Last Word (BBC Radio 4)

Andrea Catherwood on Iraqi politician Tariq Aziz, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Charles Kennedy; Oscar winning costume designer Julie Harris; flamboyant Australian property developer and entrepreneur Alan Bond and violinist Peter Cropper who founded the Lindsay Quartet.

Andrea Catherwood on film star Christopher Lee, internationally famous for his villainous, on screen roles. Cookery writer and broadcasting pioneer Marguerite Patten, explorer Major 'Roy' Homard who made the first crossing of the Antarctic, German born band leader and purveyor of 'Happy Music' James Last and actor Ron Moody, best known for playing Fagin in Oliver.

Matthew Bannister on

Morris Beckman - the East End Jewish activist who co-founded the 43 Group to fight against post-war British fascists.

Ornette Coleman - the pioneering saxophonist who developed free jazz improvisation.

Tanith Lee - the prolific science fiction author who also wrote episodes of the TV series Blake's 7.

Süleyman Demirel - who was seven times Prime Minister and then President of Turkey.

And the American tennis player Doris Hart - who won three Wimbledon titles in one day.

Matthew Bannister on:

The controversial Chief Inspector of Schools Sir Chris Woodhead who said he was paid to challenge "mediocrity, failure and complacency".

The actor Patrick Macnee, best known for playing the suave John Steed in the Avengers. Dame Diana Rigg pays tribute.

Dame Anne Warburton who was the UK's first woman ambassador.

The Fleet Street sub-editor Vic Mayhew, who was as well known for his hard drinking antics as for his headlines.

And the film composer James Horner who won two Oscars for his Titanic soundtrack.

Matthew Bannister on

Sir Nicholas Winton who saved 669 children from the advancing Nazis in Czechoslovakia.

Also the Irish singer Val Doonican - known for his cardigans and rocking chair - he was sometimes called Britain's Bing Crosby.

The Indian artist Nek Chand who created the extraordinary Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Jarvis Cocker pays tribute.

The novelist and former fighter pilot James Salter

And Lady Rozelle Raynes, the daughter of an Earl who became a stoker on a tug boat during the war.

Matthew Bannister on

Actor Omar Sharif

Flying squad detective Stanley Moore - always known as Steve, he helped to catch some of the Great Train Robbers.

Theatre Director Jules Wright who co-founded the Women's Playhouse Trust and set up the Wapping Project arts venue.

Former Russian Foreign and Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov.

And the composer Ernest Tomlinson, best known for his light orchestral works.

Matthew Bannister on

Joyce Bennett who was the first English woman to be ordained as an Anglican priest. It happened in Hong Kong in 1971.

Prince Saud al-Faisal, who was the world's longest serving foreign minister, representing the interests of Saudi Arabia for forty years.

Burt Shavitz, the American beekeeper who developed a popular range of beeswax products.

Professor Michael Oliver, the physician who demonstrated the link between cholesterol and heart disease.

And the publisher Ian Allan, whose books of locomotive numbers led to the hobby of trainspotting.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Matthew Bannister on

The Reverend Owen Chadwick, the distinguished ecclesiastical historian who was vice Chancellor of Cambridge University during student protests in the 1970s and chaired an influential commission on Church and State.

Also Jon Vickers the operatic tenor best known for playing muscular roles like Samson, Otello and Peter Grimes.

Yoichiro Nambu, the theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize for his ground-breaking work on sub atomic particles.

Nova Pilbeam, the leading lady in early Hitchcock films who later turned her back on stage and screen.

And Nick Ryman who made his fortune by building up the family stationery firm and then moved to France to become a successful wine maker.

Matthew Bannister on

The singer and TV presenter Cilla Black - we go behind the scenes to discover the secret of her success on Saturday night TV.

Michael Kidson who taught history at Eton for thirty years, delighting his pupils by his maverick behaviour.

The Indian scientist and reluctant politician APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the "People's President".

The Scottish public health campaigner Evelyn Gillan who targeted domestic violence and fought for minimum pricing for alcohol.

And the actor George Cole, best known for playing Arthur Daley in the TV series Minder.

Last Word is presented by Reeta Chakrabarti this week. She will be remembering:

The comic writer and novelist David Nobbs - we speak to his friend and fellow writer Jonathan Coe about the man who invented the 1970s anti-hero Reginald Perrin;

Frances Kelsey, the scientist whose concerns about the drug Thalidomide prevented it from being approved in the US;

Kyril Zinovieff, who as a child in Russia saw Rasputin, and as a spy for Britain encountered Hitler;

The Italian fashion designer Elio Fiorucci, who introduced the world to skintight vinyl jeans;

And the musician Harry Pitch, the harmonica player who performed everywhere from jazz clubs to opera houses.

Producer: Neil George.

Presenter Lucy Ash remembers:

Khaled Al-Asaad, the Syrian archaeologist beheaded by Islamic State who was famous for his in depth knowledge and love of the ancient city of Palmyra;

Jazz Summers, the maverick music manager who took Wham! to China and had a reputation as a hard man;

Jack Gold, multi-BAFTA winning TV director of the Naked Civil Servant and Goodnight Mr Tom; Manuel Contreras, the army general who ran Chile's brutal secret police during Pinochet's dictatorship;

And Dawn Wofford, the showjumping champion who won her first competition at the age of three.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The trade union official Bernie Passingham who helped women workers at the Ford Motor Company in their fight for equal pay.

Medical researcher Chris Marshall who identified one of the human oncogenes which cause cancer.

Wayne Carson who wrote the song Always on My Mind, which was recorded by Elvis Presley, the Pet Shop Boys and eight hundred other artists.

Michael Turk, a Queen's Waterman and Swan Marker who built historic boats for film and TV.

And author Marie Dobbs who completed Jane Austen's unfinished last novel Sanditon.

Matthew Bannister on

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu who founded the National Motor Museum, opened his estate to the public and served a prison sentence for homosexuality. His son, who has succeeded to the title, pays tribute.

Joy Beverley - one of the Beverley sisters who became close harmony singing stars in the 1940s and 50s. She married the England and Wolves footballer Billy Wright, making them the Posh and Becks of their day.

The neurologist Oliver Sacks who told his patients' extraordinary stories in books like "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat".

