List of Desert Island Discs episodes (1981–1990)

The BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs invites castaways to choose eight pieces of music, a book (in addition to the Bible – or a religious text appropriate to that person's beliefs – and the Complete Works of Shakespeare) and a luxury item that they would take to an imaginary desert island, where they will be marooned indefinitely. The rules state that the chosen luxury item must not be anything animate or indeed anything that enables the castaway to escape from the island, for instance a radio set, sailing yacht or aeroplane. The choices of book and luxury can sometimes give insight into the guest's life, and the choices of guests between 1981 and 1990 are listed here.

1981

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
3 January 1981Robin CousinsShogun by James ClavellMarzipanmore
10 January 1981John FowlesDictionary of National BiographyField glassesmore
17 January 1981HRH Princess MargaretWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyPianomore
24 January 1981Joan PlowrightThree novels by Aldous HuxleyPianomore
31 January 1981Jeffrey ArcherReunion by Fred UhlmanPlasticine model of Roy Plomley and a pinmore
7 February 1981Mary O'HaraThe Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. TolkienTennis practice equipmentmore
14 February 1981David BroomeCollected Speeches by Winston ChurchillWinemore
21 February 1981Frederic RaphaelBilingual edition of poetry by Giorgos SeferisPainting Materialsmore
28 February 1981Carla LaneDictionary of quotationsFrench Shampoomore
7 March 1981Daniel MasseyEgo by James AgateWinemore
14 March 1981Peter NicholsCollected essays by George OrwellVibraphonemore
21 March 1981Russell HartyA History of Craven by Thomas Dunham WhitakerFlagpole and Union Jackmore
28 March 1981Patricia RuanneThe Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. TolkienSunglassesmore
4 April 1981Gary GlitterTimes Concise AtlasElastoplastmore
11 April 1981Sir Fitzroy MacleanWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyWriting materialsmore
18 April 1981Grace KellyPlays by George KellyPillowmore
25 April 1981Stewart GrangerCollected works by Ernest HemingwayGold statuette of Winston Churchillmore
2 May 1981Frederick AshtonIn Search of Lost Time by Marcel ProustCardsmore
9 May 1981Buddy RichThe Story of O by Pauline RéageFerrarimore
16 May 1981John GielgudIn Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proustmore
23 May 1981Edmund RubbraWinnie-the-Pooh by A. A. MilneMusic manuscript papermore
30 May 1981Eric ShillingCollin's Albatross Book of Verse by Louis UntermeyerAstronomical telescopemore
6 June 1981William WhitelawThe World That Fred Made by Bernard DarwinBath with a hot water systemmore
13 June 1981Richard LeakeyTouch the Earth by T. C. McLuhanPillowmore
20 June 1981Giuseppe Di StefanoMaria by Arianna StassinopoulosRoulette tablemore
27 June 1981Morris WestMeditations Upon Our Human Condition by John DonnePencils and papermore
4 July 1981Gloria SwansonThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranTelephonemore
11 July 1981Gillian LynneFrench language courseEyelash curlermore
18 July 1981Carl SaganBoy Scout handbookReflecting telescopemore
25 July 1981Roger MooreNoble House by James ClavellVideo player and films of familymore
1 August 1981Julian Lloyd WebberHistory of Leyton Orient F.C.Cellomore
8 August 1981Terry HandsDictionaryCellomore
15 August 1981Sebastian CoeThe Penguin Dorothy Parker by Dorothy ParkerBedmore
22 August 1981Paul EddingtonExperiences of an Irish R.M. by Martin RossBoathouse at Dawn by Ivon Hitchensmore
29 August 1981Frank OzComplete works by Emily DickinsonClean sheetsmore
5 September 1981Alan JonesEagle in the Sky by Wilbur SmithAustralian lagermore
12 September 1981Jessye NormanThe Diary of Virginia WoolfPerrier watermore
19 September 1981Malcolm MuggeridgeWritings by Samuel JohnsonBeehivemore
26 September 1981James MasonAda by Vladimir NabokovGuitarmore
3 October 1981Beaux Arts TrioBooks about gardening, painting and boat handlingViolin and strings and pianomore
10 October 1981Montserrat CaballéRecord boxmore
17 October 1981Elspeth HuxleyNovels by P. G. WodehouseCamera and filmmore
24 October 1981Joseph CottenGardening manualBoat building bookmore
31 October 1981Patrick LichfieldBook with blank cork pagesAstronomical telescopemore
7 November 1981Glyn DanielBrewer's Dictionary of Phrase and FableWinemore
14 November 1981James ClavellKoranmore
21 November 1981Diana DorsHer autobiographyChocolatesmore
28 November 1981Douglas BaderComplete works by Alfred, Lord TennysonSand iron and golf ballsmore
5 December 1981Alan HowardPiano manualPianomore
12 December 1981Jack HigginsFour Quartets by T. S. EliotWriting materialsmore
19 December 1981Helene HanffMemoirs by Louis de RouvroyScrabblemore
26 December 1981George LascellesAnthology of poetryTypewritermore

