Last Word

Pictured: Lyra McKeeMatthew Bannister onLyra McKee, the 29 year old Northern Irish journalist who was shot dead by the New IRA. Una-Mary Parker who was the social editor of Tatler, a commentator on the Royal family and the author of best-selling novels. Mira Markovic, the wife of the Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, who denied her husband's responsibility for atrocities during the Bosnian war. Doreen Spooner, the first woman to work as a staff photographer on a Fleet Street newspaper.And Edward Kelsey, the actor who played Joe Grundy in The Archers for 34 years.Interviewed guest: Sarah Kay Interviewed guest: Baba Hobart Interviewed guest: Adam Lebor Interviewed guest: Cathy Vandeputte Interviewed guest: Felicity Green Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: BBC News, 24/04/2019; Stephen Nolan, 5 Live 19/04/2019; TEDxStormont Women, November 2017; Just A Nimmo: Gossip and Gossip Columnists, BBC Two 03/02/1977; Best Behaviour, Radio 4 25/09/1991; HARDtalk, BBC News 10/09/2001; BBC News 28/06/2001; The Wor

Pictured: Nadja PodereginJulian Worricker on:David Thouless, whose work in the world of quantum mechanics earned him a share of the Nobel Prize for Physics.The Serbian actress, Nadja Poderegin, who went from 'Bond girl' on screen to be a publisher and novelist.Stand-up comedian, Ian Cognito, whose act was much loved on the comedy circuit but never allowed on TV.Michael O'Donnell, who combined a medical background with a career in journalism and broadcasting, notably on Radio 4.And the songwriter Les Reed, who co-wrote memorable songs for the likes of Englebert Humperdinck and Tom Jones.Interviewed guest: Michael Thouless Interviewed guest: Professor Andy Schofield Interviewed guest: Tanya Firth Interviewed guest: Toby Hadoke Interviewed guest: Dr Harvey Marcovitch Interviewed guest: Laurie Taylor Producer: Paula McGinleyArchive clips from: Profile, Radio 4 09/10/2016; From Russia With Love, directed by Terence Young, Eon Productions 1963; Goldfinger, directed by Guy Hamilton, Eon Productions 1964; Comic To Co

Pictured: Sydney BrennerMatthew Bannister onSydney Brenner, the Nobel Prize-winning biologist who worked with Francis Crick to map DNA. Dan Robbins, the artist who invented painting by numbers.Edda Tasiemka, the archivist who kept a comprehensive newspaper and magazine cuttings collection in her North London home.Ian McDonald, the Ministry of Defence spokesman during the Falklands War who became a familiar face on TV and was known for his sonorous delivery.Interviewed guest: Professor Jonathan Hodgkin Interviewed guest: Larry Robbins Interviewed guest: Robert Lacey Interviewed guest: Ian Mather Interviewed guest: Revel Barker Producer: Paula McGinley

Pictured: Agnès VardaMatthew Bannister onMichel Bacos, the pilot of the Air France jet that was hi-jacked to Entebbe in 1976. He was offered the chance to leave, but chose to stay with the hostages until they were freed in a dramatic raid by the Israelis.The film director Agnès Varda, known as the mother of the French New Wave.The impresario Victor Hochhauser who specialised in bringing top Russian artists to the UK.The biochemist Barbara Low who used X-ray crystallography to identify the structure of penicillin.Ranking Roger, the singer and frontman of the 70s ska revival band The Beat.Interviewed guest: Rosemary Bacos Interviewed guest: Paul Martin Interviewed guest: Terri White Interviewed guest: Norman Lebrecht Interviewed guest: Helen Berman Interviewed guest: Pauline Black Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Raid on Entebbe, directed by Irvin Kershner, 20th Century Fox Television, Edgar J. Scherick Associates, 1977; La Pointe Courte, directed by Agnès Varda, Ciné Tamaris, 1956; Cléo from 5 to 7, di

Pictured: Baroness WarnockMatthew Bannister onBaroness Warnock, the philosopher who set down the principles which govern human fertilisation treatment and embryo research. William Hucklesby, the Police Commander who led the anti-terrorist branch at the time of the Hyde Park and Brighton bomb attacks. Rose Hilton, the artist who put her career on hold to support her husband, but gained recognition after his death.Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, who brought together academics and industrialists at the Warwick Manufacturing Group.And Scott Walker, the chart-topping singer who moved into experimental music later in life.Interviewed guest: Baroness Onora O’Neill Interviewed guest: Sally Cheshire Interviewed guest: Alex Hucklesby Interviewed guest: Christopher Burke Interviewed guest: Ian Collins Interviewed guest: Professor Dave Mullins Interviewed guest: Sir Vince Cable Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Meeting Myself Coming Back: Mary Warnock, Radio 4 12/07/2014; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 04/12/1988; The