And Annette Worsley-Taylor who started London Fashion Week to promote young British designers.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Sir Adrian Cadbury - who was chairman of the family confectionery firm, led its merger with Schweppes and wrote an influential report on corporate governance. He was also an Olympic rower - and Sir Steve Redgrave pays tribute.

Rico Rodriguez the trombonist who helped create ska and reggae and played with the Specials and Jools Holland, who shares his memories.

Ieng Thirith - health minister of the Khmer Rouge and sister in law of Pol Pot. She was indicted for crimes against humanity.

Margaret Harrison who founded the Home Start charity which sends volunteers to help parents who are struggling to cope.

Matthew Bannister on

Sir David Willcocks - one of the most influential choir masters of his generation. Known for his descants to Christmas carols, he was director of music at King's College Cambridge for 17 years - and led the Bach choir for 38.

Merv Adelson the property developer who founded the TV company Lorimar which made hits like the Waltons, Dallas and Knots Landing.

Mariem Hassan, the singer from the marginalised Sahrawi people who used her music to promote their cause.

Brian Close the Yorkshire and England cricket captain noted for his courage at the crease.

And Beryl Renwick who became a presenter on BBC Radio Humberside in her eighties and won the industry's top award.

Matthew Bannister on

Brian Sewell, the art critic with the distinctive voice, outspoken opinions and love of dogs.

Jackie Collins who sold millions of copies of her sex and showbusiness novels,

Ted Smith, the conservationist who built up the UK's network of Wildlife Trusts.

PJ Kavanagh, the poet who also played a Nazi loving priest in the TV comedy Father Ted.

And Yogi Berra the top baseball player also known for his mangling of the English language.

Matthew Bannister on

The award winning Irish playwright Brian Friel, best known for Dancing At Lughnasa and Translations.

Argentine General Mario Menéndez who was appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands during the invasion.

Tessa Ransford who founded the Scottish Poetry Library.

John Guillermin who directed movie blockbusters like The Towering Inferno, Death on the Nile, and the 1976 re-make of King Kong.

And Ben Cauley, the trumpeter who was the only survivor of the plane crash which killed Otis Redding.

Producer: Neil George.

Lucy Ash on the former Labour politician Denis Healey who was Chancellor of the Exchequer during the Winter of Discontent in 70s; Catalan literary agent Carmen Ballcells known as Big Mamma to her Nobel Prize winning authors;Captain Bob Arnott, beloved by his passengers on the QE2; Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell and radical priest Reverend Kenneth Leech, who founded the homelessness charity Centrepoint.

Julian Worricker on: The former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, Geoffrey Howe, whose resignation speech in the Commons was generally regarded as the beginning of the end for Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister. The journalist, Sue Lloyd-Roberts, whose reporting frequently took her to some of the most dangerous parts of the world. The farmer and conservationist, Joe Henson, who founded the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Hugh Scully, who rose to fame as a television presenter through his work on 'Nationwide' and 'Antiques Roadshow'. And the composer, Alexander Faris, best known for writing the theme tune to the 1970s ITV drama, Upstairs Downstairs.

Matthew Bannister on

General Jack Galvin who was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe as the Cold War ended. Generals Colin Powell and David Petraeus pay tribute.

Joan Leslie - the Hollywood star who made forty films in ten years.

Michael Meacher - the former Environment minister once described by Neil Kinnock as "Tony Benn's vicar on earth." The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joins us.

Howard Kendall - Everton football club's most successful manager. Gary Lineker remembers playing under him.

Jerry Parr - the secret service agent who saved President Ronald Reagan's life when he was shot.

Matthew Bannister on

Professor Lisa Jardine, the historian whose intellectual curiosity stretched across the arts and sciences. She was chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and a regular broadcaster on Radio 4.

Philip French, for thirty-five years the Chief Film Critic of the Observer.

Ronnie Massarella who built up a successful family ice cream business and managed the British showjumping team for 32 years.

And Maureen O'Hara, the red haired Irish film star known as the Queen of Technicolor. She appeared opposite John Wayne in five of his films including the Quiet Man.

Matthew Bannister on

Norman Moore, the conservationist who discovered that organochorine pesticides were decimating the UK's bird of prey population. He fought a twenty year campaign to have them banned.

The singer Diane Charlemagne - known as the diva of drum and bass. We have a tribute from Moby.

The academic David Cesarani - a leading authority on modern Jewish history.

The actor and screenwriter Colin Welland who, on winning an Oscar for Chariots of Fire, announced "The British Are Coming".

And a powerful poem read by the Radio 4 newsreader and Chief Announcer Peter Donaldson.

Matthew Bannister on

Helmut Schmidt, the German Chancellor who helped to design the European Monetary System and agreed that US nuclear weapons could be sited in his country. His friend the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger pays tribute.

Also the jockey Pat Eddery - Willie Carson remembers their rivalry on the course and their friendship off it.

The actress and TV scriptwriter Julia Jones, who wrote the sitcom Take Three Girls and the period drama The Duchess of Duke Street.

The businessman Lord Noon who made millions by selling authentic take away Indian curries to the British.

And the trombonist Nat Peck, last survivor of the Glenn Miller Band.

Matthew Bannister on

Roy Dommett, one of the UK's leading rocket scientists who was also a well known morris dancer.

Warren Mitchell, the actor best known for playing Alf Garnett in the TV sit com "Till Death Us Do Part"

Allen Toussaint, the New Orleans producer and musician who worked with many of the great names in rock.

Cynthia Payne, who ran a brothel at her home in Streatham where men exchanged luncheon vouchers for sex.

And Jonah Lomu, the rugby player who won 63 caps for the All Blacks and scored 37 international tries.

Matthew Bannister on

TV pioneer Peter Dimmock. An accomplished presenter and also a BBC executive, he directed the coverage of the Queen's coronation in 1953.

Also SOE agent Alix d'Unienville. In the days before D Day she was parachuted into occupied France with a suitcase containing forty million francs.

Yolanda Sonnabend who designed some of the UK's best loved ballets

Maggie Eales who rose from the secretarial pool at ITN to become the company's Foreign Editor. Jon Snow pays tribute.

And George Barris who created some of the most exotic vehicles in TV and film, including the Batmobile, the Munsters' Koach and the intelligent car in Knight Rider.

