Desert Island Discs

Record producer Rick Rubin was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.

He is responsible for shaping the sound of artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys and is credited with reinvigorating the career of Johnny Cash in the 1990s, but you're more likely to see him reclining on a sofa than hunched over a mixing desk when he's hard at work. He explains what he listens for in a piece of music.

You can hear the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The writer and journalist Caitlin Moran was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.

Her journey took her from a three-bedroom council house in Wolverhampton, where she lived with her parents and seven siblings, to becoming a columnist for The Times newspaper and writing her own sitcom. She explains why she feels it's important to highlight the experience of those raised on benefits like herself.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The comedian Romesh Ranganathan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025.

He’s a BAFTA-winning broadcaster, standup, actor and writer who has been a fixture on British TV screens for the past decade. He talks about finding the sweet spot in his comedy and how discussing the perils of parenting on stage has resulted in cult hero status for his middle son.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2001.

She recalls the pressure to do well at the Sydney Olympics and the relief when she managed to clinch four gold medals, but the long-distance phone call home to live-stream the medal ceremony nearly broke the bank.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The film director Greta Gerwig was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.

Growing up in what she calls a "culturally ravenous" family, the young Greta was inspired by her parents' record collection as much as trips to concert halls and theatres, but although she was always putting on shows to entertain friends and family, she never expected to have a professional career in the arts.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.