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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes579Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Last Word

Latest Episodes

Rod Liddle was a columnist and broadcaster who strongly divided opinion. Some saw him as an entertaining satirist, others, a bigot. As a teenager he joined a punk band and studied social psychology at the London School of Economics. He was politicall... more

Gunther von Hagens, often known as Dr Death, was a German anatomist who developed a system of plastination to preserve human bodies permanently after death. His aim was to de-mystify anatomy and created the internationally successful “Body Worlds” ex... more

Brenda Fricker became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award for her performance in the film “My Left Foot”. She began her career with parts in Ireland’s first soap opera Tolka Row, ITV’s Coronation Street, and became a household name as the n... more

Sam Neill starred in over fifty films and numerous television series, playing often wildly different roles, from a palaeontologist in Jurassic Park to a repressed husband in The Piano. When he was seven years old the family moved from Northern Irelan... more

Key Facts

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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

Sister Maggie Ross
Renowned solitary nun and theologian
Independent theologian
Episode: The Good Life of Dame Penelope Keith
Stephanie Flanders
Head of economics and government at Bloomberg; commentator on Greenspan
Bloomberg
Episode: "He became one of the most powerful men in the world” - the story of the man who shaped modern economics
Pip Hare
Friend and Vendée Globe competitor; fellow sailor
Vendée Globe competitor
Episode: "He became one of the most powerful men in the world” - the story of the man who shaped modern economics
Clive Davis
Music industry executive; signer of major artists
Columbia Records / Arista Records
Episode: "He became one of the most powerful men in the world” - the story of the man who shaped modern economics
Diane Carlson Evans
Nurse and Vietnam War veteran who campaigned for a women's memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial campaign
Episode: Founder of the ‘MOBOs’ and champion of black music – Kanya King
Marjane Satrapi
French-Iranian artist and filmmaker, author of Persepolis
Artist/Filmmaker
Episode: Founder of the ‘MOBOs’ and champion of black music – Kanya King
Sir Alex Younger
Former Director of the UK Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
MI6
Episode: Founder of the ‘MOBOs’ and champion of black music – Kanya King
Kanya King
Founder of the MOBO Awards, champion of black British music
MOBO Awards
Episode: Founder of the ‘MOBOs’ and champion of black music – Kanya King
Clarence B. Jones
Civil rights lawyer who helped write Dr. King's speeches
Legal, civil rights
Episode: Clarence B Jones, Judith Chalmers, Dr Anna Ritchie, Professor Frank Land

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 327 ratings
  • Great Programme

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teac 2021
    Australia6 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 States4 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.

Listeners praise thorough biographical detail and thoughtful presentation.
A few criticisms note occasional pacing or topics that feel broad or traditional.
The show is valued for its varied, quality guests and moving memorial tone.

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?

A thoughtful obituary-focused programme that profiles notable figures who have recently died, weaving personal memories, career milestones, and cultural impact across arts, science, sports, politics, and public life. Episodes commonly feature intimate reminiscences from colleagues, family, and peers, alongside context about the era and field each figure influenced. A standout pattern is the breadth of subjects—from actors and musicians to scientists and public servants—delivered with measured respect, archival material, and analyses of legacy. The show often pairs multi-guest segments to build a mosaic of lives touched by public attention, making it useful for listeners seeking moving biographical storytelling and professional insights into... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Last Word?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Last Word:

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

How many episodes of Last Word are there?

Last Word launched 16 years ago and published 579 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Last Word?

Recent guests on Last Word include:

1. Sister Maggie Ross
2. Stephanie Flanders
3. Pip Hare
4. Clive Davis
5. Diane Carlson Evans
6. Marjane Satrapi
7. Sir Alex Younger
8. Kanya King

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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