Podcasts about Roy Plomley

Roy Plomley talks to the artist David Hockney in a recently rediscovered programme first broadcast in 1972.

Roy Plomley's castaway is actor Sir John Gielgud. Favourite track: Double Concerto in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust

Roy Plomley's castaway is actor Michael Crawford. Favourite track: Singin' In The Rain by Gene Kelly Book: A Book of Beauty by John Hadfield Luxury: Cherry tree

Miranda Carter talks to Tom about the history of the world's longest-running interview show, Desert Island Discs, from its early scripted days on the BBC Forces Programme in the 1940s, in the hands of its creator, Roy Plomley, to the more probing and revealing styles of Sue Lawley and Kirsty Young. They also consider some of its more memorable guests, including Marlene Dietrich, Tony Blair, Enoch Powell, Hugh Grant and Margaret Thatcher.Find further reading and a list of LRB castaways here: https://lrb.me/carterpodSubscribe to the LRB from just £1 per issue: https://mylrb.co.uk/podcast20bTitle music by Kieran Brunt / Produced by Anthony Wilks See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Roy Plomley talks to the actor Lauren Bacall in a programme first broadcast in 1979.

This week's podcast has leadership and history at its core as themes. However we begin with Murdo Fraser who seems to have undergone a road to Damascus conversion with his proposal that Scotland should move to STV for Holyrood elections.Lesley was stunned to find herself agreeing with him but reckons he should be careful what he wishes for while admiring his sheer brassneckedness given his silence on First Past the Post for Westminster.Joanna Cherry and Douglas Chapman are the latest members of the SNP NEC to resign over matters of "transparency and scrutiny". Chris Hanlon has decided to hang on in there. We look at the background to this ongoing dispute and wonder whether staying or going is the better course of action. The Royals seem to have got it right in terms of their reaction to the Johnson proposal for a new royal (not) yacht but revelations concerning the Royal Household's exemption from equalities legislation, at their request, brings into sharp focus, once again, their position at the centre of the   anti-democratic nature of the British state.Joe Biden visited Tulsa to memorialise the hidden from history Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 signalling a fundamental shift,at least in domestic terms, of leadership in the USA.All this plus the usual meanderings.And no, it wasn't Roy Plomley whose catch phrase was "As the sun slowly sinks in the west".It was James A. FitzPatrick.

