Last Word

Matthew Bannister on

Sonny Ramadhin, the West Indian bowler who was one of the heroes of the side that scored a famous victory over England in 1950.

Sister Catherine Wybourne, who was known as the 'digital nun' for her use of blogs and social media to communicate the messages of her order.

Captain Raymond Savage, one of the last surviving prisoners of war who worked on the notorious Burma railway in the 1940s.

Anna Karen, the actor best known for her appearances in the TV sitcom 'On The Buses' and the 'Carry On' films.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Kenneth Ramchand

Archive clips used: YouTube, Melbourne 1960 - The Tied Test; British Pathé, West Indies Cricketers Look 'Aussie' Class (1950); Joshua Surtees, Interview with Sonny Ramadhin; BBC SOUND ARCHIVE, ENGLAND V WEST INDIES 29/06/1950; Imperial War Museum, IWM 4823 Interview with Raymond Savage; British Pathé/ Reuters, The Fall of Singapore 1942; London Weekend Television, On The Buses TV Show 1971; Rabbit and Snail / Morris Bright MBE Interview with Anna Karen; Hammer Films/EMI, Holiday on The Buses (1973); The Rank Organization, Carry on Camping (1969); BBC One, Eastenders 20/01/1997; BBC Radio 4, Listening Corner - Sally's Secret by Shirley Hughes 04/04/1983.

Matthew Bannister on

Jamal Edwards, the young music entrepreneur whose YouTube channel supported the careers of grime and rap stars like Dave, Skepta and Stormzy.

P.J. O’Rourke, the conservative American satirist who applied his barbed wit to reporting from the world’s trouble spots.

Romaine Hart, whose Screen on the Green cinema gave a platform to art house films and was described by Quentin Tarantino as “the coolest cinema in London”.

Ronnie Campbell, the Scottish crofter and land rights campaigner who is thought to have been the last Highland drover, taking flocks of sheep on long distance journeys by foot.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Crystal Mahey-Morgan

Archive clips used: BBC Radio 4: Bookclub, TX 5.2.2006; BBC Radio 4: The Report, TX 11.2.2016

Matthew Bannister on

Beryl Vertue, the TV and film producer who brought us 'Men Behaving Badly' and 'Sherlock'. The actors Martin Clunes and Martin Freeman pay tribute.

Flavio Carboni, the Italian wheeler dealer who was at the centre of many legal and political mysteries, including the death of the Vatican banker Roberto Calvi.

Phil Harvey, the American businessman who set up a chain of sex shops to fund the provision of birth control to millions of people in the developing world.

Lata Mangeshkar, who was seen as one of India’s most influential singers. She recorded songs in thirty six Indian languages.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Simon Nye

Archive clips used: BBC RADIO 3, Free Thinking 09/06/2021; Thames TV/Hartswood Films, Men Behaving Badly S01 E01 18/02/1992; BBC/Hartswood Films, Men Behaving Badly S06 E01 06/11/1997; BBC/Hartswood Films, Sherlock 2010; BBC RADIO 4, Desert Island Discs 20/01/2013; YouTube, Italian Dinner Party 2010; BBC ONE, PANORAMA: Called To Account 20/12/1982; BBC NEWS, Report on Roberto Calvi 06/10/2005; BBC NEWS, Bomb Explosion in Bologna 03/08/1980; DKT International, Phil Harvey: Pioneer of Social Marketing 28/09/2015; YouTube/Telly TalkIndia, Lata Mangeshkar Funeral 07/02/2022.

Matthew Bannister on

Bamber Gascoigne, the broadcaster and author best known as the long serving host of the TV quiz show 'University Challenge'.

Norma Waterson, the revered singer who was part of the Waterson Carthy dynasty that played a leading role in the English folk revival. We have a personal tribute from her husband Martin Carthy and daughter Eliza Carthy.

Claire Tomlinson, who broke down barriers to become one of the UK’s best polo players.

Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese-born Buddhist monk known as the 'father of mindfulness'.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Christina Gascoigne

Archive clips used: BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs 01/11/1987; Granada TV, University Challenge 01/09/1987; BBC Two, The Young Ones - Bambi 08/05/1984; Granada TV, The Christians e03 The Birth of Europe 16/08/1977; BBC Radio 3, Music Matters 31/03/2018; BBC Radio 4, The King of Games 21/08/1984; BBC SOUND ARCHIVE, Hurlingham vs Scotland 02/09/1980; YouTube / Is Secret, Namo Avalokiteshvara Plum Village Chanting 13/08/2014; BBC Two, Arena: Stories My Country Told Me 14/07/1996.

