Last Word

Photo: Sridevi Kapoor

Matthew Bannister on

Ernest Hecht, who founded the Souvenir Press, which published books from Nobel prize winners like Pablo Neruda, academics like Noam Chomsky and best sellers on sexual techniques and toilet paper.

Lewis Gilbert who directed Alfie, Educating Rita and three James Bond movies.

Dame Beulah Bewley who carried out significant research into the effects of smoking on children and advanced the cause of women in medicine.

Sir Lawrence Byford, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary who examined the failings of the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.

Sridevi Kapoor who was often described as Bollywood's first female superstar.

Archive clips from: NEWS, Radio 4, 21.9.1984; THE REUNION, Radio 4, 26.08.2016; YORKSHIRE RIPPER INVESTIGATION, Radio 4, 19/01/1982

Photo: Billy Graham

Matthew Bannister on

The evangelist Billy Graham who preached to millions around the world and offered spiritual advice to 12 American Presidents.

Laura Lee, the sex worker who campaigned for the rights of her colleagues.

John Morris who composed many film soundtracks, including the music for Mel Brooks' comedies The Producers and Blazing Saddles.

John Bosco McAtasney, the last hand weaver of damask linen in Ireland.

And John Pitman, the TV reporter and producer who started his career on Braden's Week and took Sheena Easton into the Big Time. Esther Rantzen pays tribute.

Archive clips from: I GOT UP OUT OF MY SEAT, Radio 4 25/05/2007; THE FROST COLLECTION, Radio 4 20/05/2008; MEN'S HOUR, Radio 5 Live 18/05/2014; COUNTRY TIMES, Radio Ireland 03/04/2000; STILL STANDING, Radio Ireland 06/04/1992; BRADEN'S WEEK, BBC TV 29/4/1972; MAN ALIVE, BBC TV 16/01/1979; THE BIG TIME:SHEENA EASTON:THE MAKING OF A STAR, BBC TV 21/04/1981; JUST ANOTHER DAY: GREYHOUND RACING, BBC TV 12/12/1986.

Photo: Morgan Tsvangirai

Matthew Bannister on

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change and Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.

Douglas Botting, film maker, author and explorer who flew a hot air balloon across Africa and sailed a hovercraft down the Orinoco.

Professor Patricia Lindop, who researched the effects of radiation on human tissue.

Asma Jahangir, the lawyer from Pakistan who campaigned for the rights of the country's persecuted minorities.

And Vic Damone, the crooner who recorded more than two thousand songs.

Interviewed guest: Alex Magaisa

Archive clips from: The Choice, Radio 4 07/12/2004; The World About Us: River of Death, BBC Two 19/01/69; Balloon From Zanzibar, BBC Two 23/08/62; The World About Us: Three Men in a Balloon, BBC Two 13/12/70; On The Bosom of the Air, Radio 4 19/09/1962; Hot to Handle: The Two Faces of Radiation, BBC One 17/03/66; Science and Society, BBC One 22/03/66; Nihal, BBC Asian Network 17/11/2010; Taking A Stand, Radio 4 01/01/2002; Outlook, BBC World Service, 22/11/2010; Woman's Hour, Radio 4, 07/06/2005; The Arthur Askey Variety Show, Radio 4 Extra, 07.06.2015; The John Dunn Show, Radio 2, 01/01/00.

Photo: John Mahoney

Julian Worricker on:

The actor John Mahoney who played Marty Crane in one of America's best-loved sitcoms, Frasier.

Hannah Hauxwell, whose solitary life as a farmer in the Yorkshire Dales, was captured in an award-winning TV documentary.

Scientist Ken Seddon, a global leader in his field of inorganic chemistry and pioneer of so-called 'super solvents'.

Landowner Sir John Cotterell, who helped raise funds to save the Mappa Mundi from being sold by Hereford Cathedral.

And feminist icon, Naomi Parker Fraley, the inspiration for "Rosie the riveter", the factory worker who featured in a US wartime poster.

Archive clips from: The World This Weekend, 12/11/89 Radio 4; The Third Ear, 11/01/89 Radio 3; Woman's Hour, 25/09/90 Radio 4; Too Long A Winter, 30/01/73 Yorkshire Television.

Photo: Dorothy Malone

Julian Worricker on:

Ingvar Kamprad, the Swedish entrepreneur who founded Ikea and changed the way we furnish our homes

Elizabeth Hawley, journalist turned chronicler, who documented every Himalayan climb from 1963

The musician, Robert Mann, who was the founding first violinist of the Juilliard Quartet

Jon Castle, the Greenpeace activist who captained the first Rainbow Warrior

Oscar-winning actress Dorothy Malone, famous for her role in Peyton Place.

Archive clips from: Outlook, BBC World Service 16/06/10; Profiles: Ingvar Kamprad: Design for Life, BBC 4 08/07/04; Crude Britannia: The Story of North Sea Oil, ep 3. BBC 4 02/07/09; Radio 4 News 10/07/85; Newsbeat, Radio 1 20/06/95.

Photo: Hugh Masekela

Matthew Bannister on

Hugh Masekela the South African jazz trumpeter and anti apartheid activist.

Ursula K. Le Guin whose science fiction and fantasy books sold millions of copies.

Mary Lee Berners-Lee, the computer pioneer and mother of the world wide web creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

John Barton the director and writer who taught a generation of actors how to speak Shakespearian verse.

Mark E. Smith, the controversial front man of the post punk band The Fall.

Matthew Bannister on

Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly, the navy doctor who set up a makeshift field hospital during the Falklands War to treat both British and Argentine casualties.

Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of the Irish band the Cranberries who sold forty million albums.

Cyrille Regis, the West Brom and England striker who experienced racism from fans in the 1980s.

Jenny Joseph who wrote Britain's best loved post war poem "Warning"

Peter Wyngarde the actor who played the TV detective Jason King and partly inspired the Austin Powers films.

Photo: John W. Young

Matthew Bannister on

John W. Young the American astronaut who went into in space six times, including landing on the moon and commanding the first space shuttle flight.

Peter Preston the long serving editor of the Guardian who re-designed and modernised the paper.

Ray Thomas the flautist and singer who was a founding member of the Moody Blues.

Sir Brian Neill, the barrister and judge who defended the Sunday Times in the Thalidomide court case.

Heather Stewart, the pilot who risked her life to fly cargo and passengers through war zones in Africa.

Photo: Maureen Baker

Matthew Bannister on

Maureen Baker who designed clothes for Princess Anne, including her Tudor inspired wedding dress.

Richard Cousins - the Chief Executive who transformed the fortunes of the world's biggest catering company Compass Group.

Lady Astor - the model who was caught up in the Profumo Affair.

Meic Povey - the Welsh playwright who also created award winning films and TV dramas.

Rick Hall who produced classic recordings by soul stars like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Candi Staton in the town of Muscle Shoals Alabama.

Photo: Tom Paley

Julian Worricker on:

The businessman Sir Peter Burt, who was in charge of Bank of Scotland when it merged with the Halifax, and was later chairman of ITV

The woman credited with groundbreaking work as an architectural archivist, Jill Lever

The horticulturalist and rose grower, John Mattock, who was chairman of the Chelsea Flower Show for twelve years

The film and TV director, Peter Duffell, whose work included the mini-series The Far Pavilions

American folk singer and musician, Tom Paley.