Last Word

Last Word episodes:

• 05.03.2024

  C.J.Sansom, Olga Fikotová-Connolly, Dr Jenny Vaughan OBE, Sir Andrew Davies

  Matthew Bannister on an author, a campaigner, an Olympic medallist, a conductor

  
• 04.26.2024

  Terry Anderson, Trina Robbins, Lord Field, Ann Trevenen Jenkin

  Matthew Bannister on The American journalist Terry Anderson who was held captive in Lebanon for almost seven years. In an emotional interview, his daughter Sulome tells us how she followed in his footsteps as she tried to connect with a...

  
• 04.26.2024

  “I was born while my father was a hostage”

  Sulome Anderson first met her father – journalist Terry Anderson – at the American Embassy in Damascus. She was seven years old and he had just been released from nearly seven years as a hostage in Lebanon. She desperately wanted...

  
• 04.19.2024

  Sir Paul Fox, Lynne Reid Banks, Joan Hills, Amnon Weinstein

  Matthew Bannister on: Sir Paul Fox, the respected TV executive who commissioned some of the best loved programmes of the 1960s and 70s. We have a tribute from his former colleague Sir David Attenborough. Lynne Reid Banks, the author...

  
• 04.12.2024

  Peter Higgs, Trevor Griffiths, Hella Pick, Margaret Tynes

  Matthew Bannister on Professor Peter Higgs, the physicist who won the Nobel prize for explaining why the building blocks of the universe have mass. Trevor Griffiths, the playwright whose stage and TV dramas focused on left wing politics and...

  
• 04.05.2024

  Joe Lieberman, Diana Baring, Lynn Kinnear, Kay Benbow

  Matthew Bannister on Joe Lieberman, the US Democrat politician who fell out with his party over the Iraq War. Diana Baring, the respected literary agent. We have a tribute from her client Frederick Forsyth. Lynn Kinnear, who was one of...

  
• 03.29.2024

  Richard Taylor, Lisa Lane, Rose Dugdale, Ian Green

  John Wilson on Richard Taylor, who became a tireless campaigner against knife crime and supported disadvantaged young people. Lisa Lane, the chess champion who was the first player to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Rose Dugdale,...

  
• 03.29.2024

  John Boyega on campaigner Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor

  In this special edition of Last Word, John Boyega pays tribute to campaigner Richard Taylor, the father of Damilola Taylor who was killed 24 years ago. Richard Taylor - a Nigerian civil servant - dedicated years to improving the lives...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Vince Power CBE, Olga Murray, Akira Toriyama, Cecilia Eckelmann-Battistello

  Matthew Bannister on Vince Power, the live music promoter whose Mean Fiddler group operated a string of London venues and built up the Reading and Leeds festivals. Olga Murray, the American lawyer who devoted her later life to helping the...

  
• 03.15.2024

  Audrey Adams, Nicola Trahan, Edward Bond, Eric Carmen

  Matthew Bannister on Audrey Adams who became a tireless campaigner for the rights of black people after her son was stabbed to death in a racist attack. Nicola Trahan, who joined the French Resistance as a teenager and was later...

  
• 03.08.2024

  Iris Apfel, Colin Murray Parkes, Baroness Henig, Jim Lawrence

  Matthew Bannister on Iris Apfel the colourful fashion and interior designer whose own dress sense made an impact until her death aged 102. Dr Colin Murray Parkes, the psychiatrist once described as “the David Attenborough of the bereavement world.” Baroness...

  
• 03.01.2024

  Nicholas Dimbleby, Lord Patrick Cormack, Wendy Mitchell, Eleanor Fazan

  John Wilson on the celebrated sculptor Nicholas Dimbleby, responsible for numerous well known commissions around the country. Lord Patrick Cormack the politician, historian and prolific author. Wendy Mitchell, the author and blogger who was diagnosed with young onset dementia...

  
• 02.23.2024

  Alexei Navalny, Dr Brooke Ellison, Gertrude Wright, Steve Brown

  John Wilson on Alexei Navalny, the anti-corruption campaigner and leading opponent of President Vladimir Putin, who has died in a Russian state prison. Dr Brooke Ellison, an American academic and disabilities rights advocate who drew on her own experience...

  
• 02.16.2024

  Steve Wright, Baroness Flather, Alan Mills, Angela Peberdy

  Matthew Bannister on The much-loved Radio 1 and 2 DJ Steve Wright. We have a tribute from his former colleague Simon Mayo. Baroness Flather, who was the first Asian woman to sit in the House of Lords. Alan Mills, the...

  
• 02.09.2024

  Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, Ian Lavender, Robie Harris, Barry John

  Matthew Bannister on Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue who overcame a traumatic childhood to become one of Australia’s leading campaigners for the rights of indigenous people. Ian Lavender, the actor best known for playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army. Robie Harris, whose...

  
• 02.02.2024

  Frank Farian, Caroline Richmond, Phil Baines, Norma Izard

  Matthew Bannister on Frank Farian, the German music producer behind the hugely successful group Boney M, who caused controversy when it was revealed that his duo Milli Vanilli had been miming at all their live shows. We hear from Boney...

  
• 01.26.2024

  Norma Barzman, Lord Saye and Sele, Jim Hobson, Susan Campbell

  Matthew Bannister on Norma Barzman, the screenwriter from the Golden Age of Hollywood who fled to Europe after facing being blacklisted from the House Un-American Activities Committee for her Communist views. Lord Saye and Sele, the aristocrat who served...

  
• 01.19.2024

  Annie Nightingale, Isca Salzberger-Wittenberg, Bryan Ansell, Charlie Allan

  Matthew Bannister on Annie Nightingale who was Radio 1’s first female presenter and its longest serving DJ. Her son remembers meeting Jimi Hendrix over breakfast in her kitchen and the 72-hour-party at her home featuring some of the biggest names...

  
• 01.12.2024

  Camila Batmanghelidjh, Sir Roy Calne, Glynis Johns, J.P.R. Williams

  Matthew Bannister on Camila Batmanghelidjh who founded the charity Kids Company to help disadvantaged children. The charity collapsed amidst controversy, although she was later cleared of any wrongdoing. Sir Roy Calne, the surgeon who carried out the UK’s first successful...

  
• 01.05.2024

  John Pilger, KM Peyton, Paula Murphy, Michael Blakemore

  Matthew Bannister on John Pilger, the campaigning journalist who made award winning films about human rights abuses and was an outspoken critic of British and US foreign policy. K.M. Peyton, the author of many “pony” books for children and adolescents,...

  
• 12.29.2023

  Jacques Delors, Nancy Pearce, Elinor Otto, Tony Allen

  Kirsty Lang on Jacques Delors, the politician and architect of the modern EU. Nancy Pearce, the founder of a charity to help people with eating disorders. Elinor Otto, the American factory worker who was one of the original 'Rosie the...

  
• 12.22.2023

  Maureen Sweeney, Sir Tim Brighouse, Shirley Anne Field, Juanita Castro

  Matthew Bannister on Maureen Sweeney, the postmistress from the west of Ireland whose weather forecast postponed D-Day by 24 hours. Sir Tim Brighouse, the educationalist credited with transforming the performance of London’s schools. Shirley Anne Field, the actor who appeared...

  
• 12.15.2023

  Benjamin Zephaniah, Laura Lean, Stacy Marking, Eric Freeman

  Matthew Bannister on The dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah who overcame childhood trauma to become an acclaimed performer and writer. Laura Lean, who volunteered for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, helping to support distressed families after The Grenfell Tower fire...

  
• 12.08.2023

  Shane MacGowan, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Lord Darling, Joan Jara

  Matthew Bannister on Shane MacGowan the lead singer of The Pogues who was famous for his song writing but also his abuse of drugs and alcohol. His sister joins us to discuss the roots of his talent and his excesses....

  
• 12.01.2023

  Henry Kissinger, Terry Venables, Paul Watson, Rachel Heller

  Matthew Bannister on Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in international diplomacy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize but was condemned by some as a war criminal. Also, Terry Venables, the colourful manager who took the England Football team to...

  
• 11.24.2023

  Captain Don Walsh, Dame A.S. Byatt, Rosalynn Carter, Dr Finlay Macleod

  Matthew Bannister on Captain Don Walsh, the American submariner who made the first descent to the deepest place in the ocean – the Mariana Trench. His friend and fellow deep sea explorer Victor Vescovo relives the experience for us. Dame...