Making conversations about copywriting count! Joining Wendy in this episode is copywriter James Daniel. He describes himself as ‘That old guy who writes copy – you know, the beardy one with glasses.' We should point out there could be other old guys with beards and glasses out there! It's easy to like James style of writing because he's a conversationalist who realises that people don't speak geek or tech. He doesn't talk jargon when he explains great copy. Talking with James' about his pivotal moment peels back some interesting layers that some would shy away from... Connect with James here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdcopywriter/   Grab his latest book ‘Before you JFDI' for FREE here: https://www.jamesthecopywriter.co.uk/   Timestamps 00:00:00: Introduction 00:01:30: The power of conversational emails 00:02:19: "Do you talk like that at home?" 00:04:00: Maintaining a natural voice in conversation 00:05:13: Meritocracy 00:07:28: James's pivotal moment 00:14:40: The value of initiative 00:15:15: From journalism to sales 00:18:22: A (sneaky) second pivotal moment! 00:20:37: Final thoughts   INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT Making Conversations Count - Episode 8  Wendy Harris & James Daniel  December 10th 2020   Wendy Harris: Welcome to Making Conversations Count, the podcast where we have business leaders share their pivotal moments to help aspiring entrepreneurs on their journey.  Today in the studio, I am joined with James Daniel.  He is EarthMonkey Media and does copywriting.  So, James, it's good to have you here.  Tell everybody how we met. James Daniel: Thanks, Wendy, it's great to be here, thank you.  The first sort of contact that we had, I think, was via LinkedIn, wasn't it?  You'd been reading some emails that I send out every week with copywriting tips and marketing ideas, and I heard from you and I know you were particularly taken with one email that had some totally bizarre suggestions about a hippopotamus, I think, wasn't it? Wendy Harris: Yes, I remember that clearly!  It certainly made me read the email when I saw hippopotamus in the text, which meant I had to reach out.  I actually thought, that's really clever, since I post generally on a weekly basis about hippos somewhere along the line; I squeeze my love of hippopotamuses in for everybody to share with me and I thought you'd written it especially for me. James Daniel: I had, yeah!  No, it's a funny thing, that injecting a little bit of humour and some vague stuff that doesn't really seem to naturally fit with business, it just gets people reading, so you draw them into your content.  That's how I like to write emails.  But, yeah, that was our first contact of course and since then, we've just been chatting and thought it would be a good idea to have this talk about how I sort of got to where I'm at now in my copywriting career. Wendy Harris: It's purely that conversational style over that email.  I'd seen some of your posts, which is why I'd subscribed in the first place, because I thought, here's somebody who really gets it, who understands that having a conversation through copy is the way to build relationships; so, I subscribed and I've just been a lurker of those emails really.  When that one was just for me, I know because it said something about hippos, I'm going to take it that it was just for me, I just had to reach out because that is what copy is meant to do; it's supposed to speak to people. James Daniel: Yeah, it's the power of conversation.  My first book that I wrote is called, "Do you talk like that at home", and it's based on a conversation that I had with somebody once.  This is not what I want to talk about with you -- Wendy Harris: This is not your pivotal moment? James Daniel: No, this is not, no!  Wendy Harris: But, interesting about a conversation. James Daniel: Yes.  Somebody at work who was talking, we used to spout all sorts of corporate garbage and we were talking about a process or other that was going on, something that needed to change, and he said to me, "Yes, I endorse that".  And I said to him, "Look, I've got to ask you, do you talk like that at home?  If your mum says to you, 'Do you want spaghetti hoops for tea?' do you say, 'I endorse that', or do you say, 'Yum, that sounds good to me, mum'; which is it?"  It's conversation. We're not robotic machines, we're human beings.  We talk like this in natural sort of warm, human language, as if you're sat in a coffee shop with your friends; not writing a letter to the Bank Manager.  And, that's an obsession of mine, is that conversation is key to everything.  As soon as you can make people feel that you are talking to them one to one, exactly as we're doing here, exactly as your whole podcast is about, then you instantly build bridges; you build a relationship, a connection with them.  It's based on, I say, that human, that sort of warm touch and it's incredibly powerful.  What you say is every bit as important as how you say it. Wendy Harris: That must be the common thread through everything you do, through running a business and helping your clients with what you do in business as well? James Daniel: Absolutely, yeah.  I mean, I've sold everything from hearing aids and mattresses to skin care treatments and an industrial safety harness, you know. Wendy Harris: I'm glad you said that, because I was waiting for you to say, "Snow to Eskimos". James Daniel: Oh, no. Wendy Harris: And, "Sand to camels". James Daniel: No.  If you try to sell snow to, it's an Inuit, isn't it now?  If you try to sell snow to somebody who's surrounded by snow, then you don't understand sales.  You should be looking to try to sell elsewhere.  I've worked in this wide range of industries but, whoever is reading your copy, whatever sort of hat they happen to be wearing that day, as a consumer, as a business buyer, they're still a human being.  You might alter the tone of your conversation a little, just the same as I might talk to my best friend in one way and, say, my auntie in another way, or something, and client in another; you'd alter that. But, it's still conversation so it still needs to be the natural voice that you would adopt in that conversational environment, rather than thinking, oh, I'm writing now so it needs to be something different, like when they did English essays in school. Wendy Harris: I understand completely; that tonality.  