In Their Own Words

23 books in this series
Emma Thompson In Her Own Words
Emma Thompson In Her Own Words
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
Henry Cooper In His Own Words
Henry Cooper In His Own Words
A fascinating chance to hear legendary boxer Henry Cooper talk about his life and career, in a selection of interviews taken from the BBC radio and TV archive.

The interviews are: Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 16 May 1966, featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson , BBC One (first broadcast 19 October 1974, featuring Michael Parkinson); Parkinson, BBC One (first broadcast 24 October 1979, featuring Michael Parkinson, Benny Green); Maestro, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 11 June 1984, featuring Frank Keating, Jim Wicks) and Myself When Young, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 3 April 1991, featuring Claire Rayner).

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
John Mortimer In His Own Words
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
Kelly Holmes In Her Own Words
Kelly Holmes In Her Own Words
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
John Lennon In His Own Words
John Lennon In His Own Words
John Lennon was a world famous and influential singer/songwriter and former member of the Beatles.

Here he discusses his life and achievements in a series of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive: Tonight, broadcast on BBC TV, 18 June 1965 (featuring Kenneth Allsop); The World of Books, broadcast on BBC Radio, 3 July 1965 (featuring Wilfred De'Ath); The Beatles in New York, broadcast on BBC Radio, 30 August 1965 (featuring Brian Mathew); Release, broadcast on BBC TV, 22 June 1968 (featuring Peter Lewis, Victor Spinetti); BBC Radio archive interview, dated 30 March 1969 (featuring Bob Parrin); BBC Radio archive interview, dated 1 January 1970 (featuring David Wigg, Yoko Ono); The Lennon Tapes, broadcast on BBC Radio, 18 & 21 January 1981 (featuring Andy Peebles, Yoko Ono).

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
Martina Navratilova In Her Own Words
Martina Navratilova In Her Own Words
In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, Martina Navratilova talks about her life and career as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

The interviews included are: BBC Radio interview (first broadcast 1 June 1978, featuring Gerald Williams); BBC Radio interview, (first broadcast 6 July 1979, featuring Gerald Williams, Jana Navratilova); BBC Radio interview (first broadcast 7 July 1984 (featuring Mike Ingham); Nicky Campbell, BBC Radio (first broadcast 18 January 1995, featuring Nicky Campbell); Friday Night With Jonathan Ross , BBC TV (first broadcast 23 June 2006, featuring Jonathan Ross); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio (first broadcast 10 July 2006, featuring Jenni Murray); The Steve Wright Show with Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio (first broadcast 11 July 2006, featuring Mark Radcliffe); The Andrew Marr Show, BBC TV (first broadcast 22 June 2008, featuring Andrew Marr); The Jeremy Vine Show, BBC Radio (first broadcast 5 July 2010 (featuring Jeremy Vine).

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
Spike Milligan In His Own Words
Spike Milligan In His Own Words
In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, Spike Milligan talks about his life and career as one of the foremost comedy writers and performers of the 20th Century.

The interviews included are: It Takes All Sorts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 23 January 1967 (featuring Holmes Tolley); Line Up, broadcast on BBC Radio, 30 October 1969 (featuring Joan Bakewell); Laugh Till It Hurts, broadcast on BBC Radio, 10 June 1971 (featuring Ralph Rolls); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC Television, 13th January 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Face Your Image, broadcast on BBC Television, 14 March 1975 (featuring David Dimbleby); In the Psychiatrist's Chair, broadcast on BBC Radio, 25 September 1982 (featuring Anthony Clare); Famous Last Words, broadcast on BBC Television, 29 September 1986 (featuring Peter France).

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 Betjeman In His Own Words
John Betjeman In His Own Words
In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, John Betjeman (Poet Laureate 1972) talks about his life and career as one of the foremost poets of the 20th Century.

The interviews included are: Asian Club, broadcast on BBC Radio, 7 July 1959 (featuring Arthur Russell and studio audience); People of Today, broadcast on BBC Radio, 24 December 1959 (featuring Irene Slade); Omnibus, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1972 (featuring unnamed interviewer); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 17 February 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Desert Island Discs, broadcast on BBC Radio, 12 April 1975 (featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1977 (featuring Michael Parkinson); John Betjeman: A Tribute, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 June 1984 (featuring unnamed interviewers); Time Enough! Or Not Enough Time, broadcast on BBC TV, 8 May 1994 (featuring Jonathan Steadall).

