Desert Island Discs

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is an actor who rose to fame on the nation's television screens as the landlord in the BBC television series Eastenders - the volatile and villainous Dirty Den. He's Leslie Grantham, and he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about life after Dirty Den now that he has left the series, and also his time in prison when he served an 11-year sentence for a crime he committed as a teenage soldier.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Test Pilot Sketch (from Hancock's Half Hour) by Galton & Simpson Book: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Luxury: Metal detector

In this week's Desert Island Discs, one of the most eminent English poets of this century, Sir Stephen Spender, talks to Sue Lawley about his radical and often flamboyant past, and his friendships with such notable literary figures as Christopher Isherwood, WH Auden and Virginia Woolfe.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: String Quartet in A Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust Luxury: Painting or sculpture & photograph of daughter

Sue Lawley's castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the satirical cartoonist Gerald Scarfe. Renowned for his grotesquely exaggerated portrayals of political figures and issues, he will be talking about his isolated childhood, which was dominated by chronic asthma, and how, with no formal art training, he has now become one of the most eminent artists of our time, branching out from drawing his instantly-recognisable caricatures into the world of theatre, rock and opera.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A title by Capability Brown Luxury: River painting by Turner

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is Dame Josephine Barnes, who, ten years ago, was the first woman to become President of the British Medical Association. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her long and brilliant career in a traditionally male-dominated world, and her battles to improve the care of women in pregnancy and childbirth, both before and after the advent of the National Health Service.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: I Was Glad by Hubert Parry Book: The scores of all music chosen in a bound volume Luxury: Solar-powered word processer

This week's Desert Island Discs castaway is the playwright and theatre director David Hare - a man who has made his name with plays like Pravda, Plenty, Lickin' Hitler and, most recently, The Secret Rapture. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the impact of the theatre on post-war Britain and his own role as one of the leading writers of left-wing intellectual drama.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Young and Foolish by Mabel Mercer Book: Larousse Gastronomique Luxury: Cricket bat & bowling machine

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is the Rt Hon Enoch Powell - politician, poet and classical scholar. He'll be looking back on some of the incidents and issues which have made him one of the most controversial politicians in post-war Britain - among them, his so-called Rivers of Blood speech on immigration policy, and his exhortation to the electorate to vote Labour after his resignation over Britain's entry into the EEC.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Renunciation of Siegfried (from Götterdämmerung) by Richard Wagner Book: Old Testament In Hebrew & Greek Luxury: Smoking device to smoke fish

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is Jeffrey Tate, principal conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Opera House, and chief guest conductor of the Geneva Opera. Until the age of 27, his chosen profession was medicine, but once a fully-qualified doctor, he switched his career to become one of the most sought-after conductors of his time - both in Britain and abroad. This is an achievement impressive enough in itself, but doubly so given that since childhood he has suffered from a condition which has resulted in curvature of the spine and a paralysed left leg, which means that, for the most part, he conducts sitting on a high stool.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Sue Lawley will be talking to Jeffrey Tate about his transition from medicine to a stunning musical career and the problems he has overcome to achieve such extraordinary success.Favourite track: I'll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday Book: The collected works by Jane Austen Luxury: Nativity painting from the National Gallery

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the chief executive of Britain's largest hotel and catering chain, an empire which extends from motorway cafes to the grandest hotels in London and Paris. He is Rocco Forte, and he'll be talking about the famed Forte dynasty, his renown as a one-time playboy and his company's continuing battle for ownership of the elusive Savoy hotel.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Dies Irae by Giuseppe Verdi Book: Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri Luxury: Snooker table

This week's castaway on the mythical desert island is someone who welcomes the isolation her exile can offer - she is singer and songwriter Joan Armatrading. An intensely shy and private person, renowned for her powerfully emotional songs, she'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her first impressions of England when she arrived here as a small girl 31 years ago from the Caribbean. She'll also be discussing her music, and the fame which it has brought - something she still finds surprising, and often quite overwhelming.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Madame George by Van Morrison Book: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie Luxury: Guitar

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is someone who has experienced the delights of international stardom and acclaim, and the misery of failure when his fame turned sour and his popularity plummeted. The flamboyant Boy George will be talking to Sue Lawley about the ups and downs of his professional and private life.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: It Must Be Love by Madness Book: Photograph album Luxury: Radio receiver

Sue Lawley's castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is the Rt Hon Tony Benn MP. He'll be discussing his long and turbulent career as one of this country's most eloquent socialists - he served in every Labour government of the 1960s and 1970s. He'll also be talking about the many stories that have always surrounded him: is it true, for example, that he is 'wired for sound' and records every conversation he has? And has he really drunk enough cups of tea in his lifetime to displace the QE2?[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Madrigal by Stephen Benn Book: Das Kapital by Karl Marx Luxury: Kettle and teabags

Sue Lawley's castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is someone who's face graced the covers of fashion magazines the world over more than 20 years ago when she was still a teenager.The name 'Twiggy' was synonymous with *the* look of the 1960s - waif-like and doe-eyed. Today, she has matured into a successful actress, singer and dancer, and she'll be talking about those early, heady days, and how she managed to survive the media hype that surrounded her wherever she went.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Yesterday by The Beatles Book: Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy Luxury: Cold cream

The first castaway of 1989 in this week's Desert Island Discs is one of Britain's most senior church leaders - the Most Reverend Robert Runcie, the 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his Liverpool childhood and his war years when, as a tank commander, he won the military cross.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Sanctus Book: The Odyssey by Homer Luxury: Rocking chair

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is a man who has, at times, endured a different isolation from that imposed by the mythical island. But along with his frequently turbulent political career, he has also enjoyed the close companionship of his fellow crew members when captaining his yacht to resounding victories, as well as conducting some of the greatest orchestras in the world. Former Prime Minister the Rt Hon Edward Heath will be discussing his many achievements - political, nautical and musical - as well as his plans for the future in Desert Island Discs.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Prisoners' Chorus by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Volume of the works of the Impressionist painters Luxury: Suntan lotion

This week's Desert Island Discs castaway is actor Charles Dance. A man once termed "the thinking woman's crumpet", it's a description he doesn't take too seriously. But he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his matinee idol image, his early days as an aspiring actor and the role which turned him into an international star - the dashing Guy Perron in the widely-acclaimed TV series The Jewel in the Crown.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: La Bottega Dei Miracoli by Nicola Poivanni Book: A Dream in the Luxembourg by Richard Aldington Luxury: Guitar

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a philosopher, academic and mistress of Girton College, Cambridge; but Lady Mary Warnock is perhaps best known for her work in the public arena, on committees looking at a wide range of ethically-controversial subjects, including embryo research and animal experimentation.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about these difficult areas and also her early days as an academic when she was also bringing up five children. Throughout her life, music has also been a dominant theme and she'll be carrying out the difficult task of choosing eight records to accompany her to the desert island.Favourite track: My Beloved Spake by Henry Purcell Book: The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope Luxury: Pen and paper

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a man who prefers to shun any sort of label, but has already attracted quite a number of them - writer, actor, raconteur, wit - but it is as a so-called 'alternative comedian' that Stephen Fry has been most remarkable, and he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his somewhat chequered past and his highly successful present.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Magic Fire Music (Die Walkure) by Richard Wagner Book: The Jeeves Omnibus by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Suicide pill

Sue Lawley's castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is jockey Bob Champion - a man who, against all the odds, fought back after he was diagnosed as having cancer to win one of the most coveted prizes in his field - in 1981 he rode Aldaniti to a stunning victory in the Grand National. He'll be talking about his passion for riding, his fight against his illness and the two children who, contrary to all medical predictions, he has since fathered.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel Book: Fraser's Horse Book by Alistair Fraser Luxury: A bronze statue of the racehorse Aldaniti

The castaway on this week's Desert Island Discs is a man who has reached the top of his profession through a fantastically varied number of routes - steeplejack, trainee accountant, circus fire-eater and hotel porter are just a few of them. Now one of the hottest properties in the film business on both sides of the Atlantic, actor Bob Hoskins will be talking to Sue Lawley about his image as a tough cockney lad, which has been prompted by such films as Mona Lisa and The Long Good Friday, and the role that took him to fame: Arthur Parker in Dennis Potter's TV series Pennies From Heaven.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Adagio For Strings by Samuel Barber Book: Catch 22 by Joseph Heller Luxury: Telescope

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a man of quite extraordinary diversity. Now Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, his other jobs have included chairing the Board of the Royal Opera House and leading the government's Central Statistical Office under three Prime Ministers. But it is his passionate love of music, however, which has dominated his life throughout his many careers, and he'll be undertaking the difficult task of selecting just eight records to accompany him to the desert island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Marriage Of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A volume by James Thurber Luxury: Concert grand Steinway piano

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a writer and academic who's most renowned for her views on women, sex and human relations. She's Germaine Greer - someone who's often described as the 'high priestess of feminism'. As she approaches her 50th birthday, she'll be discussing with Sue Lawley whether her views have mellowed over the years, and how her aspirations have changed since the publication of her book The Female Eunuch.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Piece De Clavecin by Francois Couperin Book: The Oxford English Dictionary Luxury: Hot spices