Matthew Bannister on

General Sir Robert Ford who was Commander Land Forces Northern Ireland at the time of the Bloody Sunday shootings.

Hazel Adair, the TV scriptwriter behind hit series like Compact, Emergency Ward 10 and Crossroads.

Professor Jane Wardle, the behavioural scientist who transformed our understanding of cancer screening and prevention.

Gerry Byrne, the Liverpool left back who was part of the England World Cup winning squad in 1966.

And PF Sloan, the enigmatic musician who wrote the number one hit "Eve of Destruction"

Matthew Bannister on

The Israeli chemical weapons expert Marcus Klingberg, who was revealed to have been spying for the Soviet Union.

The Scottish writer William McIlvanney, best known for his Jack Laidlaw crime novels. Val McDermid pays tribute.

Setsuko Hara, one of Japan's most popular film actresses.

Joel Elkes, the pharmacologist who pioneered the use of drugs to treat schizophrenia.

And John Peel, the anthropologist who studied Nigeria's Yoruba people.

Matthew Bannister on

The Irish cyclist, strong man and farm labourer Mick Murphy who won a famous victory in the 1958 round Ireland race.

The Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi who boasted that he tricked the Americans into invading his country.

The American soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs, who was the first black singer to appear at La Scala in Milan.

Ther last surviving Indian king from the days of the British Raj. Brajraj Mahapatra ended his days in poverty.

And Holly Woodlawn, the transgender actress who starred in Andy Warhol's film "Trash" and Lou Reed's song "Walk On The Wild Side"

Matthew Bannister and Economist Obituary Editor Ann Wroe recall some of the most memorable lives of 2015, including a diver, a scientist and a singer.

Producer: Edwina Pitman.

Recording engineer, Eric Tomlinson, who worked on the score for Star Wars and added music to Charlie Chaplin's silent films.

Elsie Tu, social campaigner, legislator and educationalist in Hong Kong.

Author, Peter Dickinson, who twice received the prestigious Carnegie medal for his work.

Entrepreneur, Lillian Vernon, whose catalogue business was the first company owned by a woman to be listed on the US Stock Exchange.

Motorhead frontman, Lemmy, who's credited with introducing punk sounds into heavy metal.

Producer: Maire Devine

Matthew Bannister on

Robert Stigwood, the impresario who managed Eric Clapton and The Bee Gees, produced Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita and the movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

Patricia Torrens the first adviser on diet to the Department of Health.

Pierre Boulez, the avant garde French composer and conductor who pioneered serialism and the use of electronics.

Lord Ezra who was chairman of the National Coal Board in the 1970s.

And Natalie Cole, the acclaimed singer who battled drug addiction and sang a posthumous duet with her father Nat King Cole.

Matthew Bannister on

David Bowie, art expert, fashion icon and media manipulator.

Alan Rickman, the actor most famous for playing villains from the Sheriff of Nottingham to Professor Snape.

Olwyn Hughes, the sister of the poet Ted Hughes who fiercely guarded his literary legacy and that of his late wife Sylvia Plath.

And Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, the Radio 1 and 2 DJ who presented Junior Choice.

Matthew Bannister on

Glenn Frey - singer, guitarist and songwriter with The Eagles - who sold millions of albums in the 1970s.

Lord Weidenfeld, the influential publisher, party giver and networker - and, in later life, rescuer of Christians from Syria and Iraq.

The writer and activist Jeanne Cordova - a former nun who campaigned for lesbian rights.

Haskell Wexler, the cinematographer who won an Oscar for the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?".

And Gilbert Kaplan, the multi millionaire businessman who conducted Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony more than a hundred times.

Matthew Bannister on

The Conservative politician Lord Parkinson. He masterminded the 1983 election victory but was forced to resign when his affair with his secretary was revealed.

Bill Mitchell, who lived and breathed the Yorkshire Dales, editing the Dalesman magazine and writing hundreds of books.

Paddy Doherty, the Irish Republican activist who played a leading role in Derry's 1969 Battle of the Bogside.

Henry Worsley, the former SAS soldier and explorer who died whilst attempting the first solo unaided crossing of Antarctica.

And Dr Gladys-Marie Fry, the folklorist who chronicled the African American experience.

Matthew Bannister on

Sir Terry Wogan - we have a tale of two cities: memories from his home town of Limerick and accolades from his fantasy town of Leicester.

Lord Lucan, finally declared dead this week after disappearing in the 1970s. Mystery still surrounds his involvement in the murder of his children's nanny.

The actor Frank Finlay, who often played darker characters. His Bouquet of Barbed Wire co-star Susan Penhaligon remembers him.

Denise St Aubyn Hubbard who represented Britain as a diver in the 1948 Olympics and sailed single handed across the Atlantic aged 64.

And Maurice White the singer and songwriter who founded Earth Wind and Fire.

Matthew Bannister on

Professor Marvin Minsky - the computer scientist who carried out pioneering work on artificial intelligence.

Margaret Forster who wrote novels like Georgy Girl and acclaimed biographies including a life of Daphne Du Maurier.

Peter Powell who invented the stunt kite and turned it into a global business, before it all came crashing down.

Sir Brian Tovey who was director of the Government Communications Head Quarters - GCHQ - when the government tried to introduce a ban on trade union membership.

And Joe Alaskey, the voice artist behind Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny.

Matthew Bannister on

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the United Nations Secretary General who had to deal with genocide in Rwanda and the war in the Balkans.

Edmonde Charles-Roux, the former resistance fighter who became editor of French Vogue magazine.

Norman Hudis, the screenwriter of many of the Carry On comedy films.

And Antonin Scalia, the conservative US Supreme Court Justice.

Reeta Chakrabarti on Tony Warren, who created the long-running TV soap Coronation Street, embedding a working-class north of England cast of characters in the national consciousness. Louise Rennison, comedian and author of young adult fiction, whose frank and funny books won her a loyal following amongst teenage girls. Lord Chorley, a parliamentarian and conservationist, whose many public roles included former chairman of the National Trust. George Kennedy, the versatile American character actor, who won an Oscar for his role in the film Cool Hand Luke. And John Chilton, the trumper

Reeta Chakrabarti on

Sir George Martin, the legendary music producer who oversaw the Beatles' phenomenal success. Nancy Reagan, the US First Lady, who went from actor to political wife, to campaigner against drug abuse. Ray Tomlinson, one of the pioneers of the internet, and a founder of the email system. And Gillian Avery, historian and award-winning author of children's literature.

