Last Word

Matthew Bannister on

Professor Robert McNeill Alexander - the father of animal biomechanics, who revealed how fast dinosaurs could run.

The Australian TV producer Reg Grundy who was behind a string of popular hits, including Neighbours, Wheel of Fortune and Prisoner Cell Block H.

Sally Brampton, the founding editor of British Elle magazine who wrote a powerful book about her struggle with depression.

And Tony Cozier, the West Indian cricket commentator who was a much loved member of the Test Match Special team.

Matthew Bannister on

Gareth Gwenlan the TV producer and Head of BBC Comedy behind a string of hits including Only Fools and Horses. Sir David Jason pays tribute.

Sir Harry Kroto, the Nobel prize winning chemist who helped to discover new forms of carbon.

Michael 'Dandy Kim' Caborn-Waterfield, the charming, well dressed scoundrel who started the Ann Summers chain of sex shops and was imprisoned in France for stealing thousands of pounds from the movie mogul Jack Warner.

The paediatrician Lilly Dubowitz who developed revolutionary tests to assess new born babies

And the Congolese singer and flamboyant dresser Papa Wemba.

Matthew Bannister on

The Reverend Daniel Berrigan, the American Catholic priest who devoted his life to campaigning for peace. He was arrested many times for protests against the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons.

Jenny Diski who wrote celebrated novels, essays including her travelogue Skating to Antarctica and her latest memoir In Gratitude.

Lord Walton, the eminent neurologist who wrote an influential paper on muscle diseases.

And Guy Woolfenden, long serving musical director at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Sir Trevor Nunn pays tribute.

Matthew Bannister on

The economist Lord Peston who advised the Labour governments of the 60s and 70s. His son Robert Peston and Lord Hattersley pay tribute.

The women's cricket coach Ruth Prideaux who steered England to victory at the 1993 World Cup.

The Chilean President Patricio Aylwin who is credited with restoring democracy after nearly 17 years of military dictatorship.

The physicist Professor Sir David Mackay, known as 'the cleverest man in Cambridge' and a debunker of myths about climate change.

And the actor Gareth Thomas best known for his leading role in the TV series Blake's Seven.

Matthew Bannister on

Rock superstar Prince - we recall his intimate gig for a handful of people here in Broadcasting House.

Ray Fitzwalter the Editor of ITV's World In Action who championed investigative journalism.

Victoria Wood - we have a tribute in song from the young comedian she inspired.

The nurse June Jolly who transformed the treatment of children in hospital - she once brought a baby elephant and a lion on to the ward to entertain her patients.

And - Mind The Gap - the voice of hundreds of station announcements Phil Sayer.

Interviewed guest: Fergus Dudley

Matthew Bannister on

The playwright Sir Arnold Wesker whose work celebrated working class life,

Howard Marks, the convicted cannabis smuggler and raconteur who became a folk hero to some.

Peggy Fortnum, the children's book illustrator who brought Paddington Bear to life.

The country singer Merle Haggard whose music was steeped in traditional redneck America.

And Rachel Johnson, last surviving resident of the Scottish island of St Kilda which was evacuated in 1930.

Matthew Bannister on

The American broadcasting nun Mother Angelica who founded the Eternal Word Television Network and dispensed traditional Catholic advice to viewers.

The German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, one of the principal architects of his country's re-unification.

Derek Serpell-Morris, who gave up his job as an accountant to become DJ Derek, playing reggae and ska and claiming to be Britain's oldest DJ.

Doreen Massey who changed the way we think about geography

and Joe Medicine Crow, the native American historian who was a direct link back to Custer's last stand.

Producer: Neil George

Matthew Bannister on

The internationally acclaimed architect Dame Zaha Hadid, known to some as "the queen of the curve".

Ronnie Corbett, whose partnership with Ronnie Barker made him one of the UK's best loved comedians.

General Meir Dagan, head of the Israeli secret service Mossad when it was credited with carrying out the assassination of five Iranian nuclear scientists.

Joan Loraine who created a much admired garden at Greencombe in Somerset

And Gary Shandling who satirised the vanities and insecurities of celebrity in his fictional TV chat show.

Matthew Bannister on

Cliff Michelmore who brought a relaxed informality to presenting TV programmes like Tonight and 24 Hours, without losing intelligence or authority.

Sylvia Anderson who - with her husband Gerry - produced TV puppet series like Thunderbirds and Stingray. She was also the voice of Lady Penelope.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the composer and former Master of the Queen's Music who made his home in a remote part of Orkney.

The author Anita Brookner who won the Booker prize for her novel Hotel du Lac.

And the magician Paul Daniels,, whose catch phrase was "You'll like this - not a lot - but you'll like it.".

Reeta Chakrabarti on

Sir George Martin, the legendary music producer who oversaw the Beatles' phenomenal success.