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James Lovelock, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Roy Hackett MBE, Dame Olivia Newton-John

Kirsty Lang on scientist James Lovelock, terrorist leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, activist Roy Hackett and film star Olivia Newton-John.

Kirsty Lang on

James Lovelock (pictured), the scientist and inventor who came up with the Gaia theory.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda.

Roy Hackett MBE, who led the Bristol bus boycott in 1963.

Dame Olivia Newton-John, the singer and actor who starred in Grease.

Producer: Emily Finch

Interviewed guest: Bryan Appleyard CBE
Interviewed guest: Paul Martin
Interviewed guest: Lynn Mareno
Interviewed guest: Professor Kehinde Andrews
Interviewed guest: Holly Thomas

Archive clips used: Web of Stories - YouTube channel, James Lovelock - The Gaia Theory (11/17) 17/08/2017; BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs - James Lovelock 17/11/1997; AP Archive, USS Cole Attacked 12/10/2000; BBC News, Bombings in New York 11/09/2001; BBC Two, Newsnight - London Bombings 07/07/2005; BBC Radio 4, Six O'clock News 06/10/1981; AP Archive, Muslim Extremists Trial 15/12/1982; PBS News Hour, President George W. Bush - First US strikes in Afghanistan 07/10/2001; CBS News, Biden announces death of Ayman al-Zawahiri 02/08/2022; BBC Ideas, Why I'm still fighting racism at 90 24/01/2019; BBC One, Paul O'Grady's Working Britain 15/08/2013; BBC World Service, Witness - Bristol Bus Boycott 10/10/2019; BBC One, Parkinson - Olivia Newton-John interview 02/12/1978; Paramount Pictures/Robert Stigwood Organisation (RSO)/Allan Carr Production, Grease (Film clip) 1978.

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28 minutes

Last on

Sun 14 Aug 202220:30
BBC Radio 4

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See all episodes from Last Word

James Lovelock

Born 26 July 1919 ; died 26 July 2022, aged 103.

Last Word spoke to journalist and author Bryan Appleyard CBE.

Ayman al-Zawahiri

Born 19 June 1951; died 31 July 2022 aged 71.

Last Word spoke to journalist and former BBC Cairo correspondent Paul Martin.

Roy Hackett MBE

Born 19 September 1928; died 3 August 2022, aged 93.

Last Word spoke to community leader Lynn Mareno and to academic, activist and author Professor Kehinde Andrews.

Dame Olivia Newton-John

Born 26 September 1948; died 8 August 2022 aged 73.

Last Word spoke to writer and journalist Holly Thomas.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Aug 202216:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 14 Aug 202220:30
    BBC Radio 4

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