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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.

Available now

43 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Feb 2012 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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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

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest John Prescott

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 Feb 2012 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 24 Feb 2012 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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