Desert Island Discs

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

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Jane Asher.Favourite track: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy Luxury: Hot bath with extra tap for cold champagne

"I would have looked forward with a great deal more relish when I was 50 and more able to look after myself, but I think I can manage". So says Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone in reply to Sue Lawley's invitation to send him in isolation to the mythical island. During their conversation, he looks back on his career as scholar, lawyer and politician, and he also chooses eight records to entertain him.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Swing Low Sweet Chariot by Paul Robeson Book: The works by Homer Luxury: Bathtub and soap

In the 1970s, Brendon Foster was our most outstandingly consistent athlete, breaking world records and winning European and Commonwealth titles. He has also promoted Gateshead as an international centre for athletics. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career and considers the pros and cons of athletics today, and he also selects eight records to take with him on an imagined trip to a desert island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Going Home by Mark Knopfler Book: The Lakeland Peaks (photographs) by W A Poucher Luxury: Tea

The castaway this week is James Burke, whose broadcasting style has been described as "turning science into show-biz". But, paradoxically, he admits to being immensely impractical and reveals to Michael Parkinson, while choosing his eight records to take to the island, that he at one time planned to make music his career.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Suite No 1 in G Major For Solo Cello by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Works by Homer Luxury: Guitar and strings

Until recently, the actress Stephanie Beacham played the glamorous 'rich bitch' Sable in the American soap opera The Colbys. She has also appeared in the television saga Tenko. She's now returned to London to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her life and career.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez Book: The Ascent of Man by Dr Jacob Bronowski Luxury: Photograph of children

This week’s castaway is the playwright Dennis Potter. Best known for his television series Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective, Potter worked as a journalist and television critic before turning to writing. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his childhood in the mining community of Forest of Dean, his career in Britain and Hollywood and talks about coping with psoriatic arthropathy.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: My Happiness by The Pied Pipers Book: Spycatcher by Peter Wright Luxury: Train set

This week’s castaway is the author, columnist and broadcaster William Davis. The former editor of Punch started his career as a financial journalist and his many roles have included working for Lord Beaverbrook, presenting the World at One and founding a successful publishing company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he looks back over his childhood in wartime Germany and life in post-war Britain, and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: The Dictionary by Dr Samuel Johnson Luxury: Telescope

This week’s castaway is the dancer and founder of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe, Margaret Kelly. An orphan born in Dublin, she started a career as a dancer at the age of twelve. As a teenager she worked in Germany in the late 1920s and 30s before moving to France. It was there that she formed The Bluebell Girls, a dance troupe which became synonymous with the high life of Paris. She spent the war working with them in Nazi-occupied Paris, hiding her Jewish husband in an attic. In conversation with Michael Parkinson she looks back over her eventful life and career, and chooses her eight favourite records. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: There's No Business Like Show Business by Ethel Merman Book: History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill Luxury: Her first dress worn on stage

Gemma Craven is one of our most versatile actresses. An award winning stage performer, she made her film debut opposite Richard Chamberlain in The Slipper and the Rose. On television her work has ranged from the part of Joan in Dennis Potter’s Pennies from Heaven to appearances on The Morecambe and Wise Show. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back over her life on stage and off, and chooses eight records to take to a desert island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Boil The Breakfast Early by The Chieftans Book: Floyd on Fish by Keith Floyd Luxury: Manicure set

The Right Honourable Michael Heseltine MP is often described as one of the new breed of Tory politicians and was widely tipped to be the next leader of the party. But that all changed dramatically in 1986 when he resigned his Cabinet post over the Westland affair. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in South Wales, schooldays at Shrewsbury, undergraduate life at Oxford and his subsequent career in politics. He also chooses the eight records to take with him to the island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: We'll Keep A Welcome in the Hillsides by Morriston Orpheus Choir Book: The Dictionary of Trees and Shrubs Luxury: Mosquito net

Of Adele Leigh, a critic once said that she put paid to the myth that to be good, a soprano had to look like a Hoffnung cartoon. The youngest principal of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden when she joined in 1948, she became a television star in the 1960s with the show All Kinds of Music and appearances on Eric Robinson’s Music For You. After leaving Covent Garden she married a diplomat and settled in Vienna where she began singing the operetta roles that were to bring her fame at the Volksoper there. In conversation with Michael Parkinson she looks back over her life and her career in music.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Let's Do It by Noel Coward Book: Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Luxury: Loofah

Lew Grade has been at the centre of British show business for more than 50 years. Now into his 80s, he still has a dominant role as film and television mogul. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his life and career and selects the music both to listen and dance to during his stay on the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Lo! Hear The Gentle Lark by Sir Henry Bishop Book: The Antiquary by Walter Scott Luxury: Crate of Montecristo cigars

The actor Anthony Sher became well-known to television audiences when he took the lead in The History Man and has established a special talent for Shakespeare, in particular Richard the Third. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in South Africa and his subsequent career in the British theatre.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti Book: Blank sketchbook or journal Luxury: Pens, charcoal, paints

Vernon Scannell's colourful career has included prize-fighting, a controversial spell in the Army, confinement to a mental institution for insisting on becoming a writer and a subsequent award of a civil list pension for his services to literature. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on these aspects of his life and also selects the eight records to take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Compiled anthology of English poetry Luxury: Enormous amount of A4 paper

Barry Cryer is one of our best-known comedy writers who has, for 30 years, survived the quick-fire world that he sums up with the phrase "We don't want it good - we want it Monday". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career, both as performer and writer, and he also selects eight records to take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Hoffnung by Hoffnung Book: The complete works by J B Priestley Luxury: Tape recorder with a cassette of recordings from home

As a restaurateur, broadcaster and writer, Robert Carrier's name has become synonymous with good food. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on a 25 year career and chooses music to remind him of some of the places he has lived during that time, including his native America, Paris, England and Morocco.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi Book: The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell Luxury: Tajine

Sue Lawley admits to being the kind of person whose tummy goes ping when she hears a certain tune and thinks "Ah yes, I remember that, it brings back lovely memories." In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her upbringing in Worcestershire, her early days as a journalist and subsequent career as one of our most popular television presenters. She also chooses her eight records to take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninov Book: French Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth David Luxury: Iron and ironing board

"My wife and I are great opera buffs" says Bamber Gascoigne, who became a household name when he first became the question master of BBC television's University Challenge some 25 years ago. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career as a writer and broadcaster and reveals a novel approach to assembling his package of records to take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Soave Sia Il Vento by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne Luxury: Carpentry tools