Desert Island Discs

The comedian Romesh Ranganathan was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2025.
He’s a BAFTA-winning broadcaster, standup, actor and writer who has been a fixture on British TV screens for the past decade. He talks about finding the sweet spot in his comedy and how discussing the perils of parenting on stage has resulted in cult hero status for his middle son.
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was cast away by Sue Lawley in 2001.
She recalls the pressure to do well at the Sydney Olympics and the relief when she managed to clinch four gold medals, but the long-distance phone call home to live-stream the medal ceremony nearly broke the bank.
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The film director Greta Gerwig was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2023.
Growing up in what she calls a "culturally ravenous" family, the young Greta was inspired by her parents' record collection as much as trips to concert halls and theatres, but although she was always putting on shows to entertain friends and family, she never expected to have a professional career in the arts.
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The playwright James Graham was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2024.
He was a shy and quiet child who enjoyed nothing more than watching soap operas on TV. So what was he doing taking his "stripping vicar" ice-dancing routine on tour?
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The Olympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2021.
She recalls pushing herself in her final event at the London 2012 Olympics, the 800-metre race, and how throwing her hands up in the air as she crossed the finish line had not been part of the plan.
You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.