Desert Island Discs

Val McDermid shares her deep love for libraries, describing them as her second home where she devoured countless books. She reflects on feeling like an outsider in Fife, yearning for a world beyond her small community. Val reveals how solitude, a loyal dog, and a good book shaped her childhood. A pivotal trip to Blackpool inspired her to apply to Oxford, leading to a culture shock filled with new experiences and diverse accents. Her journey showcases the power of literature in opening up horizons.

Malala Yousafzai shares her powerful journey as a champion for girls' education. She reflects on her father's progressive views that fostered her pursuit of knowledge. The stories of her mother's unfinished schooling offer a poignant reminder of the barriers many face. Malala emphasizes the importance of equal access to education, drawing on personal anecdotes that highlight her family's resilience. Her commitment to advocacy shines through, leaving a lasting impact on listeners.

Jilly Cooper shares her insights on a successful marriage, emphasizing the importance of luck, kindness, and laughter. She entertains with a humorous bedtime story and reflects on how she and her partner avoid reading each other's work. The conversation also touches on the provocative reputation of her novel 'Riders', her witty responses to school bans, and practical writing tips, like keeping a diary and capturing sensory details.

Ian Wright shares his touching childhood memories, revealing how football was his escape from a tough home life. He highlights the pivotal role of his inspirational teacher, Mr. Pigden, who offered guidance, responsibility, and unwavering support. Their emotional reunion in 2010 illustrates the lasting impact of mentorship. Wright’s love for the game and the challenges he faced in school create a compelling narrative of resilience and gratitude.

Maggie Alphonsi, a celebrated rugby player and broadcaster, reflects on her transformative journey in the sport. She discusses how her childhood and a supportive PE teacher ignited her passion for rugby. Maggie shares her triumphs, including winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup and becoming the first female commentator in men’s rugby. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and ambition in women's rugby, all while drawing inspiration from significant songs that shaped her life and identity.

Professor Dame Carol Robinson, the first female professor of Chemistry at both Cambridge and Oxford, shares her groundbreaking journey in science. She discusses her childhood fascination with nature and genetics, which led her to mass spectrometry. Carol emphasizes the importance of taking unconventional paths in science, the emotional complexities of balancing career and motherhood, and her advocacy for studying proteins in their natural forms. With reflections on personal achievements and resilience, she inspires with her unique perspective on navigating academia.

Harry Hill, a comedian and former medical student, shares his whimsical journey from scalpel to stand-up. He reflects on childhood memories, the emotional bond between comic and audience, and the influence of music on his comedy. Hill amusingly recounts navigating the complexities of humor while adapting lyrics to fit his shows. He also fondly recalls his Cub Scout survival skills and pays tribute to Bruce Forsyth, all while finding joy in humor and storytelling.

Monica Dolan is a BAFTA and Olivier award winning actor. She is equally at home playing a wrongfully accused postmistress in Mr Bates Vs the Post Office as she is playing the serial killer Rosemary West. Alongside her many roles in TV, stage and screen, Monica has also written and performed in her award winning one woman play B*easts.Born in 1969, Monica was the youngest of four children and was brought up in Woking. Her parents were Irish and had studied science and came to the UK in the early sixties. It was a very academic family and Monica found her passion for drama when she joined a teenage acting group. She went on to study drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since leaving drama school, she has had a very successful career and is known for her ability to master different accents and dialects. When she played the press officer, Tracy Pritchard in the comedyW1A, her Welsh accent was so convincing viewers thought she really was Welsh. Her critically acclaimed career on TV stage and screen has seen her portray the fictional evil Anne Branson in BBC 1’s Sherwood, which earned her another BAFTA nomination. During the COVID pandemic, she gave a mesmeric performance as a grieving widow in The Shrine by Alan Bennett and because of restrictions at the time was her own makeup artist and costume designer. Monica lives in London with her beloved husky, Velma. DISC ONE: The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) - The Banana Splits DISC TWO: That's Entertainment - The Jam DISC THREE: Nothing - Priscilla Lopez (as Diana Morales), A Chorus Line Orchestra, conducted by Don Pippin DISC FOUR: Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading DISC FIVE: MacArthur Park - Richard Harris DISC SIX: The Night - Diane Chorley DISC SEVEN: Us Amazonians - Kirsty MacColl DISC EIGHT: South American Getaway (From "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid") - Burt Bacharach BOOK CHOICE: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna LUXURY ITEM: A walk-in wardrobe CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor

Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan conductor, violinist and composer. He is known for bringing humour and joy to the podium. He is currently director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra and in 2026 will take up the post of music director of the New York Philharmonic, following in the footsteps of Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein. Gustavo was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1981, the son of a trombonist who played in a salsa band, and his mother who was a singing teacher. Growing up in a musical household, young Gustavo used to gather his toys together and put them on the floor in the shape of an orchestra, put a record on and conduct.His parents enrolled five year old Gustavo in the El Sistema music programme and he learned the violin. After showing a flair for conducting he eventually became the conductor of the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra. After winning the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Germany in 2004, his talent was spotted on a global stage. He was appointed the director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2008. Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor

In this engaging conversation, Ash Atalla, a renowned television producer from Cairo, shares his journey from a stockbroker to creator of iconic comedies like The Office and People Just Do Nothing. He opens up about overcoming polio, the influence of his family's cultural background, and how they fueled his drive in the industry. Ash discusses the intricacies of comedy production, the importance of awards, and his mixed feelings about identity shaped by his early experiences. With humor and sincerity, he reflects on music that connects him to his life’s pivotal moments.