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Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4
Mental Health
Shirley Ballas
Strictly Come Dancing
Dancing
British Open To the World Professional Latin Championships
Performance Art
Barbie
Octopus Energy
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Lea Salonga
Pia Sinha
Prison Reform Trust
NASA
Marina Abramović
The Real Thing
Alexandra Jean
Tony Robbins
Daft Punk
Nirvana
Frank Sinatra

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes2000Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsMusic CommentarySociety & CultureMusic

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Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes

Roula Khalaf is a journalist and the first woman to serve as editor of the Financial Times in its 138‑year history. She joined the paper in 1995 as North Africa correspondent, covering the Algerian civil war before reporting more broadly across the M... more

Richard Young is a photographer who was once known as the “king of the paparazzi”.

His portfolio is a who’s who of some of the biggest stars in film, music, stage and popular culture from the past fifty years. From gatecrashing Elizabeth Taylor’s pa... more

Tahra Zafar is a costume and creature effects designer.

She designed the Paddington Bear puppet featured in the hit West End production Paddington: The Musical.

Born into a theatre family, she grew up with an Armenian American father who worked as... more

Professor Michele Dougherty is President of the Institute of Physics and Professor of Space Physics at Imperial College London. She was appointed Astronomer Royal last year – the first woman to hold the post in its 350-year history.

She was brought ... more

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

Roula Khalaf
Editor of the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Roula Khalaf, journalist
Richard Young
Photographer known for candid celebrity portraits and paparazzi-era work
Freelance photographer (Ritz Magazine, Daily Express, National Portrait Gallery acquisitions)
Episode: Richard Young, photographer
Tahra Zafar
Costume and creature effects designer
Independent/Studio collaborations (Henson, Paddington, etc.)
Episode: Tahra Zafar, costume and effects designer
Edgar Wright
British director known for his work on 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Baby Driver', who discusses adapting 'The Running Man'.
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Maitland McDonagh
Critic and writer known as the 'First Lady of Horror', who reflects on her experiences with King's works.
Substack
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Mike Flanagan
Writer, director, and producer known for adaptations of Stephen King's works including 'Gerald's Game'.
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Jesse Armstrong, writer
Jojo Moyes
Award-winning author known for her bestsellers and impactful storytelling.
Episode: Jojo Moyes, writer
Margaret Atwood
One of the most critically acclaimed authors in the world, known for works like The Handmaid's Tale.
Episode: Margaret Atwood, writer
Salman Rushdie
Author and Nobel laureate, known for his works including "Midnight's Children" and "The Satanic Verses".
Episode: Sir Salman Rushdie, writer

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 20.1k ratings
  • I ❤️ Desert Islands Discs!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Georgy McD
    Australia7 days ago
  • The Perfect Show

    Always enthralling

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Good Whales
    Australia11 days 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 Kingdoma month 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 States2 months ago
  • I've listened to 100s of episodes of DID, so many memorable ones, but this one with the legend Ronnie Wood is up there with the best... captues the essence of what this show is all about 👏👏

    Podcast Addict
    5
    manneym
    3 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.

Roula Khalaf, journalist
Q: What captured you about the life of a war correspondent and what it offers?
She describes adventure and a different way of looking at conflict, noting that journalists who lived through events were often not truly living them and she was drawn to that mission.
Roula Khalaf, journalist
Q: So colleagues and fellow journalists have described you as a very hands-on editor. How often do you find yourself in the newsroom?
She explains that she's in the newsroom daily, often hourly, and that being hands-on can be seen as interventionist, especially on stories she knows intimately.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: What has been your biggest motivation in pursuing a career in politics?
Badenoch is motivated by a desire to create a better future for the younger generation, drawing on her own experiences of growing up during challenging times.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: How do you cope with the political pressures and the scrutiny that comes with being a leader?
Badenoch states that she embraces the messiness of politics and believes that trust can only be rebuilt by being honest about her beliefs and actions.
Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition
Q: What are your views on identity politics?
Badenoch is critical of identity politics, asserting that it can lead to division and conflict, and advocates for a more cohesive British identity that brings people together.

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Desert Island Discs. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Desert Island Discs and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Desert Island Discs get?

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What are the audience demographics for Desert Island Discs?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Desert Island Discs, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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

How many episodes of Desert Island Discs are there?

Desert Island Discs launched 16 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Desert Island Discs. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Desert Island Discs?

Recent guests on Desert Island Discs include:

1. Roula Khalaf
2. Richard Young
3. Tahra Zafar
4. Edgar Wright
5. Maitland McDonagh
6. Mike Flanagan
7. Jojo Moyes
8. Margaret Atwood

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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