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
David Hockney In His Own Words
David Hockney In His Own Words
David Hockney has been described as Britain's 'greatest living artist'. In this fascinating collection of archive interviews we hear - in his own words - about his paintings, his schooldays and the attitudes he had while growing up. Hockney discusses the influence that his family had on him, as well as his passion for drawing and his work rate. He also touches on the importance of different types of medium, the different periods in his life - and his future.

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
Dirk Bogarde In His Own Words
Dirk Bogarde In His Own Words
This fascinating selection of extracts provides a vivid audio portrait of Dirk Bogarde, the award-winning actor and accomplished writer and artist who died in 1999.

Interviews include: Picture Parade, broadcast on BBC TV, 10 January 1961 (with Robert Robinson); The Movies, broadcast on BBC TV, 17 April 1967 (with Roger Hudson); Film Time, broadcast on BBC Radio, 12 June 1971 (with Anthony Bilbow); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 10 October 1971 (with Michael Parkinson); The Sounds of a Lifetime, broadcast on BBC Radio, 3 June 1972 (with Sheridan Morley); Profile, broadcast on BBC Radio, 18 March 1980 (with Kathleen Cheesmond); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 19 March 1980 (with Michael Parkinson); Woman's Hour, broadcast on BBC Radio, 19 March 1980 (with Jenni Mills) and 15 September 1986 (with Sarah Dunant); Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio, 31 December 1989 (with Sue Lawley); Bookshelf, BBC Radio, 13 March 1992 (with Nigel Forde).

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
Beryl Reid In Her Own Words
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
John Le Carré In His Own Words
John Le Carré In His Own Words
John le Carré was a bestselling author whose books include The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

On this recording we hear - in his own words - about being brought up by his grandparents and feeling deserted by his mother and father. He talks about being creative as a means of escapism, by telling stories about his absent parents; as well as hating public school where he suffered severe beatings. We also hear about when he worked in the army as an interrogator and his experience working in British intelligence. He discusses becoming a writer, creating Smiley, working with Alec Guinness and why he hid behind two names. In addition, we learn about what he thought of awards - and critics.

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
Stirling Moss In His Own Words
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
Laurence Olivier In His Own Words
Laurence Olivier In His Own Words
Regarded by many as the greatest actor of the 20th Century, Laurence Olivier enjoyed a stellar career in film, theatre and television, winning multiple awards along the way from the 1920s to the 1980s.

In this absorbing collection of archive interviews he discusses his schooldays and early acting career; his drama training; his spells as actor-manager running the Old Vic and the National Theatre (which he helped create); his wartime service, and his friendship and collaboration with fellow actors including John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson.

Hear all the highlights from Olivier's legendary life, as he recounts his fascinating story in his own words.

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
Stephen Fry In His Own Words
Stephen Fry In His Own Words
In a fascinating collection of archive interviews with the celebrated writer, presenter and polymath, you can hear - in his own words - the beliefs and aspirations that have shaped him. He talks about his upbringing, a time when Stephen admits he was a rebellious schoolboy and behaved outrageously in order to survive school, and discusses his early love of language and Oscar Wilde. He also recalls discovering classic radio comedy and meeting Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie at Cambridge.

Stephen is extraordinarily honest about some of his personal experiences, which have included imprisonment for credit card fraud, going public about his sexuality, and coping with public criticism. He also comments on fame, addictions, being hard on himself and wanting to make people laugh.

The interviews in this collection include: Could Do Better, BBC Radio (first broadcast 4 November 1987); Walters' Weekly, BBC Radio (first broadcast 1 January 1988, featuring John Walters); Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio (first broadcast 27 November 1988, featuring Sue Lawley); Open to Questions, BBC TV (first broadcast 1 May 1989); Parkinson, BBC TV (first broadcast 15 January 1999, featuring Michael Parkinson); Front Row, BBC Radio (first broadcast 15 September 2010, featuring Mark Lawson).


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

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