Few people will be surprised to hear that the castaway in this week's special 50th anniversary edition of Desert Island Discs is the Prime Minister John Major. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his very happy childhood years, his more traumatic adolescence and his transformation into the perfect Conservative parliamentary candidate. He'll also be discussing his love of music and books, and revealing the luxury that was a surprise even to Sue Lawley.

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

Favourite track: O Giusto Cielo (Lucia Di Lammermoor) by Gaetano Donizetti