Arthur Hailey's novels, which include Hotel and Airport, have made him one of the world's best-selling authors. He was born in England, but emigrated; first to Canada after wartime service in the RAF, and then to the Bahamas. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the many jobs he had before becoming a full-time writer, about the television play with which he made the breakthrough and about his working methods.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 2 in B Flat by Johannes Brahms