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John le Carré (pictured), Patience Thomson, Doug Scott, Dame Barbara Windsor

Matthew Bannister on author John le Carré , educator Patience Thomson, mountaineer Doug Scott, actor Dame Barbara Windsor

Matthew Bannister on

The author John le Carré , the pen name of David Cornwell, who drew on his own experiences as a spy to elevate the espionage novel to new heights.

Patience Thomson, the educator who devoted herself to helping children with reading difficulties and set up a publishing house to create books for them. Michael Morpurgo pays tribute.

Doug Scott, the pioneering mountaineer who was the first Englishman to climb Mount Everest. His friend Sir Chris Bonington recalls Doug’s adventures.

Dame Barbara Windsor – the much loved actor who went from Carry On to Eastenders.

Interviewed guest: Adam Sisman
Interviewed guest: Sir Chris Bonnington
Interviewed guest: Denise Prior
Interviewed guest: Alice Thomson
Interviewed guest: Michael Morpurgo

Producer: Neil George

Available now

28 minutes

John le Carré

Born 19 October 1931; died 12 December 2020 aged 89.

Last Word spoke to his biographer, Adam Sisman.

Patience Thomson

Born 11 September 1935; died 21 November 2020, aged 85.

Last Word spoke to her daughter Alice Thomson and to the author, Michael Morpurgo.

Doug Scott

Born 29 May 1941; died  7 December 2020 aged 79.

Last Word spoke to his close friend and fellow mountaineer, Sir Chris Bonington and to aid worker Denise Prior.

Dame Barbara Windsor

Born 6 August 1937; died 10 December 2020 aged 83.

Last Word spoke to journalist and broadcaster, Russell Davies.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 18 Dec 2020 16:00
  • Sun 20 Dec 2020 20:30

Podcast