Last Word

Pictured: Heather Couper Matthew Bannister on Heather Couper, the astronomer who used her engaging media appearances to enthuse a generation about space. We talk to her co-author and business partner Nigel Henbest. Leonard Woodley, the Trinidad-born barrister who played a leading role in many high profile race trials and became Britain's first Afro-Caribbean Queen's Counsel. Joseph Shabalala, the South African musician who founded the singing group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They became global stars after collaborating with Paul Simon on his album Graceland. Interviewed guest: Nigel Henbest Interviewed guest: Baroness Helena Kennedy QC Interviewed guest: Robin Denselow Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Inside Parliament, Radio 4 31/03/1980; PM, Radio 4 25/09/1995; World Routes, Radio 3 18/03/2001; Under African Skies, directed by Joe Berlinger, RadicalMedia 2012; A Brief History of Infinity, BBC World Service 20/09/2006; With Great Pleasure, Radio 4 24/07/1987; Woman’s Hour, Radio 4 11/10/1995; The Planets: Are We Alone?, Channel 4 1985.

Pictured: Daniel arap Moi Julian Worricker on: Daniel arap Moi, who led Kenya for 24 years, but did so amidst corruption scandals and the repression of political opponents... The teacher Feng Huiyan, who taught millions of Chinese people how to speak English via textbooks and broadcasting... The pioneering criminologist and clinical scientist Donald West, who wrote a ground-breaking study of homosexuality in the 1950s... And the mercenary leader, known as 'Mad Mike' Hoare, who inspired the film 'The Wild Geese'.... Interviewed guest: Victoria Brittain Interviewed guest: Vivian Yang Interviewed guest: Dr Adrian Grounds Interviewed guest: Professor Jeffrey Weeks OBE Interviewed guest: Chris Hoare Interviewed guest: Tim Ecott Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Daniel arap Moi’s funeral, NTV Kenya 12/02/2020; Weekend, BBC World Service 08/02/2020; Final Attack on Shanghai 1937, British Pathe 13/04/2014; Controversy: Criminology Is Obscuring The Causes Of Crime, BBC Two 23/08/1973; PM, Radio 4 11/03/1996; Homosexuality: Its Nature and Causes by Donald West, Aldine Transaction 22/05/2008; Gay Life, Straight Work by Donald West, Paradise Press 01/03/2012; Mike Hoare Talks Africa, Emma Goldman 15/04/2017; The Wild Geese, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, Richmond Film Productions/Victory Films/Varius Entertainment Trading A.G. 1978; Last Word, Radio 4 10/03/2019; Breakfast Time, BBC One 20/08/1986.

Pictured: Kirk Douglas Julian Worricker on: Terry Hands, long serving artistic director of the RSC, who co-founded the Liverpool Everyman theatre and revived the Clwyd theatre Cymru... The wine marketer, Hazel Murphy, who's credited with spearheading Australia's wine invasion of Europe.... The nationalist Northern Ireland politician, Seamus Mallon, whose negotiating skills helped secure the Good Friday Agreement... And the actor Kirk Douglas, whose career in film spanned seven decades, and involved memorable portrayals of all-action if not always likeable characters... Interviewed guest: Paul Allen Interviewed guest: Jancis Robinson OBE Interviewed guest: Barry Turley Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 08/08/1981; Australian Table Wines, Monty Python’s Previous Record, Charisma 1973; BBC News, 03/02/2000; 1800 News, Radio 4 14/10/1999; The Vikings, directed by Richard Fleischer, Brynaprod S.A./ Bavaria Film/ Curtleigh Productions 1958; Kirk Douglas: I am Issur Danielovitch, Eyes On Cinema 21/10/2016; Parkinson, BBC One 16/04/1979; The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, directed by Lewis Milestone, Hal Wallis Productions 1946; Lust for Life, directed by Vincente Minnelli, MGM 1956; Woman’s Hour, Radio 4 26/09/1988; The Oscars, ABC 1996.

Pictured: Nicholas Parsons Matthew Bannister on The Just A Minute host, TV presenter and actor Nicholas Parsons. Sheila Hancock and Tony Hawks pay tribute - in just a minute! Mary Craig who wrote the best selling book "Blessings" after struggling to care for her severely disabled son. Lord Maclennan of Rogart, formerly the MP for Caithness and Sutherland, who negotiated the merger between the SDP and the Liberal Party. Kobe Bryant, the LA Lakers basketball star, who gave himself the nickname The Black Mamba. Interviewed guest: Sheila Hancock Interviewed guest: Matt Stronge Interviewed guest: Tony Hawkes Interviewed guest: Mark Craig Interviewed guest: Brain Taylor Interviewed guest: Michael Carlson Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 04/11/2007; Don't Raise The Bridge, Lower The River, Columbia Pictures Industries,1967; The Arthur Haynes Show, ATV, 1957-65; Just a Minute Series 64 Ep. 2, BBC Radio 4, 13/08/2012; Just a Minute Series 64 Ep. 3, BBC Radio 4, 20/08/2012; Sale of The Century, Anglia TV, 08/01/1972; 50 years of Just a Minute: Nicholas Parsons in Conversation with Paul Merton, Radio 4, 01/01/2018; Woman’s Hour Radio 4, 1976; The World at One, BBC Radio 4, 31/01/1988; Dear Basketball, Believe Entertainment Group Kobe Inc, 2017; LA Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, BBC 5 Live Extra, 04/10/2010; Toronto Raptors v LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant 81 Points Game Highlights, 2006; USA VS CHINA at the Beijing Olympics, X9Highlights, 2008; Newsbeat, BBC Radio 1, 06/08/2003; 10 o'clock news, BBC One, 05/08/2003;

Pictured: Terry Jones Matthew Bannister on Tony Garnett, the TV and film producer whose tragic childhood inspired him to make influential films like Up The Junction, Cathy Come Home and Kes. Joy Rainey, the racing driver whose restricted growth meant she needed specially adapted cars. Professor Cuchlaine King, the geomorphologist known for her studies of beaches, coasts and glaciers. Terry Jones, best known as a member of the Monty Python team, but also a medieval historian of distinction. Interviewed guest: Andreas Campomar Interviewed guest: Eddie Walder Interviewed guest: Professor Brian Whalley Interviewed guest: Betsey Everett Interviewed guest: Professor Alan Ereira Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Free Thinking, Radio 3 28/06/2020; Afternoon Edition, 5Live 11/07/2016; Front Row, Radio 4 27/05/2013; Kes, directed by Ken Loach, United Artists 1970; The Wednesday Play: Up The Junction, BBC One 03/11/1965; The Wednesday Play: Cathy Come Home, BBC One 16/11/1966; This Life Series 1, Episode 3, BBC Two 01/04/1996; Front Row, Radio 4 22/01/2020; Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 02/07/1983; Monty Python’s Flying Circus, ‘The Funniest Joke in The World’ Sketch, BBC Two 05/10/1969; Life of Brian, directed by Terry Jones, Cinema International Corporation, 1979; 5Live Drive, 5Live 22/01/2020; Medieval Lives - The Peasant, BBC Two, 03/01/2004; The Story of 1, BBC Two, 28/09/2005.