Matthew Bannister on

Cliff Michelmore who brought a relaxed informality to presenting TV programmes like Tonight and 24 Hours, without losing intelligence or authority.

Sylvia Anderson who - with her husband Gerry - produced TV puppet series like Thunderbirds and Stingray. She was also the voice of Lady Penelope.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the composer and former Master of the Queen's Music who made his home in a remote part of Orkney.

The author Anita Brookner who won the Booker prize for her novel Hotel du Lac.

And the magician Paul Daniels,, whose catch phrase was "You'll like this - not a lot - but you'll like it.".

Matthew Bannister on

The internationally acclaimed architect Dame Zaha Hadid, known to some as "the queen of the curve".

Ronnie Corbett, whose partnership with Ronnie Barker made him one of the UK's best loved comedians.

General Meir Dagan, head of the Israeli secret service Mossad when it was credited with carrying out the assassination of five Iranian nuclear scientists.

Joan Loraine who created a much admired garden at Greencombe in Somerset

And Gary Shandling who satirised the vanities and insecurities of celebrity in his fictional TV chat show.

Matthew Bannister on

The American broadcasting nun Mother Angelica who founded the Eternal Word Television Network and dispensed traditional Catholic advice to viewers.

The German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, one of the principal architects of his country's re-unification.

Derek Serpell-Morris, who gave up his job as an accountant to become DJ Derek, playing reggae and ska and claiming to be Britain's oldest DJ.

Doreen Massey who changed the way we think about geography

and Joe Medicine Crow, the native American historian who was a direct link back to Custer's last stand.

Producer: Neil George Interviewed guest: Joanna Bogle Interviewed guest: Paul Burnell Interviewed guest: Lord Owen Interviewed guest: Hilary Wainwright Interviewed guest: Emma Jackson Interviewed guest: Dr David Featherstone Interviewed guest: Herman Viola.

Matthew Bannister on

The playwright Sir Arnold Wesker whose work celebrated working class life,

Howard Marks, the convicted cannabis smuggler and raconteur who became a folk hero to some.

Peggy Fortnum, the children's book illustrator who brought Paddington Bear to life.

The country singer Merle Haggard whose music was steeped in traditional redneck America.

And Rachel Johnson, last surviving resident of the Scottish island of St Kilda which was evacuated in 1930.

Matthew Bannister on

Rock superstar Prince - we recall his intimate gig for a handful of people here in Broadcasting House.

Ray Fitzwalter the Editor of ITV's World In Action who championed investigative journalism.

Victoria Wood - we have a tribute in song from the young comedian she inspired.

The nurse June Jolly who transformed the treatment of children in hospital - she once brought a baby elephant and a lion on to the ward to entertain her patients.

And - Mind The Gap - the voice of hundreds of station announcements Phil Sayer.

Interviewed guest: Fergus Dudley Interviewed guest: Paul Gambaccini Interviewed guest: Roger Corke Interviewed guest: Vikki Stone Interviewed guest: Margaretta Jolly Interviewed guest: Sue Burr Interviewed guest: Elinor Hamilton.

Matthew Bannister on

The economist Lord Peston who advised the Labour governments of the 60s and 70s. His son Robert Peston and Lord Hattersley pay tribute.

The women's cricket coach Ruth Prideaux who steered England to victory at the 1993 World Cup.

The Chilean President Patricio Aylwin who is credited with restoring democracy after nearly 17 years of military dictatorship.

The physicist Professor Sir David Mackay, known as 'the cleverest man in Cambridge' and a debunker of myths about climate change.

And the actor Gareth Thomas best known for his leading role in the TV series Blake's Seven.

Matthew Bannister on

The Reverend Daniel Berrigan, the American Catholic priest who devoted his life to campaigning for peace. He was arrested many times for protests against the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons.

Jenny Diski who wrote celebrated novels, essays including her travelogue Skating to Antarctica and her latest memoir In Gratitude.

Lord Walton, the eminent neurologist who wrote an influential paper on muscle diseases.

And Guy Woolfenden, long serving musical director at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Sir Trevor Nunn pays tribute.

Matthew Bannister on

Gareth Gwenlan the TV producer and Head of BBC Comedy behind a string of hits including Only Fools and Horses. Sir David Jason pays tribute.

Sir Harry Kroto, the Nobel prize winning chemist who helped to discover new forms of carbon.

Michael 'Dandy Kim' Caborn-Waterfield, the charming, well dressed scoundrel who started the Ann Summers chain of sex shops and was imprisoned in France for stealing thousands of pounds from the movie mogul Jack Warner.

The paediatrician Lilly Dubowitz who developed revolutionary tests to assess new born babies

And the Congolese singer and flamboyant dresser Papa Wemba.

Matthew Bannister on

Professor Robert McNeill Alexander - the father of animal biomechanics, who revealed how fast dinosaurs could run.

The Australian TV producer Reg Grundy who was behind a string of popular hits, including Neighbours, Wheel of Fortune and Prisoner Cell Block H.

Sally Brampton, the founding editor of British Elle magazine who wrote a powerful book about her struggle with depression.

And Tony Cozier, the West Indian cricket commentator who was a much loved member of the Test Match Special team.

Matthew Bannister on

Carla Lane who wrote hit TV comedies including The Liver Birds, Bread and Butterflies. Wendy Craig pays tribute.

The ICI Chairman Sir Denys Henderson, who fought off a takeover bid from Lord Hanson and split the company into two parts.

Jane Fawcett, the former debutante who worked with the code-breakers at Bletchley Park and then fought to conserve many of Britain's greatest Victorian buildings.

And Alan Devereux who for nearly fifty years played Sid Perks in the Archers.

Julian Worricker on:

The playwright Sir Peter Shaffer, most famous for 'The Royal Hunt of the Sun, 'Equus' and 'Amadeus'...

The physicist, Sir Denys Wilkinson, considered an expert on the electromagnetic properties of nuclear isotopes...

The dancer, Peggy Spencer - also a choreographer, adjudicator and dance event organiser...

And the man voted the sportsman of the last century, heavyweight boxer and civil rights campaigner, Muhammad Ali.

