Abie Longstaff is the eldest of six children and grew up in Australia, Hong Kong and France. She knows all about squabbling, chaos and bossing younger sisters around. So she logically began her career as a barrister. She started writing when her children were born. Her favourite childhood books were Hating Alison Ashley, A Little Princess, Maura's Angel and The Black Stallion and she sneakily reads them again sometimes. Abie lives in Hove with her family.

Abie Longstaff

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Roald Dahl

In interviews ranging from 1972 to 1989, Roald Dahl talks about writing for children; his medical inventions to aid his ailing son and wife (the actress Patricia Neal) when they were seriously ill, and writing his short stories. He also covers his school days; military service; writing for films (including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and the link between cruelty and laughter. 
 
These archive recordings, many of which have not been heard since they were first transmitted, open a window into the past and shine a light on the one of the icons of our time. 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Roald Dahl In His Own Words

Emma Thompson

Dame Emma Thompson, DBE, is one of Britain's most acclaimed actresses and scriptwriters. In this collection we hear - in her own words - about her early career as a comic and scriptwriter. She discusses some of her most famous works, including Fortunes of War, Sense and Sensibility, Remains of the Day and Nanny McPhee, and explains how she has managed to remain grounded during her rise to fame as an actress. 
 
She also touches on more personal topics, including the importance of her family and friends in her life, the difficulty of being a woman in the world of Hollywood, her struggle with infertility and her charity work during the HIV and AIDs epidemic in Africa during the 1990s. 
 
The interviews included are taken from: Wogan, BBC One (first broadcast 7 October 1987); Pebble Mill, BBC One (first broadcast 14 February 1996); Hard Talk, BBC News 24 (first broadcast 19 December 2003); Phil Jupitus, BBC Radio 6 Music (first broadcast 12 October 2005), Jonathan Ross, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 25 February 2006), Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 28 March 2010). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Emma Thompson In Her Own Words

Beryl Reid

Beryl Reid, OBE, (1919-1996) was one of Britain's much-loved comedy actresses. She won a BAFTA for Best Actress and received a lifetime achievement award at the British Comedy Awards. 
 
 In this collection we hear - in her own words - about other funny women, as well as some of her well-known roles in The Belles of St Trinian's and Smiley's People, and the reaction to her role in The Killing of Sister George. She discusses her radio career and Educating Archie, as well as going to dancing school at 4 years old, becoming a success and playing the eccentric. She's also open about the challenge of maintaining relationships, her lack of confidence and having no regrets. 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Beryl Reid In Her Own Words

Various

In interviews ranging from 1963 to 2009, Shirley Bassey talks about her childhood in Tiger Bay; being a tomboy, and how she began her singing career. As well as clothes, concerts and controversially performing in Sun City (South Africa) she also talks in detail about her long career in show business. 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Shirley Bassey In Her Own Words

Bette Davis

In a selection of interviews ranging from 1958 to 1987, Bette Davis talks about visiting England; her career as a star; the film studio's attempts to change her name and image, and the Hollywood film system. 
 
 Interviews include: Profile, BBC TV (first broadcast 12 September 1958); Bette Davis at the NFT, BBC TV (first broadcast 17 December 1972); Kaleidoscope, BBC Radio (first broadcast 11 September 1974); Parkinson, BBC TV (18 October 1975); Nine Five, BBC TV (first broadcast 31 October 1975); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio (first broadcast 12 September 1979); Arena, BBC TV (first broadcast 2 November 1983). 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Bette Davis In Her Own Words

Stirling Moss

Sir Stirling Moss, OBE, was a legendary British racing driver. In this collection we hear - in his own words - about his family and upbringing, on starting out and his early career choices, and why he became a racing driver. 
 
 He discusses being a businessman, his relationships and the bittersweet feelings that occur with racing. He also touches on the many dangers involved with the sport, including the loss of friends. Stirling talks about his crash in 1962 - including his injuries and recuperation - as well as his celebrity lifestyle, his continuing popularity and reaching 70. 
 
 The clips included are taken from: Face to Face, BBC TV (first broadcast 12 June 1960); Panorama, BBC TV (first broadcast 16 July 1962); Outlook, BBC Radio (first broadcast 21 May 1974); Profile, first broadcast BBC Radio 4 (21 October 1979) The Colin Berry Programme, BBC Radio 1 (first broadcast 24 March 1980); Stirling at 70, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 17 September 1999); A Stirling Effort, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 5 November 2004). 
 
 Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Stirling Moss In His Own Words

Margaret Thatcher

In interviews ranging from 1975 to 1990, Margaret Thatcher talks about being a woman in politics; managing men and women; her response to the media attacks she received in the early days of her career, and the importance of wearing the right clothes. She also recalls her memories of home, including working in her father's grocery shop; the radio and TV programmes she enjoyed (including The Two Ronnies) and following sports like cricket and tennis. 
 
 Also mentioned are her first meeting with her future husband Denis; her worries about her son Mark when he went missing in the Sahara desert; her interest in science, and her love of porcelain and sculpture. Lastly, she discusses her stamina and her worst moment as Prime Minister (during the Falklands War). 
 
 Interviews include: Jimmy Young, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 19 February 1975); Pete Murray's Late Show, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 7 March 1982); Radio interview for Central Office of Information, BBC Radio (first broadcast 13 December 1985); Favourite Things, BBC One (26 July 1987); Wogan, BBC One (first broadcast 12 January 1990); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 17 May 1990). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Margaret Thatcher In Her Own Words

John Mortimer

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, John Mortimer, creator of the much-loved Rumpole of the Bailey, talks about his life and career as a barrister, screenwriter and novelist. 
 
 The interviews included are: Desert Island Discs, first broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 January 1968 (featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson, first broadcast BBC One, 31 October 1979 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Portrait, first broadcast BBC Two, 23 October 1989 (featuring Ludovic Kennedy) and In Touch, first broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 December 1998 (featuring Peter White). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

John Mortimer In His Own Words

Kelly Holmes

Dame Kelly Holmes won two gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in the 800 and 1500 metres. In this collection we hear - in her own words - about her determination and goals, as well as her difficult childhood. 
 
She talks about starting athletics when she was 13, driving lorries in the army and becoming an army fitness instructor. She discusses her intensive training - and injury - finally achieving her Olympic dream in Athens, and her homecoming parade back in the UK. She's also open about illness, losing confidence and self-harming, as well as new goals after athletics, such as focusing on fitness in schools, mentoring and writing a self-help book. 
 
 Interviews include: Sport on Four, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 16 September 1995); Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 6 January 2006); Graham Norton, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 15 January 2011). 
 
Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Kelly Holmes In Her Own Words

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