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The Great Lives of Great Lives

After more than 450 episodes, presenter Matthew Parris reckons it's time to find out what makes a great life.

Back in the late summer of 2001, a new biography series aired on Radio 4. Matthew Parris was not the first presenter, but he has chaired more editions than anyone else. His very first episode was about Morecambe and Wise, since when he's listened to claims for Leon Trotsky, Donna Summer, Doris Day and Benito Mussolini. So what makes a great life, and can anyone join? Here, with some help from the first programme's producer, he starts to draw some conclusions of his own.

Extracts include Toni Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Virginia Woolfe, Kenny Everett, and Clement Attlee, Nominators include Jessie Ware, Christopher Hitchens, Ken Dodd, Andi Oliver, Penelope Keith, David Attenborough, and Grace Dent.

The presenter is Matthew Parris, the producer in Bristol Miles Warde

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28 minutes

Last on

Christmas Day 2020 23:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 22 Dec 2020 16:30
  • Christmas Day 2020 23:00

Great Rock and Roll Lives

Great Rock and Roll Lives

Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday

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