List of Desert Island Discs episodes (2001–10)

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 2001 and 2010 are listed here.

Very rarely programmes will be repeated in place of new shows as a tribute to former guests who have recently died – for example Radio 4 repeated Humphrey Lyttelton's show, originally aired on 5 November 2006, on 15 June 2008. Desert Island Discs takes two short breaks, in spring and summer. BBC Radio 4 broadcasts new programmes for approximately 42 weeks each year on Sunday mornings, usually with a repeat transmission 5 days later. On Remembrance Sunday (in November) the programme is not broadcast but that week's programme gets a single airing in the Friday repeat slot.

2001

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
7 January 2001Marquess of BathCombined dictionary and thesaurusLaptop computer more
14 January 2001George McDonald FraserOxford English DictionaryTypewriter more
21 January 2001Marguerite PattenPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenTrowel for digging more
28 January 2001Terry O'NeillGreat Expectations by Charles DickensWind-up radio more
4 February 2001Sir John MortimerOxford Book of English VerseVelázquez painting of old lady frying eggs more
11 February 2001Griff Rhys JonesThe Pickwick Papers by Charles DickensNewspaper more
18 February 2001Professor Sir Richard DollOxford Textbook of Medicine by D. A. WarrellA down pillow more
25 February 2001Charlie WattsCollected Poems 1934-52 of Dylan ThomasDrumsticks more
4 March 2001John LillHuge Tome on fauna and floraSolar-powered piano more
11 March 2001Henry SandonA Shropshire Lad by A. E. HousmanHuge supply of Indian tea with Worcester tea pot more
18 March 2001Professor Peter Vanezis - - more
25 March 2001Shirley HughesEmbarrassment of Riches by Simon SchamaA painting by Titian, Bacchus & Ariadne more
1 April 2001Sir Alec BroersWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyLots and lots of chocolate more
8 April 2001Tanni Grey ThompsonA guide to edible foods on a desert islandFive juggling balls more
15 April 2001Ronald BlytheLife of Johnson by James BoswellLots of paper with pens more
22 April 2001Chris TarrantThe Silence of the Lambs by Thomas HarrisHis lucky sixpence more
29 April 2001Tasmin LittleHarry Potter book by J. K. Rowling or Little Dorrit by Charles DickensEndless supply of coffee more
6 May 2001Margaret DrabbleOld Wives Tale by Arnold BennettPainting by Maurice Cockerill - Ariadne's Thread more
13 May 2001Sir John SulstonOxford Anthology of English VerseThe microscope used to examine the lineage of the roundworm more
20 May 2001Sir Timothy CliffordA la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel ProustRenaissance casket with a selection of 15th & 16th century Italian drawings in it more
27 May 2001Courtney PineBeneath the Underdog by Charles Mingus1939 tenor edition saxophone more
3 June 2001Sir Thomas AllenUnder the Greenwood Tree by Thomas HardyUnlimited supply of paper, paints and pencils more
10 June 2001Sir Kyffin WilliamsGerminal by Émile ZolaA small painting called "The Head of a Girl" by Michael Schwertz more
17 June 2001Frank McCourtOxford Anthology of English VersePair of binoculars more
24 June 2001Sir Harry KrotoQuantum Electro Dynamics Physics by FeynmanAirbrush computer graphics set more
1 July 2001Sir Stanley KalmsThe Wealth of Nations by Adam SmithPack of cards more
8 July 2001Peggy SeegerA Scots Quair by Lewis Grassic GibbonBanjo with plastic head and an inexhaustible supply of strings and pegs more
15 July 2001Martin BellCorduroy (his father's first book) by Adrian BellBarrel of Adnam's Ale brewed in Suffolk more
22 July 2001Cormac Murphy O'ConnorLifelines by Seamus HeaneyGrand piano more
29 July 2001Claudia RodenA la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel ProustOil paints and brushes more
5 August 2001Lord DeedesOriginal prayer book without any amendmentsMister Trumper's aftershave more
12 August 2001Joss AcklandThe Diary of Samuel PepysHuge jar of liquorice more
19 August 2001Bruce FogleA book on canoe craftMolecular engineering laboratory - to construct a dog more
26 August 2001Lord RollFaust by Johann Wolfgang GoetheCassette recorder and cassettes more
2 September 2001Simon SchamaThe Leopard by Giuseppe di LampedusaBethsheba by Rembrandt more
18 November 2001Billy ConnollyOxford English DictionaryHis banjo more
25 November 2001Ken FollettPhilosophical Investigations by Ludwig WittgensteinEntire cellar of a great collector of French wine more
2 December 2001William HagueThe Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert CaroDojo more
9 December 2001Sir Cameron MackintoshComplete Cookery Course by Delia SmithSolar-powered Magimix more
16 December 2001Anne FineCollected Poems of Philip LarkinPencil and paper more
23 December 2001Jamie OliverDoesn't read books - needs notepaper and pens to write recipesLeatherman - like a Swiss Army Knife but more substantial more
30 December 2001Ewan McGregorIn Search of Lost Time by Marcel ProustChromatic harmonica more