  
• 11.17.2023

  Peter Betts, Audrey Salkeld, Heather Rogers KC, Louise Meriwether

  Matthew Bannister on Peter Betts, who was the UK’s lead negotiator at international climate change summits. Audrey Salkeld, the mountaineering historian best known for her work on the ill-fated Mallory and Irvine expedition. Heather Rogers KC, the lawyer who championed...

  
• 11.10.2023

  Ken Mattingly, Anne Wright, Mary Gallacher, David Kirke

  Matthew Bannister on Ken Mattingly, the astronaut who missed flying into space on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission because he had been exposed to German measles. We have a tribute from Fred Haise who did take part in that hazardous...

  
• 11.03.2023

  Matthew Perry, Benedict Birnberg, Field Marshall Muthoni Wa Kirima, Professor Jose Harris

  Matthew Bannister on Benedict Birnberg, the radical lawyer who fought the cases of the far-left Angry Brigade and the Mangrove Nine and got the murder conviction of Derek Bentley quashed. Professor Jose Harris, the historian best known for her acclaimed...

  
• 10.30.2023

  Sir Bobby Charlton, Dr Evelyn Fox Keller, Julian Bahula, Haydn Gwynne

  Matthew Bannister on Sir Bobby Charlton, who is hailed as England’s greatest ever footballer. Dr. Evelyn Fox Keller, who explored the effects of gender on the study of science. Julian Bahula, the South African musician and anti- apartheid activist And...

  
• 10.20.2023

  Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney, Phyllis ‘Pippa’ Latour, Florence Fisher, Dr Nicholas Arnold

  Kirsty Lang on Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney, the secret billionaire who gave most of his money away to good causes. Phyllis ‘Pippa’ Latour, the fearless secret agent who was parachuted into Nazi occupied Normandy a month before D-Day. ...

  
• 10.13.2023

  Kirsty Smitten, Kat Anderson, Beverly Willis, Tony Wade

  Kirsty Lang on The talented young scientist Kirsty Smitten who did pioneering work developing a new generation of antibiotics. Singer Kat Anderson who made pop history with Motown’s first Number One hit: Please Mr Postman. The architect Beverly...

  
• 10.06.2023

  Michael Gambon, Pat Arrowsmith, Treleven Haysom, Dianne Feinstein

  Matthew Bannister on the acclaimed actor Sir Michael Gambon. His son Fergus reveals his love of cars, antique firearms – and lying to journalists. The peace campaigner Pat Arrowsmith, who went to prison a number of times for direct...

  
• 09.29.2023

  Gita Mehta, Matteo Messina Denaro, Irma Brenman Pick, John Stevenson

  Matthew Bannister on Gita Mehta, the author who set out to reveal the truth about India to the West. Her friend the theatre director Sir Richard Eyre pays tribute. Matteo Messina Denaro, the Italian mafia boss who boasted he could...

  
• 09.22.2023

  Sir Horace Ové, Su Gorman, Roger Whittaker, Jean Combes

  Matthew Bannister on Sir Horace Ové, the director whose films told stories of the experiences of black people in Britain. Su Gorman, who campaigned for justice for the victims of the contaminated blood scandal, after her own husband was infected...

  
• 09.15.2023

  Mike Yarwood, Ada Deer, Sir Ian Wilmut, Dorothy Purdew

  Matthew Bannister on Mike Yarwood, whose impressions of famous people made him one of TV’s biggest stars in the 1970s and 80s. Ada Deer, the Native American campaigner who became head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under President Clinton....

  
• 09.08.2023

  Mohamed Al-Fayed, Dorothy Goodman, Professor Anthony Bryceson, Denyse Plummer

  Matthew Bannister on Mohamed Al-Fayed, the controversial businessman who owned Harrods department store and Fulham Football Club. His son Dodi died in the car crash that killed Princess Diana. Dorothy Goodman, the educationalist who helped to found the consumer affairs...

