube channel supported the careers of grime and rap stars like Dave, Skepta and Stormzy. P.J. O’Rourke, the conservative American satirist who applied his barbed wit to reporting from the world’s trouble spots. Romaine Hart, whose Screen on the Green cinema gave a platform to art house films and was described by Quentin Tarantino as “the coolest cinema in London”. Ronnie Campbell, the Scottish crofter and land r...
Beryl Vertue CBE (pictured), Flavio Carboni, Phil Harvey, Lata Mangeshkar
February 18, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Beryl Vertue, the TV and film producer who brought us 'Men Behaving Badly' and 'Sherlock'. The actors Martin Clunes and Martin Freeman pay tribute. Flavio Carboni, the Italian wheeler dealer who was at the centre of many legal and political mysteries, including the death of the Vatican banker Roberto Calvi. Phil Harvey, the American businessman who set up a chain of sex shops to fund the provision of birth control to millions of people in the developing world. Lata M...
Bamber Gascoigne (pictured), Norma Waterson, Claire Tomlinson, Thich Nhat Hanh
February 11, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Bamber Gascoigne, the broadcaster and author best known as the long serving host of the TV quiz show 'University Challenge'. Norma Waterson, the revered singer who was part of the Waterson Carthy dynasty that played a leading role in the English folk revival. We have a personal tribute from her husband Martin Carthy and daughter Eliza Carthy. Claire Tomlinson, who broke down barriers to become one of the UK’s best polo players. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese-born B...
Sir Crispin Tickell, Barry Cryer (pictured), Darlene Hard, Elza Soares
February 04, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJulian Worricker on: The diplomat Sir Crispin Tickell, who advised four prime ministers, and influenced international policy on climate change... The writer and performer, Barry Cryer, whose work spanned sixty years and involved scripts for most of the comedy greats... Darlene Hard, 21 times a Grand Slam tennis champion, described as one of the greatest doubles players of her generation... And the Brazilian singer, Elza Soares, who was a campaigner for women's rights and against racism. ...
Meat Loaf (pictured), André Leon Talley, Jana Bennett, Kristin Baybars
January 28, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Meat Loaf, the rock opera singer best known for his album Bat Out Of Hell. André Leon Talley, the fashion editor who played a leading role at US Vogue magazine and supported the careers of many designers. Jana Bennett, the BBC executive who led the transformation of TV science programmes and oversaw the Corporation’s move into the digital age. Kristin Baybars, whose beautiful doll's house furniture and other toys were sought after by children and adults alike. Prod...
Lord Sainsbury, David Stuart, Elizabeth Selby, Ronnie Spector (pictured)
January 21, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover who led the expansion of the family grocery business during the 1970s and 80s. David Stuart, the former gay escort and drug dealer who turned his life around and became a much loved support worker and advocate for the LGBT community. Elizabeth Selby, who with her husband ran one of the UK’s most successful photographic agencies, supplying pictures to newspapers and magazines around the world. And Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the R...
Sidney Poitier (pictured), EO Wilson, Sarah Weddington, Assunta 'Pupetta' Maresca
January 14, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Sidney Poitier, the first black man to win a 'Best Actor' Oscar, known for his powerful performances in ‘In The Heat of The Night’, ‘Lilies of the Field’ and ‘To Sir, With Love’. His co-star in that film - Lulu - pays tribute. E.O.Wilson, the American biologist and champion of biodiversity who some have compared to Charles Darwin. Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the landmark case of Roe v Wade before the US Supreme Court. The case, which is being challenged no...
Lord Rogers (pictured), April Ashley MBE, Joan Didion, Ray Illingworth
January 07, 2022 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Lord Rogers of Riverside, the influential architect who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Lloyds Building in London. April Ashley, the transgender model who partied with pop stars and aristocrats during the Swinging Sixties and campaigned for changes to the law on gender identity. Joan Didion, the American writer best known for her memoir 'The Year of Magical Thinking' written after the deaths of her husband and daughter. Ray Illingworth, the Yorkshire-bo...
