Desert Island Discs: Archive 2000-2005

This week Sue Lawley's castaway is Tim Smit, the co-founder of the Eden Project in Cornwall. Before Tim Smit thought of building the largest greenhouse in the world, he had already attracted public attention by resurrecting The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Before that he'd enjoyed a successful music career, writing songs and working with - among others - Barry Manilow and the Nolan Sisters.

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

Favourite track: Dancing in the Street by David Bowie and Mick Jagger

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is the editor of Talk magazine, Tina Brown. Her reputation as a formidable magazine editor spans both sides of the Atlantic - with the revamp of Tatler, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, raising eyebrows as well as circulation figures. In conversation with Sue Lawley, she talks about her life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Chan Chan by The Buena Vista Social Club

This week Sue Lawley's castaway is judge Albie Sachs. The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, his account of being placed in solitary confinement by the South African authorities, highlighted the dangers of campaigning against apartheid in the 1960s. After a long exile in Britain, Albie Sachs returned to his homeland in the 1990s to help shape its new constitution and become one of its most senior judges.

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

Favourite track: The Hammerklavier-Piano Sonata No.29 in B Flat by Ludwig van Beethoven

Sue Lawley's castaway is sports presenter Des Lynam.

Favourite track: In Party mood by West End Celebrity Orchestra

Sue Lawley's castaway is the writer and creator of Harry Potter J K Rowling.

Favourite track: First movement-Violin Concerto in D Major by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the writer Ronald Harwood. At the age of 17 Ronald Harwood left his home in South Africa and set sail for England, determined to become an actor. When that failed he turned his hand successfully to writing. Some plays, like The Dresser, draw on his theatrical experiences, others, like Articles of Faith deal with the political dilemmas. He leaves behind his thought-provoking work to join Sue Lawley on the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Emperor Concerto No 5 in E Flat, Opus 73 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd. Well known for his forthright opinions, Christopher Lloyd has tended his family garden at Great Dixter in Sussex for nearly 70 years. It's been the source of inspiration for his many books and his column in the magazine Country Life, which he's written without a break since 1963.

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

Favourite track: Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the explorer and environmentalist, Robert Swan. When he was a boy Robert Swan became fascinated by Scott's attempt to conquer Antarctica and after university he decided not only to follow in his footsteps - but go one further and travel across the Arctic as well. In 1989 he achieved his dream - becoming the first man ever to walk unsupported to both the North and South Poles.

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

Favourite track: Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the actor and comedian Sir Norman Wisdom. His cloth cap and tight-fitting jacket became his screen trademark in the 1950s and 1960s and characters like Norman Pitkin won him fans all over the world. Sir Norman talks to Sue Lawley about a career that's spanned more than 60 years and chooses eight records to take with him the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Don't Laugh at Me 'Cos I'm a Fool by Norman Wisdom

This week, Sue Lawley's castaway on Desert Island Discs is General Sir Charles Guthrie.

Favourite track: The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves by Giuseppe Verdi