Last Word

Kirsty Lang on

Raquel Welch (pictured), the Hollywood actor who became a Sixties sex symbol after playing a cavewoman in the film 'One Million Years BC'.

The aeronautical engineer Ralph Hooper OBE who designed the revolutionary Harrier jump jet.

And Dickie Davies, the sports presenter best known for anchoring ITV Saturday afternoons in the 70s and 80s.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Laura L Lovett

Archive clips used: ITV Sport, World of Sport 1985/1973/1981; CBS Mornings/ YouTube Channel, Life and Legacy of Activist and Feminist Leader Dorothy Pitman Hughes uploaded on 24/07/2021; Artemis Rising Foundation/ Saks Picture Company/ The Glorias, The Glorias – movie clip (2020); Associated British Pathé/ Hammer Films/ Seven Arts Productions, One Million Years BC – trailer (1966); BBC Radio 2, Gloria Hunniford Show 01/01/1989; BBC One, Parkinson 11/11/1972; Twentieth Century Fox, Myra Breckinridge – movie clip (1970); HIT Entertainment/ Henson Associates (HA)/ Incorporated Television Company (ITC), The Muppet Show S03E11 17/11/1978; Film at Lincoln Center/ YouTube Channel, Q&A with Raquel Welch uploaded on 23/02/2012; BBC Two, Designing the ‘60s 15/03/2003; British Pathé, Harrier Plane (1968); BBC One, Red Arrows Flyover Centenary of RAF 10/07/2018; Thames Television, The Benny Hill Show 18/02/1976; ITV Studios, The Best of ITV Wrestling (DVD) 2006.

Matthew Bannister on

Professor David Vaughan OBE, who was a leading expert on the effects of climate change on glaciers in the Antarctic.

Burt Bacharach (pictured), who wrote scores of hit songs including 'I Say A Little Prayer', 'Do You Know The Way To San José' and 'Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head'.

Janet Anderson, the Labour MP who wrote entertaining reports of proceedings in parliament for Queen Elizabeth.

Eileen Sheridan – one of Britain’s greatest cyclists, she held the speed record for the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats for 36 years.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Justin Rowlatt

Archive clips used: BBC World News, Our World - Journey to Doomsday Glacier 07/02/2020; BBC News, Scientists at NASA say East Antarctica is showing signs of significant melting 11/12/2018; The Christmas TV & Film Company/ BBC Four, Burt Bacharach... This Is Now 30/04/2012; BBC Radio Wales, Eye on Wales 16/06/1996; BBC Radio 4, With Humble Duty Reports... 05/10/2014; British Pathé, Sporting Britons - Eileen Sheridan's Record 1954; British Pathé, Housewife Cyclist 1956, Testimony Films/ BBC Four, Pedalling Dreams - The Raleigh Story 20/07/2017.

Matthew Bannister on

Frene Ginwala (pictured), one of the leading figures in the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, who became Speaker of the country’s first democratically elected parliament.

Lady Martha Bruce OBE, governor of Scotland’s first purpose built prison for women.

General Pervez Musharraf, who took power as President of Pakistan in a military coup and supported George Bush’s War on Terror.

Paco Rabanne, the designer who created clothes from metal, plastics and wood.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: John Battersby

Archive clips used: C-Span, South African State of the National Address, introduction 24/05/1994; The Freedom Collection, Frene Ginwala – We had more offices than the South African Government had Embassies 06/07/2015; British Pathé, Come On Girls Join The Ats 1944; British Movietone, ATS Training Centre 07/07/1941; BBC Radio 4, Now – In Scotland 30/06/1971; BBC One, Nationwide 09/12/1975; ABC Australia, Profile of a General 2000; BBC Two, Newsnight 13/10/1999; BBC World News, HARDtalk – Pervez Musharraf 10/01/2001; NDTV – News (YouTube Channel), Pervez Musharraf interview uploaded on 17/11/2011; BBC News, Assassination Attempt On Musharraf 25/12/2003; FRANCE24 (YouTube Channel), EN – Culture – Paco Rabanne interview uploaded on 04/07/2007; British Pathé, Cinetic Fashions aka Paco Rabanne Way-Out Fashions 1967; British Pathé, Metal Fashions 1969; Paco Rabanne, UK television advert 1986.

