Last Word

Matthew Bannister onThe comedy writer Alan Simpson. With his partner Ray Galton, he created classic sitcoms including Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son.Brunhilde Pomsel who was the secretary to the Nazi propaganda chief Josef Goebbels.Sir Ken Morrison, the Yorkshireman who built up the family grocery firm to become Britain's fourth largest supermarket chain.And the Nigerian born novelist Buchi Emecheta who overcame prejudice to follow her passion for writing.

Matthew Bannister on Sir John Hurt, the actor whose outstanding roles included Quentin Crisp, the Elephant Man and Caligula.Margaret Pereira, the pioneering forensic scientist who was known as "Miss Murder" by the press.Sir Christopher Bland who chaired LWT, the BBC and BT.Emma Tennant, the author from an aristocratic background whose work included sequels to classic novels.And Mary Tyler Moore, the American TV star whose sitcom made her a role model for independent career women. Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onThe Labour MP Tam Dalyell who asked the West Lothian Question and pursued Margaret Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano. Victor Lownes who ran Playboy's clubs in the UK - and lived up to the magazine's lifestyle and values. Children's author Babette Cole, best known for writing and illustrating Princess Smartypants and The Trouble with Mum.The Chinese economist and linguistics expert Zhou Youguang who came up with the Pinyin system of turning Chinese characters into Roman letters.And the actor Gorden Kaye, best known for playing the cafe owner Rene in the comedy series 'Allo 'Allo. Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onBaroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint who captained the England women's cricket team to victory in the World Cup.Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the key players in the country's revolution.Dr. Una Kroll, a tireless campaigner for the ordination of women.William Peter Blatty who wrote the book and the film "The Exorcist"And Sir James Mancham, the first President of the Seychelles Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onLord Snowdon - renowned photographer and Princess Margaret's former husband.Graham Taylor - the football manager who had success with Watford and Aston Villa, but was lampooned for his performance with England. Jill Saward, the rape survivor who campaigned for the rights of those who suffer sexual violence. The singer and songwriter Peter Sarsdedt, best known for the song "Where Do You Go To My Lovely?"And Clare Hollingworth, the war reporter who broke the story of the Nazi invasion of Poland. Producer: Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:The writer and art critic John BergerMother and daughter actresses, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie FisherThe surgeon who came up with the life-saving heimlich manoeuvre, Henry HeimlichThe linguist Patsy Crampton, who worked at the Nuremberg trials before going on to translate more than 200 children's booksBroadcaster Brian Widlake, well known for the Money Programme and the World at OneAnd one of the biggest names in popular music, George Michael.Producer: Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:The journalist and TV correspondent, Michael Nicholson, who covered numerous conflicts for ITNThe actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, famous for her one-liners and nine husbandsJames Prior, who served in government under Margaret Thatcher despite her regarding him as a 'wet'Rabbi Lionel Blue, a regular presenter on Thought for the Day on Radio 4and the composer Pauline Oliveros. an electronic music pioneer best known for her philosophy of 'deep listening'.Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onPeter Gibson the master glazier who devoted his life to the care of the stained glass windows in York Minster.AA Gill, who overcame alcoholism and dyslexia to become one of the UK's best known critics.Coral Atkins who gave up a career as an actress to run homes for disadvantaged children.William Chaloner, an authority on fossil plants who used pollen from the past to reconstruct ancient environments.Ian McCaskill, the BBC weather man much imitated by impressionists.

Matthew Bannister on John Glenn, the astronaut who was the first American to orbit the earth and later the oldest man ever to be sent into space.The actor Peter Vaughan, best known for his roles in Porridge, Our Friends In the North and latterly Game of Thrones.Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the autocratic chief minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who was imprisoned for corruption, but re-elected afterwards. And Greg Lake - the guitarist and singer who was part of the supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer and recorded a classic Christmas single. Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister onAndrew Sachs, the actor who was so much more than Manuel in Fawlty Towers. We hear about his acclaimed radio career.Also the Cuban leader Fidel Castro - brutal dictator or benevolent champion of his people?The jazz and blues singer Mose Allison, whose songs were covered by the Who, the Clash, Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison.And The Honourable Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin, who became a celebrity after writing her memoirs of life in the royal household. Producer: Neil George.