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Donald Sturrock charts Dahl's final years and how his extraordinary spell on children has endured. With Julian Rhind-Tutt and Ian McDiarmid.

"Roald Dahl thought biographies were boring. He told me so while munching on a lobster claw."

The new biographer of Dahl is Donald Sturrock, who once made a film about the writer, so knew the man and his family very well. His book charts Dahl's rich and varied life as fighter pilot, intelligence operative, and the adult writer who then wrote for children in such an impactful way that he remains hugely popular with today's young readers. He was truly on their wavelength. He spoke to them through books such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The BFG and Danny, Champion of The World.

Sturrock investigates Dahl's eternal popularity as a writer. And of course the man behind the books...

5. Even close to death Dahl was in mischievous mood, and his appeal to children will never fade.

Reader Julian Rhind Tutt and the voice of Dahl is Ian McDiarmid.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 Apr 201502:45

Broadcasts

  • Fri 10 Sep 201009:45
  • Sat 11 Sep 201000:30
  • Fri 14 Jun 201314:45
  • Fri 17 Apr 201514:45
  • Sat 18 Apr 201502:45

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