When you have to put your posh voice on, because you pick up the phone and you need to say this …  My best friend, when I ring her, she answers the phone, "Yes, hello?" James Daniel: Like Hyacinth Bucket? Wendy Harris: Yes!  So, it's just a standing joke now that when she rings me, I answer the phone, "Yes, hello?" and it's meant to be off-putting to the person if they're trying to sell something, or get something, because they don't really know you; that puts them off.  But, it's still that conversation, isn't it?  If I was to just say, "Yeah, hello?" it's a bit more inviting. James Daniel: It's having less pretence, really.  We're human beings.  Whatever your religious stance, we're basically all shaved monkeys underneath.  We take ourselves too seriously and if you recognise that whoever you're talking to, we're mostly a meritocracy these days, whoever you're talking to, they're no better, no worse than you are; they don't deserve reverence; they deserve just basically politeness and curtesy.  You talk to them just one to one, just the same as you would talk to anybody; that's so effective. Wendy Harris: I think you've just conjured up the phrase to me that we come into the world and go out of the world in exactly the same way as each other, and it's just what happens in between that makes us different.  I'm going to have to look up that word that you just said. James Daniel: Meritocracy? Wendy Harris: Meritocracy; I'm going to have to look that up.  That's not a word I've come up against, so well done the copywriter. James Daniel: Well, no, that's a cardinal sin for copywriters actually to use a word that somebody doesn't know, because you've failed in your job then! Wendy Harris: Listeners, send in your comments; what's your interpretation? James Daniel: By meritocracy, I mean that we get where we get on merit, rather than through advancement that isn't naturally due to us.  Obviously, there are big conversations going on around the extent to which we have a meritocracy even today.  But, I don't think anyone would deny that we're far closer to meritocracy now than we were, say, 100 years ago, 200 years ago; we're certainly edging in that direction. My point in that really is that the days of having to treat people with reverence because of status that they were born into, I think is long gone. Wendy Harris: Do you think that that's a little bit like, "Do you know who I am?" James Daniel: Yes. Wendy Harris: Yes, it's that, isn't it? James Daniel: Yes, it's entirely that.  Yes, I do.  You're a human exactly the same as I am. Wendy Harris: You're somebody that I've been talking and chatting to over time and is successful, however you measure that, to the point that I can't now actually get anywhere near to have a conversation, and you just go, "Well, you're still the same person"? James Daniel: Exactly that, yes. Wendy Harris: Interesting that this should come out today.  So, James, conversation clearly is something that matters an awful lot to you?  I think you could probably adopt my strapline of "Making Conversations Count", in all the things that you do in your copy. Every guest that comes on, I ask them to share one pivotal moment for the listeners; so, now's your big moment? James Daniel: Do you know, I struggled with this, because I narrowed it down to about two or three.  So, there is one that is absolutely pivotal that I will share with you, but it was painful to sort of whittle down the list; I can tell you that. Wendy Harris: You're not on your own! James Daniel: So, you're kind of like, do you remember Roy Plomley from Desert Island Discs?  He would say, "You can have one luxury and that's it", and he would be really vicious about it. Wendy Harris: Yeah, it is hard, isn't it?  It's hard to think of that one thing. James Daniel: It really is.  But, the one I've settled on is a conversation that I had back when I worked in the corporate world with the MD of the Welsh region where I was working.  So, I live in Cardiff and I was working in the cable industry.  I'll give you a little bit of background before I get to this. So basically, I've been a writer for 32 years now, between journalism and writing for radio, TV, children's books, etc.  And writing, particularly in the early days, doesn't pay especially way.  As you become more established, you can make a living but through those early days, really you can make a part-time income at best. When I got married, I was working as a journalist and decided, no, this isn't working for me; I'm not particularly enjoying it; the money's terrible.  So, I decided to take a sales job just to make some decent money and I could focus on my writing work in my spare time.  I was trying to break into writing more for TV, that sort of thing. So, I did that in the cable industry and I spent two years working door to door, just knocking on doors, saying that, "We've brought the cable network into your area; let me tell you about what we can do with your phone and your TV, etc". Wendy Harris: It's a tough job. James Daniel: It is, yeah.  I mean, in good weather, when you're going into a new area where everybody wants it, it's fantastic; but, when you're in an area that's already been marketed several times before and it's raining and it's dark and it's cold, that's a hard slog, you know.  But, surprisingly, I was doing quite well with this, because I'd never seen myself as a salesman at all, but I am good at tailoring solutions for people.  But, anyway, I digress.  So, I'd been thinking a lot during this time around how we can improve the business, and one thing that really occurred to me was, when we were going into these new areas, we were sometimes the enemy, because the engineers had been in to put the network into the streets; they'd dug up the streets; they'd made a bit of a mess; there'd been a lot of upheaval.  