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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes576Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Artwork for Last Word

Latest Episodes

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

Bonnie Tyler, went from a Welsh council house to topping the international charts with songs like: ”Lost In France”, “Holding out for a Hero” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. Born Gaynor Hopkins in South Wales she grew up in a passionately religious... more

Dame Penelope Keith became a household name for her performances in two classic TV comedy shows of the 1970s and early 80s: The Good Life and To The Manor Born. We share her story through her own words, with interviews from the BBC Archives.

David H... more

A giant of American economics, former US Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan, was an economic pioneer who shaped the modern American economy and believed in free markets and light touch regulation. A world financial crisis after he left the job, how... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

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
Dame Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench discusses her former leading man Michael Pennington and their RSC days
Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company
Episode: Michael Pennington, Cynthia Shange, Scott Hastings, Beverley Martyn

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 326 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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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. Profile
3. Private Passions
4. This Cultural Life
5. Front Row

How many episodes of Last Word are there?

Last Word launched 16 years ago and published 576 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. Stephanie Flanders
2. Pip Hare
3. Clive Davis
4. Diane Carlson Evans
5. Marjane Satrapi
6. Sir Alex Younger
7. Kanya King
8. Clarence B. Jones

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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