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Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4
Music
Mental Health
Family
Paralympics
Grief
London
Football
Family Dynamics
Gardening
Jazz
BBC Sounds
Comedy
Writing
Photography
Volcanoes
Mark-Anthony Turnage
Nick Cave
Sally Mann
Desert Island Discs
James Graham

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes2000Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes

Laurene Laverne talks to the former football manager Arsène Wenger in a programme first broadcast in 2020.

Lauren Laverne talks to the film studio executive Dame Donna Langley in a programme first broadcast in 2023. Dame Donna was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship this year.

Lauren Laverne talks to the musician Thom Yorke in a programme first broadcast in 2019.

Sue Lawley talks to the primatologist Dr Jane Goodall in a programme first broadcast in 2000. Jane Goodall died in October 2025, at the age of 91.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Donna Langley
Chairman and Chief Content Officer for the NBC Universal Studio Group
NBCUniversal
Episode: Classic Desert Island Discs - Dame Donna Langley
Thom Yorke
Musician, Radiohead lead vocalist and composer
Radiohead
Episode: Classic Desert Island Discs - Thom Yorke
Jane Goodall
Primatologist and conservationist known for long-term study of chimpanzees in Gombe
Jane Goodall Institute
Episode: Classic Desert Island Discs - Dr Jane Goodall
Si King
TV presenter and cook, one half of The Hairy Bikers
Hairy Bikers
Episode: Si King, cook
Sara Pascoe
Comedian and writer
Episode: Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer
Stephen Westaby
Surgeon and writer, world-renowned heart surgeon
Episode: Professor Stephen Westaby, surgeon and writer
Jessie Buckley
Actor and singer known for Hamnet, Cabaret, Wild Rose
Actor/Singer
Episode: Jessie Buckley, actor
Dwayne Fields
Explorer, co-creator of the WeTwo Foundation; first Black Briton to reach the Magnetic North Pole
WeTwo Foundation
Episode: Dwayne Fields, explorer
Roula Khalaf
Editor of the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Roula Khalaf, journalist

Host

Lauren Laverne
Host of the Desert Island Discs podcast, known for her warm and engaging interview style that connects deeply with guests and elicits their personal stories.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 20.2k ratings
  • Presenter blooming into the role

    Great guests great presenter

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jelly1966
    Ireland2 months ago
  • I ❤️ Desert Islands Discs!

    I’ve been listening for many years & Lauren Laverne & Kirsty Young are such amazing interviewers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Georgy McD
    Australia2 months ago
  • The Perfect Show

    Always enthralling

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Good Whales
    Australia2 months ago
  • Conservative PM CB

    Interesting and if by chance CB reads the feedback I want to share my thoughts on culture and whilst I got window into your thoughts I grappled with what you said but it is your reality

    So if had to say something I say this:- develop your cultural responsiveness Diversity has increased all around the world, there is a growing ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity due to immigration, globalisation and the changing dynamics of population.

    The richness of this allows us to be open and to learn ab... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lovealways#
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Jesse Armstrong?

    Adore Desert Island Discs but what on Earth happened to the Jesse Armstrong episode? It was here then it disappeared, looked on the website, can't access it anywhere. Was it deleted? I was so excited to listen. Please help!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    leemorejacqueline
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable platform for exploring diverse life stories through the lens of music, earning high recommendations for its insights and relatability.
There is some dissatisfaction regarding the recent format changes that include shorter excerpts instead of full episodes.
Critics express the desire for more consistent releases and worry about the direction of content, particularly with political discussions overshadowing personal narratives.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging storytelling and emotional depth, often highlighting the warm interviewing style of the host.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classic Desert Island Discs - Thom Yorke
Q: How did the early support from music teachers influence your trajectory?
Two teachers saw something special in him despite his inability to read music, giving him confidence and a sense of belonging in the arts, which was crucial for his long-term development.
Classic Desert Island Discs - Thom Yorke
Q: You took a gap year after leaving school; what was the thinking behind that decision?
He explains that the gap year allowed him to test his ambitions, do dead-end jobs, and decide whether he truly wanted to pursue a life in music, which proved pivotal for his later path.
Classic Desert Island Discs - Thom Yorke
Q: Tell us about your first piece today. Why have you chosen this?
Yorke discusses how the LaBec Sisters' piano music challenged him as a musician and how he used the experience to push beyond his comfort zone, ultimately shaping his approach to composition and performance.
Classic Desert Island Discs - Dr Jane Goodall
Q: Tell me about your second record.
She selected Moonlight Sonata, recalling family memories of listening to the piece in a childhood home and how it accompanied summers and the garden, tying music to early moments of wonder.
Classic Desert Island Discs - Dr Jane Goodall
Q: Tell me about your first record.
She chose a Dvorak cello concerto and described the memory of her friend and the emotional resonance of the piece during her early years in Bournemouth, highlighting how music connected to her sense of place and possibility.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Island Discs

What is Desert Island Discs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Guests reflect on their personal journeys by sharing eight tracks, a book, and a luxury item they would take to a desert island. Each episode features engaging conversations that blend music choices with personal anecdotes, exploring themes such as identity, creativity, resilience, and cultural influences. The podcast fosters connections between the guests' stories and their selected music, often revealing deeper insights into their lives and careers, making it a compelling listen for those interested in music, storytelling, and personal exploration. It is noted for its empathetic interviewing style and the diversity of its guests, which range from artists and writers to scientists and politicians, providing a rich tapestry of life experien... more

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How many listeners does Desert Island Discs get?

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What are the audience demographics for Desert Island Discs?

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How many subscribers and views does Desert Island Discs have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Desert Island Discs has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Desert Island Discs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Island Discs:

1. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
2. The Louis Theroux Podcast
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
5. Dish

How many episodes of Desert Island Discs are there?

Desert Island Discs launched 17 years ago and published 2000 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Desert Island Discs?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Desert Island Discs from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Desert Island Discs?

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What guests have appeared on Desert Island Discs?

Recent guests on Desert Island Discs include:

1. Donna Langley
2. Thom Yorke
3. Jane Goodall
4. Si King
5. Sara Pascoe
6. Stephen Westaby
7. Jessie Buckley
8. Dwayne Fields

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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