And then, we were coming in to say, "Okay, now can we sell you something?" So, it occurred to me that what we should be doing is building ties with the community before we begin the sales process.  And, we had a community TV channel at the time, called On TV.  So, it seemed to me that we could use that channel to strengthen ties, and it could be as simple as, we're going into this area so let's go to the local high school and see if we can film their school's sports day, or their school play, or something like that; or, some kind of event that's happening in the heart of the community. Then, first of all, we build up good vibes with these people and secondly, we're actually putting something on the channel that they could only get through the cable network, so we were also giving a reason to take the service. Wendy Harris: Reason to switch on, yeah. James Daniel: And, I think the intangible good will is the more powerful aspect of that, but you know.  So, it just occurred to me that would be a good thing to do.  And, by this time, after two years of selling, I was also thinking, wouldn't it be great if they could give me a job running that channel locally. Wendy Harris: Just a quick question though, James; was it VHS then?  Could they record the channel onto a video cassette?  We're going to blow some people's minds with that. James Daniel: Well this was back in the late 1990s, so it was probably all still done on Betamax or steam, or something like that; I'm not sure.  No, it was still the VHS days. So, I put a proposal together.  Now, our MD, Terry, still is the most amazing leader that I have ever known.  He was incredible and he had 600-odd people working there for him and any one of them would have walked through fire for him.  He didn't bully his way through business; he just inspired.  He had an open-door policy. I walked up to him one day when he'd given a talk to the sales team and said, "Could I make a time to come and see you; I've got a couple of things I'd like to discuss with you?"  He said, "Yeah, brilliant, absolutely".  And I took this proposal to him.  He loved the idea, but more than anything I think he loved the way of thinking.  So he said, "Look, I don't think that we'd be able to get a budget to do something like this, as much as I like it, but I really like what you're thinking of here and I like the way you're approaching the issue; that you've identified a problem and come with a very detailed solution to it.  Everything's fully costed and loads of programming ideas".  He said, "Leave it with me". Ten days later, I was called in to see my immediate boss, who was the Sales Director, who said to me, "Okay, so we want you to go onto a three-month secondment to our Head Office in Farnborough.  Like I said, I'm in Cardiff; Farnborough is two to two-and-a-half hours away.  It's a long commute, as I found out, because I spent eventually seven months driving back and forth from Cardiff every day; that was fun.  I got to know every pothole on the M4. He said, "Look, we've got you this secondment", and it was Terry, the MD, who'd had this chat with my boss and said, "Okay, let's keep an eye out for opportunity".  As it happened, we had a new Marketing Director in corporate, who decided that the marketing team's approach there was all a bit ivory tower, and they wanted somebody from the ground level, who could come in and give a different perspective. Wendy Harris: What you're faced with when you knock the door? James Daniel: Exactly, yeah, rather than keeping things abstract and clever and witty, as corporate marketing often does.  So, there were about 1,000 advisors around the country, you know, sales advisors, so to be picked out of that, I'll be honest with you, it was very fortunate; the timing of knocking on his door and saying, "Here's a proposal" just when that opportunity was about to come up.  I was very, very fortunate with the timing there. But, the result was I got the three-month secondment.  At the end of that, they actually gave me a job as a National Project Marketing Manager, so I was on a different career path.  After about four months there, I was moved back down to Cardiff, thankfully, and it eventually became sort of Business Development Manager, eventually covering half of the UK network as the company grew. We took on acquisitions, other cable companies, so eventually I was managing half the network across Belfast and Glasgow, and across the north of England, all from that one conversation.  So, it's thanks to that conversation that I have the house that I live in today and that I started to learn so much more about the marketing and the business development process. It's just from having the initiative really and recognising that opportunities do not land in your lap, as such; you've got to go out and make them.  And, I acknowledge that I was fortunate to an extent in this, but it's only because I made something happen in the first place. Wendy Harris: Yeah, initiative's a good word, I think, James, because a lot of people don't probably value the initiative that is needed.  And, on the face of it, that idea that you had that you went in with didn't happen, so it doesn't matter how good the idea is, it's just the start or seed of an idea that grew into something else. James Daniel: Yeah. Wendy Harris: It's a bit like planting something and not knowing whether you're going to get tomatoes, potatoes or onions.  It really doesn't matter what it is that's going to grow, it's the fact that you've put yourself out there to say, whatever happens, I'm your girl, or I'm your man, or whatever? James Daniel: Yeah.  It's sowing seeds, it's making connections, it's showing people what you can do, rather than hoping that they're going to sort of say, "Right, who wants to do this?" because, if that had have just been put out right across the country, then I would have been one of hundreds and hundreds of people putting myself forward for it. But, yeah, I think there is a good lesson for anybody in a career or in business which is, you've got to knock down your own doors; knock down the barriers yourself and pick what you want and start having those conversations. Wendy Harris: The standout for me is you said that you left a journalist job and went into sales.  I bet it wasn't half what you thought it was going to be and it was hard work to get even near the money that you wanted? James Daniel: I mean, in my first month in sales, I earned three times what I'd earned as a journalist, and it was only about 20% as stressful.  Wendy Harris: Really? James Daniel: Yeah, absolutely.  I hated my life as a journalist, so that would be one of the reasons; but also, the money was just so much better.  It was a relatively easy product for me just because I'm a lifelong telly addict and I just like talking about it. Wendy Harris: There's not many people that would say, "Hands up", at school, "I'm going to be in sales".  You would say, "I'm going to be a journalist".  But, take the money aside from all of that, it's interesting that the skills that you had as a journalist have actually helped you shape into this new career path as well.  So, don't ever underestimate the skills that you've got. James Daniel: Oh, no, not at all.  In fact, that was the thing that made it work, because when I began the secondment, the first thing they asked me to do was to find out why customers were leaving, so it was a project.  Why are they leaving us, either by disconnecting or by running up a bill so that we switched them off? I said, "Well, okay, I'm completely new to the business environment here.  The only thing that I have that I can apply is my journalist skills.  So, if I treat this as an investigation, I can do it and I can report everything back to you". Wendy Harris: Was it what they thought, or was there another reason? James Daniel: There were different people dotted around the country who had different theories and it was my job to travel around the country and talk to everybody and compile their theories on what it was, and then look at the data and see how that aligned to the different theories and try and make some rational sense of the whole thing.  Like I say, it was a completely new kind of fact-finding exercise for me; nothing I was used to at all.  I'd never even used PowerPoint at the time and had to put it all into a presentation.  Yeah, it seemed to make a different, because then the senior managers had me travelling all around the country again delivering the presentation and delivering recommendations off the back of it.  So, it was very much to do with the journalism side.  And of course, when I left that job after nine years, everything I'd done previously in journalism married with all the stuff that I'd been doing in that job really to take me into the next part of my career.  In fact, this was the other conversation I was going to try and sneak in. Wendy Harris: Go on then, James! James Daniel: The second most influential conversation is one that I had with a recruiter not long after I left the cable industry.  He looked at my CV; I was about 36 at the time.  He looked at my CV and said, "It looks to me like I'm talking to two 30-year-olds, because I don't know what you are.  Are you a writer, a creative person?"  By this time, I'd had a few TV shows on as well.  He said, "Are you this creative person, or are you a sales, marketing and business development person?" That really hit home, because of course I'd had very little sense of direction in my career.  I'd just been, I like writing, I'm good at writing, this is what I'm going to do, and I was just drifting.  This was where I finally settled on becoming a copywriter.  But, it's the only thing that makes sense of that diverse background that I'd almost fallen into. Most copywriters come to it as a second career.  It's not a good first career; you need experience in either sales or journalism or marketing, and I'd managed to pick up experience in all three. Wendy Harris: A golden shape? James Daniel: Yeah, exactly.  So, I decided to retrain, add qualifications and then start the business.  But, that second conversation there was all about, okay look, choose a direction now, use what you've done, focus, move forward.  So, that was also pivotal. Wendy Harris: Yes.  Well I would agree with why you would choose that as a backup to everything that you've done.  Certainly, with the way the conversation has gone now, is that you've laid all your skills out, but everybody's encouraged to do that, aren't they?  Put everything down, put everything out there, tell them what you can do.  But, if that then leaves you with a confused picture and you can't tell the story in your head about how to then utilise those skills going forward, it was a great comment and remark for you to go, "Hmm, I hadn't realised I was giving that image off of myself"? James Daniel: Exactly.  And now, when I tell my own story, if I'm meeting a client and they say, "Tell me about yourself", or if I'm writing a biography, I will very often start with that conversation with the recruiter; that critical moment. Wendy Harris: James, it's been a blast having you on the show.  Thank you so much for sharing your story and your pivotal moment. James Daniel: Thank you. Wendy Harris: If people want to pick up the conversation with you, where can they find you? James Daniel: They could go to my website, which is jamesthecopywriter.co.uk and you can get a free copy of my latest book there which is called, "Before you JFDI".  It's about, you know, everybody's telling you to just jump in and do something, anything; and I'm saying, well, look before you leap.  A little bit of planning before you strap on a blindfold and say, "Okay, let's try this", will go a long way.  Jamesthecopywriter.co.uk, NOT .com, because another copywriter called James beat me to that one by an hour to register that domain, so don't go to him! Wendy Harris: Oh, no! James Daniel: Don't go to him; it's .co.uk. Wendy Harris: But, you're on LinkedIn as well under jdcopywriter as well? James Daniel: That's right. Wendy Harris: We'll put all the links in the show notes.  Thank you so much again, James.  For the listeners, don't forget to send us your comments; we do reply to every one of them.  Share this with your friends and family and don't forget to subscribe.  The link, as always, is www.makingconversationscount.studio/podcast.  Thanks for listening.