2002

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
6 January 2002Sir Peter MorrisThe Aubrey-Maturin series 20 (complete hardback set) by Patrick O'Briangolf clubs and balls more
13 January 2002Susana WaltonThe Education of a Gardner by Russell Pagedowny pillow more
20 January 2002Bob WorcesterGlobes at Greenwich by Elly Dekkercelestial and terrestrial globes more
27 January 2002Phyllis SellickThe Oxford Companion to Musicclockwork radio tuned to Radio 4 more
3 February 2002David LinleyThe Art of Looking Sideways by Alan Fletcherguitar more
10 February 2002Sir Paul NurseThe Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowskitelescope more
17 February 2002Kazuo IshiguroCollected short stories of Anton Chekhovbig roll of paper more
24 February 2002Sue MacGregorHistory of the World by John Robertsunlimited supply of nicely-scented sun block more
3 March 2002Lord MayCapablanca's Hundred Best Games of Chess by Hans GolombekIsle of Lewis chess set from The British Museum more
10 March 2002Dame Beryl GreyThis Sceptred Isle by Christopher Leebox of watercolour paints more
17 March 2002Fay GodwinThe Rattle Bag by Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaneyegg tempera paints, brushes, and boards to paint onmore
24 March 2002Dorothy RoweThe Oxford Companion to the Body edited by Colin Blakemorea snorkeling suit with prescription gogglesmore
31 March 2002Gordon RamsayKitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdaina fresh vanilla podmore
7 April 2002Fiona ReynoldsThe Making of the English Landscape by W. G. Hoskinsthe full collection of Ordnance Survey maps of the British Islesmore
14 April 2002Sir Christopher Blandthe collected works of John Donnetwo and half miles of a Hampshire chalk streammore
21 April 2002Wayne MarshallThe Grove Dictionary of Musica Steinway Model D piano, specially conditioned to deal with all weathersmore
28 April 2002Betty JacksonVision: 50 Years of CreativityLipstickmore
5 May 2002Jude Kelly - - more
12 May 2002Sir Aaron KlugA set of books on Roman Republican and Imperial CoinageA set of mixed Greek and Imperial coinagemore
19 May 2002SuggsA concise book of Italian verbsA nucleus of beesmore
26 May 2002Sue JohnstonDickens by Peter AckroydBBC Radio Five Livemore
9 June 2002Leonard RosomanA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joycea sloping lawnmore
16 June 2002Jan MorrisThe Mabinogi in modern Welsha hot water bottlemore
23 June 2002Lady LongfordDiplomacy and Murder in Tehran: Alexander Griboyedov and the Tsar's Mission to the Shah of Persia by Laurence Kellyan orange treemore
30 June 2002Minette WaltersThe Oxford Dictionary of QuotationsVan Gogh's Irisesmore
7 July 2002Alan TitchmarshOne of P. G. Wodehouse's Blandings novelsA box of watercoloursmore
15 September 2002Brian MayOut of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewishis own guitar: the Red Specialmore
22 September 2002Timothy SpallThe Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickensa drum kitmore
29 September 2002Dame Alicia MarkovaSpeaking of Diaghilev by John Drummondthe perfume Knowing by Estée Laudermore
6 October 2002Philip PullmanA La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel ProustA Jar of Apricots by Chardin

more

13 October 2002Paul GambacciniThe Complete Carl Banks Library by Carl BanksPiano more
20 October 2002Carl Djerassithe collected poetry and prose of Wallace Stevensa solar powered computer with a secret compartment containing a white powdermore
27 October 2002P. D. JamesWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoypencils and papermore
3 November 2002Robin Cookthe National Hunt form booka chess computermore
15 November 2002Marguerite WolffAlan Walker's biography of Liszta pianomore
17 November 2002Christopher OndaatjeRobert Service's Anthology of Poetrya painting: The Blue Nude by Justin Deranyagalamore
24 November 2002Iain Duncan SmithThe Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrelloil paintsmore
1 December 2002John MalkovichThe Sound and the Fury by William Faulknera cappuccino makermore
8 December 2002Linton Kwesi JohnsonOne Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márqueza bass guitarmore
15 December 2002Sinéad Cusackthe plays of Anton Chekhova big hat with a lot of muslinmore
22 December 2002Rowan Williamsa collection of W. H. Auden poemsa pianomore
29 December 2002Patricia Cornwellessay on population by Thomas Malthusan endless supply of notebooks and pens more

