Last Word

Julian Worricker on:

The writer and art critic John Berger

Mother and daughter actresses, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher

The surgeon who came up with the life-saving heimlich manoeuvre, Henry Heimlich

The linguist Patsy Crampton, who worked at the Nuremberg trials before going on to translate more than 200 children's books

Broadcaster Brian Widlake, well known for the Money Programme and the World at One

And one of the biggest names in popular music, George Michael.

Producer: Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:

The journalist and TV correspondent, Michael Nicholson, who covered numerous conflicts for ITN

The actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, famous for her one-liners and nine husbands

James Prior, who served in government under Margaret Thatcher despite her regarding him as a 'wet'

Rabbi Lionel Blue, a regular presenter on Thought for the Day on Radio 4

and the composer Pauline Oliveros. an electronic music pioneer best known for her philosophy of 'deep listening'.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Peter Gibson the master glazier who devoted his life to the care of the stained glass windows in York Minster.

AA Gill, who overcame alcoholism and dyslexia to become one of the UK's best known critics.

Coral Atkins who gave up a career as an actress to run homes for disadvantaged children.

William Chaloner, an authority on fossil plants who used pollen from the past to reconstruct ancient environments.

Ian McCaskill, the BBC weather man much imitated by impressionists.

Matthew Bannister on

John Glenn, the astronaut who was the first American to orbit the earth and later the oldest man ever to be sent into space.

The actor Peter Vaughan, best known for his roles in Porridge, Our Friends In the North and latterly Game of Thrones.

Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the autocratic chief minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who was imprisoned for corruption, but re-elected afterwards.

And Greg Lake - the guitarist and singer who was part of the supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer and recorded a classic Christmas single.

Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister on

Andrew Sachs, the actor who was so much more than Manuel in Fawlty Towers. We hear about his acclaimed radio career.

Also the Cuban leader Fidel Castro - brutal dictator or benevolent champion of his people?

The jazz and blues singer Mose Allison, whose songs were covered by the Who, the Clash, Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison.

And The Honourable Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin, who became a celebrity after writing her memoirs of life in the royal household.

Producer: Neil George.

Kate Silverton on:

Martin Aitchison who worked with Barnes Wallis on the bouncing bomb but made his name illustrating the Peter and Jane ladybird books.

Sir Mota Singh, the Kenyan born Barrister who became Britain's first ethnic minority judge making headlines worldwide as the first judge in 300 years not to wear the horse hair wig

William Trevor - one of Ireland's greatest writers - a novelist, playwright and short story writer, his work was compared with Chekhov

Ruth Gruber, journalist, author, humanitarian and spy. She documented Stalin's gulags, life in Nazi Germany and the plight of Jewish refugees

and David Mancuso, dance music legend and music host who founded the Loft in New York.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Robert Vaughn - the actor who made his name as Napoleon Solo in "The Man From Uncle" TV series and also appeared in films like "The Magnificent Seven", "Bullitt" and "The Towering Inferno".

Ewen Whitaker, the self taught astronomer who became an expert on the geography of the moon and helped direct Apollo 12 to its landing site.

Carolyn Hardy, who turned the National Gardens Scheme into a stand alone charity and was vice chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Sir Sigmund Sternberg, the businessman who founded the Three Faiths Forum to encourage dialogue between Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Claude "Curly" Putman - the country singer who wrote "D.I.V.O.R.C.E" and "The Green Green Grass of Home".

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen. He was accused of depressing a generation, but many found his songs inspiring.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Montgomery - the explosives expert who played a leading role in a daring Commando raid on the port of Saint Nazaire during the second world war.

Janet Reno - the US Attorney General General under President Bill Clinton - she dealt with many controversial issues, including the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky scandals.

Sir Jimmy Young. For thirty years his mixture of news and music entertained and informed millions on Radio 2.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

American political activist Tom Hayden. He once said that people only knew four words about him: "Sixties, Radical, Jane and Fonda". He led anti Vietnam war protests and was married to the Hollywood star.

Valerie Hunter Gordon who invented the disposable nappy. Her prototypes were made from old wartime parachutes.

Literary agent Carole Blake who wrote a best selling guide for aspiring novelists.

And Anne Pashley, who won a silver medal at the 1956 Olympics, then became a leading opera singer.

Matthew Bannister on

Raine Countess Spencer. The daughter of Barbara Cartland and step mother of Princess Diana who nicknamed her "Acid Raine".

Jimmy Perry who drew on his own life to co-write classic TV comedies including Dad's Army and Hi De Hi.

General Stylianos Pattakos, a leading figure in the military junta that took power in Greece in 1967.

The theatre director Howard Davies, acclaimed for his productions of twentieth century American classics and for the premiere of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

And Bobby Vee - the sixties pop idol whose many chart hits included Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby.

Producer: Neil George.