Sheila Steafel
Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television serie...
Radio and PodcastLive Radio & PodcastsSociety & Culture
Desert Island Discs: Archive 1981-1985
Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island
Desert Island Discs: Archive 1981-1985 Podcast Guide
Listen to Desert Island Discs: Archive 1981-1985, a Society & Culture podcast by BBC. Stream 204 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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Browse this show under Society & Culture podcasts.
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Episodes
20 of 204 episodesRt Hon David Steel MP
The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Lib...
Barbara Taylor Bradford
Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In co...
Robert Burchfield
Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy d...
Joseph Allen
Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy traini...
Doris Stokes
Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her...
Richard Eyre
Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talk...
Gordon Beningfield
Gordon Beningfield's designs for postage stamps include a butterfly set and the recently-issued insect set. He is also well-known for his pa...
Alison Lurie
Alison Lurie is not only a part-time professor of English at Cornell University where she teaches creative writing and children's literature...
Jorge Bolet
The pianist Jorge Bolet, who was born in Havana, Cuba, was given lessons first by his sister. He went on to study at the Curtis Institute in...
Anthony Hopkins
The actor Anthony Hopkins has recently returned to this country after 10 years in California. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks abo...
Michael Elkins
Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New Yo...
Elly Ameling
Elly Ameling's career as a singer took off when she won the first prizes in two competitions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she explains...
Julie Walters
Julie Walters had a variety of jobs, including nursing, before she took up acting. An early London appearance was the result of Funny Peculi...
Madhur Jaffrey
Madhur Jaffrey is an actress who has now become as well-known as a writer and broadcaster on Indian and Far Eastern cooking. In conversation...
John Harvey-Jones
John Harvey-Jones, who is Chairman of the giant company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), began his career in the Royal Navy and was a lie...
Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard, the playwright, began his career as a journalist on a local newspaper in Bristol. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks a...
Sir Michael Tippett
Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this centu...
Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney, who is the Artistic Director of the very successful Theatre of Comedy, began his career as an actor. Before long, he started dir...
Sir John Burgh
Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy...