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Last Word

BBC Radio 4
Malaria
MI5
BBC
Sly Dunbar
Shipwrecks
CIA
Cold War
Dr. Lowitja O'donoghue
World War II
Pope Francis
Dick Cheney
Scottish Parliament
Deborah Cameron
Nicholas White
Lord Wallace
Yvonne Brewster
Mary May Mcgee
Civil Rights Movement
Nora Cortiñas
Television

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes565Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Last Word

Latest Episodes

Matthew Bannister on Andy Kershaw, the radio DJ who championed world music, traversing the globe to bring new and eclectic sounds to a mainstream audience. For a time he was roadie to Billy Bragg who recalls their life on the road together. Dame Aver... more

Matthew Bannister on

The Indian singer Asha Bhosle who soundtracked countless Bollywood films and collaborated with Boy George, Michael Stipe and Damon Albarn.

Sir Neil Cossons, a leading light in the development of the UK’s museums.

Professor Har... more

Matthew Bannister on

Sir Craig Reedie, the sports administrator who led London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics and went on to become President of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Lord Coe pays tribute.

Bronwen Naish, the musician who devoted h... more

John Wilson on

Robert Fox the producer who had a career that spanned theatre, film and television. We have tributes from Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Robert’s brother, the actor Edward Fox.

Mary Rand MBE, the first British woman to win an Olympi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

Biruté Galdikas
Primatologist and conservationist featured for her work with orangutans in Borneo
Orangutan Foundation International
Episode: Robert Fox, Mary Rand MBE, Sir Tony Hoare, Biruté Galdikas
Sir Tony Hoare
World-renowned computer scientist known for Quicksort and programming language design
University of Oxford; Microsoft (formerly)
Episode: Robert Fox, Mary Rand MBE, Sir Tony Hoare, Biruté Galdikas
Mary Rand
First British woman to win Olympic athletics gold; multiple Olympic medals
British athletics
Episode: Robert Fox, Mary Rand MBE, Sir Tony Hoare, Biruté Galdikas
Robert Fox
Theatrical and film producer who launched careers and produced landmark works
Michael White Productions; The Crown (produced); numerous West End shows
Episode: Robert Fox, Mary Rand MBE, Sir Tony Hoare, Biruté Galdikas
Yanar Mohammed
Iraqi women's rights campaigner, founder of organizations protecting women at risk
Iraq's First Network of Women's Shelters / Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq
Episode: Yanar Mohammed, MP Phil Woolas, Professor Robin Weiss, Jane Lapotaire
Paul Conroy
Photojournalist known for frontline war reporting; subject of the interview
BBC World Service / Outlook interviewee
Episode: Paul Conroy, Kenith Trodd, Astrid Llewellyn, Jo Purvis
Kenith Trodd
Respected TV drama producer, key figure in BBC's Wednesday Play and Play for Today
British television producer, collaborator with Dennis Potter
Episode: Paul Conroy, Kenith Trodd, Astrid Llewellyn, Jo Purvis
Astrid Llewellyn
Skipper of the first all-female crew in A Tall Ships Race
Sailor/Adventurer
Episode: Paul Conroy, Kenith Trodd, Astrid Llewellyn, Jo Purvis
Jo Purvis
DJ and club promoter who organized LGBTQ+ tea dances in London
Club promoter
Episode: Paul Conroy, Kenith Trodd, Astrid Llewellyn, Jo Purvis

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 324 ratings
  • Great Programme

    Informative biographical details, well presented. People are dying to get onto this programme!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teac 2021
    Australia3 months ago
  • Always something to absorb

    Really - my music collection has expanded thanks to this podcast- I never expected that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    paulsplanet
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • 😭😭😭😭😭😭

    Techno blade now please 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hgjfvghjhfjgfghjgfhfjhg
    United States3 years ago
  • Death loses its sting!

    The range of people is excellent and interesting: a good listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Grandmatriarch
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • It’s 2022

    In 2022 why dose Matthew Bannister think it’s ok to say “ taken the Micky “ dose he not know that it’s an anti Irish saying from the last century?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    kelly
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is viewed as a fitting, contemplative farewell that highlights both achievements and challenges in a person's life.
The program is often described as a respectful, thorough tribute that broadens understanding of diverse figures.
Listeners praise the thoughtful obituaries and biographical depth, noting that profiles feel informative and well-researched.
A few listeners feel some episodes could improve on factual accuracy or consistency in episode timing, but overall reception is positive.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bill Dare, Clint Hill, Valérie André, Gene Hackman
Q: What was it like to make that journey back to Dallas?
Clint found that revisiting the site allowed him to come to terms with his past and acknowledged that he did everything he could that day.
Bill Dare, Clint Hill, Valérie André, Gene Hackman
Q: Did you blame yourself for the president's death?
Clint felt he should have done more to prevent the assassination, despite his recognition of doing all he could at the time.
John Boyega on campaigner Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor
Q: Do you ever imagine what sort of life he might be living now if he hadn't been killed that night?
I think that Damilola would have been right there if not more.
John Boyega on campaigner Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor
Q: And how will you remember Richard Taylor?
I will definitely remember Richard Taylor as a pioneer of something great in a small community, for using his tragic loss to influence and push young people in a great direction.
John Boyega on campaigner Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor
Q: What was your impression of Richard Taylor when he launched that campaign and his determination to create something positive out of such an appalling personal tragedy?
It was definitely inspirational to me because a lot of us at the time was looking for a way out.

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 Last Word

What is Last Word about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show curates biographical portraits of people who have recently died, weaving together achievements, personal journeys, and the broader contexts of their lives. Episodes cover a wide range of fields—from civil rights and politics to art, science, and culture—often highlighting the colleagues, family members, and former collaborators who illuminate each figure's impact. A standout aspect is the breadth of subjects: activists, writers, performers, scientists, and public servants are all given thoughtful, archival-style treatment, making it accessible to general listeners while offering depth for those curious about history and human stories. The program's strengths lie in its respectful tone, well-researched narratives, and ability to tr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Last Word?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Last Word:

1. Great Lives
2. Profile
3. Private Passions
4. This Cultural Life
5. Desert Island Discs

How many episodes of Last Word are there?

Last Word launched 15 years ago and published 565 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 Last Word?

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What guests have appeared on Last Word?

Recent guests on Last Word include:

1. Biruté Galdikas
2. Sir Tony Hoare
3. Mary Rand
4. Robert Fox
5. Yanar Mohammed
6. Paul Conroy
7. Kenith Trodd
8. Astrid Llewellyn

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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