2003

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
5 January 2003George Foremanan anthology of poems including the poem Waiting by John Burroughsa pillowmore
12 January 2003Gillian AndersonThe Power of Now by Eckhart Tollerecordings of her daughter and love reading their poems more
19 January 2003Professor Baruch BlumbergUlysses by James Joycea flat water kayak suitable for rough watermore
26 January 2003Sir Trevor NunnThe Complete Works of Charles Dickensa photo of his wife and all of his children more
2 February 2003Paul Whitehousea chord book full of songs and ariasa pianomore
9 February 2003Sir Ian McKellena dictionary of flora and faunaa grand pianomore
16 February 2003Cornelia ParkerWorld of Wonder: 10,000 things every child should knowa solar powered vibratormore
23 February 2003George ClooneyWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoyan anchored yachtmore
2 March 2003Gene PitneyThe Giant Book of Mensa Puzzles by Robert Allena case of Opus One winemore
9 March 2003Vic ReevesThree Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jeromepotato seedsmore
16 March 2003Nick DanzigerOne Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquezpencils, paper and watercoloursmore
23 March 2003Claude-Michel SchönbergAll the Little Live things by Wallace Earle Stegnera grand pianomore
30 March 2003Kristin Scott ThomasSense and Sensibility by Jane Austena pair of mules by Christian Louboutinmore
6 April 2003David GilmourThe Qur'anacoustic guitarmore
13 April 2003Margaret AtwoodThe Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nightsa big huge vat of Culpepers Rose Geranium bath saltsmore
20 April 2003Rory BremnerThe Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbona radiomore
4 May 2003Professor A. H. HalseyUtopia by Thomas Morea solar powered radiomore
11 May 2003George Fentonshort stories by Chekhova piano or failing that for comfort a tin of condensed milk and an openermore
18 May 2003Franco ZeffirelliDante's Infernoa hammock from Hermèsmore
25 May 2003Derek BrownThe Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickensa steamer chairmore
1 June 2003Meera Syala Hindi/English dictionarya pianomore
8 June 2003Vittorio RadiceLa première gorgée de Bière et autres plaisirs minuscules by Philippe Delermsunglassesmore
15 June 2003Mark Tullythe major works by Gerard Manley Hopkinsa modern mini brewerymore
22 June 2003Bishop John SentamuThe Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewisa kitchenmore
29 June 2003Daniel LibeskindThe Prisons (Le Carceri: The Complete First and Second States) by Giovanni Battista Piranesipencil and papermore
6 July 2003Barbara Taylor BradfordDavid Copperfield by Charles Dickensa bag of eye makeup, especially mascaramore
21 September 2003Bryn TerfelAngela's Ashes by Frank McCourtThe Wales Millennium Centremore
28 September 2003Nick HornbyBarnaby Rudge by Charles Dickensan iPodmore
5 October 2003Nigella LawsonThe Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieriliquid Temazepam "to give me the possibility of a very pleasant exit"more
12 October 2003Herbert KretzmerThe Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussella Zippo lightermore
19 October 2003Bill CullenGlimpses by Brendan Kennellyan accordionmore
26 October 2003Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MPThe Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsytha CD playermore
2 November 2003Christopher FraylingDon Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes SaavedraThe V&A Museummore
14 November 2003Christabel BielenbergWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoya comfortable chairmore
16 November 2003Jeremy Clarksona photograph albuma jet skimore
23 November 2003Christopher MeyerThe Four Adventures of Richard Hannay by John Buchan and Robin W. Winksa jukeboxmore
30 November 2003Henry BlofeldA Pelican at Blandings by P. G. Wodehousea personal photo albummore
7 December 2003Pat Barkera book on tropical fish to identify themsnorkeling equipmentmore
14 December 2003Nicholas Grimshawthe complete works of Patrick O'BrienRIBA drawings collectionmore
21 December 2003Emmylou Harrisa blank booka librarymore
28 December 2003Paul O'GradyThe Borrowers by Mary NortonSkin-So-Soft by Avonmore

2004

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
4 January 2004Martha Lane FoxWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoya karaoke machinemore
11 January 2004Jimmy TarbuckThe Essential Henry Longhursthis own set of golf clubs and ballsmore
18 January 2004Stephen FrearsThe Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbona painting by his wifemore
25 January 2004Paul DacreRHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants by Christopher Brickella subscription to the Guardian newspaper for one yearmore
1 February 2004David SainsburyThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgeralda large bath with a constant supply of hot watermore
8 February 2004Sister Frances DominicaThe Earth from the Air by Yann Arthus-Bertranda chaise longue with a mosquito net attachedmore
15 February 2004Sacha DistelThe Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelhoa grand pianomore
22 February 2004John CaleRepetition by Alain Robbe-Grilletan espresso coffee machine with coffee beansmore
29 February 2004Judith Kerra big, beautiful coffee table book of picturespencils and thick paper to write and draw onmore
7 March 2004Gulam NoonLong Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandelavideos of cricket matchesmore
14 March 2004Bill NighyThe First Forty-Nine Stories by Ernest Hemingwaya boxed set of blues harpsmore
21 March 2004Ralph KohnMahler's copy of The Complete Works of Bacha magic flutemore
28 March 2004Jack VettrianoSUMO by Helmut NewtonTriptych, May - June, 1973 by Francis Baconmore
4 April 2004Angela Gheorghiua book to learn good Englisha cup of Jasmine teamore
11 April 2004Michael Morpurgo - - more
18 April 2004Bernard CornwellA Glastonbury Romance by John Cowper Powyshis boat, but not to escapemore
25 April 2004Antonio Pappano - - more
2 May 2004Graham NortonMansfield Park by Jane Austena mirrormore
9 May 2004U. A. Fanthorpea book to identify birdlife on the islanda bath with soap and towelsmore
16 May 2004Pen HadowThe Oxford Book of English Versea six inch nailmore
23 May 2004Ken AdamPropyläen Kunstgeschichte The History of Arta sketchpad and felt pens to designmore
30 May 2004Geraldine JamesThe Fatal Shore by Robert Hughesan iPodmore
13 June 2004Karan BilimoriaThe Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo CoelhoYes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister videosmore
20 June 2004Diana AthillVanity Fair by William Thackerayher own bedmore
27 June 2004Tim RiceMolesworth by Geoffrey Willans, Phillip Henscher and Ronald Searlea telescopemore
4 July 2004Michael HowardThe Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert A. Caroa hot shower and some soapmore
11 July 2004Hugh MasekelaNicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickensa keyboardmore
19 September 2004Joe Simpsona blank book and pena drink-making machinemore
26 September 2004Virginia McKennaAnimal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife by Don E. Wilsonlanguage tapes to learn Italian and Swahilimore
3 October 2004Desmond MorrisThe Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights translated by Richard Burtona snorkelmore
10 October 2004Anne Scott-JamesThe Semi-attached Couple by Emily Edena nightdress made of pure white cottonmore
17 October 2004Sir Menzies CampbellTreasure Island and Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevensona set of golf clubsmore
24 October 2004Jack MapanjePride and Prejudice by Jane Austena guitarmore
31 October 2004Matthew Pinsenta world atlasa shaving kitmore
7 November 2004Ann Lesliethe completed works of P. G. Wodehousean enormous amount of garlic with garlic pressmore
19 November 2004Matthew BourneThe Kenneth Williams Diariesspotted dick with Lyon's golden syrupmore
21 November 2004Clive Stafford SmithThe Koran in Arabic and Englishhis computermore
28 November 2004Tracey EminEthics by Spinoza, translated by G. H. R. Parkinsona pen which would never run outmore
5 December 2004Sir Bobby RobsonThe First World War and The Second World War by John Keegana sunlounger with canopy to protect him from the sunmore
12 December 2004John FortuneThe Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa (in Italian and English)a rug made by the Baluch people from Afghanistanmore
19 December 2004Engelbert HumperdinckEngelbert - What's In a Name: The Autobiography by Engelbert Humperdincka saxophonemore
26 December 2004Kim Cattrallan English dictionaryfragrant body creammore