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a man who has been described as "the nicest Prime Minister we never had". He may never have made it as Prime Minister, but Michael Foot has had a long and illustrious career, representing his Welsh constituency for many years, and becoming leader of the Labour Party in 1980. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his passion for politics, books and music.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Barber Of Seville - Una Voce Poco Fa by Gioacchino Rossini Book: Don Juan by Lord Byron Luxury: Alarm clock encased in Welsh tinplate

This week's castaway on Desert Island Discs reveals her three remaining burning ambitions in life: to make a number-one record, to become a grandmother and to be treated as a real sex symbol - all this with 25 years of singing and compering success behind her. She's matchmaker supreme Cilla Black, and she'll be talking about her legendary early days in Liverpool, her subsequent career and her family.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles Book: Fables by Aesop Luxury: Manicure set and nail varnish

Shy, lazy, self-effacing: this is the way this week's castaway on Desert Island Discs describes himself to Sue Lawley. So how come he ventured to the Radio Show at Earl's Court to choose his eight records to accompany him to the island? Well, you can find out how Terry Wogan just can't resist the challenge of a real, live audience, and also hear his ruminations on solitude, show business and shyness.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose by Irene Sharp Book: The collected works by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Radio-cassette player and language tapes

Sue Lawley's castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is the actress Athene Seyler. She first appeared on the stage 80 years ago as Rosalind in As You Like It - a part she can still recite - and now, at 99, she looks back with pleasure on her many happy years as one of Britain's finest comic actresses.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Du Bist Wie Eine Blume by Robert Schumann Book: The Disinherited by Gareth Jones Luxury: Case of champagne

The castaway on this week's Desert Island Discs is a monk, a man at peace with solitude, but whose life has been spent fighting the cause of the oppressed and dispossessed, from South Africa to London's East End. He is Bishop Trevor Huddleston, former Bishop of Stepney and President of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his long and varied life.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Fidelio - The Prisoners Chorus by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: The Oxford Book of English Verse Luxury: Binoculars

This week's castaway on Desert Island Discs is one of the most prominent novelists in the English language today. Author of the prize-winning novel Midnight's Children and weaver of magic yarns which embody myth, memory and politics, he is the Indian-born writer Salman Rushdie. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the forces which have influenced his life and work.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Call Of The Valley by Shivkumar Sharma Book: Arabian Nights (1000 and One Nights) Luxury: Unlisted radio telephone

Sue Lawley's castaway is pianist Peter Donohoe.Favourite track: String Quintet In C Major by Franz Schubert Book: Collected Scripts by Billy Connolly Luxury: Waterbed

For people who enjoy walking on the Cumbrian fells there's one indispensable companion. It's a Wainwright; a small guidebook, mapped, written and illustrated by Alfred Wainwright, who's Sue Lawley's castaway this morning in Desert Island Discs. Wainwright has written some 50 books and his Lake District guides have sold more than a million. He'll be talking about his beloved Lake District and choosing eight records.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme) by Johnny Mathis Book: Two photographs (one of wife; one of 1928 Blackburn Rovers team) Luxury: Mirror

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Anita Dobson.Favourite track: The Locomotion by Little Eva Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Luxury: Bed

Sue Lawley's castaway is historian Lord Dacre Of Glanton.Favourite track: Pavane For A Dead Infanta by Maurice Ravel Book: The collected works by Virgil Luxury: Paper, pen and ink

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Patricia Neal.Favourite track: Black Is The Colour by Joan Baez Book: A collection of short stories Luxury: Toothbrush and toothpaste

Sue Lawley's castaway is Northern Ireland MP/MEP Reverend Ian Paisley.Favourite track: The Twenty-Third Psalm by The Reformed Presbyterian Church Of Ireland Northern Presbytery Choir Book: Book of Martyrs by John Foxe Luxury: High-powered radio

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Joan Turner.Favourite track: One Fine Day by Giacomo Puccini Book: Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales Luxury: Baked beans

Sue Lawley's castaway is former Cabinet Secretary Lord Armstrong.Favourite track: Piano Trio In D Minor by Felix Mendelssohn Book: The collected works by Jane Austen Luxury: Music manuscript paper, pencil, rubber

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Dame Edna Everage.Favourite track: I Feel Pretty by Kiri Te Kanawa Book: Filofax Luxury: Madge Allsop

