logo
episode-header-image
Nov 1988
35m 11s

Stephen Fry

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a man who prefers to shun any sort of label, but has already attracted quite a number of them - writer, actor, raconteur, wit - but it is as a so-called 'alternative comedian' that Stephen Fry has been most remarkable, and he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his somewhat chequered past and his highly successful present.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Magic Fire Music (Die Walkure) by Richard Wagner Book: The Jeeves Omnibus by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Suicide pill

Up next
Dec 1990
Keith Floyd
The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is television cook Keith Floyd. Renowned for his garrulous charm as much as for his culinary expertise, he'll be describing the chronicle of failure that dogged him through spells in the Army, as a cub reporter, as an antiques dealer ... Show More
31m 59s
Dec 1990
Brian Keenan
Last August the world rejoiced at the liberation of a man who, to all intents and purposes, had vanished from its face more than four years previously. A pale and gaunt Brian Keenan emerged from a captivity of appalling deprivation and isolation after being kidnapped in Beirut by ... Show More
37m 1s
Dec 1990
Sir Eduardo Paolozzi
The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is one of the great European artists of today - Eduardo Paolozzi. One of his positions is Her Majesty's Sculptor In-ordinary for Scotland - a post rather like the Poet Laureate for Sculpture, but with no duties attached to it. But suc ... Show More
37m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
S9 EP28: Stephen Fry
Joining me this episode to discuss their travel and holiday stories is the brilliant British actor, comedian, presenter, author, director and broadcasting legend - Stephen Fry. What a pleasure it is to welcome him onto the show. Enjoy! Please subscribe and review. Thanks, Alan. x ... Show More
49m 12s
Dec 2022
Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
To call Stephen Fry a national treasure would be underselling him. One of the hardest working names in British media, you name it and Stephen has done it; writer, actor, director and comedian. The size of his contribution to British culture in over four decades as a public figure ... Show More
1h 34m
Aug 2023
Stephen Fry
Actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster Stephen Fry first made his name as a comic performer as a Cambridge University undergraduate with the Footlights company. He went on to forge a television partnership with his university friend Hugh Laurie on the sketch show A Bit Of Fry an ... Show More
43m 56s
Oct 2020
Intelligence with Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is regarded as one of the UK's brightest brains. He's a prolific writer and actor who can apply his shrewd analysis and razor-sharp wit to just about any subject. So how does he keep his mind curious?  On today's Braincare Podcast, Stephen shares his thoughts on intel ... Show More
10m 49s
Sep 2020
Stephen Fry
<p>The incomparable Stephen Fry joins Lawrence to discuss topics ranging from Greek myths and language, to AI, technology, religion, politics, and mental health.</p> <p>See the commercial-free, full HD videos of all episodes at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/originspodcast" clas ... Show More
2h 5m
Nov 2021
Encore: Intelligence with Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is regarded as one of the UK's brightest brains. He's a prolific writer and actor who can apply his shrewd analysis and razor-sharp wit to just about any subject. So how does he keep his mind curious?  On today's encore episode of the Braincare Podcast, Stephen shares ... Show More
12m 40s
Dec 2024
Stephen Fry, one-pot cod with peppers, tomatoes & potatoes and a pinot noir
Nick and Angela welcome the legendary Stephen Fry, a true polymath whose career spans acting, writing, comedy, and broadcasting. From his early days at Cambridge with Hugh Laurie to his iconic roles in Blackadder and QI, Stephen has captivated audiences for decades. He is here to ... Show More
41m 3s
Jul 2025
S9 EP28: Stephen Fry (Video Edition)
VIDEO EPISODE ALERT! Our first ever full video episode here at Life's a Beach towers. Head to Spotify to see the full conversation and subscribe to the show for future video episodes. Enjoy the brilliant chat with British actor, comedian, presenter, author, director and broadcast ... Show More
47m 34s
Jan 1999
Dave Brubeck
This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. One of the most successful musicians of our time, it's nearly 40 years since he famously encouraged us to Take Five, and so changed the sound of jazz forever. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he talks ... Show More
37m 12s