Last Word

Mar 21 2025 507 ep. 27 mins 15.5k
Last Word Podcast artwork

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

  Society & Culture
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Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC, Dame Julie Kenny, Tuppy Owens, Dick McTaggart

Mar 21 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister on: Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC , the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain during the second world war.Dame Julie Kenny, the successful businesswoman from Rotherham who led the regeneration of one of Britain’s largest stately homes.Tuppy Owens, who campaigned for greater openness about sex – and set up charities to h

Athol Fugard, Janet Pharaoh, Alison Halford, Johnny Green

Mar 14 2025 27 mins  
Kirsty Lang on: Athol Fugard, the playwright whose art became synonymous with exposing the inequities of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Janet Pharaoh, the dancer from Yorkshire who became the artistic director at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Alison Halford who rose through the ranks to become the first female Assistant Chief Constable. Johnny Green, the former roadie and to

Bill Dare, Clint Hill, Valérie André, Gene Hackman

Mar 07 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister on Bill Dare, the writer and producer behind some of Radio 4’s best loved comedies, including “The Now Show” and “Dead Ringers”. Jan Ravens pays tribute.Clint Hill, the American Secret Service agent who threw himself across President John F. Kennedy’s body after he was shot in Dallas.Valérie André, the first woman General in the French military who w

Roberta Flack, Dr D G Hessayon, Keith Dewhurst, Rose Hanks

Feb 28 2025 27 mins  
John Wilson on:Musician Roberta Flack, best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. Dr David Hessayon, the author of a series of gardening books known as The Expert guides. His one word advice to keen gardeners was 'mulch'. Keith Dewhurst whose work for television and stage included the National’s unconventional adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford.

Rick Buckler, Margaret Miles-Bramwell, Harry Stewart Jr, Maureen Halton

Feb 21 2025 27 mins  
John Wilson on Rick Buckley, the drummer in The Jam, one of the most popular and influential British bands of the 70s and 80s. Margaret Miles-Bramwell who founded Slimming World in response to what she saw as humiliation tactics by weight loss groups. World War Two fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr, part of the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen who despite huge successes in

Nigel McCrery, Andrée Dumon, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Diana Melly

Feb 14 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister onNigel McCrery, the former police officer who created the popular TV series “Silent Witness” and “New Tricks”.Andrée Dumon, who rescued many allied service men during the Second World War by escorting them along “The Comet Line” from Brussels to Paris.Lord Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru and the first Presiding Officer of the National A

Tony Martin, Pete Wilkinson, Loretta Ford, Marianne Faithfull

Feb 07 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister onTony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a burglar and started a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves.Pete Wilkinson, the co-founder of Greenpeace UK, known for his high-profile direct-action campaigns. Loretta Ford, who pioneered the role of nurse practitioner in American health care.Marianne Faithfull, the singer and actre

Rev Don Cupitt, Phyllis Dalton, Cecile Richards, Michael Longley

Jan 31 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister on The Reverend Don Cupitt, the controversial theologian whose TV series “The Sea of Faith” asked in what form - if any - is Christian faith possible for us today?Phyllis Dalton, the Oscar winning costume designer who worked on classic films, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago” and “Oliver!”.Cecile Richards, the American activist who c

Dame Joan Plowright, Sir Jim Walker, Barbara Clegg, Denis Law

Jan 24 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister on Dame Joan Plowright, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation who was married to Laurence Olivier. Dame Judi Dench pays tribute.Sir Jim Walker, who built up his family business from a small bakery in the North of Scotland to become a global food exporter. Barbara Clegg, the first woman to write a story for Dr Who.Denis Law – the Scottish born foo

Tony Slattery, Rosalind Savill, Paddy Hill, Noreen Riols

Jan 17 2025 27 mins  
Matthew Bannister onThe comedian and actor Tony Slattery. Sir Stephen Fry reflects on his friend’s talent – and struggle with addiction and poor mental health. Dame Rosalind Savill, the respected director who brought new audiences to the Wallace Collection in London.Paddy Hill, one of six men wrongly convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974. Noreen Riols, wh