  
• 09.01.2023

  Julian Haviland, Johaar Mosaval, Tricia Tyler, Matyelok Gibbs

  Matthew Bannister on: Julian Haviland who was political editor at ITN and then the Times, covering key events at Westminster in the 1970s and 80s. Johaar Mosaval, the South African dancer who overcame racial prejudice to fulfil his dream of...

  
• 08.25.2023

  Michael Parkinson, Renata Scotto, John Brierly, Isobel Crook

  John Wilson on: The journalist and broadcaster who became synonymous with the British chat show, Sir Michael Parkinson. Italian soprano Renata Scotto, one of the biggest stars of opera in the 1960s and 70s John Brierly, the author of bestselling...

  
• 08.24.2023

  SPECIAL EDITION: Michael Parkinson

  Sir Michael Parkinson was a journalist, broadcaster, and arguably Britain’s greatest television chat show host. During a TV career than spanned six decades, Parky interviewed hundreds of the world's most famous stars. Sir Michael died on 16th August 2023. For...

  
• 08.18.2023

  Nick Kaiser, Angela Flowers, Robbie Shepherd, Doreen Mantle.

  Kirsty Lang on: Nick Kaiser, an internationally renowned British scientist who reached not just for the stars but the entire cosmos.... A gallerist who championed British contemporary art: Angela Flowers opened her first exhibition space in a Soho attic...

  
• 08.11.2023

  Sir Michael Boyd, Jess Search, Warren Ford, Leny Andrade

  Kirsty Lang on: Sir Michael Boyd, the former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Jess Search, the fearless documentary producer who backed award winning but controversial films others feared to touch. Warren Ford, the tea consultant and...

  
• 08.04.2023

  Richard Barancik, Yvonne Littlewood MBE, Edward Sexton, Dr Christian Carritt

  Kirsty Lang on: Richard Barancik, the last known surviving member of a World War II allied unit - The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section - known as the Monuments Men and Women. Yvonne...

  
• 07.28.2023

  George Alagiah, Sinead O'Connor, Ann Clwyd, Tony Bennett, and Trevor Francis

  John Wilson on George Alagiah, the BBC Journalist and Presenter is remembered by his colleagues Sophie Raworth and John Simpson. Sinead O’Connor, the Irish singer who won worldwide fame with Nothing Compares 2 U. Ann Clwyd, the...

  
• 07.21.2023

  Lady Williams of Elvel, Professor John Goodenough, Christine Baker, Lord Palmer

  Matthew Bannister on Lady Williams of Elvel, who, as Jane Portal, was personal secretary to Winston Churchill and the mother of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Professor John Goodenough, the American materials chemist who won the Nobel prize for...

  
• 07.14.2023

  Malcolm Mowbray, Victoria Amelina, Roger Lovegrove, Mavis Cheek

  Matthew Bannister on Malcolm Mowbray, the British film director best known for making “A Private Function” - the comedy about wartime rationing starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. The film’s writer Alan Bennett pays tribute. Victoria Amelina, the Ukrainian...

  
• 07.07.2023

  Lord Kerslake, Dame Ann Leslie, Diane Rowe, Tim Blackmore

  Matthew Bannister on Dame Ann Leslie, the journalist who reported on some of the most significant events of recent times. Lord Kerslake, who was Head of the Civil Service under the coalition government. Diane Rowe, the table tennis champion who...

  
• 06.30.2023

  Baroness McDonagh, Craig Brown, Godfrey Merlen, Winnie Ewing

  Matthew Bannister on Baroness McDonagh Margaret McDonagh was the youngest person and the first woman to become General Secretary of the Labour Party. She was a key player in the New Labour project that helped the party win a...

  
• 06.23.2023

  Daniel Ellsberg, Glenda Jackson, Melanie Phillips, Sir Ben Helfgott

  Matthew Bannister on Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers, revealing the US government’s secret approach to the Vietnam War. Glenda Jackson, the Oscar winning actor and Labour MP Melanie Phillips, who helped to change embedded racial prejudice...

  
• 06.16.2023

  Silvio Berlusconi, Cormac McCarthy, Kathryn Harries, Francoise Gilot

  John Wilson on Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's flamboyant and controversial media mogul and four-time Prime Minister. Kathryn Harries, The soprano sang in more than 60 major operatic roles and raised millions of pounds by doing sponsored charity walks. Francoise Gilot,...