Main content

The Surprise Lives

Matthew Parris runs through some of the more unexpected episodes and matchups on Great Lives.

"Step one: invite notable guest. Step two: get them to talk about someone else."

After nearly 500 episodes, Great Lives feels like a stable series, but there have been surprises along the way.
From Bernard Manning on Mother Theresa to Timmy Mallett on Richard the Lionheart, there's a tradition of guests picking unexpected people they admire.
Cerys Matthews on Hildegard of Bingen, Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshall Hugh Dowding, Iain Lee on Andy Kaufmann, and Lemn Sissay on Prince Alemayu of Ethiopia: "Maybe this is the first Great Life that is a life that hasn't happened," he says.
Also features Josie Long on Kurt Vonnegut plus a host of other famous voices in the mix.

Presented by Matthew Parris
Produced by Miles Warde

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 4 Jun 2021 23:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 1 Jun 2021 16:30
  • Fri 4 Jun 2021 23:00

Great Rock and Roll Lives

Great Rock and Roll Lives

Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast