Desert Island Discs: Archive 1981-1985 Podcast
1) Paul McCartney
Roy Plomley's castaway is Beatle Paul McCartney. Favourite track: Beautiful Boy by John Lennon Book: Linda's pictures by Linda McCartney Luxury: Guitar
2) Sheila Steafel
Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television series The Frost Report. Since then, as she tells Roy Plomley, he...Show More
3) Rt Hon David Steel MP
The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Liberal Party as Assistant Secretary. In 1965, he won a seat in...Show More
4) Barbara Taylor Bradford
Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she recalls her childhood in Le...Show More
5) Robert Burchfield
Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy during the war, he came to England to complete his education ...Show More
6) Joseph Allen
Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy training as an astronaut, the problems of space flight, and he des...Show More
7) Doris Stokes
Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her experiences which include a brief visit to the spirit world,...Show More
8) Richard Eyre
Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about some of his successes which have included Guys and D...Show More
9) Gordon Beningfield
Gordon Beningfield's designs for postage stamps include a butterfly set and the recently-issued insect set. He is also well-known for his paintings of nature and the countryside. In conversation with ...Show More
10) Alison Lurie
Alison Lurie is not only a part-time professor of English at Cornell University where she teaches creative writing and children's literature, but she is also a very successful novelist. "Her seven nov...Show More