Reeta Chakrabarti on:

The MP Jo Cox , who was brutally killed in the street, after meeting local people in the West Yorkshire constituency she represented

The musician Dave Swarbrick, who found fame with the folk group Fairport Convention - and who celebrated the premature publication of his obituary by a newspaper, 17 years before his death.

The chess player Viktor Korchnoi, a grandmaster of the international circuit, who defected from the Soviet Union and whose career became enmeshed in Cold War politics.

And the showbiz writer Wendy Leigh, who produced racy celebrity biographies and steamy novels, and who had a long affair with the publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell.

Matthew Bannister on

The parasitologist Sylvia Meek who led the fight to reduce deaths from malaria.

Harry Rabinowitz who conducted the music for many films and TV series, including the English Patient and Upstairs Downstairs.

Ethel Bush who was one of the two first policewomen to be awarded the George Medal for bravery.

Sam King, the RAF veteran from Jamaica who later travelled to Britain on the Empire Windrush and became Mayor of Southwark.

And Chips Moman, the record producer who worked with Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson.

Matthew Bannister on

The Pakistani qawwali singer Amjad Sabri. A huge star in his homeland, he was shot dead in his car in Karachi.

The auctioneer Lorna Kelly who turned her back on a glittering New York lifestyle to work with Mother Teresa.

The psychologist Jerome Bruner whose work brought new insight into how children learn.

Bob Holman who gave up his academic career to live and work with people on housing estates.

And Scotty Moore who played guitar on many of Elvis Presley's biggest hits.

Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister on

The comedian Caroline Aherne who created Mrs Merton and the Royle family and struggled with the pressures of fame.

Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel. Described by President Obama as "one of the great moral voices of our time", he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

The poet Sir Geoffrey Hill whose work focused on English history, landscape and religion.

The Conservative politician Lord Mayhew. As Northern Ireland Secretary under John Major, he laid the foundations for the peace process.

And the film director Michael Cimino - best known for the Deer Hunter which won five Oscars.

Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister on

The American journalist Sydney Schanberg who won the Pulitzer prize for his reporting on Cambodia. His story was turned into the film "The Killing Fields".

The archaeologist Beatrice de Cardi, once described as "a cross between Miss Marple and Indiana Jones".

The publisher Lord Evans of Temple Guiting, who, as Matthew Evans, led Faber and Faber to great success. His friend Melvyn Bragg pays tribute.

The futurist Alvin Toffler best known for his 1970 book "Future Shock".

And the comedy producer Jimmy Gilbert who brought us "The Frost Report", "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Fawlty Towers".

Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister on

Abdul Sattar Edhi. Known as Pakistan's "Angel of Mercy", he built up a foundation which brought healthcare, orphanages and women's shelters to the poorest people in his country.

Dr. Suzanne Corkin - the neuroscientist who spent years studying a patient known as "H.M." An operation on his brain had left him with profound amnesia.

Bernardo Provenzano - the Sicilian mafia boss nicknamed "The Tractor" because he mowed down all his enemies.

And Garry Marshall the comedy writer and director who brought us "Happy Days" and "Pretty Woman."

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Thomas Sutherland the Scottish-born American professor who was held hostage for more than six years in Lebanon. We hear from his fellow hostage Terry Anderson.

The singer, songwriter and producer Gary S Paxton. He brought us the Monster Mash and thousands of other songs and lived up to his nickname "His Weirdness"

Sally Beauman, who was given a reported million pound advance for her best selling novel Destiny, but transcended the bonk buster genre.

Frank Dickens, the cartoonist who satirised office life in the Bristow comic strip and often liked to strip naked himself.

And Marni Nixon, whose singing voice was dubbed over Hollywood movie stars when they couldn't hit the high notes.

Producer: Paul Waters.

Matthew Bannister on

Luc Hoffmann, the Swiss conservationist who co-founded the World Wildlife Fund and fought to save endangered species and wetlands.

Sylvia Peters, one of the best known faces on BBC television in the 1950s.

The film stuntman Joe Powell who took part in many death defying exploits.

The editor of the Archers William Smethurst who introduced the characters of Eddie Grundy and Nigel Pargetter.

And Sandy Pearlman, rock manager and producer who created the Blue Oyster Cult and changed the sound of the Clash.

Producer: Paul Waters.

Matthew Bannister on

the Bishop of Derry Edward Daly. He was famously photographed waving a bloodstained white handkerchief as he tended to a young man shot by the army on Bloody Sunday.

The Egyptian born chemist Ahmed Zewail who won the Nobel prize for his work on revealing the minute details of chemical reactions.

Suzanne Wright who raised millions of dollars for research into autism after her grandson was diagnosed with the condition.

The Duke of Westminster, one of the UK's wealthiest landowners and a close friend of the royal family.

And the Brazilian plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy. To his many celebrity patients he was known as the Michelangelo of the scalpel.

Producer: Paul Waters.

Julian Worricker on....

The co-writer of 'Yes Minister' and 'Yes Prime Minister' - Sir Antony Jay....

Donald Henderson, American epidemiologist, who led the WHO's campaign to eradicate smallpox....

The aristocrat Tom Cholmondeley, who divided opinion in his native Kenya after he shot dead two black men on his ranch....

Nursing leader, Patsy Wright-Warren, who went on to travel the world for the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation.....

and the entertainer and actor, Brian Rix, who was one of the country's leading campaigners for people with learning disabilities.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

João Havelange, the President of the international football federation, FIFA, who stepped down amid allegations of corruption.

The French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel who broke the conventions of haute couture to produce wearable clothes for women on the go.

Gene Wilder, the comedy film actor best known for his roles as Willy Wonka in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and in Mel Brooks films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

And Toots Thielemans, the jazz musician who played the harmonica and made his name by whistling along to his own guitar.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The Bishop of Durham the Right Reverend David Jenkins. A respected theologian, he was noted for his controversial views.

The diplomat Dame Margaret Anstee who overcame sex discrimination to hold senior roles at the United Nations. She led relief missions at many of the world's major trouble spots. .

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov who faced international condemnation for his violent treatment of his opponents.

And Richard Neville who edited the 1960s counter culture magazine Oz, and faced obscenity charges in a notorious court case.

Matthew Bannister on

Barry Myers who directed some of the best known commercials of the 1970s and 80s, including ads for Hovis, Olympus Cameras and Cadbury's Flake.

Eileen Younghusband, who worked as a filter officer during the Second World War, spotting the approaching aircraft and V2 rockets launched against Britain by the Nazis.

The Edinburgh based artist Robin Spark, who had a troubled relationship with his mother, the writer Muriel Spark.

Keith MacDougall, the Norfolk countryman who balanced a passion for shooting with a commitment to conservation.

And Prince Buster the Jamaican musician who was one of the pioneers of Ska.

Produced by Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

American playwright Edward Albee, who won three Pullitzer prizes but not for his best known work "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?".

Physicist James Cronin who won the Nobel Prize for his work on the asymmetry between matter and anti matter.

Health administrator Caroline Thomson, who persuaded the people of the Scottish Highlands to confront the challenges of HIV and AIDS.

Zoologist and academic Sir Frederick Holliday. He was vice chancellor of Durham University and campaigned to save the UK's otter population.

Actress Charmian Carr best known for playing the teenager Liesl in the film "The Sound of Music."

Produced by Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Shimon Peres, the Israeli elder statesman who was twice Prime Minister of his country and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in negotiating the Oslo Accord with the Palestinians.

Nathalie Evans who co founded the Twycross Zoo and provided the chimps for the PG Tips TV adverts.

Arnold Palmer, the legendary golfer who won 91 professional titles and was followed by fans known as "Arnie's Army".

Bill Mollison, the Australian author and lecturer who was known as the "father of permaculture".

Produced by Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Sir Neville Marriner the conductor who founded the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and led them to become the world's most recorded orchestra.

Father Gabriele Amorth, the Catholic Church's leading exorcist who said he'd tackled over a hundred cases of demonic possession.

Beryl Crockford, one of the first two British women to become rowing world champions.

Professor Louis Herman the American psychologist who caused a sensation by communicating with dolphins.

Rod Temperton, a member of the band Heatwave who wrote a string of hits for Michael Jackson including the title track of his album Thriller.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The world's longest reigning monarch - King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

The Nobel prize winning playwright and satirist Dario Fo. Griff Rhys Jones pays tribute.

The pioneering racing driver Jean Bloxam She took on the men - and often beat them.

Andrew Vicari, the painter from Port Talbot in Wales who made millions through commissions from the Saudi Royal family.

And the musician Don Buchla who invented the first modern synthesiser in 1963.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Paul Handley Interviewed guest: Griff Rhys Jones Interviewed guest: Dan Rebellato Interviewed guest: Nick Tassoni Interviewed guest: Michael Scott Interviewed guest: Andrew Vaccari Interviewed guest: Georgina Adam Interviewed guest: Mark Vail Interviewed guest: Geeta DyalInterviewed guest: Andrew Vaccari Interviewed guest: Georgina Adam Interviewed guest: Mark Vail Interviewed guest: Geeta Dyal.

Matthew Bannister on

Jean Alexander - the actress best known for playing Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street.

Trinh Thi Ngo. Nicknamed Hanoi Hannah, she broadcast propaganda to American GIs during the Vietnam war.

Ian Mercer the naturalist who became the first Dartmoor National Park officer and the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Joseph Harmatz, part of a group of Jewish vigilantes who set out to murder millions of Germans just after the second world war.

And Joan Marie Johnson - one of the three women singers in the Dixie Cups who scored a major hit with The Chapel of Love.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Raine Countess Spencer. The daughter of Barbara Cartland and step mother of Princess Diana who nicknamed her "Acid Raine".

Jimmy Perry who drew on his own life to co-write classic TV comedies including Dad's Army and Hi De Hi.

General Stylianos Pattakos, a leading figure in the military junta that took power in Greece in 1967.

The theatre director Howard Davies, acclaimed for his productions of twentieth century American classics and for the premiere of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

And Bobby Vee - the sixties pop idol whose many chart hits included Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

American political activist Tom Hayden. He once said that people only knew four words about him: "Sixties, Radical, Jane and Fonda". He led anti Vietnam war protests and was married to the Hollywood star.

Valerie Hunter Gordon who invented the disposable nappy. Her prototypes were made from old wartime parachutes.

Literary agent Carole Blake who wrote a best selling guide for aspiring novelists.

And Anne Pashley, who won a silver medal at the 1956 Olympics, then became a leading opera singer.

Matthew Bannister on

The singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen. He was accused of depressing a generation, but many found his songs inspiring.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Montgomery - the explosives expert who played a leading role in a daring Commando raid on the port of Saint Nazaire during the second world war.

Janet Reno - the US Attorney General General under President Bill Clinton - she dealt with many controversial issues, including the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky scandals.

Sir Jimmy Young. For thirty years his mixture of news and music entertained and informed millions on Radio 2.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Robert Vaughn - the actor who made his name as Napoleon Solo in "The Man From Uncle" TV series and also appeared in films like "The Magnificent Seven", "Bullitt" and "The Towering Inferno".

Ewen Whitaker, the self taught astronomer who became an expert on the geography of the moon and helped direct Apollo 12 to its landing site.

Carolyn Hardy, who turned the National Gardens Scheme into a stand alone charity and was vice chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Sir Sigmund Sternberg, the businessman who founded the Three Faiths Forum to encourage dialogue between Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Claude "Curly" Putman - the country singer who wrote "D.I.V.O.R.C.E" and "The Green Green Grass of Home".

Producer: Neil George.

Kate Silverton on:

Martin Aitchison who worked with Barnes Wallis on the bouncing bomb but made his name illustrating the Peter and Jane ladybird books.

Sir Mota Singh, the Kenyan born Barrister who became Britain's first ethnic minority judge making headlines worldwide as the first judge in 300 years not to wear the horse hair wig

William Trevor - one of Ireland's greatest writers - a novelist, playwright and short story writer, his work was compared with Chekhov

Ruth Gruber, journalist, author, humanitarian and spy. She documented Stalin's gulags, life in Nazi Germany and the plight of Jewish refugees

and David Mancuso, dance music legend and music host who founded the Loft in New York.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Andrew Sachs, the actor who was so much more than Manuel in Fawlty Towers. We hear about his acclaimed radio career.

Also the Cuban leader Fidel Castro - brutal dictator or benevolent champion of his people?

The jazz and blues singer Mose Allison, whose songs were covered by the Who, the Clash, Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison.

And The Honourable Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin, who became a celebrity after writing her memoirs of life in the royal household.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

John Glenn, the astronaut who was the first American to orbit the earth and later the oldest man ever to be sent into space.

The actor Peter Vaughan, best known for his roles in Porridge, Our Friends In the North and latterly Game of Thrones.

Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the autocratic chief minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who was imprisoned for corruption, but re-elected afterwards.

And Greg Lake - the guitarist and singer who was part of the supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer and recorded a classic Christmas single.

Producer: Dianne McGregor.

Matthew Bannister on

Peter Gibson the master glazier who devoted his life to the care of the stained glass windows in York Minster.

AA Gill, who overcame alcoholism and dyslexia to become one of the UK's best known critics.

Coral Atkins who gave up a career as an actress to run homes for disadvantaged children.

William Chaloner, an authority on fossil plants who used pollen from the past to reconstruct ancient environments.

Ian McCaskill, the BBC weather man much imitated by impressionists.

Julian Worricker on:

The journalist and TV correspondent, Michael Nicholson, who covered numerous conflicts for ITN

The actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, famous for her one-liners and nine husbands

James Prior, who served in government under Margaret Thatcher despite her regarding him as a 'wet'

Rabbi Lionel Blue, a regular presenter on Thought for the Day on Radio 4

and the composer Pauline Oliveros. an electronic music pioneer best known for her philosophy of 'deep listening'.

Producer: Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:

The writer and art critic John Berger

Mother and daughter actresses, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher

The surgeon who came up with the life-saving heimlich manoeuvre, Henry Heimlich

The linguist Patsy Crampton, who worked at the Nuremberg trials before going on to translate more than 200 children's books

Broadcaster Brian Widlake, well known for the Money Programme and the World at One

And one of the biggest names in popular music, George Michael.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Lord Snowdon - renowned photographer and Princess Margaret's former husband.

Graham Taylor - the football manager who had success with Watford and Aston Villa, but was lampooned for his performance with England.

Jill Saward, the rape survivor who campaigned for the rights of those who suffer sexual violence.

The singer and songwriter Peter Sarsdedt, best known for the song "Where Do You Go To My Lovely?"

And Clare Hollingworth, the war reporter who broke the story of the Nazi invasion of Poland.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint who captained the England women's cricket team to victory in the World Cup.

Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the key players in the country's revolution.

Dr. Una Kroll, a tireless campaigner for the ordination of women.

William Peter Blatty who wrote the book and the film "The Exorcist"

And Sir James Mancham, the first President of the Seychelles

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The Labour MP Tam Dalyell who asked the West Lothian Question and pursued Margaret Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano.

Victor Lownes who ran Playboy's clubs in the UK - and lived up to the magazine's lifestyle and values.

Children's author Babette Cole, best known for writing and illustrating Princess Smartypants and The Trouble with Mum.

The Chinese economist and linguistics expert Zhou Youguang who came up with the Pinyin system of turning Chinese characters into Roman letters.

And the actor Gorden Kaye, best known for playing the cafe owner Rene in the comedy series 'Allo 'Allo.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on Sir John Hurt, the actor whose outstanding roles included Quentin Crisp, the Elephant Man and Caligula.

Margaret Pereira, the pioneering forensic scientist who was known as "Miss Murder" by the press.

Sir Christopher Bland who chaired LWT, the BBC and BT.

Emma Tennant, the author from an aristocratic background whose work included sequels to classic novels.

And Mary Tyler Moore, the American TV star whose sitcom made her a role model for independent career women.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The comedy writer Alan Simpson. With his partner Ray Galton, he created classic sitcoms including Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son.

Brunhilde Pomsel who was the secretary to the Nazi propaganda chief Josef Goebbels.

Sir Ken Morrison, the Yorkshireman who built up the family grocery firm to become Britain's fourth largest supermarket chain.

And the Nigerian born novelist Buchi Emecheta who overcame prejudice to follow her passion for writing.

Matthew Bannister on

Betty Tebbs who devoted her life to fighting for women's rights and nuclear disarmament.

Sir Peter Mansfield, the Nobel Prize winning physicist who led the development of MRI scanning.

Dame Jennifer Jenkins, chairwoman of the Consumers Association and the National Trust.

Hans Rosling the statistician known for his skill as a communicator who worked to end poverty.

Al Jarreau the versatile singer who won Grammy awards for jazz, pop and R&B.

Kate Silverton on

Stanley Bard, the enigmatic proprietor of New York's Chelsea Hotel who created a haven for artists, writers and rock stars and presided over one of the greatest experiments in bohemian living in the history of New York

Norma McCorvey, known as Jane Roe, the anonymous plaintiff in the Roe v Wade case by which the US supreme court legalised abortion, who became an unlikely icon for feminism

Michael Ember, the Hungarian émigré who fled his country's uprising to become one of the BBC's most respected radio producers - creating programmes In the Psychiatrist's chair and Stop the Week

And Peter Skellern - the singer, songwriter and pianist who found fame with 'you're a lady' and forged an enduring musical partnership with his colleague and friend Sir Richard Stilgoe.

Producer: Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:

The long-serving Labour MP and former minister, Gerald Kaufman

The prolific Dutch illustrator and author Dick Bruna

Cardinal Desmond Connell, who as Archbishop of Dublin presided over the Church's handling of the child abuse scandal

Controversial city mayor Rita Barbera, who ran Valencia in Spain for twenty years

Writer and broadcaster, Frank Delaney, best known for Radio 4 programmes Bookshelf and Word of Mouth.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The human rights lawyer Sir Nigel Rodley. He helped to draft the United Nations Convention Against Torture and became its special rapporteur on the issue.

Pete Overend Watts, the bass player from Mott the Hoople. His platform soled boots were so high that if he fell over on stage he needed a roadie to put him back on his feet again.

Louise Hulton the maternal health expert who worked tirelessly to improve conditions for childbirth around the world.

And Sir Cosmo Haskard, the colourful Governor of the Falkland Islands, who helped to stop the Labour government from handing them to Argentina in the 1960s.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The racing driver John Surtees who won world championships on two wheels and four.

Gordon Thomas who wrote best selling books about espionage and religion.