1982

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
2 January 1982Trevor BrookingCrossword puzzles and pencilsGolf clubs and balls more
9 January 1982Martin GilbertThe document volumes of the Churchill biography by Martin Gilbert Drawings of his two children more
16 January 1982Angela RipponPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenWatercolours. brushes and paper more
23 January 1982Frankie HowerdDavid Copperfield by Charles DickensCross given to him by his mother more
30 January 1982Paul McCartneyLinda's Pictures by Linda McCartneyGuitar more
6 February 1982Professor J K GalbraithPersonally compiled anthologyTypewriter and paper more
13 February 1982Sir Christopher LeaverGrove's Dictionary of Music and MusiciansWine cellar more
20 February 1982Petula ClarkThe short stories of John SteinbeckPiano more
27 February 1982John OsborneHoly Living and Holy Dying by Jeremy TaylorPiano and an instruction book more
6 March 1982Dame Eva TurnerInferno by Dante AlighieriCastanets more
13 March 1982George ChisholmThe novels of P G WodehouseEngraved glass and supply of bitter lemon more
20 March 1982Lord Bernard MilesThe Odyssey by HomerBox of notebooks, pencils and sharpeners more
27 March 1982Sir William WaltonThe Education of a Gardener by Russell PageFunicular for hills more
3 April 1982Richard ArmstrongPiano Sonatas by BeethovenPiano more
10 April 1982Julia McKenzieAct One by Moss HartPainting materials more
17 April 1982Brian AldissRasselas by Dr Samuel JohnsonTime machine more
24 April 1982Dorothy DunnettThe History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward GibbonGuitar more
1 May 1982Jenny AgutterOxford Book of English VerseOriental rug more
8 May 1982Lucia PoppThe Magic Mountain by Thomas MannTeddy bear more
15 May 1982Julian SymonsBleak House by Charles DickensCouch more
22 May 1982Marti WebbIllustrated dictionaryPiano more
29 May 1982Desmond HawkinsField guide to the birds of the islandBinoculars more
5 June 1982Delia SmithThe autobiography of Saint Therese of LisieuxWriting materials more
12 June 1982Sir Anton DolinFriends and Memories by Sir Anton DolinElectric razor more
19 June 1982Eric NewbyDictionary of National BiographyWhisky more
26 June 1982Joss AcklandDictionaryVideo player with cassettes of old movies more
3 July 1982John MortimerOxford Book of English VerseBath more
10 July 1982Captain Jacques CousteauEssays by Michel de MontaigneStone from the stomach of a fossilised dinosaur more
17 July 1982Pamela StephensonBuddhist scripture by Dama PadaTelevision set with satellite link-up more
24 July 1982Lyall WatsonPears CyclopaediaFilm projector and 20 western films more
31 July 1982George MartinManual on practical engineeringClavichord more
7 August 1982Dame Janet BakerPersuasion by Jane AustenPencils and paper more
14 August 1982Donald SindenA History of Architecture on the Comparative Method by Sir Banister FletcherHis favourite picture in the Walker Art Gallery more
21 August 1982Carl DavisThe short stories of Anton ChekhovShampoo more
28 August 1982Duke and Duchess of DevonshireThe books of Beatrix Potter and Chambers' Biographical DictionaryNew potatoes and aftershave more
4 September 1982Claire BloomA La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel ProustCoffee and espresso machine more
11 September 1982James LoughranComprehensive world airways timetableDrawing and painting equipment more
18 September 1982Carlo CurleyCookery book by Julia ChildsPipe organ more
25 September 1982Wilbur SmithThe Oxford English DictionaryBrass bedstead and feather mattress more
2 October 1982David Lloyd JonesThe Journal of Edmond Goncourt more
9 October 1982N.Busch, J.Kuchmy, M.Parry, M.Wilson - - more
16 October 1982Geoffrey GrigsonThe Oxford English DictionaryPate de foie gras more
23 October 1982Mike HardingThe New Oxford Book of English VerseOrdnance Survey maps and set of books about the Fells more
30 October 1982Lord TonypandyThe Methodist hymn bookWriting materials more
6 November 1982Thomas AllenJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëGolf clubs and balls more
13 November 1982Rosamond LehmannThe letters of the Marquise de SevigneWriting materials more
20 November 1982P D JamesMiddlemarch by George EliotClaret more
27 November 1982Helen MirrenThe Bhagavad GitaSilk underwear more
4 December 1982Alan PriceThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahamePiano more
18 December 1982Gyorgy LigetiAlice in Wonderland by Lewis CarrollThe Garden Of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch more
25 December 1982Mary EllisEncyclopaediaWriting materials more

