Desert Island Discs Podcast
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
Episodes to download
-
![]()
Michael Sheen, actor
Sun 28 Sep 2025
Michael Sheen, actor, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Bruce Springsteen on the joy of dancing—Postcards
Fri 26 Sep 2025
The rock legend Bruce Springsteen was cast away by Kirsty Young back in 2016.
-
![]()
Sarah Storey on her sporting dreams—Postcards
Thu 25 Sep 2025
In 2024, the athlete Dame Sarah Storey was cast away by Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Bryan Stevenson on race and criminal justice in America—Postcards
Wed 24 Sep 2025
In 2015, the American lawyer Bryan Stevenson was cast away by Kirsty Young.
-
![]()
David Attenborough on his connection to the natural world—Postcards
Tue 23 Sep 2025
Sir David Attenborough was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2012 for DID's 70th anniversary.
-
![]()
Dustin Hoffman on his father—Postcards
Mon 22 Sep 2025
The actor Dustin Hoffman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2012.
-
![]()
Marian Keyes on writing—Postcards
Fri 19 Sep 2025
The writer Marian Keyes was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.
-
![]()
David Beckham on his childhood love of football and fashion—Postcards
Thu 18 Sep 2025
The footballer David Beckham was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.
-
![]()
Maya Angelou on the trauma that made her mute—Postcards
Wed 17 Sep 2025
The great American writer Maya Angelou was cast away back in 1987.
-
![]()
David Nott on working in war zones—Postcards
Tue 16 Sep 2025
The surgeon David Nott was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016 after returning from Syria.
-
![]()
Judi Dench on her childhood days in amateur dramatics—Postcards
Mon 15 Sep 2025
The actor Dame Judi Dench was cast away for the third time in 2015.
-
![]()
Adele on her first record deal—Postcards
Fri 12 Sep 2025
The singer Adele was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.
-
![]()
Professor Sue Black on the mysteries of the human body—Postcards
Thu 11 Sep 2025
In 2015, the anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black, was cast away by Kirsty Young.
-
![]()
Lemn Sissay on his foster family—Postcards
Wed 10 Sep 2025
The poet Lemm Sissay was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2015.
-
![]()
Jill Scott on her start in football—Postcards
Tue 9 Sep 2025
The former footballer Jill Scott was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.
-
![]()
Adrian Edmondson on working with Rik Mayall—Postcards
Mon 8 Sep 2025
In 2023, the comedian and writer Adrian Edmondson was cast away by Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Dr Nicola Fox on the tragedy that changed her life—Postcards
Fri 5 Sep 2025
Dr Nicola Fox, the Head of Science at NASA, was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.
-
![]()
George Michael on his accidental start in music—Postcards
Thu 4 Sep 2025
In 2007, the musician George Michael was cast away by Kirsty Young.
-
![]()
Davina McCall on addiction—Postcards
Wed 3 Sep 2025
The TV presenter Davina McCall was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016.
-
![]()
Ade Adepitan on his first day at school—Postcards
Tue 2 Sep 2025
In 2012, the Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan was cast away by Kirsty Young.
-
![]()
Ruth Jones on her start in acting—Postcards
Mon 1 Sep 2025
The actor and writer Ruth Jones was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2019.
-
![]()
Maggie Alphonsi, broadcaster and former rugby player
Sun 17 Aug 2025
Maggie Alphonsi, rugby player, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Professor Dame Carol Robinson, scientist
Sun 10 Aug 2025
Dame Carol Robinson, scientist, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Harry Hill, comedian
Sun 3 Aug 2025
Harry Hill, comedian, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Monica Dolan, actor
Sun 27 Jul 2025
Monica Dolan, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Sun 20 Jul 2025
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Ash Atalla, producer
Sun 13 Jul 2025
Ash Atalla, producer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Carol Klein, gardener
Sun 6 Jul 2025
Carol Klein, gardener, shares the sountrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
-
![]()
Sir Gregory Doran, director
Sun 29 Jun 2025
Sir Gregory Doran, theatre director, shares the soundtrack fo his life with Lauren Laverne
-
![]()
Norma Percy, film-maker
Sun 22 Jun 2025
Norma Percy, film-maker, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
The Desert Island Discs podcast
Subscribe or download individual episodes.
Listen to over 2,000 programmes
Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.
Articles
Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.
