Last Word

Kate Silverton on:Martin Aitchison who worked with Barnes Wallis on the bouncing bomb but made his name illustrating the Peter and Jane ladybird books.Sir Mota Singh, the Kenyan born Barrister who became Britain's first ethnic minority judge making headlines worldwide as the first judge in 300 years not to wear the horse hair wigWilliam Trevor - one of Ireland's greatest writers - a novelist, playwright and short story writer, his work was compared with ChekhovRuth Gruber, journalist, author, humanitarian and spy. She documented Stalin's gulags, life in Nazi Germany and the plight of Jewish refugeesand David Mancuso, dance music legend and music host who founded the Loft in New York.Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onRobert Vaughn - the actor who made his name as Napoleon Solo in "The Man From Uncle" TV series and also appeared in films like "The Magnificent Seven", "Bullitt" and "The Towering Inferno".Ewen Whitaker, the self taught astronomer who became an expert on the geography of the moon and helped direct Apollo 12 to its landing site. Carolyn Hardy, who turned the National Gardens Scheme into a stand alone charity and was vice chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society.Sir Sigmund Sternberg, the businessman who founded the Three Faiths Forum to encourage dialogue between Jews, Muslims and Christians.Claude "Curly" Putman - the country singer who wrote "D.I.V.O.R.C.E" and "The Green Green Grass of Home". Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onThe singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen. He was accused of depressing a generation, but many found his songs inspiring.Lieutenant Colonel Bob Montgomery - the explosives expert who played a leading role in a daring Commando raid on the port of Saint Nazaire during the second world war.Janet Reno - the US Attorney General General under President Bill Clinton - she dealt with many controversial issues, including the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky scandals. Sir Jimmy Young. For thirty years his mixture of news and music entertained and informed millions on Radio 2. Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onAmerican political activist Tom Hayden. He once said that people only knew four words about him: "Sixties, Radical, Jane and Fonda". He led anti Vietnam war protests and was married to the Hollywood star. Valerie Hunter Gordon who invented the disposable nappy. Her prototypes were made from old wartime parachutes. Literary agent Carole Blake who wrote a best selling guide for aspiring novelists.And Anne Pashley, who won a silver medal at the 1956 Olympics, then became a leading opera singer.

Matthew Bannister on Raine Countess Spencer. The daughter of Barbara Cartland and step mother of Princess Diana who nicknamed her "Acid Raine".Jimmy Perry who drew on his own life to co-write classic TV comedies including Dad's Army and Hi De Hi.General Stylianos Pattakos, a leading figure in the military junta that took power in Greece in 1967. The theatre director Howard Davies, acclaimed for his productions of twentieth century American classics and for the premiere of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.And Bobby Vee - the sixties pop idol whose many chart hits included Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby. Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onJean Alexander - the actress best known for playing Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street.Trinh Thi Ngo. Nicknamed Hanoi Hannah, she broadcast propaganda to American GIs during the Vietnam war.Ian Mercer the naturalist who became the first Dartmoor National Park officer and the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council for Wales.Joseph Harmatz, part of a group of Jewish vigilantes who set out to murder millions of Germans just after the second world war.And Joan Marie Johnson - one of the three women singers in the Dixie Cups who scored a major hit with The Chapel of Love.Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onThe world's longest reigning monarch - King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.The Nobel prize winning playwright and satirist Dario Fo. Griff Rhys Jones pays tribute.The pioneering racing driver Jean Bloxam She took on the men - and often beat them.Andrew Vicari, the painter from Port Talbot in Wales who made millions through commissions from the Saudi Royal family.And the musician Don Buchla who invented the first modern synthesiser in 1963.Producer: Neil GeorgeInterviewed guest: Paul Handley Interviewed guest: Griff Rhys Jones Interviewed guest: Dan Rebellato Interviewed guest: Nick Tassoni Interviewed guest: Michael Scott Interviewed guest: Andrew Vaccari Interviewed guest: Georgina Adam Interviewed guest: Mark Vail Interviewed guest: Geeta DyalInterviewed guest: Andrew Vaccari Interviewed guest: Georgina Adam Interviewed guest: Mark Vail Interviewed guest: Geeta Dyal.

Matthew Bannister onSir Neville Marriner the conductor who founded the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and led them to become the world's most recorded orchestra.Father Gabriele Amorth, the Catholic Church's leading exorcist who said he'd tackled over a hundred cases of demonic possession.Beryl Crockford, one of the first two British women to become rowing world champions. Professor Louis Herman the American psychologist who caused a sensation by communicating with dolphins.Rod Temperton, a member of the band Heatwave who wrote a string of hits for Michael Jackson including the title track of his album Thriller. Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister onShimon Peres, the Israeli elder statesman who was twice Prime Minister of his country and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in negotiating the Oslo Accord with the Palestinians. Nathalie Evans who co founded the Twycross Zoo and provided the chimps for the PG Tips TV adverts.Arnold Palmer, the legendary golfer who won 91 professional titles and was followed by fans known as "Arnie's Army".Bill Mollison, the Australian author and lecturer who was known as the "father of permaculture".Produced by Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on American playwright Edward Albee, who won three Pullitzer prizes but not for his best known work "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?".Physicist James Cronin who won the Nobel Prize for his work on the asymmetry between matter and anti matter.Health administrator Caroline Thomson, who persuaded the people of the Scottish Highlands to confront the challenges of HIV and AIDS.Zoologist and academic Sir Frederick Holliday. He was vice chancellor of Durham University and campaigned to save the UK's otter population. Actress Charmian Carr best known for playing the teenager Liesl in the film "The Sound of Music." Produced by Neil George.