Arguably the most iconic Radio 4 program of all time, it’s been 78 years since the first castaway revealed the eight records, one book and a luxury item they would take to their desert island. Since then over 3000 guests have shared their choices, and the life stories that accompany them, with five different presenters.
From Hollywood actors and singing legends to surgeons and authors, there’s episodes that’ll make you laugh, ones that make you cry and others that’ll offer nuggets of wisdom you won't forget.
The best thing of all? Every single episode can be listened to via the BBC archives. If the overwhelming choice of castaways has you flummoxed, check out our handy cheat sheet of standout episodes to download now.
9 Must-Listen Desert Island Discs To Download This Christmas
1 of 9Zadie Smith, 2013
A rare insight into the life and mind of the bestselling novelist who is famously absent from all forms social media. In her DID episode she speaks frankly about growing up as a teenager in North London, the writing process and dealing with her unprecedented success and the attention that comes with it.
2 of 9Tom Hanks, 2016
Warning, it's a tear-jerker. The actor opens up about his difficult start in life while discussing his parents split and living between ten houses before the age of ten. When Young asks him about life as a young actor, he wells up as he tries to express "the vocabulary of loneliness."
3 of 9Yoko Ono, 2007
One of her most honest interviews to date, Ono talks candidly about life amidst Beatles media, nearly giving her son Sean up for adoption, and the night of John Lennon's murder. Naturally, the soundtrack is a poignant accompiant including tracks from Edith Piaf, Bob Marley, and of course, her late husband.
4 of 9David Nott, 2016
This war-zone surgeon had the nation crying into their eggs on the Sunday morning it was first broadcast. Telling tales of saving lives on the front line in conflict zones such as Bosnia and Darfur, it was when Nott spoke of an emotional reunion with his wife, and the birth of his daughter, that he himself had tears in his eyes.
5 of 9Morissey, 2009
A raw interview in which The Smiths singer discusses contemplating suicide, the power of music and learning to love yourself with age. Naturally his music selection is also excellent (and he doesn't make the ultimate faux pas of choosing his own record).
6 of 9Lynn Barber, 2010
The esteemed journalist and seasoned interview swaps role to become interviewee, and does so with aplomb. It's stuffed with celebrity anecdotes, and a cracking choice of tunes including tracks from Pulp, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones.
7 of 9Victoria Wood, 2007
This 2007 interview with the much-loved comedian, who sadly passed away in 2016, takes us from her tricky school days and not getting into drama school to making it in comedy and the breakdown of her marriage. It's one of Kirsty Young own favourites, and one of ours too.
8 of 9Sue Perkins, 2017
While GBBO fans may tune in for the cake gossip, this conversation goes much deeper as Perkins discusses her sexuality, brain tumour diagnosis and the death of her father.
9 of 9Davina McCall
In this interview Kirsty Young digs much further than McCall's cheery public persona, and the TV presenter chats sincerely about the problematic relationship with her mother, her battle with drug and alcohol addiction, and her 500-mile triathlon for Sport Relief.