This week's castaway on Sue Lawley's desert island is a little difficult to categorise. To the record-buying public, he's a pop star of durable quality; to the theatregoers who like musicals, he's an actor-singer, and he's a popular music composer too. His name is David Essex, and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, you can hear about his life, his work and his enthusiasms in Desert Island Discs.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: March No 1 in D Major (Pomp and Circumstance) by Edward Elgar Book: The Guinness Book of Records Luxury: A set of cricket equipment

To celebrate his 50th birthday this week, David Owen, leader of the Social Democratic Party, has rather rashly agreed to be castaway on Sue Lawley's desert island! It might not be the most relaxing way to mark a half-century, but Dr Owen is a passionate sailor, so the situation has its charms. He is also very keen on poetry and music, both of which will accompany him to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 21 in C - Slow Movement by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: His own anthology of poems Luxury: A hot bath

Having left television to become General Director Designate of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeremy Isaacs this week contemplates another change of direction - to the mythical island. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he chooses eight records to take with him.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Marriage Of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A compilation by Benny Green Luxury: Frogman's outfit and snorkel

At 97, the actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies reflects with interest on the prospect of being castaway and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, looks back over her long career. With a head well-stocked with music - and ringing with Shakespeare - she is determined to survive. But she isn't proposing to be castaway for long. She's already plotting a plan of escape. In the meantime, she looks back on her long and fascinating career in the theatre, which began with advice from Ellen Terry, took her into the Gaiety Chorus (at the back) and eventually, after success in The Immortal Hour, to some of the great Shakespearian roles.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Liebestod (from Tristan and Isolde) by Richard Wagner Luxury: Large bottle of toilet water

Sue Lawley's castaway is Home Office Minister Douglas Hurd.Favourite track: In Paradisum by Gabriel Fauré Book: The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century Verse (selected by Philip Larkin) Luxury: Champagne

This week's castaway is Anton Mosimann - until recently, Maitre Chef des Cuisines at the Dorchester Hotel in London. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he reflects on his life and the new development in his career and chooses eight records to sustain him on the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Memory by Barbara Dickson Book: Opera di M. Bartolomeo Scappi (recipe book of Pope's chef in 1525) Luxury: Steamer for cooking

Sue Lawley's castaway is Rabbi Lionel Blue.Favourite track: Why Has A Cow Got Four Legs? by Cicely Courtneidge & Wilson Hallett Book: The biggest value of pure maths Luxury: Toilet bag

When Anita Roddick opened the Brighton Body Shop in 1976, she struck gold with a formula to knock the mystique out of the beauty business. She talks to Sue Lawley about the effects of success on her family life and comes to terms with her island exile.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: If I Could (from First Circle) by Pat Metheny Group Book: Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy Luxury: Comfortable bed with pillows and sheets

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the comedy actor Rowan Atkinson who features in the Blackadder saga. An episode of the series was the BBC's entry for this year's Golden Rose of Montreux Television Festival.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Lady Writer by Dire Straits Book: Uncle Fred in Springtime by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Car (to clean)

The castaway this week is Peggy Makins, better known as Evelyn Home, long-time agony aunt of Woman magazine. In conversation with Sue Lawley, she looks back on her life and career and also chooses eight records to take with her to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: A peal of 12 bells at Canterbury Cathedral by Sound Effects Book: The biggest atlas in the world Luxury: Little rosebush

Sue Lawley's castaway is leader of the Labour Party Neil Kinnock.Favourite track: Horace the Horse by Rachel Kinnock Book: Essays on Equality by R H Tawney Luxury: Radio 4

The castaway this week is the actor Michael Gambon, who last year won the BAFTA award for best actor for his portrayal of the lead role in The Singing Detective. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he looks back on his career in the theatre, in films and on television and also chooses eight records to keep him company on the island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 7 (Allegretto) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Republican Party Reptile by P J O'Rourke Luxury: Car (in which to listen to music)

This week's castaway, Mary Archer, admits to being basically a private person, happy to find refuge in her work as a scientist and in her love of music. In conversation with Sue Lawley, she looks back on her life and career, and also recalls the two crises involving her husband, Jeffrey. In her choice of records to take to the mythical island, she shows a preference for choral music.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust Luxury: Needles, cotton and material

This week, Sue Lawley casts away Arthur Scargill, the President of the National Union of Mineworkers, who admits to being orderly in his everyday life, and that he would devise a plan to enable him to have a store of food and proper living accommodation. In choosing his music to take with him, he pays particular attention to black American jazz.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go by The London Emmanuel Choir Book: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Luxury: The Mona Lisa