1983

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
1 January 1983Rachel BillingtonAnna Karenina by Leo TolstoyWriting materials more
8 January 1983Steve DavisThe Throwback and Wilt by Tom SharpeSnooker table more
15 January 1983Baroness Maria von TrappTrue funny stories in GermanStatue of Madonna and Child, 17th Century more
22 January 1983Gwyneth JonesThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranPiano with bath salts more
29 January 1983Tim SeverinPax Britannica by Jan MorrisHerb garden more
5 February 1983Beryl ReidForever Amber by Kathleen WinsorSilk garment more
12 February 1983Zandra RhodesMrs Beeton's Household ManagementSketchbook, pens and pencils more
19 February 1983James IvoryA La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel ProustShower with hot water more
26 February 1983Tom KeatingLives of the Artists by Giorgio VasariMattock more
5 March 1983Kenneth MacmillanThe Rack by A E EllisGodiva chocolates from Belgium more
12 March 1983Douglas ReemanThe Admiralty Seamanship ManualOrchid-growing kit more
19 March 1983Michael WoodOther Men's Flowers by Lord WavellPair of field glasses more
26 March 1983Jan MorrisHer own book on VeniceAstronomical telescope with 'Catalogue of Nebulae' more
2 April 1983James FoxColour reproduction of Renaissance artistsWatercolour equipment more
9 April 1983Ruggiero RicciThe letters of BeethovenThe Plowden Guarneri violin more
16 April 1983Geoffrey MoorhouseThe Dictionary of National BiographyRecording of curlews and Indian spices more
23 April 1983Max BoyceI Can't Stay Long by Laurie LeeOil-painting equipment more
30 April 1983A N WilsonThe Golden Treasuary by Francis PalgraveBed and blankets more
7 May 1983Arthur EnglishBritain's Heritage by John Julius NorwichWeekend in Paris more
14 May 1983Sir Alan King-HamiltonBarclay's World of Cricket by Jim SwantonTelevision set more
21 May 1983Terry WoganHis favourite books by P G WodehouseVodka more
28 May 1983Sinéad CusackThe novels of John Le CarreWriting materials more
4 June 1983Raymond BriggsThe Complete Works of BeachcomberBilliard table with snooker balls and cue more
11 June 1983Sir Peter PearsA book by E M ForsterPainting from his collection more
18 June 1983Fleur CowlesBlank paperPainting materials more
25 June 1983Peter Maxwell DaviesUlysses by James JoyceMusic manuscript paper and pens more
2 July 1983Terry JonesThe Complete Works of Geoffrey ChaucerPencil and paper more
9 July 1983Julian Bream more
16 July 1983Sir John PritchardLucia novels by E F BensonItalian wine more
23 July 1983John GunterThe Complete Works of Flann O'BrienMore William Walton records more
30 July 1983Keith WaterhouseA year's supply of the Exchange & MartSolar-powered television, video and eight films more
6 August 1983Sir Frederick GibberdScrapbook of poetryBottle of sleeping tablets more
13 August 1983Peter BullBrideshead Revisited (in Greek) by Evelyn WaughCrystal ball more
20 August 1983Malcolm BradburyIf on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo CalvinoWord processor more
27 August 1983Cindy Buxton and Annie PriceA book on explorers and Johnny Livingstone's Seagull by Richard BachCow and a box of soap more
3 September 1983Paul JonesPolitical works and music criticism by George Bernard ShawHarmonica more
10 September 1983Charlotte LambPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenTypewriter and paper more
17 September 1983Lionel HamptonScience and Health by Mary Baker EddyTape recorder more
24 September 1983Ian RichardsonBook of quotationsLarge supply of paper and pencils more
1 October 1983Rosemary SutcliffKim by Rudyard KiplingFlowers delivered daily by bottle more
8 October 1983Mollie HarrisThe five-volume works by Anthony WoodUnion Jack more
15 October 1983TopolGreat Treasury of Western Thought by Mortimer J AdlerArtist's kit more
22 October 1983Linda Esther GrayAnthology of poetryGarlic, chocolate and wine more
29 October 1983Sir Ranulph FiennesThe Oxford Dictionary of QuotationsTube of Antisan cream more
5 November 1983Shirley MacLaineDictionary and hexalingual thesaurusBlank paper more
12 November 1983Sir Peter HallThe New Grove Dictionary of Music and MusiciansPhotograph of his children more
19 November 1983Sir Hugh GreeneThe Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan DoylePortable typewriter and lots of paper more
26 November 1983Thomas KeneallyOxford Book of 20th Century English Verse by Philip LarkinCollection of The Times crosswords more
3 December 1983Marvin HamlischPhone bookPicture of his mother when she was 17 more
10 December 1983John PiperThe Complete Works of William BlakePianola more
17 December 1983James StewartRobinson Crusoe by Daniel DefoeFamily photo album more
31 December 1983M M KayeIndian Tales by Rudyard KiplingWriter's kit

