Main content

Mike Yarwood, Ada Deer, Sir Ian Wilmut, Dorothy Purdew

Matthew Bannister on impressionist Mike Yarwood, campaigner Ada Deer, embryologist Professor Sir Ian Wilmut and businesswoman Dorothy Purdew.

Matthew Bannister on Mike Yarwood, whose impressions of famous people made him one of TV’s biggest stars in the 1970s and 80s.

Ada Deer, the Native American campaigner who became head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under President Clinton.

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, the embryologist who led the team that created Dolly the Sheep – the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.

Dorothy Purdew, who left school at fourteen but went on to build up the Champneys chain of health farms and spa resorts.

Interviewee: Emma Freud
Interviewee: Gyles Brandreth
Interviewee: Ben Wikler
Interviewee: Dr Bill Ritchie
Interviewee: Stephen Purdew

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:
Mike Yarwood sketch as Prime Minister Ted Heath, Christmas with the Stars, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, 25/12/1972; Denis Healy sketch, Look – Mike Yarwood, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ one, 07/02/1976; Harold Wilson sketch, The Best of Mike Yarwood, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, 23/04/1976; Mike Yarwood interview, On the Ropes, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4, 01/12/1995; Mike Yarwood impressions Nixon/Cooper/Moore, Listen – Mike Yarwood, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2, 08/12/1973; Emma Freud as Princess Diana, Mike Yarwood’s Royal Variety Show, Thames Production, 30/09/1986; Ada Deer interview, NPR Radio, uploaded 17/08/2023; Ada Deer interview, YouTube, uploaded 04/01/2013; Native American Experience, Ada Deer, Communications for Change, 01/01/1976; Professor Sir Ian Wilmut interview, Life Scientific, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4, 11/10/2016; Dolly The Sheep – Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive; Dorothy Perdue , Champneys, ITV, YouTube uploaded 04/07/2014;

Available now

28 minutes

Mike Yarwood OBE

The comedian whose impressions of famous people made him one of TV’s biggest stars in the 1970s and 80s.

Last Word spoke to broadcaster Emma Freud who acted alongside Mike and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth who worked with Mike on his autobiography

Born 14 June 1941, died 8 September 2023, aged 82.

Ada Deer

The campaigner who became head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under President Clinton.

Last Word spoke to her God daughter and Politician and the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Born 7 August 1935; died 15 August 2023, died aged 88.

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut

The embryologist who led the team that created Dolly the Sheep – the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.
Last Word spoke to his former colleague Dr Bill Ritchie.

Born 7 July , 1944,Β  died 10 September 2023, aged 79.

Dorothy Purdew OBE

The entrepreneur who left school at fourteen but went on to build up the Champneys chain of health farms and spa resorts.

Last Word spoke to her son Stephen Purdew

Born 4 March 1932, died September 5, 2023, aged 91Β 

Broadcasts

  • Fri 15 Sep 2023 16:00
  • Sun 17 Sep 2023 20:30

Podcast