Roy Plomley's castaway is the Monty Python comedian Terry Jones, in a programme first broadcast in 1983. Terry Jones died in January 2020, at the age of 77.

The birth of the Archers; Mercia's 40th; Jazz becomes Smooth London; Mayo beings on R1 breakfast; the death of Roy Plomley; and a Top 40 fail. Enjoy the last week in radio history, ending May 29th 2020.

75 Years of Desert Island Discs - Kirsty Young ends the programme's anniversary year with some gems from the archive, including the creator of the format, Roy Plomley, actress Bebe Daniels, broadcaster Richard Dimbleby, trumpeter Louis Armstrong, politician Dame Barbara Castle and cellist Jacqueline du Pre. Kirsty also chooses some of her favourite moments with Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Attenborough, comedian Sarah Millican, the surgeon David Nott and rugby referee Nigel Owens.

Roy Plomley's castaway is broadcaster and writer Clive James. Favourite track: Baby Love by Diana Ross and The Supremes Book: Book about how to build a plane out of palm fronds and coconut fibre by Willy Messerschmitt Luxury: Space invaders

Pulp's singer and musician, Jarvis Cocker is castaway by Sue Lawley.Jarvis formed the band Pulp in the late 1970s and says that as a gawky, self-conscious teenager he felt pop music did not properly inform him about the disappointments and miseries of growing up - and he was determined to write songs that included "the messy bits and the awkward, fumbling bits". He had to wait more than a decade to find success - but Pulp went on to become one of the most popular bands of the 1990s, with hits including Do You Remember the First Time? Sorted For Es And Wizz and Common People.The band's crowning glory was its performance of 'Common People' at the Glastonbury festival in 1995. The following year, Jarvis Cocker made headlines again - this time the tabloid front pages after he invaded the stage while Michael Jackson was performing at the pop industry's annual awards ceremony. Fans were thrilled, but it marked the beginning of a difficult time in the singer's life. Now he is married with a young son and living in Paris and has recently written songs for Nancy Sinatra and Marianne Faithfull as well as writing the music for the film Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.DISC ONE: Theme - Robert Mellin DISC TWO: Transmission - Joy Division DISC THREE: Mouldy Old Dough - Lieutenant Pigeon DISC FOUR: Ten Guitars - Engelbert Humperdinck DISC FIVE: The War is Over - Scott Walker DISC SIX: Lady With the Braid - Dory Previn DISC SEVEN: I See a Darkness - Johnny Cash DISC EIGHT: Sailing By - Ronald BingeBOOK CHOICE: Sombrero Fallout - Richard Brautigan LUXURY CHOICE: A bed with a mosquito net CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Sailing By - Ronald BingeDesert Island Discs was created by Roy Plomley.Producer: Leanne BuckleFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2005.

Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television series The Frost Report. Since then, as she tells Roy Plomley, her career has been extremely varied, including music hall, opera, theatre, a one-woman show and a long spell on Radio 4's Week Ending programme.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Concerto in D Minor For Violin, Oboe & Strings by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Dictionary Luxury: Artist's equipment

The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Liberal Party as Assistant Secretary. In 1965, he won a seat in the Borders and became the youngest member of that parliament. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Do-it-yourself manual Luxury: Cathedral organ

Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she recalls her childhood in Leeds, her first job as a reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post at the age of 16, becoming a Fleet Street journalist, and her eventual move to New York.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Jerusalem by Blake/Parry Book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Luxury: Family photograph album

Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy during the war, he came to England to complete his education and stayed on to be a lecturer at Oxford University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and discusses the many problems associated with compiling dictionaries.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy training as an astronaut, the problems of space flight, and he describes his recent trip in the space shuttle to recover two satellites, which necessitated an unfettered walk in space.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Minor Blue by David Darling Book: A number of Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Luxury: Family pocket watch

Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her experiences which include a brief visit to the spirit world, and she explains how she uses her gift to help others by putting them in touch with relations who have passed over.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: One Day At A Time by Lena Martell Book: The complete Andy Capp Luxury: Photograph album of family, friends and pets

Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about some of his successes which have included Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre, the films Laughterhouse and The Ploughman's Lunch, and his period as producer of Play for Today with BBC television.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: El Cant Dels Ocells by Pablo Casals Book: Partridge's Dictionary of Slang Luxury: Saxophone

Gordon Beningfield's designs for postage stamps include a butterfly set and the recently-issued insect set. He is also well-known for his paintings of nature and the countryside. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his first job in studios producing ecclesiastical art, his later concentration on stained glass, and then painting.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: I Vow To Thee, My Country (from The Planets) - Jupiter by Gustav Holst Book: Manual on how to swim Luxury: Sketchbook, paints and pencils

Alison Lurie is not only a part-time professor of English at Cornell University where she teaches creative writing and children's literature, but she is also a very successful novelist. "Her seven novels", writes Malcolm Bradbury, "collectively form a biting record of American social, moral and sexual mores from the early 1960s to the present." In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her work and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Marriage Of Figaro - Overture by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: The Oxford Book of English Verse Luxury: Telephone

The pianist Jorge Bolet, who was born in Havana, Cuba, was given lessons first by his sister. He went on to study at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is now hailed particularly for his interpretation of the music of Liszt. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his long career, which includes conducting the first performance of The Mikado in Tokyo.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor by Frédéric Chopin Book: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Luxury: Camera