more

1984

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
7 January 1984Bertice ReadingThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranKing size brass bed with mattress more
14 January 1984David GowerCompendium of winesVideo cassettes of Rumpole of the Bailey more
21 January 1984Quentin CreweBrewer's Dictionary of Phrase and FablePotter's wheel more
28 January 1984Princess Michael of KentHistories by HerodotusCat more
4 February 1984Stubby KayeHis diaryHard hat more
11 February 1984Lord Elwyn-JonesEnglish Social History by G M TrevelyanComic collage by Pearl Binder more
18 February 1984Woody HermanMusic is My Mistress by Duke EllingtonJaguar XJ6 more
25 February 1984Michael YorkNo book chosenTelescope more
3 March 1984Gerald PriestlandThe poetry of Gerard Manley HopkinsAir conditioner more
10 March 1984Don McCullinOne year of issues of The TimesMirror more
17 March 1984Michael QuinnLe Repertoire de la Cuisine by Louis SaulnierPair of waterwings more
24 March 1984Honest Ed MirvishComplete Webster's English DictionaryBarbecue more
31 March 1984Paul TortelierThe Cathedrals of France by Auguste RodinPhotograph of his wife more
7 April 1984Christopher ReeveThe Inner Reality by Paul BruntonScuba-diving equipment more
14 April 1984Lucy IrvineLanguage Made Plain by Anthony BurgessMosquito coils and an apple pip more
21 April 1984David LodgeUlysses by James JoyceNymph in a Landscape by Palma Vecchio more
28 April 1984Leo McKernEncyclopaediaWatercolours and hot-pressed paper more
5 May 1984Rosalind PlowrightThe collected works of William WordsworthWindsurfer more
12 May 1984Hugh JohnsonThe Complete Works of P G WodehouseWriting materials and lots of bottles more
30 June 1984Zubin Mehta more
7 July 1984Lord RothschildBook on pure mathematicsPad of A4 paper more
14 July 1984Vlado PerlemuterThe Complete Plays of MolierePainting of Louvre more
21 July 1984Natalia MakarovaThe poetry of Aleksandr PushkinWine – Chateau Margot 1961 more
28 July 1984Sir Alfred AyerThe Life of Johnson and A Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides by James BoswellLe Moulin de la Galette by Renoir more
4 August 1984Gayatri DeviOmnibus of books by James HeriotCan of insect repellent more
11 August 1984Ron GoodwinThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranTuba more
18 August 1984William RushtonAnthology by G K ChestertonPiano more
25 August 1984Ved Mehta11th edition of Encyclopædia BritannicaNo luxury chosen more
1 September 1984George AbbottEncyclopaediaWriting paper more
8 September 1984Catherine CooksonHer own autobiographyPiano more
15 September 1984Gerry CottleI Love You, Honey, but the Season's Over by Connie ClausenJuggling clubs more
22 September 1984Alfred EisenstadtA book of quotationsCamera more
29 September 1984John HurtThe Complete Works of Lewis CarrollPillow more
6 October 1984John SurmanSet of WisdenVat of Bordeaux wine more
19 October 1984Michael Ffolkes - - more
20 October 1984Jonathan LynnCollection of Jeeves & Wooster novels by P G WodehousePen and paper more
27 October 1984David RendallThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranWine – Chateau Lascombes 1966 more
3 November 1984Tom SharpeOxford Book of English VerseTon of snuff more
10 November 1984Vernon HandleyThe Principles of Art by R G CollingwoodSodastream and gas cylinders more
17 November 1984David PuttnamThe Wisden Anthology of Cricket by Benny GreenGoose down pillow more
24 November 1984Robin Hanbury-TenisonThe Oxford Companion to English LiteratureCask of claret more
1 December 1984Miklos RozsaCollected Poems of Endre AdyManuscript paper and pens more
8 December 1984Sir John BurghEncyclopædia BritannicaTransistor radio more
15 December 1984Ray Cooney more

1985

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
5 January 1985Sir Michael TippettBlank pagesEgg timer more
12 January 1985Tom StoppardInferno (in two languages) by Dante AlighieriPlastic football more
19 January 1985John Harvey-JonesThe Loom of Language by Frederick BodmerTrap (minus donkey) more
26 January 1985Madhur JaffreyBlank bookWhiskey more
2 February 1985Julie WaltersThe Magus by John FowlesTelephone more
9 February 1985Elly AmelingThe poetry of Paul VerlaineBuddha statue more
16 February 1985Michael ElkinsThe Heroes With the Thousand Faces by Joseph CampbellElectric typewriter more
23 February 1985Anthony HopkinsThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldPiano more
2 March 1985Jorge BoletDon Quixote by Miguel de CervantesCamera more
9 March 1985Alison LurieOxford Book of English VerseTelephone more
16 March 1985Gordon BeningfieldManual on how to swimSketchbook, paints and pencils more
23 March 1985Richard EyrePartridge's Dictionary of SlangSaxophone more
30 March 1985Jimmy SavileMail order catalogueHavana cigar more
6 April 1985Doris StokesThe Complete Andy CappPhotograph album of family, friends and pets more
13 April 1985Joseph AllenA number of Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleFamily pocket watch more
20 April 1985Robert Burchfield more
27 April 1985Barbara Taylor BradfordWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëFamily photograph album more
4 May 1985David SteelDo-it-yourself manualCathedral organ more
11 May 1985Sheila SteafelDictionaryArtist's equipment more

