Bob Harris nominates Alan Freed, the first ever rock 'n' roll DJ. Read more
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Alan Freed
Bob Harris nominates Alan Freed, the first ever rock 'n' roll DJ.
Henry VII
Former chancellor George Osborne nominates Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty.
David Ervine
Lesley Riddoch nominates former Loyalist paramilitary turned politician David Ervine.
Lady Hester Stanhope
Deborah Meaden nominates the Georgian hostess, diplomat and spy Lady Hester Stanhope.
William Hogarth
Eighteenth-century satirist and painter William Hogarth is nominated by Ian Hislop.
Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti is nominated by the music promoter Harvey Goldsmith.
Billy Marsh
Michael Grade and William G Stewart champion the life of theatrical agent Billy Marsh.
Beachcomber
The Snowman author Raymond Briggs chooses JB Morton, aka Beachcomber.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Actor David Soul champions the life of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Bette Davis
Tracy-Ann Oberman champions the life of one of the silver screen's most enduring icons.
Tony Hancock
Poet Pam Ayres chooses the lad himself, Tony Hancock.
Margot Fonteyn
Horticulturalist Rachel De Thame champions her heroine, the ballerina Margot Fonteyn.
Robert Kennedy
Ken Livingstone discusses his hero, US politician Robert Kennedy.
Roy Jenkins
Journalist Polly Toynbee chooses one of the most noted of post-war politicians Roy Jenkins
Sir Thomas Beecham
David Mellor promotes the life of conductor Sir Thomas Beecham.
Carl Gustav Jung
Ruby Wax discusses the life and work of Carl Gustav Jung.
Frank Sinatra
Broadcaster and DJ Colin Murray chooses Frank Sinatra.
John Coltrane
Musician Andy Sheppard chooses influential saxophonist John Coltrane.
Fred Astaire
Dr Michael O'Donnell discusses celebrated singer, actor and choreographer Fred Astaire.
Giovanni Falcone
Journalist Misha Glenny remembers the life of anti-Mafia campaigner Giovanni Falcone.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Andrew Motion champions the life of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate for over 40 years
Joe Slovo
David Miliband discusses the life of Joe Slovo, a leading member of the ANC.
John Cornford
George Galloway chooses British poet and political activist John Cornford.
Freya Stark
Travel writer Dervla Murphy discusses the life of another woman traveller, Freya Stark.
Sir Kyffin Williams
Rolf Harris discusses the life of the Welsh painter Sir Kyffin Williams.
The A-Z of Dr Johnson
Politician Boris Johnson chooses the creator of the English dictionary, Dr Samuel Johnson.
Miriam Makeba
Kate Humble discusses the South African singer and anti-apartheid activist, Miriam Makeba.
Harry Houdini
Paul Daniels explores the life of Harry Houdini, with help from biographer William Kalush.
Rudyard Kipling
John Major discusses the life of Rudyard Kipling, poet to the British Empire.
Henry V
Sir Ranulph Fiennes discusses the life of Henry V and tries to separate fact from myth.
Tennessee Williams
Stand-up comedian Rich Hall discusses the life of playwright Tennessee Williams.