Last Word

Matthew Bannister on John Lewis, the leading American civil rights campaigner who was beaten and imprisoned in the 1960s when he marched with Martin Luther King and later served as a Congressman. Tony Elliott CBE, who founded the listings magazine Time Out and oversaw its transformation into a global brand. Wendy Cooling, the former teacher who, through the Bookstart scheme, gave millions of babies and toddlers their first books. Dr Alan Howard, the nutritionist who came up with the Cambridge Diet which became an international commercial success.Producer: Neil GeorgeInterviewed Guest: Bob Harris Interviewed Guest: Alan Yentob Interviewed Guest: Michael Carlson Interviewed Guest: Justin Somper Interviewed Guest: Jon Howard Interviewed Guest: Julio BrunoArchive clips from: Tomorrow's People, BBC 15/04/1972; Woman's Hour, Radio 4, 01/02/2008; The Perfect Diet?, BBC 2 28/11/1987

Pictured: Jack CharltonMatthew Bannister onThe footballer Jack Charlton, who went from a pit village in Northumberland to become a Leeds United stalwart and member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team – and then a successful manager of the Republic of Ireland.Zindzi Mandela, the youngest daughter of Nelson Mandela who was an anti-apartheid activist and later South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark. Charles Webb, the author of the novel The Graduate which became a classic film starring Dustin Hoffman. Charles was anti-materialism and gave away his royalties and even his homes.Ida Haendel, the Polish-born violinist known for her interpretations of Walton, Britten and Sibelius, who appeared at the BBC Proms 68 times.Interviewed guest: John Murray Interviewed guest: Milton Nkosi Interviewed guest: Jack Malvern Interviewed guest: Norman LebrechtProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Football Daily, 5 Live 11/07/2020; England v Scotland, BBC Sound Archive 10/04/1965; Desert Island Discs: Jack Charlton, Radio 4 20/10/1996; Ireland pays tribute to Jack Charlton, RTE Sport 11/07/2020; Sports Personality of the Year, BBC One 14/12/2008; Talk to Al Jazeera: Zindzi Mandela, Al Jazeera 18/07/2008; Zindzi Mandela reads her father’s speech in 1985, BBC News Africa 13/07/2020; Book at Bedtime: The Graduate, Radio 4 05/06/2000; Front Row, Radio 4 29/05/2007; The Graduate, directed by Mike Nichols, Lawrence Truman Productions 1967; Woman's Hour, Radio 4 22/06/2000; EBU Interval Talk: Ida Haendel, Radio 3 26/11/1973; BBC Proms, Radio 3 1994.

Pictured: Ennio MorriconeMatthew Bannister on:Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer best known for his scores for films like The Good, The Bad and the Ugly and The Mission, but keen to be remembered also for his avant garde classical works.Sir Everton Weekes, the outstanding batsman who played a key role in West Indian cricket’s success in the 1940s and 50s.Baroness Maddock, the Liberal Democrat politician who won a stunning victory in the Christchurch by-election in 1993.Earl Cameron, the Bermuda-born actor whose long career included roles in many hit TV series as well as films like Pool of London, Thunderball and Guns at Batasi. Interviewed guest: David Willey Interviewed guest: David Temple Interviewed guest: Donna Symmonds Interviewed guest: BC Pires Interviewed guest: Lord Alan Beith Interviewed guest: Baroness Jenny RandersonProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Outlook, World Service 07/01/2015; Everton Weekes in his own words, Sky Sports January 2019; England v West Windies 1950 Test Match, Pathe News; England v West Indies at Lords 1950, BBC News; British Politics, Radio 4 30/07/1993; Black on Screen, Radio 4 08/01/2001; Front Row, Radio 4 14/10/2016; Pool of London, directed by Basil Dearden, Ealing Studios 1951; The Heart Within, directed by David Eady, Penington Eady Productions 1957; Guns at Batasi, directed by John Guillermin, Twentieth Century Fox 1964; Thunderball, directed by Terence Young, Eon Productions 1965.

Pictured: Milton GlaserMatthew Bannister onThe graphic designer Milton Glaser who came up with the iconic “I heart New York” logo – but didn’t make a penny from it.Terry Dicks, the controversial right wing Tory MP who went out of his way to challenge political correctness.Professor Tom Arie, the psychiatrist who helped to transform mental health treatment for older people.Else Blangsted, the Hollywood music editor whose own life story reads like the script for a dramatic film.Interviewed guest: Christopher Bonanos Interviewed guest: Arianne Wack Interviewed guest: Julia Langdon Interviewed guest: Dr Claire Hilton Interviewed guest: Angie ErrigoProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: I Heart Milton Glaser, Radio 4 10/02/2011; File on Four, Radio 4 24/07/1984; Sound Archive: Libyan Terrorism and U.K. Deportations, Radio 4 22/04/1986; File on Four, Radio 4 09/06/1993; The Week in Westminster, Radio 4 24/02/1990; Looking for Else, directed by Sandy Kopitopoulos and Daniel Maurer, Amka Films 2007; The Bonfire of the Vanities, directed by Brian De Palma, Warner Bros 1990; Olympic Sports in Berlin 1936, British Pathe 13/04/2014; Samson and Delilah, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, Paramount Pictures 1949.

Pictured: Sir Ian HolmMatthew Bannister on Sir Ian Holm, the respected actor best known for playing Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings films and for his interpretation of Shakespeare and Pinter. Jean Kennedy Smith, the last survivor of nine children of Joseph Kennedy. She was US ambassador to Dublin at a significant time in the Northern Ireland peace process. Felicity Bryan the literary agent who steered the careers of many leading writers, including James Naughtie who pays tribute. And Lily Lian, thought to be the last traditional Parisian street singer. Interviewed guest: Steven Jacobi Interviewed guest: Shane Harrison Interviewed guest: Laurence Leamer Interviewed guest: James Naughtie Interviewed guest: Agnes PoirierProducer: Paula McGinleyArchive clips from: Richard III, Radio 3 26/08/1985; Woman’s Hour, Radio 4 16/09/1970; The Iceman Goeth, Radio 4 23/04/2009; Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson, Allied Stars/Goldcrest Films 1981; The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema 2001; The Borrowers, BBC Two 1992; Be My Guest, Radio Ulster 24/09/1994; Today, Radio 4 17/03/1995; The Good Friday Agreement April 1998, Irish Foreign Ministry 16/01/2004; Agents During Lockdown: Felicity Bryan, FBA 14/04/2020.

Pictured: Dame Vera LynnMatthew Bannister on: Professor Geoffrey Burnstock, the eminent neurobiologist who identified the function of a neurotransmitter called ATP with important implications for the treatment of many conditions including strokes, cancer and cystic fibrosis. Larry Kramer, the outspoken gay rights campaigner who organised direct action to force the US government to confront the AIDS crisis. Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi who used violence to hold on to power after his constitutional term ended. Dame Vera Lynn, the singer known as “the forces’ sweetheart” for her songs of hope during the second world war.Interviewed guest: Professor Mike Spyer Interviewed guest: Professor Timothy Arnett Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell Interviewed guest: Vava TampaProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Interview with Geoffrey Burnstock, Queen Mary, University of London 10/03/2008; Meridian, Radio 4 20/06/1995; Arena, BBC Two 05/02/1993; The Late Show, BBC Two 10/10/1989; Pierre Nkurunziza Interview, Woodrow Wilson Center 16/04/2013; Burundi’s Football President, Journeyman Pictures 17/11/2015; Nkurunziza Wins Disputed Election, Al Jazeera 25/07/2015; Burundi Coup Attempt, BBC News 13/05/2015; Desert Island Discs: Dame Vera Lynn, Radio 4 03/09/1989; The Emma Freud Show, Radio 1 01/01/2000.

Pictured: Christo JavacheffMatthew Bannister on:The artist Christo Javacheff, best known for his extremely ambitious projects to wrap significant buildings and landscapes in fabric. They included the Reichstag in Berlin and the coastline of Australia. Cathie Sabin, who was the first woman to be President of the Lawn Tennis Association.Dorothy Wakely, who served as a Signals Planner with the Special Operations Executive during the second world war.Jonathan Whitehead, the versatile musician who provided the soundtracks for many TV comedies including Green Wing, Smack the Pony and The Day Today. His friend and colleague Chris Morris pays tribute.Interviewed guest: Will Gompertz Interviewed guest: Ben Sabin Interviewed guest: Vicky Williams Interviewed guest: Simon Wakely Interviewed guest: Clare Mulley Interviewed guest: Chris MorrisProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Christo interview: London Mastaba floating installation, Dezeen 08/08/2018; Public Art Enhancing Cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies 26/06/2018; Christo & Jeanne-Claude put Berlin’s Reichstag under wraps, CBS Sunday Morning 25/06/1995; Christo on ‘Wrapped Coast’, Art Gallery of NSW 03/08/2011; Front Row, Radio 4 16/11/2004; Highlights: Davis Cup, Davis Cup 29/11/2015; Andy Murray wins Wimbledon, Wimbledon 07/07/2013; Andy Murray wins Olympic Gold, Olympic 24/08/2016; Cathie Sabin: The Lawn Tennis Association, Shrewsbury U3A 15/03/2019; VE Day – 70 Years Ago, British Pathe 08/05/2015; Brass Eye: Drugs, Channel 4 1997.

Pictured: Stanley HoJulian Worricker on:The man praised by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown for being the architect of the national minimum wage, Roger Fellows….One of Asia’s richest men - the gambling tycoon, Stanley Ho, who transformed the economy of Macau….The educationist Margaret Meek Spencer, who influenced a generation of children and teachers by emphasising the joy of reading...And the musician who wrote and performed the first African single to sell a million copies around the world, Mory Kanté.Interviewed guest: Chris Pond Interviewed guest: Liz Barclay Interviewed guest: Jill McGivering Interviewed guest: Julia Eccleshare Interviewed guest: Robin DenselowProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Labour Party Conference, BBC News 1995; Tokyo Celebrates Victory in China, Pathé News 1938; The Money Makers: Betting On A Certainty, BBC Two 18/03/1986; Stanley Ho interview, CNN 26/05/2020; Today, Radio 4 07/06/1997; Macau handover to China, AP Archive 23/07/2015; Correspondent: Hong Kong, BBC Two 07/06/1997; Reading Between The Lines, Radio 4 03/06/2012; Ted Hughes reads The Iron Man, Iconic, 24/10/2011; Mory Kanté interview, L’invité, 03/07/2012.

Pictured: Margaret MaughanJulian Worricker on Britain’s first Paralympic gold medallist, Margaret Maughan; Tanni Grey-Thompson compares the games of 1960 and now….The music promoter and producer, John Cumming, co-founder of the London Jazz Festival….Jerry Givens, once a state executioner….but then a leading campaigner in the United States for the abolition of the death penalty….And the comedy writer, John Langdon; his friend and colleague Rory Bremner, recalls some of his best lines….Interviewed guest: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE Interviewed guest: Peter White Interviewed guest: Nod Knowles Interviewed guest: Abraham Bonowitz Interviewed guest: Rory BremnerProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Rome Olympics 1960, Pathe News; No Triumph, No Tragedy, Radio 4 29/04/2013; Cerys on 6, 6 Music 05/11/2017; John Cumming interview, Jazz FM 17/11/2013; Former executioner opposes death penalty, Washington Post 11/02/2013; Week Ending, Radio 4 21/03/1980; Two Decades of Week Ending, Radio 4 07/09/1990; The News Quiz, Radio 4 03/09/1994; Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money, Vera Productions Ltd / Channel 4 02/11/2008.

Pictured: Lord Robert May of OxfordMatthew Bannister onLord May, a former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK government and President of the Royal Society. He developed the concept of the R value in tracking the spread of infectious diseases and laid down key principles for scientific advice to politicians.Judith Darmady, the paediatrician who travelled to Romania to help thousands of children who had been abandoned in so-called orphanages.Mark Barkan, the songwriter and record producer who wrote “Pretty Flamingo” which was a hit for Manfred Mann and many other artists. Singer Paul Jones pays tribute. Saroj Lal, the Indian-born teacher who played a leading role in campaigning for racial equality in Scotland. Interviewed guest: Lord John Krebs of Wytham Interviewed guest: Jane Waldron Interviewed guest: John Illman Interviewed guest: Bridget Barkan Interviewed guest: Paul Jones Interviewed guest: Vineet LalProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Desert Island Discs: Lord Robert May, Radio 4, 05/06/2012; Ceausescu's Children, BBC News, 30/01/2010; Heaven and Hell, National Museum of Scotland, 2000; The Usual Suspects, Radio Scotland, 13/12/1996; I Believe, You Believe, BBC One Scotland, May 1984.