Judi Dench on her childhood days in amateur dramatics

In 2024, the athlete Dame Sarah Storey was cast away by Lauren Laverne.Sarah Storey is Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian. She was just 14 when she took two weeks off school to compete as a swimmer in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics where she won her first two gold medals.She spoke to Lauren about the first time she watched the Olympics on TV.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

In 2015, the American lawyer Bryan Stevenson was cast away by Kirsty Young.Bryan is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a private, not-for-profit organisation in the US working on death penalty cases, prison and sentencing reform, and issues of race and poverty.He spoke to Kirsty about racism in the American criminal justice system.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2012 for the 70th anniversary of Desert Island Discs.Sir David told Kirsty about his passion for fossils, which began as a child and inspired his love of the natural world.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The actor Dustin Hoffman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2012.He has been a leading man in Hollywood for over fifty years. His career includes movies such as The Graduate, All The President's Men, Kramer v Kramer, Tootsie and Rain Man.He spoke to Kirsty about his relationship with his father.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The writer Marian Keyes was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.It’s thirty years since she published her first novel, Watermelon. Her books have sold in their millions, and many of her bestsellers have been adapted for the screen.She spoke to Kirsty about how she feels when she’s finished writing a book.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The footballer David Beckham was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2017.Born and raised in East London, he spent hours as a child kicking a ball around at the local park with his father. At the age of seven, he played for his first team, Ridgeway Rovers, before coming to the attention of Manchester United.He spoke to Kirsty about how his love of football – and fashion – started at an early age.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The great American writer Maya Angelou was cast away back in 1987.She told Michael Parkinson about the disturbing reason she became temporarily mute during her childhood, which in turn led to her love of poetry. Some listeners may find her description of events upsetting.You can find the full episode on BBC Sounds.Details of organisations offering information and support with child sexual abuse are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

The surgeon David Nott was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016 shortly after returning from war-torn Syria.He spoke to Kirsty about his experiences of working in a warzone for the first time back in the early 90s.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The actor Dame Judi Dench has been cast away to the desert island three times, most recently in 2015.She spoke to Kirsty Young about her first performances in an amateur dramatic group which included her parents as members.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The singer Adele was cast away by Lauren Laverne in 2022.In 2008, she released her debut album, 19, and the following year she won the first of many Grammys. Her next three albums, 21, 25 and 30, consolidated her superstar status.She told Lauren about the day she signed her first record deal.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.