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Last Word

BBC Radio 4
Dr. Lowitja O'donoghue
John Pilger
Henry Kissinger
Shane Mcgowan
Benjamin Zephaniah
Jacques Delors
Annie Nightingale
Norma Barzman
Barry John
Fashion Design
Paul Watson
Terry Venables
Justice Sandra Day O'connor
Lord Alistair Darling
Isca Salzberger-Wittenberg
Bryan Ansell
Alexei Navalny
Lord Patrick Cormack
Wendy Mitchell
Eleanor Fazan

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes560Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsDocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Last Word

Latest Episodes

Matthew Bannister on

Yanar Mohammed who campaigned for women’s rights in Iraq and set up a secret network of shelters for those fleeing abusive relationships. She was shot dead on 2nd March.

Phil Woolas, a key figure in the New Labour project who b... more

Matthew Bannister on

Paul Conroy, the photojournalist who worked extensively in war zones in the Middle East and the Balkans. He was with the Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin when she was killed in Syria.

Kenith Trodd, the TV producer best known... more

Matthew Bannister on

Neil Sedaka the prolific songwriter who had Sixties hits with Oh Carol and Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and made a Seventies comeback with Solitaire and Love Will Keep Us Together. Graham Gouldman pays tribute.

Drusilla Beyfus... more

Matthew Bannister on

Martyn Butler who was a central figure in the UK’s early response to HIV and AIDS. He was a co-founder of the Terrence Higgins Trust and gave his own home phone number as a helpline.

Allan Massie, the Scottish author and critic... 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

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
Nazila Fathi
Journalist who reported on Iran and wrote about Ayatollah Khamenei
New York Times (former Tehran correspondent)
Episode: Neil Sedaka, Drusilla Beyfus, Professor Dame Carole Jordan, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Reverend Jesse Jackson
Leading civil rights campaigner, known for his work towards advancing African American rights.
Episode: Reverend Jesse Jackson, Diane Munday, Philippe Gaulier, Lady Jean Wilson
Diane Munday
Campaigner for abortion rights in the UK, co-founder of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
Episode: Reverend Jesse Jackson, Diane Munday, Philippe Gaulier, Lady Jean Wilson
Philippe Gaulier
Famed clown teacher known for his unique teaching methods that influenced many actors.
Gaulier School
Episode: Reverend Jesse Jackson, Diane Munday, Philippe Gaulier, Lady Jean Wilson

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 323 ratings
  • Great Programme

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teac 2021
    Australia2 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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How many subscribers and views does Last Word have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Last Word?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Last Word:

1. Great Lives
2. This Cultural Life
3. Desert Island Discs
4. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
5. More or Less

How many episodes of Last Word are there?

Last Word launched 15 years ago and published 560 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. Yanar Mohammed
2. Paul Conroy
3. Kenith Trodd
4. Astrid Llewellyn
5. Jo Purvis
6. Nazila Fathi
7. Reverend Jesse Jackson
8. Diane Munday

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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