The actor Anthony Hopkins has recently returned to this country after 10 years in California.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his upbringing in South Wales, his rapid rise to fame, the unhappiness that caused him to go to America, and his success in the films The Elephant Man and Mutiny on the Bounty.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Myfanwy by Treorchy Male Choir Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Luxury: Piano

Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New York, where he became a pool-room hustler, his screen-writing career in Hollywood, and he talks about his active role in helping to set up a Jewish state in Palestine. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Spring by Antonio Vivaldi Book: The Hero With the Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Luxury: Electric typewriter

Elly Ameling's career as a singer took off when she won the first prizes in two competitions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she explains why she devotes most of her time to singing lieder and has only appeared in one opera. She also talks about her occasional forays into cabaret and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: It Don't Mean A Thing by Ellington Book: Poetry by Paul Verlaine Luxury: Buddha statue

Julie Walters had a variety of jobs, including nursing, before she took up acting. An early London appearance was the result of Funny Peculiar, transferring from the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool.In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her work with Victoria Wood, about her huge success in both the play and film of Educating Rita, and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: I Get Along Without You Very Well by Carly Simon Book: The Magus by John Fowles Luxury: Telephone

Madhur Jaffrey is an actress who has now become as well-known as a writer and broadcaster on Indian and Far Eastern cooking. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about the films she has made with James Ivory, including Heat and Dust. She also recalls how she came to be a cookery expert, and she chooses eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Violin Concerto - 1st Movement by Roque Cordero Book: Blank book Luxury: Whiskey

John Harvey-Jones, who is Chairman of the giant company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), began his career in the Royal Navy and was a lieutenant-commander by the time he moved into industry at the age of 33. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his rapid rise from trainee work study officer at ICI with not even one 'O' Level to being appointed Chairman.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Symphony No 1 in B Flat by Boyce Book: The Loom of Language by Frederick Bodmer Luxury: Trap (minus donkey)

Tom Stoppard, the playwright, began his career as a journalist on a local newspaper in Bristol. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his writing, which has been mainly for the theatre and has included several free translations of plays including Rough Crossing; now in the repertoire of the National Theatre.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Careless Love by Bessie Smith Book: Inferno in two languages by Dante Alighieri Luxury: Plastic football

Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this century. As he tells Roy Plomley, other than a period as Director of Music at Morley College, he has allowed very little to distract him from composition. His output includes four symphonies, four operas, four string quartets and several concertos.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Vespro Della Beata Vergine by Claudio Monteverdi Book: Blank pages Luxury: Egg timer

Ray Cooney, who is the Artistic Director of the very successful Theatre of Comedy, began his career as an actor. Before long, he started directing plays and then writing them, usually in collaboration with John Chapman. These include Charlie Girl, Not Now, Darling and his latest, Two Into One. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his varied career and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he worked his way from an aircraft factory, through the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Cabinet think tank and other Civil Service appointments to his present position, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Le Nozze Di Figaro Act 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Encyclopaedia Britannica Luxury: Transistor radio

Miklos Rozsa is best known for his many film scores, including those for The Thief of Baghdad, Ben-Hur and Spellbound, but he has also written several concertos and chamber and instrumental music. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in Hungary, his music studies in Germany, and his work after the war in Hollywood.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Collected poems by Endre Ady Luxury: Manuscript paper and pens

Robin Hanbury-Tenison divides his time between farming in Cornwall and exploring the remote corners of the world. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his travels in the Sahara, Indonesia, South America and leading the Royal Geographical Society's largest expedition ever to the tropical rainforests of Borneo.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 Aria by Heitor Villa-Lobos Book: The Oxford Companion to English Literature Luxury: Cask of claret

David Puttnam, now a very successful film producer, began his career as a messenger boy. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how he worked his way up and was able to create films like Chariots of Fire and Bugsy Malone, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Violin Concerto in D Major by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: The Wisden Anthology of Cricket by Benny Green Luxury: Goose-down pillow

Vernon Handley, Associate Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, has made his name through his devotion to British music. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes the long struggle he had to obtain regular work with professional orchestras and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: The Garden of Fand by Arnold Bax Book: The Principles of Art by R G Collingwood Luxury: Sodastream and gas cylinders

Tom Sharpe spent much of his early career in South Africa doing social work, teaching and finally running a photographic studio, until he was deported. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his experiences in South Africa and how, after lecturing in History at Cambridge, he finally became a full-time novelist, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 20 in D MInor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: The Oxford Book of English Verse Luxury: Ton of snuff

David Rendall, the tenor, is singing in the new production of Madame Butterfly at the Coliseum in London, just one of the many engagements around the world which fill his diary until 1988. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how, in only six years, he jumped from being a clerk in the BBC Gramophone Library to singing principal roles at Covent Garden, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Die Schone Mullerin No 7 by Franz Schubert Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Luxury: Wine - Chateau Lascombes 1966

Jonathan Lynn began his acting career in the Footlights at Cambridge University. From 1970 he also began directing plays and, for a while, he ran the Arts Theatre in Cambridge. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his diverse career, which includes a lot of writing for television, in particular the very successful series Yes, Minister.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Le Nozze Di Figaro Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Collection of Jeeves & Wooster stories by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Pen and paper

Michael Ffolkes, the cartoonist, works principally for the Daily Telegraph and Punch, which first published one of his cartoons when he was only 17 years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his training for the job which included art school, the Royal Navy and the snooker table, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: My Very Good Friend, The Milkman by Fats Waller Book: The Adventures of Alice by Lewis Carroll Luxury: Artist's lay figure

John Surman, who plays the baritone saxophone, has acquired an international reputation as a jazz musician and so spends much of his time abroad.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the various groups he has formed like SOS and the Brass Project, about his work as a composer, including that for the Carolyn Carlson Dance Theatre at the Paris Opera, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: St Matthew Passion No 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Set of Wisden Almanack Luxury: Vat of Bordeaux wine

John Hurt has built up a tremendous reputation as an actor, particularly for his performances in The Elephant Man, The Naked Civil Servant and Champions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career, including his role in the new film version of 1984, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Bean Dubh Ab Ghleanna by Paddy Moloney Book: The complete works by Lewis Carroll Luxury: Pillow

Alfred Eisenstadt gave up being a belt-and-button salesman in 1929 to become a professional photographer, concentrating on what is now called 'photojournalism'. Six years later, he moved from Europe to America, where he joined the new Life Magazine for which he has worked ever since. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes some of the many stories he has covered, including the rise of Nazism, crossing the Atlantic in a Zeppelin and Marilyn Monroe, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Le Notti De Cabiria by Nino Rota Book: A book of quotations Luxury: Camera

Gerry Cottle's latest circus is a fast-moving show with no ring-master and no animals, but it is very popular. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he ran away from school to join a circus, how he made the jump from being a juggler to being a circus owner who toured many countries, and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: American Pie by Don McLean Book: I Love You, Honey, but the Season's Over by Connie Clausen Luxury: Juggling clubs

Catherine Cookson is a very successful writer with 61 novels, all in print, to her name. But she was brought up in very poor circumstances on Tyneside by her mother, leaving school at the age of 13. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her days 'in service', about how she came to run a workhouse laundry, how eventually she became a full-time novelist, and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Thora by Adams/Wetherey Book: Her own autobiography Luxury: Piano

George Abbott, who is 97 years old, has just directed a revival of his musical On Your Toes. He began his career as an actor, but before long he was also writing plays and staging them. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his remarkable career and some of his hit shows, including Call Me Madam, The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Falling In Love With Love by Ellen Hanley & Orchestra Book: Encyclopaedia Luxury: Writing paper

The writer Ved Mehta unfortunately lost his sight at the age of four: "Most blind people in India at that time were beggars, or stayed with their relations like wounded animals."He describes to Roy Plomley how, in spite of tremendous odds, he gained an education at Oxford University and Harvard, and went on to become a staff writer for the New Yorker, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: String Quartet No 14 in C Sharp Minor (Last Movement) by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: 11th edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Willie Rushton is a cartoonist, actor, writer and a regular member of quiz game panels. He tells Roy Plomley about how he came to be one of the founders of Private Eye, about the early days of the TV programme That Was the Week That Was, and he chooses eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan by Sam Browne Book: Anthology by G.K. Chesterton Luxury: Piano

Ron Goodwin has composed the scores for many films, including Where Eagles Dare, 633 Squadron and Monte Carlo or Bust, but he started his career in an insurance office. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how his apprenticeship with a music publisher enabled him to become a composer and later a conductor, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Tintagel by Arnold Bax Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Luxury: Tuba

Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur, was brought up in the sumptuous Palace of Cooch Behar with its staff of 500. She tells Roy Plomley how she shot her first panther at the age of 12, how she became the third wife of the Maharaja of Jaipur, and how, with his encouragement, she won a seat in the Parliament of India.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: As Time Goes By by Andy Williams and his Orchestra Book: Omnibus of books by James Herriot Luxury: Can of insect repellant