Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a long running
BBC Radio 4 programme. It was first broadcast on
January 29th 1942 and is said by the
Guinness Book of Records to be the longest running
music programme in the
history of radio. Guests are asked to choose the eight pieces of music they would take with them to a desert island, discussion of their choices permitting a review of their life. They also choose one book (excluding the
Bible and the works of
Shakespeare which are already deemed present on the island) and one luxury item which must be inanimate and have no practical use.
The last five Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom have all been guests on the programme, although only John Major appeared while in office. Other guests have included Noël Coward, Dame Judi Dench, John Malkovich, Princess Margaret and Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury
Desert Island Discs was devised by its original presenter, Roy Plomley. After Plomley's death in 1985, it was presented first by Michael Parkinson, and since 1988 by Sue Lawley.
External links