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Desert Island Discs: Daily Summaries Delivered
by BBC Radio 4
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days ago3 min
James Graham on his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine
The playwright James Graham was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024.He was a shy and quiet child who enjoyed nothing more than watching soap operas on TV. So what was he doing taking his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine on tour? You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 3 days ago2 min
Jessica Ennis-Hill on the moment she won Olympic gold
The Olympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2021.She recalls pushing herself in her final event at the London 2012 Olympics, the 800-metre race, and how throwing her hands up in the air as she crossed the finish line had not been part of the plan.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 4 days ago3 min
Warwick Davis on his first role as an Ewok in Star Wars
The actor Warwick Davis was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016.When his grandmother heard an advertisement on the radio looking for short people to play Ewoks in the next Star Wars film, she immediately thought of Warwick, but by the time his mother phoned the film studio, all the roles had been cast. Her powers of persuasion must have been quite something because, aged 11, Warwick found himself on set, dressed in a furry costume, and in the company of his on-screen heroes.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 5 days ago2 min
How Lily Allen brought the house down with a Disney song aged 11
The singer-songwriter Lily Allen was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2014.Although her school reports painted a mixed picture of Lily's academic achievements, a singing teacher spotted her vocal talent and encouraged her to perform. She brought the house down with a song from the Disney film Dumbo.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 6 days ago3 min
How hiding in a toilet helped Steven Spielberg get into the movie business
The film director Steven Spielberg was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.He gave the world Jaws, ET and Jurassic Park, but Steven Spielberg got his start in the film business when he went on a bus tour of Universal Studios. He also explains why the frequently malfunctioning mechanical shark in Jaws was really a blessing in disguise.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 1 weeks ago3 min
Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers
The writer Malorie Blackman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2013.Although she has published more than 70 books for children and young adults - among them her hugely popular Noughts and Crosses series - getting her start as a published author was hard - 82 rejection letters had thudded onto her door mat before she had her first manuscript accepted for publication. She still remembers the day that 83rd letter arrived.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 1 weeks ago2 min
How snooker halls became Ronnie O'Sullivan's "creche" from a young age
The World Snooker Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.He remembers being dropped off unaccompanied at snooker halls across East London by his father as a young boy and learning to play grown men at adult tables - and beating them.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
- 1 weeks ago3 min
Delia Smith on her catchphrase - "Let's be havin' you!"
The cookery writer Delia Smith was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.She fell in love with her husband, the editor Michael Wynn-Jones, over a shared love of food and football and recalls how she came to be known for her catchphrase, "Let's be havin' you!"You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.
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About Desert Island Discs
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
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