Desert Island Discs

Dwayne Fields, explorer and broadcaster who became the UK’s Chief Scout in 2024 and the first Black Briton to reach the Magnetic North Pole. He discusses how adventure inspires young people, balancing extreme expeditions with family life, finding belonging in Scouts, surviving violence and homelessness, and making the outdoors more inclusive for diverse communities.

Roula Khalaf, the Financial Times editor who reported across the Middle East, reflects on growing up in Beirut and becoming a foreign correspondent. She recalls music tied to key life moments, reporting in conflict zones, newsroom leadership and the challenges facing journalism today. Short, personal stories mingle with vivid memories and chosen songs.

Richard Young, photographer once dubbed the 'king of the paparazzi', whose five-decade archive captures countless cultural icons. He tells vivid tales of gatecrashing Elizabeth Taylor, first shots of Paul Getty Jr., close friendships with rock stars and working at Electric Lady Studios. Stories touch on trust, nightlife, iconic portraits and a life spent at the centre of celebrity culture.

Tahra Zafar, a costume and creature effects designer who built stage Paddington and worked at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, discusses puppet design, making Hedwig and Scabbers for Harry Potter, and managing 23,000 costumes for the London 2012 ceremonies. She also reflects on testing children’s characters with her daughter and the craft behind large-scale live and screen productions.

Professor Michele Dougherty, Astronomer Royal and space physicist who led magnetometer teams on Cassini and JUICE. She talks about discovering Enceladus’s plume, measuring hidden oceans from magnetic signals, balancing public engagement with scientific leadership, and the emotional bonds formed with long-lived spacecraft. Short, vivid stories weave science, music and personal memory.

Kemi Badenoch, Conservative MP and Leader of the Opposition, former cabinet minister who grew up between Lagos and London. She discusses blunt, honest leadership and party unity. She recalls leaving Nigeria for school, her tech career, and political beginnings. Music and family memories weave through her story.

Adeel Akhtar, an award-winning British actor celebrated for Four Lions, Murdered by My Father and Sherwood. He talks about taking terrifying roles, his Actors Studio training and preparation rituals. He reflects on family origins, immigrant resilience and identity. He shares musical memories, pivotal career moments and the personal meaning behind his favourite song.

Jesse Armstrong chats with Edgar Wright, a renowned director famous for films like Shaun of the Dead, who reflects on his early fascination with King's works. Maitland McDonagh, a film critic dubbed the 'First Lady of Horror,' discusses the cultural impact of Carrie and why King’s storytelling captivates filmmakers. Mike Flanagan, known for adapting King's narratives, shares insights into the emotional depth of his horror and the challenges of movies like Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, emphasizing the balance between horror and humanism.

Jojo Moyes, novelist and former journalist behind Me Before You, reflects on her East London roots and globe‑spanning book success. She talks about music as a mood lifter, childhood memories with the Beatles, obsession with horses and dressage, working nights while writing, reporting in Hong Kong, and choosing Dostoyevsky and a mechanical horse for island life.

In this engaging conversation, Kate Winslet, an Oscar-winning British actor renowned for her diverse roles, delves into her acting philosophy emphasizing genuine human connection. She shares heartfelt stories about her family's resilience, including her father's acting influence and a boating accident that shaped her childhood. Kate reflects on the unexpected fame from Titanic and the challenges it brought, while also discussing her directorial debut, Goodbye June. With humor and warmth, she highlights the importance of family traditions and music in her life.