1986

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
5 January 1986Alan ParkerThe collected poems of Sir John BetjemanSuntan lotion more
12 January 1986Nigel KennedyWisden AlmanackViolin more
19 January 1986Maureen LipmanThe collected works of Jane AustenA parking meter and caravan more
26 January 1986Roy HattersleyShakespearean Tragedy by A. C. BradleyBoy writer's set more
2 February 1986Dennis TaylorA joke bookLimitless supply of yoghurt more
9 February 1986Bruce OldfieldThe Destiny of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman by J. P. DonleavyCigarettes more
16 February 1986Ben KingsleyUnknownTelescope more
23 February 1986Selina ScottHawk Moon by Sam ShepardHairbrush more
2 March 1986John DankworthThe Exchange & MartSolar-powered synthesizer more
9 March 1986Beryl BainbridgeThe Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-GarrardOld-fashioned diary with pens more
16 March 1986Ron PickeringThe Guinness Book of RecordsTypewriter more
23 March 1986Shirley WilliamsThe collected poems of W. B. YeatsComputer more
30 March 1986Jane GloverThe Letters of Virginia WoolfBathroom with lots of full cupboards more
6 April 1986Arthur HaileyWebster's International DictionaryHot water more
25 May 1986Bobby RobsonRoget's ThesaurusSet of golf clubs and endless supply of balls more
1 June 1986Elton JohnInterview with a Vampire by Anne RiceTelephone more
8 June 1986Ismail MerchantThe works of E. M. Forster, P. D. James and Ruth Prawer JhabvalaCooking range more
15 June 1986Max HastingsThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahameWord processor linked to a Fleet Street newspaper more
22 June 1986Jackie StewartThe Guinness Book of RecordsBlank book and pen more
29 June 1986Anne-Sophie MutterRobinson Crusoe by Daniel DefoeStradivarius violin more
6 July 1986Brian RedheadA commentary on the Bible by Arthur PinkTaj Mahal more
13 July 1986Sir David WilsonThe Diary of Samuel PepysRefrigerator more
20 July 1986Sir Geoffrey HoweThe Good Food GuideComputer bridge game more
27 July 1986Roger VadimDeath on the Installment Plan by Louis-Ferdinand CélineChess computer more
3 August 1986Norman LewisThe Histories by HerodotusSpirit stove more
10 August 1986Virginia HolgateA do-it-yourself manualNever-ending supply of smoked salmon more
17 August 1986Jane LapotaireThe I ChingPencils and paper more
24 August 1986Stan BarstowÀ la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel ProustPaper and pens more
31 August 1986Auberon WaughOther Men's Flowers by Lord WavellVine more
7 September 1986Andrew DavisGulliver's Travels by Jonathan SwiftCollection of Apostle spoons more
14 September 1986James HerbertAnthology including The History of Mr Polly by H. G. WellsGrand piano more
21 September 1986Suzi QuatroAtlas Shrugged by Ayn RandPiano more
28 September 1986Richard CondonBoy Scout annualCalendar watch more
5 October 1986Sir Ian MacGregorEncyclopædia BritannicaThermos jug more
12 October 1986Sir Fred HoyleHandbook of physicsPortable telescope more
19 October 1986Phil EdmondsBook on flora and fauna of the islandRoyal Jamaica cigars more
26 October 1986Albert Roux and Michel RouxCookery booksBooks on how to manage people and ivory carving more
2 November 1986Jeremy IronsA construction manualCamera and film more
9 November 1986Kingsley AmisOxford English DictionaryScotch whisky more
16 November 1986Hal PrinceLook Homeward, Angel by Thomas WolfeBouillabaisse with langouste and wine more
23 November 1986John RidgwayThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahameShaving kit more
30 November 1986Nigel HawthorneTeach yourself FrenchPencils and paper more
7 December 1986Jackie CollinsThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldPhotograph of her family more
14 December 1986Benny GreenA Quartet of Comedies by H. G. WellsSaxophone more