Matthew Bannister on

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Melanie Williams

Archive clips used:

Matthew Bannister on

Howard Baderman, the hospital consultant who transformed the discipline of emergency medicine and treated casualties from high profile events like the Kings Cross Tube Fire and the sinking of the Thames river boat The Marchioness.

David Crosby (pictured), the singer and songwriter with the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young whose life went through periods of chaos through drug addiction.

Milly Thompson, the artist who, as a member of the BANK collective, satirised the pretentiousness of the art world.

Brenda Heywood, the archaeologist who was fascinated by the stories behind the building of Hadrian’s Wall.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: James Baderman

Archive clips used: BBC Radio 4, The World Tonight – King’s Cross fire 18/11/1987; BBC One, Breakfast Time – King’s Cross fire 19/11/1987; BBC One, The Nine O’Clock News 20/08/1989; BBC One, BBC Breakfast News 03/06/1991; WNYC, Here’s The Thing – David Crosby 24/04/2018; BBC Radio 4, Mastertapes – David Crosby (The B-Side) 19/11/2013; BBC Radio 4, Mastertapes – David Crosby (The A-Side) 18/11/2013; Channel 5 News (US) – Today 12/12/1985; AXS TV, The Big Interview with Dan Rather – Crosby, Stills & Nash 07/02/2020.

Matthew Bannister on

Jeff Beck (pictured), who was acclaimed as one of the most influential and innovative rock guitarists of all time.

Alice Mahon, the left wing Labour MP who often rebelled against her own party.

Tom Karen OBE, the designer who came up with the Raleigh Chopper Bike, the Bond Bug, the Reliant Robin and the Popemobile.

Gina Lollobrigida, the first post war Italian actress to gain an international reputation as a sex symbol. She was known for her rivalry with Sophia Loren.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Martin Power

Archive clips used: BrianMay.Com, Thoughts on sad loss of Jeff Beck 12/01/2023; UK Parliament, Margaret Thatcher's last Prime Minister's Questions 27/11/1990; Raleigh, Noel Edmonds' Raleigh bike advert 1978; Discovery Real Time, Wheeler Dealers S07E06 Bond Bug 12/10/2010; krc/ YouTube, sound effect Landspeeder - Star Wars 18/01/2017; BBC Sound Archive, The Pope in Liverpool 30/05/1982; BBC Sound Archive, The Morning Show - African Service 07/01/1970; Excelsa Film/ Omnium International du Film/ Ponti-De Laurentiis Cinematografica, Women of Rome - clip (1954); Hecht-Lancaster Productions/ Joanna Productions/ Susan Productions, Trapeze - trailer (1956); 7 Pictures/ Raoul Walsh Enterprises, Come September - trailer (1961); BBC One, Parkinson 28/09/1974; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/ Canterbury Production, Never So Few - trailer (1959).

Matthew Bannister on

Gianluca Vialli (pictured), the Italian footballer who won many major trophies with Sampdoria and Juventus before moving to Chelsea as a player and then manager.

Fay Weldon, the author who told stories of women taking control of their own destinies, including ‘The Life and Loves of A She Devil’.

Michael Dower, the former Director General of the Countryside Commission who devoted his life to conserving and developing the British countryside.

Anita Pointer, one of three Pointer Sisters who recorded hits like ‘Jump (For My Love)’ and ‘I’m So Excited’.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: John Foot

Archive clips used: BBC One, The FA Cup: 2022/23: Third Round 08/01/2023; BBC 5Live, Football Daily – Remembering Gianluca Vialli 06/01/2023; Sky Sports Retro, Gianluca Vialli looks back on his career 06/01/2023; Everything FOOTBALL/ YouTube Channel, Barcelona 2 – 0 Sampdoria 1989 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final 1989; RAI, Roberto Mancini e Gianluca Vialli – Che Tempo Che Fa 27/11/2022; BBC 5Live, Headliners (Gianluca Vialli interview) 14/05/2020; Sky Sports News, Graeme Souness pays tribute to his friend and former teammate – 06/01/2023; Chelsea Fan Clips/ YouTube, Chelsea fans pay respects to Gianluca Vialli 08/01/2023; BBC Two, Frank Delaney – Men and Women Writers 26/11/1984; AP/ British Movietone, Go To Work On An Egg advert 21/04/1966; BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs Fay Weldon 23/02/1980; Thames TV, Afternoon Plus – interview with Fay Weldon 26/10/982; BBC Newsnight YouTube Channel, Fay Weldon interview 06/04/2017; BBC TV/ Arts & Entertainment Network/ Seven Network Australia, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil 08/10/1986; arc2020eu, Michael Dower’s speech on behalf of ARC2020 at the ‘CAP’ post ‘2013’ 20/07/2010; Thomas Müller/ YouTube Channel, Michael Dower 14/11/2022; ABC News, Barbara Walters interview with Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad 07/12/2011; YouTube, Anita Pointer interview at her Beverly Hills home for German TV 2009.