Sir Howard Hodgkin - one of the UK's most admired modern painters.

H. Boyd Woodruff, the microbiologist who isolated life saving antibiotics in soil.

Joni Sledge one of four singing sisters in the disco group Sister Sledge.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Martin McGuinness, who went from being a violent IRA commander to a peace making politician.

Chuck Berry, hailed as the father of rock n roll by musicians from Keith Richards to John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.

The Nobel prize winning poet Sir Derek Walcott, who brought the Caribbean experience to the wider world.

Salome Karwah, who survived Ebola in her native Liberia, went back to help other sufferers and then died from complications after childbirth.

And Colin Dexter, creator of the immortal detective Inspector Morse.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Playwright and novelist David Storey who drew on his experiences as a professional rugby league player in some of his work.

The South African anti apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada who spent twenty six years in prison with Nelson Mandela and then became his parliamentary adviser.

Barbara Buss who edited Woman Magazine in its 1970s heyday.

And Lucky Gordon, the drug dealer, jazz singer and cook whose brief relationship with Christine Keeler led to the uncovering of the Profumo Affair in the 1960s.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

the Black Power activist and journalist Darcus Howe. He was a leading campaigner for equal rights in the 1970s and 80s.

Athletics coach Andy Coogan who spent three and a half years as a prisoner of the Japanese during the second world war.

Dr Sylvia Moody, the clinical psychologist who pioneered greater understanding of dyslexia in adults.

The Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko who became a star in the West during the 1960s.

Peter Shotton - who was at school with John Lennon, played the washboard in the Quarrymen and made his fortune from a chain of American-style diners.

Julian Worricker on:

The society columnist and Holocaust survivor, Masha Leon....

Actor Tim Pigott-Smith and director Christopher Morahan, who worked together on ITV's The Jewel in the Crown....

Playwright Parv Bancil whose work tackled issues affecting young British Asians....

Marthe Gosteli, who was at the forefront of the campaign to get women the vote in Switzerland....

And the broadcaster, host of 'Sounds of the Sixties', Brian Matthew.

Matthew Bannister on

The theatre director Michael Bogdanov, who co-founded the English Shakespeare Company. His National Theatre production of the Romans In Britain led to an obscenity trial.

The ethnomusicologist Louis Sarno who fell in love with the music of an obscure tribe of pygmies in the Central African Republic and went to live with them.

Sheila Abdus Salaam, who became the first African American woman to serve as a judge on New York's highest court.

Dick Potts, the ecologist who worked to save Britain's grey partridge population.

Don Rickles, the American comedian who made his name by insulting Frank Sinatra and was the voice of Mr Potato Head in the Toy Story films.

Matthew Bannister on

The film director Jonathan Demme - best known for the multi Oscar winning films Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia.

Robert Taylor who helped to develop the first networked computers - a forerunner of the internet - and inspired the creation of modern personal computers.

Cathy Hopkins who campaigned for the residents of St Helena to get back their British citizenship.

Peter Farrer, the Liverpool tax inspector who enjoyed cross dressing and became an expert on the history of women's costume.

And Dorothy Torry, secretary to six BBC Directors General, including Lord Reith.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Robert Pirsig, author of the best selling book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Shobha Nehru, the Hungarian woman who married into India's most powerful political dynasty - and used her position to confront Prime Minister Indira Ghandi about human rights abuses.

Michael Ballhaus, the cinematographer who worked closely with Martin Scorsese.

Leo Baxendale, the cartoonist and publisher who created the Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx.

And Bruce Langhorne, the guitarist on some of Bob Dylan's best known songs.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

The Swiss climber Ueli Steck, famous for his daring high speed ascents of the world's most challenging mountains without the use of oxygen.

Lord Williams the human rights expert who advised three Labour Foreign secretaries.

Sylvia Moy who co-wrote many of Stevie Wonder's best known songs, including "I Was Made To Love Her" and "My Cherie Amour."

Captain James Dickson, the experienced seaman who was winched down onto the deck of the oil tanker Braer when it ran aground in high seas on the coast of Shetland.

And Jon Prinz, the food scientist and custard expert described by Heston Blumenthal as "brilliant and barking mad in equal measure".

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Rhodri Morgan the former Welsh First Minister, known as the Labour Party's "Father of Welsh devolution".

Michael Wearing the TV producer behind award winning series like "Boys From The Blackstuff" and "Edge of Darkness".

Helen Szamuely who helped to start the Anti Federalist League - which became the UK Independence Party.

The Moors murderer Ian Brady.

And the DJ Robert Miles - best known for his international hit "Children".

Producer: Neil George.

Andrea Catherwood on

Brendan Duddy, the businessman from Derry who played a key but unsung role in the Northern Ireland peace process hosting secret talks between MI6 and the IRA.

Nina Lowry, the first woman to become an Old Bailey judge, who helped toughen up sentencing on sex crimes.

Roger Ailes, the controversial figure who conceived and ran Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Network for two decades before being ousted over sexual harassment claims.

Osmund Reynolds, a founder of neo-natal medicine who's pioneering work changed the outcome for a generation of premature babies.

And Sir Roger Moore, the actor and film star best know for his portrayal of British secret agent 007, James Bond

Produced by Neil George.

Julian Worricker on:

The broadcaster, John Noakes, who was famous for his daredevil exploits on Blue Peter for thirteen years....

Manuel Noriega, who flirted with the Americans as leader of Panama, and ended up being jailed by them....

The dancer for whom one photograph of her on railings on Blackpool promenade shot her to fame, Pat Stewart....

Wing Commander Rex Sanders, lead navigator on a series of top secret missions over the Soviet Union...

And the American rock musician, Gregg Allman, whose band created the sound known as Southern Rock.

Producer: Neil George.

Matthew Bannister on

Miriam Rodríguez Martínez- the Mexican woman whose daughter was killed by drug cartels - and who led a campaign for justice for thousands of missing people.

Lord Soulsby - the first vet to be made a peer. He was an expert on parasites nicknamed "Lord of the Worms."

Peter Sallis the actor best known for his role as Norman Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine - and for being the voice of Wallace in Wallace and Gromit.

Lady Anne Piper, the novelist who campaigned for nuclear disarmament.

Jiří Bělohlávek, the Czech-born chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the first non-native English speaker to preside at the Last Night of the Proms.