Janice Long (pictured), Marvin Hagler, Esther Bejarano, Leslie Bricusse
December 31, 2021 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJulian Worricker on Janice Long, the pioneering female DJ who was heard on Radios 1 and 2 and was a familiar face on Top of the Pops. “Marvellous” Marvin Hagler, one of the greatest middleweight boxing champions of all time. Esther Bejarano, one of the last survivors of the Auschwitz women’s orchestra who devoted her life to campaigning against racism. Leslie Bricusse OBE, the prolific songwriter behind dozens of hits for stage and screen, including songs for the Bond films, Willy Wonka...
bell hooks (pictured), Shirley McGreal, Lionel Blair, Melvin Van Peebles
December 24, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJulian Worricker on The feminist writer bell hooks, credited with prompting new, radical thinking about race, gender and class. Shirley McGreal, founder of the International Primate Protection League, whose work in conservation led to her opening a gibbon sanctuary in South Carolina. The singer, dancer and actor, Lionel Blair, whose career began during World War II, and spanned eight decades... And the pioneering film director, Melvin Van Peebles, who became known as the godfather of bl...
Mary Maher, Robbie Shakespeare (pictured), Anwar Ditta, Anne Rice
December 17, 2021 16:30 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBMatthew Bannister on The journalist and feminist Mary Maher. She edited the women’s page of the Irish Times and was a prime mover in campaigns for equal rights. The bass player Robbie Shakespeare. With his partner Sly Dunbar he formed a powerful rhythm section in demand by artists from Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru to Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan. Anwar Ditta, the British Asian mother who fought for five years to be allowed to bring her three children from Pakistan to the UK. An...
Sir Antony Sher (pictured), Roger Phillips, Judy Totton
December 10, 2021 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Antony Sher, one of the finest actors of his generation, who was also a writer and a painter. We have a heartfelt personal tribute from his husband, the Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company Gregory Doran. Roger Phillips, the colourful plant photographer who produced many authoritative books on wild flowers, trees and plants but was perhaps best known for his work on mushrooms. Judy Totton, the music business publicist who worked with clients like St...
Stephen Sondheim (pictured), Sir Frank Williams, Jo-Carroll Dennison
December 03, 2021 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Stephen Sondheim, the acclaimed composer and lyricist who revolutionised the stage musical. We have a tribute from Imelda Staunton who gave award-winning performances in some of his finest roles. Sir Frank Williams, the Formula One motor racing team owner who continued to enjoy great success after breaking his neck in a car crash that left him quadriplegic. His close friend and colleague Sir Patrick Head recalls their long working relationship. Jo-Carroll Dennison,...
Ian Wallace, Rossana Banti, Ivy Nicholson (pictured), Cedric Robinson MBE
November 29, 2021 16:59 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Ian Wallace, one of the most influential figures in British ornithology. At one time he had seen a wider variety of species of birds than anyone else in Britain. Rossana Banti, the Italian partisan who risked her life acting as a courier for the Resistance. Ivy Nicholson, the model who was once a muse for Andy Warhol but fell on hard times and ended up sleeping on the streets. Cedric Robinson MBE, who guided people across the treacherous sands of Morecambe Bay for m...
Aaron Beck, Joan Carlyle (pictured), Etel Adnan, Anne Bradford
November 19, 2021 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBKirsty Lang on Aaron Beck the Eminent psychiatrist who developed cognitive behavioural therapy into the world’s most popular treatment for depression and anxiety. Joan Carlyle the principal soprano at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for almost 20 years. Etel Adnan one of the Arab world's most important writers, and author of one of the most important War Novels ever written and Anne Bradford Compiler of the bestselling crossword solver’s dictionary who could complete the Times p...
Sir Archie Lamb (pictured), John Boyden, Ida Nudel, Abolhassan Banisadr
November 12, 2021 16:30 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Archie Lamb who rose from Foreign Office filing clerk to become one of the UK’s most distinguished ambassadors. John Boyden, the record producer who founded the Classics For Pleasure label to bring classical music to a wide audience at affordable prices. Ida Nudel, whose campaigns on behalf of Jewish people refused permission to emigrate to Israel from the Soviet Union led to her being sent to Siberia. Abolhassan Banisadr, the first President of Iran after the...