2005

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
2 January 2005Carlos AcostaDirty Havana Trilogy by Pedro Juan Gutierreza case of Havana rummore
9 January 2005Andy McNabany Dickens booka gollockmore
16 January 2005Sam Taylor-WoodBirthday Letters by Ted Hughesa karaoke machinemore
23 January 2005Dr Jonathan MillerThe Invertebrates by Libbie Henrietta Hymana canvas roll containing a castaway's dissecting setmore
30 January 2005Peter Maxwell Daviesa Sanskrit dictionarycopper plate engravings of Dürer's Passionmore
6 February 2005David StarkeyMicrocosmographia Academica by Francis M. Cornfordhot and cold running water, a bath tub and bath oilmore
27 February 2005Geoffrey PalmerThe Oxford Book of English Verse by Arthur Quiller-Couch and The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse by Philip Larkina fly fishing rodmore
6 March 2005Alison RichardThe Journals of Captain Cooka solar powered showermore
13 March 2005Stephen PoliakoffMy Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrella box of plastic straws to fiddle withmore
20 March 2005Raymond Briggsthe complete works of Beachcombera full size billiard table with Radio 4 built into each legmore
27 March 2005Yvonne Brewstera primer to learn Italian with a tapeolive oilmore
3 April 2005Lorin MaazelPensées by Blaise PascalVermeer painting: The Piano Lessonmore
10 April 2005Philippe PetitThe Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford Ashleyhis mysterious object (an object found by his father that as yet no one can identify)more
17 April 2005Patrick Stewarta compendium of the world's best science fiction so he can become an experthis beloved billiard table and a shed to keep it inmore
24 April 2005Jarvis CockerSombrero Fallout by Richard Brautigana bed with a mosquito netmore
1 May 2005Katharine WhitehornA Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Brysona machine to distill whatever is theremore
8 May 2005Josephine Cox"a book which is in my head about my brother"a photo album of her familymore
15 May 2005Imelda Stauntona book on astronomymodelling clay and toolsmore
22 May 2005David KingWild Reckoning: An Anthology Provoked by Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" edited by John Burnside and Maurice Riordana bunch of canvases with oils and brushesmore
29 May 2005Satish Kumarthe collected writings of Mahatma Gandhia spademore
5 June 2005Nigel SlaterDerek Jarman's Garden by Derek JarmanHoward Hodgkin's painting: Learning About Russian Musicmore
12 June 2005Betsy BlairReading Lyrics: More Than 1,000 of the Century's Finest Lyrics by Robert Gottlieb and Robert Kimballan ice cream makermore
19 June 2005Alexander McCall Smitha collection of W. H. Auden's worksa handmade pair of shoesmore
26 June 2005Ruby WaxThe Magic Mountain by Thomas Manna huge bedmore
3 July 2005Paulo Coelhothe complete works of Oscar Wildea trip around his island on Concordemore
10 July 2005Ronald SearleThe Oxford Dictionary of National Biographythe best Champagne possiblemore
18 September 2005Brenda Blethyna dictionarya karaoke machinemore
25 September 2005Julian ClaryStop Thinking, Start Living by Richard Carlsonan all-purpose prosthetic armmore
2 October 2005Frank GardnerA Passage to India by E. M. Forstera solar powered buggymore
9 October 2005Michael WinnerThe Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salingera big supply of caviarmore
16 October 2005Jacqueline Wilsonthe collected stories of Katherine Mansfielda fairground carouselmore
23 October 2005Mario TestinoDemian by Hermann Hessehis own pillowmore
30 October 2005Boris Johnson MPan Indian paper edition of Homera large pot of French mustardmore
6 November 2005Chris EvansA Christmas Carol by Charles Dickensa pair of swimming goggles with prescription lensesmore
18 November 2005Renée FlemingThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewiscoffeemore
20 November 2005Mary MidgleyThe Variety of Religious Experiences by William Jamesa solar hot water systemmore
27 November 2005Sir David Frostthe London A-ZSunday newspapersmore
4 December 2005Colin Firthstories of Woody Allenhis guitarmore
11 December 2005David HopeThe Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickensa case of selected malt whiskiesmore
18 December 2005Maggi HamblingThe Complete works of Just William by Richmal Cromptonthe wine cellar from All Souls College, Oxfordmore
25 December 2005John Rutterteach yourself mathematics illustrated by voluptuous womena violamore

