Lord Prescott
The former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott is interviewed by Kirsty Young.
Kirsty Young's castaway is the former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
In this frank interview, he describes life in the highly political home where he grew up, the impact that failing the school 11+ exam had on him and the gradual kindling of his own ambitions. He speaks of his debt to his wife Pauline and how for many years of their marriage he underestimated her. He describes, too, the inferiority complex which dogged him for much of his adult life:
"All the attacks on me because of my grammar and kind of background, aggressive style - it used to ruff up a few feathers and whilst I would never let it show, certainly deep inside me I felt a bit inferior."
Producer: Leanne Buckle.
Last on
Music Played
-
Duke Ellington
Satin Doll
Composer: Duke Ellington/Johnny Mercer/Billy Strayhorn
- The Essential Duke Ellington CD2.
- Sony.
-
Bee Gees
Stayin' Alive
Composer: The Bee Gees.
- Bee Gees Greatest CD1.
- Warner Bros.
-
The Jam
A Town Called Malice
Composer: P Weller
- The Jam:Compact Snap.
- Polydor.
-
Castaway's Favourite
-
Marion Montgomery
Sweet Georgia Brown
Composer: Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey
- Marion Montgomery that Lady from Natchez.
- Audiophile.
-
-
Tom Jones
It's Not Unusual
Composer: Mills/Reed
- 25 Years of Rock’n’Roll – 1965.
- Connoisseur Collection.
-
Sarah Vaughan
Cherokee
Composer: Ray Noble
- In the Land of Hi-Fi.
- Emarcy.
-
Miles Davis
On Green Dolphin Street
Composer: N Washington – B Kaper
- 1958 Sessions featuring Stella by Starlight.
- Columbia.
-
The Shirelles
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Composer: Gerry Goffin and Carole King
- 25 all time Greatest hits 1961.
- Varese.
-
Book Choice
-
Smile Though Your Heart Is Breaking - Pauline Prescott
Luxury Choice
-
A Bontempi keyboard
-
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Kirsty Young |
Interviewed Guest | John Prescott |
Broadcasts
- Sun 19 Feb 2012 11:15Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 24 Feb 2012 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
Archive 2011-2015—Desert Island Discs
Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island.
Listen to over 2,000 programmes
Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.
Articles
Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.
Podcast
-
Desert Island Discs
Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.