Last Word

Playwright and critic Bonnie Greer was a frequent panellist on programmes such as Newsnight and Question Time where she took part in one of its most contentious episodes. Kirsty spoke to Judith Antell who was Bonnie's agent and friend for over 20 years. They discuss how Bonnie's father being stationed in the UK during World War 2 shaped her view on the country; the surprising backlash Bonnie faced after appearing on a 2009 edition of Question Time with the then leader of the British National Party, they also discuss the project Bonnie was most proud of in her later career.
Jeremy Thomas was a film producer whose 80 plus films ranged from the Oscar Award-winning The Last Emperor to the hugely controversial 'Crash'. He also produced wartime drama Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, the gangster thriller Sexy Beast and the adaptation of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch. The writer and director Mark Cousins produced the documentary “The Storms of Jeremy Thomas” which documented his eclectic career. He tells Kirsty how through his films Jeremy "wanted to dig deeper into human life, his films are about the biggest questions".
Wendell Berry, the Kentucky farmer and environmental campaigner who warned for many years of the excesses of industrial society. As a writer, he published hundreds of essays, poems and more than forty books. Wendell argued for most of his life that small-scale agriculture was essential to the preservation of the land and culture. Writer Paul Kingsnorth has been reading Wendell's work since the 90s and recently worked with him to compile a series of his essays into a book. He discusses Wendell's philosophy to farming, the environment, the wider community and how they are all intrinsically linked together. Wendell famously never owned a computer and only wrote with a pencil, which presented challenges, and unexpected joys, for Paul when editing the book.
Frances Stonor Saunders was a historian who exposed secret CIA attempts to manipulate public opinion through popular culture during the cold war. Her 1999 book 'Who Paid the Piper' was hugely successful and groundbreaking in its work. It was said that it "single-handedly established a new branch of sub-history" and is to be republished in 2026. Frances' brother Alexander Stonor Saunders explains how she was able to uncover the range of CIA activities, they included the production of an animated version of George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Ed Prendeville
Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
ARCHIVE:
Conversation Piece, BBC Radio 4, 01/12/1988; Start the Week, BBC Radio 4, 28/06/1999; The Food Programme, BBC Radio 4, 25/08/2002; Fast Food Nation, BBC Film Network, 03/05/2007; Question Time, BBC One, 22/10/2009; Front Row, BBC Radio 4, 09/12/2010; Belief, BBC Radio 4, 31/12/2010; GMT, BBC News / World News, 21/11/2011; The Film Programme, BBC Radio 4, 16/10/2014; My Food Hero: Ella McSweeney Meets Wendell Berry, BBC Radio 4, 24/08/2015; Front Row, BBC Radio 4, 29/07/2024; Era of Reclamation (Ep. 1: In Search of Black History), British Museum

The pioneering feminist leader, Gloria Steinem, moved the dial on critical issues regarding women’s health and reproductive rights as well as equal pay. But, she was first and foremost a journalist who started out, in her words, “as a girl reporter” forced to do light fluffy magazine features, a role she resented. She went on to write serious investigative pieces before co-founding Ms Magazine, the first magazine owned and run by women. Amy Richards, co-founder of Gloria’s Foundation, remembers her.
With his top hat, big smile and pack of cards, Juan Tamariz, was an instantly recognisable magician, known in his home country of Spain as "The Maestro". He studied physics and film at university, two disciplines which he wove into his magic, and was also fascinated by psychology and philosophy. He was a funny and charismatic performer who appeared regularly on TV in Spain and here in the UK. His former student, and fellow magician, Jorge Blass shares his memories.
Sir Andrew Nicol was a British barrister and judge who defended the rights of journalists and broadcasters in several high-profile cases – such as his defence of journalists from the New Statesman who were held in contempt of court for interviewing jurors in the infamous Jeremy Thorpe trial. He later went on to cowrite the first book on Media Law, alongside fellow KC Geoffrey Robertson, with whom he also founded the internationally renowned Doughty Street Chambers.
The ballerina Pauline Clayden began her career amid the destruction of the Second World War with the internationally renowned Sadler’s Wells Ballet - know known as the Royal Ballet. She was thought of as one of the most talented performers of her time, but perhaps unfortunately for her, she shared the stage with Margot Fonteyn, and thus never became a principal ballerina. Her friend and critic Alastair Macaulay shares her life in dance - her passion until her death at 103.
Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Ben Mitchell
Assistant Producer: Alice McKee
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
Editors: Andrea Kennedy and Glyn Tansley
Archive:
BBC World Service, Witness History, 02/12/2024; BBC Radio 2, John Dunn Show, 02/04/1984; BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs, 25/03/2016; BBC News, 100 Women, 03/12/2023; BBC One, Paul Daniel’s Secrets, 06/12/1995; BBC One, Paul Daniel’s Secrets, 10/01/1996; BBC Radio 4, PM, 22/06/1979; BBC One, News, 02/11/2020