1987

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
4 January 1987Tony BennettCrime and Punishment by Fyodor DostoyevskySuit more
11 January 1987James PriorUnknownUnknown more
18 January 1987Jeremy LloydThree Men in a Boat by Jerome K. JeromeGuitar more
25 January 1987Baroness Ryder of WarsawThe autobiography of Wilfred OwenPillow more
1 February 1987Peter Fluck and Roger LawMy Last Breath by Luis BuñuelMargaret Thatcher's resignation speech more
8 February 1987Victoria WoodThe collected works of Arthur MarshallCinema organ more
15 February 1987Sir Michael HordernHistory of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston ChurchillElm tree more
22 February 1987Ken RussellThe Prelude by William WordsworthQuart of brandy more
1 March 1987Sir Nicholas GoodisonUnknownUnknown more
8 March 1987Johnny MathisGone With the Wind by Margaret MitchellGolf bag more
15 March 1987Dora BryanThree Men in a Boat by Jerome K. JeromeStuffed dog more
22 March 1987David PenhaligonA cricketing Almanack30 foot of steel more
29 March 1987Peter AllissHistory of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston ChurchillSand-yacht more
5 April 1987Anthony AndrewsThe Complete Works of Oscar WildePiano more
12 April 1987Julian CritchleyAn Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth DavidCase of wine more
19 April 1987Michael BogdanovPocket Wine Book 1987 by Hugh Johnson50-pound jar of Marmite more
26 April 1987Frank BoughBarclays World of Cricket by Jim SwantonContact lenses more
28 June 1987Terence StampThe Joy of CookingDuvet more
5 July 1987Robert MaxwellA book on PlatoChess computer game more
12 July 1987Elaine PaigeThe Complete Works of Charles DickensPiano more
19 July 1987Lucinda GreenUnknownUnknown more
26 July 1987Kenneth WilliamsThe Golden Treasury by Francis PalgraveCrate of Cologne more
2 August 1987Maya AngelouThe Negro CaravanPainting of Kumasi Market by John T. Biggers more
9 August 1987Frances EdmondsThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsBollinger '69 more
16 August 1987Susan GeorgeWill You Be My Friend? by James KavanaughFour poster bed more
23 August 1987Edna O'BrienEncyclopædia BritannicaCristal champagne more
30 August 1987Lord MontaguThe Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. TolkienWindsurfing board more
6 September 1987Kitty GodfreeThe Eagle Has Landed by Jack HigginsBicycle more
13 September 1987Joanna LumleyA Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony PowellSpecially-commissioned John Ward painting of family and friends more
20 September 1987Peter WestOxford Dictionary of QuotationsSet of gardening tools more
27 September 1987Jacques LoussierBeasts, Men and Gods by Ferdinand Ossendowski Piano more
4 October 1987LuluWhere Are You Going? by Swami MuktanandaTelephone more
11 October 1987Lord KillaninA Vanished Arcadia by Robert Bontine Cunninghame GrahamOlympic gold medal and award more
18 October 1987Sir James CallaghanWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyTelescope and star-gazing book more
25 October 1987Bernard LevinThe Michelin Guide to FranceLaptop computer more
1 November 1987Bamber GascoigneTristram Shandy by Laurence SterneCarpentry tools more
8 November 1987Sue LawleyFrench Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth DavidIron and ironing board more
15 November 1987Robert CarrierThe Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence DurrellTajine more
22 November 1987Barry CryerThe Complete Works of J. B. PriestleyTape recorder with a cassette of recordings from home more
29 November 1987Vernon ScannellCompiled anthology of English poetryEnormous amount of A4 paper more
6 December 1987Antony SherBlank book or journalPens, charcoal and paints more
13 December 1987Lew GradeThe Antiquary by Walter ScottCrate of Montecristo cigars more

1988

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
10 January 1988Adele LeighAlice in Wonderland by Lewis CarrollLoofah more
17 January 1988Michael HeseltineThe Dictionary of Trees and ShrubsMosquito net more
24 January 1988Gemma CravenFloyd on Fish by Keith FloydManicure set more
31 January 1988Lord DonoughueUnknownUnknown more
7 February 1988Margaret KellyHistory of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston ChurchillHer first dress worn on stage more
14 February 1988William DavisThe Dictionary of Samuel JohnsonTelescope more
21 February 1988Dennis PotterSpycatcher by Peter WrightTrain set more
28 February 1988Stephanie BeachamThe Ascent of Man by Dr Jacob BronowskiPhotograph of her children more
6 March 1988James BurkeThe works of HomerGuitar and strings more
13 March 1988Brendan FosterThe Lakeland Peaks (photographs) by W. A. PoucherTea more
27 March 1988Lord HailshamThe works of HomerBathtub and some soap more
3 April 1988Jane AsherTess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas HardyHot bath with extra tap for cold champagne more
10 April 1988Arthur ScargillHuckleberry Finn by Mark TwainThe Mona Lisa more
17 April 1988Mary ArcherRemembrance of Things Past by Marcel ProustNeedles, cotton and material more
24 April 1988Michael GambonRepublician Party Reptile by P. J. O'RourkeCar (in which to listen to music) more
1 May 1988Neil KinnockEssays on Equality by R. H. TawneyRadio 4 more
8 May 1988Peggy MakinsThe biggest atlas in the worldLittle rosebush more
15 May 1988Rowan AtkinsonUncle Fred in Springtime by P. G. WodehouseCar (to clean) more
22 May 1988Anita RoddickPrince of Tides by Pat ConroyComfortable bed with pillows and sheets more
29 May 1988Rabbi Lionel BlueThe biggest volume of pure mathsToilet bag more
5 June 1988Anton MosimannOpera di M. Bartolomeo Scappi (recipe book of the Pope's chef in 1525)Steamer for cooking more
12 June 1988Douglas HurdOxford Book of 20th Century English VerseChampagne more
19 June 1988Gwen Ffrangcon-DaviesNo other book requestedLarge bottle of toilet water more
26 June 1988Jeremy IsaacsA compilation of Benny GreenFrogman's outfit and snorkel more
3 July 1988Dr David OwenHis own anthology of poemsHot bath more
10 July 1988David EssexThe Guinness Book of RecordsSet of cricket equipment more
17 July 1988Dame Edna EverageFilofaxMadge Allsop more
24 July 1988Lord ArmstrongThe collected works of Jane AustenMusic manuscript paper, pencil and rubber more
31 July 1988Joan TurnerIntroduction to the Devout Life by Francis de SalesBaked beans more
7 August 1988Reverend Ian PaisleyFoxe's Book of MartyrsHigh-powered radio more
14 August 1988Patricia NealA collection of short storiesToothbrush and toothpaste more
21 August 1988Lord DacreThe collected Works of VirgilPaper, pen and ink more
28 August 1988Anita DobsonThe Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeBed more
4 September 1988Alfred WainwrightTwo photographs (one of his wife; one of 1928 Blackburn Rovers team)Mirror more
11 September 1988Peter DonohoeThe Complete Scripts of Billy ConnollyWaterbed more
18 September 1988Salman RushdieArabian NightsUnlisted radio telephone more
25 September 1988Trevor HuddlestonOxford Book of English VerseBinoculars more
2 October 1988Athene SeylerThe Disinherited by Gareth JonesCase of champagne more
9 October 1988Terry WoganThe collected works of P. G. WodehouseRadio-cassette player and language tapes more
16 October 1988Cilla BlackAesop's FablesManicure set and nail varnish more
23 October 1988Michael FootDon Juan by Lord ByronAlarm clock encased in Welsh tinplate more
30 October 1988Germaine GreerThe Oxford English DictionaryHot spices more
6 November 1988Claus MoserVolume of James ThurberConcert grand Steinway piano more
13 November 1988Bob HoskinsCatch 22 by Joseph HellerTelescope more
20 November 1988Bob ChampionFraser's Horse BookA bronze statue of the racehorse Aldaniti more
27 November 1988Stephen FryJeeves Omnibus by P. G. WodehouseSuicide pill more
4 December 1988Baroness WarnockThe Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony TrollopePen and paper more
11 December 1988Charles DanceA Dream in the Luxembourg by Richard AldingtonGuitar more
18 December 1988Edward HeathA volume of the works of Impressionist paintersSuntan lotion more