Pictured: Dick DaleMatthew Bannister onGillian Freeman, the novelist and screenwriter whose books include The Leather Boys, a story of a gay love affair between two working class men in the 1960s.Sir Peter Hutchison who travelled to remote parts of the world to collect rare plants.Sister Dorothy Bell, the nun who after a career devoted to education, turned her attention to AIDS awareness.And the King of the Surf Guitar Dick Dale.Interviewed guest: Michael Arditti Interviewed guest: Edward Thorpe Reader: Mathilda Thorpe Reader: Harriet Thorpe Interviewed guest: James Hutchison Interviewed guest: Simon Milne Interviewed guest: Sister Dr Bernadette Porter Interviewed guest: Emma Cole Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Woman's Hour, Radio 4 22/03/1978; In Search Of The Golden Pleione, Radio 4 30/04/1982; Losing the Habit, Radio 4 29/04/2009.

Pictured: Jacques LoussierMatthew Bannister onMike Oliver, who was paralysed from the neck down after diving into a swimming pool as a teenager. He became the UK's first Professor of Disability Studies and transformed the debate about disabled people's rights. Jacques Loussier, the French pianist and composer best known for his jazz arrangements of the works of J.S. Bach. Professor Richard Lacey, the microbiologist who warned of the dangers to humans of mad cow disease.The Reverend Ruth Scott, the Anglican vicar known for her appearances on Radio 2's Pause for Thought and Radio 4's Thought for the Day.Interviewed guest: Colin Barnes Interviewed guest: Peter White Interviewed guest: Alyn Shipton Interviewed guest: Dr John Heritage Interviewed guest: The Reverend Chris Scott Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from:

Pictured: Simon NortonMatthew Bannister onFrance-Albert René, the Seychelles President who came to power in a coup and stayed in office for more than 25 years. Simon Norton, the brilliant but eccentric mathematician who became fascinated by public transport. Belle Tutaev who campaigned for better early learning provision for the UK's children.Ian Adamson, the Northern Ireland doctor who wrote many learned history books and became Lord Mayor of Belfast. And Keith Flint, the flamboyant lead singer of The Prodigy.Interviewed guest: Tim Ecott Interviewed guest: Alexander Masters Interviewed guest: Professor Marcus du Sautoy Interviewed guest: Mary Tutaev Interviewed guest: Neil Leitch Interviewed guest: Professor Wesley Hutchinson Interviewed guest: Helen Brooker Interviewed guest: Andrew Harrison Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Seychelles Daily TV, 17/04/18; World at One, Radio 4 03/12/81; Early Years Alliance, 23/02/12; Lifetimes: Ian Adamson, Radio Ulster 2002; Keith Flint Interview, Radio 1 09/05/96.

Pictured: André PrevinMatthew Bannister onAndré Previn, the conductor and pianist whose repertoire ranged from the classics to film and jazz music. He took part in a celebrated sketch with Morecambe and Wise. John Haynes, publisher of the Haynes manuals which gave amateur mechanics a step by step guide to repairing their cars.Tony Mendez, the CIA operative who smuggled American diplomatic staff out of Tehran disguised as a film crew. The story later became the Hollywood film Argo.Lady Grantchester, who played a key role in the success of the Littlewoods retail and football pools empire.Interviewed guest: Edward Seckerson Interviewed guest: Annette Haynes Interviewed guest: Peter Earnest Interviewed guest: Professor Peter Toyne Interviewed guest: John Suenson-Taylor, Lord Grantchester Interviewed guest: James Suenson-Taylor Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 18/08/1996; How to Write an Instruction Manual, Radio 4 21/08/2009; Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, Warner Bros./GK Film

Matthew Bannister onLady Falkender who was the controversial political secretary to Harold Wilson for twenty seven years.Karl Lagerfeld, the designer who re-vitalised Chanel, developed Fendi and became an icon in his own right.John Stalker, the Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police who led an investigation into allegations of a shoot to kill policy in Northern Ireland. Andrea Levy, the award winning novelist who reflected the experience of children of the Windrush generation. Peter Tork who played bass with one of the first manufactured boy bands, The Monkees.Interviewed guest: Michael Cockerell Interviewed guest: Julia Langdon Interviewed guest: Miles Socha Interviewed guest: Kim Winser OBE Interviewed guest: Duncan CampbellProducer: Neil George