2006

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
1 January 2006Kelly Holmesa set of encyclopaediasa large supply of chocolatemore
8 January 2006Richard GriffithsVanity Fair by William ThackerayVelázquez's Las Meninasmore
15 January 2006Frankie Dettorithe history of the Derbya lifetime's supply of Pinot grigiomore
22 January 2006John SutherlandVanity Fair by William Thackerayan iPodmore
29 January 2006Shirley Williamscollected works of W. H. Audena personal computer linked to the Internetmore
5 February 2006Jeremy IronsThe Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford AshleyRizla liquorice papersmore
12 February 2006Karen ArmstrongThe complete works of MiltonContinuous supply of very cold & dry white winemore
19 February 2006Frederic RaphaelThe Oxford Latin Dictionarya Montblanc pen, nibs and spiral-bound squared notebooksmore
26 February 2006Rachel Whitereada reference book on the natural history of the islandink, pen, paper and correction fluidmore
5 March 2006Jack Higginsthe complete works of Charles Dickensa mobile phonemore
12 March 2006Terence StampThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahameone of his wheat-free loavesmore
7 May 2006Daniel BarenboimEthics by Spinozaa piano with a mattressmore
14 May 2006Darcey Bussella biography of Audrey Hepburnan eyelash curlermore
21 May 2006Digby JonesHow Britain made the Modern World by Niall Fergusona video or pictorial book of '100 examples of excellence'more
28 May 2006David CameronThe River Cottage Cookbook by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalla crate of Scotch whiskymore
4 June 2006Armando Iannuccithe complete short stories of H. G. Wellsa virtual sherry triflemore
11 June 2006George Daviesa book about learning to painta Cannondale bikemore
18 June 2006Peter Mansfieldfamily photograph albumsa helicoptermore
2 July 2006John BrowneOther Men's Flowers: An Anthology of Poetry by Lord Wavella lifetime's supply of 'great cigars'more
9 July 2006Monty Doncollected poems of Henry VaughanRembrandt's Hendrickje Bathingmore
16 July 2006Ian RankinA Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powella traditional American pinball machinemore
23 July 2006Hanna SegalIn Search of Lost Time by Prousta snorkel and polaroidsmore
30 July 2006David EdgarAn Evil Cradling by Brian Keenana pianomore
6 August 2006Michael Rosenthe complete poems of Carl Sandburgthe didgeridoo belonging to his late son Eddiemore
13 August 2006Simon CowellHollywood Wives by Jackie Collinsa mirrormore
20 August 2006A. A. GillCaptain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor by Mervyn Peakehis children's pillowsmore
27 August 2006Joan PlowrightRemembrance of Things Past by Prousta pianomore
1 October 2006Quentin Blakecollected works of Charles DickensArches watercolour papermore
8 October 2006Jane HorrocksJamie's Dinners: The Essential Family Cookbook by Jamie Oliveran endless supply of tissuesmore
15 October 2006Robert FiskLe Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Malorya violinmore
22 October 2006Camila BatmanghelidjhBeing and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartrea yoyomore
29 October 2006Heston BlumenthalOn Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGeeJapanese knivesmore
5 November 2006Humphrey Lytteltoncollected works of James Thurbera keyboardmore
17 November 2006John StevensReach for the Sky: The Story of Douglas Bader by Paul Brickhilla cellar of Champagnemore
19 November 2006Stephen Kingcollected poetry of W. H. Audena water hammockmore
26 November 2006Matt LucasThe Deeper Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams and John LloydOslo Court, his favourite London restaurantmore
3 December 2006Raymond GubbayCollins Robert French/English, English/French Unabridged Dictionaryan espresso coffee machinemore
10 December 2006Karl JenkinsMichelin Guide to Francea pianomore
17 December 2006Arnold WeskerRemembrance of Things Past by Proustsupplies of pen and papermore
24 December 2006Gloria HunnifordWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoyfamily photographsmore
31 December 2006Anthony Horowitza large French dictionarya fountain pen, ink and papermore

