Desert Island Discs

Desert Island Discs is a long running BBC Radio 4 programme. It was first broadcast on January 29th 1942 and is said by the Guinness Book of Records to be the longest running music programme in the history of radio. Guests are asked to choose the eight pieces of music they would take with them to a desert island. They also choose one book and one luxury item.

The last five Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom have all been guests on the programme, although only John Major appeared while in office. Other guests have included Noël Coward, Judi Dench, John Malkovich, Princess Margaret and Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury

Desert Island Discs was devised by its original presenter, Roy Plomley[?]. After Plomley's death in 1985, it was presented first by Michael Parkinson[?], and since 1988 by Sue Lawley[?].

External links

• Desert Island Discs page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs.shtml)
• Lecture on Desert Island Discs (http://www.ma-radio.gold.ac.uk/DESERT/)