Julian Worricker on:

The diplomat Sir Crispin Tickell, who advised four prime ministers, and influenced international policy on climate change...

The writer and performer, Barry Cryer, whose work spanned sixty years and involved scripts for most of the comedy greats...

Darlene Hard, 21 times a Grand Slam tennis champion, described as one of the greatest doubles players of her generation...

And the Brazilian singer, Elza Soares, who was a campaigner for women's rights and against racism.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Oliver Tickell

Archive clips used: BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs - Sir Crispin Tickell 15/04/1990; BBC One, Breakfast News - Gulf War 17/01/1991; United Nations, UN General Assembly Climate Change 08/11/1989; AP, Rio Earth Summit 12/06/1992; BBC Four, Mark Lawson talks to Barry Cryer 02/04/2008; BBC Radio 4, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue 24/08/2015; YouTube, Darlene Hard vs Maria Bueno US Nationals 1960; BBC Archive, All England Championships Ladies Final 04/07/1960; BBC Archive, All England Championships Ladies Final TX 06/07/1957; BBC Four, Brasil, Brasil: Samba to Bossa 24/11/2007.

Matthew Bannister on

Meat Loaf, the rock opera singer best known for his album Bat Out Of Hell.

André Leon Talley, the fashion editor who played a leading role at US Vogue magazine and supported the careers of many designers.

Jana Bennett, the BBC executive who led the transformation of TV science programmes and oversaw the Corporation’s move into the digital age.

Kristin Baybars, whose beautiful doll's house furniture and other toys were sought after by children and adults alike.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Dana Thomas

Archive clips used: BBC Four, Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell 21/01/2022; CNBC News, assassination of John F. Kennedy 22/11/1963; BBC Radio 5Live, Afternoon Edition 07/09/2016; Twentieth Century Fox / Michael White Productions, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975; Radio 4 Last Word 09/05/2021; Fox 2000 Pictures / New Regency Productions / Linson Films, Fight Club 1999; BBC Radio 4, Front Row 12/01/2010; BBC One, Good Morning with Anne and Nick 27/10/1995; CBS, The Late Late Show with James Corden 25/01/2022; BBC Natural History Unit / Impossible Pictures / Discovery Channel, Walking With Dinosaurs 1999; BBC / The Learning Channel, The Human Body 1998, YouTube / National Theatre, Jerry Springer (The Opera) - National Theatre 50th Birthday Show 06/07/2014; André Leon Talley Full Address Oxford Union 08/05/2013; Entertainment Tonight Canada, tribute to André Leon Talley; BBC Radio 5Live, Emma Barnett with André Leon Talley 11/06/2020; Los Angeles Times / YouTube Channel, André Leon Talley On Growing Up 10/09/2017; BBC News, Kristin Baybars news report 17/01/2017; London Dollshouse Showcase, Kristin Baybars & her Aladdin's Cave 2016; BBC One Play School 06/01/1978; Talkback Thames / BBC, QI S02 E04 22/10/2004.

Matthew Bannister on

Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover who led the expansion of the family grocery business during the 1970s and 80s.

David Stuart, the former gay escort and drug dealer who turned his life around and became a much loved support worker and advocate for the LGBT community.

Elizabeth Selby, who with her husband ran one of the UK’s most successful photographic agencies, supplying pictures to newspapers and magazines around the world.

And Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the Ronettes and wife of the notorious music producer Phil Spector.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Sir Timothy Sainsbury

Archive clips used: Sainsburys, Jamie Oliver Advert 2003; BBC Archive, Woman's Hour - Centenary of J. Sainsbury Ltd 18/04/1969; BBC Radio 4, The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin: The Manipulators 29/01/1980; .NOBI Films, hu.mans: David Stuart 2016; David Stuart YouTube Channel, Why chemsex support doesn't belong in traditional addiction services 30/12/2021; BBC 6 Music, Lauren Laverne with Ronnie Spector 15/06/2016; BBC Radio 2, Tycoon of Teen 21/12/1996.

Matthew Bannister on

Sidney Poitier, the first black man to win a 'Best Actor' Oscar, known for his powerful performances in ‘In The Heat of The Night’, ‘Lilies of the Field’ and ‘To Sir, With Love’. His co-star in that film - Lulu - pays tribute.