2007

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
7 January 2007Lady Natasha SpenderDesert Islands by Walter de la Mareher grand pianomore
14 January 2007Edna O'BrienUlysses by James Joycea vault of a very good white winemore
21 January 2007Ann DanielsThe Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrarda bar of soapmore
28 January 2007Brian AldissJohn Halpern's biography of John Osbornea banjomore
4 February 2007Neil TennantThe Human Comedy by Honoré de Balzaca DVD projector and DVDsmore
11 February 2007Paul Abbottthe complete works of Arthur Millera writing pad and pencilsmore
18 February 2007Grayson Perryan art book on Gothic and Renaissance altarpiecesloads of really good pens and papermore
25 February 2007Andrew NeilThe Wealth of Nations by Adam Smitha wind up radiomore
4 March 2007J. P. Donleavythe 1972 Social Register of New Yorkhis own long-handled spoon to make dressingsmore
11 March 2007Andy Kershawcollected works of Ryszard Kapuścińskilots of toilet rollmore
18 March 2007Jo BrandThe History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbona church organmore
25 March 2007Professor Raymond TallisBeing and Time by Martin Heideggera video of a day in the life of his familymore
1 April 2007Ben HelfgottThe History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand RussellA bar with two discs for weight trainingmore
13 May 2007Joanna LumleyA huge atlasVideo camera and filmmore
20 May 2007Greg DykeComplete works of Dylan ThomasA guitar with a guide to playing itmore
27 May 2007Paul McKennaThe Path of the Human Being by Dennis Genpo MerzelCollage of photos of family, friends and girlfriendmore
3 June 2007Tom BlundellLessons in Ndebele by James Pelling and Pamela PellingA combined heat and power micro-unitmore
10 June 2007Yoko OnoSai-Yu-KiHer life for the next thirty yearsmore
17 June 2007Christy MooreCollection of Popular Songs of England & Scotland by Francis ChildA set of Uilleann pipesmore
24 June 2007Ricky GervaisA coffee table book of artVat of Novocaine - a non-addictive pain-killermore
1 July 2007Wangari MaathaiThe KoranA huge basket of fruitmore
8 July 2007Simon Russell BealeBook on medieval history (Cambridge Press)Daily Araucaria crosswordmore
15 July 2007Oliver PostgateHuge book of English poetryA comfortable bedmore
22 July 2007Thomas KeneallyCollected plays of George Bernard ShawCan of caviar, spoon and tin openermore
29 July 2007Nicola HorlickThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoA bathmore
5 August 2007Andrew DaviesGreat Expectations by Charles DickensEndless supply of Mojitosmore
12 August 2007Felix DennisDictionary of National BiographyA very long stainless steel shaft to encourage pole dancing mermaidsmore
19 August 2007Vladimir JurowskiThe complete works of Alexander PushkinA pianomore
30 September 2007George MichaelAny book of short stories by Doris LessingAston Martin DB9more
7 October 2007Alan JohnsonThe complete diaries by Samuel PepysA digital radiomore
14 October 2007Jill BalconCollected works of Thomas HardyA barrel of Guerlain Jicky perfumemore
21 October 2007Ronnie CorbettUntold Stories by Alan BennettA hammockmore
28 October 2007Joel JoffeLong Walk to Freedom by Nelson MandelaA wind up radiomore
4 November 2007Nicholas ParsonsOxford Anthology of English PoetryPortable radio with an endless supply of batteriesmore
16 November 2007Jung ChangFirst Love by Ivan TurgenevSnorkelling gearmore
18 November 2007Eliza Manningham-BullerThe Rattle Bag – Anthology of poetry edited by Ted Hughes and Seamus HeaneyLarge supply of pencils and pensmore
25 November 2007Armistead MaupinThe Cole Porter SongbookVaporisermore
2 December 2007Steven IsserlisCollected works of Anthony TrollopeA huge, huge photo album of all my friendsmore
9 December 2007Alec JeffreysComplete books of Flashman by George McDonald FraserWorld's biggest Church organmore
16 December 2007Paul WellerAbsolute Beginners by Colin MacInnesA settee to sit onmore
23 December 2007Victoria WoodA big Dickens bookA bumper book of Sudoku with blank pages and penmore
30 December 2007Karren BradyPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenHer own pillowmore

2008

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
6 January 2008John HumphrysBiggest poetry anthology possibleA cellomore
13 January 2008Simon RattleDon Quixote by Miguel de CervantesItalian coffee machine and grindermore
20 January 2008Rory StewartA parallel text of the Bhagvad GitaA ceramic bowl from the village of Istalif in Afghanistanmore
3 February 2008Beryl BainbridgeCase books of John HunterPens and papermore
10 February 2008Oleg GordievskyEncyclopædia BritannicaGood toiletries for my bathmore
17 February 2008Martin EvansLargest anthology of poetry possibleA microscope, equipment and a stack of notebooksmore
24 February 2008David DimblebyThe collected works of Michel de Montaigne's essaysA collection of drawing books, pencils and varnishmore
2 March 2008Michael BallThe Sandman series by Neil GaimanCloudy Bay Sauvignon blancmore
9 March 2008Liz SmithA very large catalogueA complete artist's setmore
16 March 2008Tariq AliCollected works of Marcel ProustA mini DVD playermore
23 March 2008Stanley McMurtryCollected works of John SteinbeckTenor saxophonemore
30 March 2008Penelope WiltonAn anthology of 20th century European poetryAn open-air cinema with a selection of filmsmore
11 May 2008Annie LennoxThe Power of Now by Eckhart TolleSuncreammore
18 May 2008Diane AbbottVolumes of architectural & historical surveys of LondonA nice bed with comfortable mattress, sheets and mosquito netmore
25 May 2008Howard GoodallThe diary of Anne FrankIce cold vanilla vodka and tonicsmore
1 June 2008Lord WoolfThe KoranA happy photograph of his whole family including the latest grandchildrenmore
8 June 2008Bill BaileyCollected works of Somerset MaughamPack of cardsmore
20 June 2008Peter CareyAusterlitz by W G SebaldA ‘magic’ pudding and a drinkmore
22 June 2008Ara DarziYes MinisterPencil and papermore
29 June 2008Posy SimmondsFour volumes of the London telephone directoryThe Crown Jewelsmore
6 July 2008Antonio CarluccioHis Dark Materials by Philip PullmanWhite trufflesmore
13 July 2008Felicity LottLes Misérables by Victor HugoLots of champagne and pistachio nutsmore
20 July 2008John StefanidisOdyssey by HomerSketch book with lots of pencilsmore
27 July 2008Antonia FraserThe complete works of Walter ScottStrings and strings of false pearlsmore
3 August 2008Richard IngramsTeach yourself piano tuningGrand pianomore
10 August 2008A. C. GraylingThe Man Without Qualities by Robert MusilA good pianomore
17 August 2008Ruthie HenshallThe Selfish Giant by Oscar WildeA jar of Hellmann's mayonnaisemore
28 September 2008Miriam MargolyesLittle Dorrit by Charles DickensA flush toiletmore
5 October 2008David McVicarVanity Fair by ThackerayWell stocked bar and fridgemore
12 October 2008Sanjeev BhaskarThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsA grand pianomore
19 October 2008Randy NewmanDivine Comedy by Dante in Italian with English translationA pianomore
26 October 2008Ian BostridgeWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyA solar computer loaded with pictures of my family and friendsmore
2 November 2008Shami ChakrabartiTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeA private screening room with moviesmore
14 November 2008Allan AhlbergSelected Stories by Alice MunroA wall to kick a football againstmore
16 November 2008David DavisThe complete works of Iain BanksA magic wine cellar which never runs outmore
23 November 2008Janet Street-PorterLarousse GastronomiqueNotebook and pensmore
30 November 2008Michael EavisBlake by Peter AckroydA mouth organ with instruction bookmore
7 December 2008Marcus du SautoyThe Glass Bead Game by Hermann HesseHis own trumpetmore
14 December 2008Michael DeeleyA decently translated book of The Qur'an200 cases of vintage winemore
21 December 2008James NesbittThe collective writings of James LawtonA bottle of chilled Sancerre for every nightmore
28 December 2008Haleh AfsharThe poems of the Iranian poet HafizA rose bushmore

2009

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
4 January 2009Simon MurrayCautionary tales by Hilaire BellocLots of paper, pencil, and pencil sharpenermore
11 January 2009Ruth PadelThe Iliad by HomerA lot of paper and pencilsmore
18 January 2009Vincent CableA Brief History of Time by Stephen HawkingAn Aston Martin carmore
25 January 2009Alan SillitoeThe Air Publication 1234 (RAF manual for navigation)A communications receiver – receiving onlymore
1 February 2009Thomas QuasthoffLong Walk to Freedom by Nelson MandelaGood winemore
8 February 2009David SuchetMagnum Magnum edited by Brigitte LardinoisHis clarinet and an unlimited supply of reedsmore
15 February 2009Kay DaviesUntold Stories by Alan BennettA pianomore
22 February 2009David WalliamsCollected poems (edition 1988 or 2003 not stated) of Phillip LarkinA gun (to shoot himself, if lonely)more
1 March 2009Lord RixEncyclopædia BritannicaA proper orthopaedic cushionmore
8 March 2009Richard MadeleyJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna ClarkeGuitarmore
15 March 2009Baaba MaalCoups de Pilon by David DiopGuitarmore
22 March 2009Athene DonaldA set of the Lymond novels of Dorothy DunnettA bathmore
29 March 2009Sebastian FaulksC. K. Scott Moncrieff's translation of Proust's Remembrance of Things PastA wicket, cricket bat, net, an endless supply of balls and a bowling machine that can be set to replicate the style of any bowlermore
10 May 2009Whoopi GoldbergLetters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria RilkeWise Potato Chipsmore
17 May 2009Peter SallisThe collected works of P. G. Wodehouse No. 7 Meccano outfitmore
24 May 2009Barry HumphriesThe Melbourne Street Directory (an old version)Paintsmore
31 May 2009Caroline, Countess of CranbrookFood in England by Dorothy HartleyInk and a penmore
7 June 2009Piers MorganAn Evil Cradling by Brian KeenanHis cricket batmore
14 June 2009Baron HealeyFaber Book of English VerseVery large box of chocolates including nougatmore
21 June 2009Martin ShawPost Captain in the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O'BrianA synthesiser to make up his own music

more

28 June 2009Arlene PhillipsLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottTweezers

more

5 July 2009Harvey GoldsmithThe Reader's Digest Do-It-Yourself GuideA piano

more

12 July 2009Hugh PenningtonThe Cabinet Cyclopedia edited by Dionysius LardnerA brass microscope

more

19 July 2009David MitchellDecline and Fall by Evelyn WaughDVD player and sitcom boxsets

more

26 July 2009Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleFull set of Scuba gear

more

2 August 2009Nicky HaslamLegacy by Sybille BedfordA large 18th-century picture

more

9 August 2009Dame Joan BakewellWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyAn abundance of paper and pencils more
16 August 2009Roberto AlagnaThe works of Victor HugoA guitar more
27 September 2009Barry ManilowMan vs Wild - Survival Techniques from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth by Bear GryllsA piano more
4 October 2009Ellen MacArthurThe SAS Survival HandbookA fluffy purple worm (which has been taken everywhere) more
11 October 2009Steve CooganThe Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence SterneFully restored Morris Minor Traveller with wooden detail

more

18 October 2009Jan PienkowskiAn audiobook of Martin Jarvis reading Just William by Richmal CromptonA large supply of Moleskine sketch books

more

25 October 2009Colin PillingerJourney into Space by Charles ChiltonA picture of the Clifton Suspension Bridge

more

1 November 2009Jerry SpringerA photo album of family and friendsA cheeseburger machine

more

13 November 2009Anthony JuliusAnna Karenina by Leo TolstoySan Pellegrino water on tap

more

15 November 2009Julia DonaldsonPoem for the DayA piano

more

22 November 2009Sir Stuart RoseWisden Cricketers' AlmanackA power shower with white fluffy towels and constant hot water

more

29 November 2009MorrisseyThe Complete Works of Oscar WildeA comfortable bed with lots of pillows

more

6 December 2009Baroness ScotlandA bound collection of her family's prose and poetryA luxurious bathroom

more

13 December 2009Lord CoeSuch Sweet Thunder: Benny Green on Jazz by Benny Green A piano and a guide to playing it more
20 December 2009Sir Michael CaineThe Fountainhead by Ayn Rand A large bed with 50% goose down and 50% feather pillows more
27 December 2009David TennantA la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel Proust A solar DVD player loaded with the seven series of The West Wing more

2010

DateCastawayBookLuxuryMore
info
3 January 2010John CopleyGrove's Operatic Dictionary of MusicHis 49-year-old double bed more
10 January 2010Mary PortasThe works of Rumi, Persian poet and philosopherA set of different fragrances from the people she loves

more

17 January 2010James EllroyLibra by Don DeLilloSunblock

more

24 January 2010Frank WarrenTreasure Island by Robert Louis StevensonMerlot grapevine more
31 January 2010Mary BeardTreasures of the British Museum by Marjorie CaygillThe Elgin Marbles more
7 February 2010Gok WanBeautiful Thing by Jonathan HarveyLip balm

more

14 February 2010Jim Al-KhaliliThe Road to Reality by Roger PenroseHis acoustic guitar

more

21 February 2010Clive WoodwardShort Game of Golf by Dave PelzA sand wedge and golf ball

more

28 February 2010June SpencerThree Men in a Boat by Jerome K. JeromeA Scrabble board more
7 March 2010Maggie Aderin-PocockStar Maker by Olaf StapledonA telescope more
14 March 2010Duncan BannatyneThe Pillars of the Earth by Ken FollettA pillow more
21 March 2010Frank Cottrell BoyceThe Voyage of the Beagle by Charles DarwinA ferris wheel

more

28 March 2010Emma ThompsonHomer's OdysseyA saucepan - heavy bottomed with a removable handle more
9 May 2010Fay WeldonKennedy's Latin PrimerA shotgun more
16 May 2010Rob Brydon The collected works of Dylan ThomasA guitar

more

23 May 2010Dame Stephanie ShirleyWinnie the Pooh by A. A. MilneMadonna and Child by Henry Moore more
30 May 2010György PaukHow to be an Alien by George MikesAn espresso machine more
13 June 2010Frank SkinnerTeach yourself FrenchA ukelele more
20 June 2010Lewis GilbertA book of poemsA footballmore
27 June 2010Tony AdamsThe book of Alcoholics AnonymousA football

more

4 July 2010Dame Fanny WatermanThe Diary of a Nobody by George GrossmithA grand piano and a stool

more

11 July 2010Dr Gwen AdsheadBiggest book of poetry availablePen and paper more
18 July 2010Tim RobbinsA matchbookA surfboard

more

25 July 2010Lynn BarberThe Complete F. Scott FitzgeraldA cyanide pill more
1 August 2010Jimmy MulvilleThe Complete Works of P. G. WodehouseA solar powered espresso machine

more

8 August 2010Lord CobboldZanoni by Edward Bulwer-LyttonA fishing rod more
15 August 2010Kathy BurkeThe Complete Works of Graham LinehanA life size laminated photo of James Caan from Dragon's Den more
26 September 2010Sir Tom JonesThe Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Lawrence JamesA bucket and spademore
3 October 2010Johnny VegasThe Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert TressellA kiln

more

10 October 2010Sarah DoukasThe Songlines by Bruce ChatwinA photo album of all her family more
17 October 2010Michael MansfieldThe Rights of Man by Thomas Paine as his Bible and The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzA drum kit more
24 October 2010Nick CleggThe Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di LampedusaA stash of cigarettes more
31 October 2010Lang LangThe Analects of ConfuciusTwo feathered pillows more
7 November 2010Ian McMillanThe Long and The Short of It: Poems 19552005 by Roy FisherA tandem bike with wooden models of his family on the front more
19 November 2010Anna Del ConteThe Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di LampedusaExtra virgin olive oil more
21 November 2010Alice CooperBreakfast of Champions by Kurt VonnegutAn indoor golf driving range

more

28 November 2010Robert HarrisScoop by Evelyn WaughA nightly fragrant bath more
5 December 2010Frances WoodA copy of Chinese dictionary Cihai, which means Sea of WordsThe war memorial outside Euston Station more
12 December 2010Sir Torquil NormanA book of his father's poems and versesA small still with an ice maker attached to it

more

19 December 2010Nick ParkA Collins bird bookHis own "amazing pair of binoculars"

more

26 December 2010Sandie ShawLecture on The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life by Daisaku Ikeda Omamori Gohonzon more