Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, Ian Lavender, Robie Harris, Barry John
Matthew Bannister on campaigner Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, actor Ian Lavender, author Robie Harris and rugby player Barry John.
Matthew Bannister on
Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue who overcame a traumatic childhood to become one of Australia’s leading campaigners for the rights of indigenous people.
Ian Lavender, the actor best known for playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army.
Robie Harris, whose book explaining sex to children made her one of America’s most banned authors.
Barry John, the Welsh and British and Irish Lions fly-half known simply as “The King”.
Interviewee: Stuart Rintoul
Interviewee: Paul Abbandonato
Interviewee: Hilary Gagan
Interviewee: Rick Wakeman
Interviewee: Michael Emberley
Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies
Archive used:
Dr O’Donoghue speaking at the Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016, Lowitja Institute International, YouTube upload 07/09/2023; Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, Australian Biography Series 3, Film Australia Collection 1994, Director & Producer Frank Heimans, YouTube upload 01/06/2021; Native Title Act News Report, BBC News, BBC One, 22/12/1993 Barry John: The King, BBC One Wales, 08/032013; Barry John, Scotland v Wales, Five Nations, BBC One, 1971; Barry John, Cardiff v Wales, BBC One Wales, 1969; Barry John playing for Lions v New Zealand, BBC One Wales, 22/03/2013; Barry John, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 12/12/1978; Robie Harris On Kids' Right To Read, National Coalition Against Censorship, YouTube, 01/02/2014; Robie Harris on KidLit TV, 07/11/2014; Ian Lavender, Celebrity MasterMind, BBC One, 01/01/2009; , Dad's Army: Series 5, Asleep in the Deep, BBC One, 04/01/1977; Dads Army, Battle of the Giants!, BBC One, 26/08/1972; Dads Army, The Deadly Attachment, 31/10/1973; Ian Lavender interview, Today, BBC Radio 4, 14/11/2022; Ian Lavender interview, 5’s Company, 1997, Freemantle, YouTube upload 24/08/2018
Last on
Lowitja O'Donoghue
The campaigner who overcame a traumatic childhood to become one of Australia’s leading campaigners for the rights of indigenous people.
Last Word spoke to her official biographer Stuart Rintoul
aged 91
Ian Lavender
The actor best known for playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army.
Last Word spoke to his agent Hilary Gagan and his friend the musician Rick Wakeman.
Born 16 February 1946, died 2 February 2024 , has died aged 77.
Robie Harris
The author whose book explaining sex to children made her one of America’s most banned authors.
Last Word spoke to the illustrator Michael Emberley who worked with her.
Born 3 April 1940, died 6 January, 2024, aged 83.
Barry John
The Welsh and British and Irish Lions fly-half known simply as “The King”.
Last Word spoke Paul Abbandonato who co-wrote his biography.
Born January 6 1945, died February 4 2024, aged 79.
Broadcasts
- Fri 9 Feb 202416:00BBC Radio 4
- Sun 11 Feb 202420:30BBC Radio 4
Podcast
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Last Word
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme

