Last Word

Matthew Bannister onAvicii, the Swedish DJ whose songs became anthems for millions of festival goers around the world. He was found dead aged 28 in Oman. Dr. Ruth Nussenzweig the medical researcher who laid the foundations for the development of a vaccine for malaria.Anita Shreve, the author of 18 novels, including The Pilot's Wife which sold more than three million copies.Guy Playfair, the ghost hunter who investigated the controversial Enfield Poltergeist in the 1970s. And Bob Bura, half of the animation team that brought us Trumpton, Camberwick Green and Chigley.

Matthew Bannister onBarbara Bush, the first woman in history to see both her husband and son sworn in as President of the USA. Milos Forman, the film director who made Amadeus and the multi Oscar winning One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.Dame Daphne Sheldrick who devoted her life to saving elephants orphaned by poachers and other Kenyan wild animals.Livia Gollancz, the french horn player who took over the running of the family's successful publishing house from her father. And Dale Winton who presented Pick of the Pops on radio and Supermarket Sweep on TV.Producer: Neil George.

Photo: Gillian AyresMatthew Bannister onThe artist Gillian Ayres, known for her large, exuberant abstract paintings, which reflected her exuberant character.General Efraín Ríos Montt, the Guatemalan dictator who was convicted of genocide against his own people.David Cobham, the naturalist and film maker who brought Tarka the Otter to the screen.Nikki Sievwright, the Sixties model who went on to serve in the Ulster Defence Regiment.Fergus Anckorn, who used his skill as a magician to win food for his fellow inmates in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Photo: Winnie Madikizela-MandelaMatthew Bannister onWinnie Madikizela-Mandela who was one of the leading anti apartheid campaigners in South Africa, but also faced allegations of being involved in violence and fraud. Drue Heinz, who used the money from her husband's canned food business to become a major supporter of writers and artists.Ray Wilkins, the footballer who captained England and played for 12 different clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United.Eric Bristow, five times world darts champion.And Steven Bochco, the American TV writer and producer who brought us Hill Street Blues and LA Law. Archive clips: Sport on Four, Radio 4 12/01/1985; Sporting Greats, BBC TV 30/03/1999; Woman's Hour, Radio 4 02/10/1986.

Photo: Zena SkinnerJulian Worricker on:Charles P Lazarus, the founder of Toys 'R' Us - a store chain which, for decades, captured the hearts of consumers around the worldBrazilian political activist Marielle Franco, who grew up in the favelas and was elected to Rio city council Landscape designer John Brookes, described as 'the man who made the modern garden'....Zena Skinner, one of the most popular chefs on television in the 1960s and 70sAnd convicted Nazi war criminal, Oskar Groning, who became known as the bookkeeper of AuschwitzArchive clips from: AUSCHWITZ: THE NAZIS AND ‘THE FINAL SOLUTION’, BBC ONE 11/01/2005; GARDENER’S WORLD, BBC TWO; GARDENER’S QUESTION TIME, RADIO 4

Photo: Lady Dean of Thornton-le-FyldeMatthew Bannister onLady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde who, as Brenda Dean, was the leader of the print union Sogat during the bitter Wapping dispute of 1986.Sir William McAlpine who combined running the family construction business with a passion for saving the UK's railway heritage, including the Flying Scotsman.Cardinal Keith O'Brien who resigned as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh after apologising for sexual misconduct.Katie Boyle, the TV and radio broadcaster who presented the Eurovision Song Contest.Garech Browne, who devoted himself to recording and promoting Ireland's traditional music.Archive clips from: WOMAN'S HOUR, RADIO 4 23/08/1981; A LIFE IN QUESTION, RADIO 4 21/12/2003; BBC NEWS, RADIO 4 24/02/2010; SUNDAY, RADIO 4 19/03/2012; THE REUNION, RADIO 4 25/08/2017; LEGENDS:THE CHIEFTAINS, BBC TV 14/03/2008; FRANCIS BACON: A BRUSH WITH VIOLENCE, BBC TV 28/01/2017.

Photo: Professor Stephen HawkingMatthew Bannister onProfessor Stephen Hawking, one of the world's best known scientists who carried out pioneering research into black holes. The Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees pays tribute.Hubert de Givenchy, the French fashion designer who dressed Audrey Hepburn.Michele Hanson who wrote a popular newspaper column about her struggles to bring up her teenage daughter. That daughter - Amy - pays tribute.Sir John Sulston, the biologist who led the project to sequence the human genome.And the comedian Sir Ken Dodd, whose shows could last into the early hours of the morning.Archive clips from:TODAY PROGRAMME, RADIO 4 14/3/2018; THE KEY TO THE UNIVERSE:THE SEARCH FOR THE LAWS OF CREATION, BBC TV 27/01/1977; KEN DODD:HOW TICKLED I'VE BEEN, RADIO 2 03/11/2007; DESERT ISLAND DISCS, RADIO 4 03/06/1990; HOME TRUTHS, RADIO 4 03/01/2004; LATE NIGHT WOMAN’S HOUR, RADIO 4 26/05/2017; THE LIFE SCIENTIFIC, RADIO 4 29/11/2011; DESERT ISLAND DISCS, RADIO 4 13/05/2001

Photo: Sir Roger BannisterMatthew Bannister onTrevor Baylis, the eccentric inventor who came up with the wind up radio.Lerone Bennett, the American academic who wrote many influential books on black history including "Before the Mayflower".Penny Vincenzi the best selling novelist who told stories of glamorous heroines, romance and business intrigue.Ian Aitken one of the UK's most influential political columnists. Jim Naughtie pays tribute.Sir Roger Bannister, the neurologist who was the first person to run the mile in under four minutes. We'll find out what happened when he tried to help me do the same. Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: MATTHEW BANNISTER, Radio 5 Live 5.5.2004; TOMORROW'S WORLD, BBC TV 24.9.1997 and 15.4.1994; GO4IT, BBC TV 11.5.2008; ABRAHAM LINCOLN:SAINT OR SINNER, BBC TV 3.2.2011; RADIO 2 ARTS PROGRAMME 13.10.2000; KALEIDOSCOPE, RADIO 4 14.11.1995.

Photo: Sridevi KapoorMatthew Bannister onErnest Hecht, who founded the Souvenir Press, which published books from Nobel prize winners like Pablo Neruda, academics like Noam Chomsky and best sellers on sexual techniques and toilet paper. Lewis Gilbert who directed Alfie, Educating Rita and three James Bond movies.Dame Beulah Bewley who carried out significant research into the effects of smoking on children and advanced the cause of women in medicine.Sir Lawrence Byford, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary who examined the failings of the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.Sridevi Kapoor who was often described as Bollywood's first female superstar.Archive clips from: NEWS, Radio 4, 21.9.1984; THE REUNION, Radio 4, 26.08.2016; YORKSHIRE RIPPER INVESTIGATION, Radio 4, 19/01/1982

Photo: Billy GrahamMatthew Bannister onThe evangelist Billy Graham who preached to millions around the world and offered spiritual advice to 12 American Presidents.Laura Lee, the sex worker who campaigned for the rights of her colleagues.John Morris who composed many film soundtracks, including the music for Mel Brooks' comedies The Producers and Blazing Saddles. John Bosco McAtasney, the last hand weaver of damask linen in Ireland.And John Pitman, the TV reporter and producer who started his career on Braden's Week and took Sheena Easton into the Big Time. Esther Rantzen pays tribute.Archive clips from: I GOT UP OUT OF MY SEAT, Radio 4 25/05/2007; THE FROST COLLECTION, Radio 4 20/05/2008; MEN'S HOUR, Radio 5 Live 18/05/2014; COUNTRY TIMES, Radio Ireland 03/04/2000; STILL STANDING, Radio Ireland 06/04/1992; BRADEN'S WEEK, BBC TV 29/4/1972; MAN ALIVE, BBC TV 16/01/1979; THE BIG TIME:SHEENA EASTON:THE MAKING OF A STAR, BBC TV 21/04/1981; JUST ANOTHER DAY: GREYHOUND RACING, BBC TV 12/12/1986.