The work of Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama is famed for its use of dots and inspired the likes of Andy Warhol. She was a work of art herself, often photographed wearing a bright orange wig and technicolour clothes covered in her signature polka dots. But, behind the canvas Yayoi was suffering with her mental health and spent almost five decades living in a psychiatric hospital. Frances Morris, the former Director of Tate Modern, now chair of the Gallery Climate Coalition, curated a retrospective exhibition of Kusama’s work. 
The Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladić was jailed for life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was known as the "Butcher of Bosnia" and infamously ordered the death of thousands of men and boys in the town of Srebrenica in July 1995. The author and journalist Tim Judah met and interviewed Ratko Mladić and tells his story.
When the actor Tim Curry slapped on full make up, donned fishnet stockings and corset and let loose his uniquely powerful voice, no one in the audience was ever going to forget meeting the Rocky Horror Show's Frank N Furter. Curry was born in Warrington in 1946 and his first acting job came after university in the original London production of the equally groundbreaking rock musical “Hair” in 1968. He was known also as the original Pennywise from Stephen King's "It”, the naturalist Nigel Thornberry in the much-loved children’s series “The Wild Thornberrys”, and Long John Silver in the 1996 film “Muppet Treasure Island” alongside a young Kevin Bishop who recalls his experience of working with Tim Curry.
Violet Hensley has died at the astonishing age of 109. She was one of the last surviving links back to depression-era America, she was also a luthier, or instrument maker, and a fine fiddle player. Her instruments were of such high quality that she became known as the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks”. Violet made her first instrument when she was 14, but four years later she got married and stopped performing and making fiddles while she raised nine children. After a thirty-year break, she started making music again. Her daughter Sandra Flagg remembers her.
Presenter: Matthew Bannister
Producer: Ben Mitchell
Assistant Producers: Lowri Morgan and Alice McKee
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
Editor: Andrea Kennedy
Archive:
BBC One, Newsnight, 01/02/2012; BBC Radio 4, Front Row, 09/02/2012; BBC One, News, 26/05/2011; BBC World Service, Witness History, 29/10/2025; BBC One, News, 04/11/2011; BBC, Film Week, 26/07/1975; “Muppet Treasure Island”, directed by Brian Henson, produced by The Jim Henson Company and The Walt Disney Company, 24/05/1996 (UK release)

Dolly Parton broke the mould for country music over a seven-decade career, winning 10 Grammy awards, selling more than 100 million records worldwide, and writing in excess of 3,000 songs. Born in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, her childhood was one of poverty, put gave back after finding fame aiding children's literacy and health care through the Dollywood Foundation. Country Music Hall of Fame curator Allison Moorer and Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis pay tribute.
Deirdre McSharry was a pioneering figure in magazine journalism and became editor of Cosmopolitan in the UK during the publication’s golden era in the 1970s. Whilst working as the fashion editor at the Daily Express she made famous the schoolgirl Lesley Lawson, who went onto become known the world over…as Twiggy! The writer Hettie Judah, and Twiggy herself, share their memories of her.
Professor Pat Easterling was a respected classicist, best known for her pioneering work on Greek tragedy. She became President of the Classical Association in 1989, was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, and was appointed the Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge – the first, and so far only, woman to hold that position. It was there that she met a young student called Mary Beard, now an eminent classicist and broadcaster herself, who recalls her impact on academia.
In 2025 Sir Billy Boston became the first rugby league player ever to be given a knighthood. Despite showing promise playing rugby union as a schoolboy he wasn't selected for his local club in Cardiff and made the then controversial decision to switch codes and join rugby league side Wigan. A decision that brought with it great rewards, but which cost him his dream of ever playing for Wales. BBC Rugby League correspondent, Matt Newsum, tells his story.
Presenter: Matthew Bannister
Producer: Ben Mitchell
Assistant Producer: Lowri Morgan
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
Editor: Glyn Tansley
Archive:
BBC One, Glastonbury, 29/06/2014; BBC One, Wogan, 26/03/1983; BBC One, Parkinson, 17/02/2001; BBC Radio 2, John Dunn Show, 11/08/1982; Great Britain Vs Australia, 1960, British Pathe; BBC Radio Wales, Jacko’s Sporting Almanac, 19/11/2017;

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji spearheaded the explosive growth of the country’s economy in the 1990s. He had been previously removed from the Chinese Communist Party twice after criticising Mao Zedong. But by 1991 was charged with China's economy, securing its entry into the World Trade Organisation. Kerry Brown, former First Secretary at the British Embassy, witnessed Zhu Rongji in action.
Professor Paul Veys was a paediatric specialist who became Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at Great Ormond Steet Hospital in 1994. He was recognised internationally for his pioneering treatment practices which helped make procedures safer and more efficient for the children in his care. Claudia Fisher, whose daughter benefitted from his treatment, and Dr Robert Wynn remember him.
Hayden Panettiere's life in the public eye began before her first birthday. As a child star she had roles in Pixar's A Bugs Life and appeared alongside Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans. Later TV series, like Heroes and Nashville brought her wider fame and fortune – but beneath the surface of her success Hayden was suffering from addiction and postnatal depression. Jane Mulkerrins, Times Radio presenter and Associate Editor of the Times Magazine, looks back on her life and career.
Rosemary Parslow devoted much of her life as conservationist on the Isles of Scilly. She became the authority on the flora of the unique islands, collecting native specimens for the Natural History Museum. So great was her love of the Isles of Scilly that she even named her three children after its islands. Her daughter Helen recalls their childhood on the island and her mother's passion for plants.
Presenter: Shahidha Bari
Producer: Ben Mitchell
Assistant Producer: Catherine Powell
Researcher: Jesse Edwards
Editor: Colin Paterson
Archive
BBC Radio 4, News, 22/09/1997; BBC Radio 4, News, 10/11/2001; BBC One, News, 06/10/1998; NPR, All Things Considered, 15/05/2026; BBC Two, NBC, Tailwind Productions, Heroes, Series One - Episode One: Genesis, 25/07/2007; BBC One, Breakfast, 06/06/2013; BBC One, The Isles of Scilly, 13/05/1983; Interview by Lucy Lapwing and Leif Bersweden for: “FUTURES: 2025”, Universities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and Bath Spa, and funded by UKRI, September 2025.