Good Desert Island Discs Episodes?

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I adore Desert Island Discs and have listened to many, but of course not the whole back catalogue. Am now going back and trying to pick out some from years gone by - so any ones that you have particularly enjoyed - especially not from your typical “high profile” interviewee (as these are the ones I’m most likely to miss).

I have to say that Stephen King played the crappiest music selections I ever heard.

Sheryl Sandberg
Ian Wright
Bruno Tonioli

Chris Hadfield, Aung San Suu Kyi, Jung Chang, Mary Portas, Wayne McGregor, Gareth Malone, Sarah Doukas, Arlene Philips are among my favourites. It’s been my soundtrack to lockdown

@DeeplyMovingExperience agree!

Kimberley Motley, Black American lawyer ( and beauty queen!) who works in Afghanistan.

Marlon James ( has a lovely speaking voice)

I absolutely love Desert Island Discs, all the ones that came immediately to mind have been mentioned but am making a note of some others I've not heard

I was very moved by Ian Wright recently also,Tom Hanks and Mary Berry.

Even if I've no idea who the person is or not keen on the music, their stories are always compelling.

Yes to many of the above, plus:
Ronnie Corbett
Lemn Sissay

Mark Gatiss...have listened to it several times, and also David Nott, Chris Hadfield.

I really enjoy listening to those people I'm not familiar with. There's always something fascinating.

Loved Ian Wright's.

I'm looking forward to listening to lots of these. I really enjoyed the Roux Brothers

I came on to say say David Nott. One of the most inspiring DID that I've listened for.

Daniel Radcliffe was also good - listened to it with DC recently in an attempt to get them into radio! Karren Brady was great and also Dame Sue Campbell and Dame Glenys Stacey.

I love Desert Island Discs.

Just marking my place. Before lockdown I used to listen during my lunchtime walk.

I enjoyed listening to the Kathy Burke episode, although she had a sad childhood.

Oh gosh, so many!

My absolute favourite was David Nott, as many other have posted.

I agree with a pp that Tony Adams was extraordinarily candid and captivating. I absolutely loved that one, and Ian Wright... not a fan of football or sport really.

Kimberley Motley was wonderful too, what a brilliantly empowering woman she is.

I loved Stephen Graham and Stephen Merchant, the latter because his musical tastes were incredibly similar to mine.

Annie Lennox, Christine McVie, Stephen Fry, Anne-Marie Duff, Jo Malone, Emily Eavis.... the list goes on!

Agree with many of the above, and also:

Heidi Thomas
Emily Eavis
David Baddiel
Marian Keyes

Tom Hanks
Kelsey Grammer (really sad in parts)
Hilary Devey (very moving but possibly triggering)
Bob Mortimer
Professor Sue Black
Baroness Newlove
Sir Peter Lampl
Dr Kevin Fong

These are the episodes that I return to the most.

Desert Island discs has helped me so much with periods of insomnia and depression.

People come across so real and they are so inspiring.

Nitin Sawhney

Ian Wright stopped me in my tracks. There is a video on youtube of the moment he describes on the show so movingly.

David Nott

Don’t listen when driving as I almost had to pull the car over due to sobbing.

The Lemn Sessay episode is really good. It inspired me to start reading his poetry.

Also Marlon James, Stephen Graham, and Wendell Pierce

Noel Gallagher
Martina Cole
Cilla Black (from the 80s - listened to it recently as part of their classics. Interesting to hear what she says about fame based on blind date and knowing what our reality tv culture is like now!)
Ruth Jones
Kathy Burke
David Baddiel

Keith Richards

John Timpson (from Timpson’s the cobblers) was very good too.

Oh and Lemn Sissay.

Mark Gatiss
Nigel Owens
Two Fat Ladies lady who's not Jennifer,(sorry but can't remember her name )