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  • Published: 25 June 2023
  • ISBN: 9781785947964
  • Imprint: BBC Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $39.99

The Definitive Desert Island Discs

80 Years of Castaways



Dive into the most moving, entertaining and inspiring encounters, from eight decades of the most iconic show on radio - Desert Island Discs.

Eight tracks. Endless stories.

Allow yourself to be cast away in eight glorious decades of the most iconic show on radio. To mark this momentous occasion, The Definitive Desert Island Discs focuses on 80 of the most powerful and unforgettable interviews, revisiting every era of Desert Island Disc's storied history.

Reflecting on how times have changed, the book will feature brand new material as castaways are interviewed about their experiences - did the conversation go how they expected? Would Sir Patrick Stewart still take his beloved billiards table (and a shed to keep it in, of course)? And does Hilary Devey stick by her endless supply of Cointreau?

Get lost in lists of the weirdest and most wonderful luxury items, most popular tracks and books throughout the years, and more. Introduced by Lauren Laverne, The Definitive Desert Island Discs is a must-have gem, celebrating an incredible institution that has captured the hearts of a nation for 80 years.

  • Published: 25 June 2023
  • ISBN: 9781785947964
  • Imprint: BBC Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $39.99

About the author

Ian Gittins

Ian Gittins is a music writer for the Guardian who has also written for Melody Maker, Q, Time Out, MTV, Daily Telegraph and New York Times and has penned biographies of Björk and Talking Heads. He is also the co-author with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe of the New York Times bestseller The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star and the co-writer with David Essex of the Sunday Times number one bestseller Over The Moon.

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