Podcast · 76 episodes
Desert Island Discs, page 2
by BBC Radio 4 · English
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
All episodes, page 2
Classic Desert Island Discs - Arsène WengerDesert Island Discs with former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, covering his philosophy of “beautiful” football, career highs and losses, and how his upbringing shaped his discipline and optimism.24 May 2026 · 48 min · 39 chapters
Classic Desert Island Discs - Dame Donna LangleyClassic Desert Island Discs episode featuring Dame Donna Langley, film studio executive and BAFTA Fellowship recipient.17 May 2026 · 35 min · 21 chapters
Classic Desert Island Discs - Thom YorkeThom Yorke’s Desert Island Discs, built around creative risk, studio uncertainty (“torch it”), synesthesia, voice care, formative music influences, and activism/coping as a parent after personal loss.10 May 2026 · 50 min · 28 chapters
Classic Desert Island Discs - Dr Jane GoodallDr Jane Goodall’s Desert Island Discs episode focuses on her life-changing chimp research at Gombe, her challenge to the idea that only humans make tools, and her later conservation advocacy for…3 May 2026 · 37 min · 15 chapters
Si King, cookCy King (TV presenter and cook) discusses love, grief, food, music, and motorbikes, and how his partnership with Dave Myers shaped his life and career.25 Apr 2026 · 50 min · 32 chapters
Sara Pascoe, comedian and writerSarah Pascoe’s Desert Island Discs episode covers her comedy and writing career, how audiences shape stand-up, and major life influences—from her childhood in Dagenham/Romford to IVF, motherhood, and…19 Apr 2026 · 51 min · 28 chapters
Professor Stephen Westaby, surgeon and writerProfessor Stephen Westaby, a British cardiothoracic surgeon and writer, discusses his life and innovations in heart surgery, from early inspiration to developing safer heart-lung procedures and later…12 Apr 2026 · 51 min · 29 chapters
Jessie Buckley, actorJessie Buckley’s Desert Island Discs choices and stories about her life and work, especially Hamnet, her Irish upbringing, training, mental health, and music’s role in her identity.5 Apr 2026 · 51 min · 26 chapters
Dwayne Fields, explorerDuane Fields’ life story and Desert Island Discs, focusing on “planting seeds” through adventure; resilience shaped by family, violence, homelessness, and polar expeditions; and using music as…29 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 20 chapters
Roula Khalaf, journalistRoula Khalaf, editor of the Financial Times22 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 25 chapters
Richard Young, photographerIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, host Lauren Laverne interviews Richard Young, a renowned photographer known as the “king of the paparazzi.” Richard shares stories from his career, discusses…15 Mar 2026 · 50 min · 32 chapters
Tahra Zafar, costume and effects designerTahra Zafar, a renowned costume and creature effects designer, shares her life journey through the lens of music, books, and personal stories, reflecting on her creative influences and experiences in…8 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 23 chapters
Professor Michele Dougherty, scientistGuests share the soundtrack of their lives by choosing eight tracks, a book, and a luxury item they would take to a desert island.1 Mar 2026 · 52 min · 26 chapters
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the oppositionIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, host Lauren Laverne interviews Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative MP for North West Essex and the Leader of the Opposition.22 Feb 2026 · 51 min · 29 chapters
Adeel Akhtar, actorIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, presenter Lauren Laverne interviews award-winning actor Adeel Akhtar, known for his versatility and thought-provoking roles.15 Feb 2026 · 50 min · 32 chapters
Jesse Armstrong, writerEight tracks, a book, and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.8 Feb 2026 · 49 min · 21 chapters
Jojo Moyes, writerJojo Moyes, renowned writer and author of bestsellers like *Me Before You*.25 Jan 2026 · 51 min · 26 chapters
Kate Winslet, actorKate Winslet discusses her life, career, and the eight tracks, book, and luxury item she would take to a desert island.18 Jan 2026 · 52 min · 28 chapters
Lee Child, writerIn this episode of Desert Island Discs, host Lauren Laverne interviews bestselling author Lee Child, known for his Jack Reacher series.11 Jan 2026 · 53 min · 22 chapters
Margaret Atwood, writerIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, host Lauren Laverne interviews Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, who is renowned for her significant contributions to literature, including novels, poetry,…4 Jan 2026 · 54 min · 29 chapters
Gordon Buchanan, cameraman and presenterIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, host Lauren Laverne interviews Gordon Buchanan, a renowned wildlife cameraman and TV presenter known for his close encounters with wild animals in various…28 Dec 2025 · 50 min · 22 chapters
Sir Salman Rushdie, writerEight tracks, a book, and a luxury: guests share the soundtrack of their lives.21 Dec 2025 · 50 min
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Computer ScientistSir Tim Berners-Lee, Computer Scientist14 Dec 2025 · 51 min
Sally Mann, photographer and writerIn this episode of *Desert Island Discs*, host Lauren Laverne interviews acclaimed photographer and writer Sally Mann.7 Dec 2025 · 52 min