Podcast Episodes

Beryl Bainbridge

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the writer Dame Beryl Bainbridge.

She grew up in Liverpool - in a home filled with acrimony and argument - and s…

18 years, 1 month ago

Rory Stewart

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the former diplomat, traveller and writer, Rory Stewart. His life has been part establishment convention, part w…

18 years, 2 months ago

Simon Rattle

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Sir Simon Rattle. For the past five years he has been Principal Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic - regarded …

18 years, 2 months ago

John Humphrys

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the broadcaster and journalist John Humphrys. For 21 years he has been at the helm of Today, Radio 4's flagship …

18 years, 2 months ago

Karren Brady

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the businesswoman Karren Brady. She is known as the First Lady of Football - and it's a moniker that is well ear…

18 years, 3 months ago

Victoria Wood

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Victoria Wood. For decades she has been one of our best-loved writers and performers. The television series she'…

18 years, 3 months ago

Paul Weller

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the musician Paul Weller. As the lead singer of The Jam, the founder of The Style Council and a hugely successfu…

18 years, 3 months ago

Alec Jeffreys

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys - the scientist who discovered genetic fingerprinting. It is 25 years since his 'Eur…

18 years, 3 months ago

Steven Isserlis

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the cellist Steven Isserlis. It is, perhaps, little surprise that music has been central to his life. He was bor…

18 years, 3 months ago

Armistead Maupin

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the author Armistead Maupin. Regarded as one of the 'great social satirists of his era', he made his name with h…

18 years, 4 months ago