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Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4
Mental Health
Shirley Ballas
Strictly Come Dancing
British Open To the World Professional Latin Championships
Dancing
Performance Art
Barbie
Octopus Energy
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Lea Salonga
Prison Reform Trust
Pia Sinha
NASA
Marina Abramović
Tony Robbins
Alexandra Jean
The Real Thing
Nirvana
Frank Sinatra
Daft Punk

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes2000Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicPersonal JournalsMusic CommentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes

Sally Mann is a photographer and a New York Times bestselling writer. She is best known for making large-format black and white photographs of the people and places in her immediate surroundings: her children, her husband, and the rural landscape of ... more

Lorraine Kelly is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a mainstay of daytime television for over 40 years. She has hosted her own show Lorraine since its launch in 2010 and she was awarded a lifetime achievement BAFTA in 2024.

Lorraine was born... more

Lennie James is a British actor and writer. In 2025, he received the BAFTA for Leading Actor for his portrayal of Barrington Walker in the TV adaptation of Bernadine Evaristo’s novel Mr. Loverman.

This award adds to his collection, which also includ... more

Mary Greenwell is a makeup artist who has worked with some of the most famous faces in the world including Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, David Bowie and Cate Blanchett. Her less-is-more approach has won her plaudits in the beauty industry an... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sally Mann
Renowned photographer and writer known for her evocative exploration of the American South
Episode: Sally Mann, photographer and writer
Lorraine Kelly
Prominent journalist and broadcaster, known for her long-standing career in television and advocacy on issues like menopause and breast cancer.
Episode: Lorraine Kelly, broadcaster
Mary Greenwell
Acclaimed makeup artist known for her 'less is more' approach.
Episode: Mary Greenwell, makeup artist
Angela Harding
Artist specializing in printmaking and British wildlife
Episode: Angela Harding, artist
Bruce Springsteen
Rock legend and singer-songwriter
Episode: Bruce Springsteen on the joy of dancing
David Beckham
Professional footballer and style icon
Episode: David Beckham on his childhood love of football and fashion
Lemn Sissay
A poet who reflects on his foster family experiences
Episode: Lemn Sissay on his foster family
Adrian Edmondson
Comedian and writer, known for his work on Bottom
Episode: Adrian Edmondson on working with Rik Mayall
Ade Adepitan
Paralympian and TV presenter
Episode: Ade Adepitan on his first day at school

Host

Lauren Laverne
Host known for her warm and empathetic interviewing style, she engages with guests to explore their life journeys through music.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 19.9k ratings
  • Hello…?

    Six weeks now since the last new episode. I love Desert Island Discs. Are you coming back…?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Bradleyss
    United States2 months ago
  • Don’t like short clips

    I don’t like these short clips - get rid please

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RickStar5W
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Please stop publishing short excerpts.

    I love DID as a show, however this new trick of publishing short excerpts of archive interviews as if they’re whole new podcast episodes is infuriating. If you have to do those, put them on YouTube, please stop relentlessly imposing them on our podcast feeds.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CJ Thorpe-Tracey
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Stop clogging feed with excerpts

    Bad enough duplicating episodes I've already listened to as 'relistens' when hosts are unavailable but now clogging my feed with already heard 4 minute excerpts. STOP IT. Unscubscibed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Customer93
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Why changing it to postcards?

    I prefer the previous long episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AshGogo000
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the empathetic and engaging style of the host, making for a warm listening experience.
Some listeners express disappointment over shifts in episode format or content direction, indicating a desire for consistency in quality.
The diverse range of guests leads to fascinating stories about the connection between music and personal experiences.
Many reviews highlight the impact of music on the guests' lives, enhancing the listener's emotional engagement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sally Mann, photographer and writer
Q: When did your eyes become open to the civil rights movement, to the conversations that were going on?
Shamefully late when I was sent away to school at age 15, 16 to a very liberal boarding school in Vermont.
Sally Mann, photographer and writer
Q: What kind of spirit would you like them to approach it with?
Well, with an open mind, of course, right?
Sally Mann, photographer and writer
Q: How does that help you take a great shot?
It just helps with the objectivity, I think. There's plenty of ardour. I've got mountains of that.
Lennie James, actor
Q: What inspired you to write Storm Damage?
He wanted to offer a testament to his family on the work they were trying to do within their community.
Lennie James, actor
Q: How did you get into drama? Was it through school?
He got involved through a theatre and education group that visited his school and a personal connection with friends.

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 Desert Island Discs

What is Desert Island Discs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A unique exploration of personal stories told through music, guests share pivotal tracks that have shaped their lives along with a book and a luxury item, painting a vivid portrait of their individual journeys. The podcast features a diverse range of guests, from athletes and artists to scientists and politicians, each providing insights into their backgrounds while reflecting on the power of music to evoke memories and emotions. This blend of biography and musical celebration creates an inviting atmosphere for listeners who appreciate deep conversations and the personal connections we have with songs.

The format often highlights significant life experiences and societal themes, set against the backdrop of the guests' chosen music, making ... more

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How many listeners does Desert Island Discs get?

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What are the audience demographics for Desert Island Discs?

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How many subscribers and views does Desert Island Discs have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Desert Island Discs has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Desert Island Discs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Desert Island Discs:

1. The Louis Theroux Podcast
2. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
5. Dish

How many episodes of Desert Island Discs are there?

Desert Island Discs launched 16 years ago and published 2000 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 Desert Island Discs?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Desert Island Discs?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Desert Island Discs?

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What guests have appeared on Desert Island Discs?

Recent guests on Desert Island Discs include:

1. Sally Mann
2. Lorraine Kelly
3. Mary Greenwell
4. Angela Harding
5. Bruce Springsteen
6. David Beckham
7. Lemn Sissay
8. Adrian Edmondson

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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