Molly Parkin

Kirsty Young's castaway is the doyenne of bohemian living, Molly Parkin.

She left the Welsh valleys to train as a fine artist in London and was a successful painter then teacher before becoming a fashion writer and novelist. She is as well known, though, for her lifestyle as her work. She adopted a hedonistic approach to life - smoking and drinking through the night and picking up numerous lovers along the way.

Now aged 79 she prefers to live alone and says she has found a calmer way of living. "I have been blessed, and made it my business, to surround myself with larger than life characters," she says, "love, on a very profound level comes unexpectedly and brilliantly."

Choices

1.

Bette Midler

Accentuate the Positive

Composer: Harold Arlen – music Johnny Mercer

Others who chose this artist

2.

Liane Carroll

Three Sheets to the Wind

Composer: Liane Carroll

Others who chose this artist

3.

Louis Armstrong

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Composer: Kalmar/Ruby/Oscar Hammerstein 11

Others who chose this artist

4.

Ian Shaw

Somewhere towards love

Composer: Ian Shaw

Others who chose this artist

5.

George Melly

Rockin' Chair

Composer: Carmichael

Others who chose this artist

6.

Michael Jackson

Billie Jean

Composer: M Jackson

Others who chose this artist

7.

Sarah Jane Morris

Never Forget How to Dance

Composer: Sarah Jane Morris/Martyn Barker/Dominic Miller/John Brown

Others who chose this artist

8.

Castaway's favourite

Little Richard

Good Golly Miss Molly

Composer: Marascalco, Blackwell

Others who chose this artist

Book

The History of the Colony by Sophie Parkin

Others who chose this author

Luxury item

Her entire outfit including her Andrew Logan Brooch

Others who chose a similar luxury