1989

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
1 January 1989Most Rev Robert RuncieThe Odyssey by HomerRocking chair more
8 January 1989TwiggyTess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas HardyCold cream more
15 January 1989Tony BennDas Kapital by Karl MarxKettle and teabags more
22 January 1989Boy GeorgePhotograph albumRadio receiver more
29 January 1989Joan ArmatradingWhy Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha ChristieGuitar more
5 February 1989Rocco ForteThe Divine Comedy by DanteSnooker table more
12 February 1989Jeffrey TateThe collected works of Jane AustenNativity painting from the National Gallery more
19 February 1989Enoch PowellOld Testament (in Hebrew and Greek)Smoking device to smoke fish more
26 February 1989David HareLarousse GastronomiqueCricket bat and bowling machine more
5 March 1989Dame Josephine BarnesThe scores of all music chosen in a bound volumeWord processor more
12 March 1989Gerald ScarfeAnything by Capability BrownRiver painting by Turner more
2 April 1989Sir Stephen SpenderRemembrance of Things Past by Marcel ProustPainting or sculpture by son with photograph of daughter more
9 April 1989Leslie GranthamRobinson Crusoe by Daniel DefoeMetal detector more
16 April 1989Lord JenkinsWho's WhoCase of Bordeaux wine more
23 April 1989Miriam RothschildEncyclopædia BritannicaBag of wildflower seeds more
30 April 1989Lady RedgraveJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëCase of champagne more
7 May 1989Lenny HenryCatch 22 by Joseph HellerGraphic novels (comics) more
14 May 1989Thora HirdScene and Hird by Thora HirdCleansing milk more
21 May 1989Katharine HamnettI ChingAircraft carrier more
28 May 1989Sir Nicholas HendersonGuy de Maupassant's short storiesSculpture from the Louvre and box of different seeds more
4 June 1989Richard BransonTeach yourself Japanese phrase bookNotebooks and pens more
11 June 1989Jonathon PorrittBleak House by Charles DickensFountain pen more
18 June 1989Maria AitkenFun in a Chinese Laundry by Josef von SternbergAmazonian rain-maker more
25 June 1989Joan CollinsThe Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeLarge bottle of suntan oil and moisturiser more
2 July 1989Mark McCormackLes Misérables by Victor HugoSuntan lotion more
9 July 1989Ned SherrinNo Bed for Bacon by Caryl BrahmsSeed potatoes more
16 July 1989Sir Thomas ArmstrongNo other book requestedClavichord more
3 September 1989Dame Vera LynnA book on edible fruits and vegetablesWatercolour paints, brushes and paper more
10 September 1989Eric ClaptonBarnaby Rudge by Charles DickensGuitar more
17 September 1989Penelope LivelyMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleBinoculars more
24 September 1989John OgdonThe Moonstone by Wilkie CollinsSteinway piano more
1 October 1989Lucinda LambtonThe Dictionary of National BiographyWord processor more
8 October 1989Jack LemmonA Play in the Fields of Our Lord by Peter MathesonPiano more
15 October 1989Alan PlaterSmell of Sunday Dinner by Sid ChaplinWriting materials more
22 October 1989Colin ThubronA Year of Grace by Victor Gollancz Scuba-diving equipment more
5 November 1989Ian BothamEncyclopaedia of species of fish of the worldFishing rod more
12 November 1989Michael CodronCaroline and Charlotte by Alison PlowmanJigsaw puzzles more
19 November 1989Seamus HeaneyUlysses by James JoyceDoc Martens boots more
26 November 1989Lady MosleyRemembrance of Things Past by Marcel ProustSoft pillow more
3 December 1989Rt. Hon. Nigel LawsonThe poetry of John DonneRadio receiver more
17 December 1989Pauline CollinsTeach yourself physicsPaper, pencils and paints more
24 December 1989HRH The Duchess of KentThe Reader's Digest New Do-It-Yourself GuideLamp with solar batteries more
31 December 1989Dirk BogardeAkenfield by Ronald BlytheDistillery more

