Simon Murray

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the adventurer and businessman Simon Murray. What many of us would struggle to do over three life-times he has managed in one - as a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion. Fighting in the Algerian war, he risked his life many times over; combat was at close quarters and was very bloody.

Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key allies during the handover of Hong Kong. Then, in his 60s and looking for a new challenge, he chanced upon the idea of polar adventure, and went on to become the oldest person to walk unsupported to the South Pole. But after all this, his greatest achievement, he says, is his marriage. Perhaps it's no surprise that his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, is the first woman to have flown a helicopter solo around the world. These days their three children try to curb their enthusiasm for dangerous pursuits. But, Simon snorts, the couple simply say: "we're not listening."

This programme contains descriptions that some listeners may find disturbing.

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

Choices

1.

Annie Lennox

Why

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2.

Luciano Pavarotti

A Vucchella (A Sweet Mouth)

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3.

Members of the French Foreign Legion

Eugenie

4.

Fryderyk Chopin

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor - 2nd movement

Soloist: Idil Biret Orchestra: Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Robert Stankovsky

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5.

Neil Diamond

Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed so Good)

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6.

Pietro Mascagni

Intermezzo (from Cavalleria rusticana)

Soloist: Cavalleria Rusticana Conductor: Riccardo Muti

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7.

Bob Marley

Three Little Birds

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8.

Castaway's favourite

Giacomo Puccini

O soave fanciulla (from La Bohème)

Soloist: Maria Callas and Giuseppe di Stefano Orchestra: The Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Conductor: Antonino Votto

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Book

Cautionary Tales by Hilaire Belloc

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Luxury item

Lots of paper, pencil and pencil sharpener

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