Sir Michael Rutter (pictured), Christopher Wenner, Sister Megan Rice, Jeanette Altwegg
November 09, 2021 12:20 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBMatthew Bannister on Sir Michael Rutter who was known as the 'father of child psychiatry'. He pioneered research into many aspects of child development. Christopher Wenner - also known as Max Stahl - who changed career from Blue Peter TV presenter to intrepid documentary film maker. Sister Megan Rice, the American nun who campaigned against nuclear weapons. She was arrested and sent to prison for breaking into a uranium processing plant. Jeanette Altwegg, the last British woman to win ...
Bernard Haitink (pictured), Victor Gregg, Ruthie Tompson, Paddy Moloney
October 29, 2021 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Bernard Haitink, one of the greatest orchestral conductors of his generation, known for his interpretations of Mahler, Bruckner and Wagner. Victor Gregg, the British soldier who was caught up in the Dresden bombing raids, suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and later went undercover for MI6. Ruthie Tompson, one of Walt Disney’s longest serving animators, she worked on classic films like 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' and 'Fantasia'. Paddy Moloney, the Irish p...
Colin Powell (pictured), Brendan Kennelly, Myriam Sarachik, John Clunies-Ross
October 22, 2021 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBKirsty Lang on Colin Powell, who rose from an impoverished childhood in Harlem to become US Secretary of State A much loved Irish poet: Brendan Kennelly who learnt his storytelling skills growing up in his father’s pub in County Kerry A ground-breaking female scientist Myriam Sarachik who had to contend with the deeply entrenched sexism And the extraordinary story of John Clunies-Ross - former ruler of the Cocos Islands which he ran for many years as a private fiefdom Produced by Neil...
Abdul Qadeer Khan (pictured), R. Allen Gardner, Joyce Jackson, Beresford King-Smith
October 15, 2021 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, once described as the world’s most dangerous man - but hailed as a hero in his native Pakistan for leading the country’s development of nuclear weapons. Dr. R. Allen Gardner, the American ethologist who trained a chimpanzee to use sign language. Beresford King-Smith, who played a key backstage role in the success of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. And memories of the long life of Joyce Jackson who has died aged 107. Interviewed gue...
Antony Hewish (pictured), Roger Michell, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Jane Powell
October 08, 2021 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBMatthew Bannister on Antony Hewish, the radio astronomer who won the Nobel Prize for his work on discovering pulsars. Roger Michell, the film, theatre and TV director who brought us Notting Hill, The Buddha of Suburbia and Persuasion. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the President of Algeria for more than twenty years, who was ousted from power after trying to secure a fifth term in office. And Jane Powell, the American actor, singer and dancer who starred in many classic film musicals in the 1940s...
Lord Gowrie, Kamla Bhasin (pictured), Shirley Metherell MBE, Roger Hunt MBE
October 01, 2021 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBMatthew Bannister on Lord Gowrie, the Tory peer who served as Northern Ireland minister and Arts minister under Margaret Thatcher. He was also a poet and went on to chair Sotheby’s and the Arts Council. Kamla Bhasin, the Indian feminist writer who inspired millions of women in her campaigns against patriarchy. Shirley Metherell MBE who founded a centre for the treatment of babies with hearing loss after her own daughter was diagnosed. Roger Hunt MBE, the Liverpool FC striker who played a...
Jimmy Greaves (pictured), Sir Clive Sinclair, Olivia Jordan, Carolyn Shoemaker
September 24, 2021 15:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBJulian Worricker on: One of the greatest attacking footballers of all time, Jimmy Greaves, who later became a successful and often very funny TV presenter... The inventor Sir Clive Sinclair, who made home computers and calculators portable and affordable. Olivia Jordan whose heroism during World War 2 saw her driving ambulances through France before she became Charles De Gaulle's translator. And the astrophysicist, Carolyn Shoemaker, one of the world's foremost detectors of comets and as...