Desert Island Discs

Penelope Keith on knowing her Shakespeare

The actress Penelope Keith, who died earlier this year, was cast away by Roy Plomley in 1976. She became best known for her roles in the BBC sitcoms The Good Life and To

Anthony Joshua on his love for his mother

The boxer Anthony Joshua was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024. He is a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist who was raised by his mother after his

Kathy Burke on being saved by punk as a moody teenager

The actor and comedian Kathy Burke was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2010. She came to prominence when she appeared in Kevin and Perry TV sketches opposite Harry Enfield.

Stephen Mangan on why he'll never be Bond

The actor Stephen Mangan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025. He made his breakthrough on television playing Adrian Mole in The Cappuccino Years in 2001. Although he

How Nick Cave's songs reveal themselves painfully to him

The singer songwriter Nick Cave was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025. He has written huge hits such as "Into My Arms" and "Where the Wild Roses Grow", but songwriting

Meera Syal on holding up a mirror to British society in Goodness Gracious Me

The actor and writer Meera Syal was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2003. She was awarded a Damehood earlier this year, but Meera Syal rose to prominence as one of the writer

Why Lyse Doucet doesn't want to be called a war reporter

The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022. She has reported from many war-torn countries, including Afghanistan, Ir

Gareth Southgate on putting on the England shirt for the first time

The former England manager Gareth Southgate was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024. He was 25 when he made his debut for the England team. By the time he retired from i

Michael Sheen on his father's time as a Jack Nicholson impersonator

The actor Michael Sheen was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025. He has portrayed many real people on stage including Tony Blair, Brian Clough and David Frost, though ne

Rick Rubin on finding the magic in music

Record producer Rick Rubin was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022. He is responsible for shaping the sound of artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie

Caitlin Moran on the smells that defined her childhood

The writer and journalist Caitlin Moran was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017. Her journey took her from a three-bedroom council house in Wolverhampton, where she lived

Romesh Ranganathan on finding his comedy sweet spot

The comedian Romesh Ranganathan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025. He’s a BAFTA-winning broadcaster, standup, actor and writer who has been a fixture on British TV

Tanni Grey-Thompson on winning four Olympic golds in Sydney

The wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2001. She recalls the pressure to do well at the Sydney Olympics and the relief when she manage

Greta Gerwig on her childhood enthusiasm for putting on plays

The film director Greta Gerwig was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023. Growing up in what she calls a "culturally ravenous" family, the young Greta was inspired by her

James Graham on his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine

The playwright James Graham was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024. He was a shy and quiet child who enjoyed nothing more than watching soap operas on TV. So what was h

Jessica Ennis-Hill on the moment she won Olympic gold

The Olympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2021. She recalls pushing herself in her final event at the London 2012 Olympics, the 800-m

Warwick Davis on his first role as an Ewok in Star Wars

The actor Warwick Davis was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016. When his grandmother heard an advertisement on the radio looking for short people to play Ewoks in the nex

How Lily Allen brought the house down with a Disney song aged 11

The singer-songwriter Lily Allen was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2014. Although her school reports painted a mixed picture of Lily's academic achievements, a singing te

How hiding in a toilet helped Steven Spielberg get into the movie business

The film director Steven Spielberg was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022. He gave the world Jaws, ET and Jurassic Park, but Steven Spielberg got his start in the film

Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers

The writer Malorie Blackman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2013. Although she has published more than 70 books for children and young adults - among them her hugely po