Last Word

Pictured: Dick DaleMatthew Bannister onGillian Freeman, the novelist and screenwriter whose books include The Leather Boys, a story of a gay love affair between two working class men in the 1960s.Sir Peter Hutchison who travelled to remote parts of the world to collect rare plants.Sister Dorothy Bell, the nun who after a career devoted to education, turned her attention to AIDS awareness.And the King of the Surf Guitar Dick Dale.Interviewed guest: Michael Arditti Interviewed guest: Edward Thorpe Reader: Mathilda Thorpe Reader: Harriet Thorpe Interviewed guest: James Hutchison Interviewed guest: Simon Milne Interviewed guest: Sister Dr Bernadette Porter Interviewed guest: Emma Cole Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Woman's Hour, Radio 4 22/03/1978; In Search Of The Golden Pleione, Radio 4 30/04/1982; Losing the Habit, Radio 4 29/04/2009.

Pictured: Jacques LoussierMatthew Bannister onMike Oliver, who was paralysed from the neck down after diving into a swimming pool as a teenager. He became the UK's first Professor of Disability Studies and transformed the debate about disabled people's rights. Jacques Loussier, the French pianist and composer best known for his jazz arrangements of the works of J.S. Bach. Professor Richard Lacey, the microbiologist who warned of the dangers to humans of mad cow disease.The Reverend Ruth Scott, the Anglican vicar known for her appearances on Radio 2's Pause for Thought and Radio 4's Thought for the Day.Interviewed guest: Colin Barnes Interviewed guest: Peter White Interviewed guest: Alyn Shipton Interviewed guest: Dr John Heritage Interviewed guest: The Reverend Chris Scott Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from:

Pictured: Simon NortonMatthew Bannister onFrance-Albert René, the Seychelles President who came to power in a coup and stayed in office for more than 25 years. Simon Norton, the brilliant but eccentric mathematician who became fascinated by public transport. Belle Tutaev who campaigned for better early learning provision for the UK's children.Ian Adamson, the Northern Ireland doctor who wrote many learned history books and became Lord Mayor of Belfast. And Keith Flint, the flamboyant lead singer of The Prodigy.Interviewed guest: Tim Ecott Interviewed guest: Alexander Masters Interviewed guest: Professor Marcus du Sautoy Interviewed guest: Mary Tutaev Interviewed guest: Neil Leitch Interviewed guest: Professor Wesley Hutchinson Interviewed guest: Helen Brooker Interviewed guest: Andrew Harrison Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Seychelles Daily TV, 17/04/18; World at One, Radio 4 03/12/81; Early Years Alliance, 23/02/12; Lifetimes: Ian Adamson, Radio Ulster 2002; Keith Flint Interview, Radio 1 09/05/96.

Pictured: André PrevinMatthew Bannister onAndré Previn, the conductor and pianist whose repertoire ranged from the classics to film and jazz music. He took part in a celebrated sketch with Morecambe and Wise. John Haynes, publisher of the Haynes manuals which gave amateur mechanics a step by step guide to repairing their cars.Tony Mendez, the CIA operative who smuggled American diplomatic staff out of Tehran disguised as a film crew. The story later became the Hollywood film Argo.Lady Grantchester, who played a key role in the success of the Littlewoods retail and football pools empire.Interviewed guest: Edward Seckerson Interviewed guest: Annette Haynes Interviewed guest: Peter Earnest Interviewed guest: Professor Peter Toyne Interviewed guest: John Suenson-Taylor, Lord Grantchester Interviewed guest: James Suenson-Taylor Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 18/08/1996; How to Write an Instruction Manual, Radio 4 21/08/2009; Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, Warner Bros./GK Films/Smokehouse Pictures 2012.

Matthew Bannister onLady Falkender who was the controversial political secretary to Harold Wilson for twenty seven years.Karl Lagerfeld, the designer who re-vitalised Chanel, developed Fendi and became an icon in his own right.John Stalker, the Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police who led an investigation into allegations of a shoot to kill policy in Northern Ireland. Andrea Levy, the award winning novelist who reflected the experience of children of the Windrush generation. Peter Tork who played bass with one of the first manufactured boy bands, The Monkees.Interviewed guest: Michael Cockerell Interviewed guest: Julia Langdon Interviewed guest: Miles Socha Interviewed guest: Kim Winser OBE Interviewed guest: Duncan CampbellProducer: Neil George

Matthew Bannister onGordon Banks, the goalkeeper in England's 1966 World Cup winning team, who made one of the greatest saves of all time in 1970.Vikki Orvice, the first woman to work as a football writer on a national tabloid newspaper.David Garman, the inventor of the portable bath lift and many other devices to help people with disabilities.Mary Oliver, the American poet known for her works about animals and the natural world. The acclaimed actor Albert Finney who was nominated for an Oscar five times but never attended the ceremony.Interviewed guest: Jacqui Oatley Interviewed guest: Suji Kwock Kim Interviewed guest: Ruth Franklin Interviewed guest: Andrew MacphailProducer: Neil George

Pictured: Rosamunde Pilcher Andrea Catherwood on:Activist Hugh Lewin who was jailed for his stand against apartheid in South Africa,Iraqi archaeologist Lamia Al-Gailani who helped rebuild the National Museum of Iraq after looting,Dr Stewart Adams, the Boots pharmacist who invented Ibuprofen,Scottish ecologist Adam Watson who devoted his life to protecting the Cairngorms,and author Rosamunde Pilcher, the mistress of the British Family Saga.Interviewed guest: Lord Peter Hain Interviewed guest: Jane Arraf Interviewed guest: Sophie Clapp Interviewed guest: Iain Cameron Interviewed guest: Derek Pyper Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: The Whites Who Fought Apartheid, Radio 4 23/05/2010; ISIL's Destruction of Antiquities, Al Jazeera English 26/02/2015; Dan Cruickshank's Civilisation Under Attack, BBC Four 08/07/2015; Saturday Live, Radio 4 22/12/2007; Afield, Radio 4 03/01/1971; Bookshelf: Rosamunde Pilcher, Radio 4 03/01/1992.

Pictured: Jeremy HardyJulian Worricker on:Comedian Jeremy Hardy, a mainstay of The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on Radio 4....Editor and author, Diana Athill, who wrote candidly about her personal life especially in her later years...Sir Conrad Swan, who, as Garter King of Arms, was the senior heraldic authority of England...Oscar-winning composer, pianist, conductor and arranger, Michel Legrand....Interviewed guest: Mark Steel Interviewed guest: Jeremy Corbyn Interviewed guest: Damian Barr Interviewed guest: Gordon Casely Interviewed guest: Patrick Dickinson Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: The News Quiz, Radio 4 01/06/2018; The News Quiz, Radio 4 01/05/2012; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 20/06/2004; Midsummer Night in the Workhouse: A Weekend in the Country, Radio 4 16/10/2011; BBC Breakfast News, BBC One 18/11/1994; Kaleidoscope, Radio 4 15/04/1974; Carte Blanche, Radio 2 08/01/2019; The Music Never Ends: The Michel Legrand Story episode 6, Radio 2 09/05/2003.

Pictured: Hugh McIlvanneyMatthew Bannister on Hugh McIlvanney, the respected sports writer known for his love of language and combative approach to life. Jennie Buckman, the theatre practitioner who trained a generation of famous actors and founded a company to give voice to the disadvantaged. John Beavis, the surgeon who was forced to retire from the NHS through ill health but then spent the next 25 years training medical professionals in war zones around the world.And David Pritchard, the TV producer who created mould-breaking food programmes featuring Keith Floyd and Rick Stein.Producer: Neil GeorgeInterviewed guest: Roddy Forsyth Interviewed guest: Sir Michael Parkinson Interviewed guest: Tess Woodcraft Interviewed guest: Adrian Lester Interviewed guest: Colin Green Interviewed guest: Tom JaineArchive clips from: Life Behind the News, Radio Scotland 18/01/2009; The Final Curtain, Radio Wales 28/08/2004; Today, Radio 4 14/09/1993; Giants Vlog, Tips for Actors, 23/10/2017; Jennie Buckman’s Beginnings Workshop, 18/06/2012; Westway, BBC World Service 03/04/2000; Piece of Silk by Jennie Buckman, The Hope Theatre, Giants Theatre Co 08/07/2016; Midweek, Radio 4 19/05/2010; Midweek, Radio 4 27/05/2009; Floyd’s American Pie: San Francisco, BBC Two 14/11/1989; The Food Programme, Radio 4 01/06/2015; Rick Stein’s Taste of the Sea, BBC Two 1995.

Pictured: Joe Casely-HayfordMatthew Bannister onJoe Casely-Hayford, the fashion designer whose creations ranged from punk to Savile Row tailoring. His children, who followed him into fashion, pay tribute.Nicholas Crichton, the judge who pioneered specialist family drug and alcohol courts in the UK.Professor Sophie Oluwole, who was a powerful advocate for African philosophy.Professor Paul O'Brien, the pioneer of nanotechnology who developed new ways of producing the quantum dots which lie behind our HDTVs and barcode scanners. And Carol Channing, the colourful Broadway star of 'Hello Dolly' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'.Interviewed guest: Charlie Casely-Hayford Interviewed guest: Alice Casely-Hayford Interviewed guest: Claire Wilcox Interviewed guest: Sophie Miller Interviewed guest: Professor Muyiwa Falaiye Interviewed guest: Professor Richard Winpenny Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Ebony People, BBC Two 09/06/1989; Inside the Family Court episode 1, Radio 4 08/06/2006; Importance of the Mother Tongue, Tunde Kelani TV 13/01/2016; Oro Isiti with Professor Sophie Oluwole, Tunde Kelani TV 17/02/2016; North West Tonight, BBC One 30/10/2008; What is Professor Paul O'Brien Researching?, School of Materials, University of Manchester 14/07/2015; Broadway Babes: Carol Channing, Radio 2 14/09/1984; Star Sound, Radio 2 24/09/1979.