

Last Word
BBC Radio 4
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2016 • 28min
Barry Myers, Eileen Younghusband, Robin Spark, Keith McDougall, Prince Buster
Matthew Bannister onBarry Myers who directed some of the best known commercials of the 1970s and 80s, including ads for Hovis, Olympus Cameras and Cadbury's Flake. Eileen Younghusband, who worked as a filter officer during the Second World War, spotting the approaching aircraft and V2 rockets launched against Britain by the Nazis.The Edinburgh based artist Robin Spark, who had a troubled relationship with his mother, the writer Muriel Spark.Keith MacDougall, the Norfolk countryman who balanced a passion for shooting with a commitment to conservation.And Prince Buster the Jamaican musician who was one of the pioneers of Ska. Produced by Neil George.

Sep 9, 2016 • 28min
The Right Rev David Jenkins, Dame Margaret Anstee, Islam Karimov, Richard Neville
Matthew Bannister onThe Bishop of Durham the Right Reverend David Jenkins. A respected theologian, he was noted for his controversial views.The diplomat Dame Margaret Anstee who overcame sex discrimination to hold senior roles at the United Nations. She led relief missions at many of the world's major trouble spots. .The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov who faced international condemnation for his violent treatment of his opponents. And Richard Neville who edited the 1960s counter culture magazine Oz, and faced obscenity charges in a notorious court case.

Sep 2, 2016 • 28min
Joao Havelange, Sonia Rykiel, Gene Wilder, Toots Thielemans
Matthew Bannister on João Havelange, the President of the international football federation, FIFA, who stepped down amid allegations of corruption.The French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel who broke the conventions of haute couture to produce wearable clothes for women on the go. Gene Wilder, the comedy film actor best known for his roles as Willy Wonka in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and in Mel Brooks films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.And Toots Thielemans, the jazz musician who played the harmonica and made his name by whistling along to his own guitar.Producer: Neil George.

Aug 26, 2016 • 28min
Sir Antony Jay, Donald Henderson, Tom Cholmondeley, Patsy Wright-Warren CBE, Lord Rix
Julian Worricker on....The co-writer of 'Yes Minister' and 'Yes Prime Minister' - Sir Antony Jay....Donald Henderson, American epidemiologist, who led the WHO's campaign to eradicate smallpox....The aristocrat Tom Cholmondeley, who divided opinion in his native Kenya after he shot dead two black men on his ranch....Nursing leader, Patsy Wright-Warren, who went on to travel the world for the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation.....and the entertainer and actor, Brian Rix, who was one of the country's leading campaigners for people with learning disabilities.Producer: Neil George.

Aug 12, 2016 • 28min
Bishop Edward Daly, Ahmed Zewail, Suzanne Wright, Duke of Westminster, Ivo Pitanguy
Matthew Bannister onthe Bishop of Derry Edward Daly. He was famously photographed waving a bloodstained white handkerchief as he tended to a young man shot by the army on Bloody Sunday. The Egyptian born chemist Ahmed Zewail who won the Nobel prize for his work on revealing the minute details of chemical reactions. Suzanne Wright who raised millions of dollars for research into autism after her grandson was diagnosed with the condition.The Duke of Westminster, one of the UK's wealthiest landowners and a close friend of the royal family.And the Brazilian plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy. To his many celebrity patients he was known as the Michelangelo of the scalpel. Producer: Paul Waters.

Aug 5, 2016 • 28min
Luc Hoffmann, Sylvia Peters, Joe Powell, William Smethurst, Sandy Pearlman
Matthew Bannister onLuc Hoffmann, the Swiss conservationist who co-founded the World Wildlife Fund and fought to save endangered species and wetlands. Sylvia Peters, one of the best known faces on BBC television in the 1950s. The film stuntman Joe Powell who took part in many death defying exploits.The editor of the Archers William Smethurst who introduced the characters of Eddie Grundy and Nigel Pargetter.And Sandy Pearlman, rock manager and producer who created the Blue Oyster Cult and changed the sound of the Clash. Producer: Paul Waters.

Jul 29, 2016 • 28min
Gary S Paxton, Sally Beauman, Thomas Sutherland, Frank Dickens, Marni Nixon
Matthew Bannister on Thomas Sutherland the Scottish-born American professor who was held hostage for more than six years in Lebanon. We hear from his fellow hostage Terry Anderson.The singer, songwriter and producer Gary S Paxton. He brought us the Monster Mash and thousands of other songs and lived up to his nickname "His Weirdness"Sally Beauman, who was given a reported million pound advance for her best selling novel Destiny, but transcended the bonk buster genre. Frank Dickens, the cartoonist who satirised office life in the Bristow comic strip and often liked to strip naked himself. And Marni Nixon, whose singing voice was dubbed over Hollywood movie stars when they couldn't hit the high notes.Producer: Paul Waters.

Jul 22, 2016 • 28min
Sydney Schanberg, Beatrice de Cardi, Lord Evans of Temple Guiting, Alvin Toffler, Jimmy Gilbert
Matthew Bannister onThe American journalist Sydney Schanberg who won the Pulitzer prize for his reporting on Cambodia. His story was turned into the film "The Killing Fields".The archaeologist Beatrice de Cardi, once described as "a cross between Miss Marple and Indiana Jones".The publisher Lord Evans of Temple Guiting, who, as Matthew Evans, led Faber and Faber to great success. His friend Melvyn Bragg pays tribute. The futurist Alvin Toffler best known for his 1970 book "Future Shock". And the comedy producer Jimmy Gilbert who brought us "The Frost Report", "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Fawlty Towers". Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Jul 22, 2016 • 28min
Abdul Sattar Edhi, Professor Suzanne Corkin, Bernardo Provenzano, Garry Marshall
Matthew Bannister on Abdul Sattar Edhi. Known as Pakistan's "Angel of Mercy", he built up a foundation which brought healthcare, orphanages and women's shelters to the poorest people in his country. Dr. Suzanne Corkin - the neuroscientist who spent years studying a patient known as "H.M." An operation on his brain had left him with profound amnesia. Bernardo Provenzano - the Sicilian mafia boss nicknamed "The Tractor" because he mowed down all his enemies.And Garry Marshall the comedy writer and director who brought us "Happy Days" and "Pretty Woman." Producer: Neil George.

Jul 8, 2016 • 28min
Caroline Aherne, Elie Wiesel, Sir Geoffrey Hill, Lord Mayhew, Michael Cimino
Matthew Bannister onThe comedian Caroline Aherne who created Mrs Merton and the Royle family and struggled with the pressures of fame.Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel. Described by President Obama as "one of the great moral voices of our time", he won the Nobel Peace Prize. The poet Sir Geoffrey Hill whose work focused on English history, landscape and religion.The Conservative politician Lord Mayhew. As Northern Ireland Secretary under John Major, he laid the foundations for the peace process.And the film director Michael Cimino - best known for the Deer Hunter which won five Oscars. Producer: Dianne McGregor.