1990

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
7 January 1990Dennis SkinnerLet's Face the Music by Benny GreenBike more
14 January 1990John PeelA Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony PowellFootball more
21 January 1990Sir Robin DayOxford Book of English VerseMagnum of champagne more
28 January 1990Lord WeidenfeldThe Pickwick Papers by Charles DickensArmchair with coffee machine and rescue signal more
4 February 1990Sarah MilesI ChingWord processor more
11 February 1990Michael Tilson ThomasCollected Poems of Rainer Maria RilkeYahama computerised concert grand piano more
18 February 1990John PilgerCatch 22 by Joseph HellerTypewriter more
25 February 1990John SessionsDavid Copperfield by Charles DickensA 78rpm record of The Laughing Policeman to smash on the rocks more
4 March 1990Sir Ian TrethowanWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyChampagne more
11 March 1990Professor Sir George PorterNon-Equilibrium Thermo Dynamics by PrigogineComputer, pen and paper more
18 March 1990Richard RogersThe Odyssey by HomerHis wife Ruth, but if this is disallowed then a painting more
25 March 1990John BiffenWisden Cricketers' Almanack Rain gauge more
15 April 1990Sir Crispin TickellGuide to Science by AsimovSolar-powered telescope more
22 April 1990Mary WesleyLove in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García MárquezDenis Healey or large double bed with pillows more
29 April 1990June WhitfieldA do-it-yourself manualSupply of cocoa butter and hat more
6 May 1990Prue LeithThe Barchester novels by Anthony TrollopeJeroboam of champagne more
13 May 1990Molly KeaneA bound copy of the Spectator magazinesA bed, netted from snakes and flies more
20 May 1990Jonathan PryceShort stories of Bernard MacLavertyEndless supply of rum punch more
27 May 1990David BlunkettAnthology of verse by Robert GravesRadio/cassette machine more
3 June 1990Ken DoddThe Times atlas of the worldA box of scented soap more
10 June 1990Maeve BinchyTeach yourself bridge Photograph album more
17 June 1990Harold FieldingGreat Murder Trials of the 20th Century by Sir David NapleyLarge bag of sugar more
24 June 1990George CarmanThe Golden Treasury by Francis PalgravePainting of the Grand Canal in Venice more
1 July 1990Kaffe FassettReflections by Hermann HesseDiary and pen more
8 July 1990Peter JonasCity of God by Saint AugustineCyanide, in a joint, in champagne truffle in a fridge more
15 July 1990Jean RookThe Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas HardyComputer more
2 September 1990Robin Knox-JohnstonBooks identifying birds and fishVideo recorder and tapes of the Queen Mother's parade more
9 September 1990Lord CharterisWar and Peace by Leo TolstoySet of wood-carving tools more
16 September 1990Ruth WestheimerGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellLarge box of marrons glaces more
23 September 1990Barbara WindsorA book about HollywoodWriting materials and Union flag more
30 September 1990Gary LinekerWisden Cricketers' AlmanackBowling machine more
7 October 1990John ThawThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahameLarge comfortable armchair more
14 October 1990Clive JenkinsLook Homeward Angel by Thomas WolfeVideo player and tape of Citizen Kane more
21 October 1990Ernie WiseThe Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles DickensYellow Rolls Royce more
28 October 1990Nicholas SnowmanSmiley's People by John le CarréCoffee machine more
4 November 1990Lord AnnanThe Iliad in Greek and English by HomerBath essence more
11 November 1990Baroness Castle of BlackburnThe collected works of William MorrisTypewriter more
18 November 1990Elizabeth WelchWho's Who in the TheatrePhoto of her mother more
25 November 1990Baroness TrumpingtonGeorge V by Kenneth RoseThe crown jewels (so someone will look for her) more
2 December 1990Sir Eduardo PaolozziA tropical plant book in Italian with English glossHurdy gurdy more
23 December 1990Brian KeenanThe Life, Times and Music of an Irish Harper by Donal O'SullivanPencil more
30 December 1990Keith FloydGormenghast by Mervyn PeakePair of handmade blue suede shoes more