Desert Island Discs

Join volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer as he shares thrilling stories from expeditions around the world, including encounters with rebels in Ethiopia. Explore the interconnectedness of humans and volcanoes, his family's resilience, and his passion for rocks. Delve into his experiences with active volcanoes in Indonesia and North Korea. Discover his insights on climate change, cultural ties, and spiritual connections to volcanoes while enjoying his eclectic music selections.

Actor Cillian Murphy discusses his roles in Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders, his music background, and creative journey. He reflects on early theater experiences, impact of Radiohead, and challenges of intense acting roles. Murphy also talks about family support, solitude, and shares favorite music and literary picks for a desert island.

Photographer and writer Val Wilmer shares her experiences meeting iconic musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Her love for jazz and photography began at a young age, leading to a lifelong passion. She co-founded an all-female photographic agency and her work is held in prestigious collections. Val's Desert Island Discs choices include Langston Hughes' poetry and a music selection by Thelonious Monk.

Jamie Dornan, known for roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Fall, discusses his childhood in Holywood, County Down, and his journey from model to actor. He opens up about challenges in acting, memories of his obstetrician father, and emotional struggles while filming. Jamie shares his desert island music picks and reflects on his career and personal life.

Internationally renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason shares his musical journey from a young age, overcoming racial prejudice in the classical music world, and his family's sacrifices for his success. He discusses his favorite music pieces and reveals his passion for playing the cello.

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, a refugee from Iranian Revolution, shares her experiences and discusses topics like quiet contemplation, faith and identity, growing up in a Muslim family, and making sense of her story. She also reflects on the podcast experience and shares health tips.

Graham Nash, a musician known for his work with The Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash, discusses his songwriting and hit songs like 'Our House', reflects on his early days as a musician and meeting the Everly Brothers, and shares his admiration for Peter Gabriel's song 'Don't Give Up'.

Delia Smith, one of Britain's most popular cookery writers and broadcasters, talks about her passion for teaching cooking, the impact of her TV programs on people's cooking habits, and her love for Norwich City football club. She also discusses being cast away on a desert island and the fear of water.

Greta Gerwig, director of the feature film Barbie, discusses her journey from actress to filmmaker and shares childhood experiences with Barbie dolls. She reflects on embarrassing moments, the importance of creating a safe environment on film sets, and her belief in humanity. Gerwig also talks about living in New York and shares her plan to memorize all of Shakespeare if stranded on a desert island.

Shirley Ballas is the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s Saturday night entertainment show, which regularly attracts an audience of many millions. Known as the Queen of Latin dancing, she joined the show in 2017 after a long career as a competitive dancer and teacher. Shirley was born in Wallasey in 1960. She discovered dance as a seven-year-old when she started taking classes in her local church hall. With a combination of natural flair and hard graft she began winning competitions with her partners. In 1980, while she was still an amateur, she met Sammy Stopford who was ranked seventh in the world as a professional Latin dancer. Together they shot up the rankings and became known as the ‘non-stop Stopfords’.In 1984 she divorced Sammy and the following year she married Corky Ballas, an amateur dancer from Houston. Shirley set about training Corky to become a professional and in 1995 they won the British Open to the World Championships – a feat they repeated the following year.In 1996 Shirley retired from competitive dancing to concentrate on coaching dancers and judging competitions. In 2017 she joined Strictly Come Dancing, replacing her friend and former teacher Len Goodman as head judge. Shirley lives in south London with her mother Audrey and her boyfriend, the actor Danny Taylor.DISC ONE: Get Lucky - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers DISC TWO: Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash DISC THREE: Moon River - Frank Sinatra DISC FOUR: Sherry - The Four Seasons DISC FIVE: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana DISC SIX: You To Me Are Everything - The Real Thing DISC SEVEN: Highs and Lows - Alexander Jean DISC EIGHT: We’ve Only Just Begun - The Carpenters BOOK CHOICE: Unleash the Power Within by Tony Robbins LUXURY ITEM: Cotton knickers CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Highs and Lows - Alexander Jean Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Paula McGinley