John Humphrys

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the broadcaster and journalist John Humphrys. For 21 years he has been at the helm of Today, Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme. Millions of devoted listeners enjoy his tenacious interviewing style - and it's won him a healthy respect from politicians too. Not all are supporters though; Jonathan Aitken accused him of "poisoning the well of democratic debate" - an attack which he initially thought would cost him his career.

Now, his life is dominated not only by the alarm bell - which is set for 3.58am - but by his youngest son, Owen. When John Humphrys describes the joy and warmth the seven-year-old has brought him, he becomes, if only temporarily, lost for words.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Choices

1.

Ella Fitzgerald

Manhattan

Others who chose this artist

2.

Pendyrus Male Choir

Myfanway

3.

Duke Ellington

Take the A Train

Others who chose this artist

4.

Don McLean

Vincent

Others who chose this artist

5.

Teal Choir

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

6.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Violin Concerto in D major - 2nd movement

Soloist: Itzhak Perlman Orchestra: The Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini

Others who chose this artist

7.

Castaway's favourite

Sir Edward Elgar

Cello Concerto in E minor - 1st movement

Soloist: Mstislav Rostropovich Orchestra: The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Gennadi Rozhdestvensky

Others who chose this artist

8.

Jerry Lee Lewis

Great Balls of Fire

Others who chose this artist

Book

Biggest poetry anthology possible by

Others who chose this author

Luxury item

A cello

Others who chose a similar luxury