The beguiling and flattering format has attracted politicians and pop stars, scientists and sportsmen. Sue Lawley alone hosted no fewer than five prime ministers during her 18 years as presenter. Over 100 castaways have appeared on the show twice,...

More than 23,000 tracks have been selected to date, all associated with pivotal moments in the guestss lives. They seem to unlock distant memories, and some surprising revelations often spill out. Plomley presented the programme for 43 years, followed...

Fascists Sir Oswald Mosley, provoked fury when she said she did not believe the Nazis had murdered six million people. This was made worse when it turned out that the programme was due to be broadcast on a sensitive day in the Jewish calendar. For this,...

It’s there now, every week, alongside “historic” editions from the past plus its own website. On Saturday 28th January, Castaway: 70 Years of Desert Island Discs, features past presenters Michael Parkinson (1985-88) and Sue Lawley (1988-2006) alongside...

I talked myself out of it in six months.” Kirsty, who is from East Kilbride, in Lanarkshire, told of her bulimia torment in an interview with Radio Times to mark the 70th anniversary of the BBC’s Radio 4 show Desert Island Discs. She has been the host...

On day one, Harriet took charge of the map and - joy of joys - it showed a large patch coloured green at the top the mountain. 'Ski tranquille,' it said in large letters. This sounded like the ideal place for me to rediscover my ski legs. Cool couple:...