Matthew Bannister onGordon Banks, the goalkeeper in England's 1966 World Cup winning team, who made one of the greatest saves of all time in 1970.Vikki Orvice, the first woman to work as a football writer on a national tabloid newspaper.David Garman, the inventor of the portable bath lift and many other devices to help people with disabilities.Mary Oliver, the American poet known for her works about animals and the natural world. The acclaimed actor Albert Finney who was nominated for an Oscar five times but never attended the ceremony.Interviewed guest: Jacqui Oatley Interviewed guest: Suji Kwock Kim Interviewed guest: Ruth Franklin Interviewed guest: Andrew MacphailProducer: Neil George

Pictured: Rosamunde Pilcher Andrea Catherwood on:Activist Hugh Lewin who was jailed for his stand against apartheid in South Africa,Iraqi archaeologist Lamia Al-Gailani who helped rebuild the National Museum of Iraq after looting,Dr Stewart Adams, the Boots pharmacist who invented Ibuprofen,Scottish ecologist Adam Watson who devoted his life to protecting the Cairngorms,and author Rosamunde Pilcher, the mistress of the British Family Saga.Interviewed guest: Lord Peter Hain Interviewed guest: Jane Arraf Interviewed guest: Sophie Clapp Interviewed guest: Iain Cameron Interviewed guest: Derek Pyper Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: The Whites Who Fought Apartheid, Radio 4 23/05/2010; ISIL's Destruction of Antiquities, Al Jazeera English 26/02/2015; Dan Cruickshank's Civilisation Under Attack, BBC Four 08/07/2015; Saturday Live, Radio 4 22/12/2007; Afield, Radio 4 03/01/1971; Bookshelf: Rosamunde Pilcher, Radio 4 03/01/1992.

Pictured: Jeremy HardyJulian Worricker on:Comedian Jeremy Hardy, a mainstay of The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on Radio 4....Editor and author, Diana Athill, who wrote candidly about her personal life especially in her later years...Sir Conrad Swan, who, as Garter King of Arms, was the senior heraldic authority of England...Oscar-winning composer, pianist, conductor and arranger, Michel Legrand....Interviewed guest: Mark Steel Interviewed guest: Jeremy Corbyn Interviewed guest: Damian Barr Interviewed guest: Gordon Casely Interviewed guest: Patrick Dickinson Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: The News Quiz, Radio 4 01/06/2018; The News Quiz, Radio 4 01/05/2012; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 20/06/2004; Midsummer Night in the Workhouse: A Weekend in the Country, Radio 4 16/10/2011; BBC Breakfast News, BBC One 18/11/1994; Kaleidoscope, Radio 4 15/04/1974; Carte Blanche, Radio 2 08/01/2019; The Music Never Ends: The Michel Legrand Story episode 6, Radio 2 09/05/2003.

Pictured: Hugh McIlvanneyMatthew Bannister on Hugh McIlvanney, the respected sports writer known for his love of language and combative approach to life. Jennie Buckman, the theatre practitioner who trained a generation of famous actors and founded a company to give voice to the disadvantaged. John Beavis, the surgeon who was forced to retire from the NHS through ill health but then spent the next 25 years training medical professionals in war zones around the world.And David Pritchard, the TV producer who created mould-breaking food programmes featuring Keith Floyd and Rick Stein.Producer: Neil GeorgeInterviewed guest: Roddy Forsyth Interviewed guest: Sir Michael Parkinson Interviewed guest: Tess Woodcraft Interviewed guest: Adrian Lester Interviewed guest: Colin Green Interviewed guest: Tom JaineArchive clips from: Life Behind the News, Radio Scotland 18/01/2009; The Final Curtain, Radio Wales 28/08/2004; Today, Radio 4 14/09/1993; Giants Vlog, Tips for Actors, 23/10/2017; Jennie Buckman’s Beginnings Worksh

Pictured: Joe Casely-HayfordMatthew Bannister onJoe Casely-Hayford, the fashion designer whose creations ranged from punk to Savile Row tailoring. His children, who followed him into fashion, pay tribute.Nicholas Crichton, the judge who pioneered specialist family drug and alcohol courts in the UK.Professor Sophie Oluwole, who was a powerful advocate for African philosophy.Professor Paul O'Brien, the pioneer of nanotechnology who developed new ways of producing the quantum dots which lie behind our HDTVs and barcode scanners. And Carol Channing, the colourful Broadway star of 'Hello Dolly' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'.Interviewed guest: Charlie Casely-Hayford Interviewed guest: Alice Casely-Hayford Interviewed guest: Claire Wilcox Interviewed guest: Sophie Miller Interviewed guest: Professor Muyiwa Falaiye Interviewed guest: Professor Richard Winpenny Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Ebony People, BBC Two 09/06/1989; Inside the Family Court episode 1, Radio 4 08/06/2006; Importance of the Mother T

Pictured: Nancy RomanMatthew Bannister onNancy Roman, the American space agency NASA's first Chief Astronomer. She was known as the mother of the Hubble Telescope. Ralph Koltai, the influential theatre set designer who worked on more than 250 productions.Julia Grant, the transgender activist who allowed her transition from male to female to be filmed by the BBC.Jin Yong, the Chinese writer whose martial arts adventures sold 100 million copies.And Norman Gimbel, the prolific lyricist who wrote the words for "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song".Interviewed guest: Kimberly Kowal Arcand Interviewed guest: Dr Stuart Clark Interviewed guest: Michael Quinn Interviewed guest: Professor Pamela Howard OBE Interviewed guest: Gary Roberts Interviewed guest: David Pearson Interviewed guest: Anna Holmwood Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Nancy Roman the Mother of Hubble, NASA 12/06/2017; Horizon: The Sharpest Show of the Universe, BBC Two 09/04/1990; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 23/08/1998;

Pictured: June WhitfieldMatthew Bannister onDame June Whitfield, the comic actress whose long career spanned classic radio shows and Absolutely Fabulous. Sir Jack Zunz, the civil engineer who led the construction of the Sydney Opera House and became chairman of Ove Arup.Thomas Baptiste, the Guyana-born actor who appeared in Coronation Street and The Ipcress File and campaigned for colour blind casting. David Austin, who devoted his life to breeding new varieties of English roses. And Mastanamma, the 105-year-old Indian cook who became a sensation on the internet.Interviewed guest: Greg Hodkinson Interviewed guest: Stephen Bourne Interviewed guest: Michael Marriott Interviewed guest: Onkar Karambelkar Producer: Paula McGinleyArchive clips from: Absolutely Fabulous, BBC One 19/11/1992; Absolutely Fabulous, BBC One 27/12/2002; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 29/04/1990; Dame June Whitfield in Conversation with Joanna Lumley, Radio 4 30/12/2018; Terry and June, BBC One 10/03/1980; The News Huddlines, Radio 2 21/09/2

Pictured: Sister Wendy Beckett Julian Worricker on:The nun, Sister Wendy Beckett, who became an unlikely television star when she brought her knowledge of the history of art to the small screen...Nicolas Roeg, the film director behind such classics as Don't Look Now and The Man Who Fell to Earth...The German soprano, Inge Borkh, described as one of the most exciting operatic performers of her era...The Nobel prize winning scientist, Professor Sir Aaron Klug, credited with ground-breaking work on the structure of viruses...And Geoff Emerick, a recording engineer regarded as the technical genius behind the sound of the Beatles...Producer: Paula McGinley

Pictured: Nancy WilsonMatthew Bannister onSir David Weatherall, the world renowned haematologist and geneticist who pioneered molecular approaches to medicine.Penny Marshall, the first woman to direct a film which grossed more than a hundred million dollars. She also starred in the US TV sitcom Laverne and Shirley. Evelyn Berezin who invented the first computerised word processor for secretarial use.Zhores Medvedev, the Soviet scientist who revealed the use of psychiatric hospitals to lock up political dissidents.Nancy Wilson the versatile Grammy award winning singer who recorded jazz, pop and R&B songs.Interviewed guest: Tom Soloman Interviewed guest: Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Interviewed guest: Matthew Kirschenbaum Interviewed guest: Jonathan Steele Interviewed guest: Tina MayProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Eureka: David Weatherall, Radio 4 03/12/95; Science at War: Hydrogen Bomb, BBC Two 10/12/98; Newsnight, BBC Two 21/03/84; Newsnight, BBC Two 28/04/86; Happy Days, Henderson Productions/Miller-Milk

Pictured: Peter BoizotMatthew Bannister onPeter Boizot who founded the Pizza Express chain of restaurants and invested heavily in his home town of Peterborough.Judith Kazantzis, the feminist poet, novelist and activist.Sir Sze-Yuen Chung, the Hong Kong businessman who led the campaign for residents' views to be heard during the handover negotiations between the UK and China.Cecylia Roszak, the Polish nun who helped to save Lithuanian Jews from the Nazis during the second world war. Scott English the songwriter who gave us "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and "Mandy".Interviewed guest: Clementine Allen Interviewed guest: David Lowndes Interviewed guest: Michèle Roberts Interviewed guest: Baroness Lydia Dunn Interviewed guest: Jonathan Ornstein Interviewed guest: Geoff Barker Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Nationwide, BBC One 13/08/76; Nationwide, BBC One 05/05/81; Table Talk in the 60s, Radio 3 23/05/93; Look East, BBC Norwich 17/02/03; Newsbeat, Radio 1 04/12/97; I Write the Songs: The Barry Manilow Profile, R