E.O.Wilson, the American biologist and champion of biodiversity who some have compared to Charles Darwin.

Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the landmark case of Roe v Wade before the US Supreme Court. The case, which is being challenged now, established the constitutional right for women to have abortions.

Assunta ‘Pupetta’ Maresca, the Italian mafia boss who served a prison sentence for shooting dead the man who killed her husband.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Lulu

Archive clips used: The Mirisch Corporation, In The Heat Of The Night (1967); BBC News, Bonnie Greer tribute to Sidney Poitier 07/01/2022; Entertainment Tonight Canada, Philip Davis tribute to Sidney Poitier 07/01/2022; YouTube, Poitier 80; Twentieth Century Fox, No Way Out (1950); Oscars / YouTube channel, Sidney Poitier wins best Actor 36th Oscars (1964); Columbia British Productions, To Sir, With Love (1967); BBC Radio 4, The Life Scientific - E.O. Wilson 28/07/2015; Texas Tribune / YouTube channel, Sarah Weddington interview 22/01/2013; ITV News / YouTube channel, Protest of anti-abortion laws in America 21/05/2019; BBC TV, Everyman - The Politics Of Life 03/12/1989.

Matthew Bannister on

Lord Rogers of Riverside, the influential architect who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Lloyds Building in London.

April Ashley, the transgender model who partied with pop stars and aristocrats during the Swinging Sixties and campaigned for changes to the law on gender identity.

Joan Didion, the American writer best known for her memoir 'The Year of Magical Thinking' written after the deaths of her husband and daughter.

Ray Illingworth, the Yorkshire-born cricketer who captained England to two successive Ashes victories.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Catherine Slessor

Archive clips used: BBC TV, IMAGINE - Richard Rogers Inside Out 26/02/2008; ThamesTv YouTube Channel, Good Afternoon - April Ashley Interview 1970s; Media Archive Central England, What Am I? (1980); BBC RADIO 4, KALEIDOSCOPE - California Dreaming 05/07/1979; F.P. Productions / Universal Pictures, Play It As It Lays (1972); BBC RADIO 3, Words and Music - Less is More 23/02/2020; BBC RADIO 4, Today 23/04/2008; Merlin Television, MMC Masterclass (1994); YouTube, Ray Illingworth Career Review 01/01/2022; YouTube, Ashes Tour 1970-71 7th Test SCG 17/08/2021; BBC RADIO 4, Start The Week 09/08/1980; BBC RADIO 5Live, Ian Chappell Tribute to Ray Illingworth 26/12/2021; BBC RADIO 4, It's Your Line 13/04/1971; BBC Video. Ashes '72 (1988); YouTube, The Ashes 1970-71 Australia v England 7th Test End of Match 31/10/2016.

Julian Worricker on

Janice Long, the pioneering female DJ who was heard on Radios 1 and 2 and was a familiar face on Top of the Pops.

“Marvellous” Marvin Hagler, one of the greatest middleweight boxing champions of all time.

Esther Bejarano, one of the last survivors of the Auschwitz women’s orchestra who devoted her life to campaigning against racism.

Leslie Bricusse OBE, the prolific songwriter behind dozens of hits for stage and screen, including songs for the Bond films, Willy Wonka and Doctor Dolittle.

Producer: Dan Hardoon

Interviewed guest: Annie Nightingale CBE

Archive clips from: YouTube, Janice Long Radio 2 Presenter on 3-2-1 in 1978; YouTube, Janice Long 1986 interview with Billy Jam 10/09/2020; Top of the Pops, BBC1 07/03/1985; Rob Bonnett interview with Marvin Hagler, BBC TV 11/06/2005; On Side, BBC1 09/03/1998; YouTube, Marvin Hagler vs Alan Minter 1980, Fight Collective 07/03/2021; YouTube, Marvin Hagler vs Sugar Ray Leonard, Top Rank Boxing 06/04/2020; YouTube, Esther Bejarano & Coincidence, ‘Mir Lebn Ejbig’; BBC4, Shooting the War: Women 03/02/2010; YouTube, Kölner Treff - Mit Jeanette Hain und Esther Bejarano 30/03/2019; Esther Bejarano & Microphone Mafia, ‘Avanti Popolo’; BBC Radio 2, Graham Norton 05/11/2017.