Matthew Bannister on

Pope Benedict XVI, the religious conservative who was the first Pontiff to resign from the job in almost 600 years.

Dame Vivienne Westwood (pictured), punk pioneer, high fashion designer and eco warrior.

James Caan, the American actor best known for playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather.

Georgia Holt, the singer who enjoyed success late in life thanks to her daughter Cher.

Producer: Tim Bano

Interviewed guest: Catherine Pepinster

Archive clips used: YouTube/ Rome Reports.com, Habemus Papam - Uploaded 2012; BBC Radio 4 News 19/04/2005; YouTube, The Regensburg Speech 12/09/2006; BBC Radio 4, Thought for the Day 24/12/2010; BBC News Archive, Pope Benedict XVI announces resignation 11/02/2013; Netflix/ Rideback, The Two Popes (2019); BBC One, The British Fashion Awards 15/10/1991; BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs - Vivienne Westwood 28/06/1992; BBC Four, Vivenne Westwood Talks To Kirsty Wark 13/04/2004; BBC One, Wogan with Sue Lawley 11/03/1988; Finished Films, Westwood - Punk, Icon, Activist (2018); BBC One, Wogan In Hollywood - James Caan interview 02/01/1991; Paramount Pictures/ Albert S. Ruddy Productions/ Alfran Productions, The Godfather (1972); Castle Rock Entertainment/ Nelson Entertainment, Misery (1990); Broadway Video/ Conaco/ NBC Studios, Late Night with Conan O'Brien 31/10/2003; New Line Cinema/ Guy Walks into A Bar Productions/ Gold/Miller Productions, Elf (2003); Mann/Caan Productions, Thief (1981); WJZ-TV13 Baltimore 1979; Westinghouse Broadcasting Company/ Mike Douglas Entertainments, Mike Douglas Show 1979; Paramount Domestic TV, Entertainment Tonight 1988.

Matthew Bannister on

Terry Hall (pictured), the singer who captured the disillusionment of a generation with The Specials’ biggest hit “Ghost Town”.

Heather Iandolo, the daughter of the notorious Nazi propaganda broadcaster known as Lord Haw Haw.

Eric Allison, who turned his back on a life of crime to become the Guardian’s prisons correspondent.

Dame Beryl Grey, the acclaimed ballerina who went on to run the London Festival Ballet.

Producer: Tim Bano

Interviewed Guests: Professor Colin Holmes, Simon Hattenstone and Alastair Macaulay

Matthew Bannister on

The columnist, broadcaster, producer, musician and outrageous hoaxer Victor Lewis-Smith (pictured).

Maureen Doherty, the designer who worked with Issey Miyake and founded the influential fashion brand Egg. Edmund de Waal pays tribute.

Pablo Milanés, the Cuban musician who was one of the founders of the nueva trova singer/songwriter movement.

Ailsa Irving, who started and ran the UK Endometriosis Society after a long battle to get her own symptoms diagnosed.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Graham Pass

Archive clips used: BBC Two, Inside Victor Lewis-Smith 06/12/1993; YouTube, Opera Spoof by Victor Lewis-Smith; BBC Radio 4, You and Yours - the revival of Brylcreem 02/12/1985; BBC Radio 4, Midweek 21/05/1986; BBC Radio 4 Extra, Victor Lewis-Smith s1e08, 05/10/2017; Associated Rediffusion Productions Ltd/ Victor Lewis-Smith, Mary Whitehouse Sketch; YouTube, Victor Lewis-Smith - BBC Reception General Pinochet Prank Call; BBC Radio 4, Loose Ends - Victor Lewis-Smith 01/01/1987; BBC Radio 1, Victor Lewis-Smith Christmas Message, 26/12/1989; YouTube/ CriticalPast channel, Fidel Castro and his army fight against Batista's forces 12/06/2014; Juan Pil Vila, Pablo Milanés documentary (2017).