Desert Island Discs Podcast
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
Episodes to download
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How hiding in a toilet helped Steven Spielberg get into the movie business—Postcards
Mon 31 Aug 2026
The film director Steven Spielberg was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.
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Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers—Postcards
Fri 28 Aug 2026
The writer Malorie Blackman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2013.
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How snooker halls became Ronnie O'Sullivan's "creche" from a young age—Postcards
Thu 27 Aug 2026
The World Snooker Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.
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Delia Smith on her catchphrase - "Let's be havin' you!"—Postcards
Wed 26 Aug 2026
The cookery writer Delia Smith was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.
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How Kate Moss's modelling break came at an unexpected moment—Postcards
Tue 25 Aug 2026
The model Kate Moss was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.
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Keith Richards on writing "Satisfaction" in his sleep—Postcards
Mon 24 Aug 2026
The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2015.
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Chaka Khan, singer and songwriter
Sun 16 Aug 2026
Chaka Khan, singer and songwriter, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Professor Dame Pamela Shaw
Sun 9 Aug 2026
Neurologist Professor Dame Pamela Shaw joins Lauren Laverne.
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Emma Grede, businesswoman
Sun 2 Aug 2026
Emma Grede, businesswoman, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Sir Roger Deakins, cinematographer
Sun 26 Jul 2026
Sir Roger Deakins, cinematographer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Shania Twain, musician
Sun 19 Jul 2026
Shania Twain, musician, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Paul Farmer, charity leader
Sun 12 Jul 2026
Paul Farmer, charity leader, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Professor Liz Morris, glaciologist
Sun 5 Jul 2026
Professor Liz Morris, glaciologist, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Norman Cook, DJ and musician
Sun 28 Jun 2026
Norman Cook, DJ and musician, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Jo Nesbø, writer
Sun 21 Jun 2026
Jo Nesbø, writer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Anna Maxwell Martin, actor
Sun 14 Jun 2026
Anna Maxwell Martin, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Peter Layton, artist
Sun 7 Jun 2026
Peter Layton, artist, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Guy Martin, presenter and former motorcycle racer
Sun 31 May 2026
Guy Martin, TV presenter, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Emily Watson, actor
Sun 24 May 2026
Emily Watson, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Gary O'Donoghue, journalist
Sun 17 May 2026
Gary O'Donoghue, journalist, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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David Morrissey, actor
Sun 10 May 2026
David Morrissey, actor, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Si King, cook
Sun 29 Mar 2026
Si King, cook and TV presenter, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer
Sun 22 Mar 2026
Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Professor Stephen Westaby, surgeon and writer
Sun 15 Mar 2026
Professor Stephen Westaby, surgeon, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Jessie Buckley, actor
Sun 8 Mar 2026
Jessie Buckley, actor and singer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Dwayne Fields, explorer
Sun 1 Mar 2026
Dwayne Fields, explorer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Roula Khalaf, journalist
Sun 22 Feb 2026
Roula Khalaf, journalist, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Richard Young, photographer
Sun 15 Feb 2026
Richard Young, photographer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Tahra Zafar, costume and effects designer
Sun 8 Feb 2026
Tahra Zafar, costume and designer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
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Professor Michele Dougherty, scientist
Sun 1 Feb 2026
Prof Michele Dougherty, scientist, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
The Desert Island Discs podcast
Subscribe or download individual episodes.
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Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.
Articles
Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.
