

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

Jul 17, 2015 • 28min
Rev Joyce Bennett, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Burt Shavitz, Michael Oliver, Ian Allan
Matthew Bannister onJoyce Bennett who was the first English woman to be ordained as an Anglican priest. It happened in Hong Kong in 1971.Prince Saud al-Faisal, who was the world's longest serving foreign minister, representing the interests of Saudi Arabia for forty years.Burt Shavitz, the American beekeeper who developed a popular range of beeswax products.Professor Michael Oliver, the physician who demonstrated the link between cholesterol and heart disease.And the publisher Ian Allan, whose books of locomotive numbers led to the hobby of trainspotting.Producer: Paula McGinley.

Jul 10, 2015 • 27min
Omar Sharif, Stanley 'Steve' Moore, Jules Wright, Yevgeny Primakov, Ernest Tomlinson
Matthew Bannister onActor Omar Sharif Flying squad detective Stanley Moore - always known as Steve, he helped to catch some of the Great Train Robbers. Theatre Director Jules Wright who co-founded the Women's Playhouse Trust and set up the Wapping Project arts venue. Former Russian Foreign and Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov.And the composer Ernest Tomlinson, best known for his light orchestral works.

Jul 3, 2015 • 28min
Sir Nicholas Winton, Val Doonican, Nek Chand, James Salter, Lady Rozelle Raynes
Matthew Bannister onSir Nicholas Winton who saved 669 children from the advancing Nazis in Czechoslovakia. Also the Irish singer Val Doonican - known for his cardigans and rocking chair - he was sometimes called Britain's Bing Crosby.The Indian artist Nek Chand who created the extraordinary Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Jarvis Cocker pays tribute.The novelist and former fighter pilot James SalterAnd Lady Rozelle Raynes, the daughter of an Earl who became a stoker on a tug boat during the war.

Jun 26, 2015 • 28min
Sir Chris Woodhead, Patrick Macnee, Dame Anne Warburton, Vic Mayhew, James Horner
Matthew Bannister on:The controversial Chief Inspector of Schools Sir Chris Woodhead who said he was paid to challenge "mediocrity, failure and complacency".The actor Patrick Macnee, best known for playing the suave John Steed in the Avengers. Dame Diana Rigg pays tribute.Dame Anne Warburton who was the UK's first woman ambassador.The Fleet Street sub-editor Vic Mayhew, who was as well known for his hard drinking antics as for his headlines.And the film composer James Horner who won two Oscars for his Titanic soundtrack.

Jun 19, 2015 • 28min
Morris Beckman, Ornette Coleman, Tanith Lee, Süleyman Demirel and Doris Hart
Matthew Bannister onMorris Beckman - the East End Jewish activist who co-founded the 43 Group to fight against post-war British fascists.Ornette Coleman - the pioneering saxophonist who developed free jazz improvisation.Tanith Lee - the prolific science fiction author who also wrote episodes of the TV series Blake's 7.Süleyman Demirel - who was seven times Prime Minister and then President of Turkey.And the American tennis player Doris Hart - who won three Wimbledon titles in one day.

Jun 12, 2015 • 28min
Christopher Lee, Marguerite Patten, James Last, Major Roy Homard, Ron Moody
Andrea Catherwood on
film star Christopher Lee, internationally famous for his villainous, on screen roles. Cookery writer and broadcasting pioneer Marguerite Patten, explorer Major 'Roy' Homard who made the first crossing of the Antarctic, German born band leader and purveyor of 'Happy Music' James Last and actor Ron Moody, best known for playing Fagin in Oliver.

Jun 5, 2015 • 28min
Tariq Aziz, Charles Kennedy, Julie Harris, Alan Bond, Peter Cropper
Andrea Catherwood on Iraqi politician Tariq Aziz, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Charles Kennedy; Oscar winning costume designer Julie Harris; flamboyant Australian property developer and entrepreneur Alan Bond and violinist